tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208072362024-03-05T12:32:27.521-07:00Blissful MishapsCAN WE BLOG ABOUT IT?Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-8173061983604636052011-06-27T23:51:00.000-07:002011-06-27T23:51:13.352-07:00North to Alaska<h7>Sea Lions and Whales and Bears! Oh My!</h7><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/5868373947/" title="Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm Fjord by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/5868373947_66290126a3.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm Fjord"></a><br />
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As you may have heard, The Boy and I went on an Alaskan Cruise not too long ago and I finally finished sorting through the 4500+ photos from the trip! Let me tell you, "AWESOME" doesn't even begin to explain it. It was an absolutely amazing adventure. I could yammer on about it for hours on end, but instead, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/collections/72157626992093628/">I will let the pictures speak for themselves</a>. <br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/sets/72157627065391748/">BLACK BEAR PHOTOS</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/sets/72157627065391748/" title="Black Bear - 08 by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="Black Bear - 08" height="159" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5276/5879269485_36cd6d3687_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>For those wonderful folks who were on the <strong>DYEA DAVE TOUR</strong> with us and had a change to see this beautiful guy, you can <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/sets/72157627065391748/">see all of the photos here</a>. Please <a href="mailto:mismis@gmail.com">shoot me an email</a> if you would like any high resolution versions. I would be more than happy to send them your way. =)<br />
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View all the photos from the trip in my Flickr Gallery: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/collections/72157626992093628/">Alaskan Cruise 2011"</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/5879605967/" title="Emerald Lake in Yukon Canada by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5156/5879605967_341d17aff1_m.jpg" height="100" alt="Emerald Lake in Yukon Canada"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/5880188644/" title="Orca Pod - 04 by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5880188644_9f476e3e16_m.jpg" height="100" alt="Orca Pod - 04"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/5846161453/" title="Bear Creek Zipline - 03 by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/5846161453_bbae511d55_m.jpg" height="100" alt="Bear Creek Zipline - 03"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/5880124008/" title="Jon and Heidi at the Butchart Gardens by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5880124008_354b768302_m.jpg" height="100" alt="Jon and Heidi at the Butchart Gardens"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/5879437325/" title="Angry Birds and Angry Hyds by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5112/5879437325_43cba9fd04_m.jpg" height="100" alt="Angry Birds and Angry Hyds"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydlynn/5879750370/" title="Through the Heavens by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5879750370_40f4dfb815_m.jpg" height="100" alt="Through the Heavens"></a>Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-61498245890809629352011-04-21T23:27:00.003-07:002011-04-21T23:37:13.281-07:00Happy Easter Cupcakes<h7>Because Easter just wouldn't be complete without something sweet!</h7><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/5642636364/" title="Easter Cupcakes by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5642636364_ed0a9c5c7f.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Easter Cupcakes"></a><br />
This Easter I decided to make cupcakes inspired by one of my favorite springtime desserts: My Mom's Pineapple Coconut Cake!<br />
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As you can see, they were adorably delicious! Here is the recipe so you can make your own Eastery cupcakes!<br />
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<h2>Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes</h2><blockquote><b>Cupcakes:</b><br />
1 box yellow cake mix<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 cup buttermilk<br />
Vegetable oil (amount called for on the box)<br />
1 tsp pineapple extract/flavoring (optional)<br />
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.<br />
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Follow the box instructions and mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon into cups.<br />
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<em><b>TIP:</b> I like to put my cake batter into a gallon sized ziplock baggie. Snip one corner off and use it to fill the liners. I can get a more even (and less messy!) fill in the cups, and it is a bit quicker to fill them up.</em><br />
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Bake for 15-20 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from pan and place on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before decorating.<br />
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<b>Pineapple Filling:</b><br />
1 can crushed pineapple<br />
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Drain the liquid from the crushed pineapple. Set aside.<br />
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Take cooled cupcakes and using <a href="http://amzn.com/B0000VM56G">my favorite angled spatula</a> or a butter knife, cut a small 3/4 in square hole in the top of the cupcake taking care only to cut about halfway down into the cupcake (not all the way to the bottom). Remove the inside of the cake from the cake hole. *snickers* You can toss or eat the inside, we won't be using it.<br />
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Take a small teaspoonful of crushed pineapple and put it into the hole in the center of the cupcake. You can squish it in there a bit using your spatula.</blockquote><br />
Here is where I varied a bit. Normally I would make these cupcakes using whipped cream (homemade or store bought, your preference) for the frosting. Which I recommend if you will be serving these cupcakes same-day. But since I needed these cupcakes to keep overnight to take to work, I needed something that would stand up a little better. So I made some slight changes to my favorite cream cheese frosting.<br />
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<blockquote><b>Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:</b><br />
1 stick butter (softened)<br />
1 8oz pkg cream cheese (softened)<br />
~ 1 box (16oz) confectioners' sugar<br />
2-3 tablespoons of milk<br />
2 teaspoons vanilla or coconut extract<br />
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Combine the sugar and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Mix for about 3 mins until light and fluffy. <br />
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Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk and beat until smooth. Add the remaining tablespoon of milk if the mixture is too thick, add more confectioners' sugar if it is too thin. <br />
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Using my favorite angled spatula, frost your cupcakes!</blockquote><br />
I kind of eyeball this frosting until I get the right texture. I also may add in more vanilla or coconut flavoring to taste. Baking is an art, not always a science. ;) I choose to make this frosting nice and thick.<br />
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<blockquote><b>Decorations:</b><br />
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut<br />
Green food coloring<br />
1 teaspoon water<br />
Candies/Mini eggs (jelly beans, Robin's Eggs, whoppers, your pick)<br />
1 ziplock baggie or sealable container (I used a gladware bowl)<br />
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Place a few drops (lets say 5) of food coloring and 1 teaspoon of water into your baggie or container. Seal it up and shake it around to coat the bag. Dump in your coconut and shake it, shake, it shake it like a polaroid picture to coat the coconut and color it green! This is our easter grass.<br />
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<em><b>TIP:</b>You can add more or less food coloring depending on the color you want your grass. For pastels, start with less food coloring. For a bright green, use more. It is best to start with less, as you can always add more food coloring to darken it up.</em><br />
