tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556835986229453492024-03-13T04:36:47.803-07:00It's the Little ThingsAt the end of the day it isn't what you've done but it's if you've cherished the little things along the way.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-59002585922914621662012-05-18T14:41:00.000-07:002012-05-18T14:51:33.197-07:00Greek Potato SaladI hope every that reads this has had the excellent experience of having Zoe's Kitchen for lunch and dinner. Over the past week I ate Zoe's 3 times and twice in the same day(we just had one open by our home and I was really excited). Their potato salad maybe my favorite potato salad around, it is so good, light and tastey. Last night for dinner I decided on making George Forman Cubans and felt potato salad would be a perfect side dish so I decided to try my hand at making potato salad similar to Zoe's with red potatoes, green onion and a Greek red wine vinaigrette dressing. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. As I texted my friends after dinner this will be making an appearance at tailgates. I also love that it is easily doubled for large parties.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Greek Potato Salad</b></u></span><br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
12 red potatoes, boiled, cooled and sliced (skin on)<br />
1/4 cup chopped green onion <br />
1 T fresh lemon juice<br />
1/2 cup olive oil<br />
1/2 cup red wine vinegar<br />
1/2t oregano, dried<br />
1/2t rosemary, dried and snapped into fine pieces<br />
1t garlic powder<br />
1t onion powder <br />
1t ground black pepper<br />
1t coarse salt<br />
1/8t ground red pepper<br />
1/2t sugar<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b>:<br />
1) Boil 12 red potatoes in salted water until pierced with a fork and soft (about 25 minutes). Strain and put in freezer for about 30 minutes to cool off fully.<br />
2) Once potatoes are cooled sliced in pieces of desired size and chop green onion and put in preferred container<br />
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3) Mix ingredients 3-13 well, I used my electric whisk and a measuring cup for this process<br />
---you could use a fork and a bowl or measuring cup or a container with a lid and shake whatever you have around the kitchen will work, it really can't be messed up<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished dressing</td></tr>
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4) Pour about HALF(you can decide but I found a half cup was perfect) of the dressing on top of the potatoes and green onions and stir. Taste test and you may decide to add a little more salt and pepper depending on taste. You can either chill it until ready to serve or serve immediately depending on how you and your family/guests prefer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About half was left after feeding two men who had been working hard all day</td></tr>
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<b>Makes 8 servings</b>, lasts in the fridge for days(but it really won't last that long)<br />
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**With the leftover dressing just leave it on the counter at room temperature and use it on a salad or marinade or more potato salad**<br />
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Hope everyone is having a wonderful May!<br />
RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-70252009211025991662012-03-20T16:17:00.000-07:002012-03-20T16:17:02.804-07:00Chicken Taco SoupLast night I found a recipe that I wanted to try because I knew we had almost everything in the freezer or pantry, which is always a winning recipe for me, so I did tonight for dinner. I will say I had to run to the store for some limes and black beans because we did not have those in stock at the house.<br />
<br />
<b>Chicken Taco Soup</b><br />
<br />
<div>Chicken - shredded (as much as you like!) I used about 2 cups of boiled I had stored in the freezer.</div><div>1 tbsp. olive oil</div><div>2 cups chicken broth</div><div>2 cups water</div><div>1 package taco seasoning (I used my dashes and eye balling of cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, pepper and pinch of crushed red pepper flakes)</div><div>1 tsp. ground cumin</div><div>1 1/2 tbsp. red taco sauce</div><div>6 oz. can tomato paste</div><div>1 can fire roasted stewed tomatoes </div><div>1 cup diced frozen onion</div>1 can black beans - drain and rinsed<br />
1 can whole kernal corn - drain and rinsed<br />
1 lime<br />
<div> </div><div>Toppings: </div><div>cheese</div><div>guacamole</div><div>sour cream </div><div>tortilla chips</div><div> </div><div>First heat up 2 cups of broth in either a quart measuring cup or large bowl, add the can of tomato pate and break down by either whisk or fork and set aside. </div><div> </div><div>In your soup pot heat up olive oil add in onion to brown, I also added minced garlic because we have a huge bottle in the fridge. Once onion is brown add in the chicken, taco seasoning, taco sauce, tomato paste/broth mixture and fire roasted stewed tomatoes(I used my hand emulsifier and broke up the tomatoes since I don't like them chunky). After all is mixed together let sit for a few minutes until the chicken has taken on the flavor of the spices. </div><div><br />
</div><div>When the chicken has become flavorful add in the cans of corn and black beans and 2 cups of water. Simmer on low for a hour. Stir in the juice of one lime right before serving. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Prep: 30 minutes</div><div>Cook time: 1 hour</div><div><br />
</div><div>This was super yummy and totally a keeper recipe for the cookbook.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-16178546882290864072012-03-20T10:46:00.000-07:002012-03-20T10:46:48.821-07:00Rachael Ray's Mexican LasagnaI am officially back to blogging food and recipes. I have decided searching for new recipes and things around the house are some of my "Little things" in life, so this is turning into more of a foodie and craft blog.<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago I was given the challenge to create meals for my family of 3 using two bags of shredded chicken. The thing is I wanted to do new recipes not the same chicken casserole and so the challenge was on searching the internet for boiled shredded chicken recipes and I found this <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/mexican-lasagna-recipe/index.html">one from Food Network</a>. It was fabulous and I just had to share. I will admit I changed cook time a little bit because I would rather all the flavors marry together more than care about it being a truly 30 minute meal with a super hot oven.<br />
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<u><b>Rachael Ray's Mexican Lasagna </b></u><br />
<ul class="kv-ingred-list1"><li class="ingredient">3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil </li>
<li class="ingredient">2 cups shredded boiled chicken</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 tablespoons chili powder</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 teaspoons ground cumin</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 red onion, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 cup medium heat taco sauce or 1 (14-oz) can stewed or fire roasted tomatoes</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 can corn kernels, drained</li>
<li class="ingredient">Salt</li>
<li class="ingredient">8 (8 inch) spinach flour tortillas, available on dairy aisle of market</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 scallions, finely chopped</li>
</ul><div class="instructions"> <div class="instruction"> Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.</div><br />
Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, and red onion. Brown the meat, 5 minutes. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.<br />
<br />
Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 tablespoon oil. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 30-40 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with the scallions and serve.<br />
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I have to say it is fabulous and fabulously easy too! I did end up with extra chicken filling, so I froze it and paired it with yellow rice for another quick dinner a week later.<br />
</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-91470423418999550502011-11-13T14:57:00.000-08:002011-11-27T18:35:01.023-08:00How to Layer a Christmas TreeIn the Little house we have a tradition, or addiction however you feel like looking at it, of going over the top on Christmas trees. We now have 3 trees. Last year when I threw an ornament shower for my dear friend Katie, she asked my Mama the simple question "How do you layer decorations on your Christmas tree?" This year we decided to take that question and run with it, creating a "How To" post to share our knowledge with the world. (We photo documented the largest tree and the slim tree, and have finished photos for all. <br />
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1) Inspiration, colors and theme<br />
When decorating or deciding to build a Christmas tree the most important thing to do is find your inspiration, colors, and if there's a theme. Last year when starting <a href="http://rebaslittlethings.blogspot.com/2010/11/lets-crank-up-christmas-music.html" target="_blank">The Peacock Tree</a> I had the idea of peacocks and the gorgeous colors of purple, blue, aqua, and greens and one day while at Hobby Lobby I found a gorgeous aqua peacock feather ribbon and a few peacock feather picks and the tree was born!<br />
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Our other trees are the Copper and Lime tree, which Mama has been putting together and up for almost a decade now, along with the Scarlet tree which has a southern feel with pearls, fleur de lis, magnolias and lives in a Scarlet room. We felt the name was appropriate<br />
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2) Choose a tree for the space and fill it with lights and cover with a tree skirt. <br />
We have 3 trees in our house: a skinny pre-lit 7 ft tree in the dining room, a full 7 ft tree in the living room which stands on two gold boxes that my Daddy built to make it taller with 1400 lights on it, and a 6.5 ft pre-lit tree in our upstairs foyer. Take your time to make it full and to make sure all the lights are operational. We find tree skirts expensive so we often use fabric: brown and copper window sheers over two gold wooden stands for the copper and green tree, yards of gold sheer fabric on the Scarlet tree, and a cut up round gold table cloth as a skirt for the Peacock tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqf5HKHBJnkFoGSwzuFddxB-Vpf1sY-FY5FMB_NSvum4N_jdUYQb8r8Bsd0lmBooiPGEwKLyzvKxqA8opaM0GMvGVIYSF7iczVQUkKDRD05kwk4BhpHzNJMCUFHv8O_GxLmmQtSaZ0khC/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqf5HKHBJnkFoGSwzuFddxB-Vpf1sY-FY5FMB_NSvum4N_jdUYQb8r8Bsd0lmBooiPGEwKLyzvKxqA8opaM0GMvGVIYSF7iczVQUkKDRD05kwk4BhpHzNJMCUFHv8O_GxLmmQtSaZ0khC/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+051.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will turn into the Copper and Green tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVih-txE4p4ztE2fvpd3JobypPhRE0uSvRVlzitaC3kTKqiq6puPvul5tbRfNeyb5op0R4e2pdIEa3b-CQMaE0Yfm7AjSf4DrQfJa5AhMFibxjNOB56xTB6uK8iZ3XDs823u9e78RCEW2/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVih-txE4p4ztE2fvpd3JobypPhRE0uSvRVlzitaC3kTKqiq6puPvul5tbRfNeyb5op0R4e2pdIEa3b-CQMaE0Yfm7AjSf4DrQfJa5AhMFibxjNOB56xTB6uK8iZ3XDs823u9e78RCEW2/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+106.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will become The Scarlet tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>3) Topper goes first<br />
I feel we all know the scene in <i>It's a Wonderful Life</i> when they put the angel on the tree at the end of the decorating but to layer and make a beautiful tree put the topper first to make sure everything else blends together. There are many options for toppers Santa, an angel, leaves, feathers, spirals, again this is one of those things where you find your inspiration and add picks and height to your tree with pretty things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUQ7_ZRFx5DpSlhGQdKzlXeNdaCM1ABz6-JDGsoXiZ4eXOpl3CMsWROQFmp8pBgtl2AdCMFFJx61AoIOFPrYxclwYdQdoz5bp_4aQPSbZUBb0lyzXQmBfyoaaMP97CSAFaUosB0bxlArO/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUQ7_ZRFx5DpSlhGQdKzlXeNdaCM1ABz6-JDGsoXiZ4eXOpl3CMsWROQFmp8pBgtl2AdCMFFJx61AoIOFPrYxclwYdQdoz5bp_4aQPSbZUBb0lyzXQmBfyoaaMP97CSAFaUosB0bxlArO/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We top with mixtures of size, shapes and color with 5 green and 15 copper vertical elements. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-tj1cSn6XrM0CuoyM6ByJmB3qxrlxRl6zb4P4xP1dcEzzVXWtdAflLoAIz7mMx93a3TCCcmaj2ZGXGZeUeqDoon2wmY6PMV1AyhoYfSiRV89GTaTC8rX0YI9sGz2rAQFt0hMCQ6zHx36/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-tj1cSn6XrM0CuoyM6ByJmB3qxrlxRl6zb4P4xP1dcEzzVXWtdAflLoAIz7mMx93a3TCCcmaj2ZGXGZeUeqDoon2wmY6PMV1AyhoYfSiRV89GTaTC8rX0YI9sGz2rAQFt0hMCQ6zHx36/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+059.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a side view where you can see the grapes on the back and all the glitter sticks that surround for color and texture</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9i7O5124kyXuCbr2aZwZY1erj3nRfcCEcB_0tMhyphenhyphenxofp5JoUxFLamphp6QfJdK_b0d1X7gCxtlgzE1MwA9vgUOiNVU6S77tgaacIkTnK91TacufS5uHGerc_Y-IizlFinzAPFu4_8iq7/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9i7O5124kyXuCbr2aZwZY1erj3nRfcCEcB_0tMhyphenhyphenxofp5JoUxFLamphp6QfJdK_b0d1X7gCxtlgzE1MwA9vgUOiNVU6S77tgaacIkTnK91TacufS5uHGerc_Y-IizlFinzAPFu4_8iq7/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+108.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Scarlet tree we use 6 gold picks that add different textures along with gold, white and scarlet magnolias</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh354tR4ryc_sbTCYyuryXqYLE3vaKDglccjk-pmgILdOHypo0kWCCpRxaVT1f8e-iG5gsEuMwOhC4rXHk5JllGebxNINj_N1CPsVzpdCqZtDP0eDm0W-2QAiHuB1BajvI8IQsJ8GRf6tAI/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh354tR4ryc_sbTCYyuryXqYLE3vaKDglccjk-pmgILdOHypo0kWCCpRxaVT1f8e-iG5gsEuMwOhC4rXHk5JllGebxNINj_N1CPsVzpdCqZtDP0eDm0W-2QAiHuB1BajvI8IQsJ8GRf6tAI/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+102.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peacock topper inspiration was the feather we found and then aqua spirals, we also have green tall picks, 5 peacock feathers and 24 gold spirals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>4. Big spaces need big things<br />
