tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16167010679489657642023-11-15T09:06:22.319-06:00Charming Elephantalex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-52868626003640675502012-01-01T10:00:00.000-06:002012-01-01T10:00:00.627-06:00I'm moving!Yes friends, I've moved. Find me <a href="http://hellohodgepodgeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-87694409317019225492011-10-04T06:21:00.001-05:002011-10-04T06:21:19.818-05:00happy birthday momYesterday was her birthday. The creative, loving mother that she is. There's none better.<br />
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I just love her so much.alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-77177577154988655272011-09-21T12:00:00.000-05:002011-09-21T12:00:01.837-05:00painfully lovely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent my saturday here, in junky's wonderland. Booths and booths of vintage cameras, jewelry, and knick-knacks of every sort. There wasn't a single thing I walked by where I didn't reach for my money.</div>
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I couldn't help but notice every single camera as we passed by each shop - it was almost as if I had a 'vintage-camera' filter on. I was in heaven.<br />
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Now you must know that I'm a picky shopper - no, I'm a cheap shopper. And I go with my gut. If I feel I can find a better, <i>cheaper</i> one, I'll walk away.<br />
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However, I did decide on one thing - this adorable, boutique chair now sits where my dull, wooden one used to, and I love it.<br />
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I wish I could go here every weekend, but, alas, it's an annual deal.<br />
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Charming Elephantalex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-88877024786584422142011-09-18T10:00:00.000-05:002011-09-18T21:22:44.627-05:00on days when i remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's a lake by my house, and often I forget about it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shirt: forever 21 // skirt: anthro // shoes: target // necklace: forever 21</td></tr>
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It's tucked away behind the trees off the side down my street.</div>
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But when I catch a glimpse of the clear, blue water and the grass that peeks out from underneath, I don't waste a second to snap some shots.</div>
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charming elephant<br />
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p.s. - credit goes to the talented photographer of this shoot, my brother!alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-82066337444209899272011-09-16T21:54:00.001-05:002011-09-16T21:54:49.324-05:00i left my heart in yachats (to the northwest part 2)As we crossed the Willamette river, I felt an unnerving excitement in the depths of my soul. Part of me was thrilled to see what our next stop would bring, yet another part felt heartbroken to be leaving the lively streets of Portland. But as I watched the tall buildings turn to rows on end of orchard trees, I knew this was all a part of adventuring - moving on from one place to another, embracing every moment of it.<br />
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The air grew cooler as we neared the coast, stopping first at a small town north of Lincoln city. The place was something of a hole in the wall. The signs were crooked, the paint was chipped, and almost every shop smelled like wet-cat. But the fact that everyone was just so out-of-the-loop made the town unique - cute, in a way<br />
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The sun was nearing the horizon as we pulled into the motel. And although I was expecting them, I was startled to find cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents rushing to greet us as we arrived. Wasting no time, we hurried over to the ocean - not more than 200 yards from our inn. It was low-tide and the pools it left scattered on the sand reached depths of at least 4 feet, making it hard to work your way around.<br />
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I watched as the little ones jumped from one shell to the next saying <i>look what I found!</i> and running around proudly with it in hand until they stumbled upon a bigger, <i>better</i> one - all the while with a smile on my face. And as a wave came in, they'd run, screeching, away, barely dodging the icy grasp of the Pacific.<br />
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The entire atmosphere was magical and dream-like. It was like we weren't even on an earth anymore. The way the waves crashed upon the soft, cold sand was soothing and mesmerizing. The family was together, and that was all that mattered. It was enchanting in itself.<br />
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I wish we could have stayed a little longer, because it was an experience I'm not willing to forget.<br />
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Have you ever been to the coast?alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-19798328863394095922011-09-13T18:24:00.000-05:002011-09-13T18:24:06.448-05:00previewpreview of a post in the making!<br />
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<br />alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-76983827975468154132011-09-05T20:48:00.000-05:002011-09-05T20:48:56.452-05:00autumn whispersYesterday the air was chilled to a mere sixty seven. The blue sky was crisp and vivid. And the sun cast a trace of golden light through my window and onto my wooden floors.<br />
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Even though the trees still hold their lush, green leaves, the breeze whispered otherwise. It spoke of apple orchards, and chunky-knit sweaters. Of pumpkin pie, and halloween. Colorful leaf piles, and hay rides. The breeze, that felt so cool on my warm, tender skin, murmured moments of autumn into my ear.<br />
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The thought of a new season excites me. So much it will bring. It's september. Summer is already sneaking out the back door. Out of mind for the next nine months.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0ZSpNPqIYQ/TmV35lT8_GI/AAAAAAAAAqk/EjHEszccHH0/s1600/fall+resolutions++charming+elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="592" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0ZSpNPqIYQ/TmV35lT8_GI/AAAAAAAAAqk/EjHEszccHH0/s640/fall+resolutions++charming+elephant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://honeybeeinthecity.blogspot.com/2011/07/things-i-love-thursday_21.html">via</a></td></tr>
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Tomorrow I enter a new way of life - one with over sized sweatshirts and mounds of homework. School will start and my days will be filled with learning. This is it. The last shebang. I had a wonderful summer, and I hope you did too.<br />
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ta ta for now,<br />
charming elephant<br />
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<br />alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-43363192654634234632011-09-03T21:20:00.002-05:002011-09-03T21:20:27.143-05:00keep portland weird (to the northwest part 1)A couple weeks ago my family and I left for Oregon. A ten-day trip that would be spent in a number of places, starting in Portland. We visited friends, family, dogs, cats, beaches, peaches, and so much more - I barely caught it all in 2,000 photos.<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGZcG5BByQ4/TmKdOkmowDI/AAAAAAAAApk/JSy_hg0es2U/s1600/theviewfromuphere+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGZcG5BByQ4/TmKdOkmowDI/AAAAAAAAApk/JSy_hg0es2U/s1600/theviewfromuphere+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left: rockies // right: mt. hood</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUiAD8tmrGI/TmKdOB1zRdI/AAAAAAAAApg/oj-M579b-xo/s1600/thestreetsofportland+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUiAD8tmrGI/TmKdOB1zRdI/AAAAAAAAApg/oj-M579b-xo/s1600/thestreetsofportland+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" /></a></div>
