tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77968241630602646212024-03-14T03:25:51.020-05:00Dishin' With DawndiDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-81196746631501968732011-07-14T11:36:00.000-05:002011-07-14T11:36:34.547-05:00Flag JelloThis is the recipe for the flag Jello that we have every year on the Fourth of July. It's also known as Seven Layer Jello Salad and is my Aunt Bev's recipe. <br />
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Let me tell you a bit about my aunt...she can cook. And, she has a sweet tooth, just like me (or should I say I have one just like she does?) And the funny thing about it is? We have no genes in common, since she's married to my mom's brother, but we are a lot alike. I admire her and I feel all 'homey' when I'm around her and my uncle. They have always been very special to my brother and sister and me. I just wish I could spend more time with them, but we live 500+ miles away from one another. :(<br />
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This recipe is time consuming, but not difficult. It's cool and refreshing for summer, and sweet enough without being too filling. <br />
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In the original recipe, it's all colorful because it calls for 4 different flavors of Jello. But, for Independence Day, I use 2 boxes of Berry Blue and 2 boxes of Strawberry. Here is my version of the recipe, but you can make it as colorful as you want by using whatever flavors float your boat (she uses lime, lemon, orange, and cherry and I highly recommend those flavors!)<br />
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Flag Jello (aka 7 Layer Jello Salad)<br />
2 small boxes Berry Blue Jello<br />
2 small boxes Strawberry Jello<br />
2 envelopes Knox gelatin (unflavored gelatin)<br />
2 cups of milk<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
2 cups sour cream<br />
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First, make the white layer and keep in a bowl and set aside (do not refrigerate) until ready to use:<br />
Mix 2 envelopes Knox gelatin with 1/2 cup cold water. Heat 2 cups of milk to boiling. Add to the gelatin mixture. Add the cup sugar, vanilla, and sour cream. Beat with a mixer until creamy. Set aside.<br />
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For each Jello layer: mix one cup boiling water to a package of Jello and stir until it's dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water.<br />
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First, prepare the blue Jello and pour it into a 9x13 pan. Refrigerate for 45 minutes.<br />
After it sets, add 1 2/3 cups of the white mixture. Refrigerate for 45 minutes.<br />
Then comes the strawberry layer. Refrigerate for 45 minutes.<br />
1 2/3 cups of the white mixture is next. Refrigerate for 45 minutes.<br />
Blue layer...Refrigerate for 45 minutes.<br />
1 2/3 cups white mixture...Refrigerate 45 minutes<br />
Last layer! Finally! Red layer...Refrigerate at least 45 more minutes before enjoying (but I usually make this the day before we eat it.)<br />
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Make sure you pour each layer in slowly so that you don't leave any 'holes' on top of the layer before it. You may need to spread the white layer gently with a spatula so that it's even.<br />
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It should look like this when you cut it:<br />
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I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thanks, Aunt Bev, for the yummy recipe! xoxo<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-55737131333850468682011-07-13T12:40:00.000-05:002011-07-13T12:40:34.085-05:00Ahhhhh, Summer!I love summer! It's the time of year to unplug, relax, and read a good book. Time for visiting family, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors. Summer also means Independence Day, one of our favorite holidays.<br />
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We went to my sister's house over the Fourth of July weekend and had a blast, as usual. Scott and I stopped on the way there to stock up on fireworks. <br />
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On Saturday, we went to the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair while in WV and sampled yummy food, saw some wonderful local art work, and bought some delicious pickles and hot pepper jellies to take back to my sister's house to share. That night we went to downtown Huntington for dinner. The downtown area is beautiful!<br />
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Craig and Scott golfed on Sunday and we girls hung out and then grocery shopped for the 4th. Craig fired up the grill and we had burgers and lots of sides for lunch on the 4th. We got to visit with his side of the family that afternoon. Good times! That evening, we had a large 'camp' fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner. <br />
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After it got dark, Scott started the fireworks show. The girls got to set off some fireworks and I even got brave enough to light some fountains.<br />
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Here are some pictures from our holiday. Once again, it would have been perfect if Nick could have joined us, but he's working hard at camp....we are truly empty-nesters. <br />
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I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasting hot dogs and posing...I love these girlies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many fountains from the show</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying their sparklers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag Jello...a 4th of July tradition in our house...recipe in a future post.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-27441820480043677272011-06-26T09:09:00.000-05:002011-06-26T09:09:52.685-05:00The Snake Charmer and Hank Williams, Jr.Nick works as a counselor at Scout camp in the summertime. For the past two summers, he has been the director of the Ecology/Conservation area. He writes the syllabi for his program and teaches some of the merit badges involved in the program, and has an assistant and CIT to help him with the classes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmqOVOhStz6IB3XzHnbvI3rK8K1j_Qicr1DfnLQ8CbCie_w5VDR8wxYHIxaFjVzKwKtaOA-nxaD8Pw6TbpZb92N6Ipg8X4jDfBWBKrzW_0QC2A24-yTmptUIr6nUt05jOR1_2SXb8lNXF/s1600/DSCF3347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmqOVOhStz6IB3XzHnbvI3rK8K1j_Qicr1DfnLQ8CbCie_w5VDR8wxYHIxaFjVzKwKtaOA-nxaD8Pw6TbpZb92N6Ipg8X4jDfBWBKrzW_0QC2A24-yTmptUIr6nUt05jOR1_2SXb8lNXF/s320/DSCF3347.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tent on the right is where Nick spends his nights at camp. It's large enough for 3 full sized cots and is equipped with electricity!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table> During Staff Week, while he was at his computer writing the syllabi (and had music streaming from the computer), he looked up and saw a black rat snake cozying up to his computer. The song? A song by Hank Williams, Jr....and that is how the snake got his name. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick and Hank Williams, Jr.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdN073e3DPCMsPaJ8CsN9hy3GXA7jokyKIGSXtZ_PAZUVoMLLnLocD5ROMwVthC_2SOpXqON22c6jWpS3cKw-HBdnXE8f4b3xYIHmv_7zQE8sfabn8NC9puoIi-RxjZlzW-lM9fLOZL9Gx/s1600/DSCF3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdN073e3DPCMsPaJ8CsN9hy3GXA7jokyKIGSXtZ_PAZUVoMLLnLocD5ROMwVthC_2SOpXqON22c6jWpS3cKw-HBdnXE8f4b3xYIHmv_7zQE8sfabn8NC9puoIi-RxjZlzW-lM9fLOZL9Gx/s320/DSCF3407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This snake? Not Hank Williams, Jr....and according to Nick, not a friendly snake. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>We went to camp during family night and got a 'behind the scenes' tour of the Eco-Con area. Nick introduced us to Hank Williams, Jr. and offered to let me hold it. Um, NO THANK YOU! I love soft, furry puppies, not icky, cold snakes. Hank was slithering all over my boy, and Scott commented that he was probably enjoying the warmth from Nick. (I was having heart palpatations.) Nick kept saying, "MOM! He's not going to bite me!" (because I kept saying, "Watch out! He's going to bite you!" duh.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slithering snake is all over my boy! ACK!</td></tr>
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After Nick put Hank back in his cage (and I breathed a huge sigh of relief), we went over to the turtle tank and he showed us the various amphibians and reptiles in the tank. There were many sizes of frogs and turtles swimming or lounging around. Nick picked up some of the animals to point out what made them unique. Very interesting!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-8y3s64HVRfXHKQyDPLBoEvm0lZbCWWHTBTnzy3JV0BzjKlZaWZdrjyHjE69q4Zgpcf0zNTgf9Ojh2KiRu0w3QI7HMOYR9lIOQV0HfJsP8RD1q3vUBMY7Kb-A9f4sWO_4PiBz4Xpt6sI/s1600/DSCF3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Oh...and being the germaphobic mom that I am...I hosed Nick down with hand sanitizer when all of the animals were put away. Because that's how I roll!<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-78129967062593259302011-06-21T10:39:00.000-05:002011-06-21T10:39:58.737-05:00Mini Cheesecakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs_7CwU8-YHwEwF_ofz3OD-zsWbHFxnrZOqjMP6jHJX0i_6PkT7Yx-4dMaJlenBNKI6Djv3GNsBvdjUm74lBInkodb-zp-x65LdkJ4qsHuOhTHMyto26RU7GeEc4O5kU3DyKf5Ktsn4I0/s1600/DSCF3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs_7CwU8-YHwEwF_ofz3OD-zsWbHFxnrZOqjMP6jHJX0i_6PkT7Yx-4dMaJlenBNKI6Djv3GNsBvdjUm74lBInkodb-zp-x65LdkJ4qsHuOhTHMyto26RU7GeEc4O5kU3DyKf5Ktsn4I0/s320/DSCF3317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was invited to my friend Becky's house to watch the Bachelorette last night. Each of us were to bring an appetizer. The first thing that came to mind was dessert. These mini cheesecakes are perfect for an appetizer party because they don't require a fork (unless you want to be lady-like). Unfortunately, my headache turned much worse so I had to pass on the party, but I sent these with a friend so that they could enjoy them.<br />
