tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43435708242316830062024-03-14T01:48:34.109-05:00My Pixelated OasisWelcome! Pull up a chair, and let me share some of my passions with you. I'll tell you what I've been learning about my Nikon D300s, about photography, recipes, and share some of my views of the world. Tell me what you think!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger890125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-21929822301537172982018-04-30T10:58:00.001-05:002018-04-30T11:03:05.572-05:00March 22nd, Venice: How My Beloved, Rick Steves, Failed Me (Once) and Locanda Ca’ Zose, Dorsoduro(Or how to get a stranger to come to your hotel room unexpectedly in the middle of the night). I am secretly in love (a little bit) with Rick Steves, but he failed me in Venice (just once). Rick Steves has a fantastic set of guide books and a free app, Rick Steves' Europe, which has audio tours for many major attractions in Europe. We used several in Venice: The Grand Canal Tour, San Marco's Square, San Marco's Basilica. These were excellent, even if we did look a little dorky constantly wearing our headphones:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y34xShM2PU/Wuc18-byIlI/AAAAAAAAXds/26OJToc2Y3kb9O3y8kHdEDixIc9ZU9iPACLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y34xShM2PU/Wuc18-byIlI/AAAAAAAAXds/26OJToc2Y3kb9O3y8kHdEDixIc9ZU9iPACLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0742.jpg" /></a><br />
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And Ricky's guide books provided us with excellent practical information in navigating a foreign country, customs, and currency. With his advice, we tried to book Alessandro's Wine and Cicchetti tour. Unfortunately, Alessandro did not have 8 people signed up and it was cancelled. But because of our advance sleuthing (on youtube) we were able to identify some of the bars, and went on our own. Cicchetti are little appetizers that are a specialty of Venice wine bars, and it's hard to go wrong with wine in Italy:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ONlFq0zg4Y/Wuc4SBcmwnI/AAAAAAAAXd4/dLEP4rA4lMA0-KA185HunSSUkVJjoUB-wCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ONlFq0zg4Y/Wuc4SBcmwnI/AAAAAAAAXd4/dLEP4rA4lMA0-KA185HunSSUkVJjoUB-wCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0799.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ41GBjWFlo/Wuc4SKwFmTI/AAAAAAAAXd8/SkHzsB4gQMkok33YlZ8ibASCrhSIJhM9wCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ41GBjWFlo/Wuc4SKwFmTI/AAAAAAAAXd8/SkHzsB4gQMkok33YlZ8ibASCrhSIJhM9wCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0801.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boNHEx-7TgA/Wuc4SNJmIZI/AAAAAAAAXeA/4X-mx-Inj_EI9pxunbDrOA7B1kIovWYjQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boNHEx-7TgA/Wuc4SNJmIZI/AAAAAAAAXeA/4X-mx-Inj_EI9pxunbDrOA7B1kIovWYjQCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0804.jpg" /></a><br />
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Here are a few shots of our delightful little hotel, Locanda Ca' Zose, in the slightly less touristy area of Venice (excellent Rick Steves' advice):<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TETBmhVj6xo/Wuc5rcVHg0I/AAAAAAAAXec/j97qH_EEa7MXJzpomTKVyC07hV9gc2AjACLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TETBmhVj6xo/Wuc5rcVHg0I/AAAAAAAAXec/j97qH_EEa7MXJzpomTKVyC07hV9gc2AjACLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0488.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eB3einEAkEA/Wuc5rf9PmQI/AAAAAAAAXeU/_XadWaxRLaI5LacNAGQ4HL7WioD1N6f6QCLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eB3einEAkEA/Wuc5rf9PmQI/AAAAAAAAXeU/_XadWaxRLaI5LacNAGQ4HL7WioD1N6f6QCLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0489.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1y_33_FCyHA/Wuc5rV1cv4I/AAAAAAAAXeY/qDclTbc6EXUmlnIDbLe45ZuQMhODpXomgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1y_33_FCyHA/Wuc5rV1cv4I/AAAAAAAAXeY/qDclTbc6EXUmlnIDbLe45ZuQMhODpXomgCLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0490.jpg" /></a><br />
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Because I was also following Rick Steves' important advice about the light-weight suitcase, it was important to wash a few items of clothing out in the evenings. There was a very helpful heated towel rack and a laundry line in the shower. Unfortunately, the little doohicky that you slide the button into was missing. Not a problem; I just wrapped the end of the laundry line around the hook just outside the shower.<br />
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But because of Rick Steves' failure, we got a phone call our second night/early morning from the hotel desk. Dianna answered it and told the desk clerk to come on up to our room. He said he had to check the alarm in our room!!!!?????!!!! So I let him in and hopped back in bed (I wasn't awake!) Then he came out of the bathroom and said we needed to take our clothes off the alarm line. THE ALARM LINE! (It's important to note two things here: 1. Richard Steves never warned us about this alarm lines all over Venice, Florence and Rome and 2. This was close to 48 hours after we'd (I'd) been putting things on the clothes line, so how long were we suppose to remain dead in our shower before they checked on our bodies?)<br />
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Just think of this as PSA so you don't have to be mortified by the unexpected appearance of the very sweet man who also made us excellent cappuccini every morning.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-17300920850258274772018-04-24T10:32:00.002-05:002018-04-24T10:38:48.783-05:00March 21st, Venice: San Marco Square, Chocolate Fountains, and The Bridge of SighsRick Steve has a wonderful app, Rick Steve's Europe, which includes Audio Tours that can be downloaded and used as guides through many of the major attractions throughout Europe. It's like having your own personal tour guide in your head, and I also had the good fortune of having my own personal art historian at my side in the person of Alicia! <br />
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Our next stop in Venice was St. Mark's Basilica and San Marco's Square, and we had Audio Tours for both. <br />
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Here's another picture from inside the Doge's Palace:<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MILiqCzspGM/Wt9MlBpuh_I/AAAAAAAAXa8/k1rUtfaBXzUPEsEOSPLllYVVxTntBi3xQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0616.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MILiqCzspGM/Wt9MlBpuh_I/AAAAAAAAXa8/k1rUtfaBXzUPEsEOSPLllYVVxTntBi3xQCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0616.jpg" /></a><br />
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A shot of St. Mark's Square:<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PrSuEFpjjaw/Wt9M6wGVINI/AAAAAAAAXbE/S9R_O_INbLI2z0b3D0mBIH42QvQQFIUSwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0619.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PrSuEFpjjaw/Wt9M6wGVINI/AAAAAAAAXbE/S9R_O_INbLI2z0b3D0mBIH42QvQQFIUSwCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0619.jpg" /></a><br />
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The Bridge of Sighs, said to be the passage way through which prisoners, tried and sentenced in the Doge's Palace, were marched across this canal to the attached prison, getting their last look through the little windows at freedom and the outside world:<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdhH7pfCiTI/Wt9O1Q7cm9I/AAAAAAAAXbo/EdUHqAi82QQLD9nHijrUBqChHaMnnqvOgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdhH7pfCiTI/Wt9O1Q7cm9I/AAAAAAAAXbo/EdUHqAi82QQLD9nHijrUBqChHaMnnqvOgCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0749.jpg" /></a><br />