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I am a city girl. I love tall buildings, one-way streets with an added lane for bikers, quirky shops and quirky people, and especially the way all those buildings light up in the night sky. So Portland was just my place - one of my favorites, in fact. The sidewalks are always busy and bikes are locked to every street sign, tree, and bike rack. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzCXW9tfCHo/TmKdN77_rKI/AAAAAAAAApc/PfGurK2Ds48/s1600/sunsetinportland+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzCXW9tfCHo/TmKdN77_rKI/AAAAAAAAApc/PfGurK2Ds48/s1600/sunsetinportland+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6sP3_fV6g0/TmKdMl8dIMI/AAAAAAAAApQ/BvvLgZggJnA/s1600/mazeofbooks+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6sP3_fV6g0/TmKdMl8dIMI/AAAAAAAAApQ/BvvLgZggJnA/s1600/mazeofbooks+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" /></a></div>
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The city is filled with old and new, small and large, vintage and modern - shops of every kind. One of which is Powell's book store. Undoubtedly the largest bookstore in america. It's four stories high and one block wide. That piece of paper I'm holding in my hand? - that's <i>t</i>he map to the place. I mean, what bookstore doesn't need a map?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5k7clnPv80/TmKdK4CU87I/AAAAAAAAApA/ssK_9WcB8bM/s1600/bythetram+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5k7clnPv80/TmKdK4CU87I/AAAAAAAAApA/ssK_9WcB8bM/s1600/bythetram+%257C+charmingelephant.jpg" /></a></div>
I was sad to say good bye after a well-spent 2 days, but Portland is not a place I can visit just once. I'll be back, someday. Maybe I'll even spend a few years of my college life there... Just a thought.<br />
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More to come!alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-88198537777503454362011-08-24T22:41:00.000-05:002011-08-24T22:41:06.721-05:00liebster blog awardToday I, along with four others, recieved the liebster blog award from <a href="http://simplesapphire.blogspot.com/">Simple Sapphire</a>. The award is simply intended to connect the bloggers of the internet who have less than 200 followers and gain more in the process. And I am thrilled to be a part of it.<br />
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Rules of the award:<br />
1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them. <br />
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.<br />
3. Post the award on your blog.<br />
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers. <br />
5. And best of all – have fun and spread the karma! <br />
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My top 5 picks of lovely bloggers are (in no particular order): <br />
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<a href="http://helloworld-life-people.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/AsOXS.jpg" /></a>1. <a href="http://helloworld-life-people.blogspot.com/">Hello, World </a><br />
Margaret is a lovely blogger with a knack for words. She can illustrate a soft, summer sunset in the backyard, or a pleasent weekend at the cabin - and all the same, I feel as if I'm right there next to her. Her writing is art. (Not to forget her exquisite photography.) <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="clickandcapturephoto.blogspot.com.png" src="webkit-fake-url://118E34A4-1CD7-4FD3-9D6D-8ECB43E25FF6/clickandcapturephoto.blogspot.com.png" /></span>2. <a href="http://clickandcapturephoto.blogspot.com/">Click and Capture </a><br />
Kiley is an aspiring photographer that show so much potential. I love each and every shot she takes and find myself longing for more after every post. (I actually found her on instagram!) <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="BUTTON2.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://7382CDE4-2D1B-4EFA-BEC4-B6747AEEE8D0/BUTTON2.jpg" /></span>3. <a href="http://love-august.blogspot.com/">Love August</a><br />
This girl is seriously talented when it comes to making little montages. There's just something about pairing moving photos with music. And I simply love it.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hannahshangout2.blogspot.com.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://264EB323-D391-422C-B844-DFA47817B57E/hannahshangout2.blogspot.com.jpg" /></span>4. <a href="http://www.hannahmagdalene.com/">Hannah's Hangout</a><br />
Hannah is just an all around wonderful blogger. She's got the smarts for photography and writing - and she manages to keep a consistent variety of posts, from dance, to travels, to simply family.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="www.write-sing-coffee.blogspot.com.jpg" src="webkit-fake-url://ECF77F98-DD3B-43DF-912A-F86F149B4420/www.write-sing-coffee.blogspot.com.jpg" /></span>5. <a href="http://write-sing-coffee.blogspot.com/">Write. Sing. Coffee</a><br />
A personal friend of mine, Sonia, may be a newbie to the blogging world, but she's definitely pulling it off. She can write about anything from coffee shops to re-done rooms and still make it sound lovely.<br />
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Thanks again to Simple Sapphire for the award!<br />
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As you may have noticed, I recently returned from my vacation. And I will be posting pictures very soon!alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-53953835280171506072011-08-10T13:00:00.003-05:002011-08-10T13:00:06.170-05:00[the words i love] guest post by Margaret Free<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Well, today's the day. By the time you read this, I will have already transfered from one long plane ride to another. I'll be reading books, trying to sleep, and of course, taking lots of pictures along next to my mother and brother. And hopefully this little suitcase will be riding along.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAjJzDM31Dw/Tjv6B1ibpmI/AAAAAAAAAmY/bzQBSMvL3AI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAjJzDM31Dw/Tjv6B1ibpmI/AAAAAAAAAmY/bzQBSMvL3AI/s320/photo.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I found a few lovely people to keep you some company while I am away, and today is Margaret Free - enjoy!<br />
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I am a writer. Not the kind that has her books published, or the one who can put anything to words brilliantly, but the kind that simply writes. <span style="font-style: italic;">I love writing</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I love the words that are the foundations of the act. When I come across an attractive, unfamiliar one while reading, I pause and ponder it . . . wonder how/when I'll use it.<br />
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My favorite words are the ones that perfectly embody their meanings. This should be a given for every last word, but it isn't quite. There are just some words that are better at their work than others!<br />
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These are some of my favorites:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Clairvoyant</span> - </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default; font-style: italic;">adjective -</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">Having</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">or</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">claiming</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">to</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">have</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">the</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">power</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">of</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">seeing</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">objects</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">or</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">actions</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">beyond</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">the</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">range</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">of</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">natural</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">vision.