tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63582278938966654942024-02-20T08:16:27.672-05:00All you need is love...Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-69916808068048142692012-09-25T10:10:00.002-04:002012-09-25T10:15:09.230-04:00Billy's early birthday gift. Billy turns the big 1-0 in three weeks. He has a long list of stuff for us to pick what we wanted to get him for his birthday. A bike being one of them. I don't think Billy's ever had a brand new bicycle before.<br />
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With the days cooling down quickly we decided to give it to him now, rather then wait another three weeks.<br />
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He came home from school and I handed him a pile of laundry to put away. He couldn't open his door because the bike had fallen over against it. He was shocked and thrilled with his early birthday gift.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/8021152652/" title="020 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="020" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8021152652_72a79496ba.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/8021139398/" title="011 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="011" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/8021139398_634a1047cf.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/8021145536/" title="013 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="013" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8021145536_6fc8ee9a09.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/8021904590/" title="018 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="018" height="312" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8021904590_8f8b8cdfb0.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-71661609814533309042012-09-22T22:18:00.001-04:002012-09-22T22:18:09.271-04:00Instagram: I'm addicted. My newest addiction is Instagram.<br />
If you'd like to follow me, I'm: melissalaurelriley<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/8013911428/" title="Test...seeing if I got instagram to go to Flickr... by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="Test...seeing if I got instagram to go to Flickr..." height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/8013911428_e48566904c.jpg" width="500" /></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-2624881431665221502012-09-22T21:44:00.001-04:002012-09-22T21:44:41.170-04:00Declan and Dad<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7974881684/" title="059 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7974881684_a77a19201f.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="059"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-1546175834224026142012-09-22T21:42:00.000-04:002012-09-22T21:42:25.757-04:00September in a nutshell. What we've been up to lately...<br />
Sept 4th was the first day school, (God bless their teachers!!)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7929696718/" title="011 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="011" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/7929696718_477ba1d0b1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Logan is playing soccer<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7974877386/" title="029 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="029" height="374" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/7974877386_b8fa0399d4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Ben is playing soccer<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7959369476/" title="003 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="003" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8301/7959369476_8ca4fa8405.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Garrett started Pre-K<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7977080555/" title="001 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="001" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/7977080555_8911fb3f9c.jpg" width="299" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7977078191/" title="012 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="012" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/7977078191_82ed5b1871.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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We are still adjusting to going from no dog...to a 70lb boxer.<br />
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I've been dying yarn,<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7983686350/" title="039 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="039" height="281" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/7983686350_144fb405c8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7957892552/" title="034 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="034" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7957892552_991064ded5.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7957836664/" title="049 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="049" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/7957836664_ddc1896752.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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and knitting as much as possible,<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7939184454/" title="020 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="020" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/7939184454_5dbc9b67a4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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And trying to soak up every second with Declan as it won't be long before he's in school and I'm forced to grow up and get a real job. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7977082811/" title="017 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="017" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/7977082811_c9c55a0e4b.jpg" width="399" /></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-56326153564553081472012-08-31T22:21:00.000-04:002012-08-31T22:43:13.815-04:00The Lifeguard StandDuring the summer we visit a local state park beach 1-3x's a week depending on Shaun's schedule and the weather. As summer winds down, and the tourist leave, the beach transforms from busy tourist dump to a serene wonderland. No tourist means no lifeguard. :) So we got to play on their stand.<br />
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The ramp is much harder to walk up and down then you would think.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7903683406/" title="028 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="028" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8451/7903683406_d208b001a6.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Look at me and smile!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7891728800/" title="039 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="039" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7891728800_038631fbc0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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That's as good as it's going to get...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7891712084/" title="046 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="046" height="344" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/7891712084_0aa05c372b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Future Lifeguard<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7891470038/" title="055 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="055" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7891470038_1dacaa46f6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Future Lifeguards<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7891760696/" title="057 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="057" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7891760696_b930cb8572.jpg" width="399" /></a><br />
