tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52795448893267893432024-03-13T09:13:25.595-07:00between cottage and cabinMichelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-53624972107425908232012-07-10T06:59:00.000-07:002012-07-10T06:59:27.763-07:00Our Summer S'Cool<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozK2hO94UmaCgomf3BW-6TjceUGgqPvu_zy4FBjVFfm4uvOrEhAQut3kkEzOwfDw3CGrXHDLzw6PR0t3Nai0KgSg31xKhYeDYONR2NaSVZ6k28B_X5v-nvxTreJ6J_VIynBB1wmv_A-U/s1600/getting+ready.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozK2hO94UmaCgomf3BW-6TjceUGgqPvu_zy4FBjVFfm4uvOrEhAQut3kkEzOwfDw3CGrXHDLzw6PR0t3Nai0KgSg31xKhYeDYONR2NaSVZ6k28B_X5v-nvxTreJ6J_VIynBB1wmv_A-U/s640/getting+ready.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Awhile back I was talking to one of my friends about how we were going to spend our summer with our kids. While we have plans for vacations and trips of course, its those normal days I was dreading. You know the mornings, the ones where you agree to turn on the cartoons for <em>only</em> a half-hour so you can wash the breakfast dishes and before you know it two hours have gone by. Every time you reach for the remote, there is your zombie faced child pleading, "Mommy, just one more show pleeez!" Or those afternoons when suddenly and without warning every single, solitary toy in the house is out without seconds?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll admit last summer I had too many of<em> those</em> days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I promised myself this summer would be different.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My girls always seem to do better with structure. Maybe its a twin thing since we tried to get them on the same schedule from day one merely as a survival tactic. But twins survival aside, I really do think most children strive with structure. So as I started thinking about how to structure our days, I kept several things in mind. First, I wanted fun to be foremost- after all it <em>is</em> the summer. But who says we can't have fun and learn something too? Practicing and reinforcing all those skills they learned in preschool was also at the forefront of my plans. This is the summer we countdown to kindergarten (sniffle, sniffle.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I dove into researching all kinds of activities we could do this summer and almost immediately themes started to emerge. Once I discovered I could link each theme to a trip or a place we plan to visit this summer, there was no holding me back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Who wouldn't want to make your own fossils before a trip to the dinosaur park? Or whip up a batch of homemade butter before visiting the county fair? Or read all about the creatures that live in the ocean before heading to the beach?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OEyovTpwbQ8rw4MJcG4G-YNbRpsSXemElTGBphYDUX9htKZYqu9Qt9ougPGkYL1iSGf3kgcV_6MmFzlexnudgAtOpXFCSKjA4U4EWJijnOt8TRPipjfdW-o6vbo3WpEOtVrrHNNx478/s1600/overview.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OEyovTpwbQ8rw4MJcG4G-YNbRpsSXemElTGBphYDUX9htKZYqu9Qt9ougPGkYL1iSGf3kgcV_6MmFzlexnudgAtOpXFCSKjA4U4EWJijnOt8TRPipjfdW-o6vbo3WpEOtVrrHNNx478/s640/overview.gif" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With our trips and corresponding themes planned out, I made a list of types of activities I thought each unit should have. For each theme, my goal was to have the following:</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>tons of books to read, non-fiction and fiction</li>
<li>science experiments</li>
<li>nature observations</li>
<li>art projects</li>
<li>creative snack ideas/ cooking recipes</li>
<li>games for practicing literacy and math skills</li>
<li>printables for printing/cutting practice</li>
<li>computer games and activities</li>
<li>and most importantly- the field trip!</li>
</ul>
From that list, I started collecting ideas for activities and oodles of fabulous free printables online. This binder has been the place to keep it all organized.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI7vSnUSkLiANxVLmhuy8kDDJHHHBCT9SzJFvPOp2gkvOU9ZFUAil-Pq7iqLjLub7XCI-YzamHDBeEx70PF71QXYE5PdVu0iJHQrnjcrtfp9xaej6ZjPSJUJ3YUrc6eCk6fru0mNORWs/s1600/IMGP2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI7vSnUSkLiANxVLmhuy8kDDJHHHBCT9SzJFvPOp2gkvOU9ZFUAil-Pq7iqLjLub7XCI-YzamHDBeEx70PF71QXYE5PdVu0iJHQrnjcrtfp9xaej6ZjPSJUJ3YUrc6eCk6fru0mNORWs/s400/IMGP2918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEg9VNUjY0H1EDFGW_L2X4epyCq3w8F6t4p-e4d_eS0edTFvbJp3hxEnMHyZxJE72LMggNkGtywbsrFBN-CqX8Dgk8sXvIOBre3OndVIvA1yKl3i66kwlqHLCFB1hcClWjSQ7TUuTiJQXFQ/s1600/IMGP2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VNUjY0H1EDFGW_L2X4epyCq3w8F6t4p-e4d_eS0edTFvbJp3hxEnMHyZxJE72LMggNkGtywbsrFBN-CqX8Dgk8sXvIOBre3OndVIvA1yKl3i66kwlqHLCFB1hcClWjSQ7TUuTiJQXFQ/s400/IMGP2919.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also raided the dollar stores and dollar bins at stores like Target, Jo-Anns and Michaels for extra fun little activities like dinosaur eggs and butterfly puzzles. These containers help organize those little extras and supplies for each theme's activities. Plus they keep them hidden from the girls so I can surprise them later with them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEh9WdmirUkckfX5yczA5TSM0pNLZ7zq18v9u_HDdEON6eAhjX96n1GrDhi2qYQVgisQFQECruum5Zb_Ax2KjEg7DLminEPrfX8-qX91goiCDmjcOpcbg2ccUH2k2wL92m-mFlKXUiZ1rLU/s1600/IMGP2916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WdmirUkckfX5yczA5TSM0pNLZ7zq18v9u_HDdEON6eAhjX96n1GrDhi2qYQVgisQFQECruum5Zb_Ax2KjEg7DLminEPrfX8-qX91goiCDmjcOpcbg2ccUH2k2wL92m-mFlKXUiZ1rLU/s400/IMGP2916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And much to Mr.Cabin and my mailman's chagrin, Amazon is my new best friend and I cannot wait to read all of these new books with the girls. We've been reading to the girls everyday since they were born but most of our books are fiction. Its been fun beefing up our non-fiction. I can't wait to see all the new things they are going to learn.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEgpfayqFNn1cgx4hF3Gtq9S3vj8tsz0tGUgWPCTivgkXseBaRXT522TSpCkj0_MyWnI5drzqDVoB6fR1SurHZkOYQmZ2JdxC0Zv2UQU1jhA2Z_C7LdbubxnpFIf1FGARHKjscqk84Rep74/s1600/IMGP2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfayqFNn1cgx4hF3Gtq9S3vj8tsz0tGUgWPCTivgkXseBaRXT522TSpCkj0_MyWnI5drzqDVoB6fR1SurHZkOYQmZ2JdxC0Zv2UQU1jhA2Z_C7LdbubxnpFIf1FGARHKjscqk84Rep74/s400/IMGP2917.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even though I tried to plan most of our activities out, one last priority is flexibility. I want to stay open to where the girls' natural curiousity and wonders will take us. Bottom line is I want them to love learning and understand that learning is a life-long process that will never stop. Of all the gifts we wish to bestow upon our children- knowledge is one of the most precious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope this will be a summer very well spent.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stayed tuned...we're starting off with a dino-mite adventure!</div>
<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Find me here:<br />
<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/">I Heart Nap TIme</a>, <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/"><span style="color: #336699; font-size: x-small;">At the Picket Fence</span></a> , <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tatertots and Jello</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunday Showcase</span></a>Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-80250930800482341142012-07-08T15:01:00.004-07:002012-07-08T15:01:51.337-07:00Cabin Decorating- Adding Age<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ordinarily when I finally get a few quiet moments to sit down with a home decorating magazine, I'm a page by page kinda gal. Unless I spy on the cover a feature of a cabin, then I flip fast and furious straight to those pages. I adore reading romantic accounts of couples finding long forgotten cabins in various stages of crumble and neglect then lovingly restoring them to their former glory. Or who doesn't love an adventurous saga of a family who has taken a cabin apart log by log and transported it clear across the country to its new home? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of the oodles of cabins I have ogled at over the years, almost all of them have one thing in common that my cabin does not share- age.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now by no means am I complaining about the "newness" of the cabin. But it has been a mission of mine to make the cabin feel as if it has always been there tucked away in the woods. So I thought I would share a few of the ways I have been able to add a little age to the cabin and speed up the maturing process.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Using Family Heirlooms and Flea Market Finds</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whether from your own family or found at the market, older pieces add instant history. This was my grandfather's rocking chair, one of my most prized possessions. I was lucky enough to grab it when my grandmother downsized. I love sitting in it and thinking about how much my grandfather would have loved this place.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEi2L7dKR77aQOWiToUireWCiEPaf2B-Sng_Rwp7wg9s6uzpQig8cALY3xrWWvlmnJwePgC04imggbJiFUrsTwcvBoBRBBFZLzPwdQrwneJGn_-kL88av9NEyany5K77JNlZFfocVEvdFn8/s1600/IMGP2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2L7dKR77aQOWiToUireWCiEPaf2B-Sng_Rwp7wg9s6uzpQig8cALY3xrWWvlmnJwePgC04imggbJiFUrsTwcvBoBRBBFZLzPwdQrwneJGn_-kL88av9NEyany5K77JNlZFfocVEvdFn8/s400/IMGP2131.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is my grandmother's worn sewing basket which believe it or not now serves as glow stick storage (glow sticks are a kiddie must-have around the campfire.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I realize how blessed I am to have these items handed down to me. They add not only age to the cabin but priceless family history as well.</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/AVvXsEhXtTdUSd9MmnnoZfDStgP8blMVPYOGpTKJptgQg2xMX4K-AM3ptkkMFdjn0kddfLp8vWjJiyFzAEKUvQ9BI862lRe24DceMbg9o4SGbm3bFaqSXGuspgMHidyI2jb1Fh7dRB7sX1sddqU/s1600/IMGP2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtTdUSd9MmnnoZfDStgP8blMVPYOGpTKJptgQg2xMX4K-AM3ptkkMFdjn0kddfLp8vWjJiyFzAEKUvQ9BI862lRe24DceMbg9o4SGbm3bFaqSXGuspgMHidyI2jb1Fh7dRB7sX1sddqU/s400/IMGP2122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Using Worn and Distressed Finishes</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We finally installed cabinets to the kitchenette. To achieve a worn look and a pop of color, we stained them fruit punch red. The color makes me so happy!</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/AVvXsEh9GN7rauvVcsEnA6aTZy66Be4inAzvQu8waXmWu0vdK9mFGymWUFC8u4Fd90Q3s6-7E09U_jjzOxTpyy45yAu8uI1eQHiFjKu9QUHDnoFVMd7-wndvzT_zyJSezbyx2uYsSKfqJ3Ieu3Y/s1600/IMGP2251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GN7rauvVcsEnA6aTZy66Be4inAzvQu8waXmWu0vdK9mFGymWUFC8u4Fd90Q3s6-7E09U_jjzOxTpyy45yAu8uI1eQHiFjKu9QUHDnoFVMd7-wndvzT_zyJSezbyx2uYsSKfqJ3Ieu3Y/s400/IMGP2251.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Fake It</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This rusty old chandelier now hangs over our table. It may look old but I actually bought it brand new at Home Goods. It was a steal too- would you believe only $19?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6i0Kd0UsZYg/Tvu13FRsM9I/AAAAAAAAA1g/jNSBLHD5AOU/s1600/IMGP2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6i0Kd0UsZYg/Tvu13FRsM9I/AAAAAAAAA1g/jNSBLHD5AOU/s400/IMGP2478.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
While most of us girls can agree age can be a sensitive subject, when it comes to growing old gracefully with my decor, I'm finding the aging process to be quite fun and mostly wrinkle-free.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r9XSHn4NvFewMK52x6T7whub3umDKVux5Pbd4ol10HCFxxfDJYxD5qb1rfuqrEPAzQ4CkizbSF7RJC8qVT8zuDL9Uwrny7W6XQGz8s8vyEGzWkzF5oUIakB_qFpGL6iQSUmH4bvd7ZM/s1600/IMGP2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r9XSHn4NvFewMK52x6T7whub3umDKVux5Pbd4ol10HCFxxfDJYxD5qb1rfuqrEPAzQ4CkizbSF7RJC8qVT8zuDL9Uwrny7W6XQGz8s8vyEGzWkzF5oUIakB_qFpGL6iQSUmH4bvd7ZM/s400/IMGP2119.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /><br />
<br />
Find me here:<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a> , <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">Savvy Southern Style</a> , <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a> , <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/">Funky Junk Interiors</a><br />
<br />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-42874496182384250032012-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:002012-01-15T10:27:45.577-08:00Beauty and the Beast BreakfastBy far my favorite Disney princess has always been Belle. With "her nose stuck in a book" and her ability to see true beauty within, what's not to love? So when I first saw they were rereleasing the movie in 3D, I knew taking the girls was a must. With Chirstmas over and our elf-on-the-shelf back in the North Pole, I was missing some of that morning magic so I decided to suprise the girls with a special breakfast to announce our movie trip. You should have seen the looks of pure astonishment and giddiness when they came downstairs on an ordinary Friday morning to see the dining room table all adorned for a special breakfast.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrxib5TWat6TgJYx3QglnXgQUhoARWcF1d5t1iCo6D2mr-ArvUb3rDqGH4YUk9X8sGHxJCVwM4Y1JGMd9IaiDdbPV_k2ip80eAKGvy6xc_yqmn7ngL7-nVs3WFox-J56SFEDOiyGTQqA/s1600/IMGP2600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrxib5TWat6TgJYx3QglnXgQUhoARWcF1d5t1iCo6D2mr-ArvUb3rDqGH4YUk9X8sGHxJCVwM4Y1JGMd9IaiDdbPV_k2ip80eAKGvy6xc_yqmn7ngL7-nVs3WFox-J56SFEDOiyGTQqA/s640/IMGP2600.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our Lumiere-esque sign read, "It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you this morning as your Mommy proudly presents your Breakfast."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2Lcpo1sK_q01hClpGJom4yAHTpzwgxnb4kEQF6nV6iNxSKi5Mz2b4SWcgbCn8nEN5HFyyPrJd_kKVphBS8HJuahKmTT_Qoyp7IFZ7Mfg0jvhy2_xI1l4l2_rMrY4LGRe0cbiSKgc4wY/s1600/IMGP2597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2Lcpo1sK_q01hClpGJom4yAHTpzwgxnb4kEQF6nV6iNxSKi5Mz2b4SWcgbCn8nEN5HFyyPrJd_kKVphBS8HJuahKmTT_Qoyp7IFZ7Mfg0jvhy2_xI1l4l2_rMrY4LGRe0cbiSKgc4wY/s640/IMGP2597.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For breakfast, the girls dined on vanilla yogurt with strawberries cut in the shape of enchanted roses...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltLYu2S7Lzb6Sm5m-x6PCofUqfVc5cXy9Jg-EUuXp74gEsu_bs0IWgGhoMgMxedVtYazPqyX7cMnOC0YXZbOBObdsSTD_u_IFezbw9VP-rNa9KHkDa6IQlD1hDlSOdzDT4Vkf-XHqytE/s1600/IMGP2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltLYu2S7Lzb6Sm5m-x6PCofUqfVc5cXy9Jg-EUuXp74gEsu_bs0IWgGhoMgMxedVtYazPqyX7cMnOC0YXZbOBObdsSTD_u_IFezbw9VP-rNa9KHkDa6IQlD1hDlSOdzDT4Vkf-XHqytE/s640/IMGP2604.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...and cranberry-orange mini-muffins in rose paper cups.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurnU6-BQNw0N2wwjd6qIZMHbt-rclPt25vZzf9LDzhf9ayS0ZUpgcJv0KBwxOMNGOQ3f8XDUiZmwIVRtfh6tyArg5uvQ7_rFCAUKaQu7G8FHbuutmAP8Bo-FBh8I2KYff-WPbzqIVXs0/s1600/IMGP2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurnU6-BQNw0N2wwjd6qIZMHbt-rclPt25vZzf9LDzhf9ayS0ZUpgcJv0KBwxOMNGOQ3f8XDUiZmwIVRtfh6tyArg5uvQ7_rFCAUKaQu7G8FHbuutmAP8Bo-FBh8I2KYff-WPbzqIVXs0/s640/IMGP2606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I decorated the table with an enchanted rose and mirror and piles of vintage books.