tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18356246424431307912024-03-21T21:41:17.737-07:00Our Cottage On The CoastOur Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-9437731284465560022011-10-03T06:36:00.000-07:002011-10-03T06:36:48.672-07:00Forget Cloth DiapersI'm going with this...<br />
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Happy Monday :)Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-1206566027533051042011-09-25T12:40:00.000-07:002011-09-25T12:40:29.144-07:00Fall is in the Air....So is the Smell of Applesauce!Don't you just love apples? This week we received 15 shiny guys from our crop <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/05/fahm.html">share</a>. Since I knew we wouldn't eat all of em' I wanted to make something tasty...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">What to make on a beautiful fall day? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Applesauce!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pduTME7VcbX3NVB9JqKmipK6Wkn-GzIt4q-CCr1EYW54RV0YOq8qINlui3HNG1wJ1xsE1x8xUDIP1EyZu6O9llvoruh7X_ig3ww2j8gJsNmJdDrakSYcKQ0Vdv2fnGUIxZtY4gpMVw/s1600/6a00e55091ba2f88330105357a8414970c-500wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pduTME7VcbX3NVB9JqKmipK6Wkn-GzIt4q-CCr1EYW54RV0YOq8qINlui3HNG1wJ1xsE1x8xUDIP1EyZu6O9llvoruh7X_ig3ww2j8gJsNmJdDrakSYcKQ0Vdv2fnGUIxZtY4gpMVw/s320/6a00e55091ba2f88330105357a8414970c-500wi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's how it went down...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Yummy Applesauce by PB and J (Hannah B Helped too...)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8 Assorted Apples diced (we left the skin on for more nutrients!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4 C. Brown Sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1.5 C Water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp. Cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 tsp. Nutmeg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We put everything into the crockpot on High for 5 hours. It came out so tasty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Fall Everyone!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QUHDnTuIgPHrA2GTfbEQyXPvj2IRENdNjP2Z_Se1QTAkXn2qLSwqeQoWUPgTzDH10laDrKVLKULGuCWdkDtl3_3gdOl6ejkTTk8h9LV0V2w9iN7n835rsM07UZ0i7NKl69nVkTh_nA/s1600/IMG_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QUHDnTuIgPHrA2GTfbEQyXPvj2IRENdNjP2Z_Se1QTAkXn2qLSwqeQoWUPgTzDH10laDrKVLKULGuCWdkDtl3_3gdOl6ejkTTk8h9LV0V2w9iN7n835rsM07UZ0i7NKl69nVkTh_nA/s320/IMG_2467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-40400276459608247852011-09-22T07:04:00.000-07:002011-09-22T07:04:41.589-07:00Make Your Own Bay Window TreatmentI've wanted to hang some curtains in our dining room- not really for any functional reason but because I think they look pretty and soften the room a bit. Since we have amazing blinds that came with the place, we really don't need them for any other purpose (key point, as this DIY window treatment is totally not functional :)<br />
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I started doing some research on curtain rods for the bay window in our dining room. Here is what it looked like before:<br />
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Bay Window treatments are expensive! The cheapest I could find was $70 including shipping. Then to add the curtains on top of that- no thanks! An example of one of the rods I found:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xPqNWPwagt9tOAQdjLG5plsscoPH2wiVAnrSFlK4OghcdYTQfB1mUXR1Vi4oMxa7WZXNfqqeuJa9D1md6jT_qiMyNuvR3QN3RJ7BQ0QCmmmgG91dwCdpbja_LzjbliGcGs07H0iQxw/s1600/41ChI2-jedL._AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xPqNWPwagt9tOAQdjLG5plsscoPH2wiVAnrSFlK4OghcdYTQfB1mUXR1Vi4oMxa7WZXNfqqeuJa9D1md6jT_qiMyNuvR3QN3RJ7BQ0QCmmmgG91dwCdpbja_LzjbliGcGs07H0iQxw/s1600/41ChI2-jedL._AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See how the windows above have 2 curtains on the corners? I didn't really want to block that much of the window so we only hung one curtain. Since we don't want to "use" the curtains my personal prefrence made our job a whole lot easier!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I figured we could probably noodle out a way to make our own. Nothing a little spray paint can't handle!<br />
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I had Peter cut the dowels to our desired length, and we glued the finials to the ends. Next came the spray paint! I did a few coats on everything - including a re-coat after the dowels needed a little light sanding in between coats.<br />
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My part was done for now. I eagerly awaited Peter coming home from work so he could mount my brackets! Once he did that, I hung the dowels on their brackets and measured the curtains to length. We bought the standard <strike>cheap</strike> white curtains from Ikea that only set us back a few bucks. They even include hem tape- so this is a no sew project!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jx_V0xEXhd0AK5M44WVrJKqf9CHwY-QQC5r9fJx39jz9-fG9TuFZBRe-awi0aisPeAXN4nSYUDvtC9ZEOiTdZfVw2gcXTnjSrM9jFRZmSsHBqHX28FNyY3dxDKFmP84VOS11Yg68kg/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jx_V0xEXhd0AK5M44WVrJKqf9CHwY-QQC5r9fJx39jz9-fG9TuFZBRe-awi0aisPeAXN4nSYUDvtC9ZEOiTdZfVw2gcXTnjSrM9jFRZmSsHBqHX28FNyY3dxDKFmP84VOS11Yg68kg/s320/IMG_2503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Voila! Curtains hemmed and ready to be hung! We used the sleeve instead of the big loops on the curtains - I just liked that look. It was a super tight fit, but they don't need to move, remember?! I knew you would...<br />
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We were going to glue the corners together (Peter had mitered the corners in anticipation). Then...when we went to hang them, we realized we wouldn't be able to slide the curtains on if they were glued! haha. Live and learn. Since the brackets have a screw that allows you to tighten them and firmly hold the dowel in place, we had no need for gluing anyways! The curtain covers our makeshift corners anyway. No one will ever know. Shhh...<br />
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Here is the final product...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDzyR8bHgIUo-qcnAvjEUfq5quY6HJEruBUwjiyUjFdrtfNira4fcgOk6v94Ngxj1_SbVfJEbyGWrDYJPEn5BYubuwW9k-Ve1NhA3q4_p5vmjBM7aG8XAV8BLEA7pSivRmDfvfDmuVw/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDzyR8bHgIUo-qcnAvjEUfq5quY6HJEruBUwjiyUjFdrtfNira4fcgOk6v94Ngxj1_SbVfJEbyGWrDYJPEn5BYubuwW9k-Ve1NhA3q4_p5vmjBM7aG8XAV8BLEA7pSivRmDfvfDmuVw/s320/IMG_2519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVP5Q6HWEIDUDsa9CF-AtlxaplorMbMbTKEVGR_KORsy8SVQkyXbFIlKFIshbowTArYAYSgkCYCgbSHpyz4NfhpcuB0RgWna-EAK2vIqHSX_rdbBweqvCvixBJCDaVuoXJ7S4vwCqWkg/s1600/IMG_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVP5Q6HWEIDUDsa9CF-AtlxaplorMbMbTKEVGR_KORsy8SVQkyXbFIlKFIshbowTArYAYSgkCYCgbSHpyz4NfhpcuB0RgWna-EAK2vIqHSX_rdbBweqvCvixBJCDaVuoXJ7S4vwCqWkg/s320/IMG_2518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am thrilled with how it came out. Even more thrilled with the price tag. Heres an approximate price breakdown:<br />
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Spray Paint: $3<br />
Wood finials: $4 set of 2<br />
Dowels: $4<br />
Brackets: $6<br />
Curtains: $13 per pair. $26 total<br />
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<b>Total</b>: $43!<br />
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That's cheaper than the rod itself! Note: if you did want the curtains to be functional you could glue corners together and add those curtain clips to the rods...<br />
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So happy with the result and I am so glad I didn't buy a new curtain rod :)<br />
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</div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-16120973338265358712011-09-14T10:13:00.000-07:002011-09-14T10:13:23.501-07:00Guest Blogger: Auntie K's Guest Room<div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Hi, this is “Auntie K”, Jen’s sister-in-law, with a guest post on our DIY decorating while Hannah B is keeping her parents pretty busy! My husband and I closed on our first house a month after Jen and Peter bought their Cottage on the Coast. Like Jen’s excitement over <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/room-weve-never-had-before.html">her dining room</a>, a room she’d never had before, I’ve recently been enjoying setting up our first guest room: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Here’s the room on the day we closed this spring:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aluPRSofrAQLatXErNlP2bzus64jkJUKxjNT4AawZGbgkFJHeSiWR85CsoOs6gReAbQwwPa9MDZJuNfBzbHjy3N-3CKUjZSkZHl0a5WFp43pWSCX7Cha-HHCzEqx2Lrwzx342iioVw/s1600/IMG_4078+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aluPRSofrAQLatXErNlP2bzus64jkJUKxjNT4AawZGbgkFJHeSiWR85CsoOs6gReAbQwwPa9MDZJuNfBzbHjy3N-3CKUjZSkZHl0a5WFp43pWSCX7Cha-HHCzEqx2Lrwzx342iioVw/s320/IMG_4078+copy.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">The first improvements were a coat of new paint (no-VOC paint by Olympic from Lowe’s), getting our futon frame out of storage at my in-law’s (thank you!), a new futon mattress for $100 at Ikea, and a navy blue futon cover for $35 from Amazon (free shipping!).</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Buying a three bedroom house meant that we had to take the rest of our furniture out of storage at my parents’ house too, but I was glad to have again the dressers from my old bedroom set. They were a hand-me-down gift from some dear older friends when I graduated college. I decided to refinish another hand-me-down piece from my aunt: a cedar-lined hope chest. Here it is before:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">If I were to do this project again, I would have used primer over that mahogany-colored finish instead of starting with my yellow paint. We only scuffed the finish with sand paper first. Three coats of paint later I was tired of painting it, and the plan changed to a <i>distressed</i> yellow painted hope chest.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">My husband (known here as “Uncle J”) used a chisel, sandpaper, steel wool, and a Scotch Brite red pad (don’t get the non-scratching green pad by mistake) to sand and distress several small spots that would naturally get wear and tear, such as corners, edges, and where your hand touches to open and close the lid of the chest: </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8E7_IZHrjWgMjzzBHzWo0OSA-jGIjw0uMaFQphGrnyuuWDhClb3-nHsS0jF4Oq-ngHoh6yFIXY4XH1S26YDDO-E4U7sK-xWR1kFYpr1FrwmIMH3d7fU7ejwpVGBUZg_dSVOQBk18FQ/s1600/IMG_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8E7_IZHrjWgMjzzBHzWo0OSA-jGIjw0uMaFQphGrnyuuWDhClb3-nHsS0jF4Oq-ngHoh6yFIXY4XH1S26YDDO-E4U7sK-xWR1kFYpr1FrwmIMH3d7fU7ejwpVGBUZg_dSVOQBk18FQ/s320/IMG_0685.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Sometimes distressed furniture is too overdone, but he definitely got the right balance. It could almost even use more distressing, but I think that the original dark finish that comes through under the yellow could very suddenly be too much if we had done any more. Here is it finished, after two coats of wipe-on polyurethane and with new bronze hardware ($20 total from Lowe’s):</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjb3AD5mZ1pbvKMlm3YE0otpJe9JdWh8fKRhCAGOj327WC4OW-5NSHtnZuA2jEdK5nJxBCtnGhN50lwGgwPPMSsB95V7PYkV0QJ-nWMn-ldgVNuA6lGL70mbtRCEKGakeszvFp2aO4Mg/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA3k7K-4mcsptBDNG0_ROh-4P9jrFMkbkekUKMnAO06bm2Q7wXAJ-q2Pr5Q56bn4GqbOfzJ2F0_lq51JcX63ouMKkyUQOiPhUbPVB9N5OVf8Du7vuggy1E2VuzUU__7Y0JXlFX89Ieg/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA3k7K-4mcsptBDNG0_ROh-4P9jrFMkbkekUKMnAO06bm2Q7wXAJ-q2Pr5Q56bn4GqbOfzJ2F0_lq51JcX63ouMKkyUQOiPhUbPVB9N5OVf8Du7vuggy1E2VuzUU__7Y0JXlFX89Ieg/s320/IMG_0886.