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Sprinkle coconut grass on top of your frosted cupcake.<br />
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Next take your various candies and place on top of the grass to look like little easter egg nests or baskets. <br />
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You can also leave the coconut white for a non-eastery variation or use my favorite garnish - mini umbrellas! Piña Coladas anyone? This is the fun part so get creative!</blockquote><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/5642636684/" title="Easter Cupcakes by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5642636684_412a4db653_m.jpg" width="240" height="179" alt="Easter Cupcakes"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/5642066615/" title="Easter Cupcakes by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5642066615_0e8c1b46f4_m.jpg" width="240" height="179" alt="Easter Cupcakes"></a><br />
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I hope you have as much fun making, and eating these cupcakes as I did. Oh my are they delicious! Enjoy! =D<br />
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<hr/>Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-60968041198150762962011-02-18T00:17:00.000-07:002011-02-18T00:17:03.523-07:00A lovely night out<h7>Tonight was the kind of night that makes me remember why I really love the city.</h7><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/5454970057/" title="Waterfront view of the Old Town Artwalk by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="Waterfront view of the Old Town Artwalk" height="374" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5454970057_2caa2120fe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I went out in Old Town Scottsdale tonight. Not the bar-hopping scene filled with cougars and 30K millionaires that one generally associates with "going-out on the town" in Scottsdale. But the artsy, locally owned, fine crafted, handmade, community centered Old Town Scottsdale tucked just a few streets back behind all of the rowdy happy hour goers.<br />
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It was one of the nicest nights out that I've had in a while. It wasn't particularly fancy or special, just a laid back and relaxing kind of evening with beautiful weather and pleasant company.<br />
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The evening started off "sweetly" as I met up with some of the girls at <a href="http://www.citizenpublichouse.com/">Citizen Public House</a> for the Cupcakes & Cocktails Event put on by the lovely ladies of <a href="http://cupcakelovein.com/">Cupcake Lovein</a>. Cupcakes & Cocktails!? Does it get any better than that? The event was great and I got to mingle and meet with some of people I have been working on websites with.<br />
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We were treated to tasty cupcake creations on the patio, all baked with liquors; cherry martini, raspberry lemondrop (with vodka) and Guinness chocolate stout cupcakes. Citizen Public House had also created 3 delicious cupcake inspired cocktails specially for the event: Butterscotch Creme, Carrot Cake, and Lemon Cream Pie. They were all amazing and I regret now, not getting photos!<br />
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After having our dessert first, we decided to walk to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.herbboxcatering.com/">The Herb Box</a> for dinner. I had forgotten that Thursdays in Old Town were the Artwalk so I was pleasantly surprised to walk out from the parking garage and into a street filled with booths and the sounds of live music.<br />
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We enjoyed the view of the waterfront outside on the patio and listened to local band <a href="http://www.facebook.com/vinylstation">Vinyl Station</a> play beautifully. They had fabulous original songs and fantastic covers including "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons and "Falling Slowly" by Swell Season. Such beautiful, melodic acoustic songs, I could have listened to them play all night.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/5455573064/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="179" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5455573064_02903acc8d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>For dinner we tried a sampling from their appetizers which included falafel balls, hummus plate, and brown sugar pulled pork sliders. The sliders were amazing and now I want to try making something similar myself! =9<br />
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After dinner we joined the other art lovers on the waterfront bridge to look at some beautiful artwork and jewelry. There was one painting that caught my eye that I absolutely loved. Unfortunately she did not have any large prints (I couldn't afford to buy the original!) but she did have a magnet. I asked if the binary in the background spelled anything and she said indeed it did. The message spelled "Retweet". It was perfect for this bird loving, geeky girl. You can <a href="http://akajake.com/binary_birds.htm">see more from the Binary Birds collection here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/5454969783/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Untitled by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5454969783_d2815531bd_m.jpg" width="179" /></a>There is just something about the buzz in the air of people gathered together enjoying good food, local music and art. Getting out in the crowd, chatting with new people, and being a part of that buzz really filled me up tonight and made my spirit hum with excitement and creativity.<br />
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It is moments like these when I forget about the heat, the traffic, snotty people, bad air, worse drivers, and remember the reason I fell in love with this city in the first place. It is so alive.Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-90060261349636138912011-01-03T19:52:00.000-07:002011-01-03T19:52:46.291-07:00Back to the Grind<h7> or the First Working Day of the Year</h7><br />
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It wasn't as painful coming back to work after 10 days of vacation as I expected it to be. I thought that my lazy schedule of being up past 2am and waking up after 9am everyday for over a week would make for a brutal Monday morning requiring no less than a gallon of coffee to make it through the day. But waking up at 7am and getting back into the routine was a much more natural thing than I expected...thank goodness. <br />
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But still...I wasn't exactly ready to go back to work. Not to say that's anything to do with my job. I absolutely LOVE my job (no, really. It is fabulous.) but I could have totally said "yes" to another week of vacation.<br />
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2010 was a busy year. A new job, new network connections, new friends, new freelance clients, and new lifestyle changes kept me busy and buzzing. It was great! It was also great to unplug for a few days with no where to be, kicking it in my jammies and enjoying the simple things in life, like cups of tea, trying out new recipes, playing video games (omg it had been over a year!) and the pure joy of sitting on the couch all day reading a new book.<br />
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I didn't get the curtains hemmed, my website updates finished, any blog posts written or really half the things on my "ToDo List" done but it was a fabulously relaxing vacation and I really got a chance to unwind. Which is a rare and valuable thing!<br />
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Now it is back to the grind, back to the routine, back to the busy and back to the fun. I have my handful of New Year's resolutions to attest for - one of which is to FINALLY complete the dozen unfinished posts sitting around in my drafts box =S. So here's hoping this year is healthier, happier, and more productive than ever before!<br />
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Cheers to 2011!Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-35913205642173826882010-11-26T10:57:00.003-07:002010-11-29T21:42:14.490-07:00My Wish List 2010<h7>Back by popular demand (and by request of my Mum)...it's The Heidi's Wish List! Yays! So Let's get to it!</h7><br />
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This year, most of my fancies reside in some well organized <strong>Amazon Wish Lists</strong>, nicely sorted as follows:<br />
