tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30893956514020508932024-02-19T05:07:33.607+01:00Amanda + DonMy Army Life, European Life, Two Great Danes, & Daily Inspirations{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.comBlogger402125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-83673147043755167052012-04-03T14:27:00.001+02:002012-04-03T14:27:06.965+02:00On The Edge Of Your Seat...<div><p>I bet you have no idea when I'm going to write next...because I sure don't know! I've become a bit of a stranger to Blogger, but...maybe that adds to my charm? :)</p>
<p>Georgia is HOT. And it's only just April. I have never been this tan at this time of year. And with this little effort! (By tan, I mean not so pasty. Ok, actually...I'm kinda tan! Wahoo!) I'm not a shorts kinda girl, but I've been in em every day for a few weeks now! So...I'm tan AND brave :)</p>
<p>I met a great girl from here who recommended a salon downtown & it is fabulous! Got the best haircut I've had in years, plus a shellac manicure. Have you tried these yet? I feel guilty about the box of regular polish under our bed, but shellac can't be beat!</p>
<p>Don was gone for a bit, but is now home again, putting me all back together! Life in Georgia is getting better (& hotter) all the time!</p>
<p>Thanks to those of you who participated in the Saturday Around The World blog share! I'll pick one of you randomly to be my Featured Blogger! (Oh my, on my phone, that came up as Featured Booger! Good thing I've had my coffee so I can pay attention! Bahaha!)</p>
<p>Gotta go clean now! My brother-in-law & his lovely girlfriend are coming for a visit today!</p>
<p>Happy Tuesday!</p>
</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-3478412858979030142012-03-24T16:08:00.001+01:002012-03-24T16:10:35.790+01:00Saturday Around The World!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="magazine">W</span>oohoo! It's Saturday & I've remembered to post a "Saturday Around The World" for all of you! And for me too, because I have fun seeing where my readers are from & getting to peek at your blogs while I'm at it! :) It's a nice Georgia morning here as I sit sipping coffee from a Czech pottery coffee mug that we bought in Prague. <i>*sigh* </i>I wish that I could really travel today! <i>Where would you go?!</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How To Travel!</b></span></div>
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1} <b>Be a follower</b> of {Amanda & Don}.</div>
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2} <b>Add your wonderful blog</b> to the list.</div>
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3} <b>Visit two blogs</b> & leave each a <b>comment</b> saying 1} that you're <b>visiting from "<i>Saturday Around The World</i>"</b>, & 2} <b>where</b> you are writing from!</div>
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4} Leave me a <b>comment</b> <b>here </b>letting me know <b>what two blogs you visited</b> & <b>where</b> the writer of each blog is from! You're now entered for a chance to be my Weekly Featured Blogger! I'll write up a little review of your Blog right here for all the world to see :)</div>
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5} For an <b>extra chance</b> to win, mention <i>Saturday Around The World</i><b> in your next blog post</b> & leave me the link in a comment!
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</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-28185544153739247002012-03-23T04:52:00.001+01:002012-03-23T15:23:32.624+01:00Georgia Heat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Right now, we're having an absolute downpour! And I love it, along with the crashing thunder! Oooo! But until tonight, our weather has been plain old hot & humid!<br />
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I'm talking 88 or 89 all this last week! So hot that the dogs seek shade whenever outside (even at the dog park!) & a cute little frog has taken up residency in my cool mailbox. Much to my surprise the first day I found him! ...oh, & the flowers? Just a little something I did inside today to stay cool :)<br />
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And to think...it's not even April yet. Thank goodness for American air conditioning!! Why so many Europeans go without it, I'll never know...<br />
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Back to my popcorn, chai, book (American Assassin by Vince Flynn), & rainstorm! Goodnight!<br />
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<i>(And thank you all for your comments lately! After my long hiatus, I'm surprised that I still have readers! Thank you! And tell Mr what I do that somehow keeps you coming back!)</i></div>
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</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-16030931991617095422012-03-18T15:54:00.001+01:002012-03-18T15:54:41.046+01:00The Well Traveled Home<div><p>I miss Europe. I miss traveling. I miss the beautiful sounds of foreign languages around me, the customs of the local people, their foods, their specialties. I miss the slow & content way of life there, the "biding your time over a cappuccino with a friend" mentality.</p>
<p>I've about finished putting our new home together, save two spare rooms upstairs that are still in need of furniture! While decorating, picking out fabrics, framing new artwork, I was subconsciously striving to create a getaway in our home. A Portugal, a Croatia, an Italy, a Sweden. An Africa, Prague, Salzburg, a Dublin. An Istanbul. A Germany.</p>
