tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116742162024-03-07T18:54:01.186-06:00I Think...Read~Eat~Run~Pray~Learn~Parent~Grow~Bake~Travel~Photograph~WriteAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.comBlogger1515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-90105309217003627032013-08-14T09:38:00.003-05:002013-08-14T09:38:43.980-05:00A New Website!My personal blog is moving! In fact, it has already moved...<br />
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Head on over to <span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><a href="http://whatbeckythinks.com/">whatbeckythinks.com</a></span> to get the scoop on all the new changes. <br />
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There are some exciting announcements over there that you won't want to miss.<br />
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See you on the new website...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-24223408430222855722013-08-05T18:45:00.001-05:002013-08-05T18:46:58.671-05:00Scenes from the WeekendA family reunion in Fredericksburg, hiking Enchanted Rock, my birthday celebration in downtown Austin...what a weekend!<br />
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i love seeing the cool buildings my husband has designed as a structural engineer.</div>
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at my birthday dinner at mandola's</div>
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seriously? a guy taking the stairs on all 4's in the background. typical austin.</div>
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the black "clouds" in the distance are bats!</div>
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a highlight of the trip was seeing the bats fly out from under the congress st. bridge in austin.</div>
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this photo cracks me up every time i see it. every. time. </div>
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my "heads-in-the-clouds" crew and their more grounded cousins.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-42426427023766133622013-07-31T15:56:00.002-05:002013-07-31T15:56:41.129-05:00Restaurant Week!I'm the one who always forgets about Restaurant Week until it's too late then kicks myself later.<br />
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Don't let that happen to you! I got my extra course coupons at Central Market today. If you don't know what Restaurant Week is (again, that was me...totally clueless...a few years ago) then check it out <a href="http://dfw.cbslocal.com/category/dfw-restaurant-week/" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-52065426471488815392013-07-31T07:25:00.003-05:002013-07-31T07:25:50.511-05:00First Cantaloupe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We planted cantaloupe many years ago. We've never planted it again, but it always springs up on its own in our garden. It's not really a good thing because the vine spreads like crazy causing problems for the other plants and we usually only get about 2 good cantaloupes out of the entire season.<br />
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But for some reason (laziness? optimism?) I let it grow every year.<br />
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And this week we enjoyed the first ripe cantaloupe. It's odd shape lent itself to decoration with a sharpie.<br />
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It was sweet, better than the ones I've bought at the store so far, but probably not worth the fact that our garden has been taken over.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-88519814563311003642013-07-30T09:39:00.001-05:002013-07-30T09:39:51.166-05:00CompassionWhenever I've been away from reading Nouwen for a while then pick one of his books up again it's like being drastically, yet gently, reoriented.<br />
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I've never experienced anything like it before with any other author. Nouwen is truly my spiritual mentor, though our conversations take place through books instead of over coffee.<br />
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I just finished the book <i>Compassion</i>, which is actually authored by Nouwen and two others. I wasn't sure what I'd get out of it, but it became clear there was a lot I needed to hear from this short book. One theme that resonated with me was the difference between competition and compassion. I've come a long way, but I still struggle with competition. It's how I've lived and strived for value for 30+ years, so I guess it figures it won't go away overnight. Competition seeks to set apart in order to feel affirmed. Compassion eliminates differences, bringing all to the basic level of humanity, so that we can enter into solidarity with others.<br />
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A compassionate person creates space for sharing joy, sorrow, pain. Compassion gives, instead of taking. "When we have discovered that our sense of self does not depend on our differences and that our self-esteem is based on a love much deeper than the praise that can be acquired by unusual performances, we can see our unique talents as gifts for others."<br />
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There were also a few words on prayer I needed to hear again. I've lived most of my life with a totally false idea of what prayer is. I viewed it as a 5 minute activity during which I needed to throw some praise God's way then list all my desires and hope I could talk him into doing things my way. Here's what Nouwen says about prayer:<br />
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"Prayer, as a discipline that strengthens and deepens discipleship, is the effort to remove everything that might prevent the Spirit of God, given to us by Jesus, from speaking freely to us and in us."<br />
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"Prayer requires that we stand in God's presence with open hands, naked and vulnerable, proclaiming to ourselves and others that without God we can do nothing. This is difficult in a climate where the predominant counsel is Do your best and God will do the rest. When life is divided into our best and God's rest we have turned prayer into a last resort to be used only when all our own resources are depleted."<br />
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"Prayer is not what is done by us, but rather what is done by the Holy Spirit in us...This indicates that that prayer as a discipline of patience is the human effort to allow the Holy Spirit to do re-creating work in us...But above all, it involves the decision to set aside time every day to be alone with God and listen to the Spirit."<br />
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Nouwen's short little books are always packed with deep truths. They challenge and encourage me at the same time. I'm always reminded of how passionately God loves me- just the way I am. But I don't feel content with staying just as I am. I want to grow and blossom into a more loving person. The temptation at that point is to follow steps, or take action to produce that growth within me. As if I could create it for myself, or turn myself into something new. When in reality, it requires surrendering to God's work within me. Nouwen even addresses this in <i>Compassion</i>:<br />
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"Compassion is a divine gift, not a result of systematic study or effort. Discipline in the Christian life does indeed require effort, but it is an effort to reveal rather than to conquer. God always calls. To hear God's call and allow that call to guide our actions requires discipline in order to prevent ourselves from becoming or remaining spiritually deaf. There are so many voices calling for our attention, and so many activities distracting us that a serious effort is necessary if we are to become and remain sensitive to the divine presence in our lives."<br />
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Nouwen continues to turn the religious training of my youth on its head. I wish I had been exposed to this kind of intimacy with God earlier. I wish I had known God wasn't a list of rules and procedures, but a powerful force of Love at the center of my being calling me to soak up all his goodness and then pour out Love to all around me.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-73974894587681752982013-07-22T12:29:00.000-05:002013-07-22T12:29:35.373-05:00Big Opportunity!!!Today and today only there is a huge opportunity for your generous gift to His Chase to be maximized in a big way. <br />
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Let me back up just a bit.<br />
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This is Gasaza, and I love him. I feel like he's my child even though I didn't birth him and he lives 10,000 miles away. I met him in March on a trip to Rwanda with His Chase.<br />
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Gasaza isn't alone, though. He and hundreds of fellow orphans are forming a relationship with His Chase and learning that <i>someone does care about them and their future</i>. Mark and Chelsea Jacobs didn't know what they were getting into, I bet, when they started this organization. It has grown and blessed the lives of so many children in powerful ways. <br />
