tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127785062024-03-13T17:20:17.476-07:00Chris and Sonja - The Sweet Seattle LifeOne little Seattle family's adventures in parenting, traveling, hiking, gardening, beekeeping and chicken herding.Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comBlogger3461125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-90525807198390716322021-11-01T11:14:00.004-07:002021-11-01T11:14:56.683-07:00DIY Mountain Climber Halloween Costume<p>Evidently this is now strictly a Halloween costume blog, given that I haven't posted anything in a year. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstiNN9EImTvvolQ8n-sHE3DJwCbufZo9vKf5pErV5lCMRBDMfZgVT7erp8bSNvJXdkwYdqocGFQtMwUF_QWOOjUhqWzCGLUfNhMqeBWYKbDEfiUGSownNwKLQnwN9Z583nnjF/s2048/P1010051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstiNN9EImTvvolQ8n-sHE3DJwCbufZo9vKf5pErV5lCMRBDMfZgVT7erp8bSNvJXdkwYdqocGFQtMwUF_QWOOjUhqWzCGLUfNhMqeBWYKbDEfiUGSownNwKLQnwN9Z583nnjF/w480-h640/P1010051.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This year my kids decided to be a mountain climber and a yeti. Or, according to my youngest, a yeti that CHASES the mountain climber. Which is pretty accurate in real life, too. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGPszsLaF1wFIpncrJm_3mXmurO7YLLoBx2VJPh4Sx-2mBtdVCTBhUDw0BxX7H8wZi45etCug_hTcMu04x1E8EPLq_UdmE9N1dM5u46mIH5gffkPaoLSxo3q-N7A0AQbwJKsW/s2048/P1010070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGPszsLaF1wFIpncrJm_3mXmurO7YLLoBx2VJPh4Sx-2mBtdVCTBhUDw0BxX7H8wZi45etCug_hTcMu04x1E8EPLq_UdmE9N1dM5u46mIH5gffkPaoLSxo3q-N7A0AQbwJKsW/w640-h640/P1010070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We basically raided the outdoor bin for the backpack, gaiters, 'crampons'/boot spikes, Ben's snowboarding helmet, a walkie-talkie (aka his Search & Rescue communication device), and his winter jacket. Those are my mom's old hiking boots, and the stuff sack from my childhood sleeping bag (a GREAT candy bag, by the way - super sturdy). My dad provided the sweet coil of rope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJO5G8UL_ByNHWJ571lRQXAmD3k5vg1RSxcq4x03n6g3xuk4B0KzMtUKngWYEK5ctNbZD2CjoG9Xsl8-4niRGE7SQWPsw_zf72V0uyn1sGQJgMOl-PiQMYPmgxza2wvtLJrJy/s2048/DIY+Mountaineer+Costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJO5G8UL_ByNHWJ571lRQXAmD3k5vg1RSxcq4x03n6g3xuk4B0KzMtUKngWYEK5ctNbZD2CjoG9Xsl8-4niRGE7SQWPsw_zf72V0uyn1sGQJgMOl-PiQMYPmgxza2wvtLJrJy/w640-h640/DIY+Mountaineer+Costume.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>The only thing we bought was the ice axe, bought for $35 by a guy that's moving to Texas ("No mountains", he said mournfully). It's been to the top of Mt Rainier so Ben thought that was cool. I made the harness and spent $4 on webbing. All in all, a pretty easy costume. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4ZHB7J6z_1kiNitVPgDmJe5W8t00gmX-l8a8Tb2crUjKoWjs8K-4OosEMfCNWPiTXpav__deQHMvGLqS6C5OdelaHyGP2bQqimA3iGqx-E1zFSddFe3K770y7RXNb7p7X3X8/s2048/P1010058-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4ZHB7J6z_1kiNitVPgDmJe5W8t00gmX-l8a8Tb2crUjKoWjs8K-4OosEMfCNWPiTXpav__deQHMvGLqS6C5OdelaHyGP2bQqimA3iGqx-E1zFSddFe3K770y7RXNb7p7X3X8/w480-h640/P1010058-2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is his "I made it to the TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN!" pose. Gotta look the part. <p></p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB82zTYWI0u56DSgesYrCMWC1cFqY8i7gvip8XWt9FJqhllfAJIynv-N9s2szEKSY6HY-DLkiz0-okH87l7LLgVcOzf-yn56JNvZjkew480wjU0Av43hde6o03jnTtJgN5D_aB/s2048/P1010056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB82zTYWI0u56DSgesYrCMWC1cFqY8i7gvip8XWt9FJqhllfAJIynv-N9s2szEKSY6HY-DLkiz0-okH87l7LLgVcOzf-yn56JNvZjkew480wjU0Av43hde6o03jnTtJgN5D_aB/w640-h480/P1010056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyB23bygSG6bJ1EtlywjrfS5O0QhEqwoULp8S9AGXtpI9TWfHYqPBG4Ho16Whn0hCEM-oBTvQE_PfouC7g491lUkekpc7vbcf18i2fVppCJ7rMrqr4trDsfc6q9tf6RiTQneC/s2048/P1010054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyB23bygSG6bJ1EtlywjrfS5O0QhEqwoULp8S9AGXtpI9TWfHYqPBG4Ho16Whn0hCEM-oBTvQE_PfouC7g491lUkekpc7vbcf18i2fVppCJ7rMrqr4trDsfc6q9tf6RiTQneC/w480-h640/P1010054.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxfIwWRyHjY-90S6JgZrkQBt3xOdAnd7WGFWfEp239vfhrW95rS6wIckj8DJAs43ktWdhP2tuhDFj7kWgoHMGo2fVQwSyzF-x56uGYM8uDTh5VBPT3yP8kkGcd635_4HB-aaf/s2048/P1010055-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxfIwWRyHjY-90S6JgZrkQBt3xOdAnd7WGFWfEp239vfhrW95rS6wIckj8DJAs43ktWdhP2tuhDFj7kWgoHMGo2fVQwSyzF-x56uGYM8uDTh5VBPT3yP8kkGcd635_4HB-aaf/w640-h480/P1010055-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-54111119984456682432020-12-29T17:59:00.004-08:002020-12-29T17:59:58.483-08:00DIY Halloween 2020: Monarch Butterfly<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilOcy1OvP2ZDM9jpUQJJ631L726DGrKnYWsj97aaIu_sIdVynsAs7B-mJib4PHdJmmcgZ8qX7TMcUUXU9OAUSMtXy5AFS10uDNcdZ4-X_vtrjpFp_ICdujKWNOer4D-s5DO8m/s2048/P1010049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilOcy1OvP2ZDM9jpUQJJ631L726DGrKnYWsj97aaIu_sIdVynsAs7B-mJib4PHdJmmcgZ8qX7TMcUUXU9OAUSMtXy5AFS10uDNcdZ4-X_vtrjpFp_ICdujKWNOer4D-s5DO8m/w640-h480/P1010049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Ok, let's me honest: this is my most favorite costume ever. To the point where I might simply buy costumes next year because nothing will ever top this one. I told Em she has to wear it every year from here on out. <br /><br />Our inspiration came from a <a href="https://tieks.com/blueprintsblog/5-chic-diy-halloween-costumes/">shoe company</a>, of all places:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwjhuSTgOJ0rBRFDa9etBoq4tGGxtyF2dDZ5xPNwRQCdbX7vHIAZxCWZ7oYJ2HHAlCM3MYk7rPhas8Vh9q19JcNmf0BTSomq_nsDmiGj1a9PhTLWtwb9Wf987fMrJZTo2jPHy/s800/5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwjhuSTgOJ0rBRFDa9etBoq4tGGxtyF2dDZ5xPNwRQCdbX7vHIAZxCWZ7oYJ2HHAlCM3MYk7rPhas8Vh9q19JcNmf0BTSomq_nsDmiGj1a9PhTLWtwb9Wf987fMrJZTo2jPHy/s320/5-5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>And while I liked the orange-yellow of the traditional monarch butterfly, my little gal is firmly ensconced in the all-things-must-be-pink camp. Fair enough. Biologic accuracy be dammed. We're going with pink. <div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUP8w-xSJIL0rgD69Q_nyHAmz9QPb5739U35l_JiN9oQkQQsszILX6TceugPDa-Grjz-Fp7G0bGwR7BLOks0PP0mM3Hwrhq6LOkQEKK7d5RK67D5KZ5PeOyONzgkxUi8-L8AX/s2048/P1010043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUP8w-xSJIL0rgD69Q_nyHAmz9QPb5739U35l_JiN9oQkQQsszILX6TceugPDa-Grjz-Fp7G0bGwR7BLOks0PP0mM3Hwrhq6LOkQEKK7d5RK67D5KZ5PeOyONzgkxUi8-L8AX/w300-h400/P1010043.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQYa0ZFJ1ENZz9urF3qqEyvZTnGNDexmVveZ-1vBysaLRfkPbeFZg9eD6MOeWevH_3X5ot6GW1Gcq9Sn6FH6jY3iJB087_YLYCjWwhps2DEhQslIRM3b7BeSXm1oQY5uqB5a1/s2048/P1010047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQYa0ZFJ1ENZz9urF3qqEyvZTnGNDexmVveZ-1vBysaLRfkPbeFZg9eD6MOeWevH_3X5ot6GW1Gcq9Sn6FH6jY3iJB087_YLYCjWwhps2DEhQslIRM3b7BeSXm1oQY5uqB5a1/w300-h400/P1010047.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsGeBpbpAvHfP9U3pWqQDrk8f5BYWTBDNGsZ8HYh2O_bgLiGzUrmqYI_WDS46Cv_qMoE8cpa9TeDpvAnDRyEcG5Y5yssbBkuvcy7jhIoNzzue6FwqbYAk20iH7WUrkzwVL26y/s2048/P1010050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsGeBpbpAvHfP9U3pWqQDrk8f5BYWTBDNGsZ8HYh2O_bgLiGzUrmqYI_WDS46Cv_qMoE8cpa9TeDpvAnDRyEcG5Y5yssbBkuvcy7jhIoNzzue6FwqbYAk20iH7WUrkzwVL26y/s320/P1010050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZey-Iwyh4BH1uYB-9O8x5IGObgLLIDzDXaIxPmoA5CZusRQw-yAZCdSwqzMfiblDvoK0flKl6LCizBHo0TLl5d5GgsFS4Ts1IOJLQwj19noTV24JCJdIz9VF2B5dR2aRVyQlZ/s2048/P1010053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZey-Iwyh4BH1uYB-9O8x5IGObgLLIDzDXaIxPmoA5CZusRQw-yAZCdSwqzMfiblDvoK0flKl6LCizBHo0TLl5d5GgsFS4Ts1IOJLQwj19noTV24JCJdIz9VF2B5dR2aRVyQlZ/w300-h400/P1010053.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UcMD0BOrdw9IehS7EJDoFG-R1JdoGJywgqXIHz_XW2BZ721dwhOPk9jrpCDosg14QVzOKdda23sKUihr2chcrsiTpXM_CD_H1IRouSthiD0ObFfeQkqpoPAAovCjY3BJCl5S/s2048/P1010055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UcMD0BOrdw9IehS7EJDoFG-R1JdoGJywgqXIHz_XW2BZ721dwhOPk9jrpCDosg14QVzOKdda23sKUihr2chcrsiTpXM_CD_H1IRouSthiD0ObFfeQkqpoPAAovCjY3BJCl5S/w300-h400/P1010055.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l5sLcSISsmSrhzGMiM4W_5nshDsGzNXDTc7vKCx1k0bOlpX3lAQHXbQaxiHCVL3c2IeQfO1qr-Iqz3CXI3mo2i4yYtVC53PkBMUCWmf6Vt632dWf8u-UUWJx4l177d1HHX2C/s2048/P1010058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l5sLcSISsmSrhzGMiM4W_5nshDsGzNXDTc7vKCx1k0bOlpX3lAQHXbQaxiHCVL3c2IeQfO1qr-Iqz3CXI3mo2i4yYtVC53PkBMUCWmf6Vt632dWf8u-UUWJx4l177d1HHX2C/w300-h400/P1010058.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNjnmHBi-mVcxP_40hTCc_ipD4Hyir_Sybrs9whCmKdRJpi-XFvC55T_mjH9cL60JPzvgDA8cHrYPJGGWsHg24Knfn-Vl-ijr-Diiqht5BypZXI6SAalmkgp1W9Urq0npFDsE/s2048/P1010067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="2048" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNjnmHBi-mVcxP_40hTCc_ipD4Hyir_Sybrs9whCmKdRJpi-XFvC55T_mjH9cL60JPzvgDA8cHrYPJGGWsHg24Knfn-Vl-ijr-Diiqht5BypZXI6SAalmkgp1W9Urq0npFDsE/w400-h328/P1010067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7_WEPKsY-02hD6Kdd6boLKAVX09eo6Bb-7sJnVVWEY9wQe8FpndNDc8FAPW5z3uBAE2iNlGYT2zBm9jpeUpCd6cLPZ_iyqFhwY0gI1SjbglDlayiWjaHVYbXDhcYe5I_F5po/s2048/P1010075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7_WEPKsY-02hD6Kdd6boLKAVX09eo6Bb-7sJnVVWEY9wQe8FpndNDc8FAPW5z3uBAE2iNlGYT2zBm9jpeUpCd6cLPZ_iyqFhwY0gI1SjbglDlayiWjaHVYbXDhcYe5I_F5po/w313-h400/P1010075.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggetwVsCpMAzEU4hpI5QEMom-7MfEVIBAr8XXqMnSUZFWsDIqwsE4qt6XWYX27YLeECwJSo1hJgoZa6PJSyB0i6_jxUl8YWCiG2lcnRXZ5DVYThAOMRzOPDUInQ_N_So5UAlWk/s2048/P1010082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggetwVsCpMAzEU4hpI5QEMom-7MfEVIBAr8XXqMnSUZFWsDIqwsE4qt6XWYX27YLeECwJSo1hJgoZa6PJSyB0i6_jxUl8YWCiG2lcnRXZ5DVYThAOMRzOPDUInQ_N_So5UAlWk/w300-h400/P1010082.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Here is a little play-by-play of our creative process. We sketched out a few ideas:</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhSVRouIkQWQ5iL6zaRHWDwmMyxl63e6huxSsJswS9wphSHZ5bffLaxUCRB5VG-xscgMuhyFcZuz7AuPfybRv4aLkbC3EzwiZFrfd88QSHYcyq9ySbe-il5uC71oDfONAR2R0/s2048/IMG_20201014_110809668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhSVRouIkQWQ5iL6zaRHWDwmMyxl63e6huxSsJswS9wphSHZ5bffLaxUCRB5VG-xscgMuhyFcZuz7AuPfybRv4aLkbC3EzwiZFrfd88QSHYcyq9ySbe-il5uC71oDfONAR2R0/w300-h400/IMG_20201014_110809668.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /><br style="text-align: left;" /><span style="text-align: left;">We began with plain black fabric onto which I sewed a wire along the outside. You don't necessarily need to do it, but it gives the wings 'lift'. <br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWKXsXjWrGfFVTG2DtPr0CyZsc4Y9pDnPzg6v0IHfw9LZQwhH2HTN-B-y9E6CYlN7aZJT_AprNBMPs-qEBk_L_yftdCV4xdHQaUOjqjfMks-BuIepRebBciYkypKLrXzK7lOS/s2048/IMG_20201011_102526072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWKXsXjWrGfFVTG2DtPr0CyZsc4Y9pDnPzg6v0IHfw9LZQwhH2HTN-B-y9E6CYlN7aZJT_AprNBMPs-qEBk_L_yftdCV4xdHQaUOjqjfMks-BuIepRebBciYkypKLrXzK7lOS/w400-h300/IMG_20201011_102526072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">We then created a paper template and used chalk to make our markings onto the wings. </span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt0SADqGpnr3ds6Q_MmqwhNEi-OOmPwcsQ-aWYzFTeeJyH-8kSFu_K0ai5svah3amGMrt2G1M6pQrl3A3NcUWzio8XwRqLFXylkdsvZDAMFetUzvRc0O43OM7pPC7kjOWZYuf/s2048/IMG_20201011_141306609_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt0SADqGpnr3ds6Q_MmqwhNEi-OOmPwcsQ-aWYzFTeeJyH-8kSFu_K0ai5svah3amGMrt2G1M6pQrl3A3NcUWzio8XwRqLFXylkdsvZDAMFetUzvRc0O43OM7pPC7kjOWZYuf/w414-h311/IMG_20201011_141306609_MP.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In total, we did 7 wings. Here they are with chalk outlines, ready for paining. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2cH8BExE2NgquzKngIWUPm99Y3G3FutJ3_VprblkyUONRBqURooggVj_P_vwBKR-MDRBOOz4r93tRMHoMNj5od46Ysei0McFZNfI9N7MjPAl2QDJtb944Q0xR2z4Vv6gwnnw/s2048/IMG_20201011_145724055_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2cH8BExE2NgquzKngIWUPm99Y3G3FutJ3_VprblkyUONRBqURooggVj_P_vwBKR-MDRBOOz4r93tRMHoMNj5od46Ysei0McFZNfI9N7MjPAl2QDJtb944Q0xR2z4Vv6gwnnw/w400-h300/IMG_20201011_145724055_MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We painted directly onto the black fabric with acrylic paint. They required 3 coats, so be prepared with lots of paint. I painted them a light pink and added orange accents later. (Below: finished wings at the top (3 coats), a wing with one coat in the middle and at bottom a wing with two coats of paint). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x93n4L_n5COupuvR8nO5B9mzAckNvZiBuB3aatDSjgTrZUzQYaLw-sL4UGtuM4nOHGAk7DUd5MhTYZ8KpKi51O66dj2g-Hrllqqcb5Q559c1A4CEGgADO8vcr59hCap6sMMC/s4096/IMG_20201011_193734362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4x93n4L_n5COupuvR8nO5B9mzAckNvZiBuB3aatDSjgTrZUzQYaLw-sL4UGtuM4nOHGAk7DUd5MhTYZ8KpKi51O66dj2g-Hrllqqcb5Q559c1A4CEGgADO8vcr59hCap6sMMC/w300-h400/IMG_20201011_193734362.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I then sewed the wings onto a black fabric belt to complete the skirt. The chest wing was pinned directly to Em's black leotard. She wore black tights underneath and rain boots (Seattle in October!). <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xbZ44kxjTHK4K58Rqa4IZcNk-5zXhMxRgwQrLThaDkk-eJ89maPJ1JDSl6HEBcfyzKT22Vsf16cHZ8bSE-enMALkOSxScTcYR8YAN_fPgkpgNdpLQxSTKPvUWcmEqiocNgJ-/s4096/IMG_20201013_140257888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xbZ44kxjTHK4K58Rqa4IZcNk-5zXhMxRgwQrLThaDkk-eJ89maPJ1JDSl6HEBcfyzKT22Vsf16cHZ8bSE-enMALkOSxScTcYR8YAN_fPgkpgNdpLQxSTKPvUWcmEqiocNgJ-/s320/IMG_20201013_140257888.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The headdress was made by wrapping store-bought butterflies from a giant craft store around the headband. They came pink, but we painted on a few additional accents. It's by far the coolest part of the costume (although not terribly comfortable). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Asqlm93CzounrQH72TpNoq9Wtfq3o90TZ5gVvtvdGJhPlB5eVBhKe-5XYajFBChb-egfeorN2TR0ZG99MDTR-s7DNuGYXAqLDn8httS29QFVfUu1rz6qFtA5fjWaUnShXDtl/s2048/P1010068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Asqlm93CzounrQH72TpNoq9Wtfq3o90TZ5gVvtvdGJhPlB5eVBhKe-5XYajFBChb-egfeorN2TR0ZG99MDTR-s7DNuGYXAqLDn8httS29QFVfUu1rz6qFtA5fjWaUnShXDtl/w400-h300/P1010068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkezqdAnSQTUzUIxF3_AhIJeFWha3-Q9PzGDVNi2CxrcrG6NED1QACeYxabrTcpUuvzhIhpLweKPvL7M1zgSZ6usGIc4jwxQaNfSb3A1CQ4gTnvswwydehiKiw-UIS9bXCi8WD/s2048/P1010065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkezqdAnSQTUzUIxF3_AhIJeFWha3-Q9PzGDVNi2CxrcrG6NED1QACeYxabrTcpUuvzhIhpLweKPvL7M1zgSZ6usGIc4jwxQaNfSb3A1CQ4gTnvswwydehiKiw-UIS9bXCi8WD/w400-h300/P1010065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And there you have it! DIY Pink Monarch Butterfly Costume!</div><br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-61000356447546078532020-11-05T20:54:00.001-08:002020-11-05T20:54:22.313-08:00Halloween 2020: DIY Roman Centurion Costume<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite the fact that we told the kids that we wouldn't go trick or treating this year, somehow Halloween costumes became a very big deal. I used to be able to get away with picking cute outfits and stuffing my willing kids into their getups but those days are very long gone. The kids have firm costume opinions and they will not be swayed by any parental suggestions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-ET-_7TEzxT8uUPWesLh-hec3lArkaK5m3Rqmhxk9M2ctravxDDjYhvD5fsXz8UMkVSFS-1MB9oQ8238jJluv69g_0IIVeUAitX-p47-2BtnzHiGm1P9xVWz6exCxX8RT2dV/s2048/P1010008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-ET-_7TEzxT8uUPWesLh-hec3lArkaK5m3Rqmhxk9M2ctravxDDjYhvD5fsXz8UMkVSFS-1MB9oQ8238jJluv69g_0IIVeUAitX-p47-2BtnzHiGm1P9xVWz6exCxX8RT2dV/w480-h640/P1010008.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Which is hard. Truth be told, I was not excited about the Roman Warrior idea. It shouldn't have been a surprise; Ben is absolutely gaga over Greek, Roman, and Nordic mythology, as evidenced by his character last year: Thor, God of Thunder. Soon I was receiving emails with all sorts of elaborate (and expensive) cosplay costumes for my inspection - darn the kid and his new email account. Drastic preventive action was required. I set about sketching some ideas before he could latch onto something too complicated for a mom in the midst of a pandemic. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8LyYl5PVIwN_XQhCB1kLmT1WVdUNE-yXtVlO0RGhXgwflMGCwkye_VDaTf2i2kwv_bA_H4zVYmEyazQFbGqVfm7JJhSJZl5m2x19UBW4CK1HsVwBJYNNR2GUeoAs_7h3x__D/s2048/P1010020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8LyYl5PVIwN_XQhCB1kLmT1WVdUNE-yXtVlO0RGhXgwflMGCwkye_VDaTf2i2kwv_bA_H4zVYmEyazQFbGqVfm7JJhSJZl5m2x19UBW4CK1HsVwBJYNNR2GUeoAs_7h3x__D/w640-h480/P1010020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what we came up with: Leather(ish) vest with attached cape, armored skirt, shield, helmet with fancy plume, and plastic sword. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhwHMeU2JaLushAGU4Wn0DKhvlnynvqNG9jRp54PUOQRwdh06l_iwZ4BtP0iH9_o0XYwBhHDTqhksDypza0dGMY2FM7mE_yRWawdgoOpQoJPatTW2LTo55a6-rO2TpOIbK6TH/s2048/IMG_20201105_110254790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhwHMeU2JaLushAGU4Wn0DKhvlnynvqNG9jRp54PUOQRwdh06l_iwZ4BtP0iH9_o0XYwBhHDTqhksDypza0dGMY2FM7mE_yRWawdgoOpQoJPatTW2LTo55a6-rO2TpOIbK6TH/w640-h480/IMG_20201105_110254790.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Leather Tunic</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Astute readers will notice that his <a href="http://www.sweetseattlelife.com/2019/11/diy-thor-halloween-costume.html">vest from last year </a>suspiciously made it into this year's costume. No use reinventing the wheel if you have a perfectly good faux muscle shirt already made. Ben was content to use last year's model provided we added a few upgrades. Fair enough. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrOXQC4PYC5MHr7zPmi8sW6U0N96EoKAbshZMVK2jYT8nXTFxTerhlW3hyphenhyphenJEYKSbCddxKa7T6bW8LkJyNVDMzj7XhwuFglRKNfvsh2_NUl1z6zzh3rKG0KRySfZrnGSlYjLTO/s2048/PA300018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1765" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrOXQC4PYC5MHr7zPmi8sW6U0N96EoKAbshZMVK2jYT8nXTFxTerhlW3hyphenhyphenJEYKSbCddxKa7T6bW8LkJyNVDMzj7XhwuFglRKNfvsh2_NUl1z6zzh3rKG0KRySfZrnGSlYjLTO/w552-h640/PA300018.JPG" width="552" /></a></div><br /> <div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Armored Apron<br /></span></b>The gold lapels of his 'leather' vest are made from this weird thick gold pleather that has been insanely handy for costumes. Fortunately we had some left and Ben went about tracing and cutting some strips for his armored skirt.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56YgTM6s_HRKdc7apKCyfkHumZExgXsZMdx34_b9EVXos1A1wz75lFpdHemY1m43xQ8KDTK4b5KlSixUOYPCEPp0GECikYNTvF4fn1v12hwsMdLu1wBhxAQc2SHre4ge1Dsg7/s2048/IMG_20201010_160922247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56YgTM6s_HRKdc7apKCyfkHumZExgXsZMdx34_b9EVXos1A1wz75lFpdHemY1m43xQ8KDTK4b5KlSixUOYPCEPp0GECikYNTvF4fn1v12hwsMdLu1wBhxAQc2SHre4ge1Dsg7/w640-h480/IMG_20201010_160922247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I sewed the whole thing to a waistband and added velcro and a black felt backing on the fancy 'buckle'. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHP_SoZLWWd4Es6ZrRnU5qmtDmvYb5JHhScoUSns9uzkiSLjtqZvgETLvzbk5q0s2wTjUaElu_-wtmixOlMtZkeXDcKSKApFDmklTTe7oj0wAkoiYvLxjJ75rju5_wF5oBvRL/s2048/IMG_20201018_141948660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHP_SoZLWWd4Es6ZrRnU5qmtDmvYb5JHhScoUSns9uzkiSLjtqZvgETLvzbk5q0s2wTjUaElu_-wtmixOlMtZkeXDcKSKApFDmklTTe7oj0wAkoiYvLxjJ75rju5_wF5oBvRL/w640-h480/IMG_20201018_141948660.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Helmet</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXTm4-PYVrCX8Ws5HUyGlItBGygeyftLDQn_j5-WSDJGn3_cnj3C9DPoedF9eRL9lGkc_huwpXFk-7bQh2ZSX66ns5aNvtcA7q8_yTFjBF5ngAPZI3ai2gbMVvnQzvlCogTUg/s2048/OI000002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXTm4-PYVrCX8Ws5HUyGlItBGygeyftLDQn_j5-WSDJGn3_cnj3C9DPoedF9eRL9lGkc_huwpXFk-7bQh2ZSX66ns5aNvtcA7q8_yTFjBF5ngAPZI3ai2gbMVvnQzvlCogTUg/w300-h400/OI000002.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><u>Supplies Needed</u><br />-Craft Foam (two thicknesses used here)<br />-Hot Glue (lots)<br />-Spray Paint (gold and red)<br /><br />I began by using my thickest foam (black) to do a band around the head. Secure with hot glue. From there do a band that goes over the crown of the head and two supporting pieces, forming a cross at the top. <br /><br />I also glued supporting pieces (light grey) over the seams for extra strength. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU5PRPqLoocKWbFKGkn9mD_qAVAmR1uVGqiFYq9ECWZoFOUgGudA2lIYIPFUabRHhPUbncmXWx_C6L1P-XXRNFeQPkwMI4UK4aqH7lFcbWGRS5h8XR8pAEQ6Ka9BDrHqH6mfP/s4096/IMG_20201019_191127993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU5PRPqLoocKWbFKGkn9mD_qAVAmR1uVGqiFYq9ECWZoFOUgGudA2lIYIPFUabRHhPUbncmXWx_C6L1P-XXRNFeQPkwMI4UK4aqH7lFcbWGRS5h8XR8pAEQ6Ka9BDrHqH6mfP/w480-h640/IMG_20201019_191127993.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there I drew templates on paper for the face shield, visor, and neck guard. Once we got the sizing lined up, we transferred it to foam and attached with hot glue. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvrcrXBjfUDeegC2HaHyNGbFUOf6WEhRMda9tQmiHrgiAXl9XyzAPJ15Y4GtJ_iyTBeV6VBg08WAp1B7l3ZLxDXP2BNCdeM7QX-MceuWfjtK3ZATBn3LmMab5aKg0n1v3BiYo/s4096/IMG_20201019_193155481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvrcrXBjfUDeegC2HaHyNGbFUOf6WEhRMda9tQmiHrgiAXl9XyzAPJ15Y4GtJ_iyTBeV6VBg08WAp1B7l3ZLxDXP2BNCdeM7QX-MceuWfjtK3ZATBn3LmMab5aKg0n1v3BiYo/w640-h480/IMG_20201019_193155481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Small triangles were used to fit between the cross pieces to form the hat. And then it's time to get creative with the hot glue. This is also the stage in which Ben got a dime-sized burn on this thumb so be careful with the glue gun. It was a rough night and it's still a blistered, seeping mess. Poor kid. Anyway, use your creativity here.<br /><br />Then we were ready for the gold spray paint. Paint the red plume separately and attach later.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtYxz-gTcmjv8TMJ45tEb22VVkfgY_MqtMBZpsQCXZAnEiorBx48e6Lbhkrob2GG6uutkoQUSrQSz8_so9JuyfEhfcM7XVGpUu5ObyNMj6vAyKcF-4FDAVPHBCVPRwA57ajbW/s4096/IMG_20201027_161439752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtYxz-gTcmjv8TMJ45tEb22VVkfgY_MqtMBZpsQCXZAnEiorBx48e6Lbhkrob2GG6uutkoQUSrQSz8_so9JuyfEhfcM7XVGpUu5ObyNMj6vAyKcF-4FDAVPHBCVPRwA57ajbW/w300-h400/IMG_20201027_161439752.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EX9-lPeK9ttIFFyXv1suwPtTnVzxY1wuPrMoNQh_Hvtc7he7G4EsTxM5cA_ZX5mIafOGIXzri1ngen-HrutMupBh_I7Uw-D85epWe_zB0w02LiXi9tHZ8KKAurepXbFyolgB/s4096/IMG_20201027_161433374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EX9-lPeK9ttIFFyXv1suwPtTnVzxY1wuPrMoNQh_Hvtc7he7G4EsTxM5cA_ZX5mIafOGIXzri1ngen-HrutMupBh_I7Uw-D85epWe_zB0w02LiXi9tHZ8KKAurepXbFyolgB/w300-h400/IMG_20201027_161433374.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;">The red plume consists of six pieces of thin foam that were painted red and feathered with scissors. Glue the whole mess to the helmet and you're done. The helmet is awesome, btw. Definitely the coolest headgear I've ever made. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUo9YVztPLNl4z9vcNveBBq1eG6hV1QFg447ZhElQUw6HCsxoRjJoQnz4J6Jz1IeMzaDGmPMDRxfj6Fsuk5RwdnP494jX4QSfo585840TaxiVpq7LFcaRf9xb4OFdGPpqtNWD/s4608/OI000001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUo9YVztPLNl4z9vcNveBBq1eG6hV1QFg447ZhElQUw6HCsxoRjJoQnz4J6Jz1IeMzaDGmPMDRxfj6Fsuk5RwdnP494jX4QSfo585840TaxiVpq7LFcaRf9xb4OFdGPpqtNWD/w300-h400/OI000001.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu42Z5B39pkYnAzvBhPhVjMB8TJW1yx-4yu03ZsNxy-1LLDiozHEbeWpY1Fp-otEmwB4xWbIIChBYWTVH5_BjvG4V487xyqv55Kb_K6pXTnXWIPbavZDkc_7G8XTV6mQ_UlV5/s4608/OI000005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu42Z5B39pkYnAzvBhPhVjMB8TJW1yx-4yu03ZsNxy-1LLDiozHEbeWpY1Fp-otEmwB4xWbIIChBYWTVH5_BjvG4V487xyqv55Kb_K6pXTnXWIPbavZDkc_7G8XTV6mQ_UlV5/w300-h400/OI000005.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPIkTzNA2twppg_Yw-pGgxcNZYtFIySWf9VDZl1-juFWkGAspGJqALuhl7n7ou2Gx2agdgaoZj6eFb6DH9fgzGCiWctWGETqqXA8QxJyNT3VQPvlqVfuNG1LTOjsSRzT_NrCL/s2048/P1010015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPIkTzNA2twppg_Yw-pGgxcNZYtFIySWf9VDZl1-juFWkGAspGJqALuhl7n7ou2Gx2agdgaoZj6eFb6DH9fgzGCiWctWGETqqXA8QxJyNT3VQPvlqVfuNG1LTOjsSRzT_NrCL/w640-h480/P1010015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div>Shield</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><u>Supplies</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-1vdP8i-t5as2e0gpJ-OoFOXDx6iyip9waK6pw9aK7qG83SulBUnDCXAM-WTSBC-9Brz7K3jo6nqXxfG5jWWhDAhLec-vGYofINXaqjVKdX3REvRxkvqCFKY7vW9jzGYdfbU/s3456/OI000003%257E2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-1vdP8i-t5as2e0gpJ-OoFOXDx6iyip9waK6pw9aK7qG83SulBUnDCXAM-WTSBC-9Brz7K3jo6nqXxfG5jWWhDAhLec-vGYofINXaqjVKdX3REvRxkvqCFKY7vW9jzGYdfbU/s320/OI000003%257E2.JPG" /></a></div>Plastic serving tray<br />Spray paint<br />Full page sticker paper<br />Parachute Cord<br /><br /><u>Tools</u><br />Printer<br />Drill<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the course of their military history, Romans employed a few different types of shields, the most common being the rectangular Scutum<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">. </span><span style="background-color: white;">We went with the earlier round shield, called a Clipeus.<br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The shield is a plastic serving tray from Goodwill that set us back $2.00. I sanded it down and spray painted it black.</span><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111;"><br />To make the eagle: find an image online (or draw one). Print onto a sticker paper (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sticker-Paper-Sheets-Inkjet-Printer/dp/B01DJBMLV2">like this</a>). Cut out around the image. Remove the backing and stick onto the shield. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe5AzdB0ioYZQCQWy8h0AwFm9UoEfbYZUuja01MoWQ4pAx68VGd88Qlvx61ZxGMKM86-QG9bT6ETp3GygmiFT-HbkNmHMRiAmR_o3jrE35VSQH5TOelBp8fF0a3nmJtqvFO3X/s4096/IMG_20201025_184847278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe5AzdB0ioYZQCQWy8h0AwFm9UoEfbYZUuja01MoWQ4pAx68VGd88Qlvx61ZxGMKM86-QG9bT6ETp3GygmiFT-HbkNmHMRiAmR_o3jrE35VSQH5TOelBp8fF0a3nmJtqvFO3X/w640-h480/IMG_20201025_184847278.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #111111;">Since I wanted our eagle to be black, I first painted the shield black, put the sticker down, and then sprayed red over it. After it dried, I peeled off the sticker. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #111111;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #111111;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3lxV5vSW5FrIwNkCUk_Z2xgmnXPipJ_iABXhX1WjjOKgZJjenU9eAxw_UH9BIIPWmT8rBWKoHMSjDluOJXeDyzKK_7646VFMCkeM5YhTbHjFhkxBZKdQMj3qlhuE95Duz2uu/s4096/IMG_20201026_115311972_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3lxV5vSW5FrIwNkCUk_Z2xgmnXPipJ_iABXhX1WjjOKgZJjenU9eAxw_UH9BIIPWmT8rBWKoHMSjDluOJXeDyzKK_7646VFMCkeM5YhTbHjFhkxBZKdQMj3qlhuE95Duz2uu/w480-h640/IMG_20201026_115311972_MP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next carefully drill four holes in the shield and attached braided parachute cord. </div><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhBF-IEMuGdOYsFIRNteue2bLabtnl4Hhe41nyJM2avvQ4xK6G3f0ndkkcYoGdNtTKgw-2L3JkXER2SQCPW4rwpZ-N0EZqmmkkKpxG6-2E9jxz1AjsbTHqRmXoiPiUMwlrq0E/s2048/P1010024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhBF-IEMuGdOYsFIRNteue2bLabtnl4Hhe41nyJM2avvQ4xK6G3f0ndkkcYoGdNtTKgw-2L3JkXER2SQCPW4rwpZ-N0EZqmmkkKpxG6-2E9jxz1AjsbTHqRmXoiPiUMwlrq0E/w640-h480/P1010024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can also paint the exterior nubs of the parachute cord to match the colors of the shield. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-oVFdVfLrNPZR7nRGGDY_TS6bOAUCIKD2TtkdCuAIl8nBL8UYQoj03kasqqdkUzF0ltdprQVggSPvOrnLlAeFEkJTCcn4Uktiwxpa98BL31M6oaj8iBgCnMwIPjVQAD8k51l/s2048/P1010016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-oVFdVfLrNPZR7nRGGDY_TS6bOAUCIKD2TtkdCuAIl8nBL8UYQoj03kasqqdkUzF0ltdprQVggSPvOrnLlAeFEkJTCcn4Uktiwxpa98BL31M6oaj8iBgCnMwIPjVQAD8k51l/w640-h480/P1010016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Voila! Practice your antient war cry and you'll be ready for your grand debut. <br /><span style="color: #111111;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DthuaPMLM_ECYtkZF2r3J6-rn2l0dyVICpYhGzWiRyMnpD9jDQuiCQleu_xEvjVdecKMdChFlxvkgkhBrBRFENkIB0wyIyFPsxJB2sgYfswLZ1dQI5_iS2xUpIgDJzIyLFbl/s4608/P1010020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DthuaPMLM_ECYtkZF2r3J6-rn2l0dyVICpYhGzWiRyMnpD9jDQuiCQleu_xEvjVdecKMdChFlxvkgkhBrBRFENkIB0wyIyFPsxJB2sgYfswLZ1dQI5_iS2xUpIgDJzIyLFbl/w640-h480/P1010020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><u>Cost</u><br />This is tricky since we already had the sword, leather vest, and fabric for the armored apron. All supplies like hot glue, a quantity of foam sheets, sticker, and paint were also on hand. I spent $3 on the tray (shield), $2 for some extra foam, and $4 for a can of gold spray paint. <br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p></div>Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-33196940179277158012020-02-18T13:11:00.000-08:002020-02-18T13:11:01.231-08:00New Holiday Traditions: Jolabokaflod, The Christmas Book FloodI realize this is the exact wrong time to be talking about Christmas but I seem to be running about two months late in all aspects of my life today so here goes:<br />
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On Christmas Eve the kids always get a pair of PJs and a book. Then we all sit down and read <a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9780544457980">The Polar Express</a>, which was a tradition in Chris' family growing up. The adults cry. <i>Every time. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2cvMcUhK2CeWA48Z-SFcx5wURMVoMNNiBOGzkvhHT_YsaSJDvOK4MPQk04z3i2wmAm1FI6vAc7VgUNQ-imv0ZgB6N7B3LJNdhDwv4qXB6gASHw-FUkbeGVFSpraPowbITef8/s1600/rawpixel-445788-unsplash-xmasbook-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2cvMcUhK2CeWA48Z-SFcx5wURMVoMNNiBOGzkvhHT_YsaSJDvOK4MPQk04z3i2wmAm1FI6vAc7VgUNQ-imv0ZgB6N7B3LJNdhDwv4qXB6gASHw-FUkbeGVFSpraPowbITef8/s400/rawpixel-445788-unsplash-xmasbook-300x200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.25px; letter-spacing: 0.7px;">(<a href="https://selfpublishingadvice.org/jolabokaflod-reading-authors/">image by rawpixel via unsplash.com</a></span></td></tr>
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This year we incorporated another Nordic tradition, this one from Iceland: <b>Jolabokaflod, the Christmas Book Flood. </b><br />
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<a href="https://www.npr.org/2012/12/25/167537939/literary-iceland-revels-in-its-annual-christmas-book-flood">The story goes like this</a>:<br />
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During WWII, import taxes on foreign imports were painfully high so the stoic Icelanders turned to paper, which was still relatively cheap. Books became their newest gifts of choice during this difficult time.<br />
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Today, the tradition continues. Iceland has an unusually high literacy rate and a healthy publishing industry: each year a free catalog is distributed to all home with a list of every published book. The vast majority of the country buys their books between September and November (the 'flood'), in preparation for gifting favorite stories to loved ones on Christmas Eve. Once the special night arrives, everyone cozies up with chocolate and reads far into the night.<br />
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Naturally, it doesn't take much to sell me on chocolate and books so this tradition was a slam dunk, as far as I was concerned. Unfortunately, we all got the flu on Christmas Eve and it was an ill child, indeed, that didn't even have the heart to touch her giant chocolate bar.<br />
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Sigh. We'll try again next year.<br />
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-38776547062082186302020-02-13T12:21:00.001-08:002020-02-16T18:22:10.960-08:00Meet Oliver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPyuGXhfl_GD2I4JTEFkPFUjbqFxe6WJQ90ZO2CxiwvPPmUY4gfXNo0ixxYFum0we0TFvVv5cy7GcX4OUQYyhwBjqcsaf4nleYdI0a01quzuPyAqwxAgurbDbip4I75a0pUgS/s1600/P1010018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPyuGXhfl_GD2I4JTEFkPFUjbqFxe6WJQ90ZO2CxiwvPPmUY4gfXNo0ixxYFum0we0TFvVv5cy7GcX4OUQYyhwBjqcsaf4nleYdI0a01quzuPyAqwxAgurbDbip4I75a0pUgS/s320/P1010018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
We have a new addition to our little family!<br />
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His name is Oliver.<br />
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Little Ollie joined us on Saturday after we drove down to Olympia to meet him.<br />
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The funny thing was, we weren't in the market for a dog although everyone around us certainly was: my sister-in-law and best friend adopted dogs within days of each other and my mom has just ramped up her canine search.<br />
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In fact, Chris was helpfully sending her profiles of potential dogs on Petfinder when he came across this sad old little pup at a county shelter. My mom wants a younger pooch so he knew that it wasn't a good fit for her. But he kept coming back to this dog's profile page.<br />
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I was mostly, blissfully, unaware of Chris' spiral into <i>longing-for-a-dog-mode</i> until he called me up one day and casually said " Hey, I'm leaving my meeting in Downtown Seattle right now. I was thinking of popping down to Olympia to have a look at that dog".<br />
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Wait. What? You're going to "pop down" to another city that has a 3 hour round trip commute time?<br />
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Is this my husband? The not-at-all impulsive, responsible, think-of-every-scenario-before-acting man? The neat freak who dislikes finding dog hair floating in his breakfast cereal?<br />
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<i>I'm </i>the crazy animal lover that wants to bring home all the critters and be the next Dr Doolittle. I'm the one that volunteered weekly in high school at an animal shelter, cleaning up crap and nurturing traumatized dogs.<br />
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But here's the thing. Our last dog, Bailey, was my canine soulmate. I didn't think that any pup could fill his shoes and I've resisted, strongly, the pull of any and all dogs. You want a fish? A frog? Knock yourself out, kid, just don't ask for a dog cause that's a firm no-go.<br />
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That policy worked right up until we put the kids in the cars two days after Chris' jaunt to the shelter so the rest of us could meet this ancient bundle of mangy fur that had captivated my husband.<br />
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Here's the thing about dogs in county pounds: they're total unknowns. You have no idea how they'll react to small children, men, women, or other dogs. Heck, they don't even get names. Chris marched up to the counter and reeled off this dog's ID number.<br />
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Dang, he'd memorized the dog's identification number.<i> This was bad.</i><br />
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Before we adopted Bailey we'd turned down countless dogs because they weren't the right fit for our family. I firmly believed myself capable of doing the same again.*<br />
