tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12259172721040801522024-03-13T17:55:03.666-04:00Bungalow in the HollowBungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-20371016752340483802009-04-23T17:38:00.004-04:002009-04-23T17:53:53.436-04:00My Better Half<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfDf7mZX2cI/AAAAAAAAAqA/orVZ8PHDXyQ/s1600-h/Husbandscore.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfDf7mZX2cI/AAAAAAAAAqA/orVZ8PHDXyQ/s400/Husbandscore.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328004574191540674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Mr. BITH's score. Uh oh.<br /><br />I took it again, mentally modernizing some of the questions like he did. Ha! At least I scored a little better:<br /><br /><center><table width="300px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px #000000 solid; color: #000000;background-color: #ffffff;"><tr><td><img src="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/wife.jpg" width="72" height="72" /></td><td><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:+3;">50</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">As a 1930s wife, I am<br/><strong><span style="font-size:+2;">Average</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/">Take the test!</a></small></p></td></tr></table></center><br /></span></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-76481678916001796892009-04-23T17:32:00.004-04:002009-04-23T17:36:07.983-04:00Our new little neighbors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfDem8zfkXI/AAAAAAAAAp4/fszKRaYFMjo/s1600-h/BabyRobins.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfDem8zfkXI/AAAAAAAAAp4/fszKRaYFMjo/s400/BabyRobins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328003119917797746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Sweet little robins have set up camp on top of my neighbors' arbor. Rockin' Robin momma is doing a good job keeping predators away and feeding those constantly open mouths.</span><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-16631450011472952632009-04-23T11:19:00.004-04:002009-04-23T17:32:14.750-04:00Lamb Cake<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Sounds disgusting, but it's not!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfCLAJ0qGBI/AAAAAAAAApo/PofI1QVlUvM/s1600-h/LambchopCake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfCLAJ0qGBI/AAAAAAAAApo/PofI1QVlUvM/s400/LambchopCake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327911193932339218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">This sweet-faced thing was part of a celebration honoring my friend, Nancy, for her birthday. Her birthday falls around Easter and her mom used to make her lamb cakes covered with coconut -- I decided that I would surprise her and finally try the Rich's Coconut Cake recipe that I had clipped from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Atlanta Journal Constitution</span> a few years ago.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />I had heard a number of people mention how fond they were of this cake when Rich's still had a bakery and I guess it is a big deal that <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/content/living/food/stories/2007/04/06/0408cake.html">they finally got hold of the recipe.</a> Never mind that it is 800 CALORIES A SERVING! Or that it has vegetable shortening in both the cake and the frosting. Mmm, mmm good.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />I actually made this cake twice because</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">a) I had never made a coconut cake from scratch before, and </span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">b) I have never used a 3D cake pan before</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Good thing I did! The first one didn't rise like it should have and didn't fill out the entire mold. It flopped. On its side. Poor thing couldn't stand on its own. <span style="font-style: italic;">And you know what?! No wonder. I just found <a href="http://projects.eveningedge.com/recipes/richs-bakeshop-coconut-cake/">this edited version of the cake</a> when looking for a good link for the recipe to put in this post - apparently they swapped the flour and sugar amounts by mistake in the version I had. I guess that is why the cake was more cakey than I thought it should be. Still good though! Guess third time will be a charm.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">::Thanks to Mr. BITH for helping frost and coconut goo the cake. Oh, and skewering it back together again after the head fell off on the way up!!::</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>This is Nancy finally seeing the cake. It seemed like people enjoyed it, but they were even more enthralled with the edible Easter grass surrounding the cake. Go figure :)<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfCLACkELGI/AAAAAAAAApw/arIwUJjRWoA/s1600-h/NancyGetsLamb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SfCLACkELGI/AAAAAAAAApw/arIwUJjRWoA/s400/NancyGetsLamb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327911191983696994" border="0" /></a>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-70090406225075405882009-04-15T00:18:00.002-04:002009-04-15T00:24:21.871-04:00Bwahaahaaahaa!<center><table style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/wife.jpg" height="72" width="72" /></td><td><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">13</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">As a 1930s wife, I am<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Very Poor (Failure)</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/">Take the test!</a></small></p></td></tr></tbody></table></center><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">See the original scanned test </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiabla/2491839696/in/set-72157605047200616/">here</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SeVhLA1v21I/AAAAAAAAApg/qxzgKsEcx5A/s1600-h/MaritalTest.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SeVhLA1v21I/AAAAAAAAApg/qxzgKsEcx5A/s400/MaritalTest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324768976267369298" border="0" /></a>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-77745629539806729562009-04-12T23:30:00.002-04:002009-04-15T00:04:01.652-04:00::Happy Easter::<span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SeVcES20FcI/AAAAAAAAApY/kZDrLWKFcAk/s1600-h/HappyEaster.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SeVcES20FcI/AAAAAAAAApY/kZDrLWKFcAk/s400/HappyEaster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324763363286455746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Hope that you had an abundance of love, chocolate and jelly beans! Ours was made complete with a creepy bunny that sings from Cracker Barrel.<br /><br />A very blessed day, indeed.<br /><br /><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-77762778084906354342009-04-08T18:52:00.005-04:002009-04-08T19:04:11.963-04:00Chicken and Dumplings<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I grew up in Florida, so dumplings weren't the staple there that they seem to be here in 'Joeja'.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">When I saw this recipe in the latest BH&G, I decided that I would have to give it a try and make it from scratch -- especially since the chef is local {Scott Peacock from Watershed in Decatur}.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />. . . even if I did have to YouTube how to quarter a chicken properly. No pictures of that mess after my attempt, thank goodness. That caption would have to read, "How to mangle a carcass," or "Which cut of meat do you think this is?"<br /><br />Truly magically delicious!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here's my picture:</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Sd0r_kKi0PI/AAAAAAAAApQ/hnkfPZxBLRg/s1600-h/chickenanddumplings.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Sd0r_kKi0PI/AAAAAAAAApQ/hnkfPZxBLRg/s400/chickenanddumplings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322458705661448434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Here's the fancy food stylist's version (her name is Jill LUST - what a great name for a stylist!):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Sd0r_sPOloI/AAAAAAAAApI/xMXFC1Q-Tqo/s1600-h/chickendumplings.