tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87483923112926321142024-03-21T11:51:12.869-04:00Beautiful CollisionThis is where all my passions collide into one...a BEAUTIFUL COLLISIONMelanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-86017194764320414292014-04-15T20:43:00.001-04:002015-04-27T21:28:49.923-04:00Last moments<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think it is funny how you can tell a lot about a person by what they post on social media. For instance, looking at my Instagram, you will learn that I like theater, New York, food and flowers :-) I probably post a picture of flowers at least once a week because I buy a new bouquet at least once a week. It has gotten to the point that my home feels incomplete without some fresh flowers hanging out somewhere. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want to put a smile on my face? - buy me flowers :-)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a birthday about a month ago and was blessed to receive a couple of bouquets of flowers. I even had a dear family send me flowers at work. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want to REALLY put a smile on my face? - send me flowers at work :-)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These flowers stayed on my desk for a few days before I took them home for the weekend (there is something very wonderful about walking down the street carrying a bouquet of pretty flowers). That Friday evening I stood on the subway platform enjoying the flowers in my hand and thinking about how much they made me happy. Then I got to thinking about how not everyone shares my love for flower bouquets. In fact some people don't like them because they just see them as these plants that are dying - and it's true - they are dying. These flowers are cut off from their source of life and they are actually dying. But when you take these dying flowers and present them to someone like me, the last moments of their life are spent bringing someone pure joy and happiness. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In life, we will have many "last moments". It might be the last moment at a job, in a city, with a loved one ... and the list goes on. Last moments can be sad and the sadness of a last moment can suck the life out of it. But last moments can also be used to make lasting memories. Last moments can be used to bring happiness and joy to someone else. Last moments can make a lasting impact. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I think of last moments, I can't help but recall a very dear loved one - the most important person in my life - someone who used the last moments of their physical life to completely transform mine. This person literally came to my rescue - I mean LITERALLY came to my RESCUE. I was dying and they brought me life. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you have not guessed it by now, the person I am referring to is my BFF - Jesus. Jesus used the last moments of His human life to defeat death. His last moments were the ultimate sacrifice and paved the way to eternal life in a way that only the perfect Son of God could accomplish. Jesus' last moments of life brought life - the power of an empty grave. Now that is using a last moment to do something wonderful :-) </span></div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-10906986106419224142014-02-15T13:30:00.001-05:002014-02-15T13:34:01.193-05:00My Single ValentineYesterday was Valentine's Day and I celebrated in singleness. Some people may read that and just think it's sad, but not me. I love being single and I wanted to celebrate Valentine's Day in my own way.<br />
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I bought myself chocolate:</div>
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I bought myself champagne and made a little trip to Tiffany and Co. for a new champagne flute:</div>
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This truth is for all my single friends: you don't need a "Valentine" to experience Valentines' Day. <br />
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You don't have to have a "special someone" in your life to enjoy flowers and chocolate. Girlfriend, if you want chocolates and flowers - go buy yourself some. You are completely, 100% WORTH IT!!! And don't worry, just because it's the day after Valentine's doesn't mean you are too late. It just means you will be able to make your Valentine's purchase on sale! Cha-ching, look at you savvy sister :-)<br />
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For some more wonderful thoughts on who you don't need a Valentine to celebrate Valentine's Day, check out the blog of my favorite YouTuber Kandee Johnson: <a href="http://www.kandeej.com/2014/02/5-reasons-you-dont-need-valentine.html" target="_blank">"5 Reasons You Don't Need A Valentine"</a>.Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-19292709133482489922013-11-17T17:26:00.003-05:002013-11-17T17:41:41.820-05:00Once upon a time there was a girl ...<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Once upon there was a girl. She was creative, adventurous and filled with joy. Her life had taken her to many exciting places and one of the stops along the journey led her to the United States Capital - Washington DC.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She spent many years in DC spending time with wonderful family members, meeting many wonderful people, and being a part of a very wonderful church. But suddenly life hit her pretty hard (as it sometimes has the habit of doing). There were lots of circumstances that made it difficult to be around people. And suddenly that girl that had always been so full of joy found herself feeling very alone and very sad - it was not fun :-(</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One day, she had enough. Sometimes you just need to get away - and so she did. She took a very spontaneous trip to the city of New York. One Friday she booked a bus ticket and hotel room and early the next morning she was on her way for a little NYC getaway.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It was the first time she had been to New York in years and when she saw the city skyline her heart filled with joy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She went to a Broadway show:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She walked through Central Park:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She had bagels and coffee:</span></div>
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There was something about being in New York City that just felt right. She felt like she belonged there. But she knew she was just visiting - DC was her home.<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Only DC did not feel like home anymore. When that creative, adventurous, and filled with joy girl left New York her heart sank. When she pulled in to DC her heart sank even further and the sadness came again.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She had recently made a life decision that meant she was going to be in DC for at least another year and one Sunday night after coming home from a wonderful time in New York, she went to sleep feeling like she had made a big mistake. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The next day that creative, adventurous, sad girl went to work and as she rode the bus into the district her sadness bubbled inside her. But then she received an email that changed the course of her life. There was a change in circumstances and she was released from the commitment that would keep her in DC. She felt free and while the situation could have been stressful, she was relieved.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And then she had a thought...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“God, are you releasing me to move to New York?”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">She pondered that question. She prayed. She talked to trusted friends and family members. She began to think about the great big leap of faith it would be to move to New York. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Then she started stepping out. Long story short, she found housing through a wonderful friend, sold her car, quit her job, and took a leap into the great unknown. It was a little bit scary and while she dealt with the stress of finding a job in New York City, she sometimes doubted her decision - but she never regretted it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You probably already guessed - that girl is me. Moving to New York was a huge risk. I have taken lots of risks in my life and I have to say this is one of my favorites. I am so in love with this city. It instantly felt like home. It’s not perfect and there are hard days, but EVERY SINGLE TIME I cross the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan or emerge from the Subway into the city, my heart swells with gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I feel like the luckiest girl in the world :-)</span></div>
Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-88349740900252685032013-05-06T21:46:00.000-04:002013-05-06T21:46:55.548-04:00Musical Monday - A song that encourages me to keep pressing onI discovered this song the other day. I love it. As I watched the video for the first time I might of gotten a little teary eyed because it really speaks to where I am in life right now. <br />
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Those of you who know me, will probably fully understand why I love this song so much :-)<br />
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I hope you like it too :-)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/URR_4i5gIFU" width="560"></iframe>Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-4131740226634858532013-04-24T22:29:00.000-04:002013-04-24T22:32:15.766-04:00An instamatastically pinteresting post on #socialmediaI have been thinking about social media a lot lately. There are so many avenues to share your life with the click of a button. My personal favorite is Instagram. I love getting (and giving) snapshots of every day life. It's turned into a few of my own little work creations.<br />
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Melany's Instagram Vocabulary:<br />
Instamiss (v) - to miss out on the opportunity to take a great photo, thereby not being able to share it with the world through Instagram<br />
Instamatastic (adj) - something so wonderful that a photo must be captured and shared right away<br />
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Here is another one of my word creations:<br />
Pinteresting (adj) - a project or recipe that must be remembered so it can be attempted at a later time. <br />
(I even have a label on this blog named "How Pinteresting" that highlights projects associated with Pinterest)<br />
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Social media has given us many avenues to stay connected with people all over the world and to share our life with strangers and friends. Have you ever spent time thinking about what your social media activity says about you? Take a moment to think about it and look back on what you are saying to the world. <br />
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If we are not careful, we can dump lots of negativity and complaining on our hundreds of unsuspecting "close" friends. And once you put it out there, it is highly likely that someone sees it right away. Even if you decide moments later that you need to delete a post or a tweet or to remove a picture, there is a good chance that someone has seen it before you hit the delete button.<br />
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I know as I look back through my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram there are definitely some things that have been cut off the page and not always because it was something meant to be negative. I have found that there are things that I may say that can be taken in the wrong way from someone who does not know me well (case in point - sarcasm does not translate well with written words).<br />
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Then there is the flip side. Sometimes it is hard to watch people live what looks like a perfect life. I think that Relevant Magazine wrote a great article addressing this. You can read it <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/tech/stop-instagramming-your-perfect-life" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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I am grateful for social media and the opportunity that it presents to keep up with people all over the world and I am grateful for the avenues that allow me to share my life with the world. I just want to make sure that who they see is the best representation of me - someone who is positive, likes to encourage and uplift others, likes good food, desires to live a creative life, has hard times but looks at them through rose colored glasses, and most importantly loves Jesus more than anything else in the world.Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-89793688914096169342013-04-16T22:57:00.000-04:002013-04-16T22:57:11.882-04:00You Are More Beautiful Than You ThinkHey ladies!! <div>
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Watch this.</div>
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Just do it.</div>
