tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31317872743987665852024-03-13T07:30:47.055-07:00Garden GooseTina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.comBlogger555125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-67241301766361051542016-03-13T18:01:00.001-07:002016-03-13T18:01:35.455-07:00easy recycled seed starting ideas<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Spring is in the air…and with that comes the desire to want to watch things grow, as well as to perhaps try your hand at growing your own flowers or vegetables.<br />How can you do this and save money..and recycle all at the same time?</div>
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The answer is as close as your kitchen..for starters…<br />do your kids enjoy things like yogurt and apple sauce?<br />The plastic containers are terrific for using as seed starting equipment.<br />I have compiled a list of items that are easily found in your kitchen cupboards as well as other item you might already have on hand.</div>
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plastic yogurt containers</div>
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small apple sauce or fruit cup containers</div>
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baby food jars</div>
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egg cartons</div>
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egg shell halves</div>
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soup cans</div>
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jelly jars</div>
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butter containers</div>
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cottge cheese,ricotta or other plastic food tubs</div>
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old tea cups or bowls that can still hold soil even if they might have a chip on them</div>
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plastic sundae cups with lids from fast food places make cute self contained little growing containers..the lids help keep in humidity</div>
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plastic berry containers</div>
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cardboard boxes lined with plastic grocery bags</div>
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…….. this is just a start on the types of items that can be recycled and used to start your seed growing.Take a look around your kitchen and the rest of your house to see what types of things can be recycled and used to start your new garden.<br />Have fun and happy gardening!</div>
Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-44138760613951623742016-01-16T13:41:00.001-08:002016-01-16T13:41:22.211-08:00i have returned...changed...and ready for new beginnings!hello folks...it has been many moons since I have taken any time to write here or much anywhere else for that matter...we all know that life often gets in the way..and often times it can have very painful and heartbreaking moments along the journey...and so it goes...<br />
I took quite the leave of absence from writing and expressing myself and sharing for nearly three or more years now as I found my marriage of nearly 24 yrs crumble and fall apart and end in a divorce two years ago.<br />
I went through the full gamut of grief and the full gamut of the do's and don'ts of reentering single life after twenty four yrs as being a wife and stay at home mom.. and rediscovering who I was...<br />
Of course I tried the dating scene and found that to be rather difficult terrain to navigate after twenty four yrs...and then there has been the getting back into the work force after having been a stay at home mom and home educator for 24 yrs. Unfortunately..when looking for a job not everyone enjoys the fact that those skill setsof beibg a mom.and wife required some pretty serious dealings in the realms of multi tasking..organizational skills and so much more..no...there has to be something put on paper to show the massses apparently...and so the challenges have been there and they have been real...<br />
It has not been a cakewalk on this whole journey of rediscovery....finding out that I was and am more than just a mom...more than just a woman that was kicked aside for a different model...that I am capable of reinvention and self diascovery..of being alone and liking it..of being able to accomplish things I never thought I would...of getting back to self esteem...maybe a little slowly...but still getting there...and learning that Im still a a good mom...but now I'm free to be me...to be a strong capable independent woman...and that I am worthy of being loved...simply for who I am....and that is a wonderful feeling.<br />
And so I re greet you my blog...my friends both old and new...and I greet you..my new life...with open arms and a renewed heart. Life is good...it is always good..even when we have to go through things that cause us to grow in ways we never thought we would have to...I welcome these new changes..this new life..this new chapter....<br />
The pages have been turned..it is a new chapter...let the writing of it begin with love...light..and with grace and the giving of thanks...!<br />
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<br />Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-8853914706212991522015-10-07T17:10:00.003-07:002015-10-07T17:10:45.100-07:00Hi there,<br />
It has been ages upon ages since I have written anything here. Life has some pretty strange seasons that some of us have to travel through..and my life has been no exception. I found myself divorced by December 2013 after a one month shy of 24 yrs of being married. To say that it has been a major adjustment over the last two years is definitely an understatement..but I'm still alive and kicking..and even though I've been through hell and back again..and some days I still struggle and try to adjust..I'm doing ok..and I'm learning to smile again. I have no idea how many of my former blogging pals still do this blogging thing..or if most everyone has transferred their writings and musings to a facebook format or other avenues, as truthfully in the last two years..so very much has changed in how folks interact online. But here I am..and we shall see how this writing and sharing again goes. I'm here..and I'm alive, and life goes on..and it is a beautiful thing. Even through life's seasons. Blessings to you.<br />
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Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-48601304465854381262013-01-28T18:12:00.000-08:002013-01-28T18:12:02.261-08:00Oh my goodness...Howdy..I am still alive and kicking.. bet you all wondered I am sure, and probably thought this blog was dead and buried..well, I actually thought so too..ha..but you know..writing is therapy sometimes..and here I am at this old blog of mine..looking around at it and thinking..I need to get back to it, and get back to brightening others days through the pages of this blog. So..here I am.., and I am going to try to keep posting here from time to time..sharing,caring,and little by little brightening up someone else's day along the way..I hope anyhow.:)<br />
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<br />Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-58855798845245781482012-06-28T19:33:00.001-07:002012-06-28T19:34:08.474-07:00oh gosh..I have not been on here in a long time friends. I think it is mostly because I, like many others got sucked into the facebook vortex,but here I am. I wanted to say for the record..it is not I that has diabetes..it is my son that was diagnosed with it in January. (I had a comment where someone mistakenly thought that it was I that had it) my son was diagnosed with type 1. ok...well I / we have been doing well. Adjusting to our new home. I/ we have been planting blueberries,some of the plants from lowes and home depot and the master gardeners show here in marion county last spring on the blueberry bushes for those who may have wondered where we got them from. Also put in 6 raised beds 5 of them 8 feet by 4 feet beds and 1 recently built about 8 fort by 8 foot that will soon hold about 100 iris bulbs.busy putting in a rose garden and other plants around the new homestead and adjusting to the type 1 diabetes journey. I am glad that school is out for a little while...we home school,but still a break is good from that also. I just wanted to stop by and check in with everyone and say "hey there..I'm still around" :) if any of you here would like to add me on your facebook friends list please feel free to. (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/tina.wilson.1257">http://www.facebook.com/tina.wilson.1257</a>)<span style="background-color: white;">I post a lot of my photo work over there. (the photo below is not mine,but I thought it was beautiful.)</span><br />
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I'll try to remember to stop in here from time to time too.<br />