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I believed that as we stared at the dog in the kennel. As all the other dogs went crazy and my eardrums nearly burst because of the howling. I believed that as the volunteer was dragged outside by this untrained dog to the small meet-and-greet area, and as the dog took the longest pee ever.<br />
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And then he came over and put his dirty, matted, old dog head in Ben's lap while Emma scratched his ears.<br />
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30 seconds.<br />
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We had ourselves a dog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k5-vdD7V_8mFe8rcb77zL2XD6AV-V2OCQk7bSfabrllfidyPVE3w6Bkr1-8devP2ZG0Es5sMZWYznX39Ox2fAVnTddgN1eJ6m6gAsfOmaRrW8fycE4j8j5kxIYp_I7LgeVTw/s1600/IMG_20200201_134318410_BURST000_COVER_TOP+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1600" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k5-vdD7V_8mFe8rcb77zL2XD6AV-V2OCQk7bSfabrllfidyPVE3w6Bkr1-8devP2ZG0Es5sMZWYznX39Ox2fAVnTddgN1eJ6m6gAsfOmaRrW8fycE4j8j5kxIYp_I7LgeVTw/s640/IMG_20200201_134318410_BURST000_COVER_TOP+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagGMHI9pXLI_g1HnUjdluJBEj5k_FL7FyiFRM8cajjaQEekMQOYN4UJuWQwu4B26xO17GBWppTcdoxFBTzh7JsqatMx9j9dti1NAzmiyzqSgibQQas3613WipofcdvnB5mc9K/s1600/P1010006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1094" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagGMHI9pXLI_g1HnUjdluJBEj5k_FL7FyiFRM8cajjaQEekMQOYN4UJuWQwu4B26xO17GBWppTcdoxFBTzh7JsqatMx9j9dti1NAzmiyzqSgibQQas3613WipofcdvnB5mc9K/s320/P1010006.JPG" width="218" /></a>So. What do we know about Ollie?<br />
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Not much. He is old. Somewhere between 8 and 10. Probably. He's mostly Labrador with a bit of something else. Collie? Who knows. Who cares. He'd been in the shelter a month yet was still painfully thin. He has bad skin, likely from eating trash for however long he was a street dog. He scratches constantly.<br />
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He was not amused to lose his ability to procreate and clipping his nails caused him to think some very rude thoughts about his new owners. He knows no commands, jumps on the furniture, and would probably steal the food from your plate. All the stuff you'd expect from a stray dog.<br />
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Yet he adores my kids. Unequivocally. Zero aggression and everlasting patience. Yesterday I went into Emma's room where she and the dog were involved in a complicated game that involved using Ollie as a mountain over which she drove her Barbie horse carriage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3b-EDQ7v5s5fDw0vSvoxYEdpjn9yQ7k_vRKIZ60eog25uHGWH06Zk6KesFf_yiIbqh4pw-S3srnKTdf08hwa1sWljXLTbIDNsZGHMIxPjdTzvG1zQ8RWhQkL9a7nGT5UKibc/s1600/P1010037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3b-EDQ7v5s5fDw0vSvoxYEdpjn9yQ7k_vRKIZ60eog25uHGWH06Zk6KesFf_yiIbqh4pw-S3srnKTdf08hwa1sWljXLTbIDNsZGHMIxPjdTzvG1zQ8RWhQkL9a7nGT5UKibc/s320/P1010037.JPG" width="240" /></a>He flops down at my feet while I'm working and begins snoring almost immediately. He hates going outside because he wants to be around his people every moment of the day. Going for a walk brought him everlasting joy.<br />
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Ok little pup, you can stay. It's going to be a long road ahead with some very much-needed obedience lessons, but we're glad our family is bigger by one.<br />
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xo,<br />
Sonja<br />
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*My mom, to her credit, laughed when I told her that I was capable of walking away from 'not-the-perfect' dog. "Ha! You could, maybe. But the kids can't." Truer words have never been spoken. Thankfully he was Mr. Right and I didn't have to tell heartbroken kids that he wasn't coming home with us.<br />
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-2984201065091186822020-01-19T11:31:00.000-08:002020-02-17T18:53:23.740-08:00Christmas PJs with Iron-On Transfer PaperOn Christmas Eve the kids get a new pair of pjs that theoretically will last them through the year. By Autumn, of course, they're capri pjs, but it's the home stretch at that point so who really cares.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWokSkUczU0_-hy-Sqc8l81RaPcjRQm0PBqfFJPVYlN0RBBo5urmpOoq9xvmAdkE_MKq9kxFElcgIfwDVbYsOwrvIzt9ldIEE9lbu_ddzUr25mI46GbwN7GnSFadrZ7B3hOe0/s1600/IMG_20200119_090953133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWokSkUczU0_-hy-Sqc8l81RaPcjRQm0PBqfFJPVYlN0RBBo5urmpOoq9xvmAdkE_MKq9kxFElcgIfwDVbYsOwrvIzt9ldIEE9lbu_ddzUr25mI46GbwN7GnSFadrZ7B3hOe0/s640/IMG_20200119_090953133.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
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A few years ago I experimented with fabric transfer paper when I made <a href="http://www.sweetseattlelife.com/2016/12/crafty-gifts-and-car-trip-ideas.html">these winter pjs</a> for the kids. This year I was trying to find something that didn't scream exclusively 'holiday-themed' since they wear these in July. Not that wearing Santa pjs in the height of summer has <i>ever </i>stopped us before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg239_6qEvVC4vXQIvw5cXMA_01he-gKPJ4b6V_Fc1cqhIWKcrSxpwycSLxHCKCuPW0Sxq-O_TsQb18bQHWvPnz-K1uUFLfQ_qLUVQfDZOmHtGBuJk90NdaKrXMPj2lux1gJi7h/s1600/IMG_20200119_090433076_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1496" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg239_6qEvVC4vXQIvw5cXMA_01he-gKPJ4b6V_Fc1cqhIWKcrSxpwycSLxHCKCuPW0Sxq-O_TsQb18bQHWvPnz-K1uUFLfQ_qLUVQfDZOmHtGBuJk90NdaKrXMPj2lux1gJi7h/s640/IMG_20200119_090433076_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I found this talented Australian artist <a href="https://society6.com/rachelee">Rachel Lee</a> on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyDreamWall?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=238390232">Etsy </a>and promptly ordered two of her (instant download) prints.<br />
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One of my favorite kid's clothing stores is <a href="http://primary.com/">Primary.com</a> and they have good cyber monday sales on solid-print pjs. My only beef (and it's a small one) is that the blues of Ben's top and bottom are slightly different hues. Different dye batch, perhaps.<br />
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Primary.com pjs have a snug fit (great for my string bean kids) and they're not treated with any flame retardant chemicals, which we avoid given how much time my kids spend in their sleepwear. Primary and Hanna Andersson are great sources for untreated pajamas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguftPf8g2erzujMVhsKEt74z2mTQMkNtS7d4U02UPtoGcEC9PNuf_S86rjtlTqA4MyyAC9JNZnP5KHFdR6IrgAbaLBdphFl9x-ZNxuKC0QeRH8HgfS7BmNZvayos1gis6_JVl/s1600/IMG_20200119_090505861_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="993" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguftPf8g2erzujMVhsKEt74z2mTQMkNtS7d4U02UPtoGcEC9PNuf_S86rjtlTqA4MyyAC9JNZnP5KHFdR6IrgAbaLBdphFl9x-ZNxuKC0QeRH8HgfS7BmNZvayos1gis6_JVl/s640/IMG_20200119_090505861_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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The trick for dark-colored fabrics is to use the <a href="https://www.michaels.com/iron-on-transfer-paper-colored-fabric/10397768.html?cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_Shopping_US_N_Crafts%26Hobbies_ApparelCrafts_N_N_N-_-&Kenshoo_ida=&KPID=go_cmp-6723840938_adg-78851640149_ad-388052368920_pla-328657565728_dev-c_ext-_prd-10397768&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmZDxBRDIARIsABnkbYS-yBJ074zuT3C51FnY5HWbxj_jKpR0LKBmL8lBFDirIs11sp7S1akaAlqbEALw_wcB">appropriate transfer paper</a> and then to cut out the pattern. Which, for Emma's pjs, required <i>a lot</i> of cutting.<br />
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Worth it, though!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DLLZchJ3coHqyq-iMcLvUIh01UFz27X9ZZSU201m92BemQgieKKsHCYhTjyjBNqhMJm7fw8FinXBv88pdvJv413MjEUgvdYXrRxJApOydKxFRRSTJQy0QxHg6d-eQ2Mq68xx/s1600/IMG_20200119_090531464_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DLLZchJ3coHqyq-iMcLvUIh01UFz27X9ZZSU201m92BemQgieKKsHCYhTjyjBNqhMJm7fw8FinXBv88pdvJv413MjEUgvdYXrRxJApOydKxFRRSTJQy0QxHg6d-eQ2Mq68xx/s640/IMG_20200119_090531464_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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The one question that remains is how well the transfer will hold up after a year of intense use. I refuse to do any fancy handwashing when running kids clothing in the laundry machine so they'll be washed on a regular cycle and low dryer heat (our standard process for all clothing). The previous transfer pjs held up well but they had a lot fewer fidly bits that could potentially peel off. I'll do an update next November.<br />
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xo,<br />
Sonja<br />
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-355977688631582252020-01-08T22:38:00.000-08:002020-01-08T22:38:29.767-08:00Organization: Bullet JournalRandom fact: I'm a notebook person - each year I fill up a few books with various collections of sketches, meeting notes, shopping lists, packing lists, and travel plans. In restaurants I'll dig a sketch book out of my purse so the kids can play fierce games of tic tac toe to pass the time.<br /><br />Besides, there is nothing - and I mean <i>nothing </i>- more satisfying than crossing off the last item on a miles-long To Do list.<br />
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My absolute favorites are the pocket-sized <a href="https://fieldnotesbrand.com/">Field Notes</a> booklets that are great for travel notes, species lists, or the good old fashioned shopping list. Santa got this one for me a few years ago and it's been a constant companion on trips.<br />
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But, to be honest, all my notebooks are a jumbled mess of scribbled and barely legible notations that are completely lacking in organization. I'm only showing you the prettiest of pages and well...they're not exactly beautiful - and barely functional.<br />
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So this month I'm trying out something new: bullet journaling. My husband and sister-in-law are converts, with Chris claiming that it helps him methodically track his work tasks and keeps him up to date on daily events. Besides, he is uber organized, a characteristic I would love to model in my slightly messy daily existence.<br />
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I ordered myself a snazzy notebook <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X1DHCSP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">online</a> and <a href="https://bulletjournal.com/pages/learn">watched a few tutorials</a>. Here is the Cliff Notes version of<a href="https://bulletjournal.com/pages/learn"> how to bullet journal</a>. Like Moleskin sketchers, there are some <a href="https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/show-tell-with-yu">amazing examples</a> <a href="https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/isabelhoops">out there</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz53IIDY4WM0pA9YojyG5CP5j8tngDyeRWzKJ9TL67yXjmnK-IVX1PrhZbrOlBJX9TZr8mztlZXYwRLw4Wiim0-vTUwo8nrn_IsaIVbCzCg-dGvw7MGNZ3XmHmsQH5Qjj6Tysx/s1600/IMG_20200108_142550505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1162" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz53IIDY4WM0pA9YojyG5CP5j8tngDyeRWzKJ9TL67yXjmnK-IVX1PrhZbrOlBJX9TZr8mztlZXYwRLw4Wiim0-vTUwo8nrn_IsaIVbCzCg-dGvw7MGNZ3XmHmsQH5Qjj6Tysx/s640/IMG_20200108_142550505.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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The process is mostly simple, and I've adopted Chris's system, which is a slight variation on the formal setup.<br />
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So, grab a dotted notebook and dive in .<br />
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<b>Step 1: INDEX</b><br />
<br />This will evolve as you add more months or sections throughout the book; two pages will probably suffice. Some folks also choose to do a legend here to denote notebook symbols.<br />
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<b>Section 1: FUTURE LOGS. </b><br /><br />This is simply a list of things that will happen during the year that you want to easily reference: trips, important events, etc. I have one for each month of the year.<br />
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<b>Section 2: MONTHLY TASK LIST</b><br /><br />Mine is a combination of both work and personal tasks that need to be completed monthly. Sorry for the close-cropped pictures, I'm showing mostly family stuff, rather than business tasks.<br />
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Proper Bullet Journalers will have a Monthly Log next but Chris found he wasn't using his regularly so he simply does a Daily Log next.<br />
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<b>Section 3: Daily Log</b><br /><br />This is a day-by-day compilation of appointments, tasks, reminders, and whatever else you need to get through your daily existence.<br />
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There is a system of symbols that indicate if you have completed a task, abandoned the task, or need to push it off to the next day or month. Chris spends a few minutes at the end of his work day organizing his journal for the following day so there are no surprises when he sits down the next morning.<br />
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<b>Section 4: Collections</b><br />
At the very back of the book is the Collections area, which is basically a bunch of miscellaneous lists: places to travel, books to read, or meals to cook. I also have my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B66Z7ENA0fU/">#52Hikes Challenge</a> which is...currently empty. :)<br />
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So, that's my grand plan for the year. I'll let you know how it goes. On one of my lists is a desire to take a sketching class - wouldn't that be fun to do while traveling?<br />
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-30036932415698713272019-12-18T10:55:00.003-08:002019-12-18T10:55:59.870-08:00Addendum I just read this <a href="https://hitherandthither.net/out-of-office-auto-reply-email-inbox/">blog post</a> about the art of the Out-of-Office Email Reply and it included this gem:<br />
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<em>For the </em><a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/books/2017/11/26/how-my-out-of-office-reply-became-national-news-and-what-we-can-learn-from-that/" rel="noopener" style="color: #f7775e; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Dallas Morning News</a><em> book critic Michael Merschel, a recent trip was an opportunity to do many things at once with his out-of-office. The first few sections covered the usual territory, including a few admonishments about how and who to correctly pitch.</em></div>
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<em>For recipients curious enough to continue scrolling down, though, there was a heartfelt explanation of the reason for his absence: “I want you to imagine a middle-aged man who fell in love with a beautiful baby girl almost 18 years ago, and now he is driving her to a gigantic college in a distant city filled with all kinds of people who do the things people do at college … and he has to leave her there. And drive home alone. In the dark. In a minivan.”</em></div>
Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-81025870329039726812019-12-17T21:35:00.000-08:002019-12-17T21:35:59.070-08:00The Week In NewsHello! Happy Holidays!<br /><br /><br /><br />I am feverishly sewing Christmas stockings this week in the hopes that they might be completed in time for the all-important night.<br />
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Here are a few interesting things happening in the world:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.demilked.com/people-match-art-stefan-draschan/?fbclid=IwAR11SE3lbTETFeUubcQHeiGUa5w7dfTip9jyR8oDgAkjMzjHyCvhq9pWnIc">Photographer Spent Days Waiting For Museum Visitors To Match The Artworks They Observe</a> (Hilarious!)<br />
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<a href="https://www.notesfromtheroad.com/cascadia/gifford-pinchot.html?fbclid=IwAR3iNkvlaPWXvVTq7yN6NyqYxgU3GPazBhX0cRsUitis1liYBv8DsWg_IEkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_inventors_killed_by_their_own_inventions">My Rescue in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest</a><br />
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A must-read for any parent but be warned that it is TERRIFYING: <a href="https://medium.com/@sloane_ryan/im-a-37-year-old-mom-i-spent-seven-days-online-as-an-11-year-old-girl-here-s-what-i-learned-9825e81c8e7d">I’m a 37-Year-Old Mom & I Spent Seven Days Online as an 11-Year-Old Girl. Here’s What I Learned.</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/09/how-salmon-scientist-got-hooked-battle-over-world-s-largest-gold-mine?rss=1&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRCa1ptSmxOMkl5Wm1FNSIsInQiOiJhdEtVTW1DSENyeUR6ejNBajg5bEZFOFNFcjRrbjFwaEljMmRQb1JqeWtscVEwWUxwT3FkNTdZQlVtU3llU1wvYXJ1dzVIckZSK2x3M29VMExuNWhLWWpWZzJGY3N1OGhBYmZzakFVRmFDOCtadjBoUVwvN0JjMENZbytKc1wvN1wvaEoifQ%3D%3D">How a salmon scientist got hooked into a battle over the world’s largest gold mine</a><div>
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What's Brewing in Texas: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/07/03/maggots-could-revolutionize-global-food-supply-heres-how/?arc404=true">Maggots: A taste of food’s future</a><div>