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Mini Cheesecakes<br />
2 8oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature<br />
1/2 teaspoon vanilla<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
12 vanilla wafers<br />
<br />
Preheat over to 325 degrees. Line muffin tins with foil wrappers. Put a vanilla wafer into each wrapper. Mix together cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar until creamy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Fill each muffin cup 3/4 of the way full;. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. When they come out of the oven, they will look like regular cupcakes, but as they cool, they will fall and create a small indentation. Once they are cool, remove from muffin tins and top with desired topping. I used cherry pie filling, but blueberry is also yummy. Fresh berries or chocolate ganache would also be delicious.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-28465267045693686832011-06-19T16:22:00.000-05:002011-06-19T16:22:45.119-05:00For Fathers' DayI want to pause for a moment to wish the important men in my life a very Happy Fathers' Day. <br />
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First, to the love of my life...my best friend...thank you for being a great father and role model to our son.<br />
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Second, to my own father, who left this earth much too soon. You were the best father a girl could ever hope for. You lived for your wife and kids and it showed. I love and miss you, Dad!<br />
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Next, to my dear father-in-law. You are a wonderful example of Christian love. You have accepted me as a daughter from day one, and for that I love you!<br />
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Dave and Ed...you both mean a lot to us! Thanks for being there.<br />
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If you are fortunate enough to still have your father, please call him and let him know how much he means to you! Life is too short...time waits for no one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-53685260410900215022011-06-11T08:57:00.000-05:002011-06-11T08:57:01.153-05:00Friday Funday Phone call with my mom<br />
Long phone conversation with cousin<br />
Lunch date with my hubby<br />
Two hour nap<br />
Movie<br />
<u>+4 mile walk</u><br />
Perfect Friday<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-71640233325350552942011-06-02T10:06:00.000-05:002011-06-02T10:06:16.383-05:00Chicken in the WHAT?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgLDBVXRHdAYGlYgLdJSKevDqhDaMqRFpwkkLpIYakrmmRrzKehzY2GcKv-aToJg6V-8K99I3_eJUiKuSDxV4uifJhjTU7vewUJ6x5e0rzljVeleDxd7ED1tibnrdLaMvhA6uCy4cOf-u/s1600/DSCF3247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIP9mxbzpFw0PvGIQL2rdRl2C9ecsbYQW0UihxoNXvInsfdxBz7t8AuAa19lY30XCEjoxnoS1gr0xeAW-Fd2DfpARFWhqOmR2bJOzL4dbtqjMZAJoKfTyvrBVd-6yCA0ZJ2AWKRHYG7Yo/s1600/DSCF3280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Ugh, I've neglected my blog for over a week and have much to write about. School's out, Mother Nature has finally figured out it's summer, we celebrated a birthday, and we went on an amazing River Cruise around Chicago. <br />
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May 24 is a special day in our household (Scott's birthday), and it was made even more special by the fact that our good friend <a href="http://suburbanscrawl.com/">Melisa</a> celebrated her<a href="http://chickeninthecar.com/"> book</a> launch on a Chicago river cruise. After six years of research, she finally released her travel guide for families of tweens and teens. After reading the book, I think that any age can appreciate the book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9GKujkxSttjpDyTl4edPOixIoe54M1dCvILndLBwyqiggeyCfwXH1cddnX9ROnJHPYxANu8P78uggXFIUe9ZQV0Dw_1GpkcjkFJxLpv1zlRxZcoRcxNHPPxxtzGfbdcGR3dptmoVJKra/s1600/DSCF3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9GKujkxSttjpDyTl4edPOixIoe54M1dCvILndLBwyqiggeyCfwXH1cddnX9ROnJHPYxANu8P78uggXFIUe9ZQV0Dw_1GpkcjkFJxLpv1zlRxZcoRcxNHPPxxtzGfbdcGR3dptmoVJKra/s320/DSCF3248.JPG" width="240" /></a>The title of the book, Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go, is from an old folk poem? song? that starts out like this: Chicken in the car and the car won't go; that's how you spell Chicago. According to Melisa, her mom used to recite that to her and her sister when they were children.<br />
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Melisa wrote the book and it was a total family affair. Her sister <a href="http://casajules.tumblr.com/">Julie</a> took the author picture and her older son did the graphic work on the cover. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgLDBVXRHdAYGlYgLdJSKevDqhDaMqRFpwkkLpIYakrmmRrzKehzY2GcKv-aToJg6V-8K99I3_eJUiKuSDxV4uifJhjTU7vewUJ6x5e0rzljVeleDxd7ED1tibnrdLaMvhA6uCy4cOf-u/s1600/DSCF3247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgLDBVXRHdAYGlYgLdJSKevDqhDaMqRFpwkkLpIYakrmmRrzKehzY2GcKv-aToJg6V-8K99I3_eJUiKuSDxV4uifJhjTU7vewUJ6x5e0rzljVeleDxd7ED1tibnrdLaMvhA6uCy4cOf-u/s320/DSCF3247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melisa's sister Julie, photographer extraordinaire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98xmfRcHNDCR3kO-fpfShgIgqaH7lbD2ftP3eZyba7xCpTgxEQXTLrMOjuheTbAsJ7loqbHRTre-5qUMZZoD9MBKFcCwtOr82t2tnj7ZRK2GyDm80mBbF4cMZcBBp0I3pJPcgJtD4vZ1e/s1600/DSCF3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98xmfRcHNDCR3kO-fpfShgIgqaH7lbD2ftP3eZyba7xCpTgxEQXTLrMOjuheTbAsJ7loqbHRTre-5qUMZZoD9MBKFcCwtOr82t2tnj7ZRK2GyDm80mBbF4cMZcBBp0I3pJPcgJtD4vZ1e/s320/DSCF3246.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boys from left: Nick, Melisa's younger son, her older son</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My family and I drove up to the suburbs to meet them at their house to follow them into the city and to help carry things onto the boat. I thought that since it was late afternoon the traffic wouldn't be very congested. I'm naive. Scott did a great job staying right with them, though, which can be nerve wracking when you're in city traffic. It's a good thing he was driving. He knows how to keep his cool, especially when you have three teen aged boys and one wife talking constantly. ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74smlUO0OP9qxP3wnHpylY3BlmKIWNgLPwcafney73t6Ya-I8q2VXOTcUBQQUE5rnZRC7S_bczmT0Z8mcbrZ-RwkoSWwvfPB0g9_0ssMxzUdW0KvtCMmOvl5nJCxDNj3bN7-2GSgK9q7g/s1600/DSCF3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74smlUO0OP9qxP3wnHpylY3BlmKIWNgLPwcafney73t6Ya-I8q2VXOTcUBQQUE5rnZRC7S_bczmT0Z8mcbrZ-RwkoSWwvfPB0g9_0ssMxzUdW0KvtCMmOvl5nJCxDNj3bN7-2GSgK9q7g/s320/DSCF3232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">driving into the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We found a parking garage very close to the pizza place where we were to get the food for the cruise. We met Jim, Melisa and Julie (Melisa's mom was waiting at the pier with the various accoutrement). Scott was to go with Jim to pick up the pizza, but Melisa warned him that he shouldn't be around the bad karma in that vehicle on his birthday. So, Jim, one of their boys, and Julie got the pizza and the rest of us walked to the pier. I'm not going to lie, it got a bit hairy as we were taking wrong turns and having a bit of difficulty finding our way there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBm3L8xwudIFU-KBfyVtBL3GUOcXoAnzawcbiEMj7CtROEtY6jKFm3bFu5Vb-y0EM8wCHhPQ2E34cyF5X343qeolStknkxyLPKMmCZITGOwPUAESnXwpssfw18Vj2vboghHtxPxeCny3a/s1600/DSCF3233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBm3L8xwudIFU-KBfyVtBL3GUOcXoAnzawcbiEMj7CtROEtY6jKFm3bFu5Vb-y0EM8wCHhPQ2E34cyF5X343qeolStknkxyLPKMmCZITGOwPUAESnXwpssfw18Vj2vboghHtxPxeCny3a/s320/DSCF3233.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finally at the pier with a view of the Chicago flag, Illinois flag, and the US flag</td></tr>
</tbody></table> BUT, in the end, it was all good, we made it in plenty of time and as soon as the boat pulled in, we were able to board and set things up.<br />
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A few important people in Melisa's life were unable to come, including her father who was stuck in TN dealing with issues at his hotel, but she made a special extension of her name tag to honor them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii49D62_HzAJ4It-YL1qVY4gcpjzSFdEkbIGZJ3wyTiZf_zezq8hXgmAiwWDciRP1ROWW4zUsBPuQPXMqLeK-P6m_8DQq0f3s7ZhklvWp1Xxn90hP3viHRyx2F9aUWQ2UZUlt_hNloyM8O/s1600/DSCF3240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii49D62_HzAJ4It-YL1qVY4gcpjzSFdEkbIGZJ3wyTiZf_zezq8hXgmAiwWDciRP1ROWW4zUsBPuQPXMqLeK-P6m_8DQq0f3s7ZhklvWp1Xxn90hP3viHRyx2F9aUWQ2UZUlt_hNloyM8O/s320/DSCF3240.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
We enjoyed Chicago style deep dish pizza, along with other Chicago based specialities.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIRn1G8ay38bBkhEq9sNQ9iBQdBMeM-ZhFsYciUB24nD55MQu-owO7DcH03vtyvPO_ZKuwMGXGd4y8X0xZcC8i0ddAYhI8lRKsrFbnPiDVIAXMVU51HMvbw3DVN932lO-TXL3UqQlL92f/s1600/DSCF3264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIRn1G8ay38bBkhEq9sNQ9iBQdBMeM-ZhFsYciUB24nD55MQu-owO7DcH03vtyvPO_ZKuwMGXGd4y8X0xZcC8i0ddAYhI8lRKsrFbnPiDVIAXMVU51HMvbw3DVN932lO-TXL3UqQlL92f/s320/DSCF3264.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
We cruised around Navy Pier...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdApo7OIva4ds0h6hpfI_RLt8ncU_ZTBXXDz6DY3vGg0Vnoo-HTf1qVKzu-5XwltCiuGJNcOsylBoB-5CgWkvpkXYxT7ZLqU__tzCJ0KT76mQXNgWwHcf_BlePsWyTYrUU8zcT5WIA-Us/s1600/DSCF3253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdApo7OIva4ds0h6hpfI_RLt8ncU_ZTBXXDz6DY3vGg0Vnoo-HTf1qVKzu-5XwltCiuGJNcOsylBoB-5CgWkvpkXYxT7ZLqU__tzCJ0KT76mQXNgWwHcf_BlePsWyTYrUU8zcT5WIA-Us/s320/DSCF3253.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
