Hearty Beef Stew

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I LOVE a good one-pot hearty dinner in the fall and winter seasons, especially when it's cooking on the stove-top all day long. There is nothing like walking into the aroma of a delicious dinner getting better and better as it sits in your kitchen while you go about your day. I grew up eating my mom's delicious stew and for some reason I've never given it a try. I was at my friend Jenna's over the weekend and the topic of stew came up (we're so hip) and she shared a recipe she had with me. I took her recipe and changed it a bit with tips from my mom and it came out AMAZING.  It's so easy to make because it's a one pot dinner, the only thing you really need is time to let it slow-cook so the beef braises and becomes "fall off the bone tender".<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzH8b2Y7E8pqBvD7ufR_8A-ZUgA4aZoPvOeCxOGyMLy9Bcq3L1CjiFd7bxJ-1y7-nYyyfPKKG252-3LKTTfxmrVviVE17h8AFGht3ZUoWRM7934teg64ggAmEurXIYYFBFCKulxE-Ug6O/s1600/IMG_0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzH8b2Y7E8pqBvD7ufR_8A-ZUgA4aZoPvOeCxOGyMLy9Bcq3L1CjiFd7bxJ-1y7-nYyyfPKKG252-3LKTTfxmrVviVE17h8AFGht3ZUoWRM7934teg64ggAmEurXIYYFBFCKulxE-Ug6O/s640/IMG_0312.jpg" width="618" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Here is the recipe I used:<br /> <br /> Ingredients:<br /> <br /> 2 lbs. of chuck meat, or stew meat<br /> 1 cup of red wine<br /> (2) 8 oz. cans of Hunt's tomato sauce<br /> (1) 12 oz. can of beef broth<br /> 1 medium onion<br /> A few carrots sliced up into coins<br /> 2 potatoes (any kind) cut into 1-inch cubes<br /> 1 big bag of frozen mixed vegetables (I used the one with carrots, corn, string beans, and peas<br /> <br /> Flour and salt the beef and make sure it is cut into bite size pieces. Brown the beef in a dutch oven in 3 tablespoons of butter and a little olive oil (do in batches).<br /> Put the meat back into the dutch oven, add wine, and scrape the brown bits from the pot. Add the cans of Hunts and the can of beef broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cook for two hours.<br /> Add carrots, potatoes and mixed vegetables and let simmer all day for as long as you want, yesterday it was like 4 hours.<br /> <br /> Serve with rustic bread and voila!!!<br /> <br /></div>

RECIPES

Hearty Beef Stew

I LOVE a good one-pot hearty dinner in the fall and winter seasons, especially when it's cooking on the stove-top all day long. There i...

Free November Printable - Watercolor Thanksgiving Place Cards

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div id="yui_3_17_2_5_1415213531089_2685" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so excited for Thanksgiving this year as it will be the first time we are hosting in our new house! We'll have ten or so people and I've already started dreaming up the sides, pies, and place settings, and I'll leave the turkey to Brian...(scary!)</span></div> <div id="yui_3_17_2_5_1415213531089_2683" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Anywho, I thought it would be fun to offer a free printable for all my loyal PJP peeps this November and these cute little watercolor place cards are it. My mother hand-painted them in her spare time and I converted them to graphic art to be able to share with the masses. I promise they will look super charming on your Thanksgiving day table, and even if you aren't hosting, you offer to bring them to the hostess! </span></div> <div id="yui_3_17_2_5_1415213531089_2671" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Click <a href="https://purejoypaperie.squarespace.com/s/thankgsigivng-placecards-2ddc.pdf" style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> for the free PDF download. All you need to do is print the file on some card stock or thick paper (US Letter size), cut the shapes and fold along the grey line, and write the names of your family and friends. You can obvi print as many as you like and please share the link ;)</span></div> <div id="yui_3_17_2_5_1415213531089_2671" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yIuXDblelL-AWRm015YVzV_wFMwF7SUxqRkuDnnUMeAOkSjIUT_7fFU7Y-bozASiz7OjPTRvnV0WCaZziRPph4ih5C6Ww1gA9qgFAd6Lq2_B2xJ6_qRBYllRMHZeHWoSayiLe2c6Me7a/s1600/DSC_0549.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yIuXDblelL-AWRm015YVzV_wFMwF7SUxqRkuDnnUMeAOkSjIUT_7fFU7Y-bozASiz7OjPTRvnV0WCaZziRPph4ih5C6Ww1gA9qgFAd6Lq2_B2xJ6_qRBYllRMHZeHWoSayiLe2c6Me7a/s1600/DSC_0549.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO-6OGtIcSqWZfC1UgoZnrMBKQlpqve09a8K8E7MMJDAMaI07BvK-9GTQXCum33Oay0jeJGL3s4c84mpW2gMr8y9sjXTmAB4RD8c4sjjmDKk7fXvbHvHKJGMs3X7v4_SOtRuhyphenhyphenvYJwMLs/s1600/DSC_0571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO-6OGtIcSqWZfC1UgoZnrMBKQlpqve09a8K8E7MMJDAMaI07BvK-9GTQXCum33Oay0jeJGL3s4c84mpW2gMr8y9sjXTmAB4RD8c4sjjmDKk7fXvbHvHKJGMs3X7v4_SOtRuhyphenhyphenvYJwMLs/s1600/DSC_0571.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwBNFKHMd4Wn7H7a77C4c9j92UF-uknEhblVoCXQ-cVdCT_h4BpoVsAOegPjkFS8kB4ICWBYF_jk9XxUj4TlLo7TmRD3i70bgSn8tIRvNRm0k8nVhBWCReV4NlFVrSgEI3BSdqyfhxnxZ/s1600/DSC_0565.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwBNFKHMd4Wn7H7a77C4c9j92UF-uknEhblVoCXQ-cVdCT_h4BpoVsAOegPjkFS8kB4ICWBYF_jk9XxUj4TlLo7TmRD3i70bgSn8tIRvNRm0k8nVhBWCReV4NlFVrSgEI3BSdqyfhxnxZ/s1600/DSC_0565.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Enjoy!</div> <div id="yui_3_17_2_5_1415213531089_2671" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> <br /></div> </div>

Free November Printable - Watercolor Thanksgiving Place Cards

I am so excited for Thanksgiving this year as it will be the first time we are hosting in our new house! We'll have ten or so people a...