There are a wide variety of things you can use to create focal points in the larger spaces in the tree. They are also excellent for cover cords, or blown out lights. The goal is to minimize being able to see to the other side of the tree (unless it gives a glimpse of something spectacular like our rotating ornament.) Options for focal points: big ornaments, flowers, picks, ribbon (I'll get to this technique next.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fpDzcNryqnG09Nw130vSwKV_WAULg4yvRYojb9JbBOC8OeqFrs29LAbgEU_GiZtK9mWqRFIja56mEpFOnYoLIaxaeJyKJYyqimxY7rqnpmr5VPYzKlwQWZXHPWiGHOrkk_meXQTFZCzt/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fpDzcNryqnG09Nw130vSwKV_WAULg4yvRYojb9JbBOC8OeqFrs29LAbgEU_GiZtK9mWqRFIja56mEpFOnYoLIaxaeJyKJYyqimxY7rqnpmr5VPYzKlwQWZXHPWiGHOrkk_meXQTFZCzt/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+060.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We use large reflective copper ornaments on the copper and lime tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxeJbHUHM5VpzHOK9jh_0cs59HHEpps6AmUrruF-DqmXfhv3dPPxvzqXBLcM5oeBM84Oez5U0nxs_kXR8DxRsFIVBgkklc5_UQgC1IElHBIljnemdhk1RgAE0lgv6XaXlKiVbQgvTI-Pr/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxeJbHUHM5VpzHOK9jh_0cs59HHEpps6AmUrruF-DqmXfhv3dPPxvzqXBLcM5oeBM84Oez5U0nxs_kXR8DxRsFIVBgkklc5_UQgC1IElHBIljnemdhk1RgAE0lgv6XaXlKiVbQgvTI-Pr/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDYlVNFQm7cZjeQcgjkdiZXjFfg6iFUcZxr95VjhgX97jFygpVDpRarLZ33sqvljHx5tavqJzyyiomIcTj92aC3ppmt5LX1ROgtf24KN-zaW37nkUeVBdHd1jBioC6wv2hOoek-LWZeve/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDYlVNFQm7cZjeQcgjkdiZXjFfg6iFUcZxr95VjhgX97jFygpVDpRarLZ33sqvljHx5tavqJzyyiomIcTj92aC3ppmt5LX1ROgtf24KN-zaW37nkUeVBdHd1jBioC6wv2hOoek-LWZeve/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+109.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While on the Scarlet tree we use the flower technique with two fake poinsettia bushes cut up into about 20 flowers and 5 berry picks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
5. Ribbon, ribbon and more ribbon<br />
When picking ribbon you want a variation of colors, sheer and solids, patterns and textures, shiny and glittery. We group two to three pieces of ribbon into groupings and swag them at a slight angle down the tree, tucking along the way. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Copper-Lime tree has 3-9 ft groupings of 3 pieces ribbon, 2-6 ft groupings of two pieces of ribbon<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDRRJ7om1wml8VRFU1P5gM9Hl-LV8N6tFDEEV9fkkeo04dTb1MjKRv_scsB1vy14IcEJHEM7WTxlz_I4P7kxHlCp-q7BspWxPRFR5hbdmUrrDPonCoBys8E9Ei3AVDIS02cpJhnCXeVkT/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDRRJ7om1wml8VRFU1P5gM9Hl-LV8N6tFDEEV9fkkeo04dTb1MjKRv_scsB1vy14IcEJHEM7WTxlz_I4P7kxHlCp-q7BspWxPRFR5hbdmUrrDPonCoBys8E9Ei3AVDIS02cpJhnCXeVkT/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+064.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_h4s4j9EXwiFBVyNDn5yZT6Bg8rAA9j1clBIlXNmTvLIHN2xuW6M7kI2VnRiGy5WngATqNhSeKAJZmP-ATEfT03uiCIOzZHRvr10kEp0nK7fQhcXKAesE9FZ2hXQ_As5bbllkdGJlN1u/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_h4s4j9EXwiFBVyNDn5yZT6Bg8rAA9j1clBIlXNmTvLIHN2xuW6M7kI2VnRiGy5WngATqNhSeKAJZmP-ATEfT03uiCIOzZHRvr10kEp0nK7fQhcXKAesE9FZ2hXQ_As5bbllkdGJlN1u/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+065.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where you use ribbon as the "bones" of the tree, tucking, it in along the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Kyq-T-o0hWXH85AkvuEbwN9bUVaU5f19ATArTkXx0EzogiVa1xC35REKrxea7hcpoRG7wMKFQJVisKRrBkq92RW2l3_PNHqcmNNTF6pbbCS0cDuIuyX20Z8ZL_av4ayfoz22MHSj7Mta/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Kyq-T-o0hWXH85AkvuEbwN9bUVaU5f19ATArTkXx0EzogiVa1xC35REKrxea7hcpoRG7wMKFQJVisKRrBkq92RW2l3_PNHqcmNNTF6pbbCS0cDuIuyX20Z8ZL_av4ayfoz22MHSj7Mta/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+066.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXMemxGuvYBVbtxigo7uV2Rx9sH1MMQMVITCTcylRt5tmh1UTvg0q89QbZEm4AQpqZq2_Iwo_JTBYgOQ4w86e6hUD7DfEWvqsrbXc1kR9nNtFZLu1O6EKsXkRop3uDmA28s1lQPT0JbSz/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXMemxGuvYBVbtxigo7uV2Rx9sH1MMQMVITCTcylRt5tmh1UTvg0q89QbZEm4AQpqZq2_Iwo_JTBYgOQ4w86e6hUD7DfEWvqsrbXc1kR9nNtFZLu1O6EKsXkRop3uDmA28s1lQPT0JbSz/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+067.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the best from the back picture I have I think where you can really see the back of the topper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Scarlet tree has 4-5.5 ft ribbon groupings with 2 pieces of ribbon each.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil03LVLAIo7RifMGQOF_Wo9_t4DYacb2va9UAFFcg14QOMJavM8K76k32rlZZsM2f3V4Nb6khc8K3_g8KeRCJPioc1HVF8px-BaWnf2VZzK7hZxn55RAJHRBldPThVMO099vXd6qBJoUoq/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil03LVLAIo7RifMGQOF_Wo9_t4DYacb2va9UAFFcg14QOMJavM8K76k32rlZZsM2f3V4Nb6khc8K3_g8KeRCJPioc1HVF8px-BaWnf2VZzK7hZxn55RAJHRBldPThVMO099vXd6qBJoUoq/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+113.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
6. Picks<br />
Picks are complicated, the more random sometimes the prettier they are or the pretty ones off the tree do nothing on the tree. There are a wide range now of picks you always have the flowers but also there are grapes, pine cones and sticks, flashy things like I have on my peacock tree, birds, feathers, berries and I could go on. They are important on a tree to add color and shapes and sparkles and sometimes they become your favorite things.<br />
<br />
On each of our trees we average 15-20 per tree but and there are 3 or 4 types that vary in color, size and shape. Some pick are placed deeper in the tree, others stick out from the tree. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIDTvnG6_icIxi3YGcY5TiIFP4K8bUhJknzOeDtTEFsShhsHidkdBW1hxopPRvF6l6Zg6ERwRObDWO6oLRcwHzrWNsNBgcRLCSU6y5Ez0PEEc4sUHqnuA3L-GwmW2uUa38xPJOzuikcTh/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIDTvnG6_icIxi3YGcY5TiIFP4K8bUhJknzOeDtTEFsShhsHidkdBW1hxopPRvF6l6Zg6ERwRObDWO6oLRcwHzrWNsNBgcRLCSU6y5Ez0PEEc4sUHqnuA3L-GwmW2uUa38xPJOzuikcTh/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavDZdqcjOk_z58-mdcIRmDzVfsh2PY5zz1RrZOokiLoqtiRN1sJlq1chOABElUseLVlShdvxbaowQ2dVhdYFwEdBwlv8jV6NB3pTUEk1QSpiRQaO9T97KlffIGdwMJO6Ck8zonVA5MZVi/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavDZdqcjOk_z58-mdcIRmDzVfsh2PY5zz1RrZOokiLoqtiRN1sJlq1chOABElUseLVlShdvxbaowQ2dVhdYFwEdBwlv8jV6NB3pTUEk1QSpiRQaO9T97KlffIGdwMJO6Ck8zonVA5MZVi/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj7CyT-utI6kXS6p5tD2dXlNBa8H5wLnFXjNwHcSLCCfuktN9Kji76zkoF05qPS_sgSwb_ZMxkTMEfLdeEFWw5wkjIdYLleNiJ2pJGb0Psf0xQjlrdHZuMHNlGB9CFKHFa7mnxdXy1nwR/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj7CyT-utI6kXS6p5tD2dXlNBa8H5wLnFXjNwHcSLCCfuktN9Kji76zkoF05qPS_sgSwb_ZMxkTMEfLdeEFWw5wkjIdYLleNiJ2pJGb0Psf0xQjlrdHZuMHNlGB9CFKHFa7mnxdXy1nwR/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNtfL4as7fV-RTG5i7xqQl-LX4H_kZjkUuGz1uia7SPYwqoCoV5hV7eRuJ2H6smCtjiysEEqzPzNGWVheTYlNBivAqTsxp9SOREMPjOkbodAKUNObJY62eHj5AKh65gnxo6VgGVdltOF8/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNtfL4as7fV-RTG5i7xqQl-LX4H_kZjkUuGz1uia7SPYwqoCoV5hV7eRuJ2H6smCtjiysEEqzPzNGWVheTYlNBivAqTsxp9SOREMPjOkbodAKUNObJY62eHj5AKh65gnxo6VgGVdltOF8/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>7) Ornaments and Finishers<br />
There are two layers of ornaments: 1) ornaments 2) finishers.<br />
-Ornaments should vary in shape and size. Use the small balls to cover and help unify the tree. Many trees stop here and look good. However, the last layer is what takes it to another level. <br />
-Finishers are the ornaments and garlands that go on top of everything that make the tree look spectacular.<br />
<br />
Round 1 Ornaments<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVIFLafbNATVgjURumLgBqglspJd2y6FCpJJRvEKmUZLJgRDqoU9xckr2JnfissQSoCNcRdOMg3LOFaqlpi895fKAppjWOicUA0kxOOfW6Zho48Xm2AHHZgLLeKMqub-updDMPHpZ2FkT/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVIFLafbNATVgjURumLgBqglspJd2y6FCpJJRvEKmUZLJgRDqoU9xckr2JnfissQSoCNcRdOMg3LOFaqlpi895fKAppjWOicUA0kxOOfW6Zho48Xm2AHHZgLLeKMqub-updDMPHpZ2FkT/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To give ideas on sizes the lime ball we consider large, the apple we call medium, and dark green ball is a small</td></tr>
</tbody></table>For the Copper and Lime tree we put on 20 large ornaments, 34 medium ornaments, and 57 small ornaments. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzxNf2mbwTLdrwgGTDEXAVzokARopKmufNjHqZZEo_h0Uh8h6pq453XC0QpmY6SRPOOrhvN-sHa9pECFMkST1nAC9pevCrGPRsSWIUG9M_XSsyrdml5mK1RJ0rzb0B5B0ssn47bKh388z/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzxNf2mbwTLdrwgGTDEXAVzokARopKmufNjHqZZEo_h0Uh8h6pq453XC0QpmY6SRPOOrhvN-sHa9pECFMkST1nAC9pevCrGPRsSWIUG9M_XSsyrdml5mK1RJ0rzb0B5B0ssn47bKh388z/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+073.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9CXvvrpfmCSDuNSXQv-43_o-ThTWrWbbzqRBm3kj2BUaYcesBaVtUVwJ92foOgwCiyB_qwabY5bztY6gA_nU2hX_g4vWcPVUAvUFiPXjcIY-ibj6WMKfp0I5GS-hokbQFtf7hyJTbRBi/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9CXvvrpfmCSDuNSXQv-43_o-ThTWrWbbzqRBm3kj2BUaYcesBaVtUVwJ92foOgwCiyB_qwabY5bztY6gA_nU2hX_g4vWcPVUAvUFiPXjcIY-ibj6WMKfp0I5GS-hokbQFtf7hyJTbRBi/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+075.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtrb0j8gSqyyxVcMko_zEgbFwdwFTVtTC1ZtUbixdkkIWXirDq2mWv5zp3R4OqyfUs7ZjNlsK2Tc0Uic18BVWxm4mef08OFmJ11JA1CMPtsMaidn1Z21IghyphenhyphenL72qj9MMrtzz-s2rv0P_A/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtrb0j8gSqyyxVcMko_zEgbFwdwFTVtTC1ZtUbixdkkIWXirDq2mWv5zp3R4OqyfUs7ZjNlsK2Tc0Uic18BVWxm4mef08OFmJ11JA1CMPtsMaidn1Z21IghyphenhyphenL72qj9MMrtzz-s2rv0P_A/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+076.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can also see Santa's Little Helper, Cindy Bear who gets jealous and anxious when we put up trees because it takes our attention away from her </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the slimmer Scarlet tree there are 13 large ornaments, 17 medium and 42 small.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhNfiCk5y4hyphenhyphenwtbmG3A29_0GYnC3SRyMQ0Xrn7da2ndesGPaS8I3SZiKYB8FO16Akmngk3YPMmMWuSexHYWEDRFtnOhzJMJFg1_YIbEat1z9RkmSV7TvIxzkN8YqWvtLrOvHATtfusKi3/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhNfiCk5y4hyphenhyphenwtbmG3A29_0GYnC3SRyMQ0Xrn7da2ndesGPaS8I3SZiKYB8FO16Akmngk3YPMmMWuSexHYWEDRFtnOhzJMJFg1_YIbEat1z9RkmSV7TvIxzkN8YqWvtLrOvHATtfusKi3/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+117.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Round 2 FINISHING<br />
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The Copper and Lime tree has 132 finishers. Yes the below picture is all finishers, but the finishing ornaments are light and don't take up space and only make the tree prettier.<br />
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The Scarlet Tree again because it's smaller has 90 finishers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVwcl7-tPCfFOaCY_gvZ8Nj-S2PgWLUjtxiNv5RZa8UdtggPbbNSXl9rbEnXlzIzQ5doGO6sSbWIk0FEDX5XiDnB9dwwI7DCNrOJlZKj-6hOKQhyphenhyphen4-zUUujH9EE3x4cNSrkspwxQYLx2L/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVwcl7-tPCfFOaCY_gvZ8Nj-S2PgWLUjtxiNv5RZa8UdtggPbbNSXl9rbEnXlzIzQ5doGO6sSbWIk0FEDX5XiDnB9dwwI7DCNrOJlZKj-6hOKQhyphenhyphen4-zUUujH9EE3x4cNSrkspwxQYLx2L/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Once you add the finishers you can truly see how everything blends together and turn into a beautiful Christmas tree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrsS8j-ixq50BayQ9f2acdDCDhI-XFryPNvzapQNeW_uiJt85b1a9mT1wsLojRBqsx32rB_hggtOMJZSUp6INfy1bT5bkTyOg6lkwur1UBjNBXjkrWGVdGmg8CYOt_BEeg85wnMBArqbX/s1600/Christmas+Tree+11+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrsS8j-ixq50BayQ9f2acdDCDhI-XFryPNvzapQNeW_uiJt85b1a9mT1wsLojRBqsx32rB_hggtOMJZSUp6INfy1bT5bkTyOg6lkwur1UBjNBXjkrWGVdGmg8CYOt_BEeg85wnMBArqbX/s320/Christmas+Tree+11+084.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
Now that I have shared with you how to layer and decorate a Christmas tree I have a few tips on how to acquire these items to decorate because if you went out and bought everything today it would not be cheap.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Utilize sales, a few days after Christmas. Sales ads are your best friend 50% to 90% off is much better than full price. When you like it and it's a great deal, buy 5 to 10 of them. </li>
<li>Create your own ornaments: on my peacock tree many of the small balls I have painted the inside or glittered the inside with help of "how to" articles I've found online.</li>
<li>Repurpose things you find on sale, the yellow snowflakes you see on the peacock tree were from a garland I bought for $1 at Target last year after Christmas. I cut the snowflakes off and made 20 snowflake ornaments for $1.</li>
</ul>My dad's sister, Carol, and cousin, Regina, started my mother along this journey back in the 1980's and taught us many things about toppers and layering. We continue to adapt and evolve with the times to make sure that the trees do not become dated. <br />
<ul></ul><div>Happy Decorating! </div><div>Rebecca</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-7288317034394929872011-08-27T12:25:00.001-07:002012-03-20T12:37:40.367-07:00PeachesAlright, I'm back and hopefully for good as this blog at the end of the day will end up being full of food and recipes either by request or things that I've found are just plain tasty.<br />
<br />
It is no secret in my family that peaches are King of the Fruit. My uncle owns and operates an orchard in Cleveland, Alabama and I have to say they grow the best peaches around. Right now Big Red Peaches are the ripest for picking at The Hazelrig Orchard. This week in the Little house we have been slicing and freezing these amazingly juicy fruit along with cooking family favorite fried peach pies and trying a new recipe of peach pound cake.<br />
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Fried Pies or Hand Pies to me are one of the truly Southern desserts and how they are made by my mother tends to be a little different than most pies because we do not cook down the fruit of the peaches instead it's made of peach peels.<br />
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<u><b>Fried Peach Pies</b></u><br />
1 can of Grands Flaky Biscuits<br />
Peels of 10 peaches<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 cup water<br />
Butter/oil<br />
<br />
Directions: Takes the peach peels, sugar, and water and bring to a boil in a medium saucepan and good down until the peach peels start to breakdown and turn a light brown color, taste the syrup and make sure it is plenty sweet if not add more sugar. Open biscuit can and separate each biscuit into two biscuits and flatten out each piece and put on wax paper to wait for filling. Once the filling in ready spoon a heaping tablespoon into the flattened biscuit and fold over and seal with a fork. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and cover the bottom of pan with a small layer of oil/butter (Mama uses a little of each) and cook until golden brown about 2-3 minutes if the pan is hot enough. Make sure you stand over the pies because they will burn quick if you don't.<br />
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Makes 16 if none are burnt and all are edible (If you couldn't guess we really ended up with about 10 because of the burning situation haha)<br />
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Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar or ice cream or in this case peach ice cream<br />
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Now onto the pound cake, the recipe was taken out of Johnnie Gabriel's first cookbook <a href="http://www.gabrielsdesserts.com/cookbook.html">Cooking in the South</a>. Johnnie has been famous around Marietta for years for her cakes, apparently my 2nd birthday cake from her bakery. She has since expanded her business into a restaurant and bakery and published two cookbooks. Mama and I love her! She is a truly Southern Lady and makes food that we would make and eat. Also you may have seen her on Paula Deen's show because they are first cousins and Johnnie is soon to have her own cooking show on Georgia Public Television. Anyways onto the recipe because it is just that good.<br />
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<u><b>Johnnie Gabriel's Peach Pound Cake</b></u><br />
1 cup (2 sticks) of room temperature butter<br />
1/2 cup shortening<br />
3 cups sugar<br />
5 jumbo eggs<br />
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted (we use White Lily)<-inserted in the cookbook by Johnnie again <u>Southern</u><br />
