tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29166521667924246002024-03-17T20:03:44.449-07:00The Hungarican ChickThe strange and random blog of a hungarican chick.Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.comBlogger464125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-53096830611554881512023-05-17T11:22:00.004-07:002023-05-17T11:22:58.050-07:00Where am I right now?<p> Yeah, I'm here. </p><p>Covid World really put a halt to normalcy in pretty much every aspect of my existence. But I'm trying to get back on track. Get back to writing. Get back to feeling something akin to what I used to be. </p><p>Would you believe that my child is 10? He'll be 11 this year. It feels like yesterday when I was unbelievably pregnant, and then basking in the joys of early motherhood.</p><p>I have been mostly mucking about with miniatures and trying to find a way to contribute to my household in spite of the disorder that has made even going outside an impossible task. You can find my minis and updates on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@feffiescottage" target="_blank">Tiktok </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/feffiescottage/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram </a>(although I update Tiktok more regularly). I seem to have migrated away from the blogging thing and taken to newer social media applications. But I am working through all my brain-clutter in other ways. In a podcast, for one. I'm writing letters to my childhood self, and posting them up periodically. The link is below. It's not quality audio or voice acting, but you get what you get. :D</p><p>I'm also raising funds to try and start up a new Miniatures show in the Portland area. Here's the <a href="https://gofund.me/57f6d8d1" target="_blank">GoFundMe link</a>.</p><p>
</p><p></p><div class="gfm-embed" data-url="https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-new-minis-expo/widget/large"></div><script defer="" src="https://www.gofundme.com/static/js/embed.js"></script>
<p>If I don't get at least half of goal by August, the donations will be refunded.</p><p>Feel free to follow on Podbean, and feedback is always appreciated. Here's episode 1.</p>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" data-name="pb-iframe-player" height="150" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=nt2ni-1409c03-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" title="Dear Feffie - First Letter" width="100%"></iframe><p></p><p></p><p></p>Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-74566125752326439892022-11-25T15:05:00.003-08:002022-11-25T15:32:20.930-08:00Does Religion Create Narcissists?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjZZxJCJRNt5_ME4TDrG5tskXRjWPFPvLgN5VQQMGno9cKTUVDLtsxy0sghlli7VxYQ3pHtX7cI5ghPkhGvh-qzxthc5WVuvDJFrLpIo4CwylyOlN5kjuQ4j09-nkFer0RqBnyTFoElRWi4OVZ3kYTe12ws_Rw7nTaKJ7fMC7K8Syg_LP07Rk_QHT/s602/main-qimg-1c0c1bf0a293fceff4fbcc2300fa52f0-lq.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="602" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjZZxJCJRNt5_ME4TDrG5tskXRjWPFPvLgN5VQQMGno9cKTUVDLtsxy0sghlli7VxYQ3pHtX7cI5ghPkhGvh-qzxthc5WVuvDJFrLpIo4CwylyOlN5kjuQ4j09-nkFer0RqBnyTFoElRWi4OVZ3kYTe12ws_Rw7nTaKJ7fMC7K8Syg_LP07Rk_QHT/s320/main-qimg-1c0c1bf0a293fceff4fbcc2300fa52f0-lq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It
is easy to categorize the behaviours of religious people (namely the big 3
religions) as a variety of things. But the longer I observe the behaviour of
religious people (largely including the evangelical and Christian people in the
United States in particular), I, as someone who grew up under the yoke of a
narcissistic parent, feel like I recognize a great deal of the toxic behaviours
exhibited by my mother, as very similar to that of people who believe in a god.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If
I go down any standard list of behavioural signs of narcissism posted on a variety
of mental-health-related websites and documents, it really is quite easy to see
why I come to this conclusion. Please allow me to demonstrate:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Common
signs of narcissism are as follows: </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Exaggerated sense of self-importance<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Smugly entitled<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believes they are consistently deserving of praise and
respect <o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Heedlessly takes advantage of others.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Has delusions of grandeur and lives in a fantasy world.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bullies, belittles, mocks and intimidates others.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please allow me to further expound on each of these traits and present my
arguments as to why I believe that religious people are being taught by their
belief system, that narcissistic behaviour is acceptable.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Exaggerated
sense of self-importance</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
will begin by making a statement that will repeat itself more than once in
these explanations. And that is, many religious people, especially American
Christians, often center their whole personality around their faith. And they
express this by interacting with society as if they are in a coveted and privileged
space that puts them above others. Religion seems to encourage this by teaching
its followers that this is the case. That by choosing to buy into the delusion,
that the follower earns a more coveted and important role in society, where
they are morally superior, that people who do not follow their faith don’t know
true morality, and that the religious person is special and meritorious as one
of their god’s chosen people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Their
faith teaches them that if they embrace their particular version of god, that
they have earned a special place by his side in whatever version of heaven or
paradise there is. The mere identity of being Christian, seems to give them a
license to be judgmental of those that do not join them in their belief system,
to look down on those who are not partake in their faith, and to approach
others with this ‘privileged’ position of being one of their god’s chosen ones.
There is a sense of self-importance that makes them feel entitled to preach and
judge and admonish others; to look down on those who are not sharing this
privileged space, and to believe that merely identifying themselves as a
believer, that this somehow puts them in a position of higher morality and
understanding over others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
phrase “I am a Christian,” is not often declared simply to identify. Most of
the time, the statement comes with the heaping less obvious baggage of
self-importance; and the unspoken part of that statement is: “I am Christian;
therefore, I am more moral than you, I am so special because I am recognized
and heard by my god, I will go to heaven and you will not.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Smugly entitled</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
entitlement of Christianity and innumerable other variations of the big 3
faiths is exhibited quite liberally across the globe and history. And on the
macro scale it is obvious, and on the individual scale, not quite so much. I
use Christianity as an example because it is the largest group and most
influential one in our nation, and quite broadly all over the world as well.
And there is a reason for that. Colonialism.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Many
Christians will often proclaim that evidence for their faith being the right
one, is its popularity all over the world. However, they always fail to mention
why the Christian faith is so ubiquitous. It isn’t because most cultures chose
that belief system for its merits. The biggest reason Christianity is
everywhere is because it was spread by colonial indoctrination; often erasing
indigenous belief-systems and cultures in doing so. White Christians spread
their faith into countless nations, claiming land through <i>Manifest Destiny</i>,
backed up by the support of the Vatican and their bible. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
macro-version of entitlement is easy to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, there is also the micro version of entitlement exhibited by
religious followers. The behaviours that give them the belief that they can
impose their religious faith upon everyone on the public dime, to deny the
rights and existence of those who do not abide by their dogma, and to persecute
people. In spite of having churches on every corner, they proclaim that any
criticism of their faith is persecution, and they believe that they should be
entitled to all freedoms to do as they please, while themselves oppressing
people who do not share their beliefs. In some cultures, religious entitlement
justifies the execution of homosexuals, and apostates, atheists and even people
who dare to draw satirical comics.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Religious
entitlement is pervasive. From the lofty belief that a religious person can
decide for others what is moral and what isn’t; who deserves rights and who doesn’t,
to whose land is whose, and whose beliefs should take precedence, religion
teaches its practitioners entitlement wholesale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Believes
they are consistently deserving of praise and respect.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
I stated above, I would be repeating this phrase and I will likely repeat it
again. Most faithful believers let their belief system consume their entire
personality. And with that, comes the “I’m a Christian/Jew/Muslim” card which,
depending on the culture, is supposed to automatically represent that the
presenter of this card is to be respected, to be seen as good and moral, and
worthy of special treatment for such.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Religious
people believe they have the monopoly on morality, on good works and humility.
And it is shown by countless studies and examples, that they are not. Charity
for religions is almost always self-serving, and beneficial to the churches.
Charity also comes with a side of indoctrination and an ulterior motive. Many
religious folks limit their goodness and giving to prayer, for which, upon mentioning
this, expect praise and respect for their goodness and kindness—when prayer is
shown to have no effect at all, and is statistically known to have an effect
equal to chance (and sometimes even less of an effect if a person knows they’re
being prayed for). However, religious people will often declare that they will
perform this empty gesture to gain the gratitude and respect of others, and
feel like they’ve done something grand; when they have done nothing at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Heedlessly
takes advantage of others.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If
we pull the lens back and look once more on the macro perspective of religion
and its exploitation of undeveloped cultures, it is easy to see how religion
takes advantage of people to spread itself and increase its flock, and
therefore its coffers. Religion also continues to use the guise of charity and
altruism to inflate its influence and power over society and government.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">However,
on the personal scale, religious people also due to their sense of entitlement,
will individually take advantage of people to further their agendas and
simplify their own lives. From Church collections to benefit only their own,
and their churches, to underpaying developmentally disabled people to employ
their labour—religious people find myriad ways to exploit people to their own
ends.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Indoctrinating
children into the faith is a form of exploitation and abuse. pursuing
minorities and deliberately indoctrinating the poor and disenfranchised, the
desperate and people suffering from addiction and mental illness into their faith
system, to then take what small resources they have for the benefit of the
church, with little in exchange, is typical of the strategy of religious people
and systems. Even the act of ‘saving’ people who do not know they are being
saved, is presumptuous and exploitative. And this is believed to be honourable
and good for the sake of their god.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mother
Theresa is the perfect example of such exploitation. She used the suffering
(sometimes deliberately left to suffer—as she could have sent people for actual
medical care with the donations she gleaned from her ‘work’) to gain assets for
the church. She accepted donations but did not spend it to truly help anyone.
She used the sick and the poor to advance a religious agenda, and they only
suffered for it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking
advantage of the vulnerable, the poor, the desperate is exploitation.
Indoctrination to feed churches in funds and fill pews is exploitation. And the
followers are taught by the church that these are not only acceptable, but
desirable ends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Has delusions
of grandeur and lives in a fantasy world.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
fact that religious people live in a fantasy world is one that doesn’t need
much explanation. It is not hard to see what kinds of delusions the religious
are willing to embrace in order to put themselves into a position where they
can claim they are their god’s preferred person, and to justify their
exploitative, selfish actions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
religious person, at least the ones that are mostly faithful, put
themselves<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into the position that they
are in a coveted place. That they are one of their god’s children, and that
they have special rights because they were endowed with them by their god. This
allows them to move through life believing that they are morally superior, that
they know better than everyone else, that their ignorance and detachment and
privilege are good things; that this is what their religion asks of them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And let's just glance at the whole fantasy thing. The bible and other related religious texts are filled with pure nonsense and unproven silliness. Supposed prophecy written centuries after they were supposedly meant to happen, or made so vaguely they would fit any timeframe; miracles that are just hearsay from unconfirmed nobodies, unsupported claims made by bronze-age shepherds. When you talk to a religious person and ask them why they believe what they do, they will point out these things as if they are real and true. There is only one source for these claims, and that is a book of stories curated and managed by centuries of religious leaders, translated and mistranslated. They have not a single thing in their claims that can provide evidence of its claims. But they believe it. They believe the fantasy. They believe in biblical miracles, and cherry-pick phrases to prove prophecy, and always circle back to the claim when asked for evidence. The circular arguments always devolve into the final claim: "I know because of faith." Because of fantasy. "Because god put it in my heart."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There
is also a pervasive idea that religious people have a special power imbued by god—the
ostensible power of their prayer. In a variety of situations, you will hear the
religious person declaring that they will pray to change the outcome, and do so
with the utmost confidence in their delusion of grandeur, that this will effect
change. That somehow, they, with their special relationship with this
omniscient being, can command him to act.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Bullies,
belittles, mocks and intimidates others.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ask
any woman seeking medical care at a Planned Parenthood, and she will tell you
about the bullying and intimidation they experienced from a faithful person who
feels entitled to impose his or her idea of morality on others. Religious
bullying spans from outright terrorism, like shooting gay people, and flying
planes into buildings, to the Phelps family picketing funerals, to the
religious lobby successfully striking down Roe vs Wade. Religious people want
the world to succumb to their belief system, and if that takes full-on
persecution of unbelievers and infiltration of the state to impose religious
rule, that is what they will do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">From
the school board member who wants to teach creationism in science class, in
spite of it not being science, and banning books that threaten their world
view, to the teachers who penalize children for not wearing the ‘right’
clothes, religious people have found myriad ways to bully, belittle, intimidate
and mock those who do not adopt their belief system, and live by their chosen
tenets.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">They
do not restrict this behaviour towards non-believers. It is religion against
religion. Christians against Muslims. Muslims against Jews. Any way you mix it,
their disagreements against one another has racked up a significant body-count
and continues to do so. Up until the holocaust, Christians were the main
persecutors of Jews, and killed them wholesale. Now, Christians have decided to
ally with the Jews to persecute Muslims, all in an effort to usher in the
end-times. It is a dance of cruelty against other human beings, all for the
sake of an ideology that is toxic and destructive.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Conclusion.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%;">I read an article a while ago, outlining a study that showed that when religious people were asked what god would think or do, the part of the brain that activated while seeking an answer to this, was in the same part of the brain where the self was. So in essence, the god they believe in is themselves. And when we talk about narcissism, we talk about the God Complex. When you have innumerable people sharing this same delusion, it becomes religion. And as religion spreads, this god complex is seemingly imbued in others. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%;">I heard a story on a podcast recently, where a former believer tells a story of how in his church growing up, the congregation was one that spoke in tongues as they reached the peak of their religious frenzy during a sermon. He came of an age where he too was expected to speak in tongues, and one day, as the pastor filed down the line of youth, inciting each person in turn to do this, he came to this young man, and when the young man hesitated, the pastor leaned in and whispered in his ear: "Just fake it. Everyone else does." </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%;">Can faking it be the beginning of this kind of narcissism? To, in a frenzy of religious feeling in a group setting, a person be filled with a fully supported, enabled and encouraged sense of self-absorption and superiority?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Religion on a macroscopic scale, frames out a
mindset that makes narcissistic and self-serving choices the norm for its
followers. In identifying themselves as a one of their god’s children, special
and empowered by their god’s dogma, that they stand above others, preferred and
protected, enabled and supported in their efforts to subjugate, bully, demean
and harm others; to take what they want to take in the name of their god, to
inflict what they wish onto others, in the name of their god. To exist with an
idea that this is moral behaviour, simply because their book tells them so. I
believe narcissism is one of the outcomes of the various teachings and dogmas
of most of the major religious faith systems, and that followers are molded to
act in such a way while existing in a mixed society.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I have seen firsthand the effects of narcissism on those raised in its influence. It is traumatic and has lifelong consequences for those it was inflicted upon. And as the behaviours of the religious seem more and more to reflect those of individual narcissists, it is easy to see why society is so adversely effected by the existence of these belief systems. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So it is easy to believe, just looking at it from this perspective, that religion is
bad for humanity. It is toxic and self-absorbed. And that in the guise of doing
good works, it is poisoning our world and its people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-4342892511834916042021-01-29T20:29:00.001-08:002021-01-29T20:29:09.830-08:00I'm only preachin' the truth here.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ctVvXgMIDYBEbH3HZshgvld-m3yobANnAAauqi8z8AWinOyiV7Zs9qkCXFFkxd1SBvb6gByMx1E96YBMURlSzgcBHzltcKQUcIlkWh_afZoAZ_e_DbpCiq39y4EaekPSs34Dgf7lg1Q/s2048/facebook+sales.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1298" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ctVvXgMIDYBEbH3HZshgvld-m3yobANnAAauqi8z8AWinOyiV7Zs9qkCXFFkxd1SBvb6gByMx1E96YBMURlSzgcBHzltcKQUcIlkWh_afZoAZ_e_DbpCiq39y4EaekPSs34Dgf7lg1Q/w406-h640/facebook+sales.png" width="406" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-35831964615734549822020-09-24T13:52:00.003-07:002020-09-24T13:52:21.856-07:00A fresh start?<div class="separator">It's been a while. I seem to have allowed my blog to flag and fade. And that's sad. It used to be such a great outlet for me, and it was a creative place for me to talk about my many projects. But I'm still here. I think the blog being forgotten has coincided with the advent of parenthood. This blog followed me through my hard times. Through infidelity and the salvation of my marriage. Through my projects with the Oregon Regency Society, and through failed pregnancy after failed pregnancy. I did not write about my miscarriages, because those were so devastating to me. </div><p>But then you can see the moment on this blog when I tried to secretly reveal my pregnancy before the three-month 'safety' time, and then the pregnancy, and the joy of having my beautiful son. I've tried to show him growing up. Which is all-too-fast. They really don't lie when they tell new parents to soak it in, because it is so damned quick. </p><p>He's going to turn 8 in November. He started second grade today. We had a late start because we are dealing with the issues caused by the Oregon Fires and COVID. But he is at it today, working from a school-issued Chromebook and whiteboard, doing his work diligently. I have to keep him focused. But I think this might be okay. </p><p>What am I up to? Well, momming for one. I'm going a little crazy. I developed an anxiety disorder that appeared when my mom and brother arrived from New Hampshire. My mom passed away five years after my father did. And as it is with any Narcissist, life has been easier now that she is no longer around to drive me insane. But the anxiety issues never went away. </p><p>Honestly, lately, I have not done much. I've been weighed down by the heavy burden of depression, and all the things that I love have sort of fallen to the wayside. I've also allowed myself to get too absorbed in social media and let the current political climate to crush my spirit. But I feel like I'm crawling out of this pit of despair and am able to see the light of day. The fact that my kid is doing structured things during the week is a good thing. It has forced me to focus on his needs and not allowing him to spend the day playing Fortnite like a little screen-addict. Yes. It's insane. At seven, he's obsessed.</p><p>I have been doing some miniatures stuff and trying to finish some of the four books i have in mid-progress. Having too many books in the same series going at once has caused a hideous stall, and I have produced no new books for almost two years. It's terrible! I'm at 90% on one book, so I've resolved to finish and get it published so I can attack the next one. As my creative juices are starting to flow again, I need to be certain to finish one project before starting another, but I can't help getting sucked into the trap of new ideas. I need to learn to write the ideas down and leave them until I'm done working on prior projects.</p><p>If you want to see my other social media sites, where I've been marginally current.</p><p><b>Crafts and miniatures</b></p><p>Instagram for Feffie's Cottage: <a href="http://instagram.com/feffiescottage">http://instagram.com/feffiescottage </a><br />Facebook for Feffie's Cottage: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FeffiesCottage">https://www.facebook.com/FeffiesCottage</a></p><p><b>Authoring:</b></p><p>Instagram for Miranda Mayer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/authormirandamayer/">https://www.instagram.com/authormirandamayer/</a><br />Facebook for Miranda Mayer: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMirandaMayer/">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMirandaMayer/</a></p><p>Anywho.... Here are some pictures and videos I harvested from Facebook and whatnot to give you an idea of what I've been up to.</p><p><br /></p><p>This year we had some losses, and some gains. We lost Simon, who was brutally killed by a Vacation Renter's malamute dog. But we found Miss Violet Rose, who has taken his place in our hearts. This was in May of last year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxunWbgJIhUeIThCnGoOqfcvlEp0iW48ALpVBgv1x-3Kms1a6YZ0cXkatIBGRdrfbgjMxw8WaL0wVHAmY1zeA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXfZkRPJWMUFqtSW-M5bsZMgJmyGbmvpmJUjyBs2I6X6Xf6ZVXi4f5veRrAFhAbFAWWPVp_KOM22OcGcTl2fM52OX9JZXBLvi0NaJG4GLr5W4vrDOli-JWWUMSNXadGA-k2rMX5XVavM/s960/59447407_10220169045723474_2190134910927241216_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXfZkRPJWMUFqtSW-M5bsZMgJmyGbmvpmJUjyBs2I6X6Xf6ZVXi4f5veRrAFhAbFAWWPVp_KOM22OcGcTl2fM52OX9JZXBLvi0NaJG4GLr5W4vrDOli-JWWUMSNXadGA-k2rMX5XVavM/w400-h300/59447407_10220169045723474_2190134910927241216_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyhlutQmLmB5WNtWgk9yMUT-aNEQQ5SUMt8zs4pofLA49WBenllWWXmKpJSrVhiFCW-EJAEbQhsA0QZ1h07sG6OGYTDJsa5-1K0XVGO_hWY3skxHkKTTP3FHsopencJBx4ZokTJ_8sPE/s960/71223096_10221325353510446_4155233751955144704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyhlutQmLmB5WNtWgk9yMUT-aNEQQ5SUMt8zs4pofLA49WBenllWWXmKpJSrVhiFCW-EJAEbQhsA0QZ1h07sG6OGYTDJsa5-1K0XVGO_hWY3skxHkKTTP3FHsopencJBx4ZokTJ_8sPE/w400-h225/71223096_10221325353510446_4155233751955144704_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lost OC this year. This hit me a little harder than I thought it would.<br />He was a good kitty.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlu501d8DTS_n1_tTmEmxeDcT8JyGTdZlO7nTcbZhOHSBs03k756i8nmji7X3wQ0NdYvsPORoEMXYrLccErLAx37KQxXNSxDiFBdtaDqq2dXylRLCvTTOzISWzTHybNYGH-DqDZvcs4k/s960/91035410_10223283864311992_155336369957240832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlu501d8DTS_n1_tTmEmxeDcT8JyGTdZlO7nTcbZhOHSBs03k756i8nmji7X3wQ0NdYvsPORoEMXYrLccErLAx37KQxXNSxDiFBdtaDqq2dXylRLCvTTOzISWzTHybNYGH-DqDZvcs4k/w400-h400/91035410_10223283864311992_155336369957240832_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc5muc1OnpPuE8crcd-UbYZbdsGCHWDBThEuIkYSCvNnNVGy9n0Mgi5oUfzsWLc83C7f3wmGW7F5Q2Z5NePHp1UslmJspAlQDkLYkIpsv6mKqv6EM0OsgWqAH9gYghUaHGmHPJWoILC0/s1440/109812768_10224458035345534_1259611412249326322_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc5muc1OnpPuE8crcd-UbYZbdsGCHWDBThEuIkYSCvNnNVGy9n0Mgi5oUfzsWLc83C7f3wmGW7F5Q2Z5NePHp1UslmJspAlQDkLYkIpsv6mKqv6EM0OsgWqAH9gYghUaHGmHPJWoILC0/w400-h400/109812768_10224458035345534_1259611412249326322_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77bogeI_90nNXIlWNHSu0-SKv1q4htY3-1EeNjdFpdR6cHa_39d7e2hq-GV4l_D8_y0hvtgClyUKeMveDABvRkmqZZeTBSNVV_IRcyKWYxJDVjapTft1w5M-ieoOu40TtFjY5bceZC_E/s1440/116335981_10224571318257536_4356145478069850194_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1440" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77bogeI_90nNXIlWNHSu0-SKv1q4htY3-1EeNjdFpdR6cHa_39d7e2hq-GV4l_D8_y0hvtgClyUKeMveDABvRkmqZZeTBSNVV_IRcyKWYxJDVjapTft1w5M-ieoOu40TtFjY5bceZC_E/w400-h366/116335981_10224571318257536_4356145478069850194_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyL2kqvmzbqq7A3a9hE1AsvvZzTSMzVyY7EgBroprn4n3C0fIAmBursu1gZ_aI50EkW7cBRtZMMRbc2SvYtGw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Alex met her the first time here, getting off the bus. This was a pretty sweet moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the miniature things I've been working on. I continue to plug away at the McKinley. I'll make a full movie of the progress soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures I took along the way.</div><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oY9pbOI3xU-6a4oYb0J22xdH1109tuiYkJIekI7_y3WrGTALZOks6CDE3Uxktx5M2phcDSQj-fx75kWz6IeN_An4C7Kyow4cEWm0YY4ccOLAFqPrCf83y65apst1SrCH3V-IQIZD4EE/s960/65676636_10220662653823368_1332084910013284352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oY9pbOI3xU-6a4oYb0J22xdH1109tuiYkJIekI7_y3WrGTALZOks6CDE3Uxktx5M2phcDSQj-fx75kWz6IeN_An4C7Kyow4cEWm0YY4ccOLAFqPrCf83y65apst1SrCH3V-IQIZD4EE/s320/65676636_10220662653823368_1332084910013284352_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Huxley's Magic Room<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuPtehe4OnCFJfeGeXBkncdESjR1t9q8FY0IgeivB_QUJGbW3bdt7X2sSEOHz-QCHGOhmHEWKLcBgN8mtGE8HerEWznR4tTFeJ8rqHB_4w4oRLPJmHIF3ksc5wX8ao5xvX0rcAJOMT9M/s1080/67744238_1011510492574092_3077311692120522752_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuPtehe4OnCFJfeGeXBkncdESjR1t9q8FY0IgeivB_QUJGbW3bdt7X2sSEOHz-QCHGOhmHEWKLcBgN8mtGE8HerEWznR4tTFeJ8rqHB_4w4oRLPJmHIF3ksc5wX8ao5xvX0rcAJOMT9M/s320/67744238_1011510492574092_3077311692120522752_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding ivy to the front of the townhouse<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtD-pKMwFgB8FfCZ6Cim9HmRVEMqqx-pVdFs672bNXCuqvNi5FzxWgbX7p2XJ5kmBkbuTWQQF17PAf1EkjcgvP7-_SkNNzX3fabVWGyGvS12CECg00I6vuAyIaJlV-3I5jhU33oB33Gg/s1080/67887399_1015030008888807_1304745037992558592_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtD-pKMwFgB8FfCZ6Cim9HmRVEMqqx-pVdFs672bNXCuqvNi5FzxWgbX7p2XJ5kmBkbuTWQQF17PAf1EkjcgvP7-_SkNNzX3fabVWGyGvS12CECg00I6vuAyIaJlV-3I5jhU33oB33Gg/s320/67887399_1015030008888807_1304745037992558592_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-sZ2op5Lef3ACf5fKlPPes9zHKGbikmwY7LVddBB2kic7IlaYWdA-7k0jcNQo0sUVy8Q1srMUKaTVtha4A7m_lJI-q1i6YrO6vPdD5wqByvznxUC0SYz2fvUbJsNq7IWXSVDMjnlbC4/s1080/68633821_1017317008660107_4745931942887686144_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-sZ2op5Lef3ACf5fKlPPes9zHKGbikmwY7LVddBB2kic7IlaYWdA-7k0jcNQo0sUVy8Q1srMUKaTVtha4A7m_lJI-q1i6YrO6vPdD5wqByvznxUC0SYz2fvUbJsNq7IWXSVDMjnlbC4/s320/68633821_1017317008660107_4745931942887686144_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldering leaded windows<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-HKqYoILvaSphkRBYOOTJHGtsEfSXrjTTyu-ssWo_F4iXl8PrzyLSCwnmP2dtyLkG63LKh1FEwW2FRhxRhWlXgeb6DIeiVBXbhqg9bHE8uhLVRoVKrag2w-2x0ZuQ_jawHd2KEXT4Tc/s1080/69259147_1027823350942806_2479359438863990784_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-HKqYoILvaSphkRBYOOTJHGtsEfSXrjTTyu-ssWo_F4iXl8PrzyLSCwnmP2dtyLkG63LKh1FEwW2FRhxRhWlXgeb6DIeiVBXbhqg9bHE8uhLVRoVKrag2w-2x0ZuQ_jawHd2KEXT4Tc/s320/69259147_1027823350942806_2479359438863990784_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR-NJ1snE6ALO5IW77WDrPVwRscfXhvGviY0jG8qGEmyfgBMZ38I5KuVoa6kMcctfU2Pp0De0wyFTrxSvMXUXp_o-J0CKe0sDWo921iem_pP5nJ3r_z88orDR0EMcgJhvr65RqARw8bY/s1080/69772993_1036082540116887_3123334319691530240_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR-NJ1snE6ALO5IW77WDrPVwRscfXhvGviY0jG8qGEmyfgBMZ38I5KuVoa6kMcctfU2Pp0De0wyFTrxSvMXUXp_o-J0CKe0sDWo921iem_pP5nJ3r_z88orDR0EMcgJhvr65RqARw8bY/s320/69772993_1036082540116887_3123334319691530240_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The library. I will be replacing the wallpaper<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQIuT_Tzg5XcTmnhEc6Du3TYW4CU2ycs17xlxwA-FAZzk4lP2A8VpTDbfEY_gpooGLu-s-wW_FOutZhqt1pPG4BKSnQdY2eDrPEdD2rwzwyme3Y8kcbSZo8KQ_HQ1Z9GG0FpRUnve6Bs/s1351/86423854_1183291205396019_3075030312867069952_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQIuT_Tzg5XcTmnhEc6Du3TYW4CU2ycs17xlxwA-FAZzk4lP2A8VpTDbfEY_gpooGLu-s-wW_FOutZhqt1pPG4BKSnQdY2eDrPEdD2rwzwyme3Y8kcbSZo8KQ_HQ1Z9GG0FpRUnve6Bs/s320/86423854_1183291205396019_3075030312867069952_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Baby Cello project. I got this instrument from Kennedy Violins. It was<br />doomed to go into the burn-pile as it had seen its best days already. So I repurposed it<br />and turned it into the residence, workshop and shop for Mr. Patkany... the mouse-luthier.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT26_rZiReL80WkJilYRk5zih8hO0uvKo4oBLKLDqEcZ9R65B7FtI8hoaRc1BQwQSnRWpaTum58UfPGY6PLjSdoB5C6_o_WeLXhYqgFwQ_7zRJxI6eeStFn_dQqp5GDwwN7VEgFOaXyCw/s1440/89603812_1202972333427906_684216177475452928_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT26_rZiReL80WkJilYRk5zih8hO0uvKo4oBLKLDqEcZ9R65B7FtI8hoaRc1BQwQSnRWpaTum58UfPGY6PLjSdoB5C6_o_WeLXhYqgFwQ_7zRJxI6eeStFn_dQqp5GDwwN7VEgFOaXyCw/s320/89603812_1202972333427906_684216177475452928_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7ojGahaOcDTR4UtVMmFz9Fl4UoszpSQQkFfeAYPpapMkK8eqTl8gvjg0XmURuN-LW6elPnR7huB6XSZ_V-4W1p1E1Wk3ELYroFaPlO-tNMNbKZE8YNVSy_I5hukWqlrw1md47_TvlHM/s1440/90059662_1215229798868826_9005122328815730688_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7ojGahaOcDTR4UtVMmFz9Fl4UoszpSQQkFfeAYPpapMkK8eqTl8gvjg0XmURuN-LW6elPnR7huB6XSZ_V-4W1p1E1Wk3ELYroFaPlO-tNMNbKZE8YNVSy_I5hukWqlrw1md47_TvlHM/s320/90059662_1215229798868826_9005122328815730688_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Pok lives downstairs in the cellar apartments. She supplies<br />the silk for the violin-strings.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXdENUn9-3uFQjKgowA843VbYGEorEh7vUiCXa8p4dDg0Njf05cjKfPqr9UTwwUEBMfD4RV9XCvyFJdflq9XPt44jHUdJv7SCRqiTtqQZKajxdiPaQZFvzzxJAGByKgD6cAkjf_lGuSk/s1440/90201707_1215229622202177_2672630128210608128_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXdENUn9-3uFQjKgowA843VbYGEorEh7vUiCXa8p4dDg0Njf05cjKfPqr9UTwwUEBMfD4RV9XCvyFJdflq9XPt44jHUdJv7SCRqiTtqQZKajxdiPaQZFvzzxJAGByKgD6cAkjf_lGuSk/s320/90201707_1215229622202177_2672630128210608128_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiepoEVj0JMaJTtYFzEwG0UDSVv_Zqqc8husLPoPj2CcPLx026FtOc5isKjYlDzJh8ptO3leUvO9mY5Zh-lrS9Gy1vVuLr1yGsQrGQBUQfBO13bItgVcj5irYj9UZ9d93efzjSSgW_N1U/s1440/90342587_1215229732202166_3657699771109343232_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiepoEVj0JMaJTtYFzEwG0UDSVv_Zqqc8husLPoPj2CcPLx026FtOc5isKjYlDzJh8ptO3leUvO9mY5Zh-lrS9Gy1vVuLr1yGsQrGQBUQfBO13bItgVcj5irYj9UZ9d93efzjSSgW_N1U/s320/90342587_1215229732202166_3657699771109343232_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA0WU_6kia7lDt3NbsI3sLk242WnpYmqzQC0MdguLc-uaBzY5NLkfaLTwh2inrjoUo6EaZtcgaZaZAXxymY_upFOOHFV1ONK2JLvQrX1q2uYp2De2CNZ-gEi5BkDfwKQLsZfIR8Taz80/s1440/90955046_1217930831932056_9127999144131035136_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA0WU_6kia7lDt3NbsI3sLk242WnpYmqzQC0MdguLc-uaBzY5NLkfaLTwh2inrjoUo6EaZtcgaZaZAXxymY_upFOOHFV1ONK2JLvQrX1q2uYp2De2CNZ-gEi5BkDfwKQLsZfIR8Taz80/s320/90955046_1217930831932056_9127999144131035136_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4AXxYgxax1Fn4E6EDSy0F89lwSbjyK7Jz1M88AorWIi7nptVIggKQKOjS7fNvZY4rSmwtyXgb1_Xhe9-C03Cup0o10Isv_5hpEle0wRkiWYzq-omIWmfWadZ6QlvQpA1jY2Ut4RtTBE/s1440/91312136_1221740531551086_2561137222497599488_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4AXxYgxax1Fn4E6EDSy0F89lwSbjyK7Jz1M88AorWIi7nptVIggKQKOjS7fNvZY4rSmwtyXgb1_Xhe9-C03Cup0o10Isv_5hpEle0wRkiWYzq-omIWmfWadZ6QlvQpA1jY2Ut4RtTBE/s320/91312136_1221740531551086_2561137222497599488_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The middle floor is where Mr. Patkany enjoys his meals and<br />relaxes after a hard day of making instruments.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1y9AoHnCDS1r7ZGBr8DROv_yg5H8smH8SFnhrHmdNODZWC-_HtpS5rLZbaMgRpwKbBVCQAVVcJd0fywoMhCmxJtg0kHF1IEKWKjvQywflyfN3xZVvboJDKSvKc9wxVU1IrU3PdIr6dM/s1440/91325791_1221740714884401_1513167568800579584_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1y9AoHnCDS1r7ZGBr8DROv_yg5H8smH8SFnhrHmdNODZWC-_HtpS5rLZbaMgRpwKbBVCQAVVcJd0fywoMhCmxJtg0kHF1IEKWKjvQywflyfN3xZVvboJDKSvKc9wxVU1IrU3PdIr6dM/s320/91325791_1221740714884401_1513167568800579584_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kXWTQSqQPf-WGd9R8BjAbXlWv_2KHsZLoY5vLwl7Sw-gyfWJHerW3uEqV-wilvV8vr8hIWCpTwehhtPxQ9uQQ104kEmJmxuELBwoLRjs-SBXZUabNxG61RnyT6bARRD3ekbTFaEby_w/s1440/91335476_1219015315156941_1960488051901726720_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kXWTQSqQPf-WGd9R8BjAbXlWv_2KHsZLoY5vLwl7Sw-gyfWJHerW3uEqV-wilvV8vr8hIWCpTwehhtPxQ9uQQ104kEmJmxuELBwoLRjs-SBXZUabNxG61RnyT6bARRD3ekbTFaEby_w/s320/91335476_1219015315156941_1960488051901726720_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making violins and a cello<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS-JjO9zKjnjQyrUkNzl7HCrEonzl5M0s3EHPskczaohQhzAkqkA8qkJgtzoQP8vyGSydn0k3X-eQHQhMj6g_zFgShoOgECnAMcMSeFPMePSGbeaaJWzjTz_gh2k75lbiqVhRFCDAp5Y/s1440/91425158_1219015371823602_8542636801523712000_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS-JjO9zKjnjQyrUkNzl7HCrEonzl5M0s3EHPskczaohQhzAkqkA8qkJgtzoQP8vyGSydn0k3X-eQHQhMj6g_zFgShoOgECnAMcMSeFPMePSGbeaaJWzjTz_gh2k75lbiqVhRFCDAp5Y/s320/91425158_1219015371823602_8542636801523712000_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0YwWo6EHS4IecYt4FpcpkiwnKY-Zj7hiLH-JOGBrxXEaI9nOSgly5NpjpSep9E1aHxeRz9lZ09RF3_QPqLOXyLtnrxORjKmvlwMk-ka0kaPcNSHw3l4iwZW3FcNij5UqxpDLzO-HC9o/s1440/92128561_1220808921644247_7262796264540995584_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0YwWo6EHS4IecYt4FpcpkiwnKY-Zj7hiLH-JOGBrxXEaI9nOSgly5NpjpSep9E1aHxeRz9lZ09RF3_QPqLOXyLtnrxORjKmvlwMk-ka0kaPcNSHw3l4iwZW3FcNij5UqxpDLzO-HC9o/s320/92128561_1220808921644247_7262796264540995584_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7kPVHYdttOxmQpV1hD04uELjEPymaLyQeiHryH_fyHEHwRlNyMaiAZ_5cFxqJehxOrq9k2ptBjSo25AfvTGbBIrJMt8ZRkDELcfusUYghD_GPg0dzG0c_bflhKYTLX2JO77YFk8xCJA/s1440/93485281_1237722099952929_2677398370837856256_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7kPVHYdttOxmQpV1hD04uELjEPymaLyQeiHryH_fyHEHwRlNyMaiAZ_5cFxqJehxOrq9k2ptBjSo25AfvTGbBIrJMt8ZRkDELcfusUYghD_GPg0dzG0c_bflhKYTLX2JO77YFk8xCJA/s320/93485281_1237722099952929_2677398370837856256_o.