Last Day to Save!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Hi Everyone! Checking in quick to remind you that today is the last day to save 25% with the early bird special on our collection of holiday cards! Why choose Pure Joy Paperie instead of Minted, Tiny Prints, etc..? Well because we can custom tailor your card to however you choose, and because you're supporting a small business started by a mother working her a** off to get a business of the ground while taking care of a crazy toddler ;) And who knows, maybe we will be hiring soon and then we can all help each other! <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb5nBKxpVsBzsOH7wBzjibWC6wXezkDbzNvl_Dv5Cmfg9XgtW4MqxAti7g-nQ_k2HzDeNixEQstROLunQGMKNT48BU_kMgdqmNnjeKD8rzd3_iv9krq48veS9k_vyMSlGX9RzOGWZiTvC/s1600/EARLYBIRD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb5nBKxpVsBzsOH7wBzjibWC6wXezkDbzNvl_Dv5Cmfg9XgtW4MqxAti7g-nQ_k2HzDeNixEQstROLunQGMKNT48BU_kMgdqmNnjeKD8rzd3_iv9krq48veS9k_vyMSlGX9RzOGWZiTvC/s1600/EARLYBIRD.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.purejoypaperie.etsy.com/">shop here</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> </div> </div>

Last Day to Save!

Hi Everyone! Checking in quick to remind you that today is the last day to save 25% with the early bird special on our collection of holida...

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ON ALL HOLIDAY CARDS - 25% OFF

I know we've all just really started to get into the fall swing of things and I hate to rush the holidays but I wanted to share a special sale we're having on our <i>almost</i> complete line of holiday cards! Many friends and family have asked about our cards so I wanted to give everyone the chance to get them while the going's good and before the holiday insanity begins :)<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvduB9wdxLMQHJU1DHybdKqBFcukPBp2MluOM82tFy4Lz7y93-sg2xmzxx_dwNUg54INuN0a97YGyYM6g1zSrloTrSW6I0jgCEe5o7gYU77budkEo3JSa7wkdhn9HUARTVpYpZf7YooVpT/s1600/il_570xN.660821023_8omf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvduB9wdxLMQHJU1DHybdKqBFcukPBp2MluOM82tFy4Lz7y93-sg2xmzxx_dwNUg54INuN0a97YGyYM6g1zSrloTrSW6I0jgCEe5o7gYU77budkEo3JSa7wkdhn9HUARTVpYpZf7YooVpT/s1600/il_570xN.660821023_8omf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlvIpjoAs6lR-9L4xwZPUaTfp3EjqB8NPeToMYEQFu2v1dKrqYMCCCSmPJEdkh_UKRe83DI3YekfUc5EnqtfVF_v6zzQSpb7e75NQ3bGp731W5M6wJ5ZGsDgK7kDO3A4xioFENEWpku2x/s1600/il_570xN.664868420_2m1z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlvIpjoAs6lR-9L4xwZPUaTfp3EjqB8NPeToMYEQFu2v1dKrqYMCCCSmPJEdkh_UKRe83DI3YekfUc5EnqtfVF_v6zzQSpb7e75NQ3bGp731W5M6wJ5ZGsDgK7kDO3A4xioFENEWpku2x/s1600/il_570xN.664868420_2m1z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuxzzMZYKId5IUm4MOixRT9913bdZu_7Lo5LXP1gOHlsqzDaYcVVN4k-HQXhQUmhFrguVSvWuzHR3waVFIiWjMc9C0DDnqHIs880mpuz7LSivFHY311_ZwJlrRnBnZed7TvXMU8P4uIGh/s1600/il_570xN.665095340_r8jn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuxzzMZYKId5IUm4MOixRT9913bdZu_7Lo5LXP1gOHlsqzDaYcVVN4k-HQXhQUmhFrguVSvWuzHR3waVFIiWjMc9C0DDnqHIs880mpuz7LSivFHY311_ZwJlrRnBnZed7TvXMU8P4uIGh/s1600/il_570xN.665095340_r8jn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1Q-havhYGHJmJjo7CSrT5ch_7fzJAH8o4aKtU_E6u-yV5KSOXqhI2Cw-YDH76vR-0paqdgkCl5Q99mYXsaOmaHa4KQsntJbfLGayEhwu3aF5thqdAsTmSFsF8Wonympmmy-ofHevY1rn/s1600/il_570xN.665189101_5ijb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1Q-havhYGHJmJjo7CSrT5ch_7fzJAH8o4aKtU_E6u-yV5KSOXqhI2Cw-YDH76vR-0paqdgkCl5Q99mYXsaOmaHa4KQsntJbfLGayEhwu3aF5thqdAsTmSFsF8Wonympmmy-ofHevY1rn/s1600/il_570xN.665189101_5ijb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2yVKZxQdzYIhvsqIqVK7SJO83m_j_ygXh5pnku1OuIbTMIjUMN1NX5IJ38nKPHN-J9pX6lc5RgXg1W9BJuXSel-lKu4l17rg4tt5942Z-CfPIdK7wSzCDHzZ41PTomVGsckslCBvnCr4/s1600/il_570xN.665194319_dvzs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2yVKZxQdzYIhvsqIqVK7SJO83m_j_ygXh5pnku1OuIbTMIjUMN1NX5IJ38nKPHN-J9pX6lc5RgXg1W9BJuXSel-lKu4l17rg4tt5942Z-CfPIdK7wSzCDHzZ41PTomVGsckslCBvnCr4/s1600/il_570xN.665194319_dvzs.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_2lufARlm9GuPF3gI-uam04ZdvJgR-6TTzVJJww_IXC0Z9qvuB2nXYDS2DDFsrVrZ-CsK50TAxIi4nhMZjR7yUp_6o54WwV_0ntxNLazX_qXpglI7-qkwmhLNBB8QMbqgC5pUxihpRq5/s1600/il_570xN.665199793_19dv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_2lufARlm9GuPF3gI-uam04ZdvJgR-6TTzVJJww_IXC0Z9qvuB2nXYDS2DDFsrVrZ-CsK50TAxIi4nhMZjR7yUp_6o54WwV_0ntxNLazX_qXpglI7-qkwmhLNBB8QMbqgC5pUxihpRq5/s1600/il_570xN.665199793_19dv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDB3iy-HIA14onX7UhuQ8yKA8QIhECEqSKkBUt85RG63RxNc7GV5PMvTB-MYFblSdHcZ45hFktpU-x4PSJua9m0_UdykGcvETMpa8tQD_YVil9XVpr1EjjPYIa3kYN0HG55XPhJ9xWbFx/s1600/il_570xN.665201223_64e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDB3iy-HIA14onX7UhuQ8yKA8QIhECEqSKkBUt85RG63RxNc7GV5PMvTB-MYFblSdHcZ45hFktpU-x4PSJua9m0_UdykGcvETMpa8tQD_YVil9XVpr1EjjPYIa3kYN0HG55XPhJ9xWbFx/s1600/il_570xN.665201223_64e1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Get 25% off your order with coupon code EARLYBIRD at checkout. And please keep on enjoying fall, we still have plenty of time before the holiday season begins! Hopefully getting your order in early with an awesome discount will bring you peace once the rush gets going :)<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos generously donated by the uber talented photographers Heather Golde, Allison Lassiter, Kerry Heftman (credits in each listing on Etsy).   </span></div>

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ON ALL HOLIDAY CARDS - 25% OFF

I know we've all just really started to get into the fall swing of things and I hate to rush the holidays but I wanted to share a specia...