1/2 t baking powder<br />
1/2 t salt<br />
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<br />
1 cup whole milk<br />
1/4 cup peach brandy--we had some peach schnapps leftover from another recipe--you can also use peach preserves or peach nectar from fresh or canned peaches<br />
3 drops peach oil--this you could find at a specialty store but we just included 3 teaspoons of peach nectar(it's all about adding peach flavor)<br />
1 cup chopped fresh, frozen and thawed or canned peaches<br />
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Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 15-cup tube pan, tapping out excess flour (we used your basic bundt pan). In a large mixing bowl on medium to high speed, beat the butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Slowly add sugar at medium speed and then turn to medium high beating until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition at medium speed<br />
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In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add the vanilla to the milk. At a moderately slow speed add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in four increments, alternating with the milk mixture in three increments. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as you are alternating dry and milk mixtures.You don't want to over beat so slow speed is sufficient.<br />
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Once combined stir in peach brandy and oil or whatever peach flavorings you are using. Pour half of batter into the prepared pan add cup of peaches in the middle of batter and cover with remaining batter.<br />
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Bake for 60-75 minutes or until a tester is inserted and comes out clean or with firm crumbs.<br />
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<b><u>Peach Glaze</u></b><br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1/4 cup peach brandy--again you can add substitutes if you like<br />
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter<br />
1/4 cup water<br />
4 drops peach oil<br />
<br />
Once the cake has been baking about 30 minutes prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, stir together all ingredients. Bring the glaze to a boil, stirring to melt the sugar and butter.<br />
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Remove the cake from over when it's done and let cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes, once cake is cool invert onto plate and cover with glaze.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE02sGnLsERpYJ9M5O2Es-icr5xmCUdNWaaLwNNWZroUvmRXezNRT5vAiGreTRGrTPdBVlngUTUCjmtrs28uLcmSMaz8JZkq5M1yrwvWRsq_CbsxkoQp9F_J7dPgocU0a70kEIXSCW86j7/s1600/Peaches+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE02sGnLsERpYJ9M5O2Es-icr5xmCUdNWaaLwNNWZroUvmRXezNRT5vAiGreTRGrTPdBVlngUTUCjmtrs28uLcmSMaz8JZkq5M1yrwvWRsq_CbsxkoQp9F_J7dPgocU0a70kEIXSCW86j7/s320/Peaches+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-8165751602951123482011-08-27T11:53:00.001-07:002012-03-20T12:38:02.838-07:00Santa Fe Ranch DipI learned this recipe from my cousin Sherri and she got the recipe from her friend Monica and I have to say it is one of the easiest dips I have ever made and probably the most popular. I made it first for Easter as an appetizer and I saw 6 people devour half of it in 10 minutes and then attempt to lick the bowl. I then made it again for my cousins' graduation party and I was asked for the recipe about 10 times, so here it is.<br />
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<u><b>Santa Fe Ranch Dip</b></u><br />
2 blocks softened cream cheese (the softer the better)<br />
1 pack ranch mix<br />
1 4 oz can chopped black olives<br />
1 4 oz can chopped green chilies<br />
1 11oz can Green Giant Chipotle Corn<br />
1 cup shredded cheese <br />
2 T Texas Pete Hot Sauce<br />
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Directions: Combine all ingredients until well blended and serve with Frito Scoops. You can serve this hot or cold depending on what you prefer and your party prefers. It is great for tailgating and football parties or something kids can help with in the kitchen.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-17714776010904287522011-03-10T20:35:00.000-08:002011-03-10T20:35:06.142-08:00February: A Month in ReviewSo I just realized that I have yet to review February.<br />
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February was not near as exciting or awesome as January was mainly because it was filled with doctors. My weekends weren't that eventful because after the first weekend I was pretty much on lock down at the house after VATS. <br />
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1) The month started out with me staying at home and a weekend of going to The Varsity and seeing Country Strong with the 'rents.<br />
2) I also had a whirlwind trip to Alabama to see my favorite kiddos in the world.<br />
3) Also there were many new recipes tried in the first week and a half of February which were excellent and you should definitely check them out. <a href="http://rebaslittlethings.blogspot.com/2011/02/roasted-vegetable-soup.html">Roasted Vegetable Soup</a> <a href="http://rebaslittlethings.blogspot.com/2011/02/almost-guilt-free-game-day-food.html">Almost Guilt free Game Day Food</a> <a href="http://rebaslittlethings.blogspot.com/2011/02/sloppy-crockpot-chicken-sandwiches.html">Sloppy Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches</a><br />
4) I had a <a href="http://rebaslittlethings.blogspot.com/2011/01/today-we-met-with-dr.html">VATS</a> procedure which left me at home for a few weeks cooped up and in decent discomfort at times, so there wasn't much blogging or activities in my life.<br />
5) The cancer was confirmed back so I started meeting with the fertility team to get going on fertility treatments which will start this month along with chemo.<br />
<br />
So I think that is about it!<br />
RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-27859507757610051192011-03-07T22:12:00.000-08:002011-03-07T22:12:53.556-08:00Firsts: Mardi Gras<a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183874_947231044505_27425535_48322991_6822748_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183874_947231044505_27425535_48322991_6822748_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>This weekend I went to Brewton, Alabama to see Mike and Cassie along with my friend Dustin to meet our niece Snooki Kathleen. Is that just the cutest puppy face that you've ever seen?? She is a precious puppy even if she doesn't quite know how to properly use her mouth yet and not gnaw on you with her <strike>razors</strike> baby teeth.<br />
<br />
Anyways with the rain Friday night thankfully Mike's softball games were canceled but with more pending rain Saturday evening we changed plans from the parade in Mobile to go to Pensacola. OH MY WORD! I never have had so much fun at a parade like I did in Pensacola. The parade seemed to go on forever but the floats were really well done and some more crazy than others, but we were able to get a ton of beads which really was the whole goal of the day. I know this still probably had nothing like New Orleans where people are sloshed all over the place and there are women and men going crazy like I've seen on COPS, but it was actually very family friendly and just a whole lot of fun. BTW I won the game and ended up with 72 beads, which my number was helped by Dustin because he is just that nice. Here are some before and after pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185765_948079364465_27431175_48335254_1642280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185765_948079364465_27431175_48335254_1642280_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185677_948081984215_27431175_48335285_5968534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185677_948081984215_27431175_48335285_5968534_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185645_948081719745_27431175_48335283_1378773_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/185645_948081719745_27431175_48335283_1378773_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We had so much fun and it was definitely a great week and a great time to knock some "firsts" off my list.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Firsts I experienced:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-trip to Brewton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-time to see Snookleen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-driving 85 and 65 south alone (yes amazing I know, but truly never driven either solo)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-trip to Pensacola</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-Mardi Gras </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope everyone had as great of a weekend as I did!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rebecca</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185677_948081984215_27431175_48335285_5968534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-76152071925379204132011-03-03T21:09:00.000-08:002011-03-03T21:09:04.418-08:00Fight or Flight: what does it mean?After a late night epiphany I've really decided that what has been deemed courage, strength or whatever people think I'm awesome for during all of this cancer stuff I really feel comes down to my reactions to situations and my fight or flight response. In Reba terms fight or flight is described as how an animal reacts when faced with threats or how a human reacts when put into a tight situation.<br />
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I hear all sorts of comments from people I know and people I don't know that when I say I have cancer I get the response "I just couldn't go through what you are." I smile and say thanks but really in my head I am typically screaming "WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE YOU DO WHATEVER IT IS!" Maybe not always that loud but it has crossed my mind numerous times. Just like when someone complements me on my hair saying "I love your hair but I could never have mine that short it just wouldn't look right" again I smile and say thank you but the whole time in my head I am again screaming "You wear the hair that you are given and it's not an option!" Both I have now realized are just my fight reaction I'm not going to sulk in the fact that I have to deal with this and you can't just go hide from cancer or the chemo response so I get to just deal with it.<br />
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I really struck this overall epiphany when talking to my friend online last night. We were discussing phobias and I explained on how much I hate snakes and I'm not fond of spiders but I have dealt with them. I started thinking over the times I had to "fight" spiders in front of my campers or students. I truly realized that I've fought and had to be brave and put on my big girl panties and did what needed to be done. Last year while teaching I was administrating a test and a spider literally out of no where started dropping from the ceiling tile on it's web towards the desk I was at, a few students saw it but I knew exactly what I had to do, so as classy as possible I took of my shoe and smacked it and it was done. I had to protect my kids, keep them calm and get rid of the issue. Just like one day a roach just appeared and instead of freaking out or making my teacher do it, again I manned up killed and got rid of it. I was able to show my students that I was going to protect, but also there wasn't much that could make me run away. It's what those kids needed and as I've realized recently it's what I needed because honestly without learning the lessons I did last spring I feel the last 9ish months would have been a lot harder and to that I thank them. It's sometimes how amazing God is when letting life fall into place and setting things up before hand to give us what we need to get through.I could really go on about it all but trust me, you may think you can't do something but really you will never know what you are capable of until you are put to the test.<br />
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Happy Mardi Gras Everybody! Get excited for a fun weekend recap sometime next week!<br />
RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-49808841036087953772011-02-21T12:10:00.000-08:002011-02-21T12:10:55.185-08:00Kristy the Cysty vs. VATS: the Royal Rumble of PainI know, I know I have been a terrible blogger, being neglectful for almost two weeks now. I have started different posts but never completed or never had a great flow to them. I think that's what some hard pain killers do to me, I can't compose much in a good manner. Anyways I'll get this party started<br />
<br />
First Kristy the Cysty definitely was the worse pain, KO'ing VATS quick in comparison. The worst part was the chest tube, so once I got out of the hospital on 2/11 I felt much better than I did for the almost 24 hours in the hospital. I think my pain level only ever reached around a 7 at the tops while Kristy topped the scale at a 9.9, the only reason she was not a 10 is I have a fear of that .1.<br />
<br />
Second, the cancer is for sure back there were 6 different samples taken during the VATS and they were 6 for 6 in confirming Hodgkin's. So with that being said I meet with a doctor tomorrow to discuss and hopefully figure out a quick plan to rescue some of my abilities to eventually have kids because the chemo and stem cell transplant will more than likely take all of those abilities away. Dr. L wants everything done quick because she would like to start all of my treatments and everything else ASAP.<br />
<br />
Third Dr. L's plan<br />
<ul><li>Chemo 2 or 3 times in the hospital for around 5 days, every two weeks</li>
<li>Staging me again </li>
<li>Possible radiation</li>
<li>Upping my stem cell production, in which I will have to give myself shots. Honestly warn your kids if they are afraid of needles they will get cancer because I was the kids that freaked out to the point that I would pass out, now I'm going to have to give myself shots and I can almost watch my labs being taken but I don't pass out. </li>
<li>Removing the stem cells</li>
<li>A butt kicking 8 day chemo treatment in the hospital to kill all living stem cells in my body</li>
<li>Returning the stem cells to my body and more time in the hospital</li>
</ul>Fourth, when your Dr. F said "Once you start doing more your pain will get worse" I should have really listened because really he should have said "Once you start doing stuff your body will tell you that it hates you and won't want you move." Yesterday was a long, exhausting day. My Great Uncle Virgil passed away Friday and yesterday was his visitation that we were able to make it to because I need to stay close to home in case I get called in to Emory to fix my port (I'll make that #5). But yesterday we left the house at 8am to make it to church and lunch with Charles and we returned home at 11pm, like I said exhausting both mentally and emotionally. Prayers would be greatly appreciated for my cousin Pam and her daughters, since in the past year she has lost both her mother and now father.<br />
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Fifth, yep the the port is still not going the correct direction for flow. The port they/I want the line going downwards but it's going upwards so I have to go back to Emory to try to fix it because if they don't get it done this time they will have to replace it before chemo starts.<br />