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8DnMCYZ1XdyMWm_Sbqskzga8gVt3MmD8wg5oQC160V6imDuThi2pExcrbZvx-RN8YU8PvQsJBhPeJiIy84kL22sC6OK2WgNvnHyN4Da-8LB_O62ofEXMST5yqZdcCdPFmQ_Js1ZEnns/s1600/IMGP2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8DnMCYZ1XdyMWm_Sbqskzga8gVt3MmD8wg5oQC160V6imDuThi2pExcrbZvx-RN8YU8PvQsJBhPeJiIy84kL22sC6OK2WgNvnHyN4Da-8LB_O62ofEXMST5yqZdcCdPFmQ_Js1ZEnns/s640/IMGP2607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Potts, Chip and Lumiere also joined the festivities.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bu4LuLDSIxRmiwVLNENT0ma8Wg_QFgji7ayR9Wak-4C6KwJ5Cy4gS7Hs2FzRssa5OlDQjdzrpZ8FhtfPdV0ewEv0jKhsTPeLls58-apCsN0BlWvRhtR106HYkkrTL3RfiDYCtnpInZo/s1600/IMGP2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bu4LuLDSIxRmiwVLNENT0ma8Wg_QFgji7ayR9Wak-4C6KwJ5Cy4gS7Hs2FzRssa5OlDQjdzrpZ8FhtfPdV0ewEv0jKhsTPeLls58-apCsN0BlWvRhtR106HYkkrTL3RfiDYCtnpInZo/s640/IMGP2608.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls also recieved new Belle t-shirts to wear to the movies and a little goodie box with a Belle pez dispenser and candy inside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL_R0-e_DCPHJTTlIU0GZk52QHKLEKsoOlCyQzH4BvYg7P5P0yWzjICZVbl7lElc5zTbuJNTgaPSuO4PIYHEs-lmMzgDSsdSvZ_jeG53mzvHyhOLWuJqYK76CF7tlh70s7c2h1MJRp7M/s1600/IMGP2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL_R0-e_DCPHJTTlIU0GZk52QHKLEKsoOlCyQzH4BvYg7P5P0yWzjICZVbl7lElc5zTbuJNTgaPSuO4PIYHEs-lmMzgDSsdSvZ_jeG53mzvHyhOLWuJqYK76CF7tlh70s7c2h1MJRp7M/s640/IMGP2594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The buffet was set up for our after-movie treat: a new Belle nightgown for each girl and special snack, a Beauty and the Beast cake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bNTVUSHBX-Y9FdQO85bD8Q5gMCCNp2sivuyqg8JRms_xM3fQnBwxT5Pc1bpa7Bz4E9lWS2QbFfkFaqFsVjL5XWGkrObTy3h2tXx4TYT9Wpf0RX0stMmFLcujig891xgmvMGQbvw8lnM/s1600/IMGP2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bNTVUSHBX-Y9FdQO85bD8Q5gMCCNp2sivuyqg8JRms_xM3fQnBwxT5Pc1bpa7Bz4E9lWS2QbFfkFaqFsVjL5XWGkrObTy3h2tXx4TYT9Wpf0RX0stMmFLcujig891xgmvMGQbvw8lnM/s640/IMGP2593.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRzy13vr28GpMgSSdBPSGYVaplG7FyOACkQdxGuU94hLkRfPMctRMRCD5dGiPs_3FVvYAVcblfF-YO5ZkqnKHX1mc0pIiLZBrFIcytsE6Ovzf3oJikn8nFopxqfPo7PwY5bviIPxixK0/s1600/IMGP2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRzy13vr28GpMgSSdBPSGYVaplG7FyOACkQdxGuU94hLkRfPMctRMRCD5dGiPs_3FVvYAVcblfF-YO5ZkqnKHX1mc0pIiLZBrFIcytsE6Ovzf3oJikn8nFopxqfPo7PwY5bviIPxixK0/s640/IMGP2609.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each girl had her own Belle on the cake (when you're a twin- it's all about the fairness.)</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/AVvXsEjdx-OMNm4aLWJl-xO8pGxC3esB_qZx6HgRIpSDEUmAE0OOqc2lBV-y7E6plHeM59K_COlfaXxSJ5yOdI9xJeHXLRC62Nz5psDV0xUWZXjRyGffnazA-6iVe36Yvi17vlyQggGJ9XHdRjU/s1600/IMGP2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx-OMNm4aLWJl-xO8pGxC3esB_qZx6HgRIpSDEUmAE0OOqc2lBV-y7E6plHeM59K_COlfaXxSJ5yOdI9xJeHXLRC62Nz5psDV0xUWZXjRyGffnazA-6iVe36Yvi17vlyQggGJ9XHdRjU/s640/IMGP2592.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The movie itself was as magical as I had remembered it. The 3D effects were stunning and the girls were mesmerized the entire time. My favorite part of the day however, was as when we were tucking them in and I heard, "Mommy, this was the best day ever!" </div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /><br />
<br />
Catch me partying <a href="http://betweencottageandcabin.blogspot.com/p/link-parties.html">here</a> !Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-51634332906283768882011-12-30T07:29:00.000-08:002011-12-30T07:29:08.553-08:00Year in ReviewHello friends,<br />
Its hard to believe it has been months since I posted last. All has been fine in our little corner of the world. Now with winter finally upon us, things slow down a bit and I am excited to share some of the things we've been up to. I love how a new year brings out that reflective spirit in me. So here is our little year in review- some old and some new.<br />
<br />
First, Mr. Cabin built <a href="http://betweencottageandcabin.blogspot.com/2011/01/cottage-exercise-room.html">the cottage exercise room </a>- my bright, happy place amongst the basement chaos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TdshhyG0hE/TvzKyZwmheI/AAAAAAAAA1s/flDKwsT0rLw/s1600/IMGP1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TdshhyG0hE/TvzKyZwmheI/AAAAAAAAA1s/flDKwsT0rLw/s400/IMGP1370.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-way61PXT1Rw/TvzK-eHiHNI/AAAAAAAAA14/_8I37rB-e0E/s1600/IMGP1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-way61PXT1Rw/TvzK-eHiHNI/AAAAAAAAA14/_8I37rB-e0E/s400/IMGP1372.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, was the cabin's wood shed. Yes, it is there in the background of the picture. Its not so pretty right now. It still needs paint and a front eve. Who am I kidding? I am not sure if it will ever be pretty- after all it is a tool shed. But its functional and the bottom line is - it got those tools out of the living room! Most importantly however, <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">fingers crossed</span></em>, with the tool shed built I am one step closer to getting the <a href="http://betweencottageandcabin.blogspot.com/2011/03/outdoor-shower-dreaming.html">outdoor shower of my dreams!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdY8gB75hk4/TvzLyujoLYI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/vKBL9WaP4Gw/s1600/IMGP1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdY8gB75hk4/TvzLyujoLYI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/vKBL9WaP4Gw/s400/IMGP1858.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favorite project at the cabin was this impromptu one- a small dock out over the pond- built from left over wood from the shed. We spent a good many hours swimming and fishing off that little dock this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gotta love unplanned strokes of genius.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7vqhvbAvKo/TvzMBuioNvI/AAAAAAAAA2c/8Nd2DsEc6NQ/s1600/IMGP1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7vqhvbAvKo/TvzMBuioNvI/AAAAAAAAA2c/8Nd2DsEc6NQ/s400/IMGP1878.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back at the cottage, I started a tea party garden for the girls this summer. The basic structure was about as far as I got, but I am looking forward to finishing it this coming spring.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuOCJjJVDXo/TvzMPT0s-rI/AAAAAAAAA2o/7ObBKWiYGeE/s1600/IMGP1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuOCJjJVDXo/TvzMPT0s-rI/AAAAAAAAA2o/7ObBKWiYGeE/s400/IMGP1911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now unto all the projects I have yet to post about. Installing red cabinets in the cabin's kitchenette! I am thrilled with the way they came out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmmmTONbvRY/TvzLYiwvldI/AAAAAAAAA2E/KCO_NhdC59g/s1600/IMGP2251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmmmTONbvRY/TvzLYiwvldI/AAAAAAAAA2E/KCO_NhdC59g/s400/IMGP2251.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally the project that is mostly responsible for keeping me away and preoccupied for the past few months- the girls' woodland fairy birthday party. There will be lots to post about that special event!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9y4KrA0ovws/TvzMmKQq8NI/AAAAAAAAA20/NrBohGZ6T1A/s1600/IMGP2368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9y4KrA0ovws/TvzMmKQq8NI/AAAAAAAAA20/NrBohGZ6T1A/s400/IMGP2368.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
Hope all is well in your little corner of the world too. Hope your own reflective spirit finds you looking lovingly on this past year with pride in your accomplishments and into the future with anticipation and hope. <br />
Happy New Year friends!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-68144647352468506282011-09-02T07:51:00.000-07:002011-09-02T07:51:22.609-07:00After Irene<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVLvAsdaZ3u7oOTUZSy2Gu2dgXLbIWiapZrJ-LjL64enhdxBaLxG8RDtUmf4v4-79v0Tfi6gcQz8RwvbhqjdxQHiTXKBflbe4S2AxgqewSjntgUGPfwpkQGOXsPnH5ZXuw5vLdMFH2KM/s1600/IMGP1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVLvAsdaZ3u7oOTUZSy2Gu2dgXLbIWiapZrJ-LjL64enhdxBaLxG8RDtUmf4v4-79v0Tfi6gcQz8RwvbhqjdxQHiTXKBflbe4S2AxgqewSjntgUGPfwpkQGOXsPnH5ZXuw5vLdMFH2KM/s640/IMGP1906.JPG" width="388" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am so very grateful that we survived Hurricane Irene with practically no damage. All around us, neighbors, family and friends, lost power and had flooding. We were very fortunate. Some friends lost everything and will have to rebuild their houses completely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeqnNCpCBjxwMg-BsKTfS_TH5uyMxvn4_gP6J0d-W6cCsq3lET_UcoxAZpP3Ta0RvBG8pcPsUMIXrda7ASkZIczlwbMHVZ7I3Cf2nAqMG542_xjWmyn09Vm1wKEj-rzm3DllkhAkJjGY/s1600/IMGP1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeqnNCpCBjxwMg-BsKTfS_TH5uyMxvn4_gP6J0d-W6cCsq3lET_UcoxAZpP3Ta0RvBG8pcPsUMIXrda7ASkZIczlwbMHVZ7I3Cf2nAqMG542_xjWmyn09Vm1wKEj-rzm3DllkhAkJjGY/s640/IMGP1909.JPG" width="640" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we celebrate the end of summer this weekend, there is so much more to be grateful for...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hoping you will fully enjoy your Labor Day Weekend too,</div><br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-66747642452686436392011-08-26T15:55:00.000-07:002011-08-26T15:55:29.237-07:00Preparing for Irene in betweenOur cottage is right in the middle of the path Irene is expected to take in the next two days. We started to prepare a few days ago. Apparently so is everyone else. Mr.Cabin tried to purchase a generator- sold out. Extra batteries- sold out. Flashlights- sold out. Even bottled water- sold out. Luckily, we have all of these supplies at the cabin four hours away. So after work today, Mr.Cabin began the four hour journey to the cabin to pick these things up and then he will travel the four hours back to us. Bless his heart. In the meantime, I have been preparing here as best I can- making ice in case we should lose power and use of the fridge. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmVvgbA6N1wcwb4SfReMead5yHExVNLeoru5h9J9QT47erO4A2_EEyczKTuOoPnYdvtdK9WMsnbqcti-imYlLkD-VGBkq0plxi2n17dAi7fA34l_jf1ImS5LGlQzxtcp7U6q2NCXreNc/s1600/IMGP2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmVvgbA6N1wcwb4SfReMead5yHExVNLeoru5h9J9QT47erO4A2_EEyczKTuOoPnYdvtdK9WMsnbqcti-imYlLkD-VGBkq0plxi2n17dAi7fA34l_jf1ImS5LGlQzxtcp7U6q2NCXreNc/s320/IMGP2160.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;">We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Praying eveyone stays safe, </div><br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-18727289384008709682011-08-01T10:47:00.000-07:002011-08-01T10:47:05.276-07:00The Summer Lists: Half-WayAt the beginning of every summer, I sit down to write my "Summer List". It is a horrid list of things I have been putting off all year. Re-organize the pantry, clean the closets, recover the kitchen chairs <em>again</em>.<br />
I am a procrastinating champ so this list is chock full of fun tasks like that.<br />
This year however we started a second "Summer List" just for the girls. Inspired by all of the other lists out there in blogland, this list is fill up to the brim with things like catch fireflies, collect sea shells and make ice cream.<br />
Today- August 1st, I consider to be the half-way point of our summer- only one month left until life returns to our normal school and work routine. Looking at our lists the past few days had turned me into a giant grouchy puss. While we have checked off almost all of the girls' list- my list has been almost forgotten. Not one task checked off. The problem is- I have not forgotten about my list. I wish I could but it was still there nagging at me. And while I could say the girls are only little once and it is perfectly fine for me to spend all my time creating adventures and memories with them, the realistic, logical side of my brain knows that life with them would also run much smoother if the closets were more organized. <br />
So at the start of our weeekend I was in a terrible mood, I desperately needed to cross some items off of my list but hubby had other ideas. He wanted to take the girls canoeing- one of the things on their list. Mommy guilt set in and I finally agreed. Our entire day Saturday was spent preparing for our trip. By Sunday morning, I was barely smiling. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHouTl8CC6jzEJ40IGPIR_a4rI3qDL-LWENrHuBRJXTnckU2q205iO_MUo7Vg15hUqD_KW42x4b6dvjfJGrlmKTqOmV_EH-Aq5vKgF1pFx2jltUrLyE2rcpqkzAxb1_6kJqxYYTfjVLE/s1600/IMGP2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHouTl8CC6jzEJ40IGPIR_a4rI3qDL-LWENrHuBRJXTnckU2q205iO_MUo7Vg15hUqD_KW42x4b6dvjfJGrlmKTqOmV_EH-Aq5vKgF1pFx2jltUrLyE2rcpqkzAxb1_6kJqxYYTfjVLE/s400/IMGP2051.JPG" t$="true" width="265" /></a></div>Then somehow my spirits lifted. Spending the day out on the water somehow healed my soul and changed my perspective.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWLOnB9JfWbrAVIgf9-tPRq1rcwf5OSXGpTlwI2agGf8YCKhQ6oVRcySh0eXrQ_g8ASI3jH6MefLny8EMxzD_zaFf5qP3jmIYfqTKHCs_8YPU75vASCm8u3XPUqj-k2biI2LSe5lCKcg/s1600/IMGP2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWLOnB9JfWbrAVIgf9-tPRq1rcwf5OSXGpTlwI2agGf8YCKhQ6oVRcySh0eXrQ_g8ASI3jH6MefLny8EMxzD_zaFf5qP3jmIYfqTKHCs_8YPU75vASCm8u3XPUqj-k2biI2LSe5lCKcg/s400/IMGP2062.JPG" t$="true" width="265" /></a></div><br />
How could life be so terrible? Look at all I have to be grateful for. The warm wind on my face, the sun on my skin, the sparkle on the water helped me to realize my glass of lemonade is really half full.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyjdbKPFYLfTFBa37XMhT12jptEnjku0F52UxnQgEn9t39MG-3ibvyXpMPoSfIzakY5EnH7iZ2LFXifEgNaDhJrQPEVgnadkoOizm8PQnyO9CdiaAJfgglJMEZ1xg7mhcZ4et0rdkFKI/s1600/IMGP2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyjdbKPFYLfTFBa37XMhT12jptEnjku0F52UxnQgEn9t39MG-3ibvyXpMPoSfIzakY5EnH7iZ2LFXifEgNaDhJrQPEVgnadkoOizm8PQnyO9CdiaAJfgglJMEZ1xg7mhcZ4et0rdkFKI/s400/IMGP2101.JPG" t$="true" width="273" /></a></div><br />
I woke up this morning seeing all the ways I have been able to balance. The pallets are a perfect example. The first half of the summer was spent building a wood shed at the cabin out of these giant pallets- one major item on the "Cabin To- Do List".<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittbNpp-hOnltmRylc0wIz2Nza3H4m6t21ivZD8NsVfVD9QU6QXZdEZHjb5UtaJRyGrAWt73n4M89cHWS3bcAe3wDQvd570bWKTWAxrc1tQ59_v1xsG44_SBrHstAMoIUvTDi_zVTSBlA/s1600/IMGP1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittbNpp-hOnltmRylc0wIz2Nza3H4m6t21ivZD8NsVfVD9QU6QXZdEZHjb5UtaJRyGrAWt73n4M89cHWS3bcAe3wDQvd570bWKTWAxrc1tQ59_v1xsG44_SBrHstAMoIUvTDi_zVTSBlA/s400/IMGP1778.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Although the girls had fun when they thought the floor was going to be a stage for their "performances", for the most part the time spent building the shed was not too much fun for them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHBIUa6vKPB0N4qiAwMeuZwp60SxigK7Eiv2TkwFWc_PfnOJBIDF5bimyvlEtH9tw6lHK7zlA36bnpOLt6JGuWqEgxLPSVqseYTJhq6coI0MH6v5DyUybfy3VSjX31teUjXkJJFEXZco/s1600/IMGP1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHBIUa6vKPB0N4qiAwMeuZwp60SxigK7Eiv2TkwFWc_PfnOJBIDF5bimyvlEtH9tw6lHK7zlA36bnpOLt6JGuWqEgxLPSVqseYTJhq6coI0MH6v5DyUybfy3VSjX31teUjXkJJFEXZco/s400/IMGP1781.JPG" t$="true" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgjyX3f1doUXpzMNcgJknqBKhE618CyW20oXvWlN_jq1hvcaoVeUw-M3NxzS25yITismmf91AhsMWzSiC4vrIFhoIlZc2aTYCAzWn4UjIr1iQzvXIw0bsPJI9yUEhUML7DR4u1y6M09ri4/s1600/IMGP1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyX3f1doUXpzMNcgJknqBKhE618CyW20oXvWlN_jq1hvcaoVeUw-M3NxzS25yITismmf91AhsMWzSiC4vrIFhoIlZc2aTYCAzWn4UjIr1iQzvXIw0bsPJI9yUEhUML7DR4u1y6M09ri4/s400/IMGP1854.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
