tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75966894929799031592024-03-05T10:09:38.459-06:00Wandering KnitsJuliecache's personal side -- full of craftiness, home schooling, exercise, friends, and familyjuliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-65016111008227174402010-12-13T11:45:00.001-06:002010-12-13T11:47:52.804-06:00Moving to juliecacheI've been blogging here at Wandering Knits for a few years, and Blogspot's been driving me N-U-T-S for all but the first year. So I've grown up and moved over to <a href="http://wordpress.org/">WordPress.org</a> (free, self-hosted). I've used WP for a couple years for my <a href="http://www.homelearningresources.com/">home school business</a>. It just made sense. And it's more predictable and much more customizable. (Let me know if you'd like to move, too. My local-business <a href="mailto: jcammcguire@yahoo.com">husband and I</a> can host you and set you up on WordPress if you don't know where to start.)<br />
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My goal is to write at <a href="http://juliecache.com/">juliecache.com</a> instead of here at Wandering Knits. <i>You can subscribe to the new blog and leave comments just like you can here.</i> But the pictures will be bigger, prettier, and not flipped sideways (unless I make it so), among other things. I will most likely keep my <a href="http://juliecache.blogspot.com/">geocaching blog</a> at blogspot. I'll refer to and keep the Wandering Knits blog, but not make new posts beginning Jan. 1, 2011.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-89551770729735848782010-12-10T22:04:00.000-06:002010-12-10T22:04:28.745-06:00Quick strap cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaDVqgwcXwbt9CrtFE0EDnohx-efz2FDaqHkWTYaLhpCa-2Ck3aMO9XAZdcsFGrQSl2_zzCMEn7pI0w4Y3zLjY9Tpd7l0FVeK_qV9IaHawvwRtSpQhi_krj4e1cFepa0rYzE_A74kPHmc/s1600/strap+cover+003-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaDVqgwcXwbt9CrtFE0EDnohx-efz2FDaqHkWTYaLhpCa-2Ck3aMO9XAZdcsFGrQSl2_zzCMEn7pI0w4Y3zLjY9Tpd7l0FVeK_qV9IaHawvwRtSpQhi_krj4e1cFepa0rYzE_A74kPHmc/s320/strap+cover+003-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Quick to make is totally me! This project was fast and fun -- <b>a strap cover</b>.<br />
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I was gifted a POSH laptop carrying case last week. The main issue....it is really plain.<br />
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As I sit in my substitute authorization class, I see spiffy, but <i>oversized, </i>laptop bags. Like bigger than a carry-on. But the color scheme of one is right up my alley. I like the sleek size and look of the one I have. And I know that I'm keeping this one. The padding and pockets and everything are just right.<br />
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I'm in the middle of reading <u>Grown Up Digital</u>, by Don Tapscott, and he talks about the Net Generation needing customization of <i>everything. </i>Well, I'm not in the demo of the Net Gen, but I have almost always<i> </i>felt the need to customize my stuff.<br />
Choosing things that are different also help me identify my stuff in the sea of conformity.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDklVNR5YvJrcmhaxjfwkz0E68D7YMxl5uCdBbNsHHTbcFjEAev3_mJSEvrgfmdmsF6I5m-V86SPF23sudBhtEDlOzzZMEbLKOCJZiBuRGBvCrDGpg-agk2xy-FDX23cTqtIeKKnEd6a5b/s1600/strap+cover+004-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDklVNR5YvJrcmhaxjfwkz0E68D7YMxl5uCdBbNsHHTbcFjEAev3_mJSEvrgfmdmsF6I5m-V86SPF23sudBhtEDlOzzZMEbLKOCJZiBuRGBvCrDGpg-agk2xy-FDX23cTqtIeKKnEd6a5b/s320/strap+cover+004-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Looking at tutorials like the lovely <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/07/24/camera-strap-cover-tutorial/">Skip to My Lou</a> blog (for camera straps) led me to use my <a href="http://wanderingknits.blogspot.com/2010/04/freebird-is-here.html">Freebird fabric</a> (shout out to <a href="http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/">Adventures in Dressmaking</a>!) to cover the strap of the laptop bag. I used two prints (to conserve the remaining samples I have). Up close:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess I was so excited to shoot my new strap cover that I neglected to even up the ends. Rest assured, that has been fixed. The cushy shoulder pad and buckle (it adjusts the length) were not addressed in any of the tutorials that I read, but they were pretty easy to work through. </div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-90044405795987334582010-12-06T11:27:00.000-06:002010-12-06T11:27:01.642-06:00Blog TourWhere have I been lately? <b>On a blog tour</b>. In fact, I'm mid-tour right now. I am hosting the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/julia-mcguire">Des Moines Area Frugal Blog Tour</a> over at Examiner.com.<br />
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Topics covered:<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/destination-1-des-moines-area-frugal-blog-tour">natural gifts that kids can make</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/des-moines-area-frugal-blog-tour-day-2">bread</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/des-moines-area-frugal-blog-tour-day-3">cleaning</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/des-moines-area-frugal-blog-tour-day-4">gardening</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/des-moines-area-frugal-blog-tour-day-5">meals</a></li>
<li>fruit</li>
<li>baby</li>
<li>gift giving</li>
<li>natural health</li>
<li>green living</li>
<li>eating or groceries</li>
<li>gift wrapping</li>
<li>finding deals or using coupons</li>
</ul><br />
