tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46936372480823210702024-03-13T06:07:59.026-07:00Apocalypse MeowAll things bad-ass and/or adorable.kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-9365358008592129492010-10-26T13:47:00.000-07:002010-10-26T13:54:13.242-07:00French Toast Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TMc-lPv55pI/AAAAAAAAAvI/LGLoAb9w0vQ/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TMc-lPv55pI/AAAAAAAAAvI/LGLoAb9w0vQ/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532459476851484306" /></a><br /><br />This year, The Ol’ Man had to work all day on his birthday, which was a total drag. But, to make the drag less heavy, I tried my hand at a yummy recipe I found on <a href="http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/?cat=11&paged=2">Confections of a Food Bride</a>. You see, the Ol’ Man just loves French toast. He also loves cake. Why not put the two together? My concoction varies slightly from the Food Bride’s in that I only used heavy cream. I didn’t substitute regular-ass milk into it. I also skipped the part about caramelizing the sugar as I do not have a kitchen blow torch, although I kind of wish I did. I just dusted it with powdered sugar and it tasted amazing. Lastly, I used store-bought thick white bread instead of homemade Challah bread. This simple recipe would be a great treat for visiting family this Thanksgiving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TMc-u9RGJdI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/T-nanFKVYD0/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TMc-u9RGJdI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/T-nanFKVYD0/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532459643689117138" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients</span><br />1 loaf thick white bread (AKA French Toast Bread)<br />4 egg yolks<br />2 cups heavy cream<br />2 TBSP sugar, divided<br />pinch of salt<br />1 tsp vanilla<br />1/4 tsp cinnamon<br />¼ cup powdered sugar<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Directions</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Do this part the night before for best results.</span><br /><br />Grease a 9-inch round cake pan<br /><br />Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and leave on a baking sheet to dry out for a few hours. Go watch a movie or something.<br /><br />Place cubes in a large bowl. <br /><br />Whisk egg yolks, half and half, 2 Tbsp sugar, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon until well combined and pour over bread. Toss until all liquid is absorbed. Pour into the prepared pan and lightly press down on the bread to spread evenly. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Wake up about a half an hour before everyone else to bake.</span><br />Preheat oven to 325. Bake the French toast cake for 25-30 minutes, until browned. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and remove the rim. Evenly sprinkle powdered sugar over the top. Cut into 6-8 wedges and serve warm, with maple syrup.<br /><br />Serves 6-8Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-1281867232920795732010-10-11T12:54:00.000-07:002010-10-11T13:06:26.799-07:00Crochet PumpkinThere is no better way to re-start the crafting fun here at Apocalypse Meow then with a bit of Halloween fun!<br />I found a cute pattern for a very simple pumpkin at Lion Brand’s website. I wanted to make some pumpkins of varying sizes though, so I created a crochet pattern for a slightly larger one. I think it turned out pretty good! Give it a try. It is really simple.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cute Pumpkin</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TLNtE8inuMI/AAAAAAAAAtY/JFTKhKmwbQw/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TLNtE8inuMI/AAAAAAAAAtY/JFTKhKmwbQw/s200/photo+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526881099451971778" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Body</span><br />Chain 2<br />Row 1: SC 10 in first chain. Place stitch marker<br />Row 2: Two SC in each SC around (20 SC total). Move stitch marker to last stitch in round (repeat after each round).<br />Row 3: Two SC in each SC around (40 SC total)<br />Row 4: *SC three, two SC in next SC*. Repeat from * to end of round. (50 SC total)<br />Row 5-16: SC around.<br />Row 17: *SC three, SC2Together.* Repeat from * to end of round (40 SC total)<br />Row 18: SC2Together around (20 SC total)<br />Row 19: SC2Together around (10 SC total. Stuff pumpkin with Polyfill or other cotton stuffing. Cram that stuff in there, as much as you can!<br />Row 20: SC2Together around (5 SC total)<br />Bind off, weave in ends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TLNtQiKdo6I/AAAAAAAAAtg/W1iDVZMFBIM/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TLNtQiKdo6I/AAAAAAAAAtg/W1iDVZMFBIM/s200/photo+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526881298529756066" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stem</span><br />Chain 2<br />Row 1: SC 5 in first chain. Place stitch marker<br />Row 2: SC in front of stitch around. Move stitch marker to last stitch in round (repeat after each round).<br />Row 3-5: SC around<br />Bind off, leave a long tail to sew stem to pumpkin. Sew stem to top of pumpkin, weave in ends<br /><br />Please note: I’m writing this pattern off the top of my head, so please forgive any inaccuracies.Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-32388361487967276432010-10-08T10:15:00.000-07:002010-10-08T10:24:48.653-07:00We aren't dead!Dearest blog, <br /><br />So sorry about abandoning you. Things have been crazy busy around these parts. I promise to try to keep the love alive and post again more frequently. Please don't be mad. Lory and I love you.<br /><br />heart, kb<br /><br />P.S.<br />I love this song and can't stop listening to it. Just thought I would share!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3HNY0rx2fw4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3HNY0rx2fw4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-65172661277870839352010-08-24T11:09:00.000-07:002010-08-24T13:30:12.999-07:00Jenny and Johnny - First Listen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.npr.org/assets/music/firstlisten/2010/08/jennyandjohnny.jpg?t=1281810384&s=2"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://media.npr.org/assets/music/firstlisten/2010/08/jennyandjohnny.jpg?t=1281810384&s=2" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Jenny and Johnny, aka Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice, are getting ready to release their first duet album together titled, " I'm Having Fun Now ". Yesterday NPR Music has begun to stream the album in it's entirety and I have been listening non-stop! The record sounds totally awesome. A perfect marriage of the two performers, awesome melodies, perfect harmonies, catchy pop tunes without the fake smiles and noxious auto-tuning. My only complaint about the record is that it is being released on the last day of August - the end of summer - when it has all the things anyone could ask for in a fun-loving-good-time-rock n'roll-summer-time album. I guess I better hope the rock n' roll groundhog climbs out of his hole only to be frightened by his shadow and grant us 6 more weeks of Summer thus 6 more weeks of Summer-time tunes.....or something like that....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcStRmYA2KYNoDioMiDXrHrfMyq2ZJRK4WQoA9J2-01KbCHS75c&t=1&usg=__D3AEh4iI37r77sHGDOPSpFcYJeI="><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 167px;" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcStRmYA2KYNoDioMiDXrHrfMyq2ZJRK4WQoA9J2-01KbCHS75c&t=1&usg=__D3AEh4iI37r77sHGDOPSpFcYJeI=" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScmKAI6O6bzt92Zjkr06lhIh_Uz3txnbreM3MFPLF3_Ut1ES8&t=1&usg=__gWG6a_XF3ql-5lcIPlNFFSVjK9o="><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 222px;" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScmKAI6O6bzt92Zjkr06lhIh_Uz3txnbreM3MFPLF3_Ut1ES8&t=1&usg=__gWG6a_XF3ql-5lcIPlNFFSVjK9o=" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Anyways,<br />Listen <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129198985">HERE</a><br />I can't stop listening to <a href="http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=129198985&m=128830638">THIS</a> song!kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-44044361710303859862010-08-23T09:23:00.000-07:002010-08-23T09:26:37.094-07:00Alley Philosophies....