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Sd0r_sPOloI/AAAAAAAAApI/xMXFC1Q-Tqo/s400/chickendumplings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322458707828577922" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div id="rcheader" class="greybottom" style="font-family:georgia;"> <h1><span style="font-size:130%;">Classic Chicken and Dumplings</span></h1> </div> <div class="recipeInfo" style="font-family:georgia;"> <div id="times" class="greybottom"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="type"> Prep: <span class="time">50 minutes <br /></span> </span><span class="type"> Chill: <span class="time">2 hours <br /></span> </span><span class="type"> Cook: <span class="time">65 minutes </span></span><br /></span> </div> </div><div id="ingredients" style="font-family:georgia;"> <h4><span style="font-size:130%;">Ingredients</span></h4> <ul><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1</strong> egg </span></li><li class="bg2"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>3</strong> Tbsp. cold water </span></li><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2</strong> Tbsp. peanut oil </span></li><li class="bg2"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1/2</strong> tsp. kosher salt </span></li><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1</strong> cup all-purpose flour </span></li><li class="bg2"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1</strong> 4-to 4-1/2-lb. broiler-fryer chicken, quartered </span></li><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1</strong> tsp. kosher salt </span></li><li class="bg2"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>5</strong> cups chicken <a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipes/glossaryDisplay.jsp?item=/templatedata/bhg/recipeGlossary/data/1169655368864.xml">stock</a> or broth </span></li><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2</strong> cups water </span></li><li class="bg2"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2</strong> stalks celery </span></li><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1</strong> medium onion, peeled and sliced in half </span></li><li class="bg2"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>3</strong> hard-cooked eggs, sliced </span></li><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>2</strong> Tbsp. cold butter, cut in 1/4-inch cubes </span></li><li class="bg2"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1/4</strong> cup whipping cream </span></li><li class="bg1"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong> Ground black pepper </span></li></ul> </div> <div id="instructions" style="font-family:georgia;"> <h4><span style="font-size:130%;">Directions</span></h4> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>1.</b> For dumplings, in medium bowl whisk together egg, cold water, oil, and the 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in flour. Mix until well-blended and elastic. Cover. Refrigerate 2 hours. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>2.</b> Season chicken, including back and neck, with the 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside. In 6-quart Dutch oven combine chicken <span class="nlk">stock</span>, water, celery, onion, and pinch of kosher salt. Bring to a boil. Add chicken pieces, placing leg quarters and backbone first. Place breast, skin side down, on top. Reduce heat to just below simmer. Cover, leaving half-inch opening. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>3.</b> Cook 30 to 45 minutes or until breasts are just done; remove. Continue cooking leg quarters 30 to 40 minutes until tender; remove chicken and vegetables. Set broth in pot aside. Discard vegetables. Set chicken aside. Cool. Remove skin. Pull meat from bones, tearing into large pieces. Set aside. Discard bones. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>4.</b> For dumplings, turn dough onto well-floured surface. Roll very thin, about 1/16 inch; cut in 1 1/2- by 2 1/2-inch pieces. Return broth to boiling. Season well with additional kosher salt. Add dumplings to broth, shaking pot occasionally. Do not stir. Cook 3 to 5 minutes. Add reserved chicken. Reduce to simmer. Add butter, cream, and few grindings of black pepper. Gently lay hard-cooked eggs on top of other ingredients. Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 10 minutes. Serves 8. </span></p> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-55573953409044695882009-04-08T17:55:00.003-04:002009-04-08T17:59:48.950-04:00Yesterday we had snow flurries<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Today was shiny, breezy and a beautiful green.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Finally! Some fruits of my bulb planting frenzy!</span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Sd0d0Bzdk6I/AAAAAAAAApA/jsAf3-1F_7s/s1600-h/springsprang.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Sd0d0Bzdk6I/AAAAAAAAApA/jsAf3-1F_7s/s400/springsprang.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322443114296480674" border="0" /></a>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-44659382361637158582009-03-31T16:48:00.005-04:002009-03-31T16:58:59.657-04:00You're #1, can't be #2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SdKB6r1NG9I/AAAAAAAAAow/G3ab6pMeRSg/s1600-h/AndyCrazyBunny.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SdKB6r1NG9I/AAAAAAAAAow/G3ab6pMeRSg/s400/AndyCrazyBunny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319456955076254674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >We're wishing a great * big * ol' happy birthday to you!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >♥ Lots of love ♥</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >The BITH's and petite monstre</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >P.S. The abominable snowman is looking for you . . . George</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SdKD0FjB8tI/AAAAAAAAAo4/vRLgVIrkeU0/s1600-h/2_Snowbunny.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SdKD0FjB8tI/AAAAAAAAAo4/vRLgVIrkeU0/s320/2_Snowbunny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319459040743518930" border="0" /></a>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-74423476873624396172009-03-26T15:37:00.006-04:002009-03-26T16:13:14.874-04:00Happy birthday, Katie and Petit Monstre!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/ScvhCyMLpSI/AAAAAAAAAoo/dijrgdC71O8/s1600-h/AngelDevil.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/ScvhCyMLpSI/AAAAAAAAAoo/dijrgdC71O8/s400/AngelDevil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317591222989858082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Katie - Enjoy your birthday -- brunch was a great start :) Have a very safe and happy trip to China. Don't forget to Flip some videos onto your blog!<br /><br />Petite Monstre - Happy 7th Birthday! Can't wait to see what your mid-life crisis phase is like . . . smooches little one.<br /></span></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-81667473238816834362009-03-23T22:34:00.008-04:002009-03-26T00:30:37.464-04:00'The New Furniture'<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">" . . . its joints neither come unglued or creak when a stout yokel sits upon it."<br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;">- House Beautiful, 1902</span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Early Saturday morning Mr. BITH and I headed over to Lilburn, GA for the Stickley lecture. We had about 20 minutes or so to mosey around and drool over furniture and meet the owner of Patterson as well as a Stickley rep and Stickley Corporate Historian, Mike Daniel, who would be giving the presentation.<br /><br />While we nibbled on fruit, muffins and coffee we registered for the Stickley table giveaway and joked with another couple about stuffing the box (we didn't stuff or win, btw -- they did, win, not stuff, I mean. Drat.). Given that it was 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning, I was surprised to see as many people as there were there. One guy brought his little kid decked out in soccer gear. It was clear to me that going to a furniture store was the last place this kid wanted to be before his big game. He was a sport though and was pretty attentive throughout the hour or so long presentation.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />It helped that Mike, the Corporate Historian, was fluid, funny and engaging - an overall wonderful presenter. He started with company history then moved on to try and define what makes arts and crafts, arts and crafts design. Then he talked about what goes into making the furniture, discoveries of old Stickley in good, bad and ugly conditions and how to care for furniture in general.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Mr. BITH and I walked away REALLY wanting a Stickley piece, which means of course that Mike was incredibly successful in building up consumer lust in his audience. </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">After hearing about the craftsmanship and understanding more of the history, we had to agree when he said, "Not everyone can afford a Stickley piece, but that doesn't mean that it is overpriced"<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;">I thought that I would try and share key learnings and things that made us laugh for those of you that thought about going, but didn't/couldn't - or for those that don't live anywhere near Mike's roadshow locations.<br /></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" ><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">QUEEN VICTORIA BITES THE DUST IN 1901<br /><br /></span></span> <a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/ScWqOtuTNKI/AAAAAAAAAno/3-wyvGYD5ss/s1600-h/queen-victoria-death.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/ScWqOtuTNKI/AAAAAAAAAno/3-wyvGYD5ss/s400/queen-victoria-death.