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It's really quite simple. American sponsors pay for top-notch boarding school educations and help cover the basic needs of the least of the least in an impoverished country that has been healing from enormous emotional and physical genocide wounds. These kids form relationships with their sponsors who encourage them and demonstrate God's love for them in real, physical ways. For the first time, they have hope. <br />
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Most of the children are sponsored (there are a few spots still open...) but there are still tremendous financial needs. It will cost $100 above and beyond the financial commitment sponsors have made per each child in order to send them to a Bible/English camp during a break in boarding school. Some kids have medical needs. There are a few older kids who excelled at school and are ready to enter University with honors! Several thousand dollars are needed to give them that opportunity to study a career and take their place as leaders in their country.<br />
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Every penny donated goes directly to helping kids...there are no overhead costs for the His Chase organization because their board of directors covers those.<br />
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<b>And today, only today, every penny donated to His Chase will be matched by an anonymous donor.</b><br />
Your gift will be doubled!<br />
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It's a worthy cause that I believe in whole-heartedly. Please consider donating any amount...even a dollar.<br />
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<a href="https://www.easytithe.com/dl/" target="_blank">Donate here.</a> Select "Orphan Education Fund" from the list of choices, although if you accidentally donate to a different category (as I did, oops.) it will still count.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-77266187334622441592013-07-22T09:23:00.002-05:002013-07-22T09:23:53.493-05:00Survival FrenchSo, you're going to France, but you don't speak French. I found myself in that situation a few weeks ago, and I am willing to pass along my hard-earned wisdom.<br />
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Don't assume most people will speak English. It just isn't so. And it's my opinion that when one visits foreign soil, it's really on their shoulders to learn a few phrases in order to communicate, not the other way around!<br />
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With that in mind...here are some phrases that will really come in handy.<br />
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<b>Bonjour</b> (bahn-zhoohr) Hello<br />
It's very important to greet people in shops and restaurants. It's a non-American thing. We are used to walking into places and minding our own business, but it's not done that way in France. If you don't greet people...in French...you appear very rude. Don't add fuel to the "Rude American" perception. Say it to the shopkeeper upon entering a store.<br />
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<b>Je ne parle pah français</b> (zhuh nuh pahr-luh pah frahn-say) I don't speak French.<br />
I started off with this phrase countless times. It was almost always used immediately following Bonjour. I just wanted people to know what they were dealing with, and I think they appreciated it.<br />
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<b>Parle-vous anglais?</b> (pahr-luh voo ahn-glay) Do you speak English?<br />
This was the next phrase after the above two, and was almost always met with...No.<br />
Rats.<br />
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<b>L'addition, s'il vous plait.</b> (lah dee see ohn, seel voo play) The check, please.<br />
If you ever want to leave a restaurant in France, you'll need this. You'll be dining out constantly at fabulous restaurants and enjoying 3 hour meals of three or four courses. But the server is <i>not</i> going to bring you the check until you ask for it, people, because that's just how it's done in France. In America, the bill is on your table 30 minutes into the meal before you've even had a chance to warm the seat with your body heat. "Turn the table" is our motto. Not so in France!<br />
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<b>Oui</b> (wee) Yes<br />
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<b>Non</b> (nohn) No The last "n" sound is just a nasally hint of sound. I'm not sure how to put that phonetically.<br />
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<b>Merci</b> (mehr-see) Thank you<br />
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There's probably a lot more I could share, but I relied on these phrases quite a bit. I fell in love with the French language during my week there. By the end of my visit, I felt like I was finally grasping the sounds and cadence. In fact, I was so fascinated by French that I have hired a tutor that comes weekly to give Ava and me a French language lesson. We are having so much fun tackling this language together. Having someone to practice with is helpful, and it's a fun mother-daughter activity. We can say "I have (OR I see) (insert number 1-10) (insert noun like horses, sandals, cats) (insert color)." Oh yes, we are pros at building a sentence using that structure. We know several verbs and how to use them with different pronouns. We are well on our way to fluency. <br />
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By the time I take my next vacation to France, I'll be way beyond survival French, and verbally pointing out cats and sandals by the dozen.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-4518130062838748722013-07-14T15:52:00.000-05:002013-07-14T15:52:13.465-05:00Time Travel BooksAs I closed the cover after finishing a book yesterday afternoon, I realized I have read two time travel books in a row this week. I can't believe I didn't recognize the coincidence sooner.<br />
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There are tons of books out there whose plots involve time travel. Classics like <i>The Time Machine</i>, blockbusters like <i>The Time Traveler's Wife</i>. It wouldn't be impossible to pick up two in a row, though I do find it odd.<br />
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I heard about <i>To Say Nothing of the Dog</i> long ago, and finally picked it up at the library. It's from 1997, though it feels a decade or two older. Connie Willis packs comedy, mystery, romance, history, and the science of time travel into an intriguing story. The characters are highly like-able even though the story moves a tad too slow in some places. Ned Henry, working with a team of time travel experts in 2057, is researching historical details in order to rebuild a cathedral that was destroyed in WWII. In the meantime, a lovely researcher of 19th Century England causes a potential crisis by bringing a cat back through the time travel net with her. Ned and the lady must go to Victorian England to try and repair the incongruities they think she has caused before history is rewritten with dire consequences.<br />
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The comedy comes in as Ned blunders around in the highly mannered Victorian era. The romance is, of course, between the two time-traveling researchers, but also between couples that they are either trying to put together or keep apart in order to save history. The history is sprinkled throughout...I learned quite a bit here. And the mystery involves the "Bishop's bird stump" which Ned has been trying to locate for a long time but has seemingly vanished without a trace.<br />
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I liked this book, but my favorite was definitely the second time travel book. I read it in a single afternoon. It's a new release called <i>The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells</i>. This book was expertly woven together. I am highly impressed by Andrew Sean Greer's ability to interrelate the three story lines. It's the mid 1980's and Greta Wells has become chronically depressed following the death of her twin brother and the end of a 10 year relationship with her boyfriend. As a last ditch effort she agrees to electroshock therapy. With each treatment, she awakens in a different era. She is herself in each era, and surrounded by the same or similar people she knows, but the situations are all unique to 1918, 1941, and 1985. The novel explores the courses of our lives, the patterns, the tragedies and joys, the decisions, the relationships. It really makes a person think. The tension builds as the treatments near their end and Greta must decide in which time period she will remain.<br />
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It sounds like an unlikely story that would be impossible to make work...but it does work! I was enthralled with it. I had doubts, but I am so glad I picked up this book.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-587871258020014082013-07-12T08:58:00.001-05:002013-07-12T08:58:27.418-05:00France Part 13: The EndHow fitting to end on the 13th post. Thankfully, I'm not superstitious.<br />
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Our anniversary is June 13...it's a good number. And it's because of that date that we even went on this trip in the first place!<br />