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Walking through the little streets of Venice:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoY4m-xfaB8/Wt9NRiEAZUI/AAAAAAAAXbU/9SNdDoaCTHs54XSqf7i_vVAq4nT8jR_YQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoY4m-xfaB8/Wt9NRiEAZUI/AAAAAAAAXbU/9SNdDoaCTHs54XSqf7i_vVAq4nT8jR_YQCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0634.jpg" /></a><br />
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And shop windows with chocolate fountains! <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAVY13P3Vdw/Wt9NRozFCbI/AAAAAAAAXbQ/Yq1zbnxTEeUHz4dI0_Z2RodB4aHYuiYfwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0638.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAVY13P3Vdw/Wt9NRozFCbI/AAAAAAAAXbQ/Yq1zbnxTEeUHz4dI0_Z2RodB4aHYuiYfwCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0638.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNflw-wSzP8/Wt9NRlfregI/AAAAAAAAXbM/anit4pigNXguzS4kW9TL-3Qqag38G6-ogCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNflw-wSzP8/Wt9NRlfregI/AAAAAAAAXbM/anit4pigNXguzS4kW9TL-3Qqag38G6-ogCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0900.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-67790384392311831302018-04-23T18:35:00.001-05:002018-04-23T18:49:34.222-05:00March 21st, Venice: Doge's Palace and the Secret ItinerariesWith the wonderful help of Rick Steve, Dianna, Alicia and I had worked out a detailed itinerary for our 3 days in Venice. First up on our first full day was our scheduled visit to the Doge's Palace with our ticket to the "Secret Itinerary", a tour showing us, among other things, the cell of Casanova. The Doge's Place was originally built in 810, but then with significant reconstruction in the 1300s and 1400s. Who knew Casanova was actually real? Apparently, most everyone but me. Casanova was quite the character, sentenced for 5 years because of his "affront to religion and common decency". He managed to chisel an escape route through his cell floor with a piece of black marble. He used the black marble to sharpen a spike out of a bar from his cell. However, 3 days before his plan to escape during a festival, he was moved to a better cell, but with the help of a renegade priest, Father Balbi, was eventually able to concoct a complicated plan that led to their escape. <br />
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Casanova was challenged in getting OUT of the Doge's Palace; we were challenged getting TO the Doge's Palace (seat of the city government but also a prison in the 1700s), and it was not Rick Steve's fault. Somehow, the three of us managed to get to the vaporetto stop, but without our vaporetto tickets. We returned to our hotel, several times, collecting more tickets, head phones for our Rick Steve's app with audio tours, and tour tickets. . . so many times, in fact, that a homeless woman sitting on a bridge watching us over and over (5x), finally asked us in English, "What's the matter, girls?" But we finally made it onto the vaporetto. However, with our initial uncertainty, we got on and off the same vaporetto, several times, before finally deciding that we were, in fact, going in the right direction. And as much as we were trying to get the logistics "right", it really didn't matter, because we were never actually asked for our tickets. Ever. On any of the vaporetto rides! <br />
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The vaporettos are not really complicated; it's just that it's like anything the first time you do it, especially in a foreign country with a language you don't speak: until you do it once, you're just not certain of it, and then it seems so incredibly easy and fun!<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-le0Z3UYbAlM/Wt5tOp1Qq9I/AAAAAAAAXZ8/suksrEFNQbA6mUfBKNeniqqV0krKwMKmgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-le0Z3UYbAlM/Wt5tOp1Qq9I/AAAAAAAAXZ8/suksrEFNQbA6mUfBKNeniqqV0krKwMKmgCLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0511.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTHJ1a7mHOo/Wt5tOoAp60I/AAAAAAAAXaE/FvLJdi8YRvg83nFjgrZgU_71VsPXNYXPACLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0517.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTHJ1a7mHOo/Wt5tOoAp60I/AAAAAAAAXaE/FvLJdi8YRvg83nFjgrZgU_71VsPXNYXPACLcBGAs/s900/20180321-_DSF0517.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwCQZiRQ4Us/Wt5tOssVOJI/AAAAAAAAXaA/A9a1WGrg_O8FLUbwljhjUVxDcz-p3-tIQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0520.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwCQZiRQ4Us/Wt5tOssVOJI/AAAAAAAAXaA/A9a1WGrg_O8FLUbwljhjUVxDcz-p3-tIQCLcBGAs/s640/20180321-_DSF0520.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1500" data-original-height="1000" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fu9BGhjQIBE/Wt5tPaSvlOI/AAAAAAAAXaI/TU7G-OEqsJIB92ujCS2YOkoLeeMywDu3gCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fu9BGhjQIBE/Wt5tPaSvlOI/AAAAAAAAXaI/TU7G-OEqsJIB92ujCS2YOkoLeeMywDu3gCLcBGAs/s640/20180321-_DSF0522.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1500" data-original-height="1000" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-274_ncg71wE/Wt5tPldUymI/AAAAAAAAXaM/Zt-TrX9WTbE0ICmeCHZhwT-2IRFxuQyXQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180321-_DSF0540.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-274_ncg71wE/Wt5tPldUymI/AAAAAAAAXaM/Zt-TrX9WTbE0ICmeCHZhwT-2IRFxuQyXQCLcBGAs/s640/20180321-_DSF0540.jpg" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="667" data-original-height="1000" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-75513847341937070942018-04-19T10:42:00.002-05:002018-04-23T18:37:16.567-05:00March 20, 2018 On our Way to Venice & the Joys of Priority PassIt's quite the trek, getting to Venice. I prepped for the trip, jet lag, by getting up earlier and earlier each day, plunging the ever tolerant Doug into cave-like darkness as early as 4 pm, and altering when I ate protein or carbohydrates. I found that it worked quite well! Preparations also involved diligent watching and reading Rick Steve's Italy materials and weighing every item that went into my itty bitty suitcase.<br />
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Dianna brought Luna to us in North Carolina, and Doug was now officially on "dog-duty" with 3 rambunctious pups who wanted his attention and walks while we cavorted in Europe. Our trip to the airport was not uneventful in that I became convinced that I did not pack my debit card to get euros, and tearing apart my purse and meticulously packed suitcase. Just as we made our final turn to the airport, I found the card, and had to reconstruct my suitcase.<br />
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We were so lucky, Dianna and I! Our AA flight was very under booked! I don't sleep well on planes but did doze off in the wee hours of the morning. I looked up, and Dianna was gone! Gone, gone! She had been in the window seat, with no one between us, and me on the aisle, and she was gone. I got up and looked around, and somehow she had walked right over me, took the row behind me, had ALL the pillows, and was stretched out across three seats! I promptly copied her, and took over my aisle's three seats. Almost bliss!<br />
