tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80868492579390411632024-02-06T19:24:30.321-08:00Sunshine Stepping StonesRecipes, crafts, kindness ideas--this blog has it all! This is YOUR stepping stone to the richness that life has to offer! We'll explore delicious main dish, salad and dessert recipes. (Perhaps a beverage or two also!) I'll post my favorite crafts plus photos so you can see how it really looks. I also love reaching out to folks with unexpected surprises, so there'll be posts with details and lovely ideas.Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-3071943619213194142013-05-08T07:24:00.000-07:002013-05-08T07:25:29.771-07:00Lesson of the Game<br />
<span style="color: purple;">It was a typical day here in Northwest NJ---it had been quite warm, nearly 70 degrees for the middle part of the day, but now it's 6:00pm and clouds were moving in, making the parents glad they'd brought a jacket. The wind at the ball field began to pick up too. The baseball game is underway and there are hits, catches, throws and steals by both teams.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">This is recreation baseball for 10-year old's so all the boys are from the same town, go to school at one of three elementary schools here. Many have been playing since T-ball at the age of 5. Dads coach the teams, assist in the dugout, warm up pitchers, and provide plenty of advice on the proper way to hold the bat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The boys do their best to run the bases properly, pay attention in the outfield and cover the bases the way coach taught them. A mistake here, a panicked throw there and the Red Sox have the game well in hand.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">A player for the Red Sox hits a home run and puts them even further ahead of the Yankees. The coach pulls the Yankees together and reminds them of several lessons they'd covered in practice that week. "Let's refocus and play the way we know we can!" he tells them. The boys get the third out and end the top of the fourth inning.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Hitting continues to be a struggle for the Yankees. The boys don't score in the bottom of the fourth, but still keep their enthusiasm as they head out into the field for the top of the fifth and final inning. By this time the clouds are high and the sun has set. Daylight hours have turned to minutes...as the light is dwindling.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The first batter on the Red Sox scores, making it 13-6. Another batter gets on base, as the Yankees fastest pitcher is on the mound. Then, a strikeout. The next batter gets a little shove out of the dugout by his dad. He's reluctant to stand in the batter's box. He walks instead over to his coach who is coaching third. The boy would rather do anything than face the pitcher. He and the coach talk for quite a while which draws the attention of the rest of the players, coaches and parents.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The Yankees coach starts encouraging the reluctant child to take his at bat. The Yankees pitcher adds a clap and words of encouragement. "Matthew" it begins quietly. Slowly building - the chant - Mat-thew, Mat-thew, Mat-thew, MAT-THEW! Before you know it, both teams, all coaches and parents are cheering loudly for a tearful frightened boy! He steps into the batters box and the pitcher kindly tosses a gentle pitch to the catcher. Swing and a miss. Two more soft tosses and the batter is out, but the cheering was for Matthew and for facing his fear!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">The Yankees are re-ignited by the impending end of the game, their experience with Matthew and proceed to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, making the final score a respectable 13-9.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">During the shaking of hands after the last out, Matthew was surrounded by all the boys on both teams and congratulated. The lessons learned on this ball field had little to do with baseball, and more to do with life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Sportsmanship is so often overlooked when players and coaches are stuck on <u>Winning</u>. How unrealistic to have Winning as the only goal, the be-all-end-all to sports. The Yankees haven't won a game this season so far, but still found it in their hearts to reach out to a classmate who was having a hard time. That is a real champion in my book!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">(The name of the boy has been changed for his privacy, as well as team names.)</span><br />
<br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-51263657024518240222013-02-08T07:59:00.000-08:002013-02-08T07:59:29.749-08:00Blizzard<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday February 8, 2013</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So there's a blizzard on it's way to the Northeast today. School is closed for the kids. While I love that they're home, (yes I really do) I am sad that they will be going to school too far into the summer. We were hit by Hurricane Sandy only a few months ago and school was out for two weeks! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What are your family's favorite things to do when housebound? Do you play games, clean, head out into the snow, attack a room with paint, watch movies, make brownies?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While we decide what we'll do today, I am taking stock of my Sunshine Stepping Stones business, making decisions about my business plan and creating new, fresh products! It may be cloudy outside, but I'm finding a way to have a sunny attitude.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's been a little while since I've posted on this blog and I want to show you the gorgeous new photos of my Sugar Scrubs. Before I do that, let me tell you that the recipe for Sugar Scrub that I posted a few months ago is simply a jumping off point. I've changed, altered and tweaked that recipe and now offer a more superior product for my customers. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The result is a more moisturizing, conditioning product that you'll be so pleased to make a regular part of your beauty routine.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How do you use scrubs? How often should I use them? These are questions I am asked all the time! To use: Take a small amount (about a tablespoon) and massage onto wet or dry hands, feet, elbows or knees. Gently rub in a circular motion to exfoliate and get rid of dry, bumpy or rough skin. Then rinse the sugar off and pat dry. Some customers use it in the shower...works for them, but if your skin is really dry, too much of the moisturizer in the scrub is washed away. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sugar scrub is best used 2-3 times a week at most. The idea is to rejuvenate your skin.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Clapping! I opened an Etsy shop a few weeks ago! I was nervous about it at first, but also so excited to move my business in such a positive direction! The name of the shop is "Sunshine Sugar Scrubs" and here's the link. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunshineSugarScrubs">http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunshineSugarScrubs</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Now here we go with the photos!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuQKC36dGPZ7gSxP7uDw9zFL9yrkcvh_12OpsxKvDwpdc75L-No4hFktGMh8zPssFDAJlN4asUs8ySPHyoFhidvBIsU5LgqcP80hsFch1hhDN3gEdw0b98vcbwv_JUO-nfJBtu5lsLFA/s1600/P1060037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cucumber Melon Sugar Scrub" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuQKC36dGPZ7gSxP7uDw9zFL9yrkcvh_12OpsxKvDwpdc75L-No4hFktGMh8zPssFDAJlN4asUs8ySPHyoFhidvBIsU5LgqcP80hsFch1hhDN3gEdw0b98vcbwv_JUO-nfJBtu5lsLFA/s320/P1060037.JPG" width="302" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Cucumber Melon Sugar Scrub (4oz jar) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraIL3jonlhyphenhyphen_8mP_UW1NtePZgs-yiHv0QLM87XXzpk35zY0BquFD6xwJvNrN8UOxDozN2-bJdbhyCe4-IJLngo7X1sKKsJgu-Hh42tSDqkTFbmN_f_LrWgptbalm-Tsfy431kWozJtts/s1600/P1060109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraIL3jonlhyphenhyphen_8mP_UW1NtePZgs-yiHv0QLM87XXzpk35zY0BquFD6xwJvNrN8UOxDozN2-bJdbhyCe4-IJLngo7X1sKKsJgu-Hh42tSDqkTFbmN_f_LrWgptbalm-Tsfy431kWozJtts/s320/P1060109.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Island Breeze Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ugWZ1TsbileETsE1LVeyNv8YKhbDUU6TCqcZjGd7zr_jXNNJLsZ8Tnr2lNP35jPp3CnrdJhNfpBXlydz03-0fxzVhIndwxArOWCZ5VhanWOnmf4DKfqzIMXx5DgwzNVoN72bLyvrLE/s1600/P1060122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35ugWZ1TsbileETsE1LVeyNv8YKhbDUU6TCqcZjGd7zr_jXNNJLsZ8Tnr2lNP35jPp3CnrdJhNfpBXlydz03-0fxzVhIndwxArOWCZ5VhanWOnmf4DKfqzIMXx5DgwzNVoN72bLyvrLE/s320/P1060122.JPG" width="249" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Rose Garden Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL56kRnp_JiXgYSZ8kGDUngW-6JMv9Yj0G9UxyA90hJiwWyTKupEpWoPc-0_pUon0UDUJRPwF1wNX2P_ZVhSc2qnIs-LdbdrDGS8urOeSaQOoaDpk8BHOMg9MzEeIkbtJ9mD6L3ZIe04/s1600/P1060150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL56kRnp_JiXgYSZ8kGDUngW-6JMv9Yj0G9UxyA90hJiwWyTKupEpWoPc-0_pUon0UDUJRPwF1wNX2P_ZVhSc2qnIs-LdbdrDGS8urOeSaQOoaDpk8BHOMg9MzEeIkbtJ9mD6L3ZIe04/s320/P1060150.JPG" width="254" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Honey Almond Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfRWrjlLOQZaEB4oMO8hJ1Lynf6SI0XYctSonWbusD5xv5KlqdFblrOaXPzudOScYnKhVZkN8YZZ19YdfI8Gd1DjYiM7-k0gzxOZUAlUj_EGJ_kHwOAOMqJwqH8Lz_uXmGOlkN8mw2Dk/s1600/P1060172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfRWrjlLOQZaEB4oMO8hJ1Lynf6SI0XYctSonWbusD5xv5KlqdFblrOaXPzudOScYnKhVZkN8YZZ19YdfI8Gd1DjYiM7-k0gzxOZUAlUj_EGJ_kHwOAOMqJwqH8Lz_uXmGOlkN8mw2Dk/s320/P1060172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Mango Frappe Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3JDub9LTDvT3HViZhH4IJVqwwhd9gK5Hw3gDQ9Mt51INat3SQ1a_JtLgvxnOhV9JdObZU0tE0Jo5rUL8dC4WLF0-TUIEZkNFq5V5aH9zzeQ7zNkP2j_tUrmfldc9bYSGeXNLGigcfEE/s1600/P1060056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3JDub9LTDvT3HViZhH4IJVqwwhd9gK5Hw3gDQ9Mt51INat3SQ1a_JtLgvxnOhV9JdObZU0tE0Jo5rUL8dC4WLF0-TUIEZkNFq5V5aH9zzeQ7zNkP2j_tUrmfldc9bYSGeXNLGigcfEE/s320/P1060056.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Clean Cotton Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wwo8-z3XZsTT_84UYP49Nd0yBqVWGMoKeQCPpsccPWKIqwmlT4Jmmuov09Yd4Uj86lxDhMHdi8Y24vlOJUaHyzD-pFnkfkIaZd_yticLu-Bo3NSeBVk-t50AnvIheK70RagvQ8We19c/s1600/P1060125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wwo8-z3XZsTT_84UYP49Nd0yBqVWGMoKeQCPpsccPWKIqwmlT4Jmmuov09Yd4Uj86lxDhMHdi8Y24vlOJUaHyzD-pFnkfkIaZd_yticLu-Bo3NSeBVk-t50AnvIheK70RagvQ8We19c/s320/P1060125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Blackberry Icing Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw3MdVj6Z1kgXj7dThSAbn-d1Hvhx_GS9_vFb-wqYsZm5wgQAdBHHAGtTGWyVT4KwcLdrWBDfXFfu-KqmkH8lGpZfl5XuF9JFgsih4UlqSINRKGESYsc_kC8dnN1PZZG_MhJCMvlxvDY/s1600/P1060142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw3MdVj6Z1kgXj7dThSAbn-d1Hvhx_GS9_vFb-wqYsZm5wgQAdBHHAGtTGWyVT4KwcLdrWBDfXFfu-KqmkH8lGpZfl5XuF9JFgsih4UlqSINRKGESYsc_kC8dnN1PZZG_MhJCMvlxvDY/s320/P1060142.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Coconut Cream Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Wow, that was fun! I have worked really hard developing all of these new fragrances and then photographing each one. I hope you agree that these are unlike any other sugar scrubs out there. The packaging alone distinguishes these. So pretty, so blingy, so creative! They'll be adorable sitting on the sink in your bathroom. You'll love the smile on your guests faces when you give these as party favors too!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Stay tuned...there'll be more photos to drool over very shortly! </span></div>
