tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11754416589522869382024-03-05T20:03:39.165-08:00ThisFictitousFictitioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16906021306004358600noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-79807974753330434322012-11-29T12:04:00.000-08:002012-11-29T12:04:16.835-08:00Sunset Magazine DIY ContestI was pretty excited to see my <a href="http://www.sunset.com/community/craft-projects-photo-contest-00418000079864/landing/">DIY Picture Frame</a> on the Sunset Magazine website today! I entered into a humble little DIY photo contest, and though there are a bunch of other winners I feel pretty special to be chosen. Little things like this give me more motivation to create, and I like that. Hope you're having a splendid day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_06cqIo8e8v0Y7jBRW1pECQGiqpSGCSNIhh5qZGIyQEKzIUbHyiEkI4S8fk-N51SUCeaG0mh3uBB80sXNWqwnUSYFVzoIEJmyGzmcf0KLzTQUDaVEvU8q9PGiLPPQdsCTgKvBdqkh0U/s1600/IMG_2409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_06cqIo8e8v0Y7jBRW1pECQGiqpSGCSNIhh5qZGIyQEKzIUbHyiEkI4S8fk-N51SUCeaG0mh3uBB80sXNWqwnUSYFVzoIEJmyGzmcf0KLzTQUDaVEvU8q9PGiLPPQdsCTgKvBdqkh0U/s1600/IMG_2409.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
PS you can see my original post <a href="http://thisfictitious.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-driftwood-picture-frame.html">HERE</a>Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-55480660642984137922012-11-19T12:05:00.001-08:002012-11-19T14:33:38.870-08:00Christmas Traditions<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11412" src="http://www.seejaneblog.co/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/elf-on-the-shelf-25-ideas-+-giveaway-via-seejaneblog.jpg" height="476" title="elf on the shelf, 25 ideas + giveaway via seejaneblog" width="640" /><br />
<br />
So as we prepare to move back to CA I've been thinking a lot about Christmas traditions we get to celebrate with our families, as well as perhaps creating our own. There are a few adorable little traditions that mine and my husband's family do that I will always continue but I want to start some special ones of our own; so here's a little list of traditions I will pass on and start anew!<br />
<br />
* On Christmas Eve my husband's family one by one puts their Christmas Wish Lists in the fire. The idea is that as the ashes float up they will drift to the North Pole and magically reform for Santa to see.<br />
<br />
* Opening one present on Christmas Eve (which is always pajamas, of course! and <a href="http://www.victoriassecret.com/pink/50-and-under-gifts/thermal-long-jane-victorias-secret-pink?ProductID=83294&CatalogueType=OLS&search=true" target="_blank">THESE</a> are what I want this year)<br />
<br />
* Reading the Nativity story from the Bible<br />
<br />
*Making my mom's famous Cheese Ball and gifting them to friends. <br />
<br />
* The Oborn Christmas Chime Extravaganza. I don't know if this one really needs an explanation.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LDNY1V6eNa8" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
* By far, my all time favorite tradition from my youth is chopping down our own Christmas tree. Every Christmas until I was twenty (and I'm the youngest) we would drive up into the Sierra Nevada foothills and cut our own tree from the many tree farms. It was always beautiful and cold and fun traipsing through the woods with my brothers. My parents now have a fake tree, and Sean's parents usually buy theirs from a lot, and our little family has spent the last three Christmases with one or the other but as soon as I can I will be reinstating the "cut your own tree" policy in our little family.<br />
<br />
And new traditions to start....<br />
<br />
* The Christmas Pickle (hide the pickle, or maybe <a href="https://www.modestpeach.com/product/crochet-octopus-ornament/" target="_blank">this little guy</a>, in the Christmas tree and whoever finds it gets a special surprise)<br />
<br />
* A special advent calendar - my favorites are <a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/2012/11/15/a-punch-board-advent-is-my-fave/" target="_blank">this punch board</a> because I have boys and they love anything destructive, <a href="http://shimandsons.typepad.com/shimandsons/2010/12/our-advent-calendar.html" target="_blank">this one with boxes</a> filled with family activities, and <a href="http://www.themarionhousebook.com/diy-advent-calendar/" target="_blank">this one with a craft</a> or ornament for each day. <br />
<br />
* I love the idea of the <a href="http://www.elfontheshelf.com/en-us/aboutus.aspx" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf </a>to bring some magic into Christmas. I think Bannock is finally old enough to appreciate the story and it would be fun to start a tradition while the boys are really little so as they grow up they can't remember a time when we <i>didn't</i> do it (you know what I mean?).<br />
Also, See Jane Blog is doing the <a href="http://www.seejaneblog.co/2012/11/14/elf-on-the-shelf-giveaway/" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf Giveaway</a> and it is <i>amazing</i> - such an awesome idea and if I don't win I might just have to do it myself!<br />
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-56522228121067464102012-11-16T02:29:00.001-08:002012-11-16T02:29:53.866-08:00A Fancy Feast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX67UyAek75pYkToZYI2TueBd5gniydRJVAputdn-9aNVvFuynrnndG3V2K0bG4ereKuhn2EHX_-HSAiagE7p6bTAn5NavacusjXdvnm6Udaf6Wcp_vfB1c9WwgfG01f2rdugTGPo0oq8/s1600/thanksgiving2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX67UyAek75pYkToZYI2TueBd5gniydRJVAputdn-9aNVvFuynrnndG3V2K0bG4ereKuhn2EHX_-HSAiagE7p6bTAn5NavacusjXdvnm6Udaf6Wcp_vfB1c9WwgfG01f2rdugTGPo0oq8/s1600/thanksgiving2012.png" height="45" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a roundup of my Thanksgiving inspiration. It's our last turkey day here in the isles and my dream of a fancy dinner on the beach might actually be coming true (weather permitting!) so cross your fingers with me and pray for a light breeze, plenty of Hawaiian sunshine and, either way, great food and wonderful friends! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VQO5F1fMGF9EWvovITr9DCiTNDWG1Yfqs68eW6IDhsESFNoPysTP6a0tExyBKkJKG8ZTdthQLSI358HsWtoGctMz0E-7dDugS1tFvsLTQ4rySrHWwPchaVrVePATS6S_JwoduWUFTf0/s1600/best+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VQO5F1fMGF9EWvovITr9DCiTNDWG1Yfqs68eW6IDhsESFNoPysTP6a0tExyBKkJKG8ZTdthQLSI358HsWtoGctMz0E-7dDugS1tFvsLTQ4rySrHWwPchaVrVePATS6S_JwoduWUFTf0/s1600/best+night.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PxGCGaMhKMArxwS7IMxRJBTnF25Imf2tyA1d4ycjsxqDeRIFBthzRkEDnUYUCeaLjechNs6whs4XCJK_tHzZkPCiOk67zyDpGXe5l-mT5KPHQ3VJV5BMJE8IGtLTIDIqgxJkS4-hleE/s1600/name+tag+bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PxGCGaMhKMArxwS7IMxRJBTnF25Imf2tyA1d4ycjsxqDeRIFBthzRkEDnUYUCeaLjechNs6whs4XCJK_tHzZkPCiOk67zyDpGXe5l-mT5KPHQ3VJV5BMJE8IGtLTIDIqgxJkS4-hleE/s1600/name+tag+bottles.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGOp2jIH0aGIDkjSDdTLeuH_naBa9ZMUozgzghXiruFqWzVZJI3y0t4KGkX_6FBsSyJnoTLKGtWzIpZiLB-wkMWdkIt1wkUYevxdS_PbiDZUP9VU9lfEFxAX78sDI9nZAG9mwMzazRHI/s1600/butternut-squash-soup-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGOp2jIH0aGIDkjSDdTLeuH_naBa9ZMUozgzghXiruFqWzVZJI3y0t4KGkX_6FBsSyJnoTLKGtWzIpZiLB-wkMWdkIt1wkUYevxdS_PbiDZUP9VU9lfEFxAX78sDI9nZAG9mwMzazRHI/s1600/butternut-squash-soup-2.png" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdZQR7f_MdAnU4IK9EZri0Z5vhHJmPT6yA0iPCQ1N7Lkq6UY9XRhvkDRBJ2kKXa0d6NHen4tx89VxJIFQuZxHQTNamMPSocJjAqJfSYqGeHWKlyFarjQXhexbLsa6v1pz_Fy5526_6ZY/s1600/a-simple-roast-turkey-646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdZQR7f_MdAnU4IK9EZri0Z5vhHJmPT6yA0iPCQ1N7Lkq6UY9XRhvkDRBJ2kKXa0d6NHen4tx89VxJIFQuZxHQTNamMPSocJjAqJfSYqGeHWKlyFarjQXhexbLsa6v1pz_Fy5526_6ZY/s1600/a-simple-roast-turkey-646.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKtfoaKdrtq47VTzxfQWyG9QeTCyhiSbmNFqaHQF-dc2Lqw9Lkjt9hg81IFLNpS-tIlqPEL6N7F-ezeIVygeiVx1scsK1fnhJotHPjzU48LvkQojxnvoAbVdrFZdC1P95oMg-JZPyT1Y/s1600/parker-house-rolls-646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKtfoaKdrtq47VTzxfQWyG9QeTCyhiSbmNFqaHQF-dc2Lqw9Lkjt9hg81IFLNpS-tIlqPEL6N7F-ezeIVygeiVx1scsK1fnhJotHPjzU48LvkQojxnvoAbVdrFZdC1P95oMg-JZPyT1Y/s1600/parker-house-rolls-646.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0F80Hvah97ZphIT8iWe0GcTbLPe0rHDR4k4KDixRncL2Tmu6Akj94OjWfoHjpX4820QQ-J-ZGvEVHjNWDlChfyk8fvSMOFRYXUtBb6Ts1Qujq7-ahUHGSpUN5QIbMGpJjDI_UmMHQg0/s1600/watermelon_and_grapefruit_agua_fresca_646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0F80Hvah97ZphIT8iWe0GcTbLPe0rHDR4k4KDixRncL2Tmu6Akj94OjWfoHjpX4820QQ-J-ZGvEVHjNWDlChfyk8fvSMOFRYXUtBb6Ts1Qujq7-ahUHGSpUN5QIbMGpJjDI_UmMHQg0/s1600/watermelon_and_grapefruit_agua_fresca_646.