tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31738797616570435372024-02-19T11:31:44.829-05:00Tiny Little LifeMichelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-86722903162370723652012-12-02T12:45:00.001-05:002012-12-02T12:45:51.885-05:00We've moved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The blog has moved over to <a href="http://tinylittlehousedotme.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">www.tinylittlehouse.me</a><br />
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And there are even a few posts up to enjoy. Hope to see you there!Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-50882594967151316512012-06-01T19:18:00.001-04:002012-06-30T18:08:00.999-04:00Roadtrippin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's was not too difficult to convince my friends to join me on my latest blog-mission. Especially when it includes <a href="http://www.beehiveat25.com/" target="_blank">cute shops</a>, <a href="http://www.rockysice.com/" target="_blank">icy treats</a>, and a beach! It was a little difficult though to get everyone ready to go on a Saturday morning. After all the errands were run, burnt breakfasts remade, and a full-on temper tantrum by yours truly, we hit the road.<br />
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The scenic route was decided on mostly due to the fact that I was not in the right lane to go the other way. And despite the late start we made a u turn to check out <a href="http://www.apropergarden.net/" target="_blank">THE cutest garden shoppe outside the south of France</a>. <br />
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Once finally parked in Delaware, the sun beating down on us, we lathered every inch of pasty exposed skin with SPF 50. Then we hopped through the shops. Now, Jesse went to college here so I was thrilled to have her expertise with us. Little did I know that she would not only know every shop owner but that they would greet her as if she were their long lost puppy. If you know Jesse this actually would not surprise you. She has artwork in the little bike shop, and her best friend made the website for the pizza shop, she writes novel length emails to the boy running the book store... well you get the picture. She had little sway though with the brash lady manning the vintage store who REFUSED to move her portable fan away from the counter as it flung apart our piles of old photographs. <br />
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Exhausted from bellies full of <a href="http://amatoswoodfiredpizza.com/" target="_blank">pizza</a>, we grabbed our complimentary iced coffees and sped to Alum Creek Beach. The entrance to the beach is the last one, miles from all the others. And the sand is a little bit like cat litter. And the water might be a tad soupy. But we live in the Midwest and we are at the beach! It takes 2.5 seconds for us to acclimate to the water and we couldn't be more thrilled about how this day turned out.<br />
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<b>Update: </b>The Small Town Tourist post for Delaware, Ohio is up at <a href="http://cottonandbrass.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/small-town-tourist-delaware-ohio/">Cotton & Brass</a>!<br />
<br />Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-8726948703431361162012-05-30T07:29:00.000-04:002012-05-30T23:50:28.593-04:00Birthdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69GbP3xu20PKSnDciz6t7B2bu-_a1WKMolYUQFrCJlFFiIR3o-xMxFtffHH1Igrv3mXJ9VYAq1KBg1BWXKor-hKNZuRQrpFIn2enj8nzlNUdD_n1Xmx_QD8XfGK8Ad10ElnZlJ9CrUxnb/s1600/tlh_birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69GbP3xu20PKSnDciz6t7B2bu-_a1WKMolYUQFrCJlFFiIR3o-xMxFtffHH1Igrv3mXJ9VYAq1KBg1BWXKor-hKNZuRQrpFIn2enj8nzlNUdD_n1Xmx_QD8XfGK8Ad10ElnZlJ9CrUxnb/s320/tlh_birthday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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No birthday plans were made this year. Gifts and birthday songs feel silly at this age. Despite not trying, the weekend was still filled with festivities. Sara made me a dessert cute enough to pop from the pages of Strawberry Shortcake. Gifts were given at a ridiculously early breakfast at Katalinas.<br />
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Mark and I burnt our faces off at Oakland Nursery, then again constructing a backyard garden. He got me a scratch off map of the United States that I love and would not have known to ask for. We treated friends to a grilled dinner and it ended up being the best birthday yet.<br />
