tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53164065702369814782024-03-13T18:12:20.246-07:00CelticMommyHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comBlogger314125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-83740048585855218852015-05-13T11:45:00.000-07:002016-02-21T13:25:56.917-08:00Grand Canyon Trip!<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;">After several smaller trips to adjust ourselves to being in the RV, we set out for a great trip across the beautiful Southwestern states. Our first visit was to the Grand Canyon. Our drive across California into Arizona was windy! It was amazing though how quickly those hours went by though with fun things to keep us busy like several rounds of Uno, a </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/2011/i-spy-bingo/" href="http://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/2011/i-spy-bingo/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">car BINGO game</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;">we printed out ahead of time, lots of snacks, and lots of chatting. Wilson, our Great Dane spent most of his time with his head on Rob's lap-- he is turning out to be quite the road dog!</span><br />
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Arriving at the Grand Canyon's South entrance, we were greeted by mule deers everywhere. Em and Ro loved looking out the window to see the grazing deer who seemed utterly unperturbed by the humans in their big boxes driving by.<br />
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We opted to buy a <a data-mce-href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm" href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm" style="color: #1b8be0; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">National Park Pass</a> as we plan to visit several parks in the next year. Fiscally, it made sense to spend the money on the pass and we had budgeted for this. We went right in to the <a data-mce-href="http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/cg-sr.htm#CP_JUMP_1954262" href="http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/cg-sr.htm#CP_JUMP_1954262" style="color: #1b8be0; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mather Campground</a> to check in and begin exploring. The campground (site 114) was very clean but required a bit of finessing to get in and out of as there were trees on both sides of the site.</div>
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Parked and leveled, we our RV to stretch our legs and explore the campground. The air was wonderfully chilly and crisp and we felt invigorated and excited about exploring the next day. For the first evening, we stayed at the campground familiarizing ourselves with everything.</div>
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The next day dawned with light drizzle and utter quiet. The campground was about 1/3 full and our neighbors (RV/trailer and tenters alike) were courteous and friendly. We chose to drive down to the Grand Canyon rim. It's funny... I know how big the Grand Canyon is, but I'd forgotten how BIG it was! <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97Qeo9KBnOA/VsoYje9HjUI/AAAAAAAAFEI/S177fhDwcXg/s1600/Ro%2Band%2BMomma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97Qeo9KBnOA/VsoYje9HjUI/AAAAAAAAFEI/S177fhDwcXg/s640/Ro%2Band%2BMomma.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Campground Review:</b><br />
-$18 a night. Drydocking only, with dump station and water fill-up in campground. Water faucets nearby as well.<br />
-Clean bathrooms spaced around with dish sinks outside also.<br />
-Lots of roaming wildlife in campground, very calm but still wild of course.<br />
-Fairly busy for mid-May but not sold out when we were there. Tent, trailer, and RV campers alike.<br />
-Excellent trail guide info., educational talks, etc. available all over.<br />
-Easily park and walk/bus around the Canyon.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-43017323920798111252015-03-09T12:41:00.000-07:002016-02-21T13:20:16.381-08:00RV Camping at Sycamore Canyon in Point Mugu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For our first RV trip, we decided to try a quickie extended weekend not too far from home. We settled on Sycamore Canyon Campground in the <a href="http://www.reserveamerica.com/facilityDetails.do?contractCode=CA&parkId=120072" target="_blank">Point Mugu State Park</a>, California. While there is a great on-beach setup at Thornhill Broome, we wanted the ease of hiking in the hills and a wind-free site protected by the mountains. </div>
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Arriving with our reservation in hand as this place sells out nearly every weekend, the state park employees opted to assign us a teeny weenie spot in the middle of tent campers, that was impossible for our 28 foot RV to fit in! Luckily, we arrived early enough to look around and found the larger RV-type sites to the left of the entrance that we could change to.<br />