But when we were almost done, Mr.Cabin had the wonderful idea to build a little dock for them with the left-over pallets.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4axObEYMhJSYY_geHs5lPhpcVdd02iIyY494bxoyEm5Qi-s4eskr618r8HZ05QEzW_jrct694whOPHnwxWRETkq8REo8ZlR5w-YU3pZcnhTfm87yzweJu3zeFsATatBXsIW_ZF7CZoY/s1600/IMGP1869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4axObEYMhJSYY_geHs5lPhpcVdd02iIyY494bxoyEm5Qi-s4eskr618r8HZ05QEzW_jrct694whOPHnwxWRETkq8REo8ZlR5w-YU3pZcnhTfm87yzweJu3zeFsATatBXsIW_ZF7CZoY/s400/IMGP1869.JPG" t$="true" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgB1evludlliC7O1Te-K9V6LBdp7xOPR89s8wHmcKqXaoa1tNdRuAfYRdUr6_3Psibw-0T1Nc6krH9rDYWK0mJ4ZQbg892b1BUCFWDQMpvK_vQhL8Exm90-br8js7-mK0KkZQII75ZkB7U/s1600/IMGP1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1evludlliC7O1Te-K9V6LBdp7xOPR89s8wHmcKqXaoa1tNdRuAfYRdUr6_3Psibw-0T1Nc6krH9rDYWK0mJ4ZQbg892b1BUCFWDQMpvK_vQhL8Exm90-br8js7-mK0KkZQII75ZkB7U/s400/IMGP1871.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Fishing and swimming off this little dock was the best part of their summer at the cabin yet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5doNxvA-W3qujJcOXpPItO5qTseD7zUNG9ZW7Jw1CLdASfiMurtDXpznqSUjDj1tbmjn_Erqr-lTfzfa1QyKEK0a7ppqORRw9bXFm2otf-fxX8hTlHmd3ZFzL9wXAbKTyywVpM9yTgt8/s1600/IMGP1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5doNxvA-W3qujJcOXpPItO5qTseD7zUNG9ZW7Jw1CLdASfiMurtDXpznqSUjDj1tbmjn_Erqr-lTfzfa1QyKEK0a7ppqORRw9bXFm2otf-fxX8hTlHmd3ZFzL9wXAbKTyywVpM9yTgt8/s400/IMGP1878.JPG" t$="true" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Somehow the work had turned into the play and we were all happy.<br />
So this is where I am this morning, trying to remember the pallets, trying to turn the work into play and keep us all happy. Not everything may get checked off my list. Not everything may even be checked off theirs. But at the half-way point, we already have some terrific memories and I am looking forward to what the end of the summer brings.<br />
<br />
Anyone have ideas how to make reorganizing the pantry fun for two four-year olds?<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-20233831959329365192011-07-15T07:40:00.000-07:002011-07-15T07:40:34.316-07:00Still here...It's been awhile...<br />
Memorial Day till now has been a whirlwind for us. Today we are packing for week at the beach and I finally sat down to offload some photos onto the computer. Looking at all these pictures brought about a bad case of blogger guilt. I have not written in such a <em>long</em> time- so many of these photos belong in posts.<br />
Perhaps when we return from the beach and the summer slows down a bit, I will finally have the time to write about all that we have been up to. <br />
Until then, here are a few of my favorites. Hope you are savoring the sweet days of summer too...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeJayhQvhckAPpGGwI-hfLwIJL9bfV6_sTWrXWA66Tfe4u9t4YoT_F9CxxR6MCFChQwsf8-Vj8we5oucEwKSYatnbTuLgWyrIJd-bbUrIWheggQq19s8fBwIDdz3_lywHLpRreD02QTU/s1600/IMGP1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeJayhQvhckAPpGGwI-hfLwIJL9bfV6_sTWrXWA66Tfe4u9t4YoT_F9CxxR6MCFChQwsf8-Vj8we5oucEwKSYatnbTuLgWyrIJd-bbUrIWheggQq19s8fBwIDdz3_lywHLpRreD02QTU/s640/IMGP1858.JPG" width="424" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaEfL85Tp43VYe5qnv9HAouvfauj0PcB2gOv500xgPmxW9Iyex2CtfI5Z9dbSOylSq0F7NIxKAlFvZBFYlgI1UJkj21EqOHdD08pXsmmqfcYGwYfkfh8QNGC9O6k5BhK4rz_P2FFFbj8/s1600/IMGP1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaEfL85Tp43VYe5qnv9HAouvfauj0PcB2gOv500xgPmxW9Iyex2CtfI5Z9dbSOylSq0F7NIxKAlFvZBFYlgI1UJkj21EqOHdD08pXsmmqfcYGwYfkfh8QNGC9O6k5BhK4rz_P2FFFbj8/s640/IMGP1795.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEjd8mGGBoofkjyTzNyeX-BtXvDeajQRJKLTi3uJOSPaPuAH7cKkwHzwt_FCTPK0mVdnW1pAu_QtrLEhUhqZANo87_PItqGnjp3q_Nn7VQBM74Pgcc29hh3gJ05Xn-vs6y3hknqKDdUPTbk/s1600/IMGP1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8mGGBoofkjyTzNyeX-BtXvDeajQRJKLTi3uJOSPaPuAH7cKkwHzwt_FCTPK0mVdnW1pAu_QtrLEhUhqZANo87_PItqGnjp3q_Nn7VQBM74Pgcc29hh3gJ05Xn-vs6y3hknqKDdUPTbk/s640/IMGP1878.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1aYZJGj8ZQIXIYxOT6a9Knm5G15P9KcxwVrmwt1Z7Eb2M3PYSDWWWU2s08zbpFHEV9kDLDU2xpyN8rFsdYLmELbL0CfGRIbyrlP_5NlEf6DimHPoiPYKeqQPs_8CmG02PJmr2eIvLXA/s1600/IMGP1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1aYZJGj8ZQIXIYxOT6a9Knm5G15P9KcxwVrmwt1Z7Eb2M3PYSDWWWU2s08zbpFHEV9kDLDU2xpyN8rFsdYLmELbL0CfGRIbyrlP_5NlEf6DimHPoiPYKeqQPs_8CmG02PJmr2eIvLXA/s640/IMGP1903.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhvI49xC_3s5VuxywdHaZA1OxAN8aCcM4s1_H7Q060fsR136ZUC44yQD5SKILRJnqSkWgkXFfIAS3NUugYJVauakocSrEINlXjXKuHOudpLf-ZWvhDMpD9403aDzNOQqu2Oj0wr61Rfmvc/s1600/IMGP1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI49xC_3s5VuxywdHaZA1OxAN8aCcM4s1_H7Q060fsR136ZUC44yQD5SKILRJnqSkWgkXFfIAS3NUugYJVauakocSrEINlXjXKuHOudpLf-ZWvhDMpD9403aDzNOQqu2Oj0wr61Rfmvc/s640/IMGP1911.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-57903162852295107212011-05-20T08:50:00.000-07:002011-05-20T08:50:15.917-07:00Spring at the CabinOur first hike at the cabin, felt like spring itself- breathing again after the long winter, renewed and full of possibilty. <br />
On our way to the pond, we explored the meadow and found tiny little streams trickling their way through.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tjU2nasfuqJWI_t8Ic_NZcGFwUdNfnGmQLVd2HMTFKq2WAc0UsHw5Wz3soBB3koZGBkqhrb0g8JEXrfkQSOpbgpCycEhQG3OH-KJOWOjZX0767rsbrzm3hFgXp4cg8Dj7eHR3316u88/s1600/IMGP1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tjU2nasfuqJWI_t8Ic_NZcGFwUdNfnGmQLVd2HMTFKq2WAc0UsHw5Wz3soBB3koZGBkqhrb0g8JEXrfkQSOpbgpCycEhQG3OH-KJOWOjZX0767rsbrzm3hFgXp4cg8Dj7eHR3316u88/s640/IMGP1711.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beaver had been very busy while we were gone. From the bank where we normally fish, I could hear the water tumbling down the other side of the pond. We normally never venture past this side- too treacherous to cross with the little ones when the brush is thick and leaves and branches tangle you up. But in the spring, when there are only buds on the trees, life is different. You can cross to the other side.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMotFgKtLCFtJx8-EL096piUHmmdErWRCglwBmAvkD0ZogcryYjx0EXqmNqPivuEb_zR2XUqrJROyBkxlgHbn0q_RvsYVfpYNA6N51zhJzy3b6TliV97xsKRnfdvdsW4ohxJP5sQWVF8/s1600/IMGP1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMotFgKtLCFtJx8-EL096piUHmmdErWRCglwBmAvkD0ZogcryYjx0EXqmNqPivuEb_zR2XUqrJROyBkxlgHbn0q_RvsYVfpYNA6N51zhJzy3b6TliV97xsKRnfdvdsW4ohxJP5sQWVF8/s640/IMGP1714.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the spring, I could finally see the water tumbling over the edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little baby waterfalls splashing down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvOTcKFbT18LBApAoiOy9ctMLxcfIW-2xNWD9gvIxGZciAqAOeabX9XokfkGR2_1mBdEgeaFQ8cpyo8CKmEYLq2Y9pJDk3Q7Gu4jf4IOpEp27u0FXU8Wtj7me_Ea421HGbFwuPBHMlUI/s1600/IMGP1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvOTcKFbT18LBApAoiOy9ctMLxcfIW-2xNWD9gvIxGZciAqAOeabX9XokfkGR2_1mBdEgeaFQ8cpyo8CKmEYLq2Y9pJDk3Q7Gu4jf4IOpEp27u0FXU8Wtj7me_Ea421HGbFwuPBHMlUI/s640/IMGP1720.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the spring, fresh, crisp, green new life springs up on the forest floor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUjxPWdcVSgMdIc3Mqos97TVISvxJm8CTYNwUc3395VbzzPDM-Z4zNeQakOTlUMnhC5U5e1FBaDP8V4fsAYNA4gVTlaA0ZFA5TlJdNcEqS9RXE0e5ZuYMcwbiGfKGwNb4KRWEhTL8R1U/s1600/IMGP1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUjxPWdcVSgMdIc3Mqos97TVISvxJm8CTYNwUc3395VbzzPDM-Z4zNeQakOTlUMnhC5U5e1FBaDP8V4fsAYNA4gVTlaA0ZFA5TlJdNcEqS9RXE0e5ZuYMcwbiGfKGwNb4KRWEhTL8R1U/s640/IMGP1731.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the spring, tiny hands can catch tiny tadpoles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only for a second, they held them in their hands and giggled as they watched them wriggle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Too soon, these will be the frogs whose croaks in the distance will lull them to sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5WJkEU2XGnwq8pp5wAIjOfiwSIqzny5l6MnBWT5F0Cj85_Dwco5kzxwNKqhZlGC0vwgXA2_yiYTv3BNvA-DH8X1Np-egK7Ho6oyHrSsbxMgXwIEJ_3Uv-5atTqUkc6C2QPDC_PC8IZo/s1600/IMGP1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5WJkEU2XGnwq8pp5wAIjOfiwSIqzny5l6MnBWT5F0Cj85_Dwco5kzxwNKqhZlGC0vwgXA2_yiYTv3BNvA-DH8X1Np-egK7Ho6oyHrSsbxMgXwIEJ_3Uv-5atTqUkc6C2QPDC_PC8IZo/s640/IMGP1765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEiRD4WnrqWxa8MGN5EXVq47s2XjkTzjwgzOlTGAI9-sqbgAhg7ZrkYQfE9FrdZWdarauWpQBS2Eaufwdm9J5IGCL9-qHqdCpE1FtmtiqH3CH2x36_WQv_hYsejvVuktfq6lcQ665OQHETM/s1600/IMGP1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD4WnrqWxa8MGN5EXVq47s2XjkTzjwgzOlTGAI9-sqbgAhg7ZrkYQfE9FrdZWdarauWpQBS2Eaufwdm9J5IGCL9-qHqdCpE1FtmtiqH3CH2x36_WQv_hYsejvVuktfq6lcQ665OQHETM/s640/IMGP1746.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> In the distance we marveled at the beaver's dam and watched the pine trees reflect in the water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrzQwtU2FBtQxVwGL_39YIn4y4DtwOa_gwyYzaHDpqplAY-z7VTi_akEOiy6N0nmDu94soyDa-Rwz6KP5GmAObd9gJ3hJGODo6ZEZeapoIgy4ynZTfWCvWddiK6cvrqtr5O9bmsH40VU/s1600/IMGP1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrzQwtU2FBtQxVwGL_39YIn4y4DtwOa_gwyYzaHDpqplAY-z7VTi_akEOiy6N0nmDu94soyDa-Rwz6KP5GmAObd9gJ3hJGODo6ZEZeapoIgy4ynZTfWCvWddiK6cvrqtr5O9bmsH40VU/s640/IMGP1753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the spring, Daddy picks us flowers...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHEJKls6SfS9nlvnToiTRRJ-MUGgP5iREIIVo8x_g69UaEulRt0MEpDuYgwVKvPcQIsuFJCzzdDTRqx8XFzLIC3d-_eTstEQz1T96XJsJjK_l6UDfVghBZcI7iQTF5Sp0FM_tI8_WaHY/s1600/IMGP1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHEJKls6SfS9nlvnToiTRRJ-MUGgP5iREIIVo8x_g69UaEulRt0MEpDuYgwVKvPcQIsuFJCzzdDTRqx8XFzLIC3d-_eTstEQz1T96XJsJjK_l6UDfVghBZcI7iQTF5Sp0FM_tI8_WaHY/s640/IMGP1754.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
...and Mommy takes too long taking pictures when all the girls want to do is keep on exploring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_JyP4uzRk1NkdeEHzi3AbpgllJteaHT507ctMfZrU8y2mHiualw7lxmX7rGYVUifqf92tH7CZnDjAWw8fbe8L9Sm4MKzFUtiLIWrkfa32TNO1Z-L5tg4dVuo9WR0JNZLKxlY0ORvaMA/s1600/IMGP1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_JyP4uzRk1NkdeEHzi3AbpgllJteaHT507ctMfZrU8y2mHiualw7lxmX7rGYVUifqf92tH7CZnDjAWw8fbe8L9Sm4MKzFUtiLIWrkfa32TNO1Z-L5tg4dVuo9WR0JNZLKxlY0ORvaMA/s640/IMGP1756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
In the spring, we can hike to the pine tree and follow the deer's hoof prints as we go.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUEgck4BUojPB11pNAGfLwFn4BxnyCw3GYggAwFOlB05i7aN_Yix3uMONPDjIgAbde5oz3N-w_PH0nl-mAMa0eNpQlbW766Yhry_9_97CdzlYV9uLfA2StJivoRvRwENv5Q4S3qvBDZo/s1600/IMGP1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUEgck4BUojPB11pNAGfLwFn4BxnyCw3GYggAwFOlB05i7aN_Yix3uMONPDjIgAbde5oz3N-w_PH0nl-mAMa0eNpQlbW766Yhry_9_97CdzlYV9uLfA2StJivoRvRwENv5Q4S3qvBDZo/s640/IMGP1760.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We gaze up into the pine's soft green boughs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPZ7bSkrzT5klB6q4UUTDgskqlie6sws_kIbCe0H_jBW7pg0tRp6kr0FWt9P5Dkdu9UbfOqsjpMbKSNHbacFjhbidh1onYtWmk1JkPPGP23Usa0DWWIiiEQeZZd7rig77hOc2BHDWrmg/s1600/IMGP1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPZ7bSkrzT5klB6q4UUTDgskqlie6sws_kIbCe0H_jBW7pg0tRp6kr0FWt9P5Dkdu9UbfOqsjpMbKSNHbacFjhbidh1onYtWmk1JkPPGP23Usa0DWWIiiEQeZZd7rig77hOc2BHDWrmg/s640/IMGP1761.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">New life and new beginnings all around us.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaywOMF0JZdmNDSYhFLs__OD1UA_ldrvCxRwCF9XMLs145AYt8A_Vt0yQ9anAoWXhEpP2m2ALWzOpc1TL8DoH4wYuPNH-ac6uKPc9aERwgSocYyxBVGs39Zr0cddqn8dXUCRtZegtHca4/s1600/IMGP1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaywOMF0JZdmNDSYhFLs__OD1UA_ldrvCxRwCF9XMLs145AYt8A_Vt0yQ9anAoWXhEpP2m2ALWzOpc1TL8DoH4wYuPNH-ac6uKPc9aERwgSocYyxBVGs39Zr0cddqn8dXUCRtZegtHca4/s640/IMGP1743.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-19136751016462593512011-03-20T06:51:00.000-07:002011-03-20T06:51:15.012-07:00Outdoor Shower Dreaming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mr.Cabin went up to the cabin this weekend- the first trip of the year. I have been sitting home insanely jealous that he is there and we are not. The first time he usually goes by himself to make sure everything was ok over the winter. This time he was also delivering a trailer full of wood to build our new wood shed with. I am not too upset about missing lifting all of that heavy timber. Then he called to say he arrived safely but that the truck and trailer are now stuck in the snow- <em>really</em> happy I am missing that entire catastrophe altogether too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So while I wait for Mr.Cabin to un-stick himself and return home, I have been thinking about what the new wood shed will mean. Tools out of the living room- woo hoo! It also means that once the wood shed is built we can also build our outdoor shower. I will probably get in trouble here for thinking ten steps ahead- there is a good chance it won't even get built this year-but I can't help dreaming anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last summer when we had our whole extended family camping with us, we set up a little outdoor shower area using a pop-up canopy tent, shower curtians and a camp shower. Everyone loved it. There is nothing quite like taking a shower in the great outdoors. So I have been scheming ever since to build a more permanent structure. Of course while I was originally scheming, the shower was not going to include a bath tub....but look at how incredible all of these inspiration photos are. <em>A girl can dream.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/1752993147_6d1e867641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/1752993147_6d1e867641.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.outdoorshowerenclosure.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/outdoor-showers--300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://www.outdoorshowerenclosure.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/outdoor-showers--300x300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image07.webshots.com/7/0/52/65/99505265tMkpph_fs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="http://image07.webshots.com/7/0/52/65/99505265tMkpph_fs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2009/07/10/outdoor-bathroom1_BTvR9_24702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" r6="true" src="http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2009/07/10/outdoor-bathroom1_BTvR9_24702.jpg" width="400" /></a></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/AVvXsEhe9rDfzEGU4asVZgkY7-0ewF4ka8UJrRyqsvbFQSYjVYZE5srQDdojR4XMU5oY844dUIlXb7cyDxZ9Wc-zm4beYpPf_71F_Mrck5oYU-rH0iIJJ6Zbiu5Ih7rYI8dw2joxeNWbUiWG27ym/s400/OutdoorTubPB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9rDfzEGU4asVZgkY7-0ewF4ka8UJrRyqsvbFQSYjVYZE5srQDdojR4XMU5oY844dUIlXb7cyDxZ9Wc-zm4beYpPf_71F_Mrck5oYU-rH0iIJJ6Zbiu5Ih7rYI8dw2joxeNWbUiWG27ym/s400/OutdoorTubPB.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEi_Jdf7WN7DViXigsVo8Kr8W7KYMBr0tsEhoMEXtu-H2vNB1cfhmjYW9DDYsVag9i6inzIqSdisgGKB1CrFJdhUGjGxfsSXwdImKcYbUAL0wcLfURE6V8WsmjxU-MStLCmPo-7Oy9aleRI/s400/4+outdoor+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Jdf7WN7DViXigsVo8Kr8W7KYMBr0tsEhoMEXtu-H2vNB1cfhmjYW9DDYsVag9i6inzIqSdisgGKB1CrFJdhUGjGxfsSXwdImKcYbUAL0wcLfURE6V8WsmjxU-MStLCmPo-7Oy9aleRI/s400/4+outdoor+bath.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/consumer/dne/images/event/neflower/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="http://www.bostonglobe.com/consumer/dne/images/event/neflower/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEjbLDihIcgUVR5B_S1UFSf4zExO4l14dG-ZsVPTc39loD8iFMU6rAV7-xNXT9lpLkYBXKn8ymV5BcbbuYXse-nYqlKxWdziN3n3qsxtKpykgKQLsw-Jo75R4bACHMgx4Qedj-dgiDyjoA1z/s400/galvanized+tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLDihIcgUVR5B_S1UFSf4zExO4l14dG-ZsVPTc39loD8iFMU6rAV7-xNXT9lpLkYBXKn8ymV5BcbbuYXse-nYqlKxWdziN3n3qsxtKpykgKQLsw-Jo75R4bACHMgx4Qedj-dgiDyjoA1z/s400/galvanized+tub.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2009/07/tbh-bath-7-l.jpg?400:400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2009/07/tbh-bath-7-l.jpg?400:400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/89/05/7f/outdoor-tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" r6="true" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/89/05/7f/outdoor-tub.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-32477787004382637242011-03-16T08:22:00.000-07:002011-03-16T08:22:43.829-07:00A Little SunshineIt's a dreary, rainy March day in our neck of the woods. Thought I would share a special day that brought a little sunshine into our lives- my mother's birthday. This year instead of going to a restaurant with four kids under five (not fun), my sisters and I decided to cook dinner ourselves. <br />