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjAV2G9RHRoa-eZ8Evzg_Z-f8Ul0-VE_8Pv37lsJHD6D7yyLpnO0PgLKmXvrrKk4PcY9uH9QyskPXTJP8USR6lIsqC47mOUry6ynEWlCTSvqIiz-bRryd9OKoyTfpcU1muh398G4XU3g/s1600/mocha+cake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjAV2G9RHRoa-eZ8Evzg_Z-f8Ul0-VE_8Pv37lsJHD6D7yyLpnO0PgLKmXvrrKk4PcY9uH9QyskPXTJP8USR6lIsqC47mOUry6ynEWlCTSvqIiz-bRryd9OKoyTfpcU1muh398G4XU3g/s1600/mocha+cake2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.thefreshexchangeblog.com/2012/09/a-simple-evening-mcclures-style/" target="_blank">1 dinner with friends</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/277815870734805638/" target="_blank">2 place cards</a> / <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/11/a-simple-roast-turkey" target="_blank">3 the Turkey</a> / <a href="http://inspiringtheeveryday.com/2011/10/19/butternut-squash-soup/" target="_blank">4 Butternut Squash Soup</a> / <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/11/parker-house-rolls" target="_blank">5 Parker House Rolls</a> / <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/06/watermelon-and-grapefruit-agua-fresca" target="_blank">6 Watermelon and Grapefruit agua Fresca</a> / 7 My very own Angel Food Cake with Mocha Mousse filling</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So there you are. We'll see how this goes. Needless to say, regardless of wind or rain or sand in our food this day will at least be spent with great friends in the most beautiful place and I really couldn't ask for more than that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-37926649800874666342012-11-08T14:08:00.000-08:002012-11-16T02:30:44.404-08:00MOVINGThe time has come to begin our moving phase. Well, technically the time to begin has come and gone so now we're down to the wire. I keep putting it off because it doesn't feel real. We have spent over two wonderful years here in Hawaii. Laie has been our first real home; we've never lived anywhere as long as we have lived here. In our almost five years of marriage we've lived in five places and while that may not seem like much to some, it seems like a lot to us. I'm ready to settle down; to buy (or rent!) a house, find a good school for my children, fix up the yard, get an annual pass to a museum, etc. - you know what I'm talking about. But that seems so far away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57Y75KuVWRmnnu45AlgeHSLyJF03M8AiT40Nk2ZtVEC3ap3cWd0t0eE2v1eQ5THsT_CLgU9wYO1p61ARBfGAp1t8IEZZDXcg3O1w6ZPDciw0eZPAZc6thKSnVIUo3D5sYMd-7IRn_V68/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57Y75KuVWRmnnu45AlgeHSLyJF03M8AiT40Nk2ZtVEC3ap3cWd0t0eE2v1eQ5THsT_CLgU9wYO1p61ARBfGAp1t8IEZZDXcg3O1w6ZPDciw0eZPAZc6thKSnVIUo3D5sYMd-7IRn_V68/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
I took this picture of Bannock right after this story:<br />
<br />
During nap time yesterday I was going through books to keep and give away and got a little weepy. I couldn't bare to get rid of ANY of them (hence the multiple large "keep" piles on the left). Each one has a special memory... even the 'How to draw Cars and Trucks' book made it into the keep pile because of the hours Bannock spent just looking at the pictures. This little library is a treasure to me that I want to keep forever. So the tears fell as I recalled special moments with each one; Bannock reciting the words of 'Goodnight Kiss for little Fish' when he was two, explaining to everyone and their mom the functions of all the construction trucks in his 'My Big Truck Book', quietly reading 'Moon Plane' all on his own, Brecken babbling at the pictures of animals - if I gave away these books it would be like giving away the memories. <br />
So as I quietly cried Bannock slipped out of his room and silently put his arm around me.<br />
I said: "I'm sad Bannock."<br />
B: "Why are you sad mommy?"<br />
Me: "Because we're moving and I'll miss it"<br />
B: "It's not sad"<br />
Me: "Why is it not sad?"<br />
B: "Because we're moving to Caaaalifooooorniaaaaa!"<br />
He sang the word California like game show announcer, like I had won an amazing prize. Leave it to children to look on the bright side of things. I have spent so much time and energy focusing on the sentimental things, the things I'll miss, all the memories and friends we've made, how life will never be like this again. But his perky little demeanor quickly showed me that it's no fun focusing on the past. We have endured a lot here - we might have lived in paradise but we've struggled more than I thought we would. We have so much to look forward to and while I might get a little teary during this bittersweet time of transition, I know that my outlook on what is to come will ultimately decide my happiness. So here's to lessons learned, wonderful friends made and a beautiful bright future.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5aAVcKOmVtTH9zFXVH9esTYH4CGTwLeJcwVifjqnbBXesiNSC9fYtpBsWAKvFVNYkBd3E0fAyJfT8vKlqTmzmox3z-bQhhjAUhfbopuHmAPfA2_duyjr6h0-zIBIhqgTbmKEbrPRKK0/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5aAVcKOmVtTH9zFXVH9esTYH4CGTwLeJcwVifjqnbBXesiNSC9fYtpBsWAKvFVNYkBd3E0fAyJfT8vKlqTmzmox3z-bQhhjAUhfbopuHmAPfA2_duyjr6h0-zIBIhqgTbmKEbrPRKK0/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-47497546397139118932012-11-01T03:13:00.000-07:002012-11-01T03:13:21.277-07:00The Forge Giveaway!I have been incredibly lucky to be a part of an <i>amazing </i>giveaway!<br />
<br />
Beautiful and sweet Sophie of <a href="http://theforgestyle.blogspot.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">The Forge</a> discovered some of my products via Instagram and asked if I wanted to be a part of her giveaway. To which I responded with a resounding yes! This is HUGE for me and I am thrilled to be a part of it. <br />
<br />
Sophie is awesome. Her lifestyle blog is filled with great fashion, cool crafts/projects (I'm going to be making <a href="http://theforgestyle.blogspot.com/2012/04/diy-upcycled-pallet-wood-and-ball-jar.html" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://theforgestyle.blogspot.com/2012/02/jersey-weave-sweatshirt-diy.html" target="_blank">this</a>) and lovely pictures of her adorable son and beautiful home (Check out how cute this <a href="http://theforgestyle.blogspot.com/2011/12/nursery-design-update-pt1.html" target="_blank">nursery</a> is!) One day I hope to have a blog as great as hers ;-) But in the meantime.... go check out this awesome giveaway! Where you can enter to win one of my painted driftwood jewelry holders as well as cool jewelry, headbands, an amazing calendar, and much more!<br />
<br />
<br />
Go here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://theforgestyle.blogspot.com/2012/11/500-follower-giveaway.html" target="_blank">The Forge: 500 Follower Giveaway</a> Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-88511442279312047192012-11-01T02:42:00.000-07:002012-11-01T02:42:25.364-07:00HALLOWEENHi there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4IOx5JWQVotEtpLhfvc1HF9EXUDir6CpS-BC5DxAvjxxWj06rojPzeVq1le7_1_KW7CC_mFwZOFKOim_N63Npsl6v7kHNsuGP8r6ml60ZC7jvAA8Vec0-PDfj2yxbMPOcDEgBRnTYOM/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4IOx5JWQVotEtpLhfvc1HF9EXUDir6CpS-BC5DxAvjxxWj06rojPzeVq1le7_1_KW7CC_mFwZOFKOim_N63Npsl6v7kHNsuGP8r6ml60ZC7jvAA8Vec0-PDfj2yxbMPOcDEgBRnTYOM/s400/IMG_2801.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
Hawkeye and The Hamburger - I went store bought this year and it was sooo much less stressful. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5M8TGvcFUaef5v5MUXsFw_Ant3egms2oiupkhsxWUHyL4oFKYGAmjkaU-74yEGxKzeFbtkYPeDePgIdyYuMsI5azgR2gfO1JtekUiWvxLkOYqMcPbZ890OuwTg83zTJugArVIgNPWr8/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5M8TGvcFUaef5v5MUXsFw_Ant3egms2oiupkhsxWUHyL4oFKYGAmjkaU-74yEGxKzeFbtkYPeDePgIdyYuMsI5azgR2gfO1JtekUiWvxLkOYqMcPbZ890OuwTg83zTJugArVIgNPWr8/s400/image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