There's also a giveaway at my examiner site (see <a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/destination-1-des-moines-area-frugal-blog-tour">Blog Tour Day 1</a>) and at <a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/des-moines-area-frugal-blog-tour-day-2">Sara's site</a>. Join in and read!juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-33204584000815510612010-12-04T17:50:00.000-06:002010-12-04T17:50:11.763-06:00Lakota housing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETHlGgUimgUD2YC4urKNS4264EpM3KLVVkAfkNaNGuAu_QiPA-UEUUf66eR7l1iaXxQAW7z1fXBf3eVvJcKm4fEYWvLPCNrOFJVQoV6eVtBxS7WRzdonzwvTw7WFBvclFJJNkRmAFQCrL/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9oHAni03vvtopKB2xLWEN2hCE8KzDr7oktAjt79wZ_90GaLsodDZU4NqEPbY0OeXsTC3LjdVsKk65rjBhwbY4oYt8DJrcFXD086NoV71nqXG4jkLHphDZf-T5Gmt7Uf88P4YMFj7Uiqj/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9oHAni03vvtopKB2xLWEN2hCE8KzDr7oktAjt79wZ_90GaLsodDZU4NqEPbY0OeXsTC3LjdVsKk65rjBhwbY4oYt8DJrcFXD086NoV71nqXG4jkLHphDZf-T5Gmt7Uf88P4YMFj7Uiqj/s320/IMG_0089.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9oHAni03vvtopKB2xLWEN2hCE8KzDr7oktAjt79wZ_90GaLsodDZU4NqEPbY0OeXsTC3LjdVsKk65rjBhwbY4oYt8DJrcFXD086NoV71nqXG4jkLHphDZf-T5Gmt7Uf88P4YMFj7Uiqj/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9oHAni03vvtopKB2xLWEN2hCE8KzDr7oktAjt79wZ_90GaLsodDZU4NqEPbY0OeXsTC3LjdVsKk65rjBhwbY4oYt8DJrcFXD086NoV71nqXG4jkLHphDZf-T5Gmt7Uf88P4YMFj7Uiqj/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>As promised the other day, here are some shots from Pine Ridge. As mentioned in the <a href="http://www.larkcrafts.com/craft-your-life/free-project-red-fleece-mittens/">LarkCrafts post</a>, there is a real need for donations. For everything, not just mittens.<br />
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Batesland is a 'neighborhood' on the rez. Population 88. The towns on the reservation are not like a typical small town. This one has a lot of mobile homes.<br />
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You will not find a gas station or restaurant or grocery store in most neighborhoods on the rez. No coffee house, either.<br />
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You won't find garbage trucks stopping in the neighborhood to pick up your trash every week.<br />
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You probably won't find a bank or church or library. No big box anything. No sidewalks. No street signs. No fire hydrants (and prairie fire risk is very real).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETHlGgUimgUD2YC4urKNS4264EpM3KLVVkAfkNaNGuAu_QiPA-UEUUf66eR7l1iaXxQAW7z1fXBf3eVvJcKm4fEYWvLPCNrOFJVQoV6eVtBxS7WRzdonzwvTw7WFBvclFJJNkRmAFQCrL/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETHlGgUimgUD2YC4urKNS4264EpM3KLVVkAfkNaNGuAu_QiPA-UEUUf66eR7l1iaXxQAW7z1fXBf3eVvJcKm4fEYWvLPCNrOFJVQoV6eVtBxS7WRzdonzwvTw7WFBvclFJJNkRmAFQCrL/s320/IMG_0379.JPG" width="320" /></a>The houses look similar to conventional houses from a distance. But many of them have graffiti. The windows don't have a place to install a screen. You probably will find three generations living in one house. The generations probably include branches of the family.<br />
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Statistically, at least one person in the house has a serious medical issue and all are expected to die before the age of 53.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU2U1fD7sd8zfzlebUp4lKU0ecID6SpuEW5C-xGZlYKh7_yrRHl668UmnXW269V2rXdPE38amgX3VkJLDkrdApjpI_vA1pwn9SuZDqwQRfTz73mhySJAmCsY97zu-XRRyW_0AJQo01u5Q/s320/IMG_0343.JPG" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Any house you visit may not have a floor, but a hole in the floor. With a view of the ground below. There is most likely no carpet, no air conditioning. We're building a wheelchair ramp here. Imagine being trapped in your house. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">The South Dakota climate is terribly harsh. The free project mentioned at LarkCrafts would be a fast and easy donation. I have plenty more to say if you want to listen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br />
</span></div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-77472311218325265052010-12-02T11:06:00.000-06:002010-12-02T11:06:29.232-06:00Free Project: Red Fleece Mittens<div>Readers, I was blessed to work with the Lakota over the summer with my daughter and <a href="http://saintfrancischurch.org">our church's youth group</a>. This morning, LarkCrafts mentioned the Lakota of Pine Ridge in the "Craft Your Life" area with a <a href="http://www.larkcrafts.com/craft-your-life/free-project-red-fleece-mittens/">Free Project: Red Fleece Mittens</a>. I wanted to say that the people of Pine Ridge are always in need, no matter the season. After I take some time to sort through my thousands of photos, I'll put a picture up of their housing situation to help you understand. If you would consider the project suggestion from LarkCrafts, also consider prayer and other sorts of donations. Mitakuye Oyasin.</div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-4996849572893160962010-11-30T13:18:00.001-06:002010-11-30T13:20:17.085-06:00Souvenir Foto School Family ParticipationIf you've seen my food shots on <a href="http://juliecache.com/">juliecache.com</a> (best viewed in Chrome), here is a little "rest of the story." I typically take a <i>lot </i>more shots than what I post. My kids have definitely gotten into the challenge, all four of them. My youngest styled a shot for me last week. It's battling gingerbread men. Toothpicks are their sabers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg905gNKAtcAs2W3_Tn0dwvs3na0s_vp-6Rho2Sc6dmMa1bOTGn2EILxBfXaA2sp-0bB_l6P75gfenNNksyAj5EZHZIhx1sKnzTyTK6F9Iaaitm9p18QhEea-lOJ4JEB_N_mRRR-92sd5A5/s1600/nov.