<br />
When I told the girls we would be having a birthday party for Grammy at our house, their first question was, "What kind of party?" Apparently, my obsession with party planning is wearing off on them- it's not a party unless you have a theme and a pinata. They offered many suggestions they thought Grammie would like- Dora, Bubble Guppies, Angelina Ballerina. I needed to come up with a theme quick. While I was online searching for inspiration, I ran across these beautiful paper lanterns and everything fell into place.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tn57ZJZAMrrZlU9AK4qkhcztf64lM5sbTdEfJ6_segGSG7JwwJ4sboM17NqF0nXLjR8WuFL9r5r-exJNK6d5hhdwhk_S2t2RdTmik12dEPfdEHU0UKIlneARLj8cDTbe591dz0seAwg/s1600/IMGP1513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tn57ZJZAMrrZlU9AK4qkhcztf64lM5sbTdEfJ6_segGSG7JwwJ4sboM17NqF0nXLjR8WuFL9r5r-exJNK6d5hhdwhk_S2t2RdTmik12dEPfdEHU0UKIlneARLj8cDTbe591dz0seAwg/s400/IMGP1513.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since the day my girls were born, my mother has always sang "You Are My Sunshine" to them. I knew I found my theme. I set to work finding as much yellow as I could inexpensively get my hands on and the girls started coloring picture after picture of sunshines.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BSa2v5RqGyNHEOU798rcps5l0xXgUjdOm4Gek4dnwmgDxtRQYqaezjUC4KPymYqCtoVNwGRezqZkcJ9fKRe1d-S__8COgtsYYjyl5j1F93AmBSBTtB3L5AHHinrarKcmLM5hBz4TwA/s1600/IMGP1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BSa2v5RqGyNHEOU798rcps5l0xXgUjdOm4Gek4dnwmgDxtRQYqaezjUC4KPymYqCtoVNwGRezqZkcJ9fKRe1d-S__8COgtsYYjyl5j1F93AmBSBTtB3L5AHHinrarKcmLM5hBz4TwA/s400/IMGP1512.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEixns-4dU2hvbj9mIm2U4P_UNem_sN-xQO67F-1smNMPWRIFREde0oM7YCU21Zk7Td1yn7LKywf2AT7ZN2Ap9HaXoQVYdpVi1XPSLfH1Z85fQuUw2gk2nGzfYcy-mOjTJRMcdzEv3fKsQE/s1600/IMGP1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixns-4dU2hvbj9mIm2U4P_UNem_sN-xQO67F-1smNMPWRIFREde0oM7YCU21Zk7Td1yn7LKywf2AT7ZN2Ap9HaXoQVYdpVi1XPSLfH1Z85fQuUw2gk2nGzfYcy-mOjTJRMcdzEv3fKsQE/s400/IMGP1506.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmRu4TbaU9V92VxxteBDAmiHXELsNQaUEiDELc0SuaV1EvLyvP66Yk-pjqzHLm0AhZuAdt-6m55eGd8v_0hXe55QYWqPGke5VkmzKk2h4lWqluDw7bSCVECT5MZmeNxDAX_5Hsgxca_Q/s1600/IMGP1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmRu4TbaU9V92VxxteBDAmiHXELsNQaUEiDELc0SuaV1EvLyvP66Yk-pjqzHLm0AhZuAdt-6m55eGd8v_0hXe55QYWqPGke5VkmzKk2h4lWqluDw7bSCVECT5MZmeNxDAX_5Hsgxca_Q/s400/IMGP1509.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The day before the party I put up the decorations then picked up the girls from school. They loved seeing the room transformed when they walked in the door. I went into the kitchen to unpack their backpacks. A minute later, they came in to get me. They lead me into the living room by their little hands and said, "Look Mommy, now Grammie's party is all ready!"</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezhjluC5hwmLd8OC3EWYXDu_iZ6Ytc2-BzWiHq3KNASyg6P6vYcb4sSQazciKpy3IyrGz3dwY6seV6tx0kBok_QwNl-8v5FsNHIxMly6pwBk8X5fYvBwM7E2jsTEBhti_CQGA7xdM1fc/s1600/IMGP1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezhjluC5hwmLd8OC3EWYXDu_iZ6Ytc2-BzWiHq3KNASyg6P6vYcb4sSQazciKpy3IyrGz3dwY6seV6tx0kBok_QwNl-8v5FsNHIxMly6pwBk8X5fYvBwM7E2jsTEBhti_CQGA7xdM1fc/s400/IMGP1514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They had taken all of the pictures of sunshines they had worked so hard on and put them up on the mantle. My heart melted. This was what this party was all about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhzL386JSTPTtKndJyF5aNfmFPCzpoXDFcHl6WNByhVxCSYyDmBd6-HOXPzvGy9xO9ZTPp9U72qkJe2s7wD_89X3fCdzWNWJUTUYIisQAy0G7nz9VydsMDBF4pbOmLgk2MUPN3ZVdO3kqc/s1600/IMGP1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL386JSTPTtKndJyF5aNfmFPCzpoXDFcHl6WNByhVxCSYyDmBd6-HOXPzvGy9xO9ZTPp9U72qkJe2s7wD_89X3fCdzWNWJUTUYIisQAy0G7nz9VydsMDBF4pbOmLgk2MUPN3ZVdO3kqc/s400/IMGP1515.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I admit there are many times when I will do something now thinking about how wonderful it will be to write about it on the blog. My crazy hunt for yellow tablecloths absolutely was because I had blog photos in the back of my mind. It took my girls in all of thier innocence to remind me why we go the extra mile sometimes- not because the mantle will look good on a blog photo but because my mother will walk in the door and look at the decorations and know how truly special and loved she is. <br />
I don't regret blogging- sometimes I wish I had more time for it. Most times I appreciate the ambition and focus it gives me for my projects. All of the time, I read other blogs and feel inspired- a little sunshine to my day. Today I am hoping this little post of mine spreads a little sunshine to your neck of the woods too.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-91144639262123183582011-02-06T10:59:00.000-08:002011-02-06T10:59:19.367-08:00Tweet Heart Valentine Party<div style="text-align: center;">Love is in the air. </div><div style="text-align: center;">To celebrate this past weekend, we had a <em>Tweet Heart Valentine Party</em>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls had a wonderful time making valentines. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We even made some tweet treats for our feathered friends.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVfIUGkM1Za0jUuwsQTNvU32-9Nb-4dYASjhWp6DZfA_2DozbJ9ZOIIclpRhcy1sjbVVTwNp6tRLH5v_w91w4FDjk8LioxwmU_fW_OnOxO1ZTo8a95OrPGzw7ZrjIdrkwgVB-q68sSJI/s1600/IMGP1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVfIUGkM1Za0jUuwsQTNvU32-9Nb-4dYASjhWp6DZfA_2DozbJ9ZOIIclpRhcy1sjbVVTwNp6tRLH5v_w91w4FDjk8LioxwmU_fW_OnOxO1ZTo8a95OrPGzw7ZrjIdrkwgVB-q68sSJI/s640/IMGP1397.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEijF7PKXEax8TCP7V-r-5B2_HhrAyalDK2Q9er5HS7qQjyrtAU8YuMu8OIidRy8RUGqT3lEjL-Llb3Q9q0BkHf_zjhjidFcScf5RrJCSSptat3nltVg_ZpYJcuOP79XFXAeG0xXrHEsKxs/s1600/IMGP1401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijF7PKXEax8TCP7V-r-5B2_HhrAyalDK2Q9er5HS7qQjyrtAU8YuMu8OIidRy8RUGqT3lEjL-Llb3Q9q0BkHf_zjhjidFcScf5RrJCSSptat3nltVg_ZpYJcuOP79XFXAeG0xXrHEsKxs/s640/IMGP1401.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhABvAGyS-WKTexfldeYJpjKWSJwv8nDnwJMd4Tq0Lp88zoqHhoTF7UQRt4hNFyMoscCueG-Z7g6uirBZZxeaIJjSobLe4ufC1xkpLuJRXDO_uX0zWSQVPDI1Xy7IYea90WnaZNAbFH_Ao/s1600/IMGP1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABvAGyS-WKTexfldeYJpjKWSJwv8nDnwJMd4Tq0Lp88zoqHhoTF7UQRt4hNFyMoscCueG-Z7g6uirBZZxeaIJjSobLe4ufC1xkpLuJRXDO_uX0zWSQVPDI1Xy7IYea90WnaZNAbFH_Ao/s640/IMGP1403.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEiubToSS0fXDA1wWZ47rjcp9mzZPsd7TR0kM-1BPEhzmakCqp19al4Beo4bDCjz4JY-RSaSYMNoNutVNcrxl5qkIBuBf8AzaVlORi0_cxaj7ZlzGnvfcJukwFO-xjpZYktzpsuFNY7zPOM/s1600/IMGP1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubToSS0fXDA1wWZ47rjcp9mzZPsd7TR0kM-1BPEhzmakCqp19al4Beo4bDCjz4JY-RSaSYMNoNutVNcrxl5qkIBuBf8AzaVlORi0_cxaj7ZlzGnvfcJukwFO-xjpZYktzpsuFNY7zPOM/s640/IMGP1409.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhRF0T4XRnZlIf42v3tCHMQBEjJaoWbPrYtOSfWQm2coQTkc-A9k7Aq4l5cOa8kI2AURczlMOQgtZ6b0zySEli115iOusipnjSI7mTp9sJOosNc3fl7oAwW_piJRoJIMS08nFWpx4pQn0k/s1600/IMGP1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRF0T4XRnZlIf42v3tCHMQBEjJaoWbPrYtOSfWQm2coQTkc-A9k7Aq4l5cOa8kI2AURczlMOQgtZ6b0zySEli115iOusipnjSI7mTp9sJOosNc3fl7oAwW_piJRoJIMS08nFWpx4pQn0k/s640/IMGP1410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgHinpS7sl1qt4_ZauFzYtXdF-IPA_kitiBAofaX8J5sXFiUJ8Utds1ij5IRveYtuQW64LMkCXHQGEQFPecwXnWTnsUh6w1pTY6zRnHXmcyC7p35BBMJkaLxyp3h9Fp8s08ozwlvbG6QK8/s1600/IMGP1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHinpS7sl1qt4_ZauFzYtXdF-IPA_kitiBAofaX8J5sXFiUJ8Utds1ij5IRveYtuQW64LMkCXHQGEQFPecwXnWTnsUh6w1pTY6zRnHXmcyC7p35BBMJkaLxyp3h9Fp8s08ozwlvbG6QK8/s640/IMGP1402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhfN7fmrZD6DXj_Ls9N2wgnCqOKpxtpMPoWdUya5ptkDyzeHG2Vj4z25nCaqFOLvW6yMZCbfu78ZZrzCVwZw9955lOdzIHRdyW5G6aNQa3JCmOe2ft60OfzYpM1SGKEQXFOSXEHb1M7nP0/s1600/IMGP1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN7fmrZD6DXj_Ls9N2wgnCqOKpxtpMPoWdUya5ptkDyzeHG2Vj4z25nCaqFOLvW6yMZCbfu78ZZrzCVwZw9955lOdzIHRdyW5G6aNQa3JCmOe2ft60OfzYpM1SGKEQXFOSXEHb1M7nP0/s640/IMGP1405.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhBVy2ydIJmhwOPkmHPfMHSlnyJTQVmAUG7AglfPbCJee4ceMFO8KxCaOdwlPtUI6yRAi_vUohC6DC6LrrW-zM32xhyZGuKBbG70RuAhP2hzhhtX9gMfDLUky1cX7fNFYGbJ2UnDNCTQrg/s1600/IMGP1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVy2ydIJmhwOPkmHPfMHSlnyJTQVmAUG7AglfPbCJee4ceMFO8KxCaOdwlPtUI6yRAi_vUohC6DC6LrrW-zM32xhyZGuKBbG70RuAhP2hzhhtX9gMfDLUky1cX7fNFYGbJ2UnDNCTQrg/s640/IMGP1407.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEj2As9fHmgqY-tcJdvpbh2BjI_ueffaJjTDCWL-R98fway_0p-MLXxSzxCxGxGFl5-rNXYDVxzkEZLrSBrVCoVD0DgzssQqhKv9XQ5HZarLQtUWPuGMFtUijMMOO9YeCnf__-JQnt8nokw/s1600/IMGP1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2As9fHmgqY-tcJdvpbh2BjI_ueffaJjTDCWL-R98fway_0p-MLXxSzxCxGxGFl5-rNXYDVxzkEZLrSBrVCoVD0DgzssQqhKv9XQ5HZarLQtUWPuGMFtUijMMOO9YeCnf__-JQnt8nokw/s640/IMGP1434.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5TvKTRpfaOVVAruxSyP3X1sTba6at9NwlXHECbN30bsemdc550fl1-SH9O5iTf21Jj0NiSjCwqEUo9h35xpJnWKKhESFD_Z8JNSnJJAqKstqSgI2qlIgdDwTKV1RxWOxn3sUZLldU1U/s1600/IMGP1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5TvKTRpfaOVVAruxSyP3X1sTba6at9NwlXHECbN30bsemdc550fl1-SH9O5iTf21Jj0NiSjCwqEUo9h35xpJnWKKhESFD_Z8JNSnJJAqKstqSgI2qlIgdDwTKV1RxWOxn3sUZLldU1U/s640/IMGP1455.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k51YzQPRuTtG5apWxQivuvrM3KCkhbjvmdaG24M_uBDcoHFysSYUNxr9qECPZnyUXdUgE545TAjKVrdtTB9lg6xGHQF-_4IaMrin2MtwcNKjXT1Wg2Mla3tqqm3BS1w3nczNyxWS1kQ/s1600/IMGP1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k51YzQPRuTtG5apWxQivuvrM3KCkhbjvmdaG24M_uBDcoHFysSYUNxr9qECPZnyUXdUgE545TAjKVrdtTB9lg6xGHQF-_4IaMrin2MtwcNKjXT1Wg2Mla3tqqm3BS1w3nczNyxWS1kQ/s640/IMGP1393.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXOr_RU8cAZFv0rHYCKXmT9BUPEP-68Z02W-TIuac4rrHuGdTcogkjMUkOshOTMWfGGDj3pXAapMew9I17kcGVCtvk-Zu8ynfqQgYJ-7wYWIDw4VUurNFfa7AhXLwtpK8gK-aU6UIFYc/s1600/IMGP1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXOr_RU8cAZFv0rHYCKXmT9BUPEP-68Z02W-TIuac4rrHuGdTcogkjMUkOshOTMWfGGDj3pXAapMew9I17kcGVCtvk-Zu8ynfqQgYJ-7wYWIDw4VUurNFfa7AhXLwtpK8gK-aU6UIFYc/s640/IMGP1391.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGS4tcJG9XidFM0Ta9V-pC82aEbhoEzxJevrLIqWwigSCr-NOadMGqtwgLj7duPligBipq_rX73XxTHcNbB7QYTdDGCV2JhCCDjdGGGSqNLnGZjf5uY2t0598hFiS_PhW3q-dU4zsPxBs/s1600/IMGP1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGS4tcJG9XidFM0Ta9V-pC82aEbhoEzxJevrLIqWwigSCr-NOadMGqtwgLj7duPligBipq_rX73XxTHcNbB7QYTdDGCV2JhCCDjdGGGSqNLnGZjf5uY2t0598hFiS_PhW3q-dU4zsPxBs/s640/IMGP1396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgo1kNkPHah7sV-c7j4ZHIBmy2BDkscFc-z9rL2nvPaw1m9g3ZSqGo2vvLdx-BB8uJ5CYOUq6goFe4uTguUPwRtPwTrZF-tJl8ee-AX4Ux5tS2X1NT1PKqBk6y5dlWhNPsQ8sb9UKFyAQo/s1600/IMGP1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1kNkPHah7sV-c7j4ZHIBmy2BDkscFc-z9rL2nvPaw1m9g3ZSqGo2vvLdx-BB8uJ5CYOUq6goFe4uTguUPwRtPwTrZF-tJl8ee-AX4Ux5tS2X1NT1PKqBk6y5dlWhNPsQ8sb9UKFyAQo/s640/IMGP1386.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnhht1heOROsDTMQvX8VoXd9ytw4iP35mqeqbZZhP_IsQ4NkF_eWQT_PYXVnNjsxtojb-o82MugBvNZDdLcu8Jy-Kc718ug2A7obxBMeWQ2qbNwvYA-CRnhUOl36dpAvDZBarvRc1bSo/s1600/IMGP1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnhht1heOROsDTMQvX8VoXd9ytw4iP35mqeqbZZhP_IsQ4NkF_eWQT_PYXVnNjsxtojb-o82MugBvNZDdLcu8Jy-Kc718ug2A7obxBMeWQ2qbNwvYA-CRnhUOl36dpAvDZBarvRc1bSo/s640/IMGP1388.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B3AvmRi4q4nguRTJ7ViOXOBUhA2x-ZpMyiCP9qRfNfyAXAtvxzyH7rYXy_HVzv_Dpd5mACnHKUtUrWZUQh82FHFA5JH0Zsz6tqChjfwbReYi74GdLUhrVkgsK-WyEczLA5rv1kuofTo/s1600/IMGP1458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B3AvmRi4q4nguRTJ7ViOXOBUhA2x-ZpMyiCP9qRfNfyAXAtvxzyH7rYXy_HVzv_Dpd5mACnHKUtUrWZUQh82FHFA5JH0Zsz6tqChjfwbReYi74GdLUhrVkgsK-WyEczLA5rv1kuofTo/s640/IMGP1458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgzD-2MGmmSf6_-PwMpPwfMPKkZerFdT3Ysi70QopZWHHgsMEuQiWIO2jmhyphenhyphennTBt838hthpUv-Q8Lsady9VZBD1IQI1VhnAlZDml_mvSaAuyJlEUdia0Ff5sTO2PKr2vWWqjaBjq73IUi4/s1600/IMGP1441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD-2MGmmSf6_-PwMpPwfMPKkZerFdT3Ysi70QopZWHHgsMEuQiWIO2jmhyphenhyphennTBt838hthpUv-Q8Lsady9VZBD1IQI1VhnAlZDml_mvSaAuyJlEUdia0Ff5sTO2PKr2vWWqjaBjq73IUi4/s640/IMGP1441.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgrNyNocxN43ct-0RH7VLEeH3eLGP5gMNKOUhSFi7ycZqthxXk6Yu8HLA2sQhOx4y9YRPalbvopiUOJLse41sheqNXSqM-CmHrQWVd7i_AqCZDYro1kVpfSHMSQWYEHR_q5ZorkhgmX510/s1600/IMGP1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNyNocxN43ct-0RH7VLEeH3eLGP5gMNKOUhSFi7ycZqthxXk6Yu8HLA2sQhOx4y9YRPalbvopiUOJLse41sheqNXSqM-CmHrQWVd7i_AqCZDYro1kVpfSHMSQWYEHR_q5ZorkhgmX510/s640/IMGP1423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhFEykb_8TOejjJEOiNLrF5T5Pd9CDuaiKwGOlF71PChc9YOLaogQrxdIeVL45Pd1N9Utexku34msoYXzXaO_Jutl1Fu2NaJnELrHwSfQj9XG2UlxQhMpLgu6T4b40yW4GbzLX0EYTZEPs/s1600/IMGP1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEykb_8TOejjJEOiNLrF5T5Pd9CDuaiKwGOlF71PChc9YOLaogQrxdIeVL45Pd1N9Utexku34msoYXzXaO_Jutl1Fu2NaJnELrHwSfQj9XG2UlxQhMpLgu6T4b40yW4GbzLX0EYTZEPs/s640/IMGP1414.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhZaqfWkft0YXVodf8bCJkao9GjRblw6jgOWl72w6kkeyH-kDswMaORQIsoT9Dl0_x-gtz2nptVUNFA60odJaplsMWsyuMDazv4T9Wm6n2Ft6OWdm5U0Eb_yneI6MXjf9wTeMcqPNm44nY/s1600/IMGP1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaqfWkft0YXVodf8bCJkao9GjRblw6jgOWl72w6kkeyH-kDswMaORQIsoT9Dl0_x-gtz2nptVUNFA60odJaplsMWsyuMDazv4T9Wm6n2Ft6OWdm5U0Eb_yneI6MXjf9wTeMcqPNm44nY/s640/IMGP1438.