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Sixth changes happened on the background because I could do that without needing to be completely "there" in the head and I felt I needed something a little more colorful to fit my personality. BUT I still don't think it's my forever background because it's still not quite fully me.<br />
<br />
Happy Monday!<br />
RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-78337133038009325872011-02-09T20:31:00.000-08:002011-02-09T20:31:56.381-08:00Pre-VATS Brain DumpI feel like on some level I've been failing y'all lately just because when I write it's recipes, which if you do try them they will not let you down but also I guess I've just been keeping busy waiting on the VATS. On some level this will just be a brain dump, no rhyme or reason or flow so I will probably go with bullet points just to keep some form of organization of topic.<br />
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-I named the blog "It's the Little Things" because I feel life is all about the little things that keeps you happy/sane/regulated/content/in perspective plus it's an awesome play on my name. My most recent "little thing" obviously is cooking because well it keeps me busy, planning, thinking and out of complete brain apathy. I have also started the flowery headband creations because it will be something I can do that 1) are cute 2) make great gifts 3) will be perfect in Katie's wedding.<br />
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-I have learned I am not good at waiting for major procedures. My first one was done two days after coughing up blood so it was a whirlwind. My second was 10 days after graduation but having Kristy the Cysty (the ovarian cyst) and being in 9.99 pain out of a 10 distracted me for that time frame. Now you have the VATS, I have had 15 days of waiting, anticipating and I have just had to keep myself busy some how. I feel like I have already made a title for a soon to be possible drug induced post named "Kristy vs VATS: The Royal Rumble of Pain"<br />
<br />
-I was driving today, probably not thinking about the best results for tomorrow and a song came on and I know you're about to scratch your head, but it was "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks. I remember things like dates and people and events well and a lot are always associated with music. That song is Matt, has been since 7th grade and will be for the rest of my life. I am not sure if I have ever mentioned Matt in my blog, this one or Caring Bridge but we met in 6th grade in homeroom and always ended up in similar classes and homerooms throughout middle school. High school we lost touch a school of 2,000 with a grade of 500 and having off setting schedules where I had Math and Social Studies in Fall while he had Science and English. Our junior year he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma after fighting for almost two years, going into remission once and given the news that there was nothing else that could be done Spring of Senior year, he lost his battle just 2 weeks after graduation. "Friends in Low Places" was his favorite song and today when it came on I kind of just felt it was Matt and everything I have done over the years have always been with Matt in mind. Our last day of 8th grade we were in our home room just sitting and talking about what we wanted to do with our lives after high school, after college and it breaks my heart that he never got that chance. Also I cannot mention Matt without mentioning Joel who also went to middle and high school with us who was diagnosed with leukemia our freshman year of college and lost his battle January of what would have been our sophomore year. This makes me the 3rd of our class to have cancer, the first girl and hopefully first survivor.<br />
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-I don't always go hardcore touchy feely in my blog because well most of the time they are momentary lapses or feelings. When I had my biopsy in May I knew it was Hodgkins, there was no doubt about it deep inside my head what it was and what was going to happen. This go around I feel different about it mainly from looking at the scan but honestly I won't know what it really is until probably Monday.<br />
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-It's snowing outside and it's a nice little fear of mine that this will cause issues tomorrow but hoping good thoughts. <br />
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Well until later next week sometime probably: Have A Great Weekend!<br />
RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-77911688946411691122011-02-08T16:40:00.001-08:002012-03-20T12:38:31.762-07:00Sloppy Crockpot Chicken SandwichesI had a whirlwind trip to Alabama the last 36 hours but it was great to see my babies which I guess it's time to upgrade them to kiddos being 9 and almost 4. I was sent on the mission to pick up the deer meat from the processor for Daddy's friends who shot two 8 points of my uncle's orchard this season. Anyways I got home a little before 3pm after dropping the cooler off at Juvenile Court with Daddy and I had no idea what I was going to fix to dinner, then I remembered that a recipe I found Sunday night and that we had a bag of frozen chicken in the outside freezer.<br />
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I made what AllRecipes calls <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Zesty-Slow-Cooker-Chicken-Barbecue/Detail.aspx">Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue</a> I liked to call Sloppy Chicken Sandwiches because well they are sloppy and it's a much shorter name. :)<br />
<b><u><br />
</u></b><br />
<b><u>Sloppy Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches</u></b><br />
<div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"><b>Ingredients </b></div><ul><li>6 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves</li>
<li>1 (12 ounce) bottle BBQ sauce</li>
<li>1/2 cup Italian salad dressing</li>
<li>1/4 cup brown sugar</li>
<li>2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce</li>
</ul><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"><b>Directions</b><span class="plaincharacterwrap break"> </span><br />
<ol><li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken.</span><span class="plaincharacterwrap break"> </span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Cover the Crockpot, and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on Low. </span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Once cooked shred with two forks and add back to sauce, until ready to serve.</span></li>
</ol><span class="plaincharacterwrap break"> <b>Notes: </b></span></div><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"><ul><li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">You can serve as sandwiches or however you like</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Use Kraft BBQ sauce or any other thick sauce, if you use a Vinegar based sauce like Dreamland it can easily be too watery, I used both probably leading to the sloppiness</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Also you probably will be able to make some mean brunswick stew out of leftovers.</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">I served with pickles and baked beans that I doctored with mustard, molasses, brown sugar, chili powder, Kraft BBQ sauce, and ketchup. I didn't measure any of this just add to a can of Bush's and bake at 350* for 45 minutes.</span></li>
</ul><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Happy Surgery Week Everyone! </span></div><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Rebecca</span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-59906004256906153612011-02-05T19:30:00.000-08:002011-02-05T19:30:37.164-08:00Headbands!!!!!!I came up with a new craft some what thanks to Etsy but not wanting to pay them and realizing I could do it myself I figured it out with a little web research and just creativity along with The Sylv.<br />
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Back story: I am in a wedding in June with absolutely gorgeous strapless light yellow dresses. Once I get it I will be wearing it around the house just because, yes that's how much I love it. Anyways I know my hair will not be long enough to really "do" by then so I started a search for the perfect flowery clip/headband to put on my head so I have something a little special about my hair for such a special day for two of my very special friends. I decided that between me and my Mama aka The Sylv we could do this.<br />
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This is the one that was made for the wedding, but also every day wear. I love it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS2Ww1nEBF1_m0RPVzmHscdEvppxuF8zZDplGelfuiydNYAxk5zt6NmYj8QMcYpp6gE-Fd1fgt6e3uBrGmjf9Z3sYXPw1h0DlrUxh8Rl3KIzSlPmiS9Ve_pidSq5wwsBAu_tNWGrNvphh/s1600/Headbands+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS2Ww1nEBF1_m0RPVzmHscdEvppxuF8zZDplGelfuiydNYAxk5zt6NmYj8QMcYpp6gE-Fd1fgt6e3uBrGmjf9Z3sYXPw1h0DlrUxh8Rl3KIzSlPmiS9Ve_pidSq5wwsBAu_tNWGrNvphh/s320/Headbands+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2y7DUD2efKNrWldqqxzJoWuXzyqxFmNcxT4-QOS_RYmUB6Oq53Uz137SXvp1fJr27LjSDF8ZZxzNZ-zKYmfvjSaJfK_HniTUIrUDECIBfdHVSDCM4gtTbJLIS7mXtsL4rihpbF1jwRE8/s1600/Headbands+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2y7DUD2efKNrWldqqxzJoWuXzyqxFmNcxT4-QOS_RYmUB6Oq53Uz137SXvp1fJr27LjSDF8ZZxzNZ-zKYmfvjSaJfK_HniTUIrUDECIBfdHVSDCM4gtTbJLIS7mXtsL4rihpbF1jwRE8/s320/Headbands+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E-6umusllaI2xm8Gl6kJ4QLCPDPZVB22J9McN0QC3pfGEdg26ggI93Z03wJ7vr_HXf8wLDazAXxW9ANphMMPrhqF6r0EwtueGpGtsrw5s3xsEPR1g5unhHpjqYu1cYpVyJ5VjT3X0tlM/s1600/Headbands+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E-6umusllaI2xm8Gl6kJ4QLCPDPZVB22J9McN0QC3pfGEdg26ggI93Z03wJ7vr_HXf8wLDazAXxW9ANphMMPrhqF6r0EwtueGpGtsrw5s3xsEPR1g5unhHpjqYu1cYpVyJ5VjT3X0tlM/s320/Headbands+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is the one I made tonight out of two rolls of ribbon for $1 a piece, so look out for a lot more flowers to come.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJEQ-RHvh9TSGaaaf1yXYIoAShGUzY59Wban06jBhZVcm55k_-SzuMpNtCpDWWyjSypUfb5Kl4u6zwJg931c-R-KH0DWZbYj0PdkKR97peB468Q-DhZceOiUyie0huRYAQJEh6K4oM-uj/s1600/Headbands+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJEQ-RHvh9TSGaaaf1yXYIoAShGUzY59Wban06jBhZVcm55k_-SzuMpNtCpDWWyjSypUfb5Kl4u6zwJg931c-R-KH0DWZbYj0PdkKR97peB468Q-DhZceOiUyie0huRYAQJEh6K4oM-uj/s320/Headbands+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3Xay2FvWShqSBpkoluST7FVxfv84mKpuZnzBgyQqZdxN4UT-Bc6lqorcqN2hdB4TzOSH0DAlck6ov7TGyVzTSWjGu8OzJUVrxuT8EDjw6YyMqeP5TSx2PsC3g9nMDNVSFXTjgum1MY0J/s1600/Headbands+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3Xay2FvWShqSBpkoluST7FVxfv84mKpuZnzBgyQqZdxN4UT-Bc6lqorcqN2hdB4TzOSH0DAlck6ov7TGyVzTSWjGu8OzJUVrxuT8EDjw6YyMqeP5TSx2PsC3g9nMDNVSFXTjgum1MY0J/s320/Headbands+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Oe6sH98AxxFA5em_q-5HGYNT748HlZXFHEWTSfsMBc9Sq4R_18gHnjq0XM_ZM0fS-nP04bW0FvMd6kezFPVFm07mIJwWvH5xl_nu7YkeOlHNRev9KOVxC4Gy1NjbRcZWAyGQRqi8JRem/s1600/Headbands+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Oe6sH98AxxFA5em_q-5HGYNT748HlZXFHEWTSfsMBc9Sq4R_18gHnjq0XM_ZM0fS-nP04bW0FvMd6kezFPVFm07mIJwWvH5xl_nu7YkeOlHNRev9KOVxC4Gy1NjbRcZWAyGQRqi8JRem/s320/Headbands+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Happy Weekend!<br />
RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-52180352545152667192011-02-03T17:00:00.001-08:002012-03-20T12:39:04.754-07:00Almost Guilt Free Game Day FoodWell being an Alabama fan it's really easy to start grinding out all sorts of Tailgate like foods. I am a front page of Yahoo! junkie and I found this <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/event/biggame/spicy-buffalo-wings-with-a-healthier-spin-2442785/">Spicy Buffalo Tenders with a Healthier Spin</a> recipe a few days ago so I decided to give it a swing, along with making up my own Spinach and Roasted Corn Ranch Pasta Salad. I also did change up the recipe just to fit my measuring cups and techniques to have minimal dirty dishes, because I hate doing dishes. Overall it was a definite yummy and relatively quick meal that could have fed a lot more than just the 3 of us.<br />
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<u><b>Spicy Blue Cheese Dip</b></u><br />
2/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream<br />
2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese<br />
1 Tablespoon distilled white vinegar<br />
1/4 teaspoon Salt<br />
1/4 t Garlic Powder<br />
1/4 t Poppy Seeds<br />
1/4 t Paprika<br />
<br />
<b>Directions:</b> <br />
Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10FE3OJDVai0Mui6m-f2AE5sij9HgxmxDrmRaLrC2aWwyKPbrVumvcHtwPDSk_xK5SlbU8EntLfn2Oi1i_zzzh4wgYE7wi_0WD8erfq4MLuDJHoWE_DBZ0QMdvReM75QQWSson8wP7lj6/s1600/Buff+chick+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10FE3OJDVai0Mui6m-f2AE5sij9HgxmxDrmRaLrC2aWwyKPbrVumvcHtwPDSk_xK5SlbU8EntLfn2Oi1i_zzzh4wgYE7wi_0WD8erfq4MLuDJHoWE_DBZ0QMdvReM75QQWSson8wP7lj6/s320/Buff+chick+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<u><b>Buffalo Tenders</b></u><br />
<br />
3 tablespoons buttermilk <br />
2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot <br />
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar <br />
2 pounds chicken tenders<br />
6 tablespoons whole-wheat flour<br />
6 tablespoons cornmeal<br />
1/2 teaspoon paprika<br />
2 tablespoons oil, I used olive oil <br />
Baby Carrots<br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
-To prepare tenders: Mix buttermilk, 2 tablespoons hot sauce and 2 tablespoons vinegar in a large freezer bag until combined. Add chicken; toss to coat. Transfer to the refrigerator and let marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqURgoZo_EPq9AJSRpgAr6ak1PiHQ-wDJ1xE7WWqNILy4YQVn0mi4blHa1xEDoh86h460xrzoUzaDuwdFEi31dY6zushdQt6STgc3hI-nqAzwq6DIINRLrMi-vQC7elgXPivegI0tOykV/s1600/Buff+chick+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqURgoZo_EPq9AJSRpgAr6ak1PiHQ-wDJ1xE7WWqNILy4YQVn0mi4blHa1xEDoh86h460xrzoUzaDuwdFEi31dY6zushdQt6STgc3hI-nqAzwq6DIINRLrMi-vQC7elgXPivegI0tOykV/s320/Buff+chick+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
-Meanwhile, mix flour, cornmeal, and paprika in a shallow dish.<br />
-Remove the chicken from the marinade, pat of the excess marinade and roll in the flour mixture until evenly coated. (Discard remaining marinade and flour mixture.) <br />
-Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken, placing each piece in a little oil. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a serving platter. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and chicken, reducing the heat if necessary to prevent burning. Transfer to the platter. Drizzle the chicken with hot sauce to taste. Serve with carrots, celery and Spicy Blue Cheese Dip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAKR0XVv8k_KeFPdhUKO04dm5DTQTUpFQBeJvgG1DcpN3m5dSxuR9duqifqgfdsB-urpCHLS-xJkeXJPjGm0KZ64sZM5s67DowXZQMJ9PaWt6WTUXNXSwmVRpXc73xK2kCC2hRd4R-CaC/s1600/Buff+chick+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAKR0XVv8k_KeFPdhUKO04dm5DTQTUpFQBeJvgG1DcpN3m5dSxuR9duqifqgfdsB-urpCHLS-xJkeXJPjGm0KZ64sZM5s67DowXZQMJ9PaWt6WTUXNXSwmVRpXc73xK2kCC2hRd4R-CaC/s320/Buff+chick+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>**With your leftovers you can make a spicy chicken dip with the rest of the blue cheese dip, shred the chicken tenders, add some more sour cream, cream cheese, blue cheese, and hot sauce. You can find the recipe on the back of Frank's Hot Sauce.** This dip is now just sitting in our fridge for some snacky food for the rest of the weekend<br />
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<u><b>Spinach and Roasted Corn Ranch Pasta Salad</b></u><br />
1 cup uncooked pasta<br />
1 cup washed spinach, chopped<br />
2 cans whole kernal corn<br />