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/THKgsAjkeXI/AAAAAAAAAbk/ynQSKOj-djI/s1600/4588637503_fdf3a0f31b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/THKgsAjkeXI/AAAAAAAAAbk/ynQSKOj-djI/s320/4588637503_fdf3a0f31b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508641972151417202" /></a><br /><br />This is how I feel on Monday mornings. <br /><br />This is Jeff O's photo btw.kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-74378372333183537252010-08-20T14:04:00.000-07:002010-08-20T14:22:15.010-07:00Easy Camera Bag Pattern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TG7uj7UFM8I/AAAAAAAAAtA/74kqgp3aUxo/s1600/CIMG0645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TG7uj7UFM8I/AAAAAAAAAtA/74kqgp3aUxo/s320/CIMG0645.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507601695305446338" /></a><br /><br />I recently bought myself a new digital camera. My previous one was six plus years old, so I decided it was time for an upgrade, especially on the day that the Casio Exilim went on sale on <a href="http://woot.com/">Woot.com</a>. My new toy was about half the size of its ancient predecessor, so I needed a new camera bag. Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to store my small electronic devices in a sock until something better comes along. <br /><br />Working without a pattern, I decided that I’d try out this fancy yarn I bought about a year ago. At about $10 per skein, <a href="http://www.yarndex.com/yarn.cfm?yarn_id=3995">Tango by Universal Brand Yarn</a> makes a self-ruffling yarn that is a cinch to use, if you have a bit of patience. I was prompted by the sales clerk when I purchased the yarn that you are supposed to stick the knitting needle through the middle of the yarn and knit within the webbing (wow, it is a lot harder to describe what I am talking about than I realized!). The <a href="http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/faq/263.html?language=">Lion Brand Yarn</a> website has a fairly comprehensive how-to guide for knitting with self-ruffling yarn.<br /><br />Anywho… here are my instructions, from memory, not a professional pattern by any means:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ruffled Camera Bag (Fits Casio Exilim Camera)</span><br /><br />Ingredients:<br />1 Skein Tango Self-Ruffling Yarn (22 yards/50 grams)<br />Matching, DK Weight, Non-ruffling Yarn for sewing the edges and the Strap (use one of your stash scraps)<br />Size 4 Knitting Needles<br />Size G Crochet Needle<br />Embroidery Needle<br />Sewing needle<br />Matching Color Sewing Thread<br />Complimentary Style/Colored Button<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pattern:</span> <br /><br />The Bag- <span style="font-style:italic;">Knit</span><br />Cast On 15 (wrap entire yarn ribbon around needle, do not implement ruffling affect) <br />Knit 18 rows in Garter Stitch using the ruffling method (No need for fancy knit stitches)<br />Cast Off<br />Sew in ends.<br />Fold in half, right sides touching, and sew the long edges together with a matching DK weight yarn. Sew in ends. Flip bag inside-out so that right sides are now on the outside and sewn edges are hidden.<br /><br />The Strap- <span style="font-style:italic;">Crochet</span><br />Chain 12<br />Row 1: Insert hook into 3rd chain from hook . Single crochet across. Chain 2. Turn.<br />Row 2-12: *Insert hook into back of stitch and single crochet (This makes a “ribbing” pattern). Repeat from * until end of row. Chain 2. Turn. <br />Row 13/Button Hole: Single crochet 5. Chain 2 (more if your button is bigger). Skip next single crochet (skip 2 if your button is bigger). Single crochet across. Chain 2. Turn.<br />Row 15-16: *Insert hook into back of stitch and single crochet. Repeat from * until end of row. Chain 2. Turn.<br />Row 19: Cast off (wrap entire yarn ribbon around needle, do not implement ruffling affect)<br />Sew one side of the strap into the inside of the bag at the second row from the top.<br />Using sewing thread and sewing needle, sew button onto the bag, centered and approximately 3 rows from the top. Using yarn to attach the button is nearly impossible, sewing thread is better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TG7up-K7mEI/AAAAAAAAAtI/DQL6OgnPBYc/s1600/CIMG0646.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TG7up-K7mEI/AAAAAAAAAtI/DQL6OgnPBYc/s320/CIMG0646.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507601799151589442" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-62865371599470191612010-08-13T13:05:00.000-07:002010-08-13T13:11:17.574-07:00Sew Shoe Me Shop Update!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm2nAkykI/AAAAAAAAAbc/bN5rALENyFE/s1600/P1013934.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm2nAkykI/AAAAAAAAAbc/bN5rALENyFE/s320/P1013934.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504989576644840002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm2Ar-CjI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Sxztrf9pkcI/s1600/P1013929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm2Ar-CjI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Sxztrf9pkcI/s320/P1013929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504989566357867058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm10CE9LI/AAAAAAAAAbM/LwJANJCei9k/s1600/P1013916.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm10CE9LI/AAAAAAAAAbM/LwJANJCei9k/s320/P1013916.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504989562960934066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm1fP5SiI/AAAAAAAAAbE/_qpC6xU5TWU/s1600/P1013889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm1fP5SiI/AAAAAAAAAbE/_qpC6xU5TWU/s320/P1013889.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504989557381745186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm1JIyMcI/AAAAAAAAAa8/oZogDwLK9VI/s1600/P1013875.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TGWm1JIyMcI/AAAAAAAAAa8/oZogDwLK9VI/s320/P1013875.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504989551446340034" /></a><br />New items have been posted and many more to come!<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewShoeMe"> Check it out!</a>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-19035701477005186982010-08-11T15:06:00.000-07:002010-08-11T15:10:12.523-07:00funny.Lory took these photos of Jeff and I each holding the same 32 oz bottle of Miller High Life. He's 6'7, I'm 5'3. Pretty funny.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24216109@N05/4876769077/" title="Jeff O Holds Miller High Life by lorygil, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4876769077_1f3cfe75dc.jpg" width="500" height="280" alt="Jeff O Holds Miller High Life" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24216109@N05/4877379202/" title="Kortnee Holds Miller High Life by lorygil, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4877379202_df1fe8ea9f.jpg" width="500" height="280" alt="Kortnee Holds Miller High Life" /></a>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-7057872049453389022010-08-11T11:15:00.000-07:002010-08-11T11:24:43.981-07:00Big Bend Camping = Big Fun Camping<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLpHZSfxJI/AAAAAAAAAsI/hMTcaQyqeBQ/s1600/Tent.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLpHZSfxJI/AAAAAAAAAsI/hMTcaQyqeBQ/s320/Tent.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504218007856989330" /></a><br />Yet another summer camping trip has been completed. At the behest of some of our friends that didn’t make it to previous camping trips, Kortnee booked a group site in the Tahoe National Forrest, to which I immediately said, “No way, that’s too cold!” and she subsequently told me to stop acting like a baby and grow a pair. I never grew a pair, but I did manage to procure some snow gear from a Tahoe-local friend of mine. With parka and snow pants in hand, we drove 5,000 feet up to one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever camped, Big Bend Group off the Yuba River. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLpNpo1psI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/uteWtFoqpDg/s1600/Cocktail.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLpNpo1psI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/uteWtFoqpDg/s200/Cocktail.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504218115324880578" /></a>We played dice games and chess games (I didn’t lose to Ted). We ate steak and campfire balls (Kortnee’s camping specialty). We drank beer and whiskey. Our friend, Jeff O brought all of his own freeze dried food to test out his backpacking gear. His Jet Boil was an amazing contraption. I want one for myself. We spent an afternoon at Donner Lake and an evening stargazing (my favorite part of the trip). The Ol’ Man and I failed at setting up our new 20-man tent cabin (in our defense, there were no instructions, or even a picture of what it should look like). There was much napping and good times had.