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315842104949421218" border="0" /></a></span> <div style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Queen Victoria mourning card found on ancestorsatrest.com</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />Mike shared a photo of a woman sitting in a large, ornate Victorian reclining chair that had huge carved lions for armrests. One man in the audience asked, "does it roar when you push the (recliner) button?"<br /><br />Mike's point in showing the photo was to illustrate that Queen Victoria's death was also the death of ostentatious Victorian design and the emerging simplicity of the arts and crafts lifestyle. Think how modern 'the new furniture', as Gustav Stickley called it, must have appeared to people then! It isn't surprising that the bungalow's construction and minimalistic attitude was the precursor of today's modern ranch.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">STUFF ON STICKLEY</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Gustav strongly believed in the integrity of his products -- so much so, that he published </span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">The Craftsman</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">an illustrated monthly magazine in the interest of better art, better work, and a better more reasonable way of living.</span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Gustav educates the readers on various topics including the cost of his furniture construction. By actually putting his furniture plans in the magazine, he invites the reader to build the pieces themselves and see just how much care and labor goes into creating a Stickley piece.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Mike - remember, the guy delivering the presentation at Patterson Furniture? -- shared a link to an archive of all of </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >The Craftsman</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> issues. Such a treasure trove!</span><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scrm0pC8QtI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ZPfvlaABnqU/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scrm0pC8QtI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ZPfvlaABnqU/s400/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317316102110069458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><a href="http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/DLDecArts/DLDecArts-idx?type=browse&scope=DLDECARTS.HOMEDESIGN">Check them out</a>, but don't get so lost in them that you don't come back to me . . .<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I'll wait . . .</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">. . .</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">For those of you still with me, maybe I better try to hurry up and finish this post, eh?</span></span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />There were five Stickley brothers and each had their own furniture business. Sometimes they worked with each other, sometimes they didn't - but never all at once. Stickley merged after WW1 to survive. Leopold Stickley mainly carried the merged Stickley company after the war and did so by changing the furniture line to the Colonial Revival style</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">In 1956, Leopold received a silver award plate from a plethora of magazines honoring him for his contribution to the American lifestyle. He died in 1957 and his wife took over. E.J. Audi helps her design new pieces, but then dies in 1966</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Alfred, E.J.'s son, buys the dying company from Mrs. Stickley in 1974. Strangely enough, he was at the award dinner for Leopold Stickley at the age of 18.</span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > Mrs. Stickley warns Alfred not to "hire a bunch of long haired freaks because they are worthless". Mike Daniel (now Corporate Historian) is hired.</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />The long haired freaks must have figured things out with the help of old time employees and discover unfilled orders in a safe from 1968. They call places like Rich's in Atlanta to see if they still want their orders filled. Amazingly, they do . . . but now Little House on the Prairie/The Waltons are in and people want the craftsman style again . . .</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > This is where long-haired freak, Mike Daniel, saves the day with the story of Earl in the boiler room.<br /><br />Apparently, Mike discovered Earl burning old stuff in the boiler room just to get rid of it. Turns out the boxes were full of old furniture designs and Mike doesn't know what to do with them, but starts playing the game of "keeping things from Earl" and stashes them in the attic. These designs start to come in handy when they try to fill old orders and new ones coming in for the trademark Stickley look. Mike also starts travelling looking for old Stickley pieces so that they can figure out how to recreate them. This is how Mike becomes the "Corporate Historian".<br /><br />As he discovers old Stickley furniture, he starts to see how differently the Stickley brothers assembled their pieces and what worked and what didn't. This is why they don't call their furniture reproductions, but rather reissuing because the furniture is a blend of the best of Stickley brother's craftsmanship. For example, Leopold came up with these techniques:<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/ScrwvICF2hI/AAAAAAAAAoA/kc__nbyUTO0/s1600-h/StickleyTech.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/ScrwvICF2hI/AAAAAAAAAoA/kc__nbyUTO0/s400/StickleyTech.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317327002465065490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Illustrations from the Stickley catalogue</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Mike said that he takes care of the museum pieces by spraying them with a fine mist of water and immediately wiping with a soft cloth. He only uses polish once or twice a year and says that polishes can actually strip the finish off of wood - especially when you switch to different kinds of polishes. Crazy, huh? You can read more about care <a href="http://www.stickley.com/OP_CareGuide.cfm">here</a>.<br /><br />Also, if you run across any dark/near black finished Stickley pieces, don't try and clean or refinish them. This effect was caused by fuming the piece with ammonia and you can't replicate the effect once the tannins are depleted. Just saying. In case you ever even THOUGHT about refinishing a Stickly, lol.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST</span></span><br /><br />The coolest thing I learned about Stickley at the lecture you ask? They WANT and ENCOURAGE you to write your story on the bottom of Stickley drawers and tables. Gustav used to take notes and try different stains on the bottom of his furniture. Stickley recognizes that this furniture is owned by humans and humans have stories and pass their Stickley furniture down in their family.<br /><br />Mike tells a great story about desperately wanting a Stickley rocking chair he spotted at a sale. The family decided not to sell it for the sole reason that on the bottom of the chair was an inscription from one family member to his wife on their anniversary. Mike also told a story of a Stickley table located at a bed and breakfast that has signatures from notable guests on the bottom of it. Wonder what that will go for at auction?!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >SPEAKING OF AUCTIONS</span><br /><br />Turns out that "long haired freak" Mike used to play bluegrass at the same clubs these two did.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scr6BpdJZOI/AAAAAAAAAoY/hb-TWTj0lwU/s1600-h/L_L_Keno.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scr6BpdJZOI/AAAAAAAAAoY/hb-TWTj0lwU/s400/L_L_Keno.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317337216279209186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Recognize them? Mike is behind the scenes at a lot of Antique Roadshows and says that the Keno brothers just laugh at how they have all cleaned up since first knowing one another. No more long hair, you see ;)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">INLAY WORK THAT WILL MAKE YOU CRY</span></span><br /><br />I will leave you with these beauties since they are lodged in my heart for a splurge some day. I seem most attracted to Harvey Ellis' work. Astonishingly enough, Harvey only worked at Stickley for 7 months before passing away.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scr0mflvzuI/AAAAAAAAAoI/7gJZfsV1tKk/s1600-h/HarveyBookcase.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scr0mflvzuI/AAAAAAAAAoI/7gJZfsV1tKk/s400/HarveyBookcase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317331252216319714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />*tear*<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scr9MpWbtiI/AAAAAAAAAog/aqyCKTwdMmQ/s1600-h/stick11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/Scr9MpWbtiI/AAAAAAAAAog/aqyCKTwdMmQ/s400/stick11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317340703764493858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />We sat underneath a H.E. mirror at the lecture with little inlaid ships. Amazing, but can't find any closeup pictures of it anywhere. Oh, dear. Guess that means I will have to go visit it again. Maybe bring it home? What say you?