tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51495327729984934212024-03-06T08:58:27.147+01:00Control the ChaosTracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.comBlogger326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-61465324124485087972012-04-01T08:00:00.000+02:002012-04-01T08:00:01.083+02:00We've Moved!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's Time!</span></div>
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<center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://intendtolive.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Intend to Live" src="http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m531/jtimesfour/IntendtoLiveButton.jpg" /></a></span></center><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can now find me writing at <a href="http://www.intendtolive.com/">Intend to Live</a></span></div>
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It's full of great ideas, recipes, and ways to make the most of every day.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, you will still be able to find old content here, but for even more entertaining and helpful posts, be sure to head over to </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.intendtolive.com/">Intend to Live</a></span></div>
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and see what's going on!</div>
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<br /></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-46554159764290193472012-03-29T08:00:00.000+02:002012-03-29T08:00:01.343+02:00Dear ReadersDear Readers,<br />
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Thank you, friends. Thank you for encouraging me to write. Thank you for commenting, for checking in, for coming back to see what I have to say. Thank you for pinning my posts, and thank you for sharing my links.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/172192385722250355/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/172192385722250355_SrQKGMte_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73590774/thank-you-sign-made-from-recycled-slabs" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/riveraed/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Erika</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I know the most faithful of you will follow me to my new home, so again, thank you.<br />
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I'm excited for the move, and I am looking forward to sharing with you the dreams that have culminated in the creation of <u style="font-style: italic;">Intend to Live.</u> A lot of thought and preparation have gone into the creation of this new place, and yet there are still unknowns. I appreciate your support of our new endeavor, despite these unknowns.<br />
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<u style="font-style: italic;">Intend to Live</u> will be a new and improved version of <u style="font-style: italic;">Control the Chaos</u>, so I hope you will continue to be the fantastic readers you are and tell all your friends.Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-91514559487676850492012-03-28T08:00:00.000+02:002012-03-28T08:00:09.621+02:00Final Challenge: Why Intend to Live<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Hi ya'll. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">You've been introduced to me bit by bit over the last several months, and I am <i>chomping at the bits</i> to get to know ya'll better. And that's just one of the reasons that I am so excited about Tracey's and my new blog, Intend to Live, that is launching on Sunday.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Some other reasons?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/challenge-wednesday-24.html">few weeks ago</a> I told you about my dream of being a writer. With a blogging partner, I can spend more time on other writing. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Plus it will give me more time to focus on a few other VERY important "projects" I have: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Okay, so they aren't exactly "projects", per say, but you know what I mean.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Plus, I got into this blogging world because on top of holding myself more accountable, I wanted to be able to enrich other people. So with Tracey by my side, we have such a great chance to give ya'll tools {and have you all share them with others, because you probably have a lot already!} to live more naturally, simply and now. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">So, new friends, look forward to talking more next week!</span>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-74806526884992037902012-03-27T08:00:00.000+02:002012-03-27T08:00:00.579+02:00Intend to Live: Upcoming TopicsNo <i>Pin It. Do It.</i> project today. Instead, I obtained permission from The Management to share a few upcoming topics at our new site, <i><u>Intend to Live.</u></i><br />
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I have done some great pinterest projects recently:<br />
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<li>sauerkraut </li>
<li>chicken stock. </li>
<li>updates to my winter sowing experiment</li>
<li>simple organizing ideas</li>
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I will be discussing some time and sanity savers, and I have a few excellent book and product reviews coming up as well. I will share some of my new favorite recipes. Well, the successful ones, anyway.<br />
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Jenny will cover bucket list updates, her adventures in healthy living, and some of her own pinterest projects with journals and photo organization.<br />
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There *might* even be a giveaway or two - you'll just have to wait and see!<br />
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<i><u><br /></u></i>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-88630020281382464052012-03-26T08:00:00.000+02:002012-03-26T08:00:01.956+02:00Funday Monday: Details, DetailsI am very excited about the launch of our new website, <u style="font-style: italic;">Intend to Live</u> on April 1. In case you missed the announcement, I am joining forces with <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/">Jenny @ A Drop in the Bucket</a> to bring the best of both worlds into one place. It seems like a natural fit for two girls who are trying to simplify our lives so we can spend time <i>living.</i><br />
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I would like to share a few details about what you will can expect from this new venture. While I will no longer be writing <i><u>Control the Chaos</u></i>, I will be writing similar content at <u style="font-style: italic;">Intend to Live.</u> Below is a weekly schedule of topics, so you can always be in the know.<br />
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You will usually be able to find me writing with my crunchy slant for Making Time and Simplify. Every other week I will share a Pin It project from Pinterest, and the off weeks will be my turn to share Favorite Finds, which may includes books I've read, products I love, and other things I usually share on Funday Monday.<br />
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Jenny will contribute to Making Memories and Living Well. She is perfectly suited for both of these topics, with her dedication to capturing and living in the moment (she has some serious photography skills), and with her quest to shed some pounds and live a healthier lifestyle.<br />
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We might pop in for guest posts, but for the most part, this is what you can expect.<br />
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I know the anticipation is <i>killing</i> you, so stay tuned for more details as we get closer to launch.Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-61265284101059925452012-03-23T13:07:00.005+01:002012-03-23T13:07:54.954+01:00Five Minute Friday: Loud<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><img alt="" class="alignleft" height="180" src="http://thegypsymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="5 minute friday (1)" width="179" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />2. Link back here and invite others to join in.<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. Meet & encourage someone who linked up before you.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span style="color: #993300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Loud…</span></span></h1>
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GO:</span><br />
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It's not just loud; it's deafening. The kind of noise that would alarm some people. Mainly people without kids.<br />
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But it's joyous, spontaneous, and real. The kind of noise I would never stop, no matter how much my ears shatter. The sound of innocent childhood memories being seared into the brains of the precious little people playing happily in the garden.<br />
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When did loud get so bad? When did we start having to use our "inside" voices all the time?<br />
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Probably around the same time when we just wanted to blend in. Never stand out. Never be placed in the center of the room with the spotlight on us and everyone pointing and jeering because we aren't the same as all the other people in the room who are all terrified because there is something about them that is so very different.<br />
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Sometimes I wish for loud. Mainly when I need an answer to something. Because I haven't trained my ears enough to listen for the quiet subtle voice. I need the screaming voice. GO THIS WAY! TAKE THIS PATH! DO THIS NOW!<br />