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjb3AD5mZ1pbvKMlm3YE0otpJe9JdWh8fKRhCAGOj327WC4OW-5NSHtnZuA2jEdK5nJxBCtnGhN50lwGgwPPMSsB95V7PYkV0QJ-nWMn-ldgVNuA6lGL70mbtRCEKGakeszvFp2aO4Mg/s320/IMG_0923.JPG" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA3k7K-4mcsptBDNG0_ROh-4P9jrFMkbkekUKMnAO06bm2Q7wXAJ-q2Pr5Q56bn4GqbOfzJ2F0_lq51JcX63ouMKkyUQOiPhUbPVB9N5OVf8Du7vuggy1E2VuzUU__7Y0JXlFX89Ieg/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA3k7K-4mcsptBDNG0_ROh-4P9jrFMkbkekUKMnAO06bm2Q7wXAJ-q2Pr5Q56bn4GqbOfzJ2F0_lq51JcX63ouMKkyUQOiPhUbPVB9N5OVf8Du7vuggy1E2VuzUU__7Y0JXlFX89Ieg/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">The fabric on the cushion is new too, along with the pillow covers, and is from Joann’s Fabrics. I made each pillow cover with flowers on one side and polka dots on the reverse, and made them one inch larger than needed on all sides so I could add that cute little extra cuff around the edges: </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0D7joGZK6pXHTuZ9dKqThYsN8O7lEv_UMJepJWmbe4ZNFf29c6ldNplTF7_TJaBIxs_G9HBttvGUjCCnnMsJc2Dt_GcftqAxxMmn3zfFfPxTrzze20nhQFgT6KyTe_drXkxZIKXv2A/s1600/IMG_0888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0D7joGZK6pXHTuZ9dKqThYsN8O7lEv_UMJepJWmbe4ZNFf29c6ldNplTF7_TJaBIxs_G9HBttvGUjCCnnMsJc2Dt_GcftqAxxMmn3zfFfPxTrzze20nhQFgT6KyTe_drXkxZIKXv2A/s320/IMG_0888.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">My inspiration for this came directly from <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/easy-peasy-throw-pillows.html">Jen’s living room pillows</a>. (Hopefully she’ll share how to make her pillows soon!)</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">While painting one piece, I also painted two wooden shelves. They were originally unfinished, so to similarly darken up the bright yellow paint, my husband wiped on some wood stain over the paint. We didn’t really plan all this out before we started, but it did work out really well:</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbF8d7ixkuY5PFk9I5fMh0mkphcT9veTDgRtnNpKpEgk3iGzp9emHqX6yaNVUD1_JSZF6y8adca5nTXrQ993ck6Ksd1zeO1Xmw3StajXTK3n7VsOGHLJ_LnqddQbUx_QNWyMInz0ucg/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbF8d7ixkuY5PFk9I5fMh0mkphcT9veTDgRtnNpKpEgk3iGzp9emHqX6yaNVUD1_JSZF6y8adca5nTXrQ993ck6Ksd1zeO1Xmw3StajXTK3n7VsOGHLJ_LnqddQbUx_QNWyMInz0ucg/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW7D2_B5mY9_NSXXIRj6m_KMKwF1I6YERPRwmIcK_ZJqNfdqzCeGSDj7W53YMgD0ji-Va6LqB8nndO8CzQYLBNDh4_6bYbtRR3Hpdv9AYS9NzeEOuMUXwxkld428V-D6xMJr6bNNGgw/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW7D2_B5mY9_NSXXIRj6m_KMKwF1I6YERPRwmIcK_ZJqNfdqzCeGSDj7W53YMgD0ji-Va6LqB8nndO8CzQYLBNDh4_6bYbtRR3Hpdv9AYS9NzeEOuMUXwxkld428V-D6xMJr6bNNGgw/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6333zqHtoD9lCi0CVDD-aIk_6Ie_pCvwsUXlb5Oe1WBLQavMmor0P5VhmJWKmxtfAb0IpLJZkSvvUm0F2zoKfR_th-3D7JhtAioKGjJgmZLD3hlWLuPbkE_qr_Y57Nz3vib1Ict_ekQ/s1600/IMG_0916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6333zqHtoD9lCi0CVDD-aIk_6Ie_pCvwsUXlb5Oe1WBLQavMmor0P5VhmJWKmxtfAb0IpLJZkSvvUm0F2zoKfR_th-3D7JhtAioKGjJgmZLD3hlWLuPbkE_qr_Y57Nz3vib1Ict_ekQ/s320/IMG_0916.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">(My little houses were a hand painted Christmas gift made by Peter!)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">And here is the guest room so far:</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHLsKF9IVhh-Fx_t0swR7eVywnYI-hhjYUIp7tBp57ZkGrKkoVoEqF_0zcg-_wqjlROIV0E68nGyxFmqbuzJgDkeWBaUjfNh78LNfIKCj7ArXz4ie1kLhVnMrsnGHvvykl-25tkXsVA/s1600/IMG_0920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHLsKF9IVhh-Fx_t0swR7eVywnYI-hhjYUIp7tBp57ZkGrKkoVoEqF_0zcg-_wqjlROIV0E68nGyxFmqbuzJgDkeWBaUjfNh78LNfIKCj7ArXz4ie1kLhVnMrsnGHvvykl-25tkXsVA/s320/IMG_0920.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5V8t0rT5pqSijtFe1ixpAWEVsYXNambcZ7ymGxvd9orQRCii3UzOyEn0yEhvC4NNS8dVPOE3us3YHqIykZY649aandGKN5HHlkLiSn6ERwFujGPkV8Qa5trgVhV8Jrs0iyK-Fmf9aA/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5V8t0rT5pqSijtFe1ixpAWEVsYXNambcZ7ymGxvd9orQRCii3UzOyEn0yEhvC4NNS8dVPOE3us3YHqIykZY649aandGKN5HHlkLiSn6ERwFujGPkV8Qa5trgVhV8Jrs0iyK-Fmf9aA/s320/IMG_0890.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLYBRLnGv9n_6SmzKx2e8hVEJQDRU-IHxb2QdHqpvRPnZ_YM8oggBsKIlHcmNIJ7vi-CvIJU4vKQJgKwAQkiogxamPtkasv-xvVcEWWeljvqQejIXwYT3np3LqRJgSRZzzupovvmMxQ/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLYBRLnGv9n_6SmzKx2e8hVEJQDRU-IHxb2QdHqpvRPnZ_YM8oggBsKIlHcmNIJ7vi-CvIJU4vKQJgKwAQkiogxamPtkasv-xvVcEWWeljvqQejIXwYT3np3LqRJgSRZzzupovvmMxQ/s320/IMG_0899.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Thanks, Jen, for letting me guest-write. Here’s a perfect spot for some future naps and sleepovers, Hannah B! Love Auntie K and Uncle J :)</span></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-21385689313807033802011-09-12T07:47:00.000-07:002011-09-12T07:51:01.984-07:00Cloth Diapering a Newborn 101- What We Do.I've had a bunch of people contact me and ask how cloth diapering is going. The short answer: Great! We love it. Better yet we love how much money we are saving with it. Especially when we go through 3 diapers in 3 minutes. We are convinced Hannah will only go to the bathroom in a clean diaper. I can't blame her though...<br />
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So, this post is dedicated to those who want to know what a day in the life of cloth diapering a newborn is actually like.<br />
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First we need a baby:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb11krfmajnst-FEnJcIkR1eBXd0t3BcIefagXQu9SeI-X2GkYKIijqZyQyvtslmQlyIP8-0t7Hcgbodpc2t37ZH9oHf-BxAaS9l-5NE0o_8mU3iNAP3Mfh_f8oggWyiJodxnWHPoaXg/s1600/DSC_2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb11krfmajnst-FEnJcIkR1eBXd0t3BcIefagXQu9SeI-X2GkYKIijqZyQyvtslmQlyIP8-0t7Hcgbodpc2t37ZH9oHf-BxAaS9l-5NE0o_8mU3iNAP3Mfh_f8oggWyiJodxnWHPoaXg/s320/DSC_2328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hi Hannah B!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When I first wrote about cloth and the diapers we had purchased, I didn't realize that the One Size Diapers and covers would be a tad too big for a 7-pound babe. Since I was counting on a small baby, I thankfully did a little more research and we prepared ourselves <i>before baby.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is what we bought:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPMqGIQdoNOu_aJPDi4Zyik9yO_MGdXdPVThQcSuTJIrR52grHH9CpDU8EXMIFcXEjYH7RhcTim4IqJmyLAG9937cBDpX0Zcp8vujFpCvJ-ho7bWDPo7zHK5lHMCynvJKALCRJJy0DA/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPMqGIQdoNOu_aJPDi4Zyik9yO_MGdXdPVThQcSuTJIrR52grHH9CpDU8EXMIFcXEjYH7RhcTim4IqJmyLAG9937cBDpX0Zcp8vujFpCvJ-ho7bWDPo7zHK5lHMCynvJKALCRJJy0DA/s320/IMG_2478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>24 Preemie-size Bummis Organic Prefold Diapers (available on Amazon in packs of 6). <i>Note: Join Amazon Mom for free and get free super saver 2 day shipping!</i></li>
<li>Set of 6 Real Nappies Newborn (6-13lbs) diaper <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Real-Nappies-6-Pack-Diaper-Newborn/dp/B003FPQK3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315741636&sr=8-1">covers</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> (Also at amazon). They work out to $6 each which is super reasonable for covers.</span></li>
<li>1 NB Size Super Whisper Wrap Diaper Cover (basically one more cover that is patterned and not necessary but super fun to have and adorable!) </li>
<li>Set of 3 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snappi-Cloth-Diaper-Fasteners-color/dp/B001EH4W6G/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1315741873&sr=1-1">snappis</a> (also bought on amazon) to hold pre fold diaper on baby nice and snug.</li>
<li>1 Bottle <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lusa-Organics-Baby-Wipe-Juice/dp/accessories/B004GMGLN8">LuSa</a> Organics Baby Wipe Juice (makes 2 gallons of wipe solution!) I make small batches of the wipe solution for small spray bottles that we have at the changing station.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlies-Soap-Powder-2-64-Loads/dp/B0018B15FE/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_b">Charlies</a> Laundry Soap (Cloth diaper safe)</li>
</ul><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is what we made:</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgm-CkzQzpiJl7U6GO-L_uu7YV0ByeNTw3mBZJx9mCdZtgUeT_VeKgHkDE_l338ssdAXoHAPz7W0xUvTgRkXSN4rd3wi_vhbQS026jhj7B4lTg0NfsD1hUH5wwUoMrChgrd0QMS6x1w/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgm-CkzQzpiJl7U6GO-L_uu7YV0ByeNTw3mBZJx9mCdZtgUeT_VeKgHkDE_l338ssdAXoHAPz7W0xUvTgRkXSN4rd3wi_vhbQS026jhj7B4lTg0NfsD1hUH5wwUoMrChgrd0QMS6x1w/s320/IMG_2476.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Size Wet Bag with waterproof liner and snap loop- available at Cottage On the Coast.etsy soon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<ul><li>4-5 medium and large size Wet Bags (Basically a sack with waterproof liner that you throw in laundry along with the diapers - more on that)</li>
</ul><ul><li>30 Reusable Flannel Wipes (I'm going to make more of these though - they are invaluable!</li>
</ul><i>Good News! My Etsy Shop will soon be carrying wet bags and flannel wipes....stay tuned!)</i><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">So let's start with a clean baby. Time to put a diaper on. Take a pre fold diaper and do a jelly-roll fold and use a snappi to close diaper. I know, I know. I lost you. I would have been lost a month ago too. I did my research and found this was one of the best folds for newborn "liquids" (we'll leave it at that). Here is a video on youtube I found explaining how to do the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QqTsitWvog">jelly roll</a> using a Snappi (<i>Note: this video is slightly misleading in that your newborn will NEVER be as still and compliant as the doll!)</i>. I will admit that the jelly roll takes some finesse. Don't lose heart. Within a week and 50 diapers later you will be able to do it in your sleep. Or you could be like Jim on the office and diaper everything you can before baby is born:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPCj7HTi9_1ZZ9ZHlLo-2sm7oZvD7JRW_6yTS25M8FQWPtkl8ea78KkTBLNLLK_MGvU5wRGYdUYZVvG_tRqriBlBr2y33wD_dffBtEgT69Z0NDbU3kB9AFevCMZymBKspS8-YKwemVA/s1600/tumblr_l0ev6jwAhv1qzi80do1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPCj7HTi9_1ZZ9ZHlLo-2sm7oZvD7JRW_6yTS25M8FQWPtkl8ea78KkTBLNLLK_MGvU5wRGYdUYZVvG_tRqriBlBr2y33wD_dffBtEgT69Z0NDbU3kB9AFevCMZymBKspS8-YKwemVA/s320/tumblr_l0ev6jwAhv1qzi80do1_500.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then you put one of the waterproof covers on. Make sure the pre fold isn't peeking out from under the cover, or you'll find that wetness will wick on to your baby's clothing (not that it's happened to us or anything). Done! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Uh oh. Dirty Diaper. Time to take the cover off and see the damage. Is the cover dirty? Probably not, but it happens from time to time. Take the snappi off and unfold the pre fold. Give a quick wipe with the pre fold to take care of the worst of it. Give a few sprays to your reusable wipes and clean baby. <i>Note: Baby's feet come standard with poop radar...they will find it faster than you think and have no qualms putting their feet joyfully in it.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What do you do with the dirty diaper (and sometimes cover)? Throw it into the wet bag along with the wipe and zip it up. (<i>Yet Another Note: As long as you are breastfeeding, there is no need to rinse the diapers before putting them in the wet bag</i>.) TMI time: Breast milk is water soluble and will rinse out in the first rinse cycle you do--no need to "swish" in toilet if you don't want to. Who wants to stick their hand in the toilet anyways?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrAva7BMIBSUTuI12JMa0ApLIVR9z4XlkoOhhwanmvfSEPYIzbgs7Q26jNT3pOB0CU9J7hjzgT3aVqkcC59pw92F_uGCUnqcDrA0FR7_78vNzcNMs2uYv3t9-fyblB0TZErBk_ZUcgQ/s1600/IMG_2471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrAva7BMIBSUTuI12JMa0ApLIVR9z4XlkoOhhwanmvfSEPYIzbgs7Q26jNT3pOB0CU9J7hjzgT3aVqkcC59pw92F_uGCUnqcDrA0FR7_78vNzcNMs2uYv3t9-fyblB0TZErBk_ZUcgQ/s320/IMG_2471.