<br /><br /></span></span></span></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-53660287664733671072009-03-19T18:00:00.001-04:002009-03-19T18:00:00.413-04:00Local Stickley lecture and chance to win a piece!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is a local opportunity for Georgians to learn more about Stickley's history and how to identify a real piece. Plus, who wouldn't want to win a free Stickley table!</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:180%;color:#b1e001;" > <p align="center"><img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.1" alt="Patterson Furniture Logo" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102452079378/img/1.jpg?a=1102509458423" border="0" /> <img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.5" alt="Stickley Logo" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102452079378/img/5.gif?a=1102509458423" border="0" /></p></span> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" cols="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color: rgb(8, 54, 67); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" align="middle" width="100%"><span style="color: rgb(8, 54, 67); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#083643;" > <div style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:180%;color:#b1e001;" ><b><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#990000;">STICKLEY ROADSHOW with corporate historian Mike Danial</span> </span></b></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:180%;color:#b1e001;" ><span style="color:#990000;">at both Roswell and Lilburn showrooms</span></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:180%;color:#b1e001;" ><b><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">DATE:</span></b><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="color:#000000;">Friday March 20th, 7:15 pm </span> <b><span style="color:#990000;">LOCATION:</span></b> <span style="color:#000000;">Roswell Store RSVP 770-640-6900</span></span></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:180%;color:#b1e001;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">DATE:</span></strong> <span style="color:#000000;">Saturday March 21st, 10:15 am</span> <strong><span style="color:#990000;">LOCATION:</span></strong> <span style="color:#000000;">Lilburn Store RSVP 770-972-6320 </span></span></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(177, 224, 1); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:180%;color:#b1e001;" ><span style="font-size:100%;color:#990000;">Refreshments will be served.</span></span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <table style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td style="padding: 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="center" width="100%"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" cols="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td> <p align="center"><img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.7" alt="Stickley RoadShow" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102452079378/img/7.jpg?a=1102509458423" border="0" /></p> <div align="center"> <span style="font-size:130%;">2009 limited edition Poppy Table to be given away at each event.</span></div> <p align="center"><img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.9" alt="poppy table" src="http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs069/1102452079378/img/9.jpg?a=1102509458423" border="0" /></p> <div> </div></td></tr></tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(184, 236, 215);" rowspan="1" colspan="1" bg width="100%"> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" cols="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="color: rgb(8, 54, 67); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" align="middle"><span style="color: rgb(8, 54, 67); font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;font-family:Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#083643;" > <div align="left"><b>Patterson Furniture Company</b></div> <div align="left">4750 Hwy 78</div> <div align="left">Lilburn, Georgia 30044</div></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-19644378015859214702009-03-02T22:53:00.005-05:002009-03-02T23:17:09.348-05:00Dig it<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Been into the sound and look of this video since my friend, Guille, showed it to us during the trip out to Tucson a few weeks ago (before the Chevy premier during the Grammy's)</span></span>.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2_HXUhShhmY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2_HXUhShhmY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Clever and lovely. <br /><br />It has had almost 4 million hits on YouTube. Oren Lavie is an Israeli playwright who currently lives in Berlin.<br /></span></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-28123132430353072262009-03-01T16:38:00.007-05:002009-03-01T16:55:00.027-05:00Snow in the Hollow<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">It was 67 degrees yesterday.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Today?</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SasBLQ3VtKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/BWrh0H0hv8k/s1600-h/SnowyBungalow.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SasBLQ3VtKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/BWrh0H0hv8k/s320/SnowyBungalow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308337878803526818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SasBTKd8UhI/AAAAAAAAAnA/vPIe8maGsug/s1600-h/MeandD2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SasBTKd8UhI/AAAAAAAAAnA/vPIe8maGsug/s320/MeandD2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308338014525346322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Geese were swimming in the rain accumulation in the actual Hollow. Maybe a layover from flying in the snow?</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SasCqYn6w4I/AAAAAAAAAnI/n6IFp-7I51A/s1600-h/GeeseHollow.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SasCqYn6w4I/AAAAAAAAAnI/n6IFp-7I51A/s320/GeeseHollow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308339512973902722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">So much fun seeing all of the kids in yards making snowmen and snow angels.<br /><br />The ice tomorrow may not be as much fun.<br /><br />For now, I will enjoy my hot cocoa and watching the flakes make their silent, swirling way down to the ground.<br /><br />Stay warm everyone!</span><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-35822993486812201302009-02-24T16:41:00.024-05:002009-02-24T23:09:15.440-05:00Bungalow furniture explosion<span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >We received the L.L. Bean Home catalog today and as I leafed through it, I started spotting mission style furniture </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >on page 28</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >. It got me thinking: </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >doesn't it seem like bungalow furniture is everywhere right now? <br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />Just like you other bungalow owners, I have way too many bookmarks to specialty craftsman websites and stores. They are pretty pricey, but I scheme and dream . . . just like you. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Realistically, although we love the craftsman look and may gift our home with a few craftsman pieces such as a nice arts and crafts chandelier or bookshelves, by no means are we looking to fill our home with it. We like variety. We like what we like and somehow we have to get our stuff to play nice with one another.<br /><br />Still, I've added a few more bookmarks and thought I would share ;) </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >It is nice to know some big box stores are getting in on the style since we can't all afford Stickley!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">:::</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />L.L. Bean calls it their <a href="http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=mission-collection&categoryId=504183&cat4=504182&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&nav=va">Mission Furniture American Hardwoods collection</a>. Bonus: made in the USA with sustainably harvested American-grown Ash.<br /><br />These are the pieces that caught my eye. A corner desk, because in bungalows we want to utilize all the space we can get:<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaR6BKOCRLI/AAAAAAAAAlI/UgZXgm1EInw/s1600-h/llbeanmissiondesk.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaR6BKOCRLI/AAAAAAAAAlI/UgZXgm1EInw/s320/llbeanmissiondesk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306500421290968242" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>The desk is $299 and the chair is $329. Nice lines. This fireside bench serves as both seating and an abbreviated coffee table. Simple and pleasing to the eye. It is only $169<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" > <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaR6AhX-7YI/AAAAAAAAAlA/YdJfN9gAtu0/s1600-h/MissionFiresideBenchLLBEAn.