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The street-scene project was fun. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dypZj4u25JWUIS8n7NYNnaeDkvftb7ezZ1jOuSTxnrGU9D6ymjD-7vR3NIlt1clqGJQynqj3q9DHlxGwNsdTw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nq8vCkfNTFh8HLLtSmDVvkCbKBbnVpmss98CCtdL8LsgSWiXIWKrLdJvWGuihqWBANIqzIdDZKa-c9VqiRTJVfOo9gKZdyPmpcqIGog2AFXkHJxqmMB5bfH3XKbYv8fBXPQvTaAtcUc/s1440/96087295_1255471504844655_1338409275126448128_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Nq8vCkfNTFh8HLLtSmDVvkCbKBbnVpmss98CCtdL8LsgSWiXIWKrLdJvWGuihqWBANIqzIdDZKa-c9VqiRTJVfOo9gKZdyPmpcqIGog2AFXkHJxqmMB5bfH3XKbYv8fBXPQvTaAtcUc/s320/96087295_1255471504844655_1338409275126448128_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZUojGqF72AUN7q3i-_D6rHNk1uoMjNdAtBeURGg7FZKuVbQySidRkBuwqg7Mvn6LkpGDD2sV363yJjpVG1WbHjeKxbUbpCjN49z4kQshY97t1MhCOKo8nkkrIpfkq_Mm_boy9NboJPM/s640/96101061_10223715213055441_7347231954325995520_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZUojGqF72AUN7q3i-_D6rHNk1uoMjNdAtBeURGg7FZKuVbQySidRkBuwqg7Mvn6LkpGDD2sV363yJjpVG1WbHjeKxbUbpCjN49z4kQshY97t1MhCOKo8nkkrIpfkq_Mm_boy9NboJPM/s320/96101061_10223715213055441_7347231954325995520_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6P0gbwdNJ6tmuku7RX_gfc-tzx_M3IE8qwtZPC47rPM1fDxBLdU4in18AWKwJ0lt2HYdUJpHu8phh-mqRLiFfM05ajZOsJSja0XuB3dP-D23JlbCC7eetOk0b8YlbOs3JDrIBgRG8To/s1440/99081142_1265113563880449_6569701453361840128_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6P0gbwdNJ6tmuku7RX_gfc-tzx_M3IE8qwtZPC47rPM1fDxBLdU4in18AWKwJ0lt2HYdUJpHu8phh-mqRLiFfM05ajZOsJSja0XuB3dP-D23JlbCC7eetOk0b8YlbOs3JDrIBgRG8To/s320/99081142_1265113563880449_6569701453361840128_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLdF1_cV9owIlo8gilJpKKSrAxjAJimUxMT5-R7nbUbrYk2mr3gTADn0vOCWM67NewlziuTkathUgw3TlZHrdyD5xFo2ja_Ch_YSKXLwX6fdtgZdgVbJecwGowFFd5x7zRa1mwDi1Fyo/s1440/99102729_1265113640547108_4905552916384841728_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLdF1_cV9owIlo8gilJpKKSrAxjAJimUxMT5-R7nbUbrYk2mr3gTADn0vOCWM67NewlziuTkathUgw3TlZHrdyD5xFo2ja_Ch_YSKXLwX6fdtgZdgVbJecwGowFFd5x7zRa1mwDi1Fyo/s320/99102729_1265113640547108_4905552916384841728_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QmKkXo7ZKYwLH0TV-ZcI0wQ-58uYxw-Yr7JUNTjGz8fD5akX7AUNdpf-ex8zxJmum5dP4ujQUedmovZoY6GwKbo9lkdcoTIlwcug3IBOZkIae9XAGjk-7fbfTnNFTiirnc_e124iLQM/s1440/99130374_1265902000468272_7054536156511207424_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QmKkXo7ZKYwLH0TV-ZcI0wQ-58uYxw-Yr7JUNTjGz8fD5akX7AUNdpf-ex8zxJmum5dP4ujQUedmovZoY6GwKbo9lkdcoTIlwcug3IBOZkIae9XAGjk-7fbfTnNFTiirnc_e124iLQM/s320/99130374_1265902000468272_7054536156511207424_o.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Some rando pics of life at Casa Hungarican Chick.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAS7UDxV3jGTZ2AhwGnDkFMcpLLav3FK4FP_vf9MPdyuzGPrb9zutjWFuJpWYhQkLEM2hm3rr6wMk3cVnF_IgwIsLBUlbkKXUJGh7-UJqCF1QV-nUGxpcoibH9HRslxpMlztbWzc05Kc/s1592/36828209_724563081268836_5136033286828589056_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAS7UDxV3jGTZ2AhwGnDkFMcpLLav3FK4FP_vf9MPdyuzGPrb9zutjWFuJpWYhQkLEM2hm3rr6wMk3cVnF_IgwIsLBUlbkKXUJGh7-UJqCF1QV-nUGxpcoibH9HRslxpMlztbWzc05Kc/s320/36828209_724563081268836_5136033286828589056_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feffie's Cottage is a thing.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90asGh14C_ztqSoWm2EjGeNzCVOiz7W1-Ze_17Y2OCKJM3IaWRXvdwXbSDzw2z-Jv1PMmw6cjq_iTwQ-2Cg5TTMKTwWgmSKNQf0VeqFdlnz9Kz-LarIoC03LvkVPnQUEFV03prIyPJGE/s2015/76936856_10221992880518204_7915737602563506176_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90asGh14C_ztqSoWm2EjGeNzCVOiz7W1-Ze_17Y2OCKJM3IaWRXvdwXbSDzw2z-Jv1PMmw6cjq_iTwQ-2Cg5TTMKTwWgmSKNQf0VeqFdlnz9Kz-LarIoC03LvkVPnQUEFV03prIyPJGE/s320/76936856_10221992880518204_7915737602563506176_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gorgeous son. He's grown a little.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVcg3XkONmDTgeRiyJweNTVrWk_kGObtSpRTtCyy-6SI7tl_WSCwn7WX1eq0Wbr9JqbGzVBMm5cOTTcD7yEqH3FjlDa9jO_N6tRyAVIGRIuq46ZG7ivupjstxHuFRwUsGc9P474nVLgc/s1440/90526388_10223184807395631_1059499557827641344_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVcg3XkONmDTgeRiyJweNTVrWk_kGObtSpRTtCyy-6SI7tl_WSCwn7WX1eq0Wbr9JqbGzVBMm5cOTTcD7yEqH3FjlDa9jO_N6tRyAVIGRIuq46ZG7ivupjstxHuFRwUsGc9P474nVLgc/s320/90526388_10223184807395631_1059499557827641344_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are legit. We have a logo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRgqQrROZFAivgojLJkXD7vhLdArD8Hipv0HaPCWAIr0DxDN7ZWhb2ROZElthHbB6bVkA6D6aem9b7ULEIB4_xM0szGL3ojbUz5yzANIWtxZKnVLmoUjd4oYfHwgyuDwWDO78kV7l80A/s1440/95013607_1242024156189390_4902417134992228352_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRgqQrROZFAivgojLJkXD7vhLdArD8Hipv0HaPCWAIr0DxDN7ZWhb2ROZElthHbB6bVkA6D6aem9b7ULEIB4_xM0szGL3ojbUz5yzANIWtxZKnVLmoUjd4oYfHwgyuDwWDO78kV7l80A/s320/95013607_1242024156189390_4902417134992228352_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son and the cat, who is not supposed to be <br />allowed in my shed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsjIv-lfXH3SFBVZyEm_hSkjDi92QG2xT9tt4mO4UopDeERpIf5jq6DSqvizEYuQALNaWBCVtdlO4jB_JFn8XhyzOBGYQSvtZT06xpC9K8xnD_p8eSl2x8cYk9PBKcWimzXN14WJWd7Y/s1440/116154130_10224619695026925_3180853417291439888_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsjIv-lfXH3SFBVZyEm_hSkjDi92QG2xT9tt4mO4UopDeERpIf5jq6DSqvizEYuQALNaWBCVtdlO4jB_JFn8XhyzOBGYQSvtZT06xpC9K8xnD_p8eSl2x8cYk9PBKcWimzXN14WJWd7Y/s320/116154130_10224619695026925_3180853417291439888_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local bookshop and cafe are featuring my books. <3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW9IWGxhEi4SaLqKiNkTPmIEf6IwbmC4aGVQnMg6G364Lx-cF5pjgPeBiZSw665_Qs_mPyVjZgXSsoDeK1dauLhWBENuCYHS7FU3yod2VF_QGpsThn0f5k8BaWe5HON3_bFlDXIGOfDw/s2015/117666995_10224690519757499_4449173885235521312_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW9IWGxhEi4SaLqKiNkTPmIEf6IwbmC4aGVQnMg6G364Lx-cF5pjgPeBiZSw665_Qs_mPyVjZgXSsoDeK1dauLhWBENuCYHS7FU3yod2VF_QGpsThn0f5k8BaWe5HON3_bFlDXIGOfDw/s320/117666995_10224690519757499_4449173885235521312_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kid's feet next to my own. He's growing<br />too quickly. Make it stop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFfSPLDsW-f1-oOPP866mDFNyWKbBEfS8bw4ovmzxVw5NTK1o5bLfF9lpakxS0zXLnXGIw7VdFu_PVjAcw3QDlOlSnjYCrpscGhdcCwK_peoLYrSRq8JM6EnLEr9_CqQeukjBLIg6_AQ/s960/118426808_10224850147628096_4649446443601692767_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFfSPLDsW-f1-oOPP866mDFNyWKbBEfS8bw4ovmzxVw5NTK1o5bLfF9lpakxS0zXLnXGIw7VdFu_PVjAcw3QDlOlSnjYCrpscGhdcCwK_peoLYrSRq8JM6EnLEr9_CqQeukjBLIg6_AQ/s320/118426808_10224850147628096_4649446443601692767_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some summer illustrations for my sister's vacation rental.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPS8HGy08x7yDh6qSFh0Ln7Roc9ihgyLGM89njG2UoROuVURA3MmH9ppIlcrYAy4xIxCNXAvcd96wblGkTekybzBHExwgwEIFDWHDrt-ySOeuZegIth3EShB5GKKTSdLrqYQey8E6TxQ/s1440/118471399_10224793794059292_1395633123977490965_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPS8HGy08x7yDh6qSFh0Ln7Roc9ihgyLGM89njG2UoROuVURA3MmH9ppIlcrYAy4xIxCNXAvcd96wblGkTekybzBHExwgwEIFDWHDrt-ySOeuZegIth3EShB5GKKTSdLrqYQey8E6TxQ/s320/118471399_10224793794059292_1395633123977490965_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masks R Life nowadays.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb9AdAMpkq-fFlJ5wI65FgXLGskgR0eKbmf0NXYU0muEjPq5vctV7UgJNM7XChfH8UqRchupWobFlI35u6AtWX-xS17lKoW-yT66DICiYf8MUA_O5H69pcFtj8oKaKbT6XA4GLeDyjCs/s1440/118716381_10224898873646216_8831618370432386777_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb9AdAMpkq-fFlJ5wI65FgXLGskgR0eKbmf0NXYU0muEjPq5vctV7UgJNM7XChfH8UqRchupWobFlI35u6AtWX-xS17lKoW-yT66DICiYf8MUA_O5H69pcFtj8oKaKbT6XA4GLeDyjCs/s320/118716381_10224898873646216_8831618370432386777_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More silliness for my sister's vacation house.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WyDIi-eIpAk5ptiEoY55q_3Hx4l1-KW4Z7e4ihW01ROjNCuZC5omaDg8UFyAFJSryPBUqvY3tZ3TuH4q4QsigXTF_SPajly_mz58GP0KEQc0z7gySjdwzrZRKUv7T3YwTqRmti7sHaQ/s1440/118920517_10224929207324539_5553273387114657422_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WyDIi-eIpAk5ptiEoY55q_3Hx4l1-KW4Z7e4ihW01ROjNCuZC5omaDg8UFyAFJSryPBUqvY3tZ3TuH4q4QsigXTF_SPajly_mz58GP0KEQc0z7gySjdwzrZRKUv7T3YwTqRmti7sHaQ/s320/118920517_10224929207324539_5553273387114657422_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. We were right in the thick of the fires, but we were<br />lucky and they surrounded us, but never came into the <br />mount hood corridor. This is an image my brother-in-law took of<br />the Riverside fire from Sandy. Scary huh?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhixZiANpWOxE230MQ7nAnoIi2zYujz5im_9DhmC9gQmWAaGSmYzOX02zxjNZz8Uoyl1oQAUb2BuYBCFAHjCOsAx4nl5qoXbjj2APKtg23l6EX-aKGmI8ps0QUa0YuEVcPnxo6RWPjlbs/s1440/120119883_10225047328517495_2224828058128844556_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhixZiANpWOxE230MQ7nAnoIi2zYujz5im_9DhmC9gQmWAaGSmYzOX02zxjNZz8Uoyl1oQAUb2BuYBCFAHjCOsAx4nl5qoXbjj2APKtg23l6EX-aKGmI8ps0QUa0YuEVcPnxo6RWPjlbs/s320/120119883_10225047328517495_2224828058128844556_o.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXBT0CRq9lG_CwifA8IaQfgQ5p82UfUGn58qjviScdXh_drABcBM-qpTD8Lvm6_D7366kE20h5JUmU7eYhioE9v1cEod-oz326RevQAV2tO7qj4KaNXgzV8YDHLb2keAGIgCr-fIJzb4/s1440/119201356_10224949953043169_2859011514819543218_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXBT0CRq9lG_CwifA8IaQfgQ5p82UfUGn58qjviScdXh_drABcBM-qpTD8Lvm6_D7366kE20h5JUmU7eYhioE9v1cEod-oz326RevQAV2tO7qj4KaNXgzV8YDHLb2keAGIgCr-fIJzb4/s320/119201356_10224949953043169_2859011514819543218_o.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our shit neighbour has been doing some particularly douchey things lately. Although now I know his secret to staying thin and trim; aside from meth and booze, that is.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt4PHCMiw7pD49RkoJXtJMS4QEWIzKmOju-9a4u0O4UwEPcpwb0i27ihrAEPGPaw0HS6x0clzwDrxIJEkLn-VzjlAshTMufiH80LkcUUKe-zW1bShB_ZnMYYL8EFxkTvwIPAWTSMM0uI/s960/119791250_10225026077866242_3002499461857189607_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt4PHCMiw7pD49RkoJXtJMS4QEWIzKmOju-9a4u0O4UwEPcpwb0i27ihrAEPGPaw0HS6x0clzwDrxIJEkLn-VzjlAshTMufiH80LkcUUKe-zW1bShB_ZnMYYL8EFxkTvwIPAWTSMM0uI/s320/119791250_10225026077866242_3002499461857189607_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home schooling has begun after fire and calamity and plague.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIgf_LepMN2boGSziH3REtGlkv2byIsbr1T_b1-WvzXy4CrIpbCZFs1apBEkxKXVeGoLtTb2nIocNJuWFNjK4xR90yRz4bYG13kNWmtXi75OdptN6kzOF20D5cc5s864lt0zO3l24qDA/s960/120017695_10225026078146249_3824137252670229768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIgf_LepMN2boGSziH3REtGlkv2byIsbr1T_b1-WvzXy4CrIpbCZFs1apBEkxKXVeGoLtTb2nIocNJuWFNjK4xR90yRz4bYG13kNWmtXi75OdptN6kzOF20D5cc5s864lt0zO3l24qDA/s320/120017695_10225026078146249_3824137252670229768_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some one-second0a</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtyrvCs2hlBr_Z9qJbDGvBJsDHWc0NfeZH2nQd9sHeAZMd0MGTH3ECMVbU2nsHqxwrgHdtNRi6EXtU0V5xtw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_oQoxMtjXnPIsg3Fj2LLOteuPSIZ_bCKVezWpWZzEx8LDyeBCe3McMqzKtLOxxfrD8FEMGG3VidrwYEtq5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwLH9XvozzJCX_C2a64SfahOTX9TcQNkrBZjyL-WMcddcV4aHNHzdr6A7aMG1NLGaClpDEWxCM5VDuF7KTMQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is me singing a song.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdnw2WRqDgnlmnrOhTPFfXJUvTv97yLDxbFAq9rlgWof7umN0herVBLWNnvt6RMUY2WAiwa34Kcn2cQ2mQiA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is me making a THC tincture.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykE-BOEmcfnFXefAz03j279oI0hF8NXxsY7Khwk1W9nNBxUyLo0tr00b2gjIShfj7DlLqWbvkKN2MMcwLcEQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>That's it for today. I keep saying I'll post again soon. I am trying to mean it this time! Now that I have to sit through the school day with my kid, I guess I could fill the time actually creating content for this blog. It's been around so long, seems a pity to just let it die. <3 TTYL the HCHungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-72500152721149494292019-03-14T13:05:00.000-07:002019-03-14T13:23:22.264-07:00The Hungarican Chick is still kickin'Yeah. I'm alive. My poor blog, which has been going strong for so long, has been criminally neglected. I'm so focused on my Author stuff, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FeffiesCottage/" target="_blank">Feffie's Cottage,</a> I tend to forget that I have this wonderful place where so much of my life and experiences have been shared for so long. (Feffie's Cottage <a href="https://www.instagram.com/feffiescottage/" target="_blank">INSTA</a> and Feffie's Cottage<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FeffiesCottage" target="_blank"> ETSY</a>)<br />
<br />
My readers have followed me from my infertility through my unexpected pregnancy, to the birth of y beautiful son. Through the loss of 45 pounds (and the subsequent re-gaining of it). Through a tough stage in my marriage, where I experienced infidelity, to the ups and downs of my Regency life. My costuming posts are still my most popular.<br />
<br />
I have not given up on the Hungarican Chick. I'm still here, Hungarican-chicking around.<br />
<br />
So let's catch up.<br />
<br />
I don't have chickens anymore. They brought rats. So that was not okay. Although there was a great plus side to having chickens and that was my rooster, who crowed at all hours of the night, and that in turn affected the ratings of the vacation rental next door, so there was that. But I miss my kippies and their fresh eggs. A lot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXgcaN9GWJHjLSYItAbGea91mmMrLtMaXmivpGuL4Rpm5dXkrIGARBRdygrb43m5TmdElSHGqYn4MzkGv8UZQfcqYThadZS8Kv56G_WIV4vc9WNPaxdKQ1NlRIBNz_vfm5VMP5t8Ky8U/s1600/50906980_10219378334836196_6974372653515669504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXgcaN9GWJHjLSYItAbGea91mmMrLtMaXmivpGuL4Rpm5dXkrIGARBRdygrb43m5TmdElSHGqYn4MzkGv8UZQfcqYThadZS8Kv56G_WIV4vc9WNPaxdKQ1NlRIBNz_vfm5VMP5t8Ky8U/s640/50906980_10219378334836196_6974372653515669504_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six years old. Taking his first ski lessons<br />
at Timberline Lodge. Stop growing,<br />
little man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Alex is now SIX YEARS OLD. Can you believe that? I can't. Every day, I look for the secret rewind button hidden on his little body somewhere, so I can have my baby back again. He's in Kindergarten, and he's using five dollar words--with their own unique pronunciations like: Lidderly, and Use-a-liss. And the best one was last week, he said they were learning the Peasant of Egpyts (the Pledge of Allegiance).<br />
<br />
On Valentine's Day, my dog Simon was killed by one of the vacation renter's malamute. He was partially eviscerated and it was devastating.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNg624lgPTxtcpmG_TwkPb0-XZmEyQrNStfr2ZKUJO0J4syXU7BBkuSvHhs5yhY9r3y7T_Pmm-Hc3OpbHU_ewKmmyivK4OwX3fHpuTkWOtwstUXrTbiOydmQ68UgL3T6FMNvcjRrU3Ks/s1600/46101412_10218789742721761_5832800234916282368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNg624lgPTxtcpmG_TwkPb0-XZmEyQrNStfr2ZKUJO0J4syXU7BBkuSvHhs5yhY9r3y7T_Pmm-Hc3OpbHU_ewKmmyivK4OwX3fHpuTkWOtwstUXrTbiOydmQ68UgL3T6FMNvcjRrU3Ks/s640/46101412_10218789742721761_5832800234916282368_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby is having the hardest time dealing with this loss. This was his dog through and through. We are puppy hunting. Turns out Jack Russell Terriers, particularly shorties, are pretty hard to find around Oregon.</td></tr>
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Minatures-wise, progress is slow, but it is happening on my McKinley re-structure & remodel. I've been working on building my Feffie's Cottage business both on Facebook and on Etsy. Right now my big project is a 'Witchly/Wizardly Workshop Kit, which has a variety of elements, pictured below. The element in progress right now are tiny mortars and pestles, which I have been working on with my new miniature lathe. So here's a little pictorial of stuff:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNFmlZ8kxDKI_LSnTCPyf7Y1wFIEQrmbev2rwklMiw3sd1-4XJk363N3cmZrQipj3LIDt1ARNnUlpL0RBrlpz2OyoaSWg1u4IaYaK2hBXr0qMRN5mJSHDniAHTgOHoo-3PU47kzpQ9u4/s1600/36386255_711330449258766_3519457856321486848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNFmlZ8kxDKI_LSnTCPyf7Y1wFIEQrmbev2rwklMiw3sd1-4XJk363N3cmZrQipj3LIDt1ARNnUlpL0RBrlpz2OyoaSWg1u4IaYaK2hBXr0qMRN5mJSHDniAHTgOHoo-3PU47kzpQ9u4/s640/36386255_711330449258766_3519457856321486848_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So my little living room area is heading towards completion. This stage is before I put the flooring in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51jyyH-fNglcyqn2zP4ycJdaoJ-B5acU56L-8bRhwL33m26u5Z44F_w8gvpHWWKkXMmlOouCU6qqnHe5qmNeEhvlbsxrfEwkwelWF0xZcu_F2Lb7QGh3Qox0ZMAjhlg0jdsVkt5Wl-v0/s1600/37212750_731946160530528_3382609886054449152_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1060" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51jyyH-fNglcyqn2zP4ycJdaoJ-B5acU56L-8bRhwL33m26u5Z44F_w8gvpHWWKkXMmlOouCU6qqnHe5qmNeEhvlbsxrfEwkwelWF0xZcu_F2Lb7QGh3Qox0ZMAjhlg0jdsVkt5Wl-v0/s640/37212750_731946160530528_3382609886054449152_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Installing the flooring was fun. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qUh4_bl4m2JbE8848HOCZmbSybeBbNAGfQJsIayT4nHba9qtE0Kgs58iUA2B1667B8C5uHoQ7zs4mVezic0tC3_skCOuju5FIQGz0IsPtvCViuEewpsI0qKupB0rS52HqvWbYU71_rw/s1600/37963587_749261985465612_9168195481061294080_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1060" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qUh4_bl4m2JbE8848HOCZmbSybeBbNAGfQJsIayT4nHba9qtE0Kgs58iUA2B1667B8C5uHoQ7zs4mVezic0tC3_skCOuju5FIQGz0IsPtvCViuEewpsI0qKupB0rS52HqvWbYU71_rw/s640/37963587_749261985465612_9168195481061294080_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the kit prototypes. I made it pretty quickly and pulled the upholstery too tight. That is real leather, something like .5oz weight, which was super-fine. I'll get it better next time. Gotta try it a few times to get it right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJT3VGpYhLggViVT8RtW3aI0F8fyHYHDUi0yNgktVd7gONUv9hMB7xms4R_vGEbDm-j9dhF6QR603v1V1j9p1AiBfnmWPVK1siEmcc0i9-z6lOJVUulrMo0tYDNcjnIn7quKyXrJvLgI/s1600/38071847_749262455465565_3075498030510637056_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1060" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJT3VGpYhLggViVT8RtW3aI0F8fyHYHDUi0yNgktVd7gONUv9hMB7xms4R_vGEbDm-j9dhF6QR603v1V1j9p1AiBfnmWPVK1siEmcc0i9-z6lOJVUulrMo0tYDNcjnIn7quKyXrJvLgI/s640/38071847_749262455465565_3075498030510637056_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I soldered this little rack to hang pots, pans, herbs, and cured meats from. Kitchen has been coming along slowly as well. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKglhFQuCyWb2stFRRTe5IqRyifEbGTLURnapzONT2KfKxdaPxXK1q5-7A1DBGOM8BBECQcyec3BiJ7spr53iN7WTqS-hJhvtVKwPb6SqfGD_eyH_DgkAZmbic_9mmmuKwaJB7PAo9fw/s1600/38072208_749262875465523_4433159908858265600_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="784" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKglhFQuCyWb2stFRRTe5IqRyifEbGTLURnapzONT2KfKxdaPxXK1q5-7A1DBGOM8BBECQcyec3BiJ7spr53iN7WTqS-hJhvtVKwPb6SqfGD_eyH_DgkAZmbic_9mmmuKwaJB7PAo9fw/s640/38072208_749262875465523_4433159908858265600_o.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a little iron fence and gate for the front. Still another work in progress. I will be starting on the exterior pretty soon. As soon as I finish converting the victorian roof to the hip roof. I have the right tools now (a 4" table saw, yes, really.)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTJpLCUrb3ZEYk3ovi2axES8uJYV8oxWoMvrnlj66KUQR9svGG9T5jiePtvKzS1sqVJtIK_2Gz30y0wSQge4guoXHDv45mb-ocD96QuKM-IH5rK_QIwTVoI4z7EtZ-ymYWyGWBji5taY/s1600/38278084_749263055465505_3734236870008111104_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1060" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTJpLCUrb3ZEYk3ovi2axES8uJYV8oxWoMvrnlj66KUQR9svGG9T5jiePtvKzS1sqVJtIK_2Gz30y0wSQge4guoXHDv45mb-ocD96QuKM-IH5rK_QIwTVoI4z7EtZ-ymYWyGWBji5taY/s640/38278084_749263055465505_3734236870008111104_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the .5" oz leather. A-frickin'-mazing. Look how prettily it tufts! I wish I hadn't cut it so small or pulle dit so tight, because look how adorable that is.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIY99S8cM6PEcPaSPK3fkkrjzXkFE1GwzBdMNOAw8rVfKawi9ylutYBrcAEnRlnW6Zcoyay59bXunWqXMwLbzPC5j8sKu6T1r4ilH9mLXTPYLNqzwk2cBXxeLWfmfvbRI9S12pFrpRCc/s1600/38292700_751441941914283_4131765148706668544_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIY99S8cM6PEcPaSPK3fkkrjzXkFE1GwzBdMNOAw8rVfKawi9ylutYBrcAEnRlnW6Zcoyay59bXunWqXMwLbzPC5j8sKu6T1r4ilH9mLXTPYLNqzwk2cBXxeLWfmfvbRI9S12pFrpRCc/s640/38292700_751441941914283_4131765148706668544_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a tiny tub I made. At present it it still bottomless. This was after the first application of the patina chemical.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwgiaxCw8mPzV6Nz-C8_82ZJQsDDwtH2V58f6R-gfqrMvJcwxLLpg9ADvVG3leKYw2SWJvmsU26JisLRQoPGt67qRZ0j74bewc2XLXHlEZM1qaVDUnaUG50sVn0-SV6CkLhs5m2vkQgc/s1600/38878161_760757390982738_6974574993719951360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwgiaxCw8mPzV6Nz-C8_82ZJQsDDwtH2V58f6R-gfqrMvJcwxLLpg9ADvVG3leKYw2SWJvmsU26JisLRQoPGt67qRZ0j74bewc2XLXHlEZM1qaVDUnaUG50sVn0-SV6CkLhs5m2vkQgc/s640/38878161_760757390982738_6974574993719951360_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is after several chemical applications.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5VgWHX5xCMx5Fn1Lde7d4G-ZyfBIQqZm-XSd5xabnCtRk3XHNVzknPS1kJG9mfuNR0XUmw_zXfhoVyM-nDiWh8Fz9_b8I6kZah0BRl36-SeYYS2L-KgJ9zE3jw62MP24V4SYY8rS__E/s1600/39467308_770320710026406_8094936132212490240_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5VgWHX5xCMx5Fn1Lde7d4G-ZyfBIQqZm-XSd5xabnCtRk3XHNVzknPS1kJG9mfuNR0XUmw_zXfhoVyM-nDiWh8Fz9_b8I6kZah0BRl36-SeYYS2L-KgJ9zE3jw62MP24V4SYY8rS__E/s640/39467308_770320710026406_8094936132212490240_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A settee for the parlour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xz7A6Tao-kCVFEcDy-pwDHuRqxFMB6_HtLA1sijF6K1wWooagt0sKZrKrVrJzNc-L5d0lkUl_7WN6kQ6hwukWbIt84awxNsve-GQUTETdAhAqiZIFuepTuGLRSC-aMVEHV5_zfBpY_M/s1600/39501127_770320943359716_6303305969388486656_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xz7A6Tao-kCVFEcDy-pwDHuRqxFMB6_HtLA1sijF6K1wWooagt0sKZrKrVrJzNc-L5d0lkUl_7WN6kQ6hwukWbIt84awxNsve-GQUTETdAhAqiZIFuepTuGLRSC-aMVEHV5_zfBpY_M/s640/39501127_770320943359716_6303305969388486656_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Huxley, giving it a test.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdqd_zWfPRbN7OJnDz56fsyeN3gTGtL3s_o4InwYRqHh9SgDigzxU10aDgsOUj9KNz2xmHFARZNBtMZca12wITyloShQBulVGA05HLV7FqzL1MU54PhWSq0STrMKVCvi4qdffLrO_qCY/s1600/41664799_787762721615538_5600599206084476928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdqd_zWfPRbN7OJnDz56fsyeN3gTGtL3s_o4InwYRqHh9SgDigzxU10aDgsOUj9KNz2xmHFARZNBtMZca12wITyloShQBulVGA05HLV7FqzL1MU54PhWSq0STrMKVCvi4qdffLrO_qCY/s640/41664799_787762721615538_5600599206084476928_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the 'stained glass' window for Miss Huxley's 'witching room'. It will replace the window that's in that room at present. I made this with #6 plastic from a take-out clamshell box and a few coloured sharpies. It shrank down nicely, but it did not shrink completely evenly. So it's not perfectly round. But oh well. It'll do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKU3ushgRWI0cN7Kn-AGFQS62Z354FzHgONtru6J_Vk9njWmF29ao5ZyaKioRbk0igU8x3MrFt6nUbqQ2Jttge2i-C96ebGiJlwSiGikGbLkKReXV93AmRA59REb9s82AenZmGi-9tnU/s1600/41702490_787762648282212_5556946631661715456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKU3ushgRWI0cN7Kn-AGFQS62Z354FzHgONtru6J_Vk9njWmF29ao5ZyaKioRbk0igU8x3MrFt6nUbqQ2Jttge2i-C96ebGiJlwSiGikGbLkKReXV93AmRA59REb9s82AenZmGi-9tnU/s640/41702490_787762648282212_5556946631661715456_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The witching room in progress. I drew the rough placement of the new window. The other one will be boarded up and bricked over like it never existed. I made some built-ins for this room. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOZa0_WfohDkxHgp81nhjS7dLoSKmW2qq3MxAAJT7Qvc-Cz5vAlnkkSDXQEXPI0QrUKKAIPSx3NZxbaW6vU2U5XMg9rtmXqIZrJMOdaw2YDctQseS94RbK_QpKcCIF801v2TvaldUuiA/s640/41990520_791870594538084_3375356171622809600_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with copper and solder. Just sold this on etsy. All the linens are hand-stitched.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOZa0_WfohDkxHgp81nhjS7dLoSKmW2qq3MxAAJT7Qvc-Cz5vAlnkkSDXQEXPI0QrUKKAIPSx3NZxbaW6vU2U5XMg9rtmXqIZrJMOdaw2YDctQseS94RbK_QpKcCIF801v2TvaldUuiA/s1600/41990520_791870594538084_3375356171622809600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOZa0_WfohDkxHgp81nhjS7dLoSKmW2qq3MxAAJT7Qvc-Cz5vAlnkkSDXQEXPI0QrUKKAIPSx3NZxbaW6vU2U5XMg9rtmXqIZrJMOdaw2YDctQseS94RbK_QpKcCIF801v2TvaldUuiA/s1600/41990520_791870594538084_3375356171622809600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtFNF2Evzu-Q356upVF2ysB3gzNQGfWyPNEDaKB1dUQ4UyF_i72OnB7idBtlUSQ2ShgSSkaGaFYimJlwwi_mrn5im25qPqxUzXCxOv68mtB01epkZNgmKYGZhuUehOzzikpMi85NMB98/s1600/52666754_892421031149706_2111620976021078016_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtFNF2Evzu-Q356upVF2ysB3gzNQGfWyPNEDaKB1dUQ4UyF_i72OnB7idBtlUSQ2ShgSSkaGaFYimJlwwi_mrn5im25qPqxUzXCxOv68mtB01epkZNgmKYGZhuUehOzzikpMi85NMB98/s640/52666754_892421031149706_2111620976021078016_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Witchly Workshop Kit elements. Most of these are my personal ones for Miss Huxley's supplies. Jars of eyeballs are a witchly necessity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDKI41VFWrC_DIXiXSUo4_JUqFg0HPxJplTIsBgYjbmSmNdaWyiwz06Apjn4bnO4AB9POAz00NCwnuK_4l7c9i0yAGLZwgL3QBvsH9Qff3SydhlTU3Gna9xXIo7q__1zWQbhGVkyI1ps/s1600/52696080_10219583012113000_1313203426326216704_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDKI41VFWrC_DIXiXSUo4_JUqFg0HPxJplTIsBgYjbmSmNdaWyiwz06Apjn4bnO4AB9POAz00NCwnuK_4l7c9i0yAGLZwgL3QBvsH9Qff3SydhlTU3Gna9xXIo7q__1zWQbhGVkyI1ps/s640/52696080_10219583012113000_1313203426326216704_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A snapshot of what we've got so far. A skull in glass; a geode (real), some bones, a crystal wand, a magic book, an orbiculum (or crystal ball), a jar of eyeballs. There are already more things to be added to this image. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pwvc0Lt9MF9OeY7Ow9Im1EMrQNzOhiqZ5fQFj-0Kqd5G2dMoFBhuGfWc4Zc_ZbegYn6J-izOe8mHn874yVAAySLbjR-3F9Tt3J6LR-TKx7LoTvDxOHl6UAFQNOMtRHv-QncE3xdtksI/s640/53179976_901711933553949_4392157123098705920_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to add this image of the little chess set I got for the price of shipping alone ($2) from Wish. Too fecking cute. It's in the Huxley House library.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pwvc0Lt9MF9OeY7Ow9Im1EMrQNzOhiqZ5fQFj-0Kqd5G2dMoFBhuGfWc4Zc_ZbegYn6J-izOe8mHn874yVAAySLbjR-3F9Tt3J6LR-TKx7LoTvDxOHl6UAFQNOMtRHv-QncE3xdtksI/s1600/53179976_901711933553949_4392157123098705920_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pwvc0Lt9MF9OeY7Ow9Im1EMrQNzOhiqZ5fQFj-0Kqd5G2dMoFBhuGfWc4Zc_ZbegYn6J-izOe8mHn874yVAAySLbjR-3F9Tt3J6LR-TKx7LoTvDxOHl6UAFQNOMtRHv-QncE3xdtksI/s1600/53179976_901711933553949_4392157123098705920_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XbxSvqLiq0Izb129YV3RVSoTN9-u-2LgOMdgsXlbVdYCzZLMjxQthXm8AqXBdaiSJld2C-0x7SDa8dCTaGMzDQZg8rPEdSPO6bEILojeE0Blk6RI2D1aBm7V8MPypLpqK14zSjoYpPQ/s1600/53379802_900513013673841_6989906420648902656_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XbxSvqLiq0Izb129YV3RVSoTN9-u-2LgOMdgsXlbVdYCzZLMjxQthXm8AqXBdaiSJld2C-0x7SDa8dCTaGMzDQZg8rPEdSPO6bEILojeE0Blk6RI2D1aBm7V8MPypLpqK14zSjoYpPQ/s640/53379802_900513013673841_6989906420648902656_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the additional books and the bottle of poison for the Witchly Kit. There's one more book that I haven't shown yet. Next... the Mortar and Pestle. I will only be selling 4 of these kits.</td></tr>
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I'm still drawing, of course. But since I'm no longer working an office job, my Office Specials are a thing of the past. But the occasion comes of for me to draw. Inktober was fun. I did that.<br />
These are my two favourite from this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFx2mqlxtz7WI4Phiy1ebnpQOy5AAskwsOvrVJGOFFPy31_kRiYuFrpvppsMFpYXmFgTMkEdUITH0w2hgdiW7xHqTIEDG-JIqLawMCqVWW7JQ1Pk_JMOUxQX7oHLLiDElelJTDJiYN3M/s1600/44154306_10218572841179358_1907129676023726080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFx2mqlxtz7WI4Phiy1ebnpQOy5AAskwsOvrVJGOFFPy31_kRiYuFrpvppsMFpYXmFgTMkEdUITH0w2hgdiW7xHqTIEDG-JIqLawMCqVWW7JQ1Pk_JMOUxQX7oHLLiDElelJTDJiYN3M/s640/44154306_10218572841179358_1907129676023726080_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a time-witch, stealing your time. She is inspired by my beloved friend Maryanne Piro, an artist from New England, who did witches and halloween like nobody else. I have not been able to reach her for the past couple of years, so I've been missing her. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzKChZhsAECymInuuO0MZfJcTcm-A-pmbI5SJeD1O_bCffKGdRPF_muNOZgLvfZZ2A-MIRmNArSIR4RbJwfAaZ02aX0ESGcwUAZS2P42SZojn7SiMFFlz6H83LY-sNfWCRYosqFaeHAw/s1600/44177259_10218564340526847_2057270093330513920_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1440" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzKChZhsAECymInuuO0MZfJcTcm-A-pmbI5SJeD1O_bCffKGdRPF_muNOZgLvfZZ2A-MIRmNArSIR4RbJwfAaZ02aX0ESGcwUAZS2P42SZojn7SiMFFlz6H83LY-sNfWCRYosqFaeHAw/s640/44177259_10218564340526847_2057270093330513920_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My whale. I think he's cute. He needs to be remade in detail, I think.</td></tr>
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I have not really been doing anything with the Oregon Regency Society for a long time. After having heard a lot of nasty things being said about me, I simply got tired of it. It wasn't fun anymore. So I passed the responsibility onto some people who had been critical of my efforts. I was asked recently to take it back, and honestly, I'm not sure I'm 100% ready for that workload again. I've been approaching it as baby steps, but even small amounts of effort seem daunting to me right now. I don't even feel compelled to sew, which is pretty telling.<br />
<br />
I miss my girlfriends from this group tho. Like crazy. And have missed them. However, I've found a crew to hang with up here on the mountain, and they've been like an injection of life for me, and have helped keep me from diving into a terrible depression. We call ourselves the Mount Hood Coffee Coven because we can be found pretty reliably in the mornings at the local coffee house (Coffeehouse 26) cackling like a bunch of hens, playing ukulele and just generally loving being around one another on a given weekday morning. It's been a lifeline for me. And I love these women like my sisters.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoC8QOqU0lxItiVi1_spp6PrXOtsJRhLM_Z5R_Vd43RkAvf4hOHCP3QJytyrkl8AxDrYpDPWgJ9iIh2sfntQ8-vHSjx08gUvqY3Xvy-8roqybXl5wCI34XyHZgjkener4j7SY4_HvCJ0/s1600/48218192_10219022051849344_6522472429606928384_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoC8QOqU0lxItiVi1_spp6PrXOtsJRhLM_Z5R_Vd43RkAvf4hOHCP3QJytyrkl8AxDrYpDPWgJ9iIh2sfntQ8-vHSjx08gUvqY3Xvy-8roqybXl5wCI34XyHZgjkener4j7SY4_HvCJ0/s640/48218192_10219022051849344_6522472429606928384_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our logo. Yes. We have a logo. And we have matching coffee cups. Because.</td></tr>
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<br />
Yes, I'm still K-drama obsessed. I watch them rather regularly, probably not quite as avidly as I did last year, but they're still a big part of my life. I have found another favourite actor, his name is So Ji-Sub and he's fucking beautiful and I'm going to stalk him like the 48-year-old chubby mom that I am. Isn't he just noms?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VOORMyLxUdVVMvxew2pPw7EcNIrdjCrdorip4qiE7nDTK7ERTIEjYwCyPf3uEyvx7L2p179xTBNTh0fL8aSJ4gfr2BUhnP-dKKusznzNGBhKOyXOgf2AOn4UZBQUVENGGRigMVqWTxA/s1600/49101969_10219102394097850_8119426284842385408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="793" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VOORMyLxUdVVMvxew2pPw7EcNIrdjCrdorip4qiE7nDTK7ERTIEjYwCyPf3uEyvx7L2p179xTBNTh0fL8aSJ4gfr2BUhnP-dKKusznzNGBhKOyXOgf2AOn4UZBQUVENGGRigMVqWTxA/s320/49101969_10219102394097850_8119426284842385408_n.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is So Ji-Sub. He is my next husband.<br />
He is beautiful.</td></tr>
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So that's my update. Let's hope it's not an 'annual' one. LOL. Here's a picture of a hedgehog mom carrying her little baby. Because hedgehogs. Please bring your attention to the baby's feet in particular. No reason except... look at the feets!<br />
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<br />Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-26831388591306197032018-05-04T13:24:00.001-07:002018-05-04T13:24:52.731-07:00Perfect combo - K-Drama and MinisI'm sick today. I have a fever of 101, and my throat is on fire. I don't see the white spots indicative of Strep, but I feel the pain. I hope it isn't strep. Yergh.<br />
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I spent last Saturday at a Jane Austen Faire in Aurora hawking my books (under the pen name <a href="http://mirandamayer.com/" target="_blank">Miranda Mayer</a>) and my artwork from Feffie's Cottage. Lots of prints and notecards of my little Office Specials.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOctkSe1ocoH-scbU2AmJtFe620a_MJ_weH2MZIeeQJDMpAb4j46TYYc2b150Ryi2SjFtbozFxhWX-FgcStVP4xsO3IsSfOtj_KWotftpoOPel5ub0uKwJpdz7omLsO1YEY28c3sw1Wso/s1600/20180504_132050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOctkSe1ocoH-scbU2AmJtFe620a_MJ_weH2MZIeeQJDMpAb4j46TYYc2b150Ryi2SjFtbozFxhWX-FgcStVP4xsO3IsSfOtj_KWotftpoOPel5ub0uKwJpdz7omLsO1YEY28c3sw1Wso/s640/20180504_132050.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can get these through Feffie's Cottage. Ping me if you're<br />interested.</td></tr>
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That faire was the first time that I've ventured out in Regency garments in a long time. It felt really great, and I saw so many people I have missed dearly. I even smoked the peace pipe with someone with whom I was carrying a lot of anger against. So that was great. But man, did that wear me out. I came home with an infection and now a sore throat. M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E.<br />
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But in spite of my feeling unwell, I'm in my She-Shed. In Feffie's Cottage, puttering around in the nice warmth, with my slippers, and I finally relented and allowed Simon to come in as long as he lies down on a blanket and doesn't roll around and spread his fur everywhere.<br />
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During these mornings, when my offspring is at Preschool for three and a half hours, I spend it usually writing at the cafe and now in the Cottage. But I've been not writing. My desire to write is gone for the moment. I've been struggling with a little downtrend lately, and I probably need to take some Vitamin D. But there is one thing that is helping and that is the refurbishment of my little McKinley house. So I have been focusing on that lately, mostly. While streaming K-Drama on my Surface, I sit at my desk and slice up my thumb with the exacto knife.<br />
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The McKinley now has working windows in the bay, and the bay window has been fully secured back onto the house. The farmer's sink is done, except for the pump, which I still have to make. I used liquid sculpy to make some 'stained glass' transom windows. I'm not happy with the result, and might retry that with better products somehow. The sculpy was old and inconsistent and hard to tint and then squeeze out of the applicator. So my windows are really goofy looking. I also repurposed some plexi from some old used Houseworks windows I scored at a yard sale, also salvaging some of the wood from them to make the working bits. It's rough looking, but it's on its way. I'll fine tune as I go along. Here are some pics fo the progress:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXqXTGpBqASe5RH7JJ5-DWrgkdUlpFRSSmg0Kk6fUehIVxoaB6zelQWWpJ7muTSBgnX9l9FNWNjQsbaMAYyGqnXxJsItwr1hmfRuZAoRynZjlSOftD6JZJQerzZH3zFOH-Om_vxTOvFY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXqXTGpBqASe5RH7JJ5-DWrgkdUlpFRSSmg0Kk6fUehIVxoaB6zelQWWpJ7muTSBgnX9l9FNWNjQsbaMAYyGqnXxJsItwr1hmfRuZAoRynZjlSOftD6JZJQerzZH3zFOH-Om_vxTOvFY/s640/1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the transoms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigShGyXsT8drj-knB9Ezd9W3-iAJka6SW9ItTuZgODvECgHLIPZ5LJmaxdUBBwZ1MYt5OlCgdTmWtf584EIFKatZXBHECavPlqmc0NBi7vV82ze7yDHP4pzPKDF-huQffqVcpho_0QpVk/s1600/31913879_675886336136511_6998737543424376832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigShGyXsT8drj-knB9Ezd9W3-iAJka6SW9ItTuZgODvECgHLIPZ5LJmaxdUBBwZ1MYt5OlCgdTmWtf584EIFKatZXBHECavPlqmc0NBi7vV82ze7yDHP4pzPKDF-huQffqVcpho_0QpVk/s640/31913879_675886336136511_6998737543424376832_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added the decals of the came</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kvfyGGMwhao4_4jmqP40BPEoLCMtB4gV7xW9BmSAZiQF3d7A_BMijCA5xIfIcYO3bnhr3hBbx9Yuf5QcbGhE0C2Q0rlYHALs3X03-MMV9JUAgQYAfnlXnz8m_l5bq8hy743HWUkfIeg/s1600/31906396_675886439469834_6170116460854116352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kvfyGGMwhao4_4jmqP40BPEoLCMtB4gV7xW9BmSAZiQF3d7A_BMijCA5xIfIcYO3bnhr3hBbx9Yuf5QcbGhE0C2Q0rlYHALs3X03-MMV9JUAgQYAfnlXnz8m_l5bq8hy743HWUkfIeg/s640/31906396_675886439469834_6170116460854116352_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the stained glass decals, and the fixed upper panes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windows finished, interior painted, and bay windows<br />
reinstalled onto the dollhouse. I need to fix<br />