+23+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg905gNKAtcAs2W3_Tn0dwvs3na0s_vp-6Rho2Sc6dmMa1bOTGn2EILxBfXaA2sp-0bB_l6P75gfenNNksyAj5EZHZIhx1sKnzTyTK6F9Iaaitm9p18QhEea-lOJ4JEB_N_mRRR-92sd5A5/s320/nov.+23+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here she is working on her subjects. (Panera Bread is responsible for the creation of the cookies, by the way. We did not make them.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD6HWnepVIYPwu_O92SWRFUELiQMDqWaRaGdWaLIrNZ2D9K2xDsCvAajakWWfEswn4c7kCq7B3n_Uv_ydyvhZAZ2HA5Jd9E-AlFJ_ZgCf5Bu96IZH3FqVwELE6ZPkOT-YuAOgmDcVdcdh/s1600/nov.+23+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD6HWnepVIYPwu_O92SWRFUELiQMDqWaRaGdWaLIrNZ2D9K2xDsCvAajakWWfEswn4c7kCq7B3n_Uv_ydyvhZAZ2HA5Jd9E-AlFJ_ZgCf5Bu96IZH3FqVwELE6ZPkOT-YuAOgmDcVdcdh/s320/nov.+23+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is part of Darcy's Sweet Shot Tuesday. Click the button below and visit her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://my3boybarians.com/category/photography/sweet-shot-day/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sweet Shot Day" border="0" height="125" outline="0" src="http://my3boybarians.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sweetshotbutton.png" title="Add your photo to Sweet Shot Day @ m3b" width="125" /></a></div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-38715742698043088782010-11-29T23:02:00.000-06:002010-11-29T23:02:10.000-06:00Des Moines Area Frugal Blog TourI am excited to announce the <b><a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/julia-mcguire">Des Moines Area Frugal Blog Tour</a></b>. I will be your hostess, taking you on a tour around the area, stopping at some lovely destinations to help you incorporate frugality into different areas of your life. Areas beyond my usual "let's be crafty, let's use coupons" kind of stuff. I've got a fantastic itinerary with 13 area bloggers and examiners. To find each day's destination, visit my <a href="http://www.examiner.com/frugal-family-in-des-moines/julia-mcguire">Examiner.com page</a> daily between Dec. 1 and 14. There will be giveaways and fun along tour. See you there!juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-6338286150936938522010-11-27T23:14:00.000-06:002010-11-27T23:14:38.028-06:00Chloe, the Chinese water dragon, is a stalker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8r-HyxiP9qwhvcElRo5NKPaGOF8NU0d-QJq9PPnBsZ8UCDI1QBdWMc8OYVRIYo_uzHmV7ppVNeTfGhFA46Q5kgAmF5fvr4Z6EIe8hH7Lwzu0ccGt4viZJbsL6W6A6KoQ5ZVQWXIPrqFZ/s1600/chloe+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8r-HyxiP9qwhvcElRo5NKPaGOF8NU0d-QJq9PPnBsZ8UCDI1QBdWMc8OYVRIYo_uzHmV7ppVNeTfGhFA46Q5kgAmF5fvr4Z6EIe8hH7Lwzu0ccGt4viZJbsL6W6A6KoQ5ZVQWXIPrqFZ/s320/chloe+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our borrowed pet Chloe is a stalker, a cricket stalker. I don't think she tries to be sneaky, but since she's quiet, she seems to be stalking the crickets we give her to feed.<br />
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I think it would be fun to get her out of her vivarium and have her hunt her prey in the open range of our kitchen.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-8784961072419619532010-11-27T00:41:00.001-06:002010-11-27T00:42:10.153-06:00Apple peels and such<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlFN-lNKyi2Jy6TeBIAVliwX4vQIq5mt2TeiQ4Rgearv9hy-kpfbsp05l9qKHufaOBcfKM6bc3ybYbz6L8QDA0kFRMIAPlFl6ME68hHd6U6Nolzr9WWsEQqqfThBN2JMjeBvSfpaJju-x/s1600/nov.+23+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlFN-lNKyi2Jy6TeBIAVliwX4vQIq5mt2TeiQ4Rgearv9hy-kpfbsp05l9qKHufaOBcfKM6bc3ybYbz6L8QDA0kFRMIAPlFl6ME68hHd6U6Nolzr9WWsEQqqfThBN2JMjeBvSfpaJju-x/s320/nov.+23+006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>He almost got the apple peeled in one long swipe of the peeler! A few minutes later, with a Jonathon apple, he did get one long peel, but it broke in two pieces just as I got the camera. You have to believe me.<br />
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This week, we've been casually baking and sewing and wood carving and sketching a self portrait and reading for fun. And watching tv and using computers, too.<br />
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We had my FIL over for dinner (stir fry) since he's 'bach-ing' it for a week, and had a little card playing with him afterward.<br />
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"I" of GAIN decorated the church for Advent. She LOVED it.<br />
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I also took a lot of food pictures this week for the food + foto challenge at the <a href="http://www.besottedblog.com/2010/11/food-fotosouvenir-foto-school-sign-up.html">Souvenir Foto School</a>. I'm halfway through the challenge (see my submission this week at <a href="http://juliecache.com/2010/11/25/girl-with-a-knife-series-installment-3/">my new blog</a>), and I'm determined to have a different knife in each of the remaining weeks. <br />
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I always take <i>many many many</i> pictures before I choose my selection. This week, my photo pool included the apple peelings (pretty interesting), bagels (Martha Stewart styling and food ad styling), and pies. I keep the guiding words of <a href="http://www.lucky-soda.com/">the incredible Sarah</a> in my head at all times, "It's hard to make food photos not look like barf." So true.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-49917660647200568232010-11-25T21:12:00.002-06:002010-11-25T21:13:20.965-06:00Notes about feeding a Chinese Water Dragon<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/AVvXsEjrxMAQjzzzvboSIdzIWfSjfk_cGYriVdSpXQdqAE9OID73639dJ2zCUza6C0vMECUam59EnIxfDddmcXZmLiUh7E_LjRdszdkU750ULj_sbrLR8_oJzzek-bvEVZgzVwTg9_KYZSiEToNy/s1600/crickets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxMAQjzzzvboSIdzIWfSjfk_cGYriVdSpXQdqAE9OID73639dJ2zCUza6C0vMECUam59EnIxfDddmcXZmLiUh7E_LjRdszdkU750ULj_sbrLR8_oJzzek-bvEVZgzVwTg9_KYZSiEToNy/s320/crickets.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chloe's crickets</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