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Unfortunately, I mess up the flights and had gotten us to Heathrow in London, requiring a bus trip from Heathrow to Gatwick. It was mildly complicated, but we arrived in Gatwick quite early. I've been discovering some travel-hacking tips, and got to put to use one of my new favorites: the Priority Pass. You get this through Chase Sapphire Reserve for free and it allows you access to 1100 worldwide airport lounges. This meant that Dianna and I had got to enter this lounge, order a meal, use the buffet, wifi, very comfortable seating, and have unlimited drinks. We felt indulged!<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkGn9fHXl7k/Wti2B1OuG5I/AAAAAAAAXI4/XeSF4dPGbgYLR-klQYPIGiXX3c0ns25RgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkGn9fHXl7k/Wti2B1OuG5I/AAAAAAAAXI4/XeSF4dPGbgYLR-klQYPIGiXX3c0ns25RgCLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0437.jpg" /></a><br />
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Next, we landed in the Marco Polo airport in Venice and had to navigate through the process of getting euros from ATM machines and purchasing our Alilaguna Blue water bus ticket, and our vaporetto passes, including Dianna's discounted pass. We needed euros for the hotel taxes at each of the hotels. The Alialaguna is the water bus that got us from the airport to the area of the lagoon (Venice) near our hotel. And the vaporetto passes would give us 3 days of access to Venice's public transportation system (water buses) riding up and down the Grand Canal!<br />
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So, off we went on the Alilaguna to our stop at Zattere, then up and down bridges to find our hotel:<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIb_p8PgoYQ/Wti35mz6MYI/AAAAAAAAXJE/61ryD8ZYjVAuovdbIlYWleXTRt3Fg7axACLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIb_p8PgoYQ/Wti35mz6MYI/AAAAAAAAXJE/61ryD8ZYjVAuovdbIlYWleXTRt3Fg7axACLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0463.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDbQXrFTvN4/Wti35rcqy7I/AAAAAAAAXJI/slja8OYwvIIjfy0boLw0w4NcNfbBNPOFwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDbQXrFTvN4/Wti35rcqy7I/AAAAAAAAXJI/slja8OYwvIIjfy0boLw0w4NcNfbBNPOFwCLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0473.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx-E_CCvMXA/Wti35sC7HtI/AAAAAAAAXJM/TLfv8QxRAKcf6FqKh5Y5dht5CPbag4k3ACLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx-E_CCvMXA/Wti35sC7HtI/AAAAAAAAXJM/TLfv8QxRAKcf6FqKh5Y5dht5CPbag4k3ACLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0474.jpg"
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCKc89Wa0L4/Wti36VVuodI/AAAAAAAAXJQ/f84J_S6qiHw8XfGj4m9ScrU2SMhlHgTmACLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCKc89Wa0L4/Wti36VVuodI/AAAAAAAAXJQ/f84J_S6qiHw8XfGj4m9ScrU2SMhlHgTmACLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0475.jpg"
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA4M6r_sNM/Wti36QtJNdI/AAAAAAAAXJU/drN9ShZF9sMdGTtVLW_IyODlGMhTExkbwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA4M6r_sNM/Wti36QtJNdI/AAAAAAAAXJU/drN9ShZF9sMdGTtVLW_IyODlGMhTExkbwCLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0477.jpg"
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpPmVXOeOfM/Wti36n5IplI/AAAAAAAAXJY/lPXf4Ta-0Fcj6NFon_nx1Gcho-t_4BpGwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180320-_DSF0484.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpPmVXOeOfM/Wti36n5IplI/AAAAAAAAXJY/lPXf4Ta-0Fcj6NFon_nx1Gcho-t_4BpGwCLcBGAs/s900/20180320-_DSF0484.jpg"
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That said, I miss blogging and have time to do so, now that I've retired (2015) and recovered from my broken ankle (goodbye, 2016; you were a rotten year, all in all). And what better topic to start with than this most awesome ever trip: a Mother-Daughter trip with my favorite daughter, Dianna, and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Alicia.<br />
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Dianna and I went to Venice (Italy! did I mention Italy?) We spent the first 3 days in Venice, then 3 days in Florence, and a final 4 days in Rome. Alicia was only able to participate in the cicchetti (savory snacks or small side dishes, typically served in a bar or informal restaurant, primarily in Venice) and wine days of our trip.<br />
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Here are two preview pictures (and test of whether my posting will work) of our joyful time: <br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTNqn3cHHhE/WuEUbJv7uaI/AAAAAAAAXcs/H0ouFTX8034BSQv7lLiW09FCwpfpmGcEwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180322-_DSF0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTNqn3cHHhE/WuEUbJv7uaI/AAAAAAAAXcs/H0ouFTX8034BSQv7lLiW09FCwpfpmGcEwCLcBGAs/s900/20180322-_DSF0890.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmeLdqpJuak/WuEUbKZts5I/AAAAAAAAXco/rIcMCMDs6N0dQ623KUcM6Ve2YT1H2ELewCLcBGAs/s1600/20180322-_DSF0892.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmeLdqpJuak/WuEUbKZts5I/AAAAAAAAXco/rIcMCMDs6N0dQ623KUcM6Ve2YT1H2ELewCLcBGAs/s900/20180322-_DSF0892.jpg" /></a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-34370061568522981162013-11-10T14:22:00.000-06:002013-11-10T14:22:35.215-06:00Pumpkin Soup! This is Worth Coming out of Hibernation!It's that time of year: cold, dreary and bleak outside. But pumpkin soup can enfuse joy into the dullest day, especially pumpkin PIE soup!<br />
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Check out these ingredients:<br />
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1 pie pumpkin, about 2 lbs, halved and seeded<br />
1/2 lb bacon, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces. Did someone say BACON!!!!<br />
a handful of leeks, white parts only, on a medium yellow onion, diced<br />
1 apple, cored and diced<br />
6 cups chicken stock<br />
1 T cinnamon<br />
2 t allspice<br />
1 t ground cloves<br />
2 t nutmeg<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
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Find a pretty little pumpkin in the grocery store. If you don't have a Whole Foods, be prepared to explain to the check out clerk what it is, how much it cost (because they never seem to know the names of foreign objects like vegetables.)<br />
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Bake the pumpkin, cut in half, for about an hour. Pour some of the chicken stock into the rimmed pan.<br />
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Cook the bacon in a stockpot. Add the onion or leeks, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook the mixture until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes. <br />
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Stir in the apple and remaining stock. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until apple is tender, about 10 minutes.<br />
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Scoop out the pumpkin and add to pan and simmer for another 5 minutes. Let the soup cool, and then ladle as much as you like into a blender or food processer and puree. Add back to the pan, and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. I like it better without the salt and pepper so that more of the "pie" flavor emerges. <br />
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Try not to eat the whole pot in one sitting! Serves about 7.<br />
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I was not highly invested in the excursion we had planned for our 3rd day of the 5 night cruise. This was the "Grand Cayman and Mangrove Forest Tour". The mangrove forest sounded intriguing, but the Grand Cayman highlights seemed dismal. I was wrong: it was abysmal.<br />
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It's ok that a little island has very little to offer, and although I thought the saltwater forest would be interesting, I wish that it hadn't been packaged with "highlights."<br />