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Essentially, you are taking the dirty diaper and throwing it "away" in the wet bag (instead of a disposable in the trash). Same idea!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So here's the wash routine (<i>these are directions for a top loading washing machine. The energy efficient front loaders require a little tweaking to get the correct amount of water for rinse cycle. I've heard people add extra water through one of the drawers or adding a soaking wet towel to the load</i>):</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> 1.) Take the wet bag to your washing machine. Unzip the wet bag and dump everything into the washer. Shake the bag out until the lining comes out and throw the bag in the wash with everything else. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuL3dUXdZ_24tuRqLASS7IISefmmgY7_nDY6ShKK6ocxdf_71xSiqbgjCpB36HwXWLACP0zwkYFzUUVfC4TLUiXpK7LqZI9tvIl3sOKBI34iS2Fpb-KOBj0WC7DJP4h1uSevsg3A0-g/s1600/IMG_2473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuL3dUXdZ_24tuRqLASS7IISefmmgY7_nDY6ShKK6ocxdf_71xSiqbgjCpB36HwXWLACP0zwkYFzUUVfC4TLUiXpK7LqZI9tvIl3sOKBI34iS2Fpb-KOBj0WC7DJP4h1uSevsg3A0-g/s320/IMG_2473.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 2.) Make sure you do a rinse cycle with <i>cold</i> water only, no soap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoYP3OG3Hlw-CnNbeO0DWJGm1zBYswzEu5rPBpwUoW3n9FdYgvo7GwfTPfLayvzZYJLOU_wTNj8RvGVRE1tFf9jusMswVfBCxGch1IWUZdUxZxFr1VdHPvw52XQg9hBBhAJxyV6FkQA/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoYP3OG3Hlw-CnNbeO0DWJGm1zBYswzEu5rPBpwUoW3n9FdYgvo7GwfTPfLayvzZYJLOU_wTNj8RvGVRE1tFf9jusMswVfBCxGch1IWUZdUxZxFr1VdHPvw52XQg9hBBhAJxyV6FkQA/s320/IMG_2474.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 3.) Then add a scoop of Charlie's soap, switch to hot water wash, and do complete wash cycle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBRPVAoktpgw7oLiuoR8-tULxj53jMEp5V5oIh4wuJGaU0jJYqKjn6iYSniz5NY9K1TT2qK_1A9K01_4nfXakItUOWx6pIO9HAopeNHkaWwSig_8dnWGSMckeg3bTkJPOejuYYIvdkQ/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBRPVAoktpgw7oLiuoR8-tULxj53jMEp5V5oIh4wuJGaU0jJYqKjn6iYSniz5NY9K1TT2qK_1A9K01_4nfXakItUOWx6pIO9HAopeNHkaWwSig_8dnWGSMckeg3bTkJPOejuYYIvdkQ/s320/IMG_2485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 4.) Transfer everything to dryer or line dry in the sun (has bleaching potential for stains).</div><div style="text-align: left;"> 5.) Done! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So this routine has worked really well for us. We have had to do laundry every day though. If you don't want to have to do the wash every day I would suggest buying more covers and prefolds. It is a relatively short time period that you use so many (first 3-4 weeks) and then it becomes more manageable. We felt it was worth it to do more laundry.<br />
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Then you have a Happy Baby!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6ZpWWeeOVq3dyZJMly6pVT6pW_jBLN_pasl6_cJxwH0tCHLoHIvd6Ibs3dbSFc02hmG4L8YmDtym7SSrn3hIa2ZBfkZdDIrlsLSDf140zZdJjhlIH5n3sD27rM0q-0K-31Njnt3N-w/s1600/DSC_2360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6ZpWWeeOVq3dyZJMly6pVT6pW_jBLN_pasl6_cJxwH0tCHLoHIvd6Ibs3dbSFc02hmG4L8YmDtym7SSrn3hIa2ZBfkZdDIrlsLSDf140zZdJjhlIH5n3sD27rM0q-0K-31Njnt3N-w/s320/DSC_2360.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">So there you have it! How we have cloth diapered our newborn. It's absolutely manageable and saves you so much money when you don't go overboard on cute covers:) Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have further questions! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">cottageonthecoast@gmail.com</div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-8345615274825007782011-09-05T11:30:00.000-07:002011-09-05T11:30:25.470-07:00Basement ProgressWith a little one in the house everything seems to take much longer:) The past few weeks have been really busy but with the help of family we have made some significant dents to the basement. We have mentally split the basement into 2 parts- the bathroom and "the rest."<br />
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Take a look at the initial <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-project.html">progress</a> we had made. We got the platform in and it was ready to be "studdified" by who other than my stud of a husband (sorry could't resist that one).<br />
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Bathroom Progress thus far:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8QBJOxqrFQvdDdwgmWL1n_doaBzPuedQCkYzla0Udzs78jOTwY403hkKSIBGFKLwmtA_Hzrj1Rg0jhpOvxrZWR_cdhD0D0ynNGjRip61gy1X0ep_4loCHs5qL7ruq2eEmTREXpqJQg/s1600/DSC_2404.jpg" 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/AVvXsEiC8QBJOxqrFQvdDdwgmWL1n_doaBzPuedQCkYzla0Udzs78jOTwY403hkKSIBGFKLwmtA_Hzrj1Rg0jhpOvxrZWR_cdhD0D0ynNGjRip61gy1X0ep_4loCHs5qL7ruq2eEmTREXpqJQg/s320/DSC_2404.jpg" width="212" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmmKGveBvkvWDqVJKIjK5Kw05-Hcp-_PXhQhw08hOHBX_L3PQOIY5Z8J9V2PrhufukTYxZjHIc6sv78CDksHqnK2WYGRph4BaxbRYnuWPRmb7uUsfr3POFegA2APNV74wTzVD0G1pAQ/s320/DSC_2403.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /><br />
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"The Rest":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7RROSw4KUAmHdQjzNPZpHiC_uOJa8_S8hDU_pz_oo3zHzvSL0_uwE_bXicrM7JY1hXHWmgbQgsf19-595UNWH7iUiBl29bCd3AG_BAF3v6m5Jeu-bOD-kKeYEijUlm4CVmyKamTc0w/s1600/DSC_2406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7RROSw4KUAmHdQjzNPZpHiC_uOJa8_S8hDU_pz_oo3zHzvSL0_uwE_bXicrM7JY1hXHWmgbQgsf19-595UNWH7iUiBl29bCd3AG_BAF3v6m5Jeu-bOD-kKeYEijUlm4CVmyKamTc0w/s320/DSC_2406.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VvSDdM7h0VRXHjJp_pEnocvs-QUdGs1xzmP9pxepABLVod8QoBSChL92U0wmV1WMWZ-UbYqdAkG-PFhunAcube2QGYvzd5tHTdZcc54XdyqhzFV7m2LG_z2kLTrT6GcPiCl_h04mhQ/s1600/DSC_2405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VvSDdM7h0VRXHjJp_pEnocvs-QUdGs1xzmP9pxepABLVod8QoBSChL92U0wmV1WMWZ-UbYqdAkG-PFhunAcube2QGYvzd5tHTdZcc54XdyqhzFV7m2LG_z2kLTrT6GcPiCl_h04mhQ/s320/DSC_2405.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoadorOlXhbk2f67puiwnddycXNu8sJPMPYA1YiUTAzIJwlXzgE8ogHph-fXo19B93yb7qvZl5Qx1QvJlBNE7ZEV5Qv0dtInm4_5BGMmbHFuSVekX-vZfHnKrOacyxTkatJft6P4aBQ/s1600/DSC_2407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoadorOlXhbk2f67puiwnddycXNu8sJPMPYA1YiUTAzIJwlXzgE8ogHph-fXo19B93yb7qvZl5Qx1QvJlBNE7ZEV5Qv0dtInm4_5BGMmbHFuSVekX-vZfHnKrOacyxTkatJft6P4aBQ/s320/DSC_2407.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Everything is at least studded out, the electrical 99% done, and ready for green board (definition: drywall with moisture resistance).<br />
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Back to the bathroom. We had the plumber come and do all the piping for the toilet and sink. He also moved the washer and dyer shut-off since they were located where the bathroom is. You may wonder- why is there a platform under the bathroom? I would ask the same question. Short story: Building the platform slightly higher than the main drain helps us to avoid an "up flush" toilet (Basically a $1000 toilet vs. $100 regular toilet) and just in case any water happens to come into the basement (as it did a few weeks ago...panic mode ensued...but we just needed to patch some holes in our sidewalk (which Grandpa B and Uncle J did while Peter and I were at the hospital, and in the middle of labor...so we wouldn't have to worry about it after!) and reroute some downspouts.)<br />
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We've definitely made some progress since this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDH_VFzqbj0AgCamcGQlYSCm2cbRC1JQkUHSi_IvTYdkIQYSsE5mCJycHoO0AhoCgIKvrBMHbuhx6iJ-gr-ogtSfznE1bywAPf5t_p_jrzLDKyrcQbV5F3ZU569YoANh96NwziYEjEQ/s1600/DSCN0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDH_VFzqbj0AgCamcGQlYSCm2cbRC1JQkUHSi_IvTYdkIQYSsE5mCJycHoO0AhoCgIKvrBMHbuhx6iJ-gr-ogtSfznE1bywAPf5t_p_jrzLDKyrcQbV5F3ZU569YoANh96NwziYEjEQ/s320/DSCN0850.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div>So there you have it. Greenboard is up and we are working on mudding the seams. Next steps are to sand and re-mud a few times, cut out the access panel that will let us get to the water shut-off and water meters, position the light and wire it in, and then to my favorite parts: painting, accessories and making things look cottage-y! Wahoo!Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-82938094462322914252011-08-25T09:54:00.000-07:002011-08-25T09:54:19.447-07:00She's here!Well in true "B" time Hannah Caroline decided to come to us 11 days late. Not only was she 11 days late but she decided to take her sweet time entering this world. 36 Hours later this precious miracle entered the world:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WCkaS85Aw11jUoFlJzjnU1-hl-Dv_DL0nEB6UipAW1QWWyLhn9j9PYIOBTQtkoEZVb_yGEuK1w9Um0DAeUECD1IA1S4nhkmhSR5CO9iTAAPj8DKWCnGYtrOR8mv0ciNkwLqWSGnJEg/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WCkaS85Aw11jUoFlJzjnU1-hl-Dv_DL0nEB6UipAW1QWWyLhn9j9PYIOBTQtkoEZVb_yGEuK1w9Um0DAeUECD1IA1S4nhkmhSR5CO9iTAAPj8DKWCnGYtrOR8mv0ciNkwLqWSGnJEg/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are her stats:</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">7lbs. 5oz.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">21" long</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Because I couldn't pick just a few pictures, I shamelessly put together this slideshow so you could see Hannah's first 2 weeks:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-9569713614476288952011-08-07T08:26:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:26:40.574-07:00Onion Lights Make Me HappyIt's amazing what a light fixture can do. Honestly, I never thought I would be excited about a light fixture. But I am REALLY excited. I wanted to add a light with some visual interest above the landing of the stairs, since you can see it right away when you walk in the front door. Here is what the light fixture looked like before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BbWzxpOClzGUv0oPXal1slPccyQEvFdutp-tDuwpjpFtrcLBJTSo-vzL3lnghB9gg3V0VGS_DMi4jECiSavBa5eHfIEmFlKRIUdGsoFU5aHEEcsd6NGYRUyAQchL9lL40e0s_MdeTQ/s1600/light.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BbWzxpOClzGUv0oPXal1slPccyQEvFdutp-tDuwpjpFtrcLBJTSo-vzL3lnghB9gg3V0VGS_DMi4jECiSavBa5eHfIEmFlKRIUdGsoFU5aHEEcsd6NGYRUyAQchL9lL40e0s_MdeTQ/s320/light.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Ugly huh?</div><br />
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So my biggest dilemma was finding a light that was affordable. I really wanted an onion light/lantern that would bring in a little nautical flare to the room. Did you know that onion lights were first used in this country on fishing schooners as a night time working light? Yeah, I didn't know that either.<br />
<br />
So I started my research and was very disappointed in prices. I really didn't want to spend over $100 for a light, so my search was significantly limited. Apparently other people want these lights too! I stumbled upon LampsPlus.com and found this beauty: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uY6d1DPRhAg1X23gVvEVEhL-f0u01lGFEcj6n6R7mhOkWJfH7YqJwL5ZRCI6iIUfWNDpxpr2X4OlQVnBj4Tztz7KLvm5WguMriIXXDNCzuSHNLJQVTCqhTb1Ro_Ts3v8TVVXyfO1Kg/s1600/light" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uY6d1DPRhAg1X23gVvEVEhL-f0u01lGFEcj6n6R7mhOkWJfH7YqJwL5ZRCI6iIUfWNDpxpr2X4OlQVnBj4Tztz7KLvm5WguMriIXXDNCzuSHNLJQVTCqhTb1Ro_Ts3v8TVVXyfO1Kg/s320/light" width="197" /></a></div>Best of all, it was $80 with free shipping! Yipee! Please and thank you I will take one. Here is what black beauty looked like once hubby installed it:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihABIjrfHq_9vjNXeqFvxDrlKbvzUURkDBQrWK9I4be4jJB0vJ9WBNsFdXu0PSdzgGZ-foYiopqKIHqAJIMzwPlZPLrXQi9GtjDwwKOJVa8LNXY7lNtvFGPRDlqrAr6Lg8kVlymowQlg/s1600/lighton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihABIjrfHq_9vjNXeqFvxDrlKbvzUURkDBQrWK9I4be4jJB0vJ9WBNsFdXu0PSdzgGZ-foYiopqKIHqAJIMzwPlZPLrXQi9GtjDwwKOJVa8LNXY7lNtvFGPRDlqrAr6Lg8kVlymowQlg/s320/lighton.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I love it! I want to find a matching sconce for the living room that is a little smaller, since we have no overhead lighting in that room right now. Hopefully I can find another good deal! All for now. Still Waiting patiently for Little B to arrive- gotta keep busy with projects!Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-62080445398492104602011-08-04T09:01:00.000-07:002011-08-04T09:01:52.608-07:00Dear Little B...Dear Little B,<br />