and up and down the river and had amazing views of the city...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNp9gr_GJL3zku9n-0H0m5PO5PyVME0vdHcabt2bzK4d3InGqNgvQZuPmSQGKkCK7Z7SK0BwAZHW9xu_i8dSsA3c__n0Mty1n-_yesl58lf9X8WpG15gTwhe-arhlNsU-jOdemi4cIqfBf/s1600/DSCF3288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNp9gr_GJL3zku9n-0H0m5PO5PyVME0vdHcabt2bzK4d3InGqNgvQZuPmSQGKkCK7Z7SK0BwAZHW9xu_i8dSsA3c__n0Mty1n-_yesl58lf9X8WpG15gTwhe-arhlNsU-jOdemi4cIqfBf/s320/DSCF3288.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP8PrnOnm8uzVm-qW8FlMuKWIiGp0Wl-Y4JQQ2Bcmi0sJAxrUkeO6tpSpwLP5RRXBAR4RssW8QcVdiIBzroIjOCY85k4fM8asKAnepqyCglPK6WecRugbQ7KTNKyEmpcKZWAOrCzCJEU1/s1600/DSCF3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP8PrnOnm8uzVm-qW8FlMuKWIiGp0Wl-Y4JQQ2Bcmi0sJAxrUkeO6tpSpwLP5RRXBAR4RssW8QcVdiIBzroIjOCY85k4fM8asKAnepqyCglPK6WecRugbQ7KTNKyEmpcKZWAOrCzCJEU1/s320/DSCF3306.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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We had a fabulous time on the boat. After the cruise, we loaded their SUV and were set to meet them at their house (because we had their boys with us!) Hmmm, this is where it got interesting. It was cold for May. I had on sandals (bad idea) and no jacket. Chicago is windy (duh) and we were walking all over the place trying to find that <strike>stupid</strike> parking garage. We knew the intersection where it was located, the trick was to find one of the streets of the intersection. Finally, I decided that we needed to go into a restaurant to get directions. <a href="http://dishinwithdawndi.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-trip-to-big-city.html">Sound familiar</a>? And, as luck would have it, we were 2 blocks from one of the streets and then another 2 blocks from that intersection. YAY!<br />
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We got the boys home around 11:30ish and then drove the 1 1/2 hours back down here to Farm Country. It was a wonderful day, and words can't describe how happy, proud, excited we are for our friend!<br />
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Melisa, you rock!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-36372182210565398002011-05-22T10:34:00.001-05:002011-05-22T10:37:30.322-05:00If that chemistry gig doesn't work out for him, he has a back-up planNick is home for a week. He finished up his finals last Wednesday and got home Thursday night. He leaves next Sunday for his summer job at camp. Scott and I are thrilled to have him home and are enjoying every minute with him. The guys are planning to golf in much of their spare time. Anyway, he is officially a junior in college. Where did the time go?<br />
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Nick's part time job while going to school is making pizzas at a local pizza shop. He is so fortunate because the people who own the shop treat him as part of the family. As a mom, it makes me feel so good to know that he has a 'second mom' who looks out for him. I met them when I visited Nick during my spring break. He was invited to have Easter dinner with them because he couldn't come home for the holiday. They are good people!<br />
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Nick offered to make pizzas for us for dinner last night. He made the dough and besides the ingredients, I have no clue how he did it. Secret recipe...well, he really didn't know the recipe, he kind of guessed, but the crust was wonderful!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEhyiB48du_DhLwYztCC6f8Q1_AZahvqumCW63g6jRcTfOpKav2Rb8piujYtc-HOlrFYQHm4FzYoZxCj1PJ2uKqw3N-Ozt4irVn3ZTch6y_nU4qOfmupbEyyolMFMn_z8i_ozp8WySXlq/s320/DSCF3202.JPG" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pizza guy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYr-9T0bK0p17vu2U8sxjjgnHCk2blby6fPC9fe0ptOneFwAhZioSGbRtp39cVUpaKWlqdtG0RD1zOoAviVMIuHPJ1rPncoXbr5uVMmZDNhnTwatHiEvyQwKB_Y9RLiU-jXAoflJxKYel/s1600/DSCF3204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYr-9T0bK0p17vu2U8sxjjgnHCk2blby6fPC9fe0ptOneFwAhZioSGbRtp39cVUpaKWlqdtG0RD1zOoAviVMIuHPJ1rPncoXbr5uVMmZDNhnTwatHiEvyQwKB_Y9RLiU-jXAoflJxKYel/s320/DSCF3204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mugging it up for the camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijztT1FfCPzNhm7etv55wUkMwhmBgTGzYvRb1Ayfeo1DD2S7Z22WJ9R1PhdgF6FAQFxkR4aoy7XmBo0rdUpeJECQh6j6ni9B2VwoC4t47_W4X9lr1Q4ECPAWdiUr5oekHjjt2T_UWAn9bR/s1600/DSCF3205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijztT1FfCPzNhm7etv55wUkMwhmBgTGzYvRb1Ayfeo1DD2S7Z22WJ9R1PhdgF6FAQFxkR4aoy7XmBo0rdUpeJECQh6j6ni9B2VwoC4t47_W4X9lr1Q4ECPAWdiUr5oekHjjt2T_UWAn9bR/s320/DSCF3205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the dough on the left wasn't stretchy enough...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViIkeolqwtaSjpyczlsIqMO8ODD-Wiz1UmN8XkbwNyatcC-wCcVm8-tISbOuoskzGTepkg7IL4N0vG83bqIDPnwEM20rAUv8SAOr1dkXMwPOgaHltyVkqS6zOgzfVbxAoheDXXg3_Eyrj/s1600/DSCF3206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViIkeolqwtaSjpyczlsIqMO8ODD-Wiz1UmN8XkbwNyatcC-wCcVm8-tISbOuoskzGTepkg7IL4N0vG83bqIDPnwEM20rAUv8SAOr1dkXMwPOgaHltyVkqS6zOgzfVbxAoheDXXg3_Eyrj/s320/DSCF3206.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting ready to stretch the dough</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqtXOFcYNlsQM-xoD5Uv2BrelLh7Lu5SJtfzhH00tlB7p-kY4YC3NiXQZ8MGfS8ito_pIJxj0DOu1eKPgpNj9BA7ClkKNMz1GD-L0VdQAfDK1K5zYMlV2i5_YoqHXwQ8c8CdAF1ddBQy7/s1600/DSCF3210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqtXOFcYNlsQM-xoD5Uv2BrelLh7Lu5SJtfzhH00tlB7p-kY4YC3NiXQZ8MGfS8ito_pIJxj0DOu1eKPgpNj9BA7ClkKNMz1GD-L0VdQAfDK1K5zYMlV2i5_YoqHXwQ8c8CdAF1ddBQy7/s320/DSCF3210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">action shot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA7Oz3GUpzmf3dW9IHebjYUE0PvjtIY1QYmseSJb69euxpJNRP9t6OM6m6ZyJzrGlU7fK3NhHRZ-Ee5brPWmkV88bb15mASvcp7X9hQFAuX6a1x7Zy394GbRvklCgAmkgNCA4JUEnIQmm/s1600/DSCF3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA7Oz3GUpzmf3dW9IHebjYUE0PvjtIY1QYmseSJb69euxpJNRP9t6OM6m6ZyJzrGlU7fK3NhHRZ-Ee5brPWmkV88bb15mASvcp7X9hQFAuX6a1x7Zy394GbRvklCgAmkgNCA4JUEnIQmm/s320/DSCF3213.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">showing off his tossing skills</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqF7x5iEBfEvvSvm1lzCdr9CAwY_SrKkkbpUVLlOqpsiW7v9LANQtpp6rU_a_CyILV6PLb5_DHirRpuvWt-d5-cG7hRzNtzymK20N5IxByAbPgQtHm_f3Pr4s9UgHgT6vMveteqcfla6U/s1600/DSCF3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqF7x5iEBfEvvSvm1lzCdr9CAwY_SrKkkbpUVLlOqpsiW7v9LANQtpp6rU_a_CyILV6PLb5_DHirRpuvWt-d5-cG7hRzNtzymK20N5IxByAbPgQtHm_f3Pr4s9UgHgT6vMveteqcfla6U/s320/DSCF3215.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stretching the dough</td></tr>
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The first pizza we made was Scott's request. He went to a restaurant in Santa Fe, NM during one of his business trips and had a pizza that he really enjoyed. The pizza had roasted garlic (to roast garlic, cut the end off of a head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes...then squeeze it out and smear it on the crust), fresh mozzarella, baby portabellas, regular mushrooms, oregano, and grated Romano cheese. When the pizza came out of the oven, we drizzled it with truffle oil. (I hope I can find more uses for that truffle oil because that was an expensive purchase!)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB043xylEad1xk1TZl6p4mqSoBKTQzyoVvZVtm5gBZSMy0sr2kuusG08JdBnYbbk6m2cMBJSCVYo4vM8zlm9EkV6zhm7bhHzirPs_Y4QKpTsfgieko8e16Ws_8wlqd7XUEUpzTSNE459hb/s1600/DSCF3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB043xylEad1xk1TZl6p4mqSoBKTQzyoVvZVtm5gBZSMy0sr2kuusG08JdBnYbbk6m2cMBJSCVYo4vM8zlm9EkV6zhm7bhHzirPs_Y4QKpTsfgieko8e16Ws_8wlqd7XUEUpzTSNE459hb/s320/DSCF3216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mushroom pizza ready for the oven</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa4YAt0E7CGVFPR3Y4f2jePStKurB-TEjFrskneVYPWp6jqrluqqJN35k_5f0c7rGmV_EZvzGnq1QF2RWggf67V6yuziMv9YPkNz1po9aXLyFnGNA6llrgRf6_-rrA_ZaZy7oWEsFVCPn/s1600/DSCF3217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa4YAt0E7CGVFPR3Y4f2jePStKurB-TEjFrskneVYPWp6jqrluqqJN35k_5f0c7rGmV_EZvzGnq1QF2RWggf67V6yuziMv9YPkNz1po9aXLyFnGNA6llrgRf6_-rrA_ZaZy7oWEsFVCPn/s320/DSCF3217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mushroom pizza freshly baked</td></tr>
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The second pizza had pesto, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgjWADcahlcmhZ0IKZAvZzUn6tOxUrK_Slx9YMDknTDBAvmOibjiuT_WLJ5G5X-u4HEW4DArVSPHVPHUYAqNaErbZHS0nAo6V8sq74ivc5drIqZV0aYsirA1CONarnUotnG5FeS8Ax1oP/s1600/DSCF3218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgjWADcahlcmhZ0IKZAvZzUn6tOxUrK_Slx9YMDknTDBAvmOibjiuT_WLJ5G5X-u4HEW4DArVSPHVPHUYAqNaErbZHS0nAo6V8sq74ivc5drIqZV0aYsirA1CONarnUotnG5FeS8Ax1oP/s320/DSCF3218.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pesto and tomato pizza with mozzarella and grated Parmesan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBIqDDVKQYg7PclWzGCQT_x4C8UITEZD4XrAIINsUNftLW0n8AdDT0G5ZrPiUN-FDji24zOKEpu9rSczJPnhZ07EJRDHOikYMP41zMTqRuznsq5wev32SmWFoKzXnfcQfRgmTuBgJzIav/s1600/DSCF3221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBIqDDVKQYg7PclWzGCQT_x4C8UITEZD4XrAIINsUNftLW0n8AdDT0G5ZrPiUN-FDji24zOKEpu9rSczJPnhZ07EJRDHOikYMP41zMTqRuznsq5wev32SmWFoKzXnfcQfRgmTuBgJzIav/s320/DSCF3221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pesto pizza freshly baked</td></tr>
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Nick also made a small Stromboli with some extra dough. He filled it with baby bellas, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese. It was divine!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQfQjQdo3DiVfrAY3-ridDx8jwgXkZE4Uqa4_qE4xSmSN_pTltwUw3P4nfxzQf5lKti2l4daKiLA_QllvNKFuyS-ecVrciWBvA6RvpENLZL0qZuptplgoiPqFuqL77_DL19u6UfuQhjCm/s1600/DSCF3219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQfQjQdo3DiVfrAY3-ridDx8jwgXkZE4Uqa4_qE4xSmSN_pTltwUw3P4nfxzQf5lKti2l4daKiLA_QllvNKFuyS-ecVrciWBvA6RvpENLZL0qZuptplgoiPqFuqL77_DL19u6UfuQhjCm/s320/DSCF3219.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stromboli (after we took a few bites)</td></tr>