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Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-64797297125645641332012-05-30T07:27:00.000-04:002012-05-30T16:53:24.378-04:00Jumping off buildings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4zi16T8huACSm9EmNFOVoShgRfmeocXWm1WbnvTFkuOeyPNqOVk2BH9v4-_tpUe160XxX5KrJDB6kuVnf3mJNQMd_FC0eJNzqRf24VItwVWMwiFEViatXQH8L7gRkUe-emMIKl_5NUoY/s1600/rappelling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4zi16T8huACSm9EmNFOVoShgRfmeocXWm1WbnvTFkuOeyPNqOVk2BH9v4-_tpUe160XxX5KrJDB6kuVnf3mJNQMd_FC0eJNzqRf24VItwVWMwiFEViatXQH8L7gRkUe-emMIKl_5NUoY/s320/rappelling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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There was no hesitation when the question was asked. The opportunity to rappel off the hotel where I work doesn't come that often. Once a year actually, it comes every spring as a fundraiser for The Special Olympics.<br />
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The decision may have been easy but I still spent the night prior tossing and turning with wind nightmares. My subconscious self worrying about it being windy, yet not a single dream about falling to my death.<br />
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The whole process is lengthy. You get the harnesses, and they talk to you, they take you to the top, and they talk to you, you do a practice run, and they talk to you. By the time I was standing on the edge I was already fond of the view and the height. <br />
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My coworker Carly went with me, we giggled and coached each other down. Every few feet I would look around enjoying the city I adore, then I would feel like fainting and would stare at my feet that were pretending to walk along the bricks.<br />
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Everyone asked me if I was scared. Of course! But fear has rarely stopped me and I've always regretted when it has.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-35089647143583160282012-05-20T17:46:00.001-04:002012-05-20T17:46:32.150-04:00Mothers know best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mom came to visit the Saturday before Mothers Day. I probably should have planned a relaxing day of pampering but instead I put her to work on my backyard garden. She always impresses me with her knowledge of plants and what should go where. And I suppose it's in our blood to prefer dirt under our nails to getting a manicure anyway.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-31860262231705532012012-05-20T17:26:00.000-04:002012-05-20T17:26:03.668-04:00Spring Flee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each season's Flee is a hodge podge of crafters, food stations, and local shoppes clearance racks. And each time it is packed with an equally eclectic mix of our local population. The weather was ideal, the warmest day yet and we ate our lunch on the grass. I couldn't pass up the chevron coasters despite the fact that they are nicer than our scrap wood lopsided coffee table.<br />
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Afterwards Tasha introduced me to City Folks Farm Shop. This darling gardening shop features seedlings, burlap sacks of composted dirt for just $3, and the cutest little pooch, Olive. The customer service was so impressive that I've gone back three weeks in a row, also maybe because Olive is so cute.<br />
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We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the sun cross the sky in Tasha's backyard with Toby and Logan fighting over sticks.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-17498780685040692832012-05-20T10:49:00.000-04:002012-05-20T10:49:10.226-04:00Cinco de DerbyToday I will be catching up on some long overdue posts.<br />
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First up: Cinco de Derby<br />
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Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby all on one day! Is there a more perfect opportunity to throw a party? Of course I went a little overboard and decided to build my own pinata which basically turned into a four day project where I gave up on day two and Jesse finished the entire thing. Mark cooked a pork shoulder for five hours, filling the house with the most intoxicating smell. The margarita guru, Steph, taught me her not so secret recipe, spoiling me for life against the pre-made mix.<br />
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I was stringing lights in our living room when Mario Gutierrez riding I'll Have Another, won the Kentucky Derby. It was hard not to get misty eyed during his interview.<br />
