tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79973304938210020852024-03-13T15:01:53.089-07:00Like the MoonGinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-24088103567862006482013-03-29T20:05:00.000-07:002013-03-31T19:50:03.149-07:00Weights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<em>You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.”</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life has been coming on strong (a.k.a My Broken Record), but it is a mixed bagged of change and new opportunity and less traveled roads. I have been preparing myself for new adventures and new discoveries, of late, and I am finding that I tend to hold on to objects like a security blanket. I also tend to forget what I actually hoard. Purging and letting go have been two objectives I have been struggling with for the past couple of years. Actually, I have struggled with these goals for most of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The past couple of weeks I have let go of a lot of crap, both physically and mentally. In order to accomplish goals and move on with my life, I had to literally tell my inner voice to stop talking: "I'll have a yard sale this year..." or "I can sell these things on eBay..." or "I'll make this [insert crafty thing] with that..." The thing is I am a busy, busy girl. True Fact. It's way more easy for me to thrift than decorate. Thrift than resell. Thrift than create. Thrift than organize. I absolutely love a treasure hunt. I absolutely despise the burden of the treasure. It really is a forest/trees kind of thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I have been taking boxes of outgrown baby clothes, cheapo books already read/never to be read, unused housewares and modern knick-knacks back to the thrifts. And you know what? I haven't missed any of it. I have also reopened my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FleaCircusStar">Etsy store</a> to help lighten the load of vintage I have boxed away in nooks and crannies (and I have been delighted by what I am discovering right inside my homes). I am slowly photographing and listing the items I have decided to let go (or I think will sell). I am telling myself that if they do not leave by X date, then back to the thrifts they go. I am on a self-imposed thrifting hiatus until at least half of my shit is gone (it's hard). Thrifting is a stress buster for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am really looking forward to spring. I know it's cliche, but I am full of hope and renewal. I am getting ready to brave the next chapter in my life and it's best that I travel without all these weights tied to my ankles. Let it go.</span></div>
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Linking it up with <a href="http://sirthriftalot.blogspot.com/">Sir Thrift-a-Lot</a>, Apron Thrift Girl, <a href="http://heywhatsfordinnermom.blogspot.com/">Penny Worthy Project</a>, Young Heart and <a href="http://www.alivingspace.com/">A Living Space</a>.</div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-89825083909966047682013-03-15T14:58:00.001-07:002013-03-15T14:59:06.487-07:00Cool Ideas for Spring GardeningSo, this week has been tough one. I've been on a special assignment for work and, unfortunately, it is a third shift deal. I am definitely a diurnal person and being up all night has really messed up my bio-rhythm and made me quite the tried pup. I've stayed in bed (either sleeping or just being lazy) most of the day. The "to-do" list has flown out the window.<br />
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I am also tired of winter. I am really yearning for spring and gardening and just being able to go outside without ice cold fingers and toes. I know it's coming...but I am impatient to say the least.<br />
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Here are some cool urban gardening ideas found floating around the Internet:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggBrlu7Q-ntsY_-dvvOhLKfwkRAdimYs2VOMDMy-4lX_2APzxeObb6ZoMUL96C0b4o9IWHIRvNtetNWFkMCdCdVseZ6CrVOBTM-PGzBlgdpiX5zEliqkNKSgqR7TVaR40w1ajA8mH_je8/s1600/bottle+greenhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggBrlu7Q-ntsY_-dvvOhLKfwkRAdimYs2VOMDMy-4lX_2APzxeObb6ZoMUL96C0b4o9IWHIRvNtetNWFkMCdCdVseZ6CrVOBTM-PGzBlgdpiX5zEliqkNKSgqR7TVaR40w1ajA8mH_je8/s400/bottle+greenhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://ana-white.com/2011/04/plastic-bottle-green-house-build-guide">Recycled Plastic Bottle Greenhouse</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6leKyUZFqzuA_1uTfEwaRnMINUgdu_ogy5UtJHDC8ORwx7ieBlTRtSWIF6Bostv9bwxet4k6dYgySrNk5Tsw6WPWRd4ssXF6K65XPN3sNsqn1bNgWsbtHw-NehSSf_35OF1baEjgXz3QX/s1600/Marble+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6leKyUZFqzuA_1uTfEwaRnMINUgdu_ogy5UtJHDC8ORwx7ieBlTRtSWIF6Bostv9bwxet4k6dYgySrNk5Tsw6WPWRd4ssXF6K65XPN3sNsqn1bNgWsbtHw-NehSSf_35OF1baEjgXz3QX/s400/Marble+fence.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://craftgawker.com/popular/favorites/page/3/">Marbled Fence</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierxvt1cCyMitmnOCOuqkjlVjmAss2-bk6W51fHrUPRoKfeR-BrkFo6coIsdwkeyPTazbG7S4IYG4FN98mo0w1WW_QnbGcTS0yZN1Xm4gX3TGH3nYCeSw_361EGz_XTHtpbn6gOpKQNJhP/s1600/security+door+trellis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierxvt1cCyMitmnOCOuqkjlVjmAss2-bk6W51fHrUPRoKfeR-BrkFo6coIsdwkeyPTazbG7S4IYG4FN98mo0w1WW_QnbGcTS0yZN1Xm4gX3TGH3nYCeSw_361EGz_XTHtpbn6gOpKQNJhP/s400/security+door+trellis.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/flea-market-garden-style?page=8">Security Door Trellis</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKoy0Una5mkIA2N_daNMoRyrw0fa4KBTRE9XsWs2GQLINEdKwvRI-_dkoV0UsaIIXrqmtgr0ybePZ0n_6LIqVpvn7KgBLSzsTdJX8MsCEIDLAt-jfQNbzEEpuGKHjihdfRnfMe8YaSzfo/s1600/mosiac+walkway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKoy0Una5mkIA2N_daNMoRyrw0fa4KBTRE9XsWs2GQLINEdKwvRI-_dkoV0UsaIIXrqmtgr0ybePZ0n_6LIqVpvn7KgBLSzsTdJX8MsCEIDLAt-jfQNbzEEpuGKHjihdfRnfMe8YaSzfo/s640/mosiac+walkway.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/145452262937570457/">Beautiful Mosiac Pathway</a> </div>
