tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137545262024-03-14T11:48:57.003-07:00So I Married a Triathlete...Our crazy life in words + pictures!Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-49309627808948472072013-02-16T11:48:00.001-08:002013-02-16T11:48:22.846-08:00Migrating to a new home....I've had this blog for quite a long time now... hard to believe how fast time passes! I'm merging it with my craft blog and you can find all those posts here now: <a href="http://www.amandasevall.com/">www.amandasevall.com</a>.<br />
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Please update your readers, blog feeds, etc... and I'll see you over there!! :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-38926176454514486492013-01-28T07:00:00.000-08:002013-01-28T07:00:12.052-08:00Loft in Progress....It started a little over a year ago with <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2011/12/plan-for-our-loft.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a plan for the loft in our house</a>:<br />
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It was collecting junk, unused and very unfriendly on the eyes.... :)<br />
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Earlier this month, I finally got to go to IKEA with my friend (& neighbor) Anna, and got the last of the bookcases to fill the wall and a chair & drawer unit for the built-in desk.<br />
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The next week, Brian assembled the bookcases....<br />
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And the next day, he added the doors....<br />
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The next weekend, we started to paint....<br />
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The weekend after that, we finished painting and hung frames....<br />
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The next week, Brian worked on some of the finishing touches (curtain rod got hung, missing moulding installed, desk furniture assembly....<br />
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And now we are on the final stretch for now....<br />
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Final painting, building the desk, putting pictures in the frames and making curtains.<br />
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Getting so close and I'm so happy with how it is coming together!<br />
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What do you think?Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-24211232268578919642013-01-07T07:30:00.000-08:002013-01-07T07:30:00.378-08:00Forty Three...... is the number of jars of jam I made last summer!<br />
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12 Apricot<br />
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11 Red Raspberry<br />
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8 Mixed Berry (Strawberry, Blackberry, Blueberry)<br />
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4 Blueberry<br />
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4 pints Strawberry Vanilla <br />
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3 pints Olallieberry<br />
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All super delicious!! :)<br />
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I used various sites for reference, but ended up deciding to rely upon the info <a href="http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-apricot-jam.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on this site</a>. Most recipes seem to call for a one cup fruit to one cup sugar ratio. In my opinion? WAY too much sugar. So I experimented and learned that it's easiest to add about a half cup of sugar at a time until it tastes right! My ratio is about 6 cups fruit to 1-1/2 cups sugar (or less depending on the sweetness of the fruit), 1 tsp pectin, 1 lemon (juiced) and about 1/2 cup water. Cook until it boils and starts rising, turn down the heat and then use the freezer plate method (<a href="http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-apricot-jam.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">found here</a>) to test for the jam being "done" and ready to can. I just followed the canning methods I picked up from our canning kit last year to sterilize the equipment/jars and water pack the jam to seal the jars properly.<br />
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Already dreaming up what fruit combos to try this year.... any suggestions?! :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-69216737563473695912013-01-04T07:30:00.000-08:002013-01-04T07:30:03.315-08:00The Great Wall of Soledad: Then and NowIt took two years to build.... and many more to fill the yard with plants & grass. Last June, I was struck by how far it has come.....<br />
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<i>Then:</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><i>Pictures taken December 7, 2008.</i></span></td></tr>
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<i>Now:</i><br />
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All of this is compliments of my hardworking, green-thumbed husband. Thanks for giving us a backyard baby! :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-18210093757455464322013-01-03T07:30:00.001-08:002013-01-03T07:30:03.065-08:00Goals for January<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Already daydreaming of some pretty flowers in our yard this spring!</em></td></tr>
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Okay, so here goes what I want to accomplish for this month... <br />
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*Daily journaling in my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307719774/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=soimaratri-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0307719774">Q and A a Day: 5-Year Journal</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=soimaratri-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0307719774" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.
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*Complete 4 pages for my nephew's and niece's baby books.<br />
*Start collecting pictures and stuff for Creighton's preschool scrapbook pages.<br />
*Blog at least once a week.<br />
*Use at least one of my new stamp sets.<br />
*Take pictures everyday.<br />
*Workout at least 4 times/week (Saturday mornings with the husband!)<br />
*Clean up my craft room disaster.<br />
*Reorganize scarfs and travel stuff in our master closet.<br />
*Finish Amy's quilt.<br />
*Work on Madeline's quilt.<br />
*Try at least one new recipe.<br />
*Plan a girl's crafty weekend.<br />
*Book our family trip to Disneyland in March.<br />
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That ought to keep me busy!<br />
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What are you planning on this month?Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-7000110878465468152013-01-02T12:00:00.000-08:002013-01-02T12:00:01.169-08:00Looking Back on Goals from 2012<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/AVvXsEiNIGBLYCS-5AywBl15iOVxPsgAjqzuYkY5nNKJcTqYXWQJBmDJv5yjXnibrNJFa-QlVLJfroKhRsSY28VKv2IP3ln_6HLiKLKw3u1boHMrp5AC4Jh_tTvZr5wBSAj1aiHdjXBa9g/s1600/201301_goals+for+january.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIGBLYCS-5AywBl15iOVxPsgAjqzuYkY5nNKJcTqYXWQJBmDJv5yjXnibrNJFa-QlVLJfroKhRsSY28VKv2IP3ln_6HLiKLKw3u1boHMrp5AC4Jh_tTvZr5wBSAj1aiHdjXBa9g/s400/201301_goals+for+january.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo found <a href="http://www.relationalmission.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2013-650x450.jpg">here</a>.</em></td></tr>
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Before I tackle this year, I do want to look back on <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2012/01/12-goals-for-2012.html">the goals I set for 2012</a>:<br />
<br />
<strike>Find a new job.</strike> <em><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>Success! I have been working my new job since last February!</strong></span> </span></em><br />
Learn to make marshmallows. <em><span style="color: red;">Fail!</span></em><br />
Make 6 quilts and sew myself a shirt. <em><span style="color: red;">Fail!</span></em><br />
<strike>Read 10 books.</strike> <strong><em><span style="color: #38761d;">I'm calling this one a success... between books for work, books for fun... totally did this one!</span></em></strong><br />