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Other times I wish for quiet. In the literal sense. But I know that soon enough those joyful screams will be replaced by the sullen, "I'm going to my room. Leave me alone. I don't want to talk." So I bask in the loud, I make no judgements, and I pray they will have the courage to [not care about blending in].<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB35Ql4AmQVO6M8PDiO4fwMQtALxiWKunOlawuM4jbQxBJVV4_AewUpyzV0F11tLotpEMFH-2qbe-Sq0C4KSRpt0rAOsAqBo-k5ZRW1SdvGUwT7X5e4VYn5BF6dI6IhiCaDxNbk76YDtx/s1600/IMG_5582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB35Ql4AmQVO6M8PDiO4fwMQtALxiWKunOlawuM4jbQxBJVV4_AewUpyzV0F11tLotpEMFH-2qbe-Sq0C4KSRpt0rAOsAqBo-k5ZRW1SdvGUwT7X5e4VYn5BF6dI6IhiCaDxNbk76YDtx/s400/IMG_5582.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">STOP.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span><br />
Go see what others have to say about LOUD. Hop on over to <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2012/03/five-minute-friday-loud/">The Gypsy Mama</a>, read, and share your own thoughts.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">::</span></span></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-62793598347703447792012-03-22T09:31:00.000+01:002012-03-22T09:48:43.141+01:00Why and How I FailI love love love this simple, natural life we've got going on, but I'm gonna be honest: there are many times I fail. Miserably.<br />
<br />
There are only so many hours in a day, and even though I want to only eat the best food and make all my own cleaners and waste as little as possible, the bottom line is when I run out of time, my priorities lie elsewhere.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There, I said it.</span></b></div>
<b><br /></b><br />
Consequently, sometimes<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the dryer gets used more often than the clothesline</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">french fries are eaten for dinner (Dutch french fries are the best!)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the TV is turned on to entertain </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">paper gets thrown into the trash can instead of recycling</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the car gets driven on a "bike only" day</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">lights get left on upstairs</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">money gets spent out of convenience rather than frugality</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFjZg8Ge4hyoLOs2jgoR_rMDZZqX60kB4MszZuv14kR_ziVWHAS3bqjGTWQztFN91C04P14S9jZURYOuxLfvNfrw0iiGt1rjvELUsSVNEIfsQapkWf6sbuewH1cefEcrc2Qsrp8MzkNEf/s1600/IMG_6955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFjZg8Ge4hyoLOs2jgoR_rMDZZqX60kB4MszZuv14kR_ziVWHAS3bqjGTWQztFN91C04P14S9jZURYOuxLfvNfrw0iiGt1rjvELUsSVNEIfsQapkWf6sbuewH1cefEcrc2Qsrp8MzkNEf/s400/IMG_6955.JPG" width="367" /></a></div>
<div>
Unfortunately, I could go on and on. Here's the thing: every effort I make, no matter how small, means I'm taking the responsible path. My <i>intentions</i> are sometimes drowned by my <i>actions, </i>but more often my intentions <i>create</i> actions.</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ej0euHZ8F_TKVlkkCGLJn3vGfDwtjoG3AEbkiAExeDeDcPZgT-5bt8ZT914ZogVrWe58U8C60yc1EQymPCfUCNrWWr2qt-bt71dNO8ZV22-jf6zQjBW9J4L9RbvGMBydU7LnCS1wbDlZ/s1600/IMG_6850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ej0euHZ8F_TKVlkkCGLJn3vGfDwtjoG3AEbkiAExeDeDcPZgT-5bt8ZT914ZogVrWe58U8C60yc1EQymPCfUCNrWWr2qt-bt71dNO8ZV22-jf6zQjBW9J4L9RbvGMBydU7LnCS1wbDlZ/s400/IMG_6850.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I fail. Because sometimes life needs to be lived, and people need to be loved. And each day is a new chance to do it better.<br />
<a border="0" href="http://frugallysustainable.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9643/frugallysustainablead.jpg" /></a></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-17526887147966529392012-03-21T08:00:00.000+01:002012-03-21T20:33:27.831+01:00Challenge Wednesday #25<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Don't Forget - Intend to Live</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">coming soon to a computer near you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">April 1, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And...I am over at <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/">A Drop in the Bucket</a> talking about my childhood dreams. Aren't you dying to find out what I wanted to be when I grew up? Hop on over and find out!</div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-35544342633042641492012-03-20T08:00:00.000+01:002012-03-22T09:41:41.360+01:00Pin It. Do It. Balloon Volleyball<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/03/funday-monday-announcement.html">Intend to Live</a>: 12 days to launch!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today's <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/9992430393096547/">Pinterest</a> project is all about the kids. I chose it both as a mother and a therapist. Again, very simple but oh so fun. </span></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/9992430393096547/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cdn1.pinterest.com/upload/75505731222222568_4MYKrzgl_c.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Source: <a href="http://theweekendhomemaker.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">theweekendhomemaker.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/tldavis627/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Tracey </a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The original pin came from a post called <a href="http://theweekendhomemaker.com/boredom-busters">Boredom Busters</a> over at <a href="http://theweekendhomemaker.com/">The Weekend Homemaker</a>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We don't use paper plates here, so I simply traced circles onto cardboard. I taped two craft sticks together, but there was really no need for the longer handle, especially since the Big broke it in half trying to send the balloon to the house across the street.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_-HiPfkur32UID9U-8kpRThnMGK6mJQvzrx3EmEx03i8noAkm3oO38xp8alOMgCjBto28rERiEGUtnNUnwGXtzzgyhvtKvuUvF_PlOhfSQLEVU4olYmSywvI-B2kyGAcwAG6G6HK9Xuz/s1600/IMG_7018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_-HiPfkur32UID9U-8kpRThnMGK6mJQvzrx3EmEx03i8noAkm3oO38xp8alOMgCjBto28rERiEGUtnNUnwGXtzzgyhvtKvuUvF_PlOhfSQLEVU4olYmSywvI-B2kyGAcwAG6G6HK9Xuz/s320/IMG_7018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWFCkSzpgy6C-XovkEAAmRHY-2S-rXDoljK-zSEhtNf8V3MOfzpuuXMX-n5ZARco1CKVX79-W85n_h_KAkcD-WxYnr3cheRhvOEYeY_wWZRXXf2eBUURZwLp-a73vTnMGoQOEM7-DimOJ/s1600/IMG_7017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWFCkSzpgy6C-XovkEAAmRHY-2S-rXDoljK-zSEhtNf8V3MOfzpuuXMX-n5ZARco1CKVX79-W85n_h_KAkcD-WxYnr3cheRhvOEYeY_wWZRXXf2eBUURZwLp-a73vTnMGoQOEM7-DimOJ/s320/IMG_7017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhYdUjZExPB0-lbfoWeBQjD_vPBv0_YLRMSY1ryoum_RhY-OeJHkq_FhckuAy9Wds2oaLmDroZEX9rqvrENs0aqzcQRVnmjRnx0wleuxgvDBabKq_buWnOZHXNYzGQSkNXqu-9AiSq5kb/s1600/IMG_7025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhYdUjZExPB0-lbfoWeBQjD_vPBv0_YLRMSY1ryoum_RhY-OeJHkq_FhckuAy9Wds2oaLmDroZEX9rqvrENs0aqzcQRVnmjRnx0wleuxgvDBabKq_buWnOZHXNYzGQSkNXqu-9AiSq5kb/s320/IMG_7025.JPG" width="235" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For therapy, I am using this project with some kids who have problems with balance. They will have to hit the balloon toward a target while standing on an air cushion. This one task combines balance, eye hand coordination, and something called <i>graded force</i> - how you magically know how hard to reach for something, hit something, place something, etc. It's the way you can stack blocks without knocking them over.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseyXZyzBkuliES4NtPOrKXrvne4pzaosvQcFpvy2KpD-VNnXL5l6guirMFk3mRUuG9VezNNByMwBZDJI6o0VT8LyoLwJ8e4cfoOlIBIPQK0-9nKiNY_cJRn1B62H478A-18f1oogL63wc/s1600/IMG_7016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseyXZyzBkuliES4NtPOrKXrvne4pzaosvQcFpvy2KpD-VNnXL5l6guirMFk3mRUuG9VezNNByMwBZDJI6o0VT8LyoLwJ8e4cfoOlIBIPQK0-9nKiNY_cJRn1B62H478A-18f1oogL63wc/s400/IMG_7016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Both the Bigs and the Little enjoyed playing with it, although the Little tended to scoot the balloon along the ground while the Bigs tried (and succeeded twice) to hit the balloon onto the roof. It's an activity for all ages.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlIy3z2TuaQyt6xgTAB6FN5zElsuNMylngPmoeKUCKNtOIqDl05Uo2i9UJ1NywNApyDUe5U9JjsF66z-6t8soQ3qRoe7roOJRfDKnw51L7c_Z4FKvANxDWEy_iXhHqSs9nvj8R4FLvedU/s1600/IMG_7024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlIy3z2TuaQyt6xgTAB6FN5zElsuNMylngPmoeKUCKNtOIqDl05Uo2i9UJ1NywNApyDUe5U9JjsF66z-6t8soQ3qRoe7roOJRfDKnw51L7c_Z4FKvANxDWEy_iXhHqSs9nvj8R4FLvedU/s400/IMG_7024.JPG" width="336" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And don't forget, on April 1 I'm joining forces with <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/">A Drop in the Bucket</a>. More details coming soon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a ="" href="http://www.learningthefrugallife.blogspot.com/"><img ="" border="0" src="http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/button-border.jpg" /></a></span></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img alt="Skip To My Lou" height="150" src="http://rsc.skiptomylou.org/buttons/new_button.jpg" width="150" /></a></span><br />
<center><a href="http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXw2tNNEGkza-KDHMnrBI0ekt8WB-sxLKb-xHd9N6F5yjDQA4dQALBJez3c-gij-AjXTu7pn5y9sW7yrl6n6nN-Ttg3WtAix3jSnGVQozIT6GydKXGnglO2te-YzxAw2aFCvlAylJ-PY/s1600/abfol+button.jpg" /></a></center></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-48161293311851691372012-03-19T08:00:00.000+01:002012-03-19T08:00:00.720+01:00Funday Monday: AnnouncementI just want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts, words, and prayers over the last several days. While I am no stranger to headaches and migraines, I have been taken off guard by the intensity and longevity of this latest problem, and also that my normal remedies have proven ineffectual. This is how it goes, though, so I keep plugging away, working towards both treating the symptoms and the cause.<br />