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Before he left for home last Thursday, Susan treated him to dinner. He had chicken Marsala and cannoli. He brought home a cannoli for the three of us to share. I could eat my weight in cannoli! He said that Joey (Susan's son) made the sweet dessert. What a talented kid!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4S-VXctpVemNAjVfmhfD9D_mGA0KWzzKkKV-WlAP_JjnWelMIhwqdHNOgVNLUgXZTzgOYnyHpuCtnLYImz31V6Kr2WyqGgJZPlbNimUYReyxf3RyE-nyW55wo5C0SLQ2Ygif4BsaMawj/s1600/DSCF3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4S-VXctpVemNAjVfmhfD9D_mGA0KWzzKkKV-WlAP_JjnWelMIhwqdHNOgVNLUgXZTzgOYnyHpuCtnLYImz31V6Kr2WyqGgJZPlbNimUYReyxf3RyE-nyW55wo5C0SLQ2Ygif4BsaMawj/s320/DSCF3220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leave the gun, take the cannoli (couldn't resist quoting my favorite movie)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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We used my pizza stone and had the oven temp set for the highest it would go, 550 degrees, but the bottom of the pizzas didn't get as crispy as we wanted. However, they still tasted delicious.<br />
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He was the chief cook and I was the chief 'bottle washer.' Tossing dough is a messy business with all of that flour flying around! We shared many laughs, talked in our fake Italian accents (he's really good at it..me? Not so much), and just enjoyed the time we had together in the kitchen. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-2395032078182012962011-05-18T06:29:00.000-05:002011-05-18T06:29:04.336-05:00Inspiring me to be Fabulous<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;240683257;63558113;i" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="65" src="http://static.fmpub.net/banners/20110510/4dc991fe0d39btrop50_logo.jpg" title="" width="125" /></a><img border="0" height="0" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N5371.federatedmedia.net/B5459754.15;sz=1x1;ord=[timestamp]" style="border: medium none; height: 0pt; width: 0pt;" width="0" /><br />
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Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 Fabulous Wishes. <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B240683257%3B63558111%3Bg&k4=2004&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous!<br />
<br />
I have spent many years reading blogs. I enjoy reading about the goings on in other people's lives (I can do without the TMI that some people blog about, though.) I have a handful of blogs that I read on a daily basis. I don't personally know all of the bloggers, but I feel like I do after we leave comments back and forth. <br />
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My first fabulous blogger is a no-brainer. Melisa, from <a href="http://suburbanscrawl.com/">Suburban Scrawl</a>, and I go way back. In fact, we've been friends for so long that we're like family....our husbands are best friends, our boys are friends, we get together for extended family functions...you get the drift. We've been friends since 1985 and have been through a lot together. She was the first person I told I was pregnant (I had to send Scott a telegram because he was deployed.) I could go on and on, but that would take up the entire post. ;) <br />
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Melisa is fabulous for so many reasons. One reason is when I wrote my first blog post, she sent her blogger friends over to read it and to comment. How sweet was that? Another reason is that she turned her blogging into a writing career. She wrote a book a few years ago about dealing with the loss of a pet. The beautiful dog that was featured in the book was her beloved beagle Bijoux. Recently, she wrote a travel guide and her launch party is next week. I'm so excited and proud! She's my tiara-wearing friend and I love her!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBBshjPp4iizgqHfsieRfE_NzPvf-FAHzipmGgV6jWNXfzKnc-As3x5IIvplrh_uD5M79yEXAEXTz0F9CG61vMW5dIqulGia-4ck_Lap_SjTkZpJwSA_la5DdbAr_aTdzvd-A8nZIPEz6/s1600/DSCF3054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBBshjPp4iizgqHfsieRfE_NzPvf-FAHzipmGgV6jWNXfzKnc-As3x5IIvplrh_uD5M79yEXAEXTz0F9CG61vMW5dIqulGia-4ck_Lap_SjTkZpJwSA_la5DdbAr_aTdzvd-A8nZIPEz6/s320/DSCF3054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringing in 2011 together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a> is another fabulous blogger. Her name is Ree, but I refer to her as PDub. Ok, so maybe I don't call her that to her face. In fact, the time that I met her, I was so star-struck that I got verklempt and suddenly got diarrhea of the mouth and couldn't. shut. up. It was as if I was bound and determined to tell her my life story in the time it took her to sign 5 copies of her cookbook.<br />
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I love her blog! She has a cooking section (with step-by-step recipes), a photography section, a homeschooling section, a home and garden section, and a section for just everyday blogging. The photographs she takes are breathtaking. I love to see the animals on her ranch and I especially love reading about her punks and about her basset hounds Charlie and Walter. (Oh, and her husband Marlboro Man is especially easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean...wink wink). Ree is going to have a cooking show on The Food Network. I can't wait to watch!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyV1rlC12PG8RLlyoR_SnCOHNluRrXi0uMrACA-g2cEsDZqmvzL1WGiAkNrnPFfLhfi0vz2ch65aD1NVTs-nhzYgDfp3c9yrXrtRwmhKf1rOEXxpbv5TwRYxWQ0aZdUuYLQrKaar7QZvU/s1600/DSCF1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyV1rlC12PG8RLlyoR_SnCOHNluRrXi0uMrACA-g2cEsDZqmvzL1WGiAkNrnPFfLhfi0vz2ch65aD1NVTs-nhzYgDfp3c9yrXrtRwmhKf1rOEXxpbv5TwRYxWQ0aZdUuYLQrKaar7QZvU/s320/DSCF1692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the only picture I have of the two of us with my mouth closed. Seriously.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Another fabulous blogger is one of my friends that I met on a message board about 10 years ago. Betsy is a young mommy of 3 precious little boys. The name of her blog is <a href="http://thepeculiarhomemaker.blogspot.com/">The Peculiar Homemaker</a>. I love reading the recipes that she posts in her blog, hearing about how her family is growing, and the fun things she does with her boys. She's a stay-at-home mom who knows how to stretch a dollar and makes it seem effortless. She is fabulous because she takes care of her three boys, cooks from scratch, and has at-home date nights with her husband, The Tomato King. Betsy, you're the Best-y! ;) <br />
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Next on my list is Liz from <a href="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/this_full_house/">This Full House</a>. I've mentioned her on here a few times. She posted an accent vlog and I posted an accent vlog and we made fun of each others' accents (although I have no accent and she's from Jersey...'nough said.) The thing with Liz...I've never met her and only know her through our blogs and other social networking sites, but I feel like I know her, know her. Make sense?<br />
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Liz is hilarious as she tells stories about her husband Garth (not his real name), 4 children, and one Doofus Dog all living in a 7 room house. Because I was also raised in a small house, reading her blog is so comforting to me for some reason. Liz, I want to come visit! She is fabulous for many reasons, but one reason is that she can even make folding laundry sound fun!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG4lFU_Qodp2TPXUOuOpRSIbAH7Q3d48na7GjSHiWEJNYowp_EfV0vVsLD2CtxHuczwbTNSTHl2xKzKUSAYZkm3KqMWVezQf73hT_XFiodDO-WZPaeJqlAIZx12_3s9VLgMgHdVWgdRhO/s1600/P6170921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG4lFU_Qodp2TPXUOuOpRSIbAH7Q3d48na7GjSHiWEJNYowp_EfV0vVsLD2CtxHuczwbTNSTHl2xKzKUSAYZkm3KqMWVezQf73hT_XFiodDO-WZPaeJqlAIZx12_3s9VLgMgHdVWgdRhO/s320/P6170921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Melisa at the blogging function...2 of my fabulous bloggers together.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My fifth fabulous blogger, (and it was hard to narrow it down to just 5) is Lincee Ray from<a href="http://www.ihategreenbeans.com/"> ihategreenbeans</a>. I can't remember when I first started reading her blog. I may have heard of her from tv? I'm not sure. Anyway, she is a huge fan of a certain dating show. She posts recaps the day after the show airs. If you don't watch the show or even like reality tv, it's still fun to read her blog, because the show can be a trainwreck. However, I like those types of programs (they make me feel normal), so I watch the show and then read her blog the next day. Good times. She is fabulous because she can take a sometimes boring episode and make it hilarious with her recap. She's the type of person I could hang out with! <br />
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Don't forget to <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B240683257%3B63558111%3Bg&k4=2005&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest</a> for a chance to win $1,000 to celebrate a friend with a refreshing attitude about looking and feeling fabulous. I was selected for this <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B240683257%3B63558111%3Bg&k4=2005&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Tropicana Trop50</a> sponsorship by the <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clevergirlscollective.com%2F&k4=2013&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Clever Girls Collective</a>, which endorses <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogwithintegrity.com%2F&k4=2006&k5=%7Bbanner_id%7D" target="_blank">Blog With Integrity</a>, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-55956452456827056322011-05-16T08:39:00.000-05:002011-05-16T08:39:35.876-05:00A Little Something-Something for your Monday....<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BM39ya_-XQM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-4845331023471878302011-05-14T08:39:00.000-05:002011-05-14T08:39:59.551-05:00I Got Sucked into the Mania of TwitterRemember when I first said I caved just to follow @BravoAndy? I think I came up with a lame twitter name (or whatever it's called when you name yourself on twitter.) I told myself I would just follow people and then read their tweets. Well, after I joined, I forgot about it for awhile and then never checked twitter. Recently, however, I got the idea to change my 'name' to something catchy and now my tweet name is iamdawndi. Perfect for me, right? Well, I AM Dawndi. ha. And then all of a sudden...I got sucked in! I can't help it. It just happened. My friend Melisa sent out her 'posse' (as I call it) to follow me, so I followed them back. I guess that's the proper twitter etiquette? I don't know. That's what I heard, though.<br />