1. having a chinese water dragon is like having two pets -- the dragon is one and its prey is the second.<br />
2. the prey would be a box full of crickets, which is really plural.<br />
3. the crickets need to be fed, just like the dragon.<br />
4. the crickets get food that is fortified with calcium, but we still have to dust them with calcium before feeding them to chloe.<br />
5. chloe is almost out of crickets.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-84301573643203284962010-11-24T11:37:00.001-06:002010-11-24T11:37:28.019-06:00Pet-sitting for a Chinese Water Dragon<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/AVvXsEj6j5yT8WccztoSDNLqQsbxLtoe-FcnBokCeKEk2SjIrdAgbNXSAHCru86FkU_FYAqOug1Br8eRvYuEss67rFS0PIGJSxFx2RVtOzXC3fiSzB8ZQEAxYwds9QjzJu3BjvYHlrZZkdTA6Xkw/s1600/chinese+water+dragon+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j5yT8WccztoSDNLqQsbxLtoe-FcnBokCeKEk2SjIrdAgbNXSAHCru86FkU_FYAqOug1Br8eRvYuEss67rFS0PIGJSxFx2RVtOzXC3fiSzB8ZQEAxYwds9QjzJu3BjvYHlrZZkdTA6Xkw/s400/chinese+water+dragon+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't the Chinese Water Dragon cute?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My 16yo said, "We finally have a pet!"<br />
<br />
My kids have been blessed with a week-long visit from Chloe, <a href="http://www.raygunsite.com/blog/?p=2640">a niece</a>'s <a href="http://www.reptilechannel.com/lizards/lizard-species/chinese-water-dragon-species.aspx">Chinese water dragon</a>. Delivered on Monday, she has been getting a lot of attention: frequent water mistings, cricket feedings, and exercise outside the vivarium. Humorous details later.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-10158781276666838372010-11-22T12:05:00.001-06:002010-11-22T12:05:00.268-06:00What a home school really looks like<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFt4NvEq7KEl0-NpfHxbcJMSFcoA-PDemahKTPXf982rZuN3ViqB42neTM5hszVoiGLkcZDA8X3IFuuFOZ6KjvdJVUQZuFEH0tXFw6uytMu50_dnMtptJNJxjiEhI3b2QbdFQzSAWXhyE/s1600/binocs+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFt4NvEq7KEl0-NpfHxbcJMSFcoA-PDemahKTPXf982rZuN3ViqB42neTM5hszVoiGLkcZDA8X3IFuuFOZ6KjvdJVUQZuFEH0tXFw6uytMu50_dnMtptJNJxjiEhI3b2QbdFQzSAWXhyE/s400/binocs+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Me to the kids: "Are you working on your math test?"<br />
<br />
No answer. I look into the other room and see this.<br />
<br />
The kids are looking through binoculars so they can watch the rabbits better. "I" of GAIN has a quilt block on her head because it's fuzzy nap keeps her warm. "G" has a pendulum thing on the couch made of K'nex.<br />
<br />
This is our school day.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-29536847772774947142010-11-20T12:05:00.000-06:002010-11-20T12:05:53.867-06:00Quilt top readiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YxRyuVznMzzdXoeZej_yHS89nErRnSY2UGoPqGgZtNtAcuT7-XE3Cs-3o9LdMeGs76w2sz2RlNhH8hGVZWdoqW7IAPgtFl18pnAyVtXBOr7p_xK_NT9lH6IdfttWD4BFMAdrjiaos8kv/s1600/quilt+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YxRyuVznMzzdXoeZej_yHS89nErRnSY2UGoPqGgZtNtAcuT7-XE3Cs-3o9LdMeGs76w2sz2RlNhH8hGVZWdoqW7IAPgtFl18pnAyVtXBOr7p_xK_NT9lH6IdfttWD4BFMAdrjiaos8kv/s320/quilt+blog.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>After kids #2 and #4 and I worked to make our crazy blocks, I can finally say that the flannel scrap quilt is ready to make into a quilt top.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-16611550513620342352010-11-14T21:39:00.001-06:002010-11-14T21:43:54.692-06:00Three Teenagers in the House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB1k63L_kbmNS60UUVPhf4NeZ1xoZCpk0dTG1UtjUX7QC2Zzbrb5YLb3RXm61RWQsRddhoR0Cjcq_X7NKYHgl-Qzzg2Qa7JxZXNbP_R5A4PQhTd8iE_byjOSaRppH4lxAOBZE16MSRrSk/s1600/SSPX1119.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB1k63L_kbmNS60UUVPhf4NeZ1xoZCpk0dTG1UtjUX7QC2Zzbrb5YLb3RXm61RWQsRddhoR0Cjcq_X7NKYHgl-Qzzg2Qa7JxZXNbP_R5A4PQhTd8iE_byjOSaRppH4lxAOBZE16MSRrSk/s160/SSPX1119.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; height: 206px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 281px;" width="244" /></a> <br />
Oh my. I have crossed the line into "older-ness" today by having my third child turn thirteen.<br />
<br />
If you live in my house and it is your birthday, you get to choose all of the family meals. You also get to skip school if it's a school day.<br />
<br />
For part of his birthday gift, we visited the Science Center. We spent a fair amount of time in the "Why the Sky" area, then finished up in the "When Things Get Moving" area. He proclaims a love for dominos, as shown in this video, which was the last of three domino chains that he made. His older brother assisted with this one.<br />
<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=AD6v5dwWX2VUpASFzjvaWKxN8eIMfalzS6xqcmMWEhnrHJJFrwBDqJC-9HFw814n1IGlSD1tUUu3BVWVfwnJ-iJIbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: LEFT;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-35658019801879582012010-11-12T00:39:00.000-06:002010-11-12T00:39:38.146-06:00I_Blog, final entrySo who was at the <a href="http://www.iblogconference.com/">I_Blog Conference</a>? I can't say for sure. I didn't attend every day and didn't get to speak to everyone. Wish I did. The following awesome people were there while I was. If you are reading this and you attended, please leave a link in a comment and accept my apology for not remembering or speaking to you. Blog love to everyone, JULIA<br />