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgSoQKExZ1hfjtDOMnqIgS1ce7sfsnw84MjaVWQVMb788GlMfk6DZhwLi9N564pQXWplwt4IylosnMkg_jNd0OKZMKRyHD04WzijnvWdlfNQuTyz0c_rF8yyISpguTR2jBcYwtqeSYlGmA/s1600/IMGP1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoQKExZ1hfjtDOMnqIgS1ce7sfsnw84MjaVWQVMb788GlMfk6DZhwLi9N564pQXWplwt4IylosnMkg_jNd0OKZMKRyHD04WzijnvWdlfNQuTyz0c_rF8yyISpguTR2jBcYwtqeSYlGmA/s640/IMGP1398.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjSVTR8tVX7ysP3h6ufZiB550foJgT1oJCdYYJYv8mTJzzspUy60ugOR42AYJLFtd4gsvdSzCURe8QJzUFCnzJF-0kmZ3DZmmoeVL0G7HHVpaW-33IWUJhPwauxKHOcK8LF1QI8HTPDkz8/s1600/IMGP1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVTR8tVX7ysP3h6ufZiB550foJgT1oJCdYYJYv8mTJzzspUy60ugOR42AYJLFtd4gsvdSzCURe8QJzUFCnzJF-0kmZ3DZmmoeVL0G7HHVpaW-33IWUJhPwauxKHOcK8LF1QI8HTPDkz8/s640/IMGP1429.JPG" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEiApYOaeKytJTqV3pY6pWc9My-TYUugRZOfa3p-8qVzuVvIIR7gVrVs9R6PBJqDx_FUUYIe7crl2LFGdU36onDHQEV5jbjFY2t8kHz1-_AQVskvCEwZa7pUpsm9PgW61Jd3At33y1I_Cgg/s1600/INDX1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApYOaeKytJTqV3pY6pWc9My-TYUugRZOfa3p-8qVzuVvIIR7gVrVs9R6PBJqDx_FUUYIe7crl2LFGdU36onDHQEV5jbjFY2t8kHz1-_AQVskvCEwZa7pUpsm9PgW61Jd3At33y1I_Cgg/s640/INDX1482.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2kGklC5bVmipSC0OGrfw9VbamrcsQgWh8eDXLYNq5CGxfDASe4JAwr2rS0KbEiMgW_6_XG87Q7S1gHNO3hrHyfwRPPgvH1prdb6OJuwQ1jePUR-VYY22kZOpKg-bHbQlmHxQ1wG0sw8/s1600/IMGP1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2kGklC5bVmipSC0OGrfw9VbamrcsQgWh8eDXLYNq5CGxfDASe4JAwr2rS0KbEiMgW_6_XG87Q7S1gHNO3hrHyfwRPPgvH1prdb6OJuwQ1jePUR-VYY22kZOpKg-bHbQlmHxQ1wG0sw8/s640/IMGP1456.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouy7JYeuzYO22_DJNquDBQQTGjkNZ_4ojS2HDLOfUsfchZRYlLHJB5MWIkcJFH8OM1NC94ZznuYlM-zXkTqXALMKK86Dold4KI6b7Bb26rnRjd-fBfNit9Sq9yikRvC1ODzN-N_7DdKM/s1600/IMGP1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouy7JYeuzYO22_DJNquDBQQTGjkNZ_4ojS2HDLOfUsfchZRYlLHJB5MWIkcJFH8OM1NC94ZznuYlM-zXkTqXALMKK86Dold4KI6b7Bb26rnRjd-fBfNit9Sq9yikRvC1ODzN-N_7DdKM/s640/IMGP1480.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-53911838516383810322011-01-30T18:36:00.000-08:002011-01-30T18:36:17.105-08:00Cottage Exercise RoomSimple and welcoming are words that I often hear used to describe what I love most about cottage style. So it was obvious I needed to use those two words to guide my design of the new exercise room. Foremost, I wanted it to be a space I looked forward to going into. It had to be inviting as well as motivating. Most importantly however, it had to be a room that would not only look good but that I would <em><strong>use</strong></em>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe5uPZ0M9NZ3FkSLaNwvLP7_ZvS6VIKDuM1NTnB2KrLMAXT2_8Ed_J43lbt4HDfBJZ1MWihBtL3kPOCP8juj-Ocsfr_me5VKQ2May88PZ2sjIQkQqxpDIHiqbcWjDw5b8agITL3fMOkc/s1600/IMGP1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe5uPZ0M9NZ3FkSLaNwvLP7_ZvS6VIKDuM1NTnB2KrLMAXT2_8Ed_J43lbt4HDfBJZ1MWihBtL3kPOCP8juj-Ocsfr_me5VKQ2May88PZ2sjIQkQqxpDIHiqbcWjDw5b8agITL3fMOkc/s640/IMGP1370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Small May Be More</span></u></strong><br />
No need for lots of intimidating equipment here. Just enough space for one major piece of equipment and enough floor space to stretch and do some yoga. This room is tiny, only five feet by nine but thats perfectly fine. Fitness expert, Jessica Smith in article at <a href="http://www.bhg.com/health-family/fitness/set-up-your-own-home-gym/">Better Homes and Gardens</a> says, "Some of the most effective workouts come from simplicity- simple equipment and minimal space can help you create a regular, effective workout routine."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY01E4jaaX73Wnyaj2s8m3ekyt3KIYysAaJDez4xPyZCaUPLq0azx-7PgVMvin9V2iDlL1KHYNY3NZ3CojQNwLWdZZ_LM8hxBsI79F0jr_o1Z6fvJ68e1-4YGLodDTQl3-n0Qt1OZGNf8/s1600/IMGP1371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY01E4jaaX73Wnyaj2s8m3ekyt3KIYysAaJDez4xPyZCaUPLq0azx-7PgVMvin9V2iDlL1KHYNY3NZ3CojQNwLWdZZ_LM8hxBsI79F0jr_o1Z6fvJ68e1-4YGLodDTQl3-n0Qt1OZGNf8/s640/IMGP1371.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
To keep workout routines for becoming monotonous, there are a few extra exercise tools I incorporated to use for variety- resistance cords, an exercise ball, weights. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Color</u></strong></span><br />
I chose colors that would create a comfortable yet invigorating atmosphere. The lime green and turquoise wake me up and make me want to get moving.<br />
<br />
This canvas I painted with my color scheme and then decoupaged on images of simple stretch and ball exercises for easy reference plus a light-hearted reminder.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlZV8ib5uzNly8_nAscTRZYDFNKQEEIhyuxcw2-A_ajOa36hVUMCPr02dht1PYsbfZKvO6YGz3yO1UM945jUdWaMP62HcPQMvAv_d6-STfjlzlulETQ6zmwcFqHIXYGYsRmUPwCnlTfU/s1600/IMGP1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlZV8ib5uzNly8_nAscTRZYDFNKQEEIhyuxcw2-A_ajOa36hVUMCPr02dht1PYsbfZKvO6YGz3yO1UM945jUdWaMP62HcPQMvAv_d6-STfjlzlulETQ6zmwcFqHIXYGYsRmUPwCnlTfU/s640/IMGP1377.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Storage</span></u></strong><br />
The lime cabinet adds a punch of color but also neatly stores all the exercise videos and dvds, weights, yoga blocks and towels. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5mvyBjcbs1v0YJX-eLZqHJQ-7-U2R8nUjH85ZqQWPqW_GnK_DzHQcvNImGWLiEgPBvCnciag2cxYa24VnHZKgXaVM8MqWShi9BM6K5xvZAcAkqxOEZ-Q6F9DMTMrH1p5Dek6GqF54Rc/s1600/IMGP1381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5mvyBjcbs1v0YJX-eLZqHJQ-7-U2R8nUjH85ZqQWPqW_GnK_DzHQcvNImGWLiEgPBvCnciag2cxYa24VnHZKgXaVM8MqWShi9BM6K5xvZAcAkqxOEZ-Q6F9DMTMrH1p5Dek6GqF54Rc/s640/IMGP1381.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgjicyVD70XL7gp8Wc7naY10HXaWuDutzEuFSL8ukVeWVD5HYbqfRjCcrYa1zGVMAx0vQxuD_Omv-nruXxXAPyWTuql-Os71fTH8PJMmGWmbYU89XoxaL7oCA_j2TckzuyNt9HwTUZB11o/s1600/IMGP1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjicyVD70XL7gp8Wc7naY10HXaWuDutzEuFSL8ukVeWVD5HYbqfRjCcrYa1zGVMAx0vQxuD_Omv-nruXxXAPyWTuql-Os71fTH8PJMmGWmbYU89XoxaL7oCA_j2TckzuyNt9HwTUZB11o/s640/IMGP1379.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Inspiration</span></u></strong><br />
Being surrounded by inspirational images and words is critical in a space like this. A memo board hangs above the cabinet- a place where I can tack up motivating quotes and pictures and easily change them as often as I like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yhnXqU1iVtI8VNo80Ko2nR1e0MVxMuozq56miCRB7WEa0jm-Ava25J-tA8l4IWstSEqIgzmP_7tLeMLELgv2-jcX7LNEI1c1R1g4BTjWQPmGvfF87mY3wB0vRYoCUxg1Y54hH6rBkYs/s1600/IMGP1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yhnXqU1iVtI8VNo80Ko2nR1e0MVxMuozq56miCRB7WEa0jm-Ava25J-tA8l4IWstSEqIgzmP_7tLeMLELgv2-jcX7LNEI1c1R1g4BTjWQPmGvfF87mY3wB0vRYoCUxg1Y54hH6rBkYs/s640/IMGP1378.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Instead of an all out beach theme, the starfish and shells are the subtle reminders I need that bathing suit season is just around the corner. The yearly planner I purchased to track my progress also features palm trees and beach scenes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTOi7k8Q5REPkwhnEfm1l5sBeGX8M9zKqSYibB9ZfIa_Epfs9JFT8dy_i8F-FjGHvOc5pU4eRH8Z2H2nZo24xyhFLbWCpK3vspfAjb_YNHVKfYXz5r2uUhOSfxvqBPn3fqnRdJrqfet0/s1600/IMGP1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTOi7k8Q5REPkwhnEfm1l5sBeGX8M9zKqSYibB9ZfIa_Epfs9JFT8dy_i8F-FjGHvOc5pU4eRH8Z2H2nZo24xyhFLbWCpK3vspfAjb_YNHVKfYXz5r2uUhOSfxvqBPn3fqnRdJrqfet0/s640/IMGP1372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The mirrors I <a href="http://betweencottageandcabin.blogspot.com/2011/01/motivational-mirrors-etching-tutorial.html">etched</a> with the words- aspire, believe, energize and achieve.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnszHGkNasUdjDKLECMJHZP1NNRPMpHX4NkVDig32e8WBEtkyWPFnvZ2esGFBNlnvlUR2N4HGoh8V6nGCV8MHXQVQ9VYZVZqzChKaUKu-F66_gA-w0tx3sQettFOK3JpfyXGDTY_KrD0o/s1600/IMGP1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnszHGkNasUdjDKLECMJHZP1NNRPMpHX4NkVDig32e8WBEtkyWPFnvZ2esGFBNlnvlUR2N4HGoh8V6nGCV8MHXQVQ9VYZVZqzChKaUKu-F66_gA-w0tx3sQettFOK3JpfyXGDTY_KrD0o/s640/IMGP1375.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Waking the Senses</span></u></strong><br />
Any well decorated room will please all the senses including your nose. Keeping the room smelling nice is key especially in a room where there will be lots of sweat. This reed diffuser decorated with shells accomplishs just that. The plants help give the room a fresh look and also help clean and purify the air. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9QxdMYc5m5nN4A9hrG32BshCnUTksdfZ2-qTFPFaTYIbX_bgG_yPEwv7DF447bSxU0gpPYo9qMLlHSpLoUBN3OWYo0uaWsuVsN7EhuBRzHsx7LpvcjNtl99ix6HX0SMs65JpybqltqA/s1600/IMGP1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9QxdMYc5m5nN4A9hrG32BshCnUTksdfZ2-qTFPFaTYIbX_bgG_yPEwv7DF447bSxU0gpPYo9qMLlHSpLoUBN3OWYo0uaWsuVsN7EhuBRzHsx7LpvcjNtl99ix6HX0SMs65JpybqltqA/s640/IMGP1374.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
With a simple, motivating space like this I am well on my way to a healthier me.<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /><br />
<br />
Linking to <a href="http://betweencottageandcabin.blogspot.com/p/link-parties.html">these great parties.</a> Check out all the talent too!Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-3635206890406271522011-01-27T07:26:00.000-08:002011-01-27T07:26:44.363-08:00One of those days...We are stuck in the house on another snow day and I feel a case of some serious cabin fever about to settle in. <br />
A little dose of "why we love snow days" is in order. Lest we forget why we start wishing for these days in the first place.<br />
First remedy, pile on the marshmellows. <br />
Why just cover the top of your hot cocoa when you can cover the top of your cupcake too?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuJ7frDLcxOoFyNh3S79jkhuXJquMHDidm9E_lirSmOVTYa45bpdkDR8WzAYfp1E4cTrX0ER7Hvf4sh84EUm0zk_H8fJav60E49Hcqt6OPOb8qhicKUnqVpt_4VHu-wr3NKRmQ58jgeo/s1600/IMGP1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuJ7frDLcxOoFyNh3S79jkhuXJquMHDidm9E_lirSmOVTYa45bpdkDR8WzAYfp1E4cTrX0ER7Hvf4sh84EUm0zk_H8fJav60E49Hcqt6OPOb8qhicKUnqVpt_4VHu-wr3NKRmQ58jgeo/s640/IMGP1323.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEjGKm24zJmqu9NFGHfqt5bwvefsjOp4VFYqikQcx0baZXJkWY8N9-ShYA6bLd6DGkB5nu0Q1Yk5G0au5W7ZXqFitsBTBXjZujBIVA5hFfHUaURYE6qHvZiQ5xz6OkWaZc9B0kUkdGYtTOY/s1600/IMGP1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKm24zJmqu9NFGHfqt5bwvefsjOp4VFYqikQcx0baZXJkWY8N9-ShYA6bLd6DGkB5nu0Q1Yk5G0au5W7ZXqFitsBTBXjZujBIVA5hFfHUaURYE6qHvZiQ5xz6OkWaZc9B0kUkdGYtTOY/s640/IMGP1322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An extra special sugary snow day treat, is just what the doctor ordered for the girls.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As for this housebound mom, staying in my pjs all day will do just as nicely.</div><br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-20018415209132433162011-01-17T09:07:00.000-08:002011-01-17T09:07:39.990-08:00building the exercise roomWhen I first came up with this crazy idea to carve out some space in the basement for exercising, I thought we could just hang some curtains to section off the space. It was Mr. Cabin who suggested we actually build a real room with real walls and a real door. I don't know why I am suprized with the way it came out. After all, this man did build me an entire cabin- he evidentally knows what he is doing! Yet his carpentry skills never cease to amaze. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">He turned an icky section of the basement that looked like this-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsVmzDnLpCvli7f03Jo5qxNFDxWklLIIh2lp6kMn6w4RuiwFCWPqRNQ7RuW3qNJ5-rRvrE5mxsz8OD7LjtVZTrqnN1SpAi8i5ow_idYd252Yn93tUKBg0u97qoMWbkK1LDCf_ROfIICA/s1600/IMGP1174-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsVmzDnLpCvli7f03Jo5qxNFDxWklLIIh2lp6kMn6w4RuiwFCWPqRNQ7RuW3qNJ5-rRvrE5mxsz8OD7LjtVZTrqnN1SpAi8i5ow_idYd252Yn93tUKBg0u97qoMWbkK1LDCf_ROfIICA/s400/IMGP1174-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...into <strong><em>this</em></strong>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHqqDtYA5glmu76lChxsQ9S244F_YclwDA-kvIHBCGhDEg5-r4h1w1BeoaQL3aZGQzn-X57vQVoMp1uUKp8PDkPzVZmXvdwCFtME91ntuYLkdchoP3lnsP2bBhfTl0BVF9eEIrg7gy_Y/s1600/IMGP1360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHqqDtYA5glmu76lChxsQ9S244F_YclwDA-kvIHBCGhDEg5-r4h1w1BeoaQL3aZGQzn-X57vQVoMp1uUKp8PDkPzVZmXvdwCFtME91ntuYLkdchoP3lnsP2bBhfTl0BVF9eEIrg7gy_Y/s640/IMGP1360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because Mr. Cabin loathes spackling and sanding we decided not use traditional sheetrock. He suggested this beadboard paneling and because I love the cottage look of beadboard, I was all for it.</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/AVvXsEjJPhu3cR_8enbDjE7PnYGvgRJZ799UChoHAW5I4lvXP5gN60Nr2IBtGRSBr6VTCAc87hZPtMzfA0BhxtJnyPsnG7cvSypjaHnzyuuSM5jGV8NzuhVK1rsdwGMtzuUo1t8gU_CMhJJGV9o/s1600/IMGP1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPhu3cR_8enbDjE7PnYGvgRJZ799UChoHAW5I4lvXP5gN60Nr2IBtGRSBr6VTCAc87hZPtMzfA0BhxtJnyPsnG7cvSypjaHnzyuuSM5jGV8NzuhVK1rsdwGMtzuUo1t8gU_CMhJJGV9o/s640/IMGP1362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to leave the beams exposed in the ceiling but they were pretty disgusting and Mr. Cabin said it wouldn't look good so instead he used cedar planking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the rustic combination of the cedar and the beadboard. </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/AVvXsEjLRc5B0XFwzNPR8_c94_FYQ3kijdsFJZLztnr7D0gQHWtBI_ugAfMXQMxv7DHqrzwFP-HqojxCJg7dMXdlTibqk5gz9Ij9aE7hQMw6BgWRtuVTKGaSUmtl3P3JoGKu-fYCo2W0VIE8V3k/s1600/IMGP1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRc5B0XFwzNPR8_c94_FYQ3kijdsFJZLztnr7D0gQHWtBI_ugAfMXQMxv7DHqrzwFP-HqojxCJg7dMXdlTibqk5gz9Ij9aE7hQMw6BgWRtuVTKGaSUmtl3P3JoGKu-fYCo2W0VIE8V3k/s640/IMGP1363.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mr. Cabin suprized me with these recessed lights and trim rings. </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/AVvXsEgeI5mWKBv4p0VavJixeWRne0d7P7nG9FeQiexlafwqkckKIRt28W6QMdrWOtWcm_z1L_C5ebkNDmuMSQ-_2u2UU3oEHjp-Gb7Fm6QqfpqZnRUIsSOqQe3kaXclgioo-uv4zy1o7G6BQfY/s1600/IMGP1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeI5mWKBv4p0VavJixeWRne0d7P7nG9FeQiexlafwqkckKIRt28W6QMdrWOtWcm_z1L_C5ebkNDmuMSQ-_2u2UU3oEHjp-Gb7Fm6QqfpqZnRUIsSOqQe3kaXclgioo-uv4zy1o7G6BQfY/s640/IMGP1364.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We used carpet tiles on the floor. The floor is very uneven so this was the easiest option.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that the building is done, it is my turn to decorate and turn it into an exercise room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has to be one heck of an inviting and invigorating space that I will use all the time. If I don't, Mr.Cabin has threathened to turn the room into his video game lounge!</div><br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-39557181089446050062011-01-08T15:14:00.000-08:002011-01-08T15:14:07.859-08:00Motivational Mirrors: Etching Tutorial While Mr. Cabin has been toiling away in the basement trying to finish building me my little exercise room, I have been busy with a few projects of my own trying to make the space inviting and inspiring.<br />
<br />
Most traditional gym and exercise spaces feature an entire wall of mirrors. While I have nothing against giant mirrors, purchasing one for the space was not within our budget.<br />
