tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72845581830801775192024-03-08T06:33:55.301-05:00Off the Cuff and INDYpendentA country girl's rumblings through the city streetsHannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-41180634417077499712012-11-21T21:07:00.001-05:002012-11-21T21:07:25.218-05:00November 20: A Very Long Day of DrivingOur November 20th-21st adventure started early in Vail as we headed towards Denver. One goal was on Rob's mind...Make it up Loveland Pass to the Eisenhower Tunnel in a 97 Mazda hauling a 2000 pound UHaul Trailer. She made it just fine even though we barely drove over 30 MPH the whole way - doubling our time to get to the Mile High City.<br /><br />Once out of the tunnel, we spotted signs for a scenic overlook and the grave of the late, great Buffalo Bill. Taking the bait, we drove up up up up and arrived at William Cody's grave and museum right west of Denver. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1944.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1944.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1945.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1945.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />In Denver, we ventured down the 16th Street Mall in Lower Downtown (LoDo) and ate salad. Yes, lovely lovely salad. As much as I love fried food and burgers, my body was craving fruits and veggies. One cool thing about downtown Denver is the free public bus transit up 16th street, so we took advantage and rode it all the way to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. You can't leave the Rockies without stopping there! Chocolate covered coffee beans anyone? <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1946.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1946.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1947.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1947.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />By this time it was 2:30 p.m. and our next goal was Omaha - 8 hours away. On the road again!<br /><br />We waved goodbye to the mountains and said hello to FLAT. Flat flat and more flat. There's nothing much to see in north eastern Colorado or Nebraska, so we drove and drove some more, got gas, played road games, ate Arby's and drove some more. I fell asleep. Rob drove some more. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1948.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1948.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We got to Omaha around 1 a.m. and I woke up to take part in the city tour Rob was hosting...then we kept driving. To make up for the piddle paddling we did west of Denver, we decided to skip a hotel and take advantage of the REAL purpose of rest stops...getting some rest - Trucker style. So, we pulled up next to the line of big rigs and counted our sheep. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1949.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1949.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />About an hour before sunrise, Rob woke up and drove us to Des Moines just in time for city tour #2 and breakfast.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1951.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1951.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Davenport, Iowa was our next stop, so we could touch the mighty Mississippi before driving over to Illinois. I think Rob wanted to be just like Huckleberry Fin and Tom Sawyer.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1952.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1952.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />What trip would be complete without at least one muffler man? Or one muffler woman for that matter....<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1953.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1953.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We found her outside a tire shop in Peoria, Illinois. And glad we did, because otherwise we wouldn't have found a corner New Orleans -style cafe called Beignet's for lunch! For the second time on our trip, we were the only people being served in the restaurant. We had the special - a turkey bacon avocado sandwich on pretzel bread and the New Orleans brewed beer called Dixie. Man, was it to die for! I bet Subway was packed a half mile away...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1954.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1954.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Currently we are driving and hoping to arrive in Indy later tonight. Home sweet Home. Sigh. Smile. Happiness. <br />Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-68793545095504866692012-11-21T20:50:00.001-05:002012-11-21T20:50:26.123-05:00November 19: Onto VailWe woke up in the morning to another great view...Ducks, mountains, pastures and cats. Yes, Rob made friends with the cats as you can see.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1892.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1892.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='75' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1893.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1893.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Remember that scary bridge/road that made me into a horrible back seat driver last night? Yeah, that one. Well, we decided we needed to see it in the daylight, so we ventured back through winding mountain roads to get there. I'm glad we did, because "Hog's Backbone" was unreal. It felt like one of those moments when you are at the top of a really high roller coaster ready to roll down that first hill. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1894.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1894.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1895.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1895.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We got some good photos, and after Rob yelled "I love Hannah Brescher" at the top of his lungs, we ventured on...Scenic Byway 12- here we come again. Here are a few more scenes from our drive...Mountains turned alpine, turned snow, turned red rocks...<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1896.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1896.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1897.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1897.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1898.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1898.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We made it to Highway 24 and happened upon Capitol Reef National Park. We didn't even realize it existed until we drove through it and were amazed..yet again. All together now... "WOW!" I even made up a new word because I was getting tired of saying wow so much... "Zeeepa!! "<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1899.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1899.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1900.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1900.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We stopped and hiked for a bit, then enjoyed the views some more as we drove on. There were even petroglyphs etched into the rock left over from the Fremont Native American Tribe.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1901.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1901.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I must say again, this drive was so exciting because of the scenery. Upon driving out of the park, we came across scenes from Mars, the Moon, elephant birthplaces, sand dunes, mountain ranges and flat deserts. Seriously, how can the landscape change so much at every turn?<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1902.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1902.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1903.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1903.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1904.