Run a 5k. <em><span style="color: red;">Fail!</span></em><br />
<strike>Knit a blanket.</strike> <strong><em><span style="color: #38761d;">Started, so definitely a success!</span></em></strong><br />
Frame and hang photos. <em><span style="color: red;">Fail! Still waiting for me to do...</span></em><br />
Finish laundry room and paint the kitchen back splash. <em><span style="color: red;">Fail! Figured out what to do to finish it... just need to DO it!</span></em><br />
<strike>Consistently take pictures</strike>, organize all our digital photos, scan all the rest and make backups. <strong><em><span style="color: #38761d;">Partial success... lots of picture taking, 100% of it on my iphone, but not so much on the rest of it!</span></em></strong><br />
Go camping with Brian at least once. <em><span style="color: red;">Fail!</span></em><br />
Do Project Life album and keep up. <em><span style="color: red;">Fail!</span></em><br />
Blog once a week. <em><span style="color: red;">Complete and utter fail! But I'm okay with it.... I was out enjoying my time with my husband, family and friends and working hard.</span></em><br />
<br />
This year, I want to be more intentional about accomplishing things. I feel that a I have too many "loose ends" (aka unfinished projects!)... many carrying over from this list from last year. So I'm shifting focus and setting goals monthly. Whether or not I pause to commit them to words here? I don't know yet.....<br />
<br />
Do you set goals for yourself?Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-67776249496794392992013-01-01T20:17:00.000-08:002013-01-01T20:17:26.906-08:00My One Little Word for 2013... Adventure!I definitely <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-one-little-word-for-2012-enjoy.html">enjoyed</a> last year! I want to continue the path I set out on in 2009 of creating, loving, living and enjoying my life. When I thought about what I wanted out of this year.... well it was pretty easy....<br />
<br />
My one word I want to live by this year is <b>ADVENTURE!</b><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/AVvXsEhjWUEhuKlhmO8Lc5h0Sbe6DrcuQGk323NH3kcNMrcQZyeTw19KQC_f4sJ0L-ymsCurqINoeeIlikW0dIrviUb-MGCKJjd3ie0MglqnV_WTU7GpzzJszhXMz2wadYAefCVzhd9vRw/s1600/201301_OLW_Adventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWUEhuKlhmO8Lc5h0Sbe6DrcuQGk323NH3kcNMrcQZyeTw19KQC_f4sJ0L-ymsCurqINoeeIlikW0dIrviUb-MGCKJjd3ie0MglqnV_WTU7GpzzJszhXMz2wadYAefCVzhd9vRw/s400/201301_OLW_Adventure.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo taken September 2012 onboard the USS Constellation in the Baltimore harbor.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I want to try new things, visit new places and have fun times with my family and friends. Simple, easy and probably not tied to my goal setting in any way this year! <br />
<br />
My words in the past have been.... <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-one-little-word-for-2012-enjoy.html">Enjoy (2012)</a>, Live (2011), <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-all-about-love.html">Love (2010)</a>, and <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2009/01/resolutions.html">Create (2009)</a>. <br />
<br />
What are your resolutions this year?Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-29660936291515450332012-08-23T18:51:00.002-07:002012-08-23T19:07:17.632-07:00Status of the Summer Manifesto...While crickets chirp here... we are off enjoying the summer! Here's how it goes so far with the <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-manifesto-2012.html">Summer Manifesto</a>....<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/AVvXsEhuh1PqASpFNV7FLd2UeD8qrrrBca-WVjp7-qY22uygyOinymtE4NWsDFmmJHui-6to3MI2lyTUzpZt3aAymkkBBOPYnWUoCDa32P5P30kH3SyXjB3FVsIWw8uPoi9wqdS4HpBkUw/s1600/479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuh1PqASpFNV7FLd2UeD8qrrrBca-WVjp7-qY22uygyOinymtE4NWsDFmmJHui-6to3MI2lyTUzpZt3aAymkkBBOPYnWUoCDa32P5P30kH3SyXjB3FVsIWw8uPoi9wqdS4HpBkUw/s400/479.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite pic so far this summer -- my Dad beating Brian at croquet. First and only time that's happened in our backyard so far... ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Play with Scarlet everyday | </b>YES. :)<br />
<b>Go hiking |</b> Still on the list....<br />
<b>Go biking |</b> Still on the list.... waiting for the Indian Summer to kick in for this one!<br />
<b>Go explore |</b> Went to the Strawberry Festival and Gizditch Ranch with my parents, my good friend Erin and her niece.<br />
<b>Read a Book |</b> Let's Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (hilarious!), currently reading Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks<br />
<b>Spend Time in Our Backyard | </b>YES. Been playing with Scarlet, playing Croquet, hanging out with friends, BBQing, gardening... so in love with the backyard!<br />
<b>Enjoy our personal Farmer's Market |</b> Tomatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, squash, jalapenos, watermelons, lemon cucumbers, berries, strawberries.... all DELICIOUS!<br />
<b>Go to the Flea Market |</b> Not yet...<br />
<b>Spend time with family & friends |</b> Big, huge YES! Coffee with my local girls using my new espresso machine (Leti, Anna & Elaine!), lunch out with various coworkers & friends, dinner out with Alli (Tommy's Wok & Pinkberry), dinner with my work team & boss, my parents have visited us twice, BBQ & Tour de France with Andrew & Melissa, stampin' time with Bri and Kat, skype with Zarogina, phone calls with too many to list, Monday night Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad chat sessions.... all kinds of fun with the hubby watching the Tour, running errands, hanging out watchin' our favorite summer shows & the Olympics, trying new restaurants.... it's been a fun summer so far! :)<br />
<b>Make stuff |</b> So far a pile of cards, been working on a baby quilt and a crocheted blanket, jam (red raspberry, olallieberry, mixed berry, blueberry, apricot and strawberry vanilla!)... I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of other stuff!<br />
<b>Watch movies |</b> oh no shortage of this either! Brian and I went to see the new Spiderman (loved it).... all kinds of movies on the Netflix and cable too, but we've slowed down over the last month to pay more attention to the Tour de France and Olympics... now it's hunting season so Brian's off hunting all the time!<br />
<b>Play games |</b> Words with Friends, Matching with Friends, Scramble with Friends and Draw Something on the cell phones! In real life, croquet and badminton in the backyard ;)<br />
<b>Work on the house |</b> Aside from keeping the garden alive and the house picked up, nothing major yet... this will probably move to the fall/winter!<br />
<b>Go camping |</b> Not yet... probably won't happen until hunting season is over and we are well into fall... sigh...<br />
<b>Try something new |</b> Olallieberries -- YUM! Gizditch Ranch was also something new to me and a lot of fun -- planning
on going back early next summer to pick our own Olallieberries!! Two new restaurants in Salinas -- BJ's Brewhouse and Five Guys Burger. Pinkberry -- LOVE it! Gym at lunchtime (also loving this!). <br />
<br />
So we aren't doing so bad on this list... a few more things to be done this summer for sure! A trip to take, more time with friends and family.... more fun to be had :)<br />
<br />
Are you enjoying your summer?!<br />
<br />Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-91301763378045506262012-07-08T23:04:00.001-07:002012-07-08T23:04:27.857-07:00Brian's Squash LasagnaHave a mentioned before that my husband is a phenomenal cook?! Well he is!! He has taught me so much about cooking fresh food by taste and today is no exception. He made this delicious Squash Lasagna:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEfO6FVcgksbKFT733dxHlX-AB16CwlnX_E5k4ti25ChvlRa53KtNWvOnLkgk73wQsfK7oPGEP9oWKdttvAHrgo8U9cmwFUycbgZN6iSaUDBTlXiQVnswIpOfYc7FVWA72QfNFg/s1600/20120708_Brians+Squash+Lasagna+Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEfO6FVcgksbKFT733dxHlX-AB16CwlnX_E5k4ti25ChvlRa53KtNWvOnLkgk73wQsfK7oPGEP9oWKdttvAHrgo8U9cmwFUycbgZN6iSaUDBTlXiQVnswIpOfYc7FVWA72QfNFg/s1600/20120708_Brians+Squash+Lasagna+Recipe.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm so spoiled! :) Here's his recipe...<br />
<br />
<i><b>Brian's Squash Lasagna</b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes: One 8x12" pan of lasagna</span><i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