<br />
So, now, on to the fun stuff.<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/AVvXsEihpQrjlONoLM1ilQ0xfZlPQZKqU6u1ajS8D9JJ0vD5dUnq_UpU6OFtrPY2miKbuVInTnAHnlNJcw_GKOHbocT5AjDP-aaZBTCOfMvpZ43U8u69IGBeaZxvomchKJZ5Ql3b1mabfGaQlup-/s1600/172684966931510829_AVBIywH7_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpQrjlONoLM1ilQ0xfZlPQZKqU6u1ajS8D9JJ0vD5dUnq_UpU6OFtrPY2miKbuVInTnAHnlNJcw_GKOHbocT5AjDP-aaZBTCOfMvpZ43U8u69IGBeaZxvomchKJZ5Ql3b1mabfGaQlup-/s320/172684966931510829_AVBIywH7_f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://vixenvintage.blogspot.com/">Vixen Vintage</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Control the Chaos</i> has been around for a while. It started off a little rocky and rambling, not sure where it was headed. It pains me to read some of those early posts. But, I found my footing and saw my niche, my passion:<br />
<br />
Simplify. Be real. Be natural. Have fun.<br />
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<b>Enjoy. Every. Moment. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
And I have. And I do. And yes, it's fun. But it's time to grow up. Just a little. Add another dimension to this life. I've pondered these thoughts for a while. And then I shared them with a dear friend. A friend who happens to have a mantra of her own that fits quite well with mine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNTD6BouatN-iNfDVnCQ8zBE70sBmKLVtqqXezizyMXMsuo88dc3D79EjZUieJJBE3TwogTrDlv2JjSlwjUAsMz-CyiazVgBMO0WXOD757p9FKlR5OEo6p3zn2OJiwBKfHmECFPIXogCo/s1600/DSC_2831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNTD6BouatN-iNfDVnCQ8zBE70sBmKLVtqqXezizyMXMsuo88dc3D79EjZUieJJBE3TwogTrDlv2JjSlwjUAsMz-CyiazVgBMO0WXOD757p9FKlR5OEo6p3zn2OJiwBKfHmECFPIXogCo/s320/DSC_2831.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
Changes are a-coming. Big changes. A much needed and highly anticipated renovation.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm moving out and moving up.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And getting a bloggy roommate.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<i>Control the Chaos</i> and <i><a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/">A Drop in the Bucket</a> </i>are becoming<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">Intend to Live</span></i></b><br />
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Our new site will launch April 1, 2012. It will include my crazy, wacky ideas on natural living, real food, and simple fun. <i>And</i> Jenny will be around to add her own two cents on motherhood, living in the moment, and her own natural living journey. Plus she is a great photographer, so hopefully some of that will rub off on me.</div>
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Don't worry, I'll still be my crunchy crazy self. Now I'll have an audience. More details to come!</div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-50241851081156681852012-03-16T14:49:00.002+01:002012-03-16T14:49:45.442+01:00Five Minute Friday: Brave<br />
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Where your words are welcome, just as they are! </strong></div>
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<img alt="" class="alignleft" height="180" src="http://thegypsymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="5 minute friday (1)" width="179" /></div>
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1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />2. Link back here and invite others to join in.<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. Meet & encourage someone who linked up before you.</em></strong></div>
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OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Those seeds that poke out of the ground when it is warm have no idea what kind of life they will lead. The infant in your arms trusts you explicitly, blissfully unaware of the potential dangers lurking near and far. What they do, while impressive, is merely instinct.</span></div>
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We have it much worse. We can see the possible outcomes, or at least anticipate the myriad of unknowns. We know that others are put off by our tentativeness, our hesitancy. And yet we linger. We have so much weight to carry, so much riding on our decisions.</div>
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But it must be done. Despite the consequences, decisions must be made. Steps must be taken. Work must be started and completed.<br />
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And so, like the seeds poking out of the ground but with much more on our shoulders, we hike up our pants and jump in.<br />
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And that is bravery.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">STOP.</span>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-21493749338515479262012-03-15T08:00:00.000+01:002012-03-15T08:00:12.387+01:00It's Not You. It's Me.And my uncooperative head.<br />
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Remember how last week I wrote about how <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/03/things-dont-always-go-as-planned.html">things don't always go as planned?</a> Well, this week was worse. Much worse.<br />
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I've suffered from migraines since I was in college, related to allergies. Last Friday I had a migraine, in the normal spot, with the normal symptoms.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/165155511304510822/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://media-cdn7.pinterest.com/upload/165155511304510822_zfj6fsxL_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.google.it/imgres?q=headache&start=93&num=10&um=1&hl=it&biw=1280&bih=685&tbm=isch&tbnid=ep861d0I7pty2M:&imgrefurl=http://myunpredictablememories.wordpress.com/2010/07/&docid=mcljaBdfLBXA6M&w=900&h=655&ei=wxOHTvKZJ4L64QTl1dirCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=384&vpy=312&dur=343&hovh=158&hovw=223&tx=110&ty=84&sqi=2&page=6&tbnh=134&tbnw=193&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:93" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.it</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/Hobina/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Hobina</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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And then the real trouble began. Since then I've had what seems to be another migraine, or rather, an increased migraine, in a new spot, with all new symptoms. My normal pain medicine is not working, and yet the doctors have no other explanation.<br />
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I don't really like to talk about personal issues, especially regarding pain or illness. I am of the opinion that if you have to tell everyone how sick you are or how much pain you are in, well, then you probably aren't. But let's just say I can handle pain, and this was unlike anything I've ever experienced. Unlike three natural childbirths. Unlike previous migraines. Unlike hernia repair. And on and on.<br />
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And here's the rub: I talk about simplifying, about all things natural, so we can spend our time <i>living.</i> This past week, I could hardly <i>function.</i> There was no room for anything more. Not even a blog.<br />
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So, friends, I'm slowly getting back to living. There are some big changes coming up, personally and here in my bloggy home. I have a lot to do to get ready for these changes. But not tonight. Tonight, I rest and heal. I pray that soon I will be able to do more than simply function.<br />
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<br />Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-59400288129115845932012-03-13T12:56:00.001+01:002012-03-13T12:56:53.576+01:00And the Winner is...I took all the entries from the blog and facebook, created a list, and randomized and numbered the list using <a href="http://www.random.org/">Random.org</a>.<br />
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The sequence generator chose number 14, which corresponded to...drumroll please...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ELLY M.!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Congratulations, Elly! I've sent you a message so we can get your prize to you as fast as possible!</span></div>
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Thanks to everyone for entering. Stay tuned for more exciting happenings in the very near future.</div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-21694797390225436112012-03-12T08:00:00.000+01:002012-03-12T08:00:07.187+01:00Funday Monday: The Dirty Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for <a href="http://www.stevesoriginals.com/">Steve's Originals</a>! Who wouldn't want some delicious nitrate-free beef jerky or dark chocolate espresso granola bars? Leave a comment here or on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Control-The-Chaos/314063088605116">FaceBook page</a>. Drawing ends at 11:59PM EST.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>***************</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
I read an awesome book recently called <u>The Dirty Life</u>:<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=conthecha-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=1416551611" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
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It's a memoir about this Manhattan girl who falls in love with a farm boy. Love wins out, and she ditches her city life and buys a farm in upstate New York, marries the guy, and begins her life running a co-op designed to provide everything needed to feed a whole community. </div>