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLpi75qMUI/AAAAAAAAAsY/QHjcT3hT2Po/s1600/T%26K+Duet.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLpi75qMUI/AAAAAAAAAsY/QHjcT3hT2Po/s200/T%26K+Duet.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504218481004523842" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pros:</span> <br /><br />Far away from any main family camp area so there was no threat of harassment from rangers for being too loud.<br /><br />The site was literally right next to the Yuba River. With just the slightest bit of effort, one could find a good spot to swim.<br /><br />Weather was extraordinarily beautiful. It did not seem like we were in the mountains. The nights were even reasonable. I didn’t need the snow pants, but the parka was a life saver. <br /><br />It was only five or so miles from Donner Lake. Kortnee & Ted even rented a Kayak for an hour.<br /><br />No serious animal invasion situation. We saw some mangy squirrels, but that was about it. There were bear warnings, but the ranger assured us that it was very rare for them to wander into that area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLp0riM2dI/AAAAAAAAAsg/valAx1hx98g/s1600/Site.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLp0riM2dI/AAAAAAAAAsg/valAx1hx98g/s200/Site.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504218785848809938" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cons: </span><br /><br />Right next to the 80 freeway, so the sound of cars rushing by was hard to ignore at three in the morning.<br /><br />Vaulted toilets smelled horrible in the morning, and was so strong, the stench wafted into our campsite, making breakfast smell like a dead dog that had been decomposing in someone’s ass (sorry for the description, but it was REALLY stinky).<br /><br />That being said, it was still an amazing and beautiful camping trip, filled with friends, food and booze. That makes three camping trips down and one to go. <br /><br />Good night camping, love Lory & Kortnee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLqCRgPkKI/AAAAAAAAAso/v9iOMU7BVS0/s1600/Campfire.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TGLqCRgPkKI/AAAAAAAAAso/v9iOMU7BVS0/s320/Campfire.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504219019379445922" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-58467136156120203792010-08-06T09:37:00.001-07:002010-08-06T09:39:04.415-07:00We're off to the Mountains!We'll return with adventurous stories, full camping bellies and maybe a couple of photos.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gserafini/4156691722/" title="Scott and Cathy by gserafini, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/4156691722_87cea2b9b2.jpg" width="500" height="355" alt="Scott and Cathy" /></a><br />Have a great weekend!kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-66890205177512189312010-08-02T12:01:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:14:00.856-07:00My Mom is The Best!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TFcWXjaoEOI/AAAAAAAAAro/kfJgRWxLwsI/s1600/annie-199x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TFcWXjaoEOI/AAAAAAAAAro/kfJgRWxLwsI/s320/annie-199x300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500890063756071138" /></a><br />I just have to tell this story, even though pretty much all of my friends have heard it already.<br /><br />I was eight. It was third grade. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083564/">Annie</a>, the movie, had released that summer to great fanfare. Red and white Annie dresses were in the girl’s clothing section of every department store in America. Little girls in red and white dresses were dotting the streets of my home town. I wanted one. I wanted an Annie dress so bad I could taste it. But, they were expensive. We couldn’t afford it. Like any crafty and resourceful mom, mine decided to make me one. We could afford that. Mom was a wiz on the sewing machine. She hand-made Cabbage Patch- style dolls for myself and each of my female cousins on year for Christmas. She made mine and my brother’s Halloween costumes every year. One year, I was a lamb and my mom sewed hundreds of cotton balls to my leotards and made me a lamb’s hat out of a cut up milk carton. Brilliant!<br /><br />Anyway, she made me the best Annie dress a girl could have. It was perfect! I thought I looked exactly like the orphan waif in my new red and white rags. I even had my own matching heart-shaped locket. I wore that dress every single day, all summer long. I was the bee’s knees. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TFcWiiNvTjI/AAAAAAAAArw/8pEJEPApR4c/s1600/Annie+Logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TFcWiiNvTjI/AAAAAAAAArw/8pEJEPApR4c/s200/Annie+Logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500890252412145202" /></a><br />And then, school started and third graders are sadistic. My dress was considered less than adequate because it was hand-made instead of store bought. I was laughed at for having a “fake” Annie dress. Musings of my financial status were discussed with vicious delight. I was ridiculed and shunned. My heart was broken. I was ashamed.<br /> <br />Crushed and defeated, I slunk home to mom and relayed the horrors of my day to her, tears streaming down my face and my dress crumpled tightly in my dirty, sweaty hand (I took it off the second I walked in the front door). Mom, with her nurturing insight, spoke only one sentence that renewed my love of the dress all over again. The next day that I wore my Annie dress to school, my resolve was strong and my confidence was high. When my callous classmates began their relentless taunting again, I responded with the wisdom of my mother’s words, “My dress is more real than yours. Annie would never have worn a dress with her own name printed on it.” Take that, you heartless monsters!<br /><br />I love you Mom, and Happy Birthday!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TFcX7tQUNUI/AAAAAAAAAsA/_pFn5w4kDBI/s1600/Annie+Dress.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TFcX7tQUNUI/AAAAAAAAAsA/_pFn5w4kDBI/s400/Annie+Dress.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500891784384099650" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-67745358806756543502010-07-28T11:44:00.000-07:002010-07-28T11:48:46.442-07:00Featured on ETSY!I got a convo on Etsy from Mills Design Co. saying she featured my shop on her Treasury!<br /><br />I didn't know what that meant but I was excited anyways. I did a little poking around and learned that treasuries on etsy.com are "member curated shopping galleries".<br /><br />Sounds good to me! She featured a pair of shoes from my shop alongside some of her site-wide favorites. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c503fb81faa8eefa6c726fd/kickin-up-my-heels-part-2?index=0">It's totally awesome! Check it Out!!!!!<br /></a>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-91490884091625691962010-07-28T11:03:00.000-07:002010-07-28T11:28:33.707-07:00Rock N' Roll Clothing SwapAmid the plethora of spreadsheets and expense reports I sometimes can find time in my busy work schedule to peruse fashion articles and blogs on the internet.<br />Several weeks ago I stumbled upon <a href="http://orchidgrey.blogspot.com/2010/06/canal-district-clothing-swap-part-1.html">this blog post</a> which led me to <a href="http://theswapaholics.com/">this website</a> which led me to<a href="http://www.missomnimedia.com/2010/04/diy-swap-how-to-throw-your-own-clothing-exchange/"> this article.</a><br />My bud Kristie and I had been throwing around the idea of having a clothes swap party but just never got it off the ground....that is, until I read all the swap-erific literature the webz has to offer!<br />I quickly put together a list of girlfriends and sent out an evite. We had a turn-out of 10 which was actually quite ideal. <br /><br />The rules were as follows:<br /> -Everyone must bring a minimum of 5 articles of clothing, shoes, accessories etc<br /> -Everyone also brings a snack or a boozy bottle of sorts<br /> -We all drew numbers to determine our "picker" order - numbers were re-drawn for each round<br /> -We went in order of our numbers and chose from the pile what we wanted to claim as our own!