<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://myredapron.com/">My Red Apron</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bretttrout.com/">Brett Trout</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.extraordinary-ordinary.com/">The Extraordinary Ordinary</a></li>
<li><a href="http://boogersandburps.com/">Boogers and Burps</a></li>
<li><a href="http://debworks.com/">Deb Brown</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bethblair.com/">Beth Blair</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lyzlenz.com/">Lyz Lenz</a></li>
<li><a href="http://hisandhersphoto.net/">His and Hers Photography</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bloggingbasics101.com/">Blogging Basics 101</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.threeboysandadog.com/">Three Boys and a Dog</a></li>
<li><a href="http://my3boybarians.com/">Life with My 3 Boybarians</a> AKA <a href="http://graphicallydesigning.com/">Graphically Designing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lillepunkin.com/">Lille Punkin' Reviews</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.midwestdairy.com/0p20pe18/karen-bohnert/">One (of several) Dairy Mom</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.angengland.com/">Ang England</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ydstoti.com/">Y'dstoti</a></li>
<li><a href="http://keepingitpersonal.com/">Keeping It Personal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://themagicfarmhouse.wordpress.com/">The Magic FarmHouse</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sixfiveskyguy.com/">Six Five Sky Guy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.familyrambling.com/">Family Rambling</a> AKA <a href="http://iowageekonline.com/">Iowa Geek</a> AKA <a href="http://fabfoodfriday.com/">Fab Food Friday</a></li>
<li><a href="http://minnemom.com/">Travels With Children</a></li>
<li><a href="http://emuhlbach.wordpress.com/">Pitches and Glitches</a></li>
<li><a href="http://carolschiller.com/">Carol Schiller</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.aniowamom.com/">An Iowa Mom</a></li>
</ul>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-35105919763752018552010-11-10T21:20:00.001-06:002010-11-10T21:20:00.536-06:00I_Blog, part 3<div class="MsoNormal">I understand that some people attend blog conferences in order to meet the authors of the blogs they read. I get that. If I had a yearbook, like a blank page in my conference brochure for autographs, I would have had <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everyone there</i> sign it. Everybody was _<i>that cool_</i>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Who was there? I_Blog had speakers and registrants. The registrants, like me, came from a wide variety of backgrounds, representing several Midwest states. The speakers reflected the same. I can think of one who came from outside the Midwest, but I won't hold it against her. There were people with blogs and people who will soon have blogs. There were many like me who could not attend all three days. And there were some I did not meet.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Those that I did meet were great people, all with different points of view. This difference makes them all the more attractive. Like many functions that I’ve attended, nursing babies accompanied their mommas, and dads and kids hung out elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What did the speakers say? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lots</i>. Jody designed two tracks -- one for beginners and one for experienced bloggers. Choosing one workshop per session was difficult at times.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The experience was great. Having small audiences allowed for wonderful personal interaction and attention. The hotel had great ambience. I don't know if I can say more, other than I am still hungry for more.<o:p></o:p></div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-91066705513339832612010-11-09T21:03:00.001-06:002010-11-09T21:04:44.949-06:00E's debut in Sweet Shot Tuesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEhZA8-eRlj5uUoCsPZxlipDedJhfRpG9e6lkzC0xj2nDTHq0-hyHEtaxACbZ_w0_KbEVqMr-IUJ0wMh8whIStTZmFqL5B5V2LBNjshPgAow2S8YGJSJA0t9QswnA3V9DpJniUT3ssudceXo/s1600/emily+rotated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA8-eRlj5uUoCsPZxlipDedJhfRpG9e6lkzC0xj2nDTHq0-hyHEtaxACbZ_w0_KbEVqMr-IUJ0wMh8whIStTZmFqL5B5V2LBNjshPgAow2S8YGJSJA0t9QswnA3V9DpJniUT3ssudceXo/s640/emily+rotated.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
She is no newcomer to the internet, but here is Miss E's <a href="http://my3boybarians.com/sweet-shot-tuesdays/">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a> debut. I hope to have her featured in future SST's.<br />
<br />