<br />
So yesterday, I sent out the tweet, "It's Friday, it's sunny and I'm not afraid #fridaythe13th." or something like that. Then I tweeted, "I just used my first hashmark!" I was so proud of myself. Then, I got crushed (not really) when I got a tweet back by Melisa saying that it's really called a hashTAG. ugh. That's ok, though, because I made up a new word, just like her mom who calls tweeting, 'twixxing.' hehe<br />
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#trendsetters<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-38364615097316022032011-05-13T16:59:00.001-05:002011-05-13T18:21:43.261-05:00That Darn CatIf you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know that we had to put our precious black lab to sleep two days before Thanksgiving. (If you are new to my blog...WELCOME!) Anyway, Scott and I told each other that we aren't getting any more dogs, even though we love them. We want to be free to come and go without having to find a dog-sitter. Boarding our dog isn't an option after the time we boarded our yellow lab and were kindly asked to never bring him back. Yes, we are THOSE pet owners. We can't help it. We loved our dogs and spoiled them endlessly.<br />
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This past fall and then this spring, I noticed that we had a cat taking up residence on our lower deck. He (or maybe he's a she?) enjoyed sunning himself on one of our deck chairs. I neglected to bring in the cushions, so he had a very comfy place to stay. He wasn't going anywhere.<br />
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I regularly looked out the window to check on 'my' cat. I even referred to him as 'my cat' and would say, "Aw, look at my cat out there! I bet he's cold!" Scott told me that under no circumstance was I to drag that thing into the house. No worries since #1 I'm allergic and #2 I don't like cats. Plus, if we were to have a pet, she would be a chocolate lab named Enola and she would be the sweetest thing that ever lived. What? Doesn't everyone name their non-existent pet? Whatever.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I digress...this past week I cleaned all of the leaves off of the lower deck so that I could scrub the deck and the porch furniture. Cat was nowhere around. He did leave evidence of his existence, though. There is a huge hole in the cushion of 'his' chair. dammit.<br />
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Note to self...bring in chair cushions at the end of the season. Lesson learned.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-831465222856763742011-05-07T11:01:00.000-05:002011-05-07T11:01:48.394-05:00He Would have been Happier in a Sombrero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUPCIh5ly6J5uUWuxALZF7GNDRi1xcezR8z2_7wwivWu68i8xWFEMJ4s1Xyk0KMTyWRV_fBT_m9yleeMOJyvWfthT45Ijh_rL1h-92hKUNK0UXdBzyJs0l81T9Sr8YAu6xWxtnPPqBVMd/s1600/Disney+%252709+407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>During our Disney trip in 2009, I bought Nick a <a href="http://dishinwithdawndi.blogspot.com/2011/04/he-was-lucky-it-wasnt-puffy-shirt.html">pirate hat</a>. I should have bought him a sombrero instead.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c_vUBYZtoR2V2uFzY5cOoarSlN75KyWSiDWM1ocY5CfPz_QhWqcPzsnDixMLS7-fcX1b039T9yGf6luaY9cSoSQPwFrMC9x69o91HfQqxqeCJxiQI5pm7tcKaA6Z27aWe-ZMpvZb-u67/s1600/Disney+%252709+402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c_vUBYZtoR2V2uFzY5cOoarSlN75KyWSiDWM1ocY5CfPz_QhWqcPzsnDixMLS7-fcX1b039T9yGf6luaY9cSoSQPwFrMC9x69o91HfQqxqeCJxiQI5pm7tcKaA6Z27aWe-ZMpvZb-u67/s320/Disney+%252709+402.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtCT3DRMDYKC2wi5ABYmsOar_-Xy0EqLEywaoUQJQEkF_mOLf_1_YPo3KYoG9li__Um7VFOkKbA48EfnRyH4ufH1v6v90w1Ynuglza6Vy-MvJGhPx8tjpQg99Hd8O8M1Vfe9uXQ6_6lt6/s1600/Disney+%252709+406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtCT3DRMDYKC2wi5ABYmsOar_-Xy0EqLEywaoUQJQEkF_mOLf_1_YPo3KYoG9li__Um7VFOkKbA48EfnRyH4ufH1v6v90w1Ynuglza6Vy-MvJGhPx8tjpQg99Hd8O8M1Vfe9uXQ6_6lt6/s320/Disney+%252709+406.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUPCIh5ly6J5uUWuxALZF7GNDRi1xcezR8z2_7wwivWu68i8xWFEMJ4s1Xyk0KMTyWRV_fBT_m9yleeMOJyvWfthT45Ijh_rL1h-92hKUNK0UXdBzyJs0l81T9Sr8YAu6xWxtnPPqBVMd/s1600/Disney+%252709+407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUPCIh5ly6J5uUWuxALZF7GNDRi1xcezR8z2_7wwivWu68i8xWFEMJ4s1Xyk0KMTyWRV_fBT_m9yleeMOJyvWfthT45Ijh_rL1h-92hKUNK0UXdBzyJs0l81T9Sr8YAu6xWxtnPPqBVMd/s320/Disney+%252709+407.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-55802159493822283742011-05-06T09:28:00.000-05:002011-05-06T09:28:51.093-05:00Love in the MailboxSunday is Mother's Day. I actually bought cards and got them in the mail in time. <whew> At least this year I don't suck! I got a surprise of my own in the mail yesterday....a Mother's Day card from my father-in-law. How sweet is that? Of course, I cried when I read it. I love that man. </whew><br />
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As soon and I can talk about it without crying, I'm going to call him to tell him how much it means to me. I still can't think about it without getting tears in my eyes, though. <br />
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It makes me want to get better about sending random cards and notes in the mail to make someone's day. Hopefully I'll get better about sending cards. Maybe.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-73330134922603263592011-05-05T17:47:00.000-05:002011-05-05T17:47:55.220-05:00Ole'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovvrexzIBww5ckZsC2kJyokA2okP7P5tAyMvVBssO-wVWcxJ75gQ6sm_knBbzW6pNxLU4KJFbd_DrFYoSWBxbwtAR8Zjj7014oEcKvdSY5sYqgN-2mNGxrUf4rhRCEWDb3IEbzE5A-A0J/s1600/DSCF3193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hUH_34A47VENL4OJ14uu8x4qk3g9Wm90qQCKa7Al3JMlxqqSnSBOICqraVBUWvRDQn0iwXEAHpQmgOzUUePpaYABDNT5W5cnVk9uIi-YT7xW3S4zXHFD4TPpoGv2POrL7lAnxm1cYLWF/s1600/DSCF3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hUH_34A47VENL4OJ14uu8x4qk3g9Wm90qQCKa7Al3JMlxqqSnSBOICqraVBUWvRDQn0iwXEAHpQmgOzUUePpaYABDNT5W5cnVk9uIi-YT7xW3S4zXHFD4TPpoGv2POrL7lAnxm1cYLWF/s320/DSCF3195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9XD7tSmEx_3aCjDWv-BX71zP6GciEhWoj-KupbTIC8E1xu4Ja8ruZf_CJslugppx9WaNKUP3UV4_1WiaYAah_CbqNqnulWQ3jTU9TsKi7fQeIPcBrf3l83efpKhjaCfQD4iK8yBmvhD4/s1600/DSCF3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I'm going to share my sister's Enchilada Casserole recipe. As you probably already have guessed, I am NOT Mexican (the huge clue being my very fair, freckled skin and reddish hair). I am basically a European Mutt. But that's ok. I'm going to celebrate the Mexican holiday anyway by making one of my new favorite recipes (thanks, Margie!)<br />
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Enchilada Casserole<br />
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken<br />
Southwestern seasoning (I use Mrs. Dash's Southwest Chipotle), to taste...I'm going to say about 1 Tbs or so.<br />
Cumin (I leave this out...but you can use however much you like)<br />
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained<br />
12oz bag of frozen corn, thawed<br />
4oz can chopped green chiles<br />
dried cilantro (about 1tsp) or fresh if it's available<br />
Mix above ingredients together<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovvrexzIBww5ckZsC2kJyokA2okP7P5tAyMvVBssO-wVWcxJ75gQ6sm_knBbzW6pNxLU4KJFbd_DrFYoSWBxbwtAR8Zjj7014oEcKvdSY5sYqgN-2mNGxrUf4rhRCEWDb3IEbzE5A-A0J/s1600/DSCF3193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovvrexzIBww5ckZsC2kJyokA2okP7P5tAyMvVBssO-wVWcxJ75gQ6sm_knBbzW6pNxLU4KJFbd_DrFYoSWBxbwtAR8Zjj7014oEcKvdSY5sYqgN-2mNGxrUf4rhRCEWDb3IEbzE5A-A0J/s320/DSCF3193.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
8 6-inch flour tortillas<br />
shredded Mexican cheese<br />
1 large can or 2 small cans mild enchilada sauce<br />
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Pour enchilada sauce to cover bottom of casserole dish.<br />
Cover with 4 tortilla shells<br />
Layer 1/2 of the chicken mixture<br />
Cover with shredded cheese<br />
Spread more enchilada sauce over chicken/cheese<br />
Cover with 4 tortilla shells<br />
Pour rest of enchilada sauce over shells<br />
Layer remaining chicken mixture<br />
Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees<br />
Uncover and put more cheese over the top<br />
Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9XD7tSmEx_3aCjDWv-BX71zP6GciEhWoj-KupbTIC8E1xu4Ja8ruZf_CJslugppx9WaNKUP3UV4_1WiaYAah_CbqNqnulWQ3jTU9TsKi7fQeIPcBrf3l83efpKhjaCfQD4iK8yBmvhD4/s1600/DSCF3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9XD7tSmEx_3aCjDWv-BX71zP6GciEhWoj-KupbTIC8E1xu4Ja8ruZf_CJslugppx9WaNKUP3UV4_1WiaYAah_CbqNqnulWQ3jTU9TsKi7fQeIPcBrf3l83efpKhjaCfQD4iK8yBmvhD4/s320/DSCF3200.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Pour a margarita and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-63552158714427344522011-05-03T15:38:00.002-05:002011-05-03T15:38:45.348-05:00And the winner is....<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kDVEGNSlQ1c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-3549270192178061872011-05-01T10:47:00.000-05:002011-05-01T10:47:39.534-05:00We Were Practically Sisters...Without the SororityI come from a very small town, so going to a very large university was a huge deal to me. I moved into a dorm at WVU's downtown campus with a group of strangers. I met my roommate at orientation because my dad recognized her from the pictures she sent to me. She happened to be right in front of us in line for lunch. Sadly, she and I didn't hit it off so well. <br />