<br />Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-86878033559328725392012-01-29T17:34:00.000-08:002012-01-29T17:34:14.641-08:00Reopened my vintage finds shop...I have decided to reopen my vintage finds site on etsy. You may find it here:<br />
<a href="http://www.gardengoosegifts.etsy.com/">www.gardengoosegifts.etsy.com</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright T.Wilson 2012/Small Town Living</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Currently I have some really cute Vintage Valentines available as well as vintage photos, a vintage purse and more. I'll be posting some vintage gloves,more vintage beaded purses and vintage hankies soon, along with even more fun finds. You never know what you will find. I very much enjoy being on the look out for items that are really fun to decorate with and that add a special touch to your decor.<br />
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I saw my first robin the other day! Which means Spring is definitely right around the corner..can't wait to get started on our Spring garden.<br />
nothing like fresh from the garden lettuces and green beans.:)<br />
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Wishing you all a lovely day!<br />
~The Garden Goose!~Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-55880798340936837012012-01-22T21:11:00.000-08:002012-01-22T21:11:31.189-08:00Oh my..here she is...Wow! time flies when life gets busy doesn't it? I did not realize until today that this poor blog had been neglected so. Almost a year since I have visited its pages and written something about my day, my gardening dreams,my family's plans,and hopes,etc. Wow!<div> Well, the last year has been an adventure..some good things, some not so good things. The not so good things are in the past and I leave most of them there where they belong. </div><div> As many of you have seen we purchased a new to us home in Central Florida in December 2010. We love it! It is much larger than the home we had in North Florida and we have an acre and 1/2 to have fun on. A virtual blank slate the yard is...as the former owners really did not do a thing here for about 3 yrs the house sat empty..so the yard needed much in the way of clean up and tree and debris removal. We accomplished that this past year with several trees out and underbrush removed and hauled out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwtJz2lJXMQ/TxzrvhiwRkI/AAAAAAAAFK4/SrR4FkwMbFU/s1600/DSC07873-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwtJz2lJXMQ/TxzrvhiwRkI/AAAAAAAAFK4/SrR4FkwMbFU/s320/DSC07873-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div> I've managed to plant about 6-7 blueberry bushes,8 grape vines,and 3 blackberry vines, 2 figs in the back yard. We also have planted some ferns and jasmine, and a few other things. 5 eight foot by 4 foot raised beds were built right outside the back patio/porch area and I have grown bush beans,carrots,lettuces, and more. One raised bed is full of strawberry plants.</div><div> I have so many plans yet for the backyard..garden beds that I will create and things that I intend to plant here.</div><div> Yesterday I sowed seeds for about 16 different wildflower varieties in our front yard where we had a new drain field put in..when the drain field was put in we also had some top soil brought in and spread over the area, so I had a pretty big area of bare ground waiting for something to be done with it..now I merely add the sprinkler to the area from time to time after I raked it smooth and scattered thousands of seeds...and I cross my fingers..and maybe even my toes too..and wait. I really really hope that the seeds that were sown will grow.</div><div> Since being in this house we have also: had the master bedroom floors redone with wood flooring. Had the master bathroom redone with tile flooring. Painted master bedroom. Painted one of the bedrooms and added a wood laminate flooring. Added a succulent,cactus areas to the back patio by removing bricks on patio area and utilizing the removed bricks to create a garden walkway in backyard. Created a large garden bed in back yard with some ferns and a large urn planter. Created mulched pathways between all of the raised beds near patio and have nearly completed a brick pathway alongside the raised beds near the back porch area.</div><div> As you can read...many projects have been done along the way.</div><div>--------------</div><div>I have also managed to get some photography projects going along the way too! I approached a couple of lifestyle magazines in our area and they have been working with me on a few freelance projects from time to time. A great way to get out there and learn about my new town and to meet some nice folks along the way, and to build up my portfolio. Fun! Fun!</div><div>-----------------</div><div> and for the not so fun... our New Year was ushered in with some really not fun adventure..we had to make an unexpected trip to the ER with our son on New Year's day..we thought he had a bad stomach bug, but bad went to worse and it wasn't a stomach bug after all..it was diabetic ketoacidosis! (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_ketoacidosis">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_ketoacidosis</a>) So there we were blaring down the highway at 85 miles an hour in the back of an ambulance to get to Shand's Children's Hospital. We spent 2 full days in the PICU to get things stabilized..and our new "normal" now involves 2 insulin shots 2 times a day and blood sugar checks 4 times a day at a minimum..and a very regimented meal time and snack time schedule. We now know what living with type 1 diabetes looks like. Our journey on this road has officially begun. Our son is now doing very well, he managed to gain back all of the weight that he had lost due to dehydration that occurs within about 24 hours with this..and wound up gaining the weight lost and then some. He looks like a healthy little boy again! Thank goodness! The thing the dr's told us is most parents find out that their children have type 1 this way..it mimics the symptoms of a stomach bug..vomiting and tiredness, but then drops into a state of being very thirsty and having to urinate a lot, and then into weakness, then lethargic, then become unaware of surroundings..it happens very quickly and is very scary.We had no idea that he was diabetic as thus far no one in either of our families has this. We have agreed to have the remaining family members tested for research purposes at Shand's and to make sure no one else in the family has it. Typically children have a 1/300 chance of getting Type 1 diabetes, but if a child has a sibling with type 1 diabetes their risk rises to a 1/20 chance. So..this is now our new "normal". We have gotten used to testing blood daily. I've become a pro in the last 3 weeks at giving shots. I report almost daily to the dr's with blood sugar levels..this daily reporting will ease once things have stabilized and we get more learning under our belts. My days rotate around things like meal times,blood sugar numbers, and carbohydrate counts now and making healthy meals and snacks.And we make frequent trips over to Shand's for diabetes clinic education. Still so very much to learn along the way.</div><div>--------------------------</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsFgCF0zWkk/Txzqe-1dtyI/AAAAAAAAFKw/jAYBoyMCLxg/s1600/100_2281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsFgCF0zWkk/Txzqe-1dtyI/AAAAAAAAFKw/jAYBoyMCLxg/s320/100_2281.JPG" width="320" /></a>So..I am also working on de cluttering..when son and I were at the hospital ...my husband bless his heart..and my oldest dd redid my son's bedroom completely.. ripped out carpet and installed a laminate wood look flooring, removed all of the clutter in his room,replaced bedding with new and painted the walls and trim work, and decorated the room like a professional interior decorator would have and based the decor on one of my son's favorite video games. it looks awesome and I told my husband that with our bedroom looking brand new and clutter free now and my son's bedroom looking brand new and clutter free that I am going to just let him come in and decorate the house for me..remove all of the clutter and stuff that we truly do not need and create peaceful and serene rooms. My/our life needs that now.</div><div>--------------------</div><div> I have started listing vintage things from my collections and finds in my Garden Goose Gifts shop again. If any of you are interested you can see them at <a href="http://www.gardengoosegifts.etsy.com/">www.gardengoosegifts.etsy.com</a> There will be lots of fun things listed in the days to come.</div><div>---------------</div><div> I also am planning our spring garden. I'll be planting my garden on February 14th with lots of the seeds that I have available in my garden shop online. If you are in need of terrific heirloom garden seeds I have them available at <a href="http://www.myvictorygarden.etsy.com/">www.myvictorygarden.etsy.com</a></div><div>-----------------</div><div>Well..that's the latest at the moment. I will strive to write here a bit more often now. Thanks for stopping by! Always so nice to have you visit.</div><div> ~The Garden Goose!~</div><div><br />