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Right now would be a good time :-)</div>
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Just press play - and then look in the mirror - and see beauty.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/litXW91UauE" width="560"></iframe></div>
Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-76928911552642149482013-03-06T19:40:00.000-05:002013-03-06T19:40:38.627-05:00A Daily Dose of GlitterSometimes you find a gift idea for someone that is perfection. This DIY is for a gift that was perfection for my sister :-)<br />
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I saw the idea for glitter capsules on Pinterest and just knew that I had to make them for my sister. <br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/45669383692749534/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/fb/ab/57/fbab57388b4f9df28aa6b1c5e2ed1508.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://theglitterguide.tumblr.com/post/24496004715" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">theglitterguide.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melanymaree/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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They are little capsules filled with glitter. When you have a bad day and need some sparkle, you just open it up and sprinkle away :-) It's an instant party!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgzH33eNcINM0Ffbn0N60P0IgTuEFQE8oX47zQGy3A3v_6ttOhhUXdBN4o1tp7Jr3rfLHVFq9RU6UWsCI4aVrn5C85sP90ACXP4uJax9CxFv5HRMjCABYInhuvgryKfgDa9PU_a_YGatq/s1600/IMAG0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgzH33eNcINM0Ffbn0N60P0IgTuEFQE8oX47zQGy3A3v_6ttOhhUXdBN4o1tp7Jr3rfLHVFq9RU6UWsCI4aVrn5C85sP90ACXP4uJax9CxFv5HRMjCABYInhuvgryKfgDa9PU_a_YGatq/s320/IMAG0364.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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This is how I did it. It's actually very easy:<br />
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Buy some empty capsules. I got mine from Amazon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntFO7IzbIfmhl3s_tEGSsaB0RRGvOfeWgu62OeEPD42CyAqGWcLXDRC3dH8QMFY3thfasMIvMDFW0seNt7PtbB9KG1VwTCdgakMwn9Y6D1B0f2XnpkMzdPFhZWMhlqeV4voGJ72VhiE5C/s1600/IMAG0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntFO7IzbIfmhl3s_tEGSsaB0RRGvOfeWgu62OeEPD42CyAqGWcLXDRC3dH8QMFY3thfasMIvMDFW0seNt7PtbB9KG1VwTCdgakMwn9Y6D1B0f2XnpkMzdPFhZWMhlqeV4voGJ72VhiE5C/s320/IMAG0368.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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Choose your glitter (I liked using glitter with a top that twisted off and had a pretty wide opening). Gold is pretty much the only option for my sister.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGcZjVNWBV7AC9NOfT0K51iMx2n5N40XC72qcU6RY3Sv7llxTlsxznv813kL-v7ofucEUywVonu0s0fc4-3XhI1CVkQylPG5rd4ew1Ll-l4qRFyvZ-3O_yRQpRo0euMu_SdWsgjRea2_g/s1600/IMAG0367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGcZjVNWBV7AC9NOfT0K51iMx2n5N40XC72qcU6RY3Sv7llxTlsxznv813kL-v7ofucEUywVonu0s0fc4-3XhI1CVkQylPG5rd4ew1Ll-l4qRFyvZ-3O_yRQpRo0euMu_SdWsgjRea2_g/s320/IMAG0367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Filling the capsules is super simple.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjm7mX7q4Xd-97TuKEFijtjQkroowcaRq1TNTPbO_-QbILR5ozOp0Mmwu_ZyjzGNZfi05knaCWL8WhF77gqFo85YRGjfCOztvEVR06PK_aLNMDYTWFmYvBVhiiFfW7G1pePr2drqLZIB6/s1600/IMAG0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjm7mX7q4Xd-97TuKEFijtjQkroowcaRq1TNTPbO_-QbILR5ozOp0Mmwu_ZyjzGNZfi05knaCWL8WhF77gqFo85YRGjfCOztvEVR06PK_aLNMDYTWFmYvBVhiiFfW7G1pePr2drqLZIB6/s320/IMAG0733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They actually split into two pieces:</div>
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All you have to do is split it apart ... open up your glitter ... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUmJttIgGxewrN1b24VDsaN8Hj5TTkbgFx-vqupkvHyCkfB6j_shEQTqPuSNWp7_v2mrBYGbejUqXbVPJU_Y1_lu4jISc8gJmMx28Xe5mLFxPOzWqvx2TAkAfVqWJntgIcn7w6cRM6zBa/s1600/IMAG0734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUmJttIgGxewrN1b24VDsaN8Hj5TTkbgFx-vqupkvHyCkfB6j_shEQTqPuSNWp7_v2mrBYGbejUqXbVPJU_Y1_lu4jISc8gJmMx28Xe5mLFxPOzWqvx2TAkAfVqWJntgIcn7w6cRM6zBa/s320/IMAG0734.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and fill the smaller portion of the capsule with glitter:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pLbKySWRZmUrg3JjmqWtygIolzRS1IEJfciGkPqgRoNkgTjk9Ce0R5YQsI5OUdsrPGfK-n7WVDGkWGFjpQBZJmIi_u0C-W3r_egE2JyRrOKTPWfKW-Jttgj_Hl-NvWzPQjIiziXuOvAj/s1600/IMAG0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pLbKySWRZmUrg3JjmqWtygIolzRS1IEJfciGkPqgRoNkgTjk9Ce0R5YQsI5OUdsrPGfK-n7WVDGkWGFjpQBZJmIi_u0C-W3r_egE2JyRrOKTPWfKW-Jttgj_Hl-NvWzPQjIiziXuOvAj/s320/IMAG0735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-t-ElHwcDdTb_0fQwvTJnEKYK513OHD1KKClVyjSZMaXfXWlSDv-FmpIFblaMKeEP-V68QRjemMliwNjnfzuAd6w8KwxLtGlCYZ85UcgBa4vOHw1D6ar_iq1ydVhkwp-ZRxShkK6PFq2/s1600/IMAG0736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-t-ElHwcDdTb_0fQwvTJnEKYK513OHD1KKClVyjSZMaXfXWlSDv-FmpIFblaMKeEP-V68QRjemMliwNjnfzuAd6w8KwxLtGlCYZ85UcgBa4vOHw1D6ar_iq1ydVhkwp-ZRxShkK6PFq2/s320/IMAG0736.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then replace the cap and viola:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy021v1_hkxTJ6OxcCnc_Bxwj0Uvfy8hz1O-Cya9K020wWOaj1Z8cGCOess_30k4wEvu7r95q-CfF9Kv3AS3GEnsbJPOKowxN-QZY61djyfm88Zt-70k5LRGYi_Lu3pVbzS1eD5s1rVJAg/s1600/IMAG0737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy021v1_hkxTJ6OxcCnc_Bxwj0Uvfy8hz1O-Cya9K020wWOaj1Z8cGCOess_30k4wEvu7r95q-CfF9Kv3AS3GEnsbJPOKowxN-QZY61djyfm88Zt-70k5LRGYi_Lu3pVbzS1eD5s1rVJAg/s320/IMAG0737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Daily Dose of Glitter :-)</div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-64012721554266960752013-02-24T10:46:00.000-05:002013-02-24T10:47:10.932-05:00Photo a Day recap (days 42 - 48)<div style="text-align: center;">
Day 42</div>
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"Entrance"</div>
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February 11</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M6_7lu6zhPYOhmtQKlQaDrN3IL5AiGTDy8F34boVisKpelYo_GU0Vm0LaAySOJP6tWll_Tkfs3HBz1m9MoptepvYiy_2U6PlXoc_lPxbwgkzr3rp2VnHav0ItGgwQER01LljgFBxTDXu/s1600/Day+42+-+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M6_7lu6zhPYOhmtQKlQaDrN3IL5AiGTDy8F34boVisKpelYo_GU0Vm0LaAySOJP6tWll_Tkfs3HBz1m9MoptepvYiy_2U6PlXoc_lPxbwgkzr3rp2VnHav0ItGgwQER01LljgFBxTDXu/s320/Day+42+-+entrance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is me dreading walking through the door and entering back in my work day. So long lunch break, I will miss you :-)</div>
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Day 43</div>
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"Where you ate lunch"</div>
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February 43</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaag64eQ5x3GMl4S5ThNk-rNSsaSMlvwcQi18NRzNFrHUizTMzlVm-0EcxthOGs-99SbQrSYYlV_04eI1r8v7JqHFq7kSGZgl2Pvg16p2_NUwqCEXUffBCj9H9TrU5dpjVGO5cT49-MiF/s1600/Day+43+-+where+you+ate+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaag64eQ5x3GMl4S5ThNk-rNSsaSMlvwcQi18NRzNFrHUizTMzlVm-0EcxthOGs-99SbQrSYYlV_04eI1r8v7JqHFq7kSGZgl2Pvg16p2_NUwqCEXUffBCj9H9TrU5dpjVGO5cT49-MiF/s320/Day+43+-+where+you+ate+lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of lunch break, the next day the sun came out. I took the opportunity to take my lunch outside. This breath of fresh air really was a breath of fresh air. Sometimes we just need to step away from the desk and come back feeling a bit refreshed. I know that an outdoor lunch break really refreshes me.</div>
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Day 44</div>
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"Walking"</div>
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February 13</div>
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Oh Uggs - you may not be the prettiest shoe, but I love you for your warmth and comfort. Changing out of my heels and stepping in to comfort to start walking towards the bus to go home.</div>
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Day 45</div>
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"Love is"</div>
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February 14</div>
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Love is ... sometimes expressed through chocolate. Happy Valentines Day!! I celebrated by wearing red polish, writing with a red pen, and eating chocolate all day. It was great :-)</div>
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Day 46</div>
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"Inside your fridge"</div>
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February 15</div>
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My veggie door is my favorite area of the fridge - it needs a little bit of a shopping trip though :-)</div>
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Day 47</div>
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"Perfect"</div>
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February 16</div>
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I had a very crafty weekend. This project is the perfect solution for making a pretty display for my necklaces. I also made a new earring display - more info on that coming soon - stay tuned :-)</div>
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Day 48</div>
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"In your hand"</div>
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February 17</div>
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I absolutely love <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/necklaces/that-s-all-she-rotary-necklace" target="_blank">this</a> necklace that I got from <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/" target="_blank">Modcloth</a>. It's an old antique looking rotary phone. The phone receiver is attached to a tiny chain and hangs down when you wear the necklace. It also open up to be a locket. I love it so much. They are currently out of stock (sorry), but Modcloth is really good about bringing back products in high demand. So if you want your own, let them know.</div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-10761631630004517262013-02-24T10:18:00.005-05:002013-02-24T10:21:15.061-05:00Photo A Day recap (Day 35 - 41)Doing a little bit of catch up. Here are days 35 - 41 of the #fmsphotoaday challenge:<br />
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Day 35</div>
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"Hope"</div>
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February 4</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeMXgrvW9bIMakIf-u-Vefd4L-9X7zh68-1n_3bAIm1WPu-BTZkMkNxoBYgU6WpqDBi5F4aUNXTZmEpnQEJw3JNQ3JXycdjHjU9GM537bDJpmI-xYIaOXuMVOYsqPDW0cfksuH-jJ6gXA/s1600/Day+35+-+hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeMXgrvW9bIMakIf-u-Vefd4L-9X7zh68-1n_3bAIm1WPu-BTZkMkNxoBYgU6WpqDBi5F4aUNXTZmEpnQEJw3JNQ3JXycdjHjU9GM537bDJpmI-xYIaOXuMVOYsqPDW0cfksuH-jJ6gXA/s320/Day+35+-+hope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I took the opportunity to do a little bit of art journaling. You can read a little more about this page and the song that was going through my head as I made it at <a href="http://melanymaree.blogspot.com/2013/02/musical-monday-holding-on-to-hope.html" target="_blank">THIS</a> post.</div>
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Day 36</div>
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"Something you smelled"</div>
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February 5</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k3odQ2_S_gd283EAfknKvKc_JLNUW5i_z8CZESNchApi7KpqSgts9Wu9T2C-DqWWK7Gthp3aYTnW-Lqj8HpNgtp-ezg8WxJBUVX3Y8nxERBBGuffxwj1Iq3TL_a0gez93TEL7TaZtt_O/s1600/Day+36+-+something+you+smelled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k3odQ2_S_gd283EAfknKvKc_JLNUW5i_z8CZESNchApi7KpqSgts9Wu9T2C-DqWWK7Gthp3aYTnW-Lqj8HpNgtp-ezg8WxJBUVX3Y8nxERBBGuffxwj1Iq3TL_a0gez93TEL7TaZtt_O/s320/Day+36+-+something+you+smelled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roasted fennel. I have been discovering that you can roast pretty much any vegetable and even fruit. Like roasted grapefruit - sooo good. My method of roasting is to preheat my oven to 450. I take a baking sheet and put a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking. Then I cut up my veggies and toss them in some olive oil with salt (and perhaps some herbs). I put them in the oven and cook them in 10 minute increments. I take them out when they are soft. I really like them cold as well (a great lunch option for the next few days). For the grapefruit, I found that it tastes wonderful with some Truvia and cinnamon, while making your kitchen smell like Christmas - delightful!!</div>
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Day 37</div>
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"Soft"</div>
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February 6</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCis0LOKPuvd9THwjfCVNRsac2Z0VuQJotx2bKaTOVK3aWlf0Smn9GxUf-hCxgsHoeo1B8Uq1MWIH9bVn8BpYo6mg6lA9OJcbICeIWNopP0vhncIuTXUw9Q9KRWT-yoagNrEiZfTGrmzVj/s1600/Day+37+-+soft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCis0LOKPuvd9THwjfCVNRsac2Z0VuQJotx2bKaTOVK3aWlf0Smn9GxUf-hCxgsHoeo1B8Uq1MWIH9bVn8BpYo6mg6lA9OJcbICeIWNopP0vhncIuTXUw9Q9KRWT-yoagNrEiZfTGrmzVj/s320/Day+37+-+soft.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I come home, one of the first things that I do is put on some soft cozy sweats. Cozy sweats is about the only thing that I am going to miss when the weather gets warmer.</div>