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<br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-66156038595873012312012-12-29T12:53:00.001-08:002012-12-29T12:53:22.922-08:00Lavender Sugar Scrub<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with fun times with family and friends! I apologize for the space between posts! I've been so busy filling orders of sugar scrub AND growing my facebook page, that I barely have time to make dinner, spend time with the kids, clean, do laundry. Blah blah blah! Everyone's busy, I know! I've just got to make the time to ensure that I blog regularly in addition to developing new products, photo shoots and the rest.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Well, are you ready to see the newest in my line of Sugar Scrubs? It's <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Lavender Sugar Scrub</span></strong> and is available in these sizes: 4oz jar for $5 (shown) 6oz jar for $6, 9.5oz plastic container for $9 and a half pint canning jar for $11.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2LDDSf6X0jnYGgRqmnCjaKb12NrHED5Hnk3ucJckp4p_WOp2w73fJfhmQHpzFijqxF6wOoWVPTYC-oAgu0LSNdsTwNZW5bp8B6Trz3S_hhZwncU-qPwhOEo9T1ydHAQ5lef-JCAaiXc/s1600/P1060018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2LDDSf6X0jnYGgRqmnCjaKb12NrHED5Hnk3ucJckp4p_WOp2w73fJfhmQHpzFijqxF6wOoWVPTYC-oAgu0LSNdsTwNZW5bp8B6Trz3S_hhZwncU-qPwhOEo9T1ydHAQ5lef-JCAaiXc/s320/P1060018.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The scent is both relaxing and soothing! Go to my facebook page </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sunshinesteppingstones"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">www.facebook.com/sunshinesteppingstones</span></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> to order or leave a comment with your info and order.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here's another photo of the <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Lavender Sugar Scrub</span></strong> with different decoration:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevOchopJZUE3xtnaSLgtapQrr-_T45KV9OvR1jVTgP2xnf96pE7OxeUWdonAywSMu7wmqZfyegVsdG5YazubcNEHqRjz1BA2ZLtrtiU5qKx0d29VAL4ieCqYj9JbUGnRkS6oiSR7BlLc/s1600/P1060021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevOchopJZUE3xtnaSLgtapQrr-_T45KV9OvR1jVTgP2xnf96pE7OxeUWdonAywSMu7wmqZfyegVsdG5YazubcNEHqRjz1BA2ZLtrtiU5qKx0d29VAL4ieCqYj9JbUGnRkS6oiSR7BlLc/s320/P1060021.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Imagine jars of these at each place setting at a wedding. (Color-coordinated with the wedding colors of course!) Notice the rhinestone on top of the jar and the purple metallic eyelash yarn around the neck? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you are planning a wedding or a shower, I'd love to talk with you about customizing jars of scrub for <u>your</u> guests! This would be a wonderful <span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>Bridal Shower favor</strong></span>, dressed in the Bride's favorite color. These could be a <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">thank-you gift </span></strong>to the Bridesmaids. The possibilities are endless. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Another suggestion: many times <span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>goody bags</strong></span> are prepared for out-of-town guests at a wedding...things like bottled water, mints and toothbrush. Make their stay memorable with a jar of Lavender Sugar Scrub from Sunshine Stepping Stones!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The fragrance of lavender is so restful, relaxing and soothing! You'll love the way your skin feels after using the sugar scrub. Customers have told me they use it on their heels, hands, elbows, knees and backs of arms! It is useful wherever you have flaky, dry or rough skin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Hope you enjoy this new fragrance of Sugar Scrub!</span></div>
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Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-8581762301394174152012-12-09T11:02:00.001-08:002012-12-09T11:06:22.467-08:00Benefits of Sugar Scrub<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, December 9, 2012</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RfECcSJIor6NPTBN_pRnjdHXdMrSRb3DMuxJWVe0qpFapzPm02lmiB7u0O88WuhEL3VsoxPHYbQ6BA_Gv2xDDR2CBa-PS1VCjyIfezvg6JNGawixsbdSM9sWDcQqUiBzW-rv6eX7Gu0/s1600/P1050271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eucalyptus Sugar Scrub" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RfECcSJIor6NPTBN_pRnjdHXdMrSRb3DMuxJWVe0qpFapzPm02lmiB7u0O88WuhEL3VsoxPHYbQ6BA_Gv2xDDR2CBa-PS1VCjyIfezvg6JNGawixsbdSM9sWDcQqUiBzW-rv6eX7Gu0/s320/P1050271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I've talked a lot about Sugar Scrubs on this blog...but I don't think I've really addressed the benefits of using Sugar Scrub. If you've never tried one before, I know you'll be pleased with the texture of your skin after using it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You will have healthier, more evenly-colored and textured skin after a few times using sugar scrub. Skin is exfoliated, revealing healthy smooth skin. Do you use a pumice stone for rough areas? Try sugar scrubbing those same areas regularly and you may no longer need the pumice stone.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sugar Scrub is helpful to use before shaving. Because skin is exfoliated, you will prevent ingrown hair, bumps and irritation that sometimes accompanies shaving.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Try using your Sugar Scrub on dry hands, feet, knees, backs of arms, feet or anywhere skin is rough, bumpy, dry or flaky. Customers have told me that Sugar Scrub helps those with psoriasis to control the flaking and itching. Some want is specifically for the backs of their arms to help smooth the little red bumps that many people get there.</span><br />
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<a alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYWGUvoGnyMWOHCFj6RnOvDh7enIv4lU3E_iAsAHVzSenkGtIDgLn9ypXOXMIXbUef4trAckQA0c1vSIYscD52xdY5v1bDhAufeigd87lhnr9Y4RPFT0sNGWH6LY6E_kddh3JbXtTN_E/s1600/P1050232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYWGUvoGnyMWOHCFj6RnOvDh7enIv4lU3E_iAsAHVzSenkGtIDgLn9ypXOXMIXbUef4trAckQA0c1vSIYscD52xdY5v1bDhAufeigd87lhnr9Y4RPFT0sNGWH6LY6E_kddh3JbXtTN_E/s320/P1050232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you are a gardener, consider using Sugar Scrub to cleanse your hands at the end of the day. The gentle scrubbers help with cleansing while the oil moisturizes skin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some customers have asked about possible allergic reactions. My answer depends on the type of allergy you are dealing with. Fragrance oils used in scrubs can be irritating to sensitive skin. The one I would recommend to those with ultra-sensitive skin is the Vanilla Brown Sugar variety that I make. There are only four ingredients: Brown sugar, granulated <span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">white sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla.</span></span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq84M4uQwK005OEMK1QNLUT_WldeeHS48tGDNSfErC6U7ezkJttOhUv9OsBzZYVJDaF-J6CRtS-e53VvUvLdPCS9COpUZdOrDfXHsA1YDBDgdkWlnBg548t3gkoMQHfeC43aLgePGs_0/s1600/vanillabr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vanilla" body="body" border="0" brown="brown" height="231" scrub="scrub" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq84M4uQwK005OEMK1QNLUT_WldeeHS48tGDNSfErC6U7ezkJttOhUv9OsBzZYVJDaF-J6CRtS-e53VvUvLdPCS9COpUZdOrDfXHsA1YDBDgdkWlnBg548t3gkoMQHfeC43aLgePGs_0/s320/vanillabr.jpg" sugar="sugar" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Many companies make Sugar Scrub and while ingredients vary, prices also range from $10 a tube or jar to $60 or more! If you are considering trying Sugar Scrub, take a look at the varieties that I make. Mine start at $4/jar and are available in four different fragrances: Green Tea, Eucalyptus, Vanilla Brown Sugar and Spiced Brown Sugar. Each is packaged in recycled sterilized baby food jars. Jars are decorated beautifully for gift-giving!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKoZBv_z1hV7q64xKF-0ShUaqcaMzeAo9l43IxmSQyKLJ4IsxEj2u_zY0EpBTkVaH2JU9gP4PuJ7C6fIvVP54PvYXCmdBlRWL03xWDmTz2Tw48uEGwj3BfJbdDu3SEOWrdNg6N05vwOQ/s1600/P1050281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spiced Brown Sugar Body Scrub" border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKoZBv_z1hV7q64xKF-0ShUaqcaMzeAo9l43IxmSQyKLJ4IsxEj2u_zY0EpBTkVaH2JU9gP4PuJ7C6fIvVP54PvYXCmdBlRWL03xWDmTz2Tw48uEGwj3BfJbdDu3SEOWrdNg6N05vwOQ/s320/P1050281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-71702650559902234632012-12-09T08:21:00.003-08:002012-12-09T13:47:23.235-08:00More Than Me Wins $1 Million<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTHNHIhmjinXrL_9zMIbreHeiw1UMQyP2VItX7Yo_Tr0CPXZxrzvwzvCQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" class="th " height="94" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTHNHIhmjinXrL_9zMIbreHeiw1UMQyP2VItX7Yo_Tr0CPXZxrzvwzvCQ" style="margin-top: 0px;" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_logos" width="94" /></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, December 9, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Last night the Chase American Giving Awards were on NBC. Were you watching? It was so exciting to to watch Katie Meyler and the More Than Me organization win the top prize of $1 Million!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.morethanme.org/index.html"><img id="logo" src="http://www.morethanme.org/images/logo.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I had the pleasure of having Katie Meyler come to a Heartworks meeting last year. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Here is Katie (2nd from the left, wearing red) with our Heartworks ladies.</span><br />
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<a alt="Katie Meyler, wearing red with Heartworks Ladies" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnjPvWzxc9QKJqNYaYl7zDFKSgJ37QQ1Lb_lnH5dhWDTJYLkBfovBav0oqqAkfwHp1xJn0yucC5zDc-zIbMZJoE3DuqEPLEnIo1eTyK9HDfatzpa0BBvttxXh6ndPtlxSyMPgMx65axE/s1600/281360_242288819129286_4494403_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnjPvWzxc9QKJqNYaYl7zDFKSgJ37QQ1Lb_lnH5dhWDTJYLkBfovBav0oqqAkfwHp1xJn0yucC5zDc-zIbMZJoE3DuqEPLEnIo1eTyK9HDfatzpa0BBvttxXh6ndPtlxSyMPgMx65axE/s320/281360_242288819129286_4494403_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Katie grew up in a town nearby and the founder of Heartworks, Megan McDowell has been a supporter of Katie's efforts for a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Let me tell you a little about Katie--despite growing up in a mostly-wealthy town, she had a difficult childhood. She says she was the "poor" family in town. The family who would receive garbage bags of used clothing at the back door from anonymous donors. Her mother struggled to raise her three children alone.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Katie wanted to find her way in the world. She took a trip to Haiti and fell in love with helping people. She had an awakening and realized that her childhood had been luxury in comparison to the lives of so many in the world! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Many girls she found on a subsequent trip to Liberia were orphans and lacked even basics like clean drinking water. Girls as young as 8 were brought into prostitution because it afforded them an income they otherwise would be without. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Katie was resolved to find a way to come back to Liberia and help get little girls off the streets and into school. More Than Me was born a short time later. Katie works tirelessly and constantly gathering support for the More Than Me Foundation. See more of her story here:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://youtu.be/Ue7MMHCyxXA">http://youtu.be/Ue7MMHCyxXA</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When she came to my Heartworks meeting, she spoke frankly and passionately about her experiences and what she is doing to help girls get off the street and into school. What a genuine, positive force in the world! Everyone at the meeting was touched by her story, her honesty and her desire to change.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When Katie found out that she was one of 25 organizations in the finals for the Chase American Giving Awards, she began a 24 hour, 7-day a week campaign to generate votes for More Than Me. This woman has barely slept, barely eaten while pleading for votes. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How wonderful to see the result of her efforts: being awarded the highest prize from Chase--$1 Million to help get more girls into schools in Liberia!! Congratulations!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" class="th " height="90" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcROWXrDVxG8MRDqWLZOgU8Kmj1DHg9-vpDXbdkBvjLdX3PeAMy_4Bt9j0g" style="margin: 0px;" title="http://blogs.wttw.com/moreonthestory/2011/08/09/chase-to-bring-more-than-400-jobs-to-chicago/chase-bank1/" width="79" /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">To learn more about More Than Me, visit <a href="http://www.morethanme.org/"><span style="color: #45818e;">www.morethanme.org</span></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">To learn more about Heartworks,visit</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.njheartworks.org/">www.njheartworks.org</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-28586411705884994532012-12-07T09:13:00.000-08:002012-12-07T09:56:42.604-08:00Holiday Treats<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday, December 7, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Time to get cooking or at least bookmarking the recipes you want for all the gatherings this month! Do you have office parties, family gatherings or special club meetings in December? Well, why not bring something new and yummy for everyone to try?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here are some favorite ideas: <strong>Easy Chocolate Peppermint Truffles.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://myblessedlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Easy-Chocolate-Peppermint-Truffles.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://myblessedlife.