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Do you own any diamonds? How were they mined? By whom? Under what conditions? <a href="https://earther.gizmodo.com/beyond-the-hype-of-lab-grown-diamonds-1834890351">Next time, consider a lab-grown gem</a> </div>
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Tired of all the usual travel photos your friends post? Here's an instagrammer with an interesting theme: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZYWEpJgIKE/">"Stef Dies</a>" (not gruesome)</div>
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I'd love to do this sometime: <a href="https://www.rei.com/blog/travel/squaring-travel-with-conservation-in-torres-del-paine?cm_mmc=sm_fb_76514-_-content-_-journal-_-volunteer_travel&fbclid=IwAR0j77cISPaKvRJNyIY3stlhw7XjqsbiPA7WZrnp-S21D5GGgBQPpxq_MQM&doing_wp_cron=1576646661.0351679325103759765625">conservation volunteering</a></div>
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There, I fixed it: <a href="https://www.scarymommy.com/mom-rewrites-daughters-outdated-sexist-worksheet/">Mom rewrites awful homework assignment</a></div>
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On a school-related note: I love that this poster is up in the halls at our sweet little school. "Be the "I" in Kind"</div>
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Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-20814692629847915952019-11-13T13:49:00.001-08:002019-11-13T15:04:57.984-08:00ReincarnationThis last winter our beloved Madrone tree suffered a catastrophic loss when we got slammed with a giant winter storm. The branch that broke was roughly a quarter of the tree's mass and unfortunately, our car happened to be directly under it when it came down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cjlZNPKEoUKmnf5rPvc2f2NAj3GQftSlKuMdGv4JGkaPlRvkckhKM1pDCILxWadm0jfqBT_-ht5sCkfL5t6GnYvbSNFQyE1x6ue4kz_Y-AjrDn7y1_HQViipm8E18WKYyQyQ/s1600/IMG_20190211_195356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cjlZNPKEoUKmnf5rPvc2f2NAj3GQftSlKuMdGv4JGkaPlRvkckhKM1pDCILxWadm0jfqBT_-ht5sCkfL5t6GnYvbSNFQyE1x6ue4kz_Y-AjrDn7y1_HQViipm8E18WKYyQyQ/s640/IMG_20190211_195356.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The limb didn't break cleanly, instead it ripped down to the trunk and hung vertically. Bad for the tree, but it probably saved our car from massive damage. Poor little Pepe the Prius has a few more scratches but came away from the encounter generally intact. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip22TiW_aovoN9zBgfX0jMSagKenmp47Y4yvsGeMpbk4PhPiBHp1_p8mQ0FPfS6ZCsURyvlc_omR9ZhRaZvoo7K0i7zbxJqWokU3G2RJ6AkHAIEFDlbDhJ5LFwY7i0Z5XCctmp/s1600/IMG_20190211_195407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip22TiW_aovoN9zBgfX0jMSagKenmp47Y4yvsGeMpbk4PhPiBHp1_p8mQ0FPfS6ZCsURyvlc_omR9ZhRaZvoo7K0i7zbxJqWokU3G2RJ6AkHAIEFDlbDhJ5LFwY7i0Z5XCctmp/s640/IMG_20190211_195407.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A few weeks later my dad came over with his chainsaw and went to work. Madrones are native to Washington State yet have had a rough time lately, so we were especially worried about disease susceptibility. </div>
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The cut pieces sat out in our parking strip for a few weeks. One day I got a note on our door from a neighbor asking if she could have a few of the logs as she was trying her had at wood carving. Of course! Off they trundled to a new home. </div>
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And today this sweet spoon showed up on our doorstep. An excellent use of our fallen branch. </div>
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The tree is flourishing, by the way. As I sit in my office typing, it's currently hosting 50 robins that are gorging themselves on berries before continuing their journey south. </div>
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Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-52770206896983536732019-11-02T13:25:00.002-07:002019-11-02T13:25:51.644-07:00DIY Rainbow Halloween Costume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You guys know how much I love making costumes and this year's projects were no different. Emma is in love with this crazy getup. Let's dive right in to her rainbow costume. </div>
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Here was our mock-up: a white cloud skirt topped by a separate rainbow tunic and a sun crown. Pink tights and a white leotard complete the costume. </div>
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She fell off the stool directly after this photo was taken. No harm done though - this kid is tough!</div>
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You'll notice that she has two crowns: her fancy, formal glittery burning sun crown and the soft, yet comfortable everyday crown. The formal one is a bit to unreliable for trick or treating so we made a second version that will likely stay attached to her noggin. </div>
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Ahem. Problem illustrated.<br />
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<b><u>Materials </u></b></div>
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<u>Rainbow Tunic & Cloud Skirt</u></div>
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Felt: 1 yard for tunic (red, in this case), </div>
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Felt:1/2 yard each of rainbow colors (Sometime fabric stores sell individual sheets, which can be pieced together)</div>
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Felt:1/2 yard white for clouds</div>
Velcro (for closing sides)<br />
Tissue paper (optional) for tracing the rainbow pattern<br />
Hot Glue Gun<br />
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Elastic for Skirt</div>
White Tulle (3+ yards)<br />
Sewing machine<br />
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<u>Crown Materials</u></div>
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Fire Crown: Stiff glitter cardstock, plastic headband, hot glue, wire or wood supports</div>
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Comfy Crown*: Thick gold fabric, hot glue, wire</div>
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*Find the firmest, thickest material you can. Mine was from the clearance section and was similar to a vinyl tablecloth material with a felt backing. Even so, it required wire (glued between two layers) to keep the prongs upright. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKqmVWgzfsqhTBB9MfBet-reoDIGzhy0jQ867IcmIthIyjQzHmxypPZhER64ez5Uv9fJoPEBfzfCvY9zE672T9msFQ0pNiCa7CBHHEcqwe7SfZgg5LSy0yDhfYTXVDNblJC-E/s1600/IMG_20191003_162319324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKqmVWgzfsqhTBB9MfBet-reoDIGzhy0jQ867IcmIthIyjQzHmxypPZhER64ez5Uv9fJoPEBfzfCvY9zE672T9msFQ0pNiCa7CBHHEcqwe7SfZgg5LSy0yDhfYTXVDNblJC-E/s640/IMG_20191003_162319324.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Using an existing shirt, trace a pattern onto the felt tunic. Because felt doesn't stretch, make it a generous measurement. Fold felt in two and cut out, leaving you with front and back tunics. Use a strip of extra felt as a side and glue together, leaving one side open (to be velcroed at a later stage). Sew tops of shoulders together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyd1igL8K3mbKcG0Y02YLiGuugBNHK3qV_pr350qThmEfXF-Oj6WgWzOS4IOCGZUkXhZZoY4BwbYjdp65zRitrdj9_1h96m6ai0AE19LrVT5lRey0azi1BX6nrBostwcAOcWTO/s1600/IMG_20191003_135913707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyd1igL8K3mbKcG0Y02YLiGuugBNHK3qV_pr350qThmEfXF-Oj6WgWzOS4IOCGZUkXhZZoY4BwbYjdp65zRitrdj9_1h96m6ai0AE19LrVT5lRey0azi1BX6nrBostwcAOcWTO/s640/IMG_20191003_135913707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Trace your pattern onto the tissue paper. After laying the paper down on the felt, trace only the outside of the pattern, so that each color is a solid half circle, instead of a thin curved band. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdzcGUNd0-q_jtwJ4Xknk745-UIDDhh8KPwV1wrfddXeg_ILEWLNbu3uu_Bwf5aQ44mVA4Umodf6w1FhKTSZSZLXxkVhd5AyyoYdMRmdn7EgeW064QpWF6CYSK2HNFODSrcLj/s1600/IMG_20191003_130154441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdzcGUNd0-q_jtwJ4Xknk745-UIDDhh8KPwV1wrfddXeg_ILEWLNbu3uu_Bwf5aQ44mVA4Umodf6w1FhKTSZSZLXxkVhd5AyyoYdMRmdn7EgeW064QpWF6CYSK2HNFODSrcLj/s640/IMG_20191003_130154441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Assemble your felt in the correct order to make sure you have enough. Cut out the pattern and glue each layer together. Trim excess. </div>
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Note: You'll see that my light pink is too short. Fortunately, plan on big fluffy white clouds to cover any gaps in your felt. I ended up trimming the whole bottom by a few inches because Emma thought the rainbow was too tall. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE_tCskv9uqyh4Z1qrArXAmgryDm8etPcyzEGi5IVCdKWpRaueJsHdIUw0szd1pl_J58aqPkoJ-p24cX0wUs_S7CygTi_rg9n86RIYeB3dC5af6JSQBQA5GZxLcJSy7QmKgoC/s1600/IMG_20191004_140509890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE_tCskv9uqyh4Z1qrArXAmgryDm8etPcyzEGi5IVCdKWpRaueJsHdIUw0szd1pl_J58aqPkoJ-p24cX0wUs_S7CygTi_rg9n86RIYeB3dC5af6JSQBQA5GZxLcJSy7QmKgoC/s640/IMG_20191004_140509890.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Draw a cloud onto the white felt. For added stability, glue two layers together to stiffen. I only had extra red felt so our clouds have a red backing. Sew velcro onto the tunic to secure the sides. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNo-252wQT36xThpDziVm1dmps4YHHTduaMsPB71DarLtDmOknFhLtIGnPSpVcmfi2D3isjAIId7Hty0zFd00Hde3JQ3lXI359IdVGDNS5rS-yjHeg72ecw-oRQrcr2jBC51O/s1600/DIY+Rainbow+Costume-2700292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1104" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNo-252wQT36xThpDziVm1dmps4YHHTduaMsPB71DarLtDmOknFhLtIGnPSpVcmfi2D3isjAIId7Hty0zFd00Hde3JQ3lXI359IdVGDNS5rS-yjHeg72ecw-oRQrcr2jBC51O/s640/DIY+Rainbow+Costume-2700292.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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CLOUD SKIRT</div>
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Measure your child's waist and buy a generous amount of elastic. Joann's fabric sells a <a href="https://www.joann.com/dritz-1in-metallic-elastic-white-gold/16318305.html#q=dritz%2Belastic&start=1">Dritz metallic elastic</a> that I used on this project. Any extra can be used to make wrist cuffs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuYNJXLuaTnU4QLR1Iyvdoml49MQsyXnHTGxWzsH_nFFUvIinJwPgZXVTm2mfrq9ZUa1efH1H4DqpyU7wdm78oG-J_uYqRd8mPYJcTGL3aF4wJcknF-5BlZQDgRjv-jVTzhUs/s1600/IMG_20191007_132223555+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuYNJXLuaTnU4QLR1Iyvdoml49MQsyXnHTGxWzsH_nFFUvIinJwPgZXVTm2mfrq9ZUa1efH1H4DqpyU7wdm78oG-J_uYqRd8mPYJcTGL3aF4wJcknF-5BlZQDgRjv-jVTzhUs/s640/IMG_20191007_132223555+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pleats are tricky and I don't have a great way to go about explaining them - I'd recommend heading over to <a href="https://www.deliacreates.com/basic-gathered-tutu-tutorial/">this site for a quick tutorial</a>. Additionally, you could skip the elastic and sewing altogether and go with <a href="https://wunderlabel.com/blog/p/make-easy-no-sew-tutu/">this tutu version</a>. </div>
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Because she'll always wear this skirt over a leotard, I didn't bother to line the waistband. You'd definitely want to do this if your child was going to wear it against his/her skin. Additionally, I used two thicknesses of tulle/netting, but no liner. Again, you'd want to do this if your child was going to wear it without tights/leggings/leotard. </div>
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CROWNS</div>
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Here is the template for the first crown: I made it out of stiff glittery cardstock with a heavy dose of hot glue and chopsticks(!) on the back to give it structure. It's glued to a plastic headband. I blew up the template and printed it across two sheets of paper. From there trace onto the glitter cardstock and cut out with scissors or an xacto knife. </div>
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A few notes: The back of my crown looks rough. I used wooden skewers to give it strength and it looks messy. In the end, I got tired of fiddling with it, sprayed the entire thing silver with spray paint, and called it good enough. A thicker paper (or multiple sheets) might solve the tendency of the prongs to curl. </div>
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The comfy crown template can be found <a href="https://gosciencegirls.com/crown-template-for-kids/">here</a>. I traced mine onto gold fabric, adding a few extra crown prongs. I found that it worked to cut out two of the exact same crown shape and then glue together to provide a version that was able to stay upright. </div>
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Once the templates are cut, add wire for strength and then glue the whole thing together in a gold fabric sandwich. My backing wasn't a perfect match - it's smaller than the front so that you can't really see the backing when the crown is on the head. </div>
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-48948455026514148572019-11-01T17:30:00.000-07:002019-11-01T17:30:02.735-07:00DIY Thor Halloween CostumeWe couldn't get the entire family to agree on a theme this year so on one side we have Rainbow Emma & Stormcloud Mama and perched on the other side we have God of Thunder Ben and The Hulk Chris. Seems about right.<br />
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Ben was very involved with the making of his Thor Costume. He begged us to be able to watch <i>Thor: </i><br />
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<i>Ragnarok </i>and we reluctantly agreed, provided it was in broad daylight and we stopped several times to check in with our mini Thor. He loved it. Of course. Sigh. </div>
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Anyway, his costume was a hoot. We have a no-weapons policy in our house but bend the rules for Halloween. He challenged everyone to a duel. Come next week the sword is going to 'mysteriously disappear'. </div>
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Ben liked this particular version of Thor because his hair was already the right color and length. </div>
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Here is the outfit we were trying to replicate, minus the loin cloth and red symbols. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Purists will note that Thor actually didn't have a hammer in the fight scene with Hulk, thanks to Hela's devious shenanigans but we chose to give him both because Hulk without his hammer is a very sad specimen indeed. </span></div>
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REQUIRED SUPPLIES</div>
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<u>Vest and Sword Belt</u></div>
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1-2 yards grey felt (depends on your child's size)</div>
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1-2 yard faux leather</div>
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1/2 yard red fabric for cape</div>
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1/2 yard gold vinyl for decoration</div>
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Cotton batting</div>
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Scissors, hot glue, velcro, </div>
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2 yards webbing for sword holster</div>
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<u>Helmet</u></div>
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4+ Foam sheets<br />Spray paint (silver)</div>
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Acrylic paint (gold)</div>
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Hot glue</div>
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<u>Hammer</u></div>
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3 Florist blocks</div>
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Tape</div>
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Wooden dowel</div>
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Hot glue</div>
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Spray paint (silver)</div>
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The base of the vest is a simple grey felt. I used one of his shirts to trace a pattern on paper and then transferred it to the fabric. The outer breastplate layer is a faux leather with a thick fabric backing that I found at Joann's fabric. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyC7JQSVo0colETxGK0B7hi7Jur7Zs3ZeY6sbZohy38HOGavGT7ntRBbil-T4OmL7GGGiw7EoOFOHspGs7KetQHn20DwjsiJLnsH28gvN1X2QcHDwGNpvdgt7wq1gauTNfyFu/s1600/IMG_20191007_204927703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyC7JQSVo0colETxGK0B7hi7Jur7Zs3ZeY6sbZohy38HOGavGT7ntRBbil-T4OmL7GGGiw7EoOFOHspGs7KetQHn20DwjsiJLnsH28gvN1X2QcHDwGNpvdgt7wq1gauTNfyFu/s640/IMG_20191007_204927703.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Fabric tunic and side wings attached with hot glue. I did a velcro enclosure on one side for easy donning of outfit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWefzMTvG0bSp_Rb701y4Py5oAqroQJUhiBzQhsbQgApI3r8Wv5ijGBq9HjLJEe4lQFvslpMWppzfNrJ2OFPHotQ5wHQl0wU2roeBhEMkV22NWmA0oNfxMCtqAOubPgJEZtK9/s1600/IMG_20191006_105420317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWefzMTvG0bSp_Rb701y4Py5oAqroQJUhiBzQhsbQgApI3r8Wv5ijGBq9HjLJEe4lQFvslpMWppzfNrJ2OFPHotQ5wHQl0wU2roeBhEMkV22NWmA0oNfxMCtqAOubPgJEZtK9/s640/IMG_20191006_105420317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used my original tracing paper pattern to trace it again onto the faux leather fabric (left picture). Drawing (and cutting) the front pattern took a few mistakes (which is why some of my lines aren't perfect) (right picture). </div>