3 large zucchini squash, cut length-wise into 1/4" slices<br />
2 small onions, chopped<br />
2 teaspoons minced garlic<br />
1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning <br />
1 teaspoon pepper<br />
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper<br />
pinch of salt <br />
1 can of diced tomatoes<br />
1 can of tomato paste<br />
1 can of tomato sauce<br />
1 large tomato, diced<br />
1 cup of water (or chicken, beef or vegetable broth)<br />
1 ball of fresh mozzarella, grated <br />
canola oil spray<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and pull out a 8x12 glass baking dish. Heat a cast iron skillet sprayed with canola oil spray (we usually use Pam or Costco brand). While heating, put all the sauce ingredients in a blender -- the onions, garlic, spices (Italian seasoning, pepper, crushed red pepper, salt), diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, fresh cut tomato and water -- and blend until combined (it will be chunky!). Pan sear the slices of zucchini until lightly browned on each side. Time to build your lasagna layers -- put about half the sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Layer about half of the pan seared zucchini slices next, then about half of the grated mozzarella cheese. Your next layer will be the rest of the zucchini slices, then the rest of the cheese and top with the rest of the sauce. Cover with aluminum foil (to protect your oven from splatters!) and bake at 425 degrees for 50 minutes. Serve with your favorite salad and bread. Enjoy!!Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-9009214959367430652012-06-18T06:00:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:00:00.437-07:00A Glimpse of Today...It's been a while since I've done a random snapshot life around here.... so here's a <a href="http://simplescrapbooks.typepad.com/simple_studio/2009/01/quizzes-and-questions-special-issue.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fun little quick list</a> :)<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;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEYIkLh-2-8gEt9shFVXbCakMENaMuuLWirxVGtBGcyhITjfauhjTaoWwk33j_2mydnOXMrP3Kx6T-_o0hdfxEKogtrseABor4K6J6CSaQzAZZSzDUJT1imGwpmx9vy7faPk0pg/s320/dahliapurplerainmix.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new favorite flowers. Photo from <a href="http://www.americanmeadows.com/dahlia-purple-rain-mix" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>The last person I sent a card to: </b>My Mom for Mother's Day!<br />
<b>What I ate for lunch today: </b>Carne Asada Tacos with Rice & Beans at Guadalajara Grill in Salinas w/Brian<br />
<b>Something I recently learned: </b>How to make my own mocha :)<br />
<b>My favorite song this year:</b> We Are Young by Fun ft. Janelle <span class="st">Monáe</span><br />
<b>The last book I read:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399159010/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=soimaratri-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399159010">Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=soimaratri-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0399159010" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Jenny Lawson - absolutely hilarious and awesome. Definitely a must read! :)<br />
<b>What I am wearing right now:</b> Dark grey jammy pants and a magenta Old Navy tank top.<br />
<b>The last phone call I made:</b> My Mom :)<br />
<b>Inside I don't feel very different from when I was:</b> 18.<br />
<b>The last restaurant I ate at was:</b> Guadalajara Grill :)<br />
<b>My favorite TV show is:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00684J49U/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=soimaratri-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00684J49U">Grey's Anatomy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=soimaratri-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00684J49U" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-19262595097023948432012-06-17T07:30:00.000-07:002012-06-17T07:30:00.033-07:00Summer Manifesto 2012Because I've been bad about blogging lately...<br />
Because I need a kick in the pants to start blogging again.... <br />
Because I want to capture what we want to do this summer...<br />
I'm jumping on the bandwagon and writing us a summer manifesto!<br />
<br />
So without further ado... <br />
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What do you have planned for your summer? :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-15251916053447499322012-06-16T18:53:00.000-07:002012-06-16T18:53:29.753-07:00Ten Years Ago Today....I graduated from UC Davis and I celebrated with family & friends.<br />
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And the next day, I packed all my worldly belongings into the back of his truck and moved to into his house.<br />
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And ten years later, we are married, love our home and I cannot imagine my life any other way.<br />
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Amazing how fast the years fly by. <br />
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I can't wait to see what our next ten years together hold!<br />
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Love you baby! xo :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-37966254074046643102012-01-29T18:36:00.000-08:002012-01-29T18:36:30.109-08:0012 Goals for 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL2FkoM0PEe02eEQNERioSy5Q_4agDbz2Ohh8gMgNHnMkoHIum5EQSUhlEWnkm_-7Y4DS3pQJMvMKMe-dQ63iEkrkhNBe0KPRsu1gi8Qn3gow2rAWK8K4UvhARQWRswVRtLvjZg/s400/124.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
I've been wanting to write this post for, well, 29 days! Seeing as how January is nearly up, I better get this done and posted... :) This year, in honor of 12 months in the year 2012, I thought it made sense to have 12 goals:<br />
<ol><li>Find a new job. </li>
<li>Learn to make marshmallows.</li>
<li>Make 6 quilts and sew myself a shirt.</li>
<li>Read 10 books.</li>
<li>Run a 5k.</li>
<li>Knit a blanket.</li>
<li>Frame and hang photos.</li>
<li>Finish laundry room and paint the kitchen back splash.</li>
<li>Consistently take pictures, organize all our digital photos, scan all the rest and make backups.</li>
<li>Go camping with Brian at least once.</li>
<li>Do Project Life album and keep up.</li>
<li>Blog once a week.</li>
</ol>Those are my main twelve goals for this year. So far, I haven't started, but I'm going to post these so I see them every day and I'm hoping that will help. What are your goals for this year?Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-26160000537416458182012-01-27T21:45:00.000-08:002012-01-27T21:47:55.966-08:00Scarlet & Clark Model Halloween Costumes!Lately, I've been distracted. Very distracted. I feel like this year is starting to slip by me. I've been wanting to write again and with no place better to start.... better late than never to post this, right?! :)<br />
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So one of Scarlet's favorite Halloween costumes... lobster of course! <br />
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What if I told you that Clark has the same costume as Scarlet?!<br />
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They look mad don't they?! Like <i>"Why are we both lobsters on the front lawn, this is embarrassing!!"</i> hee hee :)<br />
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We think they're pretty darn cute even if they weren't so happy with us on the front lawn!! :) So once they survived the lobster suits, we naturally had to put them in this year's Halloween costumes....<br />
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I look at this picture and all I see is her thinking <i>"Why momma? This is embarrassing too!!"</i> haha I snapped this photo really quick while Bri got Clark into his costume...<br />
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Arrrg... it's Cap'n Clark! :)<br />
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Yep, I think they are mortified that I've shared these photos in public! haha :)<br />
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I know I'm biased, but aren't they the cutest?! :)<br />