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(I couldn't find the original source)</div>
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Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-38500863141602934832013-03-09T06:25:00.000-08:002013-03-09T06:25:26.145-08:00Operation: Feel Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNIaVT2UunCHyNomds6CEzpm7SxZ_bMwS2DuVvcFrDdELsc2Z27tXLPccWBXFaVmZkh2sADj6eQvAVWCux8fFW6pABhTuPAqcxWrPkdcOoh-kiEJX3cdWchb31rwcVvDVQUx28z3bgjQ/s320/moon-graphicsfairy004.jpg" width="320" /></div>
Monday will mark one week since I started Operation: Feel Better. Even though I had to travel (again) all week, I did well. I stuck to the Whole30 and I worked out every day except Friday (work and travel home prevented it). I am already feeling better, more energetic.<br />
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I'll admit a lot of this need to improve is based on age. I have had a hard time accepting that I am trucking very quickly into Middle Age Years. Take note, Youngin's, it goes fast! Next month I will be 42.5 years old. Wow, I really don't think I have ever said that here. I still feel much younger, but then maybe we always pretty much are the same with just added experience, hormones and responsibilities. I also have always been told I look younger (the guess is usually about 6 years minus the real number), but that seems to have tapered off in the past year or so. I think I caught up with my age (but this may be mind/matter issue. Who knows?!)</div>
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Anyway, just in the week I've been moving and eating less crap, I have notice I am not sitting around fretting about my forties as much. Or my job. Or my shitty marriage. Or all the crap I have to do. Really, what a stupid thing to waste time on! I have started to focus more on doing things like urban gardening, rehabbing the old 1900 house, purging, reading...all these things that make me happy! This is a bonus of physical health. I have always had an active, curious mind, but when I feel bad, I think bad. By being proactive on my health, I can feel my mind is starting to emerge from the fog of bad diet, stress, and inactivity. I have a long path to hike, but I am on it and this is important.</div>
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I have a thrifting post to write up sometime this weekend. I found few, but wonderful treasures this past week. The highlight was a stop at the Indianapolis Goodwill Outlet (I have a love/annoyance relationship with GW Outlets). To tease, I found a vintage camera, an old window (I'm building a repurposed greenhouse from old windows), and some great craft items! Thrift Lovers: Stay tuned!</div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-74208195276031712202013-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:002013-03-02T09:00:01.281-08:00Theodor Seuss Geisel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MvlJmzL6CXbFrajkEmti49_CHbF84weCHgl6hyphenhyphenx41Db9F51QGgG2YFfXFKafodXt-bI9HTvs_NOPhd1CfZvdPRIhan_VgXES3GTLwD6rgDFxLRCYBmoaYtUx9A0_jpW47UbbIf5j7Ca9/s1600/geisel-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MvlJmzL6CXbFrajkEmti49_CHbF84weCHgl6hyphenhyphenx41Db9F51QGgG2YFfXFKafodXt-bI9HTvs_NOPhd1CfZvdPRIhan_VgXES3GTLwD6rgDFxLRCYBmoaYtUx9A0_jpW47UbbIf5j7Ca9/s640/geisel-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em><strong>March 02, 1904-September 24, 1991</strong></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It's no secret that I have a huge crush on the late, great Theodor. In fact, in every single home I have had as an adult, I've kept a framed photo of my Ted. I believe I cut it from a magazine article I read about him the year he died (1991). I remember I was quite sad to hear of his passing; I'd been a fan since I was three.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Shortly after I read that he had died, I read his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Seuss-Mr-Geisel-Biography/dp/030680736X">biography</a>. Turns out for such a magically gifted artist, Ted experience his share of sorrow and mistakes. For example, he had an affair while married to his first wife (with the woman who became his second wife) and she killed herself (she was also mentally ill and had cancer). I also, around that time of obsession, found a book featuring some of his more adult art. It included these wonderful photographs of some of his carved fantastical taxidermy. Oh, how I wanted one! You know how some people fantasize about how they would spend a million lottery dollars? Well, mine always includes buying an original Dr. Seuss!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfeox4anfIdQnW0Mv-PsxvNDyKD-Y0bgwrzjdI9VmmY2QW1Ybt7VHocV4QR3LrCJYDjHTObMUBxLuRbsKxZiaikpfuYJgfSXD4JoAZEplJYeqFuHThXKEXRijZZMzyIKHF0tmdANChYUs/s1600/geisel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfeox4anfIdQnW0Mv-PsxvNDyKD-Y0bgwrzjdI9VmmY2QW1Ybt7VHocV4QR3LrCJYDjHTObMUBxLuRbsKxZiaikpfuYJgfSXD4JoAZEplJYeqFuHThXKEXRijZZMzyIKHF0tmdANChYUs/s640/geisel+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Like so many homes with children (OK, some without too!), Dr. Seuss is a favorite author around here. He was truly an original soul. We even celebrate his birthday like a proper holiday. The festivities begin with <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/03/01/recipe-green-eggs-and-ham/">green eggs</a> and ham (for the boys) and end with a wonky cake. We read a few favorite books and then watch a movie or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">My favorite Dr. Seuss book is probably <em>The Lorax</em>. When I was pregnant with my first son, I dreamt I bought a copy at a bookstore. In my dream, I held a blond son. At that point in my pregnancy, I had had at least two ultrasounds (due to high-risk issues) and both had assured I was having a girl. Lily. I hadn't even bothered to pick out a male name. Fast forward a few months and out came a blond boy. See, the Lorax knew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Two of my favorite Seussian quotes:</span></div>
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"<em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.