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After cutting out the fabric strips in the faux leather, I set them over the felt vest and glued them down with hot glue. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdPSTpYLdsl3d8i_oZdSOIUTTxVK1k2gasW1O7vKMjfiVCI07Z473YGMdKTwSRlEuyQow0WLl6pTN_Qj1JjmgbTUDn78Okt6fcu4ZytJwFOIX-VJ9MhY3zbd3tKzj4_xvG6Gg/s1600/IMG_20191007_215637128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdPSTpYLdsl3d8i_oZdSOIUTTxVK1k2gasW1O7vKMjfiVCI07Z473YGMdKTwSRlEuyQow0WLl6pTN_Qj1JjmgbTUDn78Okt6fcu4ZytJwFOIX-VJ9MhY3zbd3tKzj4_xvG6Gg/s640/IMG_20191007_215637128.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I added a small amount of stuffing under each fabric strip to give it some detail - makes it looks a bit more muscle-y. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXwco3xKk3mS8db2vi03fq7xFMdg49_I_nap0-d-rzr3WoAECTo5T1Z0xqBe3vk1iDdLJJIWB_6GcnkKkeZ06AUF0pxjSZ8m4G5fF_rOEFtC5t39pIABCDshQordIP88vOAOg/s1600/IMG_20191008_121021969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXwco3xKk3mS8db2vi03fq7xFMdg49_I_nap0-d-rzr3WoAECTo5T1Z0xqBe3vk1iDdLJJIWB_6GcnkKkeZ06AUF0pxjSZ8m4G5fF_rOEFtC5t39pIABCDshQordIP88vOAOg/s640/IMG_20191008_121021969.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The gold detailing is made from a thick vinyl matte fabric that I got on clearance from Pacific Fabrics. Again, I just glued it down to the vest, anchoring a strip of red fabric for the cape. The red fabric is polyester, but you could probably use almost anything, including standard cotton or felt. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDyjUOXfim_iumhL7vUOUFNtZklHXRIfiL0eMPe0UfR3eNqhvaOaDWlzp297vTE2e8JpZ7uvso79MmfHXmaPC4HaNmWklRri6-uEMKicgw27RyqTYTsq7pdJOxrCPUeAAJRrF/s1600/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDyjUOXfim_iumhL7vUOUFNtZklHXRIfiL0eMPe0UfR3eNqhvaOaDWlzp297vTE2e8JpZ7uvso79MmfHXmaPC4HaNmWklRri6-uEMKicgw27RyqTYTsq7pdJOxrCPUeAAJRrF/s640/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Extra faux leather was used to make his wrist guards along with leather cords. Punch holes with scissors and then just mimic tying shoe laces. The proper Thor didn't wear black long underwear under his getup but then again he wasn't in frigid Seattle, either. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73yzIIxDhKYOiRzri0OqGs0H87oKxZcaXGg76pu1gyDOyvug868NNjF6ddE95zSLnyZKuQGsjKi6Doz5gt2AzIsoztK00tUbu3GCvBq26XoBPEXPkmju_gKVDX5lxTfbRDvSe/s1600/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume300071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73yzIIxDhKYOiRzri0OqGs0H87oKxZcaXGg76pu1gyDOyvug868NNjF6ddE95zSLnyZKuQGsjKi6Doz5gt2AzIsoztK00tUbu3GCvBq26XoBPEXPkmju_gKVDX5lxTfbRDvSe/s640/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume300071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The helmet is made of foam sheets, held with hot glue, and is the exact template that we used for <a href="http://www.sweetseattlelife.com/2016/10/2016-halloween-costumes.html">his knight costume</a>. It's an adult size: when Ben was age 5 I reduced the size to 87%; I was a little too optimistic that his head at grown substantially by age 8: 93% was still too big for his little pea-sized noggin. :) </div>
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(<a href="https://www.kamuicosplay.com/product/free-supervillain-helmet-pattern/">Template here</a>). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtDHVc4eSraxydxzOew2ZeTJJvdrW2lccVXmyortuhtRwr8K9JBZLAi9yKm32shj7P9y0zCrtHJAbPWm3403gHceQmMDGCDYb0Z2THh0wY3F4AiBAYZ7F2GfKQRBFtsCrG2JM/s1600/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume-300055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtDHVc4eSraxydxzOew2ZeTJJvdrW2lccVXmyortuhtRwr8K9JBZLAi9yKm32shj7P9y0zCrtHJAbPWm3403gHceQmMDGCDYb0Z2THh0wY3F4AiBAYZ7F2GfKQRBFtsCrG2JM/s640/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume-300055.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I spray painted the entire thing silver and added the gold detailing by hand. An extra band was required inside to keep it from falling off. You could probably make this look a bit more polished by using a different type of glue but this version suited our purposes just fine. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Zb8p5MrM_uhqpjW0JF9MGtoS01stTP7FDSceg2tQkEd6_qRsnS0jjnkQfhfscL_US0kNa3LXFqBYR7JE8SVqXDz2KLzF5elKZzOB2HBJ3j8LBT43-gwv42XhCp_cP1vf2A9h/s1600/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume+300079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Zb8p5MrM_uhqpjW0JF9MGtoS01stTP7FDSceg2tQkEd6_qRsnS0jjnkQfhfscL_US0kNa3LXFqBYR7JE8SVqXDz2KLzF5elKZzOB2HBJ3j8LBT43-gwv42XhCp_cP1vf2A9h/s640/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume+300079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thor's hammer is made from three foam florist blocks held together with tape, painted silver, and with an attached wooden dowel for a handle (glued in). It's very lightweight; no concussion if you accidentally get bashed in the head with this version. :)</div>
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The bag is made of felt and the gold vinyl. Ben has requested a larger size as he has grand candy aspirations for next year. </div>
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The cross-chest sword belt is his favorite accessory. It buckles in the back to accommodate for growing Thors and is constructed of faux leather fabric and straps. </div>
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<br />Hulk refused to paint his body or rip his shirt but gleefully got into mock battle mode. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvAdzgLaRYYTj3QsGGwGpFAXLyjPEcI7KWdtIblZVyME3iO0vNw_2yuBKZvqGvmLYRAJIlK0aXuI4TBCNz5pUlOVnSirRAl0LPfuFp25paaDEsJrXgoDe6NsBJitkhRgeTE_N/s1600/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvAdzgLaRYYTj3QsGGwGpFAXLyjPEcI7KWdtIblZVyME3iO0vNw_2yuBKZvqGvmLYRAJIlK0aXuI4TBCNz5pUlOVnSirRAl0LPfuFp25paaDEsJrXgoDe6NsBJitkhRgeTE_N/s400/DIY+Thor+Ragnarok+Costume+2.JPG" title="Thor DIY Costume Halloween" width="300" /></a></div>
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Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-69491218656809035402019-10-01T19:03:00.000-07:002019-10-01T19:04:55.517-07:00Ready, Set, Sew - Halloween is nighIt's October which means we're full steam ahead on Halloween costumes!<br />
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We're going for a (loose) weather theme this year.<br />
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Emma has selected a rainbow. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5A72zUVvUm6dVvBvw7OkTHJP8WTEzZwlpHyolXPah5QXeXlHN34i49WflcvlvSGC1zHsU_xS5Hhy0hwgIs8za4G8-Kg0t8TFGiG3VIcRqFK4q2ZewUSIquVkHuJPolgaV_1h/s1600/Rainbow+costume.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="712" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5A72zUVvUm6dVvBvw7OkTHJP8WTEzZwlpHyolXPah5QXeXlHN34i49WflcvlvSGC1zHsU_xS5Hhy0hwgIs8za4G8-Kg0t8TFGiG3VIcRqFK4q2ZewUSIquVkHuJPolgaV_1h/s640/Rainbow+costume.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Source: <a href="https://asubtlerevelry.com/two-crafty-halloween-costumes-for-kids/">Subtle Revelry</a><br />
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I get to be the accompanying rain cloud: a grey tutu and a few rain drops; I'll fit right in with Seattle weather. :)<br />
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Ben is going to be (the God of) Thunder (aka Thor).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLvduNxLajsV692uENCOOiXQZN4JYJV70PW-M-gX-Hq4DOzgk6tfv5O2sDBrvdE3k-iuae3AOc_18EqMhchb0fIX_SU-NSgmX8px9iQ5jEZVDc6RFDVH0DgjqXLP-L8vQCaf5/s1600/thorragnarok-hemsworth-gladiator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="669" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLvduNxLajsV692uENCOOiXQZN4JYJV70PW-M-gX-Hq4DOzgk6tfv5O2sDBrvdE3k-iuae3AOc_18EqMhchb0fIX_SU-NSgmX8px9iQ5jEZVDc6RFDVH0DgjqXLP-L8vQCaf5/s320/thorragnarok-hemsworth-gladiator.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Specifically the Thor from the battle with the Hulk in Ragnarok because he has short hair (which gets Ben out of donning a wig. I tried to convince him that it would be a stylish accessory but he was having none of it.)<br />
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Ben is completely immersed in the planning of his costume and spent about 30 minutes today telling me exactly how detailed the leather vest needs to be to suit his needs. I'm slightly anxious about it pulling it off, honestly. I tried to tell him we were going for Halloween-level of craftwomanship, rather than cosplay level...but it fell on deaf ears.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQreZi85wcRObGmvSx1qQG_4PC2OHCNyBiZGoZuNgeBGftriisMvftuJJQma6BBRPGr8EnEYqHSAC2Fglt2DGk-kq3cNINicU8QwkzuTq5rcNGECZP2cX40gFYjHKl3JmOOxqz/s1600/thor_odinson_cosplay_costume_thor_ragnarok_deluxe_edition_2019+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="715" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQreZi85wcRObGmvSx1qQG_4PC2OHCNyBiZGoZuNgeBGftriisMvftuJJQma6BBRPGr8EnEYqHSAC2Fglt2DGk-kq3cNINicU8QwkzuTq5rcNGECZP2cX40gFYjHKl3JmOOxqz/s400/thor_odinson_cosplay_costume_thor_ragnarok_deluxe_edition_2019+%25281%2529.jpg" width="288" /></a><br />
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He did approve a slight breastplate simplification and I'm still debating about using a fake leather vs. a thin foam. I made a <a href="http://www.sweetseattlelife.com/2016/10/2016-halloween-costumes.html">helmet in 2016</a> for Ben's knight costume that was fairly straightforward so we'll probably try to replicate the same general shape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL4W8bp9PGYEO6Tk47LwAy-Ao-PzbyAeSDEfYe-O0HR6thoPQnMSaf8xpf3MTiPC157d0fXY1XaEKXUgx-aBrcaDrA0-Ao04YUXXm46GLplhlsMofDUKXb5ZYRF0lRAWzO51w/s1600/IMG_20191001_180832705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL4W8bp9PGYEO6Tk47LwAy-Ao-PzbyAeSDEfYe-O0HR6thoPQnMSaf8xpf3MTiPC157d0fXY1XaEKXUgx-aBrcaDrA0-Ao04YUXXm46GLplhlsMofDUKXb5ZYRF0lRAWzO51w/s400/IMG_20191001_180832705.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Chris, naturally, is going as The Hulk. Bucking our weather trend but it fits with our fierce little Thor.<br />
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Fingers crossed we can pull this off !Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-36822676903982061662019-09-24T08:31:00.003-07:002019-09-24T08:31:39.259-07:00Kitchen Update: Adding a Little Warmth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a small little project I did a few months ago. I love our kitchen but it is slightly sterile - no custom touches or ingenious design solutions. I also happen to live with a fanatically clean husband: he wipes down those counters like a food safety inspector on a nightly basis and heaven forbid there is clutter that gets in the way of his dinner cleanup routine. So no stuff lives on our counters with the exception of a fruit bowl, toaster, soap dispenser, and knife block. Literally nothing else.</div>
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Emma and I have claimed the windowsill above the sink for our plant growing experiments but everything else is mess-free and very, very white. </div>
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Time to warm it up a bit. We have this awkward space in our kitchen between the wall and the upper cabinets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJfKkdPqO9y5jOXBNTEDbD7CL-REuQ11V6QfYaNVDXpE40xDMcJHTbsZfAfZrd1xv2R_ZnDDfbVNbf1F-9kov3V9hZ3sVUaiuLPGtE3cJvdXvDbsJjkkCz3Ev4MXjAAZYCsGy/s1600/GrandJK+kitchen+cabinets+greige-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="870" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJfKkdPqO9y5jOXBNTEDbD7CL-REuQ11V6QfYaNVDXpE40xDMcJHTbsZfAfZrd1xv2R_ZnDDfbVNbf1F-9kov3V9hZ3sVUaiuLPGtE3cJvdXvDbsJjkkCz3Ev4MXjAAZYCsGy/s640/GrandJK+kitchen+cabinets+greige-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The wall is a tiny curved nubbin over the bar so there wasn't room to put the cabinets all the way against it. Instead we have a space that measures roughly 20" wide. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-yPa2CUAjfcSbeWr0QvCmMmtune0UAXe6NFQcUn4gGUY2QC-533NGsEriyCWHouFNjSeRT-7HVw2J64blOTwANZ8EN6j9EaNKGisaZo_odl-7ldcmWNVSDhLQcxkA7G7Oq5p/s1600/GrandJK+kitchen+cabinets+greige-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-yPa2CUAjfcSbeWr0QvCmMmtune0UAXe6NFQcUn4gGUY2QC-533NGsEriyCWHouFNjSeRT-7HVw2J64blOTwANZ8EN6j9EaNKGisaZo_odl-7ldcmWNVSDhLQcxkA7G7Oq5p/s640/GrandJK+kitchen+cabinets+greige-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Time for a plan: shelves! Three, to be precise. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrSvzEge8xYt6SHR36lIymJcRk-uCawBv1IHhn_NS7Ig33EelT80_BYeBNeSyHaQh7WxdfJ9Zvv6Nv3ZYdEzoDNoYzu7VuAeyAWENfWiFlKv6UgqW47tU4u7Zq8agWyremGL-/s1600/IMG_20190418_135434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrSvzEge8xYt6SHR36lIymJcRk-uCawBv1IHhn_NS7Ig33EelT80_BYeBNeSyHaQh7WxdfJ9Zvv6Nv3ZYdEzoDNoYzu7VuAeyAWENfWiFlKv6UgqW47tU4u7Zq8agWyremGL-/s640/IMG_20190418_135434.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We lived with cardboard replicas for a few months to try out several versions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4ckHrgVWpNnZTO-EgbJLrHkjibcsSbk6oIT3ZbLuO3kuhrk4MpIbaKYyzMG82dzQleYmT9uv3YCGcBovHny_66x9sKjC3E_IZBHDiGIq4e4mcNPlshv-FD7BDPAe2wJD-Bil/s1600/IMG_20190413_112518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4ckHrgVWpNnZTO-EgbJLrHkjibcsSbk6oIT3ZbLuO3kuhrk4MpIbaKYyzMG82dzQleYmT9uv3YCGcBovHny_66x9sKjC3E_IZBHDiGIq4e4mcNPlshv-FD7BDPAe2wJD-Bil/s640/IMG_20190413_112518.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I looked briefly into making the shelves out of reclaimed barn wood, (same as the bench) but it's dreadfully expensive. I also found our bench makers but their Etsy shop was no longer active - we loved the quality but they were <i>months </i>late on delivery and I wasn't sure if repeat business was warranted given their late initial job. Regardless, they were no longer a viable option. </div>
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And then a nice block of Ikea butcher block counter top fell into my lap courtesy of my Buy Nothing Facebook group. Friends, are you on Buy Nothing? The concept is simple: post a picture of something you're done with and people in your group pipe up if they'd like to be the new owners. I love it - it's much more satisfying than sending stuff off to the landfill or Goodwill and we've scored some amazing stuff: gently-used ski jacket + bibs for Emma, an electric knife sharpener for Chris, a fitbit for me, and books for Ben. Our group is also big into lending: need a gorilla suit for a Halloween party? Post an 'ask' on the website; your neighbors might have one they are happy to loan you for the evening. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawhmiGlWbZsoZ21YaCPJmW88ajG_18SAH3RV2emZXmAJj5J01wwSsjafFfEHZM9Jv6ex1zDez756PfHWcKdubH_IdiK8LSfkHuxakl7-U0EA92qLydvMz9vy_QYMmVZBp1LVb/s1600/IMG_20190422_122452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawhmiGlWbZsoZ21YaCPJmW88ajG_18SAH3RV2emZXmAJj5J01wwSsjafFfEHZM9Jv6ex1zDez756PfHWcKdubH_IdiK8LSfkHuxakl7-U0EA92qLydvMz9vy_QYMmVZBp1LVb/s640/IMG_20190422_122452.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cutting was fairly straight forward. I initially used metal brackets to hold the shelves against the wall but they looked tacky; I eventually settled on wood supports screwed into the studs. The bottom shelf rests mostly on the quartz backsplash, with a few screws put in from the cabinet side. </div>
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Ikea manufactures their counters of oak; I stained it dark brown in an effort to mimic our bench. It's a close, but not perfect, match. </div>
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Between the floor, the bench, the table, and the shelves, we have a lot of wood in the house and it looks ok, despite none of it matching. I quite like it, actually!</div>
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Here are the finished products:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvjkx1yyo0stigtx0SM9i8gngL29UIbaThPzeI3f9bYYKIoI8vLwsphHE1nfk9btjqoJbJ541jnf7O8Y7kaFzrgXRNM8kWIY5Qw0nsaElG74MKTfPWF9_CaBiyo31EbEGWEnn/s1600/IMG_20190918_134413659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvjkx1yyo0stigtx0SM9i8gngL29UIbaThPzeI3f9bYYKIoI8vLwsphHE1nfk9btjqoJbJ541jnf7O8Y7kaFzrgXRNM8kWIY5Qw0nsaElG74MKTfPWF9_CaBiyo31EbEGWEnn/s400/IMG_20190918_134413659.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dl1MqNKgN_ubBQxHTDJET9YBRpvt8MB_BXSW-lg1-IqI-t5kGFvs63HbRU9c7b-ljFBwWDv4brebxsBtSAzgsnSTiOulHpDtHewcbUVpHCrvjzD4TJi2Wvdov1AvWMuqxjeZ/s1600/IMG_20190918_134451522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dl1MqNKgN_ubBQxHTDJET9YBRpvt8MB_BXSW-lg1-IqI-t5kGFvs63HbRU9c7b-ljFBwWDv4brebxsBtSAzgsnSTiOulHpDtHewcbUVpHCrvjzD4TJi2Wvdov1AvWMuqxjeZ/s400/IMG_20190918_134451522.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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Right now there are a variety of knick knacks that we threw up there when getting the house ready for Airbnb. We've had a few things go missing over the years so stocking it with unsentimental items is key.<br />
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xo,<br />
SonjaSonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-50126809821755276452019-09-11T20:36:00.001-07:002019-09-11T21:29:31.282-07:00Urban Carnivores - What's In Your 'Hood?The other day Chris and I were doing yard work and looked up to see a coyote trotting down the middle of the street. This was at 11am and in broad daylight.<br />
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It disappeared into my neighbor's massively overgrown lot after giving us the stare down.<br />
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But our coyote sighting pales in comparison to what showed up in my parent's neighbor's yard this morning:<br />