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Easy-Chocolate-Peppermint-Truffles.png"alt="Chocolate Peppermint Truffles" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Over at </span><a href="http://www.myblessedlife.net/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">www.myblessedlife.net</span></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">, Myra is making these gorgeous truffles that aren't as difficult as they look! Most truffles are make-ahead and freezer-safe. Make them this week and know you have treats to bring to all your celebrations! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Get the recipe here: <a href="http://myblessedlife.net/2012/12/chocolate-truffles.html">http://myblessedlife.net/2012/12/chocolate-truffles.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You can almost smell the cheesy goodness coming off the screen with these gems below!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11059" height="320" src="http://spabettie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSC_0464.jpg" title="apricot havarti puffs" width="320" /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Apricot Havarti Puffs</strong> from </span><a href="http://www.spabettie.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">www.spabettie.com</span></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">. Sure to be a hit at YOUR next gathering! See the full recipe here: </span><a href="http://spabettie.com/2012/12/06/apricot-havarti-puffs/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://spabettie.com/2012/12/06/apricot-havarti-puffs/</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Satisfy your sweet tooth with this creamy dip from </span><a href="http://www.chef-in-training.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">www.chef-in-training.com</span></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="400" pxz:uid="-aad3c59a-1" src="http://www.chef-in-training.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1090198-3.jpg?9d7bd4" width="300" /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's <strong>Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip</strong>. So yummy...I have to get to the store today so I can make it! This would be good to make ahead of time and have on hand for surprise visitors. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Find the full recipe here: </span><a href="http://www.chef-in-training.com/2011/09/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-dip/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://www.chef-in-training.com/2011/09/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-dip/</span></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Look at these eye-catching <strong>Rice Krispy Treats</strong> from the Party Wagon! A trip to Lydia's site will provide a slew of party ideas that are to die for!! It is truly the mother-lode. Now where are those Rice Krispies...I'll be right back--promise!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="" height="320" src="http://party-wagon.com/storage/kids_party_wagon_blog_pics/rice%20crispy2%20new.jpg?alt="Rice Krispie Treats"__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1323183606621" width="213" /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here's the link to the Party Wagon: </span><a href="http://party-wagon.com/childrens-party-blog/2011/12/6/candy-christmas.html"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">http://party-wagon.com/childrens-party-blog/2011/12/6/candy-christmas.html</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I hope these provided a little inspiration to help you prepare for the holidays. Now I'm off to the store to pick up some ingredients for the recipes shown!</span>Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-42485376277842851832012-12-07T05:38:00.005-08:002012-12-07T05:45:38.457-08:00New Fragrances of Sugar Scrub<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday December 7, 2012</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJpEgM1TTez2JcQEZRjk769x83zsNE09nf5LcFTaF5O1g7wvJreCmbNy9sqoYQ2TYe-nAJs3iHr_UOyUtf9UIt8lyyrjZ7K2d2pZD8zI9l1nv-ejhOaJ8HUDpagmPrmLjKrI38lZ0Rtk/s1600/P1050273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJpEgM1TTez2JcQEZRjk769x83zsNE09nf5LcFTaF5O1g7wvJreCmbNy9sqoYQ2TYe-nAJs3iHr_UOyUtf9UIt8lyyrjZ7K2d2pZD8zI9l1nv-ejhOaJ8HUDpagmPrmLjKrI38lZ0Rtk/s320/P1050273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I love this photo of the Eucalyptus Sugar Scrub. It is made with granulated sugar, vegetable oil and eucalyptus oil. Very invigorating, especially during cold and flu season.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Are you running around shopping for that perfect gift? Have you decorated every inch of your home for the holidays? I am running behind my usual holiday schedule. It will get done. It will get done.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">What's the reason that I haven't finished shopping before Thanksgiving, you ask? SUGAR SCRUBS!! I am making as many as I can, decorating the containers and filling orders.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have to tell you about the new fragrance of sugar scrubs that I have been making! Customers love them and I've gotten a great response to all of them! As you already know from previous blog posts, I have <strong>Green Tea, Eucalyptus and Vanilla Brown Sugar</strong>. Now I am making <strong>Spiced Brown Sugar Body Scrub</strong>!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygKx0qXY4VyPJYkH-QZxh-sK-YNtkJhsrviwU2_znQXjw_iWS6YiCAEmvot5c4Bj6On6uZpbUuKnG4W4CzKFV5r4gCOxmzwfkl2qXa5DYZJ4ErzvG323IcNmdISA0SwWrkzCFv2RiRpg/s1600/P1050281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spiced Brown Sugar Body Scrub" border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygKx0qXY4VyPJYkH-QZxh-sK-YNtkJhsrviwU2_znQXjw_iWS6YiCAEmvot5c4Bj6On6uZpbUuKnG4W4CzKFV5r4gCOxmzwfkl2qXa5DYZJ4ErzvG323IcNmdISA0SwWrkzCFv2RiRpg/s320/P1050281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It has cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice in it, so it reminds me of homemade cookies. Ummm, the scent is delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday I had an opportunity to show my various sugar scrubs at a vendor event at <span style="color: #0b5394;">Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide</span>. Here are a couple shots of my table. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxLAEgXWklDfKlqhN6tUk4WRz-WFROT_2L5asRAWa_TkFHucA_jb4Pd9KY9biKG872OY1Qkpq0XRX_RGACyktdIOFWeLMjIUf_Vrg-YhusVqsoR3LlMRyron4-VJUonwiV0LVdffmkHc/s1600/Tablefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunshine Stepping Stones table front" border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxLAEgXWklDfKlqhN6tUk4WRz-WFROT_2L5asRAWa_TkFHucA_jb4Pd9KY9biKG872OY1Qkpq0XRX_RGACyktdIOFWeLMjIUf_Vrg-YhusVqsoR3LlMRyron4-VJUonwiV0LVdffmkHc/s320/Tablefront.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GjoAOsS68Xb3cAbP6igF53UZrK7JHDbZutdegPHQoDYZIb61ekApbObPE94K_QhCs3aOnvo-uvb7JC_iDw-WilzaDVgt4Zmuvv8Wfr0u5kZehKItkG-pbnafUyQqwBl-uexcDfSUVQM/s1600/vendortable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunshine Stepping Stones table" border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GjoAOsS68Xb3cAbP6igF53UZrK7JHDbZutdegPHQoDYZIb61ekApbObPE94K_QhCs3aOnvo-uvb7JC_iDw-WilzaDVgt4Zmuvv8Wfr0u5kZehKItkG-pbnafUyQqwBl-uexcDfSUVQM/s320/vendortable.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thank you to all the folks at <span style="color: #0b5394;">Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide</span> who made the day a success, especially Beth! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was a first for me, transporting jars and jars of sugar scrubs, brownie mixes and cookie mixes to an event. I worked it out with the use of a suitcase with wheels, a few padded stemware boxes and a lot of heavy lifting!</span><br />
<br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-65574829325342585422012-12-01T06:02:00.000-08:002012-12-01T06:02:07.949-08:00New Business Venture?<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Saturday, December 1, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"SOMEONE'S making a lot of cookies!" a friendly grandmother says to me in line at the grocery store. She sees my 10 pound bag of granulated sugar on the belt. "Well, actually," I reply, "I'm making <strong>sugar scrub</strong>." I pulled a small jar of the <strong>Green Tea Sugar Scrub</strong> I've been making from my purse to show her and the cashier. I explain that sugar scrub moisturizes and exfoliates. (As I pretend wash my hands in the store.) That's when the friendly grandmother reaches out to touch my hand and says, "They ARE soft!" </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I am smiling recalling this interaction...so many good things about it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So here's what has been happening: I have been making a LOT of sugar scrub and people from near and far are purchasing for gifts for the holidays! I have now expanded my line to include three fragrances of sugar scrub:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Green Tea</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVx0hqy8YY_mgntBZ-m-p1rmZ6DDCsQUUpO7wcM_kpsKCGRsncGL9jPp940K2CubARjl73IraHRn_IgKcuK_skBplk0xUwcMTM5oW3rOqrOxng2Q0qH8gbngqARy5uU-l9byMXx1jtx0/s1600/P1050232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVx0hqy8YY_mgntBZ-m-p1rmZ6DDCsQUUpO7wcM_kpsKCGRsncGL9jPp940K2CubARjl73IraHRn_IgKcuK_skBplk0xUwcMTM5oW3rOqrOxng2Q0qH8gbngqARy5uU-l9byMXx1jtx0/s320/P1050232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Eucalyptus</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0twyDYpoKsSfB9INjMl-iUnEM-SurG-Hy66m9ZGtxUY8CYKSq7pe6HxUjD_do62WuL5-FTYJCXPQay8g5xva1sGWLJNtflP-8yKxTkTY-g7z3u2Xzx5FoaTEjDj4N9GbKa_sj83eUNls/s1600/P1050255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eucalyptus Sugar Scrub" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0twyDYpoKsSfB9INjMl-iUnEM-SurG-Hy66m9ZGtxUY8CYKSq7pe6HxUjD_do62WuL5-FTYJCXPQay8g5xva1sGWLJNtflP-8yKxTkTY-g7z3u2Xzx5FoaTEjDj4N9GbKa_sj83eUNls/s320/P1050255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Vanilla Brown Sugar</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j89KBbcqwerJiLKaekUB8_oBPxjdwZ1bJeNQL5I0_gOJ-w5ouR4Pstp1oTVR5K6ZJJCgNlIY5WHOpQKhec5G5bSUotbwKk8jRwpKcfhf4AK_qrL78Zds8QiVXuhgZsBPNK0Djovj4yI/s1600/vanillabr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub" border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4j89KBbcqwerJiLKaekUB8_oBPxjdwZ1bJeNQL5I0_gOJ-w5ouR4Pstp1oTVR5K6ZJJCgNlIY5WHOpQKhec5G5bSUotbwKk8jRwpKcfhf4AK_qrL78Zds8QiVXuhgZsBPNK0Djovj4yI/s320/vanillabr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Each is available in three sizes: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>2oz for $4 (Plus shipping)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>4oz for $5 (Plus shipping)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>6oz for $6 (Plus shipping)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One customer bought a small jar of Green Tea Sugar Scrub and opened it immediately upon returning home to try it. She emailed me right away to say she must have another jar because her hands were so soft after using it!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Customers are purchasing the jars for stocking stuffers, client thank-you's, hostess gifts, teacher gifts, and the perfect extra gift under the tree for unexpected visitors! </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Imagine my surprise when my initial stash of baby food jars is long gone! My college roommate came to the rescue when I saw her over Thanksgiving. I mentioned the trouble I've had finding empty baby food jars with lids and she remembered having some left over from a long ago project. I went to her house later that day and what a find...she had two large boxes of jars with lids! Thank you Tracy!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is back to the kitchen for me...time to make more scrubs! I am preparing for a vendor show on Thursday and want to be sure I have enough inventory on hand. I know you are probably crafty and would rather make your own sugar scrub with the recipes I've supplied in previous posts, but if you just won't have the time or stumbled on this blog and aren't a do-it-yourselfer, let me know if I can ship any sugar scrub your way! (US only)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-36246914608634063502012-11-15T09:14:00.002-08:002012-11-15T09:14:43.523-08:00Thanksgiving Greeting Cards<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thursday, November 15, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thanksgiving is just one short week away! Many of you have been preparing for family gatherings by changing the sheets in the guest room, buying the non-perishable part of your Thanksgiving meal and putting an extra leaf in the table.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Have you sent your Thanksgiving cards yet? Here are a few for inspiration. (In case you are not hosting Thanksgiving and have a few minutes to cobble together some cards!