Yesterday was August 3, 2011 and it just so happened to be your due date. We have been anxiously awaiting this day for many months! We know that God has chosen the perfect day for you to come into this world so we continue to wait for His perfect plan. We know we will see you soon and hold you in our arms and forget about August 3 altogether.<br />
<br />
We are so excited to welcome you into this world and watch you grow each day. We look forward to taking you to the beach and building sandcastles or going for a walk around the quad at Gordon. We can't wait to teach you how to swim!<br />
<br />
You will come in His perfect timing and we are able to rest in these promises. We did, however, want to do something fun on your "due date". So here is what we did:<br />
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It was my first day home from work and we made a wonderful breakfast. French toast, yogurt, and a green smoothie. Don't worry- we'll teach you about green smoothies. They are quite tasty.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UyzaYKll6ieLl4LEF-mC9MvJakKmrRvc4Pna1tMg-zc43AtCPaNOWAHcCp5mj8SN8d54nWR8YENfte1Y0_B8X-hEhx3Xucdw8vGKIRnS_7Y49uuEEu0LdgiNRiOdGfKF04zXBHKJ1A/s1600/DSCN0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UyzaYKll6ieLl4LEF-mC9MvJakKmrRvc4Pna1tMg-zc43AtCPaNOWAHcCp5mj8SN8d54nWR8YENfte1Y0_B8X-hEhx3Xucdw8vGKIRnS_7Y49uuEEu0LdgiNRiOdGfKF04zXBHKJ1A/s320/DSCN0874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Daddy went off to work and I did things around the house- getting ready for you! I packed my hospital bag finally! I packed up a picnic lunch and brought it over to Gordon.<br />
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Daddy and I had a picnic next to the quad. It was beautiful out. We had chickpea salad sandwiches- so tasty.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks3bRiV0uy6Z5efxCN0jGAYKtFL5qsxP7XSKaIe7YlCmyC_qP4a-crMrRTzkATupRVNajfX5y3_yiKFv_rBes4pwwjWsMLxzZ4a415cD6MzM3apYJlvX3usq_KNE9El91mDH-PO4PcQ/s1600/DSCN0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks3bRiV0uy6Z5efxCN0jGAYKtFL5qsxP7XSKaIe7YlCmyC_qP4a-crMrRTzkATupRVNajfX5y3_yiKFv_rBes4pwwjWsMLxzZ4a415cD6MzM3apYJlvX3usq_KNE9El91mDH-PO4PcQ/s320/DSCN0876.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi3pJOiKSVORdmjj4_NKAnAntkBaGYNWexYTCKYw-YCk79xCPF4W9ef_rLuyjDdTzJut76nRwd5zIEQ1QdCsRJOhJx72mO2sGqxnoVYkCWx-dYTTz0ay31U_DgOw45hh8_SrqIPjqLA/s1600/DSCN0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi3pJOiKSVORdmjj4_NKAnAntkBaGYNWexYTCKYw-YCk79xCPF4W9ef_rLuyjDdTzJut76nRwd5zIEQ1QdCsRJOhJx72mO2sGqxnoVYkCWx-dYTTz0ay31U_DgOw45hh8_SrqIPjqLA/s320/DSCN0875.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Later in the afternoon Daddy came home from work and we went downtown to watch a bike race. It was so fun! Don't worry, we'll take you next year:)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2zXR_iFjy9TMYhJYGTMxm5F_Y8EFyHjKaeSqGEcq-LspkLTm9a8QTJAVxDvBlApY3yk7n9P5fqR6zJgQHMlcm96LYTzlgaq2TF93pKg6lpUF91OV4hO7gPyZlm_O7JzIPvXvpiY4Ww/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2zXR_iFjy9TMYhJYGTMxm5F_Y8EFyHjKaeSqGEcq-LspkLTm9a8QTJAVxDvBlApY3yk7n9P5fqR6zJgQHMlcm96LYTzlgaq2TF93pKg6lpUF91OV4hO7gPyZlm_O7JzIPvXvpiY4Ww/s320/bike.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> We finished the night off with dinner in Salem with friends from bible study. All in all it was a great day. We talked a lot about you today and can't wait to finally meet you!<br />
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See you soon Little B,<br />
Love,<br />
Mommy and DaddyOur Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-28915432862279669552011-08-03T06:56:00.000-07:002011-08-03T06:56:00.734-07:00Bumpdate- 40 Weeks....Happy Due Date Little B!Well we made it! Happy due date Little B! Auntie K was kind enough to take these pictures at your favorite beach. Here are the latest pics of mommy and daddy right before your arrival:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRGHtblcQZnZtonMlsHFSpuKjASSf6-BG69-DkyVTmIvLIofrjfjf41BBqkeAhHwtc-uoYF9drgGKDZxZjSIGP8KXWG-AoHE4kJsSyWqfVuX9U7QHjS5564WFBGo5lXjGEyfkn6FajQ/s1600/IMG_5161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRGHtblcQZnZtonMlsHFSpuKjASSf6-BG69-DkyVTmIvLIofrjfjf41BBqkeAhHwtc-uoYF9drgGKDZxZjSIGP8KXWG-AoHE4kJsSyWqfVuX9U7QHjS5564WFBGo5lXjGEyfkn6FajQ/s320/IMG_5161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwFCkI2Zo-EffkUGAhGD4wV7gpAaOo1QJWAHsuoJ_wPFtcI1l0rc1dQYSXnI-APONiTu_hwXw_8ZAj6E1tVex1bN1x6M2pxeZ1I74ob4I6wRR09GZ6yvHXlOyboH9uyh_RqWsrRkrGw/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwFCkI2Zo-EffkUGAhGD4wV7gpAaOo1QJWAHsuoJ_wPFtcI1l0rc1dQYSXnI-APONiTu_hwXw_8ZAj6E1tVex1bN1x6M2pxeZ1I74ob4I6wRR09GZ6yvHXlOyboH9uyh_RqWsrRkrGw/s320/IMG_5156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KAqa51S0nY7_3Cz7TTkf-QgqGkXWweX-FA42u88w0QX4nBVmoI1TAMvQiCKS1KDlrs8g0KWNL9fLaIAJo8WGk5r8b6tdpSaftyIpcx1ZAF2wxb-mygoFmqM41Va_17uiJPhe9_o0hQ/s1600/IMG_5165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KAqa51S0nY7_3Cz7TTkf-QgqGkXWweX-FA42u88w0QX4nBVmoI1TAMvQiCKS1KDlrs8g0KWNL9fLaIAJo8WGk5r8b6tdpSaftyIpcx1ZAF2wxb-mygoFmqM41Va_17uiJPhe9_o0hQ/s320/IMG_5165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5hjK9uzzwf2pom9aSJ69fi8CpSYlw2F_tRz6ZDbsNuJtQ2zT57rZa8rEVscXRUkHAQVnNs-0Rece5ZdAFkMtvV42RxGOOqqXc8aE3fTFhzC52Abjk9cimWKzw-KF7GRC3-iL46QzLQ/s1600/IMG_5167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5hjK9uzzwf2pom9aSJ69fi8CpSYlw2F_tRz6ZDbsNuJtQ2zT57rZa8rEVscXRUkHAQVnNs-0Rece5ZdAFkMtvV42RxGOOqqXc8aE3fTFhzC52Abjk9cimWKzw-KF7GRC3-iL46QzLQ/s320/IMG_5167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_mU5QYFHboOS0fVrKucxvCL8aJNx748-tMwA25CU0Xt5Fz1xB88BaNcabjinFnLtxyL5JazrKd8md1YlY8M97GYs9GOli5z2-_k-ppGMoz62EPnzFwtWSQ6O8evz0c3jKEaHjSCwEQ/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_mU5QYFHboOS0fVrKucxvCL8aJNx748-tMwA25CU0Xt5Fz1xB88BaNcabjinFnLtxyL5JazrKd8md1YlY8M97GYs9GOli5z2-_k-ppGMoz62EPnzFwtWSQ6O8evz0c3jKEaHjSCwEQ/s320/IMG_5169.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZJsjYu3i4t4f1R9o7rRYFVa9bXDM_aYF1ztXtUpLOZ4jyV5S-Q4dnhDAt55m35RZNiAqx0qpB1cZCZXPMRe1CIjjphEhdq_LvrS__SjXfjFb9UT_ptBGEljfyqwq1Q-2sgCPoAnaPg/s1600/IMG_5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZJsjYu3i4t4f1R9o7rRYFVa9bXDM_aYF1ztXtUpLOZ4jyV5S-Q4dnhDAt55m35RZNiAqx0qpB1cZCZXPMRe1CIjjphEhdq_LvrS__SjXfjFb9UT_ptBGEljfyqwq1Q-2sgCPoAnaPg/s320/IMG_5172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-57945355979912655552011-08-01T13:01:00.000-07:002011-08-01T13:01:14.031-07:00New Project!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So Little B is due any day now. So why not start another project? Our latest undertaking is the basement. We want to make it a playroom/tv-room hangout-type-space. We also want to add a small half bath since we only have 1 <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/quick-and-easy-bathroom-spruce-up.html">bathroom</a> on the second floor. Here is a pic straight ahead as you walk down the stairs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Y92UO75AmyfmBNemCBCaALsVQa-2nJnuLDG_QhbAAmcQf6XVYVStz5g5J0ltDcuBvQAkYopoM4m-0dat2YCpJB3jVHaZvRtHITCNBRbtCpfUJxpJZstKQFQoXzRhBVgiKceLlKgDQ/s1600/basement1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Y92UO75AmyfmBNemCBCaALsVQa-2nJnuLDG_QhbAAmcQf6XVYVStz5g5J0ltDcuBvQAkYopoM4m-0dat2YCpJB3jVHaZvRtHITCNBRbtCpfUJxpJZstKQFQoXzRhBVgiKceLlKgDQ/s320/basement1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our plan is to put the bath straight ahead from the stairs. Why? I thought you would never ask. In order to make this a budget friendly project we desperately want to avoid purchasing an "Up-Flush" toilet (we're talking $1,000) instead of a $100 toilet from HD or Lowes. Since the main sewer drain is behind the washer/dryer we are going to build a platform that will raise the toilet high enough to avoid the $1,000 toilet situation. I mean, really, who wants to spend $1,000 on a <i>toilet</i>?<br />
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So we had a work weekend. Both dads and a brother-in-law came up to help. We got the platform in so we could have the plumbers come in and start their job of moving/installing pipes for the toilet and sink. Here is what the platform looks like from the stairs right now:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHnUqZPGM8ZSQfbIei_ZJ03bfTdriYmUJvLS5yphdvJlNme7GFXe3BeHEeE2dOs8dbmu_2_-20_8vkIX7oVebeqWw0kOiw0rtZ3TEvczUGETKDbTZ90YyE_8I7dm0cyMgyWqRjPdycw/s320/basement7.JPG" width="240" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a shot of the scary-scary basement before we cleaned it up. Some parts of the house really took a beating after the beam project. The basement <i>may</i> be one of those. Ok, it <i>definitely</i> is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a1BMjGMeSZH4BsKHI5WOCmCQhEnft_oHW5Mo2V7bxIAihnumCjgRt2o9FaPFqUtZsrYBLFbDSTQMiO1_UAuLTZYYAK1VR4qpPVcL3eIJPhmLKXDzx5PTnRE6-AnSFnU9MSXgVLZADA/s1600/basement2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a1BMjGMeSZH4BsKHI5WOCmCQhEnft_oHW5Mo2V7bxIAihnumCjgRt2o9FaPFqUtZsrYBLFbDSTQMiO1_UAuLTZYYAK1VR4qpPVcL3eIJPhmLKXDzx5PTnRE6-AnSFnU9MSXgVLZADA/s320/basement2.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpu_O8VUYg2dXxMCywHOY9y3FAjROyr7mvmdHG2su8pGPLprBQQE3jfw1LacgEQ33vRL3d8caXrAuKGAz26zBX1akQrrEpAVFw_nhPHc6IKki6_JTYH4g-CdnCQdZe4V3MWaKN-MUKA/s1600/basement3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpu_O8VUYg2dXxMCywHOY9y3FAjROyr7mvmdHG2su8pGPLprBQQE3jfw1LacgEQ33vRL3d8caXrAuKGAz26zBX1akQrrEpAVFw_nhPHc6IKki6_JTYH4g-CdnCQdZe4V3MWaKN-MUKA/s320/basement3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Back to the work weekend. We got all the junk cleared out and got to work. We cut out some wall below the stairs to add a closet and extra storage once the basement is somewhat livable:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXMkaALd8eyS1al9lkFvEHmAdLsrg8yhTKJeieccc80pGpr2eXiZxXoIk2WtHmdTA4SCCh734i3YYvhWjc9I-rtoRb7w-TfsCu4yVLxFCQzPwFxjIEDWgeK3Dy5-qZMw-OYheaURzVg/s1600/basement4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXMkaALd8eyS1al9lkFvEHmAdLsrg8yhTKJeieccc80pGpr2eXiZxXoIk2WtHmdTA4SCCh734i3YYvhWjc9I-rtoRb7w-TfsCu4yVLxFCQzPwFxjIEDWgeK3Dy5-qZMw-OYheaURzVg/s320/basement4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9KsZ6HD1zS_WgPO4JNqlRjDDvqXWT-b5hj7lmWqevsm_hNzENkGmKy-9XlQXI8AZd24Rcs70l1QXCfjLSBiDfsNwFBuzJpB1RKaaC6UD692Ha4Muo0IuefrretbDVAcZmV9ZdB-VXg/s1600/basement6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9KsZ6HD1zS_WgPO4JNqlRjDDvqXWT-b5hj7lmWqevsm_hNzENkGmKy-9XlQXI8AZd24Rcs70l1QXCfjLSBiDfsNwFBuzJpB1RKaaC6UD692Ha4Muo0IuefrretbDVAcZmV9ZdB-VXg/s320/basement6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Who do you think Peter takes after? His dad maybe?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CPIZfaoIqbBTuC50bY5RMlW-GvP4gc-Zi8tNG62uQcwXhppFo8VLcpdrw7eRBdXd5N0LtxDKmwedWHoak8aftFbB8rIrFIB6XgC5RgIBX7KZ_0rpB60UISfVR_-zqHzHIHDP0Nllmw/s1600/basement5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CPIZfaoIqbBTuC50bY5RMlW-GvP4gc-Zi8tNG62uQcwXhppFo8VLcpdrw7eRBdXd5N0LtxDKmwedWHoak8aftFbB8rIrFIB6XgC5RgIBX7KZ_0rpB60UISfVR_-zqHzHIHDP0Nllmw/s320/basement5.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-3161718705552466722011-07-26T12:41:00.000-07:002011-07-26T12:42:37.555-07:00Fixed Me Up a Table...