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RIVER OTTERS!! Four, including two babies! <i>[Can you feel my excitement?!.]</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6sqldm0na68_ZlhUSE-HSZ6IBEGxML3HMV61EildVerN0luZj_RRErdVotlw7GnN3pephjn5H9IVesMzX93bp-IrjG2xsnoYjLj7CC8yJ4ltbfKQU7BJJKICvozmc1iosSfP/s1600/P9110217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6sqldm0na68_ZlhUSE-HSZ6IBEGxML3HMV61EildVerN0luZj_RRErdVotlw7GnN3pephjn5H9IVesMzX93bp-IrjG2xsnoYjLj7CC8yJ4ltbfKQU7BJJKICvozmc1iosSfP/s640/P9110217.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Growing up I had a whole school of fancy koi (fish) that lived in our pond. Some of them were 15+ years old, had names, and I trained them to come up to the surface by ringing a little bell. (I was a bored teenager, clearly). One day, all my prized fish were gone, with only a few fish heads laying scattered on the rocks. Piscinicide!<br />
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My mom maintained for <i>years </i>that it could only have been the work of a river otter - dad and I laughed her out of the room every. single. time.<br />
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Sorry, Mom, we should have believed you.<br />
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Note: to get to Steve's yard, this family of otters had to haul themselves out of Lake Washington, find their way past the solid block of lake-front homes, cross a street, climb a hill, cross the Burke Gilman Bike Trail, zip under a fence, cross a lawn, and then dive into the pond. Don't think that these guys are exclusively water critters - they can hustle across land at a fast gallop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuBVYSb1GDNKPn6descimuJeFY0QMW6ZFPpQFygVdkXyQz4T2AgbGMXQRrGGp6e-CmuzFDknQDkH_Ytm5-lwnz9KaGmieIwHKfTp05ypVpkgj7T-HMbwMZwAMkbahE8rWD36M/s1600/P9110222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuBVYSb1GDNKPn6descimuJeFY0QMW6ZFPpQFygVdkXyQz4T2AgbGMXQRrGGp6e-CmuzFDknQDkH_Ytm5-lwnz9KaGmieIwHKfTp05ypVpkgj7T-HMbwMZwAMkbahE8rWD36M/s640/P9110222.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Our local zoo is currently doing a research project on urban carnivores and they're asking Washington residents to record their sightings of the meat-eating animals that live in our neighborhoods.<br />
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Want to see what is in your 'hood? <a href="https://carnivorespotter.org/">Check out the map</a>.<br />
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According to user-submitted data, we had a bobcat on the field where Ben plays baseball, a red fox in Wedgwood, an <a href="https://carnivorespotter.org/urban-carnivore-spotter/reports/8oN4f3IJlhXDSUibkTEO">opossum </a>in Maple Leaf, and <a href="https://carnivorespotter.org/urban-carnivore-spotter/reports/kSgZqfsdJnvaEAmMUM7h">coyotes</a>/<a href="https://carnivorespotter.org/urban-carnivore-spotter/reports/A8EmlbSBireDq3qzSd74">raccoons</a>....everywhere. The <a href="https://carnivorespotter.org/urban-carnivore-spotter/reports/UuRMwcj9yb1RqTaDsgMy">video footage of the bobcat</a> is pretty cool - I think the red fox sighting is slightly suspect. No bears yet within city limits. I'm wondering if the bobcat population has benefited from the explosion of rabbits that our city has experienced this year - we've got bunnies coming out of our ears.<br />
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Got anything to add to the map?<br />
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xo,<br />
Sonja<br />
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<i>Photos. T. Dorrance. Thanks WS, for the push to get blogging again!</i><br />
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-24931143806322296822019-04-24T05:00:00.000-07:002019-10-01T19:07:32.593-07:00Projects: Lego Table and Auction Basket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a recent project. Ben's school had an auction last month and our class decided to put together a Lego Gift Basket - classroom parents generously donated building sets. I was in charge of making the seat/pouf and Lego table. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMkzIGnkhkqSLYylhIH9fO40pFHGRz-vsTNvZpH9VsfoHm3XUKUwjz13rxAvqL532SAjnB6bymNb_2R4rJcBdfHcJgrP6KT5oZBbbEGUQBLH5K8-bXGj3YvZnXogUm1BzjO4H/s1600/20150101-P1010013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMkzIGnkhkqSLYylhIH9fO40pFHGRz-vsTNvZpH9VsfoHm3XUKUwjz13rxAvqL532SAjnB6bymNb_2R4rJcBdfHcJgrP6KT5oZBbbEGUQBLH5K8-bXGj3YvZnXogUm1BzjO4H/s640/20150101-P1010013.JPG" width="444" /></a></div>
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I picked up the table at our local thrift store for $5. It was looking forlorn and in desperate need of some TLC. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6DxqtuGEpjdt-pGr3nqr-siqxidJykkvc5guAbk-K3BAFAr12Nz7oV7_zR9lobX3GAV3HtI6CiczZAWO23VPMjVWbZJ04YXG1eP-deMI-S1k2n-NAehqSDyglwgLUZcbC9-N/s1600/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-115933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6DxqtuGEpjdt-pGr3nqr-siqxidJykkvc5guAbk-K3BAFAr12Nz7oV7_zR9lobX3GAV3HtI6CiczZAWO23VPMjVWbZJ04YXG1eP-deMI-S1k2n-NAehqSDyglwgLUZcbC9-N/s640/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-115933.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sanded it down, gave it a nice paint job, and then glued down <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07HPZ8LR4/ref=twister_B07BPT1497?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1">these Lego baseplates</a> in the form of an island surrounded by water. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XxMky7FEuQ5rpFpGPACOPUh8pu4ddOz3EQ_AT_1xOQHqTiBFLy3NLTjA59WC4hh3NG_LobA-MIZHzmdDgORhLEIJnCq39KMCJpZDNVeTX_rOEh9ZQytxShMZBTLC0uDAQp0E/s1600/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-104221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XxMky7FEuQ5rpFpGPACOPUh8pu4ddOz3EQ_AT_1xOQHqTiBFLy3NLTjA59WC4hh3NG_LobA-MIZHzmdDgORhLEIJnCq39KMCJpZDNVeTX_rOEh9ZQytxShMZBTLC0uDAQp0E/s640/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-104221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ready for pirate play! Or a beach vacation! Or a shipwreck! So many imaginative possibilities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9ALbXFTwLQoD_r5I4q_fqh7eI6IZAQCRLxqcSyYykzqrO3pcAjdyRp__9D07c5Y91aLsn-BXq9WG5QOs1BhONs_Ixq7zwgQvJaKs239cM70yA5Re96sHT1WWr0FcruaZkPsc/s1600/20150101-P1010036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9ALbXFTwLQoD_r5I4q_fqh7eI6IZAQCRLxqcSyYykzqrO3pcAjdyRp__9D07c5Y91aLsn-BXq9WG5QOs1BhONs_Ixq7zwgQvJaKs239cM70yA5Re96sHT1WWr0FcruaZkPsc/s640/20150101-P1010036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pouf took a bit more time. The pattern I used is roughly based <a href="http://birchfabrics.blogspot.com/2015/02/free-pdf-pattern-log-slice-pouf-by.html">on this one</a>, with small modifications to the height to make sure that little knees could properly fit under the table.<br />
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Basically, sew a cylinder, do some math (pi!) to make a circle that will fit the top, sew that on, stuff it, and then put a sturdy base on the bottom. This last step is optional; most poufs have fabric tops and bottoms, but I needed mine to function as a sturdy chair so a floppy pouf was undesirable.<br />
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I used 1/4" plywood for the bottom disc.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdIdOQXa73L6lkZspFL7NXHO8l_H3rN9OEypKBEl6FeZ1EZhY01P-OqMyosSmURgNbR6P0I5CotwuQ8XB2hnfBUjvJCh5FyLHs2epHsERulzBdoJTy43leO0Mklq3yLIAjf_i/s1600/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-095824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdIdOQXa73L6lkZspFL7NXHO8l_H3rN9OEypKBEl6FeZ1EZhY01P-OqMyosSmURgNbR6P0I5CotwuQ8XB2hnfBUjvJCh5FyLHs2epHsERulzBdoJTy43leO0Mklq3yLIAjf_i/s320/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-095824.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFTGbqIaQY5hsxSYjEuVivpS55cFbsyPB9-wsli5OJqXhpYzdRqJHJ23lUTPLrF2sMBcY4aNGOfo8GXfQC7j1dFYPUSUnpL-Ux2tPkUDR19mZj05hHYWaDfMqsQplG4E0v9KT/s1600/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-100248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFTGbqIaQY5hsxSYjEuVivpS55cFbsyPB9-wsli5OJqXhpYzdRqJHJ23lUTPLrF2sMBcY4aNGOfo8GXfQC7j1dFYPUSUnpL-Ux2tPkUDR19mZj05hHYWaDfMqsQplG4E0v9KT/s320/Auction+Lego+Basket+and+Lego+table-100248.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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A quick note about gear: recently I've really enjoyed using a very light pair of rubber gardening gloves when doing any project that requires tool use or wood handling. They certainly won't protect from saw cuts but I find that I've cut down on my splinter count and general wear and tear on my palms. </div>
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Once the pouf is sewn and the base cut, the next step is to stuff it. Most folks use beanbag pellets or cotton batting but I found that something with less give was necessary to provide a firmer seating experience. I used an old (clean!) duvet covered by an outer layer of cotton. </div>
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Foam around the outside of the wood provided additional cushion. </div>
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Afterwards I simply hammered the fabric to the wood using upholstery nails and added furniture feet. Project completed. </div>
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Ben made me swear that I'd win our own basket at the auction but I was promptly outbid by a parent that clearly loves their child far more than I. :) Sorry kid. </div>
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-33166260757612439072019-04-22T05:00:00.000-07:002019-04-23T14:10:58.268-07:00Parties! Plus, my new no-meat obsession. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWURztRrm5-mAzSQfVGPKRw28CL69-el_jt5PzHUm9F6Ul6m1_fzFy0rDTwQ5NmvmnRVbnd2JS5nma8BoEjhLb4_ex_wUqCJ-k2osjwlH4_0ff4DejNhiqkKVAS9G1ermJcif/s1600/InkedEmma%2527s+5th+Birthday+No+Address.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWURztRrm5-mAzSQfVGPKRw28CL69-el_jt5PzHUm9F6Ul6m1_fzFy0rDTwQ5NmvmnRVbnd2JS5nma8BoEjhLb4_ex_wUqCJ-k2osjwlH4_0ff4DejNhiqkKVAS9G1ermJcif/s400/InkedEmma%2527s+5th+Birthday+No+Address.jpg" width="285" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JpLP7ywxt7FzKfGbWNXKm63ecvTUxO0YEBFwphpPwnHDiX_40uh6NS4TkS_4hg0CAE5p4A7Z4iUnnH_2_32uujFxawF6cQZC0gHwcuZGI62kJfem7wc8XRmBv-I957iKm__K/s1600/Unicorn+Birthday+Party.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1139" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JpLP7ywxt7FzKfGbWNXKm63ecvTUxO0YEBFwphpPwnHDiX_40uh6NS4TkS_4hg0CAE5p4A7Z4iUnnH_2_32uujFxawF6cQZC0gHwcuZGI62kJfem7wc8XRmBv-I957iKm__K/s400/Unicorn+Birthday+Party.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>
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Our little Emma turned 5 a while back and requested an unicorn birthday party. Yesss! I love planning parties that are heavy on the whimsy and bright colors. Her adorable (and very pink!) customizable party invite can be found <a href="https://www.printablemarket.com/shop/free-editable-birthday-party-invitation-template-unicorn-gold-glitter-watercolor-flowers-instant-download-printable/">here</a>. </div>
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Emma begged for a treasure hunt. I'm of two minds about the treasure hunts, mostly because they take <u>so much time </u>to create. The kids, however, adore them and they are <i>always </i>a huge hit at parties.</div>
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I pulled some of the clues from the internet but most of these are my own creation, made with significant help of an online rhyming app.<br />
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Here is a <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pmj4xMZ4vIlSDY90D9S0acvOq7Ys9-QA/view?usp=sharing">pdf </a>of the clues. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EZbQlz3FU9FkAfiWelzj0CQHMxTj_OPBenXot8fl0y_ziA3lKvryyhtGZpAXv-leJWPiRxPPXh0-CeQIoLkjIHjngfWM8uMvsHd0znkjAD-JvdT5HAm0uguXmW7_ugIUX8c_/s1600/unicorn+treasure+hunt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EZbQlz3FU9FkAfiWelzj0CQHMxTj_OPBenXot8fl0y_ziA3lKvryyhtGZpAXv-leJWPiRxPPXh0-CeQIoLkjIHjngfWM8uMvsHd0znkjAD-JvdT5HAm0uguXmW7_ugIUX8c_/s640/unicorn+treasure+hunt2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each year I am determined to make a fancy lunch and somehow we always end up with our usual (and unimaginative) fruit/cheese/veg spread. Everyone is guaranteed to find something palatable though so no complaints. </div>
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Pink cake! I am now an expert at ombre desserts. :)</div>
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Cake was followed by Pin the Horn on the Unicorn. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvBZBTC9V6NELZzaTztc6vWZ1IJuNxIToNpbB3hYjEvv136yQAowQ1PFbRi5lVyounLiYDGL5Lby95PLq_VXbT1u1Fyluu2M_8gdnJp9EGXgzQbfRn8a258QoOqHYTqBNlLtC/s1600/unicorn+birthday+party+ideas+pin+the+horn+on+the+unicorn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvBZBTC9V6NELZzaTztc6vWZ1IJuNxIToNpbB3hYjEvv136yQAowQ1PFbRi5lVyounLiYDGL5Lby95PLq_VXbT1u1Fyluu2M_8gdnJp9EGXgzQbfRn8a258QoOqHYTqBNlLtC/s640/unicorn+birthday+party+ideas+pin+the+horn+on+the+unicorn.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And another with a similar theme: Unicorn Horn Ring Toss. </div>
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And that, my dears, was a wrap on the unicorn birthday party.<br />
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Ben's party this year was a slightly more low-key event. He picked out a few buddies and we headed over to Red Robin for lunch followed by the Lego Movie 2 at the theater. It was lovely, actually; his friends were very sweet and I think everyone had a good time, birthday boy especially. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNXIJJb6WRCVOIeXjnJbBKyJ_ItUhuArKC56GFKjTv_6FGSWMjDpqK3c8zgG2I2zt6wRuY1lX2qo40OblFA5h1LyZjF6xuO_Qe64-ljoXPWYytAy_TqaFMaU2Gbuv4B7hjkL0/s1600/Ben+birthday+party+invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="632" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNXIJJb6WRCVOIeXjnJbBKyJ_ItUhuArKC56GFKjTv_6FGSWMjDpqK3c8zgG2I2zt6wRuY1lX2qo40OblFA5h1LyZjF6xuO_Qe64-ljoXPWYytAy_TqaFMaU2Gbuv4B7hjkL0/s640/Ben+birthday+party+invite.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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I used <a href="http://www.easytygermke.com/lego-birthday-invitation/lego-birthday-invitation-together-with-a-picturesque-view-of-your-birthday-invitation-templates-using-mesmerizing-invitations-5/">this free </a>printable. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.<br />
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Speaking of printables, my sister-in-law had her bachelorette party a few months ago up here in Seattle and I threw together a few cards to go with the gift baskets. I copied the invitation from one online and I can't find it (feeling hugely guilty on that score). The party was a blast; my favorite bit was the electric boat rental we did on Lake Union; highly recommended! We brought along heavy appetizers plus a few bottles of bubbly. The boat is fully enclosed and comes with blankets and a heater. Bonus points for those that can pick out the <i>Sleepless in Seattle</i> houseboat!</div>
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Chris and I are still on our no-meat-but-lots-of-seafood meal plan and it's going well, although I occasionally cheat at restaurants. Let's just say that Chris has better self restraint that I.<br />
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The other day we sampled the <a href="https://www.beyondmeat.com/">Beyond Meat burger</a> available at Whole Foods and Kroger. Friends, I AM A CONVERT. We have subsequently learned that <i>everyone</i> has an opinion when it comes to fake meat but I will be a repeat customer. Have you tried it? What do you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVRi3xi1D3u_68KfUZgT4745yRzLasErmcA_wtw0CdQfZ6xXtPFmyrT57mtqtvCC1PItFNip-wGCM6PpyHpDPV_OWymxTEDCU-DdVR_b2g-EwpHAMYQMglm0Ht0hd9K5oz1c2/s1600/IMG_20190326_183328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVRi3xi1D3u_68KfUZgT4745yRzLasErmcA_wtw0CdQfZ6xXtPFmyrT57mtqtvCC1PItFNip-wGCM6PpyHpDPV_OWymxTEDCU-DdVR_b2g-EwpHAMYQMglm0Ht0hd9K5oz1c2/s640/IMG_20190326_183328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Speaking of vegetarian staples, this <a href="http://portandfin.com/slow-roasted-tomato-caramelized-onion-soup/">slow roasted tomato and caramelized onion soup</a> is absolutely heavenly and quickly became my go-to lunch this winter. You could easily make it vegan but I usually drape the top of mine with a slice of toasted french bread and gobs of melted cheese. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span>Adapted from the <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Rebar-Modern-Cookbook-Audrey-Alsterburg/dp/0968862306">Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook</a> by Audrey Alsterburg & Wanda Urbanowicz. Trust me, this soup is worth the prep time.<br />
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I have a few house projects that I've been working on recently so I'll throw those up presently. It's been a slow return to the world of blogging but I'll do my best to post a bit more frequently.<br />
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xo,<br />
Sonja<br />
<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-79082393804372185302019-04-18T22:33:00.002-07:002019-04-18T22:33:34.440-07:00What's On Loan From The Library <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaNdnErWSkpEPOVYKDTEBKJHBZwTQp-zQ_6THnXBwpCx3Wupq2MWq14joxQyZbd4w-r2zz8iMvj2ABtmDlwCocH4cPFM2Wdf-GUOnv8JvfaOM2_6sF-azCiYPv7glqYfWpCtJ/s1600/9781524731656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaNdnErWSkpEPOVYKDTEBKJHBZwTQp-zQ_6THnXBwpCx3Wupq2MWq14joxQyZbd4w-r2zz8iMvj2ABtmDlwCocH4cPFM2Wdf-GUOnv8JvfaOM2_6sF-azCiYPv7glqYfWpCtJ/s320/9781524731656.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
I've had a few interesting reads lately although they're quite the hodgepodge of recommendations.<br />
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Let's dive in.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9781524731656">Bad Blood</a></b><br />
by John Carreyrou<br />