Went for a jog to the local cemetery yesterday morning and snapped this pic. Sidenote - Bannock <i>loved</i> the cemetery. Weird, I know. He actually said "Mommy thank you for taking me to this place". But also cool because he was very comfortable talking about how that's where we bury people's bodies when they die. He also walked around and righted all the vases that had tipped over in the wind and put all the fake flowers back in their planters. As odd as it might sound I think we might go back more often as a mini service project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXGcqYd_cUROzudmyGLBywCRxzBlprnqjNI3liL-U8A9McezxQ50ACRooyHVTNPTrS5x_dJFAvikvlbr1c87cajpspnVu5e1dMIfsyUIQU-c0MZDgw3546G8feO9CSl4VVKqSWZf886o/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXGcqYd_cUROzudmyGLBywCRxzBlprnqjNI3liL-U8A9McezxQ50ACRooyHVTNPTrS5x_dJFAvikvlbr1c87cajpspnVu5e1dMIfsyUIQU-c0MZDgw3546G8feO9CSl4VVKqSWZf886o/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And my wonderful husband kindly played along this Halloween (not that he doesn't, I've just never asked) and "dressed up". Last minute costumes using stuff you already own are probably my favorite.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So we've only been home for about an hour but I'm already looking for ways to get rid of all this candy. Don't get me wrong, the trick-or-treating is so fun and of course I'll let my kids eat some and I love candy, LOVE candy. For awhile it was my go to snack (terrible, I know). But I don't think we (especially my one year old and my three year old who just had four fillings!) need all of it. So I'm thinking we'll pick out our favorites and do something special with the rest. I found <a href="http://coolmompicks.com/2011/11/what_to_do_with_extra_halloween_candy.php" target="_blank">this article on Coolmompicks.com</a> to give me (and you!) some ideas. Like:<br />
<br />
- Sending your candy to the Troops through <a href="http://www.operationgratitude.com/individuals-and-organizations/#candybabies" target="_blank">Operation Gratitude</a><br />
- Or this cool site <a href="http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/" target="_blank">HalloweenCandyBuyBack</a> where you can search for a Dentist near you who will "buy" back your Halloween candy! (In some places they give cash in others they'll give you goody bags, either way they send your candy to the Troops)<br />
- There's also this article on <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/10-ideas-halloween-candy-00000000042300/index.html" target="_blank">Real Simple</a> that gives great recipes to incorporate that left-over candy<br />
<br />
Plus a few more ideas. Anyway, I hope that helps! <br />
Hope you had a fantastic and safe Halloween!<br />
Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-68810791347263774892012-10-24T23:45:00.002-07:002012-10-24T23:57:53.226-07:00Mormon mom bloggers and how I want to be one<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeFuLoLcCJ5w9k2jnVoO9yXvf9Xmi8U6V5218t7e0zlS_9RrPGtieQiX36Qb0mhlPHxbvrz-nNCe9CRIM6XNqne91r8c1-ppjSIV2b6fWMSEaeoFnwrbJrngV5EjJu4SpdO14pzAKqbg/s1600/IMG_2536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeFuLoLcCJ5w9k2jnVoO9yXvf9Xmi8U6V5218t7e0zlS_9RrPGtieQiX36Qb0mhlPHxbvrz-nNCe9CRIM6XNqne91r8c1-ppjSIV2b6fWMSEaeoFnwrbJrngV5EjJu4SpdO14pzAKqbg/s1600/IMG_2536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hi there.<br />
<br />
So my husband recently sent me <a href="http://undecidedthebook.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/when-mormon-motherhood-porn-is-your-happy-place/" target="_blank">this article</a> which then led me to read <a href="http://www.salon.com/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs/" target="_blank">this one</a> which spiraled out of control on a click-fest of blog discovery (a click-fest which has been happening far too frequently for my taste). So before you read any further I suggest you follow those links. They're about a new fad called "blogging" and more specifically "Mormon Housewife blogs". Yes. Serious. (Oh by the way, if you don't know, I'm <a href="https://www.lds.org/" target="_blank">Mormon</a>.)<br />
<br />
I'm not going to summarize because I've provided the links and I think you should check them out for yourselves. But I want to know what people think. And I really hate FB conversations in the comments section. A couple interesting things Emily Matchar (author of the Salon.com article) brings up are, one, that Mormon women are amazing bloggers because journal (record) keeping is such a huge part of the Latter-Day Saint culture and second, they're on the rise because LDS women have been taught from the time they could walk how to craft and upcycle - in her words "with the rise of DIY culture across secular America, all of a sudden those skills have become trendy, even bankable."<br />
<br />
Here's my reason for this post: as I read these articles I thought "Oh no. That's ME. Or, at least, the me I'm trying to be. The me that wants to say 'Hey, look at my life! I have cute kids and I'm crafty and I just love love LOVE to bake and isn't my husband great!?' " Don't get me wrong, I do want to identify with this (obviously) - I've always been a follower of trends. While I may always follow these trends there will always be a rebellious part of me screaming "NO! You're <i>different</i>!" But here's the thing; I may have been that rebellious and "different" girl years ago (maybe I'll post about that in the future?) but I'm not anymore. So this is my attempt at embracing that happy-Mormon-housewife ideology. Because while it may have disgusted me at first to think of myself as wanting to be a part of the masses - I realized that in occasionally <i>pretending</i> to be a happy domestic Goddess, one can actually <i>become</i> a happy domestic Goddess. No, I'm not there yet, nor will I ever be. But I know that using a blog to reflect on one's life, love, family and baking/crafting/scrapbooking/photographing capabilities can be an addicting mood lifter. And there's <i>nothing wrong with that</i>. I said this in <a href="http://thisfictitious.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-few-thoughts-on-motherhood.html" target="_blank">another post</a> but finding your identity is good for you, doing things that make you happy is good for you. So even though I may be just like a thousand other crafty Mormon moms, and the things I do may not <i>be </i>unique, I can still <i>feel </i>unique while doing so. <br />
<br />
So after reading that article I wanted to take the opportunity to tell my (all of nine) followers about what you'll find here in the future and maybe get some feedback on what you might want to read (please?). Here are the things I'm interested in sharing, as a friend and blogger, with you:<br />
<br />
- Photos/Family events (I WILL NOT POST FIFTY PICTURES OF MY WEEKEND/KIDS - THAT'S OBNOXIOUS!)<br />
- Projects I'm working/craft ideas <br />
- Internet finds (which will vary from cool bloggers to Pinterest Picks and stuff in between)<br />
- The rare Recipe once in awhile (quick and easy is my specialty)<br />
- Social commentary surrounding the theme of motherhood, parenthood, relationships and perhaps religion (but no politics)<br />
<br />
<br />
The first and the latter will probably be the majority of it. This blog is mostly my creative outlet but I will also use to inform family and friends about the goings on of my family. I'll keep it interesting as long as my life remains interesting. And when it's not I'll post a recipe or two to keep you coming back for more ;)Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-72764457783206735782012-10-22T14:51:00.000-07:002012-10-22T14:51:09.948-07:00DIY Driftwood Picture Frame<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5Ru2egfjt0HwgKHqnuqLGM041JaUifL8LNzg9ckxmww_8X4uubVQ0cjaWD-CUmd1bKqm4MQEmpmz3BvmoULggeDvcFEV9X_DRxOgxpSYqqzxFsUJ0vMXC3IfFVlGMf9M_R1OCGaiGlc/s1600/diy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5Ru2egfjt0HwgKHqnuqLGM041JaUifL8LNzg9ckxmww_8X4uubVQ0cjaWD-CUmd1bKqm4MQEmpmz3BvmoULggeDvcFEV9X_DRxOgxpSYqqzxFsUJ0vMXC3IfFVlGMf9M_R1OCGaiGlc/s1600/diy.png" width="425" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello friends. Today I am unveiling my first-ever DIY! I
like to keep things fun and simple so I thought I would share this with
you. It doesn't require much effort. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
SUPPLIES:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Four sticks that are roughly the same lengths (painted for more fun!)</div>
- Clothespin<br />
- Two eye screws (I use <a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/tim-holtz-idea-ology-screw-eyes-677898/" target="_blank">these</a> )<br />
- Baker's Twine or string<br />
- Glue gun<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P0nYHe7ZhLXadjBEmgPkHvFHf7k0ysZEt25CzPuRJeI3Bb4uh3wv06phY042qUy1atSQ6BvVri6etWduO-c1t4mq3CPVSNSekYVd9uWvkZnUvjFlnRRsyfYuIslTmScox6jiITPc2uw/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P0nYHe7ZhLXadjBEmgPkHvFHf7k0ysZEt25CzPuRJeI3Bb4uh3wv06phY042qUy1atSQ6BvVri6etWduO-c1t4mq3CPVSNSekYVd9uWvkZnUvjFlnRRsyfYuIslTmScox6jiITPc2uw/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