<a href="http://amzn.com/w/2UPTDBONI35IU">A few of my Favorite things</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.com/w/O8IMWUOSESCR">Baking & Cooking</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.com/w/2B5FLI4A6Y9KL">Movies & Games</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.com/w/4NBA28MNE185">Books & Comics</a><br />
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<hr /><h3>MISC</h3><br />
<b>Kitty Kitty</b><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/radiomaru/5095473094/" title="kitty by radiomaru, on Flickr"><img alt="kitty" height="357" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5095473094_e8b8786ebe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<b>WANT #1:</b> I found the Scott Pilgrim kitty artwork!!! If someone makes me a mug out of this...you win the prize for being amazingly freaking awesome and I totally owe you a cupcake!<br />
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<b>Colour Rain Artwork - 100cm X 140cm</b><br />
<div style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.colourrain.com/side2.php?p_id=2&prod_id=124" target="_blank"><br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe-lkyY12c2WN4s9yF9qsCP5p6bZSs7CKL48NTJk6Q4rN7AuA_uGAn-TPw0Mk1jJSz1B2kouh-T-7rX2RvPLpEPUpkxnR7j2dts8nyVmrvs_HXAoWRwdhDQjBoGLO7VHtc6eZ/s320/colourrain1.png" width="234" /><br />
</a></div><div style="float: right;"><a href="http://www.colourrain.com/side2.php?p_id=2&prod_id=123" target="_blank"><br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueRz1_VPjbILY1rrpgSv2cs-6O94BLFgz8oDx2aZqKv00sTi4_Y-dadQMV0Qsj7O0s65GN77P9SPqZ7jFMIBdsfwOX-VbieEUfX2yenywFsyg9oXCLmJbKdfC_ErmuEcUxpur/s320/colourrain2.png" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I really love these prints. They are so neat, modern, and fresh. I think they would look great in my new office. ;)<br />
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<b>Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters</b><br />
<a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/ninjabread-men-cookie-cutter.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://edgecastcdn.net/800034/www.perpetualkid.com/productimages/lg2/CCUT-1807-2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
And...because these are just too damn cute to resist <a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/ninjabread-men-cookie-cutter.aspx">Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters</a>!<br />
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<b>The Winchester Tavern Pint Glasses from Shawn of the Dead</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="hhttp://www.tshirtbordello.com/Winchester-Tavern-Glass" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKKU8muszBGcrG9XkfBz7S6FM9epe_tIU_2MaCobCFvGIkm-HfQ8UkFojA6UVsDFbJhd2PW_tZOsmGLrOrAyt8waT7xKopf_Z_z03UUxv3ZTGKrlcBxjsr_It6KFQQghimnaq/s320/winchester-pints.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nothing like a cold pint to calm the nerves before a zombie bashing. <br />
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<h3>GIFT CARDS</h3><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512164773170679698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGajMVu1mr1MXH_I2wYeQlX-o1_ZbFGYxJqNkigqvp87Gh3b9eJqeDFvnS0DwSKT2t08AGycov7Fc7bKnSdpxhAAXywmSA_Gm2xZa-w9z-aDVEDoBXIx6FM55yJ-xp8i5ANE8O/s400/giftcards.png" style="display: block; height: 238px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<a href="http://www.target.com/GiftCards/b/ref=nav_giftcards/181-3582284-5999015?ie=UTF8&node=14061591">Target</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/customer_service/ikea_services/ikea_services.html">Ikea</a><br />
<a href="https://secure2.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GiftCardProductDisplay?partNumber=199999959&gcval=&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">Home Depot</a><br />
<a href="http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=giftCards">Micheal's Crafts</a><br />
<a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/giftcard/giftcardhome.jsp;jsessionid=3B9F88DF3E081B0DF9D9BACE96EE8288.a5p2">Joann's Crafts</a><br />
<a href="https://www.starbucks.com/card/default.asp?cookie_test=1">Starbucks</a><br />
<a href="http://www.borders.com/online/store/BGIView_giftcards">Borders Bookstore</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/gc/gcbuynow2.asp">Barnes & Noble Bookstore</a>Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-45973586530671522292010-11-02T23:38:00.001-07:002010-11-02T23:43:03.205-07:00Why I didn't vote today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHifY1L6sBEGpdg2Pr7HoTZMDlvZyVnpkcRrlJVyVzQwCW4BIk4z2rYEZbiFzBAFcna6WW96xD_if5DGdzXERGD-mDdAaFRLewCtf-PI5HDplYYQPr0kg14r9ZKSoFjNrT2abY/s1600/bad-vote.jpeg" /></div><br />
<h7>As I am sure that you all know, today was election day.</h7> This however, was unknown to me until I got a company wide email excusing us to leave early or take long lunches in order to go vote. It wasn't that I forgot, I just was never paying attention. Oops.<br />
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You see, I am making a confession here, I am not a political person...at all. So much so that I only vaguely know the difference between Democrats and Republicans and good luck asking me to name anyone of said persuasion. <br />
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So it is the same every year. The voting day approaches and it is like the Spanish inquisition as soon as you walk in the door. "Did you vote yet?" "When are you going to vote?" No one dares to ask WHO you vote for, because that would be "too personal". But they can give you the 3rd degree about IF you are voting. And when I say "no", my answer is met with open mouths and aghast faces as if I had just confessed to something as absurd as not liking ice cream or kittens. "How can you NOT vote?" they exclaim with wide eyes that make me feel like a dirty freedom hating traitor.<br />
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<h7>I don't really have a good reason for never voting.</h7> I remember kids that were so excited for their 18th birthdays so they could reister to vote. And here I am 27 and never voted in my life. 9 good voting years that I have squandered away. <br />
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As a good American who respects the freedom of opinion and choice, I should be honored to take a stance and do my Americanly duty to vote because <b>I CAN</b>. Especially after all of the fighting my fore fathers and mothers went through in order to win me this freedom to vote. I don't want to disrespect that. <br />
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I WANT to get involved. But the moment I open my mind to the political debates and debauchery and TRY to care, all I become is angered and disgusted by the mudslinging and trash talking that goes on. These people don't care about the issues at hand. They just care about the WIN. It is like a high school popularity contest all over again. How is candidate one telling me that candidate two is full of lies going to convince me to vote for candidate one? It is not, and thus - no voting. It is in some ways, the same reason I don't watch the news. But that is a post for another day.<br />
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<h7>It is not that I don't care or don't have opinions.</h7> It is just that my opinions and those of politicians generally don't coincide. I am a rather openminded individual. I am pro choice, pro gay marriage, and pro vegetarian. haha. I maintain that as long as you are not hurting yourself, others, animals or the planet, you are probably alright. Who am I to say what you do with your body, in your bed or with your food. We have plenty of so called "normal" stereotyped people out there in the world causing trouble and harm and yet we are worried about whom is sleeping with whom. I just have no patience for it. Sadly most snooty politicians don't agree with such open-mindedness so it is hard to side with them and hand over my vote.<br />
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It just doesn't seem right or fair for me to vote when I don't have a stance on the issues at hand, or don't agree with any of the ideals of the candidates running. I feel that by blindly voting for the sake of voting isn't helpful and just skews the results. Picking someone because their name sounds better than the other guys doesn't seem very fair. <br />
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I also don't believe in the "lesser of two evils" approach. So if all of the candidates suck, I am supposed to pick the least sucky guy and hop for the best? WTF? <br />
<br />