1 cup ranch dressing<br />
1/2 cup cheese<br />
<br />
Directions<br />
-Cook pasta as directed, rinse with cold water and set aside<br />
-Roast corn in oven <a href="http://rebaslittlethings.blogspot.com/2010/12/roasted-corn.html">Directions here</a> and add to pasta along with washed and chopped spinach, toss with ranch dress and cheese. I made homemade ranch with the Hidden Valley ranch packet because in my opinion it's the best ranch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGDehLBu7JiephPd-dHvNJBGPl3bsw_scPZAfAS9VR41wihm9MyTMyyr2JHgdenRSB4l6S8J-Te6KTu-pmLSyfAu8QsMFMuZf4iUgyyFBrzdwDk4D2waZNFOw7g39dwPLRxRc9DKpgHvC/s1600/Buff+chick+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGDehLBu7JiephPd-dHvNJBGPl3bsw_scPZAfAS9VR41wihm9MyTMyyr2JHgdenRSB4l6S8J-Te6KTu-pmLSyfAu8QsMFMuZf4iUgyyFBrzdwDk4D2waZNFOw7g39dwPLRxRc9DKpgHvC/s320/Buff+chick+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn Roasting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
-Serve cold and if the salad seems dry you can add more dressing, I just added some reduced fat sour cream and a little more milk<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U8_siC9CGCyg9kdOI4hMLEjFZG7LI5yVVjlawUgDOhrT8U26udTjZkCa5EvJn352zgCs3tWueZ4Oyp9wM2gi0UD-9VDxw1q31zFg1F247CFPBJDkXILqOmrGTqGgY0FUoUWKr2x5KnIv/s1600/Buff+chick+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U8_siC9CGCyg9kdOI4hMLEjFZG7LI5yVVjlawUgDOhrT8U26udTjZkCa5EvJn352zgCs3tWueZ4Oyp9wM2gi0UD-9VDxw1q31zFg1F247CFPBJDkXILqOmrGTqGgY0FUoUWKr2x5KnIv/s320/Buff+chick+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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For your "awwwww" moment of the night her is a picture of my little "helper" after I woke her from her sleep to take her picture.<br />
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RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-6184678277923040972011-02-01T09:09:00.000-08:002012-03-20T12:40:49.255-07:00Roasted Vegetable SoupYou may remember this post <a href="http://rebaslittlethings.blogspot.com/2010/12/roasted-corn.html">Roasted Vegetables</a>. Well Sunday night we had the roasted vegetables with dinner and we had a quart container full of leftovers. As I have written before I watch too much Food Network, if that's possible. Any who Ina Gartin aka Barefoot Contessa really started me on the roasted vegetables but also I remember watching her once take the roasted vegetable leftovers and make a soup, I attempted it and it turned out phenomenally.<br />
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<u><b>Roasted Vegetable Soup</b></u><br />
3 cups chicken broth<br />
1 quart roasted vegetables<br />
1/2 cup half and half <br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
After roasting the vegetables heat the broth up to at boil. Once it boils turn it down to low and add in the vegetables and use your hand emulsifier or put the soup into a blender or food processor until small chunks remain and pour in half and half. Taste the soup to make sure the spices are right, also mine turned out a little too salty so I just added more water and a little more half and half and it turned out just right.<br />
<u><b><br />
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<u><b>Roasted Vegetable Chicken and Rice Soup/Stew</b></u><br />
1 cup of rice, cooked<br />
1 pack chicken tenders<br />
Roasted Vegetable Soup (Recipe above)<br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
Cook 1 cup of rice following the package directions, once finished add to roasted vegetable soup. While the rice was cooking I marinated my pack of chicken for a little while and then cooked it in a medium-high pan with a splash of olive oil until browned. Once the chicken was finished I shredded it and added it also to the roasted vegetable and rice soup. After all ingredients were added I checked the spices again and let simmer on low until ready to serve.<br />
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Note: this is very easy to change up, if you like runnier soup just add more water and half and half. You can add no meat, or different meat, just make it your own. It is also man approved and he didn't even care that broccoli was in it and he always complains whenever Mama and I roast broccoli.<br />
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This would feed 4 very hearty servingsRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-48246686853520852922011-01-31T08:27:00.000-08:002011-01-31T08:27:10.432-08:00January: A Month in ReviewI guess as I'm really starting to figure out what direction I'll be taking the blog, I'm starting to form different ways of writing because in my mind variety is good. Sometimes I can't just sit down and write this really long thing and expect people to read it all because I can't sit here and re-read it all either. Anyways to my point I decided on the last day of the month calls for a recap of the month because well January was awesome.<br />
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If 2011 is as awesome as the month of January was this year will possibly be the best yet.<br />
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The month started out at Disney World in Orlando and with an Alabama dominating win against Michigan State. If there was a way to kick off a new year that was the best way imaginable.<br />
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I ended up with the flu at the beginning of the month and let me say it was one of the more miserable few days of my life on top of also having a bronch the Friday that I was sick.<br />
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Also we ended up with the most snow I have ever seen in Atlanta that I was allowed to play with pushing 6 inches. When "The Storm of the Century" hit in 1993 it was too cold outside and I was all of 5 and we were not allowed to go outside to play in it.<br />
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I also spent MLK weekend in Panama City with Charles and his friends from UAB for Gulf Coast Getaway which is a college ministry retreat weekend and it was amazing.<br />
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One Friday evening I spent hanging out with Katie and a few of the bridesmaids for her wedding playing dress up and I am in LOVE with my dress! I can't wait to order it, pick it up and just play dress up in it. :) Confession time: A guilty pleasure of mine is when I'm cleaning a lot or packing I like to play dress up and put on my dresses that I don't get to wear all the time.<br />
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To round out the month of January after visiting with my surgeon and making sure I was not going to be scheduled for surgery immediately I decided that it was the perfect weekend to go to Tuscaloosa to see my friends and catch the Alabama-LSU basketball game. As it turns out almost all of my friends from Tide for Christ Student Ministries aka TCSM thought the same. So it just formed into this awesome weekend of spending as much time with one another as possible, eating, shopping, laughing, watching basketball. I love seeing how little actions in the big scheme of things work out perfectly. For instance I really didn't commit until Wednesday night late to going to Tuscaloosa and it was too late to get a ticket with Charles. Friday night we're walking out of dinner and Mike mentions that Dustin has an extra ticket possibly so Mike would take that ticket so they could have "man time" and I could sit with Cassie and her parents. This worked out perfectly, and so I stayed the first half with Cassie and since Mike and Dustin had some extra seats next to them I went and hung out with them since I hadn't seen Dustin in 8 months which is a record that I don't like. Words honestly can't quite describe how great of a weekend it was and how great of friends I have.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_eLg4xokKhR9HlMSiL4zyUoXq3Mgm-yX9T_QaxibABIw1FA-kOs5JBKlACiBWrckQzNmR1BB6Vb3TgRf8VihfeOYFVuJ1Q8Cmo2GhqCRIG5TJN0_CRBeqKeFhrbSxG8M2UXrozPYwmlB/s1600/Tuscaloosa+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_eLg4xokKhR9HlMSiL4zyUoXq3Mgm-yX9T_QaxibABIw1FA-kOs5JBKlACiBWrckQzNmR1BB6Vb3TgRf8VihfeOYFVuJ1Q8Cmo2GhqCRIG5TJN0_CRBeqKeFhrbSxG8M2UXrozPYwmlB/s320/Tuscaloosa+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just a few of the ladies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The month of January in Review gets an A+. I really don't know how any of the other months this year can quite be as great.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Also today to end out the month is my first "baby's" birthday. He is 9 years old today and boy does that make me feel old. Isaiah and I have been connected since I met him at a few weeks old and that's all she wrote. Isaiah is just precious and I love him but he's not my little baby any more but we still have fun together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-2NB5XaJ_IJx0foKX81FoF0RBJv7N-v5a9uoSakz88IQInI7-5hbhoMPyLKJ-6GMmDlyc7unsil8_NNRudWG3oHplAxbVWQ-azwUwiU43GJLTLcqyi89GQNFK5d8PXQpxwOAzXpxGCuB/s1600/me+and+isaiah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-2NB5XaJ_IJx0foKX81FoF0RBJv7N-v5a9uoSakz88IQInI7-5hbhoMPyLKJ-6GMmDlyc7unsil8_NNRudWG3oHplAxbVWQ-azwUwiU43GJLTLcqyi89GQNFK5d8PXQpxwOAzXpxGCuB/s320/me+and+isaiah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">6 years ago</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope everyone else has had just as great of a January as I have! </div><div style="text-align: left;">Rebecca</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-79195007536388346942011-01-26T11:26:00.000-08:002011-01-26T11:28:22.998-08:00Visit with Dr F.Today we met with Dr. F to discuss based on the PET and CT scans what needs to be done to have a biopsy that will give us an actual diagnosis of something. This something is nothing that can be derived from any prior information that the doctors have, so we are not assuming what diagnosis will come from this procedure, but that they are going to do panels for everything and something should be found.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/images/vats-566-enlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://www.mayoclinic.org/images/vats-566-enlg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The VATS Picture from The Mayo Clinic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Thursday, February 10th, I'll be having the biopsy done via a Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery aka VATS at Emory. The VATS procedure is similar to a knee scope where they will make 3 incisions to complete the procedure. In my VATS they will go in on my left side and in one slit a camera will go to guide them, with the two other slits they will go the instruments to remove the node that is the easiest and seal it up. Dr. F is pretty confident that no matter what something will be found from VATS. The reason why the needle aspirations haven't been able to find something is that there is a lot of scar tissue around my nodes and so it's kind of like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, you just take a few stabs but that doesn't mean you win the game. While on the other hand taking out a node will give us an answer and won't just come back "non diagnostic."<br />
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Also yesterday I had to get a hard flush from Dr. D to make sure my port would flow the correct direction and let me say I did not puke when they accessed it. That was probably the first time that has happened since I got it and I had no idea what was going on. Yay Me! As Katie said "It was the brinner" So thank you Praline French Toast for not making me puke.<br />
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RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-46976717064897850282011-01-24T16:53:00.001-08:002012-03-20T12:50:07.530-07:00Southern Living Praline-Pecan French ToastLet me say there are not many times that I read a recipe for the first time and not need to change a thing about it, but this recipe is great as is no improv needed. BUT I have gotten a little better about taking pictures as I cook<br />
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<div class="rcpdetail" id="ingredients"><h2><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></h2><ul><li> 1 (16-oz.) French bread loaf</li>
<li> 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar</li>
<li> 1/3 cup butter, melted</li>
<li> 2 tablespoons maple syrup</li>
<li> 3/4 cup chopped pecans</li>
<li> 4 large eggs, lightly beaten</li>
<li> 1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk</li>
<li> 2 tablespoons granulated sugar</li>
<li> 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</li>
<li> 1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
</ul></div><div class="rcpdetail" id="preparation"><h2><span style="font-size: small;">Preparation</span></h2>1. Cut 10 (1-inch-thick) slices of bread. Reserve remaining bread for another use.<br />
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2. Stir together brown sugar and next 2 ingredients; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.<br />
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3. Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Arrange bread slices over pecans; pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and chill 8 hours. <b>I lied I actually just chilled for about 6 which really didn't matter in my opinion.</b><br />
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4. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake bread 35 to 37 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.<br />
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Let me say this meal was fabulous. I also did oven baked bacon which bakes miraculously at 350* for 25 minutes which gives you the perfect time to pull it off the lined baking sheet to place on some paper towels to dry before the french toast is ready. <br />
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Also I have a thing for some good fruit salad which a nice thing about cooking is fixing the fruit salad as I like. I did one carton strawberries quartered, 1 cup blueberries, 3 clementines, and 1 Granny Smith apple to that I put the apples in last and covered them with about 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orange juice and added 2 teaspoons of sugar and put in the fridge and let chill for about 3 hours.<br />
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Also to make it look prettier you need to flip it over and it was gorgeous and fabulous.<br />
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Rebecca </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-25799166915792484352011-01-24T10:12:00.000-08:002011-01-24T10:18:12.074-08:00Things I Wish I Didn't Have To Deal With Because Of Cancer/ChemoI often am amused by my quirks and randomness one of which I love bullet points and lists. I wish I could share some of my college notes because then I feel it would give a great insight into how my brain works as my bullet points often went insane and if I did share my notes y'all would probably go insane. Anyway I guess I am introducing another aspect and label of my blog: lists. These lists will be of a great variety of things but today's are based on my #1 because of recently having them done.<br />
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Things I Wish I Didn't Have To Deal With Because Of Cancer/Chemo<br />
<ol><li>Weird skin reactions to getting my eye brows done (I had them done Saturday and now my skin's irritated and it never has done that for the past 5 years)</li>