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Day 38</div>
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"Your name"</div>
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February 7</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyExg8JS77TT_saSK8dCHd6cVntrKkMnqy_iqWqv3AA2tqGnlyI6o3A69K5J7cwwytcThPGgjFY_uvGicGHFUn9V61eZ8c6N7UczROIF-NE2e4jQclKfPZnbtWMpJrZazzOQtUzayxApCB/s1600/Day+38+-+your+name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyExg8JS77TT_saSK8dCHd6cVntrKkMnqy_iqWqv3AA2tqGnlyI6o3A69K5J7cwwytcThPGgjFY_uvGicGHFUn9V61eZ8c6N7UczROIF-NE2e4jQclKfPZnbtWMpJrZazzOQtUzayxApCB/s320/Day+38+-+your+name.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a little something from the second art journaling page that I ever did. It was the first page that I did for an online art journaling course that me and my friend <a href="http://karissejoy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Karisse</a> did a few years ago. It was a course offered through <a href="http://shopredvelvet.com/collections/e-course" target="_blank">Red Velvet</a>. They actually have a year long <a href="http://shopredvelvet.com/collections/e-course/products/art-journal-all-year-e-course" target="_blank">ecourse</a> being offered for $30 if you want to try it out yourself. It is actually very tempting. I might have to sign up :-)</div>
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Day 39</div>
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"Something orange"</div>
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February 39</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2-fk42aTq4ET2Yic_iNZKVlRK_RK4J-2Hx-e04Ux9wKwMnFjhycSgVx2gfyyUQmi8yd0F4tl-5qdeV-_q_b8glWM-p59UVW7XGo74sA6ua9xbtn0WuE4LblauYusnSE-PBalKPOhy4H4/s1600/Day+39+-+Something+orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2-fk42aTq4ET2Yic_iNZKVlRK_RK4J-2Hx-e04Ux9wKwMnFjhycSgVx2gfyyUQmi8yd0F4tl-5qdeV-_q_b8glWM-p59UVW7XGo74sA6ua9xbtn0WuE4LblauYusnSE-PBalKPOhy4H4/s320/Day+39+-+Something+orange.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love 4-colored pens. It helps me organize my tasks and I love how it keeps my notes colorful - my handwriting is a rainbow :-) I recently discovered that the 4-colored pens with the blue barrel are medium point and the pens with the orange barrel are fine point ink. I just love the way a fine point ink pen writes, so I am loving this pen.</div>
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Day 40</div>
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"Guilty pleasure"</div>
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February 9</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxklzijUrEDoXTmaGfl0xuZtGNpvXk7PR1np1aqn29BY0EaANJHCpbT7ozHOGLDk0nlmK6xi18CpLsOr2luxtZk9X-oZ5bXu8a1DgmJG12J9L9jY2e27IG45BRP_8gDNbAZ2l2MNJOu-l/s1600/Day+40+-+guilty+pleasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxklzijUrEDoXTmaGfl0xuZtGNpvXk7PR1np1aqn29BY0EaANJHCpbT7ozHOGLDk0nlmK6xi18CpLsOr2luxtZk9X-oZ5bXu8a1DgmJG12J9L9jY2e27IG45BRP_8gDNbAZ2l2MNJOu-l/s320/Day+40+-+guilty+pleasure.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's possible that my craft supplies take up half of my closet space. This picture is the top half of my craft storage. If you need yarn, paper, paint, sewing supplies, jewelry making supplies, fabric, art journaling doodads, books on knitting, books on art journaling, or even a gingerbread house making kit - I have you covered. My closet is a mini Michaels store :-)</div>
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Day 41</div>
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"3 o'clock"</div>
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February 10</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPiV1urycYmXLROdXQ5JXLqTcLiDod19m21528LUYb7CXI4_tfUOlWVc_U5kcywongTYeO_v2K0lMbpCcYhUrjCymwtN57H5cPRI45VaBLbZtME33R1qtvw7gOTqZxllQaFZ9FtsXaLZS/s1600/Day+41+-+3+o%2527clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPiV1urycYmXLROdXQ5JXLqTcLiDod19m21528LUYb7CXI4_tfUOlWVc_U5kcywongTYeO_v2K0lMbpCcYhUrjCymwtN57H5cPRI45VaBLbZtME33R1qtvw7gOTqZxllQaFZ9FtsXaLZS/s320/Day+41+-+3+o%2527clock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have a few songs that have been on my heart. Right now they are all stuck as half songs, but I still enjoy sitting down every now and then to work on them. One day they will be complete :-)</div>
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<span id="goog_1592662761"></span><span id="goog_1592662762"></span><br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-91747873305925357962013-02-05T21:00:00.000-05:002013-02-05T21:00:10.175-05:00Photo a Day recap (Days 28 - 34)<div style="text-align: center;">
Day 28</div>
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January 28</div>
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"Light"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMXKQCBhSClGOfUJPunZ7z_FLdZdV0ctrkIgkrKPo1gcA25DIS4g8WIap9903haLjq4zooDqP7PELg3spJlzaRvqALlAp3XA7W-TaiGgWHKm9O7B4oSYrlXEkEX-tyvjRSWHCGquyqpfr/s1600/day+28+-+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMXKQCBhSClGOfUJPunZ7z_FLdZdV0ctrkIgkrKPo1gcA25DIS4g8WIap9903haLjq4zooDqP7PELg3spJlzaRvqALlAp3XA7W-TaiGgWHKm9O7B4oSYrlXEkEX-tyvjRSWHCGquyqpfr/s320/day+28+-+light.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Found this candle at Target on clearance after the holidays. A few weeks later I actually lit it and discovered that it smelled like Anthropologie. I wish I had bought more. $25 Anthro candle vs $2.50 Target clearance - clearance wins. Too bad I have not been able to find any more :-(<br />
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Day 29</div>
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January 29</div>
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"Inside your fridge"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhW4r0E3tsuFCMBGmHJBFN8QU3zghvIro90G79XyqQTU_5eEle1XvHBeturk6WyZQt7LUw_O9M2VmFozyGLUVjSnU9qU2D1EfBq4woiTTV3UWDCnSCVuGaSTu3nVwl_i8JG2BADxft0a23/s1600/day+29+-+inside+your+fridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhW4r0E3tsuFCMBGmHJBFN8QU3zghvIro90G79XyqQTU_5eEle1XvHBeturk6WyZQt7LUw_O9M2VmFozyGLUVjSnU9qU2D1EfBq4woiTTV3UWDCnSCVuGaSTu3nVwl_i8JG2BADxft0a23/s320/day+29+-+inside+your+fridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found these mason jars at Target and I love using them to hold soup. They are great because they don't spill in my super cute lunchbox.</div>
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Day 30</div>
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January 30</div>
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"Nature"</div>
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My office plant is struggling so bad - so bad that I think it is dead. I'm sorry little plant :-(</div>
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Day 31</div>
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January 31</div>
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"You again"</div>
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All my pictures of me lately have been taken using my camera phone and a mirror. That's how the hipsters do it, right?</div>
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Day 32</div>
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February 1</div>
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"Fork"</div>
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I have decided to bust out the silver and use it - on a daily basis. I don't want it all packed away waiting for a special occasion. As Hallmark would say, "Life is a Special Occasion." </div>
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Day 32</div>
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February 2</div>
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"Pattern"</div>
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I have a huge box of sewing patterns and an even bigger box of fabric ... I should sew more :-)</div>
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Day 34</div>
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February 3</div>
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"Something beginning with e"</div>
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Me and Karisse in the "elevator". Karisse came over to watch "Pitch Perfect". We looooooooooved it and we swooned over leading man Skylar Astin - so cute and then he sings ... excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor :-)</div>
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Here's a few favorite clips for you:</div>
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Good movie. Netlfix might have to wait a little bit longer before they get it back :-)</div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-40090431312570321742013-02-04T22:30:00.002-05:002013-02-04T22:32:15.559-05:00Musical Monday "Holding on to Hope"Tonight I did some art journaling inspired by the photo a day challenge I am doing. Today's prompt was "Hope" so I decided to do a page on hope. <br />
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I really don't do enough art journaling. I love starting with a blank page, putting a backwash of color and just seeing what happens. This page is not my favorite page, but so many times it is more about the process and what God speaks during the process than it is about making something pretty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwovn6V0-e6-O8So6NHmif2diScmxS-UbhNZ8E2_F_EAHpprvb2oLAK4cuyEtu_I_cPch2-3_duAcUWi6HkfebCOXXa_iYWW_7xG905pgwT6mRHesULoc_PjGDMk-b3E4rl0p0vmC8Aw0W/s1600/Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwovn6V0-e6-O8So6NHmif2diScmxS-UbhNZ8E2_F_EAHpprvb2oLAK4cuyEtu_I_cPch2-3_duAcUWi6HkfebCOXXa_iYWW_7xG905pgwT6mRHesULoc_PjGDMk-b3E4rl0p0vmC8Aw0W/s320/Hope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was making this art journal entry there is a song by Jenny and Tyler that came to my mind - "Holding on to Hope"</div>
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I was introduced to Jenny and Tyler back before Christmas. This song meant a lot to me in that time. December was a fairly rough month and those words "holding on to hope" penetrated into some pretty empty places.</div>
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Isaiah 40:30, 31 "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."</div>
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Sometimes, I think that we just need someone to tell us to not give up (well, at least I do anyway). So I will just go on and say it for anyone else who may need it - Don't give up. Have hope. God really does see everything and He really does have your best interest at heart. Put your hope and your trust in Him. He loves you and only wants the very very very best for you. Hold on to hope :-)</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Holding on to Hope - Jenny & Tyler - Faint Not - Copyright 2010 One Eyed Cat Music (BMI)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Music and Lyrics by Tyler Somers (BMI) and Jennifer Somers (BMI)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond;">People I know around me float past with the debris<br />Saying they don’t mind, such is life, as they float on down the street<br />I heard the worst is to come, I heard the words<br />'Look above and find your home in Me<br />In this storm<br /><br />I’m holding on to hope, hope, hope<br />And never letting go, no, no<br />Even when the storm it grows, hope, hope<br />Will never let me go, no, no<br />‘Til I go on home<br /><br />People build homes using pieces of broken virtue and philosophy<br />When people place hope in people I notice even more broken dreams<br />I know that time is so short, there’s something in store, a home I’ve never seen<br />In this storm, o in this storm<br /><br />I’m holding on to hope, hope, hope<br />And never letting go, no, no<br />Even when the storm it grows, hope, hope<br />Will never let me go, no, no<br />‘Til I go on home<br /><br />Only a trace, no face to face<br />So here I wait with this poor reflection<br />Running a race, scared I’m going to break down<br />Give me strength, Your protection<br />Only a moment, a passing of time<br />Until the day when faith is sight<br />Only a moment, like a flashing of light<br />So keep me safe, keep me nigh<br />Keep my way homeward bound<br />When the rain’s pouring down<br />Keep me safe, keep me safe<br /><br />I’m holding on to hope<br />Never letting go, no, no<br />‘Til the day I come on home, hope, hope<br />And finally fully know</span></div>
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Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-26291127289493520612013-02-02T11:57:00.001-05:002013-02-02T11:57:52.019-05:00Little touches40+ hours of my life are spent at work each week ... so I might as well make my desk a space that I enjoy. <br />
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I previously posted a <a href="http://melanymaree.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-mason-jar-snow-globe.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> on my mason jar snowglobe. That was the first little step towards make my desk at work reflect a little more of me.<br />