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Going down...they always send the little one down first...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7901907300/" title="047 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="047" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8451/7901907300_8eae85494d.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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Ben the brave was next...I spy a plan hatching in Garrett's mind...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7901896978/" title="049 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="049" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/7901896978_101cea0b23.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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Garrett throws himself down...butt first...expecting to slide all the way to the bottom. But instead the little strips of texture stopped him. He didn't slide at all. He just went "thump" and then inched down on his butt as he was not about to let go of his brilliant plan. His butt must have hurt a bit, but he gets mad props for knowing there is an easier way to get down a steep incline.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7901903472/" title="050 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="050" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/7901903472_18c045db1a.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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It started to thunder and we saw storm clouds roll in about a mile away so we packed up and left our little slice of heaven behind.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7903829270/" title="072 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="072" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/7903829270_60edbfa94c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7891451704/" title="078 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="078" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8311/7891451704_1c7598de5f.jpg" width="500" /></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-49509495872766193342012-06-15T19:00:00.000-04:002012-06-15T19:00:52.337-04:00Kettle Dyed :: Silver Lilac, Turquoise Brown, Light Turquoise Silver BrownOOAK kettle dyed colorways on Kona Worsted Superwash yarn. I can repeat them but not exactly as I layered the colors at will. They are not hand painted colorways, they are intricate layers of colors which results in two skeins never being exactly the same. <br />
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I'm using the Silver Lilac to knit Maggie a sweater. The Turquoise Brown will be something for Declan or Garrett, and the Light Turquoise Silver Brown will be going in my Etsy shop once I get it re-skeined.<br />
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7187428621/" title="Kettle Dyed - Kona Worsted by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7187428621_9b9aae8e0c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Kettle Dyed - Kona Worsted"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7188316621/" title="068 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7188316621_a52e16080d.jpg" width="500" height="272" alt="068"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7376539664/" title="058 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7376539664_b9af941156.jpg" width="500" height="348" alt="058"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7376546956/" title="060 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7376546956_8f62ea66f1.jpg" width="500" height="365" alt="060"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-76177173792512138962012-06-15T18:42:00.002-04:002012-06-15T18:42:31.352-04:00Colorway :: Petunia<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Petunia :: </span></b>Purple, lilac, yellow/green, light turquoise, and coral pink.</div>
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Petunia on Aran BFL
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7372652734/" title="Petunia on Aran BFL by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="Petunia on Aran BFL" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7372652734_ddd482d69d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7187425533/" title="Petunia on Aran BFL by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="Petunia on Aran BFL" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7187425533_f0e2d4b859.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7372657628/" title="Petunia on Aran BFL by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="Petunia on Aran BFL" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/7372657628_60baa9fd31.jpg" width="500" /></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-63083004138368447842012-06-11T21:47:00.003-04:002012-06-11T21:47:48.201-04:00A color filled Monday.I dyed 2.5 pounds of wool today. A few skeins of Aran BFL, and every last bit of Kona worsted superwash I had.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7362613360/" title="008 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="008" height="382" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7362613360_7d814fb451.jpg" width="500" /></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-71372166504564957222012-06-07T11:53:00.000-04:002012-06-07T11:53:28.670-04:00Knitting Update: 6/7/2012I've been knitting non-stop since my last knitting update. All my project notes can be found in my ravelry project page/profile: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/melissalaurel">http://www.ravelry.com/projects/melissalaurel</a><br />
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I dyed the blue semi-solid yarn for these, the colorway is "Woodland in Spring" by Mosaic Moon. They are for a re-peat customer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7342108380/" title="003 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="003" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7342108380_f8ea285c13.jpg" width="370" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7156859733/" title="006 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="006" height="404" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7156859733_4115426fdf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I knit these small/medium shorties and put them in my Etsy shop earlier this week.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7156895777/" title="010 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="010" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7156895777_160d6640b5.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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A scrappy cardigan on 3ply merino, all dyed by Mosaic Moon. Buttons are from Tessa Ann:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7205105172/" title="019 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="019" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7205105172_d1779796cf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This little top/dress was done on Organic Gaia Aran which was dyed by Mosaic Moon in their "New Beginnings" colorway with matching trims:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6983282740/" title="a028 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="a028" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/6983282740_f04fd41171.jpg" width="461" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7129365403/" title="a027 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="a027" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7129365403_d2b9d09a22.jpg" width="359" /></a><br />
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I knit a soaker from the same yarn to match it:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7303153082/" title="013 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="013" height="356" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7303153082_8a207820cc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The set would make an beautiful "take home" set for a newborn baby girl.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7303121714/" title="029 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="029" height="340" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7303121714_0dc243ef0e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Rainbow soakers in sizes Medium, Small, and Newborn:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7125684751/" title="rainbowsoakers by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="rainbowsoakers" height="345" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7125684751_d68eb62144.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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A soaker knit in my own "Beach Boy" colorway:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6983276532/" title="004edit by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="004edit" height="469" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/6983276532_cb8d58b63a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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On the needles right now I have...<br />