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While the adults set up camp and prepped for dinner, the kiddos explored the dry creek bed collecting driftwood and avoiding copious amounts of poison oak!<br />
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The campsite was spotless, the firepit was empty (and deep!) and our camping neighbors were nice and fairly quiet.<br />
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We spent our days at the beach and hiking in the mountains. There were even migrating whales pods to be seen!<br />
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<b>Campground Review:</b><br />
<b>-</b>$45 a night! Drydocking only, with dump station in campground and water faucets nearby.<br />
-Nice facilities, working showers and bathrooms nearby. Park rangers were on hand all day.<br />
-Campground host was never seen, never stopped by, nothing.<br />
-A busy campground, sold out all three evenings we were there (in March).<br />
-Excellent beginner to advanced hikes easily accessible. No pets on trails.<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comPoint Mugu, California 90265, USA34.085562400000008 -119.060934999999978.5635279000000075 -160.36952899999997 59.607596900000004 -77.752340999999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-50735259427868689722014-11-07T07:28:00.004-08:002016-01-24T15:19:13.518-08:00this moment<span style="text-align: center;">{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</span><br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-21259146866051581752014-11-06T12:59:00.000-08:002016-01-24T15:19:44.576-08:00The Bread SpotFinally, cooler temps are gracing our mornings in Southern California! My kitchen window faces the rising sun and warms the kitchen up to uncomfortable baking conditions from June to October typically. Most cooking these past months has been outside on the BBQ or in a crock pot with, sadly, very little quality baking lessons for Em and Ro. And, very very little baking experimentation time for me.<br />
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Then, as if by magic, (which I equate my own earlier rising time with the ending of Daylight Savings Time really) November comes around with her lovely morning chill and brings out my inner baker from hibernation. With the boys still sleeping, I look through the pantry supplies, I pore over my baking books and find tasty inspiration on the pages of books by Peter Reinhart, Nancy Silverton, King Arthur Flour, and Alice Medrich to name a few!<br />
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The light streaming in in this photo was taken at 10:30 this morning, just as I had done my stretching and folding of a batch of San Francisco Sourdough from <i>Peter Reinhart's artisan breads every day</i>. With the angle of the sun hitting it at right place and without the searing summer heat, this spot is perfect for warm, slow rising bread to sit and bloom. Bread bakers will understand my happiness at this as bread dough, particularly mine, is uber temperamental! After this comes the cool down rising time in the fridge and tomorrow I'll have lovely loaves for us to eat.<br />
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Trying to live, learn and adjust my baking based on the light and the seasons has been an ever evolving quest for me. As my children grow older and want their own lessons in the kitchen, I work to make sure I have time for slow bread as well as quickie cookies and cakes. Each baked good comes from our hearts, so this time of year is especially full of baked love!<br />
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Happy Thursday!!<br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-75944110717780064062014-10-31T06:29:00.000-07:002018-05-07T12:47:51.756-07:00this moment<span style="text-align: center;">{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween!!</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-5865338469975762502014-10-24T04:52:00.000-07:002018-05-07T12:47:30.869-07:00this moment!<span style="text-align: center;">{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</span><br />
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Happy Weekend!</div>
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</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-34168309854229863692014-10-17T12:23:00.000-07:002018-05-07T12:48:11.484-07:00this moment<span style="text-align: center;">{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</span><br />
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-83998972888601345032014-10-10T06:52:00.000-07:002014-11-07T07:21:37.057-08:00this moment<span style="text-align: center;">{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</span><br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-51928652193313082142014-10-03T07:17:00.000-07:002014-11-07T07:19:56.398-08:00this moment<div style="text-align: center;">