the broken/torn archway, and then wire and paper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeHacq2bQ-i5arxwNJBC52yOcEV2r-IZMOb8SdjYm_tuOXViWxA_qEUN5mrwX_UzSxscr5j5hroqX7I4yGfFynsa3RE9z8F51fIlke30iRxkGzlgqWWP04XAqni1bTSUroeHxKhugiaM/s1600/31880783_675886469469831_624911990606790656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeHacq2bQ-i5arxwNJBC52yOcEV2r-IZMOb8SdjYm_tuOXViWxA_qEUN5mrwX_UzSxscr5j5hroqX7I4yGfFynsa3RE9z8F51fIlke30iRxkGzlgqWWP04XAqni1bTSUroeHxKhugiaM/s640/31880783_675886469469831_624911990606790656_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll fine-tune the painting, etc after a bit. The windows were so fiddly to do. But they open.</td></tr>
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I also put a decorative trim on the window sills on the exterior. I will be attacking the exterior next, I think. I'm not sure if i want to tile just yet. My current project is redoing the tower and bay roof pieces, to make them a little pointier and elegant, with a slight curve. I haven't decided what material I will roof them with. I also need to make the water pump. But I need to let the cuts on my thumb heal first, LOL. So more pics to come. I also need to sit down and catch up on my colourist work one of these days. But I'm not feeling well enough to concentrate that much LOL.<br />
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While I've been puttering, I've been streaming K-Dramas, as I said. I've gone through a pretty big chunk of them, and I'm not going to lie, I'm HOOKED. South Korea is no joke when it comes to talented actors and excellent writers (and OMFG the food, seriously). I've fallen in love with so many characters and I feel this big hole when each series comes to an end. Because unlike American drama, they don't go on for season after season until they jump the shark. No. They rarely reboot a series, and so you can be (almost) guaranteed the closure you need when the season is over. But that also means you are leaving behind people you have come to adore.<br />
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SO... here's how many hours I've wasted on Netflix, ogling Korean dramas (in other words, here is the continued list of shows I've watched since my last K-Drama post).<br />
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February and March, I was devouring "Prison Playbook". This is a delightful, humourous drama about a baseball star, who is about to go major league for the Red Sox, who assaults then is convicted of murder of a rapist who harmed his sister. He is imprisoned, and the story follows his travails in jail, with his five other inmates with whom he shares a cell. The roomies change, the challenges continue. All in all, a really great show with wonderful characters. Highly recommend.<br />
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I took a break from K-Drama to binge Jessica Jones, Season 2, and then back to it.<br />
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I started 'In Need of Romance 3' which, like its predecessors, pissed me off. Mostly because the trend for these three shows seems to be that the man you've invested the most time in, is the one you should stick with. I'm not particularly in agreement with that idea. No matter what the situation is, if someone takes you for granted, maybe it's time to ditch them, no matter how long you've been with them, especially if you find someone who is devoted to you. But hey, maybe it's a cultural thing, I dunno. It's still a fun show to watch, even if the main character disappoints you each time.<br />
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I then<span style="font-family: inherit;"> binged every available season of Terrace House, which is like a Japanese version of The Real World, only way better. Mostly because of the commentators that host the show. I'm a little in love with <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ryōta Yamasato. He's adorable. And rotten. And an excellent comedian. I don't know why I binged the shows, but I did. Sue me.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second one, and the better one, I think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first one</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Okay then.... next are my recent favs, which I really miss now that they are over. They are Reply 1994, and 1997. I suspect the word is supposed to be REPLAY, but something got lost in translation. But the1997 one is just hilarious, and just delightfully written and just a joy to watch. I really just wanted to move into that boarding house with the family, in all honesty. I recommend 1994 with alacrity. It's brill.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This one did not give me the pat closure that I wanted. There was only the hint of it. But for ONCE, this was not an ending which redeemed a shitty man who treated his woman like crap. Thank god! But they never gave the romantic ending you are waiting for. They left it dangling a bit. This was a drama-drama. It took me a few episodes to get into it, but it is really a sweet, emotional story of a woman whose husband was jailed for some shady business dealings, and who is forced to move in with her estranged father. She has two children, one of which is not her own, but from her husband's previous marriage. It's heartfelt</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> and really sweet, and it invests you in this really endearing community of farmers, who start off not liking </span>her,<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> but eventually take her into the fold and who endure challenges alongside her. Good show. Recommend.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Hello my twenties, there's a season two! And like its predecessor, it's adorable. Recommend this one. The characters all return, with only one cast-change if I recall correctly. This time, instead of ghosts, the girls are against the threat of an unknown enemy. It's a wonderful series, definitely worth a watch. I just want to become the Belle Epoch's landlady so I can mother those girls. <3 font=""></3></span><br />
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Interrupted by viewings of Lost In Space, and a Series of Unfortunate Events, I watched 'One More Time'. This is a time-travel/time looping show. A musician, who has become embittered by his failure to succeed, and who has learned to take his AMAZING girlfriend for granted, must live the same day over and over again in order to change his ways and ultimately, save his girlfriend's life. Short series, very sweet. Recommend.<br />
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Man to Man is one of those shows that doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's really fun to watch. In order to capture a corrupt politician, 'Ghost' Agent K must infiltrate a famous Actor's entourage as a bodyguard. Naturally, there's a plucky manager who catches his normally indifferent eye, and he soon finds himself enfolded in what amounts to a family, led by the diva of an actor whom he is assigned to protect. I really enjoyed this show just because it's fun and silly and adorable. And the German/Irish/Korean actor who plays the Russian (David Lee McInnis), holy giggety, SO HOT. OMG, just smoldering hot. Total fun. Watch it.<br />
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"Beating Again' is the tale of a ruthless businessman who storms a cosmetics company, with the intent of destroying it for his personal revenge, but whose heart condition puts him near death. Bring in the heroine, and her devoted, loving boyfriend, a jealous and conniving murderous rival--which evolves into the antagonist receiving a heart transplant from the devoted boyfriend. The ruthless man is now mysteriously divided in his goal of revenge, and finds himself falling for the heroine--and there's a new Antagonist to fear, while the new man begins to unravel how his donor was murdered. It was.... Entertaining. Not my favourite show, but not so bad that I stopped watching it. I'll give it a three out of five.<br />
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My Horrible Boss. I. Loved. This. Show. -- It is hilarous. Delightfully written, played beautifully by the cast. The story centers around a placid, timid man in his 40s, head of household, taking care of and supporting his son (he is divorced), his father and his ne'er-do-well brother. He works for a small cosmetics company (Lovely Cosmetics). The company is fraught with challenges and impending hostile takeovers by its rival company, Gold Chemical. One of Gold Chemical's imfamous harpy team managers starts working at Lovely Cosmetics, and she is a harridan; a terrifying boss to the hero and his marketing team. And worse, she moves into an apartment across the hall from him and his family--and is now a pain in their ass at home too. But what starts off as a torturous thing, evolves into respect and ultimately love. It's really funny, excessively sweet, (the son and his crush, is too adorable, and I LOVE the grandfather so much). Just finished this series today and I already miss the characters. <3 p=""><br />
So that's where I am on my K-Drama journey right now. I'm about to embark into 'Psychokenesis'. Reviews to come. In the meantime, keep checking in on progress on the McKinley. And oh, swing by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FeffiesCottage/" target="_blank">Feffie's Cottage</a> if you want to buy some of the cute products that will result from this project.<br />
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<br /></3>Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-83337939294656221502018-04-26T15:24:00.000-07:002018-04-26T15:24:45.534-07:00My She-shed cottage is done (mostly) -- and it's time to play with minis againI can feel my tank filling these days. Sitting at my desk, exacto-knife in one hand, a ruler in the other. Korean drama streaming on my Surface. I have been able to take down all my paraphernalia from my days as PixieDust Miniatures and to refamiliarize myself with the houses and miniatures I'd devoted so much love and time towards. One in particular, an old, falling-apart McKinley (<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/" target="_blank">Greenleaf's</a> wall-hanging dollhouse), has been one I've wanted to work on literally for decades. It is now hanging in its dilapidated state on my she-shed wall, pieces missing, some of the ply delaminating, but still holding itself together enough that I can work on it.<br />
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Back in 2002, I moved to Oregon and with me came my stuff. During that time, I built a tiny custom kitchen for the McKinley house, using the kitchen I built for the Beacon Hill I sold a while ago, as the inspiration. Greenleaf dollhouses, in my view, are really the best dollhouse kits out there. The company has, since I believe at least the 70s, been producing superiorly designed houses. Although the materials aren't quite as clean-cut as other companies' houses, the designs themselves are aesthetically superior in every way. Mansard roofs with curves, witches' walks, gingerbread, character oozing from every model. </div>
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My very first dollhouse project was a Greenleaf (at least, officially). As a kid, I played with an old seventies style MDF house until it mysteriously vanished. But my first built house was the Glencroft. And it remains amongst my favourites of all the Dollhouses in the line and on the market. It, and another kit are in their boxes in my new storage area, still waiting to be assembled again. </div>
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It took me one and a half nights, late to assemble the house. I finished it for a few weeks after that, and ended up selling it to someone for their niece's birthday. But the love for Greenleaf took off after that, and I assembled and sold the Harrison, the Beacon Hill, and a score of the little ones. I have yet to build a Garfield, although I did have a built one in my possession for a few years. They're huge, the queen-anne style houses. With gables as far as the eye can see.</div>
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With Greenleaf, what you do sacrifice for the elegant design, is space. Greenleaf houses have small rooms. And over the years, I've learned that the only way to conquer that problem well, is to apply the built-in. I have since, been a builder of furniture, a carpenter in mini, if you will. And the kitchens have always been my favourite place to design.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPuTNtIe9FqjrLVHquwEQXOBR-enibUbD1H-5dwXb8aioUbrrDTlsQqaPilvGGAdUmU_L4aW3BgufhWXkr44gjOsWrYMsaGaOiqIBibrUfpZu6owOleMlM-P61fh5XanlyWwWU1Ugkqo/s1600/13495025_10210564411133612_5858882540544739810_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPuTNtIe9FqjrLVHquwEQXOBR-enibUbD1H-5dwXb8aioUbrrDTlsQqaPilvGGAdUmU_L4aW3BgufhWXkr44gjOsWrYMsaGaOiqIBibrUfpZu6owOleMlM-P61fh5XanlyWwWU1Ugkqo/s640/13495025_10210564411133612_5858882540544739810_n.jpg" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First built-ins for a Beacon Hill </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small kitchens require extra consideration</td></tr>
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That McKinley and its custom cabinets took a thrashing being stored in the shed. Squirrels had literally moved in, and had set up a nest in it made of moss and chewed up foam padding. The ply became brittle in spots and parts of the house literally crumbled away. I had purchased the McKinley during a time when the house was discontinued from the Greenleaf line. I got it pre-assembled from a dollhouse shop in Vancouver, Washington in 2002. So as you can imagine, crossing the nation TWICE, and then being stored in an attic with unabated humidity and swings of heat, and then the squatting squirrels, it's a miracle it's still in one piece, (somewhat).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUt6TOeJnD_xdaz0D5cM_gT7tRZPYMrHjCuUoJY47FruXcEAcuFg-K3esz2nUY6xsKfCr7h2eQYiqLk1Ojk7gVRE2yvtE0pFOSpen0pKo_gASDSM6kaqusvc-xHWxtOu4OvUsef3RNpY/s1600/20180426_144140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUt6TOeJnD_xdaz0D5cM_gT7tRZPYMrHjCuUoJY47FruXcEAcuFg-K3esz2nUY6xsKfCr7h2eQYiqLk1Ojk7gVRE2yvtE0pFOSpen0pKo_gASDSM6kaqusvc-xHWxtOu4OvUsef3RNpY/s640/20180426_144140.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it looks like now.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsvKtojp6O7jWJTtcYu_J9O2nD0kGCdCJoNLtHs_EoKcNXh77iTJkY50Tp-nkvo5H298WsELBV6VYJgCI-kpmPScnDdq_5tICDalhGMJQgdDzUDzShlUcXFfVAe5ap0f9EOpxqK-ZuF8/s1600/8009-McKinley-Dollhouse-UF-400_fs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsvKtojp6O7jWJTtcYu_J9O2nD0kGCdCJoNLtHs_EoKcNXh77iTJkY50Tp-nkvo5H298WsELBV6VYJgCI-kpmPScnDdq_5tICDalhGMJQgdDzUDzShlUcXFfVAe5ap0f9EOpxqK-ZuF8/s640/8009-McKinley-Dollhouse-UF-400_fs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it's supposed to look like.</td></tr>
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Yes. It's missing a lot of bits and pieces, but that's no worry. I will simply roll with what I've got. And I've already got an idea in mind where Im going with it. And I will post progress as I go along.<br />
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The first thing I did was pitch the room-eating peripherals. The cabinet in the 'bathroom' and the wasted space for the bedroom's stairway area. I will remove the fireplace, and the stairway, and replace them with streamlined, smaller, better options.<br />
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I began, however, by doing my best to restore the kitchen cabinets I'd made back in '03. I repainted, I refinished and glued, trying to save the little pastoral paintings I'd made along the cabinet tops and on the door of the broom closet. I also started building a farmer's sink in the bay window, and I will be customizing windows for the house, with little stained glass transom windows. I will try to document each step as I begin restoring this dollhouse.<br />
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So day one, we begin with the kitchen. I've ordered some mini-Moroccan tile for the floor, and am waiting for those to arrive to begin the process of finishing the kitchen. Once I glue in those cabinets, that is. They're just placed there for now. I will finish the kitchen's windows first too.<br />
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The exterior, I will be making into the style of a masonry rowhouse in a city. This house was designed as a Victorian row-house. Which is fine, and adorable. I'm actually glad the porch is gone, and I can really have some fun playing with the exterior's textures. I will be doing that as I go along. The roofs on the towers are going away, to be replaced with something more along the lines of a curved conical spire.<br />
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The kitchen of the McKinley<br />
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Feffie's Cottage will, in the unknown future, offer kits for built-ins, designed to fit specific models of the Greenleaf line. And I have been experimenting.<br />
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The kitchen in the McKinely is almost exactly 8" x 8", with the addition of the bay window. It's not a lot of space to work with if you're using pre-manufactured furniture or kits not designed for the space.<br />
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I made two cabinets for this kitchen. One focused on cooking with a utility closet with a curved door, and the other designed for baking, with a flour dispenser built-into it and a collection of 16 spice drawers. The cabinets took a beating and even restored they look pretty rough, but they also look cool.<br />
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I made the cabinets from basswood mostly. With some balsa for interior pieces. The stove is bricked in real terracotta bricks and the wall tiled in glass. The stove door and top are made of basswood (the door in Fimo) and then painted with iron paint, which to my delight, rusted a little during the long storage. The 'soapstone' counters are made with FIMO/Sculpey. I made the butcher blocks from oak strips, which I laminated together and then cut. NOT EASY. But they came out great, and they display my fancy knife set so well.<br />
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The sink is polymer clay. I just placed them in their space for now, until I can fix the missing wall on the bay window, and finish the bay windows, and finally glue the thing back into place. Then, it's time to do flooring, which should be on its way from New England as we speak. They will be in white and pale green to match the pastoral scenes painted on the cabinet tops. Note Mount Hood amongst the rolling pastures. :)<br />
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So, that's my first project. It will be the seed for a few of Feffie's Cottage products, including the custom kits and the butcher blocks, of which I will be selling a limited number. Keep checking in.</div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-29946190105183530102018-03-20T14:34:00.000-07:002018-03-20T14:36:11.599-07:00It’s time for 'moral' Christians to take a good, long look in the mirror.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b>The prism of morality:</b></div>
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Morality. That word though. So nebulous and malleable—a favourite of American Christians, in describing what they have that non-believers simply cannot. A moral guideline. You see, according to many prominent and vocal Christians, to be an atheist is to be morally deficient. For who can be good without moral guidelines such as the bible to go from?</div>
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The first thing an Atheist will say, which is a great question, is—are the ‘moral guidelines’ of your bible the only things keeping you from being a bad person? Is it the ink on the biblical pages the only thing that stops you from raping and pillaging and murdering willy-nilly? Most atheists agree, that if that is the case, you are a morally questionable person—and you don’t get to preach to anyone about morality.</div>
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You see, Christianity, or religion as a whole, does not own morality. Furthermore, morality is, going by the bible (and sometimes other religious texts), questionable. Let’s face it, the bible and its various kin are anything but bastions of morality. The bible alone suggests that while to kill is a mortal sin that it’s okay to sacrifice your children; and throughout the holy books, murder and sacrifice are rampant. The bible will tell you that being an adulterer is forbidden, that it is acceptable for the characters of the many biblical allegories, to marry as many wives as needed, to rape indiscriminately, to marry and lie with children, or to sleep with siblings’ wives and husbands are okay. The bible is filled with morally reprehensible acts, and the foundations of these stories are supposed to be the moral guidelines that Christians live by.</div>
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God, is anything but infallible on morality. I mean, to start with, the all-knowing, all-seeing word of god is so set in stone, that he had to revise his words in the New Testament—so exactly how reliable is the dogma if that’s the case? Books riddled with contradictions, which are meant to represent the word of an infallible god? Not exactly something to live by. Unless you pick and choose whatever sounds suitable to your narrative from the book. So if morality can be picked, and chosen, it is really morality? And more so, if your moral guideline is made up of carefully selected tenets, is it really a reliable guideline?</div>
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What does this all mean for the countless civilizations that existed without Christianity? And who somehow muddled through the centuries surviving, living wholesome lives, coexisting in communities with other people, raising children, building towns and cities, and doing so utterly bankrupt of Christian morality? Does the existence of Christianity negate all this history? Did morality not exist before Christ was ostensibly born and spent his short, hippie life preaching love and peace? Life did not begin when Christianity was born, and it will not end when Christianity does.<br />
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Morality has some very basic aspects that pretty much every civilization understands—with or without the imposition of some kind of overarching religious dogma to reinforce it. Pretty much anyone in the world is born with empathy. Pretty much everyone in the world, regardless of religion, knows to murder is wrong. Pretty much everyone in the world enters it with a desire to be thoughtful and kind to others. It is the programming of the immediate environment that fine-tunes how a child will grow up. And the society in which you are raised will determine, ultimately, who you are going to be. Children have shown, again and again, that acceptance and kindness is just part of their natural spirit. It is often the families themselves that teach that child whether to be accepting or not to; it is the family themselves that teach a child that it’s okay to hate. And it is the how those families choose to act and believe that will shape their prejudices. Whatever society and religious background you end up in, you may likely reflect whatever those norms are. Morality, at least the very foundation of morality; is inherent. Whatever else is placed upon you by your upbringing. And what one people think is moral, might be repugnant to another. Morality is mostly relative.</div>
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An extremist always believes he or she is the pinnacle of morality. Those ISIS guys, they’re not going around telling themselves that what they are doing is amoral. They believe that they are representing the purest of moralities when they murder and destroy. When Christian extremists attack or protest, they believe they are the defenders of moral behaviour, and they are showing the rest of the world that this is how one should be.</div>
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Most atheists are humanists. If you don’t know what a humanist is, let me define it for you (per google): <em><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Humanism</span></b></em><span style="background: white;"> is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence (rationalism and empiricism) over acceptance of dogma or superstition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Most human beings of their own <i>agency</i>, are moral. Most human beings don’t kill one another. They don’t harm, they don’t steal. Most human beings of their own agency are kind. They share. They heal. They provide. They soothe. They show empathy. There are infinite numbers of people who are these things without once ever being told to by a religious doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Atheists are in no way different. In fact, Atheists are often willfully empathetic, and kind, and accepting because that is the way they choose to be. Choosing not to take part in a collective delusion does not in any way affect how they are as moral beings. In fact, they are less likely to be amoral, because they do not have any overarching guideline that tells them they should be. They don’t have views that make them ‘moral extremists’, as let’s say, ISIS, or the Evangelical Christians, or the KKK. Westboro Baptist Church and its mentally deranged acolytes truly believe they are morally superior when they protest a veteran’s funeral with hateful signs and threats of fire and brimstone. Atheism does not seek to impugn anyone for not sharing their version of morality. Atheism does not threaten hell or damnation for those who don’t align their beliefs with theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white;">The moral high ground: Who’s got it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Well, sad to say, it isn’t Christians. Especially these days. Historically, Christianity has shown itself to be anything but moral. From the serial, almost systemic abuse of children in the churches, to the consistent oppression and belittling of the women in its ranks, Christianity seems to be better suited to demonstrate amorality than anything else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Presently, Christianity has become almost willfully and malevolently amoral. As it has attached itself to the right-wing political movement, Christianity has twisted into something even more despicable and horrible than it ever was. Promoting and supporting self-centric behaviour, supporting the idea that every person should have the right to be police, judge, jury and executioner in their promotion of firearm ownership, in the endorsement of things like the death penalty, in the cutting of resources for the poor, the old, the infirm and the ill. And it doesn’t stop there. Christians overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump, and various congressmen and women who have made some terrible moral choice, and continue to stand by them. Trump’s offenses are almost too many to count. Offenses, that if imposed by any other person centered on the political spectrum, would have been tarred and feathered for. Roy Moore, a man who serially abused teenaged girls, received an outpouring of support from the Christians in the nation—and he too stood for the idea of Christian morality, while trying to excuse away his molestation of children. Yet these people, like Kim Davis, are morally corrupt by every definition, even by the ill-defined tenets of the bible, still have the stones to stand up and preach morality to people in books and speeches, as if they are somehow ordained to do so, in spite of being some of the most morally questionable people on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Christians are besieged by their own hypocrisy. And that is a problem. Hypocrites don’t get to dictate how other people should behave if they themselves cannot abide by their moral beliefs. It has become almost painfully evident just how hypocritical Christianity is, since it became synonymous with politics. Christianity’s stance on abortion would probably be more impactful if the larger part of women seeking abortions weren’t Christian, or if the churches would do more to fight on behalf of the millions of unwanted, unsupported children in the world. Christianity’s rigid views on homosexuality would probably have more footing if pastors and priests weren’t consistently hiding homosexual activities. Christians would be better respected, if they took a hard stance on the pederasty that is endemic in the churches, and didn’t fight so hard to hide the problem rather than confront and stop it. Christian women would probably be taken more seriously, if they didn’t stand for their own subjugation and oppression. Christians would benefit from re-examining its condemnation of adultery when adultery and divorce were not part and parcel of the Christian community. Christian charity would be more valued if it didn’t always come with a side of indoctrination. Kindness should not come with conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many Christians will argue that no Christian is perfect, and that is part of their spiritual journey. But the response to that is simple: We don’t expect perfection. What we do expect is that a person who claims moral superiority as a Christian, to actually <b>BE</b> a Christian as they claim. To abide by those moral guidelines they set for themselves, and cherry-picked from the bible, and to stop twisting their moral guide to suit whatever madness they choose to pursue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So who has the moral high ground? What we do know, it’s not Christianity. It’s not Islam. It’s not Judaism. All belief systems are morally questionable. Atheism, as it is not a belief system, simply makes conclusions on what’s there. Atheists seek only to trust their own agency in what is good and what is bad. And atheists seem to be doing a good job of it. Does that mean atheists have the moral high ground? Who knows? What I do know is that atheism has no ulterior motives. The only thing most atheists want is to have a reasonable, rational world where what’s best for humanity is taken into consideration first—where the quality of life takes precedence over some idealized idea of the afterlife. Where we take care of other human beings and always seek progress as a species so that we can achieve greater things. Atheism does not want to hinder progress, to stifle man’s potential, to cure, to build, to forge paths into the future, to educate, to enlighten, and to learn. Religion has, historically, always stood in the way of these things, for whatever reason. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Atheists are reviled for one reason alone: theists are filled with doubt. The only thing that reinforces their beliefs is to be surrounded by others who support that belief. Atheists stand to dismantle that comfortable delusion with pragmatism, and that is dangerous and threatening to a theist. It fills them with fear because it would force them to understand the world in a completely different way. That is why atheists are accused of being amoral. Because there is nothing scarier than someone who punches through the overarching dogma to see the world for face value, and not for the fantasy created by religion, and who functions with kindness, empathy, and acceptance without being told they must or how to.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Religion is not morality. It’s narcissism.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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How self-centered does a person have to be to believe that god is watching over them and not others? The other day, I was in a discussion with a woman who told me with no small amount of gushing alacrity, that Jesus was with her. Through her trials and tribulations, through a crisis with her son, that took her to California and back, “Jesus was with me. All the way,” she effused with her hands clasped. “He was with me in the car driving down to California. He changed the radio stations as I went along, in a way to inspire me,” she declared (never mind that she might be shifting from one broadcast signal area to another… c’mon). I sat there, watching her rapturous exclamations, and thought to myself: What about those Christians that were made to kneel on the edge of a large pit by extremist Muslims, shot in the head and buried in it? Or the children being murdered and raped and dying of disease all over the world? What about them? Jesus cared about what radio station you listen to, but who the hell cares about the innocents being slaughtered? Would god only look after certain Christians? Different denominations? Or is the the Mormons who have it right? Which one? Yours, naturally.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is an exercise in narcissism to be religious. To believe that a god loves you more. Who cares about where you left your car keys, but who lets entire cities be destroyed. Prayer is just a way of turning any issue into something about you. And religion lets you believe that all of this is a moral way to behave. To be so selfish. To be so absorbed in yourself and your journey to the afterlife living in the clouds playing softball with the apostles.</div>
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Selfishness is not moral. Even in its act of kindness, there’s self-serving motives when it comes to a church. As I said before, religious charity comes with indoctrination. In the end, religious people don’t have the monopoly on morality. Maybe they do on self-absorption and indignant righteousness, and on pointing fingers and attacking and threatening people who don’t align with their beliefs. But they sure as hell don’t own morality by any means.<o:p></o:p><br />
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So my suggestion to all Christians, before you start condemning others for amoral behaviour and attacking people for not sharing your beliefs; look in the mirror before you open your mouths. Look at what's scowling back at you. And learn to accept that it's ugly, or learn to be your own agent of morality, and rise above your dogma to be a better person.</div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-15535382530844911502018-02-03T20:27:00.000-08:002018-02-03T20:36:31.817-08:00Ramen & my newly developed K-Drama addiction<h3 style="text-align: center;">
First... The Ramen</h3>
I don't know if it is the passing of the holidays, or the 5000 units of Vitamin D I've been taking, but I've been feeling something closer to normal these past few days. And that means I am starting to get back into the projecty mode I am usually in, where I find some random thing I want to do and then do it. Yesterday, I wanted to make Ramen. I thought I'd wing it. I had a big huge pork bone left over from a Pernil we had recently. It was in the freezer calling my name. So yesterday morning, before I packed the kid off to PreSchool, I threw it into the oven frozen on a piece of foil and took off to take Alex to school.<br />
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When I got back, I realized that the kitchen and most of the rest of house is still crushed underneath the layer of unwanted clutter we acquired or brought out during the holidays. So I had to give the kitchen a bit of a cleaning just to undertake the project. I wrote for a bit, and then just before I went to pick the kid up, I threw a full pot of water on the stove with water, some tops and bottoms of celery, an onion, some coarsely chopped carrot, and the last four cloves of fresh garlic I had left. I also threw in the now browned bone that had been baking in the oven.<br />
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We got home to the house smelling delicious already. So I let that simmer for HOURS, and the son and I instead endeavoured to make the noodles.<br />
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3.5 cups of flour<br />
2 tablespoons of water<br />
4 large eggs<br />
1/2 teaspoon of salt. Blend until it's a kneadable dough. Make a ball, flatten, cut in four wedges, and plastic the others as you work each quarter.<br />
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The KitchenAid is my most precious kitchen implement. I got the standard 4 liter one with the tilty head for a wedding gift, and I adored that one. But then my friend Stephie gave me a Professional model a couple of years ago. And that one is THA BOMB. I replaced a few parts on it. And it has worked its ass off for me already.</div>
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I'm lucky to have a few pasta attachments for it. The roller, which is essential for not only shaping the dough for cutting, but also for making the dough flexible and delicious. My kid and I processed all four quarters of the pasta in four batches. First we pressed it and smoothened it with setting 1, then we worked up to 2, then 4, and then finally 6. We cut the noodles at the 6 thickness. I also have a spaghetti cutter and a linguine cutter. The spaghetti cutter is perfect.</div>
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We cut the spags, and laid them out on layers of wax paper. I used to have a drying tree, but it really isn't a necessary item to have. I just spread the noodles on the wax paper, and then when we were done boiling the half for the night, I just rolled each layer into its paper and threw them into the freezer.<br />
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I boiled a few of the last of my eggs from my chickens (they went to live somewhere else on Wednesday).<br />
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I spent a little time carefully julienning some veggies (and slicing too). Mushrooms, carrots, celery, pepper, and cabbage. I also cut up a few radishes to give that water-chestnut crunch. I blanched all of those (except the radish) in a few ladlefuls of the soup stock, each in turn, and put them on a platter for placement. I peeled the eggs, and put them out for prep too.<br />
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Then I broiled two pork chops with salt and pepper, waited for them to cool, and sliced them up.<br />