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</div>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-82185036846336206792011-02-21T12:27:00.000-08:002011-02-21T12:27:59.371-08:00For a long time... we've "been there and done that"Before I had ever heard the Dervaes name ( in fact I had only heard about them about a year ago) urban homesteading(o.k. I guess I better put a big TM here) has been in my family's blood for quite a very long time.<br />
My grandfather and grandmother were farmers in Idaho and in fact my grandfather was quite the envy of folks as they'd come to see his garden from miles around. He used to garden by the moon signs I was told. And my grandmother..I get my love of simpler living from her...she used to can loads of vegetables and had lots and lots of shelves full of canned items that they had grown stored in their basement. In fact my grandparents later moved to Washington and had a restaurant where they would serve such things as cantaloupe and watermelons to their customers(with a scoop of ice cream included)<br />
Then when my grandfather passed away my grandmother came to live with us, and the farming tradition didn't stop just because we lived in various towns/city limits.<br />
Nope..in fact they kept on pretty steady all through my growing up years. We'd have things like home made bread and noodles. We even collectively planted gardens in our backyards. Granny would can vegetables and I'd sneak into the jars of home made butter pickles.<br />
One year my dad and I rescued 200 baby chickens from a alligator farm and raised the chickens in our backyard. Giving some away for free to the local community and maintaining a flock for ourselves to gather eggs from, and for my granny to prepare chicken dinners with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oW9P4WwBEf4/Rr_Tm_Q8sKI/AAAAAAAAAbo/4f0NBs9OCc0/s1600/vs9896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oW9P4WwBEf4/Rr_Tm_Q8sKI/AAAAAAAAAbo/4f0NBs9OCc0/s320/vs9896.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYW143ute3I/Rj_YmhZsTRI/AAAAAAAAAAU/uBenEOe3Yhs/s1600/DSC05070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYW143ute3I/Rj_YmhZsTRI/AAAAAAAAAAU/uBenEOe3Yhs/s320/DSC05070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Yes, even one time we lived on the main street of Arcadia, FL and had a flock of chickens free ranging in our yard. And my granny and dad decided to cull a few of the chickens. Yep, they did so right in the heart of the city..set up their chicken butchering station on the side of the yard and we enjoyed chicken dinner later.<br />
I honestly can say..nope the Dervaes have nothing on us and our lifestyle. We had already "been there and done that" for quite some time.<br />
I am a 3rd generation urban farmer if you will.<br />
I've had chickens and ducks in the heart of the city, and ever since I've been a wee girl I have had a heart for the land and for growing things.<br />
In fact my home now qualifies for homestead exemption. If the government deems my property as a homestead then surely when I farm in the city limits that makes me an urban homesteader/farmer.(insert big TM mark here too...gosh that looks silly but I guess "they" say we have to do it, but TM is my initials anyhow so maybe I should trademark the TM..huh? yah I like the sounds of that..ha)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8wNVPCalbU/Rr6lc_Q8sHI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/FEWyzAE8DaU/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8wNVPCalbU/Rr6lc_Q8sHI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/FEWyzAE8DaU/s320/IMG_0046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandmother and I </td></tr>
</tbody></table> Well, yep..I've been there and done that for a long time now. And in fact I'm still doing it. I have been proud of the sore muscles I have garnered just this week alone as I plant blueberry trees, planted radishes and lettuces, started seeds on my kitchen counter, sowed pea and bean seeds and more.<br />
Yes, its in my blood and has been for a very long time.<br />
~The Garden Goose!~<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfmOyv5bY8c/R4AJWKHY8cI/AAAAAAAABIs/gTZrH5yji84/s1600/DSC09231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfmOyv5bY8c/R4AJWKHY8cI/AAAAAAAABIs/gTZrH5yji84/s320/DSC09231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-681374184868508682011-02-18T21:57:00.000-08:002011-02-18T22:06:42.989-08:00Southeastern Youth Fair/High School Rodeo<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MT-HdS4udHg/TV9YuwXKVkI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/E1t6mAdRFUM/s1600/DSC06115-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MT-HdS4udHg/TV9YuwXKVkI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/E1t6mAdRFUM/s320/DSC06115-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the action began.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDYVu9DOzUo/TV9YzIhWy6I/AAAAAAAAE5U/hD5YeDMK8BU/s1600/DSC06121-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDYVu9DOzUo/TV9YzIhWy6I/AAAAAAAAE5U/hD5YeDMK8BU/s320/DSC06121-1.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overseeing the cows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXmibgBMwZE/TV9Y4SLPp4I/AAAAAAAAE5Y/TYEfqm8BgNo/s1600/DSC06127-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXmibgBMwZE/TV9Y4SLPp4I/AAAAAAAAE5Y/TYEfqm8BgNo/s320/DSC06127-1.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Anthem and a word of prayer start the events</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azqF7A4z-3E/TV9Y7LVH6kI/AAAAAAAAE5c/T79-kWZDb9Y/s1600/DSC06156-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azqF7A4z-3E/TV9Y7LVH6kI/AAAAAAAAE5c/T79-kWZDb9Y/s320/DSC06156-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the goat tying event. The competitors in this event were all girls. One girl managed to tie the goat in 11 seconds flat. This is done by running full speed on a horse, then jumping off the running horse, running full speed on foot to where the goat is staked in the middle of the arena, then proceeding to get the goat down on its back so that both the front legs and back legs can be tethered all together. No animals are hurt during this although it may look like it. They get up and run away just fine afterwards. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfkCVqGZlhc/TV9Y9-XrKUI/AAAAAAAAE5g/ZatYqp6sucA/s1600/DSC06171-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfkCVqGZlhc/TV9Y9-XrKUI/AAAAAAAAE5g/ZatYqp6sucA/s320/DSC06171-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat tying event</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTs8pg_Kbrc/TV9ZN9JIdnI/AAAAAAAAE5o/NRNPaLct7-M/s1600/DSC06214-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTs8pg_Kbrc/TV9ZN9JIdnI/AAAAAAAAE5o/NRNPaLct7-M/s320/DSC06214-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calf tying event. Riders have to lasso the calf then jump down and proceed to do the same thing that is done in the goat event. Calf must be laying down and all legs tethered.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzvNVs5dxYI/TV9ZA8FfKYI/AAAAAAAAE5k/GoJ_ySzimu4/s1600/DSC06184-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzvNVs5dxYI/TV9ZA8FfKYI/AAAAAAAAE5k/GoJ_ySzimu4/s320/DSC06184-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tossing the hands out to the side like this signifies that your task is complete.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VVIFMpQSxMc/TV9ZRef6wSI/AAAAAAAAE5s/EM32JqoUrJg/s1600/DSC06234-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VVIFMpQSxMc/TV9ZRef6wSI/AAAAAAAAE5s/EM32JqoUrJg/s320/DSC06234-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The calf that refused to be caught. It circled the arena several times before they managed to shoo this one into the proper area. It was a beautiful calf too. In fact the prettiest one of the evening. A beautiful white color. Folks behind me were saying.".that calf looks like a ghost nearly."<br />
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Hope you enjoyed the photos!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-71402803906140887402011-02-15T21:01:00.000-08:002011-02-15T21:01:29.448-08:00Inviting you...To follow my new blog that features my children's photography at:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_Y34dl_P-0/TVtZLd0ObMI/AAAAAAAAE4s/NtohEchQxno/s1600/DSC05982-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_Y34dl_P-0/TVtZLd0ObMI/AAAAAAAAE4s/NtohEchQxno/s320/DSC05982-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://gigglesandgaloshes.blogspot.com/">http://gigglesandgaloshes.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
Thanks so much!<br />
I hope to feature not only my latest photo sessions, but also to highlight etsy artisans that create children's photo props. (hats, headbands, bloomers, dresses, scarves, etc.) And to also feature the occasional photography book review.<br />
<br />