<br /><br />That's it! So simple yet so effing awesome! Everyone had a blast and we were able to trade in some of our closet clutter for some new treasures!<br />It has already been determined that this swap is going to be a bi-annual event..... I kinda can't wait until February!!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB075h8eNI/AAAAAAAAAZM/DDxnNcc5kLs/s1600/5A.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB075h8eNI/AAAAAAAAAZM/DDxnNcc5kLs/s320/5A.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023717423675602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB07YVlpKI/AAAAAAAAAZE/xmqoX65_Qbo/s1600/4A.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB07YVlpKI/AAAAAAAAAZE/xmqoX65_Qbo/s320/4A.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023708513477794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB06SQadRI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ljhbLzp6d5k/s1600/3A.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB06SQadRI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ljhbLzp6d5k/s320/3A.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023689701291282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB05yJNewI/AAAAAAAAAY0/cwtqzW5eQTQ/s1600/1A.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB05yJNewI/AAAAAAAAAY0/cwtqzW5eQTQ/s320/1A.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023681081146114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1MJqhFAI/AAAAAAAAAZs/y8BbNY7uVDQ/s1600/P7230123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1MJqhFAI/AAAAAAAAAZs/y8BbNY7uVDQ/s320/P7230123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023996632503298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1LZhy2nI/AAAAAAAAAZk/bH8M9cXc4ZM/s1600/P7230122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1LZhy2nI/AAAAAAAAAZk/bH8M9cXc4ZM/s320/P7230122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023983711017586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1K90AwxI/AAAAAAAAAZc/wXsTWmu8_D0/s1600/P7230121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1K90AwxI/AAAAAAAAAZc/wXsTWmu8_D0/s320/P7230121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023976271233810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1KRVq6BI/AAAAAAAAAZU/t4X7sJoVMQw/s1600/P7230119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1KRVq6BI/AAAAAAAAAZU/t4X7sJoVMQw/s320/P7230119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499023964332812306" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1irleZ5I/AAAAAAAAAaU/_PqmJFXv8Zg/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1irleZ5I/AAAAAAAAAaU/_PqmJFXv8Zg/s320/photo+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024383695284114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1iDlGb4I/AAAAAAAAAaM/m-Bjru-I5ug/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1iDlGb4I/AAAAAAAAAaM/m-Bjru-I5ug/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024372956295042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1hbAC02I/AAAAAAAAAaE/MQXP5UWL0pc/s1600/P7230124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1hbAC02I/AAAAAAAAAaE/MQXP5UWL0pc/s320/P7230124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024362063450978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1g1pGbtI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/xiNEJaU-UsE/s1600/P7230127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1g1pGbtI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/xiNEJaU-UsE/s320/P7230127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024352035106514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1goO0N0I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/O8ms2Irpaak/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1goO0N0I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/O8ms2Irpaak/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024348435199810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1zHJo2VI/AAAAAAAAAa0/cHR1DijkIOg/s1600/P7230131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1zHJo2VI/AAAAAAAAAa0/cHR1DijkIOg/s320/P7230131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024665972627794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1ytv9j_I/AAAAAAAAAas/0oT3CKlOTPM/s1600/P7230130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1ytv9j_I/AAAAAAAAAas/0oT3CKlOTPM/s320/P7230130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024659154046962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1yL8zAPI/AAAAAAAAAak/RPVAX-88WlY/s1600/photo+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1yL8zAPI/AAAAAAAAAak/RPVAX-88WlY/s320/photo+5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024650081075442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1x6NFjqI/AAAAAAAAAac/CLU5XWJqVVo/s1600/photo+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TFB1x6NFjqI/AAAAAAAAAac/CLU5XWJqVVo/s320/photo+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499024645317562018" /></a>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-41363245554359160072010-07-26T16:05:00.000-07:002010-07-26T16:13:41.641-07:00CA State Fair 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4U6ZmZR6I/AAAAAAAAAq0/7z7ouVux46A/s1600/Buns.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4U6ZmZR6I/AAAAAAAAAq0/7z7ouVux46A/s200/Buns.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498355188602849186" /></a><br />It is that time of year again, time to strap on the walking shoes, comfy shorts and sun screen and head to the California State Fair for a day of pigs, rides and food. Not necessarily in that order. In fact, first order of the day was food. The Ol’ Man and I started the fair right, arriving just as the gates opened to the public and heading straight for the food promenade. We shared a world famous county fair cinnamon bun, complete with cream cheese frosting. It was so gooey and delicious that I wanted another one right away. Listening to my smarter sub-conscience, I decided not to. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4VDVbon4I/AAAAAAAAAq8/nTPSw8HgBWw/s1600/Dino.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4VDVbon4I/AAAAAAAAAq8/nTPSw8HgBWw/s200/Dino.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498355342102798210" /></a>After being chased by animatronic dinosaurs, we headed to the livestock nursery where we saw a calf that had just been born only four hours earlier. We also got a close look at the baby piggies. There was no one on “petting duty” so I did not get to hold one, but I sure do love their cute little piggy butts!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4VRHE0QsI/AAAAAAAAArE/3sp3Xp5G73M/s1600/Snake.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4VRHE0QsI/AAAAAAAAArE/3sp3Xp5G73M/s200/Snake.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498355578767164098" /></a>On our way back to the main food court, we wandered through the wine tent. Normally, there is this hokey fake jungle that fits the theme for the year. I always like to go through it and pretend I am a part of what ever adventure lies within. This year, however, we had our socks blown out of our asses when we wandered into the view of a real life anaconda. Holy poop, it was huge! The thing was no less than 15 feet, and maybe more, since we couldn’t actually see the whole body. There were also giant turtles and enormous boa constrictors. There were so many different varieties of snakes, I couldn’t remember them all. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4Vai7kxII/AAAAAAAAArM/0Z6WaJzP8NM/s1600/Curds.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4Vai7kxII/AAAAAAAAArM/0Z6WaJzP8NM/s200/Curds.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498355740863415426" /></a><br />The reptile excursion left us hungry for something deep fried. I found the perfect food stand and ordered deep fried cheese curds. Now, I’d never had a cheese curd, so my mouth was pleasantly surprised to have such a horribly delicious treat. Craig found the jumbo corn dog stand, and we were set for a few hours. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4VmRX07DI/AAAAAAAAArU/afM5shsD13w/s1600/Corn.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4VmRX07DI/AAAAAAAAArU/afM5shsD13w/s200/Corn.