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I added salt to taste to the broth, to which I added a little water, as it had concentrated a bit from simmering. When the broth was salted and peppered enough, I boiled the noodles in it.<br />
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Using tongs, I pulled these super-long noodles out and heaped them into the bowls first, then added the toppings (quite messily I might add). I put a little of each veg, some meat and the egg, as well as some freshly chopped green onion on the pile. And then I ladled the broth over the heap of goodness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I overboiled the eggs, but that is not a crime. Yet.</td></tr>
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It was really good. The only thing missing for me was something seaweedy. Some nori or something. But that's only me. Hubbo was perfectly happy with it. And the amount I made was sufficient for two nights. So we had Ramen again tonight. So nummo! I will probably do this again with beef, turkey and chicken bone sooner or later.<br />
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Next; the K (and J and C) Dramas (and comedies)</h3>
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I won't lie, the Ramen fix is because of my new addiction. That and my desire to make Bibimbap and a variety of other Asian dishes. You see I got to the point where I watched just about everything worth watching on regular Netflix. One day a couple of months ago, out of desperation for something good, and something interesting, I selected a title that was on the trending list. I had already watched Atelier, which is a wonderful Japanese show about a lingerie designer. So I was getting some recommendations for international titles. I've watched a few both Korean and Japanese, and even a Chinese drama that is a little too saccharine for me in this case.<br />
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Here are the shows I've binged (don't judge me) and what my reviews are of them:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fuGsnv7P92WMBXJPP_7amoyKTcdhu0HiE3S38tG9nwKgsiz9HF5ygFJzewnvWgAjqBjhQ4UgiC1fN-psHDHD8w1MBT4nsHIm21LQIVbRgxi-zxlyOW5y9tbQPqQ4CLFIFVFT6vBPGac/s1600/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fuGsnv7P92WMBXJPP_7amoyKTcdhu0HiE3S38tG9nwKgsiz9HF5ygFJzewnvWgAjqBjhQ4UgiC1fN-psHDHD8w1MBT4nsHIm21LQIVbRgxi-zxlyOW5y9tbQPqQ4CLFIFVFT6vBPGac/s320/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erased - 4 stars. </td></tr>
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Thoughtful and beautifully filmed, this movie is a fantasy where the hero goes back in time to save his mother's life, and ends up saving many, many more, and changing his present. It's a sweet thriller. Definitely compelling and a good show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDa6c7z_1h2dTG64gnvDHJ0dd0nUsGvkHH8Ajte17FxD7tXwq5XjmDJ3ZZCmgWmEJhoukmISgScuCM6occXTpmkxhdiwrW1qjlnJGhfsWkBUe1Zfs9lYRF_EDJbVk8lVvSC-d1OsvgGqM/s1600/Strong-Woman-Do-Bong-Soon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="622" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDa6c7z_1h2dTG64gnvDHJ0dd0nUsGvkHH8Ajte17FxD7tXwq5XjmDJ3ZZCmgWmEJhoukmISgScuCM6occXTpmkxhdiwrW1qjlnJGhfsWkBUe1Zfs9lYRF_EDJbVk8lVvSC-d1OsvgGqM/s320/Strong-Woman-Do-Bong-Soon.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strong Girl Bong-Soon - Five Stars of Fun.</td></tr>
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Strong Girl Bong-Soon - I rate it 5 stars. It's hilarious and sweet and funny. I love that she kicks ass, which seems to be a bit of a rarity in the K and J Dramas. Most of the time, the girls are inept and bumbling and always falling for guys who are arrogant and who treat them like shit. Stalking usually succeeds, and they get their man. But only after being humiliated for it. Strong Girl Bong-Soon, she's my kind of heroine. And she rescues her man more than once. A fun fun fun show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSmCkZwAEJhVapjWbgPwr4T1WsTo2WgozAeAufsmB8_bA6p99Ji8QGFAzUrQTkju-FveRHZqngfOcjflsSv215lIWXBsxSh6dP9_qVpDtHyc4txCjpeET6ug44wdwtsZR59tqNaZIrW4/s1600/the-many-faces-of-ito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1440" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSmCkZwAEJhVapjWbgPwr4T1WsTo2WgozAeAufsmB8_bA6p99Ji8QGFAzUrQTkju-FveRHZqngfOcjflsSv215lIWXBsxSh6dP9_qVpDtHyc4txCjpeET6ug44wdwtsZR59tqNaZIrW4/s320/the-many-faces-of-ito.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Many Faces of Ito - 3.5 stars</td></tr>
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I probably would have liked this one more if it hadn't felt so truncated. I felt like there had to be more after the end. This is a story of a scriptwriter who derives material from the stories of four everyday women who happen to be dating the same guy. </3><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNewr0erEO4r3l6ZDhcvHfUcFxQa5SqcgTBx8gv5IV3rVA0Xl_Qkob1dS5MwM_Yz04itbS4NIjgSGuwCRMFjf436O-vPb_5vWXicsLvxdAsvXQv9faw0NAHngEVtK1fTtAJt7cD3Sf4Cg/s1600/8bd64-my2blittle2bbaby2bdrama2bkorea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="783" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNewr0erEO4r3l6ZDhcvHfUcFxQa5SqcgTBx8gv5IV3rVA0Xl_Qkob1dS5MwM_Yz04itbS4NIjgSGuwCRMFjf436O-vPb_5vWXicsLvxdAsvXQv9faw0NAHngEVtK1fTtAJt7cD3Sf4Cg/s320/8bd64-my2blittle2bbaby2bdrama2bkorea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Little Baby - 3.5 stars</td></tr>
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I confess I had to struggle to stick with this one, it was not super-compelling. What made me stick with it was the lead, Oh Ji-Oh was so super adorable. OMG, I have a major crush on him, and he shows up in another show I'm watching right now, and he's even sexier. The show is pretty funny and the premise is sweet and cute. He's a kick-ass cop whose life is taken over by his little baby niece, whom he becomes guardian of after his sister and her husband are killed in a car crash. He moves into an apartment with a former cop friend, and immediately finds himself the beset upon by the complex's Mommy club--who are apparently harder to deal with than full on criminals. It's pretty cute.</3><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm_TmKe0hvE1mfNkNOnyytB-ubRUYuL_cCtva8_AqHufblJTozbLYUSEn69A8_TMoUpkKT3v6SUqug7DXrEgCVl_0muYbhuPK2PHNcaWiRT_7kZEkvoXxub3IzmL0Oug8ynzx4vvOMh0/s1600/lets+eat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="700" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm_TmKe0hvE1mfNkNOnyytB-ubRUYuL_cCtva8_AqHufblJTozbLYUSEn69A8_TMoUpkKT3v6SUqug7DXrEgCVl_0muYbhuPK2PHNcaWiRT_7kZEkvoXxub3IzmL0Oug8ynzx4vvOMh0/s320/lets+eat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's eat - 3.5 stars</td></tr>
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Food is a pretty big theme in all the shows I've watched. Even the sappy romantic ones I purposefully left off this list, because I'm too embarrassed to admit I watched them (and enjoyed them). But the nearly-pornographic relationship with food in K-Drama goes full monty in this one, there are scenes that are minutes and minutes long of people just stuffing their craws with every kind of sumptuous food you can possibly imagine. There's a scene in a shellfish restaurant that almost made me book a ticket to South Korea. LOL.<br />
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I've never seen that much footage taken of people just reveling in the consumption of a pizza or a bowl of mixed rice. But you will in this show. I probably would have given it more stars if the girl had chosen the right guy in this one--at least in my opinion. This show has a sequel I haven't watched yet. I might watch it if I run out of other awesome options, which seem to be plentiful at the moment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh My Ghost - 5 stars</td></tr>
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I LOVED this show. I thought it was thoughtful, and the perfect mix of humour and drama. The premise is that a ghost will appear and remain on earth if they have a grudge, and often, it is because they die virgins, so they try to possess bodies in order to get deflowered so they can rest in peace. Chased by a Seer, the ghost jumps into the body of a Mousy line cook, who also happens to be a Seer like her grandmother. Unable to leave the girl's body, the ghost stirs up this meek little girl's life in every way. She goes after the Mousy girl's dream man. The ghost also discovers that her grudge might not just be about her virginity and that she might still be lingering because she has unfinished business with her mysterious death.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 Years Promise - 4 Stars</td></tr>
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This one, I imagined would be a straight romance, but it was more than that, and a pleasant surprise. The story is, seniors in high-school, both with bright futures, a young man and woman have an encounter that ends up producing a child. The pregnancy brings their families (mainly their overwrought and kind of narcissistic and obnoxious moms) into conflict, tearing the couple apart. Twelve years later, the leading lady returns to work at a department store to find that her men's department counterpart is none other than her teen lover. Both with scars and misunderstanding, they must confront old crushes and still-bitter family in order fix things. I think the only thing that really bummed me out about this one, was that there were so many loose ends left dangling a the end. They left you with an idea of what would happen, but I really wanted to see it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X5yMjkTULSnrqoAtAWKRMlNtDQ9XnhLfj5MC2wI9Med0PRZzuCcoazd61fyrxmbxpdBYfiEyLERghb6NULLsn0jXpCLVBRpmP6hT4H_WTIc4E57x4W8lVhY_3qwJqINHrGFtXB6DeSU/s1600/5ff5baa457dce0bdc1314ae7b95bce3d0af4cbc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="665" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X5yMjkTULSnrqoAtAWKRMlNtDQ9XnhLfj5MC2wI9Med0PRZzuCcoazd61fyrxmbxpdBYfiEyLERghb6NULLsn0jXpCLVBRpmP6hT4H_WTIc4E57x4W8lVhY_3qwJqINHrGFtXB6DeSU/s320/5ff5baa457dce0bdc1314ae7b95bce3d0af4cbc4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kantaro - Sweet Tooth Salary Man - 5 Stars</td></tr>
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I. Love. This. Show. It's kooky and weird and absolutely perfect. Kantaro changed jobs so he could work in sales. Why? Because when he's out on sales calls, he can sneak off and feed his addiction to sweets during the day on the clock. Otherwise, he'd be only free on Saturdays to do that, and who would want to be kept from eating perfect sweets for that long? Kantaro has a secret sweets blog, where he features his poetic missives about each culinary delight he eats, and the beautiful lady in Online Sales is onto him. But she too is a sweets-addict. I cannot wait when the next season of episodes is released. I hope they are soon. Each episode is short, less than half an hour. It is easy to binge this one. I did sometimes, admittedly, fast-forward through the food-head segments. But Ssshhh.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWhi_kBfUl9yJzD1JUXyXX4j_15V0GdbYgR_e3jtTV4yscs1ZmSQQyhVSNE6liDci8yxH-sx5gF15PrBFPc4oTgt93vF-lLi0seL7TFB25sYMsLRsJhtOUYRq0ecGKsF84nMIh3TAm0k/s1600/midnght.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="329" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWhi_kBfUl9yJzD1JUXyXX4j_15V0GdbYgR_e3jtTV4yscs1ZmSQQyhVSNE6liDci8yxH-sx5gF15PrBFPc4oTgt93vF-lLi0seL7TFB25sYMsLRsJhtOUYRq0ecGKsF84nMIh3TAm0k/s320/midnght.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories - 5 stars</td></tr>
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This is probably the best Asian show I've seen. It's gritty and really thoughtfully presented. It follows the nightly stories of a midnight eatery in the heart of Tokyo and the intriguing and colourful parade of customers who eat there. There are the regulars, and then there are people who come in with their stories. It is a common dish that gets the conversations going, and then the stories are told, a new one for every too-short episode. It's brilliant. Watch it.<br />
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Last but not least:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrDBMApLJxQ_1FSWSzEHlnrY0xd7YnPyQtyHasOB_rdr3zHmGQR4M9y0cIxbfm6IdBFHdeYz_w_Mxn6bLpH3lppFmPuXUf5MYZA2PI8Cp7rwVH4QnbqE__DqAlE523e1DhBv1SbUhLs4/s1600/momo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="665" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrDBMApLJxQ_1FSWSzEHlnrY0xd7YnPyQtyHasOB_rdr3zHmGQR4M9y0cIxbfm6IdBFHdeYz_w_Mxn6bLpH3lppFmPuXUf5MYZA2PI8Cp7rwVH4QnbqE__DqAlE523e1DhBv1SbUhLs4/s320/momo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Momo Salon - 5 Stars</td></tr>
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This show was like candy. The episodes are literally less than 8 minutes each. And they are every one a delight. There is probably less than an hour total to binge the whole thing. It's about a hairdresser who opens a salon on her own and follows her as her struggling business grows thanks to her shop becoming a package holding service. In the brief episodes, they still manage to squeeze in a lot of story. And it's just joyful and delightful to watch.<br />
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So the lesson is if you think you have seen it all, and there's nothing on Netflix, think again. There's SO MUCH on Netflix. But you might have to deal with subtitles. No biggie. The only downside is that you will crave Asian food like no tomorrow. Maybe my next post will be a Korean dish. We shall see! Portland has a great Jade District with so many Asian grocery stores. I might have to go shopping. :)<br />
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-14327425175773599482017-12-20T01:00:00.000-08:002017-12-20T01:00:22.196-08:00I know I know, I'm a flake. Sue me. Now let's talk sleeve drafting. And then some.Yes, I'm alive. Barely. LOL. I'm just trying to recover from a case of bronchitis, nearly pneumonia, which leveled me for this week. I'm on prednisone and antibiotics and slowly feeling something akin to normal tonight.<br />
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What brought me out from underneath my damp rock was a question on my most infamous post (<a href="http://hungarican.blogspot.com/2010/04/benefits-of-bib-front-and-happy-friday.html" target="_blank">the Benefits of a Bib-Front</a>), which still garners countless hits and Pinterest pins nearly eight years after posting it. Always a plus right? Sort of makes me nostalgic for costuming whenever I see the hit counts. After just checking, seems like the old post on stays on the <a href="http://oregonregency.blogspot.com/2010/06/overview-of-regency-stayscorsets.html" target="_blank">old ORS blog page</a> is also still often-visited. It feels good to know that my efforts are still found useful. I hope to return to these things soon one day. Once my little cottage* is finished and I can breathe a bit. *I'll expound on that in a moment.<br />
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The reason for my post is that someone posted a good question. How do I draft sleeves to a Regency bodice? I tried to answer with just words and it wasn't really working for me trying to explain it without some visual aid. So I uploaded this quick video, very spartan so that it can explain how I do it when I'm cobbling together my various drafted gowns.<br />
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If I were smart, I would have made ONE muslin and just used it repeatedly, but I tend to lose my muslins, or I just draft boldly and stupidly onto the fabric itself and then roll with whatever happens. So my advice is, do it in a muslin until it works, and then keep it for future projects. You can add wedges and extensions as you please to whatever basic sleeve pattern you create using my 'technique'.<br />
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<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h8nUXE1ybNM?ecver=1" width="854"></iframe><br />
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So that is it. Fairly simple. Center all your measurements on the shoulder mark (top of the sleeve) and it should be a nicely fitted, free-moving sleeve. Add any arc *over* the top of the sleeve, not like how I penciled it, by the way. Seam allowance gives you a little give as needed as well. Wedging in fullness at the top will give you more pouf if that's your cup of tea.<br />
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Now, let's talk about THE COTTAGE and its evolution.<br />
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Now, everybody who has historically followed this blog knows that I'm a head-case. LOL. I have been stricken with an anxiety disorder that manifested itself on top of a lifelong battle with chronic depression and dysthymia. It has been a huge fucking struggle. I have never bothered to hide it or sugarcoat it, and I will talk about it everywhere I possibly can, because I will not pretend like it's something that I am ashamed of or should be worried might annoy someone to discuss. It is a real problem, and something I have had to take a great deal of pride in accepting. A control freak (who is in essence displaying overt signs of anxiety by desiring to control everything that gives them anxiety) does not like to concede that they have no control over the levels of fear and worry in their own heads.<br />
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So I have retreated. I've struggled with a balance of medications, trying to find some measure of normality. But it is a continued battle. I'll have long phases of seemingly normal days and then suddenly have daily panic attacks, some resulting in losing consciousness and striking a great deal of fear in both my husband and sadly, my son, who now has comforting and helping his mother as part of his routine, something no kid should have to do. I found him lying underneath my head once, because I had fallen onto the floor, and he didn't want my head to hit, so he squirmed underneath. This makes me so very sad. But it is my reality now. It has hampered everything I do. And one of the things that once gave me comfort and respite from it, is no longer part of my life. Which is probably a good thing, in the long run, but it means I do not get to see people I became very much attached to over the years.<br />
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Oh well.<br />
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However, I refuse to go down without fighting. And I don't like the idea that this imbalance of brain chemicals should somehow make me useless. I am a highly creative person, and one that needs many outlets for it, or I will go mad. And my husband knows this, and from the previous post last spring, you can see he cared enough to help me find a place to express it. And he built me my cottage.<br />
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It has been slow progress but in the last month, it has sprung forward quite a bit. From being painted up like a lady, to gaining an electrical system with plenty of outlets and light cans, to now being insulated and wall-boarded. The mudding and taping will soon be underway at the beginning of the year, and that will leave only washing up the messy floor, painting, and furnishing it with all my crapola.<br />
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Then <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FeffiesCottage/" target="_blank">Feffie's Cottage</a> will be born in earnest. And it will be where I will be vomiting up my creative energy in droves, I hope. From busting out more novels under my <a href="http://mirandamayer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miranda Mayer</a> nom-de-plume to creating more hats and costumes, to returning to miniatures and dollhouses and dollhouse kits, to drawing and making prints and postcards, to fashioning stuffed animals and plushies, to dolls to whatever floats my god damned boat. And I will sell my shit. Because being an anxious ass doesn't mean that I can't contribute to the household. I will just do it on my terms, without an overarching presence who will set off my anxiety and make me crazy.<br />
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I hope you folks will be with me on this journey. However it may end up. You've been reading this blog for god... years now, and I'm still here. Scrabbling along. You were with me from the first office specials, the struggle for pregnancy, the surprise child, the costumes, the drama, the snark. So here I am. Hoping to pick myself up and get back to my Hungarican ways. :) Maybe I'll even post a new recipe or something? I don't want to get ahead of myself. These are no longer the days when I posted my updates on the clock of my job. But maybe this can become part of my job as owner of Feffie's Cottage. Maybe.<br />
<br />Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-58568579915588849182017-06-29T11:11:00.000-07:002017-06-29T11:11:28.624-07:00Every. Single. Time. Seriously. (not for squeamish people)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went through another convention (Walker-Stalker/Heroes & Villains Fanfest) and naturally, this happened. Every convention since 2012, this has happened the night before or during the event. I got my period in the middle of my wedding day. So I came home from the event and was inspired to sketch. Enjoy. </div>
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PS, go to the bottom to see what happened at our booth (hint: it was crashed by Michael Rooker and Brendan Routh...)</div>
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Michael Rooker snatched my ukulele which I had brought to manage my anxiety, and 'rocked out' on it. His handler told me I was lucky I got it back in one piece. LOL. </div>
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Brendan Routh (Atom/Superman) -- crashed the booth too.</div>
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<br />Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-48106225084781444002017-04-02T19:06:00.000-07:002017-04-02T19:06:47.345-07:00HC, where have you been? Dealing. I've been dealing.It's not unusual for me to go dark around the holidays and come out of hiding come the end of February, but add to that a medication issue, and you've got someone who is high-anxiety, low-spirits and all around distracted and unproductive.<br />
<br />
Yes. I'm alive. I have been however, struggling a great deal with my brain chemistry, and in part, it's given me little energy to focus with. I <i>have </i>been writing. That's a good thing. And doing some editing work to finish up the next two books I will be releasing this year. But I haven't done much else except try to take care of my kid and sometimes, even myself.<br />
<br />
I started going back to talk therapy for one. And my anti-depressant seems to have hit the two-year poop-out, and stopped working, so my doctor doubled the dose, and I have been creeping out from under my rock to see the light, hissing and scowling all the way. But this week, I've been feeling something close to normal. Which is amazing after having spent the past quarter of a year in depression and anxiousness.<br />
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Part of my crash was the significant reduction of a creative outlet. Another part was my removing myself from the Oregon Regency Society, which took a lot (way too much) of my emotional energy, and without that, I sort of got lost. When you've had something like that to keep you focused for ten years, and suddenly there's all this open space in your head where the drama used to live, yeah, it can be jarring. It's been healthy for me to leave that aside. To give me the chance to dream up new ventures without the baggage of difficult, unkind and attention-hungry people.<br />
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In the meantime, my husband, who is a fucking hero, was talking about using our tax returns to put together some kind of she-shed for me so I could have space for my sewing, crafting, writing and miniatures without taking over the house, and without tiny fingers getting into all my stuff. It's something I've wanted for a long time. I've literally stopped sewing because it's been such a pain to hear the complaints about the mess and such.<br />
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When we realized our tax refund was a tenth of what we hoped, I was a little disappointed but didn't say anything. But hubby, who I think has been particularly worried about my state of mind lately, went without my knowledge and took out a little loan to create this little retreat for me. So this Friday, a troupe of three guys showed up with a double-long trailer full of materials, and five and a half hours later, their assemblage retreated, leaving behind Feffie's Cottage. My little she-shed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trailer of bits and bobs arrived at noon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leveling took about 15 minutes. The blocks were arranged, and the<br />floor frame was made in record time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They built the walls, tyveked them, put windows<br />in, etc, before they lifted them in place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They spread the two end walls to make the fourth outside<br />wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bit left unfloord was for the decking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4eRcI3Kfxm05k9AImNPskgASH0Cfv9rtPVRRcBBUCraomEXwezvYT_qF0W5TVgZIcB7nZvP8JHRW8F2zmBSUwIhiG2dEkcl-CZ0CY97Ug6b9_qaKQMZR7uQUdYI165IvnqHfNZGNDt4/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4eRcI3Kfxm05k9AImNPskgASH0Cfv9rtPVRRcBBUCraomEXwezvYT_qF0W5TVgZIcB7nZvP8JHRW8F2zmBSUwIhiG2dEkcl-CZ0CY97Ug6b9_qaKQMZR7uQUdYI165IvnqHfNZGNDt4/s400/7.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall 4 goes up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS99Y_wcLcYgpAyRa8-9j-_O8F8oX_bUFBtCJA-X_dzJrFsIGQgwSG49qsCsbze-UyphxG_m62JeNnD_678JzJKUGUTe0ldtrFPJTFVfoKgiA2qE-Smpbcm-KS1PeQeX6dM4btyH9R48k/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS99Y_wcLcYgpAyRa8-9j-_O8F8oX_bUFBtCJA-X_dzJrFsIGQgwSG49qsCsbze-UyphxG_m62JeNnD_678JzJKUGUTe0ldtrFPJTFVfoKgiA2qE-Smpbcm-KS1PeQeX6dM4btyH9R48k/s400/8.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it's time to put in the porch wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then one guy goes up and puts in the rafters for<br />the loft. He did the roof and rafters<br />pretty much on his own.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helpers handed up materials.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvp19NARy_rLTZWeSCm1qYDcBZfdV0XF23c7domUue5J0IikC8wUBa7PcgFoL74exy8-B3NgqCHBPB5Ce49Oc93d8LV_JqbkOzyZ4iHkL3FVjbMF2I1fTAl9nQtu3hFhylDnnaOHaQcA/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvp19NARy_rLTZWeSCm1qYDcBZfdV0XF23c7domUue5J0IikC8wUBa7PcgFoL74exy8-B3NgqCHBPB5Ce49Oc93d8LV_JqbkOzyZ4iHkL3FVjbMF2I1fTAl9nQtu3hFhylDnnaOHaQcA/s400/14.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheathing the roof. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3NyTALelWEcT12a0futKYijjH-2dcPsb-HKzw-5kaoE6FhU7JOomhETEUWbY-HBRbZoUcOco6j9KlzoWwZS-SGBOX360gxGRTMOEuMuJMoiqoxXdoPzKMtRpQsyILw8OobV7wEyhJQs/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3NyTALelWEcT12a0futKYijjH-2dcPsb-HKzw-5kaoE6FhU7JOomhETEUWbY-HBRbZoUcOco6j9KlzoWwZS-SGBOX360gxGRTMOEuMuJMoiqoxXdoPzKMtRpQsyILw8OobV7wEyhJQs/s400/15.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys move fast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU500LSjMKbvYLyVxsfiGML15m6rK_7C3qBq70_ekJl6RgedsDILvCUiS3XTmlFdrkUZPmVjt6PjXSAHcfNClwNprPYM2TAnVGCvFqmLvPjOFA8mdgXiXGaxxBVWi6BTPRzcn7KpprPVg/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU500LSjMKbvYLyVxsfiGML15m6rK_7C3qBq70_ekJl6RgedsDILvCUiS3XTmlFdrkUZPmVjt6PjXSAHcfNClwNprPYM2TAnVGCvFqmLvPjOFA8mdgXiXGaxxBVWi6BTPRzcn7KpprPVg/s400/16.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal was about to go up. Foreman was starting to<br />do the trim, which meant the project was almost done.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgES4dAvYwbP986rTjKQh-jau6bsai0fxCa-smiGThfHGyAJe7Qmu8pW7-6RvvXlQmNXwYX6qRRHyT8QHlGWnpihQt_6_vyPPPmG5PoZ0lHNF4fQ8D-nnB7Ka_nmUH3iJzyReHPR1K8inA/s1600/16b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgES4dAvYwbP986rTjKQh-jau6bsai0fxCa-smiGThfHGyAJe7Qmu8pW7-6RvvXlQmNXwYX6qRRHyT8QHlGWnpihQt_6_vyPPPmG5PoZ0lHNF4fQ8D-nnB7Ka_nmUH3iJzyReHPR1K8inA/s400/16b.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the pre-built railing. Cute huh?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy2ogfQ99kaKIPzHlEWBKEgUWhPquXBq1VYSKbAcIx7U7bdhn3gbV6BWboiR0cyjda5G9plzXO59Q9uXLvc4qP73SkV6ZCtQtsAaIIAm5rqxeJx694Pg_OmrLw3-znlYvng5bFg1QCrc/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy2ogfQ99kaKIPzHlEWBKEgUWhPquXBq1VYSKbAcIx7U7bdhn3gbV6BWboiR0cyjda5G9plzXO59Q9uXLvc4qP73SkV6ZCtQtsAaIIAm5rqxeJx694Pg_OmrLw3-znlYvng5bFg1QCrc/s400/17.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding the ridge cap and rake. finishing touches.<br />Trim is done.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOtvmS4RNAKUXcgGT2jmE5m5vyKBzF6a-4gZtXzcYykMpHB1y94JiYP40XSfUkAYxQ-bxZhA8LoAF8k_PZrQslXA6EaJ6XPimzD56hXf2X4ZK4nUZfLfRRRAwKfYaqjqADzMSCX1H17A/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOtvmS4RNAKUXcgGT2jmE5m5vyKBzF6a-4gZtXzcYykMpHB1y94JiYP40XSfUkAYxQ-bxZhA8LoAF8k_PZrQslXA6EaJ6XPimzD56hXf2X4ZK4nUZfLfRRRAwKfYaqjqADzMSCX1H17A/s400/18.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There it is in all its glory. My she-shed dubbed 'Feffie's Cottage'.<br />Feffy is my nickname.</td></tr>
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We went and bought some paint to match it to our house yesterday. It's a little humid to do that today, but it will get done soon enough. It's a dark teal blue. I also got a creamy tan called Crepe for the trim. When I was on the Behr website they suggested a colour story and I'm kind of in love. The house colour will be the Juniper Berries, which is what our main house colour is. The trim will be tan, and I'm toying with the idea of painting the door either the soft bluish white or the track green. What do you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bXOUP7FC1Jpfs4Qmw1wgMM78c6Tas4yMVpqBE-eqfHh1VQuKYyGZ_fI6S23ZXUtgfMIjyqXA-GVsa2H4Rs7u9lnauXZtcVbsX-YFR28uQX-C0uMRN6GFuNtM4IciYUh06WeU89vHCps/s1600/colour+story.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bXOUP7FC1Jpfs4Qmw1wgMM78c6Tas4yMVpqBE-eqfHh1VQuKYyGZ_fI6S23ZXUtgfMIjyqXA-GVsa2H4Rs7u9lnauXZtcVbsX-YFR28uQX-C0uMRN6GFuNtM4IciYUh06WeU89vHCps/s400/colour+story.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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This morning, my husband got up early and let me sleep in. We had some leftover flooring from my nesting period/home makeover attack when I was pregnant, so he went ahead and used it up on the floor in the cottage. It's only about 128 square feet of indoor space. Enough room for my cutting and sewing tables, a few chairs, a large IKEA shelf I plan to buy, a small armchair, and my desk and chair for writing. I have them all laid on my floorplan already.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg98YtSqar4wscnUgoubIAB9OK5DTRli-3uxKTNFNGGgU9CVmXGarBtMTIHj6sd83Az2wq9WtduJaQG-vkJlvhAZ9YHNrubFcYC1ek6APQZDZTR0fPp1CxzAe5GH0uH_nDbEFxU1A8AvA/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg98YtSqar4wscnUgoubIAB9OK5DTRli-3uxKTNFNGGgU9CVmXGarBtMTIHj6sd83Az2wq9WtduJaQG-vkJlvhAZ9YHNrubFcYC1ek6APQZDZTR0fPp1CxzAe5GH0uH_nDbEFxU1A8AvA/s400/19.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main 'area' is about 8 x 10 give or take.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3TgJnMInHehcmptFkM-C84I-gTmx6zfU3Kzqlgn9cfOw-q05gAkuTxgLGDO8X6AlvI0z4r0lyH7aiQD5pAJApauZTryqSnCbqk0OTlwyMEySlISlG9SBpuL6dDBJQzSD2O3PpnzCTns/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3TgJnMInHehcmptFkM-C84I-gTmx6zfU3Kzqlgn9cfOw-q05gAkuTxgLGDO8X6AlvI0z4r0lyH7aiQD5pAJApauZTryqSnCbqk0OTlwyMEySlISlG9SBpuL6dDBJQzSD2O3PpnzCTns/s400/20.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLlF6mL30yc2SbH_2fREkPzrC6_3z8gmOetumzScEtjq4OS4OuNJDKRo-3Lpu_m8wLNx7Gaa4m6nH-fhhCd-v5FnTALOnpQxTeSzLt2MT_1ZXRYEMUtyizIOM9lOB9NHska7Ss-dU6Es/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLlF6mL30yc2SbH_2fREkPzrC6_3z8gmOetumzScEtjq4OS4OuNJDKRo-3Lpu_m8wLNx7Gaa4m6nH-fhhCd-v5FnTALOnpQxTeSzLt2MT_1ZXRYEMUtyizIOM9lOB9NHska7Ss-dU6Es/s400/21.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little bay area is about 8 x 5 and it's where my writing<br />desk will be (by teh window).</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xhdzO2vcriN-jXDhl8zKMZeuxEFQb0P1JMnYm-FtjUUHJTFy9OEPhVlr9x4MdD2MSHZ2rjIceOoCkSeGdjtdj66ApU7gZ6eI0fEKR5I0djg4_gm3Xuc42kO6BBaDwoMpl91FyvP5K1c/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xhdzO2vcriN-jXDhl8zKMZeuxEFQb0P1JMnYm-FtjUUHJTFy9OEPhVlr9x4MdD2MSHZ2rjIceOoCkSeGdjtdj66ApU7gZ6eI0fEKR5I0djg4_gm3Xuc42kO6BBaDwoMpl91FyvP5K1c/s400/22.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliXmh3UGX40Ugd45zQSBKwVlpdnW6i4Wkd0TVTih3m9dnivvLFn25gtVpXmbMeVRcb-5O_vHQriMHHgO4vt3Fyv3PbBDkCfPCuCFxqgNFdF-MVFZjg-KGaTtUfMqNv9ht2T9h7YK5uUU/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliXmh3UGX40Ugd45zQSBKwVlpdnW6i4Wkd0TVTih3m9dnivvLFn25gtVpXmbMeVRcb-5O_vHQriMHHgO4vt3Fyv3PbBDkCfPCuCFxqgNFdF-MVFZjg-KGaTtUfMqNv9ht2T9h7YK5uUU/s400/23.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loft is pretty big.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJKZ_QHl1RmcXKl-_Ev0MnG9lnvYjEqr3m_z4rQ04TB0NFY3gyexE0KzuroUNw7o5YPTa68XrU8le1bXHHTh2d2JlJhUwYRpM9_e9NjTfB1xtkhjSCYd_3Jp-24eVGxINqIF6CuIas3E/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJKZ_QHl1RmcXKl-_Ev0MnG9lnvYjEqr3m_z4rQ04TB0NFY3gyexE0KzuroUNw7o5YPTa68XrU8le1bXHHTh2d2JlJhUwYRpM9_e9NjTfB1xtkhjSCYd_3Jp-24eVGxINqIF6CuIas3E/s400/24.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little porch. :)</td></tr>
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So there you have it. If all goes well this will be my creation central from now on. I'll be able to do dollhouses again and sew unrestricted. I'll post progress pics as the Feffie's Cottage takes shape.<br />
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:Squee!:Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-26509227688047996062016-11-22T12:36:00.000-08:002016-11-22T12:41:34.261-08:00I'm still here. Really.<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes. I’ve been silent for months. Well, in the blogiverse mostly. I’m rarely silent unless I’m sleeping. What have I been doing? Well… I’ve been writing books. I finished one and sent it off for editing. I’ve been working on a collaborative project with author Shéa MacLeod, which is in rewrites stage right now, and I am about two thirds through another novel. I’ve been pouring my creativity into my books. I have been given the unique gift of <i>time</i>; the first time since my little baby was born four years ago (Yes, he turned 4 last Thursday, I can hardly believe it). He has started preschool in earnest, which allows me nine hours a week to sit down at the local café (which is really like the town’s living room, it’s awesome), and to write freely. It’s been a while!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD60Q-FeQO3qyJkdN-ORANManfuiGllQRkRFVNTODOW413OpvI8kYJVbszJpUIP71Mpp-QhQAuXunOBTBo56fdtxgTe8niJAK1tdHmbZWJUnW_jrK9f-mhqEyRESaEWW66JrqyoIFk-iA/s1600/14046092_10211082523846106_2304102396000655780_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD60Q-FeQO3qyJkdN-ORANManfuiGllQRkRFVNTODOW413OpvI8kYJVbszJpUIP71Mpp-QhQAuXunOBTBo56fdtxgTe8niJAK1tdHmbZWJUnW_jrK9f-mhqEyRESaEWW66JrqyoIFk-iA/s400/14046092_10211082523846106_2304102396000655780_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with Friends Annie & baby Maxine</td></tr>
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So I am taking advantage of it. I have my crafty projects (and project-a-palooza) on hold for now. I have a desire to create pretty things with my hands, but I need to finish this novel and get these projects done before the end of the year so I have new releases for Comic-con in February. If you want to know more about these things, or more about the world of my writing, which is done separately from everything else under the nom-de-plume Miranda Mayer, please feel free to like my page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMirandaMayer" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, or sign up for my newsletter from my<a href="http://www.mirandamayer.com/" target="_blank"> website</a>. I don’t email very often, only when I’m about to release something.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His first tournament.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School starts</td></tr>
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Other big news is I have stepped away from the group I founded, the Oregon Regency Society. I did it for a variety of reasons, but what it came down to was that there were constant issues with drama, unkind gossip being flung by people who were supposedly my friends, returned to me by people everyone respects and who were then called liars by said gossips. There was also a problem common to groups like these, and that is people with input but no actual action. There was the old problem of people who take on too much, and then cannot take responsibility for not following through, and who spew blame instead. Bottom line, it just wasn’t fun anymore. I’d been through this kind of thing once before, and I just didn’t have it in me to weather the drama to try and fix what had been poisoned. So I have cast it off the shore into the hands of others, and wish the best for it. As long as the people who have maligned and vilified me continue to be involved, I will not. I might try to play with friends again someday, and I already miss so many people, but for now, I need to just focus my energy on things that are fulfilling to me. Like my child, my creative outlets and well… me. My mental health needs to be important too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZaAKS3g64D7S-u2_wSsD0XJTed6ePTRmyFuacimdTEhQpYSIFr1Is4YbNmbloFuD-r6-yKBf7cXfN3PrwQnrtJzZNtIdMr_TMFHvC0_tNT27eTwNeTVjA4HZCTy7Dt2_KPZ-g2WfV-U/s1600/14292283_10211252551616694_3329811802518474014_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZaAKS3g64D7S-u2_wSsD0XJTed6ePTRmyFuacimdTEhQpYSIFr1Is4YbNmbloFuD-r6-yKBf7cXfN3PrwQnrtJzZNtIdMr_TMFHvC0_tNT27eTwNeTVjA4HZCTy7Dt2_KPZ-g2WfV-U/s400/14292283_10211252551616694_3329811802518474014_n.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling behind my table at the Rose<br />
City Comic Con. He's pretty deft<br />