<p>I'm enjoying Georgia, but I realized that I don't want a home decorated for the South. I want a "well traveled home", as I now call it.</p>
<p>And so I've hung Polish pottery on the walls of my kitchen, scattered Moorish lanterns around the house, displayed our African animals, Portuguese cockerel, Swedish Dala horse, etc. on the mantle in the living room, hung framed watercolors of Portofino in the Guest Room, put Bougainvillea on the patio, laid our Turkish carpet in the bedroom...</p>
<p>We may never get our European life back, but I'm thankful that wherever the Army takes us, I can always take our Well Traveled Home, & that hopefully it takes us back, even just a bit, to the places that we've loved together.</p>
</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-8168143788942957072012-03-17T18:06:00.001+01:002012-03-24T16:36:07.446+01:00In pictures...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Maybe if I blog in pictures I can sorta keep up with it :)<br />
My silly doggies & the beginnings of my patio garden. I hope my plants survive the Georgia summer!<br />
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<center><img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6m0tCWgShQ_GT5im6VKl3RAntMHxca8Dq8hFIOT9dzIyKHaKdnVFQFBDhdYeYanStO7Ie7Yow_4d-7tty2MZhHa6gLH06M1Z32Rg9Q6Ei74tMIf2Q6FO9rZHRysxEOMmc2tHkXMkPCM/" width="240" />
<img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzB1LYPhlloo23r-3ESvHT3rlVUP7UASrizCUxPIfPTFbxCha_3u9CPPgpn03yIYojqTT8ubdlxuoeezdT1z6fqAmikaazGlIooLIT1Nx9rtQSptVn_G4-0aULqF5y7TtnP_vvqTqFzg/" width="240" />
<img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6JqJFh761waZVcCT7tOPuPNS3rr1rq4UP808HyWA0CSCLonlsZj-SYcVidgpVkBo997_g_IKE0S5popewN3wJEUsIqSE8-itfUkGI5DuYYfcDc7F_I4Txhg8VHDKGy0O0S_rCNznoTI/" width="240" />
<img height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pqoU_zTksVH8UWeGqgVpL7LXBO_Erx1iVXIz5JUMW-2v_7Fb3I1a8EEwznsH7NACQXm03Hfpl5cZ1Y2s6dATSIGdVxgv3AizLeozrnjl2WQSgITetUeGzurwBu-WS3_fvCfZDcD1h1o/" width="320" /></center>
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</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-69787952620380832762012-02-11T20:50:00.001+01:002012-02-12T02:23:00.949+01:00Shatter!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeb8Sjqj81ECKF5Ip3qD0st4a3YSdXju4r1DltrO066rj-hUpTyni8ygtjbADXohgq-M8FJRAVIqQ7XjKh8Q2sRehtP7BTDAj_a_b-hSyYXJgH2mnyapB3vM_389FuPTz2px5YpjhwnU/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeb8Sjqj81ECKF5Ip3qD0st4a3YSdXju4r1DltrO066rj-hUpTyni8ygtjbADXohgq-M8FJRAVIqQ7XjKh8Q2sRehtP7BTDAj_a_b-hSyYXJgH2mnyapB3vM_389FuPTz2px5YpjhwnU/" /></a>Have you tried OPI's new Shatter polishes? They are so much fun! Last night, I put the silver one over hot pink polish :) It's a bit funkier than my usual look, but I kinda like it!<br />
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All is well here in windy Georgia. Yes, windy! It's raining pecans in my backyard ;)<br />
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Xo & happy Saturday! Speaking of...should I start "Saturdays Around the World" again?! I've been bad about this blog, haven't I?!<br />
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</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-28873066720718265872012-01-21T18:47:00.001+01:002012-01-21T19:03:16.863+01:00App Attack!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabWlzb7-yTnTbbjm8KGBEQH8vuQTdkcTLbtNlu87jmmtcynzDTZR_phxCXmPtUj3P49OPLx3Jnn6re8lh4Cq1FZQ4Gn8h9B3Zro7hGnUR_wf59utR2WqUYNnQF8_ANpCdeQNVns-psC8/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabWlzb7-yTnTbbjm8KGBEQH8vuQTdkcTLbtNlu87jmmtcynzDTZR_phxCXmPtUj3P49OPLx3Jnn6re8lh4Cq1FZQ4Gn8h9B3Zro7hGnUR_wf59utR2WqUYNnQF8_ANpCdeQNVns-psC8/" width="240" /></a>Okay, lame post title, I know! But here's my reasoning: I want to know what your favorite smartphone apps are! ...how did I go so quickly from a slow and peaceful Bavarian life to this hustle and bustle and always online life? I'm really back to to America, baby! :)<br />
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So far, I (and my families!) am digging Words With Friends. I'm even playing with my best friend back in Germany! How fun!!<br />
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Our new house here is starting to feel like home! And our BMW just arrived in Atlanta too! Woot woot! :)<br />
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So, while I listen to tornado warning sirens and sit on our single piece of furniture here in Georgia, I wait to hear what apps you think I "need" :)<br />
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Happy weekend!<br />
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</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-55585705562625357832012-01-15T23:59:00.001+01:002012-01-16T00:01:06.271+01:00Mobile Blogging? Like It!<div><p>Yes yes yes, I know I said having the internet on my phone seemed unnecessary. But I'm digging it! Guilty! I may end up blogging more, but that may also mean that my posts could be a bit random. And short!</p>
<p>My thought for the weekend is this: when moving into a new house, be sure to turn on all your utilities. Otherwise, you may wake up freezing cold and discover that you're heat runs on gas, not electricity. :) Good thing Georgia Winters are fairly mild...</p>
<p>Layla has chattered her teeth a few times. And we now own a space heater. Tomorrow night, after the heat has been turned back on, I hope to be barefoot and in shorts in the house!</p>
</div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-546717835606601092012-01-12T05:58:00.001+01:002012-01-12T05:58:41.111+01:00Stateside!<div><p>We're back in the States, & something about the change has inspired me to blog a bit! Also, I have a sweet new Android phone that lets me blog on the go...  So maybe that adds to the fun :) We'll see how this works!</p>