<li>Weird skin reactions to certain lotions-stuff that worked before chemo didn't work during chemo which now does work after chemo and stuff that worked during chemo irritates my skin now. If you followed that I'm impressed</li>
<li>The fear of never having kids</li>
<li>Smelling everything: good, bad, or ugly. Let me say I never really had hardcore scent senses before chemo but now it seems as if everything that has a scent I can smell and they linger so bad smells are terrible. I can also smell lemon hand sanitizer from across the room (which I hate the lemon so much and Mama kept using I threw away the almost full bottle) </li>
<li>Being a 23 year old bum with a college degree living with my parents (I love y'all but really...)</li>
<li>Having to miss camp last summer</li>
<li>Not being able to really schedule much in advance because there just has been too much up in the air to do so because I want to be at camp this summer but I have no idea whether I can or not</li>
<li>Living in Georgia and not in Alabama where I would prefer (no offense GA readers)</li>
<li>Being on a first name basis with like everyone at Emory, Sunday during church Brian our preacher was talking about seeing a doctor for more than 5 minutes and my first thought was A) I see my doctor too much and I'm such a "primadonna" as Ken my PA says they end up spending a lot of time with me B) I answer caller ID the phone calls from my nurse as "What's up Christina" she laughs but it's what happens when at this point I've memorized phone numbers from Emory </li>
<li>Weird hair stuff, honestly some times it just doesn't make sense last week I had a chunk of hair that just stuck out like Alfalfa but on the side of my head...it was really attractive...</li>
<li>Having too much time on my hands</li>
<li>Seeing everyone else's life move on and forward and I'm just in a holding pattern, this is so hard to have to cope with because being in college you just keep moving on and doing things and you're life is just going so fast there are so many check lists to complete then you graduate and are diagnosed with cancer and it's just all halted and then you finish treatment then it's starting to accelerate then you have a bad scan then you have more tests and then you get sick and then you're just still in this holding pattern</li>
<li>Weird germaphobe issues that I formed during chemo that now are hard to break. I haven't had a Jersey Mike sub in over 7 months and let me say that is a record. </li>
<li>Overly emotional at times my cancer friend in Miles told me about this but I didn't quite believe him until more recently. Let's just say during Christmas I cried at a Folgers commercial...yea I have turned into that girl</li>
<li>I'm now grossed out by touching raw meat, I have never been scared or fearful of things in the kitchen but I'm working to get over my disgust of raw meats I think I washed my hands 4 times during dinner prep earlier because I cracked a few eggs. </li>
<li>Conquering my fear of needles-I used to be afraid and would end up passing out, now I don't even flinch and I feel at this point I could put in my own IV and do my own blood work if need be </li>
<li>Being woken up at 7:30am by Emory with phone calls </li>
<li>My port </li>
</ol>Speaking of dinner I'll post later tonight about my experience with <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=50400000109944">Praline Pecan French Toast</a>. Yep you heard right we're having breakfast for dinner tonight at The Little House. <br />
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Also tomorrow I get to go back to Emory to see Dr. D about my port and a PET scan and Wednesday I'm meeting with Dr. F about what my scan says and whether or not there will be a biopsy.<br />
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Happy Monday<br />
RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-82693636053848947332011-01-20T17:11:00.000-08:002012-03-20T12:41:13.792-07:00Super Easy BaklavaInspiration comes from<span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/baklava-cups-recipe/index.html" style="color: blue;">HERE</a> but in true Rebecca fashion I definitely changed it up a bit, my changes in <b style="color: blue;">bold </b><br />
<h2><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h2><h2><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients</span></h2><ul><li class="ingredient" style="color: blue;"><b>3/4 cup pecans</b><b> </b></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: blue;"><b>3/4 cup walnuts</b></li>
<li class="ingredient">1 lemon, zested </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup, plus 3 tablespoons sugar </li>
<li class="ingredient">2 tablespoons butter, melted </li>
<li class="ingredient">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon salt </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract </li>
<li class="ingredient">2 boxes mini filo shells (found in the frozen section), 15 shells each </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 cup water </li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup honey</li>
</ul><h2><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h2><h2><span style="font-size: small;">Directions</span></h2><div class="instructions">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. <br />
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Arrange the <b style="color: blue;">walnuts and pecans</b> on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Let nuts cool slightly and add to a food processor along with the lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of sugar, butter, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and pulse to combine. <br />
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Place mini fillo shells in wells of 2 mini cupcake pans. Add 1 teaspoon of the nut mixture into each shell. Bake until filling is hot, about 10 minutes. <br />
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Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat add the water, 1/4 cup sugar and honey and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until reduced and slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour 1 teaspoon syrup into each cup and allow it to soak in, then repeat with another teaspoon. Refrigerate for<b style="color: #ffd966;"> <span style="color: blue;">a hour</span></b><br />
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Let me just say these things are fabulous! I also put the remaining 6 filo cups into a regular 6 cupcake pan, I used cup papers and they were not as good as the mini pans with no paper. <br />
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</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-88335911970576269982011-01-19T19:34:00.000-08:002011-01-19T19:35:57.993-08:00A Crazy Week In ReviewWhere to start, the past week or so has been absolutely crazy. Between being snowed in, having the flu, a delayed Dr. L visit, Gulf Coast Getaway, and an actual visit with Dr. L life has been a little busy.<br />
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<div style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So Dr L today: to sum it up in quick and easy fashion my scan from Thursday 1/6 didn't tell much because I had the flu and because of that the Drs couldn't decipher anything from it except that they need another scan. January 7th I had a bronch, again, and from all the samples taken and biopsy that was done nothing was positive for anything except that I had the flu. <br />
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What does all of this mean? I get to have another PET scan sometime in the near future (Emory's schedule is all messed up from the Snowpocolypse) and from that I will be meeting with a new doctor, Dr. F to figure out where an intrusive biopsy will probably be to get a portion of a node and to figure out once and for all what's going on. <br />
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Why intrusive over needle aspirations? I have had numerous needle aspiration biopsies (they send a needle into a node wo extract cells) over the past 2 years and none of them have ever came back with an answer for anything. The only biopsy option that Dr. L wants is intrusive because that is how Dr. Cerf got an answer. <br />
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Where do we go from here? Well we wait for the date of the scan and meeting with Dr. F, so once I know something y'all will know something.</span></div><br />
<div style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now recap of Gulf Coast Getaway. One word: AWESOME! God is truly awesome and this past weekend just helped greatly with keeping perspective. </span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlQtEh9XooErGVZNeo5wqTyBRWcXZLnduftQfsv7hyphenhyphennuBnE67jwrwrswWO-2uFfJJoQpBnLwTHOcA0CUkGJD2ZXkEeloNYZqOnwO_mo_2AIaQ3Un6c4S9HnAMz-hEIS4jinRwp9_fYWBc/s1600/GCG+2011+015.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlQtEh9XooErGVZNeo5wqTyBRWcXZLnduftQfsv7hyphenhyphennuBnE67jwrwrswWO-2uFfJJoQpBnLwTHOcA0CUkGJD2ZXkEeloNYZqOnwO_mo_2AIaQ3Un6c4S9HnAMz-hEIS4jinRwp9_fYWBc/s320/GCG+2011+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Paradise that we woke up to Saturday morning from out balcony</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGcoGy5kcPSvHYX2hBqQfcDI3OdQ3y1NBjOL7GGhPK9LJLQdYcizglCSOsoHQnRkhpJQl2H8l82sgMSSG0ldrej8pFGrtIoaaV8MzOzoJhITrys6-D94_Re2h4JLtnUuko4U4DyDCQPRa/s1600/GCG+2011+036.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGcoGy5kcPSvHYX2hBqQfcDI3OdQ3y1NBjOL7GGhPK9LJLQdYcizglCSOsoHQnRkhpJQl2H8l82sgMSSG0ldrej8pFGrtIoaaV8MzOzoJhITrys6-D94_Re2h4JLtnUuko4U4DyDCQPRa/s320/GCG+2011+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gorgeous Sunset</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdt4E1BtFWrl9vU3p_Mqj0eUwsBVgFriNXvXhLKNrX81zh23smrOEcLJsOWWEFJJ_nb8l15WoXWW3jQOPxJKUp0RUcZsoTmHk0JIDndx8HLvcNEpQ4-Cnt2TZBrzKju_fpmTi0Xzlz5_w/s1600/GCG+2011+041.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdt4E1BtFWrl9vU3p_Mqj0eUwsBVgFriNXvXhLKNrX81zh23smrOEcLJsOWWEFJJ_nb8l15WoXWW3jQOPxJKUp0RUcZsoTmHk0JIDndx8HLvcNEpQ4-Cnt2TZBrzKju_fpmTi0Xzlz5_w/s320/GCG+2011+041.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and AK </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgozuxQHUayVr0WgiJl4Jkyq7ZZBoEHLwHkiTnYpk5q5pw0GCtAtHqi9Ahx_Wkf7oH110ztg2kTBNrByikSzcqtqwQry4g0-u4ahRQ7hhYd8vwMibkvgevbTKiGRoB_OjUVpZlo0dxCS1/s1600/GCG+2011+042.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgozuxQHUayVr0WgiJl4Jkyq7ZZBoEHLwHkiTnYpk5q5pw0GCtAtHqi9Ahx_Wkf7oH110ztg2kTBNrByikSzcqtqwQry4g0-u4ahRQ7hhYd8vwMibkvgevbTKiGRoB_OjUVpZlo0dxCS1/s320/GCG+2011+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our Sunset view Saturday evening</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI3DO_QsvotXl891sCb720pcmhSZwmg1EdSNEEHxXtWhYAnm9iaoqikUFWk2oD3tpGc-fW9-fdBb45o2opS4-skZyXMNALhCc-QaD_1a0iwj9YLMldxvDYkL-dUs_ZlxdGJ87oqV9DNYA/s1600/GCG+2011+072.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI3DO_QsvotXl891sCb720pcmhSZwmg1EdSNEEHxXtWhYAnm9iaoqikUFWk2oD3tpGc-fW9-fdBb45o2opS4-skZyXMNALhCc-QaD_1a0iwj9YLMldxvDYkL-dUs_ZlxdGJ87oqV9DNYA/s320/GCG+2011+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and Jerome, he's my favorite Alabama Law student</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3KcU_esL6mHsqFOUWc7IGsEIsLibLTcQpTKKbytadd4BDMoZkd61XJ8_M2tu4ThMzVmJH2qc9D-QnywaMKwQn3WXqqInqY1Ha1qqBR2X4YiA3-Xo0EAQQDVYb_5fMRHvPreVScjIVget/s1600/GCG+2011+115.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3KcU_esL6mHsqFOUWc7IGsEIsLibLTcQpTKKbytadd4BDMoZkd61XJ8_M2tu4ThMzVmJH2qc9D-QnywaMKwQn3WXqqInqY1Ha1qqBR2X4YiA3-Xo0EAQQDVYb_5fMRHvPreVScjIVget/s320/GCG+2011+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Becca's on the Beach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH0KMhWL-_MR0wkW8vdks0nf14ZSmHe1IxsAcxULTD3GYrcM5jMZvRRZb-h2edbwTyBnbIdOmVUXnH1r2dz7Ts47ONHuNzlwNacEkfUQmOAr5-sqKAjC8mL8uZPAmQ9fH4g8zzfbS7DLO/s1600/GCG+2011+125.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH0KMhWL-_MR0wkW8vdks0nf14ZSmHe1IxsAcxULTD3GYrcM5jMZvRRZb-h2edbwTyBnbIdOmVUXnH1r2dz7Ts47ONHuNzlwNacEkfUQmOAr5-sqKAjC8mL8uZPAmQ9fH4g8zzfbS7DLO/s320/GCG+2011+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and Charles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eAjrtAO91UI28ihsI9MuoQ_PlLFFG_L5tSmJPSn0iV15xToxVcmuhlHU8tb2Vl4SbYjl_Bm0Lm7C1lPb1NYODCtk-EPzZ4LwxwNLQBZs_oH8qAWCzxex257n9e2oIxmKTI1K4UnTrD14/s1600/GCG+2011+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eAjrtAO91UI28ihsI9MuoQ_PlLFFG_L5tSmJPSn0iV15xToxVcmuhlHU8tb2Vl4SbYjl_Bm0Lm7C1lPb1NYODCtk-EPzZ4LwxwNLQBZs_oH8qAWCzxex257n9e2oIxmKTI1K4UnTrD14/s320/GCG+2011+128.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The BEAUTIFUL artwork of Laura Amstutz created by the work of all of us at Gulf Coast. You can visit her site here <a href="http://creativespillage.com/">http://creativespillage.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDDGs8TkZYAltjJJg0u_SqocnyhaUBDGILgPSxuaoKUZf1u3mTIZ94gRBCtIdlGKj6FYWP4i7bGQALmXTfyOg5vz9WbcMfsbvstpicV4g0AY7VVccEEGLNPqSEPU3-zIOWanGI5YZNzj_/s1600/GCG+2011+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDDGs8TkZYAltjJJg0u_SqocnyhaUBDGILgPSxuaoKUZf1u3mTIZ94gRBCtIdlGKj6FYWP4i7bGQALmXTfyOg5vz9WbcMfsbvstpicV4g0AY7VVccEEGLNPqSEPU3-zIOWanGI5YZNzj_/s320/GCG+2011+130.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="color: #fff2cc; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My piece of the puzzle: a purple Hodgkins ribbon</span></div><br />
One of my favorite points from the weekend was about our puzzle piece. We each have abilities and strong suites and that we need to use those to share God and our faith with others along with helping those who need it the most. So the question is how are you going to play your puzzle piece in life? <br />
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Next blog up: the future, life and kidsRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-34227132760527517642011-01-12T15:06:00.000-08:002011-01-12T15:06:19.193-08:00Irony of the Snowpocolypse 2011Well there are so many times in my life that things that happen in my life don't fit the calendar I want for my life ex: cancer. Other things that didn't quite fit but has turned into a huge blessing to me is the Snowpocolypse 2011. I was suppose to see my doctor today and there was talk of me getting my port fixed this week that they just figured out has been severely messed up for a good time now. And if that had happened they would have taken away my weekend in Panama City Beach, Florida for Gulf Coast Getaway with Charles' ministry he is involved with in Birmingham. Gulf Coast is a huge campus ministry retreat at the beach that happens every year in PCB on MLK weekend that I have been looking forward to since last year's trip. I have been really down about the past week once I was told that there was a possibility that I wasn't going to be able to go, but thanks to all of this snow and ice my appointment for today was canceled and I won't be seen until next week and I honestly couldn't be happier about that.<br />
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Anyways here is my ramble about why I want to be at Gulf Coast this weekend and why I have been bummed and a story about my student teaching. <br />