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaR6AhX-7YI/AAAAAAAAAlA/YdJfN9gAtu0/s320/MissionFiresideBenchLLBEAn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306500410326838658" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />Then, a stunning Morris style reclining chair and ottoman, $499 and $299. Just look at that beautiful wedge shape in the arm and echoed in the base of the seat:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaR70ogxHZI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/1J38li0nbZU/s1600-h/MorrisChairOttoLLBeanLeather.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaR70ogxHZI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/1J38li0nbZU/s320/MorrisChairOttoLLBeanLeather.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306502405107555730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This little beauty looks like you spent some cash on it, but you only part with $139: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSHhvLJeMI/AAAAAAAAAlY/8wqORaN1d0s/s1600-h/llbeanbungalowroselamp.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSHhvLJeMI/AAAAAAAAAlY/8wqORaN1d0s/s320/llbeanbungalowroselamp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306515274617944258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last, but not least, bungalow outdoor lighting. I especially like the ceiling lamp. Can't find it on the website though just in the catalog . . . am I missing it?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSKRtMM_tI/AAAAAAAAAlg/K8Mskc4MyfU/s1600-h/llbeanoutdoor.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSKRtMM_tI/AAAAAAAAAlg/K8Mskc4MyfU/s320/llbeanoutdoor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306518297742474962" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Crate and Barrel has <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/search.aspx?query=oak%20park">Oak Park</a> a la modern Prairie style. Also, the <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/search.aspx?query=bungalow">Bungalow line</a>. What about the <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/search.aspx?query=windham">Windham line</a> for those of us who haven't decided whether we have a bajillion hours of spare time to strip the white paint off of the trim?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSvp_uiMRI/AAAAAAAAAlo/BqZRvACgCtw/s1600-h/whiteartsandcraft.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSvp_uiMRI/AAAAAAAAAlo/BqZRvACgCtw/s320/whiteartsandcraft.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306559396965396754" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />Check out Room and Board's <a href="http://search.roomandboard.com/exec/?search=mackintosh">Mackintosh</a> and <a href="http://search.roomandboard.com/exec/?search=prairie">Prairie</a> style on their site.<br /><br />Home Depot jumped on the bandwagon through their Home Decorators site. They have a plethora of Craftsman-style furniture. <a href="http://www.homedecorators.com/search.php?search=craftsman&x=0&y=0">318 hits</a>, in fact.<br /><br />We really want a bench under our living room window to store some shoes and things we quickly need to stow away so that we at least appear to be neat people.<br /><br />They call it the Craftsman Gossip Bench. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >With leather it ranges from $429-$529</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaS-rubKwbI/AAAAAAAAAmI/iMmAyjbYrJ4/s1600-h/CraftsmanTelephoneBench.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 147px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaS-rubKwbI/AAAAAAAAAmI/iMmAyjbYrJ4/s320/CraftsmanTelephoneBench.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306575919354921394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This one is $299<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaTBIFxdMvI/AAAAAAAAAmo/BhwEo3ix-BY/s1600-h/shoebench.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaTBIFxdMvI/AAAAAAAAAmo/BhwEo3ix-BY/s320/shoebench.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306578605682012914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >$319 with tilt out storage<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaTCc6umlRI/AAAAAAAAAmw/VD3arEHlt7I/s1600-h/tiltout.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 173px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaTCc6umlRI/AAAAAAAAAmw/VD3arEHlt7I/s320/tiltout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306580063006135570" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />I think there are ~5 more options . . . my brain might explode.<br /><br />Even <a href="http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/SearchDepartment.aspx?SearchString=mission+style&JSEnabled=&mscssid=&cmResetCat=true&hdnOnGo=false">JC Penney</a> has gotten in on the "mission". </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >Can't beat this for $199 on clearance!<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSzjMwhjrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/TfbYQoz-nbo/s1600-h/JCPenneyMissionChair.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaSzjMwhjrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/TfbYQoz-nbo/s320/JCPenneyMissionChair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306563678250831538" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />So has <a href="http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&search_query=mission+style&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find">Walmart</a>. Go ahead. Put that Tot Mission set in the playroom. Go crazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaS3lDRc4_I/AAAAAAAAAl4/vljls8Yqq1E/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 305px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SaS3lDRc4_I/AAAAAAAAAl4/vljls8Yqq1E/s320/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306568108110832626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now, to find a hall tree. Ha!<br /><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-57451141930786794302009-01-25T14:12:00.004-05:002009-01-25T19:59:45.509-05:00Want some "cheeken"?<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Which came first, the chickens or the coop?<br /><br />The cheekens, natch!<br /><br />My friend, Robert, was hurriedly building a coop this weekend since he became the proud owner of 4 rescued chickens.<br /><br />I don't *think* I have ever scratched a chicken's ear lobe (did you know they have lobes?) or even petted a cheeken before. {Very soft}<br /><br />Here are they are in all of their glory!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SX0KXB13E1I/AAAAAAAAAko/a2fkll-NRyE/s1600-h/2chickens.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SX0KXB13E1I/AAAAAAAAAko/a2fkll-NRyE/s320/2chickens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295400127605183314" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SX0KXTrEwfI/AAAAAAAAAk4/ZvKLuVgrzmE/s1600-h/chickenFence.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SX0KXTrEwfI/AAAAAAAAAk4/ZvKLuVgrzmE/s320/chickenFence.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295400132391780850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SX0KXXTzsSI/AAAAAAAAAkw/gLy0W4SAp5s/s1600-h/ChickenShirt.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SX0KXXTzsSI/AAAAAAAAAkw/gLy0W4SAp5s/s320/ChickenShirt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295400133367935266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Guess what? I am on the egg list :)<br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-52913782102338962102009-01-21T09:13:00.007-05:002009-01-21T09:47:30.240-05:00Gather 'round! It's story time<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is seriously one of the cutest kids I have ever seen. </span><br /><br /><object height="302" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2113477&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2113477&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="302" width="400"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/">Once upon a time...</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user115775">Capucha</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">A little Amelie who paints the world with her words and smiles :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Mr. BITH sat through a few videos after hearing me laughing like crazy from the next room. His only comment was, </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">"My gosh. You'd kidnap her if you could"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I just smiled.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Apparently, this video has gotten the most attention, but I really like Capucine Meets Alex, Yuuuuuuuuum, Too much candy, My name's Ingalls, Carrie Ingalls and Elementary my dear Watson. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">*hell* watch them all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">She's too, too adorable.<br /><br />Make sure you check out her <a href="http://skreened.com/capucine">t-shirts</a> and other items on various websites. All proceeds go to Edurelief.