It's not</span></em>." - Dr. Seuss</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR TED!</span></div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-42642067041053045512013-03-01T15:18:00.001-08:002013-03-01T15:23:49.220-08:00For Whole 30 Days<a href="http://whole9life.com/whole-30/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The" border="0" by="" created="" height="165" program="" src="http://whole9life.com/img/doing-the-whole30.jpg" whole30="" whole9="" width="400" /></a> <br />
- See more at: <a href="http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/#sthash.O4IDPzMy.dpuf">http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/#sthash.O4IDPzMy.dpuf</a><br />
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A couple of years ago, I made a change to help my body and mind. I gave up sugar and grains, began exercising and, within just a couple of weeks, felt great. I continued this for over a year. Carefully adding back whole grains, selecting healthy foods over processed and, you know what? I felt wonderful and full of energy. I also lost weight and dress sizes and could jog three miles without feeling like my lungs were going to jump out of my chest.<br />
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Fast forward: A job transfer, marriage stress, trials of work travel, a bully supervisor, weekend back and forth, Ohio valley allergies and raising my boys long distance has had it's toll. The worst thing, however, is that I went back to my old, bad eating habits. You can guess I quickly gained the weight back, the dress size is up again and I feel tired, congested, hopeless and depleted most days. I also sleep horribly.<br />
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The math is really not hard: Stress+Bad Foods+No Exercise+Allergies+Travel=Exhaustion & Depression.<br />
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Last week I traveled to southeast Kentucky for work. After work, while checking into the hotel, I noticed a pamphlet about the McCoy-Hatfield feud. Apparently, the majority of of it happened in the area I was staying in. I ended up walking to the cemetery where the majority of the McCoys are buried (<a href="http://limekilnlane.blogspot.com/2013/02/curious-life-february-edition.html">I took the first photo on this post there</a>). It was about a mile from the hotel. It also required a hike up three flights of stairs (it was located on a steep mountain side). By the time I reached the top, I literally thought I, or at least my heart, was going to die. I was happy no one but the dead were around to hear me huffing and puffing. I could have cried. All that hard work and habit changes...gone!<br />
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I constantly announce challenges I'm attempting here. I'm a challenge junkie. I also fail over and over (and I have a bag of excuses as to why I can't seem to stay focused). My main excuse is time. I am constantly busy and a month flies by before I realize it began. This time, however, I am challenging myself because I need to get my health straight. I cannot let myself down this time.<br />
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I've decided to take the <a href="http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/">Whole30</a> challenge. I am not affiliated with this program and have never tried it, but it's similar to the one I made up to get my health better two years ago. Only, this one is more tough: No dairy, grains, sugar, or LEGUMES! The latter is the hardest because I love beans and, as an almost vegetarian, I depend on beans for many of my meals. This means no black beans, lentals, dals, green beans, peanuts, peanut butter...oh, no! But, it's only 30 days. 30 days seem to <em>march</em> by in a flash.<br />
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I am starting this Monday. March, the official start of spring, seems like a good month to regain my health. I'll probably need a wish of luck, especially since I am traveling at least two weeks this month. I really don't want to flake out again. I want to be able to walk up three flights of mountain stairs and not sound like my Boston terrier when I reach the top. Enough said.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-6008144028069109832013-02-25T14:18:00.001-08:002013-02-25T14:19:53.167-08:00Thrifted! The Usual Suspects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First up is this ugly thing. I have no idea what it is suppose to be (a display maybe?), but I didn't buy it for the state it is in currently. I bought it for the hardware stuck haphazardly all over it. I've mentioned a couple of times I am refurbishing a 1900 Shotgun house and I think this doorknob will be perfect. I also love the hooks and plan to make something for the bathroom (or kitchen). I plan basically dismantle this entire thing and reuse almost all of it in new ways (the wood will be outside shelves for my plants).</div>
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Close up of the beautiful hardware!</div>
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I cannot resist (cheap) milk glass. I have been hoarding it for years. As soon as I have better lighting in this house (i.e. after spring equinox), I'll do a collection post and share with you all that I have displayed. I have a lot. Perhaps you noticed another thing I hoard in this photograph: Miss Virgin Mary. I hoard vintage Mary planters as well. Despite a complete lack of religious bones, I heart, heart, heart Religionalia! I'll share that major collection on another day.</div>
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OK, it seems this was the weekend for finding all my classic collectibles. I really don't collect the really 'baby' planters anymore, but I could not resist this cutie lamb. I love it and did not already have it! I guess I can show you that (really) major collection one day as well. The other item is a glass storage container with a lid. I was thinking about buying one from Target this week, but I the thrift goddess prevailed! I plan to store dirt in it. Yes, you read correctly, I need a container to store seed starting soil as I am tired of leaky bags.</div>
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And, last-not-least, another great shelf. As a collector (i.e. see all of the above) I can always use more ways to show things off. My goal in the next couple of months is to purge and organize my collections. I am so tired of boxes. I know I have treasures packed away and I cannot wait to get them dusted and on display. This shelf will be slightly altered by adding vintage numbers to each of the boxes. I am thinking my cameras will fit nicely here. Yes, cameras...been hoarding those for years too.<br />
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Overall, I had a great thrifting weekend! How about you?<br />
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Linking to the these fun parties: <a href="http://sirthriftalot.blogspot.com/2013/02/thriftasaurus_23.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SirThriftALot+%28Sir+Thrift+A+lot%29">Thriftasaurus</a>, <a href="http://www.alivingspace.com/2013/02/the-nifty-thrifty-fred-press-west.html">Nifty Thrifty,</a> <a href="http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/2013/02/mod-sonoma.html">Apron Thrift Girl</a>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-14925814358445437162013-02-22T04:00:00.000-08:002013-02-22T04:00:01.793-08:00Curious Life: February Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ie10EhWfUarwx2Xvo-aCjkg-h_Nf-DlRWoJ9BpLnsUAAYMC3dSJwA9lvotW969YAnV16XErqkcRqVDjv0q5OcFwxNHcBg_3nR9IFLVlDNT6EzOE50EEI5BOKsV-UEUz6_Fv65c_W-pCt/s1600/lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ie10EhWfUarwx2Xvo-aCjkg-h_Nf-DlRWoJ9BpLnsUAAYMC3dSJwA9lvotW969YAnV16XErqkcRqVDjv0q5OcFwxNHcBg_3nR9IFLVlDNT6EzOE50EEI5BOKsV-UEUz6_Fv65c_W-pCt/s640/lamb.jpg" width="592" /></a></div>
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<em>Sweet Lamb R.I.P.</em></div>
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<em>Jade's Snow Day</em></div>