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_91d8lt-AE/TjoAUGpINNI/AAAAAAAAAlw/MpXMozjEa1o/s1600/6003812260_098517c134_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_91d8lt-AE/TjoAUGpINNI/AAAAAAAAAlw/MpXMozjEa1o/s640/6003812260_098517c134_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">I love how this word rings in my mind. It's so expansive, if that makes sense.</span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">~~~</span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wanderlust</span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default; font-style: italic;"> - noun - </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">A strong,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">innate</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">desire</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">to</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">rove</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">or</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">travel</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">about.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUxvjHCtL40/TjoAsHVzNUI/AAAAAAAAAl0/1kWaflo9cxg/s1600/6003804714_62e13114e2_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUxvjHCtL40/TjoAsHVzNUI/AAAAAAAAAl0/1kWaflo9cxg/s640/6003804714_62e13114e2_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">It sounds like it belongs in an epic poem.</span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">~~~</span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Visage</span> - noun - </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">The face; countenance</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWLNgwHiqBo/TjoA2Wc8WcI/AAAAAAAAAl4/HLa17xwaFvg/s1600/6003259525_0d619d6dc8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWLNgwHiqBo/TjoA2Wc8WcI/AAAAAAAAAl4/HLa17xwaFvg/s640/6003259525_0d619d6dc8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">Okay, anything derived from French it pretty neat, no? I like how sharp and concise this word is.</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">~~~</span></span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Caprice</span> - noun</span> - </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">A</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">sudden,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">unpredictable</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">change,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">as</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">of</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">one's</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">mind</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">or</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">the</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">weather.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1Rd62qs1jA/TjoBKzVC_6I/AAAAAAAAAl8/UH1Y9_1Z3Ng/s1600/6003254977_ef5e5c7677_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1Rd62qs1jA/TjoBKzVC_6I/AAAAAAAAAl8/UH1Y9_1Z3Ng/s640/6003254977_ef5e5c7677_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">So carefree and happy . . . whimsical.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;">~~~<br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vagabond </span>- noun -</span> </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">A</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">person,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">usually</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">without</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">a</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">permanent</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">home,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">who</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">wanders</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">from</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">place</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">to</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">place;</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">nomad.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KdB_Bfj-pM/TjoB7-2KVvI/AAAAAAAAAmE/rZvuQq6IrgI/s1600/6003252625_d04cd9172e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KdB_Bfj-pM/TjoB7-2KVvI/AAAAAAAAAmE/rZvuQq6IrgI/s640/6003252625_d04cd9172e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">I think that everyone has a secret desire to be a vagabond.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;">~~~<br />
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</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intrinsic</span> - adjective - </span></span><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">Belonging</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">thing</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">its</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">very</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">nature.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alWOSmnmJEg/TjoCLizKNrI/AAAAAAAAAmI/7cb_r4DoiOE/s1600/6003798910_a636dca037_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alWOSmnmJEg/TjoCLizKNrI/AAAAAAAAAmI/7cb_r4DoiOE/s640/6003798910_a636dca037_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">It's such a delicate word, just like the nuances that make up our personalities.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;">~~~<br />
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</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Affinity</span> - noun</span> - </span></span><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">A</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">natural</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">liking</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">for</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">attraction</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">person,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">thing,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">idea,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">etc.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXffKgf6KmA/TjoCZvHd9CI/AAAAAAAAAmM/jHSTQlCiByM/s1600/6003264855_97b159d4d5_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXffKgf6KmA/TjoCZvHd9CI/AAAAAAAAAmM/jHSTQlCiByM/s640/6003264855_97b159d4d5_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">This one has the same quality as <span style="font-style: italic;">clairvoyant; </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">expressive.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;">~~~<br />
<span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Volition </span><span style="font-style: italic;">- noun-</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">The</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">act</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">of</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">willing,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">choosing,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">or</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black;">resolving;</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">exercise</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">of</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">willing.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_K3diUKj6c/TjoCkwdXgUI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/bp0JvSrFivw/s1600/6003796032_4d461347e9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_K3diUKj6c/TjoCkwdXgUI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/bp0JvSrFivw/s640/6003796032_4d461347e9_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: black;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;">I like how daring <span style="font-style: italic;">volition</span> is. This word is the working title of the novel I'm writing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">~~~</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you <a href="http://dictionary.com/">dictionary.com</a>!