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<b>It's a little about starting a farm and a lot about jumping in over your head and somehow learning to swim. </b></div>
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I was riveted from start to finish, both because of the style of the writing as well as the content. The author was (is) a journalist, and her writing reflects it. Her drastic transition from Manhattanite in the City that Never Sleeps to Essex Farm owner and rising with the sun makes for some entertaining and educational stories.</div>
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I am interested in homesteading, so the tale appealed to me. But even if you aren't, the foundation of the book is enough to fascinate a broad audience, so you should read it.</div>
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In my humble opinion.</div>
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<br /></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-19121269490459600092012-03-09T13:50:00.000+01:002012-03-09T13:50:06.898+01:00Five Minute Friday: Empty<br />
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Be brave, come & join <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2012/03/five-minute-friday-empty/">FiveMinuteFriday</a>. Your words are necessary! </strong></div>
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<img alt="" class="alignleft" height="180" src="http://thegypsymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="5 minute friday (1)" width="179" /></div>
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1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />2. Link back here and invite others to join in.<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.</em></strong></div>
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OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:</div>
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<span style="color: #993300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Empty…</span></h1>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">GO:</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We rush from here to there, with a million stops in between. We spend our time figuring out how to spend our time, and worrying about how to fit it all in. We put on the brave face that says we have it all: friends, family, blessings galore.</span></div>
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We make it a priority to be so filled that we are never empty. We listen to talk show hosts, read self-help books, and try to make improvements on our lives. We hover over our children so they have the absolute best shot at life.</div>
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We are so very full.</div>
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But the truth is, we are all so very empty. So empty that we are stuffed full. We are each a vessel, useless until it is filled. We make sense of it all by being full and overflowing. We give meaning and take meaning from the things we choose to fill ourselves.</div>
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If we have trouble finding the right fit, we keep cramming and stuffing and forcing the fullness. But still the pockets of emptiness remain.</div>
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But, when we find it, the right fit into our vessels, well, then we find contentment. And it pours from us [without ever emptying our souls].</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">STOP.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">::</span></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-3086242199046536462012-03-08T13:27:00.001+01:002012-03-08T13:27:54.899+01:00Things Don't Always Go As PlannedI had this great post planned for today. It is about letting go. I think it's important. But it wasn't quite finished, not quite perfect.<br />
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And although some days it might seem like I just throw something up here, this particular topic is too important for me to leave it <i>simply ok.</i><br />
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Things didn't go as planned this week, and the editing did not get done.<br />
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Sometimes that's just how it goes.<br />
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So, we're going with Plan B. Actually, what you see below (and probably recognize from my <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/p/31-days.html">31 Days to Homemade</a> series) was going to be integrated into Plan A. But Plan A is on hold until it is not <i>simply ok</i> but <b><i>just right.</i></b><br />
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Laundry Soap: Is it worth your time? <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/worth-investment.html">What kind of investment are you willing and able to make?</a> I talked about <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/03/toothpaste-is-it-worth-your-time.html">toothpaste</a> last week, and now I'm on to clothes washing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkr50BvuIrIJ_j-AUt7n05htTEEe_njt-O1qHcVi9m5j1kRiiRcHdVne5m9dI0d8lEvgs8zyYWeH8xN9kNF9AIzqCLIO2mAcjvuGhsIAXC5_qnOgj0vdYTnBjrsBIOYoQI9X_yroB9Ww9m/s1600/IMG_5305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #992211; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkr50BvuIrIJ_j-AUt7n05htTEEe_njt-O1qHcVi9m5j1kRiiRcHdVne5m9dI0d8lEvgs8zyYWeH8xN9kNF9AIzqCLIO2mAcjvuGhsIAXC5_qnOgj0vdYTnBjrsBIOYoQI9X_yroB9Ww9m/s320/IMG_5305.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Laundry. The bain of every mother's existence. The never ending cycle that rears its ugly head once, twice, 12 times a week. First I want my kids to use their hampers. Then I want them to stop using their hampers. The thing is always full!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Several years ago I stopped buying detergent. I didn't like the perfume-y smell, I didn't like the chemicals, I didn't like the cost.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I made my own powder with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.diynatural.com/simple-easy-fast-effective-jabs-homemade-laundry-detergent/" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> recipe. It was laughably easy and cost effective. That worked great for us for several years.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">But then we moved to the Netherlands, and our washer doesn't like powdered detergent. I had always avoided making liquid detergent because I just figured it would not be worth the effort. But by the time we moved to NL, I didn't want to go back to store bought, so I gave it a shot.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Yes, it has a few extra steps, but it is still so incredibly easy that it doesn't matter. What's more, one batch lasts us several months, so I only have to make it a few times a year.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Our clothes are clean, and it really is just a few cents a load. Amazing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">If you decide to undertake this project, many recipes say you can use any bar of soap. But I really prefer </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B32NVO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=conthecha-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B001B32NVO" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Dial Corp. 04303 Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=conthecha-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001B32NVO&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
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for it's stain fighting power. I have heard that it can be harsh, so take that into consideration if you have an infant or someone in your family with super sensitive skin. We have never had any problems with it, but Ivory is a gentler alternative if you need it.</div>
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Source: <a href="http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-make-homemade-laundry-detergent.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">safelygatheredin.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shiregirl/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Katie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Supplies:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B32NVO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=conthecha-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B001B32NVO" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Dial Corp. 04303 Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=conthecha-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001B32NVO&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029XNTEU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=conthecha-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0029XNTEU" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Church & Dwight Co 03020 Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=conthecha-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0029XNTEU&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R4LONQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=conthecha-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000R4LONQ" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">TWENTY MULE TM BORAX</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=conthecha-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000R4LONQ&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />You might be able to find these items in the laundry section of your grocery store. I can't, so I just order mine. Incidentally, Borax is also fantastic for cleaning toilets, and washing soda is a good all purpose cleaner.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Recipe (courtesy of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Tipnut</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">):</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">1 quart Water (boiling)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2 cups Bar soap (grated)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2 cups Borax</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2 cups Washing Soda</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I keep my detergent in old detergent bottles or a lidded bucket. Like I said, it makes a big batch and lasts forever.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Ok, you're all set. Get to work!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-9807401598367376132012-03-07T08:00:00.000+01:002012-03-07T08:00:09.902+01:00Challenge Wednesday #24<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOwbQbDEP8mCF8PblITVmVnIj5f62AmC2CjlWkWsgO0ELUY-7P9d83xH5ByxH5L7QuiOi70wZ5P43-EDwaOk_s1g5EJVPmNi3p-33j8QUnt4imHRLInBgGnxlzq09mHDWO93XhljcTRDq/s1600/image.php.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #992211; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOwbQbDEP8mCF8PblITVmVnIj5f62AmC2CjlWkWsgO0ELUY-7P9d83xH5ByxH5L7QuiOi70wZ5P43-EDwaOk_s1g5EJVPmNi3p-33j8QUnt4imHRLInBgGnxlzq09mHDWO93XhljcTRDq/s320/image.php.jpeg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Don't forget to enter my giveaway for some great natural food from <a href="http://www.stevesoriginals.com/" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">Steve's Originals</a>. Giveaway ends Monday, 12 March 2012. See Details <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/funday-monday-giveaway.html" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">here.</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><br />
