tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84299076420762970192024-03-20T06:19:08.452-04:00What I Think Is BeautifulRandomly appreciating beauty in every day life.
Let's connect - I'm @WITIB on Instagram and Pinterest.Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-6416237566026320042013-12-13T23:42:00.000-05:002013-12-13T23:42:29.929-05:00107: A Good Life, a Blessed Life..."IF YOU WANT SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER HAD, THEN YOU'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER DONE."<br />
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Found this quote on Pinterest, I am not sure who said it but I just love it!!!<br />
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I realize it has been quite awhile since I have written anything but life sometimes gets so hectic. Sadly I can blink and over a year has gone by. This year has had it's share of tears, laughter, healing and love. But at the end of the day it all equates to growth and I am grateful for every moment.<br />
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The last time I wrote I was still running my own boutique company and working hard towards my goal of work-life balance. The goal being 8 months of work, 2 months non-profit work and 2 months of me-time!! But destiny always has its own plan and I ended up taking an exclusive client in New York City - fortunately or unfortunately working full time :-) So for now, my focus is on working in "The City" until my gut tells me it is time to go. At the end of the day, I have to pursue my own path and listen to my head, my heart, and my gut in order to reach my potential and hopefully make a positive contribution to this amazing universe. <br />
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I hope to write more, for no specific reason aside from just sharing my perspective on my very blessed life.<br />
<br />Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-61860842752412278532012-08-31T10:59:00.001-04:002012-08-31T17:15:00.092-04:00106: My Haiti Experience - Part 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_jSOfCWi9GXD8RNZjN2i8fu5SoG96gP7_8NbRaUjT6Km9yBL3o-nQhkKTAk18PmnYcRXwWwK5WJPJu8tgFKlStEfrBqvD_48l-YJ74Tzx2KJWU713IlcqLDq37-X2cs2nRpDiNVclf0/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_jSOfCWi9GXD8RNZjN2i8fu5SoG96gP7_8NbRaUjT6Km9yBL3o-nQhkKTAk18PmnYcRXwWwK5WJPJu8tgFKlStEfrBqvD_48l-YJ74Tzx2KJWU713IlcqLDq37-X2cs2nRpDiNVclf0/s400/IMG_1151.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A home overlooking the Artibonite River. </td></tr>
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It has been almost a month since I got back from my 9-day trip to Haiti. I've been quite busy with work but also a bit distracted, as usual... I know, it kind of goes back to my "<a href="http://www.whatithinkisbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/07/0014-chasing-butterflies.html">Chasing Butterflies</a>" blog... But I'm here now...<br />
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Haiti was my first missionary trip and I'm a convert. I cannot describe the feeling of purpose I got when I was there. Despite the unknown - where and under what conditions we were going to sleep, eat, bathe, etc - my family and I knew that we were here to help in whatever capacity and for however many hours. When life was stripped down to the basics, it all became so outward focused. It's almost indescribable but it was a great to let go of everything and only worry about how to help. OK, OK - we aren't saints either - so it was very, very, very hot so we were also trying to remain hydrated and were carrying around "sweat" rags - we were going through some major detoxing :-) but it all adds to the laughter now that I reflect back... I shared this experience with my mother and one of my brothers, which made it even more special. We are each so different but we all went with open hearts and were ready for anything. Together we experienced the shock of Port Au Prince (from the lack of sanitation to the tent cities to the still collapsed presidential palace), the awe at such beautiful landscape throughout the country and most importantly the pure warmth of the Haitian people. (The team we went with welcomed us with the widest smiles and the warmest hearts.) Most people (outside of PAP) were also welcoming and very hospitable, others were just wary of the "blancs". We were the only non-Haitians on the team and quickly realized we were being called out to as "blancs". People were either very curious of us or were cautious then warmed up or simply wary and stayed their distance.<br />
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Our trip to Haiti was amazing on so many levels and the organization I went with was just tireless and inspiring (New Hope Ministries International). Our team ranged in age from the 20s into the 80s - with each person just there to give. It was awesome being part of such an effort.<br />
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Below is map my brother created to show all the places we went to - impressive right? ok, maybe just to us because this was out first trip there :-) but memorable without doubt. Our Haitian team members guaranteed us that we had seen more of Haiti than many Haitians :-)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KyXJyJIfC_ZtqLrmFX1mN5Dlwj_QwxjCxEioQnhImI7-1cy8Lr6hJhXZIxbjY2T_rZ3k_JNL2mNup0bTI2200oBhKVa3z4PJo6dlQDWc_tsWeomteyXrBrC4ypNy-lJdQD6iElaCDWA/s1600/Haiti+Map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KyXJyJIfC_ZtqLrmFX1mN5Dlwj_QwxjCxEioQnhImI7-1cy8Lr6hJhXZIxbjY2T_rZ3k_JNL2mNup0bTI2200oBhKVa3z4PJo6dlQDWc_tsWeomteyXrBrC4ypNy-lJdQD6iElaCDWA/s400/Haiti+Map.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We landed in Port Au Prince (PAP), then headed North then back to PAP before heading South. <br />
It was an amazing journey, throughout such a beautiful country. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjFRn9UfO8q5Ejl4QsO1BlCcnHjgHSfXrN46Zb-vQQtqk7OIt_mE_khL8mDwPDz-cyTInq1s3VM2UmlY9Xr_Yp821ATbqdWDfZY3N1rJCEbyp-lTlEQt5oUSE4SPiFt-XnCFrEHrtVpY/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjFRn9UfO8q5Ejl4QsO1BlCcnHjgHSfXrN46Zb-vQQtqk7OIt_mE_khL8mDwPDz-cyTInq1s3VM2UmlY9Xr_Yp821ATbqdWDfZY3N1rJCEbyp-lTlEQt5oUSE4SPiFt-XnCFrEHrtVpY/s400/IMG_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haitian Mountains</td></tr>
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Although I have nearly two thousand pictures, I'd like to start by sharing some of my "Faces of Haiti" pictures. My goal was to capture Haiti and it's people in a respectful way, here are a few shots to start off with. I hope to post more over the next few months. Enjoy...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BP5nXRyAEJDZTRGOtqUBVNVY4_vesfM54pfaC_lL68L-wTk_bi53kVgpv0_BZbd7oo-9CtZNd2V0xlRFmaDHt027sHv53BIetK8DtyDWHNxAb2XLdrLw98SZlfj9EJ6RbKJmSg2vEgI/s1600/H1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BP5nXRyAEJDZTRGOtqUBVNVY4_vesfM54pfaC_lL68L-wTk_bi53kVgpv0_BZbd7oo-9CtZNd2V0xlRFmaDHt027sHv53BIetK8DtyDWHNxAb2XLdrLw98SZlfj9EJ6RbKJmSg2vEgI/s400/H1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Port Au Prince: This is one of my favorite pictures. Such beautiful </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
faces but the look in their eyes still haunts me. I can't</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
describe it but it touches me every time I see it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfQQ-jMFrj9kcFBTLTw07q-5yKqai-xfiS83UQHs8b3VH9CVzGR_uN_JizSK0FvaCjhoK599-Rk3ZpRpbfznqzeU5WR4ikPBSsSa-02SnBc9Q5RMwhvCX7DRNDPnkmPPzymx3d7RCK4E/s1600/H2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfQQ-jMFrj9kcFBTLTw07q-5yKqai-xfiS83UQHs8b3VH9CVzGR_uN_JizSK0FvaCjhoK599-Rk3ZpRpbfznqzeU5WR4ikPBSsSa-02SnBc9Q5RMwhvCX7DRNDPnkmPPzymx3d7RCK4E/s400/H2a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Au Prince: another beautiful face with haunting eyes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk66Ll2QK5LvFGqo_mdJseCyvQRMzlx4WfK9-eNQGQ-X05abxszEkIBN-sDgePsjJ3SE_bGBdwSYyFwBQ4l1pjGjcmk2Bvcijr9a17E4Oioq4nyqkMNkYca4ORVWEK_1NL6KtPt0YYicQ/s1600/H4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk66Ll2QK5LvFGqo_mdJseCyvQRMzlx4WfK9-eNQGQ-X05abxszEkIBN-sDgePsjJ3SE_bGBdwSYyFwBQ4l1pjGjcmk2Bvcijr9a17E4Oioq4nyqkMNkYca4ORVWEK_1NL6KtPt0YYicQ/s400/H4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maude, the President of New Hope Ministries International,<br />
with the adorable son of one of the Hinche clinic volunteers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwfSw9AmyTOj9sHmA096ZrNqvmWwaWPzErFsTCEtH5Df4LizQTCwvtdkCyNTepJyTT0nT50FdRin5_QTywiYBh7KEZkjKuhrQcqs03YFGsj4i3mPpC5N609r4U7NpjeaEmz1Pv3BCHz4/s1600/H3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwfSw9AmyTOj9sHmA096ZrNqvmWwaWPzErFsTCEtH5Df4LizQTCwvtdkCyNTepJyTT0nT50FdRin5_QTywiYBh7KEZkjKuhrQcqs03YFGsj4i3mPpC5N609r4U7NpjeaEmz1Pv3BCHz4/s400/H3.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Hinche: a wonderful little girl and a fellow missionary (an R.N.)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjm8avux8K4TW9-_1WuOfI62rCZoukqw7KHCL3lN6EK6fBIFHBx_lKRVP8igvLO46SvmBB_NhC49lWEYPYIhOT8tiPUNULkoGY_ttEMCATdApAkvSLruGeFRHUzOUfVsMgvUMoNcimlU/s1600/H9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjm8avux8K4TW9-_1WuOfI62rCZoukqw7KHCL3lN6EK6fBIFHBx_lKRVP8igvLO46SvmBB_NhC49lWEYPYIhOT8tiPUNULkoGY_ttEMCATdApAkvSLruGeFRHUzOUfVsMgvUMoNcimlU/s400/H9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pignon: A grateful mother and her adorable infant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-wv4hj83FmdU6UGNM2FPUFitpZhq_b8LuWwy8zsMcjI73lXomL58TbnJUSRLMkl17i9ysuB_ogQUB_2wnNV8_2OTaw2lOlwQteIR5lqwifQLZUu6V8SGt4CzEtHtXpCReRucOueAhDo/s1600/H7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-wv4hj83FmdU6UGNM2FPUFitpZhq_b8LuWwy8zsMcjI73lXomL58TbnJUSRLMkl17i9ysuB_ogQUB_2wnNV8_2OTaw2lOlwQteIR5lqwifQLZUu6V8SGt4CzEtHtXpCReRucOueAhDo/s400/H7.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Pignon: Little Sisters - the girls were allowed to select a toy and</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
they were so good. The eldest let her younger sisters select first...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTAevcYl4phjbZAV4NlxXcg8FPPz9GwTsc6WXOugA7feUcRiqccSwXdJZQ0jqb7EXUVPOKzdGfNUogpmS-sW6kvofpFHJZ92G94UY2j8LS6y20S_-A3RW8EvFNEC-2-DYrPSuyTp192o/s1600/H5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTAevcYl4phjbZAV4NlxXcg8FPPz9GwTsc6WXOugA7feUcRiqccSwXdJZQ0jqb7EXUVPOKzdGfNUogpmS-sW6kvofpFHJZ92G94UY2j8LS6y20S_-A3RW8EvFNEC-2-DYrPSuyTp192o/s400/H5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our local, medical volunteers with a little boy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZqtbBMX3FxG7Ykk-46Gw7q8S37P4geJSOLQq1lEAqmKXS6l5fi1lg4dJp-CMHWjurjI0WlJQP8HZTp9XgSsnuDbsIyP6qeST91rhyphenhyphenjFVakulpJjEUOJwjCLlBoRmkU_eZLsL2pMONm4/s1600/H6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZqtbBMX3FxG7Ykk-46Gw7q8S37P4geJSOLQq1lEAqmKXS6l5fi1lg4dJp-CMHWjurjI0WlJQP8HZTp9XgSsnuDbsIyP6qeST91rhyphenhyphenjFVakulpJjEUOJwjCLlBoRmkU_eZLsL2pMONm4/s400/H6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A curious and sweet little girl from Pignon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWHeITSSaTrF43DmGVrm6g2VmxqARRTCyKfFgyrzI9NNONJWbuHhBzjkQW00-pkLRHdJPAb0DaOGUlt03C97BNyQ4f30w43jHHxk8TUe0ZMU2CUgTJr_yXi-CGgx3lePdVDZj60Je93o/s1600/H8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWHeITSSaTrF43DmGVrm6g2VmxqARRTCyKfFgyrzI9NNONJWbuHhBzjkQW00-pkLRHdJPAb0DaOGUlt03C97BNyQ4f30w43jHHxk8TUe0ZMU2CUgTJr_yXi-CGgx3lePdVDZj60Je93o/s400/H8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Missionaries with a grandmother and her two</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