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"></span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">So there are a few - believe me, I have many more! - of my most-loved words. I haven't used each one in normal conversation or writing, but I will. Someday.</span></span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">Do you have some favorites of your own?</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;">-----------</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0-pYQPUBKI/TjoDFFJnUEI/AAAAAAAAAmU/n7yDqoU1BIU/s1600/heat+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0-pYQPUBKI/TjoDFFJnUEI/AAAAAAAAAmU/n7yDqoU1BIU/s320/heat+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: black; cursor: default;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hi there! My name's Margaret, and I love fresh air, the color green, good art, and my little sister. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">I blog at <a href="http://helloworld-life-people.blogspot.com/">Hello, World</a> about photography, writing, life . . . that sort of thing. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm so pleased to meet you!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-2411879271638178272011-08-07T22:13:00.000-05:002011-09-01T14:34:47.058-05:00for love of sleepovers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What's in a sleepover that is so thrilling to teenage females? Is it the awkward loveliness of posing for the camera? Is it the assumed permission to pig out on brownies? Is it the late night conversations? Or is it simply the amount of laughter shared together? Whatever it may be, I have to admit, it's one of the best parts of being a girl. </div>
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I spent the afternoon yesterday with my dear friend Erin. I hadn't seen her in months and we had so much to catch up on. So we sprawled out on my bed, and talked. About clothes, instagram, blogs, <em>life. </em>And every-so-often she'd slip in an 'I love your room!'. Before we knew it, an hour had passed by and we were running out of things to say.</div>
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Erin was anxious to test out my camera and some of my clothes - in other words, she was ready for a photo shoot. The sun was still high in the sky, a few clouds here and there. My favorite time of day. We ran around the yard, posing in front of anything and everything, feeling awkward all the same. And after a few hundred shots, our stomachs were growling in unison.</div>
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After a few slices of ordered pizza (I know, how very original), we tore open the brownie-mix box, whisked the ingredients, and threw the pan in the oven. When the agonizing, 30 minute wait was over, we pulled them out to find chocolaty perfection (never mind the crisp edges, which made them easy to eat like watermelon). Saving a few bites for later, Erin and I decided it was time to do our nails.</div>
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Now, let me warn you of something - if you ever decide to paint your nails on the screen porch at dusk, your decision may result in exploding nail-art pens, squinting to see if you are even painting the right nail, and missing your nail altogether. This may or may not be related to the conditions.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left: erin's hand (orange with gold sparkles) right: my hand (pink with gold sparkles)</td></tr>
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The entire day there had been rumors of evening thunderstorms. Well, more like late night thunderstorms. And Erin and I were both looking forward to watching our movie with sounds of rain and thunder in the background. But how dissapointing mother nature can be - we recieve a full 30 seconds of rain and one, pathetic thunder. How dissapointing indeed. However, even though our ohsoanticipated thurnderstorm didn't arrive, the rest of our evening wasn't as dissapointing. We spent the rest of the night crafting snacks and climbing in bed to watch 'I Am Number Four' on Erin's portable DVD player.</div>
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And we didn't fall asleep until 1 in the morning.</div>
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What's your favorite part of a sleepover?</div>
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p.s. remember I am leaving on Wednesday, when I have my first guest post schedualled. (Sadly, I only have 2 guests posting for me, but I hope you will be kind to them!)</div>
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alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-56291043050034672542011-08-05T09:47:00.000-05:002011-08-05T09:47:22.464-05:00stripes and typewriters [a fashion post]Two of my favorite things.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shirt: forever 21 // neclace: forever 21 // tank: forever 21 // shorts: hollister // shoes: target</td></tr>
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want to guest post? check it out <a href="http://charmingelephant.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-am-on-mission.html">here</a>.alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-86816144933997709862011-08-03T21:00:00.002-05:002011-08-24T23:48:29.598-05:00in search of guest posters<strike>I am on a mission. To find a number of lovely bloggers. Who want to share some of their talent over here. While I'm gone.</strike><br />
<strike><br />
</strike><br />
<strike>I will be away, visiting the west coast for 13 days. Starting August 10.</strike><br />
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<strike>And I don't want to just leave you guys hanging. (Actually, I can't really say that, considering that's all I've been doing the past few weeks...)</strike><br />
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</strike><br />
<strike>So, the first 10 people to <a href="mailto:letsblogtogether@me.com">email me</a> will be chosen to fill in for me while I'm away. This is on a tight schedule, however, as I need all posts by August 8. And today is August 3.</strike><br />
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<strike>What I'm wondering is if anyone out there actually desires to do this. I do hope so.</strike><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had fun driving golf carts around camp this weekend!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-88074749922331736672011-07-27T23:16:00.000-05:002011-07-27T23:16:31.975-05:00Hello lovely people!<br />
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You may be wondering where I have been. Have I been traveling? Have I been deathly sick? Have I been unmotivated to post?<br />
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Truth is, I have had no inspiration whatsoever to post these past few weeks. And you know what? It makes me sad. I love blogging. I love reading all of your lovely blogs. I love it all. But lately, I just haven't been feeling anything.<br />
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So, here's the deal. I won't be posting as often, until of course my inspiration returns. Expect a couple posts a month, maybe. I wish I could be one of those bloggers who posts everyday, but I'm not. I sure hope you understand!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACq2PJG9vpU/TjDiP5Li_xI/AAAAAAAAAlo/0PIt00p-0Go/s1600/Scanned+Image-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACq2PJG9vpU/TjDiP5Li_xI/AAAAAAAAAlo/0PIt00p-0Go/s640/Scanned+Image-6.jpg" width="465" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happens when your brother tries to draw you without looking at the paper. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Until next time!<br />