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<b><i>Please join me in welcoming Jen from <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/">A Drop in the Bucket</a> for a guest post:</i></b><br />
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Last week, when she was visiting over at <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/">my blog</a>, Tracey asked me the following: <i> <b style="color: #222222; line-height: 20px;">What did you want to be when you grew up, did you follow your dream, and how are you making your dreams a reality in your current situation?</b></i><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">LOVE Tracey's questions. They are always so timely. And TRUST me, we don't plan this out... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">So, to the question. My dream job as a child changed a bit throughout my childhood {as I am sure it does for most kids}. I started out firmly believing that I was going to be a lawyer. How did an introvert like me who likes to make everyone happy think that would work out? Ha. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2Tf3YjUIGg5bcvywEO8n3OnM2WaWMmmHGfPScQFh4iIb_ALrQ-d4tq4pueFvH7bSAytYSlEy8rt6ckA3Nje7eaOrEZH1ZDfP9ZTlfyk1DoNBYvoAtMsQ27o3EuioZ-c09QsxohgTkb8/s1600/DSC_8159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2Tf3YjUIGg5bcvywEO8n3OnM2WaWMmmHGfPScQFh4iIb_ALrQ-d4tq4pueFvH7bSAytYSlEy8rt6ckA3Nje7eaOrEZH1ZDfP9ZTlfyk1DoNBYvoAtMsQ27o3EuioZ-c09QsxohgTkb8/s400/DSC_8159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Anyways...that all changed. In fifth grade, I had an English teacher who told me I was good writer. And I believed her. It also started me on the road to wanting to be a writer when I grew up. I was pretty sure journalism was my place. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I started out writing for our elementary school newspaper in junior high {I went to a small Catholic school}. In high school, I took zero hour {which meant starting school at 6:40 am!} my freshman and sophomore years so that I could start taking journalism class when I was a sophomore {which happened to be when and where I met my now husband...coincidence?}. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">In college I ended up going for a school that was a bit more focused on television journalism, but I still was more interested in writing and producing the news than being an anchor. So I thought for sure I would end up producing newscasts in a small midwestern town {since with journalism, you start out small and then move to larger markets...usually}. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">But along came J#1 {my husband}, who I ran into just before my senior year in college. He was living in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. And I fell in love. And I moved back to my hometown. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I found jobs that gave me a bit of a chance to indulge my dream of being a writer, but mostly revolved around fundraising, employee orientations and promoting consumer brands. Through all of those jobs, I had people reminding me that I was a good writer, so the idea was never far from my mind.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">So that's a long way to get to the 2nd part of Tracey's question, but essentially...I didn't follow my dream. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">But God's got a plan for everything right? </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVeSSThMArPOvI9UdB09cIxJpJxxNzWcidaykpc9kBc0WRqdSlA20z724slrJBEb9QGqFRbZRFJ_3OTH7MnPUbldIf-V2Kd871R8MCj2S_eN_MeqaUkimHLDk6OR_MY-ZZN74ToVoNHA/s1600/DSC_8178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVeSSThMArPOvI9UdB09cIxJpJxxNzWcidaykpc9kBc0WRqdSlA20z724slrJBEb9QGqFRbZRFJ_3OTH7MnPUbldIf-V2Kd871R8MCj2S_eN_MeqaUkimHLDk6OR_MY-ZZN74ToVoNHA/s400/DSC_8178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">If I hadn't met my husband, we wouldn't have made this most recent move overseas together. Where I find myself as a stay at home mom, and I also finally find myself with time to write. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">So now? Now I am following my dream. I finished a novel in November. I haven't touched it much since, but now that I have my <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/2012/02/beautiful-spaces.html">dreamy office</a>? </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5maCQvbk_9508Ul9HGoIwcVlAZcNGzwo491jw7on0BWQmKhucOp_4gyo9P2Nntzi-YKyrUTCE2aC10feiLyqYHErCkNR7kPdhh-dyriLd5aeLIw3vtV8lvL_WcyTH_s_UeLWQkiau9vY/s1600/DSC_8201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5maCQvbk_9508Ul9HGoIwcVlAZcNGzwo491jw7on0BWQmKhucOp_4gyo9P2Nntzi-YKyrUTCE2aC10feiLyqYHErCkNR7kPdhh-dyriLd5aeLIw3vtV8lvL_WcyTH_s_UeLWQkiau9vY/s400/DSC_8201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Work shall commence. I ha</span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 20px;">ve a few ideas brewing. And I am VERY excited about them.</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I am making a few other changes too. One you may just hear about here in the future. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The others? Cutting back on time wasters like watching t.v. and playing Angry Birds {seriously, WHY is that game so addicting?}. That will help facilitate even more writing. And <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/p/100-books.html">reading</a>...which can only help me become a better writer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">So...Tracey, for next week, I want to know the same thing. <b><i>What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you doing that...or did things change and take you down a different road? </i></b></span></span></span></span>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-73890354195859481922012-03-06T09:52:00.000+01:002012-03-08T15:02:13.752+01:00Pin it. Do it. Butter, Baby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOwbQbDEP8mCF8PblITVmVnIj5f62AmC2CjlWkWsgO0ELUY-7P9d83xH5ByxH5L7QuiOi70wZ5P43-EDwaOk_s1g5EJVPmNi3p-33j8QUnt4imHRLInBgGnxlzq09mHDWO93XhljcTRDq/s1600/image.php.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #992211; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOwbQbDEP8mCF8PblITVmVnIj5f62AmC2CjlWkWsgO0ELUY-7P9d83xH5ByxH5L7QuiOi70wZ5P43-EDwaOk_s1g5EJVPmNi3p-33j8QUnt4imHRLInBgGnxlzq09mHDWO93XhljcTRDq/s320/image.php.jpeg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Don't forget to enter my giveaway for some great natural food from <a href="http://www.stevesoriginals.com/">Steve's Originals</a>. Giveaway ends Monday, 12 March 2012. See Details <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/funday-monday-giveaway.html" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">here.</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Today's <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/9992430393222201/">Pinterest</a> project is <i>just for fun.</i> I realize shaking a jar of cream is not the most efficient way to make butter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I also realize I don't need to use Pinterest to teach me how to shake a jar.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The reason I pinned this is for the </span></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>fantastic pictures (</b>mine are nothing special, but that is something I'll be working on very soon)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>reminder to do something educational with the Bigs</b></span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I'm trying hard to teach my kids that food doesn't come from a grocery store. This is a great, easy way to learn.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNsVmriJd3iqD9dvqA_oGgiWEYnxwT8IaKoFvgmb5V5v8yloz9-WJ98QC4gg4RufANFuandaqCzXZuNvDuT5tMkPNGyi-gBNoXgoy6n8-HFakWl86krRXy_MVHZnNXIKLe6qISOolJrC/s1600/IMG_6299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNsVmriJd3iqD9dvqA_oGgiWEYnxwT8IaKoFvgmb5V5v8yloz9-WJ98QC4gg4RufANFuandaqCzXZuNvDuT5tMkPNGyi-gBNoXgoy6n8-HFakWl86krRXy_MVHZnNXIKLe6qISOolJrC/s640/IMG_6299.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We have a farm store that sells whole milk in glass jars. I bought a few jars and skimmed the cream off the top. If you also have access to quality whole milk, let it sit undisturbed in the refrigerator for a few days so the cream rises to the top.