I feel that politics, like religion, comes from family influence, and my family was never very religious, nor were they very politically active. They voted when it concerned school things or raising taxes, but we didn't really discuss politics at home. We didn't have family feuds over conflicting political views at holidays parties that lead to year long grudges. I was involved in a few political campaign team things for History class in school, but that was about the extent of my involvement.<br />
<br />
That is not to say that to say that my life is totally devoid of political influence. My best friend is a principal at a local school and my step mom is a teacher. As you can imagine, they care greatly about the laws and propositions going up for vote, as they do see the direct effects on such things on their schools, budgets and fellow teachers. So I try to pay more attention and care for the sake of others. <br />
<br />
I suppose that I would have a more opinionated stance on the issues at hand if I felt that I was directly affected by them. Don't get me wrong, I KNOW that what happens in the voting booths ultimately has an effect on our government, schools, taxes, and what have you. But as a young person that doesn't own a house, doesn't have kids, and is never going to see Social Security it doesn't seem like much changes in my world post-election day.<br />
<br />
I know this "young and naive" demeanor is not one that I can maintain very much longer as I'm rounding the corner to 30. But it is difficult to cut through the shit coming out of the mouths of politicians and filter out what would be best course of action. To vote is to make a decision that could ultimately better, or totally fuck up some peoples lives. I am not comfortable being responsible for that. As I am sure you can imagine, I am not alone in these and similar views on the politics. It is a dangerous game we play.Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-73053779222455374832010-11-01T07:27:00.002-07:002010-11-01T15:37:42.568-07:00A new November<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vladstudio.com/wallpaper/?timeflow/1920x1440/low" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKSpjagM6YlKYjg8-nemqFAvh-SRq_UhyphenhyphenHMFEBXxGbELz_lER4C0DpszXT0X5IT1-t3IWKVNHjhjT9csm8xxwiFQCtvnXS6BJSPsKlM4r6SAdDeZ_8fGnCs9B4vST3syvLzl6/s1600/hourglass.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from vladstudio.com (one of my favorite artists)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h7>Hello November.</h7> <br />
You snuck right up on me you ninja! After my ridiculously busy October, things are slowing down and taking a breather for a moment before the hustle and bustle of the holidays is upon us before we know it. There are still so many things I want to accomplish before the year is out so I would like to commit to a few of those goals now. Sort of like a pre-new years resolution, I guess. I feel that by posting my goals "out-loud" instead of just keeping a list in my head, they feel more real and I am more likely to hold myself accountable for them. =P So here we go:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Keep up the good work on C25K</li>
<li>Start my eating healthy plan...again.</li>
<li>Finish the billion drafted blog posts sitting in my inbox</li>
<li>Try to blog about something once a week</li>
<li>Finish my BlueSparrow website that has been oh so close to complete since August</li>
<li>Make handmade christmas cards and enjoy crafty time</li>
<li>Take time to read (and finish the books I started last month)</li>
<li>Read one spiritual book a month (and by "spiritual" I don't mean religious, more like "self-help")</li>
<li>Start meditating again</li>
</ul><br />
I don't know if I will get to that last one, but it is a goal that I would like to work towards. I would like to become more in tune with my mind and body again. This past hectic month has proved rough to maintain my calmness. I got a bit overwhelmed and stressed at points, and while I know this is totally normal, I still think it is a good time to re-center myself before things get too off-kilter.<br />
<br />
Whew, there is a lot to be done before 2011 is here, but I think I can conquer it! Rawrs!Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-13436477275070801942010-10-31T22:10:00.003-07:002010-11-02T23:41:17.351-07:00Tricks & Treats<h7>Happy Halloween my freaky darlings.</h7> <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/sets/72157625169524323/">View all the Halloween fun on my Flickr album!</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/sets/72157625169524323/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYHhkMn9ID8X2BCcwMa6frC5wfkM_Hu1zjaYvHTeEdrdgrVSCQaYCoH_z50ZUOhXC4TVNhhwPXKXY65MnB0Q4eIoHHozblJto9evniRSNwuVJCTP_6a48SywU4YPr1xX3an-9/s640/batty-pumpkin.jpeg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Batty Pumpkin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-48972485229235322952010-10-08T23:00:00.001-07:002010-11-02T23:42:21.659-07:00October: My Favorite Season<h7>October is more than just another month. It is a season all its own.</h7><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5292Ca4qJ2IFUgV2-TGTkRWLOhRSiVHhyphenhyphenBgdqss0eLKKCAXIhhcWZRrQNl7jIVHUNVoVfA4nz4HMCz3AjUnqgomp7Bacb8oWt2u-vEafxBaYXkrM7JfY9sHxWPrJTqhVgcm5l/s640/pumpkin-ale.JPG" width="500" /></div>To me, October is the <i>official</i> start of Fall. Especially here in Arizona. October is the beginning of the end of summer when it ceases to be so unnaturally hot and begins to take on some semblance to normal weather, albeit lacking the crisp-air and orange leaves of a true "Fall", but still a lovely time non-the-less.<br />
<br />
October is a season of pumpkin spiced lattes, cool weather, pumpkin ale, oktoberfest, golden orange colors, crisp apples, pumpkin pie, warm homemade chili, butternut squash bisque, pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies, candy corn, holiday baking, cute jackets and boots, pumpkin roll candles, carving pumpkins, Halloween and of course, my birthday.<br />
<br />
So welcome October, and all of the wonderful things that you bring! You are my favorite season.Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-78177978897687576992010-09-24T18:46:00.001-07:002010-11-02T23:41:55.617-07:00C25K Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl762TxyoJb25k5Vq739AkLQuo9J_tDvWk7aVZ7Z-upqHf9qJm2YKDOaIRwxbnkB9z9duV4Ild7kLTzVSnYuuYgW3GZ7tX9iRvj8dYR-D02kNrGY0JRIO0Zmq34nR2t51T2Y0w/s1600/road-runner-1.jpg" /></div><br />
Before I get started, I just want to say that I will try to not to be one of those people who blog about their health and fitness progress and what they ate everyday and all that stuff all the time (I will start a new blog for that if I feel the need to be so detailed). BUT I did want to say that running day two was great! It went so much smoother than day one and it is really motivating to see even a teeny smidgen of progress from day to day. And to not be mostly dead and ready to pass out afterward is good too! ^_~<br />
<br />
I slapped on some blister blockers so my current owies didn't get any worse and got to it. I also shortened my stride and didn't have any problems with my hip hurting today which was fabulous! My legs muscles burned pretty good (as expected) but even right now as I am writing this they hurt less then yesterday when I didn't run at all. It is amazing how quickly your body heals and adjusts!<br />
<br />
The hardest part was the "Battle of the Bed" and laying there at 5:30 as the alarm went off and arguing with myself about whether to go out or not. "But I'm so sore." "I have a late night tonight so I need more sleep." "My blisters hurt." *whine* But I sucked it up and got to it and am so glad that I did.<br />
<br />
I like that Jon is participating too. Having someone else to go with really helps. I can make excuses for days for myself to stay in bed, but if I am committed to someone else then I am less likely to back out. <br />
<br />
Another bonus was that it was refreshing to be outside so early in the morning. It is like Arizona woke up yesterday (conveniently on the first day of Autumn) and decided "okay, it is time to be fall". And even though the days still creep up to 100 degrees in the afternoon, the mornings have been crisp and beautiful. I am happy to have been awake and outside to enjoy them. =) This might bode very well for my wanting to be a morning person goal.<br />
<br />
Lastly, my new running shoes shipped today and should be here next week! So excited!Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-82961080361416634662010-09-22T23:13:00.002-07:002010-11-26T10:58:04.464-07:00Thunderstorm Zen Moment<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96MsZ6T6LfR78xAmTw6EaTvloWcQoKX2tcslTgY2HejtQ29TOISYs63NnQ8RpPZpD97K3vFocLQ9W3w33IID_n2ywofVDeVDIVcdDuDd8CNtRbXKH-7Xy_4Pnk6PC7Bv0KoDW/s640/AZLightning.jpg" width="500" /><br />