<br /><br />Oh, and if you think my fascination makes me look like I am off my rocker, Google this child. Here's just <a href="http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/scanner/archive/2008/12/12/capucine-the-girl-who-made-our-ovaries-explode.aspx">one small sample</a> . . .<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">My favorite line from Capucine's letter to Santa: </span></span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><i>If I hug you, your beard will not sting, it will only tickle.</i></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">My favorite line from the author:</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >We take back everything bad we ever said about babies. As long as they look, talk, and think like this one</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /></span></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-24932822073160498002009-01-20T19:47:00.006-05:002009-01-20T23:53:25.162-05:00Good luck, Mr. President<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZw7DxrUkI/AAAAAAAAAkA/l0Gt7fQHafg/s1600-h/Barackasbaby"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZw7DxrUkI/AAAAAAAAAkA/l0Gt7fQHafg/s1600-h/Barackasbaby"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZw7DxrUkI/AAAAAAAAAkA/l0Gt7fQHafg/s320/Barackasbaby" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293542571948855874" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZw7DxrUkI/AAAAAAAAAkA/l0Gt7fQHafg/s1600-h/Barackasbaby"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">May you be wise enough, smart enough, humble enough and </span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >tough enough to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">guide us safely through the rough seas ahead . . .<br /><br />That is <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> hope.</span><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-31942079256780225352009-01-20T17:39:00.008-05:002009-01-20T23:36:41.301-05:00What's behind wall number one?<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Finally made it to go see Slumdog Millionaire and came home to find an object like this on our front porch:<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZVtE9kl0I/AAAAAAAAAjw/AF8emb0Bwvs/s1600-h/universalTelescopicKey.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZVtE9kl0I/AAAAAAAAAjw/AF8emb0Bwvs/s320/universalTelescopicKey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293512644935063362" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />accompanied by a note and business card. The gist of the letter was that some contractors were working on the house next door and heard water running next door (that would be our house). They came to investigate and saw water pouring out of the basement door.<br /><br />After realizing no one was home, this very nice man used that thingamabob pictured above (also known as a water valve key) to turn off the water to our house to stop the river running out the door. The contractor and his twin brother then came over and helped us identify the pipe running to the area where the leak was very obviously occurring.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Discovery #1:</span><br /><br />The previous owner decided putting in valves that would allow you to turn off water to only parts of the house wasn't necessary. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >The contractors sadly told us we would have to tear out drywall to get to the problem area.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >They helped us move extra drywall away from the wall, told us what we would have to do and then headed out. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >{{Thank you wonder twins! They didn't have to help us, but they did.}}</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Note: Previous owner of house will henceforth be referred to as Dumbass. This isn't an arbitrary pejorative and grounds for using aforementioned "Dumbass" reference will become more clear and justified after Discovery #2 and Discovery #3. </span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Discovery #2:</span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >I realize construction workers have this inclination to put empty beer cans, Styrofoam containers and various other sundry behind walls and below floors of buildings they, well, build. I don't get it, but they do.<br /><br />But why would you do this in your own home? I repeat, why?<br /><br />The following picture is what we found behind wall number 1.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZVtbdGO9I/AAAAAAAAAj4/X9O_7R6dFiw/s1600-h/BasementCorner.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SXZVtbdGO9I/AAAAAAAAAj4/X9O_7R6dFiw/s320/BasementCorner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293512650972871634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >In case the jumble is too much for your brain to process, those are umpteen empty buckets of mudding compound, pieces of drywall and old pieces of wood stacked neck high.<br /><br />These were all - of course - soaking wet at this point. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Remember the pipe?</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >We hauled this stuff out the door to get to the pipe. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >{Did I mention I am snotty sick?}</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Dumbass.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Discovery #3:</span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />After moving all of the junk aside, we found the crack in the pipe (a frozen chunk sluiced out when Mr. BITH disconnected it). This pipe was leading to a spigot on the outside. Guess what? No insulation on pipe. None. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch.<br /><br />Dumbass.<br /><br />Mr. BITH headed to Lowe's, got some materials and came home to fix the pipe. My hero :)<br /><br />Lesson learned? We are pretty much resigned to the fact that </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >DIY </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Dumbass = do over of drywall, electric and HVAC in the basement.<br /><br />Can't wait to find what else DIY Dumbass decided to put behind the walls instead of renting a dumpster. Wait, DIY Dumbass is also a Cheapass?!<br /><br />I guess that is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Discovery #4.<br /><br /></span>P.S. Guess what Mr. BITH found in the basement the next day while cleaning up? Insulation for pvc piping. Not anywhere on the pipes of course. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dumbass.</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-67313512667360613192009-01-09T22:39:00.003-05:002009-01-09T23:13:21.457-05:00It was such fun<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">{click on image to see in more detail}</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY7NhTxfI/AAAAAAAAAjg/OXJu8Pf75mY/s1600-h/Outside.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY7NhTxfI/AAAAAAAAAjg/OXJu8Pf75mY/s400/Outside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289505167867364850" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY68o1-HI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Xi7aUo7H90A/s1600-h/Tree.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY68o1-HI/AAAAAAAAAjY/Xi7aUo7H90A/s400/Tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289505163335563378" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY5Df0iHI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/dsavXx6iuKM/s1600-h/EntireMantel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY5Df0iHI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/dsavXx6iuKM/s400/EntireMantel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289505130817030258" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY5JxgbRI/AAAAAAAAAjI/uA_s6NyQjyw/s1600-h/mantel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgY5JxgbRI/AAAAAAAAAjI/uA_s6NyQjyw/s400/mantel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289505132501822738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">to decorate our home for Christmas . . .</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">*sigh*<br /><br />The little elf guy was a Christmas gift last year from our good friend, Robert. This year Lorraine painted little gourd spinners and gave them to us as a gift. They completely fit in!<br /><br />Our sweetheart neighbors gifted us this musical Fitz and Floyd Santa's Toyland:<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgf6GkhnxI/AAAAAAAAAjo/C_hJ8YIpswY/s1600-h/fitz.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 301px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SWgf6GkhnxI/AAAAAAAAAjo/C_hJ8YIpswY/s400/fitz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289512845403332370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-19408017514785636142009-01-02T08:07:00.004-05:002009-01-02T13:25:01.445-05:00Green Goddess redux<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Remember <a href="http://bungalowinthehollow.blogspot.com/2008/08/two-things-that-made-me-happy-today.html">this post</a>?