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498355942308506674" /></a>We wandered around for the rest of the day, checking out the gadgets in the retail expo buildings and admiring the pencil drawings of that kid from Twilight at the high school art exhibits. Another favorite area for me is the “Fur and Feathers” building. I love the giant, floppy-eared bunnies and the exotic Japanese black chickens. This year, I fell in love with the Peruvian Guiney pigs. I’m seriously thinking about raising one myself. Maybe I’d even show it at next year’s State Fair. That is if my stupid cat doesn’t eat it first. <br /><br />After we visited every exhibit, ogled every farm animal and scoped out every souvenir we hit the food stands one last time for an ear of roasted corn and a root beer float. State Fair: done! I’m going back again, at least two more times. I have to do my “pick-up” days. That’s when I go back for the fair food I didn’t have room to fit in my stomach, the rides I was too tired to stand in line for, and the crash-em-up derby that is only on the last two days of the fair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4V7FsToSI/AAAAAAAAArc/fGp9o1gIRkI/s1600/Piggy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TE4V7FsToSI/AAAAAAAAArc/fGp9o1gIRkI/s320/Piggy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498356299950432546" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-76651602651043096242010-07-22T13:39:00.000-07:002010-07-22T14:08:25.455-07:00Etsy Strikes Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEix8mqhE_I/AAAAAAAAAqE/JmlNNMzMG-g/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEix8mqhE_I/AAAAAAAAAqE/JmlNNMzMG-g/s200/photo+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496838999934833650" /></a><br />While wasting away hours of my time on Etsy, I came across an adorable store called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dorahdesigns?ga_search_query=dorahdesigns&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">Do-Rah Designs</a>. This store specializes in handcrafted purses, satchels and bags. I myself am not a purveyor of such womanly novelties, but what did catch my eye was a reusable lunch tote. Now, I’ve already got a cute little reusable lunch bag, complete with a lovable panda bear, al-la Hello Kitty style. The problem with mine is the size. I can pretty much only fit a sandwich, a baggie of chips and a package of instant oatmeal. That’s it, nothing more. So, whenever I try to bring something interesting for lunch, or if I want something like a banana, I’ve got no room! I have to put the additional food items in my purse. Since I ride my bike to work, that can be a problem. I’ve actually lost parts of my lunch along the Sacramento River bike path, true story. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEiywnOLdwI/AAAAAAAAAqc/CNuOqtMmE8A/s1600/photo+4.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEiywnOLdwI/AAAAAAAAAqc/CNuOqtMmE8A/s200/photo+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496839893437609730" /></a><br />So, when I came across the handmade lunch totes from Do-Rah Designs, I was ecstatic. I found the perfect sized lunch bag, and it is adorable to boot! I bought it right away. The lunch totes are $18, but well worth the cost. They are sturdy and well-<br />made. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEiy5CWox5I/AAAAAAAAAqk/uOwm-EnvIww/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEiy5CWox5I/AAAAAAAAAqk/uOwm-EnvIww/s200/photo+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496840038159796114" /></a><br /><br />Do-Rah Designs is based in Elk Grove, so I’m buying local as well! Now, I’ll no longer be forced to decide which parcel of food to stuff into my tiny sack. I’ll no longer have to hide my sweet treats at the bottom of my purse, risking the possibility of either getting chocolate all over my wallet, or lipstick all over my pastry. My new and super-cute lunch tote is big enough to fit it all. But it is still small enough to look like a lunch bag. <br /><br />If you are interested in a handmade, reusable lunch bag that will make you the envy of all your craft loving co-workers, check out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dorahdesigns?ga_search_query=dorahdesigns&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">Do-Rah Designs</a> on Etsy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEiy_qXamEI/AAAAAAAAAqs/4c37bIFU1Is/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEiy_qXamEI/AAAAAAAAAqs/4c37bIFU1Is/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496840151979694146" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-72595597203498975142010-07-21T13:38:00.001-07:002010-07-21T13:39:57.551-07:00Camping InstaxHere's a couple of Instax photos I nabbed from the weekend..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbCoPQAvI/AAAAAAAAAYE/di4fF2TOwF0/s1600/image2010-07-21-134829-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbCoPQAvI/AAAAAAAAAYE/di4fF2TOwF0/s320/image2010-07-21-134829-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496461970948227826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbCWI0K8I/AAAAAAAAAX8/t1nURuaLxIA/s1600/image2010-07-21-134829-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbCWI0K8I/AAAAAAAAAX8/t1nURuaLxIA/s320/image2010-07-21-134829-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496461966089399234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbB4oTNNI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Jt0EDnOpwa0/s1600/image2010-07-21-134829-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbB4oTNNI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Jt0EDnOpwa0/s320/image2010-07-21-134829-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496461958168392914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbBq5d2yI/AAAAAAAAAXs/rIxTy6ezsc8/s1600/image2010-07-21-134829-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TEdbBq5d2yI/AAAAAAAAAXs/rIxTy6ezsc8/s320/image2010-07-21-134829-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496461954482297634" /></a>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-36361723716475895512010-07-20T09:16:00.000-07:002010-07-20T10:01:25.981-07:00Nerd Camp V<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXT9GwYPDI/AAAAAAAAApM/vEaKDuqQeTo/s1600/Group.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXT9GwYPDI/AAAAAAAAApM/vEaKDuqQeTo/s320/Group.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496031967014566962" /></a><br />Every year, a group of our friends gets together for a weekend-long camping trip. We call it Nerd Camp. In 2005, the first year we did this, there were 10 of us, and the original intent was to play a game of Dungeons & Dragons while camping. The game never took place, but getting together and eating, drinking and sleeping our butts off did. Now, five years later and with twice as many attendees, Nerd Camp has become a three-day party tradition. Nerds and non-nerds alike converge on an unsuspecting state park and proceed to wreck havoc on approximately one acre of protected woodlands. When we leave, we leave behind no trace of our existence.<br /><br />We have never camped in the same spot twice. At first, I was trying to find us the perfect spot. Stumpy Meadows was infested with mosquitoes, Black Butte was too hot and had no trees, Salt Point was too cold (for me), Clear Lake just sucked all around. Now, I think I’m just on a pilgrimage to visit the group site of every State Park in California. <br /><br />This Year, we stayed at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park in Calistoga, so far, my personal favorite. Even though it got pretty warm during the day, it was a beautiful spot with lots of trees and hiking trails. The nights cooled down to a pleasant temperature and we were not harassed by park rangers for being too loud, which we were. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXSrKB07RI/AAAAAAAAAos/VrGpc5eWk_I/s1600/Tent.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXSrKB07RI/AAAAAAAAAos/VrGpc5eWk_I/s200/Tent.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496030559143783698" /></a>Kortnee and I and our respective dudes showed up at the campsite first, picked the perfect spots, and commenced with the drinking. As the camping crew trickled in, so did the revelry. The only thing we managed to accomplish on the first day was setting up camp, drinking and eating- exactly the way it should be.Andy slaved over a hot grill for hours and produced the perfect New York Strip for 10+ carnivores. I made a pot of vegetarian chili and Kortnee made her famous Campfire Balls. Of course, no camping trip is complete without the obligatory S’ more. My Ol’Man toasts the marshmallow to perfection! He is a S’ more aficionado. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXSeY95n7I/AAAAAAAAAok/STPq7SR2QTE/s1600/Thad.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXSeY95n7I/AAAAAAAAAok/STPq7SR2QTE/s200/Thad.