Besides I already know what I look like, right? Only staring at myself sweating while I was exercising- not very motivating. So I decided to use several smaller mirrors which I am going to incorporate into a collage with some other art work.<br />
To get more bang for my decorating buck and my wall space as well, I decided to try etching different motivational words onto each of the mirrors. <br />
If you would like to try it out too, here's what you'll need: mirror or glass, etching cream, an exacto knife, clear contact paper and words or images printed on paper.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's what I did. First, I printed out the words I chose from the computer. Then I cut out large pieces of contact paper. I made the contact paper pieces slighter larger than my 12 x 12 mirrors.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRltCu_5m_vAo0_VwFfhEoX0M5Ze9uL9eAIIF07H1V2oKyoTSsXR7FjLSSn77HW1QYWNxnoY7k8r_wCF_ivx9ICxjZRRgq_EB21NG5oOpKtUoXPbxEhgvczwIdfdfRtRACF9s8EjBVhPs/s1600/IMGP1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRltCu_5m_vAo0_VwFfhEoX0M5Ze9uL9eAIIF07H1V2oKyoTSsXR7FjLSSn77HW1QYWNxnoY7k8r_wCF_ivx9ICxjZRRgq_EB21NG5oOpKtUoXPbxEhgvczwIdfdfRtRACF9s8EjBVhPs/s400/IMGP1349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next, I taped the words upside down to the underside of the contact paper.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQQcZ_yRnB8fetTHIHAXgLTohjjWdHKZxW2d7whbxrhoeL7d6tRYKpIO222i7JdZKwFo78v5pA0tJKEMfarHow_4vPWXPlQJgHdewkDrTsCWTlAlaRfXvUhB6qw2V__BZmc4FROdTMGE/s1600/IMGP1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQQcZ_yRnB8fetTHIHAXgLTohjjWdHKZxW2d7whbxrhoeL7d6tRYKpIO222i7JdZKwFo78v5pA0tJKEMfarHow_4vPWXPlQJgHdewkDrTsCWTlAlaRfXvUhB6qw2V__BZmc4FROdTMGE/s400/IMGP1350.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Then I flipped the paper over and traced each word onto the vinyl.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3N9qhW_LRgAQ1TLnC9XetRGIyg0GbYWqA-9217bxYjceewpB74smopkwbTBLDFvwanmMV0qSq1rjMh_cb7bPaEfTLjLMLflGqp8pya6EwL04M3Bjq2Skyxt6dnl5Ccn8UbzjvBFlhRyU/s1600/IMGP1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3N9qhW_LRgAQ1TLnC9XetRGIyg0GbYWqA-9217bxYjceewpB74smopkwbTBLDFvwanmMV0qSq1rjMh_cb7bPaEfTLjLMLflGqp8pya6EwL04M3Bjq2Skyxt6dnl5Ccn8UbzjvBFlhRyU/s400/IMGP1351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Then I removed the words and the paper backing from the contact paper and carefully adhered the sheet to the mirror. I used a credit card to help smooth out the bubbles. The extra contact paper I rolled over the edges, which helped protect me from being cut while I was handling the mirror.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPICoHGrlfHXD5m2xWdyrq6ZEzZofv7RhavyqoiwmE8p88SBqldm0UvpVUnsRgm4bBWn_DDUCDjFLVJ_HEZyUtq8873UKOo30wrOEciVDbCjMiA746eCS0mpmj2ddZV_xsEoiDiqK3eo/s1600/IMGP1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPICoHGrlfHXD5m2xWdyrq6ZEzZofv7RhavyqoiwmE8p88SBqldm0UvpVUnsRgm4bBWn_DDUCDjFLVJ_HEZyUtq8873UKOo30wrOEciVDbCjMiA746eCS0mpmj2ddZV_xsEoiDiqK3eo/s400/IMGP1352.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Next, I used an exacto knife to cut out each letter. I have to mention my new favorite letter of the alphabet is now<strong><em> v</em></strong>...such a simple letter to cut out- gotta love it.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr1_p6CIiNmppiHQ3FOVuazUR6B-74tJhxhBaaycZJW1WcTReouHvrAh9njt8LRZB-WTCK8upE57zC1XOopaJe3x8vZitp_exB7cMRGry1dYBphzEOw0M0mKrBPigv4pGVpIwewnhWy4/s1600/IMGP1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr1_p6CIiNmppiHQ3FOVuazUR6B-74tJhxhBaaycZJW1WcTReouHvrAh9njt8LRZB-WTCK8upE57zC1XOopaJe3x8vZitp_exB7cMRGry1dYBphzEOw0M0mKrBPigv4pGVpIwewnhWy4/s400/IMGP1354.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Finally, I was ready to apply the etching cream. I will admit the warnings on the bottle did have me a little scared. "May be fatal," is not a warning I take lightly. So I donned my protective goggles, a pair of chemical resistant latex gloves and turned the exhaust fan on in the kitchen before I was ready to proceed. </div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT0ge0wRE9yYzUIIRrk_VvV-tqTBohAQGY_OmC5z6f3RFX3YeXNB7xkfGbb6PWauiAHdtf0bJn2RAEc7nd8Kv0TAuHFDnRy_p328TOcsyMmdmbxFnKmwsx98zdbgqzygBP1hiWyPqWbQ/s1600/IMGP1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT0ge0wRE9yYzUIIRrk_VvV-tqTBohAQGY_OmC5z6f3RFX3YeXNB7xkfGbb6PWauiAHdtf0bJn2RAEc7nd8Kv0TAuHFDnRy_p328TOcsyMmdmbxFnKmwsx98zdbgqzygBP1hiWyPqWbQ/s400/IMGP1355.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I followed the directions on the bottle. I applied a think layer of etching cream, waited five minutes then rinsed with water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1m1B1nCbTLFsBeCVEz4PpkXbmNNpJ2CpkMQESFpgOAvNO3Yw5qMewRZ4b9jLpVqWXKmfryFjymOAaKV2ffOux4CE2gqmdNpMrOqQe8Kmev-Q-Sr2W27m4S6mFfBXf1mN7u2ykJLtxcY/s1600/IMGP1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1m1B1nCbTLFsBeCVEz4PpkXbmNNpJ2CpkMQESFpgOAvNO3Yw5qMewRZ4b9jLpVqWXKmfryFjymOAaKV2ffOux4CE2gqmdNpMrOqQe8Kmev-Q-Sr2W27m4S6mFfBXf1mN7u2ykJLtxcY/s400/IMGP1356.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The finished product. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was actually surprised with how easy this was. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I may even try etching words on a bathroom mirror soon too.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKDHuWuuH-fsHMbAuAsKZRH-47TXP7LA8B0azARw7UvnDkY9IZaNWZMJ6Fu-CrJI0vy8CnjOUNLIsab4IDVLzUn4aXRYDqQ8m4jiZu-gjur7enLhODYqaW_M_dZsdx2uOT9Mf_Eot11I/s1600/IMGP1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKDHuWuuH-fsHMbAuAsKZRH-47TXP7LA8B0azARw7UvnDkY9IZaNWZMJ6Fu-CrJI0vy8CnjOUNLIsab4IDVLzUn4aXRYDqQ8m4jiZu-gjur7enLhODYqaW_M_dZsdx2uOT9Mf_Eot11I/s400/IMGP1357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Anyone curious what the other words I chose were? <br />
Come on back for the grand reveal of the exercise room.<br />
Cross your fingers for me it will be real soon, <br />
<img height="34" src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" width="200" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-30523538343047558942011-01-05T15:36:00.000-08:002011-01-05T15:36:33.873-08:00Bathroom Make-do<div style="text-align: center;">Centsational Girl is hosting a link party on bathroom makeovers. Our upstairs bathroom wasn't a make-over but more of a make-do. This bathroom needs to be gutted completely and totally redone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> In the meantime, here are the few things we have done to make it a more enjoyable space. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmShaNQ8Q0e4Ghl2wu99T_ysXUtJkLUoKEVwrYD5Rll3Sr84DnuqZV-IXCAVyy6A5DN564NfYYRlYBZhk7lCvkiONAYhnsX0kLmCChYPkSSJEOtssm70MayyBVsWNZ9_LwN6N9-F0K48/s1600/IMGP0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmShaNQ8Q0e4Ghl2wu99T_ysXUtJkLUoKEVwrYD5Rll3Sr84DnuqZV-IXCAVyy6A5DN564NfYYRlYBZhk7lCvkiONAYhnsX0kLmCChYPkSSJEOtssm70MayyBVsWNZ9_LwN6N9-F0K48/s640/IMGP0745.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bottom half of the walls is yellow FRP. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I had no idea what that was- I had to ask Mr. Cabin. According to him, FRP is fiberglass reinforced panels. Basically it is vinyl yellow paneling.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You really can't paint over the FRP so I had to find a way to make it work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finding inspiration in the rug I bought, I chose to paint the top half purple. The two colors are a bright combination that works well in the small space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I brought in the tower from the girl's old nursery. It used to hold diapers and things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Now it is the perfect place for the towels and the extra toilet paper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dragonfly print and the frog loofahs add a bit of whimsy and fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhCT_3TmhDX0wd5YR9pBiFW_8U1BUc5luhWQPOnSS9VPxvOByCj5FGnzBDSlxZO_b67ft_dK79L8KAlk_NNcrANAamrtgJkqG3bFezSc5KTJMmw0WSbpbSGDvHL7iq9RIyu22qYg36DY7g/s1600/IMGP0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT_3TmhDX0wd5YR9pBiFW_8U1BUc5luhWQPOnSS9VPxvOByCj5FGnzBDSlxZO_b67ft_dK79L8KAlk_NNcrANAamrtgJkqG3bFezSc5KTJMmw0WSbpbSGDvHL7iq9RIyu22qYg36DY7g/s640/IMGP0746.JPG" width="426" /></a></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/AVvXsEgCpyvQiL6LyJZfM1GlMCJjyPqRxOtwHB8l5dSB4gEWgI_hYA-YkR1hgtZDN4wgd_GbDqRQec7BPQSfoFbqyZuKU2xutYkrp5fmOYN34FXqhtjfK3fcjPIuJZoBpkfGQc-N_-Rn81gEvHc/s1600/IMGP0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpyvQiL6LyJZfM1GlMCJjyPqRxOtwHB8l5dSB4gEWgI_hYA-YkR1hgtZDN4wgd_GbDqRQec7BPQSfoFbqyZuKU2xutYkrp5fmOYN34FXqhtjfK3fcjPIuJZoBpkfGQc-N_-Rn81gEvHc/s400/IMGP0747.JPG" width="400" /></a></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/AVvXsEj4zUGTzgq191JVpg_gtnpIK0X_EBzQwP3C1HUPy5zqzWuPyN_RUr72Osvtv-I2VikAbueTHBLtLK4oUKpWO8y6q7wg2J_oSdNxeB9rR_mQt69oudOTVjT58G_yb0EzGwHFizJYnIpZcfw/s1600/IMGP0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zUGTzgq191JVpg_gtnpIK0X_EBzQwP3C1HUPy5zqzWuPyN_RUr72Osvtv-I2VikAbueTHBLtLK4oUKpWO8y6q7wg2J_oSdNxeB9rR_mQt69oudOTVjT58G_yb0EzGwHFizJYnIpZcfw/s640/IMGP0749.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This vanity was white with gold. Yuck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> So while we wait to rip it out completely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> a little decorative painting has become my favorite make-do of all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be sure to check out all the rest of the bathroom make-overs at <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/01/budget-bathroom-makeover-linky/">Centsational Girl</a>s blog. </div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-61945764200124744972010-12-31T13:17:00.000-08:002010-12-31T13:54:06.861-08:00Cottage Winter Whites<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAb2bFWNhPcWOLtP2US_9hZ6sy675dHy5ZrBC6rw7e3ifSIHNmfTS5xJjTHL0JD0ryU1WRJbIOHVdFWDsix05B1PxQya-5NmfbG5sKqrpuQNu4xH2dhh2ktMVDrNo_C42yh1wUWnGQFs/s1600/IMGP1338.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556947759789209170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAb2bFWNhPcWOLtP2US_9hZ6sy675dHy5ZrBC6rw7e3ifSIHNmfTS5xJjTHL0JD0ryU1WRJbIOHVdFWDsix05B1PxQya-5NmfbG5sKqrpuQNu4xH2dhh2ktMVDrNo_C42yh1wUWnGQFs/s640/IMGP1338.JPG" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoNCmpdQQ6fh4pDwdzeNsrWpvOUNk77FJ6wPWvDwCVHBkStW1TEwHpqxmzoPcE1WdzOaFoi04lNe3KyHqUlK0-0XuF6eYz_1fFttuCh6_-2_mj88OW3CfPkhiYZqXAAYz-98JRs2RMCg/s1600/IMGP1344.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556946990304807378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoNCmpdQQ6fh4pDwdzeNsrWpvOUNk77FJ6wPWvDwCVHBkStW1TEwHpqxmzoPcE1WdzOaFoi04lNe3KyHqUlK0-0XuF6eYz_1fFttuCh6_-2_mj88OW3CfPkhiYZqXAAYz-98JRs2RMCg/s640/IMGP1344.JPG" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYoC7oqZuunxVKQ9-58v1-uRuukWkIKmX_0lCTYVTKBI9E-E2Xnpu9E7aim0zHOVb_n41jGaOy-bDBhVJJfpbxoxHe1WUQrvYNZ1ws7alT0uunUqnlVTP-myQcUOuiy2CCiCbSQj8viA/s1600/IMGP1334.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556946734306009842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYoC7oqZuunxVKQ9-58v1-uRuukWkIKmX_0lCTYVTKBI9E-E2Xnpu9E7aim0zHOVb_n41jGaOy-bDBhVJJfpbxoxHe1WUQrvYNZ1ws7alT0uunUqnlVTP-myQcUOuiy2CCiCbSQj8viA/s640/IMGP1334.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" width="425" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkz6waWZuQf7SULfREtuQmF_VFHn6fr9m0RF1tzdxiXmsRBBrf8tyYR1_DbWQZO4ivTYd91_mq0NyZV5MktJnCtZGj-_tqpO_wDxThF4qi2SlhqrmPzscHBi_TEThjiqnafuoKKbOGOg/s1600/IMGP1336.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556945131055259330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkz6waWZuQf7SULfREtuQmF_VFHn6fr9m0RF1tzdxiXmsRBBrf8tyYR1_DbWQZO4ivTYd91_mq0NyZV5MktJnCtZGj-_tqpO_wDxThF4qi2SlhqrmPzscHBi_TEThjiqnafuoKKbOGOg/s640/IMGP1336.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" width="425" /></a><br />
<div><div><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mwKDG5CArUitjRw_E4uHtJI_6-i_c8IX-gf37tzuq6HkWQKuG7R5sExiYA_I5tym4W-qMuVHFA-jgoQN_j1v858BI_peYaZWgCGEEnk0KZhD_WBqwSUxcCd0IdY-wlnh9g7RtrgLeXE/s1600/IMGP1348.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556944818559779810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mwKDG5CArUitjRw_E4uHtJI_6-i_c8IX-gf37tzuq6HkWQKuG7R5sExiYA_I5tym4W-qMuVHFA-jgoQN_j1v858BI_peYaZWgCGEEnk0KZhD_WBqwSUxcCd0IdY-wlnh9g7RtrgLeXE/s400/IMGP1348.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 304px;" width="304" /></a> The holidays were magical this year with our daughters. <br />
Nothing can compare to the pure joy and bliss of Christmas seen through the eyes of a child. <br />
We tried to savor every moment.<br />
<br />
Now that the hustle and bustle is dying down a bit, we are looking forward to the new year.<br />
Filling the cottage with simple winter whites, speaks to me of the fresh possibilities the new year will bring.<br />
<br />
Thank you for sharing our journey this year between the cottage and the cabin. <br />
<br />
Happy 2011...<br />
<br />
<div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-61959773493705227002010-12-04T08:28:00.000-08:002010-12-04T08:28:42.919-08:00Mermaid Party<div style="text-align: left;">The girls' 4th birthday party was a swimming party at our local YMCA.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Although it was the end of November, our mermaid theme got everyone in the mood to want to dive right into the water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm-QqTWcLqY_Xk6oIcT-ihImJ3oeT41wgAvVJSR361jgNAXgIinm2aArT6WXRZtvp_Gsb9aE00vMevBEEmRPKyamYA8R4FawNCiZsgzJ8gR0JmgQL78rXv8zvf4HZeROLHbZpUG9kcKs/s1600/IMGP1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm-QqTWcLqY_Xk6oIcT-ihImJ3oeT41wgAvVJSR361jgNAXgIinm2aArT6WXRZtvp_Gsb9aE00vMevBEEmRPKyamYA8R4FawNCiZsgzJ8gR0JmgQL78rXv8zvf4HZeROLHbZpUG9kcKs/s640/IMGP1184.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Divyo-uEIZCmk0tEclTaOWLM57PqpRqzXYPa846PbVsp6BvLdug_6NdmlWA_E8D-_BlvN3ybrqacsivjApiIBVZuRk13JnbCpmd-OmVn5hNHvQiC_3hh5EA1mXeCY6t1zbKvnUBwWXo/s1600/IMGP1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Divyo-uEIZCmk0tEclTaOWLM57PqpRqzXYPa846PbVsp6BvLdug_6NdmlWA_E8D-_BlvN3ybrqacsivjApiIBVZuRk13JnbCpmd-OmVn5hNHvQiC_3hh5EA1mXeCY6t1zbKvnUBwWXo/s640/IMGP1159.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5xYWMn1zYF-yPBbrix31amBqVeVdn7t8UfYBWjY-fD3QEGSTMu-_iT4gt6YeXQwfWw4D6ZsC1lCZHJaJGeMjsmDpOINQClSr2vgc-gpFhT967evWol9-gk8khkbeT-qks84MI4lQIcQ/s1600/IMGP1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5xYWMn1zYF-yPBbrix31amBqVeVdn7t8UfYBWjY-fD3QEGSTMu-_iT4gt6YeXQwfWw4D6ZsC1lCZHJaJGeMjsmDpOINQClSr2vgc-gpFhT967evWol9-gk8khkbeT-qks84MI4lQIcQ/s640/IMGP1088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_540524320"></span><span id="goog_540524321"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTwjm6otiJR0QVthtYnpWpoT95K6DAHX1trXfOST2lk46oxY2pHHX1iCp3VSZhvSAE8aNIPzTl9l52kdUW1Hok1L3Fe4kYZXp1GzyOqnmAzituGxOX7tkIpY9RJXhpYF5pfQbvIVlyoI/s1600/IMGP1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTwjm6otiJR0QVthtYnpWpoT95K6DAHX1trXfOST2lk46oxY2pHHX1iCp3VSZhvSAE8aNIPzTl9l52kdUW1Hok1L3Fe4kYZXp1GzyOqnmAzituGxOX7tkIpY9RJXhpYF5pfQbvIVlyoI/s640/IMGP1085.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ22zBdCF90qtkThAleo175G5sJy5AXaf0544iQ_xlFgiJLUMtUkC_H3zYncjnIFlc4ZtrY7w5rDioig3cErcJsk_N912GI-ZvwcqhylO_GGw_yL_pBTpqPMWf48_hs2Ljz8uEs6YF_Y/s1600/IMGP1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ22zBdCF90qtkThAleo175G5sJy5AXaf0544iQ_xlFgiJLUMtUkC_H3zYncjnIFlc4ZtrY7w5rDioig3cErcJsk_N912GI-ZvwcqhylO_GGw_yL_pBTpqPMWf48_hs2Ljz8uEs6YF_Y/s640/IMGP1096.