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4f0TvZMddg4lK15z7DlaaLHFk3sr5bmYsDPPsBRytPnjeh7MtGhbVs3g-zR0An75BSs6lBNxWBjC1fP_9I91Z55KwLuZP_dcUFJ44zRd7kpVE2ZbrH_63o27PDiGDCxSiLHkYr1OSUY/s1600/Thanks1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Thanksgiving card with pewter charm" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4f0TvZMddg4lK15z7DlaaLHFk3sr5bmYsDPPsBRytPnjeh7MtGhbVs3g-zR0An75BSs6lBNxWBjC1fP_9I91Z55KwLuZP_dcUFJ44zRd7kpVE2ZbrH_63o27PDiGDCxSiLHkYr1OSUY/s400/Thanks1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The card shown here is enhanced with a pewter pumpkin charm. You'll also note the sheer ribbon which unites the circles across the top third of the card. Keep the colors either muted, clear or bright. I chose shades of pumpkin, sage, paprika and leaf brown to perpetuate the theme. An alternate color scheme of neon shades would make an adorable birthday card. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQzTx2Bw9JzdJVNw0I6oBCKloitYnQ7WiNNbtIckz7fDnuAiTbfCIcg2YyTs21Bj1Ph6glYTGTZSMfyvgnGy5ldGmsuCLOChu0KqoVZlZ0GcsXCBRe8Ls43lnoWf-CzQG0tPSEnOGL60/s1600/Thanks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Thanksgiving card with pewter charm" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQzTx2Bw9JzdJVNw0I6oBCKloitYnQ7WiNNbtIckz7fDnuAiTbfCIcg2YyTs21Bj1Ph6glYTGTZSMfyvgnGy5ldGmsuCLOChu0KqoVZlZ0GcsXCBRe8Ls43lnoWf-CzQG0tPSEnOGL60/s320/Thanks2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How cute are these papers with the acorns? I love the bag o' leaves pewter charm! The brown grosgrain ribbon adds unity and simplifies the busy patterns. Card sentiment says "For You". </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D-J-XgvQhYM7lfHRbj1JxwczGP1Nj0UJ4zTm4q0e1Bp1Ycg1hsG0KoWW7uGEC0sJ5KZjbCqwvlj8I9mCd3e4e9xIwCWO3y6UbGazpwFu0fu_xw_eHiZpkkuzoTxbD8WDn24r1l45ED0/s1600/Trees3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Greeting cards with freestyle trees" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D-J-XgvQhYM7lfHRbj1JxwczGP1Nj0UJ4zTm4q0e1Bp1Ycg1hsG0KoWW7uGEC0sJ5KZjbCqwvlj8I9mCd3e4e9xIwCWO3y6UbGazpwFu0fu_xw_eHiZpkkuzoTxbD8WDn24r1l45ED0/s320/Trees3.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The cute, multi-colored trees on the above card are suitable for many occasions. I especially like the free-form tree trunks and embroidery floss tied on the center tree. Don't be afraid to mix shades of green for the hills. Also pull scraps from different manufacturers for the foliage circles. Variety is preferred on a card like this. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I will be sure to post more cards for you to use as inspiration!</span>Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-55415450885763245612012-11-12T10:29:00.000-08:002012-11-26T12:00:49.547-08:00Green Tea Sugar Scrub<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Monday, November 12, 2012</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoNE7YIzxas1jsT8glk-jdJpwYpMRRk1t5K8kX0plUI5Rasn7Xyshqb5RkYhUrin83gbxuYqnIOmFIQdZiLAhxWcPyTWSHDobWaGSB5bBq5ybLqd0c-zf1dX61lH3y_tqylRFqppAki0/s1600/P1050231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoNE7YIzxas1jsT8glk-jdJpwYpMRRk1t5K8kX0plUI5Rasn7Xyshqb5RkYhUrin83gbxuYqnIOmFIQdZiLAhxWcPyTWSHDobWaGSB5bBq5ybLqd0c-zf1dX61lH3y_tqylRFqppAki0/s320/P1050231.JPG"alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub in 2 ounce jar" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Green Tea Sugar Scrub in the 2oz jar</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Well, the kids are FINALLY back to school! Yes, they were home for two weeks in my little section of the world due to power outages from Hurricane Sandy. The power is mostly back on, although a few homes are still dark and cold. We are so appreciative of the folks from Duke Power who have come north to help out in NJ. You guys ROCK!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, if you have been cleaning up after the hurricane, or have rough hands from house cleaning, taking care of animals, scrubbing stains and more...I have got something that can help: <strong>Green Tea Sugar Scrub!</strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's the easiest thing to make and it really works! This is not one of those things you see on Pinterest that ends up a waste of time and effort. AND you will only need ingredients you probably have on hand.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You start with about a cup of granulated sugar in a bowl. Add about 2 teaspoons of olive oil. (More or less according to how moist you like your scrub. Mix thoroughly. It should look something like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvDIU9whwjPwswgBgt7LlLZO21cv8STWaCt251lL07uv38xefJrS4WHYQW0YgiNGM551FoPjf6nwG84AXAcvAMVVkQFp6LLxmKTA3WOItCXHw8SaKFpbKT1YrOOW3eNNE-q701fyxtkE/s1600/P1050114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Granulated sugar and olive oil in a bowl" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvDIU9whwjPwswgBgt7LlLZO21cv8STWaCt251lL07uv38xefJrS4WHYQW0YgiNGM551FoPjf6nwG84AXAcvAMVVkQFp6LLxmKTA3WOItCXHw8SaKFpbKT1YrOOW3eNNE-q701fyxtkE/s400/P1050114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then you add a drop of two of fragrance oil and stir to distribute. I love this Green Tea fragrance oil from Home Essense:</span><br />
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<a alt="Green Tea Fragrance Oil" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTUgvRfizefceOP3z64Xc63LNMc1rwYCt3jRjOZFYw137uPrBQpZvuxuf1NeWZjiGxilFdbrUVhhpbma8FZywmFnI4sFag87WOBXWODXkRXpX0-lEFBUuRP69LiLD9gD0hRKPyrzOCCU/s1600/fragoil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Tea Fragrance Oil" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTUgvRfizefceOP3z64Xc63LNMc1rwYCt3jRjOZFYw137uPrBQpZvuxuf1NeWZjiGxilFdbrUVhhpbma8FZywmFnI4sFag87WOBXWODXkRXpX0-lEFBUuRP69LiLD9gD0hRKPyrzOCCU/s200/fragoil.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Next, decided how you want to package your sugar scrub. I like things in neat little packages, so I chose to pack the sugar scrub in clean baby food jars. Ask around, I'm sure you can find a friend or neighbor with way too many baby food jars!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Use a small spoon to pack the sugar scrub into the jars, then wipe the top edge. </span><br />
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<a alt="Sugar scrub in baby food jars" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aR5lSi31CMXi6GGjJsTbWnWgnWq83Eu_HhjneTlcIu2DJksngfKXrTNh2HlOiNMwZwJjZUYwW5jUvB90ZNDBzD_qX3m4jr9BZkq9Qns1_TjnCcfVlYUID8bGic4MWZnPJNe_etZY0X8/s1600/P1050118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sugar scrub in baby food jars" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aR5lSi31CMXi6GGjJsTbWnWgnWq83Eu_HhjneTlcIu2DJksngfKXrTNh2HlOiNMwZwJjZUYwW5jUvB90ZNDBzD_qX3m4jr9BZkq9Qns1_TjnCcfVlYUID8bGic4MWZnPJNe_etZY0X8/s320/P1050118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I put a circle of scrapbook paper on the lid to hide the brand of baby food. I also glued a piece of ribbon around the edge of the lid. You can hand-write or use your computer to make a label for the jars. I included instructions on mine. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To Use:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Massage 1/4 teas onto hands.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Rinse and dry.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Feel free to add stickers, rhinestones, buttons, Jolee's cutouts or other decorative items to the lids or labels.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRHBle1m-ddsvQQj9eiHkQKvVKg1exS5JWLm2n7F18jULTQMX1sXZ6qjaxn7sNcGC56sDIxQMvTQ_S-ouCi4HfB8JVXzDl-3csUmNPgAH-_7pify2_R4jWufVziCn5wFTc5ExTDB_ohc/s1600/P1050187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRHBle1m-ddsvQQj9eiHkQKvVKg1exS5JWLm2n7F18jULTQMX1sXZ6qjaxn7sNcGC56sDIxQMvTQ_S-ouCi4HfB8JVXzDl-3csUmNPgAH-_7pify2_R4jWufVziCn5wFTc5ExTDB_ohc/s320/P1050187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Don't you love the three sizes?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAzFfWXdK3ox8Z_dSzP_Oh2rad_vFUfGi02u80fm7cmG-gE-KAkRkMnwaDPGGGZC7MDrjVN8wuJz7wgUA-xNSChUW5HDzHtn8EYrZkB8SXSsUm_2dulgXSPhkEZog82UX-YpHHetBPdQ/s1600/P1050212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Small, Medium and Large Green Tea Sugar Scrubs" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAzFfWXdK3ox8Z_dSzP_Oh2rad_vFUfGi02u80fm7cmG-gE-KAkRkMnwaDPGGGZC7MDrjVN8wuJz7wgUA-xNSChUW5HDzHtn8EYrZkB8SXSsUm_2dulgXSPhkEZog82UX-YpHHetBPdQ/s320/P1050212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I decided to make three sizes of the sugar scrub. I used 2oz, 4oz and 6oz baby food jars. (Sterilized of course!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzjOwl18HEHEqL0wJZCOdT10xoVEc_JWhHpv_3RKXXeGsJDXnvyLGqjuSWtn06CDiw61eb8-0Q_ahClVBQOxUjLOuMYVU9HWWEo0bH2M-TRLvp-nqsuN1mxma1occkPQ5yDFHx5cjMRA/s1600/P1050170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub, Christmas gift idea" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzjOwl18HEHEqL0wJZCOdT10xoVEc_JWhHpv_3RKXXeGsJDXnvyLGqjuSWtn06CDiw61eb8-0Q_ahClVBQOxUjLOuMYVU9HWWEo0bH2M-TRLvp-nqsuN1mxma1occkPQ5yDFHx5cjMRA/s400/P1050170.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Make extras of these, because once your friends, co-workers and sisters try this, they will want more! What a lovely gift idea. Green Tea Sugar Scrub is versatile because you can dress the jar for any occasion...baby shower, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday or just because. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjdW4-wntNx1hwm__TN76QXbUOj0WMNeYMx0WRjdmQzJO6tBx6uxerTlnMMvUXPGcWeSDhbZbL4C0aqYSyyxTElE0A_TyXTbfmYAcPdWgvYe0S4WC7WhZm9q9te2QEMjkALmg4pEnQWo/s1600/P1050181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjdW4-wntNx1hwm__TN76QXbUOj0WMNeYMx0WRjdmQzJO6tBx6uxerTlnMMvUXPGcWeSDhbZbL4C0aqYSyyxTElE0A_TyXTbfmYAcPdWgvYe0S4WC7WhZm9q9te2QEMjkALmg4pEnQWo/s320/P1050181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-77Knb-vnNRLhIWBXv_SSbEru3RV0meIuzWGKBDvTgENyEq0RqGkThjWy2S9qC4SISg9svVkDiFDvzk3zTE0dzwweCJgzsP1ar5Q2vAyoV_MTCEidmi_TyYVr82rFAj-bvW44BOwTEs/s1600/P1050162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Tea Sugar Scrub" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-77Knb-vnNRLhIWBXv_SSbEru3RV0meIuzWGKBDvTgENyEq0RqGkThjWy2S9qC4SISg9svVkDiFDvzk3zTE0dzwweCJgzsP1ar5Q2vAyoV_MTCEidmi_TyYVr82rFAj-bvW44BOwTEs/s320/P1050162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-22859975121294528152012-11-11T12:03:00.000-08:002012-11-15T07:23:10.264-08:00Sea Salt Foot Scrub<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, November 11, 2012</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">First of all, a HUGE thank you to all Veterans who have served our country and enabled the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. It is a selfless thing that you have done and we appreciate it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Today we are talking about Sea Salt Foot Scrub. It's very effective for ridding yourself of dry, flaky skin. Cold weather is coming and the feet can suffer extreme dryness. The Sea Salt Foot Scrub recipe I have is easy, quick AND makes a lovely gift!</span><br />
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<a alt="Green Tea Sea Salt Foot Scrub" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3MNvZWeRs87NmeJbEbm4r3-3O04nFmro0nD7x_fY5ldTeOhMeP6k9hOLYv_Q8BLDEMfXnrPLUDNJcJKQW8eM55kdlIcy6paW21FFY_WfgAvhnjZuS4_u0H3Y6Bp_ZOcjQ6GC4YUj9rY/s1600/P1050146.JPG"alt="Green Tea Sea Salt Foot Scrub" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3MNvZWeRs87NmeJbEbm4r3-3O04nFmro0nD7x_fY5ldTeOhMeP6k9hOLYv_Q8BLDEMfXnrPLUDNJcJKQW8eM55kdlIcy6paW21FFY_WfgAvhnjZuS4_u0H3Y6Bp_ZOcjQ6GC4YUj9rY/s400/P1050146.JPG"alt="Green Tea Sea Salt Foot Scrub" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">First you start with sea salt...easily found in most grocery stores. Put about a cup in a bowl. Next add olive oil. The amount can vary, depending on how "juicy" you want the scrub. I used about 2 teaspoons. Then stir to evenly distribute the oil. Next you can add your favorite scent. I used Green Tea scented fragrance oil. Just a few drops will do, depending on how strongly scented you want the scrub. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Now mix together until well blended. You can then put the scrub into small jars, a plastic container or even a Ziploc bag. If you plan to give as gifts, you will want to attractively package your scrub. Packaging is everything! Wouldn't you rather receive an adorable little jar of scrub instead of a snack bag? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAVxOY-EapV6EUHnMHVftMZSs6_KFHif26CYSGlKaScRYTVNpoqDYoVS0ooU793PLFyIoPCmWBtDwIt0xUHD0rohTH9wYpiFbfIX1PKXeu4CoDwrjODEi6GakW1FWzKDtUEEdqNMnrOo/s1600/P1050123.JPG"alt="Sea salt and olive oil in a small jar" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAVxOY-EapV6EUHnMHVftMZSs6_KFHif26CYSGlKaScRYTVNpoqDYoVS0ooU793PLFyIoPCmWBtDwIt0xUHD0rohTH9wYpiFbfIX1PKXeu4CoDwrjODEi6GakW1FWzKDtUEEdqNMnrOo/s320/P1050123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Ok, to make it cute, I used clean baby food jars with the labels removed. (I asked my some friends with young children for their jars, since my kids are well out of the baby food stage!) Thanks Nina and Kathy!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I used a small spoon to pack the salt scrub into the jars, wiping the edge when the jar is full. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5CG33Ej-C1l_7qAqhb68HM1O1INkFtfRHPCh5WBizlj2C9X6i95hJCSKeapLvdE5F5fJ-p74JPYGk2PdIS-Ww-RHXVV7MtswljHnJeEjjN8KNoxNOAB-O25fyMJGjYbcR7d8S8u8ZFQ/s1600/P1050121.JPG"alt="Sea salt and olive oil" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5CG33Ej-C1l_7qAqhb68HM1O1INkFtfRHPCh5WBizlj2C9X6i95hJCSKeapLvdE5F5fJ-p74JPYGk2PdIS-Ww-RHXVV7MtswljHnJeEjjN8KNoxNOAB-O25fyMJGjYbcR7d8S8u8ZFQ/s320/P1050121.