Until I get rid of blogspot, I have to live with no control over rotated photos. I've tried two different versions of this photo, and blogspot can't handle something that isn't orthogonal. Tilt your chin to the right. Isn't she sweet?<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.my3boybarians.com/category/photography/sweet-shot-day/"><img alt="Sweet Shot Day" border="0" height="125" outline="0" src="http://www.my3boybarians.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sweetshotbutton.png" title="Add your photo to Sweet Shot Day @ m3b" width="125" /></a>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-69790242627470168212010-11-08T23:44:00.000-06:002010-11-08T23:44:02.123-06:00I_Blog, part 2<div class="MsoNormal"></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;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WpR9v5AZbKuTXTzHp2mN6zkxHfwSkb4JYB_uLloFIwTw2ONQn0c5g7rg7_X6lKAKU7YXHfspqnhGz-TEOM4NCve2j55Ye5j5FzzHmqTLNOCzi-sOiW9igW5nmOU3d48gcpEVRSxHhF80/s400/buffet.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In addition to the food buffet, we had a workshop buffet.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ready to hear more about the <a href="http://www.iblogconference.com/">I_Blog Conference</a>? Yesterday, I forgot to say that a <a href="http://lyzlenz.com/2010/11/boy-girl-or-tiger/">Picsio cam</a> was given away on Sat. afternoon.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I want to make a video within the next 12 months, I soooo missed out on that. </i>WAAAAH! (I am finalizing the storyboard now, so if you want to contribute to my camera fund, call me.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So anyway, what did I do at a blog conference? Open a laptop and have everyone type posts as a group? NO!!! </b>I learned how to make a blog “better." I really don’t like that word, but I can’t think of just one word that is suitable. Maybe "more effective" is what I want to say. I also heard business advice. Traditional business advice, given from a blogging perspective.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Afterward, I remembered some words I heard about 15 years ago – as technology use increases, the need for human interaction increases. That is, the more you communicate through digital devices to buy stuff, converse, and do research, the more you crave contact with live people. Moral of the story: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Networking! It’s all about networking.</i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We also ate food. Good food.</b> Some people don’t care about what they eat as long as it's food, but I do care. Coupled with the fact that I get hungry frequently, I definitely worry about food when I travel. Being a dancer and athlete probably works against me in this area. The <a href="http://www.hotelpattee.com/">Hotel Pattee</a> provided great food for us. Having food provided was a convenience. We can maximize the networking and not worry about being late for an upcoming session because we left the building. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And the food was a little fun. If there had been a tip jar for the omelet man’s Sunday brunch, I would have left one, even though he had to use a torch to light a faulty burner. The torch impressed me. And Midwest Dairy had yogurt, OJ, and milk for us at all times. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-18758417304689832342010-11-07T19:32:00.003-06:002010-11-07T22:31:27.046-06:00Fun at the i_blog conference<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">little blogs on the prairie</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.iblogconference.com/">i_blog</a> was this weekend and I love love loved it! Attending the i_blog conference in Perry was fun and educational. I love meeting new people and new ideas. I promised <a href="http://learningthefrugallife.blogspot.com/">my sister</a>, who just had a baby on Tuesday, that I would tell everything on my blog.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>What was i_blog?</b> I_blog was a fun, three day gathering of Midwest bloggers. Held at the <a href="http://www.hotelpattee.com/">Hotel Pattee</a>, and sponsored by several rock star companies, i_blog provided adult ed through <a href="http://iblogconference.com/i_blog-schedule/">workshops for blogger</a>s. [It was like a home school conference without a vendor hall, but for bloggers.]<br />
<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Swag? </b>I didn’t go for the swag. But there were plenty of goodies – pads of sticky notes courtesy of <a href="http://www.cozi.com/">Cozi</a>, a notepad and $50 discount coupon from Hotel Pattee, <a href="http://www.dairymakessense.com/">Midwest Dairy</a> generously gave an afternoon snack, recipe books, and insulated bags (they will fit two gallon milk jugs), and <a href="http://www.enjoydeans.com/1/index.php">Land O Lakes</a> gave coupons for free yogurt and cents off for cottage cheese.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were also <i>fantastic giveaways</i>: <a href="http://kumandgo.com/">Kum and Go</a> gave two $100 gift cards, Verizon Wireless gave a droid 2, Midwest Dairy gave a handheld blender (<a href="http://www.cuisinart.com/products/hand_blenders/csb-76bc.html">that I won</a>!), and <a href="http://bretttrout.com/">Brett Trout</a> gave two copies of <u>Cyber Law</u>. (I am too lazy to put an amazon affiliate link here.) <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/index.html">Verizon Wireless</a> had a booth full of goodies and info – drawstring bags, water bottles, key chain fobs, cozies, non-slip pads for your dashboard, ink pens, you get the idea. There could have been more on Friday, but I didn't attend that day.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, are you jealous yet? You will have to go next year. Wait until my next post. Then you'll really wish you would have been there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6qm9OK5Wy_vQT5zXLl2vC-Fzc9XrVK12mDtO4W_kapJZvxWFrW3jZfC9jp8TwYloX0r9gPfOJ_Uz8uZgwo9eHDJIVhwyBnAcEble1hwA2xXYgOEDBeRysKpivU2-TKp4NCbgHyuY6V3o/s1600/toy+story.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6qm9OK5Wy_vQT5zXLl2vC-Fzc9XrVK12mDtO4W_kapJZvxWFrW3jZfC9jp8TwYloX0r9gPfOJ_Uz8uZgwo9eHDJIVhwyBnAcEble1hwA2xXYgOEDBeRysKpivU2-TKp4NCbgHyuY6V3o/s320/toy+story.