Let's Put Our Phones Down

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"> My friend shared this on her Facebook wall the other day and it me hard, so much I could almost cry! We all want to stay in touch and it's so great, but we might be staying "too in touch" looking down at our little screens it's making us "out of touch" with the real, you know what I mean? </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dRl8EIhrQjQ" width="560"></iframe></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Just thought I would share!</div> </div>

Let's Put Our Phones Down

My friend shared this on her Facebook wall the other day and it me hard, so much I could almost cry! We all want to stay in touch and it...

2014 Holiday Card Collection

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Good Morning lovelies! I'm here to introduce the beginnings of the 2014 holiday collection at Pure Joy Paperie. I've been working my tail off to get these done and I'm so excited to hear what YOU think. I've just begun to list them in my Etsy shop and will have the full collection live on our <i>new</i> website in the next few weeks.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShtDwgVhdvGBt6HuCAIVp_QZ8qu7NTONexw8F1ZLvCEaGip5xDVvq8fGZwdfnP3C_qWvVqFkCEoKV2xYTh6F57dAt_TQc1wfHNgczmeWurE8mRzyipdi6RYMo3dZaMMV1KgUvoeDNTn_P/s1600/astor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShtDwgVhdvGBt6HuCAIVp_QZ8qu7NTONexw8F1ZLvCEaGip5xDVvq8fGZwdfnP3C_qWvVqFkCEoKV2xYTh6F57dAt_TQc1wfHNgczmeWurE8mRzyipdi6RYMo3dZaMMV1KgUvoeDNTn_P/s1600/astor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaLs_4dv3SluI9iit-0SEEwL5a_u1xZ38tYmvvh8nw27xPiGaO3Kzf-WfLrHHABGMskQscudXGi240Ll9tABXCCh7AoalJ8odpKPeFTsVkJ3iOUZWFz3N-3O1EXwkWfWqT2x0KhamDUGJ/s1600/baker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaLs_4dv3SluI9iit-0SEEwL5a_u1xZ38tYmvvh8nw27xPiGaO3Kzf-WfLrHHABGMskQscudXGi240Ll9tABXCCh7AoalJ8odpKPeFTsVkJ3iOUZWFz3N-3O1EXwkWfWqT2x0KhamDUGJ/s1600/baker.jpg" width="456" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6amMujCHWaAErYMDIQvPXz1QvZyzHi5E0XaI4cbpeM2YMumfGDFIKRtlGKzugAD0ts-AnvJdIfyvZ3ZHGOPMcSy2QrXVhFGJ4X6iGKWGZPt9A9O_n8iIJCHuDkEE3BT29tEt2bMHOwB1/s1600/cheers!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6amMujCHWaAErYMDIQvPXz1QvZyzHi5E0XaI4cbpeM2YMumfGDFIKRtlGKzugAD0ts-AnvJdIfyvZ3ZHGOPMcSy2QrXVhFGJ4X6iGKWGZPt9A9O_n8iIJCHuDkEE3BT29tEt2bMHOwB1/s1600/cheers!.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FuLpUdUbJzVz7ZQ3FtC7pFHOaASetb13Sw3t9BrQ8-6HQXVjXkpifxHUMHGu52I8WSgTKeLyFgfAjp6BT1ZMGIJa4E_sf9tdylLxy-HEOpwWY68mHrQwc-t6wrgNroswom5fU5qHaADg/s1600/grant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FuLpUdUbJzVz7ZQ3FtC7pFHOaASetb13Sw3t9BrQ8-6HQXVjXkpifxHUMHGu52I8WSgTKeLyFgfAjp6BT1ZMGIJa4E_sf9tdylLxy-HEOpwWY68mHrQwc-t6wrgNroswom5fU5qHaADg/s1600/grant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y07sA4uvjn8sJ5cXOqJIJBAiITY5M6S5IJIVYB66_pUHSswawXxAGCbedMYGopB4PdW_51L47W56jVXOYx79YgrfTvkczU9EDEa-vCNsFIrTnMqQynLr8VwbT42Rr5JSBMltJeY6XPyo/s1600/Jackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y07sA4uvjn8sJ5cXOqJIJBAiITY5M6S5IJIVYB66_pUHSswawXxAGCbedMYGopB4PdW_51L47W56jVXOYx79YgrfTvkczU9EDEa-vCNsFIrTnMqQynLr8VwbT42Rr5JSBMltJeY6XPyo/s1600/Jackson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-2bLvYqa403n_8T5plxTZGiVuLE5FbDsXq1nGqrFEx6wTMwKY0HN8Ulg8tnOUKqd0tkTuUf3TbAdlhqkWNEBKETwmDyQAjrbEbCy3UgHoMmeIotiosBZyWLVFDcYAwyTfXCjZc3lCu-O/s1600/jones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-2bLvYqa403n_8T5plxTZGiVuLE5FbDsXq1nGqrFEx6wTMwKY0HN8Ulg8tnOUKqd0tkTuUf3TbAdlhqkWNEBKETwmDyQAjrbEbCy3UgHoMmeIotiosBZyWLVFDcYAwyTfXCjZc3lCu-O/s1600/jones.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> (photo credit: <a href="http://www.kerryheftman.com/">Kerry Heftman Photography</a>)</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGON_HaOD2cfFi0HSnqJ-fm11MZlDW2eAwWH4AdLU9_JAz4KO_s1TzzZl5hpz_dnu-Xck_3qx4Vko896V634akfBr7i4a7GZ_m4aIue2IAdXACyu5XVEHNtKV-8WDv_UehR5wkDQF6hNuh/s1600/JOY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGON_HaOD2cfFi0HSnqJ-fm11MZlDW2eAwWH4AdLU9_JAz4KO_s1TzzZl5hpz_dnu-Xck_3qx4Vko896V634akfBr7i4a7GZ_m4aIue2IAdXACyu5XVEHNtKV-8WDv_UehR5wkDQF6hNuh/s1600/JOY.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhTSXPRkCk8V-K9t2Qxkxa9gs6bDmPSCNftS6kL7F1M0zvTuMuB6aAy_nVsdGI_or8N52mkYIHDCVVRiVMbxZnrEVmdefeoSISRsJlAS6Kak71Nhr5qRLsIHIe2fT1WgCpquPoZ65u07q/s1600/orgera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhTSXPRkCk8V-K9t2Qxkxa9gs6bDmPSCNftS6kL7F1M0zvTuMuB6aAy_nVsdGI_or8N52mkYIHDCVVRiVMbxZnrEVmdefeoSISRsJlAS6Kak71Nhr5qRLsIHIe2fT1WgCpquPoZ65u07q/s1600/orgera.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84Zy1FVRTjiSrk3OzSV9evUjVwxqDL-LDVEjbBiw8_DZMrgDWzZ-OL9lyx_SMdcOoMFuom7H_WA8rA0Y5Hjwxc2wdUHTMRIiC_NvrlNejiTbTwjv56SkrVCP8mCnuTr7f012ACQw0EmS9/s1600/purejoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84Zy1FVRTjiSrk3OzSV9evUjVwxqDL-LDVEjbBiw8_DZMrgDWzZ-OL9lyx_SMdcOoMFuom7H_WA8rA0Y5Hjwxc2wdUHTMRIiC_NvrlNejiTbTwjv56SkrVCP8mCnuTr7f012ACQw0EmS9/s1600/purejoy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9jhE4hhOPWClaPDV0KxLWLtXg2xZbzOCG1Bz3IWWouo_2_rC8jFK4-jt87shWuITFDEWtEOWDgonyOQFjzSAJ5j4ejwtlZFFzCJLQXUXbxdTkvo-I6LqlG8ocqf9tdLfx-k6j6WyHbm-/s1600/thesmithfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9jhE4hhOPWClaPDV0KxLWLtXg2xZbzOCG1Bz3IWWouo_2_rC8jFK4-jt87shWuITFDEWtEOWDgonyOQFjzSAJ5j4ejwtlZFFzCJLQXUXbxdTkvo-I6LqlG8ocqf9tdLfx-k6j6WyHbm-/s1600/thesmithfamily.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqcrYit9d2gt5JMO1O9xf3KK4YTDQo32SZI-aVaPk0dLavsaLecyJQ_finHEo533tfQwz06usZvyAP0CoImvpDiAlhp_wHd6TRXN5x9rVs-KHhM5qn-UlS3jXQXGieO5FGpvYEyIR7A9b/s1600/thompson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqcrYit9d2gt5JMO1O9xf3KK4YTDQo32SZI-aVaPk0dLavsaLecyJQ_finHEo533tfQwz06usZvyAP0CoImvpDiAlhp_wHd6TRXN5x9rVs-KHhM5qn-UlS3jXQXGieO5FGpvYEyIR7A9b/s1600/thompson.jpg" width="462" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Ta Da!!! More to come...suggestions welcome!</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Photo Credits: <a href="http://www.heathergolde.com/">Heather Golde Photography</a></div> </div>