Charming Elephantalex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-77769911469686672982011-07-06T15:34:00.000-05:002011-07-06T15:34:33.653-05:00independence day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The beach (ahem, man-made pond) was packed on the hot, summer day. July 4th. It was filled with people who neither had a cabin nor an in-ground pool to relax in - and that included us. I spent the day with a friend of my mother's and her adorable little son, not to mention my own kin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isSv1SgiQjA/ThTDLfCyBMI/AAAAAAAAAlM/C8dLJn742j8/s1600/IMG_3971+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isSv1SgiQjA/ThTDLfCyBMI/AAAAAAAAAlM/C8dLJn742j8/s640/IMG_3971+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJYjgVJt8X4/ThTDLmA-cII/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Ge0FsFxX-uA/s1600/IMG_3984+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJYjgVJt8X4/ThTDLmA-cII/AAAAAAAAAlQ/Ge0FsFxX-uA/s640/IMG_3984+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All four hours were filled with splashes, laughs, snacks, and sunburns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mSd3IbITqeo/ThTDMa_QtyI/AAAAAAAAAlU/pIdEOGW39p0/s1600/IMG_3990+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mSd3IbITqeo/ThTDMa_QtyI/AAAAAAAAAlU/pIdEOGW39p0/s640/IMG_3990+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> And although the 'beach' wasn't more than a 100 yards wide all around, I managed to find a spot where I couldn't touch. That's rare.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wtGL42882U/ThTDNDCJVCI/AAAAAAAAAlY/8tDy5b1mDwY/s1600/IMG_4065+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wtGL42882U/ThTDNDCJVCI/AAAAAAAAAlY/8tDy5b1mDwY/s640/IMG_4065+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IuZOtRNGVsc/ThTDNTNJ9UI/AAAAAAAAAlc/4QGDzG0hmEQ/s1600/IMG_4069+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IuZOtRNGVsc/ThTDNTNJ9UI/AAAAAAAAAlc/4QGDzG0hmEQ/s640/IMG_4069+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Later that night, we parted ways and the three of us moved on to fireworks. Gotta have that. We arrived an hour early and still barely found a spot, but we settled in and waited.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNA2o1xH18U/ThTDNkmhHqI/AAAAAAAAAlg/p4h1z76aFYg/s1600/IMG_4083+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNA2o1xH18U/ThTDNkmhHqI/AAAAAAAAAlg/p4h1z76aFYg/s640/IMG_4083+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Then, when the sun was more-than-set and the sky was dark, the first one erupted no more that 200 feet away. And this was our view.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHO_V_i_f98/ThTDOeuu9GI/AAAAAAAAAlk/OAvxhU9Jx8g/s1600/IMG_4109+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHO_V_i_f98/ThTDOeuu9GI/AAAAAAAAAlk/OAvxhU9Jx8g/s640/IMG_4109+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Right behind the trees.<br />
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Oh well, it as all fun in the end. It was one of the best shows I've seen.<br />
<br />
I hope you had a wonderful fourth!alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-76171685845993871032011-06-30T23:41:00.001-05:002011-06-30T23:41:43.708-05:00summer reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soxrVHvJiBc/Tgz__rcL6SI/AAAAAAAAAj8/SOZWqqrh-Ig/s1600/IMG_3763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soxrVHvJiBc/Tgz__rcL6SI/AAAAAAAAAj8/SOZWqqrh-Ig/s640/IMG_3763.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kF7fGlQyONk/Tg0AAKNATNI/AAAAAAAAAkA/mF4CfIHog4s/s1600/IMG_3765+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kF7fGlQyONk/Tg0AAKNATNI/AAAAAAAAAkA/mF4CfIHog4s/s640/IMG_3765+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqcMeAszHFM/Tg0AAvr0JdI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ycPV-twa-jY/s1600/IMG_3769+copy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqcMeAszHFM/Tg0AAvr0JdI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ycPV-twa-jY/s640/IMG_3769+copy+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could not be more inspired by Anthropologie. I mean, no-brainer their styles are mouth-watering<i>ly</i> delicious. And, have you seen their stores? But, seriously, any photographer who is a photographer would gape at these creative, totally original, and beyond beautiful photographs in their catalogs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTuIaF5EDh0/Tg0ABI0ZZjI/AAAAAAAAAkI/zgiYkK71Jyo/s1600/IMG_3775+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TTuIaF5EDh0/Tg0ABI0ZZjI/AAAAAAAAAkI/zgiYkK71Jyo/s640/IMG_3775+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNCuZJ0Qu_A/Tg1JOM5C7eI/AAAAAAAAAkc/bVjmYvKj_AI/s1600/IMG_3777+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNCuZJ0Qu_A/Tg1JOM5C7eI/AAAAAAAAAkc/bVjmYvKj_AI/s640/IMG_3777+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpA5H8n8kUI/Tg1JOt2_z3I/AAAAAAAAAkg/OnNIlbZx4po/s1600/IMG_3779+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpA5H8n8kUI/Tg1JOt2_z3I/AAAAAAAAAkg/OnNIlbZx4po/s640/IMG_3779+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seriously. There's not been but one issue that's failed to impress me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSHR06oRU44/Tg1JPE9odAI/AAAAAAAAAkk/tcAnqBXyLME/s1600/IMG_3785+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSHR06oRU44/Tg1JPE9odAI/AAAAAAAAAkk/tcAnqBXyLME/s640/IMG_3785+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I fell in love with <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/shopbycatalog.jsp?catname=May08">this theme</a> (summer classics) and couldn't stop myself from testing it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMDQbQobdBM/Tg1JPS1NJtI/AAAAAAAAAko/W3f576hTjMI/s1600/IMG_3790+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMDQbQobdBM/Tg1JPS1NJtI/AAAAAAAAAko/W3f576hTjMI/s640/IMG_3790+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> I only wish I could model their threads at the same time...<br />
<div><br />
</div>alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-29035095512943048552011-06-28T15:05:00.002-05:002011-06-28T15:13:47.277-05:00i now know this much of photoshopIt's official, people. Today, I experimented with photoshop.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And these were the results:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMZgRkdrWFE/TgozQLm3a-I/AAAAAAAAAjw/mFQrWlFM7eU/s1600/beforeafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMZgRkdrWFE/TgozQLm3a-I/AAAAAAAAAjw/mFQrWlFM7eU/s640/beforeafter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_-ogRL4NQM/Tgo1yV9I9xI/AAAAAAAAAj4/fstgIcotHx4/s1600/camera+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_-ogRL4NQM/Tgo1yV9I9xI/AAAAAAAAAj4/fstgIcotHx4/s640/camera+edited.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sorry, no before picture of this one. I learned the hard way that pictures<br />
can be replaced...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
(Of course, I couldn't have done it without the help of <a href="http://www.thedaybookblog.com/2010/10/your-questions-answered-photography-and.html">this</a> lady.)<br />
<br />
Goodbye picnik, hello photoshop!alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-31945368054062176112011-06-15T15:24:00.001-05:002011-06-15T15:30:08.313-05:00a collaboration of fashion, food, and words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>lace and denim</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing I love about doing the laundry is that I can steal anyone's clothes - and, until I actually wear it, no one ever notices. Now, truth be told, I stole that shirt - from my mom. I stole it, I paired it with some denim shorts and forest-green, gold-studded flats, and I wore it proudly all around the house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqZrONjYKG8/TfjPxj-HWvI/AAAAAAAAAjE/GEohY2s7Re0/s1600/%2528f%2529otoshoot+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqZrONjYKG8/TfjPxj-HWvI/AAAAAAAAAjE/GEohY2s7Re0/s640/%2528f%2529otoshoot+watermark.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shirt: mom's // shorts: forever21 // shoes: thrifted //<br />