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-3898732695543207652014-09-19T09:25:00.000-07:002014-11-07T07:17:05.166-08:00this moment<div style="text-align: center;">
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-4381406259316486732014-09-12T08:14:00.000-07:002014-11-07T07:15:19.885-08:00this moment<div style="text-align: center;">
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-78445678306509162052014-08-29T07:40:00.000-07:002016-02-21T12:11:48.436-08:00Chalk dimensional tree tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBd0HBIN3oI/VACGawuWtDI/AAAAAAAAEu8/re76ptZAGc0/s1600/Finished%2Bproject.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBd0HBIN3oI/VACGawuWtDI/AAAAAAAAEu8/re76ptZAGc0/s1600/Finished%2Bproject.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I promised a tutorial on how we took our nature observations from our weeks' <a href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2014/08/observing-late-summer-in-southern.html" target="_blank">field trips to Malibu Creek</a> and turned them into fun, dimensional trees. While the how-to is a little photo heavy, it really is very simple with supplies you probably already have on hand.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Using black construction paper and a pencil, draw shapes of leaves. We went with ovals and pointy ovals as they were the types of leaves we viewed. Exactness is<b> not required</b> as nature is not exact either. We used black construction paper because it gives a bit of depth (and I happen to have a lot leftover from last Halloween, lol). Also, we smudged some leaves, kept sharp lines on others-- this was to the taste of each of my kids. If you have <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/categories/fixatives/details/" target="_blank">chalk fixative,</a> gently coat the paper and let dry for an hour or so before cutting out leaves. The fixative makes for less smudging and hand washing during the assembly of your project.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">We had pieces of cardboard in our craft bins, so we used those to make the tree trunks. After drawing them, Em and Ro cut them out and colored them in. They made sure to get the sides as well. This (plus the attachment step below) gives the tree a bit of depth. Spray these as well.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLum2-GmOQY/VACGf8wCaSI/AAAAAAAAEvc/LTrLIrOBf6g/s1600/Step%2BTwo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLum2-GmOQY/VACGf8wCaSI/AAAAAAAAEvc/LTrLIrOBf6g/s1600/Step%2BTwo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Attach the tree trunk to a piece of cardstock or construction paper. We didn't put the tree right at the bottom so that we could add in a bit of grass and roots. In the photo below, you can see the trick to making everything stand out on the page-- 3D glue dots. I had these on hand and they are available at any craft store. If you don't have these, tape is fine.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vA72mWHCbYg/VACGfbvN28I/AAAAAAAAEvY/yez_TWih1vc/s1600/Step%2BThree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vA72mWHCbYg/VACGfbvN28I/AAAAAAAAEvY/yez_TWih1vc/s1600/Step%2BThree.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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To give some of the leaves even more height, we used scrap pieces of cardboard in between two 3D dots. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dw6DOmoaJ8/VACGUwDwkxI/AAAAAAAAEuo/weIbOexLZvc/s1600/Step%2BFour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dw6DOmoaJ8/VACGUwDwkxI/AAAAAAAAEuo/weIbOexLZvc/s1600/Step%2BFour.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have fun placing your leaves however you want them. Some are flat on the page with flat glue dots, some are raised up with the 3D dots (and the method above). Em and Ro had fun layering them to try and resemble a real tree.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-waMRVRPfPLI/VACGVHeEOuI/AAAAAAAAEus/1zUtIH5PkM0/s1600/Step%2BFive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-waMRVRPfPLI/VACGVHeEOuI/AAAAAAAAEus/1zUtIH5PkM0/s1600/Step%2BFive.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you haven't already done so, finish your art with some grass and tree roots. (As you can see, in the above photo, Em did it before, but Ro did his after.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri8zG2hIYPI/VACGcoQ2i9I/AAAAAAAAEvM/p3E35HBXL74/s1600/Step%2BSix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri8zG2hIYPI/VACGcoQ2i9I/AAAAAAAAEvM/p3E35HBXL74/s1600/Step%2BSix.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Give a final spray of fixative and you're all set for display!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUoiOwYHOq8/VACGbqZK61I/AAAAAAAAEvE/17opNMIPSgE/s1600/Step%2BSeven.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUoiOwYHOq8/VACGbqZK61I/AAAAAAAAEvE/17opNMIPSgE/s1600/Step%2BSeven.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We did this craft over the course of a few days to stretch out the fun. To hang them in our homeschool classroom, I did have to use a few thumbtacks behind the leaves as it was a little heavy with the cardboard and glue dots.</div>