2014 Holiday Card Collection

Good Morning lovelies! I'm here to introduce the beginnings of the 2014 holiday collection at Pure Joy Paperie. I've been working m...

Abstract Art

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> So we moved over the past few weeks, Labor Day weekend was the final push and the first time we slept in our new little abode. WE LOVE IT! I'll post more about that in the next few weeks, but for now, I'm going to share with you my new favorite hobby which I have negative time for, painting. With all the other things I should be doing, like working on Pure Joy Paperie, putting things away, my biggest concern has been the art for the walls and I decided to literally take things into my own hands and get to work. I want our home to full of color so I went to Michaels, bought myself some paint brushes, canvases and acrylic paint, put little B to bed for the night and started on my blank canvas.<br /> <br /> My first little pieces came out cute, and I love the way they look in our family room. I think we're going to end up mounting that TV but the prints will probably stay right where they are.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R199i6D67hrVoeguO7SCt_lU4WmUZEbRE8-0pBohIDxjnme8AV2hlKTIO1n6_bsS91rwhtj1PuokVk0raewxAdJfyHUS-M1jjESeFGj6n3dZ_z2KqW5LLplMfA6aNNti_XcAk_0AmclJ/s1600/DSC_0358.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R199i6D67hrVoeguO7SCt_lU4WmUZEbRE8-0pBohIDxjnme8AV2hlKTIO1n6_bsS91rwhtj1PuokVk0raewxAdJfyHUS-M1jjESeFGj6n3dZ_z2KqW5LLplMfA6aNNti_XcAk_0AmclJ/s1600/DSC_0358.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xIvXSuOFpMowj1EZSndHnKEg7ETlVvotH4H-pI2Io9gO4fVHkC_N_AeoUj0Wgrx-OXyGYqQZh3kynQ3Fg4ecrSeONeKf8_UARE1mXJV37oco-p21tscLVSBR_-jk7jQ0uTpxduBr9_Sz/s1600/DSC_0354.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xIvXSuOFpMowj1EZSndHnKEg7ETlVvotH4H-pI2Io9gO4fVHkC_N_AeoUj0Wgrx-OXyGYqQZh3kynQ3Fg4ecrSeONeKf8_UARE1mXJV37oco-p21tscLVSBR_-jk7jQ0uTpxduBr9_Sz/s1600/DSC_0354.png" width="483" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4BJQNX0TDNQqASbn_gCWNu-k7IDskjvhn9vXoLiqZxNvB0aXlumqhfAgiJ8ByNhTriBIKxmJnEt1S78Wsvkmp-MZb60ysIe5mE1Sy-JaCRaCZguERxfoymz62lQmYN9_1T0o471IG4xm/s1600/DSC_0357.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4BJQNX0TDNQqASbn_gCWNu-k7IDskjvhn9vXoLiqZxNvB0aXlumqhfAgiJ8ByNhTriBIKxmJnEt1S78Wsvkmp-MZb60ysIe5mE1Sy-JaCRaCZguERxfoymz62lQmYN9_1T0o471IG4xm/s1600/DSC_0357.png" width="394" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It's such a fun little activity and a MAJOR stress reliever for me. With the move and the business and the very active baby, this mama needed to get it out and I find painting to be such a lovely way to do so. Anyone can paint, and it doesn't have to be hard. Literally just mix colors and put them on the canvas and have fun with it. </div> </div>

Abstract Art

So we moved over the past few weeks, Labor Day weekend was the final push and the first time we slept in our new little abode. WE LOVE IT! ...