This newborn sized sweater that's done on fingering weight yarn that I dyed in a line green semi-solid.<br />
I have to buy a needle before I can finish it (magic loop the arms):<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7303144752/" title="014 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="014" height="373" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7303144752_fbb34a5906.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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A medium/large'sih shorties that will be up on Etsy later this week:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7156819029/" title="017 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="017" height="373" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7156819029_056ebb79e2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I'm casting on a pair of longies for Declan next.Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-83187758803362765652012-06-02T21:23:00.001-04:002012-06-02T21:23:18.188-04:00Maine Fiber Frolic 2012This is the second year we attended the Maine Fiber Frolic. I have left both times feeling inspired and re-energized. It was cool and damp this year so the boys didn't seem to have as much fun but the animals were a huge hit.<br />
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We watched Border Collie dogs heard sheep and goats around a field. The dogs were amazing, I could have watched them all day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323324634/" title="009 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="009" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7323324634_740816ba2e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323333122/" title="004 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="004" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7102/7323333122_84c56ebfcc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323321362/" title="014 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="014" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7323321362_412fe9723e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323318290/" title="016 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="016" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7323318290_368df004b0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323313484/" title="022 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="022" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7323313484_0b47c4af1b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323298630/" title="029 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="029" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7323298630_e212a5d24d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323308660/" title="023 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="023" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7323308660_d5e787a29e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This sheep "Baaaaaa'd" loudly in Declan's face scaring the crap out of him. Poor kid was pouring crocodile tears and shaking for a few minutes afterwards. Maybe the sheep got excited...you know....when he noticed Declan was also wearing wool. :)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323341726/" title="027 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="027" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7323341726_c0035ea6a2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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My mom holding an adorable angora bunny.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323304608/" title="028 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="028" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7323304608_a466c6a1e9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The beautiful skein of yarn my mother bought me. It's a gorgeous deep red which will be one of these someday: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zuzus-petals">Zuzu's Petals</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7323279942/" title="040 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="040" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7323279942_c6b09f8579.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Maybe next year I'll have it together enough to be a vendor.Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-14524690852799205552012-05-24T19:53:00.000-04:002012-05-24T19:53:18.514-04:00No Fuss Apple PieI don't know what was better, how this dessert tasted...or the smell of my house while it was baking. Both were amazing. The boys ate theirs in seconds. After they licked their plates they begged for more. Puff pasty is one of my absolute favorite things in the entire world though...so I may be biased.<br />
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<b>Link to recipe:</b> <a href="http://www.puffpastry.com/recipe/24047/no-fuss-fruit-pie#">http://www.puffpastry.com/recipe/24047/no-fuss-fruit-pie#</a><br />
<b>Link to topping recipe:</b> <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Puff-Pastry-Apple-Turnovers">http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Puff-Pastry-Apple-Turnovers</a><br />
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<b>My notes:</b> I omitted the egg wash as Declan is allergic to egg whites. I still wanted something sweet on top so I used a butter/sugar/cinnamon topping from another recipe, and doubled it. I dumped it on this time and the extra burnt on a bit around the "pie", I'll probably just brush it carefully on next time. We're on a "no high fructose corn syrup" kick so we used Premium Apple Pie filling which had nothing but apples, sugar and spices in it. A scoop of vanilla ice cream would have worked with it nicely.<br />
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Not the most beautiful dessert ever, but it got 5 thumbs up from the boys = WIN<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7264630392/" title="078 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="078" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7264630392_3f5c5efbe3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7264645058/" title="064 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="064" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7264645058_20ec960b41.jpg" width="500" /></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-9934449200764385102012-05-18T21:46:00.000-04:002012-05-18T21:46:07.509-04:00Cinnamon Rolls, Baked Beans, & Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes,I've been busy learning how to cook. I mean really cook. Dishes from scratch with no pre-made crap that contains a million ingredients. I'm fairly certain MSG is causing me to have horrific migraines so I'm slowly purging all boxed crap from our lives/pantry.<br />
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<b>Cinnamon Rolls </b><br />
Ben's requested birthday breakfast. </div>
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Link to recipe: <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/cinnamon-rolls-recipe">http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/cinnamon-rolls-recipe</a></div>
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My modifications: I doubled the amount of "cinnamon filling" and also doubled the amount of "vanilla glaze" and they were perfection. I don't like dry cinnamon rolls...the gooey stick to your fingers kind is what I was going for and got.</div>