Last night I stood outside on the patio and watched the thunderstorm. It reminded me of when my dad and I used to sit on the front steps and watch them back home in Idaho. We both love storms - snow storms, crazy wind storms, pouring rains, lightning storms (those were the best!) - all of them. <br />
<br />
As I stood there, lost in the moment, I felt the warmth of the concrete on my bare feet. I watched the lightning flash in the sky. I watched the wind whip the trees around in a graceful dance. I listened to the thunder roll across the whole world. I smelled the fresh, earthy dampness of the rain on the trees and grass. I felt the soft drops of cool rain on my skin. And for a few unbroken moments I forgot I was in the city. It didn't sound like a city. It didn't smell like a city. It didn't feel like I was in a city full of 6 million people. It was just me and the trees and the rain. And for a few unbroken moments I felt alive and wholly connected with the world around me.<br />
<br />
It was a beautiful moment of peace.Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-83481524123534683912010-09-22T23:05:00.002-07:002010-09-24T18:46:56.093-07:00One Step at a Time<img alt="photo (3)" height="374" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5017038758_dba50926a7.jpg" width="500" /><br />
Today I took the first step in a healthier lifestyle. The Boy and I started the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">Couch to 5K (C25K)</a> running program.<br />
<br />
It was a great day to start. We are (hopefully) coming to the end of a long, hot summer and are experiencing a few cloudy and rainy days. Today at 6:30am it was overcast, 67 degrees (which is a much welcome change) a bit humid out, but otherwise a beautiful day.<br />
<br />
I downloaded the C25K app for my iPhone so that I wouldn't have to worry about keeping time of the walking/running intervals and just ran or walked till it beeped at me to change.<br />
<br />
Overall it went about as well as I expected. It was tough, tiring, and almost fun. I think that doing strength training with EA Sports Active this summer helped to build up my endurance so I wasn't totally dead by the end of the run. I was sweaty, flushed, and felt like I might pass out or throw up. But I hear that is common for a newbie. ;) <br />
<br />
On the plus side, I didn't have any knee pain or shin splints which is very normal for me when I do any high impact sports or exercises and is mostly why I hate running so much. But I didn't experience any of those problems, which was a huge relief! (Thanks again EA Sports!)<br />
<br />
I still had issues towards the end of my workout with my hip hurting (again, another common issue for me) which limited me to walking for the last two run cycles which was kind of a bummer. But it will just take some time to build up strength in those muscles and I didn't want to overexert and injure myself on the first day and be put off on running all together.<br />
<br />
I also read up a little today about hip-injuries in runners and there are some things I can do to try to help with the issues so I will try some of those things and see if it gets better. =)<br />
<br />
The other problem I had was blisters. I also expected this. Even though it's sandal season, I have very soft, callous-less feet, that I take pride in thank you very much. But those delicate toesies make it easy for blisters to form. I also didn't have the best shoes or socks for running. But had I kept letting not having the right equipment get in the way, I would have never gotten started. ;) Excuses, excuses. So I think that The Boy and I might go shopping for proper shoes sometime this week if we plan to keep things up - which I hope!!<br />
<br />
Oddly enough, the hardest part of the whole thing wasn't the running. It was getting out of bed in the morning. I have been trying all summer to "force" myself to become a morning person, and this too will just take time to form good habits. But whether I'm getting up at 5:30am or 11:00am that part is never easy. =PHeidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-60398638516252331752010-09-12T17:15:00.022-07:002010-09-12T18:10:45.592-07:00Suck it, Sucktember<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tyRxPZLejdH7G-3JSF_x_Bn4G7-LUQkonQoxLKknbZ03hjX8iIfYSmgBRgPf4fZY1llUMIaCQnmOUP_KIXsY6qjEs99QxwcI_C1LX8DvgSBf52rOIZTznjb7AZkDTi2a5r7W/s640/busy-month.jpg" width="500" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My December 2009 Calendar</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h7>So it begins,</h7> the busiest time of the year, with Sucktember - as I have so affectionally named it.<br />
<br />
The fall/winter months are normally very busy for me, what with birthday shenanigans and the many holidays. But this is also the time of year that Phoenix comes alive. Now that it is nice enough to be outside again after the long hot summer, it is a time for <a href="http://www.tempeoktoberfest.com/">Beerfests</a>, <a href="http://phoenixzoo.org/events/ZooLights/">Zoolights</a>, <a href="http://www.dbg.org/events-exhibitions/las-noches-de-las-luminarias">Luminaries at the Botanical Gardens</a>, <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/Sunnyslope_Art_Walk_158539165704">artwalks</a>, <a href="http://www.westwinddriveins.com/theaters/scottsdale.htm">drive-in-movies</a>, <a href="http://www.shopbiltmore.com/events.asp?id=62123&start=10/22/2010">Movies in the Park</a>, <a href="http://cupcakelovein.com/">culinary festivals</a> and all sorts of fun outdoorsy events. This is a busy, but much looked forward to time of year.<br />
<br />
But this year, it is no longer just the busiest time of year for my personal calendar, but also the busiest season for my work calendar as well. My company is basically an online women's magazine, and we, like most sites of this nature, are fueled by ad revenue - and as for most retailers, Q4 is a <a href="http://youtu.be/2X1fQbKCeJM">Bad Mamma Jamma</a>.<br />
<br />
So we kicked off the busy season with a crazy trip to LA and the deadlines for 3 large projects due the first of October. I have already scheduled in several "late nights" into my work week because I know they will be needed. And the fun doesn't stop till February.<br />
<br />
While I totally understand that this is the name of the online advertising game, it still really bums me out. =/ My calendar will be jam-packed already with me trying to cram as much in as I can in the few spare hours between work and bedtime. The extra work hours eating into my already full days is going to be exhausting. <br />
<br />
I am beginning to see now why they close the office and give everyone a week off at Christmas - to preserve their sanity and keep their employees. (Christmas. Fuck. That is a whole other stress-inducing holiday.)<br />
<br />
PLUS, we are currently looking for a house, which the chances being high that we will be moving sometime this season. Good lord...there's still so much to do. <br />
<br />
Costume making, holiday shopping & baking, long work hours, packing and moving into a new house, social events and activities (if I can even squeeze them in!) - it's so overwhelming! >_<;; I am trying to mentally prepare for it. <br />
<br />
And I am totally whining about the whole thing. <br />
"But it's so haaaaaaaard." *whines* <br />
<br />
<b>*sigh*</b>Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-64076856911269428492010-09-11T17:48:00.003-07:002010-09-12T17:48:21.813-07:00Cupcakes = FailNot all kitchen experimentations can go 100% smoothly every time. Sometimes you have to fudge up a few things to learn what-not-to-do next time. This was one of those occasions. =P<br />
<br />
And this...<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4978986146/" title="cupcake = fail by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4978986146_17593b7ce8.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="cupcake = fail" /></a><br />
...was the culmination of the entire ordeal, a tipped over, half-melted, cherry flavored mess - with sprinkles. It was an all over "cuptastrophe".<br />
<br />
Last week I was invited to a girly-girl bday sleepover and pool party for my BFF's 10 year old daughter. We stayed at the Squaw Peak Pointe Hilton in a gorgeous casita and spent most of our time floating down the lazy river soaking up sun - which was all very lovely. I was asked to bring the b-day girl some cupcakes, to which I gladly obliged as I am always looking for an excuse to bake something new.<br />
<br />
My recipe plan was for White chocolate vanilla cupcakes with cherry frosting. I bought all my supplies ahead of time, I was so totally prepared. <br />
<br />