<br />
Luckily, however, I was in a suite with another pair of girls. At first, things were a bit rocky, but once we got to know one another, we really hit it off great. I hadn't learned to come out of my shell and was still quite shy, but Karen, one of my suitemates...whoa! She was a firecracker! And I loved that about her!<br />
<br />
Things were a bit strange in the beginning because I was meeting all new people and none of my high school friends lived downtown, except for one of my guy friends Philip. However, life as a co-ed is so much better than life as a high-school student, so I bonded quickly with the gals on my floor. We kept our doors open during the day and would pop in on one another if a song we liked was playing on someone's stereo, or if there was a funny story to share, we could find someone with which to share it. And the day the space shuttle exploded? I was walking down the hall to my room and I heard screams coming from down the hallway. I ran to the lounge and we sat and cried together.<br />
<br />
At the end of freshman year, a few of us decided to rent a house together for our sophomore year. I think it was Karen who knew the girls who were currently renting the house, so we went over (it was 2 doors down from our current dorm) to look at the house. It was a horribly old, run-down house, but we saw it through different eyes. We saw it as our key to freedom. It had four bedrooms and one bathroom and was quite expensive, so we decided that 6 of us would move it. Yes, six females in a house with one bathroom. It got interesting to say the least. Lani and I shared the biggest bedroom upstairs. Theresa and Amy each had their own bedroom upstairs, and Karen and Cheryl shared the bedroom downstairs. We had a small kitchen and a very large living room with a window seat on the large front window. We made a bathroom schedule based on our school schedule and things usually ran like clockwork (except for the time I came out of the bathroom a bit late and Karen was waiting on the top step...not too happy....oops.) <br />
<br />
People usually congregated in our house. Girls who lived on the floor in the dorm with us came over quite frequently and we had such a great time in that house. Nevermind the fact that there were times we chased mice around attempting to squash them with a broom in the kitchen. Did I mention that house was old and run-down? <br />
<br />
These friends and I stuck together through thick and thin. They came to our wedding. Karen even came to visit me in Virginia Beach while Scott was deployed. Sadly, I lost contact with all of them except for 3. Karen and I speak frequently on facebook. Trudy and Cinda (two of my dorm friends who frequented our house our sophomore year) are facebook friends of mine. However, it's Karen I'm closest to still. She'll always be that girl with the big hair (hey, didn't we all have big hair in the 80s?) who encouraged me to have big fun. She made me laugh and she still does. I'm a better person to have her in my life. <br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-18992388872682038432011-04-29T18:30:00.000-05:002011-04-29T18:30:19.292-05:00She was more beautiful than Princess AuroraI will admit to getting up at 5am Central time to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I missed all of the nonsense of the arrival of the guests, what they were wearing (although, I did see pictures of that 'hat' that Princess Beatrice wore. seriously?) I turned on the tv just in time to see Catherine and her father exit the car to enter Westminster Abbey. I gasped with joy when I first saw her gown. She looked beautiful, as a princess should. <br />
<br />
As I was watching her walk down the aisle to meet her prince at the alter, all I could think of was Sleeping Beauty. You know? The scenes where the king and queen are in the church or castle or wherever they were? (Sleeping Beauty is my very favorite Disney princess, by the way.)<br />
<br />
Prince William reminds me so much of his mother (not that I ever knew her personally, of course.) His mannerisms, the shy way he looks out of the corner of his eyes when waving, his smile, etc. As a couple, though, the new Prince and Princess have no resemblance of Prince Charles and Princess Diana as a couple. Prince William and his bride seem very comfortable, albeit a bit nervous, and in love, just like a newly married couple should be. Prince Charles and Princess Diana? Not so much. They were both very stiff and it just seemed forced. That marriage was a semi-happy beginning (mainly for the bystanders) that had a very sad, and then tragic ending.<br />
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This afternoon, I was browsing pictures of the second wedding dress that Princess Kate wore. While the first dress was very classic with its romantic lace and long train (which reminds me of my mother's wedding dress from pictures that I've seen...and yes, my mom's waist was tiny like Kate's.) The second dress was made by the same designer, but was entirely different. No lace, lots of bling around the waist, and a circular hem. (forgive me for not knowing the correct designer terms....I'm ignorant in the world of fashion.) She looked fabulous in both dresses.<br />
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I'm a sap when it comes to weddings and I will admit that I cried once or twice during the ceremony. (As an aside, I also cry when I watch TLC's A Baby Story...people giving birth gets me every time.) I also gave a little cheer when they had their first kiss(es) on the balcony. And how cute was the little attendant who put her hands over her ears as they were kissing? She'll probably grow up being recognized as 'that little girl.' CUTE!<br />
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I'm hoping that Prince William and Princess Catherine have a long and wonderful life together as husband and wife!<br />
<br />
<i>By the way, it's not to late to enter my contest to win a Chicago travel guide for families. Click <a href="http://dishinwithdawndi.blogspot.com/2011/04/thinking-of-visiting-chicago.html">here</a> to enter.</i> <i>You have until noon on Tuesday to enter and there are 4 ways to get your name into the drawing! </i><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-50331787127030403912011-04-28T15:50:00.000-05:002011-04-28T15:50:35.432-05:00Long Distance RelationshipsScott and I started out in high school as good friends. We didn't date one another, but we did sit together at lunch (while I gave change for the vending machines). I had a steady boyfriend and he had a steady girlfriend. He and I were just good friends. We talked about anything and everything. Then, we graduated and he left for the Navy. We started writing to each other and after I went to WVU, my boyfriend and I broke up. Scott decided to come to visit me at school.<br />
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That visit turned into a relationship that has lasted over 25 years now. Our first 'date' was October 12, 1985. We got engaged in December of that year and then we got married the following December. I think we actually saw each other face-to-face about 30ish days in that year. It was brutal because we didn't have the social media, email, Skype, cell phones, etc. that exist these days. I still have all of the letters and cards that he send to me throughout that year.<br />
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We were able to call one another on occasion, but phone calls were expensive. He was going to A School at Great Lakes in IL and lived in a barracks. I lived in a dorm and had a phone in my room. His phone was in a hallway, and was shared by all of the guys on that floor. When I called, I would have to tell the person who answered who I wanted to talk to and they would go to see if he was in his room or in someone else's room on the floor. The minutes added up!<br />
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After we got married, we spent the next 4 years in a long-distance marriage. We lived in an apartment in Virginia Beach, then moved closer to the base in a townhouse in Norfolk. His battle group would be gone for weeks or even months at a time. He was a boiler tech, so he was the first one on the ship before deployment and the last one off the ship. There were many deployments that I would go to welcome the ship back to port with the other wives, only to find out he had duty that night, so after spending an hour or so together, I would have to go back home alone.<br />
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Luckily, I was busy with work and school, so I didn't have a lot of time to sit and be sad about him being gone. And we had a dog. That dog loved Scott, but beside knowing where his food came from, he had little respect for me. Needless to say, that dog was like having an ill behaved child. He was spoiled. BUT, he was very smart. I would tell him, "Rex! I'm going to get Daddy because he's coming home!" His ears would perk up and he would wag his short, little tail. One many occasions, I would return home alone from the ship. I would then take Rex out for a walk and he would pull me over to the car and look in the window as if he was looking for his true Master. little ungrateful jerk. (I jest...maybe)<br />
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Long distance relationships these days seem like they would be a whole lot easier than 'back in the day.' There are so many ways to stay connected with a loved-one. It's not for the weak at heart, though. I think that if a relationship is truly worth fighting for, then it can work. Patience and good communication are important. And both parties have to be willing to make it work.<br />