<p>Back to the big news: we're living in America again! And who would have thought it, but there's been some culture shock with our return! Restaurants everywhere, so many choices, everything's open late, busy busy busy... Germans certainly taught me that living a slow paced life is relaxing and rewarding. None of this "always connected to the internet" business. Not that I can talk! It's too easy, this American way of life.</p>
<p>Alright, my fingers are tired. But I'll leave you with a picture of Layla &z Lucius during our two day drive across the country :) They were actually pretty comfy in the back seat of my truck!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K0LIKpNWCTgq2QRiiCit6WROAzhA7UVUyna6yaYjojilVXAFDV_AIEcF1z8smwOFMybcpfQ8Lr7ssoBfoVY2LshECSbNS0B8maFmKoBOaIuniBHDluw3cIMgYSlOVo4xnIRea2w0Amg/' /></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-64520365445577288992011-09-15T10:47:00.004+02:002011-09-15T10:48:26.430+02:00You Can Find Me . . .<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="magazine">W</span>ell, it's happened. I've lost my need to blog. Honestly, I don't know anymore what to blog about! Unless I stumble upon something wonderful & lovely, of course, like OPI's latest nail polish color collection : ) But that's just a given!<br />
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Honestly, though... I really haven't been inspired to write lately. Er, in the last few months! Don is home, I'm loving life, & we're starting to plan our move back to the States! Eek! Life is full for me right now, so I tend to be away from the computer more often than not. But really... What would I blog about these days?<br />
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I will definitely keep this blog. Stay tuned! <i><b>I will post when inspiration strikes!</b></i> And who knows what {or when!} that may be!<br />
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<a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_jx6XfX3SBWMoKLwnAm2EsdtiBpAd_39FEX1sfR7Dn1sjHWa3hCZp8B5wmJgSEikmxtqFZK1le6aWzAlUDKQf7Rm6OQJyPkuI1sqNb_qLeRvTE-yFsuzke3qhUbuWdwneufw6cVafz0/s640/It%2527s+A+Keeper%2521+2011-09-14+12-06-05.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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But until then, if you want to see what I'm loving lately, check out my Tumblr page at <a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/">http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com</a> It's so easy to quickly post a photo there, a video, a song...no words necessary. So if you'd like to see my style, to take a peek at what catches my eye, then head over there :) I honestly add to this page almost daily. So easy! <i><b>And if any of you have a Tumblr page, please share!</b></i><br />
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Here's to hoping that I find something lovely to write about for you all sometime soon! Any ideas?! <i><b>What keeps you coming back to my blog?! </b></i>Help! : ) Enjoy the rest of your week!! &hearts; <br />
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{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-82836771103858621382011-08-24T10:34:00.000+02:002011-08-24T10:34:58.657+02:00Gettin' Miss Piggy With It!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="magazine">F</span>irst of all,<i> gosh, am I out of the loop!!</i> I had no idea that there was a new Muppets movie in the works! Also, I hadn't heard until today that OPI was basing their new nail polish collection on our favorite little furry puppets! :) So, it was good news all around! I remember watching the original Muppet movies when I was little, & I have to confess that they still crack me up, along with all the new movies that have been added to the Muppet collection. And I've been wearing pretty much only OPI nail color since, well... since I started painting my nails! So this combo is going to be a lot of fun! Plus, I'm really getting a kick out of the nail polish color names! OPI, <i>how do you do it?!</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUepe5VI8nRvvdcIvd197TefRBst_tKigekkZ7bBNTYrMpeV49ZANwC_91XgF9zhB9Ym9iykq0CqQPnlph4DqV34zdhZVK0z2XllqyGnaOL2MB_MMsnolJKAj7H7H_wtuYn7Sy2_v9j8/s1600/339379_271585629535264_118289031531592_1146095_5529130_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUepe5VI8nRvvdcIvd197TefRBst_tKigekkZ7bBNTYrMpeV49ZANwC_91XgF9zhB9Ym9iykq0CqQPnlph4DqV34zdhZVK0z2XllqyGnaOL2MB_MMsnolJKAj7H7H_wtuYn7Sy2_v9j8/s640/339379_271585629535264_118289031531592_1146095_5529130_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OPIProducts">OPI Facebook Page</a>: <i>"<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">This November polish your nails in hues
as festive as the holidays with OPI's much-anticipated Muppets
collection. Loaded with glitters and shimmers, this collection is packed
with punch! (Left to right): Animal-istic, Meep-Meep-Meep, Wocka Wocka,
Pepes Purple Passion, Designers De Better, Warm and Fozzie, Rainbow
Connection, Excuse Moi, Gone Gonzo, Fresh Frog of Bel Air, Divine Swine
and Gettin' Miss Piggy With It."</span></i></span></td></tr>
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I don't know what it is with me & sparkles right now, but I just have the urge to paint<i> Rainbow Connection</i> on my fingers & toes! <i>Let me know what you get!</i><br />