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1904.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I-70 approached and the goal was lunch at Green River Colorado. We found a small diner turned Mexican Restaurant and had the whole place to ourselves. Our waitress also cooked the meal for us. It's nice to visit these small towns, talk to the locals, and eat unique food. Rob was also pulling some high school Spanish out of his back pocket in order to communicate. I was just smiling and nodding along with the conversation. Just a half mile down the road the Subway attached to the gas station was packed...funny isn't it? <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1905.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1905.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The Colorado Rockies were upon us..Magnificent. This rest stop, complete with the Colorado River and mountain backdrop was one of the most picturesque rest stops we discovered along the way.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1906.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1906.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1907.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1907.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Darkness came upon us at 5:30 p.m. and our original plan of making it to Denver faded. Instead, we decided to stop in Vail to eat and sleep so as not to miss the rest of I-70's views through the Rockies - also known as our country's skiing playground.<br /><br />The Vail scene is not a typical scene for a girl who grew up shoveling cow patties and skiing on the hills of southern Indiana, so I felt a bit out of place among the elegant lodges, street fires and Mercedes SUV's at every stop light. The good thing is that off season in Vail means cheap lodge vacancy and cheap food at nice restaurants. In fact we scored big at Bully's Ranch when we heard about their special of hamburger with candied bacon, onion straws, and blue cheese butter, truffle tots and a local beer for only $10. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/21/1908.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/21/s_1908.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We barely finished our meal large enough for a tired and hungry skier, and fell asleep happy yet again.<br />Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-59783772837366789622012-11-20T19:49:00.001-05:002012-11-20T19:57:05.365-05:00November 18: Lots of "Wows"We arrived to Zion National Park late Saturday night, and went straight to bed. On our way in, we knew there was some pretty amazing scenery passing by, but it was dark, so it remained a mystery...until this morning. We woke up, looked out the window of Majestic View Lodge and a breathtaking view welcomed us to beautiful Utah.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2361.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2361.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After a breakfast of omelets in the lodge restaurant (that we had all to ourselves), we ventured into the park...Uhaul and all! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2362.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2362.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Our first thought was to drive through the park and stop at a few scenic overviews as we made our way through onto Salt Lake City. However, we got sidetracked by the awe and wows that filled the Mazda and decided to venture down a side scenic road to take in as much of this beauty as we could. No words can describe this park, no photos I post will do it justice, but here are a few of my favorites taken with my iPhone. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2363.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2363.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2364.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2364.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2365.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2365.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Weeping Rock<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2366.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2366.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2367.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2367.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2368.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2368.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2369.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2369.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After being swept away by God's creation in Zion, we ventured out of the park on our way to Salt Lake City. Check out this 360 view Rob took on our way... http://360.io/cvTaKJ. In true Hannah and Rob fashion, we arrived at the intersection of State Highway 12 also known as the Scenic Byway and decided this route would be much more fun. We turned right and never looked back...not sure what we were in store for. Let me just tell you - this byway made me fall deeply in love with Utah. Let me show you why...<br />Presenting Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2370.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2370.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2371.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2371.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2380.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2380.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2373.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2373.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2374.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2374.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Seeing this unexpected beauty and craving more ''wows," we decided to skip Salt Lake City completely and continue driving on Highway 12 to I-70 on route to Denver. Good thing we didn't make hotel reservations. I love being off the cuff with my fun, spontaneous, boyfriend! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2375.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2375.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The darkness overtook us as we entered into the town of Escalante, so our endless views of mesas, rock formations and nature's sculptures slowly diminished from our sight. We were tired from the night before, so we canned the original plan of driving another three hours to Green River. At this point our cell phone service was non-existent, so we began relying on our faithful road atlas...next town...Boulder, UT. Was it big? Did it have hotels? Could we find food during tourist off season? Google could not help us now. <br />The twilight from the setting sun and bright half moon allowed us to see a little bit of the scenery as we drove on. Suddenly, out of nowhere after blindly winding up and down mountains, we looked out on both sides of the car and could see nothing but vast mountains and cliffs to the valleys below. No room for anything but two cars. I literally freaked out and became the worst back seat driver ever. Slow down, go slower, wait, oh my gosh, we're going over the edge, slow down!<br />Well, we made it across the scary rock bridge and didn't fall down to our deaths. Next stop...Boulder. Where the heck are we?! And why are there no other cars on the road?<br />As we entered into quaint Boulder, we were relieved when we stumbled across the Boulder Mountain Lodge (with vacancy) complete with an adjoining Hell's Backbone Grill. Please let it be open!! We found it ironic that we woke up in Zion only to find ourselves having dinner in Hell's Backbone...hmmm...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2376.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2376.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Photos from the next morning...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/20/2377.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/20/s_2377.