necklace: forever21 // earrings: anthropologie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrC3FDO0J-0/TfjPywGwsEI/AAAAAAAAAjI/9RFLARc3m0A/s1600/%2528f%2529otoshoot2+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrC3FDO0J-0/TfjPywGwsEI/AAAAAAAAAjI/9RFLARc3m0A/s640/%2528f%2529otoshoot2+watermark.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dzvFbp69xnk/TfjP0OkH_JI/AAAAAAAAAjM/G6HwbVeUA-w/s1600/%2528f%2529otoshoot3+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dzvFbp69xnk/TfjP0OkH_JI/AAAAAAAAAjM/G6HwbVeUA-w/s640/%2528f%2529otoshoot3+watermark.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTbD_xMrWcE/TfjP1GgyknI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/iqIunle-Jt0/s1600/%2528f%2529otoshoot4+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTbD_xMrWcE/TfjP1GgyknI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/iqIunle-Jt0/s640/%2528f%2529otoshoot4+watermark.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oanNE_6RQtg/TfjP2Zi7wXI/AAAAAAAAAjU/vh3Bs92I3sk/s1600/%2528f%2529otoshoot5+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oanNE_6RQtg/TfjP2Zi7wXI/AAAAAAAAAjU/vh3Bs92I3sk/s640/%2528f%2529otoshoot5+watermark.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then, later, when we took a short trip over to Anthropologie, I literally ran into a worker, and after saying her apologies, I was delighted to hear her say how cute I looked. That's really something coming from someone who's covered head to toe in Anthropologie merchandise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b922Df3VPA/TfjP3UEJGgI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Gm7E2fVcyJQ/s1600/%2528f%2529otoshoot6+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b922Df3VPA/TfjP3UEJGgI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Gm7E2fVcyJQ/s640/%2528f%2529otoshoot6+watermark.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">strawberry-rhubarb crumble</span></b><br />
I made an absolutely, scrumpdiddlyumpscious treat the other day. It's called strawberry-rhubarb crumble. And I got this wonderful recipe from this <a href="http://17andbaking.com/">amazing lady</a> whose photos never cease to make my mouth water every time I see them. So, do you want to know how to make 'em? (Oh, and for your information, the recipe calls for oatmeal, but somehow I skipped over it, realizing it was still on the table when I had just slipped the dish into the over. So, don't do the same, please.) :)<br />
<br />
1. Gather flour, brown sugar, room temp butter, and salt and combine dry ingredients. Then add butter until substance is crumbly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhr22joI9XE/TfjdhmoYRdI/AAAAAAAAAjc/YEgvQ3FziGk/s1600/strawberry-rubarb+crumble+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bhr22joI9XE/TfjdhmoYRdI/AAAAAAAAAjc/YEgvQ3FziGk/s640/strawberry-rubarb+crumble+watermark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> 2. Gather rhubarb and strawberries, sugar, and flour.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE7a-DOiuzc/TfjdiWcVkAI/AAAAAAAAAjg/AAmAWwhSWBA/s1600/strawberry-rubarb+crumble2+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DE7a-DOiuzc/TfjdiWcVkAI/AAAAAAAAAjg/AAmAWwhSWBA/s640/strawberry-rubarb+crumble2+watermark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> 3. Peel off the outer skin of the rhubarb and cut off the ends. Cut the stalks into one-inch pieces, or enough to make 3 cupfuls. Hull the berries, and cut in half. Then toss the fruit together with the sugar and flour until evenly coated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI0Lk4oMXKU/TfjdjUov4mI/AAAAAAAAAjk/H9LgfjEp5q4/s1600/strawberry-rubarb+crumble3+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI0Lk4oMXKU/TfjdjUov4mI/AAAAAAAAAjk/H9LgfjEp5q4/s640/strawberry-rubarb+crumble3+watermark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> 4. Place the fruit in a 9x9" baking dish. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit until evenly coated. Bake for 1 hour, or until bubbly, brown and crisp.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdbugaR897k/TfjdkxnMd6I/AAAAAAAAAjo/P1Fogb43atE/s1600/strawberry-rubarb+crumble4+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdbugaR897k/TfjdkxnMd6I/AAAAAAAAAjo/P1Fogb43atE/s640/strawberry-rubarb+crumble4+watermark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> (The crumble looked so yummy that I forgot to take a picture of it on a plate - until after it was long gone.) :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4Fac1IXU2s/Tfjdl2FdbWI/AAAAAAAAAjs/SzNhoaL2W7k/s1600/strawberry-rubarb+crumble5+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4Fac1IXU2s/Tfjdl2FdbWI/AAAAAAAAAjs/SzNhoaL2W7k/s640/strawberry-rubarb+crumble5+watermark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Crisp Topping<br />
1 cup toasted slivered almonds (optional)<br />
1 cup flour<br />
3/4 cup packed brown sugar<br />
Pinch of salt<br />
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened<br />
1/2 cup oatmeal</span></div><div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Fruit Filling<br />
6 stalks rhubarb<br />
1 1/2 pints of strawberries<br />
6 tablespoons sugar<br />
2 tablespoons flour</span></div><div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour, brown sugar, salt, oatmeal, and almonds. Mix the softened, room temperature butter into the flour mixture with a fork or with your fingers until crumbly.</span></div><div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Peel off outer skin of rhubarb and cut off the ends. Cut stalks in one-inch pieces, enough to make three cupfuls. Hull the berries, cut in half. Toss fruit together with the sugar and flour until evenly coated. Place the fruit in a 9×9″ baking dish. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the fruit. Bake for 1 hour, or until bubbly, brown and crisp.</span></div><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">etsy</span></b><br />
You may or may not have known that I started an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/charmingelephant">etsy</a> a few months ago, but I did. If you didn't know about it, well you have good reason, because it contained but one item and I did nothing whatsoever to advertise it. Until now. Yesterday I added 10 new items that I hope you will like. Head on over and let me know what you think! (I have a showcase on the side if you didn't already notice it.)<br />
<br />
That's all for now, friends!<br />
Charming Elephantalex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-35874575749638345192011-06-13T16:06:00.001-05:002011-06-14T12:24:35.545-05:00computer problems, photos, and such hello dearies!<br />
<br />
I've been planning this post since the morning I woke up, June 9th - my first day of summer. I spent all day filming a little montouge for you, showing just how excited I was to be out of school. I got shots of me running across my yard barefoot; showing of my new vintage camera; and even attempting to do a cartwheel (which, was about a good as a 5-year-old's). But, I am very dissapointed to say that my computer is currently running on 4 kilobits of memory, which is about the size of a single email, and as a result of this iMovie is acting up, internet is slowing down, and just about anything else that requires a click of the mouse, well, isn't working. (Luckily I was able to, at the very least, write you this depressing post.)<br />
<br />
But don't worry, friends, we are working on backing up the entire computer to a hard drive, and starting completely fresh. (Ahh... that'll be nice.) I will have that video posted, even if it's the last day of summer.<br />
<br />
-<br />
<br />
Now, seeing as I never even bother to look at a post if it doesn't include some sort of picture, video, or illustration (I know, it's terrible), here are a few photos (including the beautiful, young lady from <a href="http://write-sing-coffee.blogspot.com/">Write. Sing. Coffee.</a>).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZB2DGsznjc/TfZ6bURS8sI/AAAAAAAAAis/Mwt_0-ysz_Q/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZB2DGsznjc/TfZ6bURS8sI/AAAAAAAAAis/Mwt_0-ysz_Q/s640/IMG_2037.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1AFKGlYGr0/TfZ6dd-3PpI/AAAAAAAAAiw/3yTq-wJkois/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--1AFKGlYGr0/TfZ6dd-3PpI/AAAAAAAAAiw/3yTq-wJkois/s640/IMG_2065.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEpQicRY5jU/TfZ6fQISr0I/AAAAAAAAAi0/03X5xJgiEU0/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEpQicRY5jU/TfZ6fQISr0I/AAAAAAAAAi0/03X5xJgiEU0/s640/IMG_2073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZjYKIK09eA/TfZ6hdJ0QWI/AAAAAAAAAi4/0V-iaXy9dc4/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZjYKIK09eA/TfZ6hdJ0QWI/AAAAAAAAAi4/0V-iaXy9dc4/s640/IMG_2083.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsq0CqylO9g/TfZ6iwi5jAI/AAAAAAAAAi8/CMA1yh-edus/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsq0CqylO9g/TfZ6iwi5jAI/AAAAAAAAAi8/CMA1yh-edus/s640/IMG_2089.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAqujA25otE/TfZ6k88hBoI/AAAAAAAAAjA/HM8EqiCzKUk/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAqujA25otE/TfZ6k88hBoI/AAAAAAAAAjA/HM8EqiCzKUk/s640/IMG_2119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
hope you are enjoying your summer!<br />