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496030339815546802" /></a>The next day was Saturday. We woke up late and ate a delicious breakfast of French toast with Brioche and fresh fruit that our foodie friend Taryn made, num. While ccoking up eggs and bacon for the meat eaters, Andy experimented with heating up some leftover stake in the bacon fat. He called it Stakon. It was absolutely delicious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXTKePI1jI/AAAAAAAAAo0/m9rs5neWwR0/s1600/Hiking.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXTKePI1jI/AAAAAAAAAo0/m9rs5neWwR0/s200/Hiking.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496031097144268338" /></a>After an appropriate level of relaxing, we decided to hit the trail for a hike. We trekked a short distance to the pioneer cemetery where we saw a collapsed gravesite. Creepy! Then, we headed to the nearby Bale Grist Mill. The mill is a cute place to go if you have kids, but not much of a destination point otherwise. Our hike was a total of approximately one mile and we were hot and hungry when we arrived back at the camp.<br /><br />A group of the guys hiked their own trail. They called it the Keg March. They walked a total of 7 miles, 3.5 at a steep incline, with a “mini-keg” of Heineken. The point was to climb to the top and back, all while finishing off the mini-keg. Mission Accomplished. They were back four hours later with sunburns and buzzes. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXTW-qj9xI/AAAAAAAAAo8/rRkgFkQLfXI/s1600/Bday.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXTW-qj9xI/AAAAAAAAAo8/rRkgFkQLfXI/s200/Bday.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496031312007657234" /></a> Our friend, Rochelle celebrated her birthday on Saturday, and seeing as how we were not able to be with her, Kortnee came up with the brilliant idea to have the guys send her a very special birthday greeting. <br /><br />After a lunch of Taryn’s grilled veggie Panini and a lazy afternoon of beer and dice games (or Munchkin), we decided to head to the public pool to cool off. After all, we were covered in sweat and dirt and we needed a place to clean up. The Napa Valley State Park has a public pool on its premises and since that is the only body of water nearby, it makes for a nice afternoon swim. We waded around in the deep end until closing time, and rinsed off at the free pool shower. Once we were cool and relaxed, we cooked up homemade pizza on the grill for dinner and finished off the night with more relaxing, drinking and campfire conversation. Oh, and S’ mores too.<br /><br />Unfortunately, check-out time at California State Parks is noon, so you barely have time to heat up some coffee, make breakfast and drink one last beer before you have to pack up and go. This time, we managed to close up shop and disappear in record time, 20 campers worth of crap was taken down and packed into cars in one hour and fifteen minutes. Way to go everyone!<br /><br />Nerd Camp V was a huge success, and I am already scoping out the perfect site for next year. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.<br /><br />Good Night Camping.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXVUxMNyGI/AAAAAAAAApc/oHxnZenSElU/s1600/K%26T.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TEXVUxMNyGI/AAAAAAAAApc/oHxnZenSElU/s320/K%26T.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496033473054230626" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-408169852305187982010-07-15T15:54:00.000-07:002010-07-15T16:02:05.637-07:00Summer Snack for Summer Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-SO0SqJ7I/AAAAAAAAAns/DOk5vQHKbTo/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-SO0SqJ7I/AAAAAAAAAns/DOk5vQHKbTo/s200/photo+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494270853668022194" /></a>The Ol’ Man and I went to Texas recently for a week of fast and loud music. While in the lovely town of Austin, we patronized many-a-restaurant and sampled their fine wares. Something I noticed is that they always offered queso dip with chips the way you would be offered salsa at a Mexican restaurant in California. It was just normal to have queso all the time. Now, where I come from, this lavish cheese delicacy is too precious to just throw around all willy-nilly, so to see it so prevalent throughout the South Western Region was a treat and a half, to say the least. Ever since our trip to Austin, I have been craving the warmed, spicy delight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-ST89jJsI/AAAAAAAAAn0/lFTXe6bJ-Fc/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-ST89jJsI/AAAAAAAAAn0/lFTXe6bJ-Fc/s200/photo+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494270941894747842" /></a>I came across this easy queso recipe while reading <a href="http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/">Confections of a Foodie Bride</a>. I enjoy food blogs. I absolutely love looking at pictures of food, and food bloggers have a knack for making their dishes look like edible works of art. Confections of a Foodie Bride is a blog where you find fairly easy recipes for really delicious treats. Shawnda’s “Not-So-Easy Queso Dip” (So-named because you don’t just dump a can of RoTel© into a bowl of warmed cheese) was not only easy to prepare, but heavenly to devour.<br /><br />Don’t be dismissive of the need for Velveeta instead of cheese. It is surprisingly tasty when mixed with all of the other yummy, flavorful ingredients. Shawna recommends Velveeta because it is the only cheese she has worked with that melts with the right consistency. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-SZI93bhI/AAAAAAAAAn8/_TCpDDiqrc4/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-SZI93bhI/AAAAAAAAAn8/_TCpDDiqrc4/s200/photo+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494271031016648210" /></a>I also recommend being wary of your cilantro levels. I love cilantro, but felt that a quarter of a cup was just a tad overpowering for my taste. However, my snacking companions all disagreed with my diagnosis, so who knows.<br /><br />Here is the recipe, straight from <a href="http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/">Confections of a Foodie Bride</a>:<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Not-So-Quickie Queso</span><br />8 oz Velveeta, cut into large cubes<br />1/4 cup milk<br />1 Tbsp vegetable or olive oil<br />1/2 cup white or yellow onion, diced small<br />1-2 large jalapeno peppers, diced (~1/4 cup, I leave the seeds in)<br />1 tomato, diced<br />1/4 cup cilantro, chopped<br />Pinch of salt<br />Dash of cayenne<br /><br />Place Velveeta and milk in a medium bowl and set aside.<br />Heat oil in sauce pan over medium-high. Saute onions and peppers until the onions are translucent. Pour over Velveeta. Microwave for 60-90 seconds at a time, stirring until melted and thoroughly combined. Stir in tomatoes, cilantro, salt and cayenne. Serve hot with chips of your choice or warm flour tortillas.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-TCwSRrnI/AAAAAAAAAoM/419SJRo-RPg/s1600/photo+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TD-TCwSRrnI/AAAAAAAAAoM/419SJRo-RPg/s200/photo+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494271745945874034" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-35374900922412993362010-07-13T11:22:00.000-07:002010-07-13T12:05:49.275-07:00Coastal Delight- California Style<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy1M935VKI/AAAAAAAAAm0/rz_DKVgvb2U/s1600/Close-up.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy1M935VKI/AAAAAAAAAm0/rz_DKVgvb2U/s320/Close-up.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493464879857226914" /></a><br />This past weekend, the Ol’ Man (Craig) and I headed to San Francisco for pizza and record shopping. We both scored great finds, spent way too much on vinyl and ate till our tummies hurt. We spent so much time rummaging around in <a href="http://www.amoeba.com/">Amoeba Music's</a> treasures that we didn’t save time for any touristy fun (I kinda wanted to hit <a href="http://www.ghirardellisq.com/">Ghirardelli Square</a>). Instead, we made the trek to Santa Rosa by way of Highway 1. I know that is exactly not the way to Santa Rosa from San Francisco, but I really wanted to spend some time along the California Coast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy1VCxeJ5I/AAAAAAAAAm8/W5gdoq8PJnI/s1600/Starfish.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy1VCxeJ5I/AAAAAAAAAm8/W5gdoq8PJnI/s200/Starfish.