But then the cuptastrophe started, as a frazzled Hyd rushed home from work an hour behind schedule. I mixed up the cupcake mix, funneled it neatly into the shiny foil liners and was about to toss them in the oven when I realized...OMG I am such an moron!! I forgot to put the white chocolate chips and coloring into the batter! <br />
<br />
I first thought about tossing the chips in on top and stirring them in and just forgetting the color all together but I had filled the liners so full there wasn't much room for the chips. So I carefully poured all of the batter back into my mixing bowl, added the chips and coloring and re-poured it back into the liners and into the oven to bake. <br />
<br />
But now my batter was settling and those white chocolate chips...they sunk right on through the batter and into a pile at the bottom. So instead of pretty pink cupcakes with white chocolate polka-dots inside, they were hole-filled vanilla cakes with a hard layer of white chocolate plastered on the bottom that you literally had to scrape out of the liner.<br />
<br />
It was too late to start over so I globbed cherry frosting into a piping bag and frosting and sprinkled those suckers before running out the door. At least they would be adorable little cakes.<br />
<br />
But cuteness too was a fail. While waiting for the girls to arrive at the hotel, my cupcakes slowly melted. No amount of cranked up AC can save a sugary frosted treat from the hot Phoenix sun.<br />
<br />
Alas...in the end I suppose it all turned out alright. I did learn some things, and the cupcakes tasted okay even if they had a "surprise at the bottom" as one of the girls exclaimed later that evening. And as another friend so positively put it: "Now you can make cupcakes AGAIN!" ^_~Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-26732811263297004292010-09-05T17:09:00.003-07:002010-11-22T20:37:40.544-07:00Dr. Seuss Sneaks<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4960616267/" title="Dr. Seuss Converse by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="Dr. Seuss Converse" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4960616267_3bbe5e9d67.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
These are my new shoe loves. I actually got them a few weeks ago but haven't had a chance to post any pics yet. These sneaks are inspired by Dr. Seuss's book "If I Ran the Circus" and are totally cute and pic-worthy, especially since the pics online don't do them justice.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4961213260/" title="Dr. Seuss Converse by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="Dr. Seuss Converse" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4961213260_0dab56d5a5.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />
I first came across these adorable kicks at work while doing a site sponsorship on our website for Converse. Their ads focused on these new Dr. Seuss All-Stars and I fell immediately in love. I had to have them. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4961214008/" title="Dr. Seuss Converse by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="Dr. Seuss Converse" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4961214008_85758b11c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I thought about putting them on my wish list since my b-day and the holidays are only a few months away, but that would mean taking a risk that these limited editions might sell out and I would be S.O.L. So I gave in and bought them. I am so happy I did. <3 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4960617693/" title="Dr. Seuss Converse by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img alt="Dr. Seuss Converse" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4960617693_4758fa7dd0.jpg" width="500" /></a>Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-24249950895109931532010-09-03T18:41:00.013-07:002010-09-12T17:51:35.660-07:00Catching Thoughts.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynuA1TgzL310CVqZGhyVtzEOAoeQSnmAw-SKLi1qcPzcgsWujKjyhjZbwx72JNJsUG0IvxCEvx5FaKo_FdKrMpec6H3Szod65AlHSJH77solw_4uGKpFRSfsTrMqj4_F9-_1v/s400/catching-thoughts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512938098499779410" /><br />
I always think of really great things to write about when I am not in a convenient place to write about them, such as sitting at my desk at work, taking a shower, driving in the car, etc. I draft it all out in my head, and can't wait to sit down and write it! But then when I have the time to write, I can't remember all the fabulous things I wanted to talk about. So I end up jotting some ideas down in a draft, and then it sits in my blog for months. I probably have about 12 drafts pending right now that started out awesome and ended up unfinished. *sigh*<br />
<br />
I need to find a better way to document my thoughts. I tried keeping little post-it notes to remind me, and that did well to remind me of the idea, but not of all the points I initially thought to write about. I tried using my iphone voice recorder a few times to record myself dictating my ideas, but that only works when in the car (or when others are not around) and is harder to work with since I have to listen to the the playback instead of just scanning a list that is easy to navigate. I also used to keep a moleskin notebook with me and jot down ideas and sketches as they came to me. This worked fairly well so maybe I will have to get back into that habit and just keep on it this time.<br />
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In any case, I am going to have to learn to be more organized. After all, I need all the writing practice I can get before I write my children's book(s) - for which I have several fabulous ideas for - someday. ;) If you have any suggestions or helpful hints on how you catch your toughts, I would love to hear them!Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-85217942358568367662010-08-18T22:01:00.013-07:002010-09-04T11:05:01.391-07:00Mixer Magic & Baking TherapyI have long since been weened off of "store bought crap" ever since I really got into baking and discovered that I could make things myself that were far superior to anything I could buy at a store. Which has been awesome for my willpower in resisting the sweets and baked goodies that tend to linger around my office.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4906221999/" title="Mixer Magic by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4906221999_8438b60414.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mixer Magic" /></a><br /><br />But now, since the arrival of my new fabulous cornflower blue KitchenAid Artisan Mixer, there is a new temptation...to bake more goodies myself! <br /><br />"But Hyd, how on earth can this be bad!?" you exclaim in surprise (don't deny it, you totally just thought that). <br /><br />It is bad because now I <em>won't</em> be able to resist! I have a weakness, and her name is cookies...and cupcakes, and muffins, and...okay I have a lot of sugary-delicious weaknesses. =P<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4906810258/" title="Mixer Magic by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4906810258_cd9d8c54bc.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Mixer Magic" /></a><br /><br />Also, I LOVE to bake. It is like therapy - baking therapy. This is a practice that is common in my family. I would oftentimes find my mom up baking cookies or banana bread at midnight or later because she couldn't sleep, or was stressed out about something. <br /><br />Whether stressed, in need of a chocolatey pick me up, or just plain hungry, baking has always been a pastime that I thoroughly enjoy. There is just something about adding a bunch of seemingly ordinary things together in a bowl, tossing them into a hot oven and pulling out tasty perfection 12-15 mins later. It is like magic! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4906810450/" title="Baking Cookies by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4906810450_89b1bd8cb6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Baking Cookies" /></a><br /><br />Then there's decorating these magical goodies! Wow! That is a whole other talent in itself! A baker is like a chemist meets a cook meets an artist - all rolled into one. =D <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4906222675/" title="Baking Cookies by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4906222675_5c9bdbe83d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Baking Cookies" /></a><br /><br />What with all this experimentation in the kitchen, being able to concoct my own recipes for tastilicious treats has been most satisfying. Some of which I hope to share, at some point. =)Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-5693647814897847542010-08-10T21:00:00.011-07:002010-08-10T21:38:36.256-07:00Proud Kitty-mama<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi-lEKNXcwHkq6VLv46uBmkMwvbOanWVDkbvueQ0sNDFHfcBnnvpPyGl8pv0WucyGuUU93at9zPnPrbO6gMy0ceQccUIEhg0xHEAwbVsfaFsB2zVKD-8zFYI9jriaI12unkxj/s1600/road-killed.