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{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-59377508258116544122011-08-16T19:28:00.001+02:002011-08-16T19:28:52.869+02:00Welcome Bark!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="magazine">H</span>ello, all! I saw this video on Fox News today & just had to share! Great Danes are the best little doggies, aren't they?! :) Well, I suppose I'm a bit biased. But this video will surely make you smile! Happy Tuesday! <i>And thanks to all who joined in on the Saturday Around The World fun! One of you will be my Featured Blogger of the Week! XO</i><br />
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<center><script src="http://video.foxnews.com/v/embed.js?id=1112225272001&w=466&h=263" type="text/javascript">
</script><noscript>Watch the latest video at &lt;a href="http://video.foxnews.com"&gt;video.foxnews.com&lt;/a&gt;</noscript></center>
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{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-88870333880867635602011-08-12T20:46:00.003+02:002011-08-12T20:47:28.484+02:00Saturday Around The World! ...A Bit Early :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="magazine">O</span>h my goodness, it's been a while since the last Saturday Around The World blog party! I honestly had almost forgotten how to set it up! That's definitely an indication that it's time to pick this up again :)<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How To Travel!</b></span></u></div>
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1} You must <b>be a follower</b> of {Amanda & Don} to participate.</div>
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2} Click the link below to <b>add your wonderful blog</b> to the list.</div>
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3} <b>Visit two blogs</b> from the list & leave each one a <b>comment</b> saying that you're <b>visiting from Amanda & Don's "<i>Saturday Around The World</i>"</b>, & <b>where</b> you are writing from!</div>
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4} Leave me a <b>comment</b> <b>here </b>letting me know <b>what two blogs you visited</b> & <b>where</b> the writer of each blog is from!</div>
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5} Anyone who enters their blog without leaving comments or being a follower <b>will not be considered for the weekly feature</b>. And we don't want <i>that</i>! :)</div>
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6} For an <b>extra chance</b> to win, mention <i>Saturday Around The World</i><b> in your next blog post</b> & leave me the link in a comment! <b>I made a cute button for just this! You can find it ----> right over there in my sidebar! <i>Just copy the complete HTML code into your post's HTML page! **If this isn't working for you, can you please tell me what happens when you try it? It works for me just fine, but I want it to work for you too :)**</i></b></div>
</blockquote>
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=75402" type="text/javascript">
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{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-83334648910483777982011-08-12T12:08:00.005+02:002011-08-12T12:11:47.515+02:00Big Babies, Big Crates, One Flight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="magazine">M</span>an, we have two big babies here in our house with us every day! Our Great Danes!! We definitely get looks when they are in the car with us -- some people even take pictures! Sometimes, I forget just how big they are, but...<br />
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I've spent the last few hours looking for crates that will be big enough for them on their next {&amp;amp; first! And hopefully <i>only</i>!} airplane ride. Oh my goodness, we may have to have custom crates built! <i>Honey the Great Dane from Australia, for instance, had a custom kennel built for herself. <a href="http://bighoneydog.com/2009/11/travel-crate/">See</a>?!</i> I have visions of us with our suitcases &amp;amp; two of these huge crates <i>full</i>, trying to get through the Frankfurt airport...then gathering it all back up again in the States. Sheesh! It's a good thing I love our doggies :) And thankfully, we have a while to plan this all out. Phew!<br />
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<i>So...have any of you ever flown with a big dog before? I'd love some tips & pointers, please! </i></div>
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{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-57017826429062401132011-08-10T12:32:00.002+02:002011-08-12T12:10:34.854+02:00Travel Review: Beautifully Artistic Dresden, Germany!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="magazine">I</span> bet you've been wondering where I've gone! Well, I'm still here; don't worry :) Frankly, I just haven't known what to post about lately! So tell me:<i> what keeps you coming back to my blog?</i> Is it the travel photos & stories, the recipes, the personal pictures of myself, husband & two little Danes? Or maybe it's hearing about this military lifestyle, the once-in-a-while knitting project posts, or just what I happen to be interested in at the moment? <i>Help me out here. What should I post about nowadays?!</i> :)<br />
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For today, though, I'm covered! Don & I took a quick weekend trip to the German city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden">Dresden</a>. We hopped on the train & blissfully read {or people watched!} for about 3 hours until we arrived at the bahnhof! Er, train station! After a quick 10 minute walk, we found ourselves in the heart of the Altstadt {Old Town} <i>and</i> at our little apartment-style hotel, the <a href="http://www.aparthotels-frauenkirche.de/english.html">Aparthotel "Münzgasse".</a> You can read my Trip Advisor review <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187399-d944157-Reviews-Aparthotel_Muenzgasse-Dresden_Saxony.html">here</a> if you'd like!<br />