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I wanted a little table for the nursery to put next to the rocker for water, supplies, etc. I just wanted a simple table that was short and cute. Most importantly, I didn't want to spend much $$. A few weeks ago I went on a yard sale marathon in search of the perfect table. Well, I found it! The price was totally right too: $3.</div><div class="" 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/AVvXsEj6nVsb0QK2_Hygjo7HJTlhxxwBYqTlAA9rwnSYySN2lBu7dNSpwK0kBK8U6rZcyWIvuphiTjNVOs4SrIcpiIbuQyp52abOn9Y3X8sBAwid8TJ0Ns-kiK-g2jX6CyjR1NiQuNz96lJg6g/s1600/pretable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nVsb0QK2_Hygjo7HJTlhxxwBYqTlAA9rwnSYySN2lBu7dNSpwK0kBK8U6rZcyWIvuphiTjNVOs4SrIcpiIbuQyp52abOn9Y3X8sBAwid8TJ0Ns-kiK-g2jX6CyjR1NiQuNz96lJg6g/s320/pretable.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a quick tutorial on how I got the table to look like it should be a part of the room.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1- I took some sandpaper to it until it was all scratched up and stuff.</div><div class="" 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/AVvXsEho2LGKzXfE6EqJ32wQaXmJryzS8OJSr5O0j3SPhHCJZwZiUyTKupU2lKXdmPkRUykwquTmHnWDDLJ4_7zNUF8J6MK4SRTYkqLOvznv8QgCZqsMU8-sZ9_KaYRPEA9NQ82cA49CnA2_9g/s1600/sandtable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2LGKzXfE6EqJ32wQaXmJryzS8OJSr5O0j3SPhHCJZwZiUyTKupU2lKXdmPkRUykwquTmHnWDDLJ4_7zNUF8J6MK4SRTYkqLOvznv8QgCZqsMU8-sZ9_KaYRPEA9NQ82cA49CnA2_9g/s320/sandtable.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2- I wiped it off and primed it. I was careful to not get any paint on the tiles.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15MHZgmpcgXwsin2TIBBfD_PqjRKA9Xi5gDGzMMslDCjf3caWkoovF1-bc52sSv4Ex__bEMlfDoAnHixp9YmsB4KIhSDAkURHqXpcOuCRQvsATBp7y7oAfB-j5b24sUuAHjUK-aWrbg/s320/primetable.jpg" width="240" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3- I let it dry and painted the table in the leftover trim paint I had on hand. The center circle I used the leftover wall paint from the nursery. TA-DA! New table for 3 bones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bW0-j6_wttCjUhPfMFEycwyNA7ulipr3yq4VaBr0mhOOH9LPVI1JUey5uC3hcUy5OKPbdg7xn2NYiCVgZfTSZgEHGcwiOF4DxcU8nvzEAYl7UvkGV73_BbkgD17ROkyAGTy_-Ri1hA/s320/finishedtable.jpg" width="240" /></div><br />
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Be sure to check out how it looked in the <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/07/nursery-complete.html">nursery</a> all set up. What a fun little project that totally changed the look of the table. Oh yeah- I had Peter spray it with a clear coat of poly so we don't need to worry about coasters in the wee hours of the night:)Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-3673053739090563242011-07-21T13:05:00.000-07:002011-07-21T13:37:51.774-07:00Nursery Complete!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well I guess it's done. For now. I can't commit myself to saying a room is "done". So here is the grand tour for now. Wow- a lot has changed since the day we <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/pre-nursery-painting-and-25-week.html">painted</a> this room! I am thrilled with the result. To keep costs down, I made the curtains and <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-first-soon-to-be-mom-mothers-day.html">bedding</a> seen in the first picture. I gave leftover fabric to my wonderfully talented sister-in-law Auntie K who made the quilt hanging over the edge of the crib. I made my own <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/07/make-your-own-mobile-beach-style.html">mobile</a> since I didn't find anything I liked in the store. I love how big the mobile is and how it fills the empty corner of the room visually. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzJggStgY6t_yALDr3u_s0B61kdInZVQN_3r2IzrPPK_qFKuTpDupBKWCbnYMTuO21tppDKtcZlj78xT43k3RAwQuGXs0zZht9F4G_4KTSlsMaTa0BuixBWA4LLXWm0NUqaJ0wq586w/s320/nursery1.JPG" width="320" /></div>We took the door off the closet and put a <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/05/curtains-for-closet.html">curtain</a> up so we could utilize that corner a little more effectively. We really wanted the glider rocker in that corner. Speaking of...remember when it used to be an ugly <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/05/big-reveal-glider-rocker-done.html">green</a>? I also made some fun little <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/06/little-projects-make-me-feel-good.html">art</a> for the wall out of some leftover fabric. Check out the little table next to the rocker. I just added it and am really happy with how it turned out. That table hasn't always been so cute- in fact, a week ago it was an ugly brown and cost $3 at a yard sale. Stay tuned and I will show everyone the transformation :) The light is from IKEA that we had in our old apartment. Oh and for everyone with a perceptive eye...i blocked out the little hanger holding the jacket on the wall...it's the first initial of Little B's name...we can't tell you yet!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6URFU_j_9vm5JkWk-0pzBXP8VCv-vmIfwMoO0hloHjh3teovZlZQ_d717qNLst9X-ZCnFOLwas4toADr-O9bu3wTKZ9U4HQB-aDu11W2chSZ4DIISZxp1iQyYj-OSu6C1VaihUHRchg/s1600/nursery2fixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6URFU_j_9vm5JkWk-0pzBXP8VCv-vmIfwMoO0hloHjh3teovZlZQ_d717qNLst9X-ZCnFOLwas4toADr-O9bu3wTKZ9U4HQB-aDu11W2chSZ4DIISZxp1iQyYj-OSu6C1VaihUHRchg/s320/nursery2fixed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here is the closet progress thus far. We painted the rod and top shelf to match the walls and added some shelving to the far left out of wood scraps. We used a shoe organizer from IKEA to organize things like burp cloths, hats, etc. More on organizing that another time. It's fine for now!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFr3LwXyZfd08qfpuAHqt7B3B0-7aRX4PmmDZ5PMreBkCfgq3l_mevpgyppBSxzAEDYQ7hYY07n4gpkoezSEFYnWPiy7QHe6oJZs6_SGjw9YgT0JPD-HTo_pXISz8616dhjX058QL1g/s1600/nursery3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFr3LwXyZfd08qfpuAHqt7B3B0-7aRX4PmmDZ5PMreBkCfgq3l_mevpgyppBSxzAEDYQ7hYY07n4gpkoezSEFYnWPiy7QHe6oJZs6_SGjw9YgT0JPD-HTo_pXISz8616dhjX058QL1g/s320/nursery3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Here is the side that no one has seen yet. I am really happy with how it turned out. The two outside shelves we had from our old apartment and are from IKEA. The middle decorative shelf is from Christmas Tree Shop for around $6- can't beat it. Do you like the decal on the wall? It's from Etsy given to us by Auntie K. The changing table was an antique shop purchase for $50 a year ago. We totally lucked out on that piece. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6NMMR_NPhOTuRX9g56T1YQDQvnh-VHg8cPAn30PLEBrEYC78Z2PG8gIeo2GKbVBF4vQiLLsJYTZyfenttryk3iTTZK9VNKLkaP0E7Vdvd482fD0kKK_2D-tGN2CZFURXGEHgcDxvQA/s1600/nursery6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6NMMR_NPhOTuRX9g56T1YQDQvnh-VHg8cPAn30PLEBrEYC78Z2PG8gIeo2GKbVBF4vQiLLsJYTZyfenttryk3iTTZK9VNKLkaP0E7Vdvd482fD0kKK_2D-tGN2CZFURXGEHgcDxvQA/s320/nursery6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Oh and look at the little shelves! They are actually leftover spice racks from IKEA that I painted the color of the trim. I just love them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoXfCzEUP32eIgv0wUpc7iuQ4wmZUh9zn09UovWsGCR1LEb5t437hsadWJeYTB-NwJ_IG98IG9OUUjB2KhBS82w4q-HntKgyLdQ23lmQr4Vf-ruRBeOseAJd2T5EH70GHbgLfPTL0bQ/s1600/nursery7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoXfCzEUP32eIgv0wUpc7iuQ4wmZUh9zn09UovWsGCR1LEb5t437hsadWJeYTB-NwJ_IG98IG9OUUjB2KhBS82w4q-HntKgyLdQ23lmQr4Vf-ruRBeOseAJd2T5EH70GHbgLfPTL0bQ/s320/nursery7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Doesn't the sailboat decal look like we painted it? It's amazing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC1XSOgyYQsVgWNYYdw3RvXSTsHuPyX69XmTAufaKc_KvpmcGwo_NIibT6xkDIXiNIz-GtjU0BVfs47uaI4Oyef2KKr4Wbmn2etCjyupMEmwB_-7Famh1Nn79eOu381kdsM_iZYoIRg/s1600/nursery8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC1XSOgyYQsVgWNYYdw3RvXSTsHuPyX69XmTAufaKc_KvpmcGwo_NIibT6xkDIXiNIz-GtjU0BVfs47uaI4Oyef2KKr4Wbmn2etCjyupMEmwB_-7Famh1Nn79eOu381kdsM_iZYoIRg/s320/nursery8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This corner doesn't really have a purpose yet. We have the bassinet stored there right now. This bassinet was used by my dad when he was a baby. My wonderful mom made it look brand new with the eyelet fabric and quilted lining. Little B will love her little abode.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hevBk56qnqKG_HoId2f0ewoyAL1DO7ZaBeWI104YpM3DWTHzI_OwYwHWrXnnl4gFP8vdQYMzJJj4Nme4wci7brC1ZkCqSdqJ_OMUdHpiStTUlbFk3pXsKiHjHUY41xGa2re8canqiA/s1600/nursery9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hevBk56qnqKG_HoId2f0ewoyAL1DO7ZaBeWI104YpM3DWTHzI_OwYwHWrXnnl4gFP8vdQYMzJJj4Nme4wci7brC1ZkCqSdqJ_OMUdHpiStTUlbFk3pXsKiHjHUY41xGa2re8canqiA/s320/nursery9.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Well that's it for the nursery at this point. We have had so much fun with it but I am glad we are done! Now it's time for Little B to see it. I will try to get a 38 week pic up soon for all you bump-date followers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-60899324540664226202011-07-12T12:58:00.000-07:002011-07-12T14:05:01.596-07:00The Dreaded Beam Project: Complete.<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWGCk-drj_d3GAONj16HsGET_jfX8XMhyrV5Q6DMyRi_-PzVDhXwU0CJTskr5_Y8gwPqswzNy2cLGEqNYsYmuO776wuboVbYF-Ca6dbxwsk6O1R3-ASe7FYSaxg3FI2fHmURm_GEBGQ/s320/DSCN0723.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTw1v28ETw_TqGEY7_N7BR5KEZkGP44RWK9nKcotyNx_e1_ULLW2BV4igDunmJCBTDIf3MlTRrqAkgNmgh5wqiI-GZ2m4Nv90lXfALmwPZsMt17pO0i-AyQSsQDJgShiJqHoLmolVhQ/s1600/DSCN0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>After more than two months of work, the living/dining room transformation is finally complete! I know people live in construction zones for greater periods of time, but man, having such a central area of our place in various states of assembly was wearing. The result, however, is totally worth it. Check out the before and after photos:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNdzP4pKeMtQ3k3-fsvCVKwFMqQ33s8EV9D-MNufd3nHsJbWASLyh9RlmsKWJEpnH96W-J3B0PAdCpl4LaL6gORKY6qIbXJTkEyuQ_xZ17OpsUvtZhpyVndMOMXbNlNjS-iVJfwdHqQ/s1600/DSCN0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNdzP4pKeMtQ3k3-fsvCVKwFMqQ33s8EV9D-MNufd3nHsJbWASLyh9RlmsKWJEpnH96W-J3B0PAdCpl4LaL6gORKY6qIbXJTkEyuQ_xZ17OpsUvtZhpyVndMOMXbNlNjS-iVJfwdHqQ/s320/DSCN0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKhlblZNo6sSVwnZDh4gmuhKD6Rr0xGO6h6q-eYOQdCokdnXOnt99Yd6MHzdvrG3Gekktmg1dgbkfP1Fvx8_X_cjbHjm9XUqedKbrmGzZxgjzDARDcyr1fvgtLyde_CDSp4NmFiInog/s1600/DSCN0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKhlblZNo6sSVwnZDh4gmuhKD6Rr0xGO6h6q-eYOQdCokdnXOnt99Yd6MHzdvrG3Gekktmg1dgbkfP1Fvx8_X_cjbHjm9XUqedKbrmGzZxgjzDARDcyr1fvgtLyde_CDSp4NmFiInog/s320/DSCN0695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I learned a tremendous amount through this project, from brute-force demolition to finicky finish work to proper prep and thorough clean-up.<br />