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXElrFuh1JrtFt0HFRpRWGOjlysSjqGLuG5qjgjiPTMdfiSt81NANNUcDHaHYQR9qJVsIjzi1O-rb_-DmgwgnEhBGwTyg56b91VGeVJ0qvrhL_weZEGqYRf-ZM93XxsoVVnVRigv4eg1IV/s1600/IMG_6300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXElrFuh1JrtFt0HFRpRWGOjlysSjqGLuG5qjgjiPTMdfiSt81NANNUcDHaHYQR9qJVsIjzi1O-rb_-DmgwgnEhBGwTyg56b91VGeVJ0qvrhL_weZEGqYRf-ZM93XxsoVVnVRigv4eg1IV/s400/IMG_6300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The author of <a href="http://2littlehooligans.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-make-butter-in-canning-jar.html">2 Little Hooligans</a> just bought a container of heavy cream, and it sure looks like it turned out fantastic. I might try that for a larger scale project, because I also have access to fresh cream nearby.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinT1g9h_M85p700YGKGsmy5xtkfcTGZkgPkbuVogEIGy1D5GTSURSw2ET2gQKuFR-AO4uTEL5JWrjcwiOYdXxNlgtw2L5hfFOZrkIa3ZUjikuYQ6ZryNbjbOu6axtSznVkOOP75T2Wwbu3/s1600/IMG_6302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinT1g9h_M85p700YGKGsmy5xtkfcTGZkgPkbuVogEIGy1D5GTSURSw2ET2gQKuFR-AO4uTEL5JWrjcwiOYdXxNlgtw2L5hfFOZrkIa3ZUjikuYQ6ZryNbjbOu6axtSznVkOOP75T2Wwbu3/s640/IMG_6302.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">So on a day off of school we set to work. It seems like it will take forever, and it does take a lot of shaking, but once the process starts (the cream gets very thick like whipping cream), it goes pretty fast. It's very important to rinse the buttermilk out, because the buttermilk is what is responsible for making it go rancid. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Although we eat butter so fast around here I don't think we've ever had a problem with that. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Don't dump the buttermilk! It makes fantastic pancakes or ranch dressing.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We added a little salt to ours when we were finished.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">And for those of you who aren't yet convinced...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Fresh butter is AH-MAZE-ING.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">That's all I have to say about that.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-30540300148347669982012-03-05T08:57:00.000+01:002012-03-08T15:02:18.896+01:00Funday Monday: Ghetto Toothpaste Dispenser<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Don't forget to enter my giveaway for some great natural food from Steve's Originals. See Details </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/funday-monday-giveaway.html" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">here.</a> You can enter both here or on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Control-The-Chaos/314063088605116">Facebook Page</a>.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*************************</span></span><br />
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The one thing with all this <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/03/toothpaste-is-it-worth-your-time.html">toothpaste making</a> is where to put it. I originally put it in a plastic container, but it didn't fit well in the designated space. So then I put it in a cute jar that promptly got dropped and cracked.<br />
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Seeing as we live in a country where it is difficult to buy special items like this, or more likely, I don't know where to look, I tackled the problem head on.<br />
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<b>I highjacked an old tube and made it bow to my will.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOUpmtDNjSe1VJQuZ_mnmCmHd2HgAJGPt1jzySaiBm51gZ1TN5AKjCLz9vYmf6JDEHqX4stJ3jNDt-v1EbDf77fYt4FeGoc5ao5EuGePhaBfHGeo5xDcMcMxHMl-VpP0kxYAO8MK6AADH/s1600/IMG_6584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOUpmtDNjSe1VJQuZ_mnmCmHd2HgAJGPt1jzySaiBm51gZ1TN5AKjCLz9vYmf6JDEHqX4stJ3jNDt-v1EbDf77fYt4FeGoc5ao5EuGePhaBfHGeo5xDcMcMxHMl-VpP0kxYAO8MK6AADH/s320/IMG_6584.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Meaning, I snipped the end off the tube, washed it, filled it with homemade toothpaste, and clipped the end closed. I've since used various other clips, including an old chip clip, for the same purpose.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3gebkicnpuY7o__tiBVJFJLufnb8LAUvQLnXZ7-jNA6tY37EnqeKhdube28CnQk0MmneMA2Grd5DXbT7wM6MMpJzxjAtiVCA3BzBOBJSV6g98ZexCF5nxirGyEOsb6OrKgr8SVTJaa0z/s1600/IMG_6586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3gebkicnpuY7o__tiBVJFJLufnb8LAUvQLnXZ7-jNA6tY37EnqeKhdube28CnQk0MmneMA2Grd5DXbT7wM6MMpJzxjAtiVCA3BzBOBJSV6g98ZexCF5nxirGyEOsb6OrKgr8SVTJaa0z/s320/IMG_6586.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVOxNuFV3GAqQfHrUyiUZJCL40_bxxQ7FWHPGhrvgdP_Fo8Eoa8WV6cCZjuL0g6xaf_T2RraAzQqAKNLF8hdB2RXkGFSHXUAeg5BQk2thkbxPF-fzgTgi893mY1Wv7MCeDrhe17G78TVr/s1600/IMG_6587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVOxNuFV3GAqQfHrUyiUZJCL40_bxxQ7FWHPGhrvgdP_Fo8Eoa8WV6cCZjuL0g6xaf_T2RraAzQqAKNLF8hdB2RXkGFSHXUAeg5BQk2thkbxPF-fzgTgi893mY1Wv7MCeDrhe17G78TVr/s320/IMG_6587.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Not perfect, but sometimes you do what you've got to do.<br />
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Anyone have a better idea? Or at least know of a place to buy reusable toothpaste dispensers?<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://juliecache.com/%E2%80%9D" mce_href="”http://juliecache.com/”"><img border="”0″" mce_src="”http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/button-border1.jpg”/" src="”http://juliecache.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/button-border1.jpg”" /></a></center>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-57704843681599625862012-03-02T16:07:00.000+01:002012-03-02T16:07:29.939+01:00Five Minute Friday: Ache<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Don't forget to enter my giveaway for some great natural food from Steve's Originals. See Details <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/funday-monday-giveaway.html" style="color: #992211; text-decoration: none;">here.</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">************************************</span></div>
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Five Minute Friday again?!?! Seriously, this whirlwind stuff has got to slow down! Am I right? At least I have the privilege of stopping everything for five sweet minutes and writing because I want to write.</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Got five minutes? Come and write with us, we promise to tell you we loved it! </strong></div>
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<img alt="" class="alignleft" height="180" src="http://thegypsymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="5 minute friday (1)" width="179" /></div>
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1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />2. Link back here and invite others to join in.<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.</em></strong></div>
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OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:</div>
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<span style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">::</span></div>
<h1 style="color: #4d1602; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300; font-size: large;">Ache…</span></h1>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">GO:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Here is a problem with the English language. This one word can cover every emotion, sensation, and meaning from birth to death.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Ache.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">It comes with the fantastic feeling I get when I have a great run, which hurts but I want to feel it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">It bursts from my heart when my child comes home sad after a hard day at school.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">It warns me of impending illness, before any other symptoms appear.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">And, it reminds me of the things I have lost. The people I cannot see, and the opportunities that were taken away.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">And yet much in the same way that the ache predictably comes after a long run, but I run anyway just so I can feel it, the emotional aches are what remind me of my gift of empathy. Of the opportunities that are still in front of me, and of the people that are standing here, loving me. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">The ache keeps me alive. The feelings keep my soul awake. Even with the pain, I never want them to go.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;">STOP.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">::</span></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-450922862472971582012-03-01T21:35:00.000+01:002012-03-02T15:55:22.668+01:00Toothpaste: Is It Worth Your Time?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOwbQbDEP8mCF8PblITVmVnIj5f62AmC2CjlWkWsgO0ELUY-7P9d83xH5ByxH5L7QuiOi70wZ5P43-EDwaOk_s1g5EJVPmNi3p-33j8QUnt4imHRLInBgGnxlzq09mHDWO93XhljcTRDq/s1600/image.php.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOwbQbDEP8mCF8PblITVmVnIj5f62AmC2CjlWkWsgO0ELUY-7P9d83xH5ByxH5L7QuiOi70wZ5P43-EDwaOk_s1g5EJVPmNi3p-33j8QUnt4imHRLInBgGnxlzq09mHDWO93XhljcTRDq/s320/image.php.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't forget to enter my giveaway for some great natural food from Steve's Originals. See Details <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/funday-monday-giveaway.html">here.</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/worth-investment.html">Last week</a> I explored the concept of how we spend our time. I charted the time it takes me to make various products vs buying store bought versions.<br />
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A reader asked if I was going to share any of the recipes I use for the things I make, and I thought it was an excellent idea. I have, in the past, shared some specific recipes. In fact, I spent a <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/p/31-days.html">whole month</a> blogging about homemade. But I didn't share all of my recipes, and some others I have shared I have now tweaked slightly, so I figured it's a great time to revisit some specific items.<br />