</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Well, now you can experience the goodness of Green Goddess and stay regular.<br /><br />Who knew . . . ?<br /><br />{click on the image to actually be able to read it}</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2MJDi_u1I/AAAAAAAAAb0/IVq6nMNsFto/s1600-h/greengoddessredux.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 638px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2MJDi_u1I/AAAAAAAAAb0/IVq6nMNsFto/s400/greengoddessredux.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286535624801631058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />And if that is just too much trouble to throw together, you can always depend on Phil Hartman's favorite cereal (although I think this appeared in Mad Magazine first).<br /><br /></span> <a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2JhBaR7iI/AAAAAAAAAbc/ys_Gx76Dg8k/s1600-h/colonblow.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 227px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2JhBaR7iI/AAAAAAAAAbc/ys_Gx76Dg8k/s400/colonblow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286532738010181154" border="0" /></a> </span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-75354495434445908552009-01-01T23:04:00.005-05:002009-01-02T13:31:25.256-05:00Mr. BITH's January 1st<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2SX3PjOwI/AAAAAAAAAcM/_u1pq3-Acko/s1600-h/katamari_damacy___son.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2SX3PjOwI/AAAAAAAAAcM/_u1pq3-Acko/s320/katamari_damacy___son.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286542476266650370" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br />It came out in 2003. It somehow made its way into our home in 2008. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><u><br /><br />Andy</u>.</span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mr. BITH bows before <a href="http://ps2.ign.com/articles/548/548201p1.html">Katamari Damacy</a>.</span><br /><br />A new addiction is born. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><u><br /><br />Andy</u>.</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">:::<br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />He'll be back to his normal self any day now . . .<br /><br />I just know it.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><u>Andy</u>.</span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><underline></underline></span><br />:-)~<br /><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-45262494758441111992009-01-01T21:59:00.006-05:002009-01-01T22:46:08.827-05:00Day one of 2009<span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >Big ass baklava at the <a href="http://www.mariettadiner.net/">Marietta Diner </a> and skipping stones on Lake Allatoona at <a href="http://www.gastateparks.org/info/redtop/">Red Top Mountain</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2NXFIzWZI/AAAAAAAAAb8/lJUvyhzgAFQ/s1600-h/BaklavaDiner.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2NXFIzWZI/AAAAAAAAAb8/lJUvyhzgAFQ/s320/BaklavaDiner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286536965258434962" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">(creamer is in there for scale)</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2NXI6BGoI/AAAAAAAAAcE/gaLfX-9ZYEo/s1600-h/LakeAllatoonaJan1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2NXI6BGoI/AAAAAAAAAcE/gaLfX-9ZYEo/s320/LakeAllatoonaJan1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286536966270163586" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /> </span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">:::<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" >Oh, my! How could I forget . . . the leftover, crock-potted split pea soup made from the Christmas ham.<br /><br />A happy and content January 1.<br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-78509564207139807652009-01-01T02:28:00.001-05:002009-01-01T21:59:16.328-05:00Pickled herring and party hats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2C6U2TJkI/AAAAAAAAAbU/RRhGZylbFpA/s1600-h/NYE1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV2C6U2TJkI/AAAAAAAAAbU/RRhGZylbFpA/s400/NYE1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286525476143310402" border="0" /></a>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-83388934435249540312008-12-30T18:04:00.038-05:002009-01-02T19:26:28.086-05:00It's oh, so quiet<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > </span><blockquote style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 102); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><blockquote>It's oh, so still.</blockquote></span> </blockquote><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >The last of our guests, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > my oldest brother,</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" > left this morning.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >I finally took a good, long nap and then woke up to silence. Strange after having guests in our home every week this month.</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;" >{Here it is . . . the merry month of December}</span><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >The week after getting back from Thanksgiving in Florida</span>, we had a friend of ours visit with us. It is always a good time with Dave! He is a natural at storytelling and will leaving you laughing every time.<br /><br />We introduced Dave to an oldie, but a goodie game, Greed. It is a fun, addictive dice game. Easy to learn too.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVqvdiGrZfI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UJGdteh2290/s1600-h/Greed"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVqvdiGrZfI/AAAAAAAAAYc/UJGdteh2290/s320/Greed" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285730034578580978" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />We also finally went to check out Thai Heaven. Great to have a good Thai place that is close by and doesn't involve looking for parking for 10 minutes. Their Nam Sod is crazy good and is a little scalding - more so than what they call spicy on their menu.<br /><br />I am still in mourning for Phuket's closing on Buford Hwy . . . although I see that a new Thai place is there now. Is it the same owners?<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">:::<br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >Next up</span>, Mr. BITH's dad and wife drove up to drop off something for his sister and her boyfriend and then we all met up at Ted's Montana Grill to sup. Mr. BITH's dad and wife came back to our place to stay. We had a lovely brunch with them at Thumb's Up and then they drove back to Florida.<br /><br />Wonderful to see them!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">:::<br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >A few days later,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >my brother flew in from San Antonio</span> to spend the week with us. Many-splendored things occurred.<br /><br />Gingerbread house making<br />(bonus points for using a Halloween kit)<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwh8yMxK1I/AAAAAAAAAZs/l2PxsqvqNPg/s1600-h/matthewgingerbrd.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwh8yMxK1I/AAAAAAAAAZs/l2PxsqvqNPg/s320/matthewgingerbrd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286137390777314130" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />A visit to the aquarium:<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwTeyxqI-I/AAAAAAAAAY8/FdLROCHTzcU/s1600-h/aquariummontage.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwTeyxqI-I/AAAAAAAAAY8/FdLROCHTzcU/s320/aquariummontage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286121482373178338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwh8sGQaiI/AAAAAAAAAZc/jax7yzH-z7Q/s1600-h/aquarium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwh8sGQaiI/AAAAAAAAAZc/jax7yzH-z7Q/s320/aquarium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286137389139388962" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />The new World of Coke:<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwh87VnNPI/AAAAAAAAAZk/b8jskmlwLTE/s1600-h/WorldOfCoke.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwh87VnNPI/AAAAAAAAAZk/b8jskmlwLTE/s320/WorldOfCoke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286137393230329074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Weird Coke creatures from 4D </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><strike>ad</strike></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > movie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV1mKCqgbQI/AAAAAAAAAa0/tOYdjy0bGBc/s1600-h/bigmouths.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV1mKCqgbQI/AAAAAAAAAa0/tOYdjy0bGBc/s200/bigmouths.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286493860302712066" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />This is a screen shot of a Flip movie my brother took of me while I was tasting a flavor (apparently putrid) at the end of the Coke museum. I went years ago to the old museum and don't recall being this put off by one of the flavors. Maybe a new one or my taste buds are changing?