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We stayed up late, really really late, eating tacos and watching the little kids run around with the past-your-bed-time giggles. I woke up to texts from their moms exclaiming that they finally slept in till 10 am.<br />
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<br />Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-356244703397523522012-05-13T11:18:00.001-04:002012-05-13T11:18:19.281-04:00Happy Mother's Day!Like mother like daughter <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSOFFB5Lm6QCMMmKR9WFeOrjkhZCD11JQhEYhlEE1BvTkWqKBN_URecm0E0hlDlx7ao-lzCKauDHvpaLrkUHbXDaWw0lDmFbmlRrOESnfTnzfvcYKzuv1mv8vFFbanfYQJSIO6wIZiQNZ/s640/blogger-image--1722422856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSOFFB5Lm6QCMMmKR9WFeOrjkhZCD11JQhEYhlEE1BvTkWqKBN_URecm0E0hlDlx7ao-lzCKauDHvpaLrkUHbXDaWw0lDmFbmlRrOESnfTnzfvcYKzuv1mv8vFFbanfYQJSIO6wIZiQNZ/s640/blogger-image--1722422856.jpg" /></a></div>Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-67434391668734784372012-05-06T22:25:00.001-04:002012-05-06T22:25:24.556-04:00Michigan Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A quick adventure to the Detroit area left me impressed. Maybe I just had a really good tour guide but I'm ready to spend another weekend there.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-80304121097235236952012-05-06T22:01:00.001-04:002012-05-06T22:01:41.174-04:00Four Eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was in third grade that I found out about my eyesight. I had unknowingly struggled through years of blurry faces and confusing chalk boards. The entire ride home with my first pair of glasses was spent pulling them on and off and exclaiming each time "Mom, I can see the leaves on the trees!" and "Everything looks so bright!". My eyesight was bad for a third grader and I thought my new frames were the bees knees. <div>
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Each year I would get a new pair and beg to buy the small kids glasses with the cool paint splashed frames but my mom was convinced that my face was going to grow. And what was once my savior soon became a great source of shame. There were many reasons that I was never invited to the popular table but I put that resentment towards the coke bottles. I was determined to get rid of them.</div>
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In the seventh grade I was allowed to switch to contacts and although it didn't change my lunch table I did feel better about my face. This year I decided to finally drop a few bucks on glasses that I actually like. I can look back now at the photo with my huge glasses and awkward features and laugh. But it still gives me a lump in my throat to remember how painful the name calling and snickers were. Those years built my resilient and empathetic character. I wish there was a way to tell my sixth grade self that everything would work out. That one day I would be completely content with my face and even enjoy the fashion of having four eyes.</div>
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<br /></div>Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-36646167690696338022012-05-06T21:20:00.000-04:002012-05-06T21:20:49.859-04:00Instituting Date Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mark is my best friend, lover, and life partner but recently I realized that we're barely ever alone. We adore our eclectic group of friends so much that it's hard not to throw a dinner party every evening that we're not busy with our other obligations. But institute a date night? Isn't that what you do after buying a house and having 2.5 kids?<br />
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It seemed like the only way to commit to saying no just one night a week to all the other invites. The first week Mark tested out three new courses:<br />
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1. Oysters with Cilantro and Roasted Garlic<br />
2. Toast, Brie, and a Balsamic Vinaigrette glaze<br />
3. Roulade of Pork Tenderloin with Pomme Puree, Shitake Mushrooms and Madeira reduction<br />