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If you try this craft, we would love to see what you make! Please feel free to link back in the comments.</div>
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I hope you are enjoying the late summer season and have a lovely weekend!</div>
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</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-13333344377299607502014-08-29T07:29:00.000-07:002014-11-07T07:13:50.581-08:00this moment<br />
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{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-6432616547650796222014-08-28T09:26:00.000-07:002014-08-28T09:26:20.958-07:00Observing late summer in Southern CaliforniaLast week, Em, Ro, and I went for a few Observation Walks to try to find frogs for part of Em's 5th grade science assignment. Summer in Southern California (especially in a three year drought) leaves very little leeway for amphibian sighting! <br /><br />Rather than call the days a loss, we decided to hike through <a href="http://www.malibucreekstatepark.org/" target="_blank">Malibu Creek</a> and see what was going on in the late summer season. <br />
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We found wee fish, crayfish, dragonflies, leaf bugs, and a few things I couldn't identify. Alas, no frogs.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6wOSvj34Qc/U_9UaUpqvsI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/OCVm9qIKozc/s1600/IMG_8562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6wOSvj34Qc/U_9UaUpqvsI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/OCVm9qIKozc/s1600/IMG_8562.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sadly, we also found quite a bit of litter (see above) in the creek as well.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--A33DSFpmIE/U_9SuTzmhKI/AAAAAAAAEt0/KUOo6q2h7CA/s1600/IMG_8601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--A33DSFpmIE/U_9SuTzmhKI/AAAAAAAAEt0/KUOo6q2h7CA/s1600/IMG_8601.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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After an hour of looking for frogs, we decided to take the hike towards the Malibu Creek visitor center and stop nearby with our picnic lunch. As public school in Los Angeles is already underway, we had the place nearly all to ourselves. We stopped many times along the trail to watch lizards sunning on the path, to listen to scrub jays chatting in the trees, to feel the dry brush, and to ponder the growing future tumbleweeds in the dry creek bed. (we <a href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2010/10/so-long-tumbleweed-street.html" target="_blank">love tumbleweeds</a>!)</div>
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Coming home, I decided that this trip was the perfect time to incorporate some art into our day. So, out came the chalks and paper. And tomorrow, we will show you how our interpretation of the late summer trees was done. Until then, have a wonderful day!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpOilYmpf5U/U_9SwP5oXkI/AAAAAAAAEuE/Sen4lxLqn-Y/s1600/IMG_8660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpOilYmpf5U/U_9SwP5oXkI/AAAAAAAAEuE/Sen4lxLqn-Y/s1600/IMG_8660.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-12514572341347338782014-08-22T06:41:00.006-07:002014-08-22T06:43:59.590-07:00this moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a special moment of the week. A moment I want to savor and remember. </div>
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Inspired by Amanda of SouleMama.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-28721280886061937592014-05-30T12:18:00.002-07:002014-05-30T12:21:48.347-07:00this moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo, no words, capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. Inspired by SouleMama.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHXj54dtuvE/U4jZ6M9T_zI/AAAAAAAAElQ/MqVABUTE-PE/s1600/Last+day+of+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHXj54dtuvE/U4jZ6M9T_zI/AAAAAAAAElQ/MqVABUTE-PE/s1600/Last+day+of+school.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-45722498160409148792014-05-28T10:45:00.003-07:002014-05-28T10:45:44.800-07:00Winding down and Ramping UpIf you were to set foot in our house, it would be clear that we are both winding down and ramping up for summer.<br /><br />We are winding down our school year here with Em and Ro-- finishing up the last tidbits of 4th and 2nd grade homeschool. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sS_0tn0n8wg/U4YceXpjCcI/AAAAAAAAEkY/m57ZqdvIJ-g/s1600/Water+lillies+at+nursery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sS_0tn0n8wg/U4YceXpjCcI/AAAAAAAAEkY/m57ZqdvIJ-g/s1600/Water+lillies+at+nursery.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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Final art lessons showcasing gardens intermixed with actual backyard garden planning and planting.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KmEvlZ2S2k4/U4YctakULWI/AAAAAAAAEk4/e_dhlw27rp4/s1600/Tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KmEvlZ2S2k4/U4YctakULWI/AAAAAAAAEk4/e_dhlw27rp4/s1600/Tomatoes.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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Freeform outdoor discovery taking over (and lengthening) the scheduled outdoor yoga lessons.<br />
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California history lessons have been slowly replaced with reading, snacking, and napping in the treehouse... and the lists of "summer to-do" items keeps piling up. I especially love the simplicity of items to check off like "sleep in" and "make water balloons" mixed with things I never knew they wanted like "get a hamster" and "repaint the treehouse".<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vf3VCRIRTKA/U4YcpHKzLKI/AAAAAAAAEkw/6tRBt1k7p2E/s1600/Summer+to+do+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vf3VCRIRTKA/U4YcpHKzLKI/AAAAAAAAEkw/6tRBt1k7p2E/s1600/Summer+to+do+list.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have several fun crafts planned for the coming weeks as well and hope to have those up and available soon. I ordered a downloadable subscription from Corinna of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/piddix" target="_blank">Piddix</a> to help challenge my crafting mojo (Piddix is where I got the bird and flower downloads to make my <a href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-make-custom-oval-necklaces.html" target="_blank">necklace tutorial</a>-- remember that?) I also ordered a bunch of wood supplies from <a href="http://www.caseyswood.com/" target="_blank">Casey's Wood</a> and have been slowly piling up other bits and bobs around the house. Since Em and Ro switched from public to homeschool, our crafting time has increased and blossomed-- it's pretty messy and fun!<br />
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Lastly, my office/craft room will get a makeover in a big (to me) way this summer as well. I hope to be able to share all of that here and help others with a room makeover on a budget.<br />
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Break time is over... back to school I go! Happy Wednesday everyone.<br />
-Hettie<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-54990625153402312512014-05-14T07:11:00.000-07:002014-05-14T07:11:54.121-07:00A beautiful whirlwind - Under the Myrtle tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Wednesday readers, are you still with me? We've been through a beautiful whirlwind here the many months I've been absent from CelticMommy. Earlier this week, Em asked me if this blog still existed-- and I showed him that yes, it was still out there in cyberspace, but quiet. I said "We've been busy sweetie and I haven't had time to write..." to which he replied:<br /><br />"You should Momma... you need to write more."<br />
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That evening, I sat in one of my customary outdoor spots watching as Em and Ro skated and biked and skateboarded and walked and ran and laughed the evening away. I sat and thought about reviving this space. And *if* I revived it, is it still what I want it to be? Is it still what I am and what I like? I'm still thinking about it.<br />
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So here I am with wise ideas from my ten year old. (ten!!) I am pretty sure that I'll be back, but the when and the how and the what I'll be back with is, undecided. Until then, my days are being spent often under the Myrtle tree in our front yard. <br /><br />I hope you have a great day!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-55935786693023079192013-10-26T12:49:00.000-07:002013-10-26T12:49:23.839-07:00Halloween Indoor Decoration InspirationSince my front yard is taken over every year as an over-the-top fun filled fake cemetery,<br />
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I keep my indoor decor pretty minimal. Last year, we added the <a href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2012/10/googly-eye-skull-tutorial.html">googly eye framed skeleton</a>. This year I have two more items to show you. Both were pretty quick and made with supplies I had on hand making them free projects!! If these inspire you to create your own decor and you do not have supplies on hand, they can be made for under $15 <i>for both</i>. While these are not tutorials per se, I hope they will give you some ideas to make your home hauntingly happy.<br />