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Gulf Coast last year truly helped me get through much of my student internship that was at times very trying for me. The combination of exhaustion from teaching everyday starting my second week and steriods going into my body with cancer living in it as well and my heart breaking for many of my students the more I learned about their lives at home it was definitely rough. Gulf Coast definitely gave me the booster shot of Jesus that I really needed to show my students through my actions towards them so they could see Christ living in me. I feel Gulf Coast truly helped me reach the level that I needed to be at for my kids last Spring. Thanks to showing Jesus' love and just a peacefulness about myself in a hectic environment one of my students, K, noticed my aura and helped me realize that how I was doing things was the right way. K was not the top of the class and he had a hard time focusing a lot and never had a pencil but he gave me the greatest complement during my student teaching. From my very beginning of being in class and maybe it was also a slight crush but he would would always turn around and give me a huge grin, it's a memory I will keep for life but I digress. During the last 2 minutes of class the days when finished early he would sometimes call me over and ask me the same question "Miss Little do you have any siblings?" I would always respond "Yes, I have a brother" and his next question was always the same "Is he nice to you?" and sometimes the bell would ring right after that question and other times he'd look up at me with big eyes and say "That's real nice." Talk about heart break I never got to ask him about his siblings to try to figure out the reasons why I would always get the same question. The real heart break came on the Friday before Spring Break. I had just finished my official 10 day unit of teaching WWII and I was exhausted as we were waiting on the buses that Friday K waved me over to talk before leaving for the week long vacation. He in his big smile asked "What are you doing for Spring Break Miss Little?" I told him "I'm going home to Georgia to see my family" he asked his typical question about my brother and then came the kicker question "Miss Little can you take me home with you?" To ever be looked in the eyes by a child and be asked if you could take them home is one of the most gut wrenching moments that any human being with a heart will ever encounter. I'd be lying to say that I don't have tears in my eyes right now.<br />
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I know that it was a long story to reiterate the point that I feel Gulf Coast gave me that boost to show a peacefulness inside that I'm not sure he had ever met or would have ever met before and this year I did not want to miss for the world. So thank you Snowpocolypse 2011 for letting me get back to Gulf Coast and not letting the doctors mess up my calendar for once. Now if I can just get out of Atlanta I will be in business.<br />
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RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-36652972067628037512011-01-09T22:20:00.000-08:002011-01-09T22:23:53.838-08:00Weekend Recap, plus great recipeSo the bronch came and went and now with the snow and ice and everything else being like it is, who knows when I'll here anything/see Dr L. But here are two gems from my mouth during the post-op: <br />
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-The first went to my nurse in recovery that I also don't remember saying: "I met Cinderella last week at Disney World" and "My aunt works up stairs" thanks to these she started wondering and asking if I were "special" then she was told I was just well drugged<br />
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-And the second came Friday night on the sofa to both parents "Why is plow, pronounced plowwww, but blow is pronounced blooooow they are spelt the same" my mother responded "I'm opting not to answer that" <br />
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Anyways we've been sick and still sick, and let me tell you there is absolutely nothing worse in this world than the combination of being recovering from a bronch with a severe cold. I don't know if I have EVER felt to the level of bad that I did Friday and yes that is including chemo and all. It was absolutely terrible.<br />
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Here are some pictures of snow for y'all. We had 4 inches in 2 hours at our house between 9:40 pm and 11:40 pm Sunday night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaapTMZ-0pLDNOsyL-Tv03I1MKmcbrQH0l_8tMGxURuBhVNxg9yNTmQ8WVDat7MaT2XQBn2dHWeL_eoXoTdbkVFjVhXoGhjuspetC4kBA0EZlU0m1EJw1T3m5WbFzluhnb0O8K2vG4LMao/s1600/Winter+11+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaapTMZ-0pLDNOsyL-Tv03I1MKmcbrQH0l_8tMGxURuBhVNxg9yNTmQ8WVDat7MaT2XQBn2dHWeL_eoXoTdbkVFjVhXoGhjuspetC4kBA0EZlU0m1EJw1T3m5WbFzluhnb0O8K2vG4LMao/s320/Winter+11+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7n0_LAAz8H939zu9RdaDdCnXW0UNV2ogC4dq2bQku3vRRl5FtULoNmJZg5T2LgD9KaYZ0ublYk943kT-GRMEUkfXB0mU4z7C9D2udueua_tSihH4czNuipgYrwt8vSgKTNGx-N6EPhyphenhyphenk/s1600/Winter+11+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7n0_LAAz8H939zu9RdaDdCnXW0UNV2ogC4dq2bQku3vRRl5FtULoNmJZg5T2LgD9KaYZ0ublYk943kT-GRMEUkfXB0mU4z7C9D2udueua_tSihH4czNuipgYrwt8vSgKTNGx-N6EPhyphenhyphenk/s320/Winter+11+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT5AvB8bA1KRWniNIeUNLbhw5HyET_y_wyqLWvVp0hqAIuZvhm3WX1cQA6SWhaKqYcmtyyvvHcdP1X54LPoBmXpQsWEoqOuawH3BqQ6t6FP5oQP-fr6Geap4XECNr5tIPCmye7EItAk9t/s1600/Winter+11+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT5AvB8bA1KRWniNIeUNLbhw5HyET_y_wyqLWvVp0hqAIuZvhm3WX1cQA6SWhaKqYcmtyyvvHcdP1X54LPoBmXpQsWEoqOuawH3BqQ6t6FP5oQP-fr6Geap4XECNr5tIPCmye7EItAk9t/s320/Winter+11+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
One last thing, something I completely forgot to post last week was a new recipe that we tried and my oh my was it wonderful! They were Cheesy Lasagna Rolls and perfect, what is nice about this recipe is that you can make them to fit how many you have in your family of for a big gathering. Also two week ago Mama and I finally found the perfect Au Gratin dishes which ended up fitting two rolls perfectly. I am no where close to a hardcore measurering cook so I play everything by ear when I'm cooking. If it is baking that is a whole different ballgame. <br />
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<b><u>Cheesy Lasagna Rolls</u></b><br />
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<u><b>Ingredients: </b></u><br />
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<div class="ingredients">Uncooked lasagna noodles</div><div class="ingredients">Olive oil </div><div class="ingredients">Ricotta cheese, with a pinch of salt and pepper added for flavor</div><div class="ingredients">Prepared marinara sauce (I love Ragu)<br />
Packed baby spinach, washed well </div><div class="ingredients">Shredded mozzarella</div><h4 class="method"><u>Directions</u>:</h4><h4 class="method"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Preheat oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add noodles and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and gently transfer to a clean work surface, to do this I removed the noodles gently with tongs onto paper towels I laid out on the counter so I didn't end up with the chaos in the sink that lasagna noodle bring me because of the fear of sticking</span></h4>Grease small dishes or large casserole with olive oil; set aside. Working with one noodle at a time, spread with about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta and 2 tablespoons of the marinara (the ricotta and marinara should cover the noodle don't be concerned with the Ts) then top with 2 layers of spinach. Starting at one end, roll up noodle snugly then arrange in pan either seam-side down or with the rolls close enough together to hold each other closed. Pour remaining marinara over assembled rolls then sprinkle with mozzarella and bake until golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. <br />
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<u><b>Tips and Changes:</b></u><br />
-Let the kids help with this dish, it's easy, not that messy and fun.<br />
-You could really add any vegetable or meat to this dish in either the sauce or in the wraps<br />
-Try it with the your favorite multi-grain noodle and it was really good<br />
-They are also great for cooking ahead and hold up well reheating <br />
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Here is a glimpse at the final product, these are seem side down<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Snow Day! Be Safe! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rebecca </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-46369516225159448362011-01-06T17:10:00.000-08:002011-01-06T17:10:26.702-08:00Dr. Visit 1/6: Not the Best Day of My LifeWell I don't even know where on Earth to start at the moment. First off Mama and Daddy are sick, so sick that yesterday I was kicked out of the house but by the time Daddy called to say I should leave because he was sick I already felt it was too late. Well by the middle of the night I knew for fact that it was too late that I left, so this morning when I couldn't sleep I started working on figuring out what Dr. L wanted to do, well since my main complaint was my lungs she wanted me to see Dr. B but the downfall is he was not in the office until next Monday. So Dr. L went to work trying to figure out what was going on, pretty much what was figured out in respect to what I(we) have is inconclusive so tomorrow I having another bronch to see if Dr. B can find something for conclusive so we can come up with a plan of action to try to get me better. So pretty much what it boils down to is we won't know anything conclusive until next Wednesday.<br />
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Prayers would be highly appreciated right now while my Drs figure out what's going on.<br />
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Thanks, RebeccaRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-655683598622945349.post-80041691132027869592011-01-03T13:56:00.000-08:002011-01-03T14:04:01.522-08:00A Week In ReviewChristmas was fabulous! I finally got my new iPod and a Tassimo coffee maker AND SNOW!!!!<br />
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We made our Gingerbread Reindeer cookies, that can also be made with Peanut Butter. Quick and easy steps<br />
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1 tube of Gingerbread cookie dough<br />
red and green M&Ms<br />
a bag of mini pretzel of your choice<br />
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Directions: Press cookies into a reindeer shape, gently press in the M&Ms and pretzels. Bake as directed. The outcome look marvelous, also if you want to add a twist to it dip the pretzels in white chocolate. The thought of the dipped pretzels were a new twist I came up with this year and let's just say it was a real winner. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5CtIwzDxNfwahGoHRA1QA1xd4dBHr_Hmh5vETKk8Z_qs36_6CTw-1nK4GDzSO86ay8UFq7ASKysiKhIrl2W24eLvWKafyGHzZ6ombDHH6Me1UpkB9g1K8pVVHqn8mFKI1f594kINR1C1/s1600/Christmas2010+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5CtIwzDxNfwahGoHRA1QA1xd4dBHr_Hmh5vETKk8Z_qs36_6CTw-1nK4GDzSO86ay8UFq7ASKysiKhIrl2W24eLvWKafyGHzZ6ombDHH6Me1UpkB9g1K8pVVHqn8mFKI1f594kINR1C1/s320/Christmas2010+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmN23WoHRfK0xQS-IByBCaa2jw5m-Xrlpogr5MWsmBIs-lRNKD8CY2RGZ0hpQyDvdFWmaTcAiK3-iX2lFWFGW-DVP7lqVWxyFb4w-d6oMIFIBc0jAiXWjiL2grteZQjM7-FZ_VvofPZ8r/s1600/Christmas2010+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmN23WoHRfK0xQS-IByBCaa2jw5m-Xrlpogr5MWsmBIs-lRNKD8CY2RGZ0hpQyDvdFWmaTcAiK3-iX2lFWFGW-DVP7lqVWxyFb4w-d6oMIFIBc0jAiXWjiL2grteZQjM7-FZ_VvofPZ8r/s320/Christmas2010+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Also I mentioned we had snow. 2010 was the first White Christmas I have ever had, also when I say it snowed I mean we had 2 inches. It was extremely awesome.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQWXKRcHjD0A_sd4MKnDdC9VheJ9XisUvfFdfyrPeAEXi5OlPVZtbEhdzybM572yzSca6lP3B0E2FXyL_Sjyi6kQydmq2Bi9b-U_Xhu6kpPSwPiy5IVKDI4MkznhAUyErfwtagw5PYLBv/s1600/Christmas2010+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQWXKRcHjD0A_sd4MKnDdC9VheJ9XisUvfFdfyrPeAEXi5OlPVZtbEhdzybM572yzSca6lP3B0E2FXyL_Sjyi6kQydmq2Bi9b-U_Xhu6kpPSwPiy5IVKDI4MkznhAUyErfwtagw5PYLBv/s320/Christmas2010+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Cousins on Christmas in the snow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0cAJs6dEBK3ptH87cJSWZXtVWDPZvqk60rkBTQy9rSYTdyCIKpg9SfvtmkWE87zKwnE_PSaeO9nQdvOuyt2FB_yI84GhpII8Dj5gT9U2mXEKuiHo9TVAIXIMsBrioKbvBE9jRa0n2Rjv/s1600/Christmas2010+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0cAJs6dEBK3ptH87cJSWZXtVWDPZvqk60rkBTQy9rSYTdyCIKpg9SfvtmkWE87zKwnE_PSaeO9nQdvOuyt2FB_yI84GhpII8Dj5gT9U2mXEKuiHo9TVAIXIMsBrioKbvBE9jRa0n2Rjv/s320/Christmas2010+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAWbwn31H2soUUhjBywOBcg6gmrdPT92Ghwzaw__I3P75hlsBXlS7jHkmRuL2eQ_wK0XHGpttExx8DztdUeAg3KXwL1pzit9OQCGOdhvSAdHAjkdoo57uEIy-vfdF-A3i3uD3dtjDUzps/s1600/Christmas2010+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAWbwn31H2soUUhjBywOBcg6gmrdPT92Ghwzaw__I3P75hlsBXlS7jHkmRuL2eQ_wK0XHGpttExx8DztdUeAg3KXwL1pzit9OQCGOdhvSAdHAjkdoo57uEIy-vfdF-A3i3uD3dtjDUzps/s320/Christmas2010+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Cindy was not sure what to think about the snowy ice on the cul-de-sac<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxSpP93_gfAhaprbOpZGafxNzVpMt_4CCll3UNEb5Uc9xxb-NuIhk0u-etadErNAbqYLZHcBe6rux7qP9qrpGCy_sI-9z2z0fTSDWN7slgWzEhCpRTPVIElKb2_bfk20gtnYQ9N1tWJ9K/s1600/Christmas2010+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxSpP93_gfAhaprbOpZGafxNzVpMt_4CCll3UNEb5Uc9xxb-NuIhk0u-etadErNAbqYLZHcBe6rux7qP9qrpGCy_sI-9z2z0fTSDWN7slgWzEhCpRTPVIElKb2_bfk20gtnYQ9N1tWJ9K/s320/Christmas2010+014.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrZJqTJ3GgzmMN_8tmRv7u58BcRT2ddKMXm0cADTjMp0ttTsxvK-vzbt231g4blnErXwN13lnwRFmPBIa7HtxT9QMylGulaIl9q-wujsOlkSCxyjHERUmPGDWU5AkTeu10rkpf9uaHA2L/s1600/Christmas2010+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrZJqTJ3GgzmMN_8tmRv7u58BcRT2ddKMXm0cADTjMp0ttTsxvK-vzbt231g4blnErXwN13lnwRFmPBIa7HtxT9QMylGulaIl9q-wujsOlkSCxyjHERUmPGDWU5AkTeu10rkpf9uaHA2L/s320/Christmas2010+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXsdBqZF2iOgBmnYbvlgyY9xmJ3pMHKvbFMpA7Eo2cM7um5ETNRyixbzYKuHXs-_m4fozf3K00KJFVGRW3k0SdHwRoDTn0ELew9KKjAUlQXMJDfSfDaoY0cjNqlDNT9mxNtYW4pcqCW4R/s1600/Christmas2010+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXsdBqZF2iOgBmnYbvlgyY9xmJ3pMHKvbFMpA7Eo2cM7um5ETNRyixbzYKuHXs-_m4fozf3K00KJFVGRW3k0SdHwRoDTn0ELew9KKjAUlQXMJDfSfDaoY0cjNqlDNT9mxNtYW4pcqCW4R/s320/Christmas2010+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Sledding! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRbwgWpH5a1KFrb_BfsLlvWc7jNKxlHhAghKUxYXyW-f0ZqHyzXtQ5FfE7cZZ-uhuKPWKgrRSvynJg5QRSvh2AAS0eBqeKB4Bxx2ralk2Xw9XOG57vGoKnXhjfxWz84kJGflbY8fK8OOo/s1600/Christmas2010+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRbwgWpH5a1KFrb_BfsLlvWc7jNKxlHhAghKUxYXyW-f0ZqHyzXtQ5FfE7cZZ-uhuKPWKgrRSvynJg5QRSvh2AAS0eBqeKB4Bxx2ralk2Xw9XOG57vGoKnXhjfxWz84kJGflbY8fK8OOo/s320/Christmas2010+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mama was not properly dressed for sledding so Daddy dressed her up with his camo gear<br />
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Now onto ORLANDO! We left early Thursday morning aka New Years Eve-Eve. We got into Orlando early in the afternoon in enough time for Mama and I to go get my "I'm Celebrating Chemo Grad" pin and for Mama to find a stunning Houndstooth jacket and scarf at The Grand Floridian. The best quote that was said on our way down there came out of my mouth. As we were entering Orlando Charles was talking about why Walt Disney chose to put Disney World in a swamp and I just blurted out "He was a man with a vision...and that just gave me chills." Yes, my name is Rebecca and I'm a little bit of a Disney freak. <br />