charming elephantalex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-34422642512987281832011-05-24T21:04:00.000-05:002011-06-15T15:38:40.924-05:00Hey, Soul SisterSo yesterday some friends came over, and I had the pleasure of listening to them perform their cover of 'Hey, Soul Sister' (which they will again be performing Friday for a choral, in-class, talent show - good luck ladies!). And after that, we got some ideas, which led to two and half fun-filled hours of - well, you'll see --<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSYA5i8G4oCpzBiPBh4ywmTx753VbfBf9Jvyxe-drEmCI0yWCqweTMGU8WAUyppNDciZmRx04qGMPPiJx0Ow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JNc5MwQjQY/Tdxf5EDcLoI/AAAAAAAAAh4/ZuadtlUwurg/s1600/IMG_1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JNc5MwQjQY/Tdxf5EDcLoI/AAAAAAAAAh4/ZuadtlUwurg/s640/IMG_1566.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5zrzDfNpHw/Tdxf-o0cJ-I/AAAAAAAAAiA/17I7EODepME/s1600/IMG_1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5zrzDfNpHw/Tdxf-o0cJ-I/AAAAAAAAAiA/17I7EODepME/s640/IMG_1663.JPG" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeZL7jl4r8s/Tdxf7cAqX2I/AAAAAAAAAh8/4Dp0OGHfDh4/s1600/IMG_1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeZL7jl4r8s/Tdxf7cAqX2I/AAAAAAAAAh8/4Dp0OGHfDh4/s640/IMG_1575.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyr5RS_w24w/TdxgHCqf3EI/AAAAAAAAAiI/dqW-_f6BA5c/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyr5RS_w24w/TdxgHCqf3EI/AAAAAAAAAiI/dqW-_f6BA5c/s640/IMG_1696.JPG" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2tv5Rdidw8/TdxgBcSTjII/AAAAAAAAAiE/fLN9Akb5NDE/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2tv5Rdidw8/TdxgBcSTjII/AAAAAAAAAiE/fLN9Akb5NDE/s640/IMG_1680.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxXbkHzfs5w/TdxgKuxBvNI/AAAAAAAAAiM/SzSXgQqLWvI/s1600/IMG_1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxXbkHzfs5w/TdxgKuxBvNI/AAAAAAAAAiM/SzSXgQqLWvI/s640/IMG_1716.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0N3boPfvECk/TdxgbEuo2qI/AAAAAAAAAio/4sM49Wo4l5c/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0N3boPfvECk/TdxgbEuo2qI/AAAAAAAAAio/4sM49Wo4l5c/s640/IMG_1769.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEhbvqNOlg4/TdxgU9TrOWI/AAAAAAAAAic/oLBb2dujN-s/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEhbvqNOlg4/TdxgU9TrOWI/AAAAAAAAAic/oLBb2dujN-s/s640/IMG_1763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uOvdvDVM7E/TdxgZPH2CYI/AAAAAAAAAik/H6zyAcqwH64/s1600/IMG_1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uOvdvDVM7E/TdxgZPH2CYI/AAAAAAAAAik/H6zyAcqwH64/s640/IMG_1767.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8dsgw52iAk/TdxgQfN2d3I/AAAAAAAAAiU/6rA6auUn06c/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8dsgw52iAk/TdxgQfN2d3I/AAAAAAAAAiU/6rA6auUn06c/s640/IMG_1749.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and before hand, I made brownie cupcakes, but I'm ashamed to say that I threw away the box with the instructions... *shame on me* </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPOT8b2DxUw/TdxfsM1y7xI/AAAAAAAAAhc/KTz-45rQk_8/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPOT8b2DxUw/TdxfsM1y7xI/AAAAAAAAAhc/KTz-45rQk_8/s640/IMG_1538.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UekI_bUbCSc/TdxfzjICNfI/AAAAAAAAAhs/MvVLpM6RdEM/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UekI_bUbCSc/TdxfzjICNfI/AAAAAAAAAhs/MvVLpM6RdEM/s640/IMG_1548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qM6PSZvLsts/Tdxf1HvnyvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/G-cCFyQNIjk/s1600/IMG_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qM6PSZvLsts/Tdxf1HvnyvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/G-cCFyQNIjk/s640/IMG_1549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tewAPEjbbUE/Tdxf27a_xJI/AAAAAAAAAh0/zVILzQdY16w/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tewAPEjbbUE/Tdxf27a_xJI/AAAAAAAAAh0/zVILzQdY16w/s640/IMG_1550.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">hope you have a wonderful week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Charming Elephant</div>alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-32294511970177326002011-05-09T19:52:00.000-05:002011-05-09T19:52:54.662-05:00everyone needs a laugh now and then...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-mTTp7qznyg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
happy monday everyone!alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-23353117034340603982011-04-25T20:31:00.001-05:002011-06-15T15:32:50.319-05:00the joy of easterthe joy of easter egg hunts<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZfKUFUd-Nc/TbYVdd2zslI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Y_dXz8OtxZ0/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZfKUFUd-Nc/TbYVdd2zslI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Y_dXz8OtxZ0/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18aDpUsUGWk/TbYV2Um3EII/AAAAAAAAAgg/nhIMMr6XHB8/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter2_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18aDpUsUGWk/TbYV2Um3EII/AAAAAAAAAgg/nhIMMr6XHB8/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter2_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Im_XV6Ul0GU/TbYWjXgAOuI/AAAAAAAAAgk/gaTpsxeAgCs/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter3_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Im_XV6Ul0GU/TbYWjXgAOuI/AAAAAAAAAgk/gaTpsxeAgCs/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter3_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pfsYWb8-Wk/TbYXOOL95lI/AAAAAAAAAgo/wi_DWaNhJik/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter4_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pfsYWb8-Wk/TbYXOOL95lI/AAAAAAAAAgo/wi_DWaNhJik/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter4_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a really nasty jelly bean...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>the joy of fruit-filled tartlets </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aUuCPivnCI/TbYYKQyOpCI/AAAAAAAAAgs/BpsYFIei4LE/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+tartes_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aUuCPivnCI/TbYYKQyOpCI/AAAAAAAAAgs/BpsYFIei4LE/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+tartes_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXbXjHiqqYA/TbYY-RjTILI/AAAAAAAAAgw/8QFu-mveCkI/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+tartes2_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXbXjHiqqYA/TbYY-RjTILI/AAAAAAAAAgw/8QFu-mveCkI/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+tartes2_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDX6Rf_3qSk/TbYY_C6yx_I/AAAAAAAAAg0/bbSd2Iid4OY/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+tartes3_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDX6Rf_3qSk/TbYY_C6yx_I/AAAAAAAAAg0/bbSd2Iid4OY/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+tartes3_effected.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>the joy of silly, little cousins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDO49IMKpmA/TbYZ09dG1LI/AAAAAAAAAg4/h26DpS9JZGg/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter5_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDO49IMKpmA/TbYZ09dG1LI/AAAAAAAAAg4/h26DpS9JZGg/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter5_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j79CNXEyiXw/TbYaJTw5NaI/AAAAAAAAAg8/TX0Aj6lJPT0/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter6_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j79CNXEyiXw/TbYaJTw5NaI/AAAAAAAAAg8/TX0Aj6lJPT0/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+easter6_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>the joy of easter - happy belated easter, friends. He is risen, he is risen indeed!</div><div><br />
</div><div>---</div><div><br />