grandsons, sadly their parents passed away.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-XzOPherPycXS3_QyApT16kTsifS_FxKfbeRd-8TnsoL7OCDKx8TrcW_C7aWBaEy7dg0Z5fdwvxJ6ftAotyXVbvuUGoWxMMeqcRYRRlj7TxOWtZdDn6jPhM9gKb3Aa0Rdy3qqVb9Rac/s1600/H10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-XzOPherPycXS3_QyApT16kTsifS_FxKfbeRd-8TnsoL7OCDKx8TrcW_C7aWBaEy7dg0Z5fdwvxJ6ftAotyXVbvuUGoWxMMeqcRYRRlj7TxOWtZdDn6jPhM9gKb3Aa0Rdy3qqVb9Rac/s400/H10.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mother and infant waiting their turn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu-x_6r_E426LG2-ehvq1atx6nsgKc6pl2i1gA1FBjZ9E5k4GiKRxQAttod-D00SvFv1pmoNLwLurRrwT_qM9UKXUYNs-PFpatBuSeBx3iwTilNMS-dCmB4TUp2ZH7o3bU6JuXIYSfW0/s1600/H11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu-x_6r_E426LG2-ehvq1atx6nsgKc6pl2i1gA1FBjZ9E5k4GiKRxQAttod-D00SvFv1pmoNLwLurRrwT_qM9UKXUYNs-PFpatBuSeBx3iwTilNMS-dCmB4TUp2ZH7o3bU6JuXIYSfW0/s400/H11.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three friends on their way to play soccer. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSm85Zm-GK38iS7RfufCVkEXbK4hqtCfc-1tgLkDoGJZVan_1nE_DWlJ7XnmmCF3J-7jJEVptKC4u9mjj91173XO-tz7kVdun8pwCu4TjDZPO19i7_9cQ9KbBzeRjIIl7UY8pRCllXWM/s1600/H14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSm85Zm-GK38iS7RfufCVkEXbK4hqtCfc-1tgLkDoGJZVan_1nE_DWlJ7XnmmCF3J-7jJEVptKC4u9mjj91173XO-tz7kVdun8pwCu4TjDZPO19i7_9cQ9KbBzeRjIIl7UY8pRCllXWM/s400/H14.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy little girls in Fond de Negres</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A charming little boy from Fond de Negres</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOqGcvxzzwj1nFpkBkuvx4fcZ06bIqlP8AR85bUcuuNkwrXvNRV1i6DOsJOtKLJxcSPp1bMIJlIkQwXsEBacOspYd3XL_7LJ6sYnm1RDZ0cW5ZbLTO3WnLikqBw18PWYs-eohSFj9_ko/s1600/H17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOqGcvxzzwj1nFpkBkuvx4fcZ06bIqlP8AR85bUcuuNkwrXvNRV1i6DOsJOtKLJxcSPp1bMIJlIkQwXsEBacOspYd3XL_7LJ6sYnm1RDZ0cW5ZbLTO3WnLikqBw18PWYs-eohSFj9_ko/s400/H17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A fellow beach lover from Cayes - this is another one of my all time favorites. </span></div>
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My trip to Haiti was such a gift. It reminded me that love makes such a difference in each of our lives. Whether a person comes from the wealthiest circumstances or the poorest, love is what creates great citizens of this world. In Haiti, as in other countries, I saw people (from the infants to the elderly) with so little but had each other and therefore were able to project love and kindness to others. And this love allowed for laughter and mischief and warmth despite hardship (hardship being a relative word, no matter your economic state, hardship exists everywhere). I thank God, my family and Maude for making this trip possible. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!!</div>
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Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-33793964477653493442012-07-24T05:58:00.001-04:002012-07-24T05:58:56.701-04:00105: On my way to Haiti!Headed to the airport now and we are so excited! People tell me I won't be the same after going to Haiti and I look forward to it. Going with my mom and one of my brothers makes this trip so much more special. <br />
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I hope to have connectivity there in order to share this experience! <br />
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Blog later! Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-57066512349048862002012-06-28T14:36:00.001-04:002012-06-28T14:37:15.297-04:00104: Easy Recipes - ShortbreadI just love easy recipes!! I was picking up some Nespresso coffee pods for my brother when I came across an absolutely beautiful "English Shortbread Pan". It would never have crossed my mind to just go out and get a pretty baking pan... and this one had the shortbread recipe on the back! So I got it and not only were the cookies delicious but it was so easy!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pArUOzxjj3dxoxLdTcqYHAL2ltYiaFikkROwsAsorM1ejZcmCa22vN_vurwdhsT1-Dn8vjSwUf7R045DnOGc18yBb4kac1R_C0LjjLTMq4zgdd5XUC3yd6cEaX4PavDCCKgOj9yLmmE/s1600/IMG_9375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pArUOzxjj3dxoxLdTcqYHAL2ltYiaFikkROwsAsorM1ejZcmCa22vN_vurwdhsT1-Dn8vjSwUf7R045DnOGc18yBb4kac1R_C0LjjLTMq4zgdd5XUC3yd6cEaX4PavDCCKgOj9yLmmE/s320/IMG_9375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How pretty is this baking pan!! I got it at Sur la table...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileYQJ1FjEixapCVMJXMqDbgGl6nSjGSzQOJyLMExrLo-lUDFpEG51NMpCQdA_3bRItKb8gBin_GYkeNi2tvdLP50m7yKz6EYVpIieHb9jBHHMScmpzvH8JvIA3JeQy9qQEphc55upO68/s1600/IMG_9380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileYQJ1FjEixapCVMJXMqDbgGl6nSjGSzQOJyLMExrLo-lUDFpEG51NMpCQdA_3bRItKb8gBin_GYkeNi2tvdLP50m7yKz6EYVpIieHb9jBHHMScmpzvH8JvIA3JeQy9qQEphc55upO68/s320/IMG_9380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although there are 9 designs these were some of the clearer ones. <br />
I think I need to press the dough in tighter next time but the taste was there!</td></tr>
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So, here is the recipe: </div>
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3/4 cup butter, at room temperature</div>
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1/2 cup powdered sugar</div>
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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1 1/2 cups flour</div>
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Preheat oven to 325F. Lightly grease pan.</div>
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Cream butter until light.<br />
Beat in powdered sugar, then vanilla.<br />
Finally, work in the flour.<br />
Knead dough on an unfloured board until smooth.<br />
Firmly press dough into pan.<br />
Prick all of the surface with a fork, and bake for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.<br />
Loosen the edges with a plastic knife, and invert onto a cutting board.<br />
Cut into serving pieces while warm.<br />
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Enjoy!!!Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-11711366687002652402012-06-25T17:00:00.000-04:002012-06-27T17:55:58.577-04:00103: Not Enough Time?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein" </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>- H. Jackson Brown, Jr -</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOo-2ND7f3U5jb8wj8DMYl6wzvVZkwrQRqmNc8rdDaGYrMC5m6AsIohhyphenhyphenGRoq8-cUZwrCFULtjfmMYr-hj5atnQf45AZpq6DxIBT4y_5Wd8tS0r7DUSxcZwp7Fy_Jg4KPvRCNDkDbrD4/s1600/IMG_9144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOo-2ND7f3U5jb8wj8DMYl6wzvVZkwrQRqmNc8rdDaGYrMC5m6AsIohhyphenhyphenGRoq8-cUZwrCFULtjfmMYr-hj5atnQf45AZpq6DxIBT4y_5Wd8tS0r7DUSxcZwp7Fy_Jg4KPvRCNDkDbrD4/s320/IMG_9144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture I took last week of the sunrise... <br />
Sunrises just make me feel anything is possible!!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I love this quote! How true it is... and the list goes on and on with great thinkers, achievers, givers, and just ordinary people that do the extraordinary. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Life's funny - I seem to have woken up once I left the corporate world (3 years ago) and am busier then ever. I feel like there is so much to do - like I'm the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, late because I got a late start on the things that matter... My 'to do' list is now full of things that make me feel like I'm LIVING not just existing. Some of the items on my list include: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">- Grow my company while maintaining life's balance.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">- Help non-profits achieve their visions and therefore make a difference in the world. Get involved, be active and contribute.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">- Help my mom and grandmother in whatever way I can. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">- Explore the world, there is so much to see and so much to learn...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">- Continue with creative outlets, even if just for fun: photography, writing, drawing, etc</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">- Stay fit. Today I am trying kickboxing :-), I'm already running again and I start yoga (vinyasa and ashtanga are my favorites) on August 1st. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So much to do and only one lifetime... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Back to the quote... these kinds of quotes fire me up and make me realize it IS possible to do it all. Life, what a phenomenal ride!!!</span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-63821996704364090322012-06-08T11:02:00.000-04:002012-06-09T08:08:21.504-04:00102: The Privilege of GivingFirstly, my apologies for such a long absence... My life has been quite busy morphing and growing - as well as I had a birthday on June 5th - my birthdays often come with a lot of self-reflection...<br />
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Somewhere around the time I last blogged I saw a documentary about Haiti and the fact that there are still so many people living in extreme poverty. I don't typically watch documentaries but this one caught my attention and touched my heart. I called my mom during the show and we watched it together and we cried together and we promised we would see how we could help.<br />
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I started reading news and books on Haiti, I really knew so little. One book ("Haiti - Tumultuous History - From Pearl of the Caribbean to Broken Nation" by Philippe Girard) was hard to put down and I don't like reading about history! Then I brainstormed with some friends on how I could help. Some people were immediately wary about anything actually being achievable in Haiti - with its financial black holes, unaccountable NGOs, corruption and the lack of a social welfare programs. I know it's a tough situation but my gut and my heart also know that there are people of all ages (including the forgotten elderly) that deserve my attention. I also got several "I'm proud of you" compliments from family and friends that know this is a tough one and that as unknown as the path may be at least I will give it a try.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVtmfaO_puSOVQCtCQfhFBMUUJaTICHfNrWVtq8Q-dmbocVgwsSrASciYYAvsZxBdEKdCwmI6ZLA7RoY9n6Nc9q3uxmXncB7AO5jOJAjCGPt1WNQyN8XM86Fb8E8D_XeYeyz1Im9FRos/s1600/H+Map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVtmfaO_puSOVQCtCQfhFBMUUJaTICHfNrWVtq8Q-dmbocVgwsSrASciYYAvsZxBdEKdCwmI6ZLA7RoY9n6Nc9q3uxmXncB7AO5jOJAjCGPt1WNQyN8XM86Fb8E8D_XeYeyz1Im9FRos/s320/H+Map.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first step I took was getting in contact with a Haitian pastor that worked with my mom a few years ago. He is on the board of a small non-profit that helps Haitians in three ways: a medical clinic, sponsoring school students and have done some micro donations to help families become self-sufficient.<br />