First things first - figure out how you want your sticks to look; the sticks you choose for the top and bottom of the frame must lie flush with the wall. Glue the stick ends together after you've decided on your layout. Like so.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r2iDrMoc8zaFFwl9B6nvII0MX26GtSP8qpyWieN0beCHvw6dVoicYSMCynf-eiNzb8yA0PjZzhzKepwala-QcHlpBr-cp5Lqpgc7nxwpO6FxOubvaE87omsa4NFsocUeESYNFNpnLn8/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r2iDrMoc8zaFFwl9B6nvII0MX26GtSP8qpyWieN0beCHvw6dVoicYSMCynf-eiNzb8yA0PjZzhzKepwala-QcHlpBr-cp5Lqpgc7nxwpO6FxOubvaE87omsa4NFsocUeESYNFNpnLn8/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmKtPhwslMfdjELk99iVTv5Zxg1w3sfirZIDj9H0Q9HbOlWwifus486TuNwOPlTGxnrqujOPGF5i7k0-YcxGzuSn7wHKfDbvquCNLFEbc3FPcSC9K9irMarHaGhAnBUMho0k0pJqFIX8/s1600/IMG_2429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmKtPhwslMfdjELk99iVTv5Zxg1w3sfirZIDj9H0Q9HbOlWwifus486TuNwOPlTGxnrqujOPGF5i7k0-YcxGzuSn7wHKfDbvquCNLFEbc3FPcSC9K9irMarHaGhAnBUMho0k0pJqFIX8/s1600/IMG_2429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnDF_ptcI1wYGbPrRL6ZZAJsaQVduYS5G8gBTeGNNxrFP6b2hMa8SwhNLYhpt0U03xAL0FRrIRQVZlMgyPPq2A2aA5PCdMy56iBPhqT-w3wQbPJvs62EWDn4pD3Qe_J3e3RRAzbStR6w/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnDF_ptcI1wYGbPrRL6ZZAJsaQVduYS5G8gBTeGNNxrFP6b2hMa8SwhNLYhpt0U03xAL0FRrIRQVZlMgyPPq2A2aA5PCdMy56iBPhqT-w3wQbPJvs62EWDn4pD3Qe_J3e3RRAzbStR6w/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K8cHssFnhEP8BhtfTO9z9OSyVfHhZkgWlqfGVJyDFcogy8UyMWq1BSdvqerGoQD9n3mwLEMf0b2aX8e0NGRC5voyFOAPJ3iN2Hk6EjV31j2ZMHhr-_Btel3XQWdhwsPiCbASt07aZq8/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K8cHssFnhEP8BhtfTO9z9OSyVfHhZkgWlqfGVJyDFcogy8UyMWq1BSdvqerGoQD9n3mwLEMf0b2aX8e0NGRC5voyFOAPJ3iN2Hk6EjV31j2ZMHhr-_Btel3XQWdhwsPiCbASt07aZq8/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Once the glue has dried (shouldn't be too long) glue the clothespin in the center of the top stick. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrX6z2uN0EUYoEWNRhhZzp4SN4HVIxMORaILwgsb0OO1pjjafrPLbte8oub73PWcR_dnX_DmZ3rW6ZUbeh5fK2dLoM9WcwUTdOvWXbPhBh-lqPpsQpsv8qcaYXR-Ng8sUaaG1YKz-pJo/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrX6z2uN0EUYoEWNRhhZzp4SN4HVIxMORaILwgsb0OO1pjjafrPLbte8oub73PWcR_dnX_DmZ3rW6ZUbeh5fK2dLoM9WcwUTdOvWXbPhBh-lqPpsQpsv8qcaYXR-Ng8sUaaG1YKz-pJo/s1600/IMG_2444.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6SeDDSLyAfmNohAATD4JOQqBlFL8SlNeCzL6kCk_Ds1eD7oOyLeriwUloReN2UU3k-fPnNhCZ6AhnQboT99r2PpSV7CGiixHvukofqnhjAv0RhOlhzkPE-bi8cHqurm88KOgk46L37Y/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6SeDDSLyAfmNohAATD4JOQqBlFL8SlNeCzL6kCk_Ds1eD7oOyLeriwUloReN2UU3k-fPnNhCZ6AhnQboT99r2PpSV7CGiixHvukofqnhjAv0RhOlhzkPE-bi8cHqurm88KOgk46L37Y/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After the clothespin is dry, screw in your eye hooks on each side of the top stick. Depending on the size of the stick, this may be an inch or so from the ends. Use your best judgement here. Then string your twine through the eye hooks and tie to desired length, trim the ends and then you're done! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPWvQ1FyubAtqNoh4dyfJoESdpPWHcTRW9C_3BEaRJtajp-e0dFwPp2XZOLVEQOE6O_EMt6aIIXpDbx88z2J55v7PeAKPGWZ7Y2mQI49WOGhfIrKxkbofCS15kQ_v-i9AxlLZO_G92k4/s1600/IMG_2451.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPWvQ1FyubAtqNoh4dyfJoESdpPWHcTRW9C_3BEaRJtajp-e0dFwPp2XZOLVEQOE6O_EMt6aIIXpDbx88z2J55v7PeAKPGWZ7Y2mQI49WOGhfIrKxkbofCS15kQ_v-i9AxlLZO_G92k4/s1600/IMG_2451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3Unce7Bep03l-lllQvq_1p3z-zLjiAwUYe5FDMOGQHiCSJsZoTnJThRuZULm9Hoe5qrlccztHj4X5M0J80YbSwxg-3QMMyv9FI9oNfHDAT2w-lApH0N7LM6SwimRU2HFn_HQJ9VapsQ/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3Unce7Bep03l-lllQvq_1p3z-zLjiAwUYe5FDMOGQHiCSJsZoTnJThRuZULm9Hoe5qrlccztHj4X5M0J80YbSwxg-3QMMyv9FI9oNfHDAT2w-lApH0N7LM6SwimRU2HFn_HQJ9VapsQ/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS71uhLR917Hq6U2H-1tR6yYFEtasel2qG-iVgaf4XX9-ctmduBTx9-e4i5t6o44oHZxRKXXTscvWGS041ILnaAaaZKwL35JBakLgDRxnqWpf6cDAhKflUhhkRawPJECqU1gwCdk1N6oY/s1600/IMG_2465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS71uhLR917Hq6U2H-1tR6yYFEtasel2qG-iVgaf4XX9-ctmduBTx9-e4i5t6o44oHZxRKXXTscvWGS041ILnaAaaZKwL35JBakLgDRxnqWpf6cDAhKflUhhkRawPJECqU1gwCdk1N6oY/s1600/IMG_2465.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Voila! And in case you're interested in sticks like mine, you can purchase my hand painted DIY Driftwood frame kit right <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisFictitious?ref=search_shop_redirect" target="_blank">here in my shop</a> ! Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-51278592184260881252012-10-19T18:32:00.000-07:002012-10-19T18:32:51.746-07:00ETSY GRAND OPENING!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm pleased to announce the Grand Opening of my Etsy shop!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisFictitious" target="_blank">Shop: ThisFictitious</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DlKVrYi4o7JBUcVb_mua2RFFRl5i76l9UsrYe0_enZ9WLToNy5sjkVhSGWfbl6WhKDNVDgIZ8vIoYVmhyphenhyphenmxXx6kcgS8e7tYmYzRV8dLsaC_Q-pwN4wrGPl-o3gvqljJzYgPJNV57sBM/s1600/etsyscreenshot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DlKVrYi4o7JBUcVb_mua2RFFRl5i76l9UsrYe0_enZ9WLToNy5sjkVhSGWfbl6WhKDNVDgIZ8vIoYVmhyphenhyphenmxXx6kcgS8e7tYmYzRV8dLsaC_Q-pwN4wrGPl-o3gvqljJzYgPJNV57sBM/s1600/etsyscreenshot.png" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I have been creating like crazy the past few days/weeks/months and I've finally been able to work out all the kinks and open shop! I'm so excited to get all my projects up and out in the open. Each one is special to me and I've taken care to ensure quality in each one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some of you may know what I've been up to but for those of you who don't I've been spending most of my days creating unique driftwood pieces. I love the beautiful driftwood that I've found here in Hawaii and creating inexpensive household decor out of it has sort of become a requisite for those living in campus housing (i.e. temporary home + lack of funds = creating decor out of local finds). So I thought I would share that novelty of my life with the rest of the world. And there is definitely more good stuff to come! So please take a look around my shop (maybe "like" my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thisfictitious" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> while you're at it! ) and let me know what you think!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-88033317118200192582012-10-11T23:48:00.001-07:002012-10-11T23:48:06.166-07:00Embrace the Camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SlZBUD1H1yfIkns3kilPSi_NB3lJrmkEmCxcQygc-MuDH929fe9f54kLscRXictGwiuq7alMJxT6iy03r4wWmoXMZW1wykL4P5ZU6NnHMvQw7XujFTFWaPyETEdR8NgL3tGnl9rvi7g/s1600/embrace+the+camera+oct+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SlZBUD1H1yfIkns3kilPSi_NB3lJrmkEmCxcQygc-MuDH929fe9f54kLscRXictGwiuq7alMJxT6iy03r4wWmoXMZW1wykL4P5ZU6NnHMvQw7XujFTFWaPyETEdR8NgL3tGnl9rvi7g/s1600/embrace+the+camera+oct+11.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This week I've somehow managed to maintain my peace and patience. Something about my perspective has changed and suddenly it's become easier for me to live in the moment. When I figure out how this came about I'll let you know. But for now, I'm enjoying each second with my family. Instead of worrying about tomorrow, or next year, or careers, or money, etc. I've become aware of how important it is to stop and think about what's going on in the world directly around me. Instead of wishing I did things a certain way or longing to be "that kind of mom/wife/woman" I decided to just do it. And it is SO much more fulfilling than all those aspirations and expectations I know I'm not capable of achieving.... for the time being. I think this is the first time in my life I've been so happy with who I am in my own skin. It feels good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/15yi6ad.jpg" /></a></center>
Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-22198838783232881092012-10-11T02:18:00.001-07:002012-10-11T02:21:25.441-07:00bloglovinHello dear reader!<br />
You can now find me on bloglovin! (It's like google reader - it keeps all your blogs in one place but you can "like" posts to remember/save for later). <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4104518/?claim=v8gwwwtxxst">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-90697427914285591542012-10-09T15:08:00.000-07:002012-10-09T15:08:28.221-07:00Monday's Musings (belated): This is Halloween?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMBNWaaiGnrJSEeaITI3UaFIzQkCzPAtqP8GnKXcouG0ypskF5sG4w2xmaXJH5z5G3kkB9lzTbcCi-ng9nQFaDgyi9dI7hoddNPcOk52OsTfdJtP60dqGu2zJCsKV-_gXTmI3x4wU2oo/s1600/halloween+rant.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMBNWaaiGnrJSEeaITI3UaFIzQkCzPAtqP8GnKXcouG0ypskF5sG4w2xmaXJH5z5G3kkB9lzTbcCi-ng9nQFaDgyi9dI7hoddNPcOk52OsTfdJtP60dqGu2zJCsKV-_gXTmI3x4wU2oo/s640/halloween+rant.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So Halloween is fast approaching and it's time to start thinking about costumes. Most of you with kids are probably way more on top of this than I am but I lack resources (i.e. a car, a working sewing machine, decent craft/fabric stores) to do anything fancy. I also have a very fickle three-year old who changes his mind on an hourly basis as to what he wants to be. Hence, last year I decided for him. You might not be able to tell from the picture above but Bannock went as Draco Malfoy and Brecken was his little Owl. That's as homemade as I get out here in Hawaii (but I was pretty proud of my "creations" none-the-less). So this year I was perusing the Target website for some last minute ideas/deals because up until yesterday afternoon Bannock wanted to be a race car driver ("Just the clothes, but no car" - his words).<br />