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I recently purchased a little something that provides a little pop of color that makes me happy. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-UC6h9jqEHfyi5Y4l0v0zlgtjgF7KAvYzpTMFA3jkwyHHkULB2YGgnuqp8iVPr6m1g-jqIk-Q8Ug_FVAGfSyiebavH0A0_f1ABc7nxyh-_RnlRWs8rh9yMNLkTmWQZpooUqXu6XEW3EZ/s1600/office+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-UC6h9jqEHfyi5Y4l0v0zlgtjgF7KAvYzpTMFA3jkwyHHkULB2YGgnuqp8iVPr6m1g-jqIk-Q8Ug_FVAGfSyiebavH0A0_f1ABc7nxyh-_RnlRWs8rh9yMNLkTmWQZpooUqXu6XEW3EZ/s320/office+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can get these little latte bowls at Anthropologie for $2.50. I definitely prefer it over the boring black plastic container that I was storing my paper clips in. Even a little bit of washi tape wrapped around the top did not spruce it up enough.</div>
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I also decided to create my own planner this year. Many attempts of not finding the design that I like paved the way to a creative project.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KAVTjj8GuDCKkN8h_DTdXyh-AVs9Ha3qDUWBLmK_ZNMyyNBs2nPylo8WKKWl6N3ZvpHHj2_nRAxjnoie0kISylLPac18Im3kiIHF2UZq4hcx4UV0Ch31XtlDuN2lDxmcQBXLGk1h50xx/s1600/office+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KAVTjj8GuDCKkN8h_DTdXyh-AVs9Ha3qDUWBLmK_ZNMyyNBs2nPylo8WKKWl6N3ZvpHHj2_nRAxjnoie0kISylLPac18Im3kiIHF2UZq4hcx4UV0Ch31XtlDuN2lDxmcQBXLGk1h50xx/s320/office+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have 6 months done and plan on finishing this weekend. Tutorial coming once I have a completed project in hand :-)</div>
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Sprucing up a boring notepad makes a pretty place to track my task items:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv1JtQr_Z3Ts85ljM0cky92a_fTUPIJGlp4HM79qNfDVq5ZbyWqsZq8jfeBMsG0ohzR_lAWYtlN6hfF4xN45qQMr3rcxd6JL1cItyQL9pllxpAlmRnGGyr-gw3TkD0HKL7YmoEAVWUYXA/s1600/office+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv1JtQr_Z3Ts85ljM0cky92a_fTUPIJGlp4HM79qNfDVq5ZbyWqsZq8jfeBMsG0ohzR_lAWYtlN6hfF4xN45qQMr3rcxd6JL1cItyQL9pllxpAlmRnGGyr-gw3TkD0HKL7YmoEAVWUYXA/s320/office+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just put some washi tape along the top and used a pen to write "to do". </div>
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Sometimes a few little things can make a huge difference. My next step is to get this little basket to hold my post-its:</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/search/20744306.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">anthropologie.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melanymaree/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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"I invented post-its" - Who knows what movie that is from? </div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-770465544561496062013-01-31T21:03:00.001-05:002013-01-31T21:05:00.195-05:00Nothing left?Hello world. Just thought I would drop in with some musings and share a little bit from the heart. <br />
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There is something that I read the other day that really hit home.<br />
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Genesis 1:1, 2a "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty..."<br />
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The story goes on to describe God creating this majestic world that we live in. But in the beginning, it was "formless and empty". <br />
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God created something out of nothing. <br />
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Have you ever felt like you have nothing left to give - just ... empty. <br />
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I know I have. <br />
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But God can take our nothing and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece. <br />
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He sees all the heartache. He sees the pain. He sees the empty places ... and He fills them. <br />
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So if you feel like you have nothing to give, give God your nothing. Present your blank canvas and ask Him to create a masterpiece. <br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8748392311292632114" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">Uploaded by user</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melgil02/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melinda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-55188678831748584752013-01-30T20:16:00.002-05:002013-01-30T20:19:54.254-05:00Photo a Day recap (Days 21 - 27)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 21</div>
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January 21</div>
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"Reflection"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAwnl98Y2L15oBv3G2-gxalwLu4t_xrivzQjiv5NkVQyMMsKRAyxKJpZGRc_0A9gPCKs2MfuYX5csq-7tjy7dEpyV7aL8TkBroFfC7iQsV6Yu38A93mgVg3A5pNa1VJsEwdheFJXYPG1J/s1600/day+21+-+reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAwnl98Y2L15oBv3G2-gxalwLu4t_xrivzQjiv5NkVQyMMsKRAyxKJpZGRc_0A9gPCKs2MfuYX5csq-7tjy7dEpyV7aL8TkBroFfC7iQsV6Yu38A93mgVg3A5pNa1VJsEwdheFJXYPG1J/s320/day+21+-+reflection.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was tired. Could not think of anything creative. Saw sparkly little Christmas tree (that is now a permanent fixture on top of my bookcase). Thought, "I guess the light reflects off the little crystals". Took picture. Done :-)</div>
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Day 22</div>
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January 22</div>
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"Shoes"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcu95i-bXMU9PCqFbrMD70UCM-5W5gK7aZ7eGXRECaqLnKyK46x-kWqlV7Gy3WAzlck-7gLmYoAm702NqzCvNlvDl2FVGRdJIBZvhPqdoEpRE0igbf38ccyZCqQjHU7G9qHsV3rPcUD5l/s1600/day+22+-+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcu95i-bXMU9PCqFbrMD70UCM-5W5gK7aZ7eGXRECaqLnKyK46x-kWqlV7Gy3WAzlck-7gLmYoAm702NqzCvNlvDl2FVGRdJIBZvhPqdoEpRE0igbf38ccyZCqQjHU7G9qHsV3rPcUD5l/s320/day+22+-+shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh my geez!!! This was the day before I went to see Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Kennedy Center. It was magical. I love ballet! I got to go with two of my favorite people, Karisse and Carol. I was so happy and excited I almost cried. I just sat there watching this fabulous production and thought, "Thank you God for this moment." I felt very blessed to have been able to do something that brings so much joy and happiness to my heart :-)</div>
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Day 23 </div>
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January 23<br />
"Something old"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZP0o7A3VCF_Y78JKxt0JAM2LRy2ZYamZSasa3-LZYzSPsi1GvVrJlf1YcWRZ55SnvXXDJSxfVKhZZ1lwB9jYbrxL0OMeziGZ2Pd0YD_tJ1yQrAppUwAMp_IS2q2zL2ZXrp3Tpfgd9JCkg/s1600/day+23+-+something+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZP0o7A3VCF_Y78JKxt0JAM2LRy2ZYamZSasa3-LZYzSPsi1GvVrJlf1YcWRZ55SnvXXDJSxfVKhZZ1lwB9jYbrxL0OMeziGZ2Pd0YD_tJ1yQrAppUwAMp_IS2q2zL2ZXrp3Tpfgd9JCkg/s320/day+23+-+something+old.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My grandmother gave me a big box of family silver. I love having this family heirloom. What I don't love is having it sitting in a box not being enjoyed. I have been thinking recently about this box of silver and how we pack away silver and china only to bring it out on special occasions, but life is a special occasion. Every day is special. So I pulled this little tray out of the box and am using it to sit in my bathroom and hold all my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_0_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=poo+pourri&sprefix=poopo%2Caps%2C229" target="_blank">poo-pouri</a> (this product cracks me up - love it). And as soon as I get some silver polish I will pull out the silverware to use, because I want to enjoy it :-)</div>
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Day 24</div>
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January 24</div>
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"Guilty Pleasure"</div>
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A guilty pleasure for me is Anthropologie. When I feel blue or have a bad day, sometimes I will go get something - usually from the sale corner - usually a plate or a mug. The store just makes me happy. I have also recently discovered <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/" target="_blank">Modcloth</a>. Oh goodness. I can waste a good amount of time perusing that sight. Last week I received my first Modcloth purchase. That yellow duck umbrella had been on my wish list for awhile. It's such a happy item to have on a gloomy rainy day :-)</div>
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Day 25</div>
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January 25</div>
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"Something you made"</div>
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I made this huge infinity scarf a few years ago. It is called the <a href="http://www.heyjenrenee.com/2010/12/gap-tastic.html" target="_blank">GAP-tastic cowl</a> and I followed a pattern created by <a href="http://www.heyjenrenee.com/" target="_blank">Jen Geigley</a>. I didn't really like it very much when I finished it. It is so big and bulky that I felt like a football player when I wore it. At least, what I thought a football player would feel like :-) But, I'll tell you what - this winter season I have grown to loooooove this scarf. It's so warm and cozy. It also serves as a pillow when I ride the bus. All I have to do is lean my head to the side and it instantly meets some cushion. Oh, but there's more!! This scarf is so thick that I can also flip it up to cover my head. So basically, this is the best scarf ever!!!</div>
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Day 26</div>
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January 26</div>
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"Colour"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCqW06gvq3obMBZzzbJRRTMs56w5sHOyMlHa1gZqln7Emt1vecy6pamyyjLeMkBIsMKberehdJhSFcGhGITVsEORtTf_cS0CGizK-3jcVZZacP9FqVbptSGOL7w4HRSiifAE1RkvxrWJA/s1600/day+26+-+color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCqW06gvq3obMBZzzbJRRTMs56w5sHOyMlHa1gZqln7Emt1vecy6pamyyjLeMkBIsMKberehdJhSFcGhGITVsEORtTf_cS0CGizK-3jcVZZacP9FqVbptSGOL7w4HRSiifAE1RkvxrWJA/s320/day+26+-+color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got crafty and finished two projects over the weekend - ponytail holders and some plaques to hang in bathroom. It all turned out great. Perhaps I will share more later :-)</div>
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Day 27</div>
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January 27</div>
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"Lunch"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjv5pL79yKneBPIIGhYXVQFB6J4hj5X2nfLBU0rfSIAvYzSgYJ6wBNRlfJDH-jzwrMQkWiEogqUSeXYZXOecbDdUacA4KDIgd4wMwtkXFdOzhXyM8yhck7RD_S-kQIf3H_iGoHY7mSVww/s1600/day+27+-+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjv5pL79yKneBPIIGhYXVQFB6J4hj5X2nfLBU0rfSIAvYzSgYJ6wBNRlfJDH-jzwrMQkWiEogqUSeXYZXOecbDdUacA4KDIgd4wMwtkXFdOzhXyM8yhck7RD_S-kQIf3H_iGoHY7mSVww/s320/day+27+-+lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also made some chicken and dumplings over the weekend. A batch of delicious comfort food that I sadly finished yesterday. I don't eat much meat. I consider myself to be a flexitarian. While I do adhere to a primarily vegetarian diet, there are some foods that I don't ever plan on giving up - like chicken and dumplings ... and proscuitto ... and barbecue. </div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-59614534921496232572013-01-21T09:27:00.000-05:002013-01-21T09:27:16.018-05:00Musical Monday - the MLK day edition (Up to the Mountain)Today is MLK day which spurred me to share one of my favorite songs. It was written by Patti Griffin about Martin Luther King. There have been many times I have listened to this song when at the point of wanting to give up and it has inspired me. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p_AHpwjP8G4" width="560"></iframe>Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-59629257010701601962013-01-20T21:14:00.000-05:002013-01-20T21:14:08.165-05:00Photo a day recap (Day 14 - 20)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 14</div>
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January 14</div>
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Something you are reading</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS0szWkekcnOT0QXPyklaJ9-nuhURmWtZs22zEJoJkFTUToUdiAiGWY6Ipt1Pmsw4e0SQ8YzYsRRiZOl51c23B55oSVhSGs3aNINehJe-R_U5efVXASfLhhrF9NLfIbNVpOH4Ph_nH_LT/s1600/day+14+-+something+you're+reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS0szWkekcnOT0QXPyklaJ9-nuhURmWtZs22zEJoJkFTUToUdiAiGWY6Ipt1Pmsw4e0SQ8YzYsRRiZOl51c23B55oSVhSGs3aNINehJe-R_U5efVXASfLhhrF9NLfIbNVpOH4Ph_nH_LT/s320/day+14+-+something+you're+reading.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have subscriptions to three magazines - Fitness, Whole Living, and Traveler. Fitness and Whole Living always seem to arrive on the same day. It's mailbox healthy day :-)</div>