If you create things such as crocheted or knitted hats, or other lovely items that could serve as photo props for children's photography, do get in touch with me. I'd love to help promote your business, and to help each other via networking across blogland.<br />
<br />
( p.s. If you've stopped by for the OWOH feature post/you'll find that just below, scroll down a wee bit ..thanks.)Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-88913836047107890472011-02-15T11:32:00.000-08:002011-02-15T11:32:55.325-08:00a bit of rural love/in my area of FloridaTook a drive around close to my house with my hubby and my camera a few days ago. This is a little of what I saw. Enjoy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2dkigTDrpc/TVrUY6akeJI/AAAAAAAAE3w/O--zYOfz9fo/s1600/DSC06110-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E2dkigTDrpc/TVrUY6akeJI/AAAAAAAAE3w/O--zYOfz9fo/s320/DSC06110-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjFkt0Of1jg/TVrUcoDBZcI/AAAAAAAAE30/dQ_fBAe80ow/s1600/DSC06114-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjFkt0Of1jg/TVrUcoDBZcI/AAAAAAAAE30/dQ_fBAe80ow/s320/DSC06114-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-9116633513662187532011-01-28T15:27:00.000-08:002018-01-15T16:15:21.948-08:00a little bit of randomness... just because<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-88448877791270738342011-01-10T20:39:00.000-08:002011-01-10T20:39:45.120-08:00The Year Round TreeSo, since we found one of those tall, slender trees at Lowe's this year for Christmas, we really liked the look of the tree and decided that we'd keep it out year round and decorate it for each season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TSveb0G4_jI/AAAAAAAAE2U/teaLYE37fLE/s1600/100_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TSveb0G4_jI/AAAAAAAAE2U/teaLYE37fLE/s320/100_0933.JPG" width="269" /></a></div> Here it is decorated with paper hearts of all kinds, a heart garland, and a paper chain. Using things like paint color cards available from the hardware store..I simply picked out a hand full of bright pink and red colored paint sample cards and brought them home and cut heart shapes and used a hole punch in the top and a little bit of white crochet thread..wallah..easy- peasy Valentine tree decor... and free. The heart garland and other paper hearts were created by my oldest daughter using a variety of left over scrap booking papers and glitter. Again easy-peasy and nearly free. There are a few bright red heart shaped glass Christmas ornaments that we left on the tree also.<br />
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Please don't look too closely at my messy book shelf..right now its holding a mish mash of knick knacks from our collections..Quarry Critters, a Spanish Flamenco dancer, and a bit of this and that. Some of which will be displayed up high along the ledge that surrounds the room..I just have to figure out yet which pieces will star in the "up high" place..smiles.<br />
Making a house a home takes time that's for sure, and a bit more time when the entire family wound up getting sick right at Christmas time a week after our moving in. Not fun, and a huge nuisance and set back on being able to get around to everything as quickly as I had wanted to.<br />
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This past week we worked on having a tree service and debris removal crew come in and help to clear our back yard of a huge rotten oak, and about 4 other oaks that were leaning, plus 3 palm trees from the front yard, and 2 great big debris piles that had been left in the backyard by the previous owner(when I say huge..trust me..these piles of debris required a backhoe and a huge dump truck type trailer to remove the debris). The yard looks so much better now having those areas cleared out. And with the huge rotten oak removed from next to our back patio we now have an area that we plan to use to put in several raised beds for gardening. We will test the soil throughout the yard this coming week and see what we need to do to make areas prosperous for growing edibles.<br />
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Thanks so much for stopping by. and yes, I'm a bit slow on getting photos posted here on what I've been doing throughout the house, but I hope that when I do share that it will be worth the wait. :0)<br />
Have a great evening!<br />
~The Garden Goose!~Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-23908564623116310632010-12-25T21:01:00.000-08:002010-12-25T21:01:29.777-08:00Merry Christmas!Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/RyVWqdV8kYI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ud1YFG5gojE/s1600/DSC02474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/RyVWqdV8kYI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ud1YFG5gojE/s320/DSC02474.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-7594308700283236972010-12-16T18:18:00.000-08:002010-12-16T18:18:25.328-08:00oh it's the dust..the du---uh--ust...bun-neee blues...There's dust in my hair, and dust in my nose...even dust in my i-yi-eyes..<br />
..and if I was a wearing them..probably even in my pant..eee hose..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>...oh me oh my.. I think I'm a gonna cry...<br />
I am a singing..the dust..<br />
oh I'm a singin' the duh---ust..bun eee blues.<br />
(no, I totally refuse to sing this one out loud for anyone near or far..I will more than likely never get rich from the words of this pitiful song I have just typed...ha, but just in case a record company comes a knockin'...its an original by yours truly...just so you know..ha)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/SpzDxjxaGTI/AAAAAAAAEYg/GquKZS7yM8A/s1600/sweeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/SpzDxjxaGTI/AAAAAAAAEYg/GquKZS7yM8A/s200/sweeping.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this little gal is part of my new laundry room decor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm singing the dust bunny blues here...Today sweet mom-in-law, dear daughter, and I all tackled the clean up of the rental. I used my trusty Dyson vacuum cleaner on all the tile floors and carpets, and then had to dust all the ceiling fans.Trust me a 2400 square foot home has a lot of ceiling fans and floor space once you start cleaning. This evening I am more than tired. I have itchy eyes from the dust, no doubt dust way up in my nostrils...and yep, even in my hair. But the job is now done and the house is clean awaiting the owners to either rent it out again, or sell it or whatever they'll do with it. And I dare say I am pretty darn sure its way cleaner than we found it when we first started renting it. I did find that I can't stand Tilex...no offense to the makers of that cleaning product..trust me it does the job well, but oh my word! you must definitely make sure the room you use it in is fully ventilated and fan is going. Can we say very strong bleach smell to it. But it worked magic on the shower tiles for sure. But I was quickly seeking out a source of bleach free air asap after using it, in fact even though I had the window open and the ventilator fan going I still found myself shouting in my head "MUST FIND FRESH AIR! MUST FIND FRESH AIR! ASAP!" but daggum it its a sparkling clean shower now...ha. Oh..and thank goodness for the makers of Claritin. I will be using their product this evening before going to bed. (end of all endorsements now folks...ha. Actually I didn't get paid a darn cent for mentioning any of the products here..I'm just a yakking my gums as my dad used to say) but yes..after today I need both a hot bath for my aching bod and an allergy med.<br />
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The new homestead is shaping up slowly but steadily. Probably a bit more on the slowly side than the steadily side...that's because moving is such draining work. Both physically and mentally. I have just been zapped. I know I don't want to do this again for a very, very long time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/SzFLMUswgHI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/4fRKHt3-slo/s1600/vs9784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/SzFLMUswgHI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/4fRKHt3-slo/s320/vs9784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Christmas tree is up and hubby and I like the new artificial tree he bought so well that we will most likely keep it up year round as a seasonal tree. Meaning we will probably decorate it for every season of the year. (Valentine's, St. Paddy's, Easter/Spring, 4th of July/Summer, Fall/Thanksgiving/and Christmas..you get the idea) It is a tall narrow version that is about 7 ft. high but takes up very little space. We may move it around from room to room throughout the house depending upon our mood/decor.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/S1VbFx_uyGI/AAAAAAAAEow/4fM8Aa2pXsk/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/S1VbFx_uyGI/AAAAAAAAEow/4fM8Aa2pXsk/s200/chicken.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this gal now sits next to my kitchen sink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've gotten my dining room decorated, but still have to finish the kitchen. My laundry room is pretty much done, I may add a few extra elements to it yet.<br />