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First up, toothpaste. I once shared a recipe that worked for us, but it just wasn't quite right. The kids weren't all that excited about it, saying it was too salty. I knew we were on the right track, but I needed to experiment a little more.<br />
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So I did. The experimentation came to a halt, though, when I found the recipe below. It is perfect for our family. Maybe it will also be perfect for yours.<br />
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Before you dismiss it (when you see the ingredients), though, please be aware that you cannot taste the soap <i>at all. </i>I personally feel that it serves to somewhat neutralize the saltiness of the baking soda. And since hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient in most tooth whiteners (along with dozens of chemicals), I have noticed a whitening effect on my teeth. Bonus.<br />
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<div style="color: #545353; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;">
<b>Recipe from <a href="http://www.littleseedfarm.com/to-be-a-farmer-blog/homemade-toothpaste.html/">Little Seed Farm</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/9992430392963392/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/94505292150333862_4VypsLGV_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.littleseedfarm.com/to-be-a-farmer-blog/homemade-toothpaste.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">littleseedfarm.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/tldavis627/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Tracey </a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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<div style="color: #545353; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;">
6 tsp baking soda</div>
<div style="color: #545353; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;">
1 tsp Dr. Bronners</div>
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1 tsp hydrogen peroxide</div>
<div style="color: #545353; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0em;">
1 tsp stevia</div>
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30 drops birch oil (feel free to use another mint oil of your choice instead of birch)</div>
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A few notes:</div>
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">I used peppermint oil and it worked great; I have also read that you can use peppermint extract with the same results, although I have not tried it myself.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">the hydrogen peroxide made the solution bubble initially, so wait a while to put it in a tube or whatever container you are going to use.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">a word on the time issue: while it is true that this recipe only takes a few minutes to make, I understand you might not have the supplies available at home, and that will certainly affect the time needed to complete this project. An internet search will help you find the items you are looking for, or a trip to a health food store. Stay tuned for a re-post of my favorite internet sites for finding these supplies.</span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Have fun!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fBY27ZOAoHzOBzho7a3rwDOHLTwKyMI_H0ucqDe0EwtNYYkDpLqi9hHSZDWVR4t4cg__mHuAux1KVv43mOMyVhj6PufkZJcDeijACeCmMvU1Py99MkV2B4WJ5OVRQhX0U9tKzxS0W2m_/s1600/6a00e54fb985aa8833014e8c38cd13970d-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fBY27ZOAoHzOBzho7a3rwDOHLTwKyMI_H0ucqDe0EwtNYYkDpLqi9hHSZDWVR4t4cg__mHuAux1KVv43mOMyVhj6PufkZJcDeijACeCmMvU1Py99MkV2B4WJ5OVRQhX0U9tKzxS0W2m_/s320/6a00e54fb985aa8833014e8c38cd13970d-800wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-71641179662344488212012-02-29T07:46:00.000+01:002012-02-29T10:29:32.399+01:00Challenge Wednesday #23: Adventure TimeIf you've been around these parts before, you know today is Challenge Wednesday. And that means I'm blogging from <a href="http://jenbucketlist.blogspot.com/">A Drop in the Bucket</a>.<br />
<br />
Jen asked about our favorite family hobby, geocaching. It's frugal, it's fun, and it suits the whole family.<br />
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Hop on over and check it out.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And, don't forget about the giveaway to win some great beef jerky and grain free granola products...they are delicious!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">People were having trouble leaving comments, so I've extended the entry time another week. You can leave your comments to enter until Monday, 12 March 2012 at 11:59 PM. Winner will be announced Tusday, 13 March 2012.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/funday-monday-giveaway.html">CLICK HERE TO ENTER AND GOOD LUCK!</a></span><br />
<br />Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-25126426974326645392012-02-28T08:00:00.000+01:002012-03-03T21:38:30.098+01:00Pin it. Do it. Cereal, Caveman Style<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't forget to enter my giveaway for your chance to win! Details are <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/02/funday-monday-giveaway.html">Here</a>...make </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">sure you leave your entry comments and good luck!</span></div>
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<br />
When we started <a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/">a Primal diet</a> as part of our <a href="http://chaospatrol.blogspot.com/2012/01/game-on.html">Game ON! Fitness Challenge</a>, one area we struggled was breakfast time. Eggs every day, as diverse as they are, can get kind of old.<br />
<br />
So I was thrilled to find this recipe for grainless cereal from <a href="http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/grain-free-goodies/caveman-crunch/">Civilized Caveman Cooking</a>.<br />
<br />
I made a couple small changes based on what I had available: I used coconut oil and a combination of almond and coconut flour. It seemed a little too oily with the full amount; maybe that was because of my substitution, but the next time I made it I decreased the oil slightly and it turned out perfect.<br />
<br />
Judging by the speed it disappeared, I'd say it was a hit. Next time I'm making a double batch.<br />
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Ok, on to the good stuff:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Servings: 10</strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Prep Time: 10 Minutes</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Cook Time: 25 Minutes</strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Tools you may Need:</strong></span></div>
<ul style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Cook-Non-Stick-Cookie-Sheet/dp/B0026RHI3M?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Baking Sheets</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0026RHI3M" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /> </span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-3-Piece-Stainless-Steel-Mixing/dp/B001715PN8?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mixing Bowls</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001715PN8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /></span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/9992430393083820/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="415" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/9992430393083820_7tz44prs_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">Source: <a href="http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/grain-free-goodies/caveman-crunch/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">civilizedcavemancooking.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/tldavis627/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Tracey </a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></div>
<ul style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bobs-Red-Mill-Sunflower-20-Ounce/dp/B000ED9L6C?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">1/2 Cup Raw Sunflower Seeds</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ED9L6C" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bobs-Red-Mill-24-Ounce-Packages/dp/B000EDG4TE?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">1/2 Cup Raw Pumpkin Seeds</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000EDG4TE" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blanched-Almond-Meal-Flour-lb/dp/B0006ZN538?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">1 Cup Almond Meal</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0006ZN538" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Do-Organic-Shredded-Unsweetened/dp/B000F4D5GC?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">1 Cup Shredded Unsweetened Coconut</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000F4D5GC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Cups Almonds chopped or slivered</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Grape-Seed-16-Ounce/dp/B000RZPVV6?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">1/2 Cup Grapeseed oil (Or any oil of your choice, you can try coconut)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000RZPVV6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/2 Cup 100% <a href="http://www.amazon.com/YS-Royal-Jelly-Honey-Bee/dp/B000Z93FQC?ie=UTF8&tag=civilcavemcoo-20" rel="nofollow" style="color: #ff6600; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Raw Organic Honey</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=civilcavemcoo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000Z93FQC" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; max-width: 95%; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="1" /></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Tsp Vanilla</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cacao Powder</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cinnamon to taste, the more the stronger the taste will be</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Steps:</strong></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">