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Day 15</div>
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January 15</div>
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Happiness</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd-1yLYI9FQkplaFhQEseo4UCKCcT2J4bl4xO7hlHnVr-sW2VRaGI5BIHxxpzdHsC2kQAcQ4Ks6z4Gshnxsq_TM9GlYU7Dq3PrULXH4B3-zxs7UTYpEDq5nwG63Pjuy6uNAYQ1gO5zMCZ/s1600/day+15+-+happines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd-1yLYI9FQkplaFhQEseo4UCKCcT2J4bl4xO7hlHnVr-sW2VRaGI5BIHxxpzdHsC2kQAcQ4Ks6z4Gshnxsq_TM9GlYU7Dq3PrULXH4B3-zxs7UTYpEDq5nwG63Pjuy6uNAYQ1gO5zMCZ/s320/day+15+-+happines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was listening to my "Happy Running List" playlist while getting ready for work. I love this playlist. The music puts a smile on my face and gets me moving. It is also my favorite running list and contains my all time favorite song. I know that I have probably shared this video before, but just in case you haven't seen it, here it is again:</div>
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("Smilin' so hard my mind looks like a capital U" - love that line!)</div>
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Day 16</div>
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"Morning"</div>
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January 16</div>
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It was a rough morning ... getting out of bed was sooooo hard. I had to rush and missed my morning coffee and bagel, so I stopped at the deli in my building. They actually have awesome coffee - hazelnut flavored. This sister needs her caffeine :-)</div>
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Day 17</div>
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January 17</div>
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Water</div>
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Just water running from the faucet. I took this picture at the end of a not very good day. I was feeling very discouraged after some things that happened in my day. As I was on the metro coming home, I thought about water and it's cleansing properties. It washes away dirt and nourishes our body. I definitely needed to wash away a bad day. So, I had a glass of wine and took a lavender scented bath :-)</div>
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Day 18</div>
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January 18</div>
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Something you bought</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq7nZyS9tqhlu_zCgWtdRa_y5_K8AdBUyjwi33Z9uK1RNJWQEBdpmo8Ba782daEyoPRE2LZmxq58s2PxB5dry65mAT-_EFGBDzs88g6N_JhJ1Dqvg9jQAaxyYHw6OF19QjskdsPxiksPz/s1600/Day+18+-+something+you+bought.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq7nZyS9tqhlu_zCgWtdRa_y5_K8AdBUyjwi33Z9uK1RNJWQEBdpmo8Ba782daEyoPRE2LZmxq58s2PxB5dry65mAT-_EFGBDzs88g6N_JhJ1Dqvg9jQAaxyYHw6OF19QjskdsPxiksPz/s320/Day+18+-+something+you+bought.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How cool are my new running shoes!! I was so excited to see them come in the mail. I bought them in the store a few days earlier, but had to place an order if I wanted the hot pink ones. And of course I wanted the hot pink ones :-) They make me smile. I tried them out today and I love them. However, after about 3 months of no running, I definitely have a lot of ground to gain back.</div>
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Day 19</div>
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January 19</div>
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Sweet</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4iCqDQwCfCwhX3EBmqSazfdTtDLnbFtumXE8hnO0jbDJhDHY7DTvRUHj6KEp5XJp5SaZowTA0GibawnnNnUBPPlrkOGqIS3HaczPVD__J2ky25nI7LlEWgKhRnjj71XCI8z8aW8LX1X3/s1600/Day+19+-+sweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4iCqDQwCfCwhX3EBmqSazfdTtDLnbFtumXE8hnO0jbDJhDHY7DTvRUHj6KEp5XJp5SaZowTA0GibawnnNnUBPPlrkOGqIS3HaczPVD__J2ky25nI7LlEWgKhRnjj71XCI8z8aW8LX1X3/s320/Day+19+-+sweet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was pretty pleased to realize that this was about the sweetest treat in my possession - that was before today when I discovered the chocolate covered espresso beans in the back of the pantry :-) I actually really love this juice. I discovered it when I was sick a few weeks back. It's a great juice for when you are not feeling well - or for when you just want some immune system boosting juice :-)</div>
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Day 20</div>
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January 20</div>
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Someone you love</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIBHWD9PtE1p_LchQMfsgfA-epdt0YYya_15G2ND86N0M9y3kkWIXYyKJa14dmM1ftRlU8zSpMNjoyYquneTSMEdVyEQkQySIs-tQCSejPR33YXAWazb5L876FwVvqFGXLRxXBuVyA23q/s1600/Day+20+-+someone+you+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIBHWD9PtE1p_LchQMfsgfA-epdt0YYya_15G2ND86N0M9y3kkWIXYyKJa14dmM1ftRlU8zSpMNjoyYquneTSMEdVyEQkQySIs-tQCSejPR33YXAWazb5L876FwVvqFGXLRxXBuVyA23q/s320/Day+20+-+someone+you+love.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love Jesus so much and I have been thinking about grace a lot. Grace is so amazing. So many times I feel like a complete screw up. I feel like I let God down and I let myself down. But regardless of whatever happens, grace is always there to rebuild and restore me. I am learning to receive it and I think that this word "grace" is a big theme for me this year. It's definitely an area that I am growing in. For someone who is really hard on themselves, grace is like a breath of fresh air - I just need to remember to inhale it.</div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-23163106867746440672013-01-14T19:33:00.000-05:002013-01-14T19:33:32.072-05:00Musical Monday - Tomorrow is a Chance to Start OverIt has been awhile since I have done a Musical Monday post. In fact, I forgot that I even used to do Musical Monday posts. And when I say that I used to do them, what I really mean is that I might have done it a couple of times :-)<br />
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Well, I thought that I would bring it back.<br />
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I recently discovered that Anthropologie has a station on Spotify. They posted a New Year's playlist that I absolutely love. In fact, I love it so much that I went and downloaded all the songs to put on my iPod, so now it is pretty much all that I have been listening to.<br />
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Do you remember the song that I posted in my Photo A Day recap last week. That song was discovered on the Anthropologie New Year's playlist.<br />
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I wish that I could embed that playlist with you here, but I am not able to figure out how to post it from Spotify - sorry :-( You can click the link <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/1234072509/playlist/1HSfysufeRpdBmtbKoe1jE" target="_blank">HERE</a> to reach the playlist.<br />
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But in the meantime, check out the video below for another song from the playlist that I am loving:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CuOBil_pJf4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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One morning as I was listening to it, the words began to sink in and brought tears to my eyes. I have been needing a new start. Sometimes life is just hard. People may disappoint you, and you may disappoint yourself, but tomorrow is a new start. I love that.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">LYRICS:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Lie down on your pillow</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">In the shadows, close your eyes</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Turn out the old lamplight and sing goodnight lullabyes</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">You are another day older</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Soon you'll be through the dark</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Tomorrow is a chance to start over</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Start over again</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Like the setting sun dear</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">As it lingers, falls to rust</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">I'll see you in my dreams love, let the long day turn to dust</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">You are another day older</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Soon you'll be through the dark</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Tomorrow is a chance to start over</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Start over again</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">You are another day older</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Soon you'll be through the dark</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Tomorrow is a chance to start over</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">You re-ignite the spark</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Tonight you can like here on my shoulder</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Soon you'll be through the dark</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Tomorrow is a chance to start over</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Start over again</span></span>Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-34726435561595295752013-01-13T21:29:00.001-05:002013-01-13T21:33:11.418-05:00Photo a Day recap (Days 7 - 13)<div style="text-align: center;">
Day 7</div>
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January 7, 2013</div>
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"Favorite"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX1wzgU8soH0w4kSpRAJ4OXy9vCgvICGKt5EEQompQyRBW0uYANATaEMvUZSZh7A3Alt66QgUCj5MLeugfAPqsUTkxwI8aVLCyV8p5_ZY8nwB3sd8DNJVSqMc-7Q3OvDcMh74UBKVlHSJ/s1600/day+7+-+favorite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX1wzgU8soH0w4kSpRAJ4OXy9vCgvICGKt5EEQompQyRBW0uYANATaEMvUZSZh7A3Alt66QgUCj5MLeugfAPqsUTkxwI8aVLCyV8p5_ZY8nwB3sd8DNJVSqMc-7Q3OvDcMh74UBKVlHSJ/s320/day+7+-+favorite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I like to watch sports - especially football - especially SEC football. Any guesses on my <u>favorite</u> team ... only the best college football team there is. And it was proven Monday night when Alabama blew Notre Dame off the field. It was good for Bama - bad for Notre Dame. Roll Tide!! Go Amabala. I mean Go Alabama - I took the pic in the mirror, thus the backwards lettering :-)</div>
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Day 8</div>
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January 8, 2013</div>
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"Your Sky"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhORH_cJYVjzhD0caWhyphenhyphenlRcy1CcrB4k51h1eVcLkqD_zJZXBEx5tRQcG6A0QPcb8Jxc6vnn64604qwTi3qFE0EkoabHT8lF074s9BttEqFqX56rNkRKrX_vXLyRRqgTnYjC7XPcGDSYRz6/s1600/day+8+-+your+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhORH_cJYVjzhD0caWhyphenhyphenlRcy1CcrB4k51h1eVcLkqD_zJZXBEx5tRQcG6A0QPcb8Jxc6vnn64604qwTi3qFE0EkoabHT8lF074s9BttEqFqX56rNkRKrX_vXLyRRqgTnYjC7XPcGDSYRz6/s320/day+8+-+your+sky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the view that I saw when I stepped off the bus Tuesday morning. Completely perfect for the photo prompt :-) My friend Dianne wrote a blog post that pretty much sums up the wonders of a pretty sky. Check it out <a href="http://glimpseofglory.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/enjoying-the-artwork-of-god/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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Day 9</div>
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January 9, 2013</div>
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"Daily Routine"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9q9Ercdbtpa41X5E_a7vna5tk1nsWrnTuuMWnL4dUcHbeDxQsmd1ArtxFvfhUSHFWjhgyVRgAqcx-a8_zkNgVYZAdwu_ONQoUlZXo2DXJJh37jsyJD8s_hrvQ6iaJzkJ7JiD8qIbqxOb/s1600/Day+9+-+daily+routine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9q9Ercdbtpa41X5E_a7vna5tk1nsWrnTuuMWnL4dUcHbeDxQsmd1ArtxFvfhUSHFWjhgyVRgAqcx-a8_zkNgVYZAdwu_ONQoUlZXo2DXJJh37jsyJD8s_hrvQ6iaJzkJ7JiD8qIbqxOb/s320/Day+9+-+daily+routine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I <strike>wake up</strike> open my eyes, roll out of bed, shower, start coffee, and drink coffee while I put on make up. And <u>then</u> I am awake enough to function :-)</div>
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Day 10</div>
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January 10, 2013</div>
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"Childhood"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOp6gSWR9c5rMuSFxfPLi-9xFNSVD7fbjB7X8CR36cBtpfm_fR_VXnvNHsOiCdlZHT2oTkfAPOMixbsgtFp4W4fNmAL9FGlnqzthrhX-ShaEjyuMPnfFm5GGjuu_hpxRBhv0zVjOw1ZR4/s1600/Day+10+-+childhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOp6gSWR9c5rMuSFxfPLi-9xFNSVD7fbjB7X8CR36cBtpfm_fR_VXnvNHsOiCdlZHT2oTkfAPOMixbsgtFp4W4fNmAL9FGlnqzthrhX-ShaEjyuMPnfFm5GGjuu_hpxRBhv0zVjOw1ZR4/s320/Day+10+-+childhood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you remember these glasses? They are from Pizza Hut. These are not the ones from my childhood, but I have been collecting them over the years and it makes me happy to see them in my pantry. The most recent addition is the Funshine Bear glass that I found at Goodwill a few weeks ago for $1 - thrift store score!!</div>