</div><div>Fruit-filled Tartlets</div><div>Makes 24</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>ingredients</b></div><div>3 cups of all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting</div><div>1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, sifted</div><div>1 1/3 cups of almonds (optional)</div><div>1 cup of butter</div><div>2 egg yolks</div><div>2 tablespoons of milk</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>filing</b></div><div>2 cups of cream cheese</div><div>1 tablespoon of powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting</div><div>24 oz of fresh berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V87lDxoXUrk/TbYfeNjfKII/AAAAAAAAAhA/kFAAuldq9lY/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V87lDxoXUrk/TbYfeNjfKII/AAAAAAAAAhA/kFAAuldq9lY/s640/IMG_1213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>1. Sift the flour and powdered sugar into a bowl. Stir in the almonds. Add the butter, mixing (with hands) in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolks and milk and work in until the dough binds together. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gltassw03XE/TbYfhUohQPI/AAAAAAAAAhI/zTC_qu7h9oM/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gltassw03XE/TbYfhUohQPI/AAAAAAAAAhI/zTC_qu7h9oM/s640/IMG_1218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>2. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and use it to line 12 deep tartlet pans. Prick the bottoms with a fork and press a piece of foil into each.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gbN0OwDYNg/TbYgIXNL63I/AAAAAAAAAhM/W98pUCBlqLk/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gbN0OwDYNg/TbYgIXNL63I/AAAAAAAAAhM/W98pUCBlqLk/s640/IMG_1223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>3. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until light golden brown. Remove the foil and bake for another 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.</div><div><br />
</div><div>4. Halve the strawberries. For the filling, mix together the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl. Place a spoonful of filling in each tartlet and arrange the berries on top. </div><div><br />
</div><div>5. Dust with sifted powdered sugar and serve.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rhv-R-Vj14/TbYgKJa7lhI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/kACx4BbwDoA/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rhv-R-Vj14/TbYgKJa7lhI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/kACx4BbwDoA/s640/IMG_1265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>'till next time,</div><div>Charming Elephant</div>alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-67647441663364328032011-04-17T19:32:00.000-05:002011-06-15T15:25:26.505-05:00Sweet Sunday // Apple Streusel Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recently got a new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baking-Visual-Step-step-Cookbook/dp/1407567489">cookbook</a> and I am in love. The reason being, it's all pictures. And I'm kind of a visual learner, so, you know how that goes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6jSsd1789w/Tat_E3FttDI/AAAAAAAAAgI/jwG-4eYiwDM/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6jSsd1789w/Tat_E3FttDI/AAAAAAAAAgI/jwG-4eYiwDM/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Anyway, the first recipe that caught my eye was for apple streusel bars. Yes, yummy, delicious, apple-filled, brown sugar-covered, easytomake, streusel bars. (Keep in mind this is a book on <i>baking</i>.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9aKC_I19U3c/Tat_DTlU1EI/AAAAAAAAAgE/hMA9HBwX8eM/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars2_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9aKC_I19U3c/Tat_DTlU1EI/AAAAAAAAAgE/hMA9HBwX8eM/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars2_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I found myself chasing after the cookbook's look with preset ingredients and such and, well, lets just say it took me much longer than planned to do so.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OE4aTVx1lY/TauA-jwdzDI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ccBGdle8YVM/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars3_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OE4aTVx1lY/TauA-jwdzDI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ccBGdle8YVM/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars3_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While using our vintage sifter, I realized, love is everywhere.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXGx2p7VhvY/TauCZ06FdZI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/g_kBPtp-l4s/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars4_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXGx2p7VhvY/TauCZ06FdZI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/g_kBPtp-l4s/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars4_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hD71fr0hZIU/TauDybkD4uI/AAAAAAAAAgU/BpXbrOkUh_c/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars5_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div> Then, after an hour of "patiently" waiting, they were done. And boy, were they worth it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hD71fr0hZIU/TauDybkD4uI/AAAAAAAAAgU/BpXbrOkUh_c/s1600/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars5_effected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hD71fr0hZIU/TauDybkD4uI/AAAAAAAAAgU/BpXbrOkUh_c/s640/Charming+Elephant+%257C+Apple+Streusel+Bars5_effected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Apple Streusel Bars (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baking-Visual-Step-step-Cookbook/dp/1407567489">via</a>)<br />
makes 14 bars<br />
<br />
<b>ingredients</b><br />
generous 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing<br />
2 crisp apples, peeled, cored, and diced<br />
2 tablespoons lemon juice<br />
2/3 cup superfine/granulated sugar<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
2 eggs, beaten<br />
generous 2 cup self-raising flour<br />
<br />
<b>topping</b><br />
1/3 cup finely chopped, blanched almonds (optional)<br />
1/4 cup all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 light brown sugar<br />
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted<br />
<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and line an 11 x 7-inch sheet cake pan. Sprinkle the apples with lemon juice.<br />
2. Cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until pale. Gradually add the eggs, beating thoroughly.<br />
3. Sift over the flour and fold in evenly, then stir in the apples. Spread evenly in the pan.<br />
4. For the topping, mix all the ingredients to a crumbly texture and sprinkle over the cake. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes until firm and golden.<br />
5. Cut into bars and serve warm or cold.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1625196632"></span><span id="goog_1625196633"></span>alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-57193833489564338032011-04-11T06:31:00.000-05:002011-04-11T06:31:13.863-05:00I'm BackHello, fellow followers!<br />
<br />
Yes, I'm back, and it has been too long. I've been inspiration-less, and busy... far too busy - which hasn't helped the situation. Although the break was a great breather, I began to miss blogging. So, I will try to post once a week, due to my packed schedule, but if I don't, well, you know how things are.... :)<br />
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check these out:<br />
<a href="http://wishwishwish.net/">a lovely little fashion blog</a><br />
<a href="http://dressdesigndecor.blogspot.com/2011/02/je-ne-sais-quoi.html">the perfect messy bun</a> (discovered by <a href="http://www.pastorsgirlsponderings.com/">carlotta</a>)<br />
<a href="http://pieofthetiger.com/2010/12/cookie-monster-cupcakes/">the cutest cupcakes ever</a>alex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1616701067948965764.post-62534705393299689882011-03-09T16:16:00.000-06:002011-03-09T16:16:09.537-06:00On a breakI need to take a break from blogging. I need some time to enjoy my surroundings without thinking about what my next post will be. I need to stop stressing over lost followers and low views. I want to start capturing the world around me through my lens and my words. And most of all, I need to spend more time with God.<br />
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I hope you understand and I believe this will benefit us both. After a 2 week break, I promise to be a better blogger who posts often and doesn't ignore you. I promise. I just need a break from it all.<br />
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Thanks,<br />
Charming Elephantalex annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07669667765148468048noreply@blogger.com3