The living room still needs doing as does the master bedroom and kids rooms.<br />
But we have only been in since Tuesday evening, so I think all told I/we have all made pretty good progress.<br />
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And yes, I'll be sharing pictures soon. Right now I don't want to share pictures of boxes stacked in the midst of the floor, but I will share soon I promise.<br />
I think you all will like that dear daughter and I hung a set of 3 antique Chinese paper lanterns in my living room, and the fact that I have a darling bright red ice cream bistro set with polka dot seats, and a yellow tea cart in my living room bay window...sort of a "world market" very eccentric/eclectic feel to it, I guess you could call it a sort of gypsy caravan style to the room. When I get it done I think it will look so cute.<br />
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Of course once the house has been tackled..which does take time..there will be the yard and the planning of flower beds and garden areas.<br />
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All in due time though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/SB6JV9DgyRI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/PxCErU0gYIo/s1600/mop_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/SB6JV9DgyRI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/PxCErU0gYIo/s320/mop_1.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br />
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Thanks so much for stopping by.<br />
~The Garden Goose!~Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-12194135904269642602010-12-03T18:47:00.000-08:002010-12-03T18:51:13.502-08:00The new homestead!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> It is finally ours..yippee. Here are some pictures of our new homestead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmsX_3rj6I/AAAAAAAAE2I/faD3T3wBeCk/s1600/house+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmsX_3rj6I/AAAAAAAAE2I/faD3T3wBeCk/s1600/house+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmoW5D6K_I/AAAAAAAAE1s/Bo-4FJLegaY/s1600/house+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmoW5D6K_I/AAAAAAAAE1s/Bo-4FJLegaY/s320/house+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our beautiful new kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmofra6jII/AAAAAAAAE1w/iSu4jd6hPxA/s1600/house+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmofra6jII/AAAAAAAAE1w/iSu4jd6hPxA/s320/house+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmoo3UdRVI/AAAAAAAAE10/KGql687XQKE/s1600/house5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmoo3UdRVI/AAAAAAAAE10/KGql687XQKE/s1600/house5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking from the dining area back towards the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmp-BItLaI/AAAAAAAAE18/Z8seZD9S2V8/s1600/house+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmp-BItLaI/AAAAAAAAE18/Z8seZD9S2V8/s1600/house+7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master bedroom. has a small french door, but on either side those windows have small plantation shutters on them..so cute. door leads out to huge screened in patio area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmpIdlGYTI/AAAAAAAAE14/R_SJIy3qQPg/s1600/house+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmpIdlGYTI/AAAAAAAAE14/R_SJIy3qQPg/s1600/house+6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is actually a large dining area but we are going to convert it to a large craft/sewing room as there is plenty of room just off the kitchen to the right for our dining table and chairs and not to mention the big bar area as well. So this big room will be used as a family crafting station area with nice organized shelves and fun decor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmqgV5W9eI/AAAAAAAAE2A/i-CnHdihtYo/s1600/house+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmqgV5W9eI/AAAAAAAAE2A/i-CnHdihtYo/s1600/house+8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a formal dining room to the left of the kitchen separated by a pocket door. It is large enough to be used for my husband's studio area/business.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmrJHeT0vI/AAAAAAAAE2E/xIe5ijBNlNc/s1600/house+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPmrJHeT0vI/AAAAAAAAE2E/xIe5ijBNlNc/s1600/house+9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last but not least...the big yard which is 1.29 of an acre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-59739583740811041792010-11-28T19:26:00.000-08:002010-11-28T19:26:48.261-08:00Ch..Ch...Ch..Changes are in the air...yeehaw!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Oh my goodness gracious me! Life has been busy and this little blogette of mine has suffered a wee bit with well... umm a bit of neglect I see, but hey... that doesn't mean that I've given up on her yet folks...it simply means that I've been busy living life and exploring, and learning a bit about my new town and even making friends!</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">I met this sweet gal recently and she is a real dear. (</span></i></span><a href="http://www.verbenanestedtreasures.blogspot.com/">http://www.verbenanestedtreasures.blogspot.com/</a>)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>And I'm in the throes of getting ready to move again...yes! its true...after</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">18 months (11 months to sell our place in N. Florida, then 7 months of looking here) we have finally found a new home! We close on it this coming Friday!! Yippee- Ki- YAY!!! And Friday intends to be a super busy day too, with yet another garage sale...yes...I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment I suppose, but I wound up finding a heap more things in all of the boxes we had packed up...that we can stand to live without in a new home, plus my/our tastes have changed quite a bit over the years...time for a totally fresh start.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">And my dear hubby let me order some of these beautiful heirloom roses for our soon to be new home. These are my Christmas gift from him.:0)</span></i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMaO4ti2mI/AAAAAAAAE1U/OUq-tnik46E/s1600/bougainville+heirloom+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMaO4ti2mI/AAAAAAAAE1U/OUq-tnik46E/s320/bougainville+heirloom+rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bougainville Heirloom Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">I can't wait to plant the sweet climbing roses called Bougainville against the fence on either side of our driveway to our new homestead.</span></i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMah5yRAJI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/YN06M2tzl9Y/s1600/Blush+Hip+Heirloom+Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMah5yRAJI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/YN06M2tzl9Y/s320/Blush+Hip+Heirloom+Rose.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blush Hip Heirloom Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMavMG1wSI/AAAAAAAAE1c/HpCVI9_j98w/s1600/greatmaidensblush-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMavMG1wSI/AAAAAAAAE1c/HpCVI9_j98w/s320/greatmaidensblush-3.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Maiden's Blush Heirloom Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">And I'll find a nice place to plant these pretty gals too called "Blush Hip" and "Great Maiden's Blush."</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br />
</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">I'm so excited to be getting ready to finally be in a new home. We'll have an acre and 1/4 to roam around on...and to create beautiful gardens in. </span></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMbtcCPw_I/AAAAAAAAE1g/FAxSjKOYRbU/s1600/100_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TPMbtcCPw_I/AAAAAAAAE1g/FAxSjKOYRbU/s320/100_0767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">The home has plenty of room and a terrific layout that suits our needs, and a beautiful large kitchen as well. (You can't see it in the photo but there is crown molding across the top of the counters and a ledge for displaying items/opposite side of kitchen includes a built in computer desk area and the fridge and a large pantry. This part that you see also includes a large bar area further to the right. Granite counter tops. My vintage 50's chicken decor will look cute in here...smiles. Oh..and see that window?? There is a granite ledge on the outside for serving directly from the kitchen out onto the large screened in patio area...fun! fun!)</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Well, that's what's been going on in my little corner of the world. And yes, I'll share more photos later.</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Have a great week. Thanks for visiting.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"> ~The Garden Goose!~</span></i></span><br />