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<i>Have you entered my giveaway yet? Click <a href="http://dishinwithdawndi.blogspot.com/2011/04/thinking-of-visiting-chicago.html">here</a></i> <i>for a chance to win my friend's book Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go, a Chicago travel guide for families with tweens and teens</i>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-40144845241134008612011-04-28T06:27:00.000-05:002011-04-28T06:27:03.469-05:00The Power of TelevisionAs you well know (if you are a regular reader of my blog), I love reality tv. One of the shows that I watch on a regular basis is Bethenny Ever After. Some of her products are a bit 'out there' (i.e. the cleanse...which I would never do), however, her new cocktail Skinnygirl Margarita, is delicious. I looked online to see if it was sold here in my area of my state (Farm Country), and was excited to find that my local grocery stocked it.<br />
<br />
The last time I went grocery shopping, I purchased a bottle. I'm not a huge fan of tequila, so I was unsure if I would enjoy it. I found it very light and refreshing, though. I think that it's only 100 calories for a 4oz serving, which is large enough for this lightweight. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloHXYV63WMNttavVskgf-SP7o52BUZQJJGCSLlwpJhPPZ-BylhpdBRXjOFBbAd0MJXXJX0m7Az64bHa-vDajPeO1694Q3OkN93IGDBFgG_WFwtOX0zvQ_2DCnuJrr64X3fAWjPK6JaaOV/s1600/DSCF3189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloHXYV63WMNttavVskgf-SP7o52BUZQJJGCSLlwpJhPPZ-BylhpdBRXjOFBbAd0MJXXJX0m7Az64bHa-vDajPeO1694Q3OkN93IGDBFgG_WFwtOX0zvQ_2DCnuJrr64X3fAWjPK6JaaOV/s320/DSCF3189.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am being a dork with my Skinnygirl Margarita</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can imagine how refreshing this will be on a hot summer evening while I sit on my deck swing while reading a book. <br />
<br />
***Disclaimer: Bethenny has no idea who I am and this is not a paid advertisement for Skinnygirl. <br />
<br />
By the way, have you entered my giveaway yet? Click <a href="http://dishinwithdawndi.blogspot.com/2011/04/thinking-of-visiting-chicago.html">here</a> for a chance to win my friend's book Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go, a Chicago travel guide for families of tweens and teens. You have until next Tuesday to enter. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-81517571719687661792011-04-26T16:46:00.000-05:002011-04-26T16:46:55.580-05:00Thinking of visiting Chicago?Yes? Well, I have something for you! Yes, YOU! My dear friend <a href="http://suburbanscrawl/">Melisa</a> has written her second book called <a href="http://suburbanscrawl.com/mybooks/">Chicken in the Car and the Car Won't Go</a>, which is a travel guide for families with tweens and teens. The book is due to be released in mid-May, however, you can pre-order it <a href="http://suburbanscrawl.com/2011/04/the-early-book-birds-catch-the-chance-to-win-a-gift-card/">here</a> and if you pre-order using that link, you are entered on her page to win a $30 Target gift card. <br />
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I am giving away a copy of the book on my blog. I will be pulling a name from a hat (which I will do in a separate vlog post next week). Here are the ways to win: <br />
1. Leave a comment telling me that you want to win. <br />
2. Follow me with Google Connect and leave a separate comment telling me that you did that. If you already follow me, this one’s a freebie but you have to leave the comment anyway!<br />
3. If you are a blogger, blog about this giveaway, including a link to this post. Leave a separate comment with the blog url.<br />
4. 'Like' my facebook fan page and leave a separate comment telling me that you did that. If you already 'like' my page, you need to leave a comment telling me that you like my page.<br />
Make sure you include your email address in your comments so that I can contact you. Melisa will sign the book and ship it directly to you.<br />
<br />
** <i>Melisa and I have been friends for over 25 years. I wanted to help her promote her book by doing this give away. I'm just spreading the love. By the way...she's the reason I started this blog!</i><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-19470207836737848592011-04-12T09:51:00.000-05:002011-04-12T09:51:04.971-05:00Tuesday RandomnessThis is the second day in a row that the sun has been out and the temps are in the 60s! There is hope that we've seen the last of Old Man Winter. :fingers crossed:<br />
<br />
I think I have touch of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder">seasonal affective disorder</a>. I really dislike winter, except for Christmas. I want to go straight from Christmas to spring. Do not pass Go; do not collect $200.<br />
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When you see a mom of an only child, please don't ask her when she's having another. And don't say something cutesy to her child like, "I think it's time for you to have a brother or sister!" <br />
<br />
Never ask a woman when she is due to give birth, unless you know without a doubt that she is pregnant. Someone once asked me when I was due. I looked them straight in the eye and said, "I'm not pregnant. I'm fat." Awkward!<br />
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Gas prices skyrocketed. Thankfully, I have a 3 mile commute to work. Otherwise, I couldn't afford to get to work. <br />
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Between Scott's air points that he's accumulating and his hotel points, our next vacation will be practically free.<br />
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Must. have. patience.<br />
<br />
I walked the golf course while Scott golfed on Sunday. I want to get some cute golf outfits to wear on the course. <br />
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I found a tick in my head yesterday. Scott got it out for me. Thankfully, it wasn't full of blood and it came out very easily.<br />
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Tonight is book club. Our book this month was <u>Wench</u> by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.<br />
<br />
I heart my Kindle. I have 19 games, 7 cookbooks, 12 Bible study books, 23 classics, 8 Little House books, and 379 books in my archives.<br />
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Happy Tuesday! Get out there and enjoy the sunshine! (that is if it's sunny in your neck of the woods!)<br />
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<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-31019289407289172722011-04-11T16:58:00.000-05:002011-04-11T16:58:16.708-05:00He was lucky it wasn't a puffy shirtTwo years ago, the three of us went to Walt Disney World for Spring Break. It was Nick's* senior year in high school, and we decided that if we were going to go as a family, that would be the perfect time to go. We were making preps for his Eagle Court of Honor and graduation, as well as getting him ready to leave for college. Scott and I were a bit melancholy, so we thought this trip would be perfect timing....and we were right.<br />
<br />
The fourth or fifth day we were there, I started going through all of the pictures on my camera and noticed that I didn't have many from my favorite park, The Magic Kingdom. I panicked. I almost started crying and told Scott that we had to make another trip over there so that I could take a ton of pictures of all of my favorite places.<br />
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Scott had already bought a Captain Jack Sparrow hat and had been wearing that every day to every park we visited. He was really getting into the 'zone.' We decided to be a family of pirates that day at the Magic Kingdom. I bought a set of Pirates of the Caribbean Mickey ears and then saw the perfect hat for Nick: a set of Goofy ears with a bandanna and gold earring. He did his best Seinfeld impression that day..."but I don't want to be a pirate!" <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IimDpk09wpc" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Almost exactly like that, except for the Spanish subtitles, that is. ;) <br />
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Scott told him that he would wear the hat and smile. He said, "you want to make your mother happy, don't you?" He reluctantly put on the hat, but wasn't happy....at first.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQUlnEeT6tqFSh5F47BEEEbxtDJ1XQdeZ898YoGCcs-DfdulD6A9JwSyPoONHwqolgLMeHeYfQ64Rq9hJdMn5qit1SCA7N-uNM0aF7w8DMUazsli4S3Txc9l7kaYYnzTopoRhFdjBYr6g/s1600/Disney+%252709+331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQUlnEeT6tqFSh5F47BEEEbxtDJ1XQdeZ898YoGCcs-DfdulD6A9JwSyPoONHwqolgLMeHeYfQ64Rq9hJdMn5qit1SCA7N-uNM0aF7w8DMUazsli4S3Txc9l7kaYYnzTopoRhFdjBYr6g/s320/Disney+%252709+331.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit annoyed....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-7bCT1uN-6OXqTJLIHfslWekEvjFg8AYoSllgZCZVWPfEIEWzu7TziQSdLcJdZuP93PeoAKZ0HpKJNLSlZ2mLFiE-tCYkCMX8FUgJG6Qan0yenMtsv7D8E9l8YYqeujLRvF-ftFWUJbk/s1600/Disney+%252709+332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-7bCT1uN-6OXqTJLIHfslWekEvjFg8AYoSllgZCZVWPfEIEWzu7TziQSdLcJdZuP93PeoAKZ0HpKJNLSlZ2mLFiE-tCYkCMX8FUgJG6Qan0yenMtsv7D8E9l8YYqeujLRvF-ftFWUJbk/s320/Disney+%252709+332.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still annoyed, but warming up a bit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEJtYNibYcZgkNLZxdOIjWLESC5pE9tqn-QjyZk86lvecKxxexvxIetPuLxE4hj8yZKb_6geyV7k49ScGc9-Nr3QbeiSSvaKzucr4dzu86HUEC9JTM_lhkziS2XO6WOXpXgwDUo7Gjdz4/s1600/Disney+%252709+342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEJtYNibYcZgkNLZxdOIjWLESC5pE9tqn-QjyZk86lvecKxxexvxIetPuLxE4hj8yZKb_6geyV7k49ScGc9-Nr3QbeiSSvaKzucr4dzu86HUEC9JTM_lhkziS2XO6WOXpXgwDUo7Gjdz4/s320/Disney+%252709+342.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy pirate family in front of the castle.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0iPrRLZm7fBZ1dG8Urvx-98_egYxk002XQQI6dlemRKDpiMTazHWu4NLQV6SfR5OsvtZLQUEttAZvwzIDhzDqCvFQTkFrDmLdPQEf2V0qfhoZBtm91EsOKBwpDjcBTTOQifggKW9uCXs/s1600/Disney+%252709+345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0iPrRLZm7fBZ1dG8Urvx-98_egYxk002XQQI6dlemRKDpiMTazHWu4NLQV6SfR5OsvtZLQUEttAZvwzIDhzDqCvFQTkFrDmLdPQEf2V0qfhoZBtm91EsOKBwpDjcBTTOQifggKW9uCXs/s320/Disney+%252709+345.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to relax and get into the zone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nQeFIvhaJGzX7KMfSnS1FD5rH6-uE2nxsiZa0BArR907YDDy9h_R7DS2ANWS7683s-XOb4CU-u4q9KAj6KCszaMffFg-jKCYueSTnnH24ej3JOoCo7gB2ZYKkdLdNsS9rEf9STeg2pgX/s1600/Disney+%252709+346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nQeFIvhaJGzX7KMfSnS1FD5rH6-uE2nxsiZa0BArR907YDDy9h_R7DS2ANWS7683s-XOb4CU-u4q9KAj6KCszaMffFg-jKCYueSTnnH24ej3JOoCo7gB2ZYKkdLdNsS9rEf9STeg2pgX/s320/Disney+%252709+346.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The three of us had some much fun on that trip. We laughed harder than any other vacation. Scott was reluctant to go to Disney World because of the heat and the crowds. We went in mid-March before most of the country was on spring break, so the crowds weren't bad and the weather was gorgeous. Our timing was perfect!<br />