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I met with the President and was impressed by this strong woman. Maud was born in Haiti, moved to Canada when she was 20, became a registered nurse and a successful woman. When she was about 40 years old she went on her first aid trip to Haiti (with a group of nurses). She has not stopped helping since and now lives in South Florida. Pictures one of Maud's 2011 trips:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwbAK-M4A-fCGW7onOojdhiSrPjpFnI4vngXhuK7wf98ak4e6-oWeWqSiA6t6O9PGflTJvgXIpGkbT_gpryt0IG4zUjvBUVgm9a46OfelcvcamTR8-1vFCNpGl85wCMU6_HgTQQkrdYY/s1600/H+Clinic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwbAK-M4A-fCGW7onOojdhiSrPjpFnI4vngXhuK7wf98ak4e6-oWeWqSiA6t6O9PGflTJvgXIpGkbT_gpryt0IG4zUjvBUVgm9a46OfelcvcamTR8-1vFCNpGl85wCMU6_HgTQQkrdYY/s1600/H+Clinic.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because of Maud's career, she has been fortunate in securing medical supply donations.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgox6wmUFOFomM3BVOMuIlKHhwfOmk299dfVA3WH8IgG0UgWOIoEChzMJmzf7NB-sS0VumdO3MbBixPGKncYuZCvIVKjIO6hI-DZcCSgDZ-qasxA1_799nqXwZYScC2CRGHGe_ajpi7rcM/s1600/H+Woman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgox6wmUFOFomM3BVOMuIlKHhwfOmk299dfVA3WH8IgG0UgWOIoEChzMJmzf7NB-sS0VumdO3MbBixPGKncYuZCvIVKjIO6hI-DZcCSgDZ-qasxA1_799nqXwZYScC2CRGHGe_ajpi7rcM/s320/H+Woman.png" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pride, hardship and determination visible in this woman's beautiful face and attire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wU3aAm10cXqmHwGR2DhqkM5fl-PdCmx684s14lcb3cKIFndQdee76KturLNWS_fpmc28j0icW69AuuXAtkieWUnwJBqVZT_lF9o-NCodoYWbr7xTXYg4nLvn_8lYmXn7TYohYL7CPMw/s1600/H+Students.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wU3aAm10cXqmHwGR2DhqkM5fl-PdCmx684s14lcb3cKIFndQdee76KturLNWS_fpmc28j0icW69AuuXAtkieWUnwJBqVZT_lF9o-NCodoYWbr7xTXYg4nLvn_8lYmXn7TYohYL7CPMw/s320/H+Students.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids receiving school supply donations.</td></tr>
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My mom and I are going to Haiti for one week at the end of July. We will help Maud and her other volunteers in distributing donations (during three events which are estimated to help 1,500 - 2,000 people). Once I get back I hope to assist Maud in executing her vision using my financial planning background. In a small way things just came together - I'm grateful for the opportunity to help.<br />
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I feel like an ember has lit up inside of me. I am excited to make a difference in the world - no matter how small. I have also started helping another organization that focuses it's efforts in South Africa - I'll tell you more about that one another day. I truly feel it is a privilege to be able to help people. Life is a funny thing and who knows, one day I may be the one needing a helping hand...<br />
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As some of you know, I spent many years solely focused on my career (which I do not regret and absolutely loved) but one day I just realized there had to be more to life. Three years later, owning my own company, I have the flexibility to follow my gut, to give to a greater good and I am thankful and blessed to be able to do so. And I am also so blessed to have a mom that not only encourages me to follow my heart but is willing to jump in too!Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-74938365375979050972012-04-21T12:09:00.000-04:002012-04-21T12:11:52.758-04:00101: Thank You Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-68817463682286313862012-03-26T12:57:00.007-04:002012-04-11T15:56:26.566-04:000100: Do You Want More?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana; font-size: 9px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="color: #366799; font-family: georgia; font-size: 2em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Happiness is only when you want nothing</h1><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>‘While trudging on the path he chose in life</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">He worked a lot for the money he earned</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">But one day God graced his doors</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And the lesson of happiness he learned.’</b></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>‘I am impressed by your work my child,</b></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">Every pleasure of life you own</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">Although you have alot</span></b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The smile you had is now gone!’</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>‘But I am happy, who says I am not</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I enjoy it, I enjoy a lot.’</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>‘Now dear, this is the happiness test –</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Are you happy with all you have?</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">The immediate answer was big YES.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">God asked again – do you want more?</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The answer now was a BIGGER yes.’</b></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>‘Things that make you happy are only your desires</b></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">The more it grows, the more it pains</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19px;">Happiness is only when you want nothing</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And let the pain go in the drain.’</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana; line-height: 19px;">By <a href="http://poems.coolnsmart.com/happiness-is-only-when-you-want-nothing/">Sahil</a></span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-56758465737776572452012-03-19T13:46:00.005-04:002012-03-19T13:58:43.381-04:000099: Appreciate Your Journey<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713140" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 15px;">How'd you like a little peek into the future? </span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713140" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bMWis6TPKmFxS6Gip7xv324XDhxhdmOa2D5mmV4fnIy2Alwv1mbiK5lHea_UdaPcUt9nYXq3uPmt5gl_s7cQNOeDnQ4ti_8fNy9M76TxSaYNIEMZxvy78OYWgGIaqmKf3O6KQjpCCpE/s1600/S1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bMWis6TPKmFxS6Gip7xv324XDhxhdmOa2D5mmV4fnIy2Alwv1mbiK5lHea_UdaPcUt9nYXq3uPmt5gl_s7cQNOeDnQ4ti_8fNy9M76TxSaYNIEMZxvy78OYWgGIaqmKf3O6KQjpCCpE/s400/S1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713140" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713159" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
You are on holiday or maybe at home... You're sitting around a warm and cozy fireplace surrounded by friends/family and boisterous laughter. The moment is simply and wonderfully "easy"... Early-morning snow gently falling across the countryside is visible from the enormous, ceiling-high windows beside you. Everyone is sipping a fabulous red or a yummy hot chocolate, and reminiscing about the fabulous circumstances that have brought you all together, brimming with excitement for times ahead. And then you think, "If only I'd seen it, I never would have been so hard on myself and those around me. If only I'd had just the slightest idea that the challenges, lacks, and issues I faced back then were of my own exacting design, and that they'd soon make possible the whirlwind of fabulous events that so swiftly followed, I'd have been, well, as proud then as I am now... and every bit as grateful for every step (good and bad) it took to get here!" </span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713140" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #000066; font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713140"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #000066; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Source: I get daily positive emails from <a href="http://www.tut.com/">www.tut.com</a>... sometimes I read them but sometimes I am too "busy"... I'm happy I took the time to read this one (although I slightly modified it to fit my future vision, it was a great reminder to me to appreciate where I am today versus being distracted with where I want to be tomorrow. Thanks Tut!!</i></span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713140"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133217613713140"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000066; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-4947264139424167812012-03-06T10:06:00.002-05:002012-03-06T10:08:51.747-05:000098: Happy 100th Birthday to Oreos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FyXksNTptCJZ1zFuZ6lH1MN1zxRehbclTOw0caw-B9Noww-8vkkibvpUoxbLn8B71TOu_KtfOOkkMp_EATfNPmmI5-P3rsCo_LMnJBIHe6LZNIdW7p-eORsbbcBV2IPizvixe7OT1Tg/s1600/Oreo-100th-Birthday-Logo-300x168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FyXksNTptCJZ1zFuZ6lH1MN1zxRehbclTOw0caw-B9Noww-8vkkibvpUoxbLn8B71TOu_KtfOOkkMp_EATfNPmmI5-P3rsCo_LMnJBIHe6LZNIdW7p-eORsbbcBV2IPizvixe7OT1Tg/s320/Oreo-100th-Birthday-Logo-300x168.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember the joy of dunking your Oreos or of twisting the two sides and licking or scraping the inside then chewing up the cookies in your mouth and smiling so you could show off your chocolate laced teeth??!?!? Or of seeing who could stack these yummy cookies the highest? Yep, I do and what better reason to do them again!!! No matter what age we are, Oreo turns 100 years old today!! :-)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, in celebration - Five Fun Facts: </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2jXS-rwIG7AqZ2VgO3na43HCkZgctdijL96SHAURW9n81qEb0g0gg9pikp-Fc7zEbUXX2JJgMlhzo8f4PCNZLOYrcisNgPHuDKxMyFYKVGMiDvbCmzPDlqxwq-qiCM62hINpCTNcLBU/s1600/oreo+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2jXS-rwIG7AqZ2VgO3na43HCkZgctdijL96SHAURW9n81qEb0g0gg9pikp-Fc7zEbUXX2JJgMlhzo8f4PCNZLOYrcisNgPHuDKxMyFYKVGMiDvbCmzPDlqxwq-qiCM62hINpCTNcLBU/s320/oreo+machine.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1. A 1920s ad for the cookie. A Nabisco worker shows off a ’70s-era Oreo press mold. <br />
The National Biscuit Company factory (now Chelsea Market) before 1932, when the <br />
High Line rail was incorporated. Source: NY Post</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf3OqFcfzKmp4y0vKtPnV19qFaFIY2E4sp2xeSEOMXO6Uj-yd2plSI6nIAnQCvvyM_zKr96LdQTVyEyHexZv1boCzt2Cy903loJHjT_gFdvKnIXc9g3wlFfkF8YZvmgy0wgryLpL4VrM/s1600/Oreo-Two-Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf3OqFcfzKmp4y0vKtPnV19qFaFIY2E4sp2xeSEOMXO6Uj-yd2plSI6nIAnQCvvyM_zKr96LdQTVyEyHexZv1boCzt2Cy903loJHjT_gFdvKnIXc9g3wlFfkF8YZvmgy0wgryLpL4VrM/s320/Oreo-Two-Cookies.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1330956851_3" style="cursor: pointer;">2. Oreos</span> can be bought in more than 100 countries and rake in $1.5 billion <br />
in global annual revenues. More than 95 million cookies are sold each day.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM4laAG7kXbxstAYWNKeLwjQiJZ4NZhOHsgONDy5XIQAI-vb4VA2RvNig2hXnG63yfjBcEFDwYJbdX-DxPKxnamDlt_FZsxsnfSPi5wQHVmFsLYz1OSDfhCjfoWfp0n1o0UTNF9RCYEc/s1600/Oreo+Pattern.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM4laAG7kXbxstAYWNKeLwjQiJZ4NZhOHsgONDy5XIQAI-vb4VA2RvNig2hXnG63yfjBcEFDwYJbdX-DxPKxnamDlt_FZsxsnfSPi5wQHVmFsLYz1OSDfhCjfoWfp0n1o0UTNF9RCYEc/s200/Oreo+Pattern.png" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3. Did you know that the cookie, which takes 59 minutes to make, consists of 12 flowers, <br />
12 dots and 12 dashes on each side. Each cookie has 90 ridges?</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x3lRcNo9V4uWakbEwAXRyHorM-vx_DoJ5AfED1TYM7wKSMX4JK88ir9JzEwMxgElMmJiQscLorLnit733hr2Xlq1FxUImhIHdhKwL8196xX1YJrj2GhmuHykXQSIzjp4koHfDBAkT3M/s1600/oreo+bite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x3lRcNo9V4uWakbEwAXRyHorM-vx_DoJ5AfED1TYM7wKSMX4JK88ir9JzEwMxgElMmJiQscLorLnit733hr2Xlq1FxUImhIHdhKwL8196xX1YJrj2GhmuHykXQSIzjp4koHfDBAkT3M/s200/oreo+bite.jpg" width="194" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">4. Oreos are made from 29 percent creme and 71 percent cookie. They are <br />
made in 21 bakeries around the world. Kraft Foods estimates that more than <br />