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi-lEKNXcwHkq6VLv46uBmkMwvbOanWVDkbvueQ0sNDFHfcBnnvpPyGl8pv0WucyGuUU93at9zPnPrbO6gMy0ceQccUIEhg0xHEAwbVsfaFsB2zVKD-8zFYI9jriaI12unkxj/s400/road-killed.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504005538840994850" /></a><br /><em>I was not fast enough to catch her in the act, but this is a pic from earlier this week - Ashi's famous "road-killed" pose.</em><br /><br />I've just experienced the proudest moment a kitty-mama could have - my little kitty is hunting a cricket! You might think this is a normal act for a kitty, and right you are. But if you have ever met my kitty, she is not so much of a vicious hunter (unless you happen to be The Boy). You can show her a bug and she could care less, but throw her a pom-pom ball and she goes crazy. She stalks pipe cleaners and pieces of string but ignores moths or grasshoppers. She will occasionally bite your face off if she is provoked, ignored or just feels like it, but there is not a lot of planning that goes into those moments, as she usually just uses the element of surprise!<br /><br />She is really not the most stealthy little thing either. She is pretty clumsy and tends to get overly excited and fall off of things. So this really is a shining moment in her growth as a kitty-cat!<br /><br />I'm almost not freaking out that there is a large cricket in my kitchen, because I am so excited for my kitty. Almost. *goes for the paper towels*<br /><br /><strong>Update:</strong> As it turns out, there was no need for the paper towels. I found cricket legs on the kitchen floor. Where the rest of him is...only Ashi Sparta knows.Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-70415497677086734702010-07-31T08:02:00.004-07:002010-09-12T17:51:51.975-07:00Summer days...drifting away<img style="border: 2px solid #CCC; padding: 1px; display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCA-0doThxtLD4U6vS0VsFD-fppgJFaoyK4IDD4OsALLYzU0GynqDU3RaopizKzzbRN-onSJgfO2IUHMqCJtBGF8OWtwHUiauttp2u2I_b1Ggc1OwU06bdbKvn5BhIdmchTGY/s400/grease-summer-days.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499560633333167522" /><br />
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Phew...Goodbye July. You were fun-filled, stress-full, very expensive, short days, long nights, laid-back, hard working, full of smiles, wet with tears, and all around unforgettable.<br />
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This summer has been...interesting. So many crazy things have happened, both great and bad. It has been a roller-coaster for sure!Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-5147708913656060802010-07-30T21:32:00.003-07:002010-09-12T17:50:33.579-07:00Summer of Social SolitudeThis summer has been surprisingly social-less. Correction, social-media-less. I have been plenty social with those lovely people I have been so lucky to see face to face. ^_^<br />
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The social-media drought started shortly before I left to go on my long anticipated <a href="http://blissfulmishaps.blogspot.com/2010/07/idaho-summer-vacation.html">summer vacation back home to Idaho</a>. I was so busy preparing for the trip, and then with <a href="http://blissfulmishaps.blogspot.com/2010/07/sickly-kitty.html">kitty getting sick</a>, that I almost completely stopped connecting with my usual social media outlets (which need I remind you is an enjoyable part of my day), but with everything going on it, just didn't happen. <br />
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As it turned out, it was kinda nice. I didn't have that constant distraction nagging at me to check my Facebook and Twtiter apps every 5 mins. I didn't care who was doing what on Twitter, or who they were doing it with on Facebook or where they were doing it on 4-Square nor did I have a desire to see So-and-so's new pictures they just uploaded to Flickr. I simply didn't care. Not in an emo-I-hate-the-world-and-everyone-in-it-so-I-am-going-to-be-antisocial-this-week-and-see-who-will-even-miss-me kind of way, but in a people-will-do-what-they-do-without-me-having-to-know-about-it kind of way. <br />
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I felt untied to the world. Free to do whatever I felt like without having to "check-in". I was able to enjoy the time with my family uninterrupted and while driving home through the boonies of Utah with crappy cellphone reception, I barely even noticed.<br />
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I expected I would get home and fall back into my usual social media routine without batting an eye, but it is proving to be harder than I thought! Having not been enveloped in all things online for an extended period of time, you tend to forget they are there. Sitting on the couch reading through book after book or working on my scrapbook pages have proved to be more valuable pastimes lately than spending 2 hours a night (or more!) playing online.<br />
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<img style="float:left; border: 2px solid #cccccc; padding: 1px; margin: 0 10px 0 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lf8w2lLhTFKMffWz6SbRzz88af_wn1eYUbpJoyMwPJh03T4iirhYsKqOi0CWgtxWGvxTQUX2wGKnTTmdZJSQGj7PtTaeQNX8TL79t_RNDye8u4qZ53ieQc4Bbbbt_QpzitBJ/s320/puss-in-boots.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499522513545512354" />But alas, my heart is tied to the interwebs and it is only a matter of time before I start feeling the inevitable tug of the data at my consciousness and my lappy starts staring at me with big-round-pouty-kitty-cat-eyes. <br />
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<-- How can you resist something that cute? You can't.<br />
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So even though I am again plugged in, I feel as if I am being a little more picky about where I choose to spend my online time these days. ^_~Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-54505979377164111772010-07-29T21:01:00.008-07:002010-08-10T21:17:56.879-07:00A Sickly Kitty<h7>Ah-choo.</h7><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4558995267/" title="Kitty with Ninja by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/4558995267_35f916c9d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Kitty with Ninja" /></a><br /><br />Ashi Sparta has been sick. And not just "the sniffles" sick, full blown doc exams & meds sick. Poor thing just can't cut a break.<br /><br />It started with a sad kitty day. She was obviously not feeling well and wasn't eating so the next day I took her into her least favorite place, the vet. We have an awesome doctor, mind you, but Ashi is just an anxious, very uncooperative and VERY bitey kitty. She does not play well with others and thus has to be sedated for nearly everything.<br /><br />So over the course of the month it started out with a fever, constipation and not eating. Got better. Got worse. Got better. Turned into swollen kitty paws (caused by an unknown allergy). Got better and ended in kitty sneezes. <br /><br />5 doctors visits, 1 trip to the ER vet, a kitty enema, an ultrasound, a liver biopsy, multiple medications and antibiotics, kitty laxatives, fancy Rx kitty food, 2 blood tests, and a couple thou later, we still don't know what the heck started it all.<br /><br />But the good news is that she is doing better though she still has the sneezes and is skinny from loosing 2 lbs, which is a huge amount for a cat that only weighs 9 lbs to begin with! But I am fattening her up right quick!<br /><br />So this has been my ongoing drama for the month. Having not had to deal with much stress for quite some time, my once well stress conditioned self had a pretty hard time dealing with it. It is tough being a kitty-mama. <br /><br />I heart you kitty-pie. I'm so glad you are feeling better.Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-20092982435820455002010-07-29T20:46:00.008-07:002010-07-31T01:10:23.229-07:00Idaho Summer Vacation<h7>"Here we have Idaho, winning her way to fame..."</h7><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/4782032306/" title="Idaho - Fishing by hydlynn, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4782032306_8a51993d5b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Idaho - Fishing" style="border: 2px solid #CCC; padding: 1px;" /></a><br /><br />Having not been home to visit for over 2 years and having not been home in the summer for 5 years, I was overdue for a trip! We planned our 9 day vacay over 4th of July weekend and The Boy and I packed our suitcases, refreshed the iPod playlists, filled the cooler and loaded up in the car for a road trip!