<br /><br />I am in utter disbelief that I am sharing this photo because it is ghastly, but I couldn't stop laughing at the faces I made!<br /><br />I believe I was shedding tears by the end of the film.<br />And if I recall correctly, suppressing a gag reflex.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV1mKya6QXI/AAAAAAAAAa8/dNhYwVq5Cwg/s1600-h/myfacetastingcoke.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV1mKya6QXI/AAAAAAAAAa8/dNhYwVq5Cwg/s200/myfacetastingcoke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286493873122197874" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />Dialog in the Dark: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwV6kc32MI/AAAAAAAAAZE/mEtMWIzMkyE/s1600-h/dialogue.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwV6kc32MI/AAAAAAAAAZE/mEtMWIzMkyE/s320/dialogue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286124158587492546" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Yes, this was actually said by our blind guide. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />A word of caution: Do not get grouped with a mass of HR women who are on a holiday team building exercise and think that this experience is supposed to be similar to going to a haunted house . . . 'nuff said.<br /><br /></span>Watched a slew of crazy movies and streamed a ton of Roku (our obsession with the Roku is a whole other post I have been neglecting to do):<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwdh7IuAvI/AAAAAAAAAZM/zKSaJ0jZukk/s1600-h/movieviewing.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 167px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwdh7IuAvI/AAAAAAAAAZM/zKSaJ0jZukk/s320/movieviewing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286132531273270002" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><ul style="font-family:georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Pictionary (hog or Porky Pig)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Winning some trivia at the local bar (did you know that Japan uses more condoms than China, Brazil or the U.S.? We didn't)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Sweetwater Creek on a warm, rainy day</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >During our week together, we discovered a new, magically delicious restaurant on Buford Hwy after finding out that the Pho house we wanted to go to was closed that day.<br /><br />Amazingly, the AJC reviewed it over a week later in an article titled, "2008: These 10 spots made year memorable."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwy3D8TWqI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/AJbVhW31LZg/s1600-h/chateauReview.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwy3D8TWqI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/AJbVhW31LZg/s400/chateauReview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286155984158546594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We can highly recommend the shaken beef, La Lot beef - and Mr. B, what kind of fish did you have that was so yummy? Perfect jasmine tea too. Will definitely go back again!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">:::<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >With the revolving door ever turning, my parents arrived</span> from Florida with enough food in tow to feed a village. No stopping Christmas now!<br /><br />On Christmas Eve, my <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">oldest</span> brother stepped off a plane and arrived to find mouth-watering, melt in your mouth <a href="http://www.theweek.com/article/index/90738/3/Rack_of_lamb_Well_worth_the_price">rack of lamb glazed with citrus and vinegar</a>. I am not usually a lamb lover (with the exception of cassoulet and gyros), but . . . </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />0. m. g. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We attempted to do the Southern thang with some Honeybaked Ham, rosemary corn bread, celery cream and bacon on green beans and scalloped potatoes for Christmas, but I do believe the lamb was the pinnacle.<br /><br /></span></span>There were so many beautiful moments that we shared as a family -- far too many to list, but I will give it a try (hey, it's my blog).<br /><br />We are thankful for it all!<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVxAmruTygI/AAAAAAAAAac/wEZczy2etxg/s1600-h/loveandbeauty.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVxAmruTygI/AAAAAAAAAac/wEZczy2etxg/s400/loveandbeauty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286171095942285826" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV11Y2STh0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/Q2-CLIjUvRQ/s1600-h/eventtixcollage.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SV11Y2STh0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/Q2-CLIjUvRQ/s400/eventtixcollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286510607352432450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVxAmZw8ZSI/AAAAAAAAAaU/zoGwKbO4hjc/s1600-h/AndyCrazyBunny.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVxAmZw8ZSI/AAAAAAAAAaU/zoGwKbO4hjc/s400/AndyCrazyBunny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286171091121497378" border="0" /></a></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">White Oak walk</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Kennesaw Mountain</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Botanical Gardens<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Thai food (yes, again)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Home cooked meals and general silliness<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Hot dogs and cheesecake sent from Chicago (yep, Chi-town style)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Homemade cookies and fudge and date balls and lemon bars </span><span style="font-size:130%;">that my mom made and additional that my godmother sent</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> (did we achieve that 3,500 a day calorie goal? You betcha!)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The Bodies exhibit (for some of us, the second time seeing it)! Amazing! Go see it if you haven't. Although I will say that I liked the exhibit space in Tampa better</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Povitica from N & J (yes, I even saved some for the rest of the family)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Hummous povitica (dad)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Seeing the Thrashers get, err, thrashed</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Free flowers from Trader Joe's<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The little boy sleeping in church</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Pool sharkin' at the Tavern</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Dynasty unfolding at Blind Willies</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"> . . .<br /></span></li></ul></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">:::<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks to my family for making our first Christmas in our new home so special.<br /><br />Each of you made our time together absolutely perfect.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br />♥ ♥ ♥<br /><br /></div></div><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Love to all of you and missing you like crazy here in the Hollow, </span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" ><br />The BITH's</span></span><br /></div></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1225917272104080152.post-9710209701390725272008-11-28T22:05:00.004-05:002008-12-31T19:35:16.836-05:00Giving Thanks<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">for my silly brother with his birfday cake . . .</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwPAXE_nPI/AAAAAAAAAYs/2umWZkyuTjQ/s1600-h/mattycake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 288px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwPAXE_nPI/AAAAAAAAAYs/2umWZkyuTjQ/s320/mattycake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286116561495497970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">. . . for the GG Queen who has been my dear friend since a wee bit before the first grade and will use any means possible to get me into the Ale House!</span> <span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwPAbCCC3I/AAAAAAAAAYk/dV9B5o17y3k/s1600-h/CindyJack2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwPAbCCC3I/AAAAAAAAAYk/dV9B5o17y3k/s320/CindyJack2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286116562556816242" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Rock on Cap'n Jack (yumm)</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">and for all those people who give to others . . .<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwPA7iMIzI/AAAAAAAAAY0/aO0nej7SkBU/s1600-h/PinkAngels.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RxDEBiyqiPM/SVwPA7iMIzI/AAAAAAAAAY0/aO0nej7SkBU/s320/PinkAngels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286116571281630002" border="0" /></a></span>Bungalow in the Hollowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01860061476551722205noreply@blogger.com0