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I'm already thinking that we need to plan some matching costumes for them and take them out this year... any suggestions?!Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-2748640604104556212012-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:002013-02-06T15:42:39.306-08:00If I Ever Visit Dallas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8a3RVW9DX-8B4U7k680OJRwpR4tvTCGx54NKU6PBjscszVUXT60lSDCQS_u83d3BKQmpYJ7xjSNHse_aXgoxsgBc7KWdi6V25BbJVESPtXXKfIZeMtlE7TxgCBweTXy29cMzfgQ/s320/dallas+map.gif" width="320" /></div><br />
Over my vacation at Christmas, I had the chance to hang out with some great friends. We laughed. We ate. We caught up. But it was like those 10+ years from our days together in high school had never passed! So much fun. Anyway, Anna and I started talking food and travel... and she mentioned that she wasn't finding many things to do in their new town near the Dallas, Fort Worth area. So.... here's where I would go check out Anna if I were to come visit!! :)<br />
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First things first, I'd head for the cheese shop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjZZzQBR0oDfQmdGLLUTT62vCj7zTJuYp5P-2Q7HKrZg8Ijb9yuzbWP4LStHPqNcteSlWjrUFLrIL-ZHCQPUTftYqHCeVWZUWk4pko7D7vhHPxiYAF5RLQ81FUhV9O4jCoPeVeg/s320/scardello+cheese.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://scardellocheese.com/?page_id=2">photo from here</a>.</span> </div><br />
<a href="http://scardellocheese.com/?page_id=2">Scardello's Cheese</a> to be exact! It has a ton of great reviews and I'm a sucker for tasty cheese. :) I would also hit up one of my favorite online stores that has a store front in Dallas - <a href="http://www.penzeys.com/">Penzey's Spices</a> located at <span class="street-address">12835 Preston Road, </span><span class="locality">Dallas</span>, <span class="region">TX</span> <span class="postal-code">75230</span>. YUM. You will love this place if you love to cook (which I know you do Anna!!).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZIrfOrBDU-i99WcbeeqBLWKLdrNn6G6q5_h-ivsBBfDm3aGJAD7n0SMN1HhY-DqOMQrW-Y_F70Iy1GEjbbN7_H0puvNAuPIkH_P7YtqK0zg8XB7P6CIIegi7tsUOObDi_X3zBg/s320/twisted+root+burger+milkshake.jpg" width="222" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://twistedrootburgerco.com/wordpress/menu/">photo from here</a>.</span> </div><br />
Of course, I'd do the Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives tour too -- <a href="http://twistedrootburgerco.com/wordpress/locations/">Twisted Root Burger Co.</a> (I'd totally order the Bacon Bomb Burger, Fried Onion Strings, Sweet Potato Chips and a Peanut Butter Custard Shake... mmmm), and <a href="http://www.avilasrestaurant.com/">Avila's Mexican Restaurant</a> (I'd order the Flour Nachos - I'm a sucker for flour tortilla chips! - and Brisket Tacos - they are known for them!).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E9B7uUjkOvbBXqKkr_pUg_mFj3WrX6LBJ3e-oq99jSGO48r-ceZ3FuetV0uVPebbl98fB6gmbZ5C-mDujzlVzx6NPedFDrMbdBcS0XdxoC5Ws6MmncFyPjblyU30gyzLp7BEAA/s320/mozart+macarons.jpg" width="238" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YAIh26VemQRVJc0dj_itTg?select=K9cevwsBjqPWBgJf5czwVw">photo from here</a>.</span> </div><br />
My favorite place to search for places to check out is yelp.com and that's where I found <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/mozart-bakery-dallas">Mozart Bakery</a>, which sounds excellent (try a macaron, not to be confused with a macaroon!). Or try <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/highland-park-pharmacy-dallas">Highland Park Pharmacy</a> -- it's a soda fountain that has been in business since 1912! One review says to try a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich to go with the milkshake.... mmmm..... I totally would!! Also found <a href="http://www.bubbascatering.org/">Bubba's Cooks Country</a> (the pancakes or a biscuit sandwich? I love that kinda greasy diner breakfast every once in a great while!). And I found <a href="http://www.breadwinnerscafe.com/index.php?page=locations">Bread Winners Bakery Bistro</a> -- looks good for brunch and pastries!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2Aw6nyzdyFx3Ei3qq4dfDa2TGLJZUHuVs7KYknGkjVd7iVHKdfYVMhXWWOvsdFXYqaVEUxWJ8vf4s0KXnV3pmKNvjmpTZ216Qu2Ymi0z5zz7YW_nbaaDh1RR4B98gXl40qhOwQ/s200/SixthFloorMuseum.jpg" width="200" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.jfk.org/">photo from here</a>.</span> </div><br />
Okay so if you make it through all the food... lol ;) I'd check out a few local places such as the <a href="http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/">Dallas Heritage Village</a>, the <a href="http://www.dallasarboretum.org/">Dallas Arboretum</a> (they have a concert series!), and the <a href="http://www.fwnc.org/">Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge</a>. And what's travel without real history? I would totally check out the <a href="http://www.jfk.org/">Sixth Floor Museum</a>, see the grassy knoll and the JFK Memorial.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaCippQM5jcPGLwlPkFTvtik_ECaW3yXcVMSPjVqJhhltj-MdIO_BDmhgh4NPmE6s0XKWkDTmqgX-6ihS2Evy0khACmmLSnMe6FTWlHj2n4HGPAryzc7PFxKhov2X_sc9q_spXA/s400/modern+fort+worth.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.themodern.org/building.html">photo from here</a>.</span> </div><br />
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I'd also check out this Fort Worth landmark, <a href="http://www.billybobstexas.com/">Billy Bob's Texas</a>. BBQ, live music, real bull riding and free line dancing lessons? It is also a bar... but it sounds like a true Texas experience to me!! :) In Fort Worth, there is also the <a href="http://www.themodern.org/">Modern Museum of Fort Worth</a> which sounds (& looks) really interesting. They have a Friday night dinner and movie event that I would totally check out!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWQY_Lv8XGLTMbGnFJ9mTYesjhj9MnQzG89aBVT-XcAXCs2Pp5ysWgciB4tB8h2svFoKRdSSGyPcX9CyKJIqh7YjKdFGhikV-_djwIwu8Fc_29t8xkQ3bn4wnBcHFdkguyu_8RQ/s400/farmersmarket.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/index.html">photo from here</a>.</span> </div><br />
Other things I'd check out:<br />
<a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/texas/dallas-fort-worth/travel-tips-and-articles/76421">Lonely Planet's Texas Barbeque: A User's Guide</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dallasobserver.com/bestOf/">Dallas Observer's Best of Dallas 2011</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/texas/fort-worth/things-to-do">Things to Do in Fort Worth, Texas</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/texas/dallas/things-to-do">Things to Do in Dallas, Texas</a><br />
<a href="http://www.whiterocklake.org/">White Rock Lake</a> (biking, walking trails)<br />
<a href="http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/">Dallas Farmer's Market</a> (7 days a week!)<br />
<a href="http://www.mesquiterodeo.com/">Mesquite Pro Rodeo</a> (live rodeos!)<br />
<a href="http://www.trinityriveraudubon.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Home">Trinity River Audubon Center</a> (more biking, walking trails)<br />
<a href="http://www.stockyardsstation.com/index.php">Stockyards Station</a> (horseback trail rides!)<br />
<a href="http://www.cowgirl.net/">National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame</a> (you are in Texas... I'd totally soak up some culture! ;))<br />
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That should keep you busy for a while Anna! You'll have to let me know what you try or do -- I'll have to travel Dallas vicariously through you!! :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-87295886288315283992012-01-08T12:00:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:00:00.086-08:002012: A Month-by-Month PredictionI can't believe it's already 2012!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRAv0AEF9dsZ1g412vT9b9gT-I24VxvxhizaoTLg1x6whDl8FjVdaa_0cDUY2I9dE_6xCXiEJwQkavIm8FOquKU6ftXdpDQPQbtmZTqiqu4N1GwOAF2uA-fA7wLAkgDzqTNVWSw/s400/2012_card.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://emilymcdowell.posterous.com/happy-2012">art found here</a>.</span> </i></div><br />
Following yesterday's post, I thought I'd follow up with this today before it got too much further into 2012. So if you've never checked out <a href="http://journalingprompts.com/#">this website</a>, that I <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2010/05/five-moments.html">blogged about here</a>, go check it out! It's okay, I'll wait :) <br />
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Today, I popped on over there and found this prompt:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Write a month-by-month prediction for this year. Start with "This month, I will..."</span></b></i></blockquote><i></i>Well, don't have to ask me twice! :) So here goes: <br />