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493465018611410834" /></a>We stopped at <a href="http://www.muirbeach.com/">Muir Beach</a> to see the sights. It was beautiful, albeit overcast and chilly. We watched the tide roll in and adventured around until I spotted a starfish on one of the rocks. Oh, happy day! We also came across a huge rope that looks like it may have, at one time, tied a pretty big ship to an anchor, or possibly a lady to a railroad track.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy1ix3u-8I/AAAAAAAAAnE/nuSKox27voE/s1600/Rope.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy1ix3u-8I/AAAAAAAAAnE/nuSKox27voE/s200/Rope.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493465254592445378" /></a> <br />After stopping at Muir Beach, we traveled along the Coast, past <a href="http://www.pointreyes.org/">Point Reyes</a>, until we hit Highway 12 and headed inland to Santa Rosa, where my dear friend <a href="http://people.oreilly.com/msilver">Matt</a> resides. We arrived just in time for burgers at <a href="http://www.phyllisgiantburgers.com/">Phyllis’ Giant Burgers</a> and then caught the late showing of <a href="http://www.predators-movie.com/">Predators</a>. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. Cheesy and fun and full of explosions, just the way I like my action films. The Ol’ Man had a lower opinion of the movie than I, but I think it’s because his expectations were so high. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093773/">Predator</a> is one of his favorite movies, you know. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy2NDhnuII/AAAAAAAAAnM/ylJesChOamI/s1600/Matt.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy2NDhnuII/AAAAAAAAAnM/ylJesChOamI/s200/Matt.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493465980886038658" /></a>The next morning, we headed to the <a href="http://www.dierksparkside.com/">Parkside Café</a> for breakfast. I ordered a two-egg breakfast. I truly regret not taking a picture of my meal before devouring it. The sausage was the longest I’ve ever seen, at least five inches in length! Breakfast was delicious, and it hit the spot. Off to the Sonoma Coast!<br /><br />Our drive to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_Coast_State_Beach">Sonoma Coastline</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy3YvXm9LI/AAAAAAAAAnU/sBpfkK_VaG0/s1600/Craig.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy3YvXm9LI/AAAAAAAAAnU/sBpfkK_VaG0/s200/Craig.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493467281145394354" /></a> took us past various beautiful beaches and landed us at Wright’s Beach. Matt took some amazing pictures. Craig and I took naps. We took off our shoes and took in the sun. On the way back to the car, we decided it would be better to leave our shoes off so that we could avoid getting more sand in them, big mistake. We ran like desert lizards across the blistering sand. At one point, Craig was up ahead and fast approaching what looked like cooler sand. I shouted to him to confirm whether that was true. “No!” he shrieked in a little girl’s voice, “It’s a billion times hotter!” I’m still giggling about that one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy3kogYeTI/AAAAAAAAAnc/MhaRu9SGXlA/s1600/Patricks.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy3kogYeTI/AAAAAAAAAnc/MhaRu9SGXlA/s200/Patricks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493467485461575986" /></a>The rest of our day consisted of a visit to Bodega Dunes to check out the campgrounds and a stop off at Patrick’s Salt Water Taffy Shop where I bought a pound of delicious taffy, in various flavors. We visited an amazing taqueria in Sebastopol called <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-el-favorito-sebastopol">Taqueria El Favorito</a>, and watched a few episodes of <a href="http://www.robotech.com/">Robotech</a> before heading home.<br /><br /><br />I had yet another amazing weekend, thanks to friends, records, and the beach. Next weekend: camping in Napa Valley. I wish the summer would never end!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy4IKEQAUI/AAAAAAAAAnk/4m6sN7Oq09Y/s1600/Arty.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDy4IKEQAUI/AAAAAAAAAnk/4m6sN7Oq09Y/s400/Arty.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493468095765807426" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-34149967362402965672010-07-12T11:47:00.001-07:002010-07-12T11:55:00.010-07:00Camping; Arizona Style<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtjd4QzptI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qmuKgf_JNko/s1600/Land.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtjd4QzptI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qmuKgf_JNko/s320/Land.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493093535478687442" /></a><br />We arrived at the airport just in time to discover that our flight was delayed… two and a half hours. It only takes two hour to get to Arizona! We posted up and watched the sun set on Sacramento. The rest of the weekend was a hot blur. To bed at 2:00 AM, up at 6:00 AM, Mom’s graduation in the sweltering Phoenix heat, racing off to the camp site in Flagstaff. Flagstaff Arizona is MUCH cooler by the way. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtju7RnXOI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/K7ZoUgkXfyc/s1600/Campsite.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtju7RnXOI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/K7ZoUgkXfyc/s200/Campsite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493093828345158882" /></a>The camping spot was interesting. It is part of the Luke Air Force Base. Fort Tuthill is only usable by military personnel. The benefit to that is the place is clean and well-maintained. The downside is that it felt less like camping and more like spending the night at a middle school. The scenery was beautiful and the sites were more than generous. But there were streetlights everywhere. I’ve never been camping where there were so many artificial lights! There was also a playground and a small hotel within the campsite. Weird, right? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtkXPtpQlI/AAAAAAAAAmg/PEQzOiibD7Y/s1600/Burgers.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtkXPtpQlI/AAAAAAAAAmg/PEQzOiibD7Y/s200/Burgers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493094521026200146" /></a>We ate lots of good food and plenty of beer. There were no critters hiding out in our tent and the critters around the campfire were Ron’s adorable grandchildren (Hooded Rescuers Unite!). We had great conversation and my ever-lovin’ man, Craig, even drove a boat!<br /><br />The one thing I discovered on this camping trip is that, no matter where you are, or who you are with, camping is the most awesome thing in the whole, wide world. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtklm6ItzI/AAAAAAAAAmo/aVETZEYHunA/s1600/Tent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDtklm6ItzI/AAAAAAAAAmo/aVETZEYHunA/s200/Tent.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493094767770777394" /></a>Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-72672969788976627232010-07-09T11:22:00.001-07:002010-07-09T11:27:51.575-07:00Sew Shoe MeI launched my new etsy store today, "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewShoeMe"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sew Shoe Me</span></a>". It's nothing but shoes!<br />Have a gander! I really like it.<br />Here are some of my goods:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpsT1tiiI/AAAAAAAAAXk/dAZulGDBN9c/s1600/P1013536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpsT1tiiI/AAAAAAAAAXk/dAZulGDBN9c/s320/P1013536.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491974480562326050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpsAWLr8I/AAAAAAAAAXc/x1r9WUmOAF4/s1600/P1013507.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpsAWLr8I/AAAAAAAAAXc/x1r9WUmOAF4/s320/P1013507.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491974475329810370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdprfvFH2I/AAAAAAAAAXU/6dcu86E5cYM/s1600/P1013501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdprfvFH2I/AAAAAAAAAXU/6dcu86E5cYM/s320/P1013501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491974466575867746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpq_0CmAI/AAAAAAAAAXM/0rP_ta6_7CE/s1600/P1013457.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpq_0CmAI/AAAAAAAAAXM/0rP_ta6_7CE/s320/P1013457.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491974458006738946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpqWwUHpI/AAAAAAAAAXE/L01cVePKkjs/s1600/P1013504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDdpqWwUHpI/AAAAAAAAAXE/L01cVePKkjs/s320/P1013504.