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We reversed our steps and flew from Toulouse to Madrid which is a brief trip with barely enough time to run a drink service through the cabin. This time we had a shorter layover in Madrid, which was nice. Just long enough to see the cool airport architecture and eat a croissant we had packed away earlier.<br />
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the last croissant. so sad.</div>
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Then we hopped on our jet for the 10 hour flight home. I'm getting better at 10 hour flights. I had a lot of practice in March when I flew to Africa and back. Though I must say American Airlines needs better in-flight entertainment. They only had a few movies to choose from and none looked appealing except the one I had already watched on the trip <i><b>to</b></i> France called <a href="http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/11/bbc-four-orders-p-g-wodehouse-drama-an-innocent-abroad/" target="_blank">An Innocent Abroad</a>. It's a BBC television movie about P.G.Wodehouse. It was really interesting! <br />
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I love taking pictures out the window of the plane. There's Madrid below. We even saw what appeared to be a bull-fighting arena on the flight into Madrid.<br />
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We came home so eager to see the kids. Getting the bags and going through customs seemed to take an eternity. I knew the kids were close, just a few hundred yards away, yet it took forever to get to them. I could barely stand still.<br />
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When they saw us, they ran to us and hugged us tight. It was a giant group hug. Ava started crying. It was so sweet to hold them all again, and they all looked taller than when we had left. How do they do that?<br />
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It was great to be home again and together as a family. The kids enjoyed their souvenirs, as you can see.<br />
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And just this week I received my photo book in the mail. Whenever we take a long trip I try to create a photo book online. We have a book sitting out in the living room about our 2 week drive to Montana last summer. It's great to be able to just grab it and flip through alone, or while cuddling with a kid, and remember that special trip. <br />
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This time I used <a href="http://www.mixbook.com/" target="_blank">Mixbook</a> to make a cute little 8 by 8 inch hardback book about the trip to France. I love how it turned out. Mixbook allows a ton of personalized customization. They have lots of cool graphics, too.<br />
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And that's the end! I have loved writing about the trip...it's a great way to jot down some of the details that I might forget one day otherwise. Thanks for reading along and stay tuned for the 20th anniversary trip in 5 years. Haha...who knows what's in store then? We really don't know, do we? There could be another great trip in the future, or there could be difficult times we can't even imagine right now. <br />
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It's just a reminder to myself to enjoy each day as it comes...whether it's in France eating the most fabulous meal, or sitting on the couch in my pjs reading to my 6 year old.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-5727745721956985982013-07-09T08:26:00.000-05:002013-07-10T12:35:11.833-05:00France Part 12: Cahors and GrenadeWe loved our little house in Tremolat, but it dawned on us about a day before we left France that we had a 10 AM flight to catch in Toulouse on Saturday morning and Toulouse was a 3 hour drive. To make things easier for ourselves, we booked a room for Friday night in a cute boutique hotel in the town of Grenade which is about 30 minutes from the Toulouse airport.<br />
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We said goodbye to the kind people we rented from in Tremolat and left a day early. It was hard to drive out of that place knowing it would be a very long time, if ever, that we return. We had fallen in love with Tremolat.<br />
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Driving to Grenade was a fun adventure, though. There was no time pressure and no agenda. We could stop in any town we liked or shop if we found a place to do it. It was a pleasant way to travel a couple hundred miles through parts of France that were new to us. We still had to buy souvenirs for the kids so we stopped at a mall in one of the larger cities. That's where we found a scarf for Ava, a Where's Waldo book (in French) for Nate, and an adorable umbrella for Lucas.<br />
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I don't know why his name is Charlie in the French version.</div>
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We also drove through Cahors which is famous for their fortified Medieval bridge. Built in the 14th Century, Pont Valentre has become a symbol of this city. Many similar bridges were ruined in wars, so it's nice that this one remains and is in great condition.</div>
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As we were walking to take a closer look at the bridge, Cody spotted this street sign. I was surprised to find my friend Greta's name on a street sign in France. A little blurry, but right there it says G.R.E.T.A.<br />
I didn't know what it meant, and would have never known had Greta not googled it and told me it stands for a network of adult education centers. There is at least one GRETA branch in each county. Mystery solved.<br />
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We finally rolled into Grenade around 8 PM to find a cramped city with tiny streets. The streets we needed to drive on to reach our hotel near the city square were strangely barricaded. Every parking spot along every tiny street was taken. We finally found a tiny space and squeezed in with some impressive parallel parking by Cody. Several bands were playing loud music and the streets were packed with people as we made our way to our hotel. The manager greeted us warmly and apologized for the crowds. Apparently it was the first day of summer, and it is a major celebration in Grenade and from what I gathered many other towns in France. Families and partiers parade the streets while local bands and musicians play well into the early hours of the morning. And our hotel was in the middle of the party. </div>
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Usually when this sort of thing happens, I'm slightly ticked at the universe. But I found it impossible to be upset. Our hotel was gorgeous. Our room was comfortable. The air was cool and calm. The music and people were happy and festive. I didn't have to get a good night's sleep for any reason so it didn't matter that music was going until 2 AM. I was perfectly content. I almost convinced myself France was celebrating our last night there instead of Summer.</div>
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The Villa Leopoldine</div>
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our private balcony</div>
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We walked to dinner at a nearby restaurant and had some delicious things.</div>
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Our entrees were yellow tomatoes with fish and an eggplant mozzarella salad. By the way, in a French meal the entree means the appetizer, not the main dish. It took me a while to figure that out since we use the word differently here. The main dish is called the plat. A common phrase is plat du jour, or plate of the day.</div>
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We walked back through the city square to our hotel, packed and repacked our suitcases (trying to defy the laws of physics and come in under the weight limit on each bag...somehow, we managed to bring back 9 bottles of wine!), and drifted asleep to the sounds of music and joyful celebration.<br />
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Speaking of bringing back wine...I purchased these great things from amazon called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Diaper-Reusable-Absorbent-Eco-Friendly-Accessory/dp/B00308FONW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373375895&sr=8-1&keywords=wine+diapers" target="_blank">Wine Diapers</a>. They are cushioned bags that seal with a ziplock style closure. The claim is, and many reviewers back this up, that if the bottle of wine breaks, the special material inside the bag will soak up every drop so none will be in your suitcase to ruin your clothes. Thankfully, none of our bottles broke in transit, so I can't verify it. Now we have these bags tucked away for the next time we want to carry wine while traveling. They are very handy.<br />