with the iPad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I’m here, prepping for the holidays. My son’s paternal grandfather has been struggling with stage 4 cancer. My son has Bronchitis, and so does my husband, and as grandpa’s immune system is compromised by Chemotherapy, we cannot go to their home for Thanksgiving. It’s kind of sad, because my mother-in-law has been really having a rough time dealing with all of this, and to top it off, she has painful arthritis in her hip. I was going to go and help her cook the meal so she wouldn’t be miserable the whole day. But we can’t put Grandpa John in danger. So I will be cooking a small thanksgiving meal for the three of us here at home.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fy106P6iEgWSDj7qaOXA2FQmYYGT0fAi3NzPvpVottNIXeiqKxoVHNw8uBptBcXwgTFIRdqGB5qTnK_f1ZdzeYFXvTE2fi4bxXuXZTrIcT59CCk-TzDXUbsHuIC90Act-kQW-EsS1as/s1600/14322494_10211344116785766_5929601896460466158_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fy106P6iEgWSDj7qaOXA2FQmYYGT0fAi3NzPvpVottNIXeiqKxoVHNw8uBptBcXwgTFIRdqGB5qTnK_f1ZdzeYFXvTE2fi4bxXuXZTrIcT59CCk-TzDXUbsHuIC90Act-kQW-EsS1as/s400/14322494_10211344116785766_5929601896460466158_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7jZnnW2sqfbyZw68aBeOQ6OJHlbSgfpyzm5KLYVRtJZuzJ91FPnjd9MXbWTFgvKhkQ0YnsCWjvUlQ8Yx1MiksxMUN58lQH3JT8Lo21Yh751EO7S-6xtU1roUAfuXV1wwHoPSCAQuz_4/s1600/14369896_10211278742991462_8431717577392698032_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7jZnnW2sqfbyZw68aBeOQ6OJHlbSgfpyzm5KLYVRtJZuzJ91FPnjd9MXbWTFgvKhkQ0YnsCWjvUlQ8Yx1MiksxMUN58lQH3JT8Lo21Yh751EO7S-6xtU1roUAfuXV1wwHoPSCAQuz_4/s400/14369896_10211278742991462_8431717577392698032_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to go to class.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alex had his fourth birthday party on Saturday. He had a wonderful time, and Stephie made him the most beautiful Paw Patrol cake in history. <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">He was so fixated on the cake, it was hilarious. It’s amazing to think that the child we never expected is now four years old. It’s crazy. It’s too fast! I wish there was a rewind button so I could go through it all again. Even the colic and the teething.</span><br />
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So the holidays approach. I imagine you all have plans for them. I’m excited about Christmas. More than ever since we had Alex, and this year, it’s the first year where he has as much anticipation as a child should have, and I’m excited to put the tree up with him, and to decorate the house. I intend to do it after Thanksgiving, come what may. The earlier the better. Considering how awful this year has been, we need some damned goodwill in this country. Even if there are battles to be fought still.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Y_ogBblpA8pZhjD9BYPzyTL0epJ3BmI75Qgc6pVIwoouDcSLJH81eJUiyce9fJFZ7GxKhNBeoY1DWgrvXoc-YPJ2nsq39-LtgHcqretOvmQ_38HJE1LHQSXyKVKvBdnKv2ouNDIlJU/s1600/14369962_10211356266769508_5048697552536693192_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Y_ogBblpA8pZhjD9BYPzyTL0epJ3BmI75Qgc6pVIwoouDcSLJH81eJUiyce9fJFZ7GxKhNBeoY1DWgrvXoc-YPJ2nsq39-LtgHcqretOvmQ_38HJE1LHQSXyKVKvBdnKv2ouNDIlJU/s400/14369962_10211356266769508_5048697552536693192_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class is over!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHJpeyUjLk-SoisV_Fav5sh3gR-uimYP54SECYy0fdxq_GtFA-QFjZLKoGXiJiZYA-4wcgT0Cgl-Y9ZGNezGXCtN5D0rvUJIpZOWcUBu6BlkReWSucqf2KtOELExCaf2ss0tsYOGRhX0/s1600/14642007_10211627028178374_5535566226892149378_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHJpeyUjLk-SoisV_Fav5sh3gR-uimYP54SECYy0fdxq_GtFA-QFjZLKoGXiJiZYA-4wcgT0Cgl-Y9ZGNezGXCtN5D0rvUJIpZOWcUBu6BlkReWSucqf2KtOELExCaf2ss0tsYOGRhX0/s400/14642007_10211627028178374_5535566226892149378_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the gulls in Astoria.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh! I found a kitten. So we now have another cat. She’s fecking cute. I might be a little allergic to her, but how do you tell your kid, sorry, no cat. So I’ll just manage with it. She’s a brat. So I appreciate that about her. Anyhoo, I will try to be better about snarking, crafting and journaling as I go. I won’t have any new costume posts for a while, I’m afraid. I don’t really have any desire to participate in events right now, so I don’t have any reason to sew new Regency things. But the lark may come where I will want to make a hat or whatever. So who knows? Maybe I’ll arrange a non-related event just so I can play with the people I want to play with. Time will tell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvp2R5B3J5WUCT1tPpawMQ90NrxpySYTHXZzW1seRw_AMxUnDW4EK86y71B_kkLkpvDbUD8NN0Jhn63fPbRwyz_3ynQYTqPwRhNspCzs7GLnfgeL5rKCIKxKPnx57_wgoDke4PPP4oPU/s1600/14725462_10211692338851100_7833590438241670961_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvp2R5B3J5WUCT1tPpawMQ90NrxpySYTHXZzW1seRw_AMxUnDW4EK86y71B_kkLkpvDbUD8NN0Jhn63fPbRwyz_3ynQYTqPwRhNspCzs7GLnfgeL5rKCIKxKPnx57_wgoDke4PPP4oPU/s400/14725462_10211692338851100_7833590438241670961_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New BFFs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQnoIBM71x0reHlEeDRASuvpzwrmJD96S-wi0rWoeDcXtfvYQcpnTE2t-8fuz1CTlAAHn9luruCylcXtMyQkKyLysBllW3X12WF3F4uUAyp4DGxdz1vgXidVIQLHIkoKGif3YctKYZ9w/s1600/14900500_10211799536210967_4719188416064034052_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQnoIBM71x0reHlEeDRASuvpzwrmJD96S-wi0rWoeDcXtfvYQcpnTE2t-8fuz1CTlAAHn9luruCylcXtMyQkKyLysBllW3X12WF3F4uUAyp4DGxdz1vgXidVIQLHIkoKGif3YctKYZ9w/s400/14900500_10211799536210967_4719188416064034052_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girls started laying. Two were killed by raccoons. Hubby<br />
shored up the enclosure, and my friend Molly gave me a couple<br />
hens to replace my lost ones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm87_ZlBqm7-AdN47Bk9ksZ5cOOgkt65QFRFixCK41MlOamfTdBitGpNMSimrE6V-u428G6yz6EZFWbmRur3GEaiCBWQzsrn5dDgpID-qi2zZyW6wpSDvq67ge3rBGcIKChpqnUehhWtE/s1600/14910422_10211746147636286_1578780509340573187_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm87_ZlBqm7-AdN47Bk9ksZ5cOOgkt65QFRFixCK41MlOamfTdBitGpNMSimrE6V-u428G6yz6EZFWbmRur3GEaiCBWQzsrn5dDgpID-qi2zZyW6wpSDvq67ge3rBGcIKChpqnUehhWtE/s400/14910422_10211746147636286_1578780509340573187_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween spookiness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sLfMYBKCwVlgpJlFkCdbHdVZ5l5hPQbnOQS5Q-xEd4RfGUsRKmxT743VApPdeaHRSt8vHoLWrPOJLY1cheYQVRx9FxqlAHI_DEmNL5uCdtGo1wfhksM52sEZD8qFgH1r8L10SKaMYS4/s1600/14915468_10211841825148164_1865096016822969259_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sLfMYBKCwVlgpJlFkCdbHdVZ5l5hPQbnOQS5Q-xEd4RfGUsRKmxT743VApPdeaHRSt8vHoLWrPOJLY1cheYQVRx9FxqlAHI_DEmNL5uCdtGo1wfhksM52sEZD8qFgH1r8L10SKaMYS4/s400/14915468_10211841825148164_1865096016822969259_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitten (Peppercorn), has claimed Simon as her<br />
personal bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGNP64b4HVcUMjmJGvc-zXQB3aj2r1sMlQJPOa0G4VuoS8Bp8uyQYVnQ6gUM-PGd45zl5ZJi3pFJYYGK4Ru8LayYfZbk003GhLLQKufSGEFlHD9ShoW2EJe7kGJlhlQ8qOgTTrC44sc4/s1600/14938315_10211769393057407_6413985627191176828_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGNP64b4HVcUMjmJGvc-zXQB3aj2r1sMlQJPOa0G4VuoS8Bp8uyQYVnQ6gUM-PGd45zl5ZJi3pFJYYGK4Ru8LayYfZbk003GhLLQKufSGEFlHD9ShoW2EJe7kGJlhlQ8qOgTTrC44sc4/s400/14938315_10211769393057407_6413985627191176828_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little lion trick-or-treating homes for the first time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwhZ9pmz0ND7qccEQ8QDkyM5FIKNimQ5pzGjW4q0rH5jytU9caF9yFfncK-3TwYUPLqc13fCZJB5Hb53P7hBHu66EQhoQM2sbhYwPh6-iDMYDQQPm1tSsuNemymQxDqy6s0jZ5Yfb1HI/s1600/15027984_10211877894449874_7107111769775494546_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwhZ9pmz0ND7qccEQ8QDkyM5FIKNimQ5pzGjW4q0rH5jytU9caF9yFfncK-3TwYUPLqc13fCZJB5Hb53P7hBHu66EQhoQM2sbhYwPh6-iDMYDQQPm1tSsuNemymQxDqy6s0jZ5Yfb1HI/s400/15027984_10211877894449874_7107111769775494546_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bratty McKatten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrknyFMs82eTVHFpRYPs_ToOQ819rsRh44yWptNIdctSuiL6AfaQCFIzK4pWSPr68TXxv0G-RaeqhS4nsn3uFr-SUpjcmfiWIkUe47V1g2N9OwLb1M08G4XBvFjxckFQ7jNq2cepUZ3U/s1600/15037351_10211973421878000_8493663629896788280_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrknyFMs82eTVHFpRYPs_ToOQ819rsRh44yWptNIdctSuiL6AfaQCFIzK4pWSPr68TXxv0G-RaeqhS4nsn3uFr-SUpjcmfiWIkUe47V1g2N9OwLb1M08G4XBvFjxckFQ7jNq2cepUZ3U/s400/15037351_10211973421878000_8493663629896788280_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything Paw Patrol for his party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqSAlnruNhDX_VWXbkSUq3o5bzJfswqFBN0tt-NYVi7b_AKePT_lo5PMBlQrOmsiaWbgsHvs-RF-i93EdJIjb28S-lVOp9z_iXNYIUW_DOCXotzP754VBHDBGpqZ5dOhg2WmYfNiGDvI/s1600/15094524_10211925328595698_6744726612650874803_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqSAlnruNhDX_VWXbkSUq3o5bzJfswqFBN0tt-NYVi7b_AKePT_lo5PMBlQrOmsiaWbgsHvs-RF-i93EdJIjb28S-lVOp9z_iXNYIUW_DOCXotzP754VBHDBGpqZ5dOhg2WmYfNiGDvI/s400/15094524_10211925328595698_6744726612650874803_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty McAssface Von Kattenstein.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_TySsH6YaFLYD3csvhx5WybdZSQ-eN45-WlBy_SjCmmiFoatvtjVqE3RllirNl_j3SecTy-e8FmyNQH52xUgbB-U8XhT4QMvl9qvccQrdnCBT336f7dF1RdiUpUPecG3wiW0iuuzjSM/s1600/15095603_10211970019032931_1078372638344144129_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_TySsH6YaFLYD3csvhx5WybdZSQ-eN45-WlBy_SjCmmiFoatvtjVqE3RllirNl_j3SecTy-e8FmyNQH52xUgbB-U8XhT4QMvl9qvccQrdnCBT336f7dF1RdiUpUPecG3wiW0iuuzjSM/s400/15095603_10211970019032931_1078372638344144129_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taekwondo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZyOHAh6tRS00eXTBk3DlzGHZ1Dzhl1bEXYFAQb4q6EbdYDkxEEw3TSStJQOOu2fvQWT6_QfFYT8G42xIw02oTdbmUY3EqKXmV1WsM7vHmReUspyeHLXOldx6Gsr2AM_zMx3MSV4tzP0/s1600/15170931_10211973423118031_2056587476154589631_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZyOHAh6tRS00eXTBk3DlzGHZ1Dzhl1bEXYFAQb4q6EbdYDkxEEw3TSStJQOOu2fvQWT6_QfFYT8G42xIw02oTdbmUY3EqKXmV1WsM7vHmReUspyeHLXOldx6Gsr2AM_zMx3MSV4tzP0/s400/15170931_10211973423118031_2056587476154589631_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely cake by Just a Dash cakes (aka auntie Steph)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I’m off to forage for Thanksgiving ingredients and such, in spite of my sinus infection. See you on the flip side folks! I’ve missed this.Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-87891492631047351212016-08-10T17:32:00.000-07:002016-08-10T17:33:17.365-07:00Project-a-Palooza; Project TWO ~ Colourful Découpage<div style="text-align: center;">
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Project-a-palooza rolls on with the next phase, and that is playing with lovely colourful patterns. The video explains the goal, while also simultaneously showing how easy it is to block out a playing toddler. You even get a glimpse of my offspring as he movie-bombs me.</div>
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Here are some of the progress pics so far:</div>
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So fun! Lots of detail work tho. I'll post more pics soon! :)</div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-84580068910090281022016-08-09T18:15:00.000-07:002016-08-09T18:23:47.017-07:00Project-a-Palooza; Project ONE; Luxurious Lip Balm<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m in project mode. I shouldn’t be. I should be finishing
my latest book, but no. I have gone all crafty, and I have several projects lined
up as if there's another personality inside me who's even more obnoxiously belligerent and mischievous than I already am. </div>
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Technically; the first project was really the gown for the book cover of the manuscript I"m supposed to be finishing, but since I’m not releasing yet, so I can’t go around
flaunting pics. I didn’t take many anyway. Here’s a sneak preview though:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3dux7rB5uwWqgEd5udtnyaXgX-epuacI6RRhKkbs09wvrMK6r-dPgHjOF-8_ODPInetKXpvSoBjIi-d4LJOWkPpjwZW0k44IyxXMjETqqrPloxfAgVkGITt8LGm6o2iTMyWTk3mU1vI/s1600/13907100_581935675321712_604286741806170228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3dux7rB5uwWqgEd5udtnyaXgX-epuacI6RRhKkbs09wvrMK6r-dPgHjOF-8_ODPInetKXpvSoBjIi-d4LJOWkPpjwZW0k44IyxXMjETqqrPloxfAgVkGITt8LGm6o2iTMyWTk3mU1vI/s400/13907100_581935675321712_604286741806170228_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of sumptuous, velvety drama here.</td></tr>
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The first <b>official</b> project for <b><i>Project-a-Palooza</i></b> is
making some lip balm.</div>
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I know, it’s a small project, but I wanted some lip balm
with a bit of a fresh tingle, made with all the crunchy organic foo-fooness
that is required in the Pacific Northwest.
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So here goes. Finding the ingredients for these things is fairly simple online.
I found mine at a homesteading store in Southeast Portland, because yes, there’s
a homesteading store in Southeast Portland. They have pretty much everything the
crunchy granola PNW person would need, from seeds and eggs, to cheese cultures and soap-making supplies; it’s a
DIYer’s dream. It even has a hipstery logo. It's awesome. It's called the <a href="https://www.homesteadsupplyco.com/" target="_blank">Portland Homestead Supply Company</a>. </div>
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What you need for this quick project: </div>
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Shae Butter, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Vitamin E (liquid preferably), Organic Raw Honey, and your favourite Essential Oil.<br />
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I recommend the following ones from the ones that I have:</div>
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Lemon-lavender (mix), Peppermint, DōTerra’s On-Guard (great for fighting a cold), or what I used; DōTerra’s Slim & Sassy – because putting a weight-loss booster in your lip balm RULES (and because it lovely, is safe for consumption, and when applied topically, provides a refreshing tingle). But the essential oil(s) you use is wholly up to you—just make sure that they’re safe for consumption, they’re not ‘hot’ oils, which means that some oils, like Cinnamon, for example, in its concentrated state, can actually cause irritation, so use with care.</div>
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The quantities in this recipe comfortably fill six of these little tins when all is said and done.<br />
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In a double boiler (in my case, I filled about two fingers of water into one of my sauce pots, and then inserted a metal bowl over that), add the Shae Butter, the Beeswax and the Coconut Oil. Cook it on medium so it doesn't heat too quickly.<br />
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I let them melt together. They each melt at different rates. I added the vitamin E and <b><i>half </i></b>of the essential oil at this stage.<br />
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When it was fully melted, I swirled the spoon of honey into the emulsion until all of the honey had dissolved into the mix.<br />
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The amount of essential oils you add is entirely up to you. I say 10 drops minimum. I personally added 22 drops. Ten at this stage, and then two drops in each container after I poured the blend into the tins. I stirred them with a toothpick while they were still hot.<br />
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Be sure to mix it well before and while you pour it into the tins. </div>
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Once poured, let them cool. And voila. A smooth, moisturizing, healing lip balm in less than fifteen minutes. Pop a label on these and they make lovely gifts for your friends and family.<br />
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And that concludes project numero uno for Project-a-Palooza 2016. </div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-88935747356261954812016-07-18T14:47:00.000-07:002016-07-18T14:47:31.540-07:00I can't believe I'd spend two hours doing this, but I did.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyYCvb0Ljzd-pj-YmVTUxnP9qjmkYXXeBUBLSpwci1-c-ViXfQM4etbxrnJgWvZCRa54I-m6YwvpId64KEsLT08ofxM_ZMbCJWsL_STrXVwXM0IDoDigNwhtgxXoiPF8CFA91nj8It8Q/s1600/adventure+bay+beacon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyYCvb0Ljzd-pj-YmVTUxnP9qjmkYXXeBUBLSpwci1-c-ViXfQM4etbxrnJgWvZCRa54I-m6YwvpId64KEsLT08ofxM_ZMbCJWsL_STrXVwXM0IDoDigNwhtgxXoiPF8CFA91nj8It8Q/s640/adventure+bay+beacon.png" width="497" /></a></div>
<br />Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-53455656519876255652016-06-14T15:01:00.000-07:002016-06-14T15:01:20.198-07:00A cool and rainy day (after face-melting heat)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHGxJM6l1Rdp0flajm2DVhmvBSAvifmiEAXem60r_QC1YkCrE7UOyzFKnXARR5XhRB1gEsz1OnZdsMSaas06BCt2P5rSCfz5UNWy12rmgVVn40rF9bmK7s9rktnYCGPNcIlnz74ZB-Ro/s1600/13266029_10210276184688131_8825325910383624687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHGxJM6l1Rdp0flajm2DVhmvBSAvifmiEAXem60r_QC1YkCrE7UOyzFKnXARR5XhRB1gEsz1OnZdsMSaas06BCt2P5rSCfz5UNWy12rmgVVn40rF9bmK7s9rktnYCGPNcIlnz74ZB-Ro/s400/13266029_10210276184688131_8825325910383624687_n.jpg" width="220" /></a>Things have been fairly quiet at Johanesen Cottage these
past weeks. As the anxiety disorder makes me even more hermit-like than ever, I am
spending most of my time in the house, taking care of my son. He was allowed to attend preschool two or
three times a week before it closed for the summer, to see if he’d like it, and
he LOVED it. That’s my boy. He asks every day, now that preschool is over, when
he can go back to ‘the school building’. </div>
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He will be enrolled officially in
September. I’m not sure I’m really accepting how much he’s grown already. I
still want him to be my baby. He will be 40 and be my baby.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TSS7VJDoAGNhD4Swnc5-npUBZzi2FNNxY0h4blSS9TZRDHlzcAwNDX_lC9qodPX3KidFg2PoADvgFzfzu-M9gYT1OLqnxJz6rfUE-h6CeVCgHE0KpTLYJkqGg26m66rWCH6svQVyLds/s1600/13237849_10210276185648155_587731715010256591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TSS7VJDoAGNhD4Swnc5-npUBZzi2FNNxY0h4blSS9TZRDHlzcAwNDX_lC9qodPX3KidFg2PoADvgFzfzu-M9gYT1OLqnxJz6rfUE-h6CeVCgHE0KpTLYJkqGg26m66rWCH6svQVyLds/s400/13237849_10210276185648155_587731715010256591_n.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fascinated by yellow buses, like his mom.<br />He was allowed to climb aboard while<br />the bus waited for its big-kid passengers.</td></tr>
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It’s a slow day today. We ate some leftover clam chowder I made the day before yesterday, for lunch. After 90 and 100 degree days, we are now enjoying 46 degree temps
and heavy rainfall. Just the kind of day for chowdah. </div>
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My off-the-cuff Chowder recipe (amounts may vary a bit since
I cook by the seat of my pants, you can adjust liquids as needed for your
desired thickness—I like it to be thick, but not stand-your-spoon-up-in-it
thick)</div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Three medium leeks chopped fine and cleaned well</b>. (I use
leeks because I’m Belgian and I love leek. But most recipes you’ll find will
call for onions and that’s fine too).</li>
<li><b>One large carrot diced into tiny cubes.</b></li>
<li><b>Four 6.5 ounce cans of cherry stone clams from Trader Joe’s, </b>diced up to small
pieces</li>
<li><b>Three tablespoons of butter.</b></li>
<li><b>½ cup flour</b></li>
<li><b>~2 cups of water/stock</b></li>
<li><b>~2 cups of milk</b></li>
<li><b>~one cup heavy cream</b></li>
<li><b>A spash of white wine</b></li>
<li><b>Two Idaho potatoes cut into one inch cube</b>s.</li>
<li><b>Coriander and thyme</b> (to your tastes)</li>
<li><b>Salt </b></li>
<li><b>Black pepper</b></li>
</ul>
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<i>Melt butter on medium until the sizzle goes silent. Toss in the leeks and stir until transparent.<br />
Add carrots. Stir in the flour until everything is coated. Deglaze with the liquid from the canned clams. All 4. Then add water/stock. Add wine (just a splash). Add in the clams and the potatoes.<br />
Add milk and spices. Taste first, the liquid from the clams can be salty, so
you should always taste before adding salt. Add pepper to taste. Let cook for
an hour on low. Add heavy cream abefore serving. Add some cilantro or parsley to taste. Garnish with
a dash of paprika.</i><br />
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My garden is growing. My radishes have bolted because of the strange weather. I just went outside between rain showers to take some pictures of the progress.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpqYUfV450AE3_BaFpEvg4sI-qrnt-nqcpJaoME6fMxoxrkVi1urk9edX_6MRztb1Bni8_yVSdD87wJaORNQVMTye0u2AObD_dofaIqOBI9dp2So5iOWBZZRmTzN0Zbr-NInh-mmnD9k/s1600/20160614_130933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpqYUfV450AE3_BaFpEvg4sI-qrnt-nqcpJaoME6fMxoxrkVi1urk9edX_6MRztb1Bni8_yVSdD87wJaORNQVMTye0u2AObD_dofaIqOBI9dp2So5iOWBZZRmTzN0Zbr-NInh-mmnD9k/s400/20160614_130933.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herbs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bw9TlCSbXH3hPoZtA5Es3Mb2eajnkJmwnDC8rjKtSxReUD2ZY_1s8cKBrhXOfgjvRpL34mbJLKYEA7aT207iPsnfsLRMIEWEiI67uCm-QFAB2GxdYjQzonyP8zvrw0c3cGfYOTvuDcM/s1600/20160614_130950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bw9TlCSbXH3hPoZtA5Es3Mb2eajnkJmwnDC8rjKtSxReUD2ZY_1s8cKBrhXOfgjvRpL34mbJLKYEA7aT207iPsnfsLRMIEWEiI67uCm-QFAB2GxdYjQzonyP8zvrw0c3cGfYOTvuDcM/s400/20160614_130950.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walla Walla onions are coming along nicely.<br />The little root is swelling already.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHf-3xzphnIVWWaUYoozYnR1uXxkAweuJ0QbkQKFBQTslSqjm6q3yD9Ile_-s70oZYqS3FeZXbegcG6_C1JoZAGkE_X6gUY9SYM4rNL4zXSudVxOvJuBn_ekE3uV4IGiuHFPJfl-sWRU/s1600/20160614_131006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHf-3xzphnIVWWaUYoozYnR1uXxkAweuJ0QbkQKFBQTslSqjm6q3yD9Ile_-s70oZYqS3FeZXbegcG6_C1JoZAGkE_X6gUY9SYM4rNL4zXSudVxOvJuBn_ekE3uV4IGiuHFPJfl-sWRU/s400/20160614_131006.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The potato-tire stack has grown!<br />I'll be adding one more tire in a few weeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcPF-cTSDdSH3VxFUvVWynEnf8mUxIQRUmOQQg-cFma6qroHO3uRM2IqxMtPMClqjp4lwbr0YNmmG6aXDmUf_TxDtba86_5J9hfyuS-6qDEEq0LxDmwV0gnulZRoJfjBgnsR6DBnfBY4/s1600/20160614_131014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcPF-cTSDdSH3VxFUvVWynEnf8mUxIQRUmOQQg-cFma6qroHO3uRM2IqxMtPMClqjp4lwbr0YNmmG6aXDmUf_TxDtba86_5J9hfyuS-6qDEEq0LxDmwV0gnulZRoJfjBgnsR6DBnfBY4/s400/20160614_131014.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like my garlic. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6QOl_9xcJNzkIr4UCchtQGlN_O-z-xd4KMrIOMrYcT69ZRDevPPLJQwKVLKpWU6FOfYSSSOZXluePj5xPJqCwaHhv7BWYMhmbjLA6cmwjfMxZRdT3u2p07jPFa0KOSG9nk2Scp5JIEg/s1600/20160614_131044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6QOl_9xcJNzkIr4UCchtQGlN_O-z-xd4KMrIOMrYcT69ZRDevPPLJQwKVLKpWU6FOfYSSSOZXluePj5xPJqCwaHhv7BWYMhmbjLA6cmwjfMxZRdT3u2p07jPFa0KOSG9nk2Scp5JIEg/s400/20160614_131044.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The radishes have bolted!<br />The flowers are cute though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn_FqPA7h9p-6xD9lCh-KiekDXOicoBzZEnW-ysTDfTkEqIikhdyoZ-_VA6ziUT2Sope6py8vTQQQw6ZaAnXhbIEPArTx2-KRTqJmW6RJDrusqH1uTqgmQzwFfVW_jbaa5zZ1mF9sdKU/s1600/20160614_131051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn_FqPA7h9p-6xD9lCh-KiekDXOicoBzZEnW-ysTDfTkEqIikhdyoZ-_VA6ziUT2Sope6py8vTQQQw6ZaAnXhbIEPArTx2-KRTqJmW6RJDrusqH1uTqgmQzwFfVW_jbaa5zZ1mF9sdKU/s400/20160614_131051.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg59cGmPsPhmitoUF0sScPMblITjHUeUI99hpRpamkvNXwfozks2rt20UllQUcfukDunHCvwMsP-82Wr_N7BaFK4RRIbnylLmyOerySvV8XSC93QphaOAdFldtwg3Xd6xBsMilHO_YROA/s1600/20160614_131114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg59cGmPsPhmitoUF0sScPMblITjHUeUI99hpRpamkvNXwfozks2rt20UllQUcfukDunHCvwMsP-82Wr_N7BaFK4RRIbnylLmyOerySvV8XSC93QphaOAdFldtwg3Xd6xBsMilHO_YROA/s400/20160614_131114.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gandules! I got some hard-to-find things to grow for my puerto-rican cooking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitiRYGzuOMGsOJXVXCl96PsR4XH2tTcM5V8bCjQHvYwg1R6wU2deWMQX-247bKN06xcgQp4XPkqnwXkKJfOUkleTNrRuplaoRwPefhSmKffWYI6kvc3ROp3GgTcCEXv93Rxx8TDy4xSs/s1600/20160614_131617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitiRYGzuOMGsOJXVXCl96PsR4XH2tTcM5V8bCjQHvYwg1R6wU2deWMQX-247bKN06xcgQp4XPkqnwXkKJfOUkleTNrRuplaoRwPefhSmKffWYI6kvc3ROp3GgTcCEXv93Rxx8TDy4xSs/s400/20160614_131617.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries are doing well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDwNH4d-_VNYb1-lSOUeoh3oTwt02vuC7URyELI2ykHVrkvpUm73PAvu9dCmQw5IQ5vSNcujyi4tjdmHBPzoZMuyi6vrKJakuqdgDAxVi539XiY214SM_s8mdpIXm42azV9Swz2aL4hc/s1600/20160614_131627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDwNH4d-_VNYb1-lSOUeoh3oTwt02vuC7URyELI2ykHVrkvpUm73PAvu9dCmQw5IQ5vSNcujyi4tjdmHBPzoZMuyi6vrKJakuqdgDAxVi539XiY214SM_s8mdpIXm42azV9Swz2aL4hc/s400/20160614_131627.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little carved bear guards the back door.</td></tr>
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<div>
There is something deeply soothing and satisfying, watching your garden grow. The only major failures so far are the bolted radishes and the celery seedlings that were gobbled up by something. The carrots are coming back from their first attack by nibbling somethings or other.</div>
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I've managed the slugs, and whenever I find them, they are the perfect treat to give the newest members of the Johanesen Cottage household; the little chickens!</div>
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I’ve wanted chickens for a long time, but my husband has
been kind of a major brat about it, worried that they would be eaten by
predators and whatnot. But this mother’s day he relented and got me a little
coop for four hens. You could not imagine my delight, I know that sounds stupid. </div>
<div>
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<div>
Ever since I lived at my sister's farm in Estacada, I have been in love with the layers. We had chickens at our stable, but they just roamed free and at mice, and laid eggs randomly about the place to be stepped on when they rotted. My sister got me a horde of chicks to raise for eggs, and oh, I loved them. It was only when she brought in the cornish cross meat chickens that I started to dislike having chickens. They ruined everything, they were SO GROSS.</div>
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My little coop: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Hu9m95Ys7C8vpVctOA3yLxxm8icL88Pi-5U0FwYk_ItRFvWu9iM-WfKgi2WEA3-3pI5QTA_uKxf0BmkY7FETNGVJbLFL7Be4_hPqyrOeSgMvnevKzeoegyJ81s8zb9Jm0GCs9u86UE/s1600/20160614_132307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Hu9m95Ys7C8vpVctOA3yLxxm8icL88Pi-5U0FwYk_ItRFvWu9iM-WfKgi2WEA3-3pI5QTA_uKxf0BmkY7FETNGVJbLFL7Be4_hPqyrOeSgMvnevKzeoegyJ81s8zb9Jm0GCs9u86UE/s400/20160614_132307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
So I went out first thing and picked up two chicks to begin with: The first two I got are
Silver-Laced Wyandotes. They will look like this:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yJPMy96suyJLL8GjcacLteRAVGK48zJYAugP4kRJh96e_cHf7DSeViPfavr3AbeoxGDBZK42stq4Ix1KtWsVelfz3P6z1pYB5xMIFoI00TlOaTZlfTvC7a6dMEJjgGeSZrlKlaIeewQ/s1600/SilverLacedWyandotte_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yJPMy96suyJLL8GjcacLteRAVGK48zJYAugP4kRJh96e_cHf7DSeViPfavr3AbeoxGDBZK42stq4Ix1KtWsVelfz3P6z1pYB5xMIFoI00TlOaTZlfTvC7a6dMEJjgGeSZrlKlaIeewQ/s320/SilverLacedWyandotte_0195.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Chicken McFluffyPuffButt</td></tr>
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They looked like this when I brought them home: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBcTFPMelFsFgS89n0kOzlz8RkNRvcYWEWW29pDqDdEfXtZw7AdnXP1vEXI0OOPpMpjPVq-5qxRcmeeOs5mDi7rtiCrlsv2i8Pkc7OE4x4Hfd7DGlYhB53j4AQgRIoYWYsJ_zKmat2sA/s1600/13151645_10210132049844850_2767943013201442581_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBcTFPMelFsFgS89n0kOzlz8RkNRvcYWEWW29pDqDdEfXtZw7AdnXP1vEXI0OOPpMpjPVq-5qxRcmeeOs5mDi7rtiCrlsv2i8Pkc7OE4x4Hfd7DGlYhB53j4AQgRIoYWYsJ_zKmat2sA/s400/13151645_10210132049844850_2767943013201442581_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But they look like this right now:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1HCoJw3tIsdJCUzYQe3UJuuyF_KM2O_0fMMcJoZlzo5FX_8CPMpLGo4E4wBC-AV-bITQcGI9VssDmb56Kgqyuk-zSPD0QSrj_PuxDErOl1fHvP8c7iol7ozFa8BGq5aVDlDCYV-VkE0/s1600/20160614_131432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1HCoJw3tIsdJCUzYQe3UJuuyF_KM2O_0fMMcJoZlzo5FX_8CPMpLGo4E4wBC-AV-bITQcGI9VssDmb56Kgqyuk-zSPD0QSrj_PuxDErOl1fHvP8c7iol7ozFa8BGq5aVDlDCYV-VkE0/s400/20160614_131432.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their names are Bea and Emmaline. Not quite sure which one is which.</td></tr>
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I got two Ameraucanas this weekend. Cadence and Mellie. They
are still eensy and super cute!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiunHLeZuDdEytGpNoT01a4f7kH69h-NKp1mTogq-3v8pd14DxyN47w02013eOyp7RLoefDKIDH4_1Wx8JGGoElkRc1C272Tz2oIRBAspmfV4vblTqC4L0-eV6HHBQZ9c49Kz4eCj-p8o/s1600/20160614_131539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiunHLeZuDdEytGpNoT01a4f7kH69h-NKp1mTogq-3v8pd14DxyN47w02013eOyp7RLoefDKIDH4_1Wx8JGGoElkRc1C272Tz2oIRBAspmfV4vblTqC4L0-eV6HHBQZ9c49Kz4eCj-p8o/s400/20160614_131539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They will look something like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHHQBjjtG0YukW9f76KjVxwW1IVybq6EzfCALDhM91tv8UfaUsD-25xSRbAKKEPVS8FJHArzlfMQx8Kt_HZyGVS0iexhmAoVg_Y-jhoYarDW3Pb9UZQAxhxdHwPWy_gQhV-57h4ixe-Q/s1600/ameraucana-hen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHHQBjjtG0YukW9f76KjVxwW1IVybq6EzfCALDhM91tv8UfaUsD-25xSRbAKKEPVS8FJHArzlfMQx8Kt_HZyGVS0iexhmAoVg_Y-jhoYarDW3Pb9UZQAxhxdHwPWy_gQhV-57h4ixe-Q/s320/ameraucana-hen2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They live in a little coop which will soon have a large run attached to it for their pecking around purposes. Hopefully in a few months we will have beautiful blue-green eggs and soft tan ones with rich yolks. The big girls already eat just about anything. They're great for my potato peelings and old lettuce, as well as the slugs that dare slime their way onto one of my garden bales. They are great composters, and when I much out their space I will pile it up for future garden fertilizing.</div>
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Otherwise, Johanesen Cottage is trying to get through this crazy spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrWD3uePjN2EtTK0WxCQyx4n6FaW5lP8NVHqM06l7hyDxcQRuupmQN2aiIniw2Kw2-I5v9MolawmsNTDHR2F4NJTBuDylv1JjJYzC92g0Z6BmhhfHVG2aMlYD99xWRsT0Z7MXG4FjI_A/s1600/20160614_131643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrWD3uePjN2EtTK0WxCQyx4n6FaW5lP8NVHqM06l7hyDxcQRuupmQN2aiIniw2Kw2-I5v9MolawmsNTDHR2F4NJTBuDylv1JjJYzC92g0Z6BmhhfHVG2aMlYD99xWRsT0Z7MXG4FjI_A/s400/20160614_131643.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's day flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnywLYCQy904cdIJTja2E4gEWEiJqjrYMPQSl0WmhnS7U5cWPfW5skXRAViD0cLkwUHG9P7VDr-BxlKFwvz-sl7xSIBDyR8YFpPCYT_w3SXDa5hxhMzgi76OabuJdphiKxWYtC0kpW-kk/s1600/20160614_131655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnywLYCQy904cdIJTja2E4gEWEiJqjrYMPQSl0WmhnS7U5cWPfW5skXRAViD0cLkwUHG9P7VDr-BxlKFwvz-sl7xSIBDyR8YFpPCYT_w3SXDa5hxhMzgi76OabuJdphiKxWYtC0kpW-kk/s400/20160614_131655.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My window box. Trying a new experiement<br />to keep things alive in it.</td></tr>
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Alex has been fully potty trained for a few months already. I had some pull-ups and diapers left over from his diaper days. So I took three or four and tore them apart, shaking all the crystal powder and cotton lining into a bowl. It didn't amount to much, it seemed; until I filled the bowl with water. The stuff expanded to multiple times its original size. So I blended that with a planting soil, and lined my flower box with an old shower curtain, filled it up and planted sedums and a seathrift in there. Normally it dries out super fast and I just can't keep up with the watering. I'm hoping with this water-retaining crystal stuff in there, it will create a lovely sedum garden overflowing from it, with a seathrift for colour and texture. Time will tell!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLupGom1XuGAfGTNMe01c5Xm7gG9UUvReDTw94H7tb5oQ-6SriyxZItujbrEMFMXylcgQburE54uCp3MDFJE0jBMRYEBHxgA5McwChoo-2xP5uLlsvC7zt_j_ESCFD38ftxRBcokaOTk/s1600/20160614_131720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLupGom1XuGAfGTNMe01c5Xm7gG9UUvReDTw94H7tb5oQ-6SriyxZItujbrEMFMXylcgQburE54uCp3MDFJE0jBMRYEBHxgA5McwChoo-2xP5uLlsvC7zt_j_ESCFD38ftxRBcokaOTk/s400/20160614_131720.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedum flower explosion in the hot-poker pot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsObm4n-TJe8XzzdhqV1x3_3KZSWOcx2zjjUwdAuuha97DxjgNAoC7H-BKCF_l2hlT-OPBf8AuYNUMWydEU-V_veOly0fRDwLp64ee8Rt5IgBZ9jiOf__2QBvDc_M9rQDL6_zM4tmgyNk/s1600/20160614_131735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsObm4n-TJe8XzzdhqV1x3_3KZSWOcx2zjjUwdAuuha97DxjgNAoC7H-BKCF_l2hlT-OPBf8AuYNUMWydEU-V_veOly0fRDwLp64ee8Rt5IgBZ9jiOf__2QBvDc_M9rQDL6_zM4tmgyNk/s400/20160614_131735.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love sedum. I steal them from everywhere.<br />Many of my pots are just collections from my<br />klepto habit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HHASzXXxCoBp0LJzEBEDA1N26m6dxPuzHzKOXxnYGWmG-CbMuNP6nQday3PuDjPBtCFNSS4dtVbC-ekqBSa0mXxqDAOqHJPIsJhjpCLi9hrzJH6f9Sy6u3R70mNXUocOYAakdMQ4ipw/s1600/20160614_131744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HHASzXXxCoBp0LJzEBEDA1N26m6dxPuzHzKOXxnYGWmG-CbMuNP6nQday3PuDjPBtCFNSS4dtVbC-ekqBSa0mXxqDAOqHJPIsJhjpCLi9hrzJH6f9Sy6u3R70mNXUocOYAakdMQ4ipw/s400/20160614_131744.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chimney of my repurposed cracked<br />chiminea is still going strong.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbWFpnetLpdDDJiSebfTQxuOEMs1tGy7oLbxJHdWVLuIi9bSSUcFI63mKhjqKZxUJSvQiy9XhfokUssSFKj9cLUbyshW2pqRb5t6Z37DC_8nq0N1srhvyegoyHg4DsfXTXVHClAw8cCI/s1600/20160614_131738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbWFpnetLpdDDJiSebfTQxuOEMs1tGy7oLbxJHdWVLuIi9bSSUcFI63mKhjqKZxUJSvQiy9XhfokUssSFKj9cLUbyshW2pqRb5t6Z37DC_8nq0N1srhvyegoyHg4DsfXTXVHClAw8cCI/s400/20160614_131738.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the bottom half of my chiminea,<br />although cracked, has served beautifully<br />as a sedum pot. I just put a piece of<br />wire mesh over the mouth and filled it with soil.<br />The sedum are being barfed out of it. LOL</td></tr>
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<br />This is just a chill day today. Nothing glamourous. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0VTUsthZSbzevSBEyw_-DART709jNwwQ8Vty7BRAJg8qSPvb4lI9mvXjz5qCg6PO96Xq7fDb1a5dQYMJG1VrTacYnGgGlGhcyezsbe72QOeOfoYqzjPswcRNnFl2ij1hI4-46tCHga8/s1600/20160614_131923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0VTUsthZSbzevSBEyw_-DART709jNwwQ8Vty7BRAJg8qSPvb4lI9mvXjz5qCg6PO96Xq7fDb1a5dQYMJG1VrTacYnGgGlGhcyezsbe72QOeOfoYqzjPswcRNnFl2ij1hI4-46tCHga8/s400/20160614_131923.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex is playing in the blankets and ruining the bed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIlPy_jWQbbiaszZaApgkMthX2gm9RIU1cmeXGfid_6IUttEotjaZw9pg_JENlEbRrtmjJa3qpiGfV90y4GalGTiVsugX2u6r0nnYt0HLePxsUtbqk8zYI0YO1oTAmwscc5wqN5OLKbI/s1600/20160614_132012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIlPy_jWQbbiaszZaApgkMthX2gm9RIU1cmeXGfid_6IUttEotjaZw9pg_JENlEbRrtmjJa3qpiGfV90y4GalGTiVsugX2u6r0nnYt0HLePxsUtbqk8zYI0YO1oTAmwscc5wqN5OLKbI/s400/20160614_132012.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet bratty boy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Z4uEjuoTzoFQCGU1Fhi7d4B4OXyYv1ASuvODHp-kiRMEfXS-3oSyCSmhDUnX3iwJAbj9rDl2AQ_053v_WLH1B1G7UUr4k0ONrzG4fjxi46bszTW2646SXCuhw7AFfyWrFFkR6YTcgc/s1600/20160614_132413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Z4uEjuoTzoFQCGU1Fhi7d4B4OXyYv1ASuvODHp-kiRMEfXS-3oSyCSmhDUnX3iwJAbj9rDl2AQ_053v_WLH1B1G7UUr4k0ONrzG4fjxi46bszTW2646SXCuhw7AFfyWrFFkR6YTcgc/s400/20160614_132413.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ghost! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two more pics before the rain starts</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBq1FBCSp_QEEJozgN_7nyTQ-APzzp2ACMyI_B8KZORXuZ-N1zJPI35EDJrLLprJX7PopZ0DHCIVtgOsve9A8YfI8THMUyEjYaMoWnwfdRaT7Qes6F_IXUiQ3KSIyuBqRBtJlCkv29Bk/s1600/20160614_131846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBq1FBCSp_QEEJozgN_7nyTQ-APzzp2ACMyI_B8KZORXuZ-N1zJPI35EDJrLLprJX7PopZ0DHCIVtgOsve9A8YfI8THMUyEjYaMoWnwfdRaT7Qes6F_IXUiQ3KSIyuBqRBtJlCkv29Bk/s400/20160614_131846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-89912542168096521412016-05-11T13:16:00.001-07:002016-05-11T13:18:46.245-07:00Fun with monsters & essential oils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsWiImJTu0Pk-kXoUCqsLLLNhj03x-tGZWF7zVYYbxkvzT9Es8HTwUqL-S1VIYgIVPOStFa5RPLcRFQmkKFRlpjPEx298T2PD3MWMJq7dsbAuDO7jI658grPTvyluwViUczm0g8hII_E/s1600/20160511_122852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsWiImJTu0Pk-kXoUCqsLLLNhj03x-tGZWF7zVYYbxkvzT9Es8HTwUqL-S1VIYgIVPOStFa5RPLcRFQmkKFRlpjPEx298T2PD3MWMJq7dsbAuDO7jI658grPTvyluwViUczm0g8hII_E/s400/20160511_122852.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many moms know, kids are full of surprises. One
of those is the active imagination that comes along soon into toddlerhood. Alex has provided no shortage of amusements and surprises so far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When toddlers reach a certain age, some of them may
develop a sudden fear of sleeping in the dark, or of being in their rooms alone.