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<i style="color: #990000;">This month</i>, I will work a lot of hours, as usual! <br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><i><br />
</i></div><i style="color: #b45f06;">In February</i>, we will celebrate Valentine's Day and my birthday. <br />
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<i style="color: #bf9000;">In March</i>, we will celebrate Brian's 40th birthday!<br />
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<i style="color: #38761d;">In April</i>, I will see my favorite girls for our annual cropulation in Denver.<br />
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<i style="color: #134f5c;">In May</i>, we will celebrate my nephew Creighton's 4th birthday and my Dad's birthday.<br />
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<i style="color: #0b5394;">In June</i>, we will camp. Just floating that out there to my husband ;) lol Go with my family to a SF Giants game - Creighton's first!<br />
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<i style="color: #351c75;">In July</i>, I will do something outdoorsy with my husband.<br />
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<i style="color: #741b47;">In August</i>, I will work on the house. At this point, I'm focusing on the upstairs - the loft and master bedroom/bath/closet. <br />
<div style="color: #990000;"><i><br />
</i></div><i style="color: #990000;">In September</i>, I will prepare for the holidays.<br />
<div style="color: #b45f06;"><i><br />
</i></div><i style="color: #b45f06;">In October</i>, we will celebrate 7 years of marriage and, hopefully, travel somewhere fun to celebrate! <br />
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<i style="color: #bf9000;">In November</i>, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. We will go see the last Twilight movie! ;)<br />
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<i style="color: #38761d;">In December</i>, we will celebrate Abby's 2nd birthday and Christmas.<br />
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This is a really loose list, but that's what it's looking to be! I also want to fit in the following items:<br />
<ul><li>A trip to see my brother for 4-5 days.</li>
<li>A mini vacation with Brian (camping? SF? Yosemite? Santa Barbara?).</li>
<li>A girl's weekend with my sister and Mom.</li>
<li>A weekend foodie tour of LA with Evelyn and Drea. </li>
<li>A couple visits to Placerville.</li>
<li>At least one 5k run, hopefully with Drea and/or Anna.</li>
<li>A live concert, musical or comedy show. Something fun and new to us!</li>
</ul>It was fun to think about the year like this. What will you do this year?! :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-55020822418354994032012-01-01T09:08:00.000-08:002012-01-07T19:49:14.747-08:00My One Little Word for 2012: Enjoy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8mPMJ4SleqgN1FWKqGHyguw0pyzFevnTG5zS1y-s4p1fS4Xi5cscpt7iSB4LzXMfOvC6nRmnzZoOI8Fr-qMUpdDD2r685eZXQzpqfMxeA_R_WovXgTosUSnvXbpJGLOzUYINlg/s400/Enjoy-written-in-sand1072.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.alegriphotos.com/Enjoy_written_in_sand-lphoto-e228dac2ccb28094a13dc47bfbe31b48.html">photo from here</a>.</span></div><br />
My one word I want to live by this year is <b>ENJOY</b>.<br />
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Enjoy life.<br />
Enjoy time with my husband.<br />
Enjoy time with my family.<br />
Enjoy time with my friends.<br />
Enjoy time with our pets.<br />
Enjoy our home.<br />
Enjoy working.<br />
Enjoy <i><b><u>all of it</u></b>.</i><br />
<br />
I figure I'll tackle my goals in a manageable way over the next twelve months... month by month. More on that later though. My words in the past have been Live (2011), <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-all-about-love.html">Love (2010)</a>, and <a href="http://ajsevall.blogspot.com/2009/01/resolutions.html">Create (2009)</a>. What are your resolutions this year?Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-25425465302099971672011-12-11T10:00:00.000-08:002011-12-11T10:00:04.623-08:00Goals for the Rest of 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="301" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eGSCTw3ouXYTRfyuYJcKb5TRyShOdZUR3jqxPa2PE6Sif7zkIf9nAy1eOkCPjHljnV4JuVl7Acrsc4pYL6gPf23aHvn4s8fZ-YQF-IzAk47ZVJQwyqibb9i3eQe3mEpslnw8FA/s400/focus%252520on%252520goals.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.themillionairesecrets.net/how-to-stay-focused-with-your-goals-all-the-time/">Image Source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Okay, so this whole no goals for 2011.... well.... It just isn't working for me! I like goals. And it's nice to feel like I accomplish things by going back to the statement of the goals. And really, I just like making lists. So I have about three months left this year and these are a few things I want to finish.... (and Brian, shh. Not a word! :) lol)<br />
<br />
<strong>1. Finish Amy's Quilt</strong><br />
It just needs the rest of the binding fabric pieced together and stitched on. It's the small things. :)<br />
<br />
<strong>2. Finish the Craft Room/Office</strong><br />
I need to iron & hem the curtains, then hang them. Apply the glass blocking stuff to the middle cabinet doors, paint the sign Brian made me and hang it up! I'd also like to repurpose and hang something to store the mists in a better location :)<br />
<br />
<strong>3. Learn to Make Marshmallows</strong><br />
I need to face the reality that this has been on my list of things to try out for I don't know... like three years. I bought a book and the necessary items. Just never made them. Time to cross this one off the list!<br />
<br />
<strong>4. Christmas Cards</strong><br />
I've been good about making them, I have not been good about distributing them. They will go in the mail by December 10th this year. If you didn't get one last year or the year before, it's because I didn't get them in the mail. Would it be bad to stuff the envelopes with three years worth of cards this year?! ;)<br />
<br />
<strong>5. Finish Reorganizing Paperwork</strong><br />
For someone who's pretty well organized, my paperwork always seems to come last or next to never. I need to finish cleaning this out and I don't want to continue carrying this bad habit forward any further! <br />
<br />
<strong>6. Finish & Hang Artwork in Laundryroom</strong><br />
Since the rest of that to-do list is really Brian's list.... I want to make sure I finish my part this year! :) I have it all planned out in my head... now just to do it!<br />
<br />
Brian also wants me to finish this item, so I'm adding it to my list:<br />
<br />
<strong>7. Clean Out Our Loft</strong><br />
It's become my junk room. Problem is it doesn't have a door.... :) I need to sell a few items on eBay or Craigslist, purge some stuff and generally clean it up. It's not a small endeavor, but now that the living room is clean, I know I can finish this! :)<br />
<br />
Did you have any 2011 goals? How are you doing with them?Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-64442661558324965522011-12-09T12:30:00.000-08:002011-12-09T12:30:00.795-08:00December To-Do List<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/47076758574518372/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/47076758574518372_FM6p3CTo_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/2010/12/yes-snow-again.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">parisdailyphoto.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/amanda_sevall/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Amanda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div></div><br />
Seesh... I better hurry up and post this before the month is half over! LOL :)<br />
<br />
1. Watch favorite holiday movies: <em>Home Alone, Home Alone 2, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Love Actually, Elf</em><br />
2. Bake cookies.<br />
3. Host a Cookie Exchange Party.<br />
4. Send Christmas cards.<br />
5. Decorate our house.<br />
6. Finish knitting Gabriel's Santa hat.<br />
7. Repair Abby's quilt.<br />
8. Shop for, wrap and (in some cases) ship gifts.<br />
9. Celebrate Abby's first birthday.<br />
10. Spend time with my family.<br />
11. Spend time with my friends.<br />
12. Listen to holiday music.<br />