500 billion Oreos have been sold since 1912.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNI1JLsYutlQwV8Sv3Bz0J1Jm5duDHJyzszd-4GlzZxPRZmh9iqfQTleIiY6pW_nnfu3QdrnecvgyOjvoeS6eF5nifXfjijA3PkN9TOvacMMGbEatsgU2EIuR6x9IBWNnBOqVM8CFJDo/s1600/birthday-cake-oreo-cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNI1JLsYutlQwV8Sv3Bz0J1Jm5duDHJyzszd-4GlzZxPRZmh9iqfQTleIiY6pW_nnfu3QdrnecvgyOjvoeS6eF5nifXfjijA3PkN9TOvacMMGbEatsgU2EIuR6x9IBWNnBOqVM8CFJDo/s200/birthday-cake-oreo-cookie.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">5. Oreo will be a cornerstone brand of a new firm to be formed later this year when Kraft Foods divides into two companies. One, a worldwide snacks firm with annual revenue estimated at $35 billion, will be home to brands like Oreo and Cadbury; the other, a North American grocery products company, will have annual revenue estimated at $18 billion from brands like Maxwell House and Oscar Mayer.<br />
<br />
So for now, take part in the celebration with the limited-edition variety called Birthday Cake Oreos - twist, dunk, stack, enjoy!!!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Additional Reads: </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/oreo-celebrates-100-years-twisting-licking-dunking-215424696--abc-news.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"Oreo Celebrates 100 Years of Twisting, Licking and Dunking"</span></a> - ABC News, March 6, 2012</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/food/the_big_NESHrxY07rFd4bph3tkvnO"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"The Big O - The Chelsea-born Oreo cookie celebrates its 100th birthday" </span></a>- NY Post, March 6, 2012</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/business/media/the-oreo-turns-100-with-a-nod-to-the-past-advertising.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"The Oreo Turn 100, With a Nod to the Past"</span></a> - NY Times, February 27, 2012</span></div><div><h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</div></div></div></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-61858577922751110662012-02-08T14:42:00.003-05:002012-02-23T11:06:50.841-05:000097: Good Intentions, a Poem<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0isuyjXdpMZrbVskF_pp2ZPlaqFV6SBhDYejpolN3P1nn32e4oT_cKpXWLDjM3u0GBfe0E9xjc2JHIUf30vJo16delH9m3ifEe9SwanXJXsSC0LsvGVQouPZ0J5e1SKHGGopI34SVXBU/s1600/ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0isuyjXdpMZrbVskF_pp2ZPlaqFV6SBhDYejpolN3P1nn32e4oT_cKpXWLDjM3u0GBfe0E9xjc2JHIUf30vJo16delH9m3ifEe9SwanXJXsSC0LsvGVQouPZ0J5e1SKHGGopI34SVXBU/s400/ocean.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: www.oceanliteracy.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I watched my good intentions fall to the floor,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, I saw my good intentions roll out the door.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They kept on rolling till they rolled into the sea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh! I never should have let them get away from me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it's possible to get them back once more.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This time, I won't let them fall on the floor.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sea rolled back my good intentions quite happily.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With a wave of joyfulness, the sea called out to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Watch your good intentions transform into good deeds.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because this is exactly what the whole world needs.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not just thinking of the good that can be done!</div><div style="text-align: center;">But in acting on your intentions, brings good to everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's healthy for the body, & even healthier to the soul.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For you might also pick someone up who has fallen in a hole!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good intentions become good actions bringing happiness.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't drop your good intentions, act on them, go, & God bless.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Written by Patricia Kubicki on March 7, 2011</div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-59899544155144734612012-02-08T14:35:00.001-05:002012-02-08T19:48:55.918-05:000096: Easy Recipes: Healthy Banana Bran Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd0U_KeQTcqVsE65ezwgiTVyWh5GSXDqakAv1CAV61kQ5DK2qUNG3DswF3lUoDC-WTU4TKdKlU5OPoVc7zspffdenb3nJhOv73fwHT9bbPTOWZX0L9GOC2GYqso2x73yNQejrAEYVz8A/s1600/bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd0U_KeQTcqVsE65ezwgiTVyWh5GSXDqakAv1CAV61kQ5DK2qUNG3DswF3lUoDC-WTU4TKdKlU5OPoVc7zspffdenb3nJhOv73fwHT9bbPTOWZX0L9GOC2GYqso2x73yNQejrAEYVz8A/s320/bb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today I made mini loaves instead of muffins - just as delicious!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've come across another easy recipe! I've made it at least 6 times now and I love it. Side note - Since I was a baby my mom fed me mashed bananas and honey so how could I pass on bread made with two of my favorite foods... (Yes, I've had this on occasion, as an "adult" :-)<br />
<br />
So, the recipe... It is a moist and healthy banana bran muffin and if you just glance at the ingredients you will know it's low in fat too. No eggs, no large amounts of butter, no processed sugar, no oil, just amazing!!! I love knowing I am getting my potassium and fiber in something so yummy... perfect to start my day or after a run.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><u>BANANA-BRAN MUFFINS</u></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d7kUtznGOPH2IQIIHQqntlHn9x-gAiMIzn9TMtiHhfHGVGA5FfiTUO3anpYfEPZSMD7jimiINorboXUsDDpYLRFysx4BXf384UQZV-5jSniqydxMroySTSf4wD5nSjm1V8Mb4H2QP-Q/s1600/honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d7kUtznGOPH2IQIIHQqntlHn9x-gAiMIzn9TMtiHhfHGVGA5FfiTUO3anpYfEPZSMD7jimiINorboXUsDDpYLRFysx4BXf384UQZV-5jSniqydxMroySTSf4wD5nSjm1V8Mb4H2QP-Q/s200/honey.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oYE9vdFfHPx26cJ0ALmNRsx7g4QXW8hXsCU06t79VnnAnbacBcled4HYHdcKNiDQdG0uu0eCUGx9Pz6H5NrwYQQ4JCAYzvSjMPlR0bxUnmo6GLXXUNyQx0INKw8oXVBrVTf1dyXkGn0/s1600/ripe+bananas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oYE9vdFfHPx26cJ0ALmNRsx7g4QXW8hXsCU06t79VnnAnbacBcled4HYHdcKNiDQdG0uu0eCUGx9Pz6H5NrwYQQ4JCAYzvSjMPlR0bxUnmo6GLXXUNyQx0INKw8oXVBrVTf1dyXkGn0/s200/ripe+bananas.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1 cup bran cereal flakes (I had raisin bran and just picked out the raisins)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1/4 cup milk (I've used 2% and skim and both work well)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1 cup all-purpose flour (I use Eagle Mills, all-purpose unbleached flour with double fiber)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">2/3 cup of mashed - really ripe - bananas, I usually use 2 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1/2 cup honey (sweet without the processed sugar :-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">2 tbsp butter or margarine (no guilt even with the butter as all the other ingredients are so healthy)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">2 tbsp plain or vanilla yogurt (I use Fage 0% plain)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1/4 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">3/4 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup pecans or your favorite nuts (I know this adds fat but it's the "good" fat " ;-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">2. Mix the cereal and the milk and set aside</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">3. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients then add the cereal/milk mixture</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">4. Mix well and spoon into greased muffin tin (about 2/3 full). I sprinkle a tiny bit of sugar and cinnamon on top just for fun. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">5. Bake 20 min or until the top is springy</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">These are DELICIOUS and moist every time! I tried a couple of other recipes but I couldn't beat the moistness and healthiness of this recipe, which is now a favorite of mine. Unfortunately I got this recipe online and I cannot remember where or find it again - I certainly didn't come up with it on my own but if I find it again I will post the credit to the genius that did come up with it. </span><br />
<br />
If you would like some other easy recipes, check out my other Easy Recipe posts:<br />
<a href="http://whatithinkisbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/12/0086-easy-recipes-mortons-chopped-salad.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">0086: Morton's Chopped Salad</span></a>,<br />
<a href="http://whatithinkisbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/10/0073-easy-recipes-blueberry-limoncello.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">0073: Blueberry-Linomcello Tini</span></a>,<br />
<a href="http://whatithinkisbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/09/0063-easy-recipes-best-pecan-pie.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">0063: THE Best Pecan Pie</span></a>,<br />
<a href="http://whatithinkisbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/07/0004-easy-recipes-salvadoran-quesadilla.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">0004: Salvadoran Quesadilla</span></a> (more like a coffee cake)<br />
<br />
And although not necessarily a recipe, don't forget the fun ideas using <a href="http://whatithinkisbeautiful.blogspot.com/2011/09/0069-blue-cheese.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">blue-cheese</span></a> which is also yummy and good for you... ahhh, food - such a wonderful thing!!! Well, happy eating and drinking!!!Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-82379654491318643462012-01-25T17:51:00.000-05:002012-01-25T17:51:20.527-05:000095: Centenarians<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLC26mipDaupExcLUvjuM7Ac3ccnsyVaIKquIWVCclgHFR41VZLk6wNBlxoWF_FIUAGP3Fzb7XCp3Wtrs56aU32zqEFfh6EONaUKNDyCqt16JxNeVx77CrI9khSaqCrdc5rqMwjO4hSo/s1600/grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLC26mipDaupExcLUvjuM7Ac3ccnsyVaIKquIWVCclgHFR41VZLk6wNBlxoWF_FIUAGP3Fzb7XCp3Wtrs56aU32zqEFfh6EONaUKNDyCqt16JxNeVx77CrI9khSaqCrdc5rqMwjO4hSo/s320/grandma.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandma, "Abuelita" - last year, at 100 years old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My beautiful grandmother is 101 years old. She still reads the newspaper (in it's entirety), some gossip rags (primarily looking for any stories about royals) and novels, both non-fiction and fiction. She is currently reading a novel about ancient conspiracies... She also walks around with her walker to get her exercise and still takes her beauty routine quite seriously - I think she has been using Elizabeth Arden most of her life, maybe she needs to be a spokeswoman for them!! :-)<br />
<br />
I've had several conversations with her about her longevity and her most important bit of advice is to have a strong mental outlook. This will allow you to remain focused on your internal and external self. She also thinks we should enjoy life, everything in moderation! I don't really know if she has ever been on a "diet" in her life but she certainly was always particular with what she ate.<br />
<br />
Today I came across an online article titled, "<a href="http://health.yahoo.net/articles/aging/photos/11-health-habits-will-help-you-live-100#0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">11 Habits That Will Help You Live to 100</span></a>". It talks about how researchers have discovered that centenarians (people that live to be 100+) tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress - the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. I found the list interesting so thought I'd share (click on the link above to read the entire article):<br />