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One more tip...when I knew I wanted to buy these wine diapers, I entered them into <a href="http://camelcamelcamel.com/" target="_blank">camelcamelcamel</a>. I've blogged about that website before. It's the best way to get the lowest price on Amazon. The website watches the product and sends an email alert when the price reaches what you're wanting. Any item I want to buy from Amazon but don't need right away goes into my camelcamelcamel account, and I have literally saved hundreds of dollars that way. It's crazy how the prices fluctuate on Amazon. Read more about camelcamelcamel <a href="http://whatbeckythinks.blogspot.com/2012/12/camel-camel-camel.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-85259601206757461012013-07-07T19:50:00.002-05:002013-07-07T19:52:00.673-05:00France Part 11: PaunatWe drove to a nearby town called Paunat to eat at a highly recommended restaurant housed in a former Abbey next to the church. Looking back, I see that a lot of our decisions in France revolved around meals.<br />
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The village of Paunat is picturesque, as most villages in this area tend to be. I like this photo because it shows poppies which we saw a ton of in both towns and open fields and because it shows typical houses.<br />
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We even saw school children playing at recess in a schoolyard in Paunat. We were starting to wonder where all the French children were.<br />
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The Paunat church was large, old, and beautiful as we had come to expect. In the photo below one can see the restaurant Chez Julien in the church's shadow. Everyone told us this restaurant has great atmosphere, and they were right.<br />
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We arrived early and walked through the church first. There were many lovely stained glass windows.<br />
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I especially like the cobwebs in the above photo. It's nice to know dusting isn't high on the priority list for someone other than me.<br />
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Chez Julien was a typical restaurant with pretty outdoor tables as well as simple, elegant indoor seating. We sat inside because it was misting. I really liked it when the menu was written on a chalkboard. The server would carry the huge board over and either prop it up on the table or on an easel. Some restaurants had only one board that rotated around, while others had several copies that could be used at the same time. The writing seemed so lovely and carefully done.<br />
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This was one of our last meals in France, so when we noticed escargot on the menu we decided to go for it. I've never eaten a snail before, and I may not ever again, but I'm glad we tried something decisively French while we had the chance. They were covered in garlic and butter so overwhelming that the "meat" was indistinct. Later, while telling the kids about our unusual meal, we wondered out loud about who first had the idea to eat a snail! Nate guessed it must have been some really poor person who had no choice.<br />
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For dessert we enjoyed creme brûlée (Cody's favorite dessert of all time) and the tartest lemon tart ever made. My lips are puckering just thinking about it.<br />
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I can honestly say we never had a "bad" meal in France. There were a few dishes that were not as stunning as most, and this restaurant had a few of the non-stunning courses. That's not to say they tasted bad. But by this point, we had eaten so many amazing plates of food that our expectations were inflated. I probably ate 10,000 calories a day while in France. All that butter, foie gras, wine, and a pastry (or two, or three...) for breakfast every morning. Yes, I said <i>every morning</i>. I had a favorite pastry. We always stopped at the Boulangerie to pick up a chausson de pommes. It's like a fried apple pie, except flakier, richer, tastier, and better all around.<br />
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I usually ate them so quickly I didn't get a chance to photograph one until the very last day when I figured it was my last opportunity. Sadly, my last chausson de pommes was slightly overcooked, as seen in the photo. Did that slow me down or hinder me in any way? Nope. I'll forgive one over-toasted pastry for the dozens of perfect samples I enjoyed throughout the week. Look at those flaky layers.<br />
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I am so thankful to France for their food. They have a lot of other things going for them, too, but oh how I love their food with all my heart. I would like to formally thank the entire country right now for their culinary genius. Oh, and also thank you for making the best wine. Ever. Keep up the good work.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-80238142240502854132013-07-06T14:10:00.000-05:002013-07-06T14:12:50.209-05:00France Part 10: Les TruffieriesLet me tell you about one of our favorite meals in France.<br />
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It was nearing the end of the trip. It had been cold and rainy all day. The day before we had made reservations for Les Truffieries which is a Ferme Auberge (farm house restaurant) in Tremolat. We had heard great things about this restaurant, and were very eager to try it. We drove on winding roads up into a mountain a few kilometers outside of town, parked in mud, and braved the rain as we walked to the door about 5 minutes early for our 7:30 reservation. The door was locked. We were shivering and confused. However, 7:30 is usually the earliest dinner reservation available so we figured the restaurant just hadn't opened yet, but would soon.<br />
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After a while, a man in his 60's came to open the door. We quickly learned he spoke little to no English as he beckoned us to choose from about 9 tables in the room. We sat near an open fireplace on which he tossed a fresh log. The restaurant was packed with decorative items, in a "grandparent's living room" style. Books were stacked high on the upright piano behind us. Framed photos were everywhere. Maps were pinned to the walls. Odd vases, houseplants, and radios were placed on various shelves and ledges. All the tables and chairs were mismatched. <br />
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The gentleman brought out a steaming tureen of soup as the first course. It was the perfect dish for our cold-soaked bones. It was the most unusual tasting soup. I loved it, but I had never tasted anything like it before. I later found out it is a traditional garlic soup made in the area. When we got home I found <a href="http://suite101.com/article/how-to-make-the-perfect-garlic-soup-a316295" target="_blank">this recipe online</a> and tried to copy the soup we enjoyed this night. It was similar, but I doubt I'll ever have anything just like it. For one thing, a major ingredient is duck fat, which is a bit out of my league and accessibility.<br />
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We learned that the man serving us was Yanick, a retired architect turned Ferme Auberge proprietor. We didn't remember that he and his restaurant were mentioned in the <a href="http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/europes-coolest-small-towns,12740/" target="_blank">article Cody read in Budget Travel magazine</a> that sparked our interest in Tremolat in the first place long ago. Here we were, in person with famous Yanick. And Yanick, being a typical Ferme Auberge out-going spirit, wanted to talk to us in a bad way. He pulled up a seat at our table and began a 3 hour conversation that was conducted in broken French, broken English, smiles, nods, hand signals, and every prop imaginable from maps to goose livers. He only paused long enough to prepare the next course and bring it to us.<br />
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At some point we realized we were still the only customers in the restaurant. No one else had come, which was a little unsettling. We were enjoying Yanick's attention, but we couldn't help but ask where all the other customers might be. He shrugged. The rain, it was mid-week, people didn't want to spend the money, he had been busy earlier in the week. Don't ask me how I got all that. Some miracle of timing and nature had occurred to render Yanick and his restaurant ours alone, so we sat back and soaked it up.<br />
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After the soup, we were served the best foie gras. Goose liver is not my favorite food in the world, but Yanick's preparation of it was the most palatable, bordering on<i> this is quite good</i>. He brought out a goose liver and the special mold he uses to chill the mixture he creates. He told us all about how he makes it...mostly in French, so it's still a little unclear.<br />
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By this time, the pear wine we started with and the chilled white that accompanied the foie gras were kicking in and I was warming up. A gentle rain still fell outside, the fire cracked and glowed, Yanick disappeared to ready the next course.<br />
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Little did I know I was about to be presented with the most beautiful salad I had ever seen.<br />
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It tasted as good as it looked. The cantaloupe was sweet and juicy. The mixture of strange leaves, herbs, and flowers was perfect. Unusual, but perfect. I have no idea what kind of pate is in the corner, but it went well with the salad, too. I didn't want this salad to end.</div>