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">OK, I have no pictures from the event right now. How about this one? As I told the dairy moms at our Saturday morning breakfast, we saw Toy Story 3 Thursday night, and everyone loved it for their own reasons. I found these forgotten toys recently on closet shelf.</div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-6205471923350784542010-11-05T14:49:00.001-05:002010-11-05T14:49:40.537-05:00i_blog conference<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/AVvXsEgrBYG8bGvGYJnE5wDyy7ek2sRcGauarR9yTBouqVDOMWkmYO-wbKIaCMuZ8V4ZS-02PrvFcMl3gty9tbccUB1j7Gmh3BMZVfC9ZIMIfuSnAR2Q-JYE0F-n_z7KB0jcNniSCNCJz5grNQBI/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBYG8bGvGYJnE5wDyy7ek2sRcGauarR9yTBouqVDOMWkmYO-wbKIaCMuZ8V4ZS-02PrvFcMl3gty9tbccUB1j7Gmh3BMZVfC9ZIMIfuSnAR2Q-JYE0F-n_z7KB0jcNniSCNCJz5grNQBI/s400/IMG_1226.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our table seems to always contain a newspaper and book in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I just traded purses, from the every day small to the large enough to fit a notebook in. It's the<a href="http://www.iblogconference.com/"> i_blog conference</a>. I've never attended a blog conference before, just thought about it and read about. This year, I'm doing it. It's my adult ed. I've got family members and a brand-new ministry in need of assistance in the blog arena. Leave me a comment with your most pressing blog question. I'll see if I can find the answer in person this weekend.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-51244901831913385882010-11-04T18:06:00.001-05:002010-11-05T08:11:16.040-05:00Paste Paper Excitement<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/AVvXsEhOD2Nvds9BjHDcL4KajZv3wxhQRy2Mv5O_LJcKJJvtr2GrVeM54WyxF5QoWcnZt9eiZprX5kqYVJGRaBohXH1BwpdGmCUyIhuvIuJ_PJzCg-vsmsl_9gf73G-AGgydmI_ApMuK06Ir_aDm/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOD2Nvds9BjHDcL4KajZv3wxhQRy2Mv5O_LJcKJJvtr2GrVeM54WyxF5QoWcnZt9eiZprX5kqYVJGRaBohXH1BwpdGmCUyIhuvIuJ_PJzCg-vsmsl_9gf73G-AGgydmI_ApMuK06Ir_aDm/s640/IMG_1222.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they yummy-looking?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PETSv5SnaeQhqRfDdR0zZcNJQuTOrUwLGJjPw_0QNjGpgmrRtbOSAenhGXMweI8ouJZXPy4OVq-eg20QTduQT2OhDDqjy9nU4tQMLvRS6TSXx7mydETt8zkDmF23zmXXTPlUu_DHV5fh/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PETSv5SnaeQhqRfDdR0zZcNJQuTOrUwLGJjPw_0QNjGpgmrRtbOSAenhGXMweI8ouJZXPy4OVq-eg20QTduQT2OhDDqjy9nU4tQMLvRS6TSXx7mydETt8zkDmF23zmXXTPlUu_DHV5fh/s160/IMG_1218.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a>They're here! The paste papers are here! Being the paper lover that I am, I <i>had </i>to enter<a href="http://www.larkcrafts.com/craft-your-life/paste-paper-give-away-and-diane-maurer-interview/"> LarkCraft's giveaway</a>. <br />
<br />
Have you ever read any Laura Ingalls Wilder books? There is one part in a book that I relate to. Except instead of a cookie, it's paper. Laura says that her cookie is so beautiful that she almost cannot bear to eat it, because then she won't be able to look at the nice design anymore. She eats all around the edge slowly, trying to make it last.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B2f1xTW_2KRmfsi3apXgCuM6uW_yT0tUZpaY7V7R_e4GKFxctQucqhA6AdhNOvkuMQwFkVyFkRx240pt52HCZleL6ZdWxnhEKtr2t_JNq_RS8-_T1yU8YAOOZ93NveoJxmjvYdc_3o6s/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B2f1xTW_2KRmfsi3apXgCuM6uW_yT0tUZpaY7V7R_e4GKFxctQucqhA6AdhNOvkuMQwFkVyFkRx240pt52HCZleL6ZdWxnhEKtr2t_JNq_RS8-_T1yU8YAOOZ93NveoJxmjvYdc_3o6s/s160/IMG_1219.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> <br />
<br />
That is how I feel about paper. I've mentioned to a couple scrapbookers before that some paper is so gorgeous that I can hardly stand to cover it with another piece of paper or a photograph.<br />
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<a href="http://www.dianemaurer.com/">Diane</a> has elegant, lovely looking paste papers, and I am very inspired to use my winnings for greeting cards and bookmarks. If I use the paper as the centerpiece, I won't have feelings like Laura Ingalls did.<br />
<br />
<br />
My package is <i>so large and heavy</i>, I feel that I need to spread the crafting love and hold a class.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo35QyFjGE9IUz749RqxRea47_WvMphyrGUpk083BO9Uf0zXplFjz6n-SoHfPd8RFqRXLWuwYDt7WDXb7li4VXmyqsjT2UIydLE2DWVSgPeyVyGyZ4hqE-mt8t07hkJijZnIBVl4qFAuw9/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo35QyFjGE9IUz749RqxRea47_WvMphyrGUpk083BO9Uf0zXplFjz6n-SoHfPd8RFqRXLWuwYDt7WDXb7li4VXmyqsjT2UIydLE2DWVSgPeyVyGyZ4hqE-mt8t07hkJijZnIBVl4qFAuw9/s160/IMG_1221.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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</div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-57574174416586981762010-11-03T21:16:00.001-05:002010-11-03T21:16:50.429-05:00pine ridge<object width="425" height="425" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshowphotobook/slideshow_pb.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="xmlURL=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fpsdata%3FprojectGUID%3D0EYsXLJqzcsfcl%26uid%3D001093529011%26size%3D0%26ts%3D1288836982000%26height%3D425%26width%3D425&size=0&ob=0&fc=0&ss=0&sb=0&ft=0"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="best"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed width="425" height="425" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="xmlURL=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fpsdata%3FprojectGUID%3D0EYsXLJqzcsfcl%26uid%3D001093529011%26size%3D0%26ts%3D1288836982000%26height%3D425%26width%3D425&size=0&ob=0&fc=0&ss=0&sb=0&ft=0" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshowphotobook/slideshow_pb.