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1. <b><u>Don't Retire</u></b>, stay active whether volunteering or farming or anything else in between <br />
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2. <b><u>Floss Every Day</u></b> to minimize bacteria, which can lead to heart disease<br />
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3. <b><u>Exercise</u></b> to improve mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones<br />
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4. <b><u>Eat fiber-rich cereal</u></b> for breakfast to help stabilize blood sugar levels<br />
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5. <b><u>Sleep</u></b> at least 6 hours every night to help regulate and heal cells<br />
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6. <u><b>Eat whole foods</b></u>, not supplements<br />
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7. <u><b>Be Less Neurotic</b></u>, roll with the punches - this is also at the top of my grandmother's list...<br />
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8. <b><u>Be a Creature of Habit</u></b>, with diet, sleep and exercise<br />
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9. <b><u>Stay Connected</u></b>, be socially active avoiding depression and having someone watch your back<br />
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10. <b><u>Be Conscientious</u></b>, be prudent, persistent, well organized<br />
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11. <b><u>Cherish Your Body</u></b>, no smoking, alcohol abuse or overindulging in sweets. Again, good diet, exercise, with a focus on family and community.<br />
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Personally, I am living my life as if I will live to be 110. Some people don't ever want to think of living to 100 or beyond, I'm excited to be planning it this far out!! At the end of the day, I would consider it a privilege to live that long and in case I do, I want to be able to be as independent as my grandmother is today...Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-41091379890609938152012-01-24T12:52:00.000-05:002012-01-24T12:52:58.838-05:000094: A Free Dream Home Package - $2 million<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMffhqjQ2ix1AO3ifsb7JUWAQtp3XZIGXdDDvt0gwxcFOSUjgmgDeAIoDEc3kvsalPunndyTxyniSdCp5y4zrLB3N3UaoopomzFaXXx5pWPDfX3mpZ9_10T2UxE5WH6n8Vs34RcBj6u8/s1600/hgtv+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMffhqjQ2ix1AO3ifsb7JUWAQtp3XZIGXdDDvt0gwxcFOSUjgmgDeAIoDEc3kvsalPunndyTxyniSdCp5y4zrLB3N3UaoopomzFaXXx5pWPDfX3mpZ9_10T2UxE5WH6n8Vs34RcBj6u8/s400/hgtv+front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEUNB-d_H4fWxZoFEblkQL8JwUbQRBQWUlZO9IF9XFizWcZB6F4gnEY6J-8HpwmPd95vd165yhx25ZFL88yhQvYVKsN8L24YV3xwEIPfA5xUc7iYNIZ__2uFltLnZSgxoMZZucSdLGrI/s1600/hgtv+great+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEUNB-d_H4fWxZoFEblkQL8JwUbQRBQWUlZO9IF9XFizWcZB6F4gnEY6J-8HpwmPd95vd165yhx25ZFL88yhQvYVKsN8L24YV3xwEIPfA5xUc7iYNIZ__2uFltLnZSgxoMZZucSdLGrI/s400/hgtv+great+room.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0-e2sMk0viijyW1cg4PaZh920fOMS7voumGyWzfxmYoS4m-OUs_EEPmxd1lmX5cESKY_fV1v_MyaoINZDlZRXGGq555rw8Ao6Pv6iExaZ0BkcfwDONteVOz0DR3Oax_eCD8_E-9bv30/s1600/hgtv+entertainment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0-e2sMk0viijyW1cg4PaZh920fOMS7voumGyWzfxmYoS4m-OUs_EEPmxd1lmX5cESKY_fV1v_MyaoINZDlZRXGGq555rw8Ao6Pv6iExaZ0BkcfwDONteVOz0DR3Oax_eCD8_E-9bv30/s400/hgtv+entertainment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back Porch - outdoor living room to your right, entertainment deck straight ahead, outdoor jacuzzi to the left...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did you know that HGTV gives away a "Dream Home" every year? This year's package is worth $2m because of the house (near Park City, Utah), the SUV and $500k in cash!! Ahh, to dream... I've signed up and had enough material for a month's worth of day dreaming :-) You never know...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, sign up at <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-dream-home-2012-giveaway-enter/package/index.html">HGTV</a> and good luck - let me know if you win ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-30788038738388037852012-01-14T10:45:00.000-05:002012-01-14T10:45:41.685-05:000093: Lyrics - The Climb<div id="lyricsDiv" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: left; visibility: hidden;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k2IS-yGFg7jhJ5VMCVLB2HC6B-TCh_kTZaDls4QWNS160yzyWVJMz4lOtjTkcWPrXh3cN0t0xh8RLY-VpCHUGMLbzpvoH8kgRvTa5MROR8VDV6VboWQQfDcWfX7CCSrz75tw9AO05Kc/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k2IS-yGFg7jhJ5VMCVLB2HC6B-TCh_kTZaDls4QWNS160yzyWVJMz4lOtjTkcWPrXh3cN0t0xh8RLY-VpCHUGMLbzpvoH8kgRvTa5MROR8VDV6VboWQQfDcWfX7CCSrz75tw9AO05Kc/s400/IMG_5218.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Three Sisters" - Dingle Peninsula, Ireland<br />
Photo by me :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can almost see it. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That dream I'm dreaming, but</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's a voice inside my head saying</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You'll never reach it</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Every step I'm takin'</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Every move I make</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Feels lost with no direction, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My faith is shakin'</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But I gotta keep tryin'</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Gotta keep my head held high</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's always gonna be another mountain</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm always gonna wanna make it move</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Always gonna be an uphill battle</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ain't about how fast I get there</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's the climb</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The struggles I'm facing</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The chances I'm taking</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes might knock me down, but</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No I'm not breaking</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I may not know it, but</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These are the moments that</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm gonna remember most</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've just gotta keep goin', and</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="songlyrics" style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I gotta be strong</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just keep pushing on, cause</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's always gonna be another mountain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm always gonna wanna make it move</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Always gonna be an uphill battle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ain't about how fast I get there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's the climb</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There's always gonna be another mountain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm always gonna wanna make it move</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Always gonna be an uphill battle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ain't about how fast I get there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's the climb</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep on movin'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep on climbin'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep the faith baby</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's all about, it's all about</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Climb</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep the faith, Keep your faith, woah</span></div><div><span style="height: 1px; visibility: visible; width: 393px;"><div style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you may know, these are the lyrics to The Climb, sung by Miley Cyrus and written by Jessi Alexander and John Mabe. I've heard this song several times over the years but I just listened to the lyrics for the first time. I was sitting in traffic and actually paid attention to the words and loved them. </span></div><div style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can relate to these lyrics because I had a tough climb a few years ago ("tough" being relative...). I left the corporate world and started my own company. It was extremely hard to make the decision and hard to ignore the nay-sayers but something inside me just drove me to "jump off the cliff" anyway. Now that I near my company's 2nd year anniversary (February 2) I am so happy with the decision and the outcome. I would do it again a million times over. Of course I now know it is all okay and all working out but I didn't know that then and I was scared of making the change but even more terrified of not making a change... </span></div><div style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, as the song goes... despite your head saying you won't make it, despite feeling lost, despite getting knocked down, keep the faith, keep YOUR faith! </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><br />
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</div></span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-28908937235266101202012-01-06T10:21:00.000-05:002012-01-06T10:21:36.863-05:000092: Be Who You Want To Be<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk5LJQo4Aew/TwcP-b7yCOI/AAAAAAAABQ4/HpfRKS6aqic/s1600/IMG_4507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk5LJQo4Aew/TwcP-b7yCOI/AAAAAAAABQ4/HpfRKS6aqic/s320/IMG_4507.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: by Me<br />
Poem: by Donna Levine<br />
Potential: Unlimited</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;"><b>You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be!</b></div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">There is inside you all the potential to be whatever you want to be,</div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">all of the energy to do whatever you want to do. </div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">Imagine yourself as you would like to be, </div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">doing what you want to do, </div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">and each day, take one step towards your dream. </div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">And though at times it may see too difficult to continue,</div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">hold on to your dream. </div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">One morning you will awake to find that you are the person you dreamed of,</div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">doing what you wanted to do, </div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">simply because you had the courage to believe in your potential</div><div style="color: #202020; font-family: verdana, arial; text-align: center;">and hold on to your dream.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #202020; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