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<b>The Nevermore art.</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HljUZdyfnrw/UmwJaVOfgOI/AAAAAAAAEdM/lecH8dL4xjo/s1600/Nevermore+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HljUZdyfnrw/UmwJaVOfgOI/AAAAAAAAEdM/lecH8dL4xjo/s640/Nevermore+frame.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I found a plaque many months ago for seventy-five cents at my local Goodwill similar to <a href="http://www.caseyswood.com/shoppingcart/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=487_485&products_id=2264">this one</a> from Casey's Wood. I painted over the faded floral image with orange acrylic craft paint and let it dry overnight. Then, I found a photo online of a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=raven+silhouette&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9htsUuvLKov8iQKU2oHADg&ved=0CC4QsAQ&biw=1920&bih=1032">raven silhouette</a> and freehand painted this on as best as I could. I added the "Nevermore" based on a font I found it Word, but it just looked too clean, so I mussed it and the sides up a bit. Done and done!<br />
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<b>The Spiderweb frame.</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB_WOOWg0Tc/UmwZRc3w5CI/AAAAAAAAEdc/XomOvndtTzc/s1600/The+Spiderweb+Frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB_WOOWg0Tc/UmwZRc3w5CI/AAAAAAAAEdc/XomOvndtTzc/s640/The+Spiderweb+Frame.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While waiting for the orange paint to dry in the Nevermore art, I spotted an open wooden frame I bought a long long loooong time ago for some project. I slapped a coat of black acrylic paint on that and glittered it up. Next, I found a free pattern for a spiderweb on the <a href="http://www.crochetnmore.com/spiderwebtabletopper.htm">Crochet N More</a> website and modified it to fit my frame. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/CelticMommy/spiderweb-table-topper">Ravelry notes here</a>. Then, I soaked the finished web and stretched it to the edges of the frame, stapling it to the back of the frame while the web was still wet. For a finishing touch, I placed a rubber spider that I glittered <a href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2012/10/handmade-halloween-in-progress.html">last year </a>on the web and called it a success.<br />
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What fun projects have you done for Halloween this season? If you link to your photos or blog, I promise to pop by for a peek.<br />
<br />Have a great weekend!<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-62277594737393558852013-10-20T09:29:00.000-07:002013-10-26T06:30:51.009-07:00Tutorial: How to make Nightmare Before Christmas PumpkinsHaving long been a fan of the movie "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107688/">The Nightmare Before Christmas</a>", we have made pumpkins in tribute to many characters over the Halloween years. (<a href="http://celticmommy.blogspot.com/2011/10/handmade-halloween.html">See here</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/-celticmommy-/sets/72157636966935243/">a few here </a>) But, each year, our pretty pumpkins decay and are composted. So this year we decided to add a few details to our annual front yard cemetery using pumpkins that will last a lot longer!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqpEmnt6SGw/Umu9ec-LXyI/AAAAAAAAEcY/W0AxFmwkjgE/s1600/CelticMommy-+Skellington+Funkin+Tutoiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqpEmnt6SGw/Umu9ec-LXyI/AAAAAAAAEcY/W0AxFmwkjgE/s640/CelticMommy-+Skellington+Funkin+Tutoiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Supplies Needed:</b><br />
A Funkin, or any other carveable fake pumpkin from your local hobby shoppe<br />
X-acto knife<br />
Template for carving (easy Google<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=jack+skellington+template&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=2L1rUtmrO4qUiQL0qoD4AQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1049&bih=957#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=nightmare%20before%20christmas%20pumpkin%20template&revid=1543888259&tbm=isch"> image search</a>)<br />
Black acrylic paint and small paintbrush<br />
A push pin<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ2DJlN21w0/Umu_fPLuWJI/AAAAAAAAEck/mEtj5lEVEW4/s1600/Funkin+tutorial-step+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ2DJlN21w0/Umu_fPLuWJI/AAAAAAAAEck/mEtj5lEVEW4/s640/Funkin+tutorial-step+one.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Directions:</b><br />
1- Tape your template of choice to the Funkin and dot the outline using the push pin. <br />
2- Using your X-acto knife, carve around the outline. As this was my first experience with fake pumpkins, I will tell you, they are inconsistently thick and thin, so watch where your fingers are so that you do not cut yourself. Remove all carved pieces.<br />