<br /><br />With only a couple of stops along the way to swap drivers and grab food at the beloved Taco Time, we hauled-ass across Arizona and Utah and the drive went by pretty fast. One of my favorite parts about the drive to Idaho is watching the landscape change as we drive from the cactus speckled red rock of the dessert, to rolling hills covered with patchwork green fields, to towering snow-capped mountain peaks. It is really quite an experience.<br /><br />Once we got to Idahome it was like we never left. We sat and chatted with my family and shared stories and hung out as if no time at all had passed between us. The fam took us out for all kinds of adventures. We rode 4-wheelers and went camping, took a few scenic drives to look at the beautiful mountains and historic sites. Jon even went fishing for the first time since he was young (or maybe the first time ever as he can't really remember). <br /><br />We ate really awesome food including the fresh bass that Jon caught, though I think his favorite culinary experience of the whole trip was cooking hotdogs over the campfire. As for me, it was the smores (I don't remember them tasting so good) and the chocolate cake that my mom made for me from my Great Grandma's recipe. It tasted just as delicious as I remembered. =9 <br /><br />And of course, we took <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38428984@N04/collections/72157624341446587/">lots of great pictures</a>!<br /><br />The best part was that it actually felt like a vacation! It felt relaxed and fun and we came home feeling refreshed instead of tired-out. The only downside of the trip was saying goodbye and the inevitable wave of homesickness that follows. I heart you my Idaho family and I miss you already!Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-89987818658489826942010-07-26T19:19:00.000-07:002010-07-29T19:23:17.196-07:00A new face, a fresh startI spent a little time this past weekend playing with the new template design features of Blogger that, as it turns out, are surprisingly nice. (Nothing against you Blogger, but as a web designer, I tend to be a fair bit more picky about my designs.) So I have given up the semi-custom cute design in favor or something cleaner and more easily manageable. It is hard to compete with cute, but it is equally hard to compete with lazy.<br /><br />And though I haven't nailed down a fun background design just yet (I am still searching for the right bird and/or owl pattern at a fair price of free) it is nice to have a facelift and a fresh start.<br /><br />Hopefully I can keep the content as current. (I KNOW! I keep saying that!) ^_~Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-39208862992674303542010-02-14T17:32:00.006-07:002010-07-29T20:57:58.878-07:00Happy Sweethearts Day!So many people have such a dislike for Valentine's Day. "It is an overly commercialized excuse to spend money so that the jewelry, flowers, and chocolate industries can make a fat buck." But honestly...EVERY holiday is totally commercialized these days. You can't escape it. So I figure, what the hell, just roll with it!<br /><br />After all, it is fun to dote on each other! It is fun to give and get flowers, gifts and goodies. Any holiday intended to celebrate the ones you love is a good enough excuse for me.<br /> <br />If you want to feel rebellious and not give in to the commercialism and clichés of the holiday then do something really awesome! Spend the day doing something fun together. Do an activity you may not often have the chance to do or try something new. Go on a hike and have a picnic, take a drive, take a new class together, plant a garden, try making a new dinner or dessert recipe at home. Homemade gifts are always a winner. Make a scrapbook of your favorite trip, make a photo collage, knit a scarf, sew a quilt, create a piece of jewelry, bake cookies. There are plenty of fun and creative "non-commercial" ways to spend the day showing someone you care and just having fun together.<br /><br />And sure, you don't need a "special day" to have an excuse to tell someone that you love them. But admit it, everyone needs a little reminder once in a while. ;)<br /><br />So Happy Valentine's Day, Chocolate & Flowers Day, Hearts Day, Singles Awareness Day...whatever you choose to call it and however you choose to celebrate, have a good one! <3Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807236.post-21144484147191311042009-09-10T21:30:00.007-07:002010-09-12T17:50:48.015-07:00Driving TherapyI had the most lovely drive home last night. I just can't get over how great it was.<br />
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The streets were empty, the windows were rolled down with the warm breeze blowing through my hair, the radio turned up, and I just kicked back and cruised about 5 mph under the speed limit. Which anyone who knows me, knows that that is a <span style="font-style: italic;">big</span> deal. For me the rule of thumb is that 5 over the posted speed limit is a totally acceptable speed.<br />
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With the windows down I could hear and smell everything that I normally miss due to loud traffic or filtered AC air. I could smell the fishy smell of the Hayden Park pond, sage brush, wet grass, BBQ, and McDonalds french fries. I could hear...quiet. No zooming of cars or police sirens or honking horns. Just the sound of the wind, my tires on the pavement and the radio. There was a moment when I thought I would just go on driving all night. It was beautiful.<br />
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I have been very stressed, depressed, busy, and just overwhelmed the past month or so. But when I got home I felt so calm, relaxed and centered. I haven't felt that calm peace for a while, so I went straight home and went promptly to bed so as not to spoil it. =) It was car therapy.<br />
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It's not the first time that I have retreated to the car for some "Hyd Time" and then I go to thinking just how much of <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span> comes from driving in cars.<br />
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Ever since I was little, my family would take drives into the country. Which sounds so old school and cliche I know, but those were some of my most cherished memories. Living in Idaho also made for some beautiful drives. Whether it was driving up through the mountains on the twisty, dirt roads, starring out into the forest, or cruising along across the open dessert watching the sun go down, I was always happy in the car (or in most cases, the truck).<br />
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My parents tell me that they used to take me for drives when I was a baby because sometimes it was the only way they could get me to stop crying and go to sleep. And so driving was instilled in me since childhood. As was falling asleep in the car. A terrible and dangerous habit I have been trying 10 years to break.<br />
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I have always enjoyed road trips. For me, it has always been just as much about the drive, as it is the destination. Packing up the car, picking the snacks, music, games, and color books that I will be needing to get me through the trip. Planning all the stops and attractions along the way. Getting there is fun too! Road trips have been a chance to get to know new people. A time to chat and catch up and spend time with friends and family. A time to self reflect while you are cruising along alone. A time to embark on a new adventure because you never know what kinds of crazy things might happen out on the open road.<br />
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I have spent so many hours in the car. Chatting with a friend for hours in the parking lot. Crying with my head resting on the steering wheel. Driving around exploring the city. Discovering new music. Some of the most serious conversations I have had in my life have taken place in the seat of a car. It is kind of amazing to think about.<br />
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My car, to me has always been the one thing that was MINE. My ultimate personal space, the place I didn't have to really share with anyone else unless I invited them into it. A place I could retreat to to be alone. My safe zone.<br />
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My car is my "happy place". <3Heidi Claunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02515949723191827616noreply@blogger.com0