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The two things that I am most happy with are the landing and the fact that the beam doesn't look brand-new. The landing was originally carpeted - same as the stairs - and square. We pulled up the carpeting, which covered old linoleum, which was glued to the hardwood underneath. My question quickly became: What possessed a previous owner to use the most adhesive mix of paper and glue possible? Was he laughing as he put it down, finding some twisted humor in imagining another owner slowly chiseling it all up? (But then again, is that any different than me using enough nails, screws and caulk to sink a ship to put up trim...and feeling only slightly bad for the guy that tries to take it all down?) Thankfully, the hardwood cleaned up beautifully, and taking the corner off the landing (nice idea Jen!) didn't prove to be too difficult, although it did challenge my joinery skills.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Before it all began..</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut5H6j17Dt2LarnCJIv92oZHYF74BLjY4XKEfBVa6nGgg3mFyhuM2MuegL6hIQDJEi00F2CL4ey-B4Q2LcJ1jqnFEBRWmM8xtTTiUjn_VEFscBPZE0qCjyN4VyNeSV2MH_kDGZAavuQ/s320/DSCN0678.JPG" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X2-RTyRFqLD7P2Udab8FPMLblyrXLuk8odtd_7-WQ0E0d0vQdH5mH_Lgy76HrCqnkzdzk5gJyG9Wycj9PNAI55rcCjDZvBoR0TSko3j5cqBKO0rs-DpP_B-C0cVyFX_EWC-H8QnnMg/s1600/dining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X2-RTyRFqLD7P2Udab8FPMLblyrXLuk8odtd_7-WQ0E0d0vQdH5mH_Lgy76HrCqnkzdzk5gJyG9Wycj9PNAI55rcCjDZvBoR0TSko3j5cqBKO0rs-DpP_B-C0cVyFX_EWC-H8QnnMg/s320/dining.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpUnxNHAQxzaAMdxNmaxRXmLK-Sz6a_47R0xYLWf63G93eTm_FHXh7ATg4NgaZRFc5NKzFXQQA55K7Y8sJsElhiixJ62ItUd7WYbbfNVm1hHfA71GGxbqOLmt0A9621PjKmIXIhuF6g/s1600/DSCN0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpUnxNHAQxzaAMdxNmaxRXmLK-Sz6a_47R0xYLWf63G93eTm_FHXh7ATg4NgaZRFc5NKzFXQQA55K7Y8sJsElhiixJ62ItUd7WYbbfNVm1hHfA71GGxbqOLmt0A9621PjKmIXIhuF6g/s320/DSCN0675.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWXBRZEYBRRhFTDK3DBayg6b7-9_6rcbsyLSTySjunjjgF-o0pPwUwIKTi4aK-tfzCRJtiEBexDQ3032Mcx8uvZfvBTuPGQVI2Afo4tw3KxkKcr-U6yb7ApOQrNwjlrkfewd8nKY8CA/s1600/stairs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWXBRZEYBRRhFTDK3DBayg6b7-9_6rcbsyLSTySjunjjgF-o0pPwUwIKTi4aK-tfzCRJtiEBexDQ3032Mcx8uvZfvBTuPGQVI2Afo4tw3KxkKcr-U6yb7ApOQrNwjlrkfewd8nKY8CA/s320/stairs.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNdzP4pKeMtQ3k3-fsvCVKwFMqQ33s8EV9D-MNufd3nHsJbWASLyh9RlmsKWJEpnH96W-J3B0PAdCpl4LaL6gORKY6qIbXJTkEyuQ_xZ17OpsUvtZhpyVndMOMXbNlNjS-iVJfwdHqQ/s1600/DSCN0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKhlblZNo6sSVwnZDh4gmuhKD6Rr0xGO6h6q-eYOQdCokdnXOnt99Yd6MHzdvrG3Gekktmg1dgbkfP1Fvx8_X_cjbHjm9XUqedKbrmGzZxgjzDARDcyr1fvgtLyde_CDSp4NmFiInog/s1600/DSCN0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
The overall look to the first floor is fantastic. Thanks to my friends, Caulk and Putty, you can't even see my two <span style="font-size: xx-small;">thousand</span> mistakes. Some points of learning I'll pass on to those who might take on any home project:<br />
<ul><li>When demo-ing horsehair plaster: plastic off EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE...and do it all in a day</li>
<li>Use new wood for trim, because ultimately, the hours spent getting the old stuff back in working shape just isn't worth the trouble</li>
<li>Use REAL wood for the trim - for some odd reason I bought composite quarter-round for the landing trim. It's great for outdoor applications, I'm sure, but doesn't behave like wood at all. It shatters when a nail goes in wrong...</li>
<li>Borrow/rent/buy an air-nailer, especially for trim work (thanks for lending me yours, dad!) - you will live longer if you do</li>
<li>Sharp blades, fresh sandpaper, and clean brushes are more valuable than gold. Change/sharpen often (Peter's lesson: don't agonize over a 50 cent sanding disc)</li>
<li>Good prep is always worth it.</li>
<ul><li>The extra 5 or 10 or even 30 minutes spent making sure something is done correctly makes the finished product go from "Did you do that part all by yourself?" to "Wow, I didn't even know that wasn't original."</li>
</ul></ul><br />
<ul><ul></ul></ul>So that's the story friends. Dad/Dad-in-law and brother, thank you. Beam-lifters, thank you. Jen, your patience and encouragement of my novice efforts was invaluable to my husband-ego and to getting this done.<br />
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(Insert craigslist savvy shopper here)<br />
Take a lookie at this Pottery Barn Buffet I snagged on Craigslist for $60!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTw1v28ETw_TqGEY7_N7BR5KEZkGP44RWK9nKcotyNx_e1_ULLW2BV4igDunmJCBTDIf3MlTRrqAkgNmgh5wqiI-GZ2m4Nv90lXfALmwPZsMt17pO0i-AyQSsQDJgShiJqHoLmolVhQ/s1600/DSCN0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTw1v28ETw_TqGEY7_N7BR5KEZkGP44RWK9nKcotyNx_e1_ULLW2BV4igDunmJCBTDIf3MlTRrqAkgNmgh5wqiI-GZ2m4Nv90lXfALmwPZsMt17pO0i-AyQSsQDJgShiJqHoLmolVhQ/s320/DSCN0856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doesn't it look great! I am really excited about that wall above it...stay tuned...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOaRVg-7__SMIA6KkGQJsGV36FoQpU4Y9nlzKlt0aj5EUMz4DfqLzIA0VmyBYURpAv2QOIRbmru3RuDjKuefOpCig-EuwLWvM0oqOgj3L_RQsFAbb4vpjbHgB2DZH3dRqVpi9pY20RA/s1600/DSCN0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOaRVg-7__SMIA6KkGQJsGV36FoQpU4Y9nlzKlt0aj5EUMz4DfqLzIA0VmyBYURpAv2QOIRbmru3RuDjKuefOpCig-EuwLWvM0oqOgj3L_RQsFAbb4vpjbHgB2DZH3dRqVpi9pY20RA/s320/DSCN0855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-18574759291654415372011-07-09T05:58:00.000-07:002011-07-09T05:58:48.540-07:00Arts Fest Beverly Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>What was supposed to be a stormy day ended up being absolutely perfect! Arts Fest Beverly was the only fair I decided to do this summer. I know- I'm so <strike>pregnant</strike> lazy...<br />
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Here are a few highlights:<br />
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The booth during setup... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLIoomiAKyksvejmS584AQ3TflnC4nCG54oHstFB3MBiXno9-pklE-v6NxiJZeY2YTTVoy1kLR1yhkIbYS4IFUTixZvTWgZ6cYjpTi9jjHmeN5I1zRi0D98-wV8skZKZMVmk4sG1MOA/s1600/DSCN0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLIoomiAKyksvejmS584AQ3TflnC4nCG54oHstFB3MBiXno9-pklE-v6NxiJZeY2YTTVoy1kLR1yhkIbYS4IFUTixZvTWgZ6cYjpTi9jjHmeN5I1zRi0D98-wV8skZKZMVmk4sG1MOA/s320/DSCN0786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Colored Pencil Rolls:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXhDAO-M6-J-kNh1iron3RD3X1Xx9BALIlCk7Z1QW5OVvVOuaPW8XcsdkT_boUrrGEU48tWUE_ok8VDmZ4zaai-3DgirbcLFvAdU7WdV-lQdNVRoHoprXl87-8HoKTKpc0Rp5uQ8mWA/s320/DSCN0791.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reusable Snack and Sandwich Bags: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW60fnCvLc8XfHtxNVo8ZRWvVjSJtcRIT58F3LAFJgpOSxzMWEDK5e1MrhWpmWYlgSAn0RpqgGpFk0uz5ap7oYi6XhSIhcOtWhmOqfVL0Jg7vG_nXECZMrXS7kSc2LmyMt7L8q9aUwA/s1600/DSCN0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW60fnCvLc8XfHtxNVo8ZRWvVjSJtcRIT58F3LAFJgpOSxzMWEDK5e1MrhWpmWYlgSAn0RpqgGpFk0uz5ap7oYi6XhSIhcOtWhmOqfVL0Jg7vG_nXECZMrXS7kSc2LmyMt7L8q9aUwA/s320/DSCN0789.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stroller and Infant Blankets:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(I was really happy the cow print didn't sell. That's my gift to Little B!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cZq_Inn1ofPZrP3pX1630tuoW3vGrwYow4hyu6JRoR-YuTJN7zpqLFT7GEgnVfDZihpddDhyphenhyphenUtDFVZ3wbx_vaA3CiOLFWkrkdc3ClS5nDDX581sCAw_ySOLzCTdjiiVBWSIh6YEDA/s1600/DSCN0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cZq_Inn1ofPZrP3pX1630tuoW3vGrwYow4hyu6JRoR-YuTJN7zpqLFT7GEgnVfDZihpddDhyphenhyphenUtDFVZ3wbx_vaA3CiOLFWkrkdc3ClS5nDDX581sCAw_ySOLzCTdjiiVBWSIh6YEDA/s320/DSCN0793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here are the Crayon Rolls in action:<br />
(Always the biggest seller!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg8lguHAuT65T67mEXGUCBaneF3iYnN82x0xNVgrTi4VvlmclhULd2FiC6600EeFN0_wscaFeQJKJq0DuP84C9L0MZaSSntV6MlgMPB06Q-XMmIgRof_l0pmwXncLl6MX62Pk8xuVXA/s1600/DSCN0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg8lguHAuT65T67mEXGUCBaneF3iYnN82x0xNVgrTi4VvlmclhULd2FiC6600EeFN0_wscaFeQJKJq0DuP84C9L0MZaSSntV6MlgMPB06Q-XMmIgRof_l0pmwXncLl6MX62Pk8xuVXA/s320/DSCN0792.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Guess I forgot to take pictures of the other side of the booth. That would be called <i>Pregnesia: </i>A mild form of amnesia/forgetfulness often associated with the diagnosis of pregnancy.<br />
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Since the day was such a success I ventured across the street to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tttotes?section_id=6420956">TT Totes</a> another MA local who sells all things bags. They are all adorable! I had my eye on this gem all day long and would glare at people when they picked it up :) Don't mess with the pregnant lady who knows what she wants!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMTWrG8Oh0wERmldw-X0EiaRl-WmJoDMFd1ZpqJaaMqe0m-MYqMK1f5adR3CutR4LtahFtPglDCgIKK_CZuOmCgEwHDhg2UtZaieq_5g3Idrpiv87J9ClTAuO0rowagDWnU6g-Z_IUA/s1600/DSCN0803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMTWrG8Oh0wERmldw-X0EiaRl-WmJoDMFd1ZpqJaaMqe0m-MYqMK1f5adR3CutR4LtahFtPglDCgIKK_CZuOmCgEwHDhg2UtZaieq_5g3Idrpiv87J9ClTAuO0rowagDWnU6g-Z_IUA/s320/DSCN0803.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I just LOVE it. She even told me what fabric she used so I can buy more and make some matching accessories. I am thinking a matching changing pad and wetbag. Oh and the quality is unbelievable. It has a bunch of pockets, is super sturdy, and of course beautiful!<br />
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She also sells wristlets, handbags, kindle cases, etc. Be sure to check out another local artist! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tttotes?section_id=6420956">TT Totes</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6moSTOH-VQXIfV7fFuRlabV5545Vdg4TB1gluQRlDEBChdJrtrJSALUhSiFM5DAvEIMQ3JH_IKNQq-cZ7JXjs9nu3SFKmOXZoQEVuVSBUz1QItpXl3FXPkTmqLKSfgIGv6CGPFgQNgA/s320/DSCN0802.JPG" width="240" /></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-88655826210003791922011-07-07T15:03:00.000-07:002011-07-07T15:40:05.785-07:00Make Your Own Mobile- Beach Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So in one of my first <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/demo-that-wasnt.html">posts</a> about the nursery I mentioned I wanted to make my own mobile. I had seen a picture on etsy of a mobile I liked - but didn't love - that was made only of paper. Being the beach <strike>obsessed</strike> lover that I am, I wanted to put a beachy flare on the mobile....</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So what should I hang that's beachy and small?</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How about 250 tiny sand dollars? I mean, why not, right? They already have holes! I told myself I would save this super-duper-fun-take-up-a-lot-of-time project until the end of pregnancy when all I wanted to do was sit. Well, I guess I am there!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a simple embroidery hoop, which we spray painted white that I ordered online for $1.30. Wahoo. I bought fishing line from Michaels and ordered the sand dollars online. Then I got my stringing on. And on...and on.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">250 sand dollars later...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpFQ9ZeyBh52zDtjHleyATqS-NMgl52b2L7PabQUGnaSL0RoaeNf_WXZksliGvoUlD8CyDrnu3Gcy7tGJI7JKHIu2eCo2eRz8Qh49FK0sFyHotQDUslLnJiw9Q0O40BcN1YtusEO4zA/s1600/mobile+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpFQ9ZeyBh52zDtjHleyATqS-NMgl52b2L7PabQUGnaSL0RoaeNf_WXZksliGvoUlD8CyDrnu3Gcy7tGJI7JKHIu2eCo2eRz8Qh49FK0sFyHotQDUslLnJiw9Q0O40BcN1YtusEO4zA/s320/mobile+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Doesn't it kinda look like a giant jelly fish?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vFZrq_qeHIsdbXQsA_gwGQsDywdGCCCLGZuayh44sK5QKXRmXJbRtHk78Guxb21Sf21utaQNxlDQF9HpYCZO7Blu-3x32vwtb__QY9RPw2YN8P-u9FzM-MOeXNWOjkQIKupjM2EAqA/s1600/mobile+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vFZrq_qeHIsdbXQsA_gwGQsDywdGCCCLGZuayh44sK5QKXRmXJbRtHk78Guxb21Sf21utaQNxlDQF9HpYCZO7Blu-3x32vwtb__QY9RPw2YN8P-u9FzM-MOeXNWOjkQIKupjM2EAqA/s320/mobile+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My favorite part about it is how giant it is. It totally fills the corner of the room, and I am sure will distract Little B for a <i>few </i>minutes...