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<em>Woman/Camera/Hotel</em></div>
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<em>Shotgun House R.I.P.</em></div>
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<em>Spring's Eternal Hope/February Bloom</em></div>
<br />Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-78446797337314766752013-02-20T18:12:00.000-08:002013-02-20T18:12:24.303-08:00Thrifted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmno5AqeDdEMYa1QUMyK0wqvM1iudAeRnSe1OyF4FIoulvirSQ0MQj5kyuNuOKMiF9Ze9Q2GltkyB95fNVz7yFjjLC-k0PzqFMJjEQdtc71oMbYe9xOOyQ4bkUFSnzdpaUMwqzUcbFtSog/s1600/TT+wooden+barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmno5AqeDdEMYa1QUMyK0wqvM1iudAeRnSe1OyF4FIoulvirSQ0MQj5kyuNuOKMiF9Ze9Q2GltkyB95fNVz7yFjjLC-k0PzqFMJjEQdtc71oMbYe9xOOyQ4bkUFSnzdpaUMwqzUcbFtSog/s640/TT+wooden+barn.jpg" width="585" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I know it's been awhile since I shared my thrifted goodies (or even blogged anything for that matter). As always, I state the excuse: work, work, work. Then, tired, tired, tired rounds out most days. Yet, I thrift on. I found the dusty barn shelf at a Indiana thrift store last weekend. I'm not sure where it will end up at this point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite thrift store near my home in KY closed this week. I think I am in the denial stage at the moment (see above: work 3X, tired 3X), but I am sure the rest of the mourning stages are right around the corner. Especially when the spring comes on full blast next month (please!) and beckons me outside. I went to the first day of 50% off everything, but most of it was gone. I bought a book about the Order Cetacea (whales & dolphins) that I had been eyeing for awhile. I didn't snap a picture. The above etched bowl is gorgeous and came from Bowling Green Habitat Restore. It will be a terrarium one of these days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is probably my favorite find from the last couple of weeks. I found it at the same thrift store as the barn shelf. It was 50% off day. It's beaded and very bohemian. I actually already have another with a slightly different style. I guess I'll need to find one more for a true collection. It'd only be fair, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What have you found this week?</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-63223213148090010852013-02-03T10:52:00.000-08:002013-02-04T09:47:50.971-08:00Thrift Share SundaySome of you may have seen my<a href="http://limekilnlane.blogspot.com/2013/02/20-in-my-pocket.html"> thrift finds</a> from the challenge I undertook on Friday. It was inspired by the hit song 'Thrift Shop" (Macklemore and Ryan Lewis) and it was helluva fun to thrift with only $20 in my pocket! Check out the blog <em><a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a></em> for other participants. many had never (ever!) thrift shopped before! I especially love the one where the person found a shirt they loved, but wanted to wash it 15X before wearing. me? I've been known to thrift the perfect dress and wear it the same day! I do wash most thrifted items first, but if I'm really excited to wear something, I've been known to trust the old olfactory system. I guess I always think people could have tried on the clothes at the store just the same. Not that I'm judging; I guess I'm just a complete opposite of 'germ-a-phobe" frame-of-mind and find it funny! Well, I am a biologist. I guess that may have something to do with it. I know germs out number us no matter how often we wash something. Nevertheless, the challenge inspired a new crop to thrift. Hmm, I am on the fence on whether that is good or bad (my greedy side says, "Bad...")<br />
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Of course, the challenge items have not been my only thrift finds in the last couple of weeks. I thought I would purge the rest of the photos and show you the rest of my cool treasures. Most of these came from West Virginia; a few from Louisville thrifts.<br />
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I cannot resist animal planters. I've been collecting them for going on 20 years and someday I hope to thrift one of those vintage wooden half circle plant stands. I will fill that baby up with a zoo! I also snagged a great 3M racing game (Derby ready!), and a toy camera that apparently was a promotional hand-out for a Bratz movie. Check out the last photo for why I picked it up for 50c. I like to play around with these plastic cameras and this one should take really great awful photos!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9F1XXXm4cxDCzmpZ3jVpQP4nXAEE8-Wdh9_jM3bJH7HNVLVJUNNU2d-9_71mScFHazTbKCyplXi_-TcY6g0ecMmjLIk_6gV7AYQ1NYgACNuualquDL5-sXSY4-DUfAYmgCTukm2VlM9W/s1600/IMG_2402%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9F1XXXm4cxDCzmpZ3jVpQP4nXAEE8-Wdh9_jM3bJH7HNVLVJUNNU2d-9_71mScFHazTbKCyplXi_-TcY6g0ecMmjLIk_6gV7AYQ1NYgACNuualquDL5-sXSY4-DUfAYmgCTukm2VlM9W/s640/IMG_2402%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Deer, horse, fawns</div>
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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/AVvXsEjkwSY7Ngcwn2zkzsfgus-m4AS7ms4Z7FTDv8yKYerJl49CLVVaIeqB_SQE-tfX2IxFSxX-fAhKfZMk4EjiXAG631p9WdPUw5dggv6VT2K-3wBXpqxDOO2dcNDwO6Q5jqinj9QVyQ7abNCy/s1600/IMG_2403%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwSY7Ngcwn2zkzsfgus-m4AS7ms4Z7FTDv8yKYerJl49CLVVaIeqB_SQE-tfX2IxFSxX-fAhKfZMk4EjiXAG631p9WdPUw5dggv6VT2K-3wBXpqxDOO2dcNDwO6Q5jqinj9QVyQ7abNCy/s640/IMG_2403%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blue bird, bulldog</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEjseDqHnfH9HAlvF3dlpQ5er3uLzYhRRadLyMfAROqOAla60dEeaQQ01oAhimsGNDwxNCMMwDUXc52S5cFBM7eoL-0JSl8IKNRMHRn3D6F9WVd9g5f_kUcFRkRCeVrd2mFiF6TZLWB1HYba/s1600/IMG_2406%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseDqHnfH9HAlvF3dlpQ5er3uLzYhRRadLyMfAROqOAla60dEeaQQ01oAhimsGNDwxNCMMwDUXc52S5cFBM7eoL-0JSl8IKNRMHRn3D6F9WVd9g5f_kUcFRkRCeVrd2mFiF6TZLWB1HYba/s640/IMG_2406%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3M Game (perfect for a Louisville residence) and a working toy camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsBa3beG39tRlS2Lmd5jGP0CzcyIEvXEX965qUIF3158ETmDxF1zrlyxoykghyphenhyphenX0zvU-35J3l0TiZhyphenhyphenaJ4_Hicd2zPZwway73LckcbXgqgM9Mjau7vjRzSYQupHu-k6mDsIoKVaCJH6p1/s1600/IMG_2411%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsBa3beG39tRlS2Lmd5jGP0CzcyIEvXEX965qUIF3158ETmDxF1zrlyxoykghyphenhyphenX0zvU-35J3l0TiZhyphenhyphenaJ4_Hicd2zPZwway73LckcbXgqgM9Mjau7vjRzSYQupHu-k6mDsIoKVaCJH6p1/s640/IMG_2411%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the blur-just showing the used roll of film in the camera. I cannot wait to get it developed. I also found that kitty you see in the lower right. I bought her for the Etsy shop, but notice a tiny chip on one ear (I swear I checked at the store), so she is keeping my plants company for now.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Linking it up with these fun thrift share parties: <a href="http://sirthriftalot.blogspot.com/2013/02/thriftasaurus.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SirThriftALot+%28Sir+Thrift+A+lot%29">Thriftasaurus</a>, <a href="http://www.alivingspace.com/2013/02/the-nifty-thrifty-polaroids-bookends.html?showComment=1359999805168">A Living Space</a>, Apron Thrift Girl, <a href="http://missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.com/2013/02/magpie-monday-foraging-finds.html">Magpie Monday</a>.</span></div>
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Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-48699436142876465912013-02-01T06:49:00.000-08:002013-02-01T13:13:11.243-08:00$20 in My Pocket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember when I said I was a challenge junkie? Well, now I have found one that is so customize for my alley, I just had to share!<br />