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I did not get a finished photo of these...only because they were gone so quickly. Like the second the frosting hit them the boys devoured them.</div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7168225226/" title="008 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="008" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7168225226_1fe347b0e0.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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<b>Baked Beans</b><br />
I've made them in the crockpot and although they are okay that way...they take forever to make. This recipe was much faster and tasted delicious. My molasses were a bit strong as we used blackstrap molasses but otherwise they came out perfect. </div>
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Link to recipie: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/boston-baked-beans/detail.aspx">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/boston-baked-beans/detail.aspx</a><br />
Modifications: I had to triple the recipe because I soaked our beans before reading that I only needed 2 cups of them. I obmitted the bacon and added a little extra onion. Since I took out the bacon I added a splash of olive oil to make up for the loss of fat/grease. As they cooked I added water as I prefer runny beans.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7212158488/" title="001 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="001" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7212158488_fe1ba79a97.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7212143052/" title="003 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="003" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7212143052_5bb370fbfb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<b>Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes</b><br />
Link to recipe: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pasta-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-recipe/index.html"> http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pasta-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-recipe/index.html</a><br />
Modifications: I ran our of mozarella so we added about 1/2lb, Shaun doesn't like olives at all so I only halved them so they would be easy for him to pick out. We are going to make this again but I'd probably double the dressing next time. I loved the flavor and wanted more (I actually added a splash of Kraft Zesty Italian to mine...Shaun didn't). Oh and we used Wacky Mac instead of real fusilli.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7212094928/" title="018 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="018" height="333" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5111/7212094928_7f6171dc3a.jpg" width="500" /></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-77974659383687075932012-05-18T21:22:00.000-04:002012-05-18T21:22:56.969-04:00Riley Family UpdateA little update, we've been busy with life and all the things that keep our household running (cleaning/laundry/working/school) and I've been working quite a bit.<br />
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Ben turned 6 years old on May 10th. I know it's said much too often but time really does fly. It really seems like just a year or two we brought him home from the hospital. That tiny baby who screamed and screamed and threw up constantly.<br />
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He's come a long way in the past six years. Today he's a thriving little boy who has an incredibly giving heart and is hands down the most agile child I've ever seen. He's learning to read and loves to draw. A few pieces of blank paper and a pen will keep him busy for hours. He's an amazing artist and has nearly perfect handwriting.<br />
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Opening a few gifts on the morning of his birthday:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7171447422/" title="011 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="011" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7171447422_1801736e26.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We had a cookout and cake and ice cream for him on the Saturday following his real birthday:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7185518938/" title="065 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="065" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7185518938_09a2f5a0ef.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7185486094/" title="052 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="052" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7185486094_7635cc137c.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7183932126/" title="037 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="037" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7183932126_8032b79a90.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7183569668/" title="064 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="064" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7183569668_87826433ed.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7185464426/" title="071 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="071" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/7185464426_e34f63c901.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Being the event photographer and hostess does not work well.<br />
So there are only a few photos...but the food was good.<br />
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In other news...we moved Declan to a "big boy bed" at the end of April.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6954460484/" title="023 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="023" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/6954460484_ef576e2364.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I've been working on my cooking skills. That's a whole 'nother blog post though. :) Oh!! AND there'll be a post about knitting, flowers, and chickens too.Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-7937631860723323202012-04-19T09:52:00.001-04:002012-04-19T09:54:16.800-04:00Knitting Update 4/19/12Recent projects...<br />
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Goldfish shorties for Declan:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6928130458/" title="a009 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/6928130458_bd7f5c550a.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="a009"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7074215397/" title="a011 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7074215397_2c2b13dc1a.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="a011"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6928132246/" title="a012 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6928132246_0730b03485.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="a012"></a><br />
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A few soakers:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7084574983/" title="a009 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/7084574983_f3cac804ba.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="a009"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7051225253/" title="001f by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5280/7051225253_c6e520ed2d.jpg" width="500" height="479" alt="001f"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6901614910/" title="012 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/6901614910_1bcaa28ce4.jpg" width="500" height="474" alt="012"></a><br />
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And a pair of capris:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6896612262/" title="019 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/6896612262_e4895b222b.jpg" width="492" height="500" alt="019"></a><br />
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I have a medium soaker and a newborn sized pair of longies on the needles right now. I'm itching to cast on a scrappy project so Declan may get scrappy shorties this weekend.Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-14799667068609539592012-04-19T09:46:00.000-04:002012-04-19T09:46:28.954-04:00Felted Easter BasketI started this project the day before Easter thinking I would be able to get it done in time to use as decor for Easter Dinner. It didn't happen. Ha ha! I actually finished it up on the Tuesday after Easter.<br />