NEWSPAPER FEATURE AND MY THOUGHTS ON MOTHERHOOD AND LOOKING IN

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> You can't imagine my excitement when I woke up on Wednesday morning and saw my face (along with little B) on the cover of our hometown newspaper! Of course I had known I would be in the paper, but seeing it in the flesh was really cool. The Stamford Advocate did a feature on how I turned my experience with motherhood into a launchpad to leave my job and start my own home business to have somewhat of a balance between staying at home with my son and working. I'm so fortunate to have been able to take a risk like that, and I can't go on without recognizing my husband and his un-dying support, and my family who have helped us in more ways than you can imagine. I obviously couldn't do this without them. Also, my dear friends and all my social media peeps who "like" and encourage me along this crazy motherhood/working girl path I'm racing on.<br /> <div> <br /></div> <div> I feel very fortunate to have something I'm passionate about, or better, to have realized what it is I am passionate about outside the home. I LOVE graphic design, art, stationery, paper anything. I love hearing inspiring lyrics or quotes and turning them into an art print so others can be inspired, too, I love creating beautiful invitations that set the stage for the awesome party one is throwing for a joyful event. I love staying on top of trends and creating them in my own version on paper. I love painting. And most of all, I love sharing it all with YOU. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> I truly believe we all have a passion, an energy that's inside us, that needs to come out. For me, it's this visual creativity that if didn't get out, would fester and probably turn negative and scary somehow. For others, it may be gardening, or cooking, or baking, or even crunching numbers. I feel that it's so important to look inside and figure out what your "thing" is, and if you can turn into a hobby, you're lucky, a career, you're GOLDEN. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Motherhood is amazing in so many ways, but it takes sacrifice and a lot of hard-decision making to get it right, or at least get it going on the right path. While on maternity leave, I was faced with a monumental decision. Do I go back to a job that I like, but definitely not in a passionate way, or say goodbye and try and make this passion I have work for me to make a little extra loot for our family. Again, with the support of my husband and family, I was able to take that risk, I obviously couldn't do it without them.  </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> One year later, the reality of my balancing act is... it's always about to tip. I get a lot done while he naps, I work like a crazy freak. The laundry doesn't get done like it should, I don't cook like I used to, the house is more often than not a complete mess, but I do get to spend a lot of quality time with Brian. I've been there for him almost every minute of his first year of life and that is something I will cherish forever, and hopefully he will, too (probably not).  There are days when it's hard, like when he doesn't nap, is miserable teething and I have customers emailing me like, "girl, where is my sh**, it's been two weeks". And the toddler, walking thing, holy SH*. Sometimes I call Brian and say, "I'm going back to work, I can't take this anymore" but he lovingly and generously talks me off the ledge. Sometimes when my mom comes over, I break down and cry to her. With that said, I'm extremely motivated to make this work and will keep at it as strong as I can to see where it goes. Bottom line, I love it, and I love being a mom so I feel like a hit the jackpot with the whole motherhood/career thing. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Also, side note, my mother just retired and lives literally a minute away so this has helped in a HUGE way. She is so great with Brian and babysits for me now, a lot. The business is able to function because she's there to help, and with a toddler running around, I don't know if I could continue without her help. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> While I was being interviewed, my goal was to inspire others who were in a similar situation as me, facing the incredible life decision on what to do after baby. We live in such an expensive area (for Fairfield County readers), it's hard to get by on one salary, especially for young families who are just getting established. I would love it if some of the women reading the article took what I said to heart about looking IN (forget "LEAN IN" for a second) think about what you love, and see if there is a way you could try and make it work. Even if it's on the side, or during your lunch break at work, start exploring and get inspired!!!!</div> <div> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/default/article/After-baby-tapping-her-inner-entrepreneur-5699338.php">LINK TO ARTICLE</a> (in case you feel like reading it after my really long post)</div> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vvkvD4EG-2dNZ_3ah_kFWFD3yxvs8_YeyfxWUAVNCnIfNPl8gbJdkvh_3bfrmzsr4pDps9nOnbQHe5cKj9Py6FSMkDc77nB6S-a_vFToDCZnNCzvR0lKvWENHFmVWrd-3Kit-D4rl1XO/s1600/628x471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vvkvD4EG-2dNZ_3ah_kFWFD3yxvs8_YeyfxWUAVNCnIfNPl8gbJdkvh_3bfrmzsr4pDps9nOnbQHe5cKj9Py6FSMkDc77nB6S-a_vFToDCZnNCzvR0lKvWENHFmVWrd-3Kit-D4rl1XO/s1600/628x471.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUJK65AvryEj4ZR7NOQBXb_ShOrv46C5frBFfuQb6O4eDY3O0a76bGwIN0uICdn4Lyk1Ylz5_OMkNaQeTv9LUwFqoHcBl8lIIOab9LkbVDSRwulnDUewyD_yutDhq8WKY6son8eMBZSPO/s1600/628x471-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUJK65AvryEj4ZR7NOQBXb_ShOrv46C5frBFfuQb6O4eDY3O0a76bGwIN0uICdn4Lyk1Ylz5_OMkNaQeTv9LUwFqoHcBl8lIIOab9LkbVDSRwulnDUewyD_yutDhq8WKY6son8eMBZSPO/s1600/628x471-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photos by Lindsay Perry for the Stamford Advocate</span></i></div> </div>

NEWSPAPER FEATURE AND MY THOUGHTS ON MOTHERHOOD AND LOOKING IN

You can't imagine my excitement when I woke up on Wednesday morning and saw my face (along with little B) on the cover of our hometown ...