<i>Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup </i>The Story of Theranos founder<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> </span></span>Elizabeth Holmes. I CANNOT believe this was real life it was so crazy. Definitely recommended.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.powells.com/book/curious-beginning-a-veronica-speedwell-mystery-9780451476012">A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell Series</a>)</b><br />
by Deanna Raybourn<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRkYJeJNtz3SJHjWVawtbiBtY4m1Oj5Rk8-gqfmh_Bh9GPVxNcZ8M_1-SMYGC8d79yJm_EU5qkZ8ua1c98tr28zkgZcmofft1Vx5H0CSBKVgQLLyYg3O8LPga-LCCQAwlw4v1/s1600/Veronica+Speedwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRkYJeJNtz3SJHjWVawtbiBtY4m1Oj5Rk8-gqfmh_Bh9GPVxNcZ8M_1-SMYGC8d79yJm_EU5qkZ8ua1c98tr28zkgZcmofft1Vx5H0CSBKVgQLLyYg3O8LPga-LCCQAwlw4v1/s320/Veronica+Speedwell.jpg" width="212" /></a>A lepidopterist living in 19th century England that solves murders? Yes, please. I tore through this series, but then again I'm partial to (odd-ball) strong women protagonists with scientific obsessions.<br />
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<a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9780062207302"><b>The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy)</b></a><br />
by Sherry Thomas<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJLSW7GubpJQJPxwJMrxpmK02v8Y4EYRcNAd2T6wccpiwz8IWyjd71SLZ0Qa7KDpCiiYC4du99h3yYWkZ3Iz36tXp4PoAp1JGSoMlCwKoaF5J98lCOs9qNXneeHZIkk8-QDvx/s1600/9780399590504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJLSW7GubpJQJPxwJMrxpmK02v8Y4EYRcNAd2T6wccpiwz8IWyjd71SLZ0Qa7KDpCiiYC4du99h3yYWkZ3Iz36tXp4PoAp1JGSoMlCwKoaF5J98lCOs9qNXneeHZIkk8-QDvx/s320/9780399590504.jpg" width="210" /></a>This is a hard book to quantify: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance but not the gloopy sort of romance that leaves you wishing for a heroine with a stiffer spine, stronger self esteem, and better critical thinking abilities. The girl is powerful and the supporting characters are excellent.<br />
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Additionally, I also enjoying the author's take on the <a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9780425281406">Sherlock Holmes mysteries</a>, also devoted to strong, smart, odd women. :)<br />
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I'm still trying to make my way through <a href="https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/book/9780143034759"><b>Alexander Hamilton</b></a> by Ron Chernow. Good god it's taking forever. Its 832 pages but it's a hell of a slog. I'll get there. Eventually.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22609341-come-as-you-are"><b>Come As You Are</b></a><br />
By Emily Nagoski<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>An essential exploration of why and how women’s sexuality works—based on groundbreaking research and brain science</i></span></div>
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This book came hugely recommended by the readers of the (wonderful) <a href="https://cupofjo.com/">Cup of Jo</a> blog; it's a great read for women (and men that love women). Given the dismal state of proper sex education in our country, Emma and Ben will both be getting a copy when they reach an appropriate age.<br /></div>
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Next on my list: <b><a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/Books/Educated">Educated </a></b>by Tara Westover<br />
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"Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home."<br />
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Anything you've read lately that's good?<br />
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Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-47376006261571608112018-10-28T20:14:00.001-07:002018-10-31T12:11:54.264-07:00Built-in Trundle Bed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello! We got back two months ago from our big trip (details of which can be found <a href="http://www.terratrekkers.com/">here</a>) and I promptly set about deconstructing the bunk beds in Emma's room. </div>
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Let me be clear about one thing: I love bunk beds; they are great in small spaces or for fitting multiple people in a room. They make a ton of sense for almost everyone out there. </div>
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But not for me. I had come to loathe these beds. There are two reasons for my extreme disdain:</div>
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1. We purchased them under duress on a tight timeline before our trip and I always felt they were too dark and hulking for the room, plus they fit poorly in the weirdly-shaped alcove. </div>
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2. I run an Airbnb and I nearly broke my neck every three days climbing up on that bunk to change the sheets. </div>
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So project Numbero Uno upon returning was to post these babies to Facebook Marketplace, stat. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3aTlW8lU9-6N61qz2rH0m4zIammrXmPMkMYUy93bW-PUvq2465goGJVRYK4rHVeji3eLat6igWfEDhnX-eO9wZJuy09ZYat1xKo9rw84JBU4Ia0k-C5yHMxglBdXtitR76kT/s1600/Matthews+Beach+House-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3aTlW8lU9-6N61qz2rH0m4zIammrXmPMkMYUy93bW-PUvq2465goGJVRYK4rHVeji3eLat6igWfEDhnX-eO9wZJuy09ZYat1xKo9rw84JBU4Ia0k-C5yHMxglBdXtitR76kT/s640/Matthews+Beach+House-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetkSG2QnLrLoFeuKiJ_QpY8XEfyDoJR6Yjg3Ax14SsM9-zGtqOug4y3VwE4yOYxP-keESceOL3yHRj1isCNCMfrWxrhnQCv94TAt4GQ7s4Dj4fyPrRV_MUbWbxkfpGPbw_Y9I/s1600/Matthews+Beach+House-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetkSG2QnLrLoFeuKiJ_QpY8XEfyDoJR6Yjg3Ax14SsM9-zGtqOug4y3VwE4yOYxP-keESceOL3yHRj1isCNCMfrWxrhnQCv94TAt4GQ7s4Dj4fyPrRV_MUbWbxkfpGPbw_Y9I/s640/Matthews+Beach+House-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a good view of the alcove without the beds. Take special note of that heat register; it would cause me a lot of grief down the road. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t5wWIKYIgK-pecmntjD_C1GwZoKmWrwagtp55Ge6dzm6X905x02gNkip7rgbg8LfufYo4EpgtWRYH9QZ4jufMZZ1Kh8kd_R_3R-pM15Gpp59pIRIdx-rsBG4t8LysnYk4-lJ/s1600/IMG_20180913_115911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t5wWIKYIgK-pecmntjD_C1GwZoKmWrwagtp55Ge6dzm6X905x02gNkip7rgbg8LfufYo4EpgtWRYH9QZ4jufMZZ1Kh8kd_R_3R-pM15Gpp59pIRIdx-rsBG4t8LysnYk4-lJ/s640/IMG_20180913_115911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCip7Seg0IXe5kdY350XBZEvZ7DyroxBzzFywXUAd5yfyYt_B5V-gjfn7Cht1ox-W0KCXRUoh_fLg91qTprHnAwwqUlRm5cDduJKdgxyCihFzaAJ0SdzGVrpl0pt2AhXElXc9/s1600/PANO_20180913_115743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCip7Seg0IXe5kdY350XBZEvZ7DyroxBzzFywXUAd5yfyYt_B5V-gjfn7Cht1ox-W0KCXRUoh_fLg91qTprHnAwwqUlRm5cDduJKdgxyCihFzaAJ0SdzGVrpl0pt2AhXElXc9/s640/PANO_20180913_115743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My first task was to paint the room. Over time I've come to regret painting each room a different color; now they're all getting the same basic grey, although we still have a few rooms that haven't quite been brought into the color fold. I am also no longer willing to mess around with painting my ceilings a different color than the walls. Grey from top to bottom. </div>
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Chris painted these walls back in 2010, a few weeks before the arrival of our first child, and three weeks after breaking his hand in Mexico. It was a rough month. </div>
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Post painting, I covered the floor in plastic sheeting and began building. Because we still occasionally post our house on Airbnb, I needed to get the same number of beds in this room: two twins. The plan was to do a regular bed for Emma with a trundle stashed away that could be pulled out for occasional use. </div>
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I began by first building the trundle. </div>
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It's hard to tell in the photos, but that heat register is an inch wider at the bottom than at the top, meaning that the trundle stuck out perilously close to the edge of the alcove. Things were getting tight. I had a scant 1/2" for the trundle faceboard. </div>
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Next up was the main bed frame. I attached the frame directly to the wall studs; this thing is solid as a rock. I also learned that trying to drill through carpet will cause said carpet to unravel 12" across the floor but that's a story for another time. </div>
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Frame plus trundle. Slowly coming together. I used 2x4s for the main frame and 1/2" particle board for the mattress foundations. The outer frame and table top got fancy 1/2" plywood instead of the particle board. </div>
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The trundle is complete. Working on the table top and closet door.<br />
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The headboard and footboard got the cottage look: horizontal 1x4s nailed to the frame. </div>
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For the record, I really hate the sanding process. So. much. dust. </div>
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Ben gives it a test run. </div>
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Paint: same grey as the rest of place (Subtle Touch by Behr, which, if you want my honest opinion, has a touch too much purple but it's the color we chose for the upstairs hallway and everything is now following suit. I'm too cheap/lazy to repaint the entire place.). </div>
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The trundle face and closet door get some fancy trim. </div>
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More sanding before the final coat. </div>
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DONE. Hardware and lighting have been added. Closet door has been hung. </div>
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These aren't great photos (dark Seattle Fall days don't help the ambient light situation) but we're scheduled to have updated Airbnb photos done in the next few weeks so hopefully we'll have some pretty pictures to show on the website soon enough. </div>
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In the meantime, our little girl is loving her new big and plotting all the sleepovers she's going to have (haha, sorry kid, not until you're like 14...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKgT6o8XpAdB0b5LTvLsM9eS7Mtlg21_0V0DWJyJxjyPim96p3Hf2WbmBbuFbOPgDwmbsCc17lR0F_t6gIdC2oPdDfha8DtvpzUY9WRkTKv3Eo2ETUSYKtCMthc9_ehMAnDmY/s1600/IMG_20181012_095704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKgT6o8XpAdB0b5LTvLsM9eS7Mtlg21_0V0DWJyJxjyPim96p3Hf2WbmBbuFbOPgDwmbsCc17lR0F_t6gIdC2oPdDfha8DtvpzUY9WRkTKv3Eo2ETUSYKtCMthc9_ehMAnDmY/s640/IMG_20181012_095704.JPG" title="Built-in trundle bed" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rest of the room is a little bland, which is partly by design. Airbnb guests don't want a bunch of personalized clutter in their rooms. Fortunately Emma can messify a room in about 3 seconds flat; she is currently asleep with a pile of books, dolls, and legos vying for space in her new bed.<br />
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xo, </div>
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Sonja</div>
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<br />Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-87350233216393943072017-07-28T22:26:00.001-07:002017-07-28T22:26:09.214-07:00Out and AboutHello!<br />
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The blog is on hiatus as our family is currently on a round-the-world adventure in our little truck camper. We have a travel blog, <a href="http://terratrekkers.com/">TerraTrekkers.com,</a> where you can read about our latest shenanigans.<br />
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xo,<br />
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Sonja<br />
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Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-19439500439643170292017-05-31T10:23:00.001-07:002017-05-31T10:23:40.442-07:00The Beginning of a New Adventure<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: Carme, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hello Friends, </div>
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We have some news! </div>
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At the end of the June we’ll be packing our truck camper and hitting the road for an extended year-long adventure.</div>
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We’ll begin by driving into Oregon and California and if all goes well (a big IF, given that we’ll have four people living in a house smaller than a parking space!) then we’ll keep driving south into Mexico and Central America.</div>
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And if things go fantastically well then we’ll hit the tip of South America(!!) sometime in January 2018.</div>
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Of course there are many variables when travelling with kids, so we’re trying to keep the agenda and schedule flexible. It’s possible that we’ll decide international travel isn’t in the cards and do a loop of the US instead. Or we’ll last two months and then zip back to Seattle in time for Ben to start first grade. 🙂</div>
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Chris’ last day at work is June 1. Emma (age 3) will have just finished preschool and we’ll wait for Ben (age 6) to wrap up kindergarten before heading south. We’ve just completed our last round of vaccinations and we’re looking into homeschooling for the coming year. Not surprisingly, we are both excited and nervous.</div>
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If you’re interested, we’re hoping to regularly update our travel website <a href="http://www.terratrekkers.com/">Terra Trekkers</a>. We are also on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/terra_trekkers" style="border: 0px; color: #007896; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram</a>. The Sweet Seattle Life will be on hiatus until we return. </div>
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If you’ve got kid-friendly travel recommendations for Baja, Mainland Mexico, Central America (Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, CR, Panama), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina), we’d love to hear ’em!</div>
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xo,</div>
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Sonja and Chris</div>
Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-70441072603312891982017-05-22T22:12:00.000-07:002017-05-22T22:12:04.707-07:00Weekend Happenings Hullo!<br />
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Summer weather has finally arrived in Seattle and we spent the weekend curled up like cats in the sunshine on the deck, just soaking up that Vitamin D.<br />
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We are ready for warm weather!! (But, because we're fickle Seattlelites, we'll be complaining about the hot temps in no time flat).<br />
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Ben and Emma went swimming in the lake for the first time this year. They report that it is still freezing, but that somehow didn't stop them from spending an hour playing in the waves with some buddies. These kids are nuts.<br />
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Our new favorite outing is to ride down to the ice cream shop in Lake Forest Park. It's 8 miles round trip which gives Ben a nice sense of accomplishment. And if we need a little pick-me-up then we'll stop at my parent's house (half way) for biscuits. I am a firm believer in restoring lost calories through ice cream consumption. :)<br />
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Also, please note that these will be the only two selfies I take while riding a bike. It was terrifying and I'm putting it firmly in the category of 'generally bad and unsafe ideas'.<br />
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This is a poor photo but word on the street is that someone in our neighborhood raises these ring-necked pheasants and then releases them into the city. (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_pheasant#/media/File:Phasianus_colchicus_2_tom_(Lukasz_Lukasik).jpg">here's</a> a better photo). We see them about every six months and our little eagle-eyed Ben was the one to spot this gentleman on the way to school yesterday. The guys are pretty flashy and it's a hoot for the kids to spy them strolling down the street.<br />
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We also have nesting merlin falcons and several coyote sightings so things are hopping in the 'hood from an urban wildlife standpoint. Love this city.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMwe49yl0gtmKOBEXH776fdfrNym_F8lRcAsx9PUAci0PaWH45dzRchfM3uq4OZQRJc5LVzJZK31Ww_TunKFTpk7LWxG8Ry6IEvlFMqyN2lf9oHvS9zRtheO0CY5wVYk-E7em/s1600/IMG_20170330_074521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMwe49yl0gtmKOBEXH776fdfrNym_F8lRcAsx9PUAci0PaWH45dzRchfM3uq4OZQRJc5LVzJZK31Ww_TunKFTpk7LWxG8Ry6IEvlFMqyN2lf9oHvS9zRtheO0CY5wVYk-E7em/s640/IMG_20170330_074521.jpg" width="570" /></a></div>
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Chris got an early birthday present and we went down to SODO to see the band Passenger. It's been ages since we made it out for live music so it was definitely a treat. They put on a great show; Also: we're old. I <strike>double </strike>triple checked to make sure I'd brought my ear plugs for the concert; I get cranky when my ears ring after too long at top volume. I need to save what hearing abilities I have left. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE_8Kovxpr83hOxxKH8gMAxdVKUcAmu72Lap78EcG47GridvaeXlcUV5Lne_2jFHCqfb6qZxIU7L8TXWqILbszVRc6btJBUB2sCZelAROidPNYbCsOjRgA6u1PhRQ_DwkDQ4L/s1600/IMG_20170326_214852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE_8Kovxpr83hOxxKH8gMAxdVKUcAmu72Lap78EcG47GridvaeXlcUV5Lne_2jFHCqfb6qZxIU7L8TXWqILbszVRc6btJBUB2sCZelAROidPNYbCsOjRgA6u1PhRQ_DwkDQ4L/s640/IMG_20170326_214852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We also just finished up an (exhausting) two day Wilderness First Aid class at the Mountaineers Club here in Seattle.<br />