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491974446985256594" /></a><br />Check it out <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewShoeMe"><span style="font-weight:bold;">HERE</span></a>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-89711633176638673232010-07-08T09:22:00.000-07:002010-07-08T09:55:00.640-07:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORY!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDYChnZGBdI/AAAAAAAAAW0/eC1DBgSelGU/s1600/photo+(27).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDYChnZGBdI/AAAAAAAAAW0/eC1DBgSelGU/s320/photo+(27).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491579572158072274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDYCiOo9miI/AAAAAAAAAW8/iUV2VY9qqqk/s1600/photo+(28).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDYCiOo9miI/AAAAAAAAAW8/iUV2VY9qqqk/s320/photo+(28).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491579582693612066" /></a><br /><br />Today marks the day that the world's greatest She-Nerd was birthed into the world.<br />She has a heart of gold and feet the size of tiny red potatoes! Happy Birthday Lory Gil! Heart Heart Heart!!!kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-42180185344358712862010-07-08T09:10:00.001-07:002010-07-08T09:13:59.470-07:00Today Rocks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDX5MQ0B0oI/AAAAAAAAAmA/pKTzynOvNbw/s1600/photo+(2).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDX5MQ0B0oI/AAAAAAAAAmA/pKTzynOvNbw/s320/photo+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491569309715124866" /></a><br />I woke up this morning to find this delightful little birthday gift from the most adorably awesome boyfriend a girl could ever have. Today Rocks.Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-2718327453439670132010-07-07T12:53:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:38:33.333-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDTdIo__PXI/AAAAAAAAAlk/gwBTMR94kfo/s1600/image.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDTdIo__PXI/AAAAAAAAAlk/gwBTMR94kfo/s200/image.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491256986185973106" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDTb3JhPHEI/AAAAAAAAAlU/YRao8CAkSv4/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jtWXHBRLnRA/TDTb3JhPHEI/AAAAAAAAAlU/YRao8CAkSv4/s200/photo+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491255586166086722" /></a><br />It's Official. Kortnee and I are meilleures amies. Here's the proof!Lory Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17772881816537233097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693637248082321070.post-74730908476869014012010-07-07T08:57:00.000-07:002010-07-07T09:46:08.761-07:00Best Weekend Ever!This past weekend we not only got to celebrate the birthday of America, but also the birthday of my closest and bestest lady confidant Lory Gil!<br />We spent the weekend eating fabulous foods and enjoying even more fabulous company.<br />A 4th of July/Birthday BBQ took place at my house complete with triple digit weather and and a few Not-So-Safe-And-Sane fireworks.<br />We partied the night away then headed to the American River the next day to nurse our hangovers.<br />Also, Jeff O. made the official move to Sacramento on Saturday! He's an official Sacrament-ite? Sacramentian? Sactite? Sacramentor?<br />Whatevs...<br /><br />I mostly took film photos this weekend that have yet to be taken in and developed so these are courtesy of msilver.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSugTCF0VI/AAAAAAAAAVE/bj_ewIkwrL8/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSugTCF0VI/AAAAAAAAAVE/bj_ewIkwrL8/s320/DSC_0083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205715559567698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuf2YTY7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/vYzbqC0FCVM/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuf2YTY7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/vYzbqC0FCVM/s320/DSC_0074.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205707868103602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSufp8oikI/AAAAAAAAAU0/_xRxGM35uBQ/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSufp8oikI/AAAAAAAAAU0/_xRxGM35uBQ/s320/DSC_0039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205704530823746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSufJsRYSI/AAAAAAAAAUs/mOavgqfZPKE/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSufJsRYSI/AAAAAAAAAUs/mOavgqfZPKE/s320/DSC_0035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205695872262434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuesXhQlI/AAAAAAAAAUk/Xz90wFYe3Lw/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuesXhQlI/AAAAAAAAAUk/Xz90wFYe3Lw/s320/DSC_0034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205688000594514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuxlHah5I/AAAAAAAAAVs/C_bZOEEq-jQ/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuxlHah5I/AAAAAAAAAVs/C_bZOEEq-jQ/s320/DSC_0184.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206012471510930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuxHVYpWI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Bo3EgAhH6jA/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuxHVYpWI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Bo3EgAhH6jA/s320/DSC_0110.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206004477044066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuwkTct8I/AAAAAAAAAVc/rb0yyTpCnWM/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuwkTct8I/AAAAAAAAAVc/rb0yyTpCnWM/s320/DSC_0107.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205995073681346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuwLElaFI/AAAAAAAAAVU/YQpoSOm06tU/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuwLElaFI/AAAAAAAAAVU/YQpoSOm06tU/s320/DSC_0106.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205988300449874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuvg_rSWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/023UM69AAHw/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSuvg_rSWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/023UM69AAHw/s320/DSC_0105.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491205977005574498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu-J4UW_I/AAAAAAAAAWU/U6nK_4VM0Ok/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu-J4UW_I/AAAAAAAAAWU/U6nK_4VM0Ok/s320/DSC_0225.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206228498734066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu93zx-II/AAAAAAAAAWM/BozdfML__CE/s1600/DSC_0222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu93zx-II/AAAAAAAAAWM/BozdfML__CE/s320/DSC_0222.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206223647864962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu9rg8yrI/AAAAAAAAAWE/vrARfr59kQw/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu9rg8yrI/AAAAAAAAAWE/vrARfr59kQw/s320/DSC_0219.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206220347656882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu9ITizQI/AAAAAAAAAV8/rRxrMYK1trE/s1600/DSC_0211.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu9ITizQI/AAAAAAAAAV8/rRxrMYK1trE/s320/DSC_0211.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206210896186626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu89V4aaI/AAAAAAAAAV0/eBSoKnZwDlA/s1600/DSC_0207.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSu89V4aaI/AAAAAAAAAV0/eBSoKnZwDlA/s320/DSC_0207.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206207953201570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSvIYCw7zI/AAAAAAAAAWs/u-6q22PEcKo/s1600/DSC_0250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSvIYCw7zI/AAAAAAAAAWs/u-6q22PEcKo/s320/DSC_0250.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206404099338034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSvIMpnB-I/AAAAAAAAAWk/7OJs4Vs5eZg/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSvIMpnB-I/AAAAAAAAAWk/7OJs4Vs5eZg/s320/DSC_0241.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206401041041378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSvHt4n6kI/AAAAAAAAAWc/1aI1x_aVFVg/s1600/DSC_0226.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3aM0OwDa4Lw/TDSvHt4n6kI/AAAAAAAAAWc/1aI1x_aVFVg/s320/DSC_0226.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491206392782514754" /></a>kortnee b.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09362908508990638790noreply@blogger.com0