BEHIND THE SCENES AT PURE JOY PAPERIE

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Good morning everyone! I recently had a photo shoot in my office space and got it all cleaned up so I thought I would share some photos. I LOVE my space because it is in a loft that overlooks the first floor of our house and it gets so much natural light. It's the perfect place for me to create and keep me eye on the little guy while he goes through all my supplies, trashes my organization and eats paper clips (don't fret, I get them out).<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUzlscZBZt2dSz4Ol_bVhbfVNkVtcxx2MUfooD_kegmCitrU3Bk5AmzK2LQWGT0-GeptvUV9xVbHOJ0yF2O-1uyYNmbUrajOlRLg-h4ZWE3v7LWvsgqUL_crBV-9Stf4mKaT1zsJaUu_6/s1600/DSC_0342.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUzlscZBZt2dSz4Ol_bVhbfVNkVtcxx2MUfooD_kegmCitrU3Bk5AmzK2LQWGT0-GeptvUV9xVbHOJ0yF2O-1uyYNmbUrajOlRLg-h4ZWE3v7LWvsgqUL_crBV-9Stf4mKaT1zsJaUu_6/s1600/DSC_0342.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSqsq5pC1FxQS-SDyA8HCVP4ABi5pSIev_Hn_2jmM6p6OleVXQ-y1BQVPJLmqnTdXWMLJNTWZTu-Pwvhop4NJgffBpJM3aKmiCiZtYjV-OFk7X9M2PwKpf7qWdkJ76VS-_J6r5k-0Fh2X/s1600/DSC_0343.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSqsq5pC1FxQS-SDyA8HCVP4ABi5pSIev_Hn_2jmM6p6OleVXQ-y1BQVPJLmqnTdXWMLJNTWZTu-Pwvhop4NJgffBpJM3aKmiCiZtYjV-OFk7X9M2PwKpf7qWdkJ76VS-_J6r5k-0Fh2X/s1600/DSC_0343.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgvVMhzqGHtKydA1HGscE1JAaPp1E8_qQtvG5f-5bAIke5f7z0mTUpCHvqDusew88-UUPt6GhR8NT2Gl6FMFufvrfFaSH01OoTT-jtBIzhDor3VJdWfRMagSnRgc9Q_0vu33PdmF0ZY3B/s1600/DSC_0344.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgvVMhzqGHtKydA1HGscE1JAaPp1E8_qQtvG5f-5bAIke5f7z0mTUpCHvqDusew88-UUPt6GhR8NT2Gl6FMFufvrfFaSH01OoTT-jtBIzhDor3VJdWfRMagSnRgc9Q_0vu33PdmF0ZY3B/s1600/DSC_0344.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JmdjHlHctZSC-aiblRYFS8C9_Dea-MULOXWW2sQtzXZxF7JE7i-7LoIp6XnifOGiTI3wTvKoRWcc89F4ObvXikANtpOjfOZqvd2Bb8KaSTPDRooyI5DQcNgfLn4xFL47g4moZmo1d4gx/s1600/DSC_0345.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JmdjHlHctZSC-aiblRYFS8C9_Dea-MULOXWW2sQtzXZxF7JE7i-7LoIp6XnifOGiTI3wTvKoRWcc89F4ObvXikANtpOjfOZqvd2Bb8KaSTPDRooyI5DQcNgfLn4xFL47g4moZmo1d4gx/s1600/DSC_0345.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVBtUZol4VND1hiHJ6_CFdnIEBpiWVl63uNroHnsG3_DVQ9_cgfjaUsa8RH0DIwTgOFUZP1VpUydrwUB9RuMyoKpI5plQaibufOHFm-aCs3VqInj1DcECF4kZSSjMErsrqTXEF6eIC5UW/s1600/DSC_0350.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVBtUZol4VND1hiHJ6_CFdnIEBpiWVl63uNroHnsG3_DVQ9_cgfjaUsa8RH0DIwTgOFUZP1VpUydrwUB9RuMyoKpI5plQaibufOHFm-aCs3VqInj1DcECF4kZSSjMErsrqTXEF6eIC5UW/s1600/DSC_0350.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_jydQLufT_VTukwHMKDedCSSrFNjeUzaeEmjv6ADlknfYUQGvfHmjcYtrj8jw1iDw8BBwRBbIxkr3MMsTsvT1b60Cz45QeaP5lVuKHZ_uOibNufZyRMhz2S8jYy-IpL0K187SJuQGiWl/s1600/DSC_0378.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_jydQLufT_VTukwHMKDedCSSrFNjeUzaeEmjv6ADlknfYUQGvfHmjcYtrj8jw1iDw8BBwRBbIxkr3MMsTsvT1b60Cz45QeaP5lVuKHZ_uOibNufZyRMhz2S8jYy-IpL0K187SJuQGiWl/s1600/DSC_0378.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVKHonOBfoDy8bPeJtPOaKpsEGhd-Z46FbGRqGk5wopHSnt3-vZJ5atXCACZ92Q8BcPzBnhnGVN28qe6_EJlcAfP6bo-Fviufv72JXYeh9RDt1G95HgzSEQYmlKi2LUheD9GFBhLm6d8T/s1600/DSC_0359.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVKHonOBfoDy8bPeJtPOaKpsEGhd-Z46FbGRqGk5wopHSnt3-vZJ5atXCACZ92Q8BcPzBnhnGVN28qe6_EJlcAfP6bo-Fviufv72JXYeh9RDt1G95HgzSEQYmlKi2LUheD9GFBhLm6d8T/s1600/DSC_0359.png" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The new house has big shoes to fill for a home office, I'll keep you posted on the progress of that! </div> <br /></div>

BEHIND THE SCENES AT PURE JOY PAPERIE

Good morning everyone! I recently had a photo shoot in my office space and got it all cleaned up so I thought I would share some photos. I ...

Passenger - Scare Away the Dark

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I recently purchased Passenger's <i>Whispers</i> album and the song <i>Scare Away the Dark </i>really spoke to me. We're all so "screen-obsessed" these days and this song is a reminder to get away and live in the moment.<br /> <br /> He performed it on the Today Show this morning and it reminded me that I wanted to share it with you:<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cWKTFuAFcOY" width="560"></iframe><br /></div> <br /> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin: 1px; padding: 2px 1px;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">well sing</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">sing at the top of your voice</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">and love without fear in your heart</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> feel, feel like you still have a choice</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> if we all light up we can scare away the dark</div> </span><br /> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin: 1px; padding: 2px 1px;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> we wish our weekdays away</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> spend our weekends in bed</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> we drink ourselves stupid</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> and work ourselves dead</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> and all just because</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> that’s what mum and dad said we should do</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> but we should run through the forests</div> <span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">we should swim in the streams</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">we should laugh we should cry</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> we should love we should dream</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> we should stare at the stars</div> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> and not just at screens</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> you should hear what i’m saying</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> and know what it means to sing</div> <br /> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 1px; padding: 2px 1px;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> sing at the top of your voice</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> and love without fear in your heart</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> feel, feel like you still have a choice</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> if we all light up we can scare away the dark</div> <br /> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 1px; padding: 2px 1px;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> well we wish we were happier, thinner and fitter</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> we wish we weren’t losers and liars and quitters</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> we want something more not just nasty and bitter</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> we want something real not just hashtags and twitter</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> it’s the meaning of life and it’s streamed live on youtube</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> but i bet gangnam style would still get more views</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> and we’re scared of drowning and flyers and shooters</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> but we’re all slowly dying in front of fucking computers so sing</div> <br /> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 1px; padding: 2px 1px;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> sing at the top of your voice now</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> oh and love without fear in your heart</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> can you feel, feel like you still have a choice</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> if we all light up we can scare away the dark</div> <br /> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 1px; padding: 2px 1px; text-align: center;"> oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh</div> <div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin: 1px; padding: 2px 1px;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">well sing</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">sing at the top of your voice</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">and love without fear in your heart</span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> feel, feel like you still have a choice</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> if we all light up we can scare away the dark</div> </span></div>

Passenger - Scare Away the Dark

I recently purchased Passenger's Whispers album and the song Scare Away the Dark really spoke to me. We're all so "screen-obs...