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</span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-88827966278010710022011-12-25T09:14:00.001-05:002011-12-25T09:14:58.283-05:000091: Happy Birthday Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas</span></span></span></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IClY_VCrA4s/TvcvSO2DjyI/AAAAAAAABQg/Ox3GMW4wCF4/s1600/c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IClY_VCrA4s/TvcvSO2DjyI/AAAAAAAABQg/Ox3GMW4wCF4/s400/c1.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Let us ask the Lord to help us see through the superficial glitter of this season, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">and to discover </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem, so as to find true joy and true light." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">~ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1324769136_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Pope Benedict XVI</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, December 25, 2012 ~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 22px;"><b><i><br />
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</span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-30975659120019447312011-12-20T10:30:00.003-05:002011-12-20T16:23:46.231-05:000090: Is There a Santa Claus?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Is There a Santa Claus?</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> was the title of an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editorial" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Editorial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">editorial</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> appearing in the September 21, 1897, edition of </span><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_(New_York)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="The Sun (New York)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The (New York) Sun</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. The editorial, which included the famous reply "</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">", has become an indelible part of popular </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Christmas"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Christmas</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Folklore"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">folklore</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> in the United States and Canada.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDxzcfl_t20bBzRLASdN4x0tJO0RWSn3Z7rl1LTs09rR0WIxm9pJKvwzm3a-Oh6bQ5AQsnwj1LyL5GKSr1aqD3crtacWAYqDnJbQ12B9roC0FjUlZ34ZDyyLpw3h535m18NLlsERtRqc/s1600/santa-claus-arrived.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDxzcfl_t20bBzRLASdN4x0tJO0RWSn3Z7rl1LTs09rR0WIxm9pJKvwzm3a-Oh6bQ5AQsnwj1LyL5GKSr1aqD3crtacWAYqDnJbQ12B9roC0FjUlZ34ZDyyLpw3h535m18NLlsERtRqc/s320/santa-claus-arrived.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Crazy-Frankenstein.com</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dear Editor, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVq51s0syhs7zj6PHV7Qy6y9pJ0wi6jX6kvG9i-r7SrpNs7JR80tdKznuWRI0UN6x5IWqdSqwEmS-K92_qR38ZlLkr_MCbdaVgXTpHEhDKdmUZYd4naBrxpz2aDBymcT4VCADr0aVI0Q/s1600/Yes%252CVirginia%252CThereIsASantaClausClipping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVq51s0syhs7zj6PHV7Qy6y9pJ0wi6jX6kvG9i-r7SrpNs7JR80tdKznuWRI0UN6x5IWqdSqwEmS-K92_qR38ZlLkr_MCbdaVgXTpHEhDKdmUZYd4naBrxpz2aDBymcT4VCADr0aVI0Q/s640/Yes%252CVirginia%252CThereIsASantaClausClipping.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="164" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say that there is no Santa Claus. Papa says "If you see it in the Sun, it is so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Virginia,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to our life its highest beauty and joy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your Papa to hire men to watch all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, or even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else as real and abiding. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">No Santa Claus? Thank God he lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, maybe 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the hearts of children. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Written by Francis P. Church in 1897</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bzh40apDstK50QoAqeR15oKBZslNBEMo1_5btohTCRhbiX4JeIFP1czP7wsxROSHTfMCe7dslz7YPMoaR_Jipo9PmedrHXfLZBPDEOV-7xvCExOD5nr34C_tufOB4stimEs6HbT-0Ek/s1600/FrancisPharcellusChurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bzh40apDstK50QoAqeR15oKBZslNBEMo1_5btohTCRhbiX4JeIFP1czP7wsxROSHTfMCe7dslz7YPMoaR_Jipo9PmedrHXfLZBPDEOV-7xvCExOD5nr34C_tufOB4stimEs6HbT-0Ek/s320/FrancisPharcellusChurch.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francis Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyF4WZZhYsGZGKkWdIT-CaVQm29XgRRy-R8gQvP3iUPJMkO9YSmdQFN552XRXllA5bYGEctLm2dBqa2RFdfLpr8ahEAQmLD8pYdT4uObFMzeeWyTt_AXKmhByt89pkCafS5PzeqxnQZ4/s1600/VIRGINIA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyF4WZZhYsGZGKkWdIT-CaVQm29XgRRy-R8gQvP3iUPJMkO9YSmdQFN552XRXllA5bYGEctLm2dBqa2RFdfLpr8ahEAQmLD8pYdT4uObFMzeeWyTt_AXKmhByt89pkCafS5PzeqxnQZ4/s320/VIRGINIA.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Virginia O'Hanlon<br />
(circa: 1895)</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-38918167167789841272011-12-19T17:01:00.004-05:002011-12-20T09:15:57.551-05:000089: Saint Nicholas - Sinterklaas - Santa Claus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8FphieOfItKNXfMRG0tgUi4Kiy851GjEGZe8zaO2WJPwV_f3NwV_d_IIBPYJW8kgzWd_lWRMhyphenhyphenPvw-Q4rzzYH3JpPV_QK2J4vEdsAxDDfe4BvVgSreddkHdA-DMTl9NRAXZSapwjgtc/s1600/a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8FphieOfItKNXfMRG0tgUi4Kiy851GjEGZe8zaO2WJPwV_f3NwV_d_IIBPYJW8kgzWd_lWRMhyphenhyphenPvw-Q4rzzYH3JpPV_QK2J4vEdsAxDDfe4BvVgSreddkHdA-DMTl9NRAXZSapwjgtc/s400/a3.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Did you know that the true story of Santa Claus begins with </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Saint Nicholas</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> He was a real person who was born during the third century in the village of Patara (at the time the area was Greek but today we know it as the southern coast of Turkey). He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch "Sinterklaas", itself from several variations of "Saint Nickolaos". </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2-2xcbQUU_nAN_A8LdT9WEM0Lc8KajxK_lMSFwoUpXdOfR9ojO4qauBSB18r2-iFsP0z3oOd1YWbc-4rd2S9zJke-exyVJF6gahzpIZcIg-XGOq-tfoidpaRpr_nSXr_xHJemHj53w/s1600/stnicholastop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2-2xcbQUU_nAN_A8LdT9WEM0Lc8KajxK_lMSFwoUpXdOfR9ojO4qauBSB18r2-iFsP0z3oOd1YWbc-4rd2S9zJke-exyVJF6gahzpIZcIg-XGOq-tfoidpaRpr_nSXr_xHJemHj53w/s320/stnicholastop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nicholas' wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was a teenager. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas (who had a white beard and wore a red robe and pointed hat like Santa Claus ;-) became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. He was released in AD 325, died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church. Fostering the growth of devotion to Nicholas is the Manna of St Nicholas (pure water which formed in his original tomb in Turkey and still forms in his present tomb in Italy, it is said to have healing powers). The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, December 6th.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas' feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms for the poor—and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the Netherlands St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day, by sharing candies, chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint's horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These stories help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Several stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, Nicholas sought the holy by making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to more deeply experience Jesus' life, passion, and resurrection. Returning by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of sailors and voyagers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Other stories tell of Nicholas saving his people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and much more. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">expecting nothing in return</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. Today he is considered in the East as wonder, or miracle worker and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons-children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron, carried stories of his favor and protection far and wide. St. Nicholas chapels were built in many seaports. As his popularity spread during the Middle Ages, he became the patron saint of Apulia</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and Lorraine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (France), and many cities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Following his baptism, Grand Prince Vladimir I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> brought St. Nicholas' stories and devotion to St. Nicholas to his homeland, Ukraine, where Nicholas became the most beloved saint. Nicholas was so widely revered that thousands of churches were named for him, including three hundred in Belgium (I visited the one in Ghent, beautiful...), thirty-four in Rome, twenty-three in the Netherlands and more than four hundred in England.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nicholas' tomb in Myra became a popular place of pilgrimage. Because of the many wars and attacks in the region, some Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become difficult. For both the religious and commercial advantages of a major pilgrimage site, the Italian cities of Venice and Bari vied to get the Nicholas relics. In the spring of 1087, sailors from Bari succeeded in spiriting away the bones, bringing them to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built over St. Nicholas' crypt and many faithful journeyed to honor the saint who had rescued children, prisoners, sailors, famine victims, and many others through his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles attributed to his intercession. The Nicholas shrine in Bari was one of medieval Europe's great pilgrimage centers and Nicholas became known as "Saint in Bari." To this day pilgrims and tourists visit Bari's great Basilica di San Nicola.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iPFQAbjCS5n3KonhaoQeuUFONMDiWIInDCsAW8y6VGRa8NNzdbJ91o00P0wp25R_dNXS_4OVfPB2AURAPsqUGM8XZsuYWxr3VID7mH0NG0MWuAV7skMZiNz_A9Ynz8ygOe3M5UHdoUQ/s1600/Bari_Basilica_San_Nicola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iPFQAbjCS5n3KonhaoQeuUFONMDiWIInDCsAW8y6VGRa8NNzdbJ91o00P0wp25R_dNXS_4OVfPB2AURAPsqUGM8XZsuYWxr3VID7mH0NG0MWuAV7skMZiNz_A9Ynz8ygOe3M5UHdoUQ/s400/Bari_Basilica_San_Nicola.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Basilica di San Nicola, Bari, Italy</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Simple gift-giving in early Advent has also helped preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So... do I believe in Santa Claus - yes! Is Santa Claus real - yes, he WAS real... </span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-41352555125491480282011-12-05T23:54:00.000-05:002011-12-05T23:54:49.590-05:000088: Nome, Alaska<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjvQP2HjhEzY82GDE3KmVUZCssmRvAXwyr5Cn0IdhEWtPJupIRvEFq3GFHKyY3VvVbk_dzc9uV6vVFJlxZBuoLl0nIc2TalvgM9RZPq_oipu-Mi90Mcps1UqrgcIvPg7wW4vDOLJbD1g/s1600/Nome+dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjvQP2HjhEzY82GDE3KmVUZCssmRvAXwyr5Cn0IdhEWtPJupIRvEFq3GFHKyY3VvVbk_dzc9uV6vVFJlxZBuoLl0nIc2TalvgM9RZPq_oipu-Mi90Mcps1UqrgcIvPg7wW4vDOLJbD1g/s400/Nome+dogs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nome - probably best known as the end point of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0ChKlP52LHQqD1-tWj1NuDPRQjVPU5LRsr6rk6oN1bPLgtNGoAQNW-ZY8azgd9THRA7Vha0oAUMiUphaeS3xezdy6E8fkuK0Rs5PWR8nyWVNkasqKzrljwZXy1iDsy0OxX9T05191AQ/s1600/nome+race.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0ChKlP52LHQqD1-tWj1NuDPRQjVPU5LRsr6rk6oN1bPLgtNGoAQNW-ZY8azgd9THRA7Vha0oAUMiUphaeS3xezdy6E8fkuK0Rs5PWR8nyWVNkasqKzrljwZXy1iDsy0OxX9T05191AQ/s400/nome+race.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">The Iditarod began in 1973 to commemorate a race against time, when sled dogs and drivers teamed up in 1925 to defeat a deadly outbreak of diphtheria in Nome. It was feared the disease would decimate Eskimo families living near the gold-rush town on Alaska's western coastline. Dog drivers drove teams 674 miles from Nenana to Nome to deliver the lifesaving serum in five days.<br />