<br />
This is where my rant begins. What is the deal with kids' Halloween costumes these days?!?! Seriously. I selected the age-range box that specified ages 3-9, little boys, and the results varied from typical (Iron Man, Thomas, Dragons) to completely appalling. Call me old fashioned but I believe in preserving our children's innocence as long as possible. So yeah this is coming from a girl who wanted to be a dead cheerleader in high school (bloody Pom Poms protruding from my head and chest, classy. I didn't go through with it though). I might be bordering on old-lady sentiment here but there are some things that children under the age of twelve should not see nor personify, even if Halloween is about creepy ghouls and goblins. So I compiled a "can-you-believe-this?" list of the ones I found most offensive. Take my word for it or follow the links below... <br />
- this <a href="http://www.target.com/p/kids-heartless-zombie-costume/-/A-12733988#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=heartless%20zombie" target="_blank">heartless zombie</a> is probably the worst. I might have words with the child's mother if I
saw this wandering the streets. OK, probably not, but someone tell me
they agree that this is too disturbing.<br />
- So maybe it's just the zombie thing (my brothers are totally into this fad) that bugs me the most. I remember seeing Night of The Living Dead when I was about ten and it scarred me. I think walking corpses are disturbing and disgusting. So what if you watch the Walking Dead? Your kid doesn't need to.These two are dumb and gross: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/kid-s-zombie-sock-monkey-costume/-/A-13673606#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=zombie%20sock%20monkey" target="_blank">zombie sock monkey</a> and <a href="http://www.target.com/p/boy-s-zombie-costume/-/A-13673194#prodSlot=large_1_15" target="_blank">this zombie costume</a><br />
- Don't get me wrong, I actually liked The Dark Knight Rises (Joseph Gordon Levitt as Robin? Genius.) but again, it's not appropriate for kids. Bane was super creepy, well done by Tom Hardy, but creepy none-the-less. So this <a href="http://www.target.com/p/boy-s-deluxe-bane-costume/-/A-14069174#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=Bane" target="_blank">Bane</a> costume goes on the list.<br />
- and the others I won't link but these were their names Zombie Chimp, Evil Jester, Evil Dead, Wicked Troll, Bleeding Scream, Soul Taker, Corpse Costume, Last Laugh Clown Costume, I mean come on, really? Whatever happened to throwing a sheet over a kid and cutting out eye-holes? Anyway, let me know what your kids/nephews/nieces are being for Halloween. And if you don't agree with me about these disturbing Halloween costumes please feel free to tell me! <br />
<br />
Oh and as of yesterday evening my son now wants to be a <a href="http://www.target.com/p/kid-s-cockroach-costume-medium/-/A-13673183#prodSlot=large_2_3" target="_blank">cockroach</a> - great.Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-69965620940437071572012-10-05T18:39:00.001-07:002012-10-05T18:39:20.885-07:00A few thoughts on motherhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSP5Na4p5Rf1zGy_98L2J2mTN0VXWjuk4Aki4bXh72My6rnFm9zcduaplQxYxffHW9RDq_hmswpj_MeL_JnBilGc2p5dif1z7EsQQLwNT7ocYHben3ezRzo5t3S6zepvGIujzOrdHzuY/s1600/boys.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSP5Na4p5Rf1zGy_98L2J2mTN0VXWjuk4Aki4bXh72My6rnFm9zcduaplQxYxffHW9RDq_hmswpj_MeL_JnBilGc2p5dif1z7EsQQLwNT7ocYHben3ezRzo5t3S6zepvGIujzOrdHzuY/s320/boys.png" width="307" /></a></div>
These are my boys. Thing One and Thing Two. Not really. (But sometimes). My oldest is three and a half and my "baby" is 14 months. I wouldn't trade these two snuggets for anything. Thing One is all boy - he has a relentless obsession with cars and trucks and trains and construction vehicles. His intelligence astounds me; his vocabulary and his ability to reason are (annoyingly at times) advanced for his age (Today he told me "I don't want to watch anthromorphic (<i>anthropomorphic</i>) cars and trucks, I wanna watch real ones"). He is exactly like his father in every way. Thing Two is a darling, chubby ham. He's a snuggle bear that will just eat your heart out (and pull your hair). That grin you see up there? That's called "squashy face" and he does it on command. He is a busy little bean and has quite the attitude which he enforces to get what he wants.<br />
<br />
That was just a brief introduction but suffice it to say these boys keep me BUSY. I love being a mom but I have to admit that there are times when I don't really think I was meant to do this. I know, I know, that sounds like every other mom out there but I mean I <i>seriously</i> question myself and whether or not I can give my children what they need. Yikes, so I'm not going to give them up for adoption but I might just consider myself done-zo. Like, no more. I'm seriously considering throwing in the towel. It's not that I'm defeated. I think a lot about having more children and about those women who can handle (or so it seems to me because they keep doing it) having their kids so close together. (Mine are two and a half years apart and I sometimes wonder why I did that to myself. ) My husband and I were sort of thrown into parenthood (read: unexpected pregnancy) and I often wonder if any amount of planning and preparation would have actually changed our "by-the-seat-of-our-pants" method. Other events in our life have forced us to change our strategies and mold ourselves to the situation. But through it all I couldn't help thinking that I wasn't made of the right motherhood material. I still feel that way.<br />
<br />
I used to consider myself the kind of woman who "found her calling" in motherhood. That lasted, like, a week. As I went through college I became aware of a part of me that had remained untapped. I understood the conflicting roles in my life - wife, mother, daughter, sister, student, self - and that there is no way to juggle them all at once (even though it seems like that's what we're always being told). Though we are supposedly <i>amazing</i> multi-taskers, I think the best way for women to be completely satisfied in their varying roles is to slow down and focus on one at a time. Don't try to be a mom and a wife at the same time (for me, the mom always wins). Live in the moment and stop thinking in the future. This isn't easy (my husband will roll his eyes when he reads this) but I think the common misconception of women being able to "multitask" is really just a nice way of saying we are constantly thinking about everything at once and subsequently trying to <i>do everything </i>at once. So I've decided to take my own advice and break my day up into different sections devoted to the different roles in my life; like right now, this section of my day is for my Self, a part of me that usually gets forgotten about when I put on my "mom" pants. The biggest thing I've come to realize in the past few months is the idea that I need (<i>need</i>) my own thing. And by using that amoeba of a word I mean hobby, past-time, me-time, alone time, whatever you want to call it. But in order for my happiness (and therefore the happiness of my household) to survive I need an identifier that coincides with who <i>I</i> am as an individual (i.e. Mom=kids, wife=husband, self=ME). I'm still working out the kinks but it seems to me that when I create something I feel better about myself - lately stamp carving, wood painting, canvas sewing and notebook stitching has become my favorite form of self-expression.<br />
<br />