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After the salad, Yanick brought out grilled duck with mixed grilled vegetables and potatoes.</div>
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We had been eating duck prepared various ways all week, but this was by far the best. Crispy on the outside, tender inside and flavorful. I would have believed it was a steak. I would volunteer to replace most steaks with this duck dish any day.<br />
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Meanwhile, Yanick got out a map of the US to show us where he visited a few years ago. He also got out a map of France and proceeded to tell us where all the best wineries and restaurants are. If only we had dined with him at the beginning of our trip!<br />
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The next course was a simple, yet elegant cheese plate.<br />
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Yanick admitted that he doesn't like Roquefort cheese. I agree it's a little too strong, but I like it in small quantities. We heard more about his history as an architect and his love of cooking. Again, I stress that each of us knew hardly any words in the other's language. Conversations like these border on the sacred...dare I compare it to speaking in tongues? It may be blasphemous, but I am unsure how else to explain the mystery of the conversation we shared at the table in this small farm house setting.<br />
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We finished with a dessert of strawberries and cream. The past three hours had been delightful and filling in every way. It will always be a special memory for Cody and me. It could easily be crowned our best meal in France, maybe our best meal ever.<br />
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If just one aspect had been missing: if it had not been a cold rainy evening, if the food had not been blissfully delicious, if Yanick had not been friendly and eager to converse, if there had been other customers dining nearby...then it would have been nice, but not as memorable. Everything came together to create one of the most beautiful meal experiences, and I am so thankful Cody and I shared it and get to savor that memory together.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-82055349589357176352013-07-05T17:09:00.000-05:002013-07-06T08:21:52.345-05:00Best Brownie RecipeThis is the only brownie recipe you'll ever need for the rest of your life.<br />
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Be prepared for the consequences of baking these:<br />
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You'll be the most popular person at the party. <br />
You'll never be able to eat a brownie made from a box mix again, even if it's Ghirardelli. <br />
You'll instantly gain 10 pounds.<br />
Your children will rise up and call you blessed, and your husband also will praise you.<br />
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This recipe comes from the America's Test Kitchen cookbook, over which I have sung praises time and time again. BUT, there is also a little twist of my own involved.<br />
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5 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips<br />
2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate<br />
1 stick butter<br />
3 TBS Dutch processed cocoa powder<br />
1 1/4 cups sugar<br />
3 large eggs<br />
2 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1 cup all purpose flour<br />
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Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square pan with foil, then spray it with non-stick baking spray. Toss all the kinds of chocolate, cocoa powder, and butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat until melted. Stir together. Let mixture cool slightly. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until combined, about 15 seconds. Add chocolate mixture in and stir until combined. Last, stir in the flour until no streaks remain. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. Let cool to room temperature on a wire rack, about 2 hours. (Can be shortened if you are ravenous or addicted to chocolate.) Pull the brownies from the pan using the foil, then cut into small (hahahahaha...who do they think we are?) squares.<br />
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I'm sure this recipe, as given, is fabulous. BUT, what about my top secret twist?<br />
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I am so enterprising (out of cocoa powder) that I decided (desperately as a last measure) to put in a packet of Starbucks hot chocolate mix instead of the cocoa powder the recipe called for. And the results were....<br />
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AMAZING.<br />
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Now I make it that way every time, at least until my box of hot chocolate runs out. These are seriously good brownies. I have a pan of them cooking in the oven <i>right now</i>. Let me know if you make them and what you think.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-64706743528260645172013-07-04T09:20:00.000-05:002013-07-04T09:20:12.202-05:00BrothersThey fight like cats and dogs.
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Seriously, it's like there's a magnet within each of them that constantly draws them together. They can't avoid touching. They look like puppies rolling around in the floor. They hit, claw, push, and tackle. It almost always ends up with someone crying. In fact, as I am typing this I heard a playful fight turn into Lucas' wailing from their room. His head got slammed against the dresser. Don't worry- Cody's on it.<br />
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Lucas follows Nate everywhere which annoys Nate to no end, so he claims. Secretly, he likes being looked up to and admired. <br />
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But every once and a while...something sweet happens to remind me they really love each other.<br />
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Between all the tattling, crying, hitting, blaming, competing...a ray of sunshine bursts through to let me know all is well. Last night, the boys camped out in a tent in the yard. Before they headed out, Lucas packed a backpack with his beloved blankie and a bottle of bubbles. As one can imagine, things went horribly wrong and I ended up washing a blankie and backpack last night at 9 PM. Lucas was devastated. He hates to sleep without blankie.<br />
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When the boys came in this morning at 6:30 after their big night outside I noticed Nate's pillowcase was missing. Turns out he had taken it off and given it to Lucas to use as a blankie sometime during the night.<br />
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Our siblings are our longest lasting relationships. Long after I'm gone, these two will be there, still looking out for each other. And that makes me smile. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-45568475305469205152013-07-03T08:41:00.000-05:002013-07-03T08:41:01.957-05:00France Part 9: St. Martin'sOutside of Limeuil stands a lone chapel. This 12th century church was in the worst condition of all we visited. It's dark, imposing exterior surrounded by colorful burial crypts beckoned us to come take a look...so we did. One could honestly spend all their time just visiting 12th century churches on a trip like this.<br />
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The original dedication stone, in Latin. In reading about the history of the church <a href="http://limeuil-en-perigord.com/en/ot/saintmartin.php" target="_blank">here</a>, I discovered this chapel was dedicated to Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The name of Saint Martin was added later. There is a very long, complicated history between England and France. (Understatement.)<br />
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Frescoes painted long ago. Some still remain. I wonder what the church looked like in its glory days.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-48916899598956718272013-07-02T16:45:00.001-05:002013-07-02T16:45:37.593-05:00Monsters University MoralsI just got home from seeing Monsters University with the kids and here is what I love about this movie:<br />
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SPOILER ALERT---(Is there an adult reading this that is really, really concerned with not finding out about the plot/ending of this movie? I <i>guess</i> it's possible. So heed the warning.)<br />
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What I love about the movie is that when Sully and Mike (I'm not even positive those are the main characters' names...I was busy chowing on popcorn and dreaming about the fantastic outdoor patio I'd like to build one day...)<br />
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Where was I?<br />