Source: Fox Sports March 2011</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Did you know that Nome has been iced-in because of a storm? A powerful Bering Sea storm that had gusts as high as 89 miles per hour? It prevented a supply barge from getting in before winter. There are about 3,500 residents in Nome and they are crossing their fingers that a Russian tanker (owned by Russian company Rimsco) will be able to help. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLswb90uiAD4tFv57cJRZFbxVnwaQva1G0nqQYFZkzgVvOTFc1YXgkm7nwTgsc8A8ICr1buR-kDrguQE-siAk9xfADum7tHmxIjAIDiNWrMvzN1NxyiXZgmkg9-TT0IUNHkjqraCbdbK8/s1600/nome+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLswb90uiAD4tFv57cJRZFbxVnwaQva1G0nqQYFZkzgVvOTFc1YXgkm7nwTgsc8A8ICr1buR-kDrguQE-siAk9xfADum7tHmxIjAIDiNWrMvzN1NxyiXZgmkg9-TT0IUNHkjqraCbdbK8/s400/nome+ice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gonorth-alaska.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This tanker, that can plow through thick ice, will attempt to deliver 1.5 million gallons of home heating fuel, gas and diesel fuel. It</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> is certified to travel through ice 4 feet thick for long distances - it delivers fuel to communities in the Russian Far East. The plan is for it to leave Russia this week and go to S Korea, where it will be loaded with fuel, and then travel to Nome, where it should arrive by late December. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n3sxbL_CLjKLgcga5_mPV1WswyfKU4eYczbJS4ql-3SoAUttSMxGNU72d_TJuhBvByTE-9AgfWlmsvR1zD_MVRwOo-JUxFMzT2vW3HiegY6Pdgy_uNthaab8Hgb91HT0MEqCBXPBFPQ/s1600/Nome_Alaska_cabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n3sxbL_CLjKLgcga5_mPV1WswyfKU4eYczbJS4ql-3SoAUttSMxGNU72d_TJuhBvByTE-9AgfWlmsvR1zD_MVRwOo-JUxFMzT2vW3HiegY6Pdgy_uNthaab8Hgb91HT0MEqCBXPBFPQ/s400/Nome_Alaska_cabin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabin in Nome, Alaska<br />
commons.wikimedia.org</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These types of stories hold me at the seat of my pants as people try to work against the clock to secure their survival. As well as the people on that tanker that are brave enough to work through these dangerous solutions. It is estimated that fuel supplies will run out in 3 months if they are not able to get any delivered. Plan "B" is to have it flown in at a very high cost, not good in these trying economic times but certainly at the end of the day there is no price for saving a life... </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As my heart pours out I wonder who lives in Nome? or Siberia? or any other place that shares such harsh weather. And I wonder from the cold to hot such as Death Valley? Places that are so exposed to the elements and the unpredictable temper of Mother Nature?? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUla0fYVJ0Z-6o-Q9lcHSn1OmF4lEUc049j2C7c1fovx8-B71IXn8IHQ0W08m8EtP_HQrHTzpk2IZ3aG-_AMIwKutGRMBAKlF3D68Wy2T2QUVruSXg8rQPFmHE_oEuD2F7L7dM_5PztQ/s1600/nome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUla0fYVJ0Z-6o-Q9lcHSn1OmF4lEUc049j2C7c1fovx8-B71IXn8IHQ0W08m8EtP_HQrHTzpk2IZ3aG-_AMIwKutGRMBAKlF3D68Wy2T2QUVruSXg8rQPFmHE_oEuD2F7L7dM_5PztQ/s400/nome2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #228822; font-family: arial; line-height: 13px;">southfloridafilmmaker.com</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then I laugh and think, "hey, I live in South Florida", hurricane central depending on the year... It's our way of life so is that really any different? Every year we risk hurricanes that can be horribly dangerous and that have battered the Atlantic and Gulf coasts for years. But we still chose to live here. Why? I guess it's because home is home no matter where it is located. I chose to live here because it is where I grew up and I love it. When we get battered we clean up and pick up the pieces as best we can and move on. </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Where we are born is not our choice but where we live is and as a person that chooses to live in a hurricane zone, my prayers go out to the people of Nome - God protect your home. I also pray for the S Koreans and the Russians that are helping save lives. </span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-32853108236519290232011-12-03T12:11:00.002-05:002011-12-05T10:24:05.664-05:000087: Winter Pictures - Siberia, Russia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I live in South Florida, a place where winters can be considered a joke because if we go below 50 F (10 C) it is rare and everyone starts dressing like we live in Siberia - it's really quite hysterical :-) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So when I began seeing significant snow and frozen lake pictures on Instagram I was once again reminded of how different our lives are despite sharing this wonderful Earth... Some of the pictures I've seen are amazing so I thought I'd write about winter beauty starting with Siberia, Russia!! A place so foreign and mysterious to most of us, but a place that I always associate with untouched beauty. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Did you know that Siberia (possibly from the Mongolian for "the calm land") is a vast region of Russia and northern Kazakhstan constituting almost all of northern Asia. All but the extreme south-western area of Siberia lies in Russia, and it makes up about 75% of that country's territory. Siberia remained a mostly unexplored and uninhabited area for the longest time. By the mid-17th century, only a few exploratory missions and traders inhabited Siberia. The other group that were sent to Siberia were prisoners exiled from western Russia. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The first great change to Siberia was the Trans-Siberian railway, constructed in 1891 - 1905. It linked Siberia more closely to the rapidly-industrializing Russia of Nicholas II. Siberia is filled with natural resources and during the 20th century these were developed, and industrial towns cropped up throughout the region.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are just a few pictures to remind us all of the force of nature as well as the adaptability of people.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBG31bgh17t8Q93P1tFJqmbgYs1jL07m3qIt0X8WyUeg26fIIAxG3bQkGqjxxAVw1JI7Ei9PlMycKrggdx3A6uvMbwYZT7jP1WEolUXoWOGRSl9uEQUGOkE2sGI_vLWXysb6qzFCO_SQ/s1600/s4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBG31bgh17t8Q93P1tFJqmbgYs1jL07m3qIt0X8WyUeg26fIIAxG3bQkGqjxxAVw1JI7Ei9PlMycKrggdx3A6uvMbwYZT7jP1WEolUXoWOGRSl9uEQUGOkE2sGI_vLWXysb6qzFCO_SQ/s400/s4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Siberia’s Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world—at over a mile (1,700 meters)—and holds an incredible 20 percent of Earth’s unfrozen fresh water. Formed some 25 million years ago, it’s also the world’s oldest lake. Because of its age and isolation, hundreds of aquatic species evolved here that are found nowhere else on the planet.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"><em style="font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit !important;">Photograph by Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images</em></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QF1fqWVMcX38dyNgQztkh38XihlT8PNMKbBtMiOzLdQl2vZB-YWk1unx8HpofK9TnvtgL2BffIKf5AkkTR9fklRRMyxp-KTD_XUJeSC22belzFDQ2jLweWZfnVXVYNDPiNeN-Pj403o/s1600/s5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QF1fqWVMcX38dyNgQztkh38XihlT8PNMKbBtMiOzLdQl2vZB-YWk1unx8HpofK9TnvtgL2BffIKf5AkkTR9fklRRMyxp-KTD_XUJeSC22belzFDQ2jLweWZfnVXVYNDPiNeN-Pj403o/s400/s5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Winter wonderland. (Tobolsk, Russia) </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.rusuphotography.com/Russia-Redux/Tyumen-Tobolsk/10941633_GmsFv2#780762236_FgTNe">Ru.Su Photography</a></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bMWis6TPKmFxS6Gip7xv324XDhxhdmOa2D5mmV4fnIy2Alwv1mbiK5lHea_UdaPcUt9nYXq3uPmt5gl_s7cQNOeDnQ4ti_8fNy9M76TxSaYNIEMZxvy78OYWgGIaqmKf3O6KQjpCCpE/s1600/S1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bMWis6TPKmFxS6Gip7xv324XDhxhdmOa2D5mmV4fnIy2Alwv1mbiK5lHea_UdaPcUt9nYXq3uPmt5gl_s7cQNOeDnQ4ti_8fNy9M76TxSaYNIEMZxvy78OYWgGIaqmKf3O6KQjpCCpE/s400/S1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #228822; font-family: arial; line-height: 13px;">nature.desktopnexus.com</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcgOH8QRm6TYfMoGr1KU_4tNzux9J_myNfqCX5yRgp-4Pkh1831BCtlmY_gS58uIKcJkDoc0Z1YECHj_CFRK6-ybX6DyFbh7GazOa61YUaZnI-LJi8CImscK1ANiAntALR0vOdYDnhqc/s1600/s2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcgOH8QRm6TYfMoGr1KU_4tNzux9J_myNfqCX5yRgp-4Pkh1831BCtlmY_gS58uIKcJkDoc0Z1YECHj_CFRK6-ybX6DyFbh7GazOa61YUaZnI-LJi8CImscK1ANiAntALR0vOdYDnhqc/s400/s2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #228822; font-family: arial; line-height: 13px;">mannaismayaadventure.wordpress.com</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1uURZdyJHafNJt4E7d0kbjKtSwA95T7YEWbgH9LBtScr8eCnOYcgA_KbCeJydbtRQHZHVtj5mVs9qnZ55WDA2K7Cq_7MfSsCkoROvP38KzTf__CP5dWfZgWWy0axQgYSAdG48_xquGg/s1600/s7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1uURZdyJHafNJt4E7d0kbjKtSwA95T7YEWbgH9LBtScr8eCnOYcgA_KbCeJydbtRQHZHVtj5mVs9qnZ55WDA2K7Cq_7MfSsCkoROvP38KzTf__CP5dWfZgWWy0axQgYSAdG48_xquGg/s400/s7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">In the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk members of a winter swimmers club get out of the Yenisei River after a short swim with air temperature measuring about -36C (-32.8F). Can you believe this? Amazing!!!<br />