13. Build a gingerbread house.<br />
14. Make Christmas ornaments with Abby and Creighton.<br />
15. Make some craft with my sister.<br />
16. Celebrate Mom & Dad's 40th wedding anniversary.<br />
17. Christmas Eve with my Mom's family.<br />
18. Make Christmas morning breakfast.<br />
19. Photo shoot with Creighton and Abby.<br />
20. Control my urge to eat a Cranberry Bliss Bar every day at Starbucks (so far, I've only had one!)<br />
21. Make at least 5 cards and 1 scrapbook layout with my new stuff.<br />
22. Make a December Daily album and blog it.<br />
23. Blog six times on this blog (2 down, 4 to go!).<br />
24. Read one book on my Nook. :)<br />
25. Spend quality time with Brian at least 4 times this month (not watching TV!) - one down, three to go!Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-21792282663463792912011-12-04T17:57:00.000-08:002011-12-04T17:59:47.172-08:00A Plan for Our LoftSo I got a little distracted today by cleaning out in the closet. Which led to planning the master closet which led me to the other problem child of storage in our house, the loft:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdctikkadr_E2azDU3rW0kCANpGta2Jo8R3xztaOWgqxbl7WtOv6ZSTJ-IiPQQx1aNL9070X9IOvjaniYTpphIApNnnIgT8roiQIbbN6iviUv0LYqWCUOeqH-PRbQAN_bQd7d3w/s320/photo%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
Sigh. It's a mess. And Brian wants me to clean it up. And trust me, so do I.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIDci6xn3YDmbKWPJL1pH4usQzvEyr4U-2dESIRpigHKfUCd3FcChZ8qGtxbLSJ5wZ0pYvrfw8zxxzO_5CYweDfJWKA1AmHgDfz2c983HOhQbXT4oGIPcG2bJwkEUefrF6Log9w/s320/photo%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMURrEGvtT3z1kWkITvRxaAT9RKPLQt4h0Hv8ShI7e9VFk1JEKLAdTVFRatPnzG0Gtjexgk_HuYtnE_JXrFSd59IdYenQ81vEFfIo3VqG-M9aQif1-sp4ySx3UwMxdxIeSogXcw/s320/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
So I need a game plan. All we've got in there are three bookshelves, no blinds, nothing on the walls (including color) and a bunch of junk. Purpose of the room? Storage of books. Use of the sewing machine. And the rest is a blank slate.<br />
<br />
So.... I figured it out. Defined it. A place to sew, read a book and play games. I think. :) Here's my sketch:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5hC8KZUelS16Z-xiGsNQ1PEMkCjFkees18XZ_wc6PmEAEtqc-Nacuou6r-CCybXTUqGZNq_WiDZSJAE2FUiSB6gGwL0R6yLFzGTeW6fzPMdn8VomDS_DoM91Sc8PmYxwivuA3Q/s320/photo%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
I prefer the old school method. 10 inches equals one side of the graph paper square. :)<br />
<br />
I want this rug in red:<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/47076758574507956/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/47076758574507956_w9vGcv8B_c.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Alexa-My-Soft-and-Plush-Multi-Shag-Rug-8-x-10/4265216/product.html?AID=10668447&PID=3872207&SID=skim1847X546955X211e6605e99de948060e5a8945216eeb" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">overstock.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/amanda_sevall/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Amanda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
This sofa from Ikea in gray:<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/47076758574507936/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/47076758574507936_yfIhtojr_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89873838/#/S29873855" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">ikea.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/amanda_sevall/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Amanda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
This desk from Ikea:<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/47076758574507935/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/47076758574507935_RUFfhPeD_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30103676/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">ikea.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/amanda_sevall/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Amanda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
And this color scheme:<br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/47076758574507790/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="620" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/47076758574348322_ooF5ffA5_c.jpg" width="553" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2011/6/15/inspiration-daily-06-15-11.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">creaturecomfortsblog.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/amanda_sevall/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Amanda</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
<br />
I think once I get these pieces in place, I'll figure out the rest... the photos on the wall, the curtains, the pillows, the accessories.<br />
<br />
Based on budget and time, I want to plan on doing this sometime next year. I'm not sure what color paint to put on the walls. What do you think?!Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-8923295088124542582011-08-24T07:45:00.000-07:002013-02-06T15:46:29.901-08:00Week in the Life: Wednesday<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: This week I will be running journaling I wrote down each day during the week of July 25th + pics of stuff I took on those days. </span></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Wednesday, July 27, 2011</i></span></b><br />
<br />
listening: to the tv<br />
eating: tacos<br />
drinking: 2% milk<br />
wearing: jammies<br />
feeling: exhausted<br />
weather: gorgeous summer evening<br />
wanting: to catch up on everything<br />
needing: sleep<br />
thinking: about this weekend<br />
enjoying: having Brian home (instead of working in Felton!)<br />
wondering: if I can get everything done<br />
<br />
Woke up this morning to Phil Collins, Another Day in Paradise. Love that song. Scar with her head just outside of the covers snoring.<br />
<br />
Breakfast: Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster shake<br />
Lunch: tuna sandwich on toasted whole wheat, goldfish crackers, raspberries, glass of 2% milk<br />
Afternoon: cap'n crunch frapp from Starbucks <br />
Dinner: tacos, glass of 2% milk<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzghP6i_kDdmkAkseR3jBmJgWtqULfIoOC_kPkqRUMe-nqezG9e3gxZAFEH8PW6dr5ueoIjuzrU_jW7ewfBEGZQDXvZ27ZuldYIbAUtd974HRrfOBrhy2nIlADKFOEpmHInFMIw/s400/IMG_1313.JPG" width="300" /></div><br />
Just another day in the grind. Phone calls with friends, Mom and Dad. Text messages with friends and family. Tossing a tennis ball on the front lawn for Scarlet. Tuckin' Brian into bed early. This week is flying by!<br />
<br />
Great quote today that hit my e-mail:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq6FRwurlf6E_DBiOe1btJJHAhtDTx7sO_abMWsNr71cnWM3UB7WuYiCoPaKM8O3avlLuiuGjZT2hYN0zCHAC9wOdWi3RTYY8tvpytVLt88gN-Pm_aFfquJ0AQhdPICHfeeQKzw/s1600/july+27+2011-brave+girls+screen+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKq6FRwurlf6E_DBiOe1btJJHAhtDTx7sO_abMWsNr71cnWM3UB7WuYiCoPaKM8O3avlLuiuGjZT2hYN0zCHAC9wOdWi3RTYY8tvpytVLt88gN-Pm_aFfquJ0AQhdPICHfeeQKzw/s400/july+27+2011-brave+girls+screen+shot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>♥ it.Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-18506015626184940362011-08-23T07:45:00.000-07:002013-02-06T15:46:29.839-08:00Week in the Life: Tuesday<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: This week I will be running journaling I wrote down each day during the week of July 25th + pics of stuff I took on those days. </span></i></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Tuesday, July 26, 2011</i></span></b><br />
<br />
Brian had a later start time this morning, which was nice. He left an hour before I got up instead of three. I usually wake up to my ipod going off at 6:30 am. I really like waking up to music better than a blaring beeping tone. Much better way to start the day! I also usually wake up to this one:<br />
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And a wagging tail, with lots of kisses!<br />
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Shower, dress, makeup, grab my stuff and go -- I'm not super fast the first few hours of the day. But I'm getting better at moving myself in the morning.<br />
<br />
Another long day at work....<br />