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Then you can decide what to do with the lids. Right now they say Gerber, or Beechnut or Tender Harvest...probably NOT what you want your gift to say. I attempted to spray paint the lids. I wasn't pleased with the uneven results.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I opted instead to wrap a thin ribbon around the side of the lid and cut scrapbooking paper for the top of the lid. It looks so pretty! The only thing left to do was make a label with the product name and short instructions for use. Once this was glued on, I tied a ribbon around the neck of the jar and voila! Total cuteness!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dmWnN-KaojaXqHsv2VkjKamS48FygaCJ4wvME4dGQux8CBeuyshntzE4Nm_m1xtcIrsOb0CCxgQp5_usnEdqzA-8poZ2Jh2HlTn2a_8qp8r2BVwgLFY7TAmcN9TER7E2VckXvpu_VLM/s1600/P1050157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Tea Sea Salt Foot Scrub" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dmWnN-KaojaXqHsv2VkjKamS48FygaCJ4wvME4dGQux8CBeuyshntzE4Nm_m1xtcIrsOb0CCxgQp5_usnEdqzA-8poZ2Jh2HlTn2a_8qp8r2BVwgLFY7TAmcN9TER7E2VckXvpu_VLM/s320/P1050157.JPG"alt="Green Tea Sea Salt Foot Scrub" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Wouldn't you like to make this for teachers, bus drivers, administrative assistants, hair stylists and more? Oh yes, and don't forget to keep some for yourself...it is lovely to have soft feet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">My next post will be the sugar hand scrub I tried...stay tuned!</span>Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-72654991516704140282012-11-06T07:59:00.003-08:002012-11-15T07:45:12.571-08:00Spaghetti Pie<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Tuesday, November 6, 2012</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We have been speaking about acts of kindness. I am going to share with you a recipe for a GREAT dish to share with others. <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Spaghetti Pie</span></strong>. It is kid-friendly, just ask my children's friends who LOVE this! It is great to bring with a salad and bread to your aunt who recently had surgery, a friend who lost a parent or a family just bringing home a baby.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">A dear lady I know recently had surgery and my Heartworks group is making meals for her. Yesterday, since so many are still without power, and I am fortunate enough to have lights and heat, I made this meal to bring to her.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This recipe is easy, quick and great for making ahead and freezing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You begin by cooking a pound of spaghetti in salted water. (I used Botticelli)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9pKN-oGOyHOlE0fONxV-YP3k6_7CgvsafauDZx2PitkOzG4Ev4Z_yrY7Oz4KT5wm8HRjvT6IpkmjVp8Y14gPUWEJiD-lQL7r0vNqJ68q8qJ8c0vodeQ7vjLcwVNMXMzt8Mk7WUvY3vY/s1600/pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9pKN-oGOyHOlE0fONxV-YP3k6_7CgvsafauDZx2PitkOzG4Ev4Z_yrY7Oz4KT5wm8HRjvT6IpkmjVp8Y14gPUWEJiD-lQL7r0vNqJ68q8qJ8c0vodeQ7vjLcwVNMXMzt8Mk7WUvY3vY/s320/pasta.jpg"alt="Botticelli spaghetti" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When it is cooked, drain and stir a little margarine or butter into the warm pasta. Add some grated Parmesan cheese and two eggs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-wZKCz7mOuHKbNVApMnp2zsShEiXwJWWiSXMir4759b48gDOH3MkrEPoamU97MdHlYtFAtm8A89Qzh56MTbGKqfSENOoRRPbOueTp050wW6n4xNhbIPtLZY5bkk_zmj8mshnGWfE4FM/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-wZKCz7mOuHKbNVApMnp2zsShEiXwJWWiSXMir4759b48gDOH3MkrEPoamU97MdHlYtFAtm8A89Qzh56MTbGKqfSENOoRRPbOueTp050wW6n4xNhbIPtLZY5bkk_zmj8mshnGWfE4FM/s320/eggs.jpg"alt="Cooked pasta with Parmesan cheese and eggs" width="199" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Stir until blended. Then press the pasta into two greased glass pie plates, forming a crust.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjnw0t1KtpF-IvRvJTu-4_G74HmYUK5oPpCdWdZ-Khj15ReyHEDSfFQk9FOuBnSCPKjrcv_9tMB6qFBCGAHu7N75n8YcPOh4z8PFgriioK5AprQwHai51_dN9OXiYCA40n9F4GcxlcnI/s1600/crust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjnw0t1KtpF-IvRvJTu-4_G74HmYUK5oPpCdWdZ-Khj15ReyHEDSfFQk9FOuBnSCPKjrcv_9tMB6qFBCGAHu7N75n8YcPOh4z8PFgriioK5AprQwHai51_dN9OXiYCA40n9F4GcxlcnI/s320/crust.jpg"alt="pasta crust" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, in a skillet, brown a pound and a half of ground beef with some dried minced onion.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV89sQ7bSg7BjIw8K-lYNFb5cdsIsP_XVbnZf1azLlKv2Ri7IEEqAlJQxuLPPptbfW6AjlW8cuzlVgJdGPvgaxtO4jh93CB9ZIA8_Lqu6kS6Yx0emDULYAhFGTrOSBWjrTv7qvFC7wmSo/s1600/grbeef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV89sQ7bSg7BjIw8K-lYNFb5cdsIsP_XVbnZf1azLlKv2Ri7IEEqAlJQxuLPPptbfW6AjlW8cuzlVgJdGPvgaxtO4jh93CB9ZIA8_Lqu6kS6Yx0emDULYAhFGTrOSBWjrTv7qvFC7wmSo/s320/grbeef.jpg"alt="browned ground beef" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Once meat is completely browned, drain and add a can of tomato sauce (I like Luigi Vitelli), a little sugar, oregano, basil and garlic powder.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaxe_txmk_YW2WhpIQTZEJnKM7pDepDBZX5GsZY72dZC-xFUsYAWQQ6ZO8X9vz9dP4Kt0ZbtnX6dVOOYZBg5cnRShdEr9_D5pW2Yz9YPyFrbWZ0qyyQH1SbPovZC-2jnuSNWTo2Nj-n8/s1600/tomsauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO65Ljim6CZCYrKv3Q7ilgoKYlLoxZ14-RgGZn-5wa6SQRjDKvus9FgTdLjsspNFK80MnaTGtSdwUB7Irw1a4_qRPqktVk_5l2ypeDRBEZEjIA_iYbd2O5b0bCYkxh6Ve8_w-Xh5KM_fQ/s1600/spices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO65Ljim6CZCYrKv3Q7ilgoKYlLoxZ14-RgGZn-5wa6SQRjDKvus9FgTdLjsspNFK80MnaTGtSdwUB7Irw1a4_qRPqktVk_5l2ypeDRBEZEjIA_iYbd2O5b0bCYkxh6Ve8_w-Xh5KM_fQ/s200/spices.jpg"alt="oregano, basil and garlic powder" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaxe_txmk_YW2WhpIQTZEJnKM7pDepDBZX5GsZY72dZC-xFUsYAWQQ6ZO8X9vz9dP4Kt0ZbtnX6dVOOYZBg5cnRShdEr9_D5pW2Yz9YPyFrbWZ0qyyQH1SbPovZC-2jnuSNWTo2Nj-n8/s1600/tomsauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaxe_txmk_YW2WhpIQTZEJnKM7pDepDBZX5GsZY72dZC-xFUsYAWQQ6ZO8X9vz9dP4Kt0ZbtnX6dVOOYZBg5cnRShdEr9_D5pW2Yz9YPyFrbWZ0qyyQH1SbPovZC-2jnuSNWTo2Nj-n8/s200/tomsauce.jpg"alt="Luigi Vitelli tomato sauce" width="112" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Heat this mixture on the stove. Once meat and sauce are warm, spread on top of pasta crust like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWmNehqCVWTPpiTyvPGI4HeNzCWgkIH-lgRPo2xwJxe2f3Z7RuZqM1V7FBvO3oz_MYwlsirTyMI1ssZ2AZmheJC_UpeJVcIug3sJCUtnAWFTdWmO8-vYfZHotOV5e4DEHO_UjNrmYD70/s1600/pie_meat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWmNehqCVWTPpiTyvPGI4HeNzCWgkIH-lgRPo2xwJxe2f3Z7RuZqM1V7FBvO3oz_MYwlsirTyMI1ssZ2AZmheJC_UpeJVcIug3sJCUtnAWFTdWmO8-vYfZHotOV5e4DEHO_UjNrmYD70/s320/pie_meat.jpg"alt="meat and sauce on pasta crust" width="203" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese (or other cheese of your choice.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyM73Q9CEBtpkmG4T7jVU7FIkM7iXjSwA1XfTbMjg0TOhkDAz3E_gKgnKJopYhp9w5USBJRjTchqa7KmzWP2JHM801SrUsJoVh0hHzFlXpZIPeaab9qRbva26fK9JPPCflU1dqMtLucQ/s1600/finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyM73Q9CEBtpkmG4T7jVU7FIkM7iXjSwA1XfTbMjg0TOhkDAz3E_gKgnKJopYhp9w5USBJRjTchqa7KmzWP2JHM801SrUsJoVh0hHzFlXpZIPeaab9qRbva26fK9JPPCflU1dqMtLucQ/s320/finished.jpg"alt="cheese added" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You can wrap and freeze the dishes at this point. OR to serve right away, bake covered for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIeTCOzAREUKkYis8_IW2tfax2bvkASrDTJfW8gkZW3c3qz-rXQEG_6C883jFEEuMX_FWqqN0-x45x2Q-0Fi7D1nCkfjzWIfqwCX16ws6pp6an2Rm9buPweI27sm3dJ7IQlFwcJGy70U/s1600/P1050112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIeTCOzAREUKkYis8_IW2tfax2bvkASrDTJfW8gkZW3c3qz-rXQEG_6C883jFEEuMX_FWqqN0-x45x2Q-0Fi7D1nCkfjzWIfqwCX16ws6pp6an2Rm9buPweI27sm3dJ7IQlFwcJGy70U/s320/P1050112.JPG"alt="Spaghetti Pie" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Makes two Spaghetti Pies, 6 servings each.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Spaghetti Pie</span></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 lb dry spaghetti</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">4 tablespoons butter or margarine</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup Parmesan cheese</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2 eggs, beaten</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 1/2 lbs ground beef</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 T dried minced onion</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 (16oz) can Luigi Vitelli tomato sauce </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 t sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2 t dried oregano</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2 t garlic powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 t dried basil</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Additional Parmesan (or mozzarella, cheddar) cheese for topping</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Cook the pasta and drain. Stir margarine or butter into hot pasta until melted. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and eggs. Form the pasta mixture into a crust shape in each of two greased 9" pie pans. In a skillet, cook ground beef until no pink remains, and drain. Add onion, tomato sauce, sugar, oregano, garlic powder and basil. Heat through. Top the pasta crust with the meat mixture, leaving a 1" border. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Cover pan with foil, label and freeze. If desired, bake immediately for 20-25 minutes in a 350 degree oven and enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;">This recipe is adapted from Frozen Assets by Deborah Taylor-Hough</span><br />
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<br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-60806593718107245042012-11-06T05:57:00.000-08:002012-11-06T08:00:06.528-08:00Aftermath<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Monday, November 5, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Well, we are still cleaning up from Hurricane Sandy. It is a week after the Frankenstorm hit and school has yet to be re-opened. Power has not been restored to most of my area. At my house we were fortunate enough to have power restored on Friday evening. Just four days of cold and dark for my family. Most are not so lucky. Many areas have been affected. No doubt you've heard on the news about Staten Island, Lower Manhattan, and the Jersey Shore areas like Seaside Heights and Toms River. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What many do NOT realize is that people over two hours away from the shore are without electric <strong>seven</strong> days later and have trees toppled like bowling pins. Today I ventured out to the grocery store and just on the 3-4 mile trip I saw three houses still with trees leaning on the roof, power lines hanging so low there were cones to keep me from hitting them, and trees just mowed like Kentucky Bluegrass. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyCuo4eVfzmaBdLrpfsGLzdG2wrlAzhZw_Byg7-T_kwJPZC7VK8WhAzri3b9RDPXL-r2YCVnExQha4DaRBWYCX5BsfWH81tIJqX80MrgQlMgvHW9W8J0Me8288rBDWoz4AJdr3WYC_go/s1600/storm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyCuo4eVfzmaBdLrpfsGLzdG2wrlAzhZw_Byg7-T_kwJPZC7VK8WhAzri3b9RDPXL-r2YCVnExQha4DaRBWYCX5BsfWH81tIJqX80MrgQlMgvHW9W8J0Me8288rBDWoz4AJdr3WYC_go/s400/storm1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The bizarre thing is in this part of the state is that some houses are virtually unaffected. Many residents have done their leaf clean-up and picked up a few branches that ended up in the yard. The image is complete tranquility. Then you drive a little further down the road and come upon five trees in one yard that are horizontal. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzPawG3CPvVy5KvObC7SSF0CsLpimucHM3AbgCBKCQLUEvaApXEJqzyuPK8lu-FkUq0rL11-g3oL2rfs06giHLRMvseUUeURIK2Jq8M4UQxg3uq2iD51ho38jTE97h0ewwjJ7c-jMHNQ/s1600/storm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzPawG3CPvVy5KvObC7SSF0CsLpimucHM3AbgCBKCQLUEvaApXEJqzyuPK8lu-FkUq0rL11-g3oL2rfs06giHLRMvseUUeURIK2Jq8M4UQxg3uq2iD51ho38jTE97h0ewwjJ7c-jMHNQ/s400/storm3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I know this is not the kind of devastation encountered elsewhere. You cannot compare loss of a few trees in the back yard to someone's total loss of a home or the loss of life. However, we ARE impacted in significant ways here too. A couple from town was killed, leaving four children without parents. Many roads are still impassible. Lines are still down. The less fortunate do not have generators and the night time temperatures are below 30 degrees. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It costs a lot of money to have trees cut, chopped, carted away. Gas is rationed, so even those with generators need to be concerned about having enough fuel to run them. (AND a few days ago, we couldn't even find gas storage cans ANYWHERE!) <u>That</u> situation has finally been resolved, but it puts a little panic in your heart when you think you can't get the things you need.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Oh I didn't mention that on Wednesday we are looking at anywhere from a "Wintry Mix" to "6 inches of snow" and a high wind advisory. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">For those who live in another part of the country, I encourage you to consider making a donation to the Red Cross or other Hurricane Relief organization. We all must stick together in times like these! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have witnessed so many acts of kindness during this time. (A subject near and dear to my heart.) People are helping each other get through. Groups in Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island are sending truckloads of supplies to areas most affected. Volunteers from all over have come to NY and NJ to provide relief. Neighbors are watching each other's kids, sharing generators/gas and resources. Some are bringing coffee, bagels and donuts to relief workers. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It truly helps to know that this area is being thought of by others around the country. I encourage you to find a way, right now in your <u>own</u> community to help someone--whether you are reeling from Hurricane Sandy or are far enough away from the East Coast not to be affected. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Bring a meal to someone recovering from surgery. Loan a leaf-blower to a friend or better yet DO some yard work for your friend. Thank an employee who does a good job. Be sympathetic, you never know what someone is dealing with. Look for the goodness out there. The more you look, the more you will find. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;"><em>"Kindness is like snow--</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;"><em>it beautifies everything it covers."</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;"><em>~Unknown</em></span></div>