3- Make a 1 inch diameter hole in the bottom of the pumpkin. If you plan to light your pumpkin with a battery operated light, this hole will need to be bigger. I am not lighting them, but placing on our fake fences, so I only made the hole wide enough for the paint in Step 4 and to fit on my fence as you see in the top photo.<br />
4- The messy step! I recommend doing this over your sink with paper towels nearby. Using the acrylic paint, squeeze generous amount into bottom of pumpkin, first coating the uncut back by rolling the pumpkin around slowly. I tried watering down the paint but it just rolled around in the pumpkin and made a big mess. Keeping the paint thick helped it to coat the Funkin nicely. Use the brush to accent the creamy part of the cut pumpkin as you see in the below photo. Try not to get too much black paint on the outside, but it will wipe away with a damp sponge if needed.<br />
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5- The bonus of making a mess on the outside of the pumpkin is that you can accent it as you see fit.<br />
6- Once the inside is thoroughly coated, set upright on a container (like a clean yogurt cup) to drain and dry for a day or so. <br />
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When you're done, you will have a Jack Skellington (or other image you chose) pumpkin to last through years of trick or treating.<br />
<br />Happy Halloween!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-79316769566899418892013-10-19T12:57:00.000-07:002013-10-19T12:57:23.325-07:00Tutorial Tomorrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLGealF5bQc/UmLgoA0Q1fI/AAAAAAAAEbU/dw4wu26TY0A/s1600/Skellington+Pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLGealF5bQc/UmLgoA0Q1fI/AAAAAAAAEbU/dw4wu26TY0A/s640/Skellington+Pumpkins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our October weekends have been full of family and Halloween preparation. I've greatly missed this space, but have plans for a few goodies coming up! I finally bought my first fake pumpkins at a 50% off sale a few weeks ago and will be posting a tutorial tomorrow on how to make them look similar to the ones in the classic <i>The Nightmare Before Christmas</i> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107688/">movie</a>. If I have time, I also have an autumnal afternoon snack in the works.<br /><br />Also coming up: In November, I have a free TARDIS hat pattern to crochet in honor of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0">Doctor Who</a>'s 50th Anniversary. If you are a Whovian and a crocheter, this is the perfect hat to make and wear for the November 23rd episode!<br />
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I hope you are having a great weekend!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-19136136837033138662013-10-05T15:38:00.000-07:002013-10-05T15:38:11.400-07:00Unfinished Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMaCFXm_rno/UlCNqz_tCqI/AAAAAAAAEaw/HBod-mJRX4A/s1600/Unfinished+business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMaCFXm_rno/UlCNqz_tCqI/AAAAAAAAEaw/HBod-mJRX4A/s640/Unfinished+business.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Quite some time ago, longer than I care to admit, my husband's Auntie L asked for my advice. She plopped an old bag down in front of me with granny squares of every color made in the mid-1970s! These belonged to her mother, the only crocheter in the family I believe. Could I help her find the pattern? What could she do with them? Could I complete whatever it was?<br />
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Promising very little, I took the squares home. In the bag was the second page of a pattern that was clearly NOT where the granny squares came from. They had the smell of forgotten closet storage, they made me sad. I put her bag in my craft room and it sat. And sat. Many months later, Auntie L gently asked me about the squares and I took them out to think. I moved them around on my floor, wondering what I could do. Then I stopped wondering about my dilemma and wondered about the woman who originally made them. This woman was my husband's grandma and the only one I had never met in a vast family of loving and interesting people.<br />
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I wondered what type of projects these scraps of yarn came from-- baby blanket and afghan remnants perhaps? Where were her hooks? What did she think? My mind wandered back to my own grandmother, my crochet teacher, and it made me think about her works in progress. What happened to them when she passed? I have blankets that she made, but nothing that was unfinished. How wonderful it would have been for me to finished something of hers!<br />