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My absolute favorite song right now is called "Thrift Shop" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. I first heard a snip-it of it on a Fresh Air interview with the band a few months ago and later someone posted it. All I can say is "Love!" In case you have not heard it, here's the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK8mJJJvaes">link to the grown-up version</a> of the song (i.e. if 'fuck' offends you, I think there is a PG version of the song as well).<br />
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Anyway, <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a> (a really hip blog if you haven't heard of it) has schemed up with the most brilliant of all challenges: <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/01/our-completely-unofficial-macklemore-thrift-shop-challenge/">The (Completely Unofficial) Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge.</a><br />
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Here are the "rules":<br />
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<strong>Step #1. Go to a thrift shop with – just as the chorus of the song says – “$20 in your pocket” and take a picture.</strong><br />
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<strong>Step #2. Spend that $20 any way you’d like and photograph your spoils.</strong><br />
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<strong>Step #3. Find one item (or more) referenced in the song and snap a pic.</strong><br />
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I believe they plan to have a link up (possibly today), so I plan to hit the thrifts here in a bit. I am waiting for the sun to warm things up a bit (including my frozen pipes! Eek! I blogged about it on the <a href="http://girlwestend.blogspot.com/">house blog</a> if you're interested).<br />
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Here's how I did:<br />
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<ol>
<li> Natural history books, a book on the history of dogs, a vintage photo album (total $2) and the cutest little Singer sewing box ($4)</li>
<li>Art supplies and sweet handmade art smock ($3)</li>
<li>Close-up of the fabric.</li>
<li> My favorite find (and the cheapest at only 80c!). I'm not exactly Catholic, but my boys are. And I cannot resist Religionalia.</li>
<li>Cute owl pillow that needs some cleaning (someone's cat loved it apparently) $2.</li>
<li>Speaking of cats...$2</li>
<li> And, like a hole in the head, a vintage camera for the collection ($4). No more. I mean it.</li>
</ol>
I had $20 in my pocket...<br />
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And, here are not one, but<u> two</u>, items referenced in the song:<br />
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"Oh hell, he got the velcro..."</div>
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"Passin' on those moccassins someone else been walkin' in..."</div>
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Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-43635189617464472162013-01-30T12:51:00.002-08:002013-01-30T12:55:31.931-08:00Manhole+Dandelion+Tornado=KY Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday, on January 29, I found this little guy in my front yard. Of course, the warm temps and freshly blooming dandelion made me think about seed starting, urban gardening, and sunshine! </div>
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However, I must remember, we are still in the middle of winter and this manhole cover reminds me that the pipes in my old 1900 Shotgun can and did freeze just one week earlier on January 22. The temperature fell rapidly into the lower teens and I awoke to no running water. Incredibly, I had no damage and have since insulated the cellar just a wee bit better.</div>
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And, today, all of this climate confusion came barrelling to a head in the pre-dawn hours. I was jerked from my sleep by a sound of sirens. It took me a few minutes to realize it was the neighborhood tornado alarm. I jumped out of bed, grabbed the dog, and raced to a lower level closet. Apparently, 125 feet above me was the spiraling winds of a tornado. I waited awhile, then slowly crept back to bed. Then, I thought, today is January 30.</div>
<br />Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-14590463118796340072013-01-25T09:30:00.001-08:002013-01-25T09:30:39.501-08:00WV Bridge 3 Ways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7MLhp8wejr-ZvS2QxEsqOKcdjcCk-h9r8CV-Cv2XW9bOzkShwMY7goA2dYKu9nbyw3yCkP2AyEZ_4NcUlw6yLg3roln3wTiSxhls-iuEERppDzjCmjWfcb9mUL-euz4hIW_ZxPOCdiYW/s1600/IMG_2381%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7MLhp8wejr-ZvS2QxEsqOKcdjcCk-h9r8CV-Cv2XW9bOzkShwMY7goA2dYKu9nbyw3yCkP2AyEZ_4NcUlw6yLg3roln3wTiSxhls-iuEERppDzjCmjWfcb9mUL-euz4hIW_ZxPOCdiYW/s640/IMG_2381%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>Original taken with Canon Digital Rebel XT</em></div>
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<em>Holga-ish (Picasa 3)</em></div>
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<em>Lomo-ish (Picasa 3)</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've been experimenting with rogue photographs I snap here and there while on work travel (these are also for my 365 Project). I spent this week in NW and North Central West Virginia. I stumbled upon this old train bridge and loved the rusty-ness of the beams. It reminded me of my childhood visits to nearby Virginia. I had to be quick as the only place to pull over was clearly marked "No Parking at Anytime", so it is not the best composition. (In fact, a police vehicle cruised by only minutes after I pulled away from the spot.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My favorite is the last one (Lomo) as it accents the rust spots and warms it up a bit. It was bitter cold in WV yesterday; everything needed a little warming up. I hear it's suppose to be close to 65 on Tuesday in Louisville and I cannot wait. My toes and fingers could use a little Lomo-ish too.</span></div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-24020527783743570912013-01-17T12:15:00.000-08:002013-01-17T12:15:57.822-08:00Trees of the Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My boss sent me this <a href="http://scienceblog.com/59168/tree-and-human-health-may-be-linked/">link</a> today about the connection between trees and human health. Interesting enough, I worked on the Emerald Ash Borer project when the insect was new to the US. I witness the destruction of 1000's of infested trees. All the years spent cataloging trees of the Indiana forests were great years as far as jobs go (low pay, but really high job satisfaction), but I knew eventually we would see the rapid decline of our urban and wild forests. And, we are.<br />
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I also ran across this tree related bit on a <a href="http://teaforbohemia.blogspot.com/2013/01/on-small-failures-and-planning-greater.html?showComment=1358452533944#c1409859971612432802">blog</a> I read. I haven't searched for the actual story she refers to, but the coincidence of the two pro-tree connections to our lives is not hard to miss. We are connected to the world around us. I took this rather boring photo last weekend, but after I downloaded it from the camera, I realized it looks a little bit like our nervous system. It's no secret that nature repeats her gorgeous artwork everywhere. <br />
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I really need to be pro-active on this one. In 2010 I moved from a nature-oriented, outdoor job to an urban one. I have no idea if it is connected, but I have seen a huge decline in my health over the last couple of years: weight gain, a general fatigue, a development of allergies where I had none, etc. If it is simply I have not spent enough time in nature, then I must return.<br />
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I plan to plant more trees in 2013 for our health and for the future.
I plan to hike more, find more natural places to explore, take my self and my children back to the forest.