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</span></i></span>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-74743561489523249662010-10-02T17:07:00.000-07:002010-10-02T17:07:04.458-07:00A little reminder...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today's Little Message:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/RqGip_WYdwI/AAAAAAAAAUA/MMy-LxcR-Co/s1600/collage123-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/RqGip_WYdwI/AAAAAAAAAUA/MMy-LxcR-Co/s640/collage123-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Enjoy the Beauty in Your Corner of the World!Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-33226967738496090032010-09-29T23:08:00.000-07:002010-09-29T23:08:25.509-07:00Ever feel this way?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TKQntZl0lkI/AAAAAAAAE1I/s8wbeXEkzO8/s1600/pinocchio+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TKQntZl0lkI/AAAAAAAAE1I/s8wbeXEkzO8/s320/pinocchio+1.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(yes, this darling little guy will soon be added to<br />
my fun collections of vintage items)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ever feel like you are constantly being pulled in quite a few directions? Yeah..life gets busy sometimes... and sometimes all's we can do is play catch up for a little bit.<br />
I've been busy adjusting to a new town. Trying to find a house to buy. Meeting new friends, and..today I learned how to crochet! Yesterday I planted 10 new iris varieties I had received into a large galvanized tub, can't wait to see them all bloom next year.(hopefully in a new yard and not still sitting in a galvanized tub)<br />
I wound up burning my arm pretty badly this evening on the stove while taking dinner out of the oven..ouch! I have a big 3-4 inch burn that is about 2 inches wide on my arm now. I laid my arm right on the oven door while taking some mozarella sticks out of the oven..needless to say when I jumped back from the pain the pan went tipping over and I lost half of the mozarella sticks down the oven door and on to the floor...but..at least I didn't burn myself any worse than I did and I hope it doesn't leave any kind of scar. Thank goodness for aloe vera gel.<br />
I've been slowly adding new seed varieties to my etsy seed shop too. I also joined a plant and seed swap group online and have managed to swap a few times with some nice folks for some pretty neat flower seeds for my personal private stash and for gardens at a new home.<br />
I've also been keeping busy home schooling 2 young children.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TKQpCkGWinI/AAAAAAAAE1M/r6NOkGYucEY/s1600/100_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TKQpCkGWinI/AAAAAAAAE1M/r6NOkGYucEY/s200/100_0250.JPG" width="200" /></a>Also keeping busy with the Small Town Living website and at last count I have 11 books to get reviewed... and soon! yikes.<br />
So..yeah..I feel kind of like the above picture..but in a good way. I like being busy. I like meeting new folks, and I absolutely am so thrilled with myself that I have learned a new skill.<br />
If anything I'll now be able to create my own crocheted dishcloths. You can't beat a crocheted cotton dishcloth for durability. I have several of them in my kitchen that other folks have made for me and I'll always choose those over a plain wash cloth to wash dishes with any day.<br />
Oh..and another thing...I've started collecting orchid plants..ever so slowly adding to a collection of them but I now have 6 orchids in my collection. Woohoo! I keep them on a sunny windowsill and they take very little care. Right now I have a lady slipper orchid in bloom. I'll slowly start adding to them as I can.<br />
oh..and one of the plant swaps that I'm expecting next week is for cuttings of a plant called adenium. (Desert Rose)<br />
The lady that is sending those had like 15 different types that she had taken cuttings from. I can't wait to grow them and then eventually see the blooms.<br />
Well I think that about sums up some of what I've been up to lately.<br />
Thanks so much for stopping by.<br />
~The Garden Goose!~Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-64037815426528763142010-09-01T18:48:00.000-07:002010-09-01T18:48:02.898-07:00Fun Finds and Pretty FlowersTreated myself to a couple of early birthday presents a couple of days ago. (shhh..my birthday isn't for another 16 days though, but a gal just has to do what a gal has to do when she finds some awesome items at a great deal that will look gorgeous in a new home..that is once she gets the new home...smiles)<br />
So, I snagged these beautiful items at a local consignment shop that has become my new haunt.<br />
Now living in what is deemed as a retirement type area...there are always "new" items coming through the doors of this consignment shop that I like to frequent. Items that are from estate sales or from homes being redecorated, etc. making it easy to find high end, quality items and antiques for a song.<br />
Yay! I love a bargain don't you?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH79qFpoG3I/AAAAAAAAE0A/FGUTtPyN68A/s1600/100_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH79qFpoG3I/AAAAAAAAE0A/FGUTtPyN68A/s200/100_0205.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH79DsrF8UI/AAAAAAAAEzw/sBk0LXYOfw0/s1600/100_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH79DsrF8UI/AAAAAAAAEzw/sBk0LXYOfw0/s200/100_0203.JPG" width="200" /></a> So without further ado meet my new finds. This is an antique pine tea cart painted in a creamy butter yellow color. After I cleaned it with Dawn dish detergent to remove the layer of nicotine and grime it had on it it looked even more lovely than these photos show.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH79fB4xZ5I/AAAAAAAAEz4/pkuAOQmCu1E/s1600/100_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH79fB4xZ5I/AAAAAAAAEz4/pkuAOQmCu1E/s200/100_0204.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH794cPtR3I/AAAAAAAAE0I/e_hFEvhmXfo/s1600/100_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH794cPtR3I/AAAAAAAAE0I/e_hFEvhmXfo/s200/100_0218.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH7_8IJpoVI/AAAAAAAAE0g/R4s8V3hUzMw/s1600/100_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH7_8IJpoVI/AAAAAAAAE0g/R4s8V3hUzMw/s200/100_0275.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH7_USFXpiI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/aPsWQG-536s/s1600/100_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH7_USFXpiI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/aPsWQG-536s/s200/100_0273.JPG" width="200" /></a>Then I found this beautiful large lady lamp. This lamp and matching table with cherubs on it stands taller than my ten year old son. It is rather large, but an elegant piece that will be placed in the master bedroom of a new home in which I intend to have William Bougeureau type art work in for a nice romantic look.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH7_L04vn9I/AAAAAAAAE0Q/-snuK3d_zJs/s1600/100_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH7_L04vn9I/AAAAAAAAE0Q/-snuK3d_zJs/s320/100_0274.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then last but not least, I spotted this lovely lady Slipper Orchid plant at a local hardware store's nursery and my sweet husband went back and bought it for me last night. (love that man!) The flower on this orchid is absolutely stunning. I love it. Another orchid for my fast growing collection! Yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH8AaXUb0ZI/AAAAAAAAE0o/K7aOzJFeM8Y/s1600/100_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH8AaXUb0ZI/AAAAAAAAE0o/K7aOzJFeM8Y/s320/100_0250.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also..this Surprise Lily popped up in a pot that I had over at my mom in laws "holding garden" a place where I have some of my plants awaiting a new home. The surprise lily bulbs were given to me several years ago from a gal in Indiana. They had never bloomed until this year. This is the first flower to show itself.Gorgeous! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH8BtcVm6DI/AAAAAAAAE04/UwsL2H4Tyjw/s1600/100_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TH8BtcVm6DI/AAAAAAAAE04/UwsL2H4Tyjw/s320/100_0260.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I cannot wait until I have my own yard again and home to grow lovely items like this and to find a permanent place to put my fun finds like the lamp and tea cart in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ~The Garden Goose~</div>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-40679600111197991192010-08-26T17:19:00.001-07:002010-08-26T17:20:27.505-07:00Ballerina Mobile<h1 style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 36px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 38px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Super Easy Child’s Room Mobile Decoration</h1><div class="meta" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><div class="date" style="color: #888888; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 5px;">August 26, 2010</div>By <a href="http://stliving.com/?author=2" style="color: #205b87; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Posts by Tina Wilson">Tina Wilson</a></div><div class="entry" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><strong>To make the mobile:<a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05577.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3473" height="300" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05577-200x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: right; height: auto; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; max-width: 576px;" title="DSC05577" width="200" /></a></strong><br />