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The fourth course was a trip to <a href="http://jenisicecreams.com/" target="_blank">Jeni's</a> and I was sold on our weekly establishment.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-73688913644010477212012-04-17T22:12:00.004-04:002012-04-17T22:17:59.428-04:00Spout & Sprouts with Cotton and Brass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8qE79rEx_m7-BCEKPaWjzW9dYY6Icdn87_jd5Eas1RpGvAQWdkGmsYH9snwN8phfhSMNRUcqT1QO-GJQ81QyiJCbc28WusoELP-A5Gqkg-RH9tC_Y-zCnY9Q7DVJL7jFiaaAH9UC-Pme/s1600/teaparty-1032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8qE79rEx_m7-BCEKPaWjzW9dYY6Icdn87_jd5Eas1RpGvAQWdkGmsYH9snwN8phfhSMNRUcqT1QO-GJQ81QyiJCbc28WusoELP-A5Gqkg-RH9tC_Y-zCnY9Q7DVJL7jFiaaAH9UC-Pme/s400/teaparty-1032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732559056602811874" /></a><br /><br />Our new spring shoot will be up on <a href="http://cottonandbrass.wordpress.com/">Cotton & Brass</a> tomorrow morning. This photo shoot was a lot of fun for me. We challenged ourselves to do something a little more modern and clean.<br /><br />All photos property of <a href="http://cottonandbrass.wordpress.com/">Cotton & Brass</a> and <a href="http://www.christakimble.com/" target="_blank">Christa Kimble Photography</a><br />If you would like to share these, please credit <a href="http://cottonandbrass.wordpress.com/">Cotton & Brass</a>Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-55596234418009330782012-04-16T22:14:00.004-04:002012-04-16T22:50:28.560-04:00Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5l3L0gXqrhxT9fCzjRj5XyhywHO2VuPYq665a99jR189cWTcgK79DVwlp0S4h8epVY603sTtpcGUh5Cz8PkeWaBS_5z1l-FQ3lSIHBveP-QLzO8aSy1yOoyTPOw82uS_cZ3N8E5oYaGE/s1600/tlh_we1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5l3L0gXqrhxT9fCzjRj5XyhywHO2VuPYq665a99jR189cWTcgK79DVwlp0S4h8epVY603sTtpcGUh5Cz8PkeWaBS_5z1l-FQ3lSIHBveP-QLzO8aSy1yOoyTPOw82uS_cZ3N8E5oYaGE/s400/tlh_we1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732194259559395906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ny10H47BtuU7rYtFF65YJwmlJQqi7UYzPSCe9WZSpZwVTA7To3nuA1yZfzLzoV6DdenXu-8PNNHfzHMc9dVvvahEzBU6ZGK9TWDVFUfDY3EmPrOAXECZKhECuDZTu_yKa5FXQwKc81SR/s1600/tlh_we2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ny10H47BtuU7rYtFF65YJwmlJQqi7UYzPSCe9WZSpZwVTA7To3nuA1yZfzLzoV6DdenXu-8PNNHfzHMc9dVvvahEzBU6ZGK9TWDVFUfDY3EmPrOAXECZKhECuDZTu_yKa5FXQwKc81SR/s400/tlh_we2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732194254781904994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjQOV1UikjQkQrOsfl549RNNu6UZh7gFjaaFvDJQc9jgPKCV9pLbKkrftT9ACcLH2mtwa1ir3tR5HokiGVDQShCvKNgq_Ljl3YFpkX_JwHp29TR7gldxGInAJbX6S6qiTSG4SNeQiUENI/s1600/tlh_we4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjQOV1UikjQkQrOsfl549RNNu6UZh7gFjaaFvDJQc9jgPKCV9pLbKkrftT9ACcLH2mtwa1ir3tR5HokiGVDQShCvKNgq_Ljl3YFpkX_JwHp29TR7gldxGInAJbX6S6qiTSG4SNeQiUENI/s400/tlh_we4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732194245007725922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuM05B-6pVGHWcLtSiUlAV20BbkwQ4MvThnwCl_74pfqoX-WAGkFhnGTR4VZJDn4uDuyiGMDl-2aKZPjzHrJgw2R0ptsW0ivgOvq8Maf42K5GxLdI2zaaNUe2cSGVyzFbsuqKqlo-iGIIL/s1600/tlh_we3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuM05B-6pVGHWcLtSiUlAV20BbkwQ4MvThnwCl_74pfqoX-WAGkFhnGTR4VZJDn4uDuyiGMDl-2aKZPjzHrJgw2R0ptsW0ivgOvq8Maf42K5GxLdI2zaaNUe2cSGVyzFbsuqKqlo-iGIIL/s400/tlh_we3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732194247213486354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGjujQ-Ch4gbuH7dRuAJipsJpj4I5ZtBdJwvOlWJrr_tkJHj7VZqtFhyphenhyphenPd6T9uHF0WjbnCmZjHb_Yvfge2JcGzhW_LQv3I42oBaWAwqcpq4qzI5_cfqHx2mfivtDyvDbuvvm6Smbmq7yi/s1600/tlh_we8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGjujQ-Ch4gbuH7dRuAJipsJpj4I5ZtBdJwvOlWJrr_tkJHj7VZqtFhyphenhyphenPd6T9uHF0WjbnCmZjHb_Yvfge2JcGzhW_LQv3I42oBaWAwqcpq4qzI5_cfqHx2mfivtDyvDbuvvm6Smbmq7yi/s400/tlh_we8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732194223429570594" /></a><br /><br /><br />Let me make up for forgetting about my weekending post. Please accept these photos of the past few days as my sincere apology<br /><br />• Birthday margaritas at <a href="http://www.barriotapas.com/" target="_blank">Barrio</a> (not my birthday)<br />• Waiting room fish<br />• Too many choices at <a href="http://www.oaklandnursery.com/" target="_blank">Oakland Nursery</a><br />• Everyone dances for <a href="http://thedewdroppers.com/" target="_blank">The DewDroppers</a><br />• S'moresMichelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-87885699549793920242012-04-12T22:41:00.001-04:002012-04-12T22:42:00.551-04:00Cat sittingThese three cuties kept me company this week. Sara is lucky to have three cats that are not hissing, swatting spazes. My cats tremble at the very sound of a little kids voice. But not these guys, they gladly welcome anyone that will feed and love them.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTQ-SxeoHEYdRZWvjKmMmGlBnip8O6L6UYvpzCmc47CAtZf36kzTp7ECgDy8jW9RMUuc51lWTftGGLHoyGezEt9HLtmoIxJhj07S6tl5v7NYUjAEbAbq8RGi4SqDHRg1TS2Mj3PYQz7E1/s640/blogger-image-1741651674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTQ-SxeoHEYdRZWvjKmMmGlBnip8O6L6UYvpzCmc47CAtZf36kzTp7ECgDy8jW9RMUuc51lWTftGGLHoyGezEt9HLtmoIxJhj07S6tl5v7NYUjAEbAbq8RGi4SqDHRg1TS2Mj3PYQz7E1/s640/blogger-image-1741651674.