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<i>Image taken with Canon Rebel XT on January 12, 2013</i>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-45514601894028121092013-01-17T11:38:00.001-08:002013-01-19T05:08:49.472-08:00Sucker for Challenges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4cZ9J39c9fh21akbx38UlsPGYWi0bHNX67LFufhyVpbP3hr-9vKN0G5C_RbaLRBm8Y1dasDIUZn6cmRtWdTQ5YZ5LWKM_ie3-28Ntl8C0Y2LQs3OEXm3iN6bdNCnY0s5uSyB2nHA9Uun/s1600/Cook+the+thrift+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4cZ9J39c9fh21akbx38UlsPGYWi0bHNX67LFufhyVpbP3hr-9vKN0G5C_RbaLRBm8Y1dasDIUZn6cmRtWdTQ5YZ5LWKM_ie3-28Ntl8C0Y2LQs3OEXm3iN6bdNCnY0s5uSyB2nHA9Uun/s640/Cook+the+thrift+books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A week or so ago, from another blog I love, I stumbled upon a "Cook the Books Challenge" on the wonderfully named blog: </span><a href="http://growandresist.com/2012/12/21/cook-the-books-a-cookbook-challenge/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grow and Resist</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Being a lover of challenges (even though I have a real issue with staying focused on them), I quickly looked through the titles. One of my absolute favorite things to thrift is cookbooks. I have tons and have even put myself on a moratorium (<em>unless it is really, really special</em>!) on buying new ones. Really, I need to just purge some as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, back to this challenge, it so happens that I don't own even one of the books on the challengers' cookbook list. Because I am a sucker for challenges and have approximately 5,000 self-imposed ones going as it is, including one where I am trying to buy less, save money, blah, blah, blah...I decided to play along in a slightly altered, but hopefully fun way anyway. Instead of buying the listed books (or checking them out from the library), I looked around at the ones I have thrifted and picked out seven titles. I am going to attempt to cook the thrifted books between February and August (and possibly beyond depending how the ol' ADD pans out). I had actually once started a blog that centered vaguely around this concept called 52/A.Y.C.E, but I never posted anything. Maybe this will inspire me to look at the stuff I hoard (or at least inspire me to send them back to the thrifts whence they came!)
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>My Cook the (Thrifted)books</u>:</strong>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>February:</strong> <em>Cooking with Sunshine</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>March:</strong> <em>Cook 1.0: A Fresh Approach to Vegetarian Cooking</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>April:</strong> <em>The Art of Simple Foods</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>May:</strong> <em>A Baker's Odyssey</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>June:</strong> <em>1080 Recipes</em></span><br />
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July:</strong> <em>A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>August:</strong> <em>Canning for a New Generation</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The only one on the list that I bought new would be the last one. I bought it because I loved the blog and love to try new things to can. I think it's been at least a year since I bought it and have never cracked it open. Actually, I have never cracked any of them open. being said, I hope I can stick through with this one or else the used bookstore is going to get boxes of books to pick through come August!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Each month of the challenge, I will cook from and discuss the book. Feel free to find a "what I wear" post somewhere on that day! (<em>I jest</em>) I also plan to take a photo and, voila!, this will be part of my 365 Photo Project. Oh, one stone, two...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Feel free to play along (I'd love to see others cook their own thrifted books too!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Linkin' Up with <a href="http://heywhatsfordinnermom.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-penny-worthy-project_19.html">The Penny Worthy Project</a>.</span>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-28872600359140482862013-01-15T17:37:00.001-08:002013-01-15T17:37:50.232-08:00Baked!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my 2013 goals is to bake 13 new things. Pretzel bread is something that has floated around on my mental list of Things-I-Procrastinate-About-Doing for a couple of years now. I first tried it at a farmer's market here in Louisville and nearly ate the loaf I bought by myself. Actually, I did eat that loaf by myself.<br />
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I always thought it took a super skilled artisan to make bread with a pretzel texture and that wonderful taste found in certain mall franchises, but it turns out pretzel bread (or buns or rolls or actual soft pretzels) is really easy! I used this <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/super-soft-pretzel-rolls-easy-too-161012">recipe</a>. The only change I would suggest would be to make sure "generous amount of coarse salt" is to your individual tastes. Me? I'm not a big salt fan and ended up thinking I had not put enough on, so I keep adding and adding. My first taste after they came piping hot out of the oven was all salt. Fortunately, it's really simple to brush some of it off. Other than the salt, the buns tasted perfectly like a hot, soft pretzel. I made my mine into little buns (or rolls), but I could have easily made the signature twists on these guys. Either way, this baked goodie will be a repeat!Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-66204040780891529002013-01-13T11:16:00.002-08:002013-01-14T13:10:33.033-08:00Thrifted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZpvjfZp3LlB9MgWrxwj5_vZ9zI0rZ8pzF0rz6PWAyXC2RQnPBX4Op9md8V29xRb4hPwBxGWIt7cO8WwOl513HVykKx5WjG_SBFG6zLhhaFDqDqIcR9EY3n40vaBer17II9zP3yAUV3GF/s1600/Thrifted+books+01132012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZpvjfZp3LlB9MgWrxwj5_vZ9zI0rZ8pzF0rz6PWAyXC2RQnPBX4Op9md8V29xRb4hPwBxGWIt7cO8WwOl513HVykKx5WjG_SBFG6zLhhaFDqDqIcR9EY3n40vaBer17II9zP3yAUV3GF/s640/Thrifted+books+01132012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I swear it seems to me that it is an unwritten rule in my life that if I chose to go out with a.) hair uncombed and hastily thrown up in a bun, b.) sweats and c.) no make up, I will without any hesitation run into someone I haven't seen in 10+ years. Yes, this was the thrifting equation for the weekend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The thrifting theme, on the other hand, was books. I found the stack above, featuring subjects that are near and dear to me, at several thrift shops in my old hometown . This was were I ran into two people I used to work with many years ago. I ran into them separately at two different places. And, to make it a bit more exciting, these particular people are people you wish you looked as though the years had no effect on you (you do know the type I'm talking about, right?) And I was clad in sweats with uncombed hair. Sigh, Life of Gina.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I also found cheap frames this weekend. I collect the vintage metal ones (like the one peaking below the top one). The one on top was difficult to photograph as it is a pair of deer in 3D. I am not wild about the frame, but I thought the print was pretty cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Another found book was this one on milk glass. I have collected milk glass for years and have quite the collection. I really should share more of my collections. I also found the milk glass leaf and a large hob nob vase. I've noticed lately that the once plentiful white vases are now starting to dry up at the thrifts. I think I find more at the flea markets these days, so I was happy to find this pair (and on 50% off day to boot! I guess this is the karmic pay off for looking scrubby on a bad day!