Often, when asked why, they will blame it on an infestation of monsters. This
fear is very real to them. Dismissing it can often make it worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are plenty of ways of approaching the
problem, but there is one solution that is not only fun, it supports their
imagination, and helps them overcome their fear in a creative way. It is also a
safe and pleasant solution; and that is to whip up a batch of ‘monster
repellent’ using a recipe of essential oils that is formulated to help soothe
and calm them before bedtime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Essential Oils are becoming a household resource
for an array of health and home solutions. So why not use them to calm an
anxious child in a fun way? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Start with a 16-ounce food-grade glass spray
bottle. These can be found at natural grocers, and a variety of other sources,
including Amazon. Glass is recommended when using pure essential oils. I also
recommend you seek out and find the highest-quality, high-purity essential oils
for this project. We can’t be too careful when our children are involved—so we
strongly recommend you find a reputable, safe source. I recommend dōTerra essential oils.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Begin with the recipe. Blend the following in
your spray bottle:</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">20 drops Vetiver</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">8 drops Lavender</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">8 drops Ylang Ylang</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">8 drops Roman
Chamomile</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">4 drops
Frankincense</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">4 drops Clary Sage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">2 drops Marjoram</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fill the difference with purified water. Close
tightly, wipe down the bottle and set it aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Measure the desired size of your label. Apply
your craftiness, and starting with your child’s particular category of nemesis
(monster, ghosts, etc), create a colourful label for the bottle. It can say: MONSTER
REPELLENT or GO AWAY GHOST! You are also welcome to download the design
featured on this post by clicking <a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16248334/monster2.png" target="_blank">HERE</a>. This label is 3” x 6” and fits the
bottle nicely. You just need to print it on a matte photo paper, trim it down
to your desired size, and then with some rubber cement, affix it to the bottle.
Let it dry. You can also take it one step further and put a layer of clear tape
or contact paper over it so it doesn’t fade or smudge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfObTLN5hdNWjONloKnEt7bQfqZlDvtOos2832FZxGNPH0Z02b3HEB0YJPZKTv6guDhOJQz9megUBJH1rGikwvyWmPlBH1qY7qcyywgXSI7U0fT-bla5VtJsKR1oCp826OHtEgKfDG20A/s1600/20160511_124339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfObTLN5hdNWjONloKnEt7bQfqZlDvtOos2832FZxGNPH0Z02b3HEB0YJPZKTv6guDhOJQz9megUBJH1rGikwvyWmPlBH1qY7qcyywgXSI7U0fT-bla5VtJsKR1oCp826OHtEgKfDG20A/s400/20160511_124339.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty cute. Smells nice too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Using
the Spray:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shake the bottle vigorously before use in order
to emulsify the oils and water. Quickly and lightly spray the child’s pillow
and bedding a few minutes before bedtime so the water can evaporate. You can
also go through the motions and pretend-spray where the child thinks the
monsters are hiding; like in the closet, under the bed, etc. Spraying curtains
will also prevent outdoor monsters from coming in, I’ve heard. The fresh scent
of aromatic oils will assure the child that you have actually applied a remedy,
and the application of these particular essential oils will also help soothe
and calm your child before bedtime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You may also allow your children to help spray
down the room, participation will reinforce their confidence that this spray is
working, and assist in further calming, soothing and reassuring them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So if your little one has a fear of monsters or
witches, goblins, ghosts or ghouls, there’s a <i>solution</i> for that (pardon the pun). </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">J</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-18951847746935343992016-04-12T12:34:00.000-07:002016-04-12T12:39:46.932-07:00Straw Bale Goodness & Monster High Doll<div class="MsoNormal">
Now onto good things, and let us leave the bad things behind
us. I’ve been throwing myself into new things. The doll project
(I’ve paused in painting because my anxiety has made my hands shaky and the
quality of work is suffering). This is what I have so far painting wise. It
will require refining</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCQ710BmLaE5X5w5ynt_mKUkcBZS3eqKcx5RnEpsFldHozfWwHr_BGMrhDit_SR7PIt9ep0RrQq8zOOYMM9ST7fozjGZHCic4pL67F8g5sZkQ_Z4zHi3PEt1-ng1lY_opnk3-9kBHCqw/s1600/13009938_10209930900696247_312274579_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCQ710BmLaE5X5w5ynt_mKUkcBZS3eqKcx5RnEpsFldHozfWwHr_BGMrhDit_SR7PIt9ep0RrQq8zOOYMM9ST7fozjGZHCic4pL67F8g5sZkQ_Z4zHi3PEt1-ng1lY_opnk3-9kBHCqw/s400/13009938_10209930900696247_312274579_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have to refine the smoothness of the irises, and add detail, lines etc. She also lacks<br />
eyelashes and whatnot. But this is layer 2. There are a few more layers to go.<br />
When my hands steady themselves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSeMyrMRG9ogo_4jYMOSPb9PRgHYTHPtEWUVaokoAFYs1eCuW7XC8Y7M1oM7-mRUKR0btsO1KwTv-eiUwE6MIJOzzLu3N9JqiA_D9ctAyhHas82zKFxyL396OxijSoJ4OOORnMz9nDuU/s1600/13010155_10209930901096257_1247469812_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSeMyrMRG9ogo_4jYMOSPb9PRgHYTHPtEWUVaokoAFYs1eCuW7XC8Y7M1oM7-mRUKR0btsO1KwTv-eiUwE6MIJOzzLu3N9JqiA_D9ctAyhHas82zKFxyL396OxijSoJ4OOORnMz9nDuU/s400/13010155_10209930901096257_1247469812_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuVzOMY40sZVCou4Q1bX39z3PvNPW7r-KpLQG6IB6vXBnQfVItMxnBnG867tatvuzDFlEgxQHSFkw-dsJatnOOJNY-0G9jLYQ2ymcq3Ib-Jn_zaxdjxSSSAhvJd1C6s6fFDXBYHWHcY0/s1600/12991973_10209930900536243_312018758_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuVzOMY40sZVCou4Q1bX39z3PvNPW7r-KpLQG6IB6vXBnQfVItMxnBnG867tatvuzDFlEgxQHSFkw-dsJatnOOJNY-0G9jLYQ2ymcq3Ib-Jn_zaxdjxSSSAhvJd1C6s6fFDXBYHWHcY0/s400/12991973_10209930900536243_312018758_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
. Now onto the great garden experiment.</div>
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We live at about 1200 feet in a rain foresty part of the Mount Hood Wilderness. We are only a few steps away from the Sandy river, which is a lovely background rush that we enjoy. There are lots of trees. It's dark. However a few years ago, our neighbour hacked down the trees in his back lot, and made a garden, opening up the area in our back yard. Then our septic died and we had to have it redone, leaving our back yard a moonscape. It's been kind of messy back there for a while.</div>
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Well, I've always wanted a garden. The soil here is mostly volcanic sand from the last lahar from Mt. Hood's eruption 200 or so years ago. The soil has difficulty holding organics. Planting things just for an ornamental garden is a challenge. My dream of a lush English garden will not come to be here. Ony natives really thrive. And some really scraggly grasses. We get trillium, and oregon grape and ferns, and in summer, foxglove pops up everywhere. The neighbour brought in tons of manure and compost and tilled up his garden into a lovely fertile patch. But he still has issues with the shorter growing season because of the elevation and location.</div>
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I read an article on straw-bale gardening, and for a few years now, I've talked about it. My hubby decided it was time I got my garden (he still says no to chickens though). So we went out and bought six bales to start with. We also put some tires my sister left here to use for garlic and potatoes.</div>
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Here's the garden as it stands: </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kCqNK6QTB0D-UFeuknCgsAmYm3A6WP4uhYwvPBtSbSnUgU-0CamMx5UMb0aLKLYwtLBXpynxREAAm7vYLT4cl1YqaY8tI7UyS-dLxfHWKoG10rR7dTRNWE7R36MEZ3L07fyzC32zXqo/s1600/13000379_10209930927896927_219113445_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kCqNK6QTB0D-UFeuknCgsAmYm3A6WP4uhYwvPBtSbSnUgU-0CamMx5UMb0aLKLYwtLBXpynxREAAm7vYLT4cl1YqaY8tI7UyS-dLxfHWKoG10rR7dTRNWE7R36MEZ3L07fyzC32zXqo/s400/13000379_10209930927896927_219113445_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will be adding herbs in pots as the growing season progresses. I have rosemary<br />
as of now. I'm hoping this one will live. Hubby got me some hazelnut/filbert shell<br />
much to make the ground around it nice and dry and mud free. I love it.<br />
We need to clean up the moonscape still, throw away the old grill and trim<br />
the wild grass. But the garden is a start. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVV4W5t_qslbk_Cj2sq0Id03mpM08qmfMXJATj6LOJI-sWtQnS8cR-StcK6OXbqVkPMxKNRhTRrJXYZYmn4ucc8sfOf9YIAPwK0t4SYkr3MRFe-a0BuINPNhCWc7nHFesqUO0tC0iQhc/s1600/13009858_10209930927656921_363716035_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVV4W5t_qslbk_Cj2sq0Id03mpM08qmfMXJATj6LOJI-sWtQnS8cR-StcK6OXbqVkPMxKNRhTRrJXYZYmn4ucc8sfOf9YIAPwK0t4SYkr3MRFe-a0BuINPNhCWc7nHFesqUO0tC0iQhc/s400/13009858_10209930927656921_363716035_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've dedicated one tire bed to garlic. I loves my garlic. The other tire bed is only<br />
half constructed, and I will be breaking it down to start the potatoes.<br />
<br />
I wil add a tire and soil every few weeks to keep the plant growing upwards, adding<br />
depth to the space where the potatoes grow. In late summer, I shoudl be able to<br />
remove the tires and harvest the potatoes all the way down to the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjnyH5uOhjqUtWtesRaslUZbKHHSANXOjopbl9DPZasdaTPdOEL0QWrOMkn12hQRPY5_8ha3ySmTziDOzrgZxRUwkQNIrg7xnrP1AH3M1wZFlwT9WXuULRsVcz7wAqMwQ15xxPUdBjqo/s1600/12966720_10209930927776924_404925345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjnyH5uOhjqUtWtesRaslUZbKHHSANXOjopbl9DPZasdaTPdOEL0QWrOMkn12hQRPY5_8ha3ySmTziDOzrgZxRUwkQNIrg7xnrP1AH3M1wZFlwT9WXuULRsVcz7wAqMwQ15xxPUdBjqo/s400/12966720_10209930927776924_404925345_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seeds I planted are quicky coming up.<br />
I think I overdid it in the radish department. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhWvEf8i9wICi-Y_xoKHXx1EXyPnX_5GZwl27Ru17DDowsXofu9xJIn-4E6J-0JcDGyISbsg3v_zcmqbl5duykflaBeQUZ5NsfRzAHbNqtWZS2TM18dnswJc4wG7K3cyW_v-bLBClmRw/s1600/12969162_10209930926016880_1721066659_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhWvEf8i9wICi-Y_xoKHXx1EXyPnX_5GZwl27Ru17DDowsXofu9xJIn-4E6J-0JcDGyISbsg3v_zcmqbl5duykflaBeQUZ5NsfRzAHbNqtWZS2TM18dnswJc4wG7K3cyW_v-bLBClmRw/s400/12969162_10209930926016880_1721066659_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited to see these little guys grow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeg1HXICgA1OZjwZK5m9YWYLVEDB-GqSafQTTzXjnz7R5zmti88SCw7vv32uolFhswwp55m5nL29cOg2MYE8FJlnzyPUWniUbLhZ9JdvdB-IJA50mpCiUUfsprdQkHoOjB2N_8TBBwh0/s1600/13000548_10209930927456916_1164583339_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeg1HXICgA1OZjwZK5m9YWYLVEDB-GqSafQTTzXjnz7R5zmti88SCw7vv32uolFhswwp55m5nL29cOg2MYE8FJlnzyPUWniUbLhZ9JdvdB-IJA50mpCiUUfsprdQkHoOjB2N_8TBBwh0/s320/13000548_10209930927456916_1164583339_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My green onions are coming up too! So cute.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLjthAW_qC5tbRJUR5zgiU0exEwj97SVzOEyKQ1GfDFBzb_fDmF4j11OSxr_H81WPGfILtHIymFbddL3fSzzg0hm7-qvgfJ6cSfAFQrin_jpDo65ClapIaIZjf_5M4AvAv0FF8xIUoFg/s1600/13016309_10209930926616895_1488034884_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLjthAW_qC5tbRJUR5zgiU0exEwj97SVzOEyKQ1GfDFBzb_fDmF4j11OSxr_H81WPGfILtHIymFbddL3fSzzg0hm7-qvgfJ6cSfAFQrin_jpDo65ClapIaIZjf_5M4AvAv0FF8xIUoFg/s400/13016309_10209930926616895_1488034884_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peas are coming up. The strings are at the ready for them to climb on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg567ku9qfvjeVYSsUa42dZmNjEdFxD87gi1wzF2vJbnbDwrCi_MMfMX-9dWa7EWaDOc2UiajadvC0jLUJgDe2yANCfPkBZxKtAiV1qdmDn5MCxqsxvFju8OjH7G6uNttStwP8n8BswQhw/s1600/13016564_10209930926336888_535959678_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg567ku9qfvjeVYSsUa42dZmNjEdFxD87gi1wzF2vJbnbDwrCi_MMfMX-9dWa7EWaDOc2UiajadvC0jLUJgDe2yANCfPkBZxKtAiV1qdmDn5MCxqsxvFju8OjH7G6uNttStwP8n8BswQhw/s400/13016564_10209930926336888_535959678_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty little baby radish. :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This year is the great experiment. If this works, we'll add to the bales next year, and add more crops. I've already planted the carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, onions of a few varieties, garlic, leek, asparagus (that won't likely yield until next year). There are other seeds waiting their turn. I'm hoping this won't be destroyed by opportunistic raccons or deer. So far, they seem to be doing well. :)</div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-45108574908992719652016-04-12T11:48:00.000-07:002016-04-12T11:50:24.327-07:00The Bitter Pig-faced Lolita (was *that* offensive?)<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve had it with Tone Bullies. Well, one Tone Bully in
particular—who I thought had been blocked but whose inexplicable return came
with the inevitable negative encounter.
You see, Facebook is rife with these people. The embittered,
mean-spirited, hyper sensitive narcissists, who view every post and every
comment as something invariably about them; as something about their issues.
This one in is a particularly volatile example. I know her through the ORS. She
made a brief appearance in the group. It wasn’t brief enough. Armed with an
arsenal of bad seamstressing, personal issues and dietary and medical problems,
every event she attended became something about her stomach, her health or her
personal offense. She left one of our retreats early because she felt ‘unwelcome’.
Stop the world! Nobody likes me! (Probably because you’re a whining asshole—FYI)</div>
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My first encounter with her is also documented in this blog
somewhere. Unknown to me, a friend of mine posted a humourous meme or movie or
something that laughingly mocked vegans. This person, (who I will dub henceforth
as ‘Balding Pink Haired PigFace McEverythingsAboutMe’ or BPHPFMcEAM), being
dietarily ‘sensitive’ (but also being as overweight as me if not more—obviously
not *so* sensitive that she can’t eat like a Roman in a vomitorium), posted a
bully missive that made my friend feel compelled to remove the post. She made a
comment about having to do so, and that raised my hackles.</div>
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<b>I. Hate. Bullies. HATE THEM</b>. So I replied to the comment
telling my friend that she should have not removed her post, that it was her
wall, and that it isn’t up to someone else to tell her what should and should
not be there. If that person is offended, that’s their fucking problem.<br />
<br /></div>
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Now let me interject something here… A few weeks ago,
someone posted a meme that was basically a statement about white men being more
respectable than black men, simply by the way they dress; the meme showed black
guys with droopy pants and flat-billed caps, next to a photo of a couple of
white bros in suits and ties. Now that meme was stupid and flat out racist.
There was no ambiguity, no lack of clarity; it was racist. And I told that
person that it was. I also told them that there was no shortage of white guys
running around with droopy pants and douchey flat-billed caps. However there’s a stark difference between a
full-on racial commentary and a meme making fun of vegans. Vegans are not a culture of people being
marginalized by society. They’re vegans.</div>
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So there’s a fine line here. The issue here is that this
post by my dear friend was not about BPHPFMcEAM. But to her it was, you see,
because SHE had dietary issues, and that would be offensive to people with
dietary issues and blahdefuckingblah. I got into a fray with her, in which she
did what apparently must be habit for her, she made some comment and then
blocked me so that I could neither see it or respond to it further. No big
deal, good riddance, yes, it’s cowardly to shout something before slamming the
door, but I am used to the ‘attack then retreat’ tactic, my narcissistic mom
did it all the time.</div>
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Life was quieter without evidence of BPHPFMcEAM’s existence
for quite some time. But I noticed her name and the image of her pig-face popping
up again on another friend’s profile under comments. I ignored her. But
invariably, because she doesn’t like me, she found a reason to start her Tone
Bullying again. This time, she hijacked this other friend’s post about the
hyper-masculinization<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">ß</span>(not
sure if actual word) of mens’ products.
It was a fake ad for ‘manpons’. It was funny. Funny as shit. Here it is:</div>
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Yes. It’s funny, and it’s totally true, the ads would
TOTALLY be like that. Anyhow, I made the
comment beneath that, seeing as most men are total babies when it comes to pain
in comparison to women, if they had a period, they’d more likely spend it
curled up into the fetal position whining for a week. And sound the horns, the TONE POLICE came a-ridin’
in on a Special My Little Pony Lolita Unicorn.</div>
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You see, apparently because she has a trans partner or
friend, this was suddenly about the Trans community and my comment was
horrendously offensive to them. I was dismissing trans men who DO suffer from
periods, you see. I was erasing their
pain by making fun of guys being weenies about being in pain or sick.</div>
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I asked her to not turn the content of the thread into
something else. But she continued on,
dropping a litany of inane and boring buzzwords and yammering on about how this
was INDEED about what she wanted it to be. When I responded the last time, saying
that her response had nothing to do with anything other than the male gender
born with male bits, and that trans men could not be included simply by the
fact that they experienced the heartbreak of menstruation. And in true form, she
posted a response I could not see because she immediately blocked me. </div>
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The above video, and the commentary about men being weenies
about pain became something about this unfortunate woman. I cannot begin to
imagine what it would be like to look at everything with her eyes. Seeing
offense where there is none; digging for maliciousness where there never was
any. But the part that chaps my ass the most is the active desire to hijack
someone’s feed and turn it into something about themselves. Every shred of
opportunity, people like this latch onto it and whine and flail until someone
notices them. Everyone deserves
consideration and kindness, but going about like some embittered, angry fool,
trying to force everyone’s narrative into something that doesn’t offend your
overly sensitive viewpoint, well that’s just plain bullying.</div>
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There are lots of other things that prove that this person
is just generally an angry, nasty person in general, and who projects a great
deal of her shortcomings on people. She didn’t last long in the group because
of it. She blamed all of us for it, naturally, rather than her own social deficiencies.
I am kind to everyone. Always. But when they try to make me out to be something
I’m not, that’s when my kindness goes away. That’s when I stop giving a shit
about their overly sensitive nature. And when they start hijacking threads, and
bullying people into removing posts because they want the attention drawn to
themselves, then that’s when I just call them out for what they are.</div>
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And since I have been blocked in a cowardly manner from
saying so…. I will call this person out for what she is. She is a loser. An
attention whore. A mean spirited, tone bully. A sour, pig faced, cow with
shoddy costumes that no amount of pink Lolita wigs and bows will cure. And no
amount of spouting PCness will change that. You don’t get social-credit points
for fighting the acceptance fight where there is no battle. You don’t get to be
sanctimonious and self-righteous because you have dietary issues; contrived or
real, or because you are married to a trans partner. These things don’t make
you a better, more accepting person. The fact that you can’t view a
conversation of any kind unless you see it through your defensive lens makes
you a non-accepting person. The fact that you can’t let people have a good
laugh, or an opinion that is benign and NOT ABOUT YOU IN ANY WAY, without
making it so, means you’re a bully. A nasty, ugly bully. And you think that by defending the cause du
jour (where no defense is required) will absolve you of that, well that’s
deluded and pathetic.</div>
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Reflect on yourself, you sad human being. Don’t let a cause
define you and make you bitter. I will not calculate my words, restrict my
sense of humour, edit my postings, to keep from offending you. I know I’m a
good person. I KNOW I am. I am not without flaws, which I often own, and some I
deny… but I am not overtly mean, racist, intolerant, bigoted or cruel. I’m
snarky, yes. I own that. I’m blunt, and forthright. And I will call people out
on their shit. But I don’t like to be called out for shit when there is none. I
won’t tolerate that.</div>
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<b>You </b>are not the
decider of my character based on your own twisted standards—turning benign
words into bad ones because it suits you. You can see me any way you want to
see me, but don’t you dare tell me how I should speak, try to censor or control
my speech or correct me. Unless I am overtly condemning trans people, or saying
that all vegans should be put into death camps, you have <i>nothing </i>to say. If you don’t like me, keep your stupid words to
yourself. But don’t paint me into the person you want me to be because you’re a
nasty, insecure, obnoxious, self-righteous, sanctimonious bitch. And if you
want me to be offensive to you, here it is, you pig faced ugly cow. Now you can
go cry what a terrible person I am. Asshole.</div>
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God I can't stand that idiot. She didn't even deserve the politness she got when she was around.<br />
<br />
End of ranting session. TYVM</div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-50438280616089456562016-03-25T00:21:00.000-07:002016-03-25T02:28:16.214-07:00Aging is the balls (and a blank faced Monster High doll)<span style="font-family: inherit;">I begin today with two complaints, which I demand that you to read with a cranky granny tone of voice:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. My eyes are going! Wah! I can't do detail work like I used to. My days of sitting on the sofa making 1:12 scale minis out of polymer clay are over. I officially need to buy one of those huge magnifying glasses on a swivel arm so I can see what I'm doing. This sucks schmucks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. I have had the worst case of bursitis I've ever had in my life in the past three weeks and it's just not going away. It doesn't help that it's in both of my shoulders and I sleep on them, which is why they are constantly being aggravated... but nonetheless. BURSITIS! GARGGGGHHH!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway... that's enough of that old lady grumping. I'm doing my monster-high doll project right now and this is where I am at the moment. Shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: inherit;">The Hungarican Chick's first Monster High Doll Mod</span></div>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Part 1 - Prepping & Rooting</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lvYuEPRnrWzrgIXJBv_Z3S0F1lpws5gDDoM9q_Tx3Mi-8Lk5gjKUQuBIfVYqBvHZMTstJsC_VwjzCSUNPpbiJUD5mEwJT5UOjXWezVf-LiVXF3cVvK0SdHo4MDGtfIm-ouoxDRPsP8I/s1600/20160303_120815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lvYuEPRnrWzrgIXJBv_Z3S0F1lpws5gDDoM9q_Tx3Mi-8Lk5gjKUQuBIfVYqBvHZMTstJsC_VwjzCSUNPpbiJUD5mEwJT5UOjXWezVf-LiVXF3cVvK0SdHo4MDGtfIm-ouoxDRPsP8I/s640/20160303_120815.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have always thought Monster High dolls are just cute as hell, and I never liked fashion dolls all that much; except to act out my years-long epics as a child. But these dolls have a really stylized and appealing shape--even moreso when you get rid of all the trappings added to them when manfactured. So I got a cheap Frankie doll, stripped off her hideous little garments and ho-bag shoes, and asked my fiberista sister to send me some angora mohair and other fine wool. These can be found online or at fiber fairs. Just look on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=raw%20kid%20mohair" target="_blank">etsy</a> for what you need. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of this information is duplicated on the videos provided, but what the hey. I'm a talker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So here is the doll and the baggie of kid mohair are at the beginning of the project.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx7Q3o8UzJuUv3XZ1JXaXEII4QofFaqM-As4aXJ8E6mvkQk9dk1DqPHs2Wz0c2e4dxbf2scvpSj5Z54Wtm2E1otCbfUgnLEVDkwDycy7m2FUHVuaQZ6gz-ljpeKyxL-QI0h9AqQqv3T0/s1600/20160303_121541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx7Q3o8UzJuUv3XZ1JXaXEII4QofFaqM-As4aXJ8E6mvkQk9dk1DqPHs2Wz0c2e4dxbf2scvpSj5Z54Wtm2E1otCbfUgnLEVDkwDycy7m2FUHVuaQZ6gz-ljpeKyxL-QI0h9AqQqv3T0/s640/20160303_121541.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">OFF WITH HER HEAD! I recommend that you look up on youtube or whatever how to effectively remove a monster high doll head. I didn't, naturally. You know me if you follow my blog. I act first then curse later. I actually split the neck which will require repairs. But I got her head off nonetheless. Here she is wearing it on her knees. Because I'm weird like that</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;">Prepping the scalp and head</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeFZsDmza0PgFPlh300oqw54-A2lUXlJtqLRAA8FXjqdCknIavWCVuSoFatwgL28hZUvObapyeE97MjJNyRmJIJCflQa_5KRfCgkHJC9p-eoRK8Ad02a3kqLJ_STfCRPih7zqcXCpSyM/s1600/20160303_122704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeFZsDmza0PgFPlh300oqw54-A2lUXlJtqLRAA8FXjqdCknIavWCVuSoFatwgL28hZUvObapyeE97MjJNyRmJIJCflQa_5KRfCgkHJC9p-eoRK8Ad02a3kqLJ_STfCRPih7zqcXCpSyM/s640/20160303_122704.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome to Salon Hungarican--where our stylists' skills compare to no other. Our stylists are also double-chinned and don't wear bras when they're at home crafting; so be prepared for that. As you can see in the videos below, it's a travesty. Try to ignore the tabletop boob and focus on what's going on with my hands. And also try to filter out my continual use of 'Ummmm'.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK6Xw8DODYtdk9wa_2BSKv-7vmR834EucTjrIJ5d1nnF7Xb1cYZbm3YdcGI1xy1tHvCqZD_d5pk94bAWNioyV6gbSiTAsSkokGZxp4m-jkURKaUVPwdl-4n8s0I-eQgaSazD1MJy2v84/s1600/20160303_123841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK6Xw8DODYtdk9wa_2BSKv-7vmR834EucTjrIJ5d1nnF7Xb1cYZbm3YdcGI1xy1tHvCqZD_d5pk94bAWNioyV6gbSiTAsSkokGZxp4m-jkURKaUVPwdl-4n8s0I-eQgaSazD1MJy2v84/s640/20160303_123841.jpg" width="640" /></span></a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There's a reason that Salon Hungarican failed on its first day of business.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
Cleaning the Face</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kbVcgMLdmpGrUxkq5BFPHMHYNMy7foIKwpbR8sbrXy-nWXjklYWqzubUMxu2XcVa3DEgTnkh2GcOCwLacxqvkOg1ClxTJUi9H2CLdkgwH6s819YLtSMmPWd2Xvtl9MCkqXC9DRXGIss/s1600/20160303_120849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kbVcgMLdmpGrUxkq5BFPHMHYNMy7foIKwpbR8sbrXy-nWXjklYWqzubUMxu2XcVa3DEgTnkh2GcOCwLacxqvkOg1ClxTJUi9H2CLdkgwH6s819YLtSMmPWd2Xvtl9MCkqXC9DRXGIss/s640/20160303_120849.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some nice acetone will clean off that stamped face. You can use nail polish remover too, but as it's a diluted solution it might take you a bit longer, and it might be slightly more difficult to get into the little crannies and wash out that paint. Yes, Acetone is not just flammable; it's reactive. So please exercise caution, don't use it near heat sources, do it in a well ventilated space, unlike I did, and be sure to launder all your rags etc., etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Her face came off lickety split. I also cleaned her again because although she looked clean, there was still a very fine residue that remained after the initial cleaning. Use cotton swabs soaked in acetone to get into the little nooks and crannies like her lips and nostrils, where paint might flow in while cleaning.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Operation De-stripper-foot-ification.</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not a huge fan of the trend towards strippery shoes for adult women, let alone for teenaged girls. But sadly, I can't control the pre-teen fashion doll trends, so instead, I take my puritanical angst out on the dolls. With a heat gun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the things I actually took the time to look up was how to reshape the feet of a fashion doll. I found ONE reference to using a heat gun, and it had no specific instructions except to hold it over the foot for one or two minutes. But I went with it. For $22 at Lowes, I found a heat gun in the paint department. And lo and behold it worked! I kind of wish I had a trash doll I could have practiced on, because the first foot, being the first foot, ended up slightly wonky. But what the hey... It worked and with the addition of stockings and slippers, nobody will ever know about the mangled foot.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUQyQuGN2GFQ2LBm2wdAJIJjq3Y2HqbKFWiMCV-ccWSmnFL3hYUl_S3g2UyP-LPwJjbhHeaD1Wqq5Q9Ep53EUnhUASbeRnrz7N4AF8M7c9g2t8Kw_lGTH7ODKo2VwQ0pSIt5FtE-s7fw/s1600/20160321_132159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUQyQuGN2GFQ2LBm2wdAJIJjq3Y2HqbKFWiMCV-ccWSmnFL3hYUl_S3g2UyP-LPwJjbhHeaD1Wqq5Q9Ep53EUnhUASbeRnrz7N4AF8M7c9g2t8Kw_lGTH7ODKo2VwQ0pSIt5FtE-s7fw/s640/20160321_132159.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stripper pose extraordinaire.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYn3II_r3JxIyYCgFXXAXBOuWqt9uZuPNE3dxGZ0bFPTq9n08kpR1-l7OlKYWkwwlVrj7e8zfrM5VIkZyR_0DewXcUGt5InvUT9o0ctUR4dYls1eIeTVa4hW4g8Uin3gcYzR20wzfBXo/s1600/20160321_132455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYn3II_r3JxIyYCgFXXAXBOuWqt9uZuPNE3dxGZ0bFPTq9n08kpR1-l7OlKYWkwwlVrj7e8zfrM5VIkZyR_0DewXcUGt5InvUT9o0ctUR4dYls1eIeTVa4hW4g8Uin3gcYzR20wzfBXo/s640/20160321_132455.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first movement after running the heat gun over the ankle and top of foot for about a minute. I just pushed it on the table and it began to bend. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4oUsOPmUs9EWIOefKUwp9aR11PXBfh_868jT_gXxvXMblP4IH7uy0BVAAwmWYX8XbMRqnW2YHrGCZEowKVXT3DysOgznHuC5wHPA1JKD_l3gIqyVF0Ov7JBCN9kXbHcUEJORFKPoDbk/s1600/20160321_132852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4oUsOPmUs9EWIOefKUwp9aR11PXBfh_868jT_gXxvXMblP4IH7uy0BVAAwmWYX8XbMRqnW2YHrGCZEowKVXT3DysOgznHuC5wHPA1JKD_l3gIqyVF0Ov7JBCN9kXbHcUEJORFKPoDbk/s640/20160321_132852.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I let the heat gun sit too long and too close to the first ankle and the plastic started</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">to bubble. I reshaped the toes, and let the ankle cool before attempting to flatten it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">more.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKVPLV2GHu0enb4jfveQ4x-Si-m7TF4io5Y5DACB45E8TtTIIEUFJ_SRzjg0RO0QjB_Ss69lzNxQk7uzlBRlno96qwgKDN27c5DJeFQ2M6dS6fO9MH1x17H2irVDmZWZBNaXl7UKQO-o/s1600/20160321_133359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKVPLV2GHu0enb4jfveQ4x-Si-m7TF4io5Y5DACB45E8TtTIIEUFJ_SRzjg0RO0QjB_Ss69lzNxQk7uzlBRlno96qwgKDN27c5DJeFQ2M6dS6fO9MH1x17H2irVDmZWZBNaXl7UKQO-o/s640/20160321_133359.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Right foot looks a slight bit tilted, and the toes are squashed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">but you live you learn. The second foot was a breeze. It's non-bubbly,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">non wonky and the toes weren't completely ruined while being bent.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9QfrFTxV2SLUs_2LKy5b2bhMSeLMWnyDETccrjTYBx12G5PVXopawFA2HZCKj15bM3GSJmQfTta0gV-nmqwbZXRGD00AgJ0Ry9YnoLJCBB6RvKMTtS5cg3uBEA3TSjCl_xyflChZMNI/s1600/20160321_133407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9QfrFTxV2SLUs_2LKy5b2bhMSeLMWnyDETccrjTYBx12G5PVXopawFA2HZCKj15bM3GSJmQfTta0gV-nmqwbZXRGD00AgJ0Ry9YnoLJCBB6RvKMTtS5cg3uBEA3TSjCl_xyflChZMNI/s640/20160321_133407.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I bent the toes with my fingers. I just hovered the heat gun over them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">enough to soften the plastic, and then carefully pushed the toes float.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not perfect. I might try and fix the mistakes on the right foot later on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But I'm scared of further mangling it. We'll see where I am in a few days.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZsdD6UN-iuvsEvIMD5jUBU5oaUoVdrsru380D_Oqz9hdurAAJwiKDqPDvXe_J3qAUab_Ng492Hym-42LzLv0jbnzCyl7qvD8M3LZR3cE252kKgpkmNSkkKb7IWuq6g30gz403Yy0v0s/s1600/20160321_133412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZsdD6UN-iuvsEvIMD5jUBU5oaUoVdrsru380D_Oqz9hdurAAJwiKDqPDvXe_J3qAUab_Ng492Hym-42LzLv0jbnzCyl7qvD8M3LZR3cE252kKgpkmNSkkKb7IWuq6g30gz403Yy0v0s/s640/20160321_133412.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The tool of awesomeness.</span></td></tr>