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2QyaY8HRKrsYXH_eX1hJu-ywaEzqHT68xO32qfWAHoBM_7BNnZXnCxZeQ2UHFaxImJPixmGb_fljblRc7xDnxhedE_55Cg7cnyWulf6qhTF__2TBAcW50uchv0K7HuRawKSCrUJMoQfG/s640/blogger-image--1006545583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2QyaY8HRKrsYXH_eX1hJu-ywaEzqHT68xO32qfWAHoBM_7BNnZXnCxZeQ2UHFaxImJPixmGb_fljblRc7xDnxhedE_55Cg7cnyWulf6qhTF__2TBAcW50uchv0K7HuRawKSCrUJMoQfG/s640/blogger-image--1006545583.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuM-nCIlz5FAiEVoM1EbcPHwZ_I4gdWLzEpJ3urs02C-OlkhAQzN2VtEpZxBMSIkmU9s35syKDodyMn5a2L5sgT89gmlYNMEDLEwsB8vEL-wSNidWhnsD3ACO-iC5yXJN3kkjLSbSV-qf/s640/blogger-image-725672805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuM-nCIlz5FAiEVoM1EbcPHwZ_I4gdWLzEpJ3urs02C-OlkhAQzN2VtEpZxBMSIkmU9s35syKDodyMn5a2L5sgT89gmlYNMEDLEwsB8vEL-wSNidWhnsD3ACO-iC5yXJN3kkjLSbSV-qf/s640/blogger-image-725672805.jpg" /></a></div>Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-16859871290729791732012-04-09T23:24:00.001-04:002012-04-09T23:32:29.217-04:00Easter dinner for the rest of usWe maxed out our table settings on Sunday and devoured the pork roast, arugula salad, potatoes, and stuffed peppers. Then we washed it all down with carrot cake. There was even a toddler running around which finally gave me an excuse to bring out the singamajigs.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt1waxV3jLxmVvCMLzQE6LJAErpVGhgOU2D-u38b1HAi7gW2crrUCbLhBQfNHNf0gRjLqoLVz1dAW-mSPxv_LN-62J1kGtBAwzHbChTt7A6z7MDEcaCsalTULQwAx4DuTaOpIqC0jpjdA/s640/blogger-image-790377052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt1waxV3jLxmVvCMLzQE6LJAErpVGhgOU2D-u38b1HAi7gW2crrUCbLhBQfNHNf0gRjLqoLVz1dAW-mSPxv_LN-62J1kGtBAwzHbChTt7A6z7MDEcaCsalTULQwAx4DuTaOpIqC0jpjdA/s640/blogger-image-790377052.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHb19tSqg7ag5pEAyMRyJ2d8JSz0OB7-g7384j1Ccu2CMsCCCXJquMP_0RBObb-t58dey8GIHza0lwKKBs-nIMTqhZM15mi4bU7c4YP7EJx6tPABdAEIr6FlCCcbU48frSUunMJQWX2nn/s640/blogger-image--618975159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHb19tSqg7ag5pEAyMRyJ2d8JSz0OB7-g7384j1Ccu2CMsCCCXJquMP_0RBObb-t58dey8GIHza0lwKKBs-nIMTqhZM15mi4bU7c4YP7EJx6tPABdAEIr6FlCCcbU48frSUunMJQWX2nn/s640/blogger-image--618975159.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cyB8VvcwmTABRPbf_ylszjy_ZApfuheLF9ZVchNJtz1B3hC27SRmTNdGRyGJfpit8Yv-SkWaCDTY8j9p2159dXmTi3iBQCtFBTd7vndZXgiqBLtTclA5vAkQwcIfJ3xG5E559FFuxkvI/s640/blogger-image--1847973190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cyB8VvcwmTABRPbf_ylszjy_ZApfuheLF9ZVchNJtz1B3hC27SRmTNdGRyGJfpit8Yv-SkWaCDTY8j9p2159dXmTi3iBQCtFBTd7vndZXgiqBLtTclA5vAkQwcIfJ3xG5E559FFuxkvI/s640/blogger-image--1847973190.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDEz7CDn-VqOjfZbwGG_0PeoxttsvEW8LJUO_ZwQeJbeU5ukApHpJZwlnG98L2Rv9sJeJ4iXJMZIohvgXpjyVaulhSILFPAR2vnwjpxuLsCe_rPuBFzvZVAuS2wIgTHCH-zL7nhp1Ja-3/s640/blogger-image--399710707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDEz7CDn-VqOjfZbwGG_0PeoxttsvEW8LJUO_ZwQeJbeU5ukApHpJZwlnG98L2Rv9sJeJ4iXJMZIohvgXpjyVaulhSILFPAR2vnwjpxuLsCe_rPuBFzvZVAuS2wIgTHCH-zL7nhp1Ja-3/s640/blogger-image--399710707.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBT1Qp8z9qBUVZA_vk1t2R9UoWDOSVFCJbkGD1zV4gO8LX8ZSX9zHeCblzPozqYcb0z1OuAz2gHHT3msTJ4WAVWPbiJL_nQFPL0nq-VoA79HpGOQKcB8urYPmCI8tEoFxmU677b5SQch5o/s640/blogger-image--598276739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBT1Qp8z9qBUVZA_vk1t2R9UoWDOSVFCJbkGD1zV4gO8LX8ZSX9zHeCblzPozqYcb0z1OuAz2gHHT3msTJ4WAVWPbiJL_nQFPL0nq-VoA79HpGOQKcB8urYPmCI8tEoFxmU677b5SQch5o/s640/blogger-image--598276739.jpg" /></a></div>Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-28839712555638860452012-04-09T19:03:00.004-04:002012-04-09T19:21:13.911-04:00Goldy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bOquwbwJ2bP8FJos699CVnD-y65qSs7yRl0xOm4Y6f0mhKdQtwjVyuOVSw5uoY3ag188PTxy2lfWb5k_VChBICMxhKGtJH4eU-0hoR2Ne5PMy3WszCLn6gh8VgWlMnv6P2UfAdYwbabU/s1600/tlh_annoyingoscar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bOquwbwJ2bP8FJos699CVnD-y65qSs7yRl0xOm4Y6f0mhKdQtwjVyuOVSw5uoY3ag188PTxy2lfWb5k_VChBICMxhKGtJH4eU-0hoR2Ne5PMy3WszCLn6gh8VgWlMnv6P2UfAdYwbabU/s400/tlh_annoyingoscar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729544294345819794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSJVpofk-YvIvsGD77MLafrLRkuUOxX8tXnLN1HBWCUfNkwZ0efZ2Khg9u52p8JrrAmmmEKUy9GRAFXes9dEa5MSgozwCdCpWPpnH8MKHNxH0PL7wxxoTi0wrTSL4Q9vQ2NoDdXmPmc_v/s1600/tlh_catbath.