So, today's rant is really just a public form of me admitting that I will probably never be the perfect mom (although I've got both boys napping at the same time right now so that's pretty close right?), that I'll probably never be the organized mom and I'll probably always be the mom on the verge of a nervous breakdown BUT I can still be happy in my tangled roles by understanding my Self first. I don't mean be selfish, I don't mean think of your Self first. But doing something for yourself on a regular basis will help you understand your capabilities (and your limits). Knowing who I am and what I need can help me sort out the needs of those around me. And I think that's a decent start on the road to <strike>perfection</strike> success! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-1555653618746144912012-09-27T21:30:00.000-07:002012-09-27T21:30:51.421-07:00Embrace the CameraBuild a Fort.<br />
Bannock has been sick all week. We've been stuck inside most of the time and with two boys in such a small space for three days I've started questioning my sanity. So today between the nasaly requests for apple juice and the incessant shouts of "No! No! No!", I somehow managed to build a fort. So behold my masterpiece. Did you know masking tape can be transformed into support beams? Me either. I thought about chronicling my progress through a little DIY but that seemed excessive. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OlB3z0UFOei6Iw_Za5FtOSZUUPHmHICuIOAKr03eFOCoy9Eu612tdN0P-5sZlBBciOwEpfeyrUNkJ7Wig1dnidcBWHFLaQ-gteNvbl2HVXRdPq9lICcTLUXSkjiN8NnerSuru4fDK9E/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OlB3z0UFOei6Iw_Za5FtOSZUUPHmHICuIOAKr03eFOCoy9Eu612tdN0P-5sZlBBciOwEpfeyrUNkJ7Wig1dnidcBWHFLaQ-gteNvbl2HVXRdPq9lICcTLUXSkjiN8NnerSuru4fDK9E/s400/IMG_1757.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
One last thing, OK two actually; Bannock's little voice when he's sick just tugs at my heartstrings, does anyone else ever feel that when they hear a little person with a cold? And Brecken has 2 new words! His first is (of course) No, and it's quite adorable to see him walking around with things he's not supposed to while saying "No! No! No!". We're working on that. And while I fully assumed his second word would be "stop" because it's only fitting, he chose "ball". I had forgotten how tender it is to hear a baby turn their thoughts into words, to finally understand what's going on in their little, fuzzy heads. So precious. <br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/15yi6ad.jpg" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-26260420597925726392012-09-24T15:02:00.001-07:002012-09-24T17:48:07.925-07:00Monday's MusingsI'm starting off the week with my thoughts on Autumn. I always get homesick this time of year. I think it's every girl's favorite season because we can wear layers of clothes, boots and scarves and hats. I wholeheartedly agree but I also love fall for the colors and the smell, the apple treats at Apple Hill, warm drinks and rainy car rides, but mostly because of that melancholy feeling it brings; knowing another year is almost over, sentimental feelings abound and there's a quiet urge to create as many more fond memories as we can before the days are too short and the year is out. I am waxing nostalgic at this time of year and am promising myself that these last few months will be happy, promising and productive. Happy Fall. <br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtlDfULJK4EnO2qedlG9cB6746rvmGRaCIH81nFTQHZoDZS3O4xAyqnuO_ajFgIedNJpL1tS6LOkift08rKIZ_Gh5_LNEitaFKMMdhNIE281blE5wGZiBL75OK3p9geS4b_SUv0p419w/s640/blogger-image-2041549281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtlDfULJK4EnO2qedlG9cB6746rvmGRaCIH81nFTQHZoDZS3O4xAyqnuO_ajFgIedNJpL1tS6LOkift08rKIZ_Gh5_LNEitaFKMMdhNIE281blE5wGZiBL75OK3p9geS4b_SUv0p419w/s640/blogger-image-2041549281.jpg" /></a></div>Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-65300200852868161872012-09-21T01:57:00.002-07:002012-09-21T01:57:48.758-07:00Embrace the Camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWjlCZAOUyFWR0V_LzUtvOuHXA_J46ygiQwcoK2US349MlA_NHznX3IfW5FT2gvNFEfpHhZD2E2Z4Ho1O14ZRtZqWx33v7rJR-UfYV7y6Qx0uBeP4l9T4yn3kEPbmpxOgQO-tUv1Mjjc/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWjlCZAOUyFWR0V_LzUtvOuHXA_J46ygiQwcoK2US349MlA_NHznX3IfW5FT2gvNFEfpHhZD2E2Z4Ho1O14ZRtZqWx33v7rJR-UfYV7y6Qx0uBeP4l9T4yn3kEPbmpxOgQO-tUv1Mjjc/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today I <a href="http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_8779.html" target="_blank">embraced the camera</a> during nap time (I was snoozing but, yeah, I faked it for the picture). I love the concept of Embrace the Camera; for us moms who take all the pictures but never get our pictures taken. I love nap time with buddy because he can go from crazy-angry-punk to sweet-baby-angel in the time it takes him to count six tractors driving up the hill to the apple tree (our new go to sleep technique). I wish I had been capturing these moments long ago but it's never too late to start.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<center>
<a href="http://www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/15yi6ad.jpg" /></a></center>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-17380047714823552372012-09-10T01:37:00.000-07:002012-09-10T01:37:05.095-07:00The Shops at Target <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhCqii_zLms9IrnAYpQMfCItv1wwIGx4Cnszq8TCyfWKvLapoMwhNd_n6XWhBPXuTy0btMRSMP3ylOrxmTzVnVBYqHpgYMbqbExO5rdNnTN9YtF5raN47o_ywJC9mySZ_HVopVhgC8Vs/s1600/curiosity+shoppe+tget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhCqii_zLms9IrnAYpQMfCItv1wwIGx4Cnszq8TCyfWKvLapoMwhNd_n6XWhBPXuTy0btMRSMP3ylOrxmTzVnVBYqHpgYMbqbExO5rdNnTN9YtF5raN47o_ywJC9mySZ_HVopVhgC8Vs/s640/curiosity+shoppe+tget.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I can't contain my excitement over this. The Curiosity Shoppe at Target (go <a href="http://www.target.com/c/the-curiosity-shoppe-shops-at-target/-/N-56c86#?lnk=Other_FallShop0909_HEADEROPENCONTAINTER|HEADEROPENCONTAINTER&intc=657175|null" target="_blank">HERE</a> ). I had the chance to go to their <a href="http://www.curiosityshoppeonline.com/" target="_blank">main store</a> in SF over the summer, it was good, yet out of my price range. Then my wonderful sister-in-law who lives and breathes San Francisco told me they were coming to Target. So I am thrilled the time has come. They have some wonderful things and the price point is under $25. Right up my alley. So scoop it up while you can. And while you're at it check out <a href="http://www.target.com/c/patch-nyc-the-shops-at-target/-/N-56c84#?lnk=Other_FallShop0909_HEADEROPENCONTAINTER|HEADEROPENCONTAINTER&intc=657175|null" target="_blank">Patch NYC</a>, also amazing. Keep up the good work <a href="http://www.target.com/#?lnk=crtr_t_spc_1_0" target="_blank">Target</a>!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo courtesy Target.com)</span>Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-59092997521257931902012-08-31T19:16:00.002-07:002012-08-31T19:16:44.728-07:00Ode to SummerMy what a summer it's been. I promised myself when I started this blog that I wouldn't go more than one or two weeks without posting (even on my TWO MONTH vacation) well, oops. So here's a peek into my summer. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul5sJJXzW3Kt67hkrpY75SQ4APD2Wfo9VfnRe8ReCVQdc94UjWV2_q34ATTCA2kZu3IvLSz21NuS6R9OKDpOPB8iv2oZubYWIjJk8PY8D4QSPSBEocpxH98QhffBpTx4rfnUj-84bGds/s1600/IMG_0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul5sJJXzW3Kt67hkrpY75SQ4APD2Wfo9VfnRe8ReCVQdc94UjWV2_q34ATTCA2kZu3IvLSz21NuS6R9OKDpOPB8iv2oZubYWIjJk8PY8D4QSPSBEocpxH98QhffBpTx4rfnUj-84bGds/s320/IMG_0780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lots of Family time </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWLKKojNj8Y8v3Se9RY3OvmwsSa4O-X0Fham5YT5YS7AwVKg24vi75DNaEhQ-5j16PkmuNIVDcPpAoRB4ue0ZbzylH8ELWcHob5oLyiyEeS0ub6Cvez3w5vfsc3k1ZGcI6nniALXxl9U/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWLKKojNj8Y8v3Se9RY3OvmwsSa4O-X0Fham5YT5YS7AwVKg24vi75DNaEhQ-5j16PkmuNIVDcPpAoRB4ue0ZbzylH8ELWcHob5oLyiyEeS0ub6Cvez3w5vfsc3k1ZGcI6nniALXxl9U/s320/IMG_1244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lots of cousin time</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2izWCX0KakCB-yOUNajFj6DtLUy0ADQ_GWfU_HjQmvh-TyPykoANTzwa2sZXqIXVY3ZUlxZc7zhyphenhyphens5GgoP_3yfcC-2h2okRSC7t51T3ll0xG3I6SFSeWZRIn_7nxLqGESZ-86rjxerg/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2izWCX0KakCB-yOUNajFj6DtLUy0ADQ_GWfU_HjQmvh-TyPykoANTzwa2sZXqIXVY3ZUlxZc7zhyphenhyphens5GgoP_3yfcC-2h2okRSC7t51T3ll0xG3I6SFSeWZRIn_7nxLqGESZ-86rjxerg/s320/IMG_0967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lots of bro time (my wonderful husband is on the left)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz75O7tyD0MzDlf1Fzf1-IWP0adD0G_310bIrddjUpX5OgOoNV62ixuHNQavYEOFLKVo0XL5NyIcyjJdra92-wOrWGaxneaymnl0hw4P56CPhdhAiGaw0x-4nlQVsNkzMVcqS2box_L5U/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz75O7tyD0MzDlf1Fzf1-IWP0adD0G_310bIrddjUpX5OgOoNV62ixuHNQavYEOFLKVo0XL5NyIcyjJdra92-wOrWGaxneaymnl0hw4P56CPhdhAiGaw0x-4nlQVsNkzMVcqS2box_L5U/s320/IMG_0214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lots