<ol style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Verdana; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 325 Degrees</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix well</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a separate bowl, combine all of your wet ingredients</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Microwave on high for 20-30 seconds to help it mix better</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once warm, pour your wet ingredients over your dry seed and nut mixture and mix well with a fork to ensure you coat everything</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place your mixture on a foil lined baking sheet and spread thin and evenly</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake in the oven for 25 minutes </span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove from the oven and stir around to ensure nothing burns, I put it back in the bowl and then respread it on the baking sheet</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place back in the oven for 5 minutes</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove and let cool, it tastes better cold and also develops its crunchiness as it cools</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serve in a bowl with some almond milk or coconut milk and enjoy</span></li>
</ol>
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</div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-75669575907979733492012-02-27T08:30:00.000+01:002012-03-04T19:03:44.568+01:00Funday Monday: Giveaway!What could be more fun than a giveaway? I found an amazing company called <a href="http://www.stevesoriginal.com/">Steve's Originals</a> and was immediately smitten.<br />
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They make products like nitrate free beef jerky and grain free cereals and granola bars. You can buy just the jerky, or you can get "PaleoKits", which are combinations of jerky and dried fruits. They also make a kid version of these kits called Berky, which includes - you guessed it - jerky and dried berries. The original grainless granola bar is always offered, as well as seasonal versions available for a few months at a time.<br />
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I placed an order for a variety of items to try them out, and so far I love them all. I've eaten the Paleo Krunch cereal, the dark espresso and espresso Paleo bar, and the Fruit and Nut PaleoKit. I think the granola bars are my favorite, but believe me, it's all delicious. The jerky is from grass fed cows and is vacuum packed to avoid nitrates.<br />
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But even better, Steve has started a movement to get at-risk kids involved in Crossfit. A portion of all his proceeds go towards his nonprofit organization, <a href="http://www.stevesclub.org/">Steve's Club</a>.<br />
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Steve's Originals also ships to APO addresses for military folks (and offers a 10% discount) and will ship worldwide (although they are limited in what they can ship to certain countries - check the website for details).<br />
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And so, because these snacks are delicious, and because I know not everyone has time to make all their food all the time, and because I bloggy love you all, I am hosting my very first giveaway.<br />
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The lucky winner will receive a <a href="http://stevesoriginal.com/cart/Journeyman-Pack/">Steve's Club Sampler</a>. This kit is packed with PaleoKits and PaleoBars.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaNFZZqaD8L0Ckdgr7ItZxL4rz998Rb8BEihvTcKN22EeUfd4Q2hZYvYULB5LL8XxqjrdXAIQUxRwrrlGLzUXqyXgsmkT7zVqeXPqKNVOS2dbK-W64NGgP1ZzyCUi3MH2nVN8ERLlFsGh/s1600/image.php.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaNFZZqaD8L0Ckdgr7ItZxL4rz998Rb8BEihvTcKN22EeUfd4Q2hZYvYULB5LL8XxqjrdXAIQUxRwrrlGLzUXqyXgsmkT7zVqeXPqKNVOS2dbK-W64NGgP1ZzyCUi3MH2nVN8ERLlFsGh/s320/image.php.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.stevesoriginal.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>From the website:</b><br />
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Steve's Original makes it easy to Fuel your Journey with our new Steve's Club Sampler. Perfect for Paleo beginners, gifts for your cave friends, or prizes at your gym. Whatever the occasion, the Steve's Club Sampler is guaranteed to deliver a tasty mix of our staple products. Our Steve's Club Sampler consists of:<br />
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1 Original Large Paleokit<br />
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1 Grassfed Small PaleoKit<br />
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1 GrassFed Just Jerky<br />
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1 PaleoKrunch Bar<br />
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1 PaleoKrunch Original Flavor Cereal<br />
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1 Coconut Small PaleoKit<br />
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<b>There are three ways to win:</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>**Many, many people have said they are having trouble leaving comments here. It has been going on for over a week, so if you are having trouble, you may enter by leaving your comments on my FB page instead. I will combine all the entries for the giveaway.**</b></span><br />
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Entries will be accepted until <b>Monday, 12 March 2012 at 11:59PM. </b>Check back here on Tuesday, 13 March to find out if you've won. <br />
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Go check out all of the great products, and then come back here to enter for your chance to win. Good luck!<br />
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<br />Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149532772998493421.post-76013857714431528132012-02-24T13:59:00.002+01:002012-02-24T13:59:17.601+01:00Five Minute Friday: Grit<br />
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So, last Friday I went on a family trip to Norway, but I was sure to write my Five Minute Friday post before I left. It wasn't until I returned home on Tuesday that I realized I forgot to post it! Oh well. It wasn't the greatest anyway. I'm back and ready for the challenge.</div>
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<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">On Fridays we write like we believe we can fly. Won’t you join us? </strong></div>
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<img alt="" class="alignleft" height="180" src="http://thegypsymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/5-minute-friday-1.jpg" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1.5em; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="5 minute friday (1)" width="179" /></div>
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1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking<br />
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.<br />
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.</em></strong></div>
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OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:</div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">GO:</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Grit. The kind of determination that needs its own special qualifying word. The kind of perseverance that can't really be planned; this word is reserved for someone who is in the middle of demonstrating it, or who already earned the title.</span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Grit.</span></div>
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It requires a willingness to continue no matter how deep things get, how muddled and trapped in quicksand you might feel.</div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/254594185154276422/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/254594185154276422_ECw8x37j_c.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_19155_the-14-most-unintentionally-terrifying-statues-in-world_p2.html?wa_user1=1&wa_user2=Weird+World&wa_user3=article&wa_user4=feature_module" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">cracked.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/jedkrieger/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jed</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Like to be a single parent several times over as your military spouse leaves for months on end.</div>
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Or to fight for your special needs child despite all the odds.</div>
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Or to follow Jesus, an unpopular choice in this postmodern society. This place of relative truth everywhere you look.</div>
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I *think* I want grit to be a word that describes me. I only think so because I am not sure I can handle the title. Or bear the burden. </div>
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For once I show grit, can I ever take the easy road again? Once I prove I can be that determined, is it possible to simply follow the masses? Or must I always choose the narrow and difficult road? </div>
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Grit. [Always and Forever].<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">STOP.</span></div>
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<a href="http://thegypsymama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Five-Minute-Friday_Grit.jpg" style="color: #e17d03; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>Tracey Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11785148247156952537noreply@blogger.com1