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Day 11</div>
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January 11, 2013</div>
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"Where you sleep"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReReh8fs7r5EMLPm2_MUNzbbonDzentAv4jVbJ4UfOqaa-kuZf8hfl4leurt0H_K1X5Pckdu8dQcr6Usx0lR8FcFuUkV7slm_hNZZW1S-g_Nwwa-Vt07mRrjRkXIkJ3OfVmRJVuHBxB4G/s1600/Day+11+where+you+sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReReh8fs7r5EMLPm2_MUNzbbonDzentAv4jVbJ4UfOqaa-kuZf8hfl4leurt0H_K1X5Pckdu8dQcr6Usx0lR8FcFuUkV7slm_hNZZW1S-g_Nwwa-Vt07mRrjRkXIkJ3OfVmRJVuHBxB4G/s320/Day+11+where+you+sleep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I sleep on a bed that has these really cool ruffle pillow shams. I happen to have designed and created those awesome ruffle pillow shams all by myself :-) I actually took a bunch of pictures to post a tutorial. Hmmm, maybe I should write that tutorial someday :-)</div>
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Day 12</div>
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January 12, 2013</div>
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"Close - up"</div>
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I pulled out my colored pencils to start my current work in progress project. I am making a planner because I can't find the design that I like anywhere. I was inspired by <a href="http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2012/12/handmade-calendarplanner.html" target="_blank">this</a> post by Alisa Burke and set about making my own. It's about half way done. Here's a little sneak peak :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcpkCKxW1UuP8xQIkma6vGDjiAyo0b5SblwqY6UcOjQkxbz2VvmHYqZ1xCHsYXL2wl1zNvjXynUNm4O6Wg5KWiagsAsyzf8Rt1eNKMAPoxhzRfuhimi3Zr-0DLR1wJOFaZl1O08dTk1FR/s1600/planner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcpkCKxW1UuP8xQIkma6vGDjiAyo0b5SblwqY6UcOjQkxbz2VvmHYqZ1xCHsYXL2wl1zNvjXynUNm4O6Wg5KWiagsAsyzf8Rt1eNKMAPoxhzRfuhimi3Zr-0DLR1wJOFaZl1O08dTk1FR/s320/planner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Day 13</div>
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January 13, 2013</div>
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"In your bag"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgLHIo3W15cOJJZP-L0rymxZTjYfYlAIzzeEaAeSIxbRHDVj477cJQRCvXd_Ft3kBkjrNvIZJ8OnARWJ2VV08IwEQs975EJQn_OWKeA_XA5Om-o0HYhUnMhRz6-6Sjrj_m52pi_w1Q8V0/s1600/day+13+-+in+your+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgLHIo3W15cOJJZP-L0rymxZTjYfYlAIzzeEaAeSIxbRHDVj477cJQRCvXd_Ft3kBkjrNvIZJ8OnARWJ2VV08IwEQs975EJQn_OWKeA_XA5Om-o0HYhUnMhRz6-6Sjrj_m52pi_w1Q8V0/s320/day+13+-+in+your+bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I carry lots of stuff and these are the things that I always have with me:</div>
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1. Kindle: I love that I can have tons of books with me at all times. Before my Kindle, I would always carry at least one (usually more) book in my bag. I love love love that I can have multiple books on one device and it saves my back from carrying around all the weight of a book. I do miss actual pages sometimes, so I tend to have my Kindle that I read during my commute and a book on my bed stand that I read at night. Reading is fun :-)</div>
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2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sakura-XNCW-24N-24-Piece-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001OVG40E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358130172&sr=8-1&keywords=koi+watercolor" target="_blank">Watercolor field kit</a>: I love this thing. One of the best buys that I have made. It has vibrant shades and the brush has a water reservoir that it attaches to, so you don't have to have a cup of water in your possession. The paint dries pretty quickly too. I love that I have the option to paint whenever I want to. </div>
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3. Make up bag: pretty self explanatory :-)</div>
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4. iPod: I like to always have some tunes with me.</div>
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5. Journal: My journal is not just a place where I write down thoughts. I paint in my journal and stick random things (like the sticker I got for voting and post its where a cute 4 year old wrote his name for me) in my journal. I like my journal to be think from paper crinkled with paint and bulk from random items. So, there is also a rubber band that holds my journal shut tight :-)</div>
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Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-48745524053514663892013-01-06T19:27:00.000-05:002013-01-06T19:47:09.422-05:00Photo a Day challenge recap (Days 2-6)I am doing a photo a day challenge that I found on Pinterest:<br />
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Source: <a href="https://instagr.am/p/dy5PG/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">instagr.am</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melanymaree/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I thought that I would do a recap of each week here on my blog. So here it goes:</div>
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Day two (because that is when I actually started)</div>
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January 2, 2013</div>
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"New"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2e3_EBrhghRzpGsye1PEgdHfgcRxdvI3rHCDd3x22PGMf7iF1044wzHpsUZwHsd3nR56eXI3Sj47VkCOd8wfuqUE4rHd8XwOSdTaz1UF3T5TMd6rIuWmldHbYum6vdhdC6vd7-VyZZbd/s1600/Day+2+-+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2e3_EBrhghRzpGsye1PEgdHfgcRxdvI3rHCDd3x22PGMf7iF1044wzHpsUZwHsd3nR56eXI3Sj47VkCOd8wfuqUE4rHd8XwOSdTaz1UF3T5TMd6rIuWmldHbYum6vdhdC6vd7-VyZZbd/s320/Day+2+-+new.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a new bowl that I bought at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp" target="_blank">Anthropologie</a> (My favorite store. I love you Anthro!). They have had all their clearance marked an additional 30% off. That sale ended today (sad face). </div>
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Day 3</div>
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January 3, 2013</div>
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"Something I adore"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlyiPGwev9oOF0IfXEFFCKg13Xu_8dc2kYb8l3SlPPQQ3wkST1G0LJblSrZsF7L7xpAk_KudKFKdkcqhnaSY7pXGfthYbjQnzQPnwEou0EqiZVIUyNmUj5vg6kaTbQAniEUjzsYeAM2B_/s1600/Day+3+-+something+I+adors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlyiPGwev9oOF0IfXEFFCKg13Xu_8dc2kYb8l3SlPPQQ3wkST1G0LJblSrZsF7L7xpAk_KudKFKdkcqhnaSY7pXGfthYbjQnzQPnwEou0EqiZVIUyNmUj5vg6kaTbQAniEUjzsYeAM2B_/s320/Day+3+-+something+I+adors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had a lot of difficulty with this photo prompt. I struggled because "<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/adore?s=t" target="_blank">adore</a>" is such a strong word and seems a little much to describe a thing. So, I went with something that I really enjoy and I do really love the display that I have on my bedside table. I like decor with an antique/vintage feel to it. The lamp is something that I found at a thrift store and you can tell it is vintage just by looking at the plug. The photo is one of my favorites of my Mama Doris and Papa. I just love old photos!! </div>
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The photo sits on top of a stack of books one of which is a very old copy of "Kim" by Rudyard Kipling. It caught my eye when I was at my grandmother's house. I just loved the old vintage binding, so she gave it to me. </div>
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The crystal votive holder is the first gift that I ever received from Tiffanys. There is actually a cool story behind it. </div>
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One year for Christmas my mom started this thing called a "theme gift". Basically it is a bunch of gifts in a bag that all have a common theme leading to the last "big gift". For this gift, first I opened a pair of really long black opera gloves and thought perhaps there would be tickets to a show at the end. Then I opened a tiara and thought, "Um, ok." The next gift was the movie "Breakfast at Tiffanys" and I thought I had reached the end. "Oh, I get it - Breakfast at Tiffanys. The gloves and tiara like what is on the cover of the movie. Cool." But my mom told to keep going - there was one more. And then I saw it - the blue box with white ribbon. At that point, I did not even care what was inside the box :-) I just exclaimed "Is this really from Tiffanys?" To which my dad replied, "It better be." I think he was thinking of the price tag :-) I opened the box to reveal the crystal votive with a Tiffany scented candle. The candle is long gone, but that little votive holder is pretty special to me. I love how it looks with my pearls sticking out of it. I like pretty things especially when they come from Tiffanys :-)</div>
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Day 4</div>
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January 4, 2013</div>
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"Letterbox"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1ids4fL4CoH8041lM31KlF3AdSzzEAdi_52xUvDHTlzv9Tc4j_uGhULAXV4pFBwX-0vr0kx2ZQsWBrUdu8qNSuN1UzTePM9Y1noFSxkZ9fcOiYfxpHva5iBbz1_AqcNtDZG9O5Z0ZRwA/s1600/Day+4+-+letterbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1ids4fL4CoH8041lM31KlF3AdSzzEAdi_52xUvDHTlzv9Tc4j_uGhULAXV4pFBwX-0vr0kx2ZQsWBrUdu8qNSuN1UzTePM9Y1noFSxkZ9fcOiYfxpHva5iBbz1_AqcNtDZG9O5Z0ZRwA/s320/Day+4+-+letterbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This box is my most treasured possession and I will probably get a little teary eyed just writing about it. This box holds notes and letters from very special people. Each piece of paper in this box has words of encouragement written on it. When I am feeling really down about myself, this box helps to remind me of who I really am and what people think of me.</div>
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This box got started on my 21st birthday and I am going to tell another story about my mom that is going to make you wish she was your mom :-)</div>
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For my 21st birthday my parents took me to a fancy restaurant to celebrate. It was a very special evening. I received this gift containing a box of notecards and it made me cry right there in the middle of that fancy restaurant. </div>
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My mom had contacted all my friends and family and asked them write "My favorite Melany memory". That is what each note card said: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWqPvr1fRTDBrrVGwoW7jFSGq00H1MsheHFzwdTJe8IVMd8h03or5AE2JpnT4ySC3u0dCXWLUeGI_CrVTTEIMffzqGctPBexdGXqnU2RxgEK9GVM9BSGWdBBfdNg6rjmqqQed_i7IipB_/s1600/Melany+memory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWqPvr1fRTDBrrVGwoW7jFSGq00H1MsheHFzwdTJe8IVMd8h03or5AE2JpnT4ySC3u0dCXWLUeGI_CrVTTEIMffzqGctPBexdGXqnU2RxgEK9GVM9BSGWdBBfdNg6rjmqqQed_i7IipB_/s320/Melany+memory.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She made all these cards, embossed the word "Memories" on the front of each one, sent them out to people with a return envelope, and put them all in this box for me. The first note that I opened was the following:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVx3k08cutwdntOElznqlpC723ru3JEybtreQ153QrbXDraiC_wxkTqvducvI8qnigw2nUqbpWi31nJHNdPcXQcVcO55x_T1x8Cxs_ijigKwJL4WUcTR47SAVZeWg7Ge0Cr8nSGKeRe1q/s1600/letterbox+poem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVx3k08cutwdntOElznqlpC723ru3JEybtreQ153QrbXDraiC_wxkTqvducvI8qnigw2nUqbpWi31nJHNdPcXQcVcO55x_T1x8Cxs_ijigKwJL4WUcTR47SAVZeWg7Ge0Cr8nSGKeRe1q/s640/letterbox+poem.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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That's when the waterworks started :-) I was so overwhelmed as I sorted through the many cards inside. There were too many to read sitting there in the restaurant so I finished them when I got home - and got no sleep that night :-)</div>
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It is by far the best gift that I have ever received. Over the years I have added to this box. In fact it is so full that I need a new box :-) It is one of my most treasured possessions and I will tell you about my other most treasured possession in a little bit :-)</div>
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Day 5</div>
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January 5, 2013</div>