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Above, you can see my handsome husband standing on Münzgasse street, with a view of the top of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden_Frauenkirche">Frauenkirche</a> in the background {see how close the hotel was?!}. That's also the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden_Frauenkirche">Frauenkirche</a> in the photo on the left. This church has incredible history, which you can read about @ the Wikipedia links above. But basically, during World War II, the Allied Forces bombed the city with incendiary bombs, which create fire. The heat in the city reached over 1,000 degrees Celsius, causing the structure of the Frauenkirche {among many other buildings} to literally explode & collapse. It wasn't until the early 1990s that the church was restored. Until that point, the people of Dresden wanted the church to remain in<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-60015-0002,_Dresden,_Denkmal_Martin_Luther,_Frauenkirche,_Ruine.jpg"> its crumbled condition</a>, a symbol for promoting peace in the world. However, after gathering over 1 million euro in donations, the church was reconstructed using many of the original stones.<br />
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Dresden certainly had an overall feel of creativity, with many world-famous art museums {we saw the beautiful work of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, & more!} & bizarre modern art out for all to see. And of course, delicious beer!</div>
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Interested in some dinner theater? These actors will definitely pique your interest! Or, instead, you could wander through the beautiful city with your sweetie! That was our choice &hearts;<br />
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Here I am <span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">next to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BCrstenzug">Fürstenzug</a> {Procession of Princes}, a 335 foot long mural on 25,000 porcelain tiles. And lastly, another view of Dresden with the top of the beautiful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofkirche_%28Dresden%29">Hofkirche</a> {City Church} in the background.</span><br />
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{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-26867499749358652462011-07-25T13:14:00.001+02:002011-07-25T13:15:18.338+02:00Changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="magazine">W</span>ell, I certainly feel as though I've been away from Blogger for a while... The entire site has changed! Whoa! Time to get back into the swing of things & try to stay more up-to-date. I do like the new feel though, do you? There's something nice about changing things up a bit, I think. Although, this weekend, our neighborhood had no hot water, so we changed it up by showering at the gym. Nice to know that was temporary! <br />
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It's been quite a week here. My wonderful brother's two week visit came to an end last Wednesday. We had <i>such</i> an awesome time with him, visiting Istanbul & touring around the Bavarian countryside! {I'll post some pics at some point!} The bad part came right after seeing him off at the Munich Airport. As I was driving on the autobahn through the rain, a car pulling a trailer must not have seen me in my little Mini, because out they pulled...right in front of me. *smack* *wince* *ugh* I pulled off at the next gas station stop, still in shock, expecting that they'd follow me in. But nope. They drove on. As of today, the Polezei {German police} still have not found them. It was a rotten day, but after having to take the train as close to home as possible, Don picked me up with a yummy German pastry in hand & a bouquet of baby roses :) Bad things happen & there's not usually any way to prevent them. But when you have a wonderful loving husband to help you through, you know you'll always make it :)<br />
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I hope you all are doing great & enjoy your summers! I've talked about our travels, but <b><i>where have you been this summer? Where do you plan to go for some r&r?!</i></b> <b><i>Or, I suppose, where do you dream of visiting?</i></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">All images can be found at my Tumblr page, </span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/">It's A Keeper</a><i>, which has seen some changes too!<br /></i></span><b><i> </i></b></div>
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{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-15453535910358126112011-07-01T12:28:00.000+02:002011-07-01T12:28:00.203+02:00All Is Well! :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">I</span> first have to thank all of you who have written me lately, asking how things are, telling me that you miss my posts & hope that I'm doing alright -- you all are wonderful! In fact, I am doing more than all right! Life is so good that being on the computer has been the last thing on my mind, & I do apologize for that! But sometimes, it's nice to take a break & focus entirely on what's truly important ♥<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZu9v7vKjo8H1XAbS00MlBqoDh-L1WQItnNTcTIUrq1aSAQrKKg392rrN5xU9q48zuRNGme6WJmUO0Ok9VQHBdqOmzI0rsfsF6ydMHwQI1mobncaXqaLtsxhkpcKuc01VGDmNVn-eDS4/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZu9v7vKjo8H1XAbS00MlBqoDh-L1WQItnNTcTIUrq1aSAQrKKg392rrN5xU9q48zuRNGme6WJmUO0Ok9VQHBdqOmzI0rsfsF6ydMHwQI1mobncaXqaLtsxhkpcKuc01VGDmNVn-eDS4/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq8IjXXaLvy9bT5OtT8frLsU1cIepSeqVHw_8vacH2EyWNnKjdjl57twmfGSny6T4bWG6EoqDu7wCh7-Ps1ytuji0uopxq5-pQd8goG-aM3Mx5m6Wb5DVuYWlljE6Jw9cisZDQf8L2Lk/s1600/home+3%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq8IjXXaLvy9bT5OtT8frLsU1cIepSeqVHw_8vacH2EyWNnKjdjl57twmfGSny6T4bWG6EoqDu7wCh7-Ps1ytuji0uopxq5-pQd8goG-aM3Mx5m6Wb5DVuYWlljE6Jw9cisZDQf8L2Lk/s200/home+3%2521.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />
Don has been home now for almost two months! WOW! <i>Two Months Already?!!</i> Time certainly does fly when your worries are behind you :) It's been so easy transitioning back into our regular routine together. Although we were apart for 11 months, we just got right back into the swing of things once he came home! I love it :) Plus, we've been doing some great traveling!<br />
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We went to a town here in Germany called <a href="http://www.baden-baden.de/en/">Baden-Baden</a>, which is famous for its bath houses & thermal spas. What a relaxing weekend that was! And we also made it over the border to Strasbourg, France. Add another country to my growing list! <i>I think I'm at 27 countries now!</i><br />
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And lastly, we just got back from Tanzania, Africa!!! What an <i>adventure</i>!! We spent 7 days at the beautiful <a href="http://www.saadanilodge.com/index.html">Saadani Safari Lodge</a>, & oh my goodness was it breathtaking! Gorgeous beach, lovely people, delicious food, romantic setting, wonderful bungalows! Plus, game drives, snorkeling, river safaris... You wouldn't be surprised to know that we took about 2,300 pictures during this trip! I'll post some of our faves for you to see :)<br />
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Next up for us? Istanbul, next week!! So the pictures will keep on coming!<br />
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Thank you all so much for your sweet notes & emails. It means a lot that you were checking up on me! And now that Don is getting back to work {boohoo!}, you'll most likely be hearing from me more often!<br />
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Boy, is it nice to be all put back together again ♥ <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-69859650375290889332011-04-15T17:11:00.000+02:002011-04-15T17:11:22.123+02:00Happy Friday from Cookie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">M</span>eet Cookie, a "little penguin" at the Cincinnati Zoo & the mascot of the zoo's Bird House. How else could possibly make a cuter mascot?! Listen to those cute little squeals, watch that funny little penguin walk! Hmm, I wonder what Layla & Lucius would do if I brought him home as a new pet :) ♥ <i>Happy Friday, everyone!</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-34426761493167964202011-04-14T19:32:00.001+02:002011-04-14T19:33:46.732+02:00Wills & Kate's Wedding Cake!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">W</span>ho else is excited for the Royal Wedding of the decade?!! William & Kate make such an adorable couple, don't you think?! I had to explain to Don that this is a "girl thing"; boys just don't understand :) But honestly, how could we not be excited? A beautiful wedding gown {which I am looking forward to seeing!}, gorgeous bridal bouquets, the elegant ambiance of Westminster Abbey, & most of all, a Prince & Princess in love! Alright, you know as well as I do that for those of us not at all involved, it's just pure cheesiness. But you have to admit you will be watching too as they tie the knot on April 29th! Bring out the champagne & scones, dears!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ4YK7n9PP5bw3yD6n_WDntt3qwMENjrTtKQGMDKZnzMtScZA3_2dFZ0987nZfuse-4mkZkj8nwOxmqfe7iVeNJKL3YIrtA0GmPGSXVeVqMiBLRM0FFDUfiTuBqOnN9ERVzFlQvboYbc/s1600/willsandkate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ4YK7n9PP5bw3yD6n_WDntt3qwMENjrTtKQGMDKZnzMtScZA3_2dFZ0987nZfuse-4mkZkj8nwOxmqfe7iVeNJKL3YIrtA0GmPGSXVeVqMiBLRM0FFDUfiTuBqOnN9ERVzFlQvboYbc/s400/willsandkate.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uKZuy0krsbcLbD_f5uysMc5CxlVdXS3ssoS6IC2mZO0GqR3ho6fspvtEZ1akh8Qb3eqwqC6_RdkAUALm8HlrOx3p4fCbAxFpB4jAk5eYKY_FCf4IWK2K0dqYZO3ZanQxWzmjYUMqHAc/s1600/IMG_3609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uKZuy0krsbcLbD_f5uysMc5CxlVdXS3ssoS6IC2mZO0GqR3ho6fspvtEZ1akh8Qb3eqwqC6_RdkAUALm8HlrOx3p4fCbAxFpB4jAk5eYKY_FCf4IWK2K0dqYZO3ZanQxWzmjYUMqHAc/s400/IMG_3609.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />
And of course <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/03/28/will-and-kate-follow-english-wedding-cake-traditions/">the royal wedding cake</a>! The groom's cake will be made of rich chocolate & biscuits, but the wedding cake will be created following the recipe used for one of William's favorite tea time treats. I found this <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2011/04/13/wills-and-kates-wedding-cake-%E2%80%93-whats-the-secret/">recent write-up</a> from my beloved King Arthur Flour company. The official recipe is a royal secret, but KAF is making its educated guess as to the ingredients!<br />
<blockquote>"It seems the couple will have a traditional English fruitcake as the main attraction. But the Groom’s Cake is said to be a childhood favorite of Wills, a “secret” recipe revealed by Buckingham Palace to the bakers at McVitie’s biscuit company, makers of Rich Tea Biscuits – the cookie that’s a key ingredient in the cake.<br />