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<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rooting the hair.</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am going to begin by saying that the little baggie of mohair I had was BARELY enough to fill the head. BARELY. I had to scrounge and scrape the last third of the head, and repurpose what I had deemed waste fibers (luckily I figured out how). So make sure you do not underestimate the amount of hair you need. You can always sell the balance or dye it and use it for another project. Just make sure you have plenty on hand. When I was done, there was only a tiny quarter-sized ball of fibres that were all shorter than 3/4 inches. Getting raw mohair might mean that it hasn't been washed and there might be VM (vegetable matter--hay, grass, etc..) in it. Your process will wash it anyway as you have to wet down the hair a lot ot tame it, but you can give it a rinse in cold water, no scrubbing, and then squash the pad of fibre between two towels to dry it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyhoo.... As for rooting, I had to be inventive and make my own rooting tool. In order to be slightly more specific about how I made my rooting tool. I found an old number two school pencil -- and a sewing needle. I clipped the back of the need off to make a set of prongs. I jabbed the pointy end of the needle into the pencil eraser and voila. A rooting tool. I recommend you find an emboidery needle that works for you--because they have a wider eye on the needle, making for deeper prongs. You slip little skeins of fiber into the prongs and then punch them into the little plug holes. Repeat until you're done. TIP: The prongs might bend a bit during use, and catch the hair as you're pulling them out. So wiggle your pencil a bit as you pull the needle out to make sure it doesn't drag loops of hair out with it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwtywPg717UOOIkfUajsvjrt1O85Eweaae_QEt60TkA3Nsaw_iBz3k0NNfN2hEsA9i2o9Kz8EKyf0ZnjMzWFRVAGeyUDuiDq3w2bgksy9ROxbM7-FhGVjnHaQMHEbzOK3fifbwxNSl0o/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwtywPg717UOOIkfUajsvjrt1O85Eweaae_QEt60TkA3Nsaw_iBz3k0NNfN2hEsA9i2o9Kz8EKyf0ZnjMzWFRVAGeyUDuiDq3w2bgksy9ROxbM7-FhGVjnHaQMHEbzOK3fifbwxNSl0o/s400/a.jpg" width="251" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J1lHtzbnkYSVsVVE8FFseXRrm0h58XXMwASQ6BfSa0zcgV2LDOcrSpD7rqGJrml6B4ZazyHQKELdPiy9rfVm7shdH46AjQ-_TG-v_TZpFnXCk5NJpgiS-q22OBYFtUZrWV5ZSjrx1zE/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J1lHtzbnkYSVsVVE8FFseXRrm0h58XXMwASQ6BfSa0zcgV2LDOcrSpD7rqGJrml6B4ZazyHQKELdPiy9rfVm7shdH46AjQ-_TG-v_TZpFnXCk5NJpgiS-q22OBYFtUZrWV5ZSjrx1zE/s400/aa.jpg" width="251" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then you don't have to scour the web for a rooting tool, and you don't have to listen to anyone telling you that you should use a felting needle. With this, you control the size and length of your skeins and it costs very little. It worked for me. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rooting in Action: </span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO6F6KAngZQugkMEaOnf59DlDYSHOdQLdG5G0z8BwTtHvim4y-2XM4L3nYwc0aChmBiJTyHj5o7YMbi2C1OAErfiIGfoaxFj-fh-CHAh4qPShq4hgW-LIQXBqO5vOFTvD7ry8CnIJCgs/s1600/20160303_163600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKO6F6KAngZQugkMEaOnf59DlDYSHOdQLdG5G0z8BwTtHvim4y-2XM4L3nYwc0aChmBiJTyHj5o7YMbi2C1OAErfiIGfoaxFj-fh-CHAh4qPShq4hgW-LIQXBqO5vOFTvD7ry8CnIJCgs/s400/20160303_163600.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The punk stage.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tWZh-pc_HwML-ZJMAcT1tJlgo6LNVM9LppBCAoaYzY1qD8u3o8fSQ9js8aC9adG6aK32a0QlCIHbn4iZKfUntX8Xi_Kp2hvHczfsfAG7g66Svw9UyiOkWRltqtiTwXNEVUg4y_MlgLk/s1600/20160303_154045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tWZh-pc_HwML-ZJMAcT1tJlgo6LNVM9LppBCAoaYzY1qD8u3o8fSQ9js8aC9adG6aK32a0QlCIHbn4iZKfUntX8Xi_Kp2hvHczfsfAG7g66Svw9UyiOkWRltqtiTwXNEVUg4y_MlgLk/s320/20160303_154045.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDxrR1mpvGxAL1eKdNuwRpeakDIQ0LXGleFA0RQcpJGGjeja1YQiOh-6KTdGjHnhlMjJj76Xw3r2MGr2h5xv0YUqpeO-HCrzH2bekg0ZXYtIFxtWWplTqLC5isTBLY_PfCN4HVzSjq64/s1600/20160303_163549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDxrR1mpvGxAL1eKdNuwRpeakDIQ0LXGleFA0RQcpJGGjeja1YQiOh-6KTdGjHnhlMjJj76Xw3r2MGr2h5xv0YUqpeO-HCrzH2bekg0ZXYtIFxtWWplTqLC5isTBLY_PfCN4HVzSjq64/s320/20160303_163549.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The holes around the hairline were made with a sewing needle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They are fine and your hair skeins need to be fine too. They are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">larger (the plug holes) on the scalp itself so that bit you can add</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">thicker skeins and it goes much more quickly,</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AHlYH6G1q-iDIsLsu54EVrBeDQYkTQ3QBO6B6yuXz4G3yLiHnLjCDYgrngsy7Ad5mreoANACP3sgqiBnsMv0Eylb_7fMKE8s2aUKFhk9OKcU1zzRMDfpDUkPqC2Xe93gqAHTXw-R5sY/s1600/20160303_154042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AHlYH6G1q-iDIsLsu54EVrBeDQYkTQ3QBO6B6yuXz4G3yLiHnLjCDYgrngsy7Ad5mreoANACP3sgqiBnsMv0Eylb_7fMKE8s2aUKFhk9OKcU1zzRMDfpDUkPqC2Xe93gqAHTXw-R5sY/s320/20160303_154042.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4njqpo_4W13Fs1wfZJ5D2-XY3aY_H0WzeUS-sC94qK8_12XaWa_Pm5i8zFuAfYrsxJgmtqR7QL18vZVvxlEdE6xSefkUQZwlDXBKuHz9Z7ENP22IR6taLUjzi4OUBCneLhKi1WjhxKs/s1600/20160304_153222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4njqpo_4W13Fs1wfZJ5D2-XY3aY_H0WzeUS-sC94qK8_12XaWa_Pm5i8zFuAfYrsxJgmtqR7QL18vZVvxlEdE6xSefkUQZwlDXBKuHz9Z7ENP22IR6taLUjzi4OUBCneLhKi1WjhxKs/s320/20160304_153222.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWNK7Ksytp0tyo94J42Yt3XNmBvU7UwdsNVB-L6EgyYkkL4RPs6BzyjHgbFdYjjroNvDOmrZ0tbiJosrSQX1ERG75r4GW56EJYqODRiuo2eX4s76_5whoDGrMx-xy2ez-NVmBq_iiML4/s1600/20160311_234230_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWNK7Ksytp0tyo94J42Yt3XNmBvU7UwdsNVB-L6EgyYkkL4RPs6BzyjHgbFdYjjroNvDOmrZ0tbiJosrSQX1ERG75r4GW56EJYqODRiuo2eX4s76_5whoDGrMx-xy2ez-NVmBq_iiML4/s320/20160311_234230_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm digging this shield maiden/Lagertha look. :D </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The mohair tends to frizz up and get pouffy as you work with it. Never fear, it can be tamed with water. COLD water. Just wet down the doll head if it gets unmanageable and it will behave (for a while). Even if it frizzes up, a wet comb later on when the hair is affixed will bring it all back down again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wKGHw92Tn-iEHUF3yOnlbCjo7CPxXtxDE6wbgXjdEk88eIvlYlxsW0LVmiqcfMvvSOKds_pnUXgbj1WayKwmxNHeZWB6Df7NWMbGzvTbXU2mVtwwsk2NOZ0OnuOO5hpERIJz0cQO9HY/s1600/20160311_234233_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wKGHw92Tn-iEHUF3yOnlbCjo7CPxXtxDE6wbgXjdEk88eIvlYlxsW0LVmiqcfMvvSOKds_pnUXgbj1WayKwmxNHeZWB6Df7NWMbGzvTbXU2mVtwwsk2NOZ0OnuOO5hpERIJz0cQO9HY/s320/20160311_234233_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh7xiyik0-Z7YYgfqihX8r26w3XftjCEoT4jsmPAAaoxOv5IQMy6YTmLXKDhnkktmuMI0AIP20aQwcFM72GmrdzQepoJvbYdXLA-6n3-ea6UVlLtnh4RVUZNI5O93BmnPDl1EBcErqZY/s1600/20160312_190920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh7xiyik0-Z7YYgfqihX8r26w3XftjCEoT4jsmPAAaoxOv5IQMy6YTmLXKDhnkktmuMI0AIP20aQwcFM72GmrdzQepoJvbYdXLA-6n3-ea6UVlLtnh4RVUZNI5O93BmnPDl1EBcErqZY/s320/20160312_190920.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pouffy and poufier</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow, that face is attractive. :::Oy::::</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000;">
The Painting begins</span></span></h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before we begin painting, you need to cover up the hair. Our</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">first-aid kid came in handy for supplies. I'll try not to rue this decision</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the next time someone severs a finger in this house.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As stated in my vids, I've decided to use an airbrush to apply the sealant between layers. Because I don't feel like spewing toxins into my home and around my offspring (typed after I pretty much huffed Acetone to clean the damned doll); so I opted to go with a technique I saw online where the doll painter used matte medium diluted with airbrush medium to create a thin, well dispersed seal between each layer of paint, pencil, pastels, etc.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUIAdfcztp-NMtoIKkNQ6HFJMkoCROOP_Wj6hlqBjgG2JSgC5iR8gXLplTFgWLX7Lwtabu094XPpmdITvttSnTZUuO1SGzj4RMYd1BsPBhfJam4WzFugNhLM-rX0d12pNHIoX6aQ333A/s1600/12910518_10209718801553901_2094881450_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUIAdfcztp-NMtoIKkNQ6HFJMkoCROOP_Wj6hlqBjgG2JSgC5iR8gXLplTFgWLX7Lwtabu094XPpmdITvttSnTZUuO1SGzj4RMYd1BsPBhfJam4WzFugNhLM-rX0d12pNHIoX6aQ333A/s640/12910518_10209718801553901_2094881450_n.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I used a tiny condiment bowl to mix the solution in small batches,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">as I don't want to make too much. I can also blend it to the right</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">consistency for my airbrush before filling the little cup.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWx-qUbyGDNCXpQlJgWIECYHL9gUsAMC9Vs08GzL7yx5Or6oGFjGBz6NFm39B1HgXCO59g-kFCU2GB42MuZxRgepiizEwY5XGRLiW5BWEAdPtckHIewtEkojcQfE5KLh-y1MpbeONWpQ/s1600/12900150_10209718801513900_1389524722_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWx-qUbyGDNCXpQlJgWIECYHL9gUsAMC9Vs08GzL7yx5Or6oGFjGBz6NFm39B1HgXCO59g-kFCU2GB42MuZxRgepiizEwY5XGRLiW5BWEAdPtckHIewtEkojcQfE5KLh-y1MpbeONWpQ/s640/12900150_10209718801513900_1389524722_n.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chalk pastels are the thing I'm using here. Frankly, I'm not too pleased with it. I'm considering going to my makeup case and pulling out some blush from there. But the step was to brush on the flushing on her cheeks and around her eyes, so that's what I did.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m-mX34wm2QbQSjNl7q7ekMuhX-IXUUaoPlbwBb2dtQ-Hr3qvJ1HKpknrUMCNGQCKQGxXGm7-755wZpNLvsYHqmDttPQXGC69dF6tR07M7Xxk98nwA3EcCSxRTnGyDsqdPN9FnkYRMqw/s1600/12899624_10209718801473899_1657421644_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m-mX34wm2QbQSjNl7q7ekMuhX-IXUUaoPlbwBb2dtQ-Hr3qvJ1HKpknrUMCNGQCKQGxXGm7-755wZpNLvsYHqmDttPQXGC69dF6tR07M7Xxk98nwA3EcCSxRTnGyDsqdPN9FnkYRMqw/s640/12899624_10209718801473899_1657421644_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I did not use just one colour. I used a blue that complemented the skin of the Frankie doll, a fuschia and a touch of skin tone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I like the colour, just not the application. I may have to do it again (I can clean her face again with acetone and begin anew as</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">needed. Using a swab will save me from redoing certain bits, but the blush and flush are crucial to the final look,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">so I need to get this just right.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPfZ04lNMEajzt8Th_pwIp7h_Me1yjRf7tM07WAQKqOlp7ARjVQlJW0O-rpmcoAL9wFtveNq-QMbXZI_KdTHdng7bRTbAsTTmamaETtensa7UTOfZfX_djZZZH4nAae2aZko_AuVNmhw/s1600/12899716_10209718801393897_640401074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPfZ04lNMEajzt8Th_pwIp7h_Me1yjRf7tM07WAQKqOlp7ARjVQlJW0O-rpmcoAL9wFtveNq-QMbXZI_KdTHdng7bRTbAsTTmamaETtensa7UTOfZfX_djZZZH4nAae2aZko_AuVNmhw/s640/12899716_10209718801393897_640401074_n.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started with 1 tsp each of the mediums, but I ended up adding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">airbrush medium to thin it out more. The PSI of your airbrush</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">compressor will determined what solution works best for you.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhcuourBBElqMmUoJZDmrrWY_mPZgwq8oaF4t95loHGibDhpUiu8n-u5pj9rEIW0XLpto-5F2r1BsbgBcJ2VZRtFjqRaBTj3od8-0hHCDJ9_WC8Rw0pz1CaEG4j6psFn8xqtVZik2KXI/s1600/12874279_10209718801273894_228081389_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhcuourBBElqMmUoJZDmrrWY_mPZgwq8oaF4t95loHGibDhpUiu8n-u5pj9rEIW0XLpto-5F2r1BsbgBcJ2VZRtFjqRaBTj3od8-0hHCDJ9_WC8Rw0pz1CaEG4j6psFn8xqtVZik2KXI/s640/12874279_10209718801273894_228081389_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She looks serene and in this softened light, you don't see the blotchiness of the blushing. So I will probably swab her down and do it again, and maybe try it with actual blush or a different brush. I may even try it with the airbrush and acrylic paint if push comes to shove, but I have to test that out a lot before I move forward. But this is where we are at this moment. More to come.</span></div>
Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-19677086630624052462016-02-03T14:22:00.001-08:002016-02-03T14:22:57.498-08:00The life of an extroverted introvert.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFLszwfkqvp7iqdKhT3Yd9xk8phSZ29md-rikHyrD-taPMpaIrPVnMZMIeZoDKRgVzxO0VGGnSCWLlHLWUR0U1oL5bkyl3V1kum0laJ67c67Dw9LYRCWiFHe14ECFtodzCjeMa_oeLbU/s1600/leave+me+alone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFLszwfkqvp7iqdKhT3Yd9xk8phSZ29md-rikHyrD-taPMpaIrPVnMZMIeZoDKRgVzxO0VGGnSCWLlHLWUR0U1oL5bkyl3V1kum0laJ67c67Dw9LYRCWiFHe14ECFtodzCjeMa_oeLbU/s1600/leave+me+alone.png" /></a></div>
<br />
I am an introvert. When I declare this to people who've gotten to know me a bit, they furrow their brow as if I'm declaring my conversion to religion. It's just hard to believe. In social situations, I can't shut the fuck up. I talk all the time. It's really annoying, even to me. I look at that kind of behaviour as my frantic thrashing to keep myself from drowning. It's the only way I can describe it. Internally, I'm telling myself to shut up, shut up, shut up! It's a hell of a dichotomoy to cope with.<br />
<br />
Introversion comes in so many shades, it's crazy. There's the full on hermit, then there's the kind like me, who enjoys social interaction, but only for a certain amount of time before I'm done. Every time I have social interaction, I need recovery time. Even if it's just making a phone call. Having this anxiety thing added on makes it even more impossible, and adds a sense of growing panic doing things that are just ordinary to other people.<br />
<br />
I've been having a rough time of it these past few months. I think it's a cruel machine of perpetual motion; staying home makes me even more hermit like, and more anxious, but being out drives me home again, and there you go. Anyway... I'll try not to make every post these days be about the stupid anxiety and such. But it's so much of my life I need to chill about it.<br />
<br />
I am going to focus on some projects. I have comic con to deal with this month, plus the dreaded birthday--you all know how much I despise the birthday. Anyway, I am gonig to repaint a Monster High doll and try to costume her up too. I'm not great at sewing in miniature, but I'll give it a try. It could be a fail or a win. We shall see! I also have some gorgeous merino wool for the hair. <br />
<br />
I've been a little 'off' on the regency thing lately. My interest levels in costuming have been Merh at best, possibly even a Gargh. But my interests wax and wane. And I just read a study that creativity is paramount to beating depression, so being creative is a great way to counteract my blahs. Now to just get the blahs out of the way enough to get motivated,<br />
<br />
No more grumpies today! I promise. Hopefuly I'll have some fun creative posts in the next weeks or so. Happy Valentine's to all, and come by my table at Comic Con to see me if you're in Portland on the 19th, 20th and 21st of Feb. Miranda Mayer is me. I'll be hiding behind the safety of my table, schmoozing people and hawking my pulp.Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-52517940514458038022016-01-29T19:48:00.000-08:002016-01-29T19:51:20.045-08:00Wrapping up 2015's Project 365.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-isYdxng1KXCOcCP7ZQK7z2Z0coNEy1n2eZ44A70RyCW71MICbEaIors2ICVp6l1vsaxAurvoM6sKS4mnGBHuZn53AYDCtVHzyglZCyY5o542RM857qcNLqQBWHZLVDWx4InHRKcZLHQ/s1600/341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-isYdxng1KXCOcCP7ZQK7z2Z0coNEy1n2eZ44A70RyCW71MICbEaIors2ICVp6l1vsaxAurvoM6sKS4mnGBHuZn53AYDCtVHzyglZCyY5o542RM857qcNLqQBWHZLVDWx4InHRKcZLHQ/s400/341.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">341/365 - In a box</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWkhUxVTqDTGR8zUUDZcQCsmFKlOqYkhMt2GxeZP5pHUxBMglfkrAEPMcLY0aCaIuDZH2hrjDZZa-yuntYC4s1xqCy1Goacy4D1mH1_bXLNt0Sdop7hKHJj-7qRzcJ3K8W-2Tgp7UBss/s1600/342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWkhUxVTqDTGR8zUUDZcQCsmFKlOqYkhMt2GxeZP5pHUxBMglfkrAEPMcLY0aCaIuDZH2hrjDZZa-yuntYC4s1xqCy1Goacy4D1mH1_bXLNt0Sdop7hKHJj-7qRzcJ3K8W-2Tgp7UBss/s400/342.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">342<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_wjoLUIs_8ZrpvkS24MVlRUafl507zZhDjF4UqCt59mF1Mgj6y-xG7exmZlAQ2jWwTsR5mn3ny_ekNTSDcO5JEcdhlIGBZRj8-c4c-wTV3AjhR97FlPux5FJvMbyNlUUQPOiCgbacnw/s1600/343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_wjoLUIs_8ZrpvkS24MVlRUafl507zZhDjF4UqCt59mF1Mgj6y-xG7exmZlAQ2jWwTsR5mn3ny_ekNTSDcO5JEcdhlIGBZRj8-c4c-wTV3AjhR97FlPux5FJvMbyNlUUQPOiCgbacnw/s400/343.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">343<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Bubble bath again</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglORcoQJaVRHEUQZsMAvD8RelKL5m-Oadrr_0Lgo76BJOCSzjAvuBHY5ebvGvUrLJ0kMPNks_X-BJsAKCuthI9IPNgmlQOpOeRJQnJAkvzZj1u1K1Fr4QwljVd2v3Tg3pfEAX2D4Tt-EI/s1600/344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglORcoQJaVRHEUQZsMAvD8RelKL5m-Oadrr_0Lgo76BJOCSzjAvuBHY5ebvGvUrLJ0kMPNks_X-BJsAKCuthI9IPNgmlQOpOeRJQnJAkvzZj1u1K1Fr4QwljVd2v3Tg3pfEAX2D4Tt-EI/s400/344.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">344<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Candle light</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcaeTntQkfyhC6iOZCT-2nV5qDKJM1oADGDUDl7-u1VGQ6dyiSdd7aqjuIaUWYzKHkaj_BHPcz3LhAbrCx4dUCxp6tp7xHzyiULnLs5tUKZJSY7ZzmfejajrjtB4iMMqEEFsActjymkA/s1600/345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcaeTntQkfyhC6iOZCT-2nV5qDKJM1oADGDUDl7-u1VGQ6dyiSdd7aqjuIaUWYzKHkaj_BHPcz3LhAbrCx4dUCxp6tp7xHzyiULnLs5tUKZJSY7ZzmfejajrjtB4iMMqEEFsActjymkA/s400/345.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">345<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Silhouettes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAHP_iCRw2ZtTwdVnUyr7wgkXvOxUt4UR7Sfkwe0n_4kk4D9uZDRU-EwFaSEXikqDwRoSjuk-aZOEkWRqYgInNLtk1fzH66LWw2prtwgitOb_vLZxrRAaOLu6qrxAcFrANlpUJUgkxQw/s1600/346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAHP_iCRw2ZtTwdVnUyr7wgkXvOxUt4UR7Sfkwe0n_4kk4D9uZDRU-EwFaSEXikqDwRoSjuk-aZOEkWRqYgInNLtk1fzH66LWw2prtwgitOb_vLZxrRAaOLu6qrxAcFrANlpUJUgkxQw/s400/346.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">346<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Pineapple</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgzNiYX9mdV-S5ZaIQf_A6DGp6VJEX5qo6YGrBPc0lM3vc_nVV3hBVChnV1OCEJUZECavUVG6FXadD-fu6tQcZa1L5Zf-D3CinLKTquP5Ji54uCiB41GFrw2JLJzPhU9tZOvq0BdmpJk/s1600/347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgzNiYX9mdV-S5ZaIQf_A6DGp6VJEX5qo6YGrBPc0lM3vc_nVV3hBVChnV1OCEJUZECavUVG6FXadD-fu6tQcZa1L5Zf-D3CinLKTquP5Ji54uCiB41GFrw2JLJzPhU9tZOvq0BdmpJk/s400/347.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">347<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Our tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VmjH16jzK9-UnamCFm5Egp9iigsyDcL2gcaJSgzj5CUek5u2BWBxYnC5hP-phO1M_4XKtYFnkgiSItcsL5EtFJt06IxHW3GTD4TtA5lDI3VFEsmxBai53UMo5tGyaT-Q7ojCVLICDnc/s1600/348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VmjH16jzK9-UnamCFm5Egp9iigsyDcL2gcaJSgzj5CUek5u2BWBxYnC5hP-phO1M_4XKtYFnkgiSItcsL5EtFJt06IxHW3GTD4TtA5lDI3VFEsmxBai53UMo5tGyaT-Q7ojCVLICDnc/s400/348.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">348<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Pop tart</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbN25JiT1edakbKFn9ZxIHYh_eKDCKWvJshidgp_6_DZTokgbPGAhf3uutF8BUIfy-28MR_w_tk-nwteai8vG4cijMifzIOOov-O3MVu255gSMkZsiDrAfdX_uBkAJ6MeXxU1NuVd3sI/s1600/349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbN25JiT1edakbKFn9ZxIHYh_eKDCKWvJshidgp_6_DZTokgbPGAhf3uutF8BUIfy-28MR_w_tk-nwteai8vG4cijMifzIOOov-O3MVu255gSMkZsiDrAfdX_uBkAJ6MeXxU1NuVd3sI/s400/349.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">349<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - A visit to the local fire station to drop off Giving Tree gifts.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfPIVO9pDEMJOaApvGKZRe4p7qa0MosyjckedS71iyHmc_inakCL2x6C4f3fF3PBO-g_wuXI9OLP0YXgAQc2MjVSwX8b1NkgWExXBa-3Pfhzihph687aOm5bPbjJngUgQRH1iSIN0KKk/s1600/350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfPIVO9pDEMJOaApvGKZRe4p7qa0MosyjckedS71iyHmc_inakCL2x6C4f3fF3PBO-g_wuXI9OLP0YXgAQc2MjVSwX8b1NkgWExXBa-3Pfhzihph687aOm5bPbjJngUgQRH1iSIN0KKk/s400/350.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">350<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Santa's been kind. :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtc2nzrmfgcqtNki-Yg-0FXobEFzkUGekmP2XnyXO9MM8ucz_hc40wupCvOm74MOXzvo14nlKqNk-8xANfQmQjAUsPNEsSj1McpBgA3t5a6ixYleaaYW6UFzfvZT6Tl-nw5JrgLL6aJc/s1600/351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtc2nzrmfgcqtNki-Yg-0FXobEFzkUGekmP2XnyXO9MM8ucz_hc40wupCvOm74MOXzvo14nlKqNk-8xANfQmQjAUsPNEsSj1McpBgA3t5a6ixYleaaYW6UFzfvZT6Tl-nw5JrgLL6aJc/s400/351.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">351<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - KC Kitten making herself at home.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineTR1nN32e55VbBCi-NsLGR0HK59rDe1MTA2InKje4A05DalMCFkGzu_Dg7ZROMpw8QLRN0rI34TW1BchnRLGJblZCZiGf4uB2_faagmrFK8hMfhuccZSTkVPaYC-QoAu_XhGwpG_eLM/s1600/352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineTR1nN32e55VbBCi-NsLGR0HK59rDe1MTA2InKje4A05DalMCFkGzu_Dg7ZROMpw8QLRN0rI34TW1BchnRLGJblZCZiGf4uB2_faagmrFK8hMfhuccZSTkVPaYC-QoAu_XhGwpG_eLM/s400/352.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">352<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Condensation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMBfWPKxZzG_bZeDPYmmHIFbveiz6Hdlfgk8B2_Oad-arVmFlxHffwLqG2dHjwJjMHzgdNfviRpMcIDuRMJRXHSKRjeOWXdAbguE9myl3S-jOXXYBCCX60JrN4bXL_JcCk8zjlwxym4k/s1600/353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMBfWPKxZzG_bZeDPYmmHIFbveiz6Hdlfgk8B2_Oad-arVmFlxHffwLqG2dHjwJjMHzgdNfviRpMcIDuRMJRXHSKRjeOWXdAbguE9myl3S-jOXXYBCCX60JrN4bXL_JcCk8zjlwxym4k/s400/353.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">353<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Chocolate gold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oYwUAnbfvwY8IgFciAfxD4HmCxsL4OIRtrWJ2wRRSoH7-8G1Gw0DgPkFqXtgQvmQP_dJsJUPBUHSe4CrOEMk8bKopaCPpp1ijl_E-W1RAa4_BxTNio_Nhmm7KXMUjhyphenhyphenvhoR1JF_ZKdQ/s1600/354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oYwUAnbfvwY8IgFciAfxD4HmCxsL4OIRtrWJ2wRRSoH7-8G1Gw0DgPkFqXtgQvmQP_dJsJUPBUHSe4CrOEMk8bKopaCPpp1ijl_E-W1RAa4_BxTNio_Nhmm7KXMUjhyphenhyphenvhoR1JF_ZKdQ/s400/354.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">354<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Star Wars, man!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGLiYocCXnTR9bn9u6zw8QdiE_U6L0yuGrCEmIEdOp9ZQlNfambunfQSrER67tsz_w55Y6pYVD4EdlWE4RgSi2-eUXWr7r-mEdaEAo4zrH1iBhkmR1NP_8JxxdtSCYw1H8tgo_-i-nRk/s1600/355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGLiYocCXnTR9bn9u6zw8QdiE_U6L0yuGrCEmIEdOp9ZQlNfambunfQSrER67tsz_w55Y6pYVD4EdlWE4RgSi2-eUXWr7r-mEdaEAo4zrH1iBhkmR1NP_8JxxdtSCYw1H8tgo_-i-nRk/s400/355.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">355<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Greens</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkDYPbIimwlM4wMQWSVySvPZWF9dNpjGgSI08bqJMxAJnuRvTpocmMAMb9e74PsaJsNjEKE-zkgvQxCzqo6q85qx6IQ0t0BZ_fwOpMYfeamHXvdDorqhyphenhyphen4fnCvWmgC0JbDwTAkcMz7Ng/s1600/356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkDYPbIimwlM4wMQWSVySvPZWF9dNpjGgSI08bqJMxAJnuRvTpocmMAMb9e74PsaJsNjEKE-zkgvQxCzqo6q85qx6IQ0t0BZ_fwOpMYfeamHXvdDorqhyphenhyphen4fnCvWmgC0JbDwTAkcMz7Ng/s400/356.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">356<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Christmas Bounty</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RGi08rfYuQG7Bcq4By5ZqFfo-8CH2gXyCm2HdsasiZUbFF4f02nZpYu91emRBExjMR-zMjplTCZV02mFOJ7D33khtj1YgTPF9kxD0Y5dJqGZU_prHbFUXMGcS1SmvQ4fEHQpGlrqYqc/s1600/357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RGi08rfYuQG7Bcq4By5ZqFfo-8CH2gXyCm2HdsasiZUbFF4f02nZpYu91emRBExjMR-zMjplTCZV02mFOJ7D33khtj1YgTPF9kxD0Y5dJqGZU_prHbFUXMGcS1SmvQ4fEHQpGlrqYqc/s400/357.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">357<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - My sister's dog Daisy</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXRmMLJhChNt_i6hFQ24guafaU5EipfZpoQ_-pI4_z4QiYeJAY_C98JyOvu4v797up26Ir7R5GYZfHwW_2i2_gXZoS_aGiYudmDMM4hsh5WFSJcQg8hx9ReqwPzXWHG-b0jWRAng97bw/s1600/358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXRmMLJhChNt_i6hFQ24guafaU5EipfZpoQ_-pI4_z4QiYeJAY_C98JyOvu4v797up26Ir7R5GYZfHwW_2i2_gXZoS_aGiYudmDMM4hsh5WFSJcQg8hx9ReqwPzXWHG-b0jWRAng97bw/s400/358.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">358<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - My sister's cat (now our cat) <br />-- Can you find her?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5c7ghGa-P6Q6HyfpX2l4uAgjem6cQgion6O_N6v5s42fgAWGPfJsv6bsGJx1GmwQyqKp16o6YMRwq2U2Bqpib8b1sRvR1C-HRvu1zjTZro-9IBmM-ZtLpT-z0YxFNRXSN8pAj23k8z0/s1600/359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5c7ghGa-P6Q6HyfpX2l4uAgjem6cQgion6O_N6v5s42fgAWGPfJsv6bsGJx1GmwQyqKp16o6YMRwq2U2Bqpib8b1sRvR1C-HRvu1zjTZro-9IBmM-ZtLpT-z0YxFNRXSN8pAj23k8z0/s400/359.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">359<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Simon loves snow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUgni7HmsIaUO8jtoNQk9jC7Vms1944aSL4k0cGB2gIjH4UvPgXrgXbksp0ktRUBljdx52s1hAEfjiL6N0YYQkipcfhJncezIFqtxiTygO3XdwL06MoymVIgJCNOoXLUcs7BT8U_DpHc/s1600/360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUgni7HmsIaUO8jtoNQk9jC7Vms1944aSL4k0cGB2gIjH4UvPgXrgXbksp0ktRUBljdx52s1hAEfjiL6N0YYQkipcfhJncezIFqtxiTygO3XdwL06MoymVIgJCNOoXLUcs7BT8U_DpHc/s400/360.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">360<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Alex and KC in the snow.<br />KC was befuddled by the snow,<br />but she loved it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVLcy_BvZ6SMloWSw7IksjP5ycpK2vDfSYxDuOxDHmT-vnziVFWotpp8siZhZ04NKTbCqOTVgBDGB_8N7HBps_6tHa4fzbvwT-0oaJqt_Ax457h4dg7PzaMAUOY6v09KSdIZ28q1590Q/s1600/361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVLcy_BvZ6SMloWSw7IksjP5ycpK2vDfSYxDuOxDHmT-vnziVFWotpp8siZhZ04NKTbCqOTVgBDGB_8N7HBps_6tHa4fzbvwT-0oaJqt_Ax457h4dg7PzaMAUOY6v09KSdIZ28q1590Q/s400/361.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">361<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Ironwork at Timberline Lodge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwB0XMn5kx0Jx_ENTGpWIx6fbwqqW5bkpBXGSuwdoHL-xujJpPdZ2OowZIt1jyWaf4FOyGo4m4jRti7SrpCp01RWagmAWuCHFuoXxWswKHuPF12HxhqAokI9TdLIudT7IBhm0YmPRfHw/s1600/362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwB0XMn5kx0Jx_ENTGpWIx6fbwqqW5bkpBXGSuwdoHL-xujJpPdZ2OowZIt1jyWaf4FOyGo4m4jRti7SrpCp01RWagmAWuCHFuoXxWswKHuPF12HxhqAokI9TdLIudT7IBhm0YmPRfHw/s400/362.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">362<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Portland in movement</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj7hOJg27Z5dXvZmrpX997HNKO2u0J7KBCQAP5Rja6HHtvYK_7HoLd3rW4YYVg0B6dPFgIl0sgRun12gzPjQVwN5hCGZyhJ-H_ZSlAOAyK3d12PGAkxXJL_qvYOHCsRynPA1doLboITU/s1600/363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbj7hOJg27Z5dXvZmrpX997HNKO2u0J7KBCQAP5Rja6HHtvYK_7HoLd3rW4YYVg0B6dPFgIl0sgRun12gzPjQVwN5hCGZyhJ-H_ZSlAOAyK3d12PGAkxXJL_qvYOHCsRynPA1doLboITU/s400/363.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">363<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - A seaside trimming</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IOD3lkQATkaUMoomloF73s6hS5wZ900RdRL1CST2ZWiCEdK-KX4g-2-BLr6YPXn3pU71-QDmoosMAxDXu4VPI4jYHZqyyZAt8pAe4L7AmyShtCSYPwrnLW0XCydbIGNRWHRLj_fF8vY/s1600/364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IOD3lkQATkaUMoomloF73s6hS5wZ900RdRL1CST2ZWiCEdK-KX4g-2-BLr6YPXn3pU71-QDmoosMAxDXu4VPI4jYHZqyyZAt8pAe4L7AmyShtCSYPwrnLW0XCydbIGNRWHRLj_fF8vY/s400/364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">364<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Light and Shadow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierbwSn7WRGOtejQvf4cmlu44fRQU81D74ucV7ldAOPGAxqE2fEiBI4widG2IdpWH2GXzvHoLVTLh_GbXFzhrQkDhLGVXI3_UhOQQbvZ26qs_cgF7NlT3PWvW8Z_KvUXCFJYI9CwAhEJA/s1600/365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierbwSn7WRGOtejQvf4cmlu44fRQU81D74ucV7ldAOPGAxqE2fEiBI4widG2IdpWH2GXzvHoLVTLh_GbXFzhrQkDhLGVXI3_UhOQQbvZ26qs_cgF7NlT3PWvW8Z_KvUXCFJYI9CwAhEJA/s400/365.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">365<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Icicles</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's 2015. Yay! What's new? Nothing much. My sister got a job as corporate environmental manager at Intel, and was moving back to Oregon, but that might not be the case anymore. We shall see. She is leaving her cat with us. KC *was* supposed to be a bratty, scatchy, anti-social cat, but she seems to have taken a liking to my son, and the amount of harassing she takes from him is unbelievable. She loves him. So my sister doesn't want to take her away from her kid.<br />
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I've been sick most of January, so I have not been up to much. Just preparing my authory stuff for the upcoming Wizard World Portland Comic Con. Nothing special! But I'm hoping that 2016 will bring some creative things for me. I hope to post again soon with one of my projects. I'm currently taking up tatting to give it a try. But I have some other projects in mind. Some miniatures, a couple of doll remodelings, some nesting dolls and more. I just need to kick this damned endless cold and get my energy back.<br />
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Happy new year. Here's a movie of the full 365 project that I made to sum up the whole year. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QzOV86Sqs8E" width="420"></iframe>
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Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-73950415225990798022015-12-14T14:56:00.001-08:002015-12-14T14:59:31.664-08:00Project 365; 321 - 340 ... Almost there!Happy Holidays folks! It's been a strange year. Most years are strange, but it's been a particularly interesting one. I perused the pics in the past 11 months and it tells an abstract story, at least to me. It talks about a year of highs and a year of lows. I see the loss of my mom in a photo of an elegantly curved tulip; a change of focus towards my authoring and slightly away from my other pasttimes. I see despairing moments and moments of joy. I see the comforts of my home and my life, and the discomforts of an imbalanced brain chemistry. I see friends who are there for me, and I see family drama. But most of all, I see my life, in 347 pictures so far. I will post the final batch in one lot.<br />
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In the meantime, my household has been increased by one person, two dogs and another cat. My sister secured a position at Intel and is moving back to Oregon. While she seeks a place to live, she is staying with us. <br />