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"Something you wore"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROzZdXgl69UPsvD-UNRQ2f2D42FrsyUeqQlspP1FEFqZrNIbXR7TmR1lTYNAr48Z9zI9FNVJz42UsbYcS-UUZipQr93yzEQdHynaY5PBdGzfPPe6EeAiOgUzXOPx6RQWBra-PjOgudzjl/s1600/Day+5+-+something+you+wore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROzZdXgl69UPsvD-UNRQ2f2D42FrsyUeqQlspP1FEFqZrNIbXR7TmR1lTYNAr48Z9zI9FNVJz42UsbYcS-UUZipQr93yzEQdHynaY5PBdGzfPPe6EeAiOgUzXOPx6RQWBra-PjOgudzjl/s320/Day+5+-+something+you+wore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A smile. It's the world's greatest accessory. It looks good on everyone and makes the world a brighter place. I was listening to the following song when I took this picture:</div>
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Give it a listen. It will make you smile :-) And while we are speaking of smiling ...</div>
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Day 6</div>
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January 6, 2013</div>
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"Makes you smile"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeOMz5YVRe0MSFPrgueH5eUixlR2wmBx0xbf6iW4odePWENl7155IxCvkRsnHceSYetBLnYyIU2G88rTd5pNOCuWI0UhfEcmvs9JS6UrgR6r_y-NMTwwNLXd3B2MIZrxopHZ8Q5E1RF0w/s1600/Day+6+-+makes+you+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeOMz5YVRe0MSFPrgueH5eUixlR2wmBx0xbf6iW4odePWENl7155IxCvkRsnHceSYetBLnYyIU2G88rTd5pNOCuWI0UhfEcmvs9JS6UrgR6r_y-NMTwwNLXd3B2MIZrxopHZ8Q5E1RF0w/s320/Day+6+-+makes+you+smile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my other most treasured possession - my journals. I am a huge advocate for journaling. More on my journaling journey <a href="http://melanymaree.blogspot.com/2011/11/yet-i-will-praise-him.html" target="_blank">here</a>. These notebooks tell my story - and what a story it is. I love reading through my journals. It reminds me of where I have been and how God has always come through for me. There are lots of smiles and lots of tears poured out in these journals. There is lots of triumph and lots of heartache. Each story ends with God's faithfulness shining through and when times are tough I like to look through them and be reminded of how my Father in heaven will never leave or forsake me. He has been and always will be good. </div>
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There is week one of the Photo a Day Challenge. I think that when all is said and done, I am really going to love having this to look back on. Fun times :-)</div>
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Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-46721290059708480812012-12-23T20:59:00.001-05:002012-12-23T21:18:15.458-05:00Wrap it up - washi styleI love wrapping presents . It's one of my favorite holiday activities. It's actually even possible that I dream of someday working at the gift wrapping center in a department store (sigh).<br />
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I have a definite process that I go about in wrapping my gifts (more on that <a href="http://www.melanymaree.blogspot.com/search/label/DIY?updated-max=2011-04-06T14:00:00-04:00&max-results=20&start=9&by-date=false" target="_blank">here</a>). The paper must always meet on an edge - none of this tape down the middle business. Every crease has to be perfect. And watch out if I have paper with lines - I will spend the extra time making sure that the lines are perfectly straight and all line up. I might have a slight problem :-)<br />
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I always do something a little different with my gifts each year. Last year it was yarn pom poms in lieu of bows. This year it was washi tape and embroidery thread. My friend Karisse and I got some cute Christmas washi tape at Michaels for wrapping - cause we looooove it and we neeeeeded it :-)<br />
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Washi tape is pretty paper tape - think masking tape, only CUTE :-)<br />
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Here is a pic of my wrapped presents:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kw6OtZxVrp5Je9QGpNvyQroYkKC-auoMEUDzM7pBXvgEuxZkMk3mSnHF0JZ82FZjfLDeTnu28UQfDKlxEYE_Y_dQS9AIBKlf1V3U9qVBpBwt7vJBJfpHi08IRyoVQ2_dchzWL0QmPc9-/s1600/544020_10152340872140599_328214168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kw6OtZxVrp5Je9QGpNvyQroYkKC-auoMEUDzM7pBXvgEuxZkMk3mSnHF0JZ82FZjfLDeTnu28UQfDKlxEYE_Y_dQS9AIBKlf1V3U9qVBpBwt7vJBJfpHi08IRyoVQ2_dchzWL0QmPc9-/s320/544020_10152340872140599_328214168_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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See the cute red tape with deers and herringbone. That's washi tape. I love how it gave me so many options for placement. A great thing about washi tape is it can also be easily removed and replaced. </div>
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If you are wondering about the gift tags, they are made out of clay. Yes, I roll out clay, bake it, and decorate it. Crazy me can't just slap a sticker on a present. Nope, I have to spend an hour creating gift tags. That's just how I roll :-)</div>
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This year for my gift tags, I gathered inspiration from Anthropologie - of course :-)</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/search/25713579.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">anthropologie.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melanymaree/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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The fact that I have to ship my presents home means that I need to do simple wrapping - no big pretty bows that will get smooshed in a box. So the washi tape works well. </div>
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If you want to find your own washi tape, there are many options on Etsy. I love the birds on a wire tape below:</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/114273283/special-sale-of-3-random-rolls-of-washi?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_search_query=washi+tape+vintage&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melanymaree/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Now all my presents are wrapped and at their destinations far away. I was sitting here earlier feeling sad about not having anything else to wrap. I might start searching for empty boxes. See, if I had a job wrapping presents at a big department store this would not be a problem :-)</div>
<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-83564150737112835922012-12-09T18:29:00.001-05:002012-12-09T18:46:01.550-05:00DIY - Mason jar snow globe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a0NPL4TPXb2of13iITnTLiNQUDQ0Yxxxr3s0eT9L4NDhJoQAuw6aMrOlV9Ri4kdrZpuaQ2O8DPvC578L0nV2GNnJXCJBsiXqRC1mlWXY5tB1fAtuvi2h66jpz4O9df2hOGO-VsCWvyvI/s1600/Snowglobediy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a0NPL4TPXb2of13iITnTLiNQUDQ0Yxxxr3s0eT9L4NDhJoQAuw6aMrOlV9Ri4kdrZpuaQ2O8DPvC578L0nV2GNnJXCJBsiXqRC1mlWXY5tB1fAtuvi2h66jpz4O9df2hOGO-VsCWvyvI/s320/Snowglobediy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love mason jars. They are just so functional. </div>
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There is their primary function - canning (which is something I want to try). </div>
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You can use them to store food (I love the way they look in my pantry). </div>
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You can drink out of them (a friend of mine got me the cutest mason jar mug for Christmas). </div>
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There is also a world of crafting possibility offered by the little mason jar. This past week I made a mason jar snow globe. I love it!!!</div>
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This is an <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp" target="_blank">Anthropologie</a> inspired craft - because Anthropologie is amazing. It's my inspiration place.</div>
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I did not want to spend money on one of <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/search/search.jsp?searchPhrase=mason+jar" target="_blank">these</a> when I knew I could make one. This is a super easy craft and does not take a lot of time.</div>
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Here's what you need (all my supplies were bought at Michaels):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5dHtI14FE2xB_gJZdcdYZAWa1vEzPJipWc5P3gQvmUe-zr6hr0-BFWauQtt77wEOoMNYF8DQ72vdjQY-3ssgzuzVZ2oFIbnlh-GvBilttDIaeeXBEvZk_vyrnvrjQ5ePEOhXtaZIV9-T/s1600/Supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5dHtI14FE2xB_gJZdcdYZAWa1vEzPJipWc5P3gQvmUe-zr6hr0-BFWauQtt77wEOoMNYF8DQ72vdjQY-3ssgzuzVZ2oFIbnlh-GvBilttDIaeeXBEvZk_vyrnvrjQ5ePEOhXtaZIV9-T/s320/Supplies.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Mason jar:</b> Mine was about $2</div>
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<b>Glue gun:</b> This was given to me by a friend</div>
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<b>Itty bitty Christmas tree:</b> These can be found with the accessories for Christmas Village figures. My tree was about $7, but I had a 40% off coupon. I rarely buy anything full price at Michaels.</div>
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<b>Fake snow: </b> This was also found in the Christmas Village section. It was $3.50.</div>
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A word about the fake snow: This stuff is messy. I think there are other fake snow products (I have even seen some at Target) that are not as messy. However, I have to say that I do recommend the one that I used (picture below). It is almost like shredded styrofoam. You probably can't tell by the pictures, but it has a slight sheen to it like real snow. I also like the way that it sticks to the side of the mason jar. So, the mess is definitely worth it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTOov1nVntJYfBLZURCXwYxwGkg1HzH3QgGwW1y2HBJiSQbV39DM9ZOwfamTw1Uai6F14KV-ZU7xXk5Chi1pghrGETPHRKy-7shkEfkUwjFiBb9kq7aVn5BdSl1bgZcGszLTORXK00hBA/s1600/P1010137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTOov1nVntJYfBLZURCXwYxwGkg1HzH3QgGwW1y2HBJiSQbV39DM9ZOwfamTw1Uai6F14KV-ZU7xXk5Chi1pghrGETPHRKy-7shkEfkUwjFiBb9kq7aVn5BdSl1bgZcGszLTORXK00hBA/s320/P1010137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I tested my tree to make sure it would fit in the jar before I pulled out the glue gun. I realized that I wanted my tree to be a little bit taller to provide more room for snow. So I began searching for things to put a little height to my tree. I tried a tea light candle, but that was too tall. Then I realized that I had a cardboard box in my closet so I pulled it out and cut out some circles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWI9HSOjDnqWWli03_mm3eGZv9o-WOt8fDWGYvQfZl_w7aYLZsa9nPG_pf6JcRtLF8A1fRNzh-FeAuhKPxnZ3rI6pb-wHmqoTQu6ixKufsC-6ceTyIlTP-x5wDehZpwONsiOYf-xFUmny/s1600/P1010149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWI9HSOjDnqWWli03_mm3eGZv9o-WOt8fDWGYvQfZl_w7aYLZsa9nPG_pf6JcRtLF8A1fRNzh-FeAuhKPxnZ3rI6pb-wHmqoTQu6ixKufsC-6ceTyIlTP-x5wDehZpwONsiOYf-xFUmny/s320/P1010149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF-XSX50Vma8XiZazj3t-sHhr_yMGuXLUx2Lmm-_1xkbpwP2VMZ4QSWgWCy8yXsbV5dpjicgErc_ww0roMCqPao5cXgiAEAROwffVxcEceHBe9RLPkc5YLN5qt2XBBmsP-muvvXGmto-l/s1600/P1010150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF-XSX50Vma8XiZazj3t-sHhr_yMGuXLUx2Lmm-_1xkbpwP2VMZ4QSWgWCy8yXsbV5dpjicgErc_ww0roMCqPao5cXgiAEAROwffVxcEceHBe9RLPkc5YLN5qt2XBBmsP-muvvXGmto-l/s320/P1010150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two cardboard circles made the tree to tall, so I just glued one to the lid of the mason jar:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk-zJJCYu_tDytbYTJGeaWGJbmqkEepPlf4upVIBodm8IaGMy40HcCIQTkIcJL7nYSnqBwmZw3vVT-QlUFCAPbBviAPdkVtl9CEUe1qun2mw3RjRoXObizOQMymq_8a0AZtFRfUD113N3/s1600/P1010155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk-zJJCYu_tDytbYTJGeaWGJbmqkEepPlf4upVIBodm8IaGMy40HcCIQTkIcJL7nYSnqBwmZw3vVT-QlUFCAPbBviAPdkVtl9CEUe1qun2mw3RjRoXObizOQMymq_8a0AZtFRfUD113N3/s320/P1010155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I glued the tree to the cardboard circle:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1zMKX1x7_nlvzJIUG6zHLwU9jfv9MKSNbaa01pCMC-AwQBBMinuagGTAAWNFzyBcw023PVkF7HP7nn1KC2jbzF68utj5k6fWo9xwtrkyqVdVhYT2kUxDAPtH7J18gH00dd3Ap8ZrOR1T/s1600/P1010156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1zMKX1x7_nlvzJIUG6zHLwU9jfv9MKSNbaa01pCMC-AwQBBMinuagGTAAWNFzyBcw023PVkF7HP7nn1KC2jbzF68utj5k6fWo9xwtrkyqVdVhYT2kUxDAPtH7J18gH00dd3Ap8ZrOR1T/s320/P1010156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I forgot to take a picture of the next step - sorry. I poured snow into the mason jar. Then (after making sure the glue is dry), I turned the lid with the tree upside down and screwed the lid onto the jar. </div>
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After assembling the snow globe, just turn it up right and shake the snow into place. You might also need to tap the side of the jar to sift things into place. If you find that you need more or less snow, you can take the lid back off and adjust the snow. (Note: if you need to take the lid off, do it over a trash can. Like I said, the snow is messy)</div>