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLOktWUp6BQtKX0GtE7pQvNAvadq21eIDZIxafU0xgxQjM0EQpcKtCMGAOqv5vdAixaRrAR8H-Pk83Jst-2ZmaV1Tjlucf8HhjLVM19NtP1AB7ukxKjYygltxVJ4WtoWxhFgGF3PlNQ/s320/mobile+3.jpg" width="240" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Has anyone else tried making a mobile? It was kinda fun :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-26348170984762118542011-06-29T12:41:00.000-07:002011-06-29T12:41:47.627-07:0035 Week Bump-Date<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeOtrtLw5uWeIY30YAuTOtAgcbFU_z1WiJdvs8AYX0dSspAaGJah6Wou-rak7VmQa09DBYxTOddDi31CLFAjFEwRvjdBaTi2u0P35Hk4G7QU7dGr7SP1HwdxFoaGRQUK_P9BdxVhnNg/s320/DSCN0810.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time is flying now. 5 Weeks to go. Little B will be here before we know it!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedxyMBj6zBft5cY2f2jjE3KjANd0bHfBsq-OPFYVRxvgSBQbRR5lpVbMTjVy-lwRH5ETzlyNISHQepRknnllcY1cq0k2slZzknDohyslJSQtE_-RnUt0nkMW-zLa-caX739gDJlXpuw/s1600/DSCN0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedxyMBj6zBft5cY2f2jjE3KjANd0bHfBsq-OPFYVRxvgSBQbRR5lpVbMTjVy-lwRH5ETzlyNISHQepRknnllcY1cq0k2slZzknDohyslJSQtE_-RnUt0nkMW-zLa-caX739gDJlXpuw/s320/DSCN0814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>She already loves the beach. I can tell.Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-35290594607412242262011-06-20T15:03:00.000-07:002011-06-20T15:03:37.611-07:00Nothing a Little Spray Paint Can't Fix...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Confession. I have been totally obsessed with the Nate Berkus show lately and what he calls "outdoor living spaces." Unfortunately, these living spaces often come with a pretty price tag. I just want a little area where we can sit and enjoy the backyard (when we are not at the beach.) My parents were kind enough to give us an old table that was on <i>their </i>deck when <i>they </i>first were married. Yeah, we're talking over 25 years old. Rust and all... (I am still very grateful though!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb6K3wC793j16SrZ3M97XDhlFv4ptnZeuSjBfha2V45xO5iq5rARwnCWzRfiTVi0rqcK-67SI9OGKMHaRQPg2I6yzOENkEBkDZQ-fh0cCW3evz3APWdsmOdJWGkce2PBK2ifdfOShyQ/s1600/DSCN0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb6K3wC793j16SrZ3M97XDhlFv4ptnZeuSjBfha2V45xO5iq5rARwnCWzRfiTVi0rqcK-67SI9OGKMHaRQPg2I6yzOENkEBkDZQ-fh0cCW3evz3APWdsmOdJWGkce2PBK2ifdfOShyQ/s320/DSCN0769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Best part? It was free! The glass is in great shape and the metal is just a little <strike>lot </strike>rusty. Insert spray paint here. I chose teal...surprised?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3zYOnhIbWQCMzbbCOEXDYRdSSy3_VZGikscr70LGHOKb6coh0Ov_eBL84ezqJwZQVfXdvtq1ITip5Nt7b1ZddBWizuRQq9rOI4ZH2_wiME3Cm2on0VyfUWXUpz92xTtF8c8zoGcS5w/s320/DSCN0771.JPG" width="240" /></div>Price-tag? 3 or 4 bucks. I can't remember. All we needed was a sunny day....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ofDP-I0VjF5YK2rg6aX1kbvknut9Ki3gIRHhXJazhwG9Bn7m0FYOx2k9wPUe5IToiJLLKeDi7sYaWR-T6U0tRYIrbt7AR3uEFGrh-FEC9ZfVP7nctS9lGUp-27uZG18dMHuPzvC_uA/s1600/DSCN0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ofDP-I0VjF5YK2rg6aX1kbvknut9Ki3gIRHhXJazhwG9Bn7m0FYOx2k9wPUe5IToiJLLKeDi7sYaWR-T6U0tRYIrbt7AR3uEFGrh-FEC9ZfVP7nctS9lGUp-27uZG18dMHuPzvC_uA/s320/DSCN0776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Don't worry about me. I was across the yard using mega-zoom. No spray paint inhalation injuries for preggers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZRW9vLG-J64K9KLA_StcbCvfEpjRzDcMvvrFeCmznAeLY28PL5GWbtEQ6-9xYBFdeNO8T-a2jCmtzI0hzMqykaouLM3zsAEAMpWedXM2IVh27dHyMFZ9I0fL0PqUrKPgiCJMf5Gq8g/s1600/DSCN0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZRW9vLG-J64K9KLA_StcbCvfEpjRzDcMvvrFeCmznAeLY28PL5GWbtEQ6-9xYBFdeNO8T-a2jCmtzI0hzMqykaouLM3zsAEAMpWedXM2IVh27dHyMFZ9I0fL0PqUrKPgiCJMf5Gq8g/s320/DSCN0777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Peter even looked out for the grass and gave the table some booties so the grass could stay green. While he was at it, I grabbed a few ugly plastic pots my mom had given me (still grateful...promise.) and had him paint those as well...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ATEZU3eDQ2vZOjhzSnvfDu-gy9UfAA7xSOVPT5_AfYTIYxpPHcipllPPY-SpTV8Bjmy-unT2VR82BfKW4kDDMfrr4kqiBaz035KdUwHy7DDH17stzT4fsSWJRM8bCOquRL7L50La-Q/s1600/DSCN0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ATEZU3eDQ2vZOjhzSnvfDu-gy9UfAA7xSOVPT5_AfYTIYxpPHcipllPPY-SpTV8Bjmy-unT2VR82BfKW4kDDMfrr4kqiBaz035KdUwHy7DDH17stzT4fsSWJRM8bCOquRL7L50La-Q/s320/DSCN0780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Don't they look great? I bought some grassy stuff at Home Depot and split it in half...little grass for each pot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpC-dc-CbvSt645uTLOwReqNFbXuVf6hmwJxH_GwuG6uxvJ2z0IudoqXvAqqUmY8oBnFQlErfT5QM235Du4ZJSKk2AdXkb6ROM3qZlWfzdXRO8YITse2QhpsBEVvBgCKxNp-M0lE9fg/s1600/DSCN0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpC-dc-CbvSt645uTLOwReqNFbXuVf6hmwJxH_GwuG6uxvJ2z0IudoqXvAqqUmY8oBnFQlErfT5QM235Du4ZJSKk2AdXkb6ROM3qZlWfzdXRO8YITse2QhpsBEVvBgCKxNp-M0lE9fg/s320/DSCN0794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is the patio set-up for now. Chairs and umbrella from Christmas Tree Shop. I had a 10% off your entire purchase and their chairs were just under $20 a pop. Competitive with every other store I looked at. The umbrella was $20 as well. Great quality too. Oh and the rug? Well if you could feel it...it's not super "ruggy". It's got a little more plastic feeling to it but dries super quick after rain (Unlike rugs) AND I got it off Amazon with free shipping and it was $55! All the other outdoor rugs were well into the hundreds! We love it. Makes it feel like we have an extra room in the house. Oh yeah and the rug will hopefully prevent some of those dreaded summer time splinters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwWNhDH2w2HMA1F-bn-Om5YYbg7DRx3IqxO4ii0x_8BxuMbnVs1QEfI5So19d9M_RP9PQj7a9EM3FzP9SxJj8U_pvp1gw8Nts85JJS0NHRPmTMwr-CJUbQjc5vhEn1knGSfxB5gq47g/s1600/DSCN0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwWNhDH2w2HMA1F-bn-Om5YYbg7DRx3IqxO4ii0x_8BxuMbnVs1QEfI5So19d9M_RP9PQj7a9EM3FzP9SxJj8U_pvp1gw8Nts85JJS0NHRPmTMwr-CJUbQjc5vhEn1knGSfxB5gq47g/s320/DSCN0799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Good thing we finished this project this week. We have a few friends coming over for a birthday celebration tonight. Birthday? What? Oh yeah it's my birthday! Gotta go get ready for our shindig. Peter's keeping most of it a surprise...I wonder what we are eating- I'm starved!Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-50761299120153147102011-06-15T13:32:00.000-07:002011-06-15T13:32:57.785-07:00Dining Room ProgressThought I would fill y'all in with a little dining room update since I am sure most of you have been on the edge of your <strike>couches/lazy-boys</strike> seats in anticipation of the wall demo reveal. Progress on that <i>real </i>soon. Ahem...husband?<br />
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So let's recap a little on the dining room journey. Remember what it looked like when we moved in? Want to see the rest of the place with nothing in it? Check it out in our <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/p/our-house.html">house tour</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJOvgIn_QHbmQo4758-n4PyFJAsT12PveH8tClajzRB_YgpM_PGMYHzpFDTldxSvdZUDx2gUmPkNbII9YcO_uO_MyPwzhKWpm6PVTFfJapoSrU3mWMW4ZpE9bFAVsINmhjSpzXlsaJw/s1600/DSCN0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJOvgIn_QHbmQo4758-n4PyFJAsT12PveH8tClajzRB_YgpM_PGMYHzpFDTldxSvdZUDx2gUmPkNbII9YcO_uO_MyPwzhKWpm6PVTFfJapoSrU3mWMW4ZpE9bFAVsINmhjSpzXlsaJw/s320/DSCN0609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As you remember from this <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/room-weve-never-had-before.html">post</a> we have never had a dining room and had to start from scratch. We got the furniture on Craigs list and on a crazy <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/does-going-to-ikea-count-as-date.html">Ikea</a> adventure. This is what I wanted the room to resemble from Ballard Designs:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWPzA3TDe15BAm_jNFupvgL0Y8WYOhcR1ccU3D-9pwFvcIXPrx0fY5vjsqjG0qAdTixRY47Jr_9lfqMn860UqnrpbNb5XgMIFiB6vEqbTHqgKuqYxjF5M8nTAJ-W-VvzthWe3UZNSSg/s1600/ballard+designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWPzA3TDe15BAm_jNFupvgL0Y8WYOhcR1ccU3D-9pwFvcIXPrx0fY5vjsqjG0qAdTixRY47Jr_9lfqMn860UqnrpbNb5XgMIFiB6vEqbTHqgKuqYxjF5M8nTAJ-W-VvzthWe3UZNSSg/s320/ballard+designs.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
I definitely didn't want those kinda price tags though. Luckily Mommy the sewing-extraordianaire stepped in and took over the slipcover making fiasco. Remember round #1?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDDGW6rHUiJ0TyYkpdUSW0lVz1bmCF7FD4NOblcsHcUucFli2phT96Vd02dKu_tcVB3f6qOLr1uCzpekub2iJG1Z3_QvqJ12Jf2Oq_FERakx-fIgdTKMJ66YjhcvbOxKs4b2uDIzrag/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDDGW6rHUiJ0TyYkpdUSW0lVz1bmCF7FD4NOblcsHcUucFli2phT96Vd02dKu_tcVB3f6qOLr1uCzpekub2iJG1Z3_QvqJ12Jf2Oq_FERakx-fIgdTKMJ66YjhcvbOxKs4b2uDIzrag/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Well, she perfected the pattern while I was busy prepping myself for Little B and <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/06/arts-fest-beverly-in-t-minus-4-days.html">Arts Fest Beverly</a>!<br />
Look at how nice the slipcovers look!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKgch4_5vMyeH9XrGL7CdjBYdbX88ynp1Mm-Do8OA15RVVuZ8vJ-A_Kp5tZYuYUbGzkhzdlfTeFoCc_b8Ympp8fEwkLKOcBwRVsmL0fyM1YvhkWlsmJbT6Vl69x_Cv0G9ftn_YA9jRA/s1600/DSCN0785_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKgch4_5vMyeH9XrGL7CdjBYdbX88ynp1Mm-Do8OA15RVVuZ8vJ-A_Kp5tZYuYUbGzkhzdlfTeFoCc_b8Ympp8fEwkLKOcBwRVsmL0fyM1YvhkWlsmJbT6Vl69x_Cv0G9ftn_YA9jRA/s320/DSCN0785_2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The best part about them? They can be taken off and washed! Bring on the mess Little B! See if I can handle you...<br />
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Ok, as promised here is the progress so far:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeLfIRNhMmYvTnBdeuaytDVoAKMRQmWdv8Y8Wig3M7uj8ScKmmNVjAST2_AuKprywgBIDCsobpIZgLvVCl06Vq94ZV6to139DlONa-3CdQWdPQA_6f8zsn8qxH_Qx9KrMVpdcd-lklg/s1600/dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeLfIRNhMmYvTnBdeuaytDVoAKMRQmWdv8Y8Wig3M7uj8ScKmmNVjAST2_AuKprywgBIDCsobpIZgLvVCl06Vq94ZV6to139DlONa-3CdQWdPQA_6f8zsn8qxH_Qx9KrMVpdcd-lklg/s320/dining+room.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Doesn't the back of the <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/05/paint-hutch-dining-bliss.html">hutch</a> match the chairs perfectly? I can hardly contain myself. The only thing that bothers me terribly is the chandelier in the <i>center </i>of the room. I mean really? Where would you walk if I put the table in the center? Tossing around ideas without moving the electrical right now. Anyone ever encountered this problem? I also want to add some curtains to the bay windows sometime soon. Thanks to my friend Jill for getting us that cute plant on the table as a housewarming gift. We love it!Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-11833483555927524822011-06-14T17:38:00.000-07:002011-06-14T17:38:17.398-07:00Arts Fest Beverly in T-Minus 4 Days!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So many people have been asking me why I haven't been in full force with Cottage on The Coast, my <a href="http://www.cottageonthecoast.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> shop. Well, I <i>have </i>been busy sewing, just not for the shop! <a href="http://beverlymainstreets.org/arts-fest-beverly-43.html">Arts Fest Beverly</a> is in 4 DAYS! Wahoo :) This was the first craft fair I did last summer, and it was so much fun! It was so great to see happy customers walk away with things that <i>I </i>made. So, I'm back at it again.<br />