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The "highlights" consisted of a little narrated bus tour with a guide who was just bursting with information--about fast food restaurants. Why, yes! There is a McDonalds, and Kentucky Fried Chicken, and here is our Arby's! Bank buildings were pointed out (but really? did we need to see them?), and if only the man could answer some basic questions about the infrastructure or the economy. . . . One plucky tourist did keep trying, asking about how the citizens of the island got their drinking water, was there a method of desalination, but sadly, the tour guide was clueless, about this, or the economy in general on the island. Ah, well. . . I guess that's what google and wikipedia are for.<br />
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Our tour guide did not let us down, though, when it came to clever wit and repartee in pointing out that there is a street named "Hell". He managed to work this into about 15 sentences.<br />
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We even got to stop at a souvenir shop in "Hell" where we could buy postcards if we wanted. Most everyone passed, and sat this one out:<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-14405767935083742212013-04-13T12:52:00.001-05:002013-04-13T14:02:57.482-05:00Disney Cruise: Day 2The first full day of our cruise, we slept in late. A glorious, relaxing treat! We decided that unlike previous vacations, often accompanied by our commando vacationer children, we'd relax and zone out on our trip. That was our mission!<br />
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We slept in, and for lunch headed to Palo, the fancier Disney restaurant that requires a reservation and $20 per person. The server takes you on a tour of the food options: seafood, egg and pasta dishes, cheese tables, salads, fruits. . . . <br />
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. . . and desserts . . . it's eye-dazzling and overwhelming! And indulgent!<br />
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Next, when we could walk again with our increased weight and bulk and girth, without tipping over the ship, we wandered around, meandering to and fro, photographing Doug . . .<br />
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. . . . stuff (Disney wouldn't like me calling their "art" "stuff", but there are now Disney Swat teams patrolling my blog :) ). . . .<br />
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. . . . and me, reclining in the thoughtfully positioned portholes. . . .<br />
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But wait! Doesn't all that meandering to and fro work up a thirst? Why, it's time for the wine tasting! Being saddened by pathetically small things, I was saddened that I didn't this time get a tiny little "wine-tasting" pin to attach to my lanyard. What does one even do with a wine tasting pin, wear it proudly about Grand Forks? I don't know; but I wanted one again. . . .<br />
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So, we seemed to be accomplishing our mission of zone out relaxing during the day at sea, but we weren't quite ready to crash on a deck chair just yet, so we decided to caffeinate ourselves before sitting with our book-laden Nooks by the Quite Cove pool. And right by the pool is this little Quiet Cove Cafe, where these cheerful servers recommended two fancy coffees with all manner of tasty liqueurs stirred into them.<br />
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So, some hours later, after reading and snoozing by the pool, we managed to have dinner at our 8:15 seating in Triton's, the dining room for the evening. And further challenge to our bodies with the desserts of the night.<br />
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Unbelievably, we were still walking at the end of all this, and managed to find our way to Deck 4, where you can circle the ship a few times on their walking/jogging path. Definitely needed by this point!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-24375066285522268172013-04-09T20:03:00.000-05:002013-04-13T14:01:33.356-05:00Disney Magic Western Carribean Cruise: First of Five NightsI love how relaxed and tranquil Doug looks now! I don't think you can actually relax on a vacation until you've got all the logistics of getting there finally accomplished, and this is The Moment: (Maybe. Maybe it's still "Fine! Take the picture already!" sigh)<br />
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See all that white stuff on Miami Beach? <b>NOT snow!</b> <br />
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The little pilot boat cracked me up! At first, I thought it was going to "sketch" Mickey Ears, but that would have probably been over-the-top! But I <i>was</i> impressed with the circle!<br />
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Only as we pulled away from Miami did it look cloudy. None of the coming days were cloudy--just beautiful, sunny, warm days! Perfect vacation weather! Apparently, our usual weather curse took a vacation this trip!<br />
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And at dinner: Yummmmmm! Dessert! We couldn't decide, so ordered the sampler of three desserts.<br />
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Our dinner the first night was at Parrot Cay. Disney rotates you, with your same table-mates and servers, from dining room to dining room over the course of the cruise. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this cruise <i>was</i> the dinners, and not because of the food. The Disney Master Plan assigned three other couples as our table mates: one from New Jersey, one from Canada, and one from London. No children--which really does work better when you are not traveling with children, and all close in age. Good food, some wine, and great conversations! I loved the differing perspectives and life experiences! And hearing the London Sandra learn to imitate New Jersey's Lori and John's "you'll swim with da fishes!"<br />
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And then after dinner, we got to watch the movie "Lincoln" again. Even though we were exhausted, and I'd already seen it, it was absolutely riveting the second time through, after having read Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-24727656985563179842013-04-07T16:50:00.000-05:002013-04-07T16:50:25.536-05:00And Now, We Interrupt this Winter Weather Snit for a Disney Cruise!A month ago, we got back from one of the real treats of our life, getting to go on a Disney Cruise, in March! This anticipation of an escape from the winter doldrums keeps us going during the long November, December, January, February, March, April (and yes, often even May) months of winter. <br />
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It took me awhile to post photos, because the only souvenir that made it back with us was a nasty, lung-wretching cold that far surpassed any other cold of my adult life. And only now am I feeling energy to call upon my brain neurons to post. . . <br />
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This first shot is from a hotel window in Miami. We stayed at the Port of Miami Holiday Inn, just across the port. It's nothing fancy, just expensive, and very convenient to the port. We flew in a day early, because with a cruise in the winter, its a very good idea to allow a whole day for weather snafus. And with 12 hours of flights and airports, including one trek across an open field of snow to get from the parking lot to the airport entrance, a day of recovery time is a Very Good Idea.<br />
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And it gave me plenty of time to press my lens against the hotel window, using a slow shutter speed, to get light trails from the cars below:<br />