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“The recipe was given to us by the Palace and we’ve been sworn to secrecy. I’d love to be able to tell you, I really would. But, it’s a royal secret,” said McVitie’s baker Paul Courtney.<br />
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Still, Courtney did reveal that the cake includes 1,700 crushed Rich Tea biscuits, and 40 pounds of dark chocolate." --<a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2011/04/13/wills-and-kates-wedding-cake-%E2%80%93-whats-the-secret/">King Arthur Flour</a></blockquote><br />
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I would go back for seconds :) Oh, what a fairy tale! ♥<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-19786684560292346102011-04-12T17:16:00.001+02:002011-04-12T17:16:44.041+02:00April Showers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">W</span>e are getting a truly torrential downpour here in Bavaria right now! The trees are bending so much from the gusts of wind that they look like the could snap at any moment. The rain is coming down in sheets. I can hear windows slamming shut all over my neighborhood block, but it's not as loud as the thunder. And I love it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look out my kitchen window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Alright, I certainly wouldn't want this type of weather all the time, but mixed in with the hot {& air conditioner free} German days, this is fun! PLUS, before the storm really got here, I ran around in the yard like a crazy woman, wet hair blowing in my face every second, putting down more grass seed & top soil. All this rain should help some more grass to get started!<br />
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April is almost half over!! I'm ready for May ♥<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-11719836528216861282011-04-03T16:03:00.000+02:002011-04-03T16:03:49.822+02:00Muddy Yard Plus Jumping Great Dane Equals...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">M</span>uddy Amanda! Bwahahaha! Happy Sunday, everyone! Hope that you are having a lovely day! It's definitely feeling like Spring here! We got up to 72 degrees, so I'm seeding my yard, watering, praying for the grass to grow, & now, well...about to change into a clean t-shirt :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHfQOjjIB5HLcDG-VvgOm1113JvQSqXUi_AVNlGrdlfysg0wZ8AhGqLavIofyHoNoNgT97bNTBorTzMO1I6X1wm4g20LBp6_YlCx-yHl_TZqUCpNEnesYQg97KxpefJJAzqy4UzZK69k/s1600/muddy+manda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHfQOjjIB5HLcDG-VvgOm1113JvQSqXUi_AVNlGrdlfysg0wZ8AhGqLavIofyHoNoNgT97bNTBorTzMO1I6X1wm4g20LBp6_YlCx-yHl_TZqUCpNEnesYQg97KxpefJJAzqy4UzZK69k/s400/muddy+manda.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh6S6CYe9Bz1owmPEar7JyL260coMX-5ayICkRvhz5a2Eoffl_m9wQ3vlDWewmaBT5VW8UG-5cpvtHq-Apla3gFCE5hs-U631LoS-vwiDDx7_-tu_LF_14_Pz7RdhEm2hdYgQczPMMwY/s1600/oh+yeah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh6S6CYe9Bz1owmPEar7JyL260coMX-5ayICkRvhz5a2Eoffl_m9wQ3vlDWewmaBT5VW8UG-5cpvtHq-Apla3gFCE5hs-U631LoS-vwiDDx7_-tu_LF_14_Pz7RdhEm2hdYgQczPMMwY/s400/oh+yeah.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grr! And...tough?! ♥</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-41349027096845669822011-04-02T20:22:00.000+02:002011-04-02T20:22:21.663+02:00Happy Weekend!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">I</span> hope that you all have a wonderful, fun-filled, relaxing weekend! It's a beauty here -- got up to 70 degrees today! I've even seen some daffodils popping up, & my forsythia has buds all over it! Hooray! ♥<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKEwDcQ0FUHeYdmsOCo5j_ZTYjm9XmuPbgJ_GnYinMryzLMnTNFbj5ZCdGNHfh0D5ohBlov0Z-YvWfcqLvQfslVEAgkooxypY2mAJVZpPkDvEKft7J9EydGd93pQZcv0hRqFh4QJQhKM/s400/5.jpg" width="310" /><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZZMtebglKrvDoLaLhWc1QM3PAk_K8r3GN9ct5looq0eyTMlITg5skyoGtxexAGiGNG-oSIompBUhGzAV0KCGszanJQD0KQMFUVxNXHLhTkUCk0ihnej8B3VF5VQsaGJF0NvhQtGS0N4/s400/4.jpg" width="310" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-72677420212474801972011-04-01T12:12:00.001+02:002011-04-01T12:13:58.225+02:00Hotels With Heavenly Hammocks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">W</span>hen Don was home for R&R last October, we were talking about the things we would have in our "dream home." Some were simple {a garbage disposal, a backyard with privacy, a garage...} but others were purely wants. A ping pong table for Don, a hammock for two for me. And Don! There's something about hammocks that I just love. The word itself brings to mind all things having to do with relaxation: napping, reading, snuggling, basking in the sunlight. And because of all those lovely things, this article about <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/outdoor/hotels-with-heavenly-hammocks-escape-roundup-121797?image_id=1592918"><i>Hotels With Heavenly Hammocks</i></a> caught my eye right away! And I knew it was worth sharing :) So enjoy the pictures & imagine yourself relaxing away in these heavenly spots ♥<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghobUkQiIhSHH4oHce6ahxy4ovlKYuVlINQCIYpVYUhEl3LQbRv2TO2zmOf1Wyt_GZB17CTNXF2ARp_bcLqbvELDCd6aKMbqhsxXnW43_3wgc08qrmeS9O9vV0BXikhgwSidtKSB1LoG0/s400/h1.jpg" width="288" /><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUttdj5uvS_8_0T-_7SPJerT6mFYGLukGpq-hH1QhXGjziiuXXNiRgc4xnvfvmBwIBgdaBfc4huaN4lZF2z-VZ7eslGNAwx8bQTQQQhXPzFoWLnbXsQKin9pklEJilxGzPjxRMEV-fvE/s400/h4.jpg" width="286" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcDDQe_QuX_5JbKPB9708EWFHFInVx3ocAEqImzdEv2J2PV6y3wni_rsF2v2jvj_9fmQA78qbW1QZzVDS4sPhz7veO8YgK5GEKTI0353XG-nDEdrac-_LlslR867KOs-Cr_KkYOa7JHE/s640/h6.