Cucumber Soup

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> I love a tasty cold soup in the summer and this delicious cucumber number developed by my friend Leah is a winner.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKP26q-A72ITWwuyXfyFfivfRY7bFbTdt9-0HgLgS4rdrua6kpGf5r8ym-YapoB9yJlZZ4NIaHkNZYKDaTZ7b4FHcGKppOhImY_Xmcb7z6PEKYrl2FAj1IDez6Cun6Ne5HdFTCqfI90C05/s1600/cucumber+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKP26q-A72ITWwuyXfyFfivfRY7bFbTdt9-0HgLgS4rdrua6kpGf5r8ym-YapoB9yJlZZ4NIaHkNZYKDaTZ7b4FHcGKppOhImY_Xmcb7z6PEKYrl2FAj1IDez6Cun6Ne5HdFTCqfI90C05/s1600/cucumber+soup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Here is what you need:</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="background-color: white;"> <div style="color: #222222;"> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">About 6 lbs. cucumbers, chopped</span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">2 yellow bell peppers</span></div> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">jalapenos, chopped (to taste)</span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">small handful of dill and mint</span></div> </span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">large bunch of scallions or chives</span></div> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">large handful cilantro</span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">6 cloves garlic</span></div> </span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">2 1/2 tsp salt</span></div> </span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">pepper to taste</span></div> </span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tsp Emeril Essence</span></div> </span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">5 cups yogurt (preferably Greek, whole milk)</span></div> </span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup sour cream</span></div> </span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">3 tbs olive oil</span></div> </span></div> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tsp white wine vinegar</span></div> </span><div style="color: #222222; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is what you do:</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a cuisinart or vita mix, combine all ingredients and puree until smooth.  Make sure to do in batches so as not to have a messy overflow!  Season to taste with more salt and pepper, if needed.  Garnish with chopped fresh chives or cilantro.  </span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy!!</span></span></div> </div>

RECIPES

Cucumber Soup

I love a tasty cold soup in the summer and this delicious cucumber number developed by my friend Leah is a winner. Here is what you...