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Waiting in the Port of Miami just prior to embarkation is an exercise in containing excitement. You are so close, and have made it past so many of the Things That Can Go Wrong in travel!<br />
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Once you board, the first stop is the first buffet. This is your first chance to have Choice Overload of picking out all kinds of tasty things to sample. I've been trying to follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and had decided that on this trip, I'd eat whatever I felt like, and assess its impact. I noticed that for the most part, I genuinely wanted the choices that were still within the Diet guidelines. There was enough that was not, however, and although I felt the impact, it was not disastrous. I was very aware, however, that the effect might be being masked by medication, but all went well.<br />
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After the buffet is when you drag your carry-on luggage to your cabin and are allowed to check into the room. I find that the only reason to really keep much luggage with us at that point is because I'm just not willing to let me photographic equipment stray to far from my hands and sight.<br />
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Not too long after unpacking in our cabin, it's time for the mandatory life boat drill. Strangely, we don't have to put the life jackets on, just watch how it's done, and even though I'm one of those people who pay attention to the safety stuff on airplanes (and read my vehicle owner's manual), I missed the life jacket demonstration! I must have just spaced it out, watching some little kids torture their parents with sibling rivalry. Ooops! After all the Carnival Cruise line trouble, and seeing Titanic, I really did want to pay attention!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DBHl9G0dS8/UWHhRKyjRiI/AAAAAAAAKxM/_EGZN79JdIM/s1600/20130311-20130311-_2AC1663-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DBHl9G0dS8/UWHhRKyjRiI/AAAAAAAAKxM/_EGZN79JdIM/s1100/20130311-20130311-_2AC1663-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Time to check out the pools and decks!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32ZspCsXWBI/UWHhP65cxiI/AAAAAAAAKw0/ckNUjv3Mh0g/s1600/20130311-20130311-_2AC1658-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32ZspCsXWBI/UWHhP65cxiI/AAAAAAAAKw0/ckNUjv3Mh0g/s1100/20130311-20130311-_2AC1658-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And to check out a tropical drink-of-the-day! I'd thought we'd order the drink-of-the-day each day, but there really are just too many choices!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvatUuD1-r8/UWHhQB5MUgI/AAAAAAAAKw4/Ogk91RCEkFc/s1600/20130311-20130311-_2AC1660-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvatUuD1-r8/UWHhQB5MUgI/AAAAAAAAKw4/Ogk91RCEkFc/s1100/20130311-20130311-_2AC1660-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
And before long, the Embarkation Party! Here's something really important to note: No one is wearing parkas or gloves! Or racing AWAY from the outdoors! . . . . *<i>sigh</i>. . . . it's another world!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-Up_E7_9XQ/UWHhRhbU4jI/AAAAAAAAKxQ/FDXrgV4CXDM/s1600/20130311-20130311-_2AC1669-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-Up_E7_9XQ/UWHhRhbU4jI/AAAAAAAAKxQ/FDXrgV4CXDM/s1100/20130311-20130311-_2AC1669-2.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-65036979669366448642013-04-06T19:17:00.001-05:002013-04-06T19:17:30.466-05:00Husband Loses It over the Weather in North Dakota (understandably!)"We're in the f*ing suckhole here!" This is what my mild-mannered, sweet-natured good-humored husband said today. Because of our f*ing weather. I don't disagree with him in the slightest. Enough already! 30 degree weather, snow, and the ugliest, bleakest, greyest landscape you can imagine, while the rest of the state gets to have 50 degree weather.<br />
<br />
And Montana gets to have mid-60s, double our weather!<br />
<br />
So, imagine how I feel about the following photos, taken a whole month ago, NOT IN MY BACKYARD!<br />
<br />
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*sigh* And we had to come back. . <br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-81297168699603600282013-03-09T11:20:00.001-06:002013-03-17T22:06:35.248-05:00Buffalo Buddies. . . Signs of Spring!Signs of Spring? Really! They are! (sort of). Or at least signs of MY experiencing spring because I'm willing to get out of the car, approach these cute little beastlies, and try to make odd noises at them to lure them closer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L45ihPeO-7Q/UTtupWexaQI/AAAAAAAAKuI/Kmdqwy7KsSo/s1600/20130303-_2AC1427.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L45ihPeO-7Q/UTtupWexaQI/AAAAAAAAKuI/Kmdqwy7KsSo/s1100/20130303-_2AC1427.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
They're so strange and fascinating; they have very "herd-like" behavior, moving in unison, signaling some how to each other that one or the other should stand guard and check me out. And then when they decide I'm icky (how rude!) they all show their backsides to me at once, and move away.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-32403660666275947132013-02-24T13:23:00.001-06:002013-02-24T13:23:22.376-06:00Doug is NOT in the Trees!More signs of winter. . . .<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZsrrnJ6Ags/USpn9qavy0I/AAAAAAAAKts/yVYNYa0rtt4/s1600/20130223-_2AC1327.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZsrrnJ6Ags/USpn9qavy0I/AAAAAAAAKts/yVYNYa0rtt4/s1100/20130223-_2AC1327.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kWPItvb-fg8/USpn9kaMruI/AAAAAAAAKtw/dqrtgk0gmWE/s1100/20130223-_2AC1333.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kWPItvb-fg8/USpn9kaMruI/AAAAAAAAKtw/dqrtgk0gmWE/s1100/20130223-_2AC1333.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
. . . . and LOOK! Doug is NOT in the trees!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-38873996645932189672013-02-23T19:26:00.002-06:002013-02-23T19:26:48.965-06:00Some Poor MisGuided Souls LOVE Winter!It's true; there are those who love this white stuff and relish the idea of bundling up and heading out into it.<br />
Not me!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC0mUDt597U/USlpffut8KI/AAAAAAAAKtk/Vyez-3y6NiY/s1600/20130223-_2AC1326.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC0mUDt597U/USlpffut8KI/AAAAAAAAKtk/Vyez-3y6NiY/s1100/20130223-_2AC1326.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And even though this was considered a gloriously wonderful day in terms of the temperature (15 above; keep in mind that our windchills registered around 37 below this past week), I still can fill volumes listing the ways I hate winter.<br />
<br />
Here's a sampling:<br />
<br />
1. It gets so dry indoors that my fingers crack and bleed at the corners. It's not a phenomenon peculiar to me; my friends and I spend long hours debating the relative merits of liquid bandaid, clear nail polish, first aid tape, and every possible lotion you can think of;<br />
<br />
2. Your best bet to give your dog exercise is to throw a rubber ball down the stairs, over and over and over;<br />
<br />
3. I'd never read the local newspaper for weeks on end if my husband didn't walk the two steps out the front door, because it's too freakin' cold;<br />
<br />
4. The worse thing about filling your gas tank is NOT the price! (that is, if you can get the frozen gas cover open; *hint: credit cards are helpful for this.);<br />
<br />
5. Wearing two winter jackets at once is not out of the question, as in: an inner down jacket and an outer windbreaker type Northface jacket.<br />