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSJVpofk-YvIvsGD77MLafrLRkuUOxX8tXnLN1HBWCUfNkwZ0efZ2Khg9u52p8JrrAmmmEKUy9GRAFXes9dEa5MSgozwCdCpWPpnH8MKHNxH0PL7wxxoTi0wrTSL4Q9vQ2NoDdXmPmc_v/s400/tlh_catbath.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729544282309854178" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've been avoiding the inevitable leap to a smart phone for a long time. My frugality (thanks mom) has ensured that I am usually the last on the band wagon. However the annoyance of my dumb phone combined with MY MOM getting a smart phone (I almost fell over) were just too much to take. <br /><br />Goldy is named after her sparkly case and yes you would think by the amount of time I spend with her that she is my new pet. I'm ashamed how much I enjoy all of it. I hope that the novelty of it will wear off and I'll go back to staring out the bus window on the way home. There is no denying the benefits though. My instagram is already filled with a slew of photo's that I can't wait to share here. Work emails can be checked and replied to at all hours. And I know exactly how my face will look if I gain 100 pounds.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-11506998450757494322012-04-05T17:59:00.003-04:002012-04-05T19:26:20.808-04:00Weekending<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkMf6CMJa5a1BS_-OkIxKGiIJJrXMcrAgA06P23rngvDq2VSVNUDUDRsYMCgh5adSatWuwTdluMYvcqjhUF62IeGWm-iZI-d2-K5QLO3w3ar8K8zFalb4wd6FIPpmqkiI6SxkB37JGRdk/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkMf6CMJa5a1BS_-OkIxKGiIJJrXMcrAgA06P23rngvDq2VSVNUDUDRsYMCgh5adSatWuwTdluMYvcqjhUF62IeGWm-iZI-d2-K5QLO3w3ar8K8zFalb4wd6FIPpmqkiI6SxkB37JGRdk/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728061661844903378" /></a><br /><br />Remember when I use to post what I was filling my weekend with? Let's do that again...<br /><br />* mixing up <a href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/mad-men/cocktail-guide" targe="_blank">Mad Men cocktails</a> & swapping haircuts with a couple of my favorite ladies<br />* starting on our wedding invitations <br />* celebrating a dear friends 30th birthday<br />* kitchen experimentation - if it works I'll be posting it up on <a href="http://cottonandbrass.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Cotton & Brass</a><br />* and now that our sunroom is clean (!!!!) maybe we'll hang up some herbsMichelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-82365540523417829782012-03-17T18:30:00.001-04:002012-03-17T18:32:17.928-04:00Happy Saint Patrick's Day<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2iUPb7y0hgE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />For my father, who's two favorite things are videos of scenery shot to music and Ireland.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-89872957838782020742012-03-04T10:02:00.005-05:002012-03-07T21:48:09.583-05:00De-digitized<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoXJtBdzDNXWn_aXXMaaixuHiBhyphenhyphenpVaZXRwFZqG8YybH2IcZ5MrD8E9gAb1-RwhsWfZURF-3Wp7diQtFL9BQcaqKAz2Z8j0iwtpl1SyjKi5qMk0r_gfxkrHFvsvfoLYXfVawuLJDB96mv/s1600/tlh_photoalbums.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoXJtBdzDNXWn_aXXMaaixuHiBhyphenhyphenpVaZXRwFZqG8YybH2IcZ5MrD8E9gAb1-RwhsWfZURF-3Wp7diQtFL9BQcaqKAz2Z8j0iwtpl1SyjKi5qMk0r_gfxkrHFvsvfoLYXfVawuLJDB96mv/s400/tlh_photoalbums.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716058002860427474" /></a><br /><br />My mom use to say that the first thing she would grab in a fire (assuming we were all safe of course) was her photo albums. As a surly girl that didn't always get along with my mom I found that lame. I'm sure that I would have said something actually lame like my random collection of 90's R&B and Christian Ska CD's.<br /><br />It must be strange to be a parent. For years your kids roll their eyes at you and you think that they aren't listening. And then years later they are blogging about how they cherished the friday night grocery store marathons and they boast the same hobbies you do.<br /><br />It's so easy to forget about printing photos and organizing them into books. Our lives our documented in concise clickable facebook albums with witty titles. Yet every few months I find myself tucked in the corner of CVS with a jam packed flash drive. I never feel guilty paying for the precious glossy 4x6s. Sometimes I even splurge on an 8x10 of a particularly lovely memory. If our house caught fire and everyone was out safe absolutely the first thing I would grab is my photo albums.