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Oh yes, those crazy lovable monster characters lie and cheat and do some major things that are against the rules and they get expelled from the University. And they don't get a second chance! The head mean lady in charge comes to them at the end and wishes them well but she isn't going to take them back into the program. In order to reach their dream of becoming "Scarers" they now have to start out in the mail room and work their way up in the company. If it were a Harry Potter book, Harry would get rewarded and thanked for breaking all the rules and be some kind of a hero because it would turn out that his special-ness trumps all. In Monsters University, that crap don't fly.<br />
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And that's reflective of the real world, so I appreciate it.<br />
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I hope my kids realize that consequences don't get glossed over by feel-good charisma or noble intentions. Are there times when going against the rules for the greater good is the best choice? Maybe so. But that doesn't happen nearly as often as people seem to think it does. Usually rules are stepped on for selfish motivations and a mistaken idea that one is an unique exception to the rule.<br />
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Well done keeping it real, MU. This mom thanks you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-15695133107091443812013-07-02T08:11:00.001-05:002013-07-02T08:11:28.972-05:00France Part 8: LimeuilThe little town of Limeuil, located about 3 miles from Tremolat, has been voted one of the most beautiful villages in France. It certainly was lovely. The charming cottages and buildings cascade from the top of a hill all the way down to the bank of the river. The bank of two rivers, I should say. Two rivers meet here at Limeuil then join to flow together.<br />
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We took the above photo from within the public garden at the top of the hill. It's a small arboretum which can be toured for a fee. The next several photos were taken in this garden.<br />
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This is the "Witches Garden." I had never seen a mirror in an arboretum before. Pretty cool.<br />
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Another view from the gardens. It was a cool, rainy morning. We were trying to get through the garden tour before it really started to downpour, and we <i>just</i> made it.<br />
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I have no idea what was up with all the cats we saw in Limeuil. It's as if all the cats in France have congregated in this tiny village. They appear to be feral, but then again they approached us hoping to be petted. This little orange cat acted like he owned the place.<br />
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Right next door to the city garden is this gem of a restaurant called Garden Party. It's very small and cozy inside. Two large windows were open to the cool air and breath-taking view of the valley. I chose a decidedly non-French meal here of cheese tortellini, and I must say it was one of the best dishes I ate all week.<br />
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Halfway through our meal, other diners began making a stir and going to the windows. There was a rainbow. I went to the window and snapped a picture of it also. Looking at the photo now, I can almost make out a double rainbow.<br />
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This photo means so much to me because the rainbow is jam-packed with significance regarding God's promises and love for us...for me. This rainbow feels like a love note. I can't explain how God's blessing on our marriage, his redemption, his love and care, and his peace can be so wrapped up all at once in such a simple symbol, but that's how I experienced it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-86686941408725080082013-06-30T21:06:00.000-05:002013-06-30T21:06:19.439-05:00France Part 7: Anniversary PhotosI bought a new toy right before we left for France. I got a cheap wireless shutter remote for my Canon from Amazon. I wanted something that would let me take pictures of Cody and me in France with the touch of a button...a <i>hidden button</i> that I could hold in one hand that is out of view in the shot.<br />
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I got the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0034V0HB4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Cowboy Studio Wireless Radio Remote</a> and it worked great. It did exactly what I wanted it to do, and I think I captured some special photos that we will cherish and enjoy for a long time.<br />
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One evening before dinner, we dressed and headed to the courtyard next to the church in Tremolat. I like that we did the anniversary photo shoot in Tremolat because that was our home base and the city is very special to us. The stone walls were so pretty, and there were these amazing red flowers and yellow roses scattered throughout the place. We just set up the camera on the tripod and took a few shots in various places around the courtyard. Nobody was around. It was mostly an overcast sky, though sometimes we had to wait for cloud cover before continuing the shoot. We just talked and laughed and enjoyed spending the time together. <br />
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I need to get some of these turned into prints so I can frame them. It's hard to even choose which one(s) are my favorite. What do you think? Which shot is the best?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-13035597132676895192013-06-30T13:58:00.000-05:002013-06-30T13:58:05.658-05:00France Part 6: SarlatThe Medieval town of Sarlat-la-Caneda was larger than most of the villages we had been visiting. It had a lively shopping scene mixed in with beautiful architecture. We strolled around here for a long time picking up souvenirs, checking out the landmarks, eating crepes, and people-watching.<br />
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Of course Sarlat has a nice old church from the Middle Ages. Every town does.<br />
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Sarlat goes a step further, though, and has this cool tower built in the mid 1100's. These kinds of towers are sometimes referred to as <i>lanternes des morts</i> which can mean lantern of the dead or lantern of the Moors. It's a bit of a controversy as to which definition is most likely. When I visit such old landmarks I am flooded with thoughts about their history and overwhelmed with interest in all the people throughout the centuries who have walked and worked and lived and died in these places.<br />
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Here's a shot looking back at the outside of the church.<br />
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And here I am with the famous geese statue. It really is famous. Really. An icon of Sarlat. <br />
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We got a couple of special items in the shops of Sarlat. One of my favorite souvenirs is a block of 6 steak knives by the maker Laguiole. We used knives like these in a couple of restaurants and were pleased with the quality. I was so glad to pick up a set to bring home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5VWWFC2SKLeO6X2jGNheCfwM4-H4VMEFf6dAkMRdlgu5klhIMQr7N4Z8lnsr9uTSKrdu23u6eQt3-Ud-m5etiV40CRTvUywmzSmA-a9YoQYIMvTxtVnSfJqGB7voOhKOhpmpyA/s1024/laguiole04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5VWWFC2SKLeO6X2jGNheCfwM4-H4VMEFf6dAkMRdlgu5klhIMQr7N4Z8lnsr9uTSKrdu23u6eQt3-Ud-m5etiV40CRTvUywmzSmA-a9YoQYIMvTxtVnSfJqGB7voOhKOhpmpyA/s320/laguiole04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What I really love about these knives (besides how easily they cut food) is the cute little bee symbol. </div>
They are instantly recognizable and it's just an unique thing to put on a knife. <br />
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Sarlat has a huge street market twice a week, and we caught the tail end of it as we arrived around noon. People sell food and goods, much of it home grown and home made. Almost every town in the area, even tiny Tremolat has at least a weekly outdoor market. The Tremolat market consisted of about 2 booths in a small parking lot. The Sarlat market spanned several streets and alleys filling the city. A few cities even have evening markets with live music and tables set up for dining. All of these markets, and most of the restaurants and attractions we visited are only available from about May-September. Options are severely limited other times of year.<br />
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However, the third thing this region is known for (after walnuts and foie gras) is truffles, and prime truffle hunting season is November-January. Visiting during truffle season would be tricky considering half the town is completely shut down, but it would be fascinating to witness that aspect of the Dordogne.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-41473320362093763882013-06-28T21:07:00.000-05:002013-06-28T21:07:55.176-05:00France Part 5: Bergerac, St. Avit, and CadouinIt rained all day Tuesday, but we didn't let that stop us from exploring the area. We had enjoyed 2 of the wines at our special dinner at Le Vieux Logis so much that we decided to visit the Maison de Vin (House of Wine) in Bergerac (about an hour and a half away) to see if we could purchase bottles. Both wines were made in that region, but were not for sale at the Maison de Vin. A nice employee showed us a huge map of all the wineries around Bergerac and suggested we visit them directly. They were located very close to each other so it worked out great.<br />