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EYsXLJqzcsX1Q&eid=115">Click here to view this photo book larger</a><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=photobook&c2=blogger" /></p>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-49930045621519745372010-10-30T22:57:00.000-05:002010-10-30T22:57:45.669-05:00Busy busy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBwayWLt9egF5xPTQnw1x2yTkTTKXKFSjjVscP7r1OONdIX3ABRQRLzsqoNE39E1Krlhd6X7lV04siSrnNMf62dlBJLMRaVaLpEFBqzKXmh9Qss71Vys-s1mRIztTG6n1I8aixTNLMppz/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBwayWLt9egF5xPTQnw1x2yTkTTKXKFSjjVscP7r1OONdIX3ABRQRLzsqoNE39E1Krlhd6X7lV04siSrnNMf62dlBJLMRaVaLpEFBqzKXmh9Qss71Vys-s1mRIztTG6n1I8aixTNLMppz/s320/IMG_1187.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Scene from yesterday -- it's an oil stone. "G" of GAIN needed to sharpen knives. He wanted to use a sharpening steel that I keep in the kitchen, but I showed him the family oil stone, and he put the steel away quickly.<br />
<br />
My grandparents came over this evening and experienced the crazy busy-ness of our household. Basically, no one sees us because we are not around. <i>Can you relate?</i><br />
<br />
Grandma and Grandpa got to witness one of Mr. GAIN's events live -- a <a href="http://www.vocalfi.com/">telephone town hall</a> (a very neat concept), then see one child off to Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat, a benefit for <a href="http://www.dmreligious.org/">DMARC</a>, which supplies area food pantries. They also got to assist another child with her "Smartie Pants" costume; watch us make the candy bowl -- we had a large quantity and variety of confections, and we have about 1/3 of it left; have a plate of roast beef dinner with three of us; see a few early neighborhood trick or treaters; and watch our oldest child come home from babysitting, dress for the evening, and leave to join the DMARC benefit.<br />
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This all took place in about two hours.juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-22139055539030727482010-10-28T21:49:00.001-05:002010-10-28T22:01:47.773-05:00Happy Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj8SmEh2WXi2dbVqsVWQSAUUQDpzqNDTavdsrT1uxSZcglI8WEHj3K3I1VggM3UJUxHT70q0BRtmmuM7924WORTlh54smeFfDhItQzl9MqOa4W-QKEqiyqlKkv0T64XrpIHUZvq-N103p/s1600/IMG_1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj8SmEh2WXi2dbVqsVWQSAUUQDpzqNDTavdsrT1uxSZcglI8WEHj3K3I1VggM3UJUxHT70q0BRtmmuM7924WORTlh54smeFfDhItQzl9MqOa4W-QKEqiyqlKkv0T64XrpIHUZvq-N103p/s320/IMG_1185.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I had much to be happy about today.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>The winds slowed from their former 60 mph speed to 20 mph.</li>
<li>I won a paste paper giveaway and am excited beyond words. (Read about Lark Crafts (inspiring ideas. giveaway <a href="http://www.larkcrafts.com/craft-your-life/paste-paper-give-away-and-diane-maurer-interview/">here</a>. And visit <a href="http://www.dianemaurer.com/">Maurer's site</a>. It's fascinating.)</li>
<li>The sun stayed out for a few consecutive hours, enough for my solar lights to fire up this evening.</li>
<li>We carved pumpkins after dinner, which is my entry for <a href="http://spaininiowa.blogspot.com/2010/10/simple-lives-thursday-16th-edition.html">Simple Lives Thursday</a>. Some wood carving tools, thumb tacks, a bowl of pumpkin goo. A little radio, replaced by a read aloud book about Catholic Mexico in the 1930's, followed by plain old conversation. Some photo breaks interspersed. Saved some seeds at "I" of GAIN's request. Loved it.</li>
</ul><div>In the words of my older son, my kids are "Gourd Smiths." He's always had a certain way with words :-)</div><div><br />
</div><div>I like the simple activities. No television, very low technology. Kids using their brains to be creative with fine and gross motor skills, listening to rich language on an interesting topic (<u>My Heart Lies South</u>, by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino). No fighting, respectful opinions are asked and given, everyone loves each other. Based on this experience, I am considering having the kids all carve squash for future celebrations.</div>juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596689492979903159.post-52326711371050348482010-10-25T20:52:00.001-05:002010-10-25T20:53:45.126-05:00Business card holder, take 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIINLma0K5nlb1n8mRiUZxAk9BtyhTGlszKVrgvbX-v46y4IKlQPf73g-FjR1FiCMCIcb6Ut-k8x__oQqDHLnGjF4EgKU6Zp3vGdbs_X8USp-QISM0cpQ9Kg4XhHATVuT38aLZPPKB7U7/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIINLma0K5nlb1n8mRiUZxAk9BtyhTGlszKVrgvbX-v46y4IKlQPf73g-FjR1FiCMCIcb6Ut-k8x__oQqDHLnGjF4EgKU6Zp3vGdbs_X8USp-QISM0cpQ9Kg4XhHATVuT38aLZPPKB7U7/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My second choice of fabrics was quite difficult. The other 'egg patterns' left in my layer cake were not monochromatic. The grape egg was violet on violet. The other monochrome ones were already made into purses. The remaining eggs were contrasting, which is not what I wanted for a business card holder.<br />
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I settled on this combo. The blue is from the layer cake, the orange (monochromatic) was a Hancock Fabrics clearance bin find. No details on it.<br />
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I want to have something darker for the exterior to hide any dirt. I currently keep my business cards in an exterior pocket which leaves the top edge exposed to handling (which makes them dirty).juliecachehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00051312206721332785noreply@blogger.com0