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<br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-32752190508360998242012-11-01T05:17:00.003-07:002012-11-15T07:49:12.562-08:00Stormy Night<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">November 1, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"It was a dark and stormy night..." is usually the beginning of a thrilling book we read for entertainment. Millions of people in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York experienced a dark and stormy night at the hands of Sandy, a rare hurricane that came onshore in New Jersey. It was a terrifying night: winds howling with a sound I've never heard before. Those who live in hurricane or tornado prone areas know what I mean. It's almost other-worldly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Equally terrifying was the sound of trees snapping from their strongholds and waiting to see where THAT one would fall. Over and over, as our family playing cards to distract ourselves from the mayhem outside, trees cracked and crashed to the ground.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Now here was the miraculous part: I took a break from playing blackjack with the family and walked to the front of the house. I peered out the large window of my bedroom, straining to see anything with the blackness and the raindrops on the window. I silently prayed to God to please protect my family from harm. I asked that he place his loving arms around our house and keep us safe. I was specifically watching two trees situated not far from our house as I fervently prayed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As I strained to make out shapes in the dark, I watched as the 60' tall tree closest to the house was uprooted and <em>poofed</em> to the ground. I just said<em> poofed</em> to the ground, because it did NOT make the same sound we had been hearing all evening. It fell rather delicately as if it landed on a pillow.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Chills ran through my body because this 60' tall lichen covered tree fell miraculously in the ONLY spot it could without causing harm. It <em>could</em> have hit the house, it <em>could</em> have blocked our driveway, it <em>could</em> have blocked the road, could have ripped the lines down, but <em>instead</em> fell toward our neighbor's driveway and didn't even throw a branch onto his blacktop!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was as if God was playing flick football with the tree! To witness such power is truly awesome and it is an experience I will never forget.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I am full of gratitude to God for watching over my family and sparing us the worst of the storm. The impact for us is largely <u>inconvenient</u> at this point and not <u>devastating</u>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The next day brought light and the reality of what had passed through the Mid-Atlantic states. You've seen enough news broadcasts to know the depth of the destruction. I won't detail all the sights I saw, but suffice it to say it looked like a hurricane went through. (I say that with a small smile, because it reminds me of my mom telling me my room looked like a hurricane went through it when I was a kid.) Now I know what it REALLY looks like.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When power is restored I can add photos to show you...but until then...stay safe everyone and try to show a bit of kindness to your neighbor!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6lLkN0dL34QvFSVwaRsfcEdb2wE1UP0FQQ_NVbWYxV8UHPfwSAUVGmAKKMnF7stVKTqZt-lLwPEhPBdnSujouFyNHVr3JUk-I48kdy0d_ukG6oYCyiB1hJc8hKmc3EKce1iyJlgM36I/s1600/246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6lLkN0dL34QvFSVwaRsfcEdb2wE1UP0FQQ_NVbWYxV8UHPfwSAUVGmAKKMnF7stVKTqZt-lLwPEhPBdnSujouFyNHVr3JUk-I48kdy0d_ukG6oYCyiB1hJc8hKmc3EKce1iyJlgM36I/s400/246.JPG"alt="Sixty foot tree in our front yard" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The 60' tree laying in our front yard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXrzNV48ruE451oc2_1u08rlpCxqzkRgh2uJQ6z9DP_PEjt08aMR7OfcGQl-q6Q_rZ1CKC2RGGIioQaSDfrCn6YQfQLwhs7UoLko-guTkjvwW3UcKRkGcQHYpacmKsJ-llFrNOLiT0iY/s1600/247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXrzNV48ruE451oc2_1u08rlpCxqzkRgh2uJQ6z9DP_PEjt08aMR7OfcGQl-q6Q_rZ1CKC2RGGIioQaSDfrCn6YQfQLwhs7UoLko-guTkjvwW3UcKRkGcQHYpacmKsJ-llFrNOLiT0iY/s320/247.JPG"alt="Uprooted tree" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Uprooted</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUlqCo3u8aGF4IC3BwFrR9K44DzAP_eD54YIh6NN325GHplqDfu2lU1Tf7iB7CyT6hGJ7b-0k1jr9bYGgXek2QIAU9hx3Hp0SwiloIger-upzZYajt7nOt_un-3-HhvEIi9K6ck7pZi8/s1600/238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUlqCo3u8aGF4IC3BwFrR9K44DzAP_eD54YIh6NN325GHplqDfu2lU1Tf7iB7CyT6hGJ7b-0k1jr9bYGgXek2QIAU9hx3Hp0SwiloIger-upzZYajt7nOt_un-3-HhvEIi9K6ck7pZi8/s320/238.JPG"alt="Uprooted tree" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Another view</span></div>
Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-29311491162787864612012-10-29T12:45:00.001-07:002012-11-15T08:30:48.606-08:00Random Acts of Kindness<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Monday, October 29, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Remember when I said that this blog would include more than cooking and crafts? I love finding ways to do random acts of kindness for people and that is our discussion today. First let's begin by taking YOUR kindness temperature.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Think about life in the past few weeks or months. With gentleness, examine the opportunities you have had to do something for others. Did you jump right in or hesitate? Sometimes we pause because we aren't sure we want to get involved. Will we become sucked into a situation that we will regret at a later time? Sometimes we consider whether the person will welcome our involvement. What if we are rebuffed? How awful that feeling would be! What if I don't have a lot of extra money to donate to charity. The good news is many acts of kindness don't require any output of money!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There are several reasons we stop ourselves from reaching out. But what about the reasons to go ahead and take the leap? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKol2GpTxwXLeSbuduxWTLojrPRUKECLf2JBaQzn3AuwQ7R6PJjGxjafcxptmuZUpU-3BRBYKpH-_8d94mBgLby1iUIwEAN1bFCJHFu0-_GPGIMJTCWo3EwJNC4EiTAXWsjJOgF2gE0sU/s1600/ERoosevelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKol2GpTxwXLeSbuduxWTLojrPRUKECLf2JBaQzn3AuwQ7R6PJjGxjafcxptmuZUpU-3BRBYKpH-_8d94mBgLby1iUIwEAN1bFCJHFu0-_GPGIMJTCWo3EwJNC4EiTAXWsjJOgF2gE0sU/s320/ERoosevelt.jpg"alt="Eleanor Roosevelt quote" width="204" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Be honest with yourself, but gentle on the judgment. Lord knows we don't need any more negative voices berating us! If, in your moment of self-examination, you have discovered that you would like to increase the amount of kindness you extend to others, I have many suggestions.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I am involved with a grassroots organization called Heartworks (</span><a href="http://www.njheartworks.org/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">www.njheartworks.org</span></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">) and much of what we do involves Acts of Kindness toward people in our community. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Heartworks Logo" height="200" src="http://www.njheartworks.org/Logo_stamp_60percent.jpg"alt="Heartworks logo" width="206" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I had many of the fears I mentioned earlier about getting involved. The good news is this...those fears are a myth and only serve to stop us from doing good to people around us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have had SO many good, great and awesome experiences through Heartworks and none of the negative assumptions have some to fruition.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Okay, so you don't have a Heartworks group near you to help with giving to others. There are so many ways to open your heart to friends, family and even strangers. You may already do some of these things, but be raising your awareness, you'll recognize even more opportunities to add acts of kindness to each day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1. Tell your children 5 reasons why you love them.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2. Write a note to the boss of someone who does a good job. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">3. Give the good parking spot to someone else.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">4. Make a meal for someone recovering from surgery.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">5. Organize your neighbors to make Thanksgiving dinner for needy family.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">6. Clean up litter in your section of the world.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">7. Get a couple of teenagers to rake leaves, paint a fence or do other yard work for an elderly neighbor.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">8. Send a card of thanks to Veterans living in your area.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">9. When someone is going through dark times, send flowers, a balloon bouquet or a card.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">10. Stop for a person waiting to cross the street.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">11. Let a mother with young children in front of you at the grocery store.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">12. Drop a floral arrangement at a senior center.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">13. Shovel your neighbor's driveway.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">14. Save Box Tops for Education and donate to your local school.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">15. Send a card to a lonely person.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">16. Donate blood.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">17. Donate pet food to the Food Pantry.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">18. Collect school supplies for a local shelter.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">19. Do an act of kindness in the name of someone who has passed.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">20. Walk a friend's dog when they are sick to give them a break.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I will revisit this subject and continue to provide inspiration and giving ideas. I am quite sure YOU have some fabulous ideas too. I would love to hear suggestions or ideas that you have tried. Leave a comment in the comments section.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia;"><em><strong>"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." </strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia;"><em><strong>~Mother Teresa</strong></em></span></div>
Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-4733699672366291422012-10-28T12:50:00.001-07:002012-11-15T07:57:48.022-08:00Pumpkin Craft<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, October 28, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How would you like to do a cute Halloween craft? These sweet pumpkins are so easy and would make the perfect addition to goodie bags for school. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MnPdgEwQTHJbcf7r-pOqwEK15Z-yO9Vvdc1wPOq7n5oZg1a1er8Y8yTYlxvDkVQZ6JP-7cjUnIKXvX82mndbI_3IymvCefNH3jucevW_6M8Dt4wMJzPAuq5syE7ESYOX1qXhNU9EBso/s1600/P1030564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MnPdgEwQTHJbcf7r-pOqwEK15Z-yO9Vvdc1wPOq7n5oZg1a1er8Y8yTYlxvDkVQZ6JP-7cjUnIKXvX82mndbI_3IymvCefNH3jucevW_6M8Dt4wMJzPAuq5syE7ESYOX1qXhNU9EBso/s400/P1030564.JPG"alt="paper pumpkins" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone for </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">First you cut a circle from orange cardstock. I used my Marvy Uchida 2 1/4" punch for the large circle. Then I punched smaller circles using a Marvy Uchida 1 1/2" punch. Patterned paper adds interest to the Jack 'O Lantern face.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH1HyD-2NUeI4bZni2M1s2nuwsERb3Q_yu8cBvO853GmHGs9uhVviw4CMSUIcdADiq3qAbzcThANOmx4Qn6MBCLA3-QGNe8YsBX3I6mrC_C9tJTNCtQh_TdvxGSQKtCHuXUBttDFAqP8/s1600/P1030561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH1HyD-2NUeI4bZni2M1s2nuwsERb3Q_yu8cBvO853GmHGs9uhVviw4CMSUIcdADiq3qAbzcThANOmx4Qn6MBCLA3-QGNe8YsBX3I6mrC_C9tJTNCtQh_TdvxGSQKtCHuXUBttDFAqP8/s320/P1030561.JPG"alt="paper pumpkins" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone for </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.org/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.org</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Next, cut a radius cut with regular scissors on the patterned paper (smaller circle). Shown here:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl08hHIpfYtZ9HkDhxTFYPy7aaGagtHJ7rAzJvOQs-AcRR6J8VBU5zWubS3L8UmviryN3aXGK78j-xd86vbigZA94tEBpoLTcPXyqz3d4U2z3xwvLR_pGayJMOnk49P5fUCqGl1_n2Lk/s1600/pumpkincircle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl08hHIpfYtZ9HkDhxTFYPy7aaGagtHJ7rAzJvOQs-AcRR6J8VBU5zWubS3L8UmviryN3aXGK78j-xd86vbigZA94tEBpoLTcPXyqz3d4U2z3xwvLR_pGayJMOnk49P5fUCqGl1_n2Lk/s320/pumpkincircle.jpg"alt="paper circle" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Don't cut more than halfway across the circle.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">At this point you will want to draw your faces on the smaller circles. Try to avoid the area where you've cut the circle. I used a thin Sharpie marker. Next you will overlap the cut edges of the smaller circle slightly, maybe 1/4" or so and glue or tape on the underside. You are creating a shallow cone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Once you have created cones with all the small circles, attach them to the large orange circles with craft glue. I used Aleene's. All that's left is to punch a hole and tie a ribbon!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH6vs0RpZjlHImE0Ll6Na2X6NSjJMWUeFppIv8clCBpDYOAuOfE22hSS-S82EgJlXfEICvFLl_9I1DykbyBnG73sbWuWBTBMPd2qTQdxcq4776rggidDQ-EiL9XTMXSYk5v2ichXNdTA/s1600/P1030774(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmH6vs0RpZjlHImE0Ll6Na2X6NSjJMWUeFppIv8clCBpDYOAuOfE22hSS-S82EgJlXfEICvFLl_9I1DykbyBnG73sbWuWBTBMPd2qTQdxcq4776rggidDQ-EiL9XTMXSYk5v2ichXNdTA/s320/P1030774(1).JPG"alt="Blue Tabby" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone for </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of sweet faces, I couldn't resist putting this adorable photo of my sweet kitty Sapphire! She's so funny and delicate and cat-like. (I only say that because I have another cat who is rather NOT cat-like!) I love this photo of her hopeful bright eyes looking up at me!</span></div>
Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-48466631105020156592012-10-27T13:48:00.001-07:002012-11-15T08:04:17.173-08:00Autumn Inspiration<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Saturday, October 27, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The anticipation is growing here in the Northeast, as we await the arrival of Hurricane Sandy. Such a pleasant name for something which can bring devastation. Everyone up and down the coast has stocked up on water, batteries, generators, non-perishable food, propane, pet supplies, medication. I am usually not impressed by the weather reports of impending disaster. It's quite often wrong or over-rated. This time, I am listening and preparing. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While we still have some leaves on the trees, I took a little walk and got some gorgeous Fall inspiration. Take a look at what I found:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEtH9OT9b1vokpJ5VZLEsgVLKA1JHNphw1PazDSz9j4cEA-QPNu21wROSaDh02YLZyXDvZYXDkvf3z9cD-9z2TmOqu1AHVlXrrNrT7R7dotE75lNN_YGpEW75VqNZjQInLKqzbCLdZro/s1600/barberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEtH9OT9b1vokpJ5VZLEsgVLKA1JHNphw1PazDSz9j4cEA-QPNu21wROSaDh02YLZyXDvZYXDkvf3z9cD-9z2TmOqu1AHVlXrrNrT7R7dotE75lNN_YGpEW75VqNZjQInLKqzbCLdZro/s320/barberry.jpg"alt="Barberry bush" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The above photo is a barberry bush in my yard. The colors this time of year are stunning. What a gorgeous color palette for a quilt, room decor, or a table scape. Notice the bits of gold peeking through from below. (Something to remember when I make another greeting card.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0svesRpCcZ5ulPqD0nN5EF-Fm-jhy1Shi9KiCqhuiyd0q6h4yldPEX8_nNWS-leBuAJjxOdvvA3tasb0zBYDhBxSN42oHn0SFzvloA1eZV1ZSNedixhIC9qa4wHBC59k-DRpeQvJx08/s1600/Japanesemaple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0svesRpCcZ5ulPqD0nN5EF-Fm-jhy1Shi9KiCqhuiyd0q6h4yldPEX8_nNWS-leBuAJjxOdvvA3tasb0zBYDhBxSN42oHn0SFzvloA1eZV1ZSNedixhIC9qa4wHBC59k-DRpeQvJx08/s320/Japanesemaple.jpg"alt="Japanese Maple" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I love the Japanese maples in my yard. We inherited them from the previous owners and I just love them. There's a large one at the corner of the driveway and the walkway to the front door. It's a welcoming tree as it looks gorgeous in any season. The photo above is a dwarf tree next to my driveway, but closer to the road. It is always full and lush and brings happiness each time I look at it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIf8Di3WBDB7jUcZh5L37l_wkETvbiSKET4tveQVzIHZa2IQORprLiL6sb-U03-nEvAwUOjsiLrieIux0bvjL6UPZrTPujk8lSm8XPexuoUgnE7NkrqA4ROIgVx9JzLuoVFk8va9dPbw/s1600/redleaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIf8Di3WBDB7jUcZh5L37l_wkETvbiSKET4tveQVzIHZa2IQORprLiL6sb-U03-nEvAwUOjsiLrieIux0bvjL6UPZrTPujk8lSm8XPexuoUgnE7NkrqA4ROIgVx9JzLuoVFk8va9dPbw/s320/redleaves.jpg"alt="Brilliant raspberry colored leaves" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This is one of my favorite colors! If you haven't guessed yet, I'm partial to shades of raspberry, Cabernet, plum and vermilion. Those of you gardeners out there can help me out with the name of this shrub. It blooms with tiny purple flowers in the summer and keeps the bees so occupied. For those who are artists, I could see these colors as an inspiration for jewelry or a scarf. (Maybe painted silk...?)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FbmDHYU8vY2Nz2wvMPGhyHPtzf896-jWRa8rYQlPLaASVQ4sk18utFQEtxABsZgeWPzO5qprA3OlprT_nZLmxIjDIKyUj3CPaCNP7m_cfBOwyR2De_Xg_Y4Bs_BzqWqhr0xbqzb5fRs/s1600/oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FbmDHYU8vY2Nz2wvMPGhyHPtzf896-jWRa8rYQlPLaASVQ4sk18utFQEtxABsZgeWPzO5qprA3OlprT_nZLmxIjDIKyUj3CPaCNP7m_cfBOwyR2De_Xg_Y4Bs_BzqWqhr0xbqzb5fRs/s320/oats.jpg"alt="Oats" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These oats are so serene with their subdued colors. They make nice additions to dried flower arrangements. What do I love about them? I like their flatness. Really...you should see them up close...they are not like farmer's oats. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM51r02cwSnyYSjRQCzEmrv6XMDVu0eLof1Dk8_6AIxZLwCNP8461vI29Mj_SOi9JhvBClOb5cHjgM2PjEcihuR8eA9vGrg6CaU8xCPx-6yLZGQxryzFSajrwRBupBtTH9m0fZAKNPxAA/s1600/close-upoats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM51r02cwSnyYSjRQCzEmrv6XMDVu0eLof1Dk8_6AIxZLwCNP8461vI29Mj_SOi9JhvBClOb5cHjgM2PjEcihuR8eA9vGrg6CaU8xCPx-6yLZGQxryzFSajrwRBupBtTH9m0fZAKNPxAA/s320/close-upoats.jpg"alt="close-up view of oats" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I hope this close-up allows you to see what they're like.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">This blog is about crafts as well as other things of beauty. I have a cute pumpkin craft that my mom made for me the other week. I had to share because it is so darned pretty and easy to make.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO72_vIRUUDcHF6UboWwMi3qKJzTzvVlBMPkhLTS2m3rxTPh0Cppn64jqvV14O6Y6wEsnXBbR9HKK4yVJsy_gXlH-qNX2t2gXHh4AiqYrYFcHjCJWK7FS1MilKNwS1lcgOx1s9aUjq4mw/s1600/jackbelittle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO72_vIRUUDcHF6UboWwMi3qKJzTzvVlBMPkhLTS2m3rxTPh0Cppn64jqvV14O6Y6wEsnXBbR9HKK4yVJsy_gXlH-qNX2t2gXHh4AiqYrYFcHjCJWK7FS1MilKNwS1lcgOx1s9aUjq4mw/s320/jackbelittle.jpg"alt="Longaberger basket with little pumpkin" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">You take a Jack-be-Little pumpkin and use hot glue to attach dried flowers to the top 1/4. Vary the colors to achieve a balanced floral arrangement. The Jack-be-Little pumpkin is sitting next to a Longaberger pumpkin basket.</span></div>
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Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-12675470580194637182012-10-26T16:52:00.000-07:002012-11-15T08:17:15.767-08:00Greeting Cards<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday, October 26, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Now I've found some photos of cards I made some time ago. All are already sold, but can provide inspiration for new cards.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Where do you get your ideas for card-making? I sometimes use a layout I've found in a magazine, but rarely do I mimic the entire card. I will either utilize the color scheme OR a layout, but rarely both. Sometimes I will use a favorite layout several times for multiple occasions. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The card layout is simply a skeleton upon which to place the creative bits I want on the card. I will add charms, ribbon, stamped and embossed accents, brads, buttons, glitter, stickers, and so much more! Don't be afraid to add household items like a paper clip or safety pin to the layout for interest.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hope you enjoy these!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98-AJZaWrWcbjofxjW0GK562XJTQLyLotGsl54u6OOoantCYM-CSKhlV9f_bgBic0otixk5aPyMz9UMKD3b81LdBzhtDbQ7ky0Db2tv8lrvxUHj7TNuSdgwl8JiPrPkHMqmP17ruzu-U/s1600/P1030943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98-AJZaWrWcbjofxjW0GK562XJTQLyLotGsl54u6OOoantCYM-CSKhlV9f_bgBic0otixk5aPyMz9UMKD3b81LdBzhtDbQ7ky0Db2tv8lrvxUHj7TNuSdgwl8JiPrPkHMqmP17ruzu-U/s320/P1030943.JPG"alt="Cala lily sympathy card" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone at </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> The serene card above demonstrates several techniques. You'll notice the fancy edging on the papers at the bottom, as well as the use of two sizes of antique brass brads. The calla lily stamp is from Stampin' Up. I also added dimension with pop dots under the crimson layer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKrHaNRdQ1UNUa0GZB6Wvi6zvtuGC0_dr7PnQQONUvSF3wZN4Xsfp5IJxnyChEyOWdojy78mnmQlUp2uRZqNnObV2tsMobcsRtKvQq0rGeQlhCDBLcQ6I4Ob6CuHVMwFix7JUpAfAWbM/s1600/P1040337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKrHaNRdQ1UNUa0GZB6Wvi6zvtuGC0_dr7PnQQONUvSF3wZN4Xsfp5IJxnyChEyOWdojy78mnmQlUp2uRZqNnObV2tsMobcsRtKvQq0rGeQlhCDBLcQ6I4Ob6CuHVMwFix7JUpAfAWbM/s320/P1040337.JPG"alt="Bird rustic birthday card" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone at </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I love the casual feel of the card above. The edges are inked with brown ink for an antique feel. The lace flower IS an antique! (From my husband's grandmother's collection.) The patterned papers play very well with this theme. See how a safety pin can add interest to an empty section?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr7vfLRq2UXSX3G1PQKbTi8UD6y40KWdzWpesQJHRPzulb8LqQkdngvWaKNaSJASQRPKcN8RvfyhLpDRIMOVNsCFlgJDbMaBdpfsyrx1o_iC4Nrd5p2kKEAV9ZzOvHhRTtHo_wWqnYT4/s1600/P1040342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr7vfLRq2UXSX3G1PQKbTi8UD6y40KWdzWpesQJHRPzulb8LqQkdngvWaKNaSJASQRPKcN8RvfyhLpDRIMOVNsCFlgJDbMaBdpfsyrx1o_iC4Nrd5p2kKEAV9ZzOvHhRTtHo_wWqnYT4/s320/P1040342.JPG"alt="Silver snap birthday card" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone at </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Imagine the smile on the face your friend or sister if they received the above card! The nickel snaps down the middle add a shiny focal point. I love the patterned papers too.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhXyfI4EL6phcuyvQ4VGIpxsNvAfWTup9yT88tNbcO25zN6bf9oOolCgyJ4_TKvljh1Vrw6qowiUL8ioVLrH98lztgyAsFkhjOXTrEKTJgLsCBDI15aBnFHl09ikNlSuatmNXkOrwU9w/s1600/P1040349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhXyfI4EL6phcuyvQ4VGIpxsNvAfWTup9yT88tNbcO25zN6bf9oOolCgyJ4_TKvljh1Vrw6qowiUL8ioVLrH98lztgyAsFkhjOXTrEKTJgLsCBDI15aBnFHl09ikNlSuatmNXkOrwU9w/s320/P1040349.JPG"alt="Friendship greeting card" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone at </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I just smile when I see this card! The bubble gum pink, robin's egg and tangerine tones are just happy! The paper punch used for the white lacy edging is from Martha Stewart. The addition of rhinestones to the sentiment's flowers is just enough bling.