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We were apparently the only ones out visiting wineries (perhaps the rain? midweek?) so we had the tasting rooms to ourselves and the undivided attention of the grandmotherly women who helped us at each location. The vineyards were the loveliest we had ever seen. Even Napa pales in comparison to the aesthetics of Bergerac.<br />
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Then, on a whim, we drove to visit the abbey church of Saint-Avit-Senieur which was ranked in 1998 as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It is an 11th Century church that contains Medieval frescoes. Pretty impressive.<br />
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But our next stop held even more beautiful religious sites. In Cadouin, we visited first the church then the Abbey next door. Both were spectacular. <br />
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the church</div>
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The Abbey was a square of four halls with a beautiful open-air garden in the middle. The stonework was amazing. There were so many carvings and each told a story.<br />
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This carving is a warning against the sin of greed. These two peasants are fighting over a goose. One just threw a wicked left hook. Don't let this happen to you!<br />
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Even a rainy, cold day can reveal treasures for the dedicated sight-seer. That night, we relaxed at at the local bistro in Tremolat and enjoyed a fabulous dinner after such a long tiring day. The best part was dessert...lava cakes. Mmmmmmm.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-85534843759511386402013-06-26T20:46:00.000-05:002013-06-26T20:47:45.635-05:00France Part 4: Canoeing and DommeOn day 2 in France we started with a canoe trip on the Dordogne River between Cenac and Beynac. (I promise all the French towns don't rhyme...) It took a while to negotiate the rental with the non-English speaking rental agent. Just think of all the details one has to iron out, and really be sure of, before heading off into the unknown in a canoe. Would they really be in Beynac to pick us up at the end of the ride? (Seems probable.) How would we know where to stop? (3 Ponts and a left. That is seriously all the instructions we had. Pont means bridge.) Did we need a waterproof container? (Yes.) How long will this take? (Maybe 3 hours.) This was all communicated with hand signals, broken French, and hopeful smiles.<br />
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Happily it all went smoothly. The river was moving faster than usual, so we finished the route in just under 2 hours. We counted bridges and immediately saw the place on shore where we needed to stop. And hallelujah, a guy was there to drive us back to Cenac in a van.<br />
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Canoeing was so much fun. It was relaxing and revealed a different view of some of the places we had visited the day before. We saw the Marqueyssac Gardens way up on a bluff. In the photo below is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Castelnaud-la-Chapelle" target="_blank">Castelnaud</a> which we had seen across the valley from the gardens but not visited.<br />
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And look! Here's Chateau de Beynac, site of unauthorized photos and fabulous Medieval toilets.<br />
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After canoeing it was time for lunch. We found a Ferme Auberge called <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g1485358-d1752474-Reviews-Le_Maraval-Cenac_et_Saint_Julien_Dordogne_Aquitaine.html" target="_blank">Le Maraval</a>. Eating at a Ferme Auberge is a must when visiting this area. A large percentage of the meal is produced on site and the rest is secured locally. It's almost like sitting down in the dining room of a farmhouse where the guy who has grown the food and cooked the meal is your host. We visited 2 of this type of restaurant, and both times the owner wanted to talk with us so badly. The people who run these places seem to be out-going and friendly. They enjoy talking to the patrons, and the meal is very relational. At both meals we were definitely hampered by language barriers, but darn if these guys did <i>not</i> give up. They showed us books, pictures, ingredients from the kitchen, maps, and when all else failed they just spoke long paragraphs in French whether we understood it or not. And we kinda did the same. At Le Maraval the family dog (who I swear was 50 years old, blind, and lame) laid down at my feet under the table and slept for a while. (And thankfully did not die.)<br />
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We ate foie gras stuffed duck breasts at Le Maraval. Foie gras ("fat liver") is another specialty of the area. It was served at almost every meal. It's controversial because it is made by force-feeding geese to make their livers become huge. The practice is outlawed in America. However, the French happily force-feed their geese as they have for centuries, and we happily ate it.<br />
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Le Maraval geese spotted after our meal</div>
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After lunch we drove to the picturesque city of Domme. It's a lovely place with shop-lined streets that lead to an impressive overlook at the end of town.<br />
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And of course it has a church. Every little town has a huge church built long ago (usually around the 12th century it seemed.) We went in dozens of beautiful churches always with a sense of awe regarding their age and size.<br />
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We stopped at a grocery store on the way back to Tremolat and picked up a few snacks and items for dinner and had a quiet evening at home. It was a beautiful day.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-41969400948475892312013-06-25T20:59:00.000-05:002013-06-25T20:59:44.965-05:00France Part 3: Beynac and Michelin DiningI'm still on the first day, people.
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After our lovely garden lunch in Venac, we drove a few miles down the road to Beynac which boasts the magnificent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Beynac" target="_blank">Chateau de Beynac</a>, a castle built in the 12th century. That's the 1100's for the historically challenged. 1100's. The sound you hear is my mind exploding.<br />
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That is <i>really, really</i> old. We paid the entrance fee and were turned loose to amuse ourselves amid the castle and grounds. Half the time, there was no one else around us. I didn't take a ton of photos because I saw a poster with a camera that had a line drawn through it. I'm assuming that meant no photographs, but no one spoke English so I couldn't verify that. I did try to ask. I met them halfway on it and only sneaked my camera out of my shoulder bag a few times, planning to blame communication issues if challenged.<br />
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The inside of the castle was amazing. Room after room with fireplaces, tapestries, weapons, paintings, and medieval bathrooms. I am still thinking about the bathrooms. See the small archway in the photo below? That is a wall just like we have in our bathrooms today with a toilet tucked behind it for privacy. Well, not a toilet...a rock ledge to sit on with a hole in it long since boarded up, but <i>still</i>! Some things haven't changed much in a thousand years.<br />
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We wound our way up higher and higher to the very top of the castle where the view was breathtaking.<br />
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This shot is looking back down at the chapel which is also on the property.<br />
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The castle was purchased in the 1960's by some guy who actually lives in part of the castle while overseeing its restoration. It has also been used in several movies.<br />
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After a busy day of sight-seeing, Cody and I headed back to home base Tremolat, the tiny town that happens to have a Michelin starred restaurant! Le Vieux Logis is a hotel/restaurant that brings in the bigwigs and even has a helipad for those special visits from high-ranking officials, royalty, celebrities, heiresses, and the like. (We saw no one famous that we know of, but the staff did bring a silver dog dish to the poodle belonging to a couple at a table near us.)<br />
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the hotel</div>
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We sat outside, under a canopy of trees. There were many courses, each accompanied by wine. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The course that knocked my socks off, however, was the cheese course. They brought out two huge platters filled with every cheese imaginable, and we could sample whatever we wanted. I think most people politely choose 3, maybe 4 cheeses tops, but I am an American. A non-celebrity American who adores cheese and has little restraint. I thought I was doing good to stop at 7.<br />