<br />
OK, OK, in the interest of not being a total winter grump, one silver lining is each day, I scan the horizon for sun dogs, and we've had lots of them this year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-84213217068700871972013-02-22T21:24:00.001-06:002013-02-22T21:25:35.025-06:00Yogurt: Specific Carbohydrate DietOne of the staples on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is home-made yogurt. Happily, this is a very satisfying thing to make. . . . and eat.<br />
<br />
The process involves heating whole milk to just over 180 degrees, to simmer, for 2 minutes, and then cooling it down to below 110 degrees. It takes a good long time for it to cool down. But in the meantime, I sterilze the little jars that I'm going to pour the yogurt in. I boil water, with the jars in it, for 10 minutes, and then just let it sit in the water until the milk is ready.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Szf_O1WZnlM/USgx8MC42lI/AAAAAAAAKsk/NQJndCZ1mUs/s1600/20130222-_2AC1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Szf_O1WZnlM/USgx8MC42lI/AAAAAAAAKsk/NQJndCZ1mUs/s320/20130222-_2AC1309.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVXB6l8GHaI/USgx8aFsUqI/AAAAAAAAKso/Y84N1WiyY9Y/s1600/20130222-_2AC1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVXB6l8GHaI/USgx8aFsUqI/AAAAAAAAKso/Y84N1WiyY9Y/s320/20130222-_2AC1310.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgP5h6t4roI/USgx8dYkzTI/AAAAAAAAKss/ggB6MLxkztE/s1600/20130222-_2AC1313.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgP5h6t4roI/USgx8dYkzTI/AAAAAAAAKss/ggB6MLxkztE/s320/20130222-_2AC1313.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N25sMuhFRc4/USgx8_eCTDI/AAAAAAAAKs0/M9kANhZnIMI/s1600/20130222-_2AC1318.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N25sMuhFRc4/USgx8_eCTDI/AAAAAAAAKs0/M9kANhZnIMI/s1100/20130222-_2AC1318.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Next, I take about a cup of the cooled milk, and stir in yogourmet (freeze-dried yogurt start that I buy at a health foods store. If you can't find it, whole milk, plain, Dannon yogurt will work). For each bath, I have to use a packet of the yogourmet or Dannon starter, NOT a portion of my previous home-made yogourt.<br />
<br />
SCD is very specific about the bacteria that must be generated in the yogurt, so not just any yogurt will do. And for this to be effective, the yogurt has to be cultured for 24 hours in order to eliminate the lactose from the milk. I have a yogurt maker by Cuisine, so it's very easy to just drop the little jars into the yogurt maker, and leave it on for 24 hours. There are other ways to make this, to provide the heat to a batch of yogurt, but this is the most convenient way.<br />
<br />
The theory is that the colon becomes populated with more of the good bacteria, and the bad bacteria is starved out, by restricting carbohydrates. "The allowed carbohydrates are monosaccharides and have a single molecule structure that allow them to be easily absorbed by the intestine wall. Complex carbohydrates which are disaccharides (double molecules) and polysaccharides (chain molecules) are not allowed. Complex carbohydrates that are not easily digested feed harmful bacteria in our intestines causing them to overgrow producing by products and inflaming the intestine wall. The diet works by starving out these bacteria and restoring the balance of bacteria in our gut.<br />
<br />
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ is biologically correct because it is species appropriate. The allowed foods are mainly those that early man ate before agriculture began," (from <a href="http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/home/">Breaking the Vicious Cycle website</a> ) As you can see, there are some similarities to the Paleo diet, although there are a few additional restrictions on the SCD diet.<br />
<br />
But I'm relieved to know that 4 weeks into this diet, my symptoms of colitis are improving, and while I can't be certain whether it's the medication, or diet, or just the passage of time, I'm just glad I'm seeing improvement!<br />
<br />
And besides, I get to eat some delicious yogurt! Honey is the only sweetener allowed on SCD, so of course, I add to the yogurt.. . .along with some fruit, or maybe coconut . . . or maybe I'll even throw in a little peanut butter (as long as it's "no sugar added".)<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-45096085302514463282013-02-18T16:15:00.001-06:002013-02-18T16:20:55.870-06:00Bird Brain?Perhaps I should have a contest to see who can come up with how to get my bird-brained husband out of the tree? And you'd get a feather in your cap?????<br />
<br />
Let me explain these photos. My dear, beloved, ever-so-cherished husband likes birds. Apparently a lot. And our lovely North Dakota Weather has turned foul, with another one of our relentless blizzard warnings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI_Rd2tXyUw/USKjLhZy7FI/AAAAAAAAKrY/aq2wBUmFaAA/s1600/20130217-_2AC1291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI_Rd2tXyUw/USKjLhZy7FI/AAAAAAAAKrY/aq2wBUmFaAA/s1100/20130217-_2AC1291.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So what does my husband do for winter-preparedness? Why, he gets out the 6 foot ladder, climbs to the very tip of it. . . .<br />
<br />
Oh, but wait! That's not high enough!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wob53LNVfCE/USKjLzqgVtI/AAAAAAAAKrk/XF1uEjvSVsk/s1600/20130217-_2AC1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wob53LNVfCE/USKjLzqgVtI/AAAAAAAAKrk/XF1uEjvSVsk/s1100/20130217-_2AC1290.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So he swings himself into the tree. The rotted, brittle-limbed, ugly tree that birds really love, because apparently birds like almost dead trees, so they can feast on bugs that are infesting the tree. . . .<br />
<br />
And up he goes ANOTHER 6 feet into the tree! All so he can refill the bird feeder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANdjVO2qKf8/USKjMM6PLGI/AAAAAAAAKrc/80_C79vxKuw/s1600/20130217-_2AC1297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANdjVO2qKf8/USKjMM6PLGI/AAAAAAAAKrc/80_C79vxKuw/s1100/20130217-_2AC1297.jpg" /></a></div><br />
But why stop there? Maybe it's time to do a little house maintenance. You know, on the roof of the two-storied house, but grabbing a long-handled rake and swinging it overhead . . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rq7HURpKD5c/USKjMrR7y4I/AAAAAAAAKrs/aWMDeGoVJ3s/s1600/20130217-_2AC1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rq7HURpKD5c/USKjMrR7y4I/AAAAAAAAKrs/aWMDeGoVJ3s/s1100/20130217-_2AC1300.jpg" /></a></div><br />
. . . . to shovel some of the snow off the roof. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DxMY0khWpg/USKjM3-AlFI/AAAAAAAAKr4/iIASUWdH0Rc/s1600/20130217-_2AC1301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DxMY0khWpg/USKjM3-AlFI/AAAAAAAAKr4/iIASUWdH0Rc/s1100/20130217-_2AC1301.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Of course, if you are Doug, you can defend to your complaining wife that you were totally safe the entire time, but look how thin these branches are compared to his foot. These <b>BRITTLE, ALMOST DEAD</b> branches, which you might be having trouble getting your foot on, and have to struggle a bit for your footing 18 to 20 feet above the ground!<br />
<br />
"Traditionally, birds have been considered inferior in intelligence to mammals, and derogatory terms such as bird brains have been used colloquially in some cultures. Such perceptions are no longer considered scientifically valid. The difficulty of defining or measuring intelligence in non-human animals makes the subject difficult for scientific study. " (Wikipedia)<br />