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBo21NuJkbA4zZYNaYvFrkRqgXTwvj5wcpa1atpv0LLvor3WSO_cTPxxKKM37r6POEerPPFHjDFJtmzu-CP8hj6OJmDD7BqEIL9s_gWvtdeZo55cV244mmKe7XdyVJE4-9RuLXd4XY0c/s1600/P1040350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBo21NuJkbA4zZYNaYvFrkRqgXTwvj5wcpa1atpv0LLvor3WSO_cTPxxKKM37r6POEerPPFHjDFJtmzu-CP8hj6OJmDD7BqEIL9s_gWvtdeZo55cV244mmKe7XdyVJE4-9RuLXd4XY0c/s320/P1040350.JPG"alt="Banner greeting card" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone at </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Who would you give the "Enjoy" card to? Note the adorable pennants in the corner with hand-stitching. A little bling adds just the shiny touch this card needed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK0GEtHb6LuPvB52CTcQh7BTPQFXS9ruYh55Qumswi2nwuSCJTvvc-RdEgsMrNqdpWAI6UXlb7U_DrgcDFOPNpDwJelT8G-BWC0NyMqMVjltkbMEHpVhPv3WQi_hozahtsdhhCryol0U/s1600/P1040407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK0GEtHb6LuPvB52CTcQh7BTPQFXS9ruYh55Qumswi2nwuSCJTvvc-RdEgsMrNqdpWAI6UXlb7U_DrgcDFOPNpDwJelT8G-BWC0NyMqMVjltkbMEHpVhPv3WQi_hozahtsdhhCryol0U/s320/P1040407.JPG"alt="Martha Stewart craft punch card" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Jennifer DeSimone at </span><a href="http://www.sunshinesteppingstones.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">www.SunshineSteppingStones.blogspot.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Martha Stewart paper punch came in handy on the above card as well! The lovely papers don't need much enhancing, and play together nicely. The dimensional flower sticker is a lovely focal point.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Think about using the layouts shown above for holiday, milestone birthday, thank-you or even an invitation. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!</span>Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-26972058880913100702012-10-26T09:44:00.000-07:002012-11-15T08:20:35.492-08:00Can't use up creativity<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday October 26, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Couldn't resist posting this gem from Maya Angelou:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYqID29vlVEEQfnvZierALQAlWIkomJnAl-vG2NjJqlnt8jHfoOwxGAauPCJc6eqV8KUxeMh4h5uoe9TCPfjaTH2bLJSM9yLS5X21j8trDgJt2ehnWQFmor_vC27vU68LsQHNVUH8pPY/s1600/create.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYqID29vlVEEQfnvZierALQAlWIkomJnAl-vG2NjJqlnt8jHfoOwxGAauPCJc6eqV8KUxeMh4h5uoe9TCPfjaTH2bLJSM9yLS5X21j8trDgJt2ehnWQFmor_vC27vU68LsQHNVUH8pPY/s320/create.jpg"alt="Maya Angelou quote" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Have a great day creating YOUR masterpiece!</span>Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-49515265935710100572012-10-26T07:07:00.000-07:002012-11-15T08:34:57.274-08:00Bird Card<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday, October 26, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Card making is going so well, I have to share this one too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6TGPrbSWPWGQ0NcIFdSfzfeDTXDHWXBIEQ6L0If6-tU5soEk8vdBxugu2hycN-B95nFuYb6TIJzab1C7PWlBJxf53dgPwYBBuGzYgDNJB9t2ETnr5wkc8NESUgofWjkidPs08cNBvhI/s1600/purplecard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Purple card with bird detail" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6TGPrbSWPWGQ0NcIFdSfzfeDTXDHWXBIEQ6L0If6-tU5soEk8vdBxugu2hycN-B95nFuYb6TIJzab1C7PWlBJxf53dgPwYBBuGzYgDNJB9t2ETnr5wkc8NESUgofWjkidPs08cNBvhI/s320/purplecard.jpg" width="231" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This birthday card would be adorable for sisters, girlfriends, aunts and other special women in your life. Don't you just love the little birdie attached with a safety pin? The sheer purple ribbon is so eye-catching too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7l5oC7kvC9Nk8fNPO5BtRI2t5HF1h24VEzSiGMPqjD-Mv-5gxDm6n7VI77ayTXnsbE4publ2FaxvWlJGiRUB9PmLWK1p_t_kGpVg79vW44jYv7XJdPVPl1Yjhnn7EEJhm6Y4WRwzuxI/s1600/detailpurplecard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Close-up of bird, safety pin and ribbon detail" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7l5oC7kvC9Nk8fNPO5BtRI2t5HF1h24VEzSiGMPqjD-Mv-5gxDm6n7VI77ayTXnsbE4publ2FaxvWlJGiRUB9PmLWK1p_t_kGpVg79vW44jYv7XJdPVPl1Yjhnn7EEJhm6Y4WRwzuxI/s640/detailpurplecard.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm going back to the craft room, (yes, I have one of those) and get busy making more. A discussion for another day--organizing crafting supplies. Think about what YOU do to keep all the ribbons, papers, yarns, and other goodies in their place and we'll chat someday soon! I will post more photos for you to enjoy and use for inspiration!</span></div>
Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-48131213706754238122012-10-26T06:33:00.001-07:002012-11-15T08:25:26.912-08:00Makin' Cards<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday, October 26, 2012</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you live anywhere on the Eastern seaboard, you've no doubt heard about "Frankenstorm". We are looking at the possibility of a major hurricane/nor'easter wreaking havoc over a large geographic area. Not fun! But we CAN prepare for the worst and hope for the best. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Onto creative news: I've been busily creating gorgeous handmade cards for a customer. I have to share some of the photos, since they've turned out so well. I love making original cards the are custom to each person. I have made special cards for milestone anniversaries, birthdays and other occasions. I am meticulous about detail and will guarantee 100% satisfaction with any order. Please let me know if you'd like to see a price list with the different greeting card packages I offer. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinM4DuYVHDx23Wc3wBklvxmn6MunhvDKAn_9mcmGd0y-DGaNqHUPrCHiUWnQWXWenv8Ze-hfToxgrum3j3OifDWK_PT2rdtxGNm64Iva7N9Ep56YoLtvAG9XcvmVnzwy2MViCCpbCECw/s1600/Abundant+Greetings+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinM4DuYVHDx23Wc3wBklvxmn6MunhvDKAn_9mcmGd0y-DGaNqHUPrCHiUWnQWXWenv8Ze-hfToxgrum3j3OifDWK_PT2rdtxGNm64Iva7N9Ep56YoLtvAG9XcvmVnzwy2MViCCpbCECw/s320/Abundant+Greetings+001.JPG"alt="Balloon birthday card" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2e-UwkJf5DeKUniuALhoT_qovg2hriJxwkcTdZ4_jt6Cl_pFZzv_s9aqSaL6O1vI6ZtTQ5y04z-p5mSsTO9NU0KU4FQnV3AD-rlNuryd4cY7rGAN82_zSZieeylx2L004OmJXPiNItpc/s1600/Abundant+Greetings+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2e-UwkJf5DeKUniuALhoT_qovg2hriJxwkcTdZ4_jt6Cl_pFZzv_s9aqSaL6O1vI6ZtTQ5y04z-p5mSsTO9NU0KU4FQnV3AD-rlNuryd4cY7rGAN82_zSZieeylx2L004OmJXPiNItpc/s320/Abundant+Greetings+003.JPG"alt="Thanksgiving card" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Well, what do you think? I love the use of different materials and embellishments. Between the ribbon, charm, glitter stickers, and lovely scrapbook papers, the effect is so unique! Not something you would find in the grocery store card aisle. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">If you are a creative person you will know what I mean when I say that I just feel better when I've created something. If a few days go by (eek!) without making some sort of craft, my general sense of well-being goes down. It took me a long time to realize my NEED to be continually renewing my spirit through creativity. I now make sure to carve out time regularly for creative efforts.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Hope you are inspired by my photos! Remember, if you share my photos or other info from this blog, be sure to include a link to the original source...right here at Sunshine Stepping Stones!</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086849257939041163.post-9854827764260435772012-10-23T08:15:00.000-07:002012-12-01T06:16:19.423-08:00Sunshine Stepping Stones
<meta name="p:domain_verify" content="6c23f2fda7ac8e1a5aabf6c81d93bb16" /> <span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to Sunshine Stepping Stones! We're going to have fun! First let me introduce myself...I'm Jen and I love crafts, cooking and being kind. I am married and have have two active children, ages 12 and 9 who keep me busy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have been crafting since I was in elementary school. I have tried many different crafts over the years. There are so many ways to be creative with your hands and a few supplies. One time, before I had children, I made Easter cards with an embossed stamped gold basket on the front. To fill the basket with eggs, I punched dots with a standard hole punch and glued them to the front of the card, meticulously placing each color-coordinated dot with tweezers. Time consuming? Yes! Amazing result? Of course!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I can't wait to share some delicious recipes...soups, stews, salads, desserts...the possibilities! My mouth is watering at the thought! Love easy, inexpensive ways to feed your family? Well, I do to and I'd love to share some tried and true dishes with you.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">For starters, here's the <u>Pasta Fagioli</u> recipe I make so often I know it by heart:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelKLqw3FJwBOTvgxtl-eQgPwm7A8CE12_We1Jo5OxNtzQ2ZdBQtuC3f6nq2-aAO09dp7gNkXwKnPc-o-sj-_tl2ziKbHQkmIiztentbQ-aLVL0ODKRC2i2Eg48Sbenlh6_VaqosNmp28/s1600/P1050152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pasta Fagioli" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelKLqw3FJwBOTvgxtl-eQgPwm7A8CE12_We1Jo5OxNtzQ2ZdBQtuC3f6nq2-aAO09dp7gNkXwKnPc-o-sj-_tl2ziKbHQkmIiztentbQ-aLVL0ODKRC2i2Eg48Sbenlh6_VaqosNmp28/s320/P1050152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeFMOwIPAYEOIPadqMuYycOJuxOsaoWJVk-O6NKdUO56GTN7xfZA-9VQli18HIwQM5BmpkkAgiHtQ-D4rUylLc36IKqI1ufPzDcUSvIDAw96amiqxpyhI_GO2WtF3mpF_pVkzXTTzqVA/s1600/P1050154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pasta Fagioli" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeFMOwIPAYEOIPadqMuYycOJuxOsaoWJVk-O6NKdUO56GTN7xfZA-9VQli18HIwQM5BmpkkAgiHtQ-D4rUylLc36IKqI1ufPzDcUSvIDAw96amiqxpyhI_GO2WtF3mpF_pVkzXTTzqVA/s320/P1050154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Doesn't it look yummy? This is a dish frequently served for lunch or dinner in my house.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaiVKFGZgnbXKTwaUdRf_uoixfNup5RSFmdLf5oUYM2sPsKyyNDtEJDxEkPhLPsjm7uMo3EW3F_Ap02vg3xEf92Kcy6D-gFxzNHVcnd0fLhyr2-q78p8Eu-evNJIZZqzYqo8VJh0dWpw/s1600/P1050150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="8 ounces ditalini pasta" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaiVKFGZgnbXKTwaUdRf_uoixfNup5RSFmdLf5oUYM2sPsKyyNDtEJDxEkPhLPsjm7uMo3EW3F_Ap02vg3xEf92Kcy6D-gFxzNHVcnd0fLhyr2-q78p8Eu-evNJIZZqzYqo8VJh0dWpw/s200/P1050150.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 oz ditalini</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Pasta Fagioli</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Tablespoons olive oil</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 medium onion, chopped</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 garlic cloves, chopped</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 (30-ounce) can Italian crushed tomatoes in puree</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon dried oregano</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups chicken broth</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 (16-ounce) cans cannellini or kidney beans, drained</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8 ounces ditalini pasta</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">salt and pepper to taste</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">grated Parmesan cheese</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Add tomatoes with puree, oregano and broth. Cover and cook 5 minutes to heat through. Add beans and simmer 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling water, cook ditalini about 6-8 minutes until half cooked; drain. Add to soup. Cook 15-20 minutes to combine flavors and finish cooking pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Pass a bowl of grated Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper on the side.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes 8 servings</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Oh, the journey you and I will go on together! We will talk about ways we can share handmade items with others. I love finding ways to share food (universally comforting) and goodies with friends, family and others. We will talk about ways we can increase our awareness of people around us who may be going through challenging times.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">No doubt you have friends and family who like to craft, cook and share...please recommend this blog to them and we'll all have fun together!</span>Jen D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09040968036382767215noreply@blogger.com0