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Knit from all scraps in singly ply merino, 3 ply merino, BFL, and Licorice Twist.<br />
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Finished project:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7064938829/" title="a043 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7064938829_eafa3e727d.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="a043"></a><br />
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Before felting:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6918690696/" title="a018 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/6918690696_d2766b61a7.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="a018"></a><br />
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After felting:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6918745412/" title="a028 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6918745412_05995be305.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="a028"></a><br />
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Modeled by a dirty-outside-playing Garrett:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6918861810/" title="a042 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6918861810_e2c4b276c6.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="a042"></a><br />
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Modeled by a dirty-outside-playing Declan:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6918865158/" title="a044 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/6918865158_56c6006987.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="a044"></a><br />
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Link to pattern used:<br />
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-petite-felted-bag<br />
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Link to Ravelry project:<br />
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/melissalaurel/a-petite-felted-bagMelissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-2535737334468427782012-03-31T22:39:00.000-04:002012-03-31T22:39:27.821-04:00Ben<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7027802667/" title="024 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7124/7027802667_18686ff6f7.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="024"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-2037467340697163512012-03-27T13:27:00.000-04:002012-03-27T13:27:19.452-04:00Knitting Update 3/27/12We've had such beautiful weather the past two weeks. I watched the boys play outside and knit most of these items. They are all stocking at Bitty Fluff's "All Sizes" stocking on 3/30 @2PM<br />
Project details can be found here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/melissalaurel<br />
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MacLir Soaker <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7017995975/" title="018 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="018" height="357" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6036/7017995975_b538efd7c4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Norway "Fish" Shorties<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/7018089529/" title="019 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="019" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/7018089529_317b258821.jpg" width="484" /></a><br />
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Scrappy Shorties<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6871939106/" title="031 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="031" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6037/6871939106_3c9ff9ecfc.jpg" width="491" /></a><br />
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And I finished these earlier this month but just got around to taking a final photo of them. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6871961366/" title="035 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="035" height="493" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/6871961366_92d718ff7a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I cast on a vest for Ben which is going to be frogged until I find yarn he likes. Apparently light blue is not *him*. RED is what he wants (biggest brother Logan's favorite color...).Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-55655928665312852112012-03-18T15:31:00.000-04:002012-03-18T15:31:25.503-04:00Knitting Update 3/18/12This week, I finished Declan's romper. Which means I didn't get anything done to sell.<br />
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But seeing Declan in his romper makes my heart sing.<br />
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He came in from playing outside (in the MUD!!) and I gave him a quick wash down with some baby wipes and tossed it on him. I love it. I think he loves it. I see a few more of these in our future.<br />
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Since it's short sleeved and short legged it didn't take nearly as much yarn as I assumed it would. I have not weighed it yet, but my guess is (from looking at the scraps) that it took 6.5oz of colorway and 2oz of trim. I went up a needle size from what I usually knit mountain meadow worsted with and I think that helped me get more mileage. He wears a 3T in store bought clothing, I believe the romper is closer to a 4T as it also fits Garrett (and Ben!).<br />
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I did not wash or block it before taking photos and putting it on Declan...so the yarn is still puffy and nothing lays flat/straight...but here are the final pics...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6847529978/" title="005 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6847529978_40340b52e2.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="005"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6993624077/" title="002 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6993624077_d27fa530d5.jpg" width="428" height="500" alt="002"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6993830709/" title="017 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6993830709_3ff985586e.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="017"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6993840683/" title="024 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6993840683_b1b3805129.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="024"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6847734944/" title="029 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6847734944_df791b015e.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="029"></a><br />
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What most photos of Declan actually look like:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6847718298/" title="020 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6847718298_1472f20d8e.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="020"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-89960419392489753272012-03-17T21:17:00.002-04:002012-03-17T22:41:09.790-04:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!While at the post office today a lady walks out and gets in her truck wearing a "cat in the hat" style hat in green and white. Every other day this year we would have pointed and laughed at the silly hat...but today it was normal.<br />
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I love St.Patricks Day. It's time to gather with family with no expectations but a good home cooked meal and some together time. No gifts. Just fun and togetherness. <br />
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We started the day with the little boys finding the gold coins a Leprechaun left for us. Ben came home from school (LOVE his teacher!!) with a Leprechaun ladder and Lucky Charms to bait it with in hopes of catching a Leprechaun. <br />