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I am awaiting edits on my latest strange book, and it will be up for publication in January or so. For those of you who are curious about what I write and such, you can click through <a href="http://www.mirandamayer.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to my author page. Other than that, besides a lovely ball for the ORS, there hasn't been too much going on. It was organized by S2 so I didn't have to do much for it, which was nice. It was really nice to just show up. I'd like to do more of that and less of the stress. And I would like to eliminate the drama 100%. At the retreat I had to calm a frenetic soul who was devastated for not winning a prize. I'm tired of mommying adults. I have a toddler now, a defiant, obstinate kid, who uses up all that spare energy for that sort of crap. So it's time someone else dealt with the woes and whines of the drama queens. I just want to show up and enjoy like everyone else. It's time.<br />
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Here are the next twenty days in the project 365 collection.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj344NMOjDZkV3F-GncmQ6FfeM304FdrSugpjtdQ-tId3njKpAIWtwlKNRrsohfTcakaYps-kiPs4oNcItNJ8w3wggnxhZA7LZCuFzeQNg2Wc8Oc4ICJjNe4pfBefJ8Ccxk3Op12HIWRLE/s1600/321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj344NMOjDZkV3F-GncmQ6FfeM304FdrSugpjtdQ-tId3njKpAIWtwlKNRrsohfTcakaYps-kiPs4oNcItNJ8w3wggnxhZA7LZCuFzeQNg2Wc8Oc4ICJjNe4pfBefJ8Ccxk3Op12HIWRLE/s400/321.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">321/365 - IKEA meatballs nom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduZ3BNhidp4izlSaOd5lJZFR2rWqdHeI5EsD2acJ9wEhrL0H9GgX1d1ZmQE7QBn4oLQi0pcX-wFI8XvOSHEG3bJzIbKijDHHrHj5JZFgfYIo2XDwKYsCoTIeH6KLMdmEYZWHpklorkEo/s1600/322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduZ3BNhidp4izlSaOd5lJZFR2rWqdHeI5EsD2acJ9wEhrL0H9GgX1d1ZmQE7QBn4oLQi0pcX-wFI8XvOSHEG3bJzIbKijDHHrHj5JZFgfYIo2XDwKYsCoTIeH6KLMdmEYZWHpklorkEo/s400/322.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">322<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - The Johanesen household in one picture.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIqPANCCd3ZpqyqxCJSOAATlbosSaNqp9E4zaPPOl-i5h-hTpg7uL2mDvnyPb5OIneSOKOCogP6H14c4dpU1718y2UWLXVhPwDDtwAW4BR38LLeWDXMNit1FA7F8CZONNRQZ6Iyi1aIw/s1600/323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIqPANCCd3ZpqyqxCJSOAATlbosSaNqp9E4zaPPOl-i5h-hTpg7uL2mDvnyPb5OIneSOKOCogP6H14c4dpU1718y2UWLXVhPwDDtwAW4BR38LLeWDXMNit1FA7F8CZONNRQZ6Iyi1aIw/s400/323.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">323<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - My sister's cat. She's adorable to look at. She's flat out crazy and evil.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYIdg9CXgovo43JZsnczPS5dWRwR1DpwGTpANViPNNW3RZ9dNXTgjjiExJQVeksGu7e1deBQyjO5DjEUNtw4VAw0zoFuAPDRy5B_jBqolyrCo9LTDIyghpXKrz25Np-tV4Mjj2m_rXRc/s1600/324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYIdg9CXgovo43JZsnczPS5dWRwR1DpwGTpANViPNNW3RZ9dNXTgjjiExJQVeksGu7e1deBQyjO5DjEUNtw4VAw0zoFuAPDRy5B_jBqolyrCo9LTDIyghpXKrz25Np-tV4Mjj2m_rXRc/s400/324.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">324<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Alex cuddles with his Neenee</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaxkygiUYiWX-9fGhLdS8R4mFZf13zGXvBosdpzy7_3B-tZQxzpp3NbXxOT1FVYCJ7MXt0xa8TCGh4SQylC3LueymRiz4onvIJoTM1h0rCCMpjWNfApKyLZP7GhzrZ95fnK4YAvq_kHA/s1600/325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaxkygiUYiWX-9fGhLdS8R4mFZf13zGXvBosdpzy7_3B-tZQxzpp3NbXxOT1FVYCJ7MXt0xa8TCGh4SQylC3LueymRiz4onvIJoTM1h0rCCMpjWNfApKyLZP7GhzrZ95fnK4YAvq_kHA/s400/325.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">325<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Things like this make me feel less saddened for not having a girl.<br />How does one battle this hyper-pink-sparkly feminized crap? Yeurgh.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlD5BNHfnt-Pg50RFXo_QDBznTfORCPDM_xn4fInj0dLwNT2P5HfhEs_64H4bli3qypMEImRQS1XaeL4y62PT9cCEcWWVoKBKJDnWs82zhJHH_nDtfrXwShK0mX1J_E5hDzp39hrz0RE/s1600/326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlD5BNHfnt-Pg50RFXo_QDBznTfORCPDM_xn4fInj0dLwNT2P5HfhEs_64H4bli3qypMEImRQS1XaeL4y62PT9cCEcWWVoKBKJDnWs82zhJHH_nDtfrXwShK0mX1J_E5hDzp39hrz0RE/s400/326.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">326<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - A benefit of having my sister around is to have a Dim Sum enabler.<br />It is one of my favourite things besides sushi. This is at Pure Spice in Portland.<br />It's the best Dim Sum I've had since Mary Chung's in Cambradge, near MIT</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNncIOJSxTCoOWtQgKc4da_qRxcK5QcDSW-FpqCkXCnBB6IraHHgatqgvmT8ApTfPnr1jmmf4a5aiR8S_UCZL-DVCDIEAuBNA7GBSkurh9jBoB75G6ZFlHmIsVxc__-Ke0mk19jQP3xJQ/s1600/327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNncIOJSxTCoOWtQgKc4da_qRxcK5QcDSW-FpqCkXCnBB6IraHHgatqgvmT8ApTfPnr1jmmf4a5aiR8S_UCZL-DVCDIEAuBNA7GBSkurh9jBoB75G6ZFlHmIsVxc__-Ke0mk19jQP3xJQ/s400/327.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">327<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - It's not the holiday season for me<br />until I have a bowl of nuts to munch on<br />through the New Year.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxiUL9FzYzZuqcDb2Yq9xxylMm0gppoTXh0WiWiACjV4Lz1K2KnAJQ3I1D2y1fn0u5Hxn32t2kfIGzN-DI0Ejiw4mWE118nJLc3mzuX-r4A1YJyuECtAva9JuTyuo9hoMOeul7RcnViQ/s1600/328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxiUL9FzYzZuqcDb2Yq9xxylMm0gppoTXh0WiWiACjV4Lz1K2KnAJQ3I1D2y1fn0u5Hxn32t2kfIGzN-DI0Ejiw4mWE118nJLc3mzuX-r4A1YJyuECtAva9JuTyuo9hoMOeul7RcnViQ/s400/328.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">328<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Schmear</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU1K5MtKfVPdanTZB0Gb73RRUIYyyxw73Z-kzvT3faMHhVv-V6Vmnq-jweVnQaY-mnKKOq5jP-XUEP9BEvNSHq7N7NFy4JSxct0DZS3OOgmqUjT3ZgUVpzPmGII47df13sbLm5NxMzQg/s1600/329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU1K5MtKfVPdanTZB0Gb73RRUIYyyxw73Z-kzvT3faMHhVv-V6Vmnq-jweVnQaY-mnKKOq5jP-XUEP9BEvNSHq7N7NFy4JSxct0DZS3OOgmqUjT3ZgUVpzPmGII47df13sbLm5NxMzQg/s400/329.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">329<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - The turkey taking an overnight<br />soak in a briny bath.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s1duZ7USq0qNwCZQ9nTUZcYsuWvRaBJeo6pco-Z56PsTYjTdoUQN6rlOmxW9kNaaRzlfGUfB4EhmRgiYXBe7VTK9ATqylmupu5zkZv3tfWnUiVmzr3r3LKh5yB_kGoeOa9YEXHTQjac/s1600/330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s1duZ7USq0qNwCZQ9nTUZcYsuWvRaBJeo6pco-Z56PsTYjTdoUQN6rlOmxW9kNaaRzlfGUfB4EhmRgiYXBe7VTK9ATqylmupu5zkZv3tfWnUiVmzr3r3LKh5yB_kGoeOa9YEXHTQjac/s400/330.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">330<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - I got to host Thanksgiving dinner this year. Such a rarity. Such fun!<br />Three guests was plenty for our little table. I made enough for an army,<br />naturally. But it was pretty damned good if I may say.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvULwQBL4Zlbl8P4bdWjBjG6dyQqaJanGfgLvT4Kgt587n0smNAkbZeihzQ4nnMV6wQ6VV8Ae-eghBFOrDVh0oK2YZJIgdmYqloQtgEWvV0FLtfPXKrqgtknBcxNds1e__UOfJ7Um3cc/s1600/331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvULwQBL4Zlbl8P4bdWjBjG6dyQqaJanGfgLvT4Kgt587n0smNAkbZeihzQ4nnMV6wQ6VV8Ae-eghBFOrDVh0oK2YZJIgdmYqloQtgEWvV0FLtfPXKrqgtknBcxNds1e__UOfJ7Um3cc/s400/331.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">331<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Some black friday lazing.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKHDh8f_vOQtCt7ZlPV5vTeLkesyGBH-VUxC3I3PIk_R30TSzez6afb67NdWPRm31rRNTzrmVlpa9yu07F7cVV0Fp0wmQiL-titqbqL0VixabXWgIdb89TGSM9NvM4YenMvme_fkXnMo/s1600/332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKHDh8f_vOQtCt7ZlPV5vTeLkesyGBH-VUxC3I3PIk_R30TSzez6afb67NdWPRm31rRNTzrmVlpa9yu07F7cVV0Fp0wmQiL-titqbqL0VixabXWgIdb89TGSM9NvM4YenMvme_fkXnMo/s400/332.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">332<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - House hunting with my sister, I stumbled upon this<br />miniature landscape on top of a gatepost.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHYRS02oik2b9vkssh3yyiRskEv05KeGZrJuBWW8b_WJJryRdtKA5oCOG-B7PcGwmyNkMAIH3stueX8nssr5T0AVvy8PETeQaaNMa4ADXqei1edhL3Sa__ffmqDHt4FZsK9wsmpMrQBI/s1600/333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHYRS02oik2b9vkssh3yyiRskEv05KeGZrJuBWW8b_WJJryRdtKA5oCOG-B7PcGwmyNkMAIH3stueX8nssr5T0AVvy8PETeQaaNMa4ADXqei1edhL3Sa__ffmqDHt4FZsK9wsmpMrQBI/s400/333.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">333<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Trivet</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnhbClQakIAlD0a-bGH4OtB-ahvZ3ZeuhGY6Ks3bsXHN0H3SEDdsFdjaRHM016n_fKAxm-n5Hjs-OsysLzHnKcLD4gGJtUqzKhqMUoJiej_ZKeEv1mvV9iKBLivgEV7cBs-OcnL8YXXc/s1600/334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnhbClQakIAlD0a-bGH4OtB-ahvZ3ZeuhGY6Ks3bsXHN0H3SEDdsFdjaRHM016n_fKAxm-n5Hjs-OsysLzHnKcLD4gGJtUqzKhqMUoJiej_ZKeEv1mvV9iKBLivgEV7cBs-OcnL8YXXc/s400/334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">334<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - This is my entourage during the day. Simon mostly doesn't know<br />what to make of the two ladies that are dominating his household.<br />But I think it's good for his depression about losing Flower.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-yfP3s-L9osCQ475PwFP7kgtahFA1ofeW5Vs2VKbgiw_J-uUrRNpNgjNWWOQC2XCy5eHG4sKYI-dPOJswFXhci6Uw74EdvMcg2yMeZ7RMZ6QEZRl62uG0FOpvjNN39yphU5PXzOZv20/s1600/335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-yfP3s-L9osCQ475PwFP7kgtahFA1ofeW5Vs2VKbgiw_J-uUrRNpNgjNWWOQC2XCy5eHG4sKYI-dPOJswFXhci6Uw74EdvMcg2yMeZ7RMZ6QEZRl62uG0FOpvjNN39yphU5PXzOZv20/s400/335.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">335<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 -</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Alex and 'My Kiyee' cuddling in bed. OC might be rough around <br />the edges, but </span>he likes his child.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxa_cN0Fqwym0wRru4AINhNGKj2tZ8is243C-OeeS2JCdIvGSsAJLoDP29Tsb7vuV2Xr_K9AskS_LUnPAeV7UCTUfbNdjH8-f5XcBUXR9ypBldsHzDXVKFHKDhVVGHKgtcMmmd_DQHG8/s1600/336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxa_cN0Fqwym0wRru4AINhNGKj2tZ8is243C-OeeS2JCdIvGSsAJLoDP29Tsb7vuV2Xr_K9AskS_LUnPAeV7UCTUfbNdjH8-f5XcBUXR9ypBldsHzDXVKFHKDhVVGHKgtcMmmd_DQHG8/s400/336.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">336<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Ominous Bot</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uIAspcIx40I45qi77NG-tnIeRLv7kQhEeCL3G1ekkJpt1HQ4MtdhW-GiOjMVkNtG6QJQagHFpPXLC9jajCa6x9y5Nj9_98yHhiLY_bkaQ9LCniCwL3CfNaTrNkRsTjpW2jnzzr_9-bk/s1600/337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uIAspcIx40I45qi77NG-tnIeRLv7kQhEeCL3G1ekkJpt1HQ4MtdhW-GiOjMVkNtG6QJQagHFpPXLC9jajCa6x9y5Nj9_98yHhiLY_bkaQ9LCniCwL3CfNaTrNkRsTjpW2jnzzr_9-bk/s400/337.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">337<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - That face. ::sigh::</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFaNCyIHLmGf3-QfhZFKj7fkC58s1K5SHslYauKs67PWLWMCxwtbq3ChzJXFEOampdfZbLUPFjw5R-7xdJvNLd-tjJ25v-TD7xMJRykGZas-Oa2yuNm80ZTX8RUVDBZyaFoqMEWelrLI/s1600/338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFaNCyIHLmGf3-QfhZFKj7fkC58s1K5SHslYauKs67PWLWMCxwtbq3ChzJXFEOampdfZbLUPFjw5R-7xdJvNLd-tjJ25v-TD7xMJRykGZas-Oa2yuNm80ZTX8RUVDBZyaFoqMEWelrLI/s400/338.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">338<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Coziness at home.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mUPEPpvTUJI6ZX74sWSPaYCZLxH1tmrpb_gwmj6KNHphWLP6MEKDxmJwTetJq7XTHCjStbNlbnFK-vACimQPhoZnB8yXL28UQtxKtXiTsUAjAFNKdl54MBhso-9ARFJ0hLeRJkowtpk/s1600/339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mUPEPpvTUJI6ZX74sWSPaYCZLxH1tmrpb_gwmj6KNHphWLP6MEKDxmJwTetJq7XTHCjStbNlbnFK-vACimQPhoZnB8yXL28UQtxKtXiTsUAjAFNKdl54MBhso-9ARFJ0hLeRJkowtpk/s400/339.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">339<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Time for the annual santa<br />pics with Alex. This was at Macy's.<br />Alex's newest pic will be posted below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNzvaPP_yOtlMEsXNOEvi0Zhbxpa5qyz_HL23cUO_Wc8vgJdzMXVQ7MCxZZrfTw0pvZxRg2-vlnRKMW-TWxUjwQBoQr2z-OO1Rm5lCPpKBv0mv746jVjBOCSKliHrcQuW2hVtTHZD3xc/s1600/340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNzvaPP_yOtlMEsXNOEvi0Zhbxpa5qyz_HL23cUO_Wc8vgJdzMXVQ7MCxZZrfTw0pvZxRg2-vlnRKMW-TWxUjwQBoQr2z-OO1Rm5lCPpKBv0mv746jVjBOCSKliHrcQuW2hVtTHZD3xc/s400/340.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">340<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Sewing for a while again. </span></td></tr>
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Alex's santa pics for this year:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGqsSvNIMBeMQJ5E5GLiQt5DatDe_zaTPj2opBIr_4_LofjvN2bF_5bcAF29wldud2s9Z10EYvU2zVa_9jWZuRVVcot68OP6LITFAD5KnqYelbd_FesRJoz3ud5Tp4Q_dTQZZocRxOcg/s1600/7015718_22015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGqsSvNIMBeMQJ5E5GLiQt5DatDe_zaTPj2opBIr_4_LofjvN2bF_5bcAF29wldud2s9Z10EYvU2zVa_9jWZuRVVcot68OP6LITFAD5KnqYelbd_FesRJoz3ud5Tp4Q_dTQZZocRxOcg/s640/7015718_22015.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGUK6A5xx97_Kbb6i3UfyhYs47RJ1lOLV7YRkrhDvs21WoXtsJSo8pn1PYihxT-6RTykB8lPonk7a1dPPp4DSrNO7vjPEQ4DVhzDg1plo5NL5REGRaW59V-kV6oWQjurUI_f-H6-NRfE/s1600/7015718_32015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGUK6A5xx97_Kbb6i3UfyhYs47RJ1lOLV7YRkrhDvs21WoXtsJSo8pn1PYihxT-6RTykB8lPonk7a1dPPp4DSrNO7vjPEQ4DVhzDg1plo5NL5REGRaW59V-kV6oWQjurUI_f-H6-NRfE/s640/7015718_32015.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa gets a big hug from Alex, and he also gave him almonds and a tangerine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt6k4VftA_7NV5NJieYqFh4Sr8wEzCeXe_wvKvuOUWC7LPqH5BPCypyEN_oy_vU2R32Gb4MhEb1wQ6nxDAzxkDH6vqAnb5UUvO8NVngkHzHcHEgGSr0bPbVMbyNLhrEnXnuN7B9s_Yxw/s1600/succession.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt6k4VftA_7NV5NJieYqFh4Sr8wEzCeXe_wvKvuOUWC7LPqH5BPCypyEN_oy_vU2R32Gb4MhEb1wQ6nxDAzxkDH6vqAnb5UUvO8NVngkHzHcHEgGSr0bPbVMbyNLhrEnXnuN7B9s_Yxw/s640/succession.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow. He's growing WAY. TOO. FAST.<br />
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Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all!</td></tr>
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<br />Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2916652166792424600.post-89741743424129774272015-11-21T01:34:00.000-08:002015-11-21T01:41:47.069-08:00A real post for a change but still with 365sI’m not going to minced words—I’ve been struggling with keeping my eyes and nose above the water level this past year. I hate that I now sound like one of those people who annoyed me to no end talking about their medical issues; “Oh, my sciatica is just killing me these days….” And “The migraines are just incapacitating…” <br />
<br />
I’ve developed a bit of a soul over the past having been humbled by the development of my own medical issues. The anxiety has become a part of my life I can no longer ignore and it has made my already hermity and anti-social nature even worse. I’m on medication, naturally, it’s now a regular part of my routine. It has helped normalize me as far as it can. But it does not stop the insomnia, the constant self-censure, the insecurity, the sense of helplessness and it has made my RLS so bad at night that sometimes I cannot sleep at all because my legs feel like they want to run off the bed. Anxiety sucks balls. I have been working to be better; forcing myself out of the house, and all those things. I’m getting better, but it’s up and down.<br />
<br />
I have little to no interest in the regency stuff right now. I love being around my ‘peeps’ when I’m with them, but revving up my motivation to even participate is so hard. I try. I go to things, but honestly, most of the time I just don’t want to. I hope that passion comes back. It was awesome and I miss it. I am also pushing myself to finish my newest book and get it to the editing process. It’s easier to focus on that because it’s part of being creative and I’ve been missing that very much since Alex was born. I think the inability to use the creative outlets I have has probably contributed to my anxiety and depression issues.
I have been ruminating on how little I’ve posted on my blog these past months besides my 365s. I’m amazed I’ve kept up with them as long as I have. I think I might make the full year! I confess the weeks after my trip to Florida, I did flag a bit, but I was overcome with a hideous case of giardia (NEVER.AGAIN.OMG), and I wasn’t in any shape to do anything, so a few photos were taken on the same day or many over a few days to catch up. Some are also out of sequence.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I decided I need to write something serious. I’m not quite back to my snarky self yet, she’s coming, I’m sure, but since I do go just about everywhere in this blog, I figured my next rant will fit right in. My rant is about the state of the world right now. About terrorism and refugees. It’s about the privilege of being a detached and indifferent American.
Privilege comes in many forms. In the United States, especially. And there is an additional privilege that I think (and this is my own conjecture alone) is part of the reason why Americans are so quick to jump into war. <br />
<br />
You see, the USA has enjoyed a charmed existence compared to Europe and other parts of the world; at least when it comes to war. That doesn’t mean I’m in any way diminishing the losses from either world wars, the Korean war, Vietnam etc. What I mean is that the USA has frequently found itself sending its sons and daughters overseas to fight on foreign soil, but with the exception of Pearl Harbour, the USA has seen little to no really intense war action on its own soil -- since the civil war.<br />
<br />
Why this is relevant is because, for example, in Europe, especially the UK, France etc, there is a very fresh, short memory of the last war that ravaged the countryside. World War I and World War II were devastating. Landmarks decimated, millions killed and injured, cities bombarded continuously. The US arrived late into both of these fracases, and they sustained comparably fewer losses than most of the world-war countries. It took the direct engagement of American interests to even get them fully involved.<br />
<br />
But war is profitable, and the US has since been at war almost continuously ever since; but American civilians have never experienced a blitz in their back yards. They aren’t still digging up live ordnance from the soil. They don’t have graveyards upon graveyards laid out like a quilt of nations, filled with the bodies of the dead taken down in their towns and villages.<br />
<br />
The atrocities of war are a real thing for most of Europe still, and for many countries, they are a thing people are living with every day. And it’s our privilege as Americans to dismiss this because we don’t have any recent experience that can help us empathize and relate to what other people might be enduring. We have become a nation of insensitive fools because of it.’<br />
<br />
9/11 only took 3000 lives, and yet it hit such a raw nerve, the country went into a collective state of shock, and turned to fear and xenophobia instead of defiance; as the countries who understand conflict directly do. We sent out our sons and daughters to fight on our behalf on the soil of countries not even related to the acts performed on that day, but somehow it soothed our collective fears to know someone was dying for what happened to us.<br />
<br />
Imagine, if you will, how the US would react if it was pummeled like France or Britain in WWII. Imagine what real conflict would be like. Most Americans cannot. Their lawns remained meticulously pruned and their daily lives were largely unaffected by the succession of wars since the Civil War. The loss of their sons was a sufficient price to pay for this peace; while their children wreaked havoc on foreign soil on behalf of our government. We are attacked and we send a couple of massive thermo-nuclear devices and watch it from afar. We have grown arrogant and cocky because of this. We believe ourselves untouchable; while realizing deep down that we aren't, and feeling the fear of that bubbling up.<br />
<br />
The Syrian refugees are fleeing violence that most American people cannot even begin to relate to. They don’t want to. They’ve never had their homes mortared. Their grandparents haven’t sat with them to recount how their homes were taken over by invading forces, and how certain people were taken away for their beliefs and killed in massive death camps. Americans were rationing stockings. That was the hardship the home-front suffered—while the eastern hemisphere literally burned.<br />
<br />
So privilege it is. Even if we lost sons for the sense of near arrogance; the lack of humility and the zest for confrontation, as long as it’s not on American soil. <br />
<br />
The attacks in Paris only made France more defiant. There is an element of fear, don’t get me wrong, but the predominant response in the country is FUCK YOU TERRORISTS you are not going to change our way of life. In the US, the mere whisper of terrorism means shouts to close borders and to turn away refugees; it means brown people being persecuted for being brown, and people buying more guns and bigger cars. The privilege of fear.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s upsetting to me how the USA has turned from a country
of greatness and goodness to one of fear and paranoia. I can see where it
happened, and where it continues to happen, and as long as we foster this culture
of fear, we have allowed the terrorists (note how 'terror’ is part of this word) to achieve their ends.
A small faction of extremists, having such a powerful effect that it stuns an
entire nation into fear… crazy isn’t it?
Americans merely wash the muslims with a sweeping generalized term of
terrorists, and imagine millions of brown skinned people hoping to destroy the
west—instead of even opening their ears to the fact that ISIS is about the same
threat as the next five or six mass shooters that have attempted to enact their
own terror in this country, but somehow not instilled that same level of fear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is what’s true: You are more likely to be shot by a
police officer than you are being harmed by a muslim extremist. You are WAY more likely to be shot by your
OWN gun in your OWN home (or someone in your household) than you are being
harmed by a muslim extremist. That is just the truth. And fearing the Syrian
refugees… well, that’s like fearing meteors falling on your head. With the
intensive vetting process, no self-respecting extremist would bother. It’s
easier to just hop on a plane and come as a tourist. And heck, it’s easy enough
for them to get a gun here, so there you go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can crow until the cows come home about your security
but you don’t know what being in danger is. Not compared to the Syrians. Even
the French can claim the privilege of far better security than that of the truly afflicted nations like Syria and Lebanon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
And finally, a salient point here... <b>We built this. </b>As much as many Americans like to avoid responsibility for the consequences of our global actions, we have to face it; as a nation we have a duty to start fixing the disasters our policies and war mongering have caused. And if that means finding ways to support the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their war-torn homes, then that is what we should do. If we risk a terrorist event in our country doing it, then so be it. Honestly, it’s not like we don’t already have our own home-grown terrorists who do much greater damage. Between the mass shootings and the church burnings and all the other crap going on, why are we focusing on ISIS? Is it that we fear that they will bring war to our back yards? Imagine that.<br />
<br />
This is my next set of 365s for you. Enjoy. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG-vZeINtPZ_5Pw2nMreVjk-w8aXpN6pHwOuscphsn09FC09BcW5w7SR9ofnTfZRjK9elYAh_9CyldY-HscoLsmGrIJxYPYxEHDKETapqv-VHoYi3yV-PCVjCyFHeTdwxfu0LVAjPYxg/s1600/301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG-vZeINtPZ_5Pw2nMreVjk-w8aXpN6pHwOuscphsn09FC09BcW5w7SR9ofnTfZRjK9elYAh_9CyldY-HscoLsmGrIJxYPYxEHDKETapqv-VHoYi3yV-PCVjCyFHeTdwxfu0LVAjPYxg/s400/301.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">301/365</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Hgr4tRqto80eSAUnlVqJ0PF2xGAki4PD8HL-PTEg0dLROrqO0ZrpYy68Rl06I5PZ9gAOMZhXdCuGcChW-NX-N2kOCJ0O7yo5xJ6BuIEEZBbCWSYfdq6UZ37G6noOKzIgKwcP9jXk8Gg/s1600/302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Hgr4tRqto80eSAUnlVqJ0PF2xGAki4PD8HL-PTEg0dLROrqO0ZrpYy68Rl06I5PZ9gAOMZhXdCuGcChW-NX-N2kOCJ0O7yo5xJ6BuIEEZBbCWSYfdq6UZ37G6noOKzIgKwcP9jXk8Gg/s400/302.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">302/365</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyA4-x9WqnQel9uSJMmM0VMw67ifgI_JtqzRfDNsKtSbnDfkgyoGwI9jtEwliUTQEkR2uq4oh-_xpVXtgHaDkfpUqVaGO8LAF23aGHodw8YYV2C0D9ldkKWhBRNGwgGCV5zOGj8yJBJs/s1600/303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyA4-x9WqnQel9uSJMmM0VMw67ifgI_JtqzRfDNsKtSbnDfkgyoGwI9jtEwliUTQEkR2uq4oh-_xpVXtgHaDkfpUqVaGO8LAF23aGHodw8YYV2C0D9ldkKWhBRNGwgGCV5zOGj8yJBJs/s400/303.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">303<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dDa0XjiCcYUA2nL0RGms7IDhNSmfoWDm-ecZzY0587EALK4RXhbShc94TUpWYwLx8SJz9E4I0qf6zdiiK8ifPyKb8ofUjILk6OnCDHSQDACpGvKMT8lqsDCRo6J6pWFHclnK8WA0nVI/s1600/304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dDa0XjiCcYUA2nL0RGms7IDhNSmfoWDm-ecZzY0587EALK4RXhbShc94TUpWYwLx8SJz9E4I0qf6zdiiK8ifPyKb8ofUjILk6OnCDHSQDACpGvKMT8lqsDCRo6J6pWFHclnK8WA0nVI/s400/304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">304<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsXrX2LrfOh4ifE4ElAR8716L-7bK92o4VXcRu-1t062EgwzFShExdHJxoYuwuQme_kgtvGTSskfKrmKaT5PIjZoYmxKc3npThoyGw1vIzEbxlr7D0y3RXO7zT4F6hIwup2kNWerlRMQ/s1600/305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsXrX2LrfOh4ifE4ElAR8716L-7bK92o4VXcRu-1t062EgwzFShExdHJxoYuwuQme_kgtvGTSskfKrmKaT5PIjZoYmxKc3npThoyGw1vIzEbxlr7D0y3RXO7zT4F6hIwup2kNWerlRMQ/s400/305.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">305<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - I got this cat in 1984 for my birthday.<br />He's one of the few things I have from my<br />childhood. Alex is giving this old dude<br />a run for his money.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC4QgCLfRxNm8CSr_wUBfyHCnXaqPMS36PGjejPB6qycp0uMKcPs_uqq334dIRpBpKYG5hzuO1RD6Wx71Xbn6mT5GVnT2W_KzovKmitY5WEAHcYO3Sf0QAdASFet9kqbSB0SvFfYg190/s1600/306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC4QgCLfRxNm8CSr_wUBfyHCnXaqPMS36PGjejPB6qycp0uMKcPs_uqq334dIRpBpKYG5hzuO1RD6Wx71Xbn6mT5GVnT2W_KzovKmitY5WEAHcYO3Sf0QAdASFet9kqbSB0SvFfYg190/s400/306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">306<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - I took this pic with my husband's phone. It's Halloween.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0QcS3fa6NxIzNdHyibt_7z_wkjlXHp2t3u1a9SDIsESW57bOrWayztkLWQiMiLIQBM7IwfGeKauGmUr6MTZJXknxdI_9H819iib_0vVtL8w8M4dIDeKO2V04wSjPQTM2yfSGfG2_1-Y/s1600/307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0QcS3fa6NxIzNdHyibt_7z_wkjlXHp2t3u1a9SDIsESW57bOrWayztkLWQiMiLIQBM7IwfGeKauGmUr6MTZJXknxdI_9H819iib_0vVtL8w8M4dIDeKO2V04wSjPQTM2yfSGfG2_1-Y/s400/307.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">307<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGab2FKZa7oT6BVAnFOh4l0DFkblu2LCg_wDw1w9bhFTvw_egKmzhzaHrJBo-OcLkfWX7c6hJCNUeIt0A0lJVKrh4rAdSMT0mRYd_LMQwNn8yqwR4-MV8jPoILVLoF9ZSNWpPD4K3aUU/s1600/308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGab2FKZa7oT6BVAnFOh4l0DFkblu2LCg_wDw1w9bhFTvw_egKmzhzaHrJBo-OcLkfWX7c6hJCNUeIt0A0lJVKrh4rAdSMT0mRYd_LMQwNn8yqwR4-MV8jPoILVLoF9ZSNWpPD4K3aUU/s400/308.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">308<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXtjlgy_4SKIUTlPKj2PeC4C5fAnKI5Y9LRX8Vb3u8VseLGxuHfVThDsSdw6HlTb-CWhx3O6LDHnfhdmJQPug3ZgSlPHOUq2yyJ-UbTjDRjYnFItqU86JWwbQtL6KraXaa9257n61Kug/s1600/309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXtjlgy_4SKIUTlPKj2PeC4C5fAnKI5Y9LRX8Vb3u8VseLGxuHfVThDsSdw6HlTb-CWhx3O6LDHnfhdmJQPug3ZgSlPHOUq2yyJ-UbTjDRjYnFItqU86JWwbQtL6KraXaa9257n61Kug/s400/309.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">309<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQusZwXYOtImEA4VGOZlK3r8CoIkmf0-wEoz2tWk11mMtMoXRYOyirgMXl9MuxIqigLOmz5bGafGzcAyGbWEZdT698pII5wsiWMPNIbQcC14OAISYh9W_8Vja4aLa36s-z-YxRdmQYAo/s1600/310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQusZwXYOtImEA4VGOZlK3r8CoIkmf0-wEoz2tWk11mMtMoXRYOyirgMXl9MuxIqigLOmz5bGafGzcAyGbWEZdT698pII5wsiWMPNIbQcC14OAISYh9W_8Vja4aLa36s-z-YxRdmQYAo/s400/310.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">310<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQikze__SduSpQzXZmGJ-XasqtjE6asb27qqRafCCZvvPOSA0fvuRca1osMmRt8dSIeVlfZX5gHuhEW509nHa1o7LbBonlaN7a9t68vr8Cxa2vl_AsIzw7eS3geLJAG_OXYqGbgBZ8hc/s1600/311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQikze__SduSpQzXZmGJ-XasqtjE6asb27qqRafCCZvvPOSA0fvuRca1osMmRt8dSIeVlfZX5gHuhEW509nHa1o7LbBonlaN7a9t68vr8Cxa2vl_AsIzw7eS3geLJAG_OXYqGbgBZ8hc/s400/311.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">311<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvp437N8pFUbvr0o6v3P0rzmJ0TLhkDfgI0_xxDq6Gab-5dhrJ_rK8bDzCxztZJ0AkGae8tSHrHaEPx88K8c3JAgnaPFJFJ3yFXWIYzCJ4L8Mflo0972swOQpOl7BzZZW7CqXmeWCz4M/s1600/312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvp437N8pFUbvr0o6v3P0rzmJ0TLhkDfgI0_xxDq6Gab-5dhrJ_rK8bDzCxztZJ0AkGae8tSHrHaEPx88K8c3JAgnaPFJFJ3yFXWIYzCJ4L8Mflo0972swOQpOl7BzZZW7CqXmeWCz4M/s400/312.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">312<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWMH5Gu0naQ0hoZ1TEd8wmjXtxAHIHTm-9zwMQGLLCMQNkcOLOZ7I6cx-oEfvdlIog4LZPPM588wEI034u5Haq34tDeJMrzgSeMOfrUHva1H0fETKCocaQJcf-E5Bbnw3OVRaSI256-0/s1600/313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWMH5Gu0naQ0hoZ1TEd8wmjXtxAHIHTm-9zwMQGLLCMQNkcOLOZ7I6cx-oEfvdlIog4LZPPM588wEI034u5Haq34tDeJMrzgSeMOfrUHva1H0fETKCocaQJcf-E5Bbnw3OVRaSI256-0/s400/313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">313<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxEiZ9UNA6WrbGLeVi7sWqCvYvwi8BlXWgMQfazHq-_Rg_oy283NCtlB2-CMHDfy_8Y2p2-R6_R1E5_-OKe6EC2OkyKHx5MtVUCjfxyodxutNA03w4xcfZjaPGP8KtwEBMtDAy1eViKE/s1600/314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxEiZ9UNA6WrbGLeVi7sWqCvYvwi8BlXWgMQfazHq-_Rg_oy283NCtlB2-CMHDfy_8Y2p2-R6_R1E5_-OKe6EC2OkyKHx5MtVUCjfxyodxutNA03w4xcfZjaPGP8KtwEBMtDAy1eViKE/s400/314.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">314<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m0ETy1gHMDhu1UzjJte1d9plUeLngy9zqMiAMSTyxmDyeBmwMTTGf9LrmFINq6fWb_F8Z4PaM25Ce9O-tMRTcKW3MbFEw2zLcAHFjiTFLlD-B6QL3eow6HeOR8Lg2s4lUmzHnulW4OQ/s1600/315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4m0ETy1gHMDhu1UzjJte1d9plUeLngy9zqMiAMSTyxmDyeBmwMTTGf9LrmFINq6fWb_F8Z4PaM25Ce9O-tMRTcKW3MbFEw2zLcAHFjiTFLlD-B6QL3eow6HeOR8Lg2s4lUmzHnulW4OQ/s400/315.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">315<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365 - Happy third birthday baby boy,</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISbXoVaU_UovKtinYEsdYGDbbEG8Yym7Tnwenv7l9UcYtzHa-nqQHLVyGHbi8T0drSldp9ALhASsZDEu0P4sb0pSGNcoqDVZVqz4xVr8eg65ohfWuAZrmjvvuyWFavfvXgeJ3NSg2OAg/s1600/316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISbXoVaU_UovKtinYEsdYGDbbEG8Yym7Tnwenv7l9UcYtzHa-nqQHLVyGHbi8T0drSldp9ALhASsZDEu0P4sb0pSGNcoqDVZVqz4xVr8eg65ohfWuAZrmjvvuyWFavfvXgeJ3NSg2OAg/s400/316.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">316<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglqV_-WLTz7ah-Llauc1pW1rrKYR5f8LMsCJzoUlT7CY1AjzVH259WkYOdsdFN009_UDd3kwf57JFjKWMdfNHhlfF5TG2yiA7V5bZfjCQu_YtMKglqJKWggFI6oSZ5CQscM6hIFAkZUA/s1600/317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglqV_-WLTz7ah-Llauc1pW1rrKYR5f8LMsCJzoUlT7CY1AjzVH259WkYOdsdFN009_UDd3kwf57JFjKWMdfNHhlfF5TG2yiA7V5bZfjCQu_YtMKglqJKWggFI6oSZ5CQscM6hIFAkZUA/s400/317.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">317<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbT144m1sCRzWwCH305MnjgkqnsEuNC77osmmWhw_fh6Le8OeqUOd7BpKD0Jt4AVloq2VObX2-NOKblpgpXuK1-YXcipOESclJb6nioz1cXvRXHA9fohNBzr5HK9gsa4MC8KA8WY_-9s/s1600/318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbT144m1sCRzWwCH305MnjgkqnsEuNC77osmmWhw_fh6Le8OeqUOd7BpKD0Jt4AVloq2VObX2-NOKblpgpXuK1-YXcipOESclJb6nioz1cXvRXHA9fohNBzr5HK9gsa4MC8KA8WY_-9s/s320/318.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">318<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T9qBk9joumfMeq5XxS54JEaIhHcY3aN9A5teA8GeRGD2m-0bF-3nki6HI70ROgtun6Jpd5q1ssieodaPTv1V_NeCKDSaXPTpNuGisfpbir3wvpfuG8e6cSk8oAjPEiOtY_l_UHt5H90/s1600/319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T9qBk9joumfMeq5XxS54JEaIhHcY3aN9A5teA8GeRGD2m-0bF-3nki6HI70ROgtun6Jpd5q1ssieodaPTv1V_NeCKDSaXPTpNuGisfpbir3wvpfuG8e6cSk8oAjPEiOtY_l_UHt5H90/s400/319.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">319<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fILQgwkFN8_lPI6g44NTFaAvbIQj21DjEqtplUYiHm1_wg_PlqnrFT3attf9FwBWpqMM1u0QyNy7Q29UjIJ34dlfvOl_Tlay-RwRFiraIilgrPF16jP28gzcPmEB56qw7QMnjZUuNFg/s1600/320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fILQgwkFN8_lPI6g44NTFaAvbIQj21DjEqtplUYiHm1_wg_PlqnrFT3attf9FwBWpqMM1u0QyNy7Q29UjIJ34dlfvOl_Tlay-RwRFiraIilgrPF16jP28gzcPmEB56qw7QMnjZUuNFg/s400/320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">320<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">/365</span></td></tr>
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<br /><!------>Hungarican Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13868314128333948366noreply@blogger.com0