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEitvlajkIJFRo8XeiIdOSHB0LuvQ9fpkttUiUBmObZpxV-aYMQdPOPZ3NXp1_kn6IkcjxvlhOU0n9ZStAVLECR4BgmnsLz7duaqsEOsGfO8tVx5TgStoZ0PHYZrvWXaCOZS-9HtYzdEYO8/s1600/IMGP1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="379" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvlajkIJFRo8XeiIdOSHB0LuvQ9fpkttUiUBmObZpxV-aYMQdPOPZ3NXp1_kn6IkcjxvlhOU0n9ZStAVLECR4BgmnsLz7duaqsEOsGfO8tVx5TgStoZ0PHYZrvWXaCOZS-9HtYzdEYO8/s640/IMGP1094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEjvCBJAEADV2p2oPz243B3bcEZ814x7uBRFuHYzOLLEefAUEq5h32xhM604b7FmgI2ZTyImQaxGPsqxsH5-1_T6c8gIVBDWtIvp9uR1dT52qxhWEtIm-F0QsrKRx42pl4JnAtCTlMvvFrs/s1600/IMGP1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCBJAEADV2p2oPz243B3bcEZ814x7uBRFuHYzOLLEefAUEq5h32xhM604b7FmgI2ZTyImQaxGPsqxsH5-1_T6c8gIVBDWtIvp9uR1dT52qxhWEtIm-F0QsrKRx42pl4JnAtCTlMvvFrs/s640/IMGP1098.jpg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjLKswRicLf_WBW4SdGxpIdn7x5EA7HVoByhhSVoFntYEu6gQQLDzhCSHiQpwLg2VEnxUp0WqRZOKO0lrDf8A7-cp6JPWM-VnmwLJ2o-QdRPeQp3UB0qPJaNpVwOXrvSXHVfQMVBgaejMM/s1600/IMGP1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKswRicLf_WBW4SdGxpIdn7x5EA7HVoByhhSVoFntYEu6gQQLDzhCSHiQpwLg2VEnxUp0WqRZOKO0lrDf8A7-cp6JPWM-VnmwLJ2o-QdRPeQp3UB0qPJaNpVwOXrvSXHVfQMVBgaejMM/s640/IMGP1127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEh-1c2qHhD6EU3ghLz2C4LYbVSX3DsSGjnssn5F6dKFfXoQlNVlIAr3NjTG4O-Fygg5F7WFgr0O8B0hA5gkZJYAYP5Ws_tz1RHz7w_YHDQ5ZTe1y5RCv7Jit2FGPUr1qEWN1z62NMnzL3g/s1600/IMGP1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1c2qHhD6EU3ghLz2C4LYbVSX3DsSGjnssn5F6dKFfXoQlNVlIAr3NjTG4O-Fygg5F7WFgr0O8B0hA5gkZJYAYP5Ws_tz1RHz7w_YHDQ5ZTe1y5RCv7Jit2FGPUr1qEWN1z62NMnzL3g/s640/IMGP1093.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEgrdDUk-TFuv2D4fv0Tm6eyJOL1jKYDDBqKyzauHzrDtRP15PWgDwBBY8fA53bYEXjy0MNDEU0qjuSDB1hwS_whWifNI35rmeiF-ASItIr5iEXa9PbB4X8S6gP8ReUp33qbtveSI8cXJn4/s1600/IMGP1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdDUk-TFuv2D4fv0Tm6eyJOL1jKYDDBqKyzauHzrDtRP15PWgDwBBY8fA53bYEXjy0MNDEU0qjuSDB1hwS_whWifNI35rmeiF-ASItIr5iEXa9PbB4X8S6gP8ReUp33qbtveSI8cXJn4/s640/IMGP1183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhmo8Y2yXQ1S777a5V9zQsZC9ye0Idy4U9_6aKRLpA4OmrByz2afuEwVqCUXUdyheXCj6hdJFonLX3sUfcrJUGVbtLnBU_vgbtmNldu2SrLxO0W9sZtdmYcs0hsp4ypWUPVukCcv7_PjKE/s1600/IMGP1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo8Y2yXQ1S777a5V9zQsZC9ye0Idy4U9_6aKRLpA4OmrByz2afuEwVqCUXUdyheXCj6hdJFonLX3sUfcrJUGVbtLnBU_vgbtmNldu2SrLxO0W9sZtdmYcs0hsp4ypWUPVukCcv7_PjKE/s640/IMGP1179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEh-z3yCHZrS6UkK5rPud-myjG9CpPdW3pDmxmMHi7RfWhIeD8Vn3BTL6kF9EvOI3ZjNyPfN3zpV-bg5qr7UCgRmfIfkz6jusnUmw5azpx8bdcfckMB5b9jtYwYeRRy83MUHjwADbVJXlHY/s1600/IMGP1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z3yCHZrS6UkK5rPud-myjG9CpPdW3pDmxmMHi7RfWhIeD8Vn3BTL6kF9EvOI3ZjNyPfN3zpV-bg5qr7UCgRmfIfkz6jusnUmw5azpx8bdcfckMB5b9jtYwYeRRy83MUHjwADbVJXlHY/s640/IMGP1180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOklkUIPCSgeW5X_xAlZaqgzCP8cs3XnR9lTt6jNKlG4A74eylXV7PbFHYNpiyEGEuQHVVar4bdfDujFpGbQHYJSuP9UkpQwWNJYUCkFdYC0CVYv6d1hDfp7wkETzjSzcpLbZUn6WlfIM/s1600/IMGP0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOklkUIPCSgeW5X_xAlZaqgzCP8cs3XnR9lTt6jNKlG4A74eylXV7PbFHYNpiyEGEuQHVVar4bdfDujFpGbQHYJSuP9UkpQwWNJYUCkFdYC0CVYv6d1hDfp7wkETzjSzcpLbZUn6WlfIM/s640/IMGP0778.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLgpkjYhRSKxnKeRBs8KPmEodOgR62vIQ1I_7BOxThxjn5qlQakfVnwWOH02pntcE32nEMlX95FTTDWvb3yQbBMc2AH-uuLDwDUjAGEhyphenhyphencpc5SwMG7csQ62_mNGqjTi1zN-m4BAF6iZY/s1600/IMGP1116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLgpkjYhRSKxnKeRBs8KPmEodOgR62vIQ1I_7BOxThxjn5qlQakfVnwWOH02pntcE32nEMlX95FTTDWvb3yQbBMc2AH-uuLDwDUjAGEhyphenhyphencpc5SwMG7csQ62_mNGqjTi1zN-m4BAF6iZY/s640/IMGP1116.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkD6O_WKNQrvSqyTCpJ47uNA4VwpltnoYLgTYDCs1GtZ1YUs6SCfRAVEd7JfM98rjnK3BSMLt3upWSMS27TdEfJPCId_bml4DRWbR2843Huby0UdPSv27zGW8Uob41NtpEGt0_gIgWwM/s1600/IMGP1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkD6O_WKNQrvSqyTCpJ47uNA4VwpltnoYLgTYDCs1GtZ1YUs6SCfRAVEd7JfM98rjnK3BSMLt3upWSMS27TdEfJPCId_bml4DRWbR2843Huby0UdPSv27zGW8Uob41NtpEGt0_gIgWwM/s640/IMGP1149.jpg" width="578" /></a><br />
<br />
The girls had a blast at their party, singing and dancing with Ariel and then swimming with their cousins.<br />
I hope this party is another one of their favorite childhood memories...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-59324230046421327712010-11-28T18:22:00.000-08:002010-11-28T18:22:38.633-08:00Postponing Decking the Halls, to Build Up WallsIt has been a whirlwind few weeks starting with the girls' birthday party (mermaid party pics coming soon I promise) to Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season. While most people are busy decking the halls, we've been building some walls. And though we might be the last ones on our block to put up our lights this year, we are getting a jump on all those new year resolutions to get fit because the walls we are building belong to a new exercise room for me! <br />
I confess exercise has not been part of my daily routine and it should be. I want to start exercising again not so much to get back in shape but to gain some more energy. Other times in my life when I exercised regularly, I had more energy, stamina and focus. My life with twin four year olds and a demanding full time job is exhausting- more energy is high on my wish list. So an exercise room is what I asked Santa (Mr.Cabin) for this year. <br />
<br />
I know an entire room sounds a little extreme but let me explain a few things.<br />
#1 - It's winter. Had it been spring or summer, I would just go outside and take a walk. But it's dark <em>and </em>cold by 4:30 every afternoon. Walking outside in the dark and the cold <em>does not</em> appeal to me.<br />
<br />
#2- Why not just join a gym? I could of course but it all goes back to the cold and the dark. I would not want to leave my nice, warm and cozy cottage to drive to a gym. I just wouldn't go.<br />
<br />
#3- I already have some equipment. A gazelle, which got put in the basement when pregnant me got put on bedrest- the poor machine has not seen the light of day since. Four long years. I used to have it set up in the living room but the twins and their toys have taken over and that is just not a good option anymore.<br />
<br />
#4- You may be picturing an entire room as a large space. Nope- this room is going to be tiny. The reality is the only room we could spare was some space in basement. The basement right now is dark and dinghy- basically storage and laundry space. We were able to figure out a little space I could call my own- all 8 feet by 9 nine feet of it.<br />
<br />
#5- If I am going to use the space it has to be pretty. Who wants to work out staring at the pile of dirty laundry? An inviting, pretty little space all my own will make working out less of a chore.<br />
<br />
So this is what Mr.Cabin was doing this weekend instead of putting lights on our house. First he replaced the window.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbKg8q4XNokcm9y81R6TiOEoG9wz-bbcMIuFJlKQHmt4PPwlyYoroWKrTtNfQkQkdtuYXbkkOQfS4YdBfhCASKHaj2JHUzMLTsxOTNTV6AwZoYI-4bCkMdxuYFv_WBx8dDTvogTNxLpQ/s1600/IMGP1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbKg8q4XNokcm9y81R6TiOEoG9wz-bbcMIuFJlKQHmt4PPwlyYoroWKrTtNfQkQkdtuYXbkkOQfS4YdBfhCASKHaj2JHUzMLTsxOTNTV6AwZoYI-4bCkMdxuYFv_WBx8dDTvogTNxLpQ/s400/IMGP1161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He installed a slightly larger window but first he had to cut out all this excess concrete. I was so impressed he knew what he was doing!</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/AVvXsEgR1CpKXkom9uHEmG0_PoUSoHVuz5CxHbn4CLLxyCU9nkcUNqKNeM0d-iS6teWhASGK7mzJZ_e2QsFswuNJWj44FFK4SlybkXxO9pdUaBqLadVcb_HKmT4XgAeDazT6IOb-7v14U9p82NE/s1600/IMGP1164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1CpKXkom9uHEmG0_PoUSoHVuz5CxHbn4CLLxyCU9nkcUNqKNeM0d-iS6teWhASGK7mzJZ_e2QsFswuNJWj44FFK4SlybkXxO9pdUaBqLadVcb_HKmT4XgAeDazT6IOb-7v14U9p82NE/s400/IMGP1164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The new window and trim.</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/AVvXsEjOqySRi7apJBIWyAWqZ_OuyP2dRkBlH-qHba9OlO9Cjql7vWcaazhMedvdOyZb0LJcnncVACvxX7cu-OcEfgShdoNeWpOPJoYkVKh8pvBwQl-Xs_m338bSunbMMcqbD2xbrM9h9W1jE7U/s1600/IMGP1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqySRi7apJBIWyAWqZ_OuyP2dRkBlH-qHba9OlO9Cjql7vWcaazhMedvdOyZb0LJcnncVACvxX7cu-OcEfgShdoNeWpOPJoYkVKh8pvBwQl-Xs_m338bSunbMMcqbD2xbrM9h9W1jE7U/s400/IMGP1166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the space- can you see now why I don't want to work out in the basement as is? Yuck!</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/AVvXsEgx4gmZQqPiOHj8iSyp-Ze0Zqd6_oUlaD8PXrmDch6GqFNgUwdtY5EXvumqs2tgFaY8QZ8eakxB5cxuPRQaAKDVDZFuWzC_cfzvSISGWYFGnDOiGPxLxL0otndre_bGB7dYIJKDezTXb3M/s1600/IMGP1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4gmZQqPiOHj8iSyp-Ze0Zqd6_oUlaD8PXrmDch6GqFNgUwdtY5EXvumqs2tgFaY8QZ8eakxB5cxuPRQaAKDVDZFuWzC_cfzvSISGWYFGnDOiGPxLxL0otndre_bGB7dYIJKDezTXb3M/s400/IMGP1173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beginning of the framing.</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/AVvXsEjRO_ByX6-AYyzhGMVxhUs1fxrPpz_CIGdjDDyuT-zGUPecutLV9FSSOaRHVud5uxsG0owkW0kbd9yoNUWLCOiEbV2z3NZnFo0KXFe3ocgp8jrv4jQ_gdBMUuQdDmB4fFyTOwqMqyyvXSI/s1600/IMGP1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRO_ByX6-AYyzhGMVxhUs1fxrPpz_CIGdjDDyuT-zGUPecutLV9FSSOaRHVud5uxsG0owkW0kbd9yoNUWLCOiEbV2z3NZnFo0KXFe3ocgp8jrv4jQ_gdBMUuQdDmB4fFyTOwqMqyyvXSI/s400/IMGP1177.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And since I don't want to leave you with all dinghy, dirty basement pictures- here are some pretty pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is an idea I came across while looking for inspiring exercise room photos.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADcpVPXVO9gRdwPavr2J7ziptvd436sWduK0FaQeRfCs3oljW96ZoYgHbZPl3Inmj8Opmtynf_dOpg6m5Pga3He9ib0Pr2hCjwJ7XTb66J7gLkUbCqlRoIR78eA807h0NO7S4L6UXlcw/s1600/1696875_workout_shelf_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADcpVPXVO9gRdwPavr2J7ziptvd436sWduK0FaQeRfCs3oljW96ZoYgHbZPl3Inmj8Opmtynf_dOpg6m5Pga3He9ib0Pr2hCjwJ7XTb66J7gLkUbCqlRoIR78eA807h0NO7S4L6UXlcw/s320/1696875_workout_shelf_xl.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">from Cottage Living</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am contemplating using this cabinet from the kitchen in the same way- TV/DVD player on top, exercise dvd's and supplies inside. I just repainted it when we repainted the kitchen except the color isn't quite right for the kitchen. I going to repaint it again but now I think the color might be perfect for the exercise room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B0mA9pX3fq3ykfewY5pwdViJ3iBDvtrEaQWBZgYT9p9DWq3AEcQxKzFXLNxJmfR_KfHmPU0lqwnCi9M-2z-Hxnovu2LO8mHs-NQiGvn8TUNauX8O4xUKpsHgYZ0PqOA9bGxjgxRZasE/s1600/IMGP1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6B0mA9pX3fq3ykfewY5pwdViJ3iBDvtrEaQWBZgYT9p9DWq3AEcQxKzFXLNxJmfR_KfHmPU0lqwnCi9M-2z-Hxnovu2LO8mHs-NQiGvn8TUNauX8O4xUKpsHgYZ0PqOA9bGxjgxRZasE/s640/IMGP1167.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rest of my inspiration so far- bright, happy, invigorating and pretty. What more could a workout room ask for?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv97kl4eUGkFdAsC_gKkeJHlbrrrnXuuXOCtQ77lDFfnHYUYsxRa2BljpEwNsudd1N3UT1C_BLVZJKYZGNT3nHho-BIIImKXrRRO0kgRPtIopbu1Tjlu5-gK6NZj5WDFdDs58xIsJXG2c/s1600/IMGP1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv97kl4eUGkFdAsC_gKkeJHlbrrrnXuuXOCtQ77lDFfnHYUYsxRa2BljpEwNsudd1N3UT1C_BLVZJKYZGNT3nHho-BIIImKXrRRO0kgRPtIopbu1Tjlu5-gK6NZj5WDFdDs58xIsJXG2c/s640/IMGP1171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, Mr. Cabin has not seen the above yet. It drives him nuts when I start decorating while he is still working. I can't help it- I'm excited about my Christmas gift!</div><br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-66897209726528184492010-11-14T06:48:00.000-08:002010-11-14T06:48:30.267-08:00Party Prep: Placecards and PearlsThe girls' 4th birthday party is less than a week away now and I have mermaids swimming through my thoughts day and night. The girls themselves are giddy with anticipation and that's all that really matters.<br />
The major components of the party have been in place for a few months, now it is time for a few last minute details.<em> I love party details.</em> They can make or break a party for me and they are my favorite part of planning. <br />
<br />
Here are the placecards I just made to label all of the food. I tried to name the food to fit in with our mermaid theme as much as possible.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV60wa5whwh3SpMMu-L49MAtIQI7uvvtQloNz9QdH6nQLPEPx_9Ct7mR9uYN1HhEBUE-IXk6pkMEvAjSHA1L64rbI1I9yCdGwNQRMX-4RaF00qzPqZ-MyzqnbQvVeU5NAnyThLDSoIVc/s1600/IMGP1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV60wa5whwh3SpMMu-L49MAtIQI7uvvtQloNz9QdH6nQLPEPx_9Ct7mR9uYN1HhEBUE-IXk6pkMEvAjSHA1L64rbI1I9yCdGwNQRMX-4RaF00qzPqZ-MyzqnbQvVeU5NAnyThLDSoIVc/s640/IMGP1081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A little curious about this one?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBC3hvD3wQ5wRBIZ7wOmIB4IetYmSWkhSCQXGv4-r3UXjObQRPbyTBzqwBzFeMpXIYQP730nzJDqcYhNpNNRziRaAQB0xhMlcOY4eyCLt77XWoDnf9gUR6jbKAih2i3_ztWpV_GUWG0s/s1600/IMGP1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBC3hvD3wQ5wRBIZ7wOmIB4IetYmSWkhSCQXGv4-r3UXjObQRPbyTBzqwBzFeMpXIYQP730nzJDqcYhNpNNRziRaAQB0xhMlcOY4eyCLt77XWoDnf9gUR6jbKAih2i3_ztWpV_GUWG0s/s640/IMGP1082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
First let me say, I <em>swoon</em> over all those gorgeous candy buffets you see in parties lately- so sweet and pretty. <br />
Here is the beginning of what will be our own mini-mermaid version....pearls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSzai9kGRxS7YQZh37EFMTal_58O-9U328FO-DptHmxK7E3SAxWXIFpNVTVBMt3BzV4jJUCzb3RlV98G6DfJdQy241jXR2-J8lMJLdLTLZ_6QzilGapl-77eSiHLQat_-Vz9_RD-Wmg0/s1600/IMGP1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSzai9kGRxS7YQZh37EFMTal_58O-9U328FO-DptHmxK7E3SAxWXIFpNVTVBMt3BzV4jJUCzb3RlV98G6DfJdQy241jXR2-J8lMJLdLTLZ_6QzilGapl-77eSiHLQat_-Vz9_RD-Wmg0/s640/IMGP1083.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I picked up a few different size pearl candies for a pick-your-own pearl candy buffet.</div><br />
The best party tip I have from planning this party is buying a digital scrapbook kit. I am not a digitial scrapbooker and I had never purchased one before but I am <em>so</em> glad I did. I used all the coordinated images for everything- the invitations, the banner, the placecards, our <a href="http://betweencottageandcabin.blogspot.com/2010/08/soup-er-favor-gift-idea.html">Soup-er Favors</a> ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy3NzzaPKoCENwfrJfvbyqQHO19PuwtgYK7ATsKYwRQKI0S3T4SNZrKNyXmSXXnrUf-MwKE_Z16VRF0NjpFhJ9KijQeAHMTY0rkd9Q1fKaWA0rUZX9AriH4t7EMXL7TaRfA1-8B_oBwA/s1600/IMGP0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwy3NzzaPKoCENwfrJfvbyqQHO19PuwtgYK7ATsKYwRQKI0S3T4SNZrKNyXmSXXnrUf-MwKE_Z16VRF0NjpFhJ9KijQeAHMTY0rkd9Q1fKaWA0rUZX9AriH4t7EMXL7TaRfA1-8B_oBwA/s640/IMGP0778.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did use some of my traditional paper scrapbook supplies too. I cut pretty water paper into strips to make these napkin rings. The girls even helped assemble them by adding little sea creature stickers. </div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGalXC_m3S50YambMeX-gtgT4JV0-L7_sjhO6YoxboEj2xpazC0zqxIdKDq_T-q_e66fnFaZcnToY07xY8RMimu8TW6muzG_fVHgghWPiDoQzATNQj5swsYQvl8u6pn6ENc9pdo8jzic/s1600/IMGP1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGalXC_m3S50YambMeX-gtgT4JV0-L7_sjhO6YoxboEj2xpazC0zqxIdKDq_T-q_e66fnFaZcnToY07xY8RMimu8TW6muzG_fVHgghWPiDoQzATNQj5swsYQvl8u6pn6ENc9pdo8jzic/s640/IMGP1085.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>I like how pretty it looks but it also makes the buffet easier when the cutlery and napkins are together in a pretty little package. I bought a wooden treasure chest to hold them all and some pearls to spill over the side as decoration.<br />