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Bird-brained? Maybe not, because birds, at least know <i>they can fly!</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-89869105037917451102013-02-17T16:03:00.001-06:002013-02-17T16:05:40.606-06:00Beets with Oranges and Pecans: Specific Carbohydrate DietHere's another little recipe that is Specific Carbohydrate Diet safe. I modified this recipe from the Cook's Illustrated magazine. I was looking for a way to cook beets, one of the vegetables that I've long insisted I "hate." It was just a bias thing. And never did I dream I'd be searching for ways to make this unfairly maligned vegetable tasty.<br />
<br />
It turns out, it wasn't so hard after all, when my latest copy of Cook's Illustrated showed up in the mail. <br />
<br />
The original recipe calls for brown sugar. . . . definitely not allowed for SCD. But honey is wonderfully welcome, which makes the whole diet much, much more palatable.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jU4zgajvEI8/USFQquXCnuI/AAAAAAAAKqU/HPlxX0yNqV0/s1600/20130210-_2AC1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jU4zgajvEI8/USFQquXCnuI/AAAAAAAAKqU/HPlxX0yNqV0/s1100/20130210-_2AC1224.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Walnuts give me problems, but I can substitute pecans very happily. The recipe also did not originally call for the actual orange pieces, but I liked the slightly surprising change in texture and taste showing up throughout this salad-like treat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
3 beets, trimmed and cut in half<br />
1 1/4 c water<br />
salt and pepper<br />
3 T white vinegar<br />
1 T honey<br />
1/2 red or yellow onion<br />
1 t orange peel or zest<br />
1/2 c pecans, toasted and chopped<br />
1 t parsley<br />
1 t thyme<br />
1 orange, peeled, and in pieces<br />
<br />
INSTRUCTIONS<br />
<br />
1. Place beets in single layer in Dutch oven. Add water and 1/4 t salt;;<br />
bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about<br />
45 to 50 minutes, until beets tender<br />
2. Remove beets. Increase temperature of pan and reduce cooking<br />
liquid, stirring, until pan is almost dry, 5 to 6 min. Add vinegar and<br />
honey; return to boil; and cook, stirring constantly with heat-resistant<br />
spatula, until spatula leaves a wide trail when dragged through,<br />
about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.<br />
3. When beets are cool enough to handle, rub skin off with a paper<br />
towel and cut into 1/2 inch wedges. Add beets, onion, orange peel,<br />
1/2 salt and 1/4 t pepper to glaze and toss to coat. Transfer beets to<br />
serving dish; sprinkle with pecans, parsley, oranges and thyme; serve.<br />
<br />
<br />
I also liked it served cold more than warm, so it was an excellent addition to my lunch over the next several days after I made it.<br />
<br />
Give it a try! Beets are actually quite nutritious and have great digestive properties.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-89559808627303617692013-02-15T21:50:00.001-06:002013-02-16T19:16:06.409-06:00Almond Cookies with Cinnamon Glaze--SCD safeAhhh, cookies! Often, the perfect little snack to eat while settling in to a good book.<br />
<br />
About a year ago, I was diagnosed with colitis, and dang if that nasty issue didn't resurface a few weeks ago. Strangely, it's turned out to be the explanation for life-long problems with MY FEET! Who would have thought? Apparently, colitis itself can cause inflammation in other parts of the body, creating arthritis in peripheral areas, like feet. And a seemingly innocuous brief bout with this winter's gastrointestinal bug triggered the colitis which makes my feet angry!<br />
<br />
So, I decided to follow the lead of a number of other colitis sufferers and start to follow the strict guidelines of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. And this recipe, avoiding all grain products and sugar, other than honey, is one outcome.<br />
<br />
It's not the most wonderful recipe in the world, but it will do when there just has to be some kind of sweet treat (like for Valentine's Day!) *(edited to add: Actually, by the next day, I decided that these really were quite tasting after all! Especially with chai tea, and I really like the "nutty" texture because of the almond flour, and the tinge of coconut because of the coconut flour and sprinkling on top. I'll make these again, but increase the honey just slightly.)<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
Dough:<br />
2 ½ cups almond flour (250 grams)<br />
¼ cup coconut flour (35 grams)<br />
2 teaspoons baking powder (8 grams)<br />
½ teaspoon cinnamon<br />
¼ cup macadamia nut oil (2 oz) or coconut oil<br />
1 tablespoon honey, melted<br />
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla<br />
2 eggs<br />
<br />
Glaze:<br />
2 tablespoons honey, melted<br />
1 tablespoon grass-fed butter melted, or ghee<br />
1 tablespoon cinnamon<br />
<br />
Instructions:<br />
<br />
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit<br />
Combine your almond flour, coconut four, baking powder, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl and stir well<br />
Add your oil, honey, almond extract (or vanilla) and eggs and mix into a soft dough<br />
Roll your dough out, pressing to just shy of ½ inch thick all around<br />
Cut with heart-shaped cookie cutters and lay on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. <br />
Place in the oven and bake for 9 minutes<br />
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While the cookies are baking, combine honey, butter, and cinnamon for the glaze in a bowl and mix well<br />
At the 9 minute mark, pull your cookies out of the oven, and using a basting brush, brush your glaze on all of your cookies<br />
Place your cookies back in the oven and bake for 9-11 minutes or until done<br />
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Remove from the oven, sprinkle with some almond flour or shredded coconut and drizzle any remaining glaze over your cookies. I like the contrast between the coconut and the cinnamon glaze.<br />
Grab your camera and take some photos. <br />
Serve immediately or place in an airtight container which will last 3-4 days<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-56932002544699711422013-02-10T18:41:00.000-06:002013-02-10T18:45:10.139-06:00Snow? It's Not ALL Bad. . . .It's been a rough weekend, around the country for snow events. But some don't think it's all that bad. . . at least, not Ruby!<br />
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But Doug's not so sure he agrees with Ruby.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNPkFvdD33M/URg-yq6E1CI/AAAAAAAAKo4/_a9hQLLsnE8/s1600/20130210-_2AC1252-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNPkFvdD33M/URg-yq6E1CI/AAAAAAAAKo4/_a9hQLLsnE8/s1100/20130210-_2AC1252-Edit.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-68677441367068903742013-02-08T20:55:00.000-06:002013-02-09T10:11:34.125-06:00Sleep No MoreAnd here is another shot of the mask used in my last post's light painting. The mask itself deserved its own post! (click on to make creepier. I mean, bigger.)<br />
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The mask is from an off-Broadway play called "Sleep No More," which I saw with Doug, Brian and Dianna in New York last June. "Sleep No More" is a very peculiar experience of immersive theatre set in a 5-story warehouse in Manhattan.<br />
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When you enter the theatre, you are entering the world of the McKittrick Hotel, and are given the rather stern and foreboding instruction to "Not Speak" for the next several hours, and to never remove the mask. Everyone is given a mask, and set lose in the McKittrick Hotel, to wander its haunting rooms and stumble upon disturbing actors and performance.<br />