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, not to be outdone by lovely milk glass, are these two gorgeous Johnson Brothers transfer ware plates. While in the process of photographing them, I noticed a tiny chip on one the edges. I'm not sure if I bought it that way or did it while getting in the car. I know I slightly bumped the bag on the door. I really need to use best practice in handling these old things, both in spying imperfections at the time of purchase or hastily throwing my purchase in the vehicle. I seem to have this happen a lot. Thankfully, this chip is hard to notice and will be alright in my personal collection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All in all, yesterday was a relaxing day of thrifting. I also learned a couple of valuable lessons, but the most important one to me: Ditch the sweats once in awhile! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sharing my weekend finds at Sir Thrift A Lot's </span><a href="http://sirthriftalot.blogspot.com/2013/01/thriftasaurus-17.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thriftasaurus #17</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and <a href="http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/">Apron Thrift Girl</a>.</span></div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-34862022608680876622013-01-10T19:49:00.005-08:002013-01-10T19:50:26.886-08:00Bug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I had good intentions on my daily goals anyway. I ended up sick this week and spent today in bed. Around one, I finally ate a small breakfast of coffee and mini bagels with peanut butter and blackberry jam. So this is my 365 photograph. Exciting, yes? The rest of the week's photos have not been much better. I was dragging ass since Monday (not realizing I was coming down with something) and yesterday I was stuck in Lexington when the bug actually hit me. I think it was the longest drive ever back to Louisville.</div>
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I started to keep track of my 365 project photos on <a href="http://www.shuttercal.com/calendar/ginastjoe/">ShutterCal</a>. Hopefully the photographs will be better come the weekend.</div>
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Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-36366484891990648702013-01-07T14:37:00.000-08:002013-01-07T14:40:28.547-08:00Blue Monday Candy #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been some time since I shared any thrift shop finds, but thrift I do (although, I have myself on a nasty budget for the time being and I won't be able to be as free to pack the cart). Most of this was thrifted between October and December either in Indiana or Kentucky. Some of the photographs and the silver vase in the background came out of a great barn estate sale I got to "pick" in early December. Sadly, my first trip to the barn was with my mom who took one look and said, "I'm not going in there..." I went back the next day and still found many, many treasures. I'll be sharing them throughout the year (and I'll try to remember to note they were from the barn) as many are slated to be projects for the rehab house.</div>
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<em>Left to right: Photos from late 1800-1915 (same family); postcard holder; butcher scraping block (I actually thrifted this a long time ago, but it was perfect for the photos); Virgin Mary; silver vase; old books.</em></div>
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In other news, an old friend of mine (my bff from my teens and twenties) is moving to Louisville from Chicago. He actually is my thrifting mentor. He is in desparate need of a fresh start and I have this big, old Victorian and an extra room, so he'll be here for a bit. He's a designer and I'm sure he can help me overcome my inability to pick wall colors that don't look like a bottle of Tums. </div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-2110244840712364102013-01-06T07:22:00.003-08:002013-01-06T07:22:40.559-08:00Totally Awesome Blog Hop<a href="http://www.chantillysongs.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Chantillysongs Blog hop" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/8014378460_14a1e017e5_m.jpg"/></a>
I thought I would start participating in some Blog Hops. You can read the details at one of the hosts' blogs. I'll put this link on the sidebar; I thought I would help spread the love, maybe meet some new bloggers!Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-38195639331495041282013-01-06T06:26:00.003-08:002013-01-06T06:33:12.211-08:00The Kiss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Orca's Kiss </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Orca has been in the family for nine months. He is a quirky and loveable dog and Lyndon is his biggest champion and playmate. They communicate to each other in their own language and Orca is the first thing Lyndon asks about during our nightly phone calls. If it was possible, I'm sure Orca would do the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<em>6/365: Canon Rebel XT, Auto focus; Picassa Holga-ish)</em></span></span></div>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-81253311735826195762013-01-05T05:15:00.001-08:002013-01-06T06:33:25.692-08:00Pink Sky, Dark Trees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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5/365: Early Morning Sky</div>
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The sky went from hazy grey, to this brilliant pink, and onward to blue sky dotted with off-white clouds. Thank you, Son #1, for exclaiming, "Mom, check out the sky!"</div>
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Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-32153342245447605682013-01-04T16:51:00.000-08:002013-01-06T06:33:47.118-08:00Rest in Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIFxleIYlhUPZDvGwRP6FMfFW8Y-NddXgzP3D_LFVON0tyIp0HLtvkFL72TZZ6MCfDAS16WzSk-k6KShtzeX1O7fbX2XW4tautDWN_UgzgH81iFBtx7EANnIJedlpm0G9vSusPzOxFsT9/s1600/Eastern+Graveyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIFxleIYlhUPZDvGwRP6FMfFW8Y-NddXgzP3D_LFVON0tyIp0HLtvkFL72TZZ6MCfDAS16WzSk-k6KShtzeX1O7fbX2XW4tautDWN_UgzgH81iFBtx7EANnIJedlpm0G9vSusPzOxFsT9/s400/Eastern+Graveyard.jpg" width="341" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Not too long ago, a friend of mine in Louisville told me a witch was buried in a cemetery near his house. I was curious. It took some convincing, but I finally talked him into exploring </span><a href="http://unusualkentucky.blogspot.com/2009/05/louisville-crematory-and-columbarium.html"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the historical site</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> with me yesterday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Louisville is an old city and old cities are full of beautifully aged graveyards. This particular one is located in the Highlands. It is where the "poor" of the 1800-early 1900's was buried and sits directly next to the resting grounds of the more well-to-do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">While we were searching for the stone he remembered seeing almost 20 years ago, I took out my camera and starting snapping pictures of some of the ornate stones. My friend's eyes bugged out and he said, "It's illegal to take photos in a cemetery!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I glanced up at him to see if he was joking and I realized he was not. I chuckled and told him I thought someone had fed him bullshit at some point. I told him I would check on this, but that I was pretty sure taking photographs in a cemetary was perfectly fine. I mentioned that there were a lot worse things you could do illegally in a graveyard than take a couple of pictures*. The rest of the visit he had me laughing to tears at his avoidance of walking on the graves (I had to tell him that the front is not always where the casket was placed in reference to the stone). He was superstitious and somewhat creeped out by the soggy ground and old dates. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">For me, I have always love graveyards. I've been exploring them since I was a child. My parents had a lake house in a rural part of Indiana. During the summer I would disappear into the depths of the nearby woods. I had discovered an old, overgrown cemetery hidden in the tangles of elms and nettles</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> and thorny flora. I spent hours there, clearing away the vines and dirt from the faded stones, constructing stories about the people buried beneath them. In my mind, time spent in a cemetery is a way of honoring the dead, an acknowledgement that these were people who laughed like us, maybe coveted chocolate or oranges, read books and kissed their babies goodnight. In college, one of my favorite undergrad projects was a population study we did using the dates and sexes on gravestones. When I walk up to a stone, it is to look better at a name and the dates. I do it as a respect and courtesy to the</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> deceased. And, I do it because I am curious about these lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Later, over vegetarian burritos, I mentioned again I had never heard about the legalities of taking cemetery photos (I was thinking about the 100's I have from cities I have visited over the years). He looked wistfully away and said: "Maybe someone just said you could capture a spirit by using a camera in a cemetery."</span> <br />
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*<em>There is a horrible back story to this particular graveyard, but it does not involve a witch or a camera.</em> Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-1824000826658074672013-01-02T14:39:00.001-08:002013-01-04T16:45:46.536-08:00Beans, Rice and Rosemary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, no...she's already posting pictures of dinner. Cough, yea, busy day and I didn't get my photograph in today. Yes, it is day 2. But I am not going to dwell...363 more days to get right with the camera habits. And, black beans, veggies, and basmati rice is going to be a great meal!<br />
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OK, how about a bonus picture?<br />
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The tip of a rosemary tree I bought on clearance today for $1. It's making my house smell wonderful.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-32480820760418895312013-01-01T16:26:00.003-08:002013-01-01T20:07:47.283-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vzi_qvzjr5vT9OtmsqI8PsG3WwZIrkZL8GGWaVaXd-sbEXFT4B8Hw5Q9EjHIptkk0Y76yGwFTdgfdSrpViyr3XH_nLAtGXG-So6-iZ5NjPb-SOozkxv11F5Ll5YL_9GCLlNgQj1QTUqI/s1600/IMG_2294%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vzi_qvzjr5vT9OtmsqI8PsG3WwZIrkZL8GGWaVaXd-sbEXFT4B8Hw5Q9EjHIptkk0Y76yGwFTdgfdSrpViyr3XH_nLAtGXG-So6-iZ5NjPb-SOozkxv11F5Ll5YL_9GCLlNgQj1QTUqI/s640/IMG_2294%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Here's to 2013: A {New} Year of Hope and Enlightenment!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm fairly certain that, after Halloween, New Year's Day is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the the feeling of hope it seems to deliver and I always feel like I've been granted a fresh slate to begin new adventures, right wrongs, and develop new skills. Of course, all of that is really kind of silly considering any of these things can be done at any moment in one's life, but there's just something about the challenge of a brand new calendar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">One of my own personal goals is to take at least one photograph a day. I almost didn't make it today. The sky was gloomy and I started in on my usual mantra of avoidance, but I made myself follow through with the goal, (albeit,not the best shot-hopefully I can only improve, right?). The cameras, circa 1965 and 1970, were found at the thrift store in my neighborhood yesterday. The books were thrifted or bought mostly last year, but just happen to be all 2013 goal-related topics. I started in reading the book on photography and I will start the others soon. It's not the best photograph by any means, but it's a check mark for the goal list. Already, I think I'm feeling pretty lucky that 2013 may be a good year!</span><br />
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7997330493821002085.post-8741119321543757772012-12-29T08:02:00.000-08:002012-12-29T08:09:25.642-08:00Shedd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFc6wiaM1uMRYOE8QcYoq7jDudcYO8PX8iE1si4JZKZAL-umkzmP3oYS1a4lVNWCBMdEdfX2Y3BPhSoH2Pk0Di4VEQ1pTlk5Q3xhSetPi9F7tG0oR-_oCoARfEXWLEvfLAqaIsxjHTXN1/s1600/sea+anemone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFc6wiaM1uMRYOE8QcYoq7jDudcYO8PX8iE1si4JZKZAL-umkzmP3oYS1a4lVNWCBMdEdfX2Y3BPhSoH2Pk0Di4VEQ1pTlk5Q3xhSetPi9F7tG0oR-_oCoARfEXWLEvfLAqaIsxjHTXN1/s400/sea+anemone.jpg" width="315" /></a>Sort of on impulse, I took my boys up to<a href="http://www.sheddaquarium.org/"> Shedd Aquarium</a> in Chicago yesterday. We all enjoyed the time looking at the beautiful diversity of the world's watery habitats (although, I have to note I had a hard time with the extreme crowds and really rude people. Really, I think we all need to revisit Etiquette 101. It's really becoming a loss art!)</div>
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My personal favorite Shedd inhabitant is the seahorses, but the exhibit is popular and I am on the 5'3" short side, so peering at them was impossible over the four-five deep layers of seahorse fans. I did, however, get to peer at the gorgeousness that is the jellies, anemones and the seadragons. Pretty animal-flowers of the deep.<br />
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I also love the invasive species exhibit because, near and dear to me, I focused on invasive species (or, more specifically, how we erroneously encourage the spread in our urban forestry designs and habits) for my thesis in university.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivKhDM06T3YNvD1-0mHuaT2j3njph1LOne5ISaYFxwvb9-naqI2V2frwlGWDjDtVAbJhcGA1k-lUz2HwsDgyXbfCem_PaVvQygC750xov83F1PTmABp68EiUl_iEdcqg9iMEOYVIdysSC/s1600/carp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivKhDM06T3YNvD1-0mHuaT2j3njph1LOne5ISaYFxwvb9-naqI2V2frwlGWDjDtVAbJhcGA1k-lUz2HwsDgyXbfCem_PaVvQygC750xov83F1PTmABp68EiUl_iEdcqg9iMEOYVIdysSC/s200/carp.jpg" width="160" /></a>In addition to all the marine biology goodness, I saw the most impressive mason bee house near one of the entrances. If you have even a small flower or vegetable garden, <a href="http://www.metrofieldguide.com/attracting-and-raising-mason-bees/">attracting these tiny little pollinators</a> is a total benefit for your plants. I've had on my list to build some of these practical little houses for years, mainly to gift the gardeners in my life (including myself). These houses, combined with mindful landscaping, can increase flower pollination which means greater fruit and vegetable production. Seeing this wonderful crafted house at the Shedd, I'm taking it as a sign that 2013 is the year to accomplish this goal! Clearly an oversight, I did not fish out my camera and take a picture of it. I hope it is still around when I return to the Field Museum (my favorite!) in February. <br />
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I've started revamping this place (in case it wasn't noticeable!) and I added a button below the header to see and/or follow <a href="http://pinterest.com/ginastjoe/">my Pinterest pages</a> if y'all are interested. I am adding some lovely Mason Bee Houses to my Urban Gardening folder.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.com0