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Given that we have two diabolical bambinos, we definitely feel more comfortable having some introductory knowledge for treating injuries while hiking out in the woods.<br />
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It was great fun; we also got to play the victim and be gussied up with stage makeup and fake wounds.<br />
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Get injured with us? We'll get you packaged up in no time. :)<br />
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Here is our hot air balloon crash patient with two broken legs, big bleeds, and facial contusions. He was a champ (and a good sport, given that we had him trussed up like a turkey).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WphMpG8pj-d0z0U2qnzFVP7hTE1LZiQBNCCeNY2hxh-g9eGq5BxP8TT40prZfaAQFAMqThXeKFn6kjlQZzAhQQueSHQ961L-5MRvbeV74WTUi_m0c_uAYlqJST3ILaqrUFVs/s1600/IMG_20170326_161338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WphMpG8pj-d0z0U2qnzFVP7hTE1LZiQBNCCeNY2hxh-g9eGq5BxP8TT40prZfaAQFAMqThXeKFn6kjlQZzAhQQueSHQ961L-5MRvbeV74WTUi_m0c_uAYlqJST3ILaqrUFVs/s640/IMG_20170326_161338.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And, last but no least, some articles for you to peruse. There are a few real gems in here. And probably a few duds, too, but you'll have to weed those out for yourself. :)<br />
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Did you know that AirBNB now offers experiences, in addition to vacation rentals? Spend a few hours with a local eating your way through their favorite food trucks or exploring their favorite haunts. I thought this <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/46256?source=p1">one</a> here in Seattle looked pretty cool. As does this <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/40983?source=pdpother">one</a>.<br />
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I'm digging these posters from <a href="https://www.rebelgirls.co/products/illustrated-poster?variant=34327447569">Rebel Girls</a>. I think Em and Ben might still be a little young for the book but the posters are fantastic.<br />
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This is an interesting perspective on household chores: <a href="https://english.emmaclit.com/2017/05/20/you-shouldve-asked/">You should have asked</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/06/lolas-story/524490/">My family's slave</a><br />
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<a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/04/opinion/check-this-box-if-youre-a-good-person.html?referer=">Check this box if you're a good person</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/a5380/millionaire-starter-wife/">I was a starter wife</a><br />
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My Uncle told me about this Mother's Day Tradition: <a href="https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/climbing-mount-st-helens-for-moms-a-pacific-northwest-tradition">Climbing Mt. St. Helens.</a> Looks like a hoot, right?<br />
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<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/03/backcountry-drug-war/521352/">Illegal Pot Farms Are Poisoning California’s Forests</a><div>
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Another reason to love badgers: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/31/can-you-dig-it-badger-captured-on-camera-burying-cow">their awesome digging abilities!</a></div>
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This article begins tragically but raises some very important questions: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/09/not-wanting-kids-is-entirely-normal/262367/">Kids vs. No kids</a></div>
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<a href="http://fortune.com/costco-wholesale-shopping/">The Cult of Costco</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2017/co-working-meets-childcare-new-incubator-aims-support-working-parents/">Co-working meets childcare: How this business incubator is supporting working moms.</a> This place sounds almost, but not quite, as awesome as my sister-in-law's <a href="https://www.theboardroomak.com/">Boardroom</a>!<div>
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<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/can-science-curb-donor-organ-shortage-self-driving-cars-will-n719386">Self driving cars will create organ shortages. </a> A slightly morbid perspective I never would have considered. </div>
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And last but not least, a little levity: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehh8ZdIMMj4">Bike lane hero</a>. Make sure you can hear him singing. </div>
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xo, </div>
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Sonja</div>
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Sonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-62016125511201905732017-03-21T23:02:00.000-07:002019-10-02T08:22:17.115-07:00March Happenings<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello! Happy March. </div>
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Things have been humming away here in our household. We are ready for the grey soggy clouds to be replaced by gorgeous Spring sunshine but so far there has been exactly zero evidence of changing seasons with the exception of a few brave tulips.</div>
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Ben's class created another auction item, based directly off of this <a href="http://glittergoods.typepad.com/glittergoods/2009/04/scratch-foam-block-printing-plus-a-few-bonus-auction-project-tips.html">example</a>. Print-making with kindergarteners is a LOT of work but we're pretty delighted with the finished product. </div>
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We took a field trip downtown the other day and Ben's teacher instructed the kiddies to observe the buildings and structures that make up the Emerald City. Seattlelites will notice the Smith Tower, monorail, Great Wheel, Link Light Rail, the Space Needle, the Ballard Bridge, and several of the cranes that dominate our skyline these days. Drop me a line if you know any high bidders. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFBfJCaH4j4nqt_3Khycxt2PmeK4x2aerppTiS77iE5XCaXvgm9zp_5i7Npdt0JNmfSqrQNs7yDpRRJej-id4AY_JmGSexXThcB2KYlVc49uv33WBKCzsW8XDlQCHCFmAjumD/s1600/IMG_20170308_121636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFBfJCaH4j4nqt_3Khycxt2PmeK4x2aerppTiS77iE5XCaXvgm9zp_5i7Npdt0JNmfSqrQNs7yDpRRJej-id4AY_JmGSexXThcB2KYlVc49uv33WBKCzsW8XDlQCHCFmAjumD/s640/IMG_20170308_121636.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
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It's been fun to spend time in Ben's class, getting to know the other kids and observing how his days are structured. Mostly it's made me especially appreciative of his teacher. She has a tough job teaching 24 kids with drastically varying abilities and talents; I'm in awe of her abilities. </div>
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For mid-winter break we took a quick trip up to Alaska to visit grandparents. The kids had a blast sledding and ice fishing, despite the fact that it was seriously cold. Grandpa wins the award for best sport... kids get cranky when the fish aren't biting and the wind is whipping across the lake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhKO9X_oF77hVYI3ThtxSUY5Xgor5yU55q1fiP9vzBKR03-K_-bguJaNEJTrZWyEjD0EYtTL_3taCMOEZWlVD9a-5n910clrL63BxqED9332MZ_TIB_v32932GTA-WLXg5Xyt/s1600/IMG_20170222_110959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhKO9X_oF77hVYI3ThtxSUY5Xgor5yU55q1fiP9vzBKR03-K_-bguJaNEJTrZWyEjD0EYtTL_3taCMOEZWlVD9a-5n910clrL63BxqED9332MZ_TIB_v32932GTA-WLXg5Xyt/s640/IMG_20170222_110959.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD_AG2AOEgvdT1tvnOPRB3Hmc1MsB9ED9TCObMMdek2YZ-xO_VKECVo-0uCRlg0GXDmn9jFW9FkizKDVY5ZYGHL_qkGKl8WqlKgt7GWf2g6PnG4wLIwoh2EL17wloKFRvJUbR/s1600/IMG_20170222_111048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD_AG2AOEgvdT1tvnOPRB3Hmc1MsB9ED9TCObMMdek2YZ-xO_VKECVo-0uCRlg0GXDmn9jFW9FkizKDVY5ZYGHL_qkGKl8WqlKgt7GWf2g6PnG4wLIwoh2EL17wloKFRvJUbR/s640/IMG_20170222_111048.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Remember how I said that I wasn't going to get new furniture until the kids were off to college? Well, I'm having to eat those words right about now. The couches got to the point where they had collected enough stains that it was embarrassing when company came over. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GH0g4Z35_g4YuoX6D4Nv4imfnMKCTiQMW9AQqoM20EKD5g54Li6QRHSnAqjweLHzwzFqFFz5Q5Bb8SCqv0YlXOkEZQq76RL_2fNh3IKCNflkR4gsNu3sV117xejqPlBKtwli/s1600/DSC_8471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GH0g4Z35_g4YuoX6D4Nv4imfnMKCTiQMW9AQqoM20EKD5g54Li6QRHSnAqjweLHzwzFqFFz5Q5Bb8SCqv0YlXOkEZQq76RL_2fNh3IKCNflkR4gsNu3sV117xejqPlBKtwli/s640/DSC_8471.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We did a little makeover. We brought the tv room couch upstairs and got a close-out leather couch from Macy's. We also got a new rug...which is a lot more white than I thought. One glass of spilled red wine is going to be the death of it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmI9I5tNk_6IIuT_tdnrlLh5fbChsEKC7Jn8xg1dr3DQcpcySpCxviTQ0Z2rfZpBqmhIg8nBywypoXBEhzgZPJ_LAbQ1t_zZWXB11BUg-kks_mHMmMI2YPp2BQb6YouhXvzqx/s1600/DSC_8474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmI9I5tNk_6IIuT_tdnrlLh5fbChsEKC7Jn8xg1dr3DQcpcySpCxviTQ0Z2rfZpBqmhIg8nBywypoXBEhzgZPJ_LAbQ1t_zZWXB11BUg-kks_mHMmMI2YPp2BQb6YouhXvzqx/s640/DSC_8474.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can also see the paint job on the fireplace. Here is the <a href="http://www.sweetseattlelife.com/2016/11/daily-happenings-and-house-update.html">original version</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcANwmJVNOjqQJEvGTjOj8V6nK4gA95xEd30kgq1ZAQa6O1nS5fAvxlnRY9SrOCGARxhLsLiZo5c6JMC_S0xMO58jUU6K-LDbuBwiXM0vFhgheeSq2OtACEDvZ2ToxdFAlquB/s1600/DSC_8476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcANwmJVNOjqQJEvGTjOj8V6nK4gA95xEd30kgq1ZAQa6O1nS5fAvxlnRY9SrOCGARxhLsLiZo5c6JMC_S0xMO58jUU6K-LDbuBwiXM0vFhgheeSq2OtACEDvZ2ToxdFAlquB/s640/DSC_8476.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are a few articles of interest from around the 'net:</div>
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Seattle folk: <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/a-three-course-dinner-for-23-whats-the-deal-with-seattles-portfolio-restaurant/">Let's eat here sometime</a>. </div>
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Chris <i>loves</i> the band Passenger. <a href="https://youtu.be/qjlgWwB6D2w">And I love this song.</a> </div>
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<a href="http://momastery.com/blog/2016/06/22/quit-hating-her/"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://momastery.com/blog/2016/06/22/quit-hating-her/">Quit hating her.</a></div>
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<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-rv-bandit-004524310.html">The RV bandit who stole a million dollars, one wallet at a time. </a></div>
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<a href="https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/">Earth time lapses. Check out the Columbia Glacier. </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jan/16/ms-and-swedish-supermarkets-ditch-sticky-labels-for-natural-branding?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email">Swedish supermarkets ditch the sticky labels </a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A8syQeFtBKc&app=desktop">The Sandy Hook promise. </a><br />
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xo,<br />
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SonjaSonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-15411939677626049452017-02-14T20:54:00.001-08:002017-02-14T21:12:42.083-08:00Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa8gbiH9V2QQ2TKeO_vMgXqmyx9OePcFGdIBG37bPWt3yE0fyYBxRCHtGYp4fZg0chA0DYuq45L1fCpM2jzOm0lqoxzRaxNEu8HjNKasC1L4PyXnB62pyLI6qcQvpEdHZoCoB/s1600/IMG_20170209_143246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa8gbiH9V2QQ2TKeO_vMgXqmyx9OePcFGdIBG37bPWt3yE0fyYBxRCHtGYp4fZg0chA0DYuq45L1fCpM2jzOm0lqoxzRaxNEu8HjNKasC1L4PyXnB62pyLI6qcQvpEdHZoCoB/s640/IMG_20170209_143246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Valentine's Day!!<br />
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Ben got up at 5:45 this morning because he was so excited about 'this special love day'. His teacher did a nice job of facilitating the exchange of cards and even incorporated some heart candy into her math lesson. She also had the kids refrain from opening their bags of goodies until after the school day was over. She ain't no dummy. We were sugar crash central around here [ahem. see the above picture for photographic proof].<br />
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I'll admit, I've never been a big VD person. Chris and I usually forget, honestly. This year he came home with a kiss and a wilted rose that he said was from his parking attendant. No joke. I didn't get him anything and we had two cranky kids this evening so it wasn't the most romantic of nights.<br />
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But! We actually do have a sitter scheduled for this week and I'm looking forward to a nice dinner and time for some non child-related conversation.<br />
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In other school-related news, I sewed this little reading tipi for our upcoming school auction. It was relatively straight forward (but also time consuming) to construct. Let's hope it sells for a lot of moolah. Our Seattle public schools are woefully underfunded and our little school could use the cash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihlzDDvz7RGDsCHL9jXe85YwXxCURo-zhYPKuxrtgwa2XsQ3Mil0I-k7_DwAH8Tnpn2gShJtjpeVlGXE1ZfeRfi7KrG85SNxKyDnhGY48yM1kGn9UuZXA9NImVhVKQLlOxyWs/s1600/IMG_20170131_114117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihlzDDvz7RGDsCHL9jXe85YwXxCURo-zhYPKuxrtgwa2XsQ3Mil0I-k7_DwAH8Tnpn2gShJtjpeVlGXE1ZfeRfi7KrG85SNxKyDnhGY48yM1kGn9UuZXA9NImVhVKQLlOxyWs/s400/IMG_20170131_114117.jpg" width="292" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh597ruu_UPJYWbIX8RT3doCrpixaPo8zQnYh5ArVa4slx5TpOZGfADNiCo9e_NVOtsgUPPPXAOwComUfCpTPBKu9ReNUxovpDVfsLHEC_eVpnd09M31HaWsNOinBs9a7c5Iv9R/s1600/IMG_20170131_114035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh597ruu_UPJYWbIX8RT3doCrpixaPo8zQnYh5ArVa4slx5TpOZGfADNiCo9e_NVOtsgUPPPXAOwComUfCpTPBKu9ReNUxovpDVfsLHEC_eVpnd09M31HaWsNOinBs9a7c5Iv9R/s400/IMG_20170131_114035.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Have a great rest of the week.<br />
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xo,<br />
SonjaSonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12778506.post-16666502621700803362017-02-11T19:13:00.004-08:002017-02-11T19:13:43.700-08:00News and ReviewsHappy Weekend! We are having a lazy few days and it feels lovely after an especially hectic January.<br />
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Our neck of the woods got a slight dusting of snow early in the week which was especially exciting for the bambinos.<br />
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We had some neighborhood kids over for a bit of sledding and snowperson-making. They had a blast. And I was happy when school started up again. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/features/wild-horses-part-one/">The Wild Horses of the American West (part 1)</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.damninteresting.com/ten-minutes-in-lituya-bay/">Ten minutes in Lituya Bay</a> (the mysterious tale of a massive wave in a remote Alaska fjord)<br />
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Women: <a href="https://medium.com/bigger-picture/about-your-poem-1f26a7585a6f#.xqqp75km8">You are not equal. I'm sorry. </a><br />
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<a href="http://time.com/white-house-interviews/">What it's like to work (and live) in the White House</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2146981/how-fugitive-pot-smuggler-became-environmental-hero">How a fugitive smuggler became an environmental hero</a><br />
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A reality show I might actually watch: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jan/09/family-rules-indigenous-family-of-10-strong-women-star-in-refreshing-new-reality-series">An indigenous family of women in a new series titled Family Rules</a><br />
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This is how we need to do battle: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/canada-and-denmark-whiskey-war-over-hans-island-2016-1">Canada and Denmark are caught in a whiskey war</a><br />
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Only in the Pacific Northwest: <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/flying-fish-fries-power-for-dozens-of-seattle-city-light-customers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_left_1.1">flying eagle drops fish, causes power outage</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/19-life-saving-facts-that-everyone-should-know/">19 lifesaving tips</a><br />
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xo,<br />
SonjaSonjahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07991225701647192076noreply@blogger.com