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And there you have it. One super fabulous - I made it myself - little piece of handmade Anthro inspired goodness - mason jar snow globe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpZO4a9_mUqakM3kIepxyWcK4e3Vwdz4ZaNtevc6b5Tr3NU2DrurE1kISHCp3r4kgt98_uqLcgjcIo0xgRMSQbSFIRR7zXsgfUZIIxrwj-p-9udSSNewOfoAYFR6bY4GNh2MRGvdO-K5f/s1600/P1010164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpZO4a9_mUqakM3kIepxyWcK4e3Vwdz4ZaNtevc6b5Tr3NU2DrurE1kISHCp3r4kgt98_uqLcgjcIo0xgRMSQbSFIRR7zXsgfUZIIxrwj-p-9udSSNewOfoAYFR6bY4GNh2MRGvdO-K5f/s320/P1010164.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love mine so much that I had to take it to work so I can enjoy it all day long. I put it with "Anthro the seal" a little desk mascot that I bought at Anthropologie a few weeks ago. You can get your own <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/search/25511973.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS" target="_blank">here</a>. I love her and I am sure that she feels more at home now that she has a snow covered tree nearby :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM9xx6_OdkovStR2NZRJpgL0Ekbc_mz7CHU5D6UZGTvuBXXOliHwOivU-6TgK21xNvMELlaRS2lEIUVvwJsgxtuc-eGimnmPiy7sYdI1GZ6kCmF92vH-2wSX2waGOp8ARj0gFWWZyhXL5/s1600/IMAG0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM9xx6_OdkovStR2NZRJpgL0Ekbc_mz7CHU5D6UZGTvuBXXOliHwOivU-6TgK21xNvMELlaRS2lEIUVvwJsgxtuc-eGimnmPiy7sYdI1GZ6kCmF92vH-2wSX2waGOp8ARj0gFWWZyhXL5/s320/IMAG0339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-28531455270779572712012-11-15T23:50:00.001-05:002012-12-10T07:02:27.641-05:00I'm freaking outHave you ever had a moment in life when something happens that causes you to stop, take a step back, and realize that this is not in a million years where you thought your life would lead to? That's where I am right now - and sometimes it makes me hyperventilate a little bit.<br />
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So what has led to my grand moment of realization? - a change with my job. It was a temporary job and now it has become permanent. I have reached the moment with this job that I have been waiting for months to see come to fruition. Now here it is - so why is it freaking me out so much?</div>
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I'll tell you why.</div>
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It makes me feel like this is where I am settling down. And I never would have thought that I would settle down here - Washington, DC. I was supposed to be passing through for one year. That was the plan. One year - then off to Asia ... I have been here 3.5 years. </div>
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Over the past few days it has really been hitting me hard that my accepting a permanent position at work means that I intend to be in this job for at least a few more years. That means that this is my home - and I don't quite know how I feel about that. Don't get me wrong - DC is great, but it is definitely not where I pictured myself for a lengthy amount of time. </div>
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My life plans and expectations are rarely met the way I envision they would be. But when things don't go the way I thought they would, it's always because there is something better waiting on the horizon. <br />
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Years ago, there was an event that turned my world completely upside down. After learning that I was being laid off from my job, God led me to Isaiah 55: 8,9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." God wound up taking the event of me losing my job and used it to launch me on a journey into destiny - a journey that literally took me around the world. <br />
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Honestly, I don't fully know where my place is here in DC. But the way I see it - God has me here for a reason, He is keeping me here for a reason ... and I look forward to seeing what the future unfolds :-)<br />
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Source: <a href="http://lustlovepain.tumblr.com/post/19122867675" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">lustlovepain.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/mcgoverj/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Rachel</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-45715245502205386592012-10-16T22:42:00.003-04:002012-10-16T22:43:09.121-04:00I'm just a thingamabob on a journey of faithWarning - this post is pretty honest ... but it ends well :-)<br />
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Lately life has been less than wonderful. I have struggled against a deep desire to throw my hands in the air and scream, "I give up." My faith has taken a beating and there has been a battle that has found me faced with a decision. Do I keep pressing on or do I give up? <br />
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"Giving up" came close to winning. Life has been hard, frustrations have been mounting, disappointment has been rampant ... I have been weary. There's tired and then there's weary - I have been weary and losing the will to fight for the fullness of life.<br />
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I began to consider, "What would it mean to give up?" <br />
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I realized that giving up would mean that the last 20 years of my life have been a lie. <br />
Giving up on my faith in God would mean that I had given myself to something that was false.<br />
But I have a lifetime of experiences that prove that this journey I have walked with the Lord is real and it is truth.<br />
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My faith is the very center of who I am. Without it, I am skin and bones with no life, no breath. That might be difficult for some to understand. I can't explain it other than the reality of my own experiences. It is my truth.<br />
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A little story of faith lessons in car problems:<br />
Back in June I had some car problems. I had to get a new battery for my car. It was pretty frustrating, especially when I thought that everything was fixed and then my car stopped working again. I popped the hood of my car and noticed something.<br />
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The thingamabob (I'm pretty sure that is the mechanical term) was not connected to the terminal. Therefore there was no charge to power my car. Somehow it had come all undone: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-LCJZl85KgewbTa5AqIdZ8u_Ua-rT5PuyTR5Oi2Lv-_vJqmmTzZGPSpIy-63x6k7UYRdCGtEJFArRY254N1ewQxI-xtdjKVR_K6vstNc8XMd7cvyvf3S2u0tTAGGVp3VSuZdSvcDN6rn/s1600/20120513160806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-LCJZl85KgewbTa5AqIdZ8u_Ua-rT5PuyTR5Oi2Lv-_vJqmmTzZGPSpIy-63x6k7UYRdCGtEJFArRY254N1ewQxI-xtdjKVR_K6vstNc8XMd7cvyvf3S2u0tTAGGVp3VSuZdSvcDN6rn/s320/20120513160806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I fixed it. I scrubbed the terminal with a brush doohickey (there's another mechanical term for you):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMoabha14Gusjn4xHDezM5U58NjaJYp-Z2qxL6d2gMiUE5xuBJZ_EGxTJ1shhpY627DLN5g54lzighKxLvJJImnMIvGvVtA_ZMW4fWXserQZQaur_l46mXTdzq6b-8y19B-U9DWrXwj5W/s1600/20120513160902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMoabha14Gusjn4xHDezM5U58NjaJYp-Z2qxL6d2gMiUE5xuBJZ_EGxTJ1shhpY627DLN5g54lzighKxLvJJImnMIvGvVtA_ZMW4fWXserQZQaur_l46mXTdzq6b-8y19B-U9DWrXwj5W/s320/20120513160902.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I gave it a good tightening: </div>
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(and yes, I did actually take these pictures months ago to document that I can be a grease monkey)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkd3slAGXzYQ7H6_drvh3tFD1phOsjPcp9qxJz2hncl6vfj5-NZNUyif0kD8wNWGarFxcRQIYArJjyiphjARW1xG-KZPCsEhn9NUbIy_FDNUwuBA7EFE6MQszmGRjCMo0YQmMRnJ7P6Qm/s1600/20120513162217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkd3slAGXzYQ7H6_drvh3tFD1phOsjPcp9qxJz2hncl6vfj5-NZNUyif0kD8wNWGarFxcRQIYArJjyiphjARW1xG-KZPCsEhn9NUbIy_FDNUwuBA7EFE6MQszmGRjCMo0YQmMRnJ7P6Qm/s320/20120513162217.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Made sure it was good and tight - and I have not had another problem with it since then.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U1RISMZV3qGKMJryShkSKxddHU4uY4KIagPk1dBF8bMqDGCEweIm_PgvXEYgSPlvvUOw6Cx6EZl-Hy2n21eSyFWrFZLZ12voOvRPgzXLuner-8Yl9Z6vQg0JUhyphenhyphen8N4H0z1-464FO-BpK/s1600/20120513162237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2U1RISMZV3qGKMJryShkSKxddHU4uY4KIagPk1dBF8bMqDGCEweIm_PgvXEYgSPlvvUOw6Cx6EZl-Hy2n21eSyFWrFZLZ12voOvRPgzXLuner-8Yl9Z6vQg0JUhyphenhyphen8N4H0z1-464FO-BpK/s320/20120513162237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This car problem (which took place in June) was the icing on the cake of a really really bad week. I was discouraged. But as I was fixing my car, I felt the Lord speak to me: He is the battery that charges me. I have to connect myself to the terminal. </div>
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I am the thingamabob :-) </div>
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If I am not being charged by the Source, life just does not work. Without my faith in God, life does not work. I can't walk through this world without God by my side. </div>
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I am so thankful for how God has poured encouragement into my life during the last week. Through encouraging words from friends and even fun packages coming to my home, God has whispered: "I am here." And that is a truth that I can count on.</div>
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-21714562268733814612012-09-05T22:28:00.000-04:002012-09-05T22:28:57.426-04:00It's been awhileI felt the need to post something on my blog. <br />
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Since I don't really know what to say, I thought that I would share a project that I am working on.<br />
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I am making one of these:<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/45669383692251133/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="405" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/76701999873718988_nUVaPTpr_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/12/how-to_cross_stitch_pendant.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">blog.craftzine.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melanymaree/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I am really excited because:<br />
A. I just really like to cross stitch<br />
but<br />
B. I don't really care for how it looks in the end<br />
so<br />
C. I was thrilled to find something that I actually think I might like<br />
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I am going with a chevron pattern for my necklace. Updates coming soon.<br />
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I also want to make this:<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/45669383692251154/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="570" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/11822017741955724_cbAR57PG_c.jpg" width="570" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78686850/hadaly-contemporary-cross-stitch-coaster?ref=sr_gallery_29&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=crossstitch+kit&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_page=20&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/melanymaree/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melany</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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I think it kinda looks like granny squares and I love granny squares.<br />
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Yeah, fun projects!!<br />
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<br />Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8748392311292632114.post-57771568424126921422012-08-19T22:21:00.000-04:002012-08-19T22:21:49.713-04:00My heart's cryThere is this song that has been on my heart all week long. It's the song "Give Me Jesus". The chorus goes like this:<br />
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"Give me Jesus.<br />
Give me Jesus.<br />
You can have all this world, just give me Jesus."<br />
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I love this song. It's actually quite possible that I might have downloaded three different versions. I just love it that much. It's actually also possible that I might play these three downloads over ... and over ... and over.<br />
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It really just lifts my spirits. It's how I want to live my life - what I desire to stand for.<br />
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"You can have all this world, just give me Jesus."<br />
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Even when I have nothing, I have everything because I have Jesus. <br />
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When the world seems to cave around me, it's ok because I have Jesus. <br />
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When I am all alone, I am in good company because I have Jesus.<br />
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My Jesus is my favorite. No one compares to Him. <br />
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I just felt like sharing that :-) Jesus - He's awesome and so worthy of all my affection.<br />
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Melanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702952563888521052noreply@blogger.com0