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The lunch routine these days is nice. I come home, grab the mail, get greeted by the doggie, sort the mail, make lunch and either read my nook or watch something on the dvr. Today it was watch Design Star on my dvr. Love that show - even more now that David Bromstad is the mentor.<br />
<br />
After a long day of purchase orders, budget corrections, paying invoices, answering questions, issuing park permits and getting more assignments from my retiring boss.<br />
<br />
After work, I met up with a good friend, Leti, for dinner at Frankie's Grill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaJRJg-T1cbNQ-9A9YQDqXnc3eDuvBDZdxM9AX9nQkg5qekLRCMETvIb7eFmJZFfA2weSmmGx_76WhaqfwW7Z57s_2fYGF0OoAL-nmdEcg5bTz9z8FYDUo-4TcgLS84Y3rFHJGQ/s320/IMG_1049.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite at Frankie's Grill - the Grilled Romaine salad with blue cheese, bacon, grilled chicken and a balsamic dressing!</td></tr>
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We had a good meal, a glass of wine and a great conversation. It also reminded me of what I do like of living in a small town -- you run into people you know and it's nice when they pull up a chair and join the conversation for a while. :)<br />
<br />
I got home from dinner, Brian and Scarlet ate the leftovers within 10 minutes, we had a good conversation and Brian went to bed. I stayed up and watched Flipping Out. Then promptly fell asleep in the middle of the episode.... and woke up on the couch at 2:30 am! I was more tired than I thought!Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-26490383331356940112011-08-22T07:45:00.000-07:002013-02-06T15:46:29.846-08:00Week in the Life: Monday<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: This week I will be running journaling that I wrote down each day during the week of July 25th + pics of stuff I took on those days. </span></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>Monday, July 25, 2011</i></span></b><br />
<br />
Many are familiar with Ali Edward's projects, including <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/aliedwards/%7E3/7OohFYV5sFc/week-in-the-life-2011-monday-words-photos-observations.html">A Week in the Life</a>, which started again today. I participated last year, but only on my blog. This is an eventful week in my life, so I definitely wanted to play again this year. So here goes....<br />
<br />
Blah. That's how today felt. I was not feeling it. It probably has to do with my bad sunburn I got yesterday washing the cars + weeding the front yard + forgetting sunblock. Ouch. The weekend was a lot of fun though. Friday night, Brian and I went to the movies to see this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gDoyMeaWW_kGkPWKDvO4hwN0gr7QZ-TYZhk71vS7i0Yw1Bd0I9BDeye1RoKEIEDULFiiDV5IZ-iwZJTphf3lsjEz7ebYEcGliAJJHmjr3Hvcwxho3X_aAOKtSThhqgqSfdi-VA/s1600/Movieinfo2011-com--harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2---Photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gDoyMeaWW_kGkPWKDvO4hwN0gr7QZ-TYZhk71vS7i0Yw1Bd0I9BDeye1RoKEIEDULFiiDV5IZ-iwZJTphf3lsjEz7ebYEcGliAJJHmjr3Hvcwxho3X_aAOKtSThhqgqSfdi-VA/s400/Movieinfo2011-com--harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2---Photo-2.jpg" t$="true" width="270" /></a></div><br />
Yep, Harry Potter the very last one. It was so good, but at the same time, I'm sad to see it end again (it was a bummer when I finished the books and there were no more to read!) Such a great story. Uncharacteristic of us, we ate dinner at the movies... Brian had a hot dog, I had nachos and we shared a popcorn. As we were leaving, I unintentionally dunked my right hand in the leftover nacho cheese as I went to pick it up in the dark and, naturally, I wanted to wash that off ASAP. There was a family bathroom right across from our theater and I opened the door to find some guy in there who forgot to lock the door! Hilarious! I think he learned a lesson.... :)<br />
<br />
Saturday, I got to hang out with Erin. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XdhhvhbK6daexw3qnSlzSDmCtBO-d_ksgcd8VIjOlxZIshgrmSC8ZuvfObGH9CxkC835-JMiuSJBA3VGAPYijh2HkLHKZWqRJ05QaI4GN3D1LgFlVbbW_yZ1W4ncRJemBMp7jQ/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hehe - we laughed so hard at this ridiculously long candle!!</td></tr>
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We don't get to see each other much and I really miss the days where we used to eat lunch together almost every day. We met up in Carmel and went to Tommy's Wok.... it was soooo GOOD!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVOnCW32JVUC7_d8vph0F5OtbT1UwnwCg-GjNFJpcj_r6JfOnWA6q0s_JJuOkPp42Svf0JjqMUsownB6YJlvQrTWMWEeBen9fqF6JmQFHPP1ra4Rz9-61aiLlXF-4o5CueO6ZzA/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot and Sour Soup - delicious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NS4H_Ybg7d2tArlJECospzAADz6iS0Arw4QRIoAhcmY6IMdewJbDlq3TFk5fIYNcywXmJHIcO4ffLV7lM_95jzNOuC0N0ETPVsUzgGGvvcGJQiBGqfs8Thy60G7B2OK1bIahdg/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetable Potstickers - these were fresh, lightly fried and to.die.for!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjju_KwriGhVio6Z_Kx2fQKioJterzzvLFUF_xXHGdDOVati0k43-YucgWVcWasacRl2ABZhIYhO_hm-gomeDXN_1gRTKmV8uiq5uUqWNxfeshzaPjUJhbL5NpHbQgG64wdEyLQ/s320/IMG_1305.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My absolute fav, the crabmeat rangoon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfTI1-9OvVu7aIwGE4m50kEuhBrvgrC0kWHgI4dlwPX4e6nAvT4KeegF1JvfZDrrDB5RVldAM6G6Ko3iYo6o_wbpRfXIIebcKUj4YZyx_VG0Yu0ioBWhoLyE_i3jCsT7rSGGFRg/s320/IMG_1306.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin got the honey walnut prawns which were super tasty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxgYCVz6-iHP4MEvRreoXeKTxSja22ut5APL-Cm5-G_EKg1XQCoEAroxMbCos-S5qfFRtrUgcbfJX0T4RSmIkXukOVsTNykfZiiJ_ZFSbXV802uINClCxak86O0XLJJFF_RjPwg/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got the combo plate - fried rice, chow mein and broccoli cashew chicken. SOOOO good!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSGfChJ79ISvHspLSTpxXuiuQOItMszZl6nIfZDOJkvZoDSW-UtVXoxqNOWBKyywfn8dg8gUijm7bdR7rZUcSnJFuTv6-x7HThpY9qXaL341fqZH0M2SZLx_H4KNTRE-0WbcySw/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this place cute too?!</td></tr>
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We wandered the streets of Carmel window shopping before heading over to Pacific Grove to check out this bakery:<br />
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And get some of these:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nfLHsfchJjbPMvPgBpDKMfzSYOGQ1K36YlGfQRdmj5T1mqECcVoOmMMv5O7UuA_5gBHoTpl4hCHNPArK1K4RRFjPQS7HvIDm3oDBBjfOaLxNSrILf3vmeeXvwK-EklhoeybAGg/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nfLHsfchJjbPMvPgBpDKMfzSYOGQ1K36YlGfQRdmj5T1mqECcVoOmMMv5O7UuA_5gBHoTpl4hCHNPArK1K4RRFjPQS7HvIDm3oDBBjfOaLxNSrILf3vmeeXvwK-EklhoeybAGg/s320/IMG_1310.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xe3KyyKo_rM34yj4L8HjLGoTgOAw-gz5xdzNUCNTDLNv2dSwKdK6ENt-Mi0PSICPhyphenhyphenU-wi7CAp8Q2IvqwgvScoVD1XrEa8_O-xeNyCuAkPd8USFOyXHNhrZTNJVIm3BBJ40y7g/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xe3KyyKo_rM34yj4L8HjLGoTgOAw-gz5xdzNUCNTDLNv2dSwKdK6ENt-Mi0PSICPhyphenhyphenU-wi7CAp8Q2IvqwgvScoVD1XrEa8_O-xeNyCuAkPd8USFOyXHNhrZTNJVIm3BBJ40y7g/s320/IMG_1311.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Seriously, I can't believe I went so many years without trying a French macaron - what was I thinking?! I'm addicted to these now - the best cookie ever. Light, a little crunchy and absolutely delicious. Worth hunting for a bakery that makes these!<br />
<br />
We headed over to Monterey to wrap up the day with a little shopping. I'm sad that Borders is bankrupt and closing. We won't have any bookstores anywhere near us anymore. I'm glad I have my new nook color, but I really will miss wandering the little Borders at the mall in Monterey and the big Borders in Seaside. We also hit up Ann Taylor where I got a new shirt, cardigan and necklace, and Macy's where we killed our noses smelling perfume and cologne samples! I had a gift card to spend there (thanks to Annie!) and I restocked on one of my favorite perfumes, Ralph Lauren Romance.<br />
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I finished out Saturday catching up with Brian on our dvr recordings, laying around on the couch, staring at our new entertainment center!<br />