BBC.CO.UK</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DCQTEuNfQQcXJc4X8OchW7S8yuUUlELegJTEg19Dy25QjzWF87KWpkuYfM0r_UfahuFBGLI98p7mKW_SgIK1cd58jnMzKXu5lBrfr4-K3EcIptWkEHtVyi5tgBR_DAyJH4RLDqOKTzg/s1600/s8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DCQTEuNfQQcXJc4X8OchW7S8yuUUlELegJTEg19Dy25QjzWF87KWpkuYfM0r_UfahuFBGLI98p7mKW_SgIK1cd58jnMzKXu5lBrfr4-K3EcIptWkEHtVyi5tgBR_DAyJH4RLDqOKTzg/s400/s8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Just thought this was great. It is from <a href="http://englishrussia.com/2007/01/21/russian-syberia-at-winter/">EnglishRussia.com</a>. The caption reads, "When it is -60 F (-50 C) outside, the car windows never get rid of the ice and snow. Even when the heater is on to its maximum." So funny!!</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000002; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000002; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><div style="text-align: center;">So I guess the next time you think its cold, its all relative!! Stay warm!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>30-Day challenge Update - SUCCESS!!! Yesterday, day 8, I did all three!! I blogged, I drew and I biked (2.5 miles). Today I have just blogged so only two to go - not sure but can it be?? two days in a row :-) we will see!!!</i></span></span></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></span>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-92129984505544882082011-12-02T10:33:00.007-05:002011-12-02T11:14:33.234-05:000086: Easy Recipes: Morton's Chopped Salad<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9JOe9HNzOWrLizs_PIXUxSdyZLC2FMe_x-VRY0mlr5Qh9VVROuXXqxNxqOI_Q-N2Rz4-_lM0OIL42CbRYn9ykj4JD2CxIedrQfH0syFtBNnrDdJXwO9S9suMLpHWfgorI0PiDR48fV8/s1600/choppedsalad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9JOe9HNzOWrLizs_PIXUxSdyZLC2FMe_x-VRY0mlr5Qh9VVROuXXqxNxqOI_Q-N2Rz4-_lM0OIL42CbRYn9ykj4JD2CxIedrQfH0syFtBNnrDdJXwO9S9suMLpHWfgorI0PiDR48fV8/s1600/choppedsalad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, from Morton's Steakhouse - Truly easy and delicious!</td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing</u></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> - ONLY 5 INGREDIENTS - love it!! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2/3 cup white balsamic vinegar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 cup of water </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup dijon mustard</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Good Season Italian dressing mix (2 packets)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup extra virgin olive oil</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just whisk everything together and VOILA - deliciousness :-) You should try to let the dressing sit for a few minutes to let the flavors blend. (The dressing will last in the refrigerator for 7 days.) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is definitely one of my staple recipes - of only a handful... The salad done in its entirety is amazing and definitely impressive (or maybe just because I don't cook people get easily impressed when I bring something that has more than a couple ingredients :-) But anyway, if I know I have picky eaters then I will keep the onions, bacon and tomatoes (my niece still hates tomatoes) on the side and let people add these, if they'd like to. So, my left over salad dressing is my true joy. For someone that rarely has homemade items in the kitchen it is almost a little luxury and one that I have made myself just makes it that much yummier. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Long after the party, I can have just some simple iceberg lettuce and maybe some tomatoes and this dressing and I am a happy camper! The following is the full recipe:</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<h3 style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>Salad Mix</u></span></span></h3><ul style="line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">medium head iceberg lettuce</span></span></span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, washed and dried</span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">medium head romaine lettuce</span></span></span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, washed and dried</span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">10 -12 frozen artichoke hearts</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (in brine, not marinated, about 12 ounces drained) or </span><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">10 -12 canned artichoke hearts </span></span></span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(in brine, not marinated, about 12 ounces drained)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cup hearts of palm</span></span></span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (about 12 ounces drained)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 avocado</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ounces blue cheese</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, such as Saga, Maytag (1 cup) or </span><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ounces gorgonzola</span></span></span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, crumbled (1 cup)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12 -14 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">slices</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cooked bacon, slices (crumbled, crisp-cooked bacon strips or equivalent amount of crisp real-bacon bits)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3/4</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cup</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">chopped hard-cooked egg (about 2 large eggs)</span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3/4</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cup</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">finely minced red onion</span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3/4</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cup</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">seeded chopped plum tomato</span></span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Basically chop everything, put it into a salad bowl, add about 2/3 cup of the dressing and toss. This should serve about 6-8 people. So delicious, I am going to go make some now!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Philosopher;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Read more: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/mortons-the-steakhouse-chopped-salad-254790#ixzz1fO6vNtv8" style="color: #003399; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.food.com/recipe/mortons-the-steakhouse-chopped-salad-254790#ixzz1fO6vNtv8</span></a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Philosopher;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">30-Day Challenge Update - Yesterday, day 7, I was a mess, didn't do any one of my three simple tasks (Blog-Bike-Draw) but I did run 5 miles - yeah, not on the list I know... BUT day 6 I legitimately did ALL three items :-) so today, Day 8, I am definitely hoping to hit a home run again - I've already drawn and here is my blog... although very rare to hit all three, it is possible, I've done it twice in 8 days!!! </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></span></span></span>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-31463473035239161632011-11-30T13:49:00.000-05:002011-11-30T13:49:44.115-05:000085: PersistenceSo I'll admit, yesterday's blog was pretty weak - I just got desperate to say I was somewhat on track with this 30-day challenge (bike, blog and draw daily). BUT today is different... I'm re-focused... Today is Day 6 and I have gone on a 7-mile bike ride... here are a couple of pictures from this morning's ride:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QkRt0jjGIm8ZF3CPwfhijCk9jcv-WtVmVR3QARviO_OCJWVwQL69U9h0shUhLVDqt9l2cHnC8fp5PksmMY5xHBNqrpJgyI_Lz9tJFNCwdySDaQtUGbB0zi4wq3hbWmWNpqYFiw7xbJk/s1600/today.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QkRt0jjGIm8ZF3CPwfhijCk9jcv-WtVmVR3QARviO_OCJWVwQL69U9h0shUhLVDqt9l2cHnC8fp5PksmMY5xHBNqrpJgyI_Lz9tJFNCwdySDaQtUGbB0zi4wq3hbWmWNpqYFiw7xbJk/s400/today.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beach, Ft Lauderdale - a perfect bike route!!<br />
It is a gorgeous day today!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV_L_ea2zb4pkLZKpiCLvoy0r-_K3T7Nf2we_q7FeIBFXICuIIFYWgXOjArii3z6703hh5k80EAtyZ-6EDbvEzdV3e5xTbPOO6N5eBCKPwr5X9xpWTUrw4lPJyO-a9BByfD7eI3Zk7Ug/s1600/today2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEV_L_ea2zb4pkLZKpiCLvoy0r-_K3T7Nf2we_q7FeIBFXICuIIFYWgXOjArii3z6703hh5k80EAtyZ-6EDbvEzdV3e5xTbPOO6N5eBCKPwr5X9xpWTUrw4lPJyO-a9BByfD7eI3Zk7Ug/s400/today2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a shot from a bridge I had to bike over... I was definitely feeling the burn!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So one down - and I am blogging now so all I have to really do is draw which I know I can do later... so close! This would be my second day (of 6) that I do all three!!<br />
<br />
Although I haven't been doing so well on my challenge I don't give up easily (in case you hadn't noticed, I don't focus easily either :-). And having to report out that I haven't done these easy tasks is a bit embarrassing so that will hopefully get me motivated. We shall see...Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-23787068217815171762011-11-30T00:24:00.001-05:002011-11-30T00:24:43.289-05:000084: 30 Day Challenge - an updateOur greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson<br />
<br />
And so this quote helps me maintain hope that I will pick up on my daily challenges: blog, bike and draw...<br />
<br />
Yesterday I drew but didn't blog or bike. Today I drew, am blogging but no biking... Tomorrow I hope to do all 3. I need to shift priorities a bit. Wish me luck!!Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8429907642076297019.post-29528937632378823062011-11-27T22:41:00.006-05:002011-11-28T08:50:39.051-05:000083: Artistic Collaborations<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My niece and I have recently begun "collaborating" as "artists at heart". We literally draw something, and challenge the other to draw the next step and before you know it we have a piece of "art" :-) Right now we are primarily using an iPad app called Art Set, it's perfect for us novice artists... so I thought I'd share the couple of pieces we have done so far...</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ49yRToCjZQrfP3f3OncTvR-GouumlvL5GkfjwqTF90PIhLUtFtVNlrJ1EadRc_g9fKCzwpMzdFmHTpI6I6EM6E9YINZ2mBBASEDAe189o0Vb54OACcpTk7th9TtsGRiuOOfKwYFu6VU/s1600/1st+collaboration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ49yRToCjZQrfP3f3OncTvR-GouumlvL5GkfjwqTF90PIhLUtFtVNlrJ1EadRc_g9fKCzwpMzdFmHTpI6I6EM6E9YINZ2mBBASEDAe189o0Vb54OACcpTk7th9TtsGRiuOOfKwYFu6VU/s400/1st+collaboration.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I simply love this one because it was our first and it has so many things we have shared together: piglet (from our love of all things Pooh related), sweaters (we live in S. Florida and live for cool weather days), we love stripes, we love cupcakes (any sweets really...), Willy Wonka (yep, those are Johnny Depp's sunglasses), Picasso's dog (appreciating the simplicity that art can represent), a French beret (we are in love with Paris)... To have no idea what the theme or outcome will be is also cool, to give up control of what will be the result is good practice as it keeps us open minded and to both be satisfied with what we've created together is, as they say, "PRICELESS!!!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2vVCkZz0CrqtGKpTLrPbMZIGIqHjcizr_Dok2hjLf3S-7l9J88zXMfv3XBe99YAMOqVZRcC4bFLgTR7q_usoeIqdYKprunFVnGalgow9zBWYwLmg6Z_sKTL3YWzncoVTSNXRTAFUEtU/s1600/Vino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2vVCkZz0CrqtGKpTLrPbMZIGIqHjcizr_Dok2hjLf3S-7l9J88zXMfv3XBe99YAMOqVZRcC4bFLgTR7q_usoeIqdYKprunFVnGalgow9zBWYwLmg6Z_sKTL3YWzncoVTSNXRTAFUEtU/s400/Vino.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today's sketch - our starting point was the eye, our last step was giving the girl a painting <br />
to hang on her wall - yes, our first painting :-) that was my niece's idea - brilliant!!! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e52ef4;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>30 Day Challenge Update - DAY 3 - I just blogged, I drew but no bike ride today... but yesterday, DAY 2, I blogged, did 7 miles on my bike and drew (barely but did play around with colors). So, I may not be there yet but I certainly am feeling optimistic :-)</i></b></span></span></div>Anna Evelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997767745641568012noreply@blogger.com0