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>Happy Friday, everyone!</blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-69319787838628274012011-03-29T13:03:00.003+02:002011-03-29T13:07:08.074+02:00* Sunshine & A Smoothie *<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">J</span>ust a few pictures for your today! I just took these this morning. It's nice & sunny here today, so I made myself a yummy smoothie & drank it outside on our patio. {<i>Our patio with absolutely no privacy, as you can see. I can't wait to have a private yard!</i>} It was so nice to sit in the sun & relax! Then, I watered our yard & put down some more grass seed. {<i>Oooh, it's a constant battle to keep grass in our yard! Last Fall, it looked great! Where did all the grass go over the Winter?!</i>} And finally, I transplanted a rosemary & an African violet. After all that time in the yard, the dogs laid down together on a bed in the living room, basking in the sun, & quickly drifted off to sleep. They are still dreaming ♥ Happy Tuesday! I hope yours is bright & sunny as well!<br />
<blockquote><a href="http://donandamanda.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-par-tay-satw.html">Don't forget to stop by this week's blog hop, <i>Saturday Around The World</i>, to promote your blog!</a> And maybe you'll be the one I choose to feature as this week's Featured Blogger! <i>Yay!</i></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1WGTseram6AKpUisZ49a8YQEe2kdlk4US6BCyno5qzerfelKm2YRuSLGH7Mz46UTLeBPzNEa1_P-IrfUyqQ4t3U8x88a7HZdT0MNQFiUPZN_eoCE9i2n0Mr-1wZjo_2tQtEGWdBi0Zw/s400/DSC_0051.jpg" width="295" /><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBncfBAA86ZorWOUB98uW3EbgD1oeCWviDWAP622HSY0_ftTA9TF-wsLaxeLmVIPIOqbw1-rxX7gtKXrALaI79wgz8mpnC-R0bAsbXnupRbCgyAeVmfovsR7z1DJQTenR35KaIl8zriI/s400/DSC_0052.jpg" width="295" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Looks like I need to adjust the date on my camera ;)</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089395651402050893.post-90241469943220311822011-03-28T22:09:00.002+02:002011-03-28T22:12:18.784+02:00Flowering Trees & Thoughts of Springtime<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="magazine">H</span>appy Monday, everyone! I hope that your week has started off really well for you! I had a nice day today: overcast skies, rain {even hail!}, a productive trip to Post to get grass seed & soil, check the mail, go to the gym, pick up dog food... Ladies, do you have green thumb fever too? I want a yard full of grass, window boxes & pots brimming with flowers. It's right around the corner, though! April is almost here! And I LOVE that for more than the fact that it's becoming Springtime :)<br />
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And to bring a little sunshine, springtime, & pretty flowers to you, here are some beautiful flowering trees! Do you have any flowering trees in your yard or neighborhood? We have forsythia here, although that's a bush not a tree. But nevertheless, I'm ready for it to blossom! ♥ <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/post/4063192584/via-this-is-glamorous" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjov404QdCu1gEcTRd5Hl6Xs8keJVkQgNZ-CwEjdxIkfV2bT7RILdBHRhrRWhVVvwP8QEU198QLCKayUd5noVYf3yoVcdHbSghVWDGFqpCHvWsqd0oKejHBV8lQefULdR8miDa0j1af9OQ/s400/b.jpg" width="292" /></a><a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/post/3875443862" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_x3pOQ-KjuI1myCjvSjGwYwaClVlW-rWpggisfUTjTrUssacfAtJgyY3SjPrsdqNwofvunCb5PchvxV5BTGYoVNGhVyMcVwVhAg9cLxq3E5O6UipNpzQ_4p6urzVw19KYG36KxEoWvk/s400/c.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/post/4165290504/via-mayfly-ode-to-the-saucer-magnolia-tree" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx1HXzVTeHGeo67FMS-qVIc6dE7nJp2BTYoUnmm1apeTOcDjVVxF3Nf0p72WCP72M9methNjKfNbzV7o7fXkSCA_JYnByZ1bsS_HVggdXpW_xiPqr5GgdGwxJr9JKgh1jMIe_uPAK9m4/s640/f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/post/3726401445/thingssheloves" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHsU9DEwwb3xxKKDGa1jkUFMlWaG9Kd-vqkgIKgAJ3f1DRGPKxsferM71gcyD0aiIuAISGG4hZHhC4DXi7B3GYSqoDvbrQuN5nKDh8lkp4AYJDDA0Nnlwr-iO1-D08IdQ_1dc-ZaXqXY/s400/d.jpg" width="281" /></a><a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/post/4164873296/magicalnaturetour-photographer-snow-pretty" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv2OtwM7MmYq_9t5rEj1tB5p9IG1gLnmhYNpIex49AmYx_njY82Purgd4QiO45O4lS0iZ__4aRS8EldwKJu9R1XTVmSG_s6NTxuGfEqyysj0C7sg8FIVFM47UboZf42aQY0TXkSnpxl4/s400/1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://itsakeeper.tumblr.com/post/4165246148/via-camille-styles-turn-this-film-into-a-fete" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunVwiCMVkbVhbHgPN4Mr8YQa2W-1mc91nVfanxqF15bkglAKyqN37QORgjFuisH2Z8O8hQ4CnxN8feWtUVelsCJAqCyphYwpq6u7T9ZXOSfGAa9L-fxbxaJsjec3xpf6DeRrHYMeXhts/s640/e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><a href="http://donandamanda.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-par-tay-satw.html">Don't forget to stop by this week's blog hop, <i>Saturday Around The World</i>, to promote your blog!</a> And maybe you'll be the one I choose to feature as this week's Featured Blogger! <i>Yay!</i></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/281/E9ECA834A269AEFA2362EC451EC6B476.png" /></div></div>{Amanda}http://www.blogger.com/profile/05413863097728994680noreply@blogger.com0