Our New Home - Before Pictures

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I'm SO excited about our new house!! It's so picture perfect, isn't it?? There is a little bit of work to do but minor. We're re-doing one of the bathrooms, painting the entire house, I've been gardening up a storm and I'm also insisting on painting the kitchen cabinets although everyone is telling me not to. </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnEzhyphenhyphenvN-Lq9kSHRKlsK_9C32icmWg1B6_tgG0ISiGOdafNUEW0YpiaN9ol8jOg3xhUjXUe8BQ5X3A6ouvf3Nvg2s0J2Gcg9K3pr-kBvZSIVFDEG3a3lwbSAmwPeYQv4GBVi9QW-47l8t/s1600/IMG_8643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnEzhyphenhyphenvN-Lq9kSHRKlsK_9C32icmWg1B6_tgG0ISiGOdafNUEW0YpiaN9ol8jOg3xhUjXUe8BQ5X3A6ouvf3Nvg2s0J2Gcg9K3pr-kBvZSIVFDEG3a3lwbSAmwPeYQv4GBVi9QW-47l8t/s1600/IMG_8643.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibidN9BzJ1cny6uSXs_gOx6Cz7ZUTBDTxLD1oqhW8VLHvDr6KzYCXHuEsI_vr6ghvPEhyZyoyj_5zKcf6FN0ZB3brzU2nGua2x_-pXCsJ0RZ8x4CSc3zmWUyAHUmZTiR3mN629_Svyv4K8/s1600/IMG_8567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibidN9BzJ1cny6uSXs_gOx6Cz7ZUTBDTxLD1oqhW8VLHvDr6KzYCXHuEsI_vr6ghvPEhyZyoyj_5zKcf6FN0ZB3brzU2nGua2x_-pXCsJ0RZ8x4CSc3zmWUyAHUmZTiR3mN629_Svyv4K8/s1600/IMG_8567.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoqYFuszeEEn8gE3NwvmlbBMsz3v3oiv3LxhU-kZMoar2zrypkrRDX-PSXL3lZiCJlwkF6sE2JB6KfECctl1cd7aHr7qNfI1DJ6nmJHWm0hBn8PTlC-OG-g5224pvz4j4a08C8Fq2YCz-/s1600/IMG_8573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoqYFuszeEEn8gE3NwvmlbBMsz3v3oiv3LxhU-kZMoar2zrypkrRDX-PSXL3lZiCJlwkF6sE2JB6KfECctl1cd7aHr7qNfI1DJ6nmJHWm0hBn8PTlC-OG-g5224pvz4j4a08C8Fq2YCz-/s1600/IMG_8573.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfO2FBUqMh7WkFOL4GsjYOoJjlR8SnKCiHQdl7G1_31p9VGBkDgxSo-OYRHesLlNuRE0GQiX56pyQvtTGcVh4dZxX0dcKRo5NbHnVSp9RXfWmVjILh-r2p-RgBLnSms8-9yErLz91KgV7/s1600/IMG_8574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfO2FBUqMh7WkFOL4GsjYOoJjlR8SnKCiHQdl7G1_31p9VGBkDgxSo-OYRHesLlNuRE0GQiX56pyQvtTGcVh4dZxX0dcKRo5NbHnVSp9RXfWmVjILh-r2p-RgBLnSms8-9yErLz91KgV7/s1600/IMG_8574.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmyXaA0fgJF-APHVA_PoKMnIMyLg0-CWFFoUxBK0lcVOTRD9KXimg5Y9CDmUYbaQjNS4OS3fuHmqHSm8RRm3QixNv05mAJNFicPboXUUFDxpyqncoNXSFl7G0k23xF_B-QAEjN8BZsmGh/s1600/IMG_8576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmyXaA0fgJF-APHVA_PoKMnIMyLg0-CWFFoUxBK0lcVOTRD9KXimg5Y9CDmUYbaQjNS4OS3fuHmqHSm8RRm3QixNv05mAJNFicPboXUUFDxpyqncoNXSFl7G0k23xF_B-QAEjN8BZsmGh/s1600/IMG_8576.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk6fxTejkFEbE2gn6_niiEIFQ6zyZJvCNsGtRI4jQca8qYhdbkNYrs0fBNmFkCsGoIdBCOUjBCz7ANOgETzTt-Dmi4_16gILqJcU7mq59ug6arJsvqQnNGqgBxdKI6wCC4Gk5X1NXSv2Y/s1600/IMG_8581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk6fxTejkFEbE2gn6_niiEIFQ6zyZJvCNsGtRI4jQca8qYhdbkNYrs0fBNmFkCsGoIdBCOUjBCz7ANOgETzTt-Dmi4_16gILqJcU7mq59ug6arJsvqQnNGqgBxdKI6wCC4Gk5X1NXSv2Y/s1600/IMG_8581.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I mean don't you think a fresh coat of white would be nice in here??</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ0NapE9WEiit_C0f1IFe1eBswObxpaFtZ6jLt0kfoo5eX6NBOhuHQ-rf3mKrm_pVHMRryZ-pscPtru6mJhOBhcSHH1sI1D3ljbONtwY6BoamOe1Ay5x2gsyb8RFfZ7k6F23B731Q0vab/s1600/IMG_8586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ0NapE9WEiit_C0f1IFe1eBswObxpaFtZ6jLt0kfoo5eX6NBOhuHQ-rf3mKrm_pVHMRryZ-pscPtru6mJhOBhcSHH1sI1D3ljbONtwY6BoamOe1Ay5x2gsyb8RFfZ7k6F23B731Q0vab/s1600/IMG_8586.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWBJ7HcRtlhgOMnhrlxUTY7H0QBB_5DBu3s7GiVmGkE9PvRR5t9DkcQ86r6niaqGy6FNTQqTBGlPITu-Y5M51FWACzeTcKV82cMt3vWfssNq16yzdU2V8j_dI4FGEH-4EtsSfYSyZU4FP/s1600/IMG_8587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWBJ7HcRtlhgOMnhrlxUTY7H0QBB_5DBu3s7GiVmGkE9PvRR5t9DkcQ86r6niaqGy6FNTQqTBGlPITu-Y5M51FWACzeTcKV82cMt3vWfssNq16yzdU2V8j_dI4FGEH-4EtsSfYSyZU4FP/s1600/IMG_8587.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3fajjsiMz_ksgfdgiiFQTuTwZIAoZPhv55_2R5mLN0zxPFAInHRFQJgJrOMHm5HTNIw5PdPXIZlZdLEKk7pKprdvWLsdr7otGLirXS9bcZ68lBbAIQAENK3paHRf_AZSB1tSrG2Nt_gH/s1600/IMG_8593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3fajjsiMz_ksgfdgiiFQTuTwZIAoZPhv55_2R5mLN0zxPFAInHRFQJgJrOMHm5HTNIw5PdPXIZlZdLEKk7pKprdvWLsdr7otGLirXS9bcZ68lBbAIQAENK3paHRf_AZSB1tSrG2Nt_gH/s1600/IMG_8593.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhqTlU5ab3kxqLwLFsJs5JM16kTYaQwJLaIhEQnXpdFH30ti9_MAePbEpi57XDBhKzq1G3kPCcWejR89TVMVAqtIcNEKxUcqE1LHJBeHxFTgtD4zou3KrCQe-5SxEk1oKo__gd3MiQFF_/s1600/IMG_8608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhqTlU5ab3kxqLwLFsJs5JM16kTYaQwJLaIhEQnXpdFH30ti9_MAePbEpi57XDBhKzq1G3kPCcWejR89TVMVAqtIcNEKxUcqE1LHJBeHxFTgtD4zou3KrCQe-5SxEk1oKo__gd3MiQFF_/s1600/IMG_8608.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuGZXYHgIIJbB-taV3ZNlk8EhzDmjpllmWkyAxm4tyx4AHXPej_oxn0mle02W25KqVcFrV8pSS1u_GgCWLo30ZEKfGFAybZ0xmM4btAnZ9L9mFt0-UnX4UU8SAOhXUK2Qyfro7MrStXdI/s1600/IMG_8617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuGZXYHgIIJbB-taV3ZNlk8EhzDmjpllmWkyAxm4tyx4AHXPej_oxn0mle02W25KqVcFrV8pSS1u_GgCWLo30ZEKfGFAybZ0xmM4btAnZ9L9mFt0-UnX4UU8SAOhXUK2Qyfro7MrStXdI/s1600/IMG_8617.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPF9cVvbwcpbGFxOvg2ouwnaABLMrfvg22NOXGGg_NP4bz6IH_mGRkACrvrNwFIps9sM_yz64ESsG2y1KNoZLLaZSHekptRK3wzcZJ2TZH1ct3YV61KQYW9fcrH_okhd9pw3FmT3y9Jk5/s1600/IMG_8618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPF9cVvbwcpbGFxOvg2ouwnaABLMrfvg22NOXGGg_NP4bz6IH_mGRkACrvrNwFIps9sM_yz64ESsG2y1KNoZLLaZSHekptRK3wzcZJ2TZH1ct3YV61KQYW9fcrH_okhd9pw3FmT3y9Jk5/s1600/IMG_8618.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzbZsTUykkxyRWT1iiWTWYwDj79ntnhuswhru-CINUgMrilqSKs1kGKGPuAPwb5B9tYyCfh5AYPAgQ7QcNK2nVGlwMzzKtPFdPl7IuINEEXAeCzK3WoEKzBAiJ0k97eTVLvljrWsqldo_/s1600/IMG_8619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzbZsTUykkxyRWT1iiWTWYwDj79ntnhuswhru-CINUgMrilqSKs1kGKGPuAPwb5B9tYyCfh5AYPAgQ7QcNK2nVGlwMzzKtPFdPl7IuINEEXAeCzK3WoEKzBAiJ0k97eTVLvljrWsqldo_/s1600/IMG_8619.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo-IIWnhsIn7n2AJc-_LcVL8QrvzvPsev8Ze3UWzD6uHh8jOjC98NYFNQpSJovANTvM8Nlcgs25JcvLQ3RjwTZA83NRACwZJ0T4kWJz6XPolzAlex_m47-Ql8FI9DM6NhE3z_GRnY6nUq/s1600/IMG_8638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo-IIWnhsIn7n2AJc-_LcVL8QrvzvPsev8Ze3UWzD6uHh8jOjC98NYFNQpSJovANTvM8Nlcgs25JcvLQ3RjwTZA83NRACwZJ0T4kWJz6XPolzAlex_m47-Ql8FI9DM6NhE3z_GRnY6nUq/s1600/IMG_8638.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9noWuG1cIEtPkrQb1CmuM8CW4PRc21jXX4gC5GV8j1KGzhyphenhyphenfrmdtG8q-9BUhYt0tWekFi1fCOL2NbEucbXRcuAenlnkkPaQG0SNOMGsKK7oArfkcpxLv-lJO97xCdU3MTNYfE9GatAvv/s1600/IMG_8639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9noWuG1cIEtPkrQb1CmuM8CW4PRc21jXX4gC5GV8j1KGzhyphenhyphenfrmdtG8q-9BUhYt0tWekFi1fCOL2NbEucbXRcuAenlnkkPaQG0SNOMGsKK7oArfkcpxLv-lJO97xCdU3MTNYfE9GatAvv/s1600/IMG_8639.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBG88VOiTIjVC-VMjZ9JjkK0KiGmP6IrEuBeUL-sFvqvXXZoope7HdnLOQnse8W4OE6EZa-SgMPjqwYi_XZPBbmrg2yug5ZfzAQHTfcq74BU4yQLq8fs_nqmiCM9DaSvTavDUYEC824Or/s1600/IMG_8641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBG88VOiTIjVC-VMjZ9JjkK0KiGmP6IrEuBeUL-sFvqvXXZoope7HdnLOQnse8W4OE6EZa-SgMPjqwYi_XZPBbmrg2yug5ZfzAQHTfcq74BU4yQLq8fs_nqmiCM9DaSvTavDUYEC824Or/s1600/IMG_8641.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> An that's a wrap! Can't wait to keep you posted on the progress :) </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <br /></div>

Our New Home - Before Pictures

I'm SO excited about our new house!! It's so picture perfect, isn't it?? There is a little bit of work to do but minor. We...