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-53962460190488864282012-03-04T08:49:00.001-05:002012-03-04T08:49:29.175-05:00If you help me with my wedding I will feed you sweet things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5UobHgiS2YtlKKU-LgpGxoh9GGbjcV_HPdNihdeBnEpL274qHWifE2-5q9N8s8xF0NuwkG70OZlJI04FVZlkfJ3RRtJ0MknQr0-IMx-vQdoOhljsLPdqyezHRzT0LsngoCJcZ8lndK5T/s1600/tlh_sewingparty2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5UobHgiS2YtlKKU-LgpGxoh9GGbjcV_HPdNihdeBnEpL274qHWifE2-5q9N8s8xF0NuwkG70OZlJI04FVZlkfJ3RRtJ0MknQr0-IMx-vQdoOhljsLPdqyezHRzT0LsngoCJcZ8lndK5T/s400/tlh_sewingparty2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716038019397318770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BiTEIFLZ4EOoWEQwXt7OwPbmLbbkKrw-USPkSw5hIFxUX7C1wPmqcguXz0tSXvIzCSwULR7LLHeNEf5KeCPXCDfyVEpRawIflwdlUcsagwtocCn7vc7KQzyfqfMSD5tgFazn3iARLOrf/s1600/tlh_sewingparty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BiTEIFLZ4EOoWEQwXt7OwPbmLbbkKrw-USPkSw5hIFxUX7C1wPmqcguXz0tSXvIzCSwULR7LLHeNEf5KeCPXCDfyVEpRawIflwdlUcsagwtocCn7vc7KQzyfqfMSD5tgFazn3iARLOrf/s400/tlh_sewingparty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716037993289755250" /></a><br />Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to elope. Skip all this fuss and just sign the paperwork. I can't help but feel like this is so much for just one day. <br /><br />But then my mom and friends congregate in my little apartment and spend the day eating paczkis and sewing. It would be a shame to miss out on these moments. Almost every wedding graduate will tell you to enjoy the journey. <br /><br />I might actually be a little sad once it's all over.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-61324323217219886902012-03-03T21:17:00.003-05:002012-03-04T08:37:40.309-05:00Nanny's Molasses Cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ovlpCbsvfolr5LgQ7URBCOlsNINunpHnci-lAbAwYUOhJsDbMhuN5F5S4_UVQTvyfkyg0meq2tmPkDEnLak57o0n41AuIxWkncIe6wHVsXBMApJiIjMMs7Wx-pAWQhqFd8R-I8d-8eus/s1600/tlh_molassescookies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ovlpCbsvfolr5LgQ7URBCOlsNINunpHnci-lAbAwYUOhJsDbMhuN5F5S4_UVQTvyfkyg0meq2tmPkDEnLak57o0n41AuIxWkncIe6wHVsXBMApJiIjMMs7Wx-pAWQhqFd8R-I8d-8eus/s400/tlh_molassescookies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716035102809263826" /></a><br /><br />Mark and Rick are often swept up with inspiration for a particular dinner, or food item. But I couldn't help but melt over their excitement to make their grandma's molasses cookies. Of which, they told me over and over, she always had in a jar ready for them. They fussed over the cookies, making sure they made them just like she does.<br /><br />Mark and I are big believers that the best food will always be what you grew up with. For me, my favorite dessert is vanilla ice cream covered in my uncles maple syrup. And for Mark and Rick it's their grandma's molasses cookies.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-62392536395309695552012-02-14T10:07:00.001-05:002012-02-14T10:07:27.894-05:00Happy Valentine's DayIsn't this just the sweetest...<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-T2cTLBQ6zo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-32901185992409567742012-02-09T22:17:00.003-05:002012-02-11T17:01:19.509-05:00Over Inspired<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv-r1wGFlQuyeHwoclCa-58bEpaXzDNf02dtXR_ovLI4cL2y-2H1Cnerx129KmV4vKpl-Qn6GsmmycM58DBG6-2yhes3vXXpwyz6rdwjmHTZu5feso8wUd-Z3gXk6sd2PZ3Q6ASi3VI_W/s1600/tlh_bluefabric.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv-r1wGFlQuyeHwoclCa-58bEpaXzDNf02dtXR_ovLI4cL2y-2H1Cnerx129KmV4vKpl-Qn6GsmmycM58DBG6-2yhes3vXXpwyz6rdwjmHTZu5feso8wUd-Z3gXk6sd2PZ3Q6ASi3VI_W/s400/tlh_bluefabric.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708001319993843346" /></a><br />There are a dozen wedding blogs that I've read religiously for a-hem three years a-hem. All that "reading" set me up for what I thought would be the easiest wedding planning. Not true. Instead I'm stuffed to the brim with all the inspiration I have squirreled away. Of course what I want is a simple rustic wedding, or I mean a frilly vintage wedding, or maybe what I'm trying to say is a classy but modern wedding...<br /><br />Ugh<br /><br />So a couple weeks ago I decided to stop avoiding the wedding, which I found was the easiest way to deal, and make a decision. Mark and I have an old childrens fairy tale book with fantastic illustrations. Our save the dates were based on an illustration from the book and it made the most sense to base everything else off of it as well. I went fabric shopping for one of my big DIY wedding projects and found the perfect blue printed cotton.<br /><br />I'm starting to get really excited.