I'm glad all we "caught" was chocolate. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6844551516/" title="038 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="038" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6844551516_faf3904a7e.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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We hit the parade in Bath. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6991390377/" title="078 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="078" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6991390377_d55b1e2ab5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6845287700/" title="066 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="066" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6845287700_c687280e21.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6991405091/" title="061 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="061" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6991405091_bafdfb2337.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6845290974/" title="064 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="064" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6845290974_97c49f0386.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The parade crew...Shaun, the boys, & my parents<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6845295622/" title="051 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="051" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6845295622_c9c8b71f7b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Grandpa and Niece Maggie<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6844563302/" title="056 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="056" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6844563302_8d957170da.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Irish Fire Chief Billy<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6990727845/" title="080 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="080" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6990727845_044a43ebb7.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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The boys enjoyed the gorgeous sunshine, and played outside while Shaun and I cleaned house and cooked dinner.<br />
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We did a traditional corned beef, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage boiled dinner. It was so good. Meals that cook all day are the best.<br />
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It was my second time in the past 6 months eating red meat. I'm stuffed and for sure going to suffer for it tomorrow, but I am certain it was worth it. <br />
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For dessert I made these adorable rainbow cupcakes. I saw some like this on pinterest and knew I had to make them when I saw the "airheads extreme" candy at Wallgreens the other day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6990741365/" title="086 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="086" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6990741365_a863efc393.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Of course I had to make two batches, some with eggs and some using Declan's egg replacer. I tinted Declan's orange and the egg version green so we could easily tell the difference.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6990734263/" title="084 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="084" height="309" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6990734263_dda99ec453.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">"May the road rise to meet you,</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">May the wind be always at your back,</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">May the sun shine warm upon your face,</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">The rains fall soft upon your fields,</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">And until we meet again,</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">May God hold you</span><br style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;">In the palm of his hand."</span></span> </b>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-63242073403055418592012-03-11T14:50:00.001-04:002012-03-11T15:10:58.334-04:00Knitting Update 3/11/12I have made zero progress on Declan's romper. *sigh*<br />
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BUT...I finished 3 items for Laurel Love Boutique! :)<br />
I received this yarn last week. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6799185694/" title="004 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6799185694_3aeccb5ae5.jpg" width="500" height="460" alt="004"></a><br />
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First up was this soaker, knit with Dear Husband's "Sawyer" colorway on bulky gaia. It'a nice gender neutral colorway. I couldn't pick up the colors well with my camera/lighting. The colors in it are bright red, light yellow, light blue, peachy orange, and a flesh tone with natural/white. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6827274724/" title="345 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6827274724_810ed76e47.jpg" width="500" height="494" alt="345"></a><br />
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And then I cast on this soaker and decided to add a skirt once I got into the colorway. <br />
Sorry for all the photos, I just love this colorway and hot it knit up. Bright fun colors, I'll be purchasing more Dear Husband yarn in the future for sure. :)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6973215433/" title="336 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6973215433_1e4a6307f5.jpg" width="500" height="341" alt="336"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6973245157/" title="338 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6973245157_c55f7b64ab.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="338"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6827130610/" title="340 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6827130610_3013d6196e.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="340"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6827109826/" title="337 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6827109826_28ee7e9730.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="337"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6827202860/" title="356 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6827202860_7d655489bd.jpg" width="500" height="257" alt="356"></a><br />
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The third project I finished is a pair of boyish shorties which I still need to take final photos off. Here's a work-in-progress photo of them<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6807027128/" title="015 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/6807027128_273f25503c.jpg" width="388" height="500" alt="015"></a><br />
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On the needles right now, besides Declan's romper, I have a pair of shorties for LLB. They are girly and hopefully will be done in time to be stocked on Friday alongside the soaker and skirty pictured above. Everything will be listed at Bitty Fluff's next stocking: March, 16th at 2PM EST.Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-22768048693788388462012-03-01T21:04:00.001-05:002012-03-02T23:14:51.306-05:00Knitting Update 3/1/12I started and finished this dress to stock at <a href="http://www.bittyfluff.com/">Bitty Fluff </a>tomorrow:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6793069490/" title="005 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="005" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6793069490_2a3f4959f7.jpg" width="492" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6792948350/" title="006 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="006" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6792948350_cb51f58ebc.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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I used the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/molly-bubble-romper">Molly Bubble Romper</a> pattern and modified it to be a dress. I did less increases after the bodice top for a smaller "bubble" effect. I also added a pretty trim of butterfly stitches and a few rows of colorway to finish the hem with. <br />