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Sunday was busy with cleaning... I did maintenance on our washing machine (including cleaning it), washed both my car and Brian's truck, pulled weeds from our front sidewalk and gutter, walked the doggie with Brian, and enjoyed our lazy Sunday. Well, enjoyed everything but the sunburn I got for forgetting sunblock! The Tour de France finished up and Brian was excited that his favorites, the Schleck brothers both finished on the podium and it was nice to see Cadel Evans win.<br />
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So back to Monday.... work is hectic right now because my boss is retiring in September, last fiscal year is closing this month and the new fiscal year has started. After a really long and frustrating day, I came home to relax with Brian. He's been working some early morning shifts lately, starting at 3 am and finishing at noon. Today was one of those days for him, so he was sleepy. Every night now, he's watering his seed packet flowers and the few berry bushes and tomato plants he has this year. They look great!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf2-rwzxz6oRfbPhDSV2nlgU5qVkVPwd0QtbuX4aXkB4lQ-s9eWNwJ65ODciPGZxJiuUHyGLoJqaCd-FeQE6v5hg4UgYyMOZlZt5cJoT5prCHVrasY8m9qRyCV6W81O_9h3WA4Q/s400/IMG_1188.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
I spent a lot of time on the phone tonight, catching up with family and a friend. Talked to my mom, my Aunt Sherri about decor for Saturday's party in Placerville and Zarogina, my upline for Stampin' Up. We always have great conversations about our mutual love for crafting, so it's never a quick phone call! I'm excited about the classes and events I have coming up, so the day ended on a good note.Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-50794112099038023932011-08-21T17:30:00.000-07:002011-08-21T17:31:03.256-07:00Scrapbook Layouts!Here are the ten layouts I finished in Michigan a few <strike>weeks</strike> months ago! I was a teensy bit obsessed with my new We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy tool. Just a smidge.... ;)<br />
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Hope you're ready for this onslaught of layouts....<br />
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Up first, this layout of my sister's family last Christmas: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRnptKzlO5bIZi963W28vbY21kDApiifRoESSisj7lev-_Z94bKTjtJUc-g_y3pndMJNJBiBM5ea-Py2KZTsLjp8MX9cTLThNUA3VYpZWuoVPZJNcDqS98T_r4vBgmjKKNZFWjg/s1600/20110821_Flemings-Abby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRnptKzlO5bIZi963W28vbY21kDApiifRoESSisj7lev-_Z94bKTjtJUc-g_y3pndMJNJBiBM5ea-Py2KZTsLjp8MX9cTLThNUA3VYpZWuoVPZJNcDqS98T_r4vBgmjKKNZFWjg/s400/20110821_Flemings-Abby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> I made two, the first one for Abby's album and this one for Creighton's album:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61SfhLkY9c1xlFTfz6NfPE45S8CZaIfFxMjqictRXTLC4YnPt8UYolM9KdE6ln1bhXgduyAupbXMIT82eo1uA9W0cWJKWETd9_I6rL8jf3gwQnra2za463C-ISbnq4A0lKFgQrg/s1600/20110821_Flemings-CT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61SfhLkY9c1xlFTfz6NfPE45S8CZaIfFxMjqictRXTLC4YnPt8UYolM9KdE6ln1bhXgduyAupbXMIT82eo1uA9W0cWJKWETd9_I6rL8jf3gwQnra2za463C-ISbnq4A0lKFgQrg/s400/20110821_Flemings-CT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> And a layout about our decision to say goodbye to Darby:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e55J_NtL7IgeDzKuUF50mVihFy9xahGvzSoIRekm0hlP4zJo9ci3ixvXqRZKq2h6Uq83NYtA_UDvJBWtDMrntUmbklHyqMX3kqgqlkfFpaSr8OI-JtavO9az5j5BFOlfzqppfQ/s1600/20110821_goodbye+darby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e55J_NtL7IgeDzKuUF50mVihFy9xahGvzSoIRekm0hlP4zJo9ci3ixvXqRZKq2h6Uq83NYtA_UDvJBWtDMrntUmbklHyqMX3kqgqlkfFpaSr8OI-JtavO9az5j5BFOlfzqppfQ/s400/20110821_goodbye+darby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> This is my niece Abby's first Christmas photo... :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn29D52I9q2CZ03eKlwevkWixQ-M34dPSkaG5PCN4Ah-wxYGUN76ry1WgieYsG_TnXEm4ngYU6WKtgueDrnOS3mWS24hcVY9wD29xoopWXMZhupf_-LEZ-sfFMovX_LYTg36V3A/s1600/20110821_I+love+you+this+much.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxn29D52I9q2CZ03eKlwevkWixQ-M34dPSkaG5PCN4Ah-wxYGUN76ry1WgieYsG_TnXEm4ngYU6WKtgueDrnOS3mWS24hcVY9wD29xoopWXMZhupf_-LEZ-sfFMovX_LYTg36V3A/s400/20110821_I+love+you+this+much.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Of course, I couldn't do a batch of Christmas layouts without doing one about Brian and what he always wants for Christmas....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTV_xvM9AvFwmAdbJxtWdZGU-67aSuwc3zhfassNqzqbmQFqsMizkZxziIDSWvWUHHzCBHYNJsQiBDYPhksLG1Yn5lq-E00snJn43asYWoSNLR7sdPkPWT2YhDTsKCy-perzjpg/s1600/20110821_I+want+a+BMW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTV_xvM9AvFwmAdbJxtWdZGU-67aSuwc3zhfassNqzqbmQFqsMizkZxziIDSWvWUHHzCBHYNJsQiBDYPhksLG1Yn5lq-E00snJn43asYWoSNLR7sdPkPWT2YhDTsKCy-perzjpg/s400/20110821_I+want+a+BMW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Still need to go back and add some journaling: <br />
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Another almost finished layout.... just need to add some journaling: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgwc3IYbXv6CzrV8e2FkV-Rov8ClGNLD1p7Ta8u3OTQB3I7Xtyti7ksjoeYg48D_huBR7HYU6bcIP0blPbnuRxs5F2S6ssIPEfWc2_mJqUZdCmPiES76biCDDqhkFe7xFib54ug/s1600/20110821_one+happy+passenger+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgwc3IYbXv6CzrV8e2FkV-Rov8ClGNLD1p7Ta8u3OTQB3I7Xtyti7ksjoeYg48D_huBR7HYU6bcIP0blPbnuRxs5F2S6ssIPEfWc2_mJqUZdCmPiES76biCDDqhkFe7xFib54ug/s400/20110821_one+happy+passenger+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And another Scarlet layout for the books :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDADyc4DOa9shT4Wrj5lRQC8qeSo1yN1TqLlxvMMxraniCeEQMEHmEoq7k1dgGnmm63SgAnZqPKgMYXZK4KPmB3huP_kEcvz8r_fFYrL8WVkFg8-7JUKrCN1HjDzqKbUV0EwoeTA/s1600/20110821_she+eats+people+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDADyc4DOa9shT4Wrj5lRQC8qeSo1yN1TqLlxvMMxraniCeEQMEHmEoq7k1dgGnmm63SgAnZqPKgMYXZK4KPmB3huP_kEcvz8r_fFYrL8WVkFg8-7JUKrCN1HjDzqKbUV0EwoeTA/s400/20110821_she+eats+people+food.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Had to make sure all the furry inhabitants of our house got equal treatment of course! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_Mn5OjJsJDBrnad5Q6XeOZD_rTIjrIAJUO8Happp4gQm-mZu3TRvWzO9b46XTvPPSInOoj6SF43o5BrVT9F4z-nPsJnIFYB5lZqL-BXu9tVvvNmS-ERBbamSdeYkHEXKSdWBVQ/s1600/20110821_shes+getting+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_Mn5OjJsJDBrnad5Q6XeOZD_rTIjrIAJUO8Happp4gQm-mZu3TRvWzO9b46XTvPPSInOoj6SF43o5BrVT9F4z-nPsJnIFYB5lZqL-BXu9tVvvNmS-ERBbamSdeYkHEXKSdWBVQ/s400/20110821_shes+getting+old.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> A summary layout about last Christmas:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeHsiXF7ZRr97UjEApr0XeVDbgUx866LYyglEno9yxXoGRAR_XHP_STgNaDgvgPOhVwUWO5nt8ZXtzqbb7OOZ4dQ1cnZqxHRj2PxaJXbL3T3fE6fdaNOCa3We4hd8a1ttUAPhcQ/s1600/20110821_xmas+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeHsiXF7ZRr97UjEApr0XeVDbgUx866LYyglEno9yxXoGRAR_XHP_STgNaDgvgPOhVwUWO5nt8ZXtzqbb7OOZ4dQ1cnZqxHRj2PxaJXbL3T3fE6fdaNOCa3We4hd8a1ttUAPhcQ/s400/20110821_xmas+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And a summary layout for Christmas 2009 too! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k7bX-n-BDMPBkcjE6lhZphjXhEqKlSQ-5iOK1PBAInXdtb8gJWPcM50afY_E5xuuF_hdfZd7zD4JWKo6b12jPeP9o1xSMS0zcSv7UAvEo7LRMOFDU_Nei5gQ2EdCO0c2n-_mnA/s1600/20110821_xmas+day+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k7bX-n-BDMPBkcjE6lhZphjXhEqKlSQ-5iOK1PBAInXdtb8gJWPcM50afY_E5xuuF_hdfZd7zD4JWKo6b12jPeP9o1xSMS0zcSv7UAvEo7LRMOFDU_Nei5gQ2EdCO0c2n-_mnA/s400/20110821_xmas+day+2009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So that wraps up the layouts I did back in May.... it only took me until August to photograph them and upload them.... yikes! :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13754526.post-78600830220384797072011-08-15T07:45:00.001-07:002011-08-15T09:20:02.984-07:00Have you seen this?I revamped my crafty blog and I'm now blogging over there again:<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.amandasevall.com/"><img alt="Amanda Sevall Designs" border="0" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e261/ajsevall/Amandas%20Crafty%20Corner/f42edfec.png" /></a></center><center> </center><br />
Also, make sure you update your RSS reader if you used to follow it. I've noticed that the redirect to a new website may cause the old RSS feeds to be lost! Happy Monday! :)Amanda Sevallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17033234090612260292noreply@blogger.com0