of baking (<a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/no-bake-nutella-cheesecake-recipe/" target="_blank">no-bake nutella cheesecake</a>)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFIsGfLl3sZsZNznWlI8NyPx9xJfTeUQCiyNU5Tn2o2wckPsxIEIDQ4Dr2kKpAyUrBpBupFoIg5Vc4FW70j_m3kDtIs-vptbuv6b4GnE6CBkiGL05q8fwoN4wiNex0sXsZlSTw6Sv_-k/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFIsGfLl3sZsZNznWlI8NyPx9xJfTeUQCiyNU5Tn2o2wckPsxIEIDQ4Dr2kKpAyUrBpBupFoIg5Vc4FW70j_m3kDtIs-vptbuv6b4GnE6CBkiGL05q8fwoN4wiNex0sXsZlSTw6Sv_-k/s320/IMG_0320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A little bit of country</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg129wsjWgo4UO97op20dZBs0YDQmAavWVjQ2zuhKFipFTvI4FllHAWRjjbccRXMvEyxAMe__ZXcwApNJDQR1QNVOr5ACfY1m0lxRm53K5WEx9kG-1mGz5wi_VLGn8L2cDOzjPZdync7ZM/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg129wsjWgo4UO97op20dZBs0YDQmAavWVjQ2zuhKFipFTvI4FllHAWRjjbccRXMvEyxAMe__ZXcwApNJDQR1QNVOr5ACfY1m0lxRm53K5WEx9kG-1mGz5wi_VLGn8L2cDOzjPZdync7ZM/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A whole lot of adorableness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY1hLqHqz2ahyAsIf3XK8AH1VuMxuvJWicOgaDVMa1kUNOv3mQl8Ijq7lzOtaEzRmzMrQnluxeGRg9Sh8kxJgtk9bLulrtnK0Y4im7zr6gCuG3mnoL9WJN8Qht014skEqCmRCUvYuWQE/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY1hLqHqz2ahyAsIf3XK8AH1VuMxuvJWicOgaDVMa1kUNOv3mQl8Ijq7lzOtaEzRmzMrQnluxeGRg9Sh8kxJgtk9bLulrtnK0Y4im7zr6gCuG3mnoL9WJN8Qht014skEqCmRCUvYuWQE/s320/IMG_0178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and even more adorableness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_GTrfTtxg5zU79Ne6rk518pBqioAYVYAudchiKv0o2rWXJO0yQ6T5u8UbSvrmstAoS3yZHll5AsUWEDokPfXHJ-vD0TJ3k4Y7GF1s86EzbWuw9sDIxvm3jtU_sd7hPO737ATgetPHG8/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_GTrfTtxg5zU79Ne6rk518pBqioAYVYAudchiKv0o2rWXJO0yQ6T5u8UbSvrmstAoS3yZHll5AsUWEDokPfXHJ-vD0TJ3k4Y7GF1s86EzbWuw9sDIxvm3jtU_sd7hPO737ATgetPHG8/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even more baking (I actually tried the pie and potatoes from <a href="http://thisfictitious.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-eats.html" target="_blank">this</a> post and they were both amazing) This pie was hands-down the fanciest and most delicious thing I've ever made</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp9UjKFznWBOMEQRFhjamWexCZ5jZcdvADOR6Oe_DMAw6FEUY2Tz4wlOlsU6MnPO5Kw0YP4NZqobzDjcfIgiOutWXi6yQfivSy0GoV-IpZnDolERYWwWorw6RwHz9JI3b-NX1OkI7KTg/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp9UjKFznWBOMEQRFhjamWexCZ5jZcdvADOR6Oe_DMAw6FEUY2Tz4wlOlsU6MnPO5Kw0YP4NZqobzDjcfIgiOutWXi6yQfivSy0GoV-IpZnDolERYWwWorw6RwHz9JI3b-NX1OkI7KTg/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More family time (these are my cute parents)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_sabxxGKzVlpIQNLORtLj5ByP8zRPzQoeZk6S484ZxlFnWhZSv34wWOi7M-yUvy04oAEhC01xgtP1t9imk9mohEzvjqEkRX9Rc0r9as32Vg8fMoaQjVvAzYMMP7w2XDp6jXSRgjzQFQ/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_sabxxGKzVlpIQNLORtLj5ByP8zRPzQoeZk6S484ZxlFnWhZSv34wWOi7M-yUvy04oAEhC01xgtP1t9imk9mohEzvjqEkRX9Rc0r9as32Vg8fMoaQjVvAzYMMP7w2XDp6jXSRgjzQFQ/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
an entire MONTH without my handsome husband (in which I passed the time by watching two whole seasons of Gossip Girl. Yikes.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN4afCQ607Q68ZqWPEUt4Q3fAryxMzrBNuvfNplw2fjaYI8UqKSZ_aT9kBfBUaS42xnhrkJrBSq9VK1T3byLaBz3EH3rNLqXrgMIzNuMCr1G8JetncwlMOnG-SKyeRRmSiVBRnuZhdtE/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN4afCQ607Q68ZqWPEUt4Q3fAryxMzrBNuvfNplw2fjaYI8UqKSZ_aT9kBfBUaS42xnhrkJrBSq9VK1T3byLaBz3EH3rNLqXrgMIzNuMCr1G8JetncwlMOnG-SKyeRRmSiVBRnuZhdtE/s320/IMG_1410.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and spent lots of quality time with my cute boys (Fairy Tale Town, anyone?)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a splendid break, but it feels so good to be reunited with my hubby and back home in Hawaii. I now promise to be much better at updates that will hold your interest in the future.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
XOXO AshOfiction</div>
Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-58262564438810525212012-06-15T12:22:00.002-07:002012-06-26T22:48:08.199-07:00Summer Eats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mf1XbbGrDwfofy3rF_OfM5Y9OYfIp592iXsJBqckrOfU55Su72gEzeFe9wfwJCI3TPM1aFc4A9dheDLVS9W7vZi0x4T5ULMOTnDnBce1nuKmXh8g0NtxS467XLvnBjFdpISuFL6neOs/s1600/summer+eats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mf1XbbGrDwfofy3rF_OfM5Y9OYfIp592iXsJBqckrOfU55Su72gEzeFe9wfwJCI3TPM1aFc4A9dheDLVS9W7vZi0x4T5ULMOTnDnBce1nuKmXh8g0NtxS467XLvnBjFdpISuFL6neOs/s1600/summer+eats.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So glad summer is FINALLY here!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We're in California for a whole month of vacationing with family and friends and I plan on making the most of that by eating delicious home cooked meals. This weekend our families are getting together for a joint birthday bash BBQ and I rounded up some recipes that are tried and true and some brand new.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2007/08/watermelon_gnger_agua_fresca" target="_blank">Watermelon Ginger Agua Fresca</a> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">sounds like the perfect summer refreshment </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 And these <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2012/01/black-beans-and-rice-with-chicken-and-apple-salsa" target="_blank">Black Beans and Apple Salsa</a> have become a staple in our house</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3 <a href="http://www.eatdrinkdaily.com/bbq-corn-mexican-spicy-butter-lime-recipe/#" target="_blank">Mexican Grilled Corn</a> looks simple to make and incredibly flavorful</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">4 This <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/spicy-dr-pepper-shredded-pork/" target="_blank">Spicy Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork</a> is seriously mouth-watering </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">5 I can't wait to try this <a href="http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/06/creamy-lemon-basil-potato-salad/" target="_blank">Creamy Lemon Basil Potato Salad</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">6 And everything about this <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/08/peanut-butter-honeycomb-pie" target="_blank">Peanut Butter Honeycomb Pie</a> looks heavenly </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm going to attempt a few of these tomorrow so I'll let you know how it goes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-65011892398146904102012-06-10T01:15:00.001-07:002012-06-10T01:15:50.439-07:00BoysI snapped this picture of all my happy boys while eating Impossible's Pizza on the beach with friends. A beautiful evening with great food and great people. There's nothing better. And I love my family. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tqhR1z7zU2QeFbWgYN3TB7-MsTlkV3JZVcfLFhrR48JVMCDnD6m3JH667idCeVu0LEFMN2AT5h3QnMCUWOvW1mQ3wra1pC2pyJ7LVFlyM41hixak8p9MQG-siKq9TD_pHBbSKPILO5U/s640/blogger-image-1173408367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tqhR1z7zU2QeFbWgYN3TB7-MsTlkV3JZVcfLFhrR48JVMCDnD6m3JH667idCeVu0LEFMN2AT5h3QnMCUWOvW1mQ3wra1pC2pyJ7LVFlyM41hixak8p9MQG-siKq9TD_pHBbSKPILO5U/s640/blogger-image-1173408367.jpg" /></a></div>Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-71090944421004779352012-06-08T02:50:00.000-07:002012-06-08T02:58:43.401-07:00Inspiration: Print and Paper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPsbIvztQsiTxIquhfcuZ_mx_LaMOwfF07wEY50UBugbM4AGrdLFi1RcbnkrLjJgGH7wqTmOer2q_e6SNuUjeqNp_3bpSVPWuSXkBqjIugDtoaBFpG1VIo_WnOYPLncvKuP7bLEmcsgQ/s1600/print+and+paper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPsbIvztQsiTxIquhfcuZ_mx_LaMOwfF07wEY50UBugbM4AGrdLFi1RcbnkrLjJgGH7wqTmOer2q_e6SNuUjeqNp_3bpSVPWuSXkBqjIugDtoaBFpG1VIo_WnOYPLncvKuP7bLEmcsgQ/s640/print+and+paper.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've spent the last few hours following a delightful paper trail on the Internet. A little known fact about me is that I am and always have been obsessed with paper - notebooks, cards, even writing utensils - I find it all fascinating. I used to collect notebooks as a little girl and there is nothing quite like putting fresh ink to an empty page. I dream of one day owning a used book store and my husband just mentioned to me how wonderful it would be to put a letterpress in the back and run classes out of said future bookstore (yes, it would be wonderful - even more so once we mastered the use of it). So I spent today trying to discover others whose passion for paper and print has been ignited well beyond my own.<br />