<br />
I'm hoping to go again in 2013 after the Fantasyland renovation is complete. Is it a coincidence that it is also the same year Nick graduates from college? Hmmmmmmm........ Must. save. money. NOW.<br />
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*Nick aka The Boy....he will always be "the boy" to us, but he's 20, so I'm thinking I can start calling him 'Nick' on here now.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-58363500226282024562011-04-08T07:43:00.000-05:002011-04-08T07:43:41.365-05:00The Time I Took Years off of my Parents' LivesThe following story is a bit sketchy in my memory. I was about 11 years old and my memory isn't what it used to be. However, it's something I'll never forget and I know my mom still thinks of it as one of the scariest times in her life.<br />
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It was the summer of '77ish. We were headed to Myrtle Beach (?) with another family. We had a little convoy going with our campers. The first night, we stopped at a huge KOA in or near Virginia Beach. The grown ups were getting the camps set up and my brother, sister, and I headed off to the playground to play. My parents told us to memorize the street we were on so that we could find our way back. (Side note: these days, parents would never, ever send children to strange playgrounds to play by themselves, but this was the 70s and things were safer back then.)<br />
<br />
My brother is 15 months older than I am. My sister is 6 years younger than I. I am the middle child and I had Middle Child Syndrome and really played it up most of the time....I still do, but only to irritate my brother. ;) We walked to the playground. I'm not sure how far away from the campsite, I just know that we couldn't wait to get there and run off some energy. I also remember that I was wearing a sundress. I have no idea why I remember that random piece of information, except that I got embarrassed, which led to the follow turn of events.<br />
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We played for awhile, and then my brother decided it was time to get back. He was the responsible one and always wore a watch. I didn't want him bossing me around. I can't remember if I fell or he pushed me and I fell, but I did fall and my dress flew up and my underwear was showing and I was so embarrassed. There was no way in hell I was following him anywhere! He told me that he and my sister were going back and I should go back too. I was defiant and told him I was going back on my own. Big mistake. My sense of direction wasn't as developed as it is now. (I now have my dad's sense of direction, which is a blessing.)<br />
<br />
Sam and Margie left the playground and I was alone. I decided to walk back to the campsite. I went the wrong direction and started walking in circles. It was getting dark. I was tired, hungry, and scared. But, I just knew that Sam would show up and rescue me. He's rescued me before. He's my big brother and loves me even if I'm a pain in the butt. No one rescued me. No one knew exactly where I was because *I* didn't even know where I was. I just knew I was still in that HUGE campground looking for Rocking Horse Lane. (again with the random memory thing.)<br />
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I did a very scary thing. I talked to strangers! My parents drilled it into my head to NEVER, EVER talk to strangers, but I had no choice. I saw a group of people at a pay phone. Some people were using the phone and some were waiting in line for the phone. I walked up to a very nice, clean cut couple and started crying. I said, "Can you help me find Rocking Horse Lane?" They looked at me and started talking in French. I started crying harder. Another sweet couple said, "Are you lost, sweetie?" I cried harder. They got a map of the camp ground and I told them the name of the street where we were camping.<br />
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The man of the couple went to get a flashlight and we took off to find my parents. I was a mess. I didn't even think they would do anything bad to me. I was lucky that night. When we turned the corner of our street and came to our campsite, Helen, the woman who was camping with us, jumped up and yelled, "She's here! She's here!" and she gave me the biggest hug. I felt so safe for the first time in hours. My mom and dad came running up the road and I remember the look on my mom's face....relief. She yelled my name and gave me a hug. My dad's face registered relief and a bit of anger, but he was scared.<br />
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Later, my mom told me that all she could think of was some crazy people taking me away and never seeing me again. As a parent, I 'get' it. That had to be the longest evening of their lives.<br />
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My brother and sister hugged me, then Sam hit me and called me an idiot and told me that I needed to listen to him from now on. <br />
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The next morning, we broke camp and headed off to Myrtle Beach. I never ventured far from the camp. I didn't trust myself to be able to find my way back. I knew that the next time (there never was a 'next time', thankfully) I may not have been as lucky.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7796824163060264621.post-19543462571912992902011-04-07T09:59:00.000-05:002011-04-07T09:59:36.660-05:00Spinach SaladToday is a salad luncheon at work. I signed up to take one of my favorite salads: Spinach Salad. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxUnjJv1bxetSg6X4j_f_EqjA4bJfNq0-ZRpNicCO5Tsywh5AReHntWKYfbjDOLLgOebqOCrj443wvTidhiPsZhkDZxGZmSKgWjAPhD45TlaZDGWArAIoDGo1aGoGfuZ4BhqNQaN9lhRv/s320/DSCF3179.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 10 oz bags of baby spinach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin3pRQXHB_V1aaT7JN59cLWMHygnxAb3QZoBnebf70qrJBvacC2uRWBTgpNBzi3pAj6jEeN1RfsuqlrsRVho93HC-cRajvipXfhyphenhyphenTOyK2RO8C3UWP1ioXp8BEqbj_43h9ymPy17YGuk3I/s1600/DSCF3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin3pRQXHB_V1aaT7JN59cLWMHygnxAb3QZoBnebf70qrJBvacC2uRWBTgpNBzi3pAj6jEeN1RfsuqlrsRVho93HC-cRajvipXfhyphenhyphenTOyK2RO8C3UWP1ioXp8BEqbj_43h9ymPy17YGuk3I/s320/DSCF3180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One can of water chestnuts, drained and chopped.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkYMPdEtc2iQFe4M0PHZcTS7GiW_-Q-jRAoAXfbwQQYdgs4swyxeBYwsoLWq3wdU3QFbO6LygY08Y9ZSsuYY0sHOH-bjMhrCg3yDNR4Yq6cxU0schTlKv7Gz65n6bI1ajx-tAed5qVriL/s1600/DSCF3181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkYMPdEtc2iQFe4M0PHZcTS7GiW_-Q-jRAoAXfbwQQYdgs4swyxeBYwsoLWq3wdU3QFbO6LygY08Y9ZSsuYY0sHOH-bjMhrCg3yDNR4Yq6cxU0schTlKv7Gz65n6bI1ajx-tAed5qVriL/s320/DSCF3181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One small can of bean sprouts, drained</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXDpbhK0iKzzmm4QB342B9OfrTcWo3aqdZxjORuKbHHjJvr-2paZEzPxgGBkMPUahRoHFzM04-WhDQcQRI7u9_OtP0hleJUhnBdMxfE9ezCdhnfpnHC9LpIDRy1wVUsBM_aZZF1L42uBd/s1600/DSCF3182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXDpbhK0iKzzmm4QB342B9OfrTcWo3aqdZxjORuKbHHjJvr-2paZEzPxgGBkMPUahRoHFzM04-WhDQcQRI7u9_OtP0hleJUhnBdMxfE9ezCdhnfpnHC9LpIDRy1wVUsBM_aZZF1L42uBd/s320/DSCF3182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and chopped</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd4i6YCkZG_Dffprgamf6ODiGycZqerzDBYAkCQEeciu0-BQv1e8dxhmJ6hoXI8kGARMSH4YX_xZU1cVKlA1vPjPWXWhG0F7fVKeYK-zI3MZoXeA3IGIaybjuoSbbc0dYsk1G4el-1eQw/s1600/DSCF3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd4i6YCkZG_Dffprgamf6ODiGycZqerzDBYAkCQEeciu0-BQv1e8dxhmJ6hoXI8kGARMSH4YX_xZU1cVKlA1vPjPWXWhG0F7fVKeYK-zI3MZoXeA3IGIaybjuoSbbc0dYsk1G4el-1eQw/s320/DSCF3183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 hard cooked eggs, chopped</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yYTmoYle5fRzTT5jJIBi-FnVS-T1V8PTyosmCmTWebQyMkL5mzK2oKvXta8OuoMysGImw_EL1fMcZU7Io-aArvCw8o32SwsAo8Dr2f5E9Xg8UqYH2q8dQqgoe4KxiTv6q9jTcafVaUrV/s1600/DSCF3184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yYTmoYle5fRzTT5jJIBi-FnVS-T1V8PTyosmCmTWebQyMkL5mzK2oKvXta8OuoMysGImw_EL1fMcZU7Io-aArvCw8o32SwsAo8Dr2f5E9Xg8UqYH2q8dQqgoe4KxiTv6q9jTcafVaUrV/s320/DSCF3184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salad dressing: Whisk together 1 cup salad oil; 3/4 cup sugar; 1/4 cup vinegar; 1 medium onion, finely diced; 1/3 cup ketchup; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Pour the dressing over the salad right before serving and toss. (I can't show a finished product because it's not lunch time.)<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/240/81EF3907D0C8C1B14868005CADD5E61F.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15277795392845529201noreply@blogger.com1