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Where I'm at on Declan's romper...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6944566819/" title="007 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="007" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6944566819_015c0e49f1.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6798431438/" title="005 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="005" height="423" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6798431438_0f129c1a5f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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and I put these in the mail to the Charity Auction winner. Yarn is Mosaic Moon's "Gwion" on aran BFL.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6929217409/" title="002 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6929217409_5e56418c94.jpg" width="495" height="500" alt="002"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-25557193891429506752012-02-21T08:28:00.000-05:002012-02-21T08:28:59.106-05:00Knitting Update 2/21/12 (current/newest projects)I'm currently working on a romper for Declan, a pair of shorties for a charity auction winner, and I recently finished two pair of longies for Declan. <br />
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I need to cast on a few items for work. <br />
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Declan's romper I'm sort of winging too. I followed the Euclid Cardigan pattern for the top as I know that "math" fits him perfectly. I'm going to add a few sts and join in the round just before I start the gusset. <br />
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The yarn, I suggested this idea for a custom colorway in a coop. I have two skeins of it on another base too. :)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6870911787/" title="014 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6870911787_f2fa39547e.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="014"></a><br />
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The start<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6882403017/" title="006 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6882403017_e16717fa4e.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="006"></a><br />
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Where I'm at right now<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6892364283/" title="033 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6892364283_ff9c9f5d06.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="033"></a><br />
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The shorties for a charity auction winner<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6904309891/" title="001 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6904309891_b0f1acd91f.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="001"></a><br />
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And Declan's newest longies<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6893334983/" title="008 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6893334983_dfed3d8a75.jpg" width="410" height="500" alt="008"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6893325393/" title="009 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6893325393_8172eeb4cd.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="009"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6892349709/" title="011 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6892349709_b9f3b017ed.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="011"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6824751165/" title="011 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6824751165_95580a0fca.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="011"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6824787753/" title="012 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6824787753_2bab747cf0.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="012"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6836646101/" title="006 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6836646101_25d6116c44.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="006"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6836585621/" title="001 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6836585621_6407f51645.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="001"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-9753481778006938902012-02-21T08:13:00.000-05:002012-02-21T08:13:20.750-05:00Knitting Update 2/21/12 (catching up)It's been a while...the last update was posted 11/27/11<br />
<a href="http://www.mrsmissymuffet.blogspot.com/2011/11/knitting-update-11-27-11">http://www.mrsmissymuffet.blogspot.com/2011/11/knitting-update-11-27-11</a><br />
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Probably because my needles have been on fire. :) Patterns used are linked in my Ravelry project page: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/melissalaurel">http://www.ravelry.com/projects/melissalaurel</a><br />
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I got MIL's shawl done just in time. I grossly underestimated the time the second half of the shawl would take me to knit. It made for a two day knitting marathon I will never forget. She's worn it and received compliments so in the end it was worth it. I love knitting for others. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6545072659/" title="IMG_4510 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4510" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6545072659_b1a61f6644.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6545212199/" title="IMG_4511 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4511" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6545212199_a317980cee.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Modeled by Billy is my mom's shawl that I knit for her birthday. Photos are of an unwashed/blocked shawl. Photos of her wearing it are on my to-do list. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6361106861/" title="IMG_3915 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3915" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6119/6361106861_09a1b6362f.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6361095971/" title="IMG_3914 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3914" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/6361095971_b9829ab8fa.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6360637353/" title="IMG_3912 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3912" height="333" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6045/6360637353_bc5a27f885.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I knit a little romper for Declan's doll (no pattern, knit it to fit the doll)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6484393991/" title="IMG_4369 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4369" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6484393991_3c504aa3d6.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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I finished Declan's Double Chocolate Lollipop longies<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6454230457/" title="IMG_4168 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4168" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6454230457_f6171e199c.jpg" width="404" /></a><br />
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I knit all of these for work (www.laurellove.com and www.bittyfluff.com)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6442741805/" title="IMG_4124 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4124" height="479" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6442741805_57f2c0b93c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6613159645/" title="018 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="018" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6613159645_63d961269f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6613054295/" title="004 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="004" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6613054295_b57a40b559.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6613071279/" title="017 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="017" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6613071279_2cbe640948.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6685383167/" title="029 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="029" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6685383167_98dc41c545.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6755563117/" title="018 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="018" height="357" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6755563117_b1602cba30.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6755545979/" title="013 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="013" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6755545979_ea1439b334.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6797367853/" title="007 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="007" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6797367853_64c5b269e9.jpg" width="357" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6882407565/" title="003 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img alt="003" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6882407565_77a4fc2c0e.jpg" width="492" /></a><br />