<br />
Clockwise from top:<br />
- These delightful little <a href="http://paperandtype.bigcartel.com/product/little-notes-set-of-5-fill-in-the-blank-notes" target="_blank">note cards</a> from <a href="http://paperandtype.com/" target="_blank">Paper and Type</a> are fill-in-the-blank for quick notes which, in my mind, are perfect for hiding in random places for people to discover as they sift through their purse, wallet, moving box, medicine cabinet, underwear drawer etc.<br />
- I love these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62833365/letterpress-bear-hug-card-diecut-grizzly" target="_blank">die-cut bears</a> from <a href="http://blackbirdletterpress.com/shopblackbird.html" target="_blank">Blackbird Letterpress</a>, perfect for holding pictures and love notes, but especially for the little flowers my boys bring me!<br />
- Also can't get enough of their <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88587025/letterpress-octopus-perpetual-calendar" target="_blank">perpetual calendar</a> -super fun.<br />
- I stumbled across <a href="http://www.seedhousestationers.com/" target="_blank">Seed House</a> along the way and everything about this <a href="http://www.seedhousestationers.com/about-us" target="_blank">couple</a> seems dreamy. I cannot wait for their shop to open; check out their behind the scenes <a href="http://www.seedhousestationers.com/blog" target="_blank">here</a>. I should also mention they run <a href="http://www.foragehaberdashery.com/" target="_blank">Forage Haberdashery </a>and <a href="http://www.somethingshidinginhere.com/" target="_blank">Something's Hiding in Here</a> so check them out, they are the ultimate creative couple. Seriously. <br />
- And how wonderful are these <a href="http://letterandlark.bigcartel.com/product/lovers-coupons" target="_blank">Coupons</a> from <a href="http://letterandlark.com/" target="_blank">Letter & Lark</a>? Makes me wish it was February...<br />
- Lastly these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51283045/letterpress-notebook-fox" target="_blank">notebooks</a>, once again from <a href="http://blackbirdletterpress.com/" target="_blank">Blackbird Letterpress</a>, are a fantastic size and come in some pretty spiffy prints.<br />
<br />
All in all, it was an inspirational few hours wherein I became amazed (and small and insignificant) by the creative powers out there in the world. It makes me thankful to be alive during this time period. Thanks and come back again! <br />
<br />
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-88665681246401297612012-06-02T00:59:00.001-07:002012-06-02T01:04:23.631-07:00Wishes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7SN_DhBL_itD-kineYO8KwuFDyVveQJBIigNzZe53lg6WoUEMKPVdUvPBukrMip57mNU8N8ICwJQh7QvSTHeYQl7dPtEJXfBIx-Yh3OPoVm1bjZDIiPyZBGTXDfX9IwUHBWgvZ-M-hg/s1600/mood+board.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7SN_DhBL_itD-kineYO8KwuFDyVveQJBIigNzZe53lg6WoUEMKPVdUvPBukrMip57mNU8N8ICwJQh7QvSTHeYQl7dPtEJXfBIx-Yh3OPoVm1bjZDIiPyZBGTXDfX9IwUHBWgvZ-M-hg/s640/mood+board.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/iadornu?section_id=6576306&page=2">1</a>-<a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/betsey-johnson-shoes-bellaaa-flats?ID=668676&CategoryID=50295&LinkType=#fn=BRAND%3DBetsey%20Johnson%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D4%26ruleId%3D66%26slotId%3D2" target="_blank">2</a>-<a href="http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/acil/bodies/j1/" target="_blank">3</a>-<a href="http://www.indie-business.com/" target="_blank">4</a>-<a href="http://outlet.blogmilkshop.com/" target="_blank">5</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can't believe it's already June. This being the month of my birth (I turn 26 on the 16, I'm getting old) I decided to create my first ever mood board. Just a simple little wish list of the things I'm craving right now.</span> And I wanted to give a special shout to my friend <a href="http://janereaction.com/" target="_blank">Erin Jane</a> for inspiring me with her talent. Check out her <a href="http://janereaction.com/blog/tag/mood-boards" target="_blank">mood boards</a> - they are always amazing!Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-88243547318632277562012-05-31T01:29:00.003-07:002012-05-31T01:29:43.586-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOUwcBeXlEwuVTQ49M5ekQzud2mMD2jef4yxGhLT4pBviX-2fWPeDN6HxaTxOfFez9MJpNC7rRTE6A8uAaa_H8hGuZtn5guAbFjZghFx4NDy3EZ35-Q_mwVc6tRyJ-oy3kFKPZ2bUXyI/s1600/568F4960-3C0B-4BDF-B22A-10F3DC906368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOUwcBeXlEwuVTQ49M5ekQzud2mMD2jef4yxGhLT4pBviX-2fWPeDN6HxaTxOfFez9MJpNC7rRTE6A8uAaa_H8hGuZtn5guAbFjZghFx4NDy3EZ35-Q_mwVc6tRyJ-oy3kFKPZ2bUXyI/s320/568F4960-3C0B-4BDF-B22A-10F3DC906368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Sunset Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-87054279694746375372011-11-16T01:08:00.000-08:002012-11-16T01:09:39.632-08:00Contact MeYou can find me in the following locations:<br />
<br />
<u>email </u><br />
<br />
thisfictitious@gmail.com<br />
<br />
<u>my shop </u><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisFictitious?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisFictitious</a><br />
<br />
<u>Facebook </u><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThisFictitious" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ThisFictitious</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175441658952286938.post-6537971523903542832011-11-16T01:03:00.000-08:002012-11-16T01:04:46.260-08:00About Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv59F2HIMRH33VLdpembgYF1Ou43iNXE61deSEOHDQhi_c-gd2I_yP6fJ4BiuEFpb_xzeJybaJWWQ1TIr8HmnskLMcYJ5aAwvKhQP1M_vW8QbE75IwAiJOGzLGjoLvfFz-AOYzV8pa8ek/s1600/railwayfam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv59F2HIMRH33VLdpembgYF1Ou43iNXE61deSEOHDQhi_c-gd2I_yP6fJ4BiuEFpb_xzeJybaJWWQ1TIr8HmnskLMcYJ5aAwvKhQP1M_vW8QbE75IwAiJOGzLGjoLvfFz-AOYzV8pa8ek/s1600/railwayfam.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hello! So you want to know a little more about me?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well. My name is Ashley and I come from a haughty little town in Northern California called El Dorado Hills. I'm the only girl in a family of three boys. I met my handsome husband Sean through a mutual friend (who I may or may not have dated first) way back in 2006. He's from a town right close to mine so when we first started dating our conversations centered who knew who and how and for how long (our grandparents went to church together for years but we never even knew the other existed). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*fun story* </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One night when we were dating we started reminiscing about all the bands we'd seen and local shows we attended in our 'super-punk-rock' youth. He mentioned having gone to a show at a local venue that I just happened to have attended as well (Drive-Thru records tour circa 2003). So I started rummaging through some old photos and Lo and Behold there's a tall, skinny blond headed profile popping out of the crowd right in front of the stage. It was Sean. I knew then and there we were meant to be. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got married for time and all eternity in Sacramento on January 4th 2008. We had a sweet little surprise seven months later and nine months after that we welcomed our first boy, Bannock Sean, into the world - March of 2009. In September 2010 we relocated to HAWAII to attend school at BYU. Both of us. It was crazy busy and in the midst of our schooling and relentless poverty we welcomed boy number two, Brecken Cove, in August of 2011. I graduated in April 2012 and am now just crafting and mothering my heart out while my intelligent husband finishes school. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love to create things - paint driftwood, embroider canvas, make jewelry - the typical stuff most girls these days are doing. How is my blog different from theirs? Well, it's not really. I started this blog to record the everyday, the inspiring and eventful, the humdrum and nitty gritty of our lives, and when that gets boring I like to share a recipe or a craft or two - or amaze you with a little known historical fact from my vast knowledge I collected while pursuing a degree in History. On occasion you might find a rare gem of advice about motherhood, wifedom, feminism or a combination of all three. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy!</div>
Ashley.Obornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07035633343624731857noreply@blogger.com0