10 fluffy chenille stems<br />
organza type wired edge ribbon in colors of choice (I chose pale blue and pink)<br />
bead garland or other glittery type garland (I used about 24 inches of a tiny plastic flower garland in silver color)<br />
small fabric quilted heart (or other embellishment of your choice that has a little “weight” to it/this will help to allow your mobile to hang better)<br />
fabric ribbon (I used a harlequin print pink and brown colored ribbon)<br />
6 small plastic ballerina cupcake toppers (available from:<a href="http://www.layercakeshop.com/" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">www.layercakeshop.com</a>) (I used 3 of each pink and blue)<br />
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To create this simple child’s room decor you do not need glue or sewing skills. You just simply need to know how to create a bow and to twist wire, and to tie knots.<br />
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Take 3 of the chenille stems and create a circle. Twist the ends of each chenille stems together.<br />
Take 6 chenille stems and place them evenly around the circle. At these evenly spaced points twist the chenille stems around your circle. 3 small twists will secure. Now point these 6 chenille stems upward into a “tent” shape. Gather them all together in a point.<br />
Fold the sharp edges over. Take your last chenille stem and form into a hook shape on one end. Use the excess to wrap around your 6 gathered stems. Wrap tightly.<br />
Create a large decorative bow from your fabric ribbon(not the organza type, but the thicker solid ribbon) Before tying the bow to the top of your mobile slide a few strands of decorative glittered garland in between the bow(about 12 inch length/2 strands). Finish attaching to the top near the hook by making a knot. Your glittery garland will be secured by the knot you tie.<br />
From the hook area also tie a long piece of organza ribbon(about 18 inches long) hanging down from the center of the mobile(tie in a knot). This will be what you attach the fabric heart or other center embellishment with.<br />
Attach the heart or other center embellishment to the length of ribbon that hangs from the center of your mobile. Tie with a knot. Right at this knot, attach a pretty ribbon bow. Again secure by knotting the bow onto the ribbon hanging down.<br />
Cut 6 lengths of organza wired ribbon (about 10 inches long) Tie ribbon in a knot around the waist of each of the ballerina figures.<br />
Attach the ballerinas to the mobile by tying with knots at evenly spaced intervals around the chenille ring.<br />
Where each ballerina’s holding ribbon is attached to the chenille ring tie little blue organza wired bows . Trim bow ends.<br />
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***This can be changed to be used for a boy’s room by using green or blue chenille stems or another favorite color chenille stem and using such items as tiny plastic dinosaurs or other fun plastic figures. Be creative and have fun! No limit to the types of little plastic items you can use to create a fun mobile.<br />
*** As with any item that has small parts keep away from small children. Not recommended for a baby or children who have a tendency to put items in their mouths.***</div>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-38372325024227174902010-08-04T15:04:00.000-07:002010-08-04T15:04:02.681-07:00Visiting ! Carnaval! display in Ocala, FL<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Today I convinced my mother in law and my oldest daughter to join me for a visit to <em>! Carnaval!</em> an exhibit organized by the Museum of International Folk Art and toured by NEH on the Road. This display was being shown at the Webber Center Gallery in Ocala, Florida from June 17th-August 11th. After it leaves Ocala, FL it will then be displayed in Indianapolis. So to get a chance to see it was a privilege…I feel anyhow.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_3371" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05446.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3371" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05446-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05446" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">New Orleans,USA Mardi Gras mask</div></div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_3372" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05450.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3372" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05450-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05450" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">A mask from Mexico</div></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Anyhow, I managed to get some really nice photos of the masks from around the world that depict how the pre-Lenten Mardi-Gras type festivals are celebrated. Yes! they allowed photos! I was so excited.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I hope you enjoy them.<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_3373" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05451.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3373" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05451-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05451" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">A simple Italian mask</div></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The masks are from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, USA, and Switzerland, and a few other places that unfortunately I forgot. Anyhow, my favorite masks were the fancy jeweled one from Spain (green feathers and jewels), and the bird man from Spain(black plague dr’s mask) and the mask that looks like the phantom of the opera, as well as the green lady from Switzerland(green hair), and the metal sculpted one from Mexico (dragon eyes and snake heads).<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_3374" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05453.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3374" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05453-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05453" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">An elaborately jeweled mask from Spain</div></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Carnival, Carnevale, Fassnacht, Entroido- the annual pre-Lenten festival most people in the United States know as “Mardi Gras” is celebrated throughout Europe and the Americas.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_3376" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05456.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3376 " height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05456-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05456" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">This mask depicts a dr's mask from the time of the Black Plague. Mask from Italy</div></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_3375" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05455.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3375 " height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05455-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05455" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">a Mask from Italy</div></div>Many of today’s Carnival activities are not necessarily religious, but the “feast before famine” excess is still deeply rooted in its litugurical origins.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Different cultures have different words for “Carnival” or the pre-Lenten festivities.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_3379" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05462.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3379" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05462-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05462" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Tlaxcala, Mexico mask</div></div><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_3380" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05466.