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-44921700944375069682012-01-27T19:32:00.000-05:002012-01-27T19:33:11.877-05:00Florida - Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1BAk_-hHkAB1VVid7L6cJ2-UigTfsYVFBgb2lhCT2Y_8uepuuQDOL7MfJUod_6pnnFh7abOz2Uk5sisFj0rV5eXvmYH3_v8qV_eI1su2k0Q4fFKRaaeyv3iOCho4gDUJ0o-wStoPz9Mi/s1600/tlh_florida15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1BAk_-hHkAB1VVid7L6cJ2-UigTfsYVFBgb2lhCT2Y_8uepuuQDOL7MfJUod_6pnnFh7abOz2Uk5sisFj0rV5eXvmYH3_v8qV_eI1su2k0Q4fFKRaaeyv3iOCho4gDUJ0o-wStoPz9Mi/s400/tlh_florida15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702470890289863634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomtMENr8OWpvjLEIm853PtSUzslomlkC4kA7tghXQjMg7hPl6XowF2Kb0NJO8eAm9aUkkG4B4hdxkfM2qDQE8kg6_KUEhBaTuGi8NbzEmA3Gcjw046MXlKpi3MMIEp8vP7O2CfTEpkvuT/s1600/tlh_florida14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomtMENr8OWpvjLEIm853PtSUzslomlkC4kA7tghXQjMg7hPl6XowF2Kb0NJO8eAm9aUkkG4B4hdxkfM2qDQE8kg6_KUEhBaTuGi8NbzEmA3Gcjw046MXlKpi3MMIEp8vP7O2CfTEpkvuT/s400/tlh_florida14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702470882714009026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcK4bvjsgNniorg9edvWJUIGGyq_Gc5aV_2OyROhZXKdYHKHsxb96PEL-8lkRWzrnUeld2x-Auxh5Gmi-2ovuc5q5cy5e0XyYLOLeU-wrlibfarILyfRJ5-uLLqJYWQDx_zoqWf3evrah/s1600/tlh_florida12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcK4bvjsgNniorg9edvWJUIGGyq_Gc5aV_2OyROhZXKdYHKHsxb96PEL-8lkRWzrnUeld2x-Auxh5Gmi-2ovuc5q5cy5e0XyYLOLeU-wrlibfarILyfRJ5-uLLqJYWQDx_zoqWf3evrah/s400/tlh_florida12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702470880895773186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2qdd2Gp__gzVI160KX-geLNVB0DulZtvtRoPbKNiHFFe9tWC0MfhFSVtFZHMSqhlsgEmLOcQkUAcCd8V6ceJZkVAicLNqIvXP_oCQcJzN6vQLREIoGsFvtwAOkVNjzQysCr2U5NEG8Ws/s1600/tlh_florida8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2qdd2Gp__gzVI160KX-geLNVB0DulZtvtRoPbKNiHFFe9tWC0MfhFSVtFZHMSqhlsgEmLOcQkUAcCd8V6ceJZkVAicLNqIvXP_oCQcJzN6vQLREIoGsFvtwAOkVNjzQysCr2U5NEG8Ws/s400/tlh_florida8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701722502591462978" /></a><br />Sarasota is home to The Ringling Family, which means that they have the fantastic <a href="http://www.ringling.org/" target="_blank">Ringling Museum of Art</a>, <a href="http://www.ringling.edu/" target="_blank">The Ringling College of Art and Design</a>, and <a href="http://www.ringling.org/CadMansion.aspx" target="_blank">The Ringling Mansion</a>. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't jealous. We spent the afternoon walking through the extensive exhibits and kind of spooky gardens. I fell head over heals for that place. Everywhere I looked there was something unique and charming that you just do not usually get at an art museum. And maybe something magical too.Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3173879761657043537.post-71931693364511183632012-01-26T15:06:00.005-05:002012-01-26T19:06:21.070-05:00Cotton & Brass on The Wedding Chicks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGwlQFB-_GaQ5kQYWRhIudIVsokwAlh2UVgiQ9G_N6d2WWRrEmSDlkRqYG_21AUjsFCz88A9NQ-qf3OxB1gL0cfV_qdtayMdDs-bGdyetjcwq_-d2QXv65uf61g2njNk4JtNDI7O9MvFW/s1600/tlh_cbvday1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGwlQFB-_GaQ5kQYWRhIudIVsokwAlh2UVgiQ9G_N6d2WWRrEmSDlkRqYG_21AUjsFCz88A9NQ-qf3OxB1gL0cfV_qdtayMdDs-bGdyetjcwq_-d2QXv65uf61g2njNk4JtNDI7O9MvFW/s400/tlh_cbvday1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702096137631579442" /></a><br />Our most recent Cotton & Brass photoshoot was featured today on one of our favorite blogs - <a href="http://www.weddingchicks.com/2012/01/26/valentines-day-soiree/" target="_blank">The Wedding Chicks</a>. <br /><br />This photoshoot was so much fun to prepare for. My living room is still all shimmery with glitter. I debated between doing real flowers or paper. I'm usually the first person to roll my eyes when I even hear those words together. But it just felt right for this theme and I'm really happy with how they turned out. Keep your eyes pealed on <a href="http://cottonandbrass.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">our blog</a> for the paper flower tutorial coming next week!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This photo is property of <a href="http://cottonandbrass.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Cotton & Brass</a> and <a href="http://christakimble.com/" target="_blank">Christa Kimble Photography</a>. If you would like to share these, please credit Cotton & Brass.</span>Michelle McVayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646905750875928920noreply@blogger.com7