Can't wait to post actual photos from the party- wish me luck, <br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-65632119569470134282010-11-11T16:40:00.000-08:002010-11-11T16:40:50.984-08:00Bittersweet<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our cabin is only 17 by 31 feet. 527 square feet of shelter tucked in among the trees but leaving it this past weekend for the winter was like saying goodbye to a friend who you know you will not see for a long time. Bittersweet. As I reflect on the times we spent there this past year, I am grateful for so many things...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...special journeys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcgi2bko-gDbP3rQ_lVaoOl1kkNNr1Lm2XEciB8gyQ2RlbwopPelbsRjXGyTrn31-4DUVG2hoa4lLoifxvepq72Ejye3jKTa7tlIpSGDTVr_-WJImjyt6tur2lhQJ19aFIifOPHDep44/s1600/IMGP0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcgi2bko-gDbP3rQ_lVaoOl1kkNNr1Lm2XEciB8gyQ2RlbwopPelbsRjXGyTrn31-4DUVG2hoa4lLoifxvepq72Ejye3jKTa7tlIpSGDTVr_-WJImjyt6tur2lhQJ19aFIifOPHDep44/s640/IMGP0971.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Traveling down well worn paths towards precious new discoveries...</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/AVvXsEgOJ6qYrlCkwJn6-tJFJwPBOx0TQrrt0GUpwSbM9rkWgV8_jZtX8Rj8YP4EEQ6AN9zuAgHIICZKyZlScOKPbUZpsd8FCsYX44AE75MQcZBAfGDulqPWwJmlkGmab3OJUv29c_spemYkt9Q/s1600/IMGP0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ6qYrlCkwJn6-tJFJwPBOx0TQrrt0GUpwSbM9rkWgV8_jZtX8Rj8YP4EEQ6AN9zuAgHIICZKyZlScOKPbUZpsd8FCsYX44AE75MQcZBAfGDulqPWwJmlkGmab3OJUv29c_spemYkt9Q/s320/IMGP0608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cherishing these moments through the eyes a child.</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/AVvXsEiGTbrhdnu8Uox9UFjPJ6PWAkGSn-xTtuXNo5ev-jhjbybIO1010zM75aXcPA5tncbIh4KMNqW0_Myqk621yQz-5apANU_h6hWv3qKuoz574H1-8rIfvff5a202GureavApImDfUBDL_-0/s1600/IMGP0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTbrhdnu8Uox9UFjPJ6PWAkGSn-xTtuXNo5ev-jhjbybIO1010zM75aXcPA5tncbIh4KMNqW0_Myqk621yQz-5apANU_h6hWv3qKuoz574H1-8rIfvff5a202GureavApImDfUBDL_-0/s320/IMGP0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes traveling into the past and pondering from where we came...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRjrmw_14oqDRFZ21eO1PlJ_OVmxmxh13nQ9tnJmeIY4lBpMlM5Vif0WcPNcyMJNsROVBmvHrIvHo4IakpEJIhj2fhzzy9ufQjibXJ8UdpYK_VGGsYUBp7Frv23xpCZFt4hCegTLmULs/s1600/IMGP0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRjrmw_14oqDRFZ21eO1PlJ_OVmxmxh13nQ9tnJmeIY4lBpMlM5Vif0WcPNcyMJNsROVBmvHrIvHo4IakpEJIhj2fhzzy9ufQjibXJ8UdpYK_VGGsYUBp7Frv23xpCZFt4hCegTLmULs/s640/IMGP0992.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reflecting on the beauty of constant change all around us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEjniJrJJ-JLfmODpFJZaYVJQJi6QlXj4ao-FakPEULbMb1eW1DtYPeNEAxLkaZv21-wAAvgRuQgN1W1ua234D0UJkD39T630xJT0ZzgheNQgRCMhKM46G-qbSbUlovuhHeaxJPgm3JmOYQ/s1600/IMGP0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniJrJJ-JLfmODpFJZaYVJQJi6QlXj4ao-FakPEULbMb1eW1DtYPeNEAxLkaZv21-wAAvgRuQgN1W1ua234D0UJkD39T630xJT0ZzgheNQgRCMhKM46G-qbSbUlovuhHeaxJPgm3JmOYQ/s400/IMGP0547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spending time with friends and family...</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/AVvXsEh-BXCNwoBgUfLdvJ0_LG7jPE13CyCwNdWtfGFaqaktsEnqgtiKGHLJNKK9-pEHDbl1kgM6KEViA5IX6-ZTXTOEABmP7Y1XXBmKQeyqeGJU4Bu-E6Qc85c8TebZb6vSG303eXUQRWtszWs/s1600/IMGP0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BXCNwoBgUfLdvJ0_LG7jPE13CyCwNdWtfGFaqaktsEnqgtiKGHLJNKK9-pEHDbl1kgM6KEViA5IX6-ZTXTOEABmP7Y1XXBmKQeyqeGJU4Bu-E6Qc85c8TebZb6vSG303eXUQRWtszWs/s400/IMGP0546.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">... and some quiet stolen moments to enjoy the peace of the forest all alone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has been a wonderful spring, summer and fall at the cabin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will miss it dearly all winter long. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel so lucky and blessed to have this special little place. Life is good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I am so very grateful to share it with you...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /></a></div>Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-1956898530537301632010-10-24T07:28:00.000-07:002010-10-24T07:28:02.518-07:00Bug-A-Boo!For Halloween this year the girls decided to be a Bumble Bee and a LadyBug. Since they are only three years old, they are still a little leary of all the traditional witches and goblins and ghosts- Oh My!<br />
So for our Halloween party I decided to use their costumes as my inspiration and go a little buggy...a Bug-A-Boo Party!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaZIP_SalisXOVD3MwyZyeBbvPJCDaMSymTQNVdFGjeMYmNt6fi_eCqtoaXUsiiAFBk7NmpD0KUnbFfxh2ArZoPkUgdVaSRnLTVkHbqRLZtFHrV8rEw7R7Z0amp-QFlNQrRs17u2KqN8/s1600/IMGP1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaZIP_SalisXOVD3MwyZyeBbvPJCDaMSymTQNVdFGjeMYmNt6fi_eCqtoaXUsiiAFBk7NmpD0KUnbFfxh2ArZoPkUgdVaSRnLTVkHbqRLZtFHrV8rEw7R7Z0amp-QFlNQrRs17u2KqN8/s640/IMGP1009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Invitations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsReUEJXmNxtkYJ90Pf5g1qDL-3N88UnE5P7BZbOjgYnnHXZAkSccAcF4xwRM-hJ_6DE3VHGJgqs_dW4U-7ZJ9Or3MCtlOFOrNJAIXmmWaSgJaRXnOtIADzmanGzBABiUeIdpORZ2VV8s/s1600/IMGP1018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsReUEJXmNxtkYJ90Pf5g1qDL-3N88UnE5P7BZbOjgYnnHXZAkSccAcF4xwRM-hJ_6DE3VHGJgqs_dW4U-7ZJ9Or3MCtlOFOrNJAIXmmWaSgJaRXnOtIADzmanGzBABiUeIdpORZ2VV8s/s400/IMGP1018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dragonflies are holding up our "Bug-A-Boo" banner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF0kqIOJSeoIU65Lmd6GAJBVih1stYGAN_JGsg8dvWZ4XFfKosl7ZZARUmH0WBgYK9HuZxtN1jzrpEKEIMKCqcZ6_EpsRkmzV5ZShtR1CQW7-_IcgOLK45BVZsowOJHhtKw1IckwcwZM/s1600/IMGP1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF0kqIOJSeoIU65Lmd6GAJBVih1stYGAN_JGsg8dvWZ4XFfKosl7ZZARUmH0WBgYK9HuZxtN1jzrpEKEIMKCqcZ6_EpsRkmzV5ZShtR1CQW7-_IcgOLK45BVZsowOJHhtKw1IckwcwZM/s640/IMGP1010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know I probably shouldn't add any more candy to the day but I couldn't resist adding these to our party theme... </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/AVvXsEiYU0Li5TsHuzMXUUZFNaEgTmmAumCmnWp_d2rBI3VyuwfvUBVXEdRKyfqPR8mCQDKrU63FGx9uFkR6lqLOzv3Lv0cXafNTibJWOLx8nVsDauUSpb1-wTbmRvliCfHfTwvnaJsAP26KAO8/s1600/IMGP1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU0Li5TsHuzMXUUZFNaEgTmmAumCmnWp_d2rBI3VyuwfvUBVXEdRKyfqPR8mCQDKrU63FGx9uFkR6lqLOzv3Lv0cXafNTibJWOLx8nVsDauUSpb1-wTbmRvliCfHfTwvnaJsAP26KAO8/s400/IMGP1011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhKIqLmbT2NSNeF2yXuSpVHvLK6wCudkS4ZZKIFxazZVgduypWljAFCRoluCieLPMdqdDBTCU77QhZbmjf6K9_9tOpexY5mUPb215y_Q8BYPTc7DL1lt7H6MgSlswjipDkRo7MnGHuoy8k/s1600/IMGP1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIqLmbT2NSNeF2yXuSpVHvLK6wCudkS4ZZKIFxazZVgduypWljAFCRoluCieLPMdqdDBTCU77QhZbmjf6K9_9tOpexY5mUPb215y_Q8BYPTc7DL1lt7H6MgSlswjipDkRo7MnGHuoy8k/s400/IMGP1014.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEjZYYOl9gqJJk_oo1pSx3mKm5RczUhhycpK0h6kXL7hWtQiQB34QRRlCnQD1Z-lPGJIcaDg8QlJJrq_r_M0nnlPqMQ2PqImFlMLyge2Ph0WVvjfSJB4i5VCXFw2XA1-E2_9J_2m4-AcOO0/s1600/IMGP1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYYOl9gqJJk_oo1pSx3mKm5RczUhhycpK0h6kXL7hWtQiQB34QRRlCnQD1Z-lPGJIcaDg8QlJJrq_r_M0nnlPqMQ2PqImFlMLyge2Ph0WVvjfSJB4i5VCXFw2XA1-E2_9J_2m4-AcOO0/s320/IMGP1020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I am still working on figuring out the rest of the buggy menu but I think we have the beginnings of pretty buggin' bash!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://betweencottageandcabin.blogspot.com/p/link-parties.html">Linking to these parties- check them out!</a>Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-15584137932628887502010-09-29T16:41:00.000-07:002010-09-29T16:41:16.852-07:00The Rock Wall<div style="text-align: center;">Just a little beyond our cabin lies a rock wall, tumbling down and filled with crooks and crevices where our chipmunk friends play hide and seek.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiByLhmfxbxekJUPu9yF_MxHSG7hmMmctCkucsKNQTtlJrtqjDFCWydqwXVNI89_gFYmCvf6BS7j1894g6w-4UjQ64Ad9J6V-1OOV_3bDRM9E4F3xjILpP6L1HZfACUuQnGrXILZNmXY/s1600/IMGP0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiByLhmfxbxekJUPu9yF_MxHSG7hmMmctCkucsKNQTtlJrtqjDFCWydqwXVNI89_gFYmCvf6BS7j1894g6w-4UjQ64Ad9J6V-1OOV_3bDRM9E4F3xjILpP6L1HZfACUuQnGrXILZNmXY/s640/IMGP0957.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nothing more than a pile of rocks covered with sweet, green velvet moss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> But within these rocks, I know there is a story....</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/AVvXsEhgMw8ufjPCbkuMzAbIoNTsIxMc1WOT01HJsI2MNJNwmNlgpQJDDAgaJy2BKlvAo_bZHEbJFU9qhXPiJZjDbhWGmYZz9vVZIP2p4zeb0JENRlpSp1ZyT3fMKMXvkSPbXbkUz_qdyWq1VG8/s1600/IMGP0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMw8ufjPCbkuMzAbIoNTsIxMc1WOT01HJsI2MNJNwmNlgpQJDDAgaJy2BKlvAo_bZHEbJFU9qhXPiJZjDbhWGmYZz9vVZIP2p4zeb0JENRlpSp1ZyT3fMKMXvkSPbXbkUz_qdyWq1VG8/s640/IMGP0955.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who built this wall? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How long ago?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> What were their lives like? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What did the woods look like then?</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/AVvXsEjuYxfSPexIyC8tajizP1fALI_zlA5KvImNySFnOwupHwRnolmFcIQlxtqhcJ1H1qXwo9GbpTunfCLsP4ZARoASc2wqXMsix0oKDb-B5sIMqRg4uFWUsHbhyphenhyphenJpZBPhAlwDQbPHIzb2ycpc/s1600/IMGP0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYxfSPexIyC8tajizP1fALI_zlA5KvImNySFnOwupHwRnolmFcIQlxtqhcJ1H1qXwo9GbpTunfCLsP4ZARoASc2wqXMsix0oKDb-B5sIMqRg4uFWUsHbhyphenhyphenJpZBPhAlwDQbPHIzb2ycpc/s640/IMGP0959.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along the path to the pond, lies this rusted bucket. I refuse to move it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I like to walk past and think about its previous owners.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These woods were not always ours nor will they always be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am always awestruck by the curiousity of the human soul.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> To wonder so much and care so deeply about a person and a family we have never seen, have never meet- the history of this place, the magic of the forest, connecting us together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" />Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5279544889326789343.post-17947408911180921352010-09-15T17:50:00.000-07:002010-09-17T12:51:26.759-07:00Halloween Hoedown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nQzYY2Id3AujVpXaDDj6j6nxlTj39dkAazdGAsSPUZOhDLoT-S7imx22mfIse3rsqACOM9z4NgSTMvogKMpDNi-KdXViBZY8y7IIW9JW7LS_ke-KNGexv6HgLTJuZFvHxp4kr_o4Qfo/s1600/scan0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nQzYY2Id3AujVpXaDDj6j6nxlTj39dkAazdGAsSPUZOhDLoT-S7imx22mfIse3rsqACOM9z4NgSTMvogKMpDNi-KdXViBZY8y7IIW9JW7LS_ke-KNGexv6HgLTJuZFvHxp4kr_o4Qfo/s400/scan0003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I am not trying to rush the season here- really I'm not. But after the girls have been constantly looking at the costume catalog that arrived <em>two months</em> <em>ago</em>, I finally got them to committ to what they want their costumes to be this year. Woo-hoo! I'm on my way to a Happy Halloween, so I am in the mood for a little flashback.<br />
<br />
This is the Halloween party we threw when the girls were only two, no trick-or-treating yet. Old McDonald was all the rage in our little cottage then. We dressed them up as a cow and a pig and their cousin, who is only four months younger, was a horse- our own little barnyard. The adults wore overalls and flannels to be farmers.<br />
<br />
The invitations said,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Oink, Neigh, Moo and Booooo!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a Hoedown Halloween </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and we're inviting you!"</span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I made chilli in the slow cooker (perfect for when Halloween falls during the work week) and set up a simple buffet. </span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6POmKehjPrxCmUTpfDy1OZKOd-AOUdRR0u66utp5ixiFE5mPsU1db3r6AgHyQn6-fKYezQqEnJaZ6JHAzoghEC3Vw3lQ69KlmJ17kFdca5CQLSHu6BWlAS6naEsZzX-UU75FCrq1EISs/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6POmKehjPrxCmUTpfDy1OZKOd-AOUdRR0u66utp5ixiFE5mPsU1db3r6AgHyQn6-fKYezQqEnJaZ6JHAzoghEC3Vw3lQ69KlmJ17kFdca5CQLSHu6BWlAS6naEsZzX-UU75FCrq1EISs/s400/scan0001.jpg" width="353" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</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/AVvXsEhQZoNPvruLrdYQkRSim_MHx_u9y1BU4Ms8F-HHAOdavWywlEJzB1mF0epKGOTv7tlvTUFK1FSfhcIK3tyeUDa7A7_q32ND-7abbn_2DGDvTwFNewQ6W6lGv7qic6xaYzASeKr3Hg6LbrY/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZoNPvruLrdYQkRSim_MHx_u9y1BU4Ms8F-HHAOdavWywlEJzB1mF0epKGOTv7tlvTUFK1FSfhcIK3tyeUDa7A7_q32ND-7abbn_2DGDvTwFNewQ6W6lGv7qic6xaYzASeKr3Hg6LbrY/s400/scan0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></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/AVvXsEgNsaIbzLxop4WUsGBNYH_CmWaOiVzOntjgBdw6yakAEEAsmOCUf6HRTjPSk7U_0QQi9FyKjllLkXiK_qWBBk-YNf1jtgu7H8I9gSarJbGGsc_JlhPD6G01msJKnD42_4vDrSc92eRrlho/s1600/scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsaIbzLxop4WUsGBNYH_CmWaOiVzOntjgBdw6yakAEEAsmOCUf6HRTjPSk7U_0QQi9FyKjllLkXiK_qWBBk-YNf1jtgu7H8I9gSarJbGGsc_JlhPD6G01msJKnD42_4vDrSc92eRrlho/s400/scan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "corny" cupcakes are from the cookbook <em>Hello, Cupcake!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Tons of cute ideas in there, check it out if you haven't already.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ordered inexpensive bandanas and cowboy hats by the dozen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For decorations, I knotted two bandanas in a triangle shape to drape over the backs of the chairs and then hung a cowboy hat on each. Guests could then wear them if they liked and it was a cute party favor. Everyone had a rootin' tootin' good time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for this Halloween, we're going buggy. The costume committment I finally recieved was for a ladybug and a bumblebee. Stay tuned for more details as I plan this year's buzzin' bash,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/CottageCabin/signature.gif" /><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/sawdustandpaperscraps.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae359/sawdustandpaperscraps/2-1-1.jpg " /></a></center>Michelle @ between cottage and cabinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07577681191955014719noreply@blogger.com17