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Anyways here is the trip in pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CGCx0Rt3ladzAtqVPlV1X4-gIs4yE_yTYPXsmgDhkoIb1BXir7dTcsOxkLpsXWogP4LXcAOxBDcCXFjx9eDir21ORwKIT2j_Kz-sITM3lpSxJOhNiBtBC0DRS1-vhlchRsI5_JyshLTn/s1600/Disney+2010-11+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CGCx0Rt3ladzAtqVPlV1X4-gIs4yE_yTYPXsmgDhkoIb1BXir7dTcsOxkLpsXWogP4LXcAOxBDcCXFjx9eDir21ORwKIT2j_Kz-sITM3lpSxJOhNiBtBC0DRS1-vhlchRsI5_JyshLTn/s320/Disney+2010-11+008.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwuLBBJuTOW19M3lfeQaLg2TUG2ar4E1ab_wjUGVreEZhXnanM7Wbkkp5gl7Hn5ialJYkYkt7FaCynzAQ0iUf9jfC3FVfjcjrLloYySL1wgCuK6pEYHtYESDxnE0Efab8B8Iofpc1P1JA/s1600/Disney+2010-11+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwuLBBJuTOW19M3lfeQaLg2TUG2ar4E1ab_wjUGVreEZhXnanM7Wbkkp5gl7Hn5ialJYkYkt7FaCynzAQ0iUf9jfC3FVfjcjrLloYySL1wgCuK6pEYHtYESDxnE0Efab8B8Iofpc1P1JA/s320/Disney+2010-11+014.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I am obsessed with the castle, I will admit it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUwzdbgPAUIqfB3rpSWdruNAYpn9vPvmd3Mu_xPs22s9gdUdA-2XcpRftNeTZQtCGkXiqT44J5wm2H7hD0s76MbOn7kuSyyZKuwXbuzXvgAKMDLG9XziEqqPMsrj_GikVSNf3TzC86_PW/s1600/Disney+2010-11+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUwzdbgPAUIqfB3rpSWdruNAYpn9vPvmd3Mu_xPs22s9gdUdA-2XcpRftNeTZQtCGkXiqT44J5wm2H7hD0s76MbOn7kuSyyZKuwXbuzXvgAKMDLG9XziEqqPMsrj_GikVSNf3TzC86_PW/s320/Disney+2010-11+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Charles and I rode the tea cups and no one got sick got a two thumbs up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGN9GRJRCeM-rQTnKoJt6d6kTR5oGD6v7twFF3pG7ViJHWfYf0GHzK9Qey0bn0jthOtvFIYqBf5DIQlePmmNDVb6hGE32XsIESxpSsdYcyf1DBe4MewEmPuPRzsWidxeawDq3QUUPWUt2/s1600/Disney+2010-11+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGN9GRJRCeM-rQTnKoJt6d6kTR5oGD6v7twFF3pG7ViJHWfYf0GHzK9Qey0bn0jthOtvFIYqBf5DIQlePmmNDVb6hGE32XsIESxpSsdYcyf1DBe4MewEmPuPRzsWidxeawDq3QUUPWUt2/s320/Disney+2010-11+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The castle from the top of The Swiss Family Robinson Tree House</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fBI187YS4Pdb-cxzc-SlxHWBQJRDsIDflYPZ0HiEkLKG2qmnfUNUxoCheZ2QZ7VF4zRoOR896obl3EZ1wuU6OhmCitXxIaKllcSTEsBJKX0zjwjN1iP0LtQcmxi7uSRvUoldecz-T7EA/s1600/Disney+2010-11+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fBI187YS4Pdb-cxzc-SlxHWBQJRDsIDflYPZ0HiEkLKG2qmnfUNUxoCheZ2QZ7VF4zRoOR896obl3EZ1wuU6OhmCitXxIaKllcSTEsBJKX0zjwjN1iP0LtQcmxi7uSRvUoldecz-T7EA/s320/Disney+2010-11+032.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and Pirate Goofy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyaasBICoG4fw3wGTY4AlExeZhLjq_U_RSqg2A6CG1C-vsoPzroB7c4bfRYdv8wcKEApkvhAZy_bk1FFdH2UH27ZiaXENC8IV2GTSBxR-jxvn3KlorZz747gT7N4-5Z1pnBGgOZ1TW-mS/s1600/Disney+2010-11+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyaasBICoG4fw3wGTY4AlExeZhLjq_U_RSqg2A6CG1C-vsoPzroB7c4bfRYdv8wcKEApkvhAZy_bk1FFdH2UH27ZiaXENC8IV2GTSBxR-jxvn3KlorZz747gT7N4-5Z1pnBGgOZ1TW-mS/s320/Disney+2010-11+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Let me tell you about The Beast. First I am obsessed with Belle, she is my favorite princess. There will be more on that in a minute, but first let me tell you about the Christmas Parade. A sweet little girl in front of us had on the gorgeous gold Belle dress and when the float with the Princesses and Prince on it came by The Beast and Belle were front and center. The little Belle was waving her arm away at The Beast and he saw her and bowed to her and blew her a kiss and let's just say my heart melted. Also during the parade I did get a shout out from Santa when he was passing by with a "Merry Christmas Alabama."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7bf7xWwMc8An7i7iUlqW88RqgjzEt4x0juYqqgs9rcAnai1uII42THvyaE3zrunQdkrYo-OfkDLK3z3gdg4SkyCqRlHU4oH1nblhn6tGgILZl6KYVQCcoWMBcCb-2TIZXCsIuUcotvkF/s1600/Disney+2010-11+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7bf7xWwMc8An7i7iUlqW88RqgjzEt4x0juYqqgs9rcAnai1uII42THvyaE3zrunQdkrYo-OfkDLK3z3gdg4SkyCqRlHU4oH1nblhn6tGgILZl6KYVQCcoWMBcCb-2TIZXCsIuUcotvkF/s320/Disney+2010-11+105.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Family portrait in front of the castle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwI8rl7L8l_DwMK6sogVL89o33tA487jTyvMTmAYW9JCJHJwaSdqTUraY_lMm4zvWpB-yXS_fwnH3UcfX_LlHjYmerAnwQ9HZKEV_khyoCiCaQEJOxpwBPJKQlbGygmxyK728tGv_Wi1V/s1600/Disney+2010-11+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwI8rl7L8l_DwMK6sogVL89o33tA487jTyvMTmAYW9JCJHJwaSdqTUraY_lMm4zvWpB-yXS_fwnH3UcfX_LlHjYmerAnwQ9HZKEV_khyoCiCaQEJOxpwBPJKQlbGygmxyK728tGv_Wi1V/s320/Disney+2010-11+112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Let's say once we started planning our trip pretty last minute because it was hard to plan, how are we going to get the boys to Disney World (THANK YOU ALABAMA FOOTBALL) and get dinner reservations at The Magic Kingdom 3 weeks before New Years. The best advise that Mama was given over the phone is get a celebration pin and put the real meaning on it, and go talk to the supervisors at the restaurant to see what could be done. Charles and I had a fast pass for Splash Mountain at 5pm, so that's when the parents went to see what could happen with dinner. I got a text message from Daddy when we got off the ride that said come to The Chrystal Pistol, yes the old ride at Six Flags that was there when the parents worked there back in the day, he really meant The Chrystal Palace. Mama talked to the supervisor and got us in to eat dinner with Pooh and Friends! Also while they were searching she went to see if we could get dessert or coffee at The Terrace to watch New Years Eve fireworks. The supervisor said that wasn't possible but he could one better us, and gave us clearance to stand on top of The Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. Let me say, it was phenomenal we had fireworks 360 degrees around us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopq7HYVpiecae28jUktYvLTkQh_Mba43BxT4dkbRlB7PZ38i0LPJYDBy2PRAGWxbjBRkcw-Zgh5Sr4hHYT-WxFauV8JSx5r_Roru8ph86j8DUJmI51anE9oEsIC2-OGgdoBVrfhPkEsPz/s1600/Disney+2010-11+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopq7HYVpiecae28jUktYvLTkQh_Mba43BxT4dkbRlB7PZ38i0LPJYDBy2PRAGWxbjBRkcw-Zgh5Sr4hHYT-WxFauV8JSx5r_Roru8ph86j8DUJmI51anE9oEsIC2-OGgdoBVrfhPkEsPz/s320/Disney+2010-11+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Tigger and I became really close, I got a lot of hugs and kisses. It might have been because I did say bye T-I-Double Ga-E-R or there is a possibility that I might know the guy who was in the costume that has yet to be confirmed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjNqsZnFb88lQEO4VKRLVkffbaoEtOv1YsZT9BZTlEQDzJnFTBJNhBjeYN4rzQDryKN-LNsn2C6naGblw6R-d3x8HvHcyoepehgWc__rblGgt0ychpYnA53TRR24b_HH8vh4okxV5oHbK/s1600/Disney+2010-11+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjNqsZnFb88lQEO4VKRLVkffbaoEtOv1YsZT9BZTlEQDzJnFTBJNhBjeYN4rzQDryKN-LNsn2C6naGblw6R-d3x8HvHcyoepehgWc__rblGgt0ychpYnA53TRR24b_HH8vh4okxV5oHbK/s320/Disney+2010-11+117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and Piglet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSSMvqoItP3VG_2GgWVlHHomPI9hZJbf1aBrQS0xVMK1UMh81WLgR4SATMQJ_MBApiipYQz_O4rRZPcd05-CEwEy1I-vs-qpJ4D6zITWfAUYjU4Dx_Eqg-HoQ3bwWO3BpyKKWW7teBuhV/s1600/Disney+2010-11+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSSMvqoItP3VG_2GgWVlHHomPI9hZJbf1aBrQS0xVMK1UMh81WLgR4SATMQJ_MBApiipYQz_O4rRZPcd05-CEwEy1I-vs-qpJ4D6zITWfAUYjU4Dx_Eqg-HoQ3bwWO3BpyKKWW7teBuhV/s320/Disney+2010-11+121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and Pooh Bear</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UbPcEqdz3RmeqG_Y6g6cwSRYnWyM7UjIQBek6-AgoS3fov9rvUTCG7RFCKePyzCF4cUdwG1qn5NSlGJhwPDOiv6YOGICs-EVeZIHvPGInW5aiMyAV41ArPHmgFyKz54OCOJzn4xri_Jy/s1600/Disney+2010-11+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UbPcEqdz3RmeqG_Y6g6cwSRYnWyM7UjIQBek6-AgoS3fov9rvUTCG7RFCKePyzCF4cUdwG1qn5NSlGJhwPDOiv6YOGICs-EVeZIHvPGInW5aiMyAV41ArPHmgFyKz54OCOJzn4xri_Jy/s320/Disney+2010-11+139.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>Also after dinner we walking through the stores down Main Street USA and we ended up in a store where they had princess items but no Belle. Mama and I were talking to two cast members about how we were sad that the Princess Meetings ended at what we thought was 1:30pm, but we were corrected it was 1:30 AM! So Mama and I went to to meet the Princesses. When we got there we were also told that only 3 princesses were in for viewing at a time so we were just hoping Belle was there. We walked in and SHE WAS!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s8aff7q3A08yYfzAYNasZV3BnCjw_usbBrp04tWBhGfWu2GGGU45kJJ5EAWke1djBBFvY4Pr3WIbxDHrcdpf1BT6KGmkUxaglxg4ta-t7tzxaN_fKwtUfBpwt2_P7UQXMcg9-6SKmUof/s1600/Disney+2010-11+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s8aff7q3A08yYfzAYNasZV3BnCjw_usbBrp04tWBhGfWu2GGGU45kJJ5EAWke1djBBFvY4Pr3WIbxDHrcdpf1BT6KGmkUxaglxg4ta-t7tzxaN_fKwtUfBpwt2_P7UQXMcg9-6SKmUof/s320/Disney+2010-11+140.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After Belle I met Cinderella and let me just give you the conversation that occurred. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My conversation with Cinderella<br />
C: "Why hello Princess what's your name?"<br />
Me: "Rebecca" <br />
C: "Where are you from?"<br />
M: "Marietta Georgia"<br />
C: "Ohhh, well what's that on your shirt?" (referring to Alabama)<br />
M: "It's The University of Alabama, it's where I went to school"<br />
C: "Oh I hear that is a very magical kingdom"<br />
M: "Oh it really is"<br />
C: "Let's take a picture" <br />
(Takes picture)<br />
C: "Happy New year Princess and Roll Tide"</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you say icing on the cake? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvG1UPTMgkv0wdHc-nbFI-rI7XTMhDBrU-Gx0TWQxROdznODs9sOFx7wPOKs4NwFBK3-wApT51cl0W-f7mQGngxgGE_yHVrVSrKDySLucn_vb5iXZ5eM1ZMi0n9EPdMWGYpTRJPE2cjE4/s1600/Disney+2010-11+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvG1UPTMgkv0wdHc-nbFI-rI7XTMhDBrU-Gx0TWQxROdznODs9sOFx7wPOKs4NwFBK3-wApT51cl0W-f7mQGngxgGE_yHVrVSrKDySLucn_vb5iXZ5eM1ZMi0n9EPdMWGYpTRJPE2cjE4/s320/Disney+2010-11+142.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and Princess Tiana</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oBCExhS0gwC85pKge3-zALHE4pHEGFji42YiFMBebpp9FcYqyBGq7TGMA1JG188OTixmWjaYiYcAT3uMYa2ds7TuKw9Wi-L-E09Ctf_R1NUl5Mqx5KhPBsOX2gQ_OAzp9SSTSd_1lT5A/s1600/Disney+2010-11+150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oBCExhS0gwC85pKge3-zALHE4pHEGFji42YiFMBebpp9FcYqyBGq7TGMA1JG188OTixmWjaYiYcAT3uMYa2ds7TuKw9Wi-L-E09Ctf_R1NUl5Mqx5KhPBsOX2gQ_OAzp9SSTSd_1lT5A/s320/Disney+2010-11+150.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> After I got my ears! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGQXQQNzyHEmyr67pQrAdCN3fmI56K8psZkvif1ExWIXehviKl3Exw1Ium3xoyq5Ka6mWF6CFzgipC29gJjgiaVm18ky4b_VJM_JgxYROPgdjS7_ZXtF_S0TGcZOFzn9vP-tAvcyU8YP5/s1600/Disney+2010-11+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGQXQQNzyHEmyr67pQrAdCN3fmI56K8psZkvif1ExWIXehviKl3Exw1Ium3xoyq5Ka6mWF6CFzgipC29gJjgiaVm18ky4b_VJM_JgxYROPgdjS7_ZXtF_S0TGcZOFzn9vP-tAvcyU8YP5/s320/Disney+2010-11+180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our view was absolutely phenomenal! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR1_jP2aSt0YSaGJFvb2nOml1SyIo8AeosqwlCXnK9lTd5FbYrw7p2T6eR49NJHaxzouBMS97NKCwoEbYKPyTNzoR7OBsqTH7jcL918Aqu-KlwvPvtlvKCPsXQ5WTpz7nZRvut1vpKXZB/s1600/Disney+2010-11+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR1_jP2aSt0YSaGJFvb2nOml1SyIo8AeosqwlCXnK9lTd5FbYrw7p2T6eR49NJHaxzouBMS97NKCwoEbYKPyTNzoR7OBsqTH7jcL918Aqu-KlwvPvtlvKCPsXQ5WTpz7nZRvut1vpKXZB/s320/Disney+2010-11+187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I am saying the sky looked like the Sun was out! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlStx0rmi_exGkXbcAIR8F_HZBhd4Gk4oXdsXRbx5Im1WFkDvVm-5hOtgdxsigq7ZR3ceVNZr9xX68tAfgcO4LE6ZgfhPsi8zr0NK9T_wn2ffzLZhysAgvt65A6ER1P07Ycc_8yE2VtNh_/s1600/Disney+2010-11+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlStx0rmi_exGkXbcAIR8F_HZBhd4Gk4oXdsXRbx5Im1WFkDvVm-5hOtgdxsigq7ZR3ceVNZr9xX68tAfgcO4LE6ZgfhPsi8zr0NK9T_wn2ffzLZhysAgvt65A6ER1P07Ycc_8yE2VtNh_/s320/Disney+2010-11+188.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>I will go ahead and give you insight and rules when it comes down to visiting Disney on New Years Eve. It is a mad house, don't expect it to be other wise but there are ways to make it better. First, get there early we were there before 9am. You have to be there before 10 if not earlier. Second, use Fast Passes. they are complementary and do help you avoid really long lines. Third plan ahead, but if you see a short line for something you want to do, take it quick. We did Mickey's Philharmagic, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Teapots with waits less than 20 minutes. On long days go for character meetings late because the lines are short, I had never seen character meeting lines as short as we had. One more note about New Years Eve at Disney World especially Magic Kingdom. You need a good nights rest, good shoes, good attitude and have kids(big or small) that don't need naps. It will be one of the longest days of your life and you just have to expect that and know it, because if you don't you will be in for a bigger surprise than a phenomenal fireworks show.<br />
<br />
Now onto New Years Day. It started out with a bang literally, with a car fire on the interstate. If there were a perfect day for football New Years Day was up there with them. We all got a little red tint from the Sun but by Sunday morning you couldn't tell. It was 72 and Alabama dominated. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpTeLeO6oDHnE4VkVWSSaXb_QGkwxLBnXjziwep8D1P0RapZXtmhQ0_R4mqfdJBTYLVP3U6ROG9-aAgB-wgyj9UO9IBvUB0e1MTo8hsNAGASORjbnphi8qkivLppykGdhGJjqWUb-4zEB/s1600/Disney+2010-11+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpTeLeO6oDHnE4VkVWSSaXb_QGkwxLBnXjziwep8D1P0RapZXtmhQ0_R4mqfdJBTYLVP3U6ROG9-aAgB-wgyj9UO9IBvUB0e1MTo8hsNAGASORjbnphi8qkivLppykGdhGJjqWUb-4zEB/s320/Disney+2010-11+194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ2uMWJxTRUbrwZKJJrusyRkTapXlZFLNR5p7-LIfETUbYEy2UfOujgEM-scjIDHBxJVPboc4Nh1nWxhgU-_xPJ-4qGdD86No_VvN9A7t3osHwr-X28UoDNxRCkGrGfyYQEPcTNTbCTDS/s1600/Disney+2010-11+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ2uMWJxTRUbrwZKJJrusyRkTapXlZFLNR5p7-LIfETUbYEy2UfOujgEM-scjIDHBxJVPboc4Nh1nWxhgU-_xPJ-4qGdD86No_VvN9A7t3osHwr-X28UoDNxRCkGrGfyYQEPcTNTbCTDS/s320/Disney+2010-11+198.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TxO7mNv1DiiG_oibyqhZgYKHm_6ij0EWWC_RAQSF0W7_oPHfUhWsT3wOZqwI_B0VqWuFpOjSsPlmXv8m0ajLlNMFcWmlq3t6EUX8HSWZW7XJQwKo7BdRxmEJFGNSrfCovDSugSM6PPMf/s1600/Disney+2010-11+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TxO7mNv1DiiG_oibyqhZgYKHm_6ij0EWWC_RAQSF0W7_oPHfUhWsT3wOZqwI_B0VqWuFpOjSsPlmXv8m0ajLlNMFcWmlq3t6EUX8HSWZW7XJQwKo7BdRxmEJFGNSrfCovDSugSM6PPMf/s320/Disney+2010-11+207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cU2U1_Qf529uUkmXlwcF8O7X_KWbUoOwgYCc2qNaHTymrjTuPF4WoOPcnn3jO_eThhGacc9_Lt1QLNrK22k_fvPKPf9fXq6FJsyspTdAXwSxx17yJ8uJ_Pz82rgBWBLmkBFMv7XsSYj5/s1600/Disney+2010-11+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cU2U1_Qf529uUkmXlwcF8O7X_KWbUoOwgYCc2qNaHTymrjTuPF4WoOPcnn3jO_eThhGacc9_Lt1QLNrK22k_fvPKPf9fXq6FJsyspTdAXwSxx17yJ8uJ_Pz82rgBWBLmkBFMv7XsSYj5/s320/Disney+2010-11+211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also this was Daddy's first bowl game and bowl victory he has a much better record than me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now onto this week's plans. I have labs, lung function test and echo cardiogram tomorrow, CT scan on Thursday and see Dr. L next Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whewwww, that took a long time. Happy New Year everyone! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rebecca</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14226275797585717461noreply@blogger.com1