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Another part of the meal I found unique (and tasty) was the walnut oil they brought to the table between courses. The Dordogne is known for walnut production. In fact, just a half mile from where we were dining is a gorgeous field of walnut trees.<br />
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We used a dropper to place walnut oil on soft bread. I think they called it a digestive aid. All I know is, it tasted so good I bought a bottle of walnut oil the next day. <br />
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The meal lasted a little over 3 hours, which I later discovered is fairly typical in France. Cody and I have a history of celebrating our anniversary with a special dinner out, and I must say this was the most special yet. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-17824656319145980532013-06-25T06:50:00.000-05:002013-06-25T06:50:01.880-05:00France Part 2: Gardens of MarqueyssacBefore we arrived in France, we made a list of sites we were interested in visiting. We had no formal plans, so each evening we would decide what to do the next day using our list as a guide. This spontaneous style worked well for us and our laid-back personalities. A couple of times we did have to make dinner reservations a day or two in advance, but that didn't cramp our style too much.<br />
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Using the above method, it was casually decided that day one would involve a visit to the Gardens of Marqueyssac located near the city of Vezac. I had <a href="http://www.marqueyssac.com/" target="_blank">looked at these gardens online</a> and wanted to see them in person. They didn't disappoint.<br />
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Perched high above the valley, covering many acres, the 17th century Chateau and gardens is most famous for the perfectly groomed hedges near the front entrance.<br />
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As we walked along, there were tons of opportunities to gaze at the valley below. <br />
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We walked at least 3 miles through all kinds of vegetation and beautiful surroundings. It was a pleasant sunny day and not crowded. I've heard that July and August are the busiest times of year for tourism in this area. By going in June, we missed a lot of the crowds.<br />
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On the opposite end of the gardens from the entrance was a Belvedere (or outlook). The view was stunning, and it was a nice spot to rest after walking so long to get there.<br />
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We wound our way through the gardens for about 2 hours, finally ending up back at the entrance where there was an outdoor cafe...and randomly, a peacock. Cody and I were famished. We had skipped breakfast and it was afternoon. This garden cafe was our first meal in France. We sat outside with a pitcher of local wine between us content to rest and soak up the beautiful surroundings.<br />
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And for the sake of "keeping it real" let me tell you I made a huge mistake this day. I broke a cardinal rule of sight-seeing. I am still kicking myself about it, even as I type this. I wore shoes that were not completely broken in. And I walked for <i>miles</i>. My feet were blistered and ruined on the very first day in France! I had to deal with the consequences for the remainder of the trip. I was so irritated with myself.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-11245134178440782482013-06-24T11:09:00.000-05:002013-06-24T11:09:10.304-05:00France Part 1: The DordogneThis is the first part of what could be a dozen or more posts on our trip to the Dordogne region of France. It was a dream vacation for us as we celebrated 15 years of marriage. Awwww, look at these two lovebirds...<br />
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Before I get into the details of the fabulous things we saw, food we ate, things we did (and I do plan to include lots of details and photos...I'm writing with a mindset of wanting anyone who reads these blog posts to be able to easily plan their own Southern France get-away) let me first show people where we went. I thought I should include a map because apparently some people who live in France aren't even aware of the city we visited. I guess it's a well-kept secret.<br />
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This is the beautiful Dordogne region.<br />
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It is separate into 4 areas called Perigord Green, Purple, White, and Black. We were in the Black area, also known as Perigord Noir. The town we stayed in, Tremolat, is not shown on the map but a neighboring town Limeuil is there on the left middle side of the gray area.<br />
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Tremolat was our home base, but we drove all over the region. A rental car is a must for this type of vacation. And just so you know, it's almost impossible to get anything other than a manual transmission and the curvy roads will have your clutch leg sore for days.<br />
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Every night, we returned to our lovely little cottage that we found on <a href="http://homeaway.com/">HomeAway.com</a>. It was our first time to use HomeAway and we were thrilled with it. An older British couple has owned this house for 6 years. They live in the upper floors, connected but separate from the little cottage they rent out. We could walk up steps to their front door which we did twice and both times had the best conversation. They were so nice and treated us like family. It was perfect because we had total privacy, but if we wanted to ask their advice about sight-seeing or just have a visit they were right there.<br />
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<a href="http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p422329" target="_blank">Les Cireys</a> is the name of this 16th Century house. You can rent it, too!</div>
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The house had a small kitchen, accessible only by ducking. It had a dining area, 2 sitting rooms, a bathroom, and up the tiny steep steps was a bedroom. There was a private outdoor eating area and a front lawn with chairs. It was decorated well with all kinds of interesting items, wall decor, and antiques. We really enjoyed staying here.<br />
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For this trip, we flew into Toulouse which was about 3 hours from Tremolat. I think Bergerac, another option for arrival, would have been closer but we didn't mind the drive. We arrived at 9 PM, exhausted from being awake for about 24 hours straight, and went right to sleep. The good thing about it was we woke up the next morning totally on France time (it's 7 hours ahead) and ready to go.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11674216.post-88984040180767035232013-06-13T08:26:00.001-05:002013-06-13T08:26:11.863-05:00June 13th...Through HistoryJune 13.<br />
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<b>19</b> years ago on this date, I was 2 months away from having my life forever altered. I met Cody in August at a meeting for the 40 students who were headed to study abroad in London with Harding University. I was immediately attracted to the strong and silent vibe he was radiating. I think he liked my eyebrows. Don't knock them. Eyebrows are important. He may have also thought I had the most gorgeous hair ever.<br />
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<b>15</b> years ago on this date, Cody and I were married before a small crowd at Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas. It was a simple, but beautiful wedding...just what I wanted. We were surrounded by family and friends. <br />
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<b>10</b> years ago on this date, we were a new family of 3. Little Ava Beth had come along just a few months earlier and we were adjusting to life as parents. That wasn't such a easy adjustment. Cody and I had a lot of great adventures during our years of marriage without children, but this was certainly the greatest adventure yet.<br />
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<b>5</b> years ago on this date, we escaped our THREE children for an anniversary trip to Banff, Canada. It was tough to leave these little cuties behind for a few days. Just look at their sweet faces! There was a time when we had a 5, 3, and 1 year old. Those were very crazy times.<br />
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<b>Today</b> on this date, we are celebrating 15 years of marriage. There have been good times, and very hard times. And I can honestly say I love and appreciate Cody more today at this moment than ever before. He has loved me unconditionally and helped me become a stronger, more faithful daughter of God. He has poured out love on our children, and blessed them beyond measure. I am so thrilled to call him my husband. Happy Anniversary, honey!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563886078048329577noreply@blogger.com1