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And I knit a few hats for my boys<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6642959021/" title="001 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6642959021_ae65472380.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="001"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6643326417/" title="016 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6643326417_38edb8f130.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="016"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6667048843/" title="007 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6667048843_9dbaee6b7b.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="007"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6667128659/" title="014 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6667128659_7bec0ffdf4.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="014"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6727585491/" title="018 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6727585491_98844b315b.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="018"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6727651409/" title="022 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6727651409_49ac553fb0.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="022"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-22396946594823729822012-02-20T22:07:00.000-05:002012-02-20T22:07:19.359-05:00A trip to the beach in February!?!This winter has been warm. Not just a little warm, but go-outside-and-play warm.<br />
Warm enough we drove to Popham to check out the fort. Which was closed. <br />
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Here are a few pictures from our day...<br />
These two shots are straight out of the camera, no altering or color enhancing at all. It really was that beautiful of a day. The sky, the water, the rocks, made me long for warm summer days. If you look closely you can see there is an ice "film" on top of the water. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898432827/" title="019 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6898432827_d38a30743c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="019"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898365557/" title="011 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6898365557_883782bd3f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="011"></a><br />
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There were a lot of people walking around with huge cameras with even huger lenses...and me with my "little" Cannon T3i...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898549193/" title="028 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6898549193_f47f89a02c.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="028"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898602515/" title="026 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6898602515_842370f7ae.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="026"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898446451/" title="015 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6898446451_d1af542c81.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="015"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898443425/" title="014 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6898443425_ed5cf7495f.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="014"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898409781/" title="009 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6898409781_6758bbe140.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="009"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6913769837/" title="029 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6913769837_c8d55fe9e8.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="029"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6913787549/" title="005 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6913787549_be825e1773.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="005"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898507971/" title="020 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6898507971_dd4f6f7d74.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="020"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6913822575/" title="001 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6913822575_f4934cb9d0.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="001"></a><br />
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We noticed the gate to the State Park was open so we drove there to see what the beach was looking like these days and were sad to see how much has changed, again. It's still beautiful, it's just a different beautiful. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898694455/" title="051 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6898694455_f02b272647.jpg" width="500" height="309" alt="051"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898687465/" title="052 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6898687465_84b4d62f22.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="052"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurelloveboutique/6898735263/" title="063 by Laurel Love, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6898735263_627b4e651f.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="063"></a>Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6358227893896665494.post-3224367435615094772012-02-01T10:34:00.001-05:002012-02-01T10:35:31.963-05:00Glancing back and charging forward.Looking back I don't know how I did it. I was 19, and it was a really rough pregnancy. At the time I didn't know better, but now, 6 pregnancies later, I know it was a <i>tough</i> one. I'm so proud of my 19 year old self.<br />
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Logan was born at 9:46PM after 2.5+ hours of pushing and 16hrs of labor. 9lbs 3oz of baby changed every single thing in our world. The second we saw him, there was no going back. Everything he did was amazing and Logan became the center of our universe.<br />
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Today, I'm a crying mess. I can't <i>believe</i> Logan is a teenager.<br />
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The teenage years are so hard. We're had a taste of them in the past year but I'm certain the tough years are still ahead of us. I may need to get a part time job just to feed him. I wish I were joking. His words can be so mean, his interests have all changed. At times I wonder if I really know him at all. <br />
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As hard as the years ahead seem, I know we'll be okay. I know he's still there. I've witnessed it with my own eyes. <br />
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Every morning when Logan comes out of his room, Declan runs to him and hugs his leg. And Logan reaches down with his strong arms and embraces him. He may be too old to hug and kiss his Mother, but he still has it.<br />
He still has that sweet sweet heart of gold. <br />
I can't wait to see what the future holds.Melissa (melissalaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16423350182041471705noreply@blogger.com0