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Since, I do not have unfinished projects from my own family, I looked on this project for my husband's Auntie with renewed energy. I washed the granny squares and plotted an accent color to tie them all together. For the next several months, everywhere I went, the grannies went. I decided to stay true to her pattern, only adding another round to make them large enough for a lapghan. Though I never met the grandma who made these grannies, I feel close to her-- touching her perfect rows of double crochet. <br />
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Around and around I crochet, weaving in her ends and adding my own to be weaved in. The yellow granny you see in the photo is the last of the twenty eight 4" squares. I will re-block them next, seam them together and do a few finishing rounds before handing them back to Auntie L as a memento of her mother. Thinking about that day, makes me smile. It's coming soon.<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-11361733778605651262013-08-09T12:03:00.001-07:002013-08-09T12:03:26.240-07:00{this moment}<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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Inspired by Amanda of <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/">SouleMama</a></div>
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A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a
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If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-54452789858338768882013-08-02T08:38:00.000-07:002013-08-02T08:38:26.129-07:00This week in photosHappy Friday Everyone!<br /><br />It's been a busy week in our family and my camera was a bit neglected. But, I have a few photos from the house mostly where we've been planted this week.<br />
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Blackberry Cordial in the making... the recipe is from <a href="http://www.lolazabeth.com/how-to-make-backyard-blackberry-cordial/">Lola Zabeth's</a> beautiful site.<br />
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We spent a lot of time outdoors this week and I seem to have taken oodles of photos of my one big lavender plant. We have four more coming up! I have plans for these plants... Em and Ro love the scent so I've been collecting and drying little bits at a time.<br />
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One of six hummingbirds that we see on a regular basis. I had the wrong lens on my camera, so I apologize for the ultra zoomed in blurryness.<br />
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Needing quiet time to meditate and think things through, I turn to embroidery. Though I am still a beginning beginner, I find it relaxing to craft and clear my mind with a bit of thread. This car is from <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/">Jenny Hart's</a> book <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/collections/books/products/copy-of-embroidered-effects-by-jenny-hart">Sublime Stitching</a> and was requested by Ro for his quilt.<br />
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Em and Ro love crafting with wood. These are cut up paint stir sticks from Home Depot... do you know how many nifty crafts people are making with these? I've been having fun on <a href="http://pinterest.com/celticmommy/boards/">Pinterest</a> looking at all the creative uses people have come up with for these simple pieces. We started with the idea on <a href="http://ruffledblog.com/diy-paint-stick-table-runner/">RuffledBlog</a> of making a table runner... but now we're not so sure. Stay tuned!<br />
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Next week is the last full week of summer vacation for my boys, so I expect you'll see more beach photos and maybe a back-to-school craft or two. I hope you all have a lovely weekend!<br />-Hettie<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5316406570236981478.post-70817142845348197662013-07-26T12:11:00.000-07:002016-02-21T12:13:57.413-08:00CelticMommy-- A Work in ProgressBlogger tells me that this is my 300th post!! Woo Hoo! Honestly though, I knew the big 3-0-0 was looming and wondered if I should do something for this personal milestone. And decided in typical me fashion to do something that made sense to me. I sipped tea, snapped a pic, and sat to type.<br />
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This is me, CelticMommy. I am a Work in Progress. I still don't know where this blog is headed and I'm okay with that. I can't honestly imagine setting in stone what this space will ever be or become. It evolves as I evolve. So, thank you for reading along with me these past six years and I hope you continue to stay.</div>
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Happy Friday!<br />
Love, Hettie</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My latest Work in Progress, Ro's blanket. </td></tr>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01676354044872574909noreply@blogger.com