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In the hotel, you can rummage through drawers, sift through old mental hospital chart records, propped against rows and rows of bathtubs, set up dormitory style. The rooms are labyrinthine one leading to a ballroom, one to the hotel front desk, another to a graveyard that was needed to deal with the outcome of the various experiments performed in this former hospital turned hotel. There may or may not be a plot to this "play" but the actors appear often abruptly, interacting with one another, and frequently fleeing scenes inviting observers to follow, or leaving the audience on the other side of locked doors. There are hints of a plot, or not, depending on your own subjective interpretations. Throughout the 100 or so rooms, music adds to the haunting, jarring, images, and a combination of the music, and the actors, manages to direct the audience to the final, ghoulish scenes, after three hours, in the main ballroom.<br />
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This is a play that can be seen more than once, each viewing likely to create its own unique experience as pieces of the puzzles fit together, or dissolve.<br />
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And you get to keep the creepy masks at the end!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-48827509651930981182013-02-05T19:48:00.000-06:002013-02-09T10:11:23.864-06:00The Winter Nights are Long . . . But Hot . . . in NDAs always, it's been a long, cold winter in North Dakota. But Light Painting warms things up!<br />
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This one used EL wire. It's this weird little plastic string that is battery powered and lights up. I like the red version, because you can dash around and create fire! (and not get burned!) Sure, I could have removed the EXIT sign, but thought that with these flames, exits are good!<br />
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Want to know about the mask? I'll tell you tomorrow :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-21360927096724407372013-02-03T10:55:00.001-06:002013-02-10T14:51:39.118-06:00Light Painting DelightIf you haven't discovered light painting yet, you don't know what you are missing!<br />
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You can while away some cold winter nights, and get your middle-aged friends laughing like children by organizing a light painting party!<br />
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And you don't need much to do this, assuming you already have basic photographic equipment. Unlike most photography adventures, pretty much the only extra thing you need is very inexpensive! Just find three little LED flashlight keychains, in different colors (like the kind you might find at stores like Target or Menards or Wallmart or Amazon, sometimes even in the checkout lanes).<br />
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A dog leash would come in handy, but if you don't have that, try to put a few lanyards together. You just need something long, that you can swing, with a clip on it.<br />
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Round up your tripod (absolutely essential!), a wide angle lens, your camera, and a very dark room, the darker the better. We used a school gym.<br />
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Put your camera on the tripod, set it at the lowest ISO possible (100 or 200), f/16 or 22, auto white balance, and your shutter speed at 30 seconds. Using a timer to trigger the shutter is even better, or using a cable release and "bulb" mode is better, but you also can just use 30 seconds and trigger the shutter directly if you want.<br />
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Make sure your lens is set in "manual focus." If your lens does not have a manual/auto switch, there should be a setting directly on your camera to change from "S" or "C" and "M". Set it to "M", for manual focus. <br />
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Snap the LED lights onto the end of the dog chain or lanyards and one person stands far enough away from the camera to not hit it when swinging the chain. While the lights are still on, set the focus on the lens to the person with the lights. Throw some object on the floor in front of the person with the lights, as a point of reference, because they are going to move in a half circle around this point, while swinging the chain.<br />
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Turn off the light, trigger the camera shutter. Now the Light Person should start swinging the chain in a circle, keeping the chain spinning straight up and down, perpendicular to the floor, directly above the object on the floor, and slowly move in a half circle around the object. Get all the way through the half circle before the shutter closes and don't stop before it closes. Keep going beyond the half circle if necessary.<br />
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And that's it! See the Light Person in the photo above? Nope! Just the light! Cool, huh?<br />
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The hardest part is to sneak the dog chain out of the house without Ruby going wild, leaping for joy for a walk (in the freakin' 30 below? I think not!), and then seeing her sad, disappointed eyes. . . .<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-12482598700328679202013-02-02T09:53:00.000-06:002013-02-09T10:10:22.421-06:00The Party Girl!Look who was 2 years old yesterday!<br />
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I know, I know, where have I been? I feel like I should make up some compelling story, like I was sucked up into an international vortex of dastardly ones with a fiendish plot to destroy all life as we know it--and I saved the day!--but there's not a single soul who would believe 1 word that I'd say.<br />
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North Dakota blah blah winters,(dull, dreary, North Dakota, as bleak and ugly as it's always been. Don't let the oil news fool you!) my work, a new-found addiction to creativelive.com (check it out!) photography videos, starting my very, very tiny photography business, my photography club, and netflix all gave me total bloggers' block.<br />
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But I've missed this! Words start swirling around in my head, (actually leaking out through my ears and attaching to the mirror in the bathroom while I brush my teeth!), and I've Just. Gotta. Blog.<br />
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So. I'm back! And although I may not be keeping up with everyone else's blogs as much as I'd like, my poor, neglected Pixelated Oasis is getting some attention now.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4343570824231683006.post-90724582147638212902012-06-04T21:55:00.000-05:002012-06-04T22:01:42.533-05:00Run! They're B-A-c-K-!-!-! Attack of the Killer MosquitosCan you escape them? Can you outrun them? Attack of the Killer Mosquitoes of Grand Forks, ND!<br />
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Doug has Joined the Force! <i>Run, Monkey, Run</i>, because <i>the mosquitoes are still coming!</i> (cue scary music here.)<br />
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Doug was cooperative enough to head to an underpass with me, let me set up my off camera flash, and experiment with it, jumping whenever I asked. But the theatrics!!!!! Classic Doug!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8