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Join us in downtown Beverly from 10-4 where they are going to shut down Cabot Street just for us (well not just Pete and me)! Here is a glimpse of a few of the things I've been working on:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJc5TkifLrmYKRsPSrIRayjxycTi7OntHE7BmrOf1WFTO-geEUnp_EuPcrQdK3YQnbzo_ZOyMjJ5iJSpfOIdlJxOOAzWPm90jAlhk87oTLcXMMD72eGceYbuetA5nBIqCobN6x9MzSg/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some items that will be available include: Bib/Burp cloths, appliqued onesies and t-shirts, blankets, pacifier clips, crayon rolls, colored pencil rolls, reusable sandwich bags, and more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8w0J5kFcN1osjkY3p3BziNgdIqMBro-NxFNddiCjH29T37TOLy5DX-ppgwe5CIsZ0nAJ2L_uFgJ3j24kbGk2Q9peji04FqAnCLMk6jc3jsl1GtBXX8eSqaG7UakYmCUW42I7nT0qeg/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8w0J5kFcN1osjkY3p3BziNgdIqMBro-NxFNddiCjH29T37TOLy5DX-ppgwe5CIsZ0nAJ2L_uFgJ3j24kbGk2Q9peji04FqAnCLMk6jc3jsl1GtBXX8eSqaG7UakYmCUW42I7nT0qeg/s320/photo%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>So don't forget to come down for a stroll, support your local artists, and enjoy the summer sun!Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-22838419613306276122011-06-12T18:01:00.000-07:002011-06-14T05:53:15.804-07:00All About ClothI have been asked by many people in the last few months what our diapering situation is going to look like. I am thrilled to respond: Cloth Diapers!! That's when people look at me funny and reply "haha...good luck!"<br />
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Well, that only makes me want to prove everyone wrong. I am so excited to save a ton of money by avoiding "sposies" - as the cloth diapering world calls them. I would love to tell you all that my primary motivation for cloth diapering is to save the planet, go green, etc. Yes, this is an added bonus, and I am thrilled I am helping keep "sposies" out of landfills...really. But let's get real. I am <i>totally</i> pumped to save some serious cash. Another motivating factor for me is to keep all those chemicals found in "sposies" away from Little B's bottom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCXxZvfYxy7ioT_gAildzr7bMvea5hY7zvXf-ZMXUtDbqmnZL7_BMMcR3mLUuA_XEPpR3CNzPuYz0I2cljQnWW8j_gPzW1-pF58EO5QnlGlA1-A9jMpmvh88gCT3ly4IgLs8p78xU8Q/s1600/flip-Small-Ribbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCXxZvfYxy7ioT_gAildzr7bMvea5hY7zvXf-ZMXUtDbqmnZL7_BMMcR3mLUuA_XEPpR3CNzPuYz0I2cljQnWW8j_gPzW1-pF58EO5QnlGlA1-A9jMpmvh88gCT3ly4IgLs8p78xU8Q/s1600/flip-Small-Ribbit.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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So you decide cloth diapering could work for you. Now what? I did a TON of research and found a cute little shop online that breaks everything down for cloth diapering novices. It's called <a href="http://www.littleneetchers.com/">littleneetchers</a> and they are based out of northern Minnesota. The owners' write-up on <a href="http://www.littleneetchers.com/index.php?main_page=page_3">"Cloth Diapering 101"</a> had me at hello. They even have a registry where I chose the diapers I wanted and family/friends could help us out.<br />
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By far, I found the cheapest option is to use Flip Covers (Picture above) for $13.95 each and Bummis Organic Unbleached Prefolds (Set of 6 for $10). From what I have read, it's worth it to pay a few extra bucks for these prefolds vs. cheapo Gerber ones that are made with polyester and end up repelling "stuff" instead of absorbing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVn_RntZK79Bs7BHq8SFPcOLwOxblOewkj_x7Vhz419mc_f5lWyM9Wn361qeGnVqEf_raKxyKaOZF4InXSMEhLtG-A2johKU2wjief7aCur-FiJEic0PhoMkEzGibZIJs5ZtuvSYJ1w/s1600/bm-Organic-Prefold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVn_RntZK79Bs7BHq8SFPcOLwOxblOewkj_x7Vhz419mc_f5lWyM9Wn361qeGnVqEf_raKxyKaOZF4InXSMEhLtG-A2johKU2wjief7aCur-FiJEic0PhoMkEzGibZIJs5ZtuvSYJ1w/s320/bm-Organic-Prefold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Lastly, a must have for my stash are the Bum Genius Stay Dry Doublers that you throw in the diaper at night or for heavy wetters. The fleece absorbs moisture and wicks it away from those little tushies, preventing redness.<br />
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We are still working out the numbers on all of these beauties. Don't you worry. Peter-I-Love-Excel will probably make us a nice breakdown of cost on these once we get our stash situated. I will be sure to update everyone on our progress. It's exciting isn't it? Hopefully I made <i>someone </i>out there think cloth diapering may be worth looking into. Check out LittleNeetchers.com and ask her questions- that's what she is there for!Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-64572474107487283092011-06-09T16:50:00.001-07:002011-06-09T16:52:45.316-07:00New Look!As you can see...we've been busy. Our Cottage On the Coast has a new look :) You likey?<br />
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Oh and look at our new Button:<br />
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Exciting things happening around this house.Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-16401769706602489822011-06-02T15:07:00.000-07:002011-06-02T15:07:08.728-07:00Little Projects Make Me Feel Good...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I was getting a little antsy this past weekend and wanted to see some significant changes in the nursery. It's all about the details baby. I started by painting this old IKEA frame I had lying around the same color as the trim. I used a staple gun (an essential) to attach leftover fabric from the curtain to the backing of the frame. Then, I simply hot glued these cutesy starfish I had lying around from our wedding to finish the piece!<br />
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Next I used some of the leftover fabric from the crib skirt to line this basket I bought at Michael's (with a coupon!). Look at all of the wonderful little things Little B has been given already! Our little swimmer is already kicking around in excitement to play with these wonderful things.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbEPekrFELqbzKGG3VhKVPA1Fv6L8cfCM-xBcpsDJXg8_spbmbxVtvyEjvcThRQ4UMGOTkhedrE4Qd_ylH8MohdqBu5rUPvbZjhZmlofJGsZ8uI_hEd-EzCEMdCsBk3hBZo2_X8H6bw/s1600/DSCN0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbEPekrFELqbzKGG3VhKVPA1Fv6L8cfCM-xBcpsDJXg8_spbmbxVtvyEjvcThRQ4UMGOTkhedrE4Qd_ylH8MohdqBu5rUPvbZjhZmlofJGsZ8uI_hEd-EzCEMdCsBk3hBZo2_X8H6bw/s320/DSCN0742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then I made a few little pillows out of coordinating fabric to throw in the crib until Little B occupies that space...<br />
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Look this side of the room is almost done! All we need is that great <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/demo-that-wasnt.html">mobile</a> that I have been dreaming about for above the crib.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's definitely starting to feel like a nursery! 9 Weeks and counting. Don't little projects make you feel so much more accomplished?</div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-56879580873656933352011-05-31T17:44:00.000-07:002011-05-31T17:44:21.979-07:00Memorial Day Grill Lovin'So to kick off summer in style we found it only fitting to buy our first "big" person grill none other than Memorial Day weekend. After talking with countless people and accepting loads of advice (most of which was out of our price range) we settled on this black beauty:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtq1EP5WPFuvRh8M5WdPz23044BK2vZGLXhiGF_-aRugAI6WJqPUG5O07RYa6SeYnozoNTXcDUWRdFm5W7AIu5FJg0F__u_LTBbU719p5yMX_dndpwXR1U_Z6k49Ythh2uk1LHxDDvw/s400/Picture+11.png" width="400" /> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It's certainly not as magnificent as all of the other grills at the Depot...but we were just as thrilled to roll out of there with this on our dolly. But first, we had to checkout. We pull up to the register giddy that black beauty was already assembled for us and the checkout lady asked if we want a 2 year warranty for $12. On an $88 dolla-grill? So what you're saying is we can get a brand new grill in the next 2 years if something breaks? For free? Yes please. Oh yeah and we had a 10% off Lowe's coupon that Home Depot will honor. So essentially we got the warranty for free.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What should we make for our first meal? A friend gave us a great burger idea and here is the recipe I used (I made them in bulk to freeze so we will be happy burger eaters this summer).</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Organic Black Bean and Brie Stuffed Burgers</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4 lbs. Organic Ground Beef </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Diced Red Onions</div><div> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Cans Organic Black Beans</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp. Garlic Powder</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp. Ground Cumin</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp. Salt</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 tsp. Pepper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIDTfzDf9ShAteCmwemT1PrgOIKoKCI4cIxhvu2nSfYdX9Xa3sOf0U_qNNrXaoYO8EadaxCdJwIgjYDCkNZqvUQ20ehIZ3rjvrY6gR6dEmtF1dOzD2YIt4mMlxRRZkP61DubCZJtXrA/s320/DSCN0754.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First I sauteed the onions until they were tender. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW38fTX09llW1Vsvmn2p-IiHtWW6p1EsNXB9yGBG0xI6p2OgiEIIUNM_13j6gMGG6jzPqW-gS1Fm-kxbNTllZZZyUOiUKsJeNRwhpgYvz2_q3OO7z7ITEmzJEeOT9BScWHfQXqeU8vVQ/s320/DSCN0757.JPG" width="320" /></div>Then I combined the meat, onions, black beans, and seasonings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInpExRqhLS6akfBO-313I65Z1yQ9Wbkfi2qyIi3th8INRnZJ2M6hp6gEx8bISLhaVeZzUY2lKQM5dlEy8LobOCvg0R6beis6V35vYSbNg2HluRuMin1uvnafJ5XkD3gvrdtjAHBQQCA/s1600/DSCN0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInpExRqhLS6akfBO-313I65Z1yQ9Wbkfi2qyIi3th8INRnZJ2M6hp6gEx8bISLhaVeZzUY2lKQM5dlEy8LobOCvg0R6beis6V35vYSbNg2HluRuMin1uvnafJ5XkD3gvrdtjAHBQQCA/s320/DSCN0759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I added a dollop of brie in the middle of each burger. Did you know you are supposed to press down in the middle of the burger so they cook <i>evenly</i>? Look! I made 20 burgers. Lot's of fun this summer...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWtA1RkA743TCBlqQIZL8pSLsPTjwyCIGZK-aIIFtadAknQm4MgiRApdE59UZoTwop-WtvgnTyW2lO6IHr__XLin7NotBj_qFYctGMPeZONQOa2g4cNiT7cyE_Xs1S8NLiUmigbZ60Q/s1600/DSCN0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWtA1RkA743TCBlqQIZL8pSLsPTjwyCIGZK-aIIFtadAknQm4MgiRApdE59UZoTwop-WtvgnTyW2lO6IHr__XLin7NotBj_qFYctGMPeZONQOa2g4cNiT7cyE_Xs1S8NLiUmigbZ60Q/s320/DSCN0766.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Ta Da! Here is the final product. I made up some summer slaw with bok choy and cabbage to go with the burgers. It was the perfect Memorial Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk2tbHombzCBFS6xZ4rOe0w7x1-rEkvb-o8NeU6nrphWKOT-U_n_SSRqtCadLoQaqYzgtZs-aT5qrXXZSVb2mjj7LMiGMiFUNQbQeqFUlATC3jrNGh5Z9oA1ccmL3H2O-E0GK8z2_uQ/s1600/DSCN0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk2tbHombzCBFS6xZ4rOe0w7x1-rEkvb-o8NeU6nrphWKOT-U_n_SSRqtCadLoQaqYzgtZs-aT5qrXXZSVb2mjj7LMiGMiFUNQbQeqFUlATC3jrNGh5Z9oA1ccmL3H2O-E0GK8z2_uQ/s320/DSCN0768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835624642443130791.post-41104833723646421042011-05-29T04:46:00.000-07:002011-05-29T04:46:14.609-07:0030 Week Bump-DateIt was beautiful weather here this week so we celebrated with a walk on the beach. I've had some requests for a bump update. Here it is!<br />
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Hope everyone has a great Sunday! We are off to church and the farm and working on the dreaded <a href="http://ourcottageonthecoast.blogspot.com/2011/05/demo.html">beam</a> project. It's not so dreaded anymore though. It's coming along but we can't change halfway and call it the "fun" beam project. It's been named. End of story.Our Cottage On The Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05577426334427534038noreply@blogger.com0