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3380" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05466-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05466" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">detail on Tlaxcala, Mexico mask</div></div><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_3378" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05461.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3378" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05461-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05461" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">A mask from Mexico</div></div>Italians refer to it as <em>“Carnevale</em>” meaning <em>“flesh farewell”</em>, and the Spanish and Portugese refer to it as “<em>Carnaval”</em>, and the English call it “<em>Carnival”</em>… The Swiss-German peoples refer to it as <em>“Fasnacht”</em> or <em>Night before fasting</em>, and the French call it “<em>Mardi Gras” or “Fat Tuesday”</em>.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_3377" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05458.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3377" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05458-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05458" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Mask from Switzerland/Fasnacht celebration</div></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_3382" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05485.jpg" style="color: #cc0000; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3382" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05485-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05485" width="150" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Elaborate details on mask from Spain</div></div><a href="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05483.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #cc0000; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3381" height="150" src="http://stliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC05483-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 576px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC05483" width="150" /></a>No matter how the different cultures celebrate this event, one thing was for certain…the masks were all elaborate and colorful and unique. “Carnival” is all about turning the regular order upside down. What better way of doing so than donning a mask and parading through the streets as someone else?<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_3381" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 160px;"><div class="wp-caption-text" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Spanish masks</div></div></div><div class="tags" style="color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-78816254751436261202010-07-03T17:49:00.000-07:002010-07-03T17:50:04.465-07:00Happy 4th of JulyWishing you all a Happy 4th of July!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_aXWMXmMI/AAAAAAAAEzo/LCDAcxvyxlo/s1600/4th+of+July.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_aXWMXmMI/AAAAAAAAEzo/LCDAcxvyxlo/s400/4th+of+July.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>~The Garden Goose~Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-20447208860947409352010-07-03T17:35:00.000-07:002010-07-03T17:35:57.706-07:00A fun Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_V1wlHk9I/AAAAAAAAEzg/Zgzj4SCuZ4Y/s1600/DSC05310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_V1wlHk9I/AAAAAAAAEzg/Zgzj4SCuZ4Y/s320/DSC05310.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
On Thursday afternoon after I took hubby to his dr. appointment. Afterwards I took the kids to our local library for a fun reptile show.<br />
They were able to see the following critters: A yellow footed tortoise, a rhinoceros iguana, a Chinese alligator, an alligator snapping turtle, a python, and an anaconda snake.<br />
Here are a few pictures from the show. My kids really enjoyed it. The Chinese alligator shown here on the right was only about 3 ft. long. When fully grown it will be 6 ft. long.<br />
The yellow footed tortoise below left was really rather cute. And loved snacking on fresh banana.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_VfsKVXPI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/9kx0nNkm-1o/s1600/DSC05304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_VfsKVXPI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/9kx0nNkm-1o/s320/DSC05304.JPG" width="270" /></a><br />
<br />
I must say that the alligator snapping turtle shown below was definitely the ugliest critter shown that day. Its tail was about 14 inches long and the entire time it kept its mouth open, and a scary looking mouth it had too! Inside of this turtles mouth it looks just like mud..to blend in with the muddy river bottoms in which it dwells, it also has a little flap of skin that looks like a worm that it will wiggle to entice fish to swim right into its mouth.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_VobzYpCI/AAAAAAAAEzY/SvpTee0IqR4/s1600/DSC05306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TC_VobzYpCI/AAAAAAAAEzY/SvpTee0IqR4/s320/DSC05306.JPG" /></a>Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3131787274398766585.post-60369795111107229672010-06-26T14:05:00.000-07:002010-06-26T14:05:47.658-07:00So much has gone on lately...I'm still here folks...but life has been so busy lately. After we moved to Central Florida just 2 months ago..my children all caught a bad cold that made its rounds one by one through our household and landed on me for 6 weeks. So no one in our household was able to get out and explore our new town. Add to that..after I got better and everyone else had had the bad cold except for dad..he wound up getting it 2 and a half weeks ago and was laid up on the couch with low grade fever for 3 days. After he started feeling better he noticed a bad pain in his buttock then groin area one day. That morning he became in so much pain that he started dry heaving and then vomited up the glass of water I had given him. He laid back down for a few hours only to awake in more pain and looked down to see that his left leg had swollen and was red and his toes were blue in color!<br />
Yikes! So we rushed to the Er and found out that he had a blood clot and pulmonary embolisms. Yikes! Yikes! Yikes!<br />
So we wound up having to camp out at the hospital for a full week. Of course we did not plan on the hospital being our first "must see" place to visit in our new town that's for sure.<br />
So after having been released on the 18th we have had several dr's visits and hubby is slowly, slowly on the mend and slowly being able to gain mobility back in his leg.<br />
It is a long healing process. But things will be o.k.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TCZpPi1daGI/AAAAAAAAEy4/96bbgUR2frU/s1600/DSC05270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TCZpPi1daGI/AAAAAAAAEy4/96bbgUR2frU/s320/DSC05270.JPG" /></a></div>During this time I did manage a trip over to my in-laws home one evening to see a family of owls that are in her big oak tree in her backyard. The parents had a little owlet ...and boy is it cute. Of course with the tree situated close to the driveway and patio sitting area ..well they do create a bit of a mess. But I had never in my life seen a baby owl up close, let alone having the chance to photograph it, so it was quite exciting. And I haven't seen adult owls too often either..so it was so very fascinating to observe an entire family of them. Of course they didn't do anything except for sit and sit and sit some more and slowly turn their heads to look down at us..but none the less they still were pretty cool. I hope that you enjoy this photo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TCZpcNjUMkI/AAAAAAAAEzA/Eh2C28d0VUo/s1600/DSC05281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CLXz0Yq_UhQ/TCZpcNjUMkI/AAAAAAAAEzA/Eh2C28d0VUo/s320/DSC05281.JPG" /></a></div>I also managed to capture a photo of a dragonfly that was visiting my mother in laws garden. Didn't notice the fine strands of spider webbing between the two little poles until after I had taken the image.<br />
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Anyhow..we do love our new town..the little bit of it that we've been able to see, and we are delighted to now live closer to family.<br />
Right now we are leasing a home until we find one to buy, and hopefully that process won't take too long..but first up is to get my hubby well. And with that I'll leave you with an important reminder: If you or someone you love sits at a computer throughout the day..remind yourself or them to get up and move around at least every half hour.<br />
Blood clots and pulmonary embolisms are very serious and very scary. Stay well!<br />
Have a pleasant day and thanks for stopping by! ~The Garden Goose!~Tina Leavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903745713391219366noreply@blogger.com2