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We had no idea what we were in for. This was more than just a grill...it was truly a food mind boggling experience. Apparently, this restaurant has been featured in O Magazine and the New York Times. That's right - we randomly stumble across one of the best restaurants on this side of the Rockies in the middle of Nowhere with a capital N. After I win the lottery in Nebraska, I may take my private helicopter to this restaurant every weekend. Let me just say the pumpkin apple soup was to die for.<br />That night, we fell asleep with fully bellies, excited about the views we would encounter in the morning.<br /><br />Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-16888929784266096662012-11-18T02:18:00.001-05:002012-11-18T02:18:15.928-05:00November 17 Indiana or Bust Road Trip - Birthday FunCurrently, Rob and I are about 70 miles from our final destination of Zion National Park in Utah and running on only a couple hours of sleep from last night. You know what that means? It means what follows may be the most uncreative blog I have written to date. What a shame, because today was a great first day of our Indiana or Bust Road trip. Fun day...just no guarantees that it will be good or enjoyable. and don't you dare judge on my grammar or punctuation. I'm telling you, it aint gonna be pretty.<br /><br />I can only speak for myself, but I think Rob's birthday was the best yet! Today was his special day, and it was also the first day of our Indiana or Bust Road Trip. I was happy to be spending it with him - especially in this way. Leaving LA and moving him back to Indiana.<br /><br />The original goal was to start the road trip on Friday morning and arrive back in Indiana by Tuesday night. Well, after quickly realizing we were NOT going to finish packing Thursday night, we decided to stay another day in LA to pack and organize. I went to bed at 2 a.m. this morning and Rob went to bed at 4 a.m. We woke up at 5:30 a.m. Ready for action...YES!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3391.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3391.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The manger at the Lancaster iHop was nice enough to give Rob a free birthday breakfast PLUS singing at the table PLUS an ice cream sundae even though he forgot to print out the free birthday coupon from the web site. For everyone reading this, you too can also sign up online for a free breakfast on your birthday. Do it pronto. Look how good this looks..and he looks!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3392.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3392.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />While in Lancaster, aside from seeing the beautiful scenery...<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3393.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3393.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />...We drove down the only musical road in the U.S. Originally, it was used for a Honda commercial, and it stuck around because IT"S AWESOME and everyone needs one of them in their town. <br /><br />After Landcaster, we headed East and stopped at Calico Ghost Town on the way. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3394.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3394.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3395.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3395.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3396.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3396.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3397.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3397.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />This old mining town-now made tourist attraction - was built in the 1880's and is one of the only mining towns left that has been maintained and rehabilitated back to its original glory. Yes, they had wooden bulls back then. ;) Many of the buildings we saw were the original buildings or at least some of the building materials. Way back when, with over 500 mines, this town was able to produce $12 million worth of silver over a 12 year period. When silver lost it's value in the 1890's, so did the population of this little town. <br /><br />After Calico, we made one more pit stop...but not before taking in some mighty awesome views. God's paintbrush never ceases to amaze me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3398.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3398.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3399.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3399.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />That pit stop was a stark contrast to the beautiful nature we had just left...guesses anyone?<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3400.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3400.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We first stopped at the famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop..made famous by the Pawn Stars Reality TV show. Rob tried to sell a model boat he found in an LA dumpster...but without batting an eye, the shop worker said he couldn't buy anything like that...so we went next door..next to the chapel of love...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3401.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3401.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Doug here bought the boat for $20 and was very excited about it. We were just excited we had money to spend on dinner and a few slot machines at Fremont Street.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3402.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3402.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We weren't big winners at the end of the night, but we were glad we stopped for a some people watching. And a little bit of sun roof fun down Los Vegas Blvd.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/11/17/3403.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/11/17/s_3403.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />At this point we are only 30 miles from our first night's sleep, so until tomorrow...<br />Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-83245310561972826912011-09-26T21:28:00.000-04:002011-09-26T21:29:17.786-04:00Neat Wedding Ideas - Now Don't You get Any Ideas!The past few weekends, I've been to some weddings and a bridal shower. While there, I picked up some great do it yourself ideas. I thought they were very clever. Here I go sharing!<br />
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Jacki, the Maid of Honor worked with the "future" groom, Craig, to collect 24 reasons he loved Ashley (the Bride to be). Jacki then bought two dozen roses and wrapped them in ribbon. On the ribbon, she wrote the 24 things Craig loved about Ashley. It was so sweet! </div>
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Favorite answers: "I love smacking your ass," and "I love when you are always right." Smart guy!</div>
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Mindy had a very cute idea for the favors at her wedding. At the reception table, you were supposed to pick up a homemade fabric bag and fill it with homemade cookies!</div>
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One of the bridesmaids at the wedding shower had this great idea. She bought 20 anniversary cards and passed one to each guest. She put month 1, month 2, month 3, etc. on them. We each filled one out and gave it back to the bridesmaid, who will mail them each month after the wedding. A "happy anniversary" card each month!</div>
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This idea was cute. The maid of honor saved brown wine bottles and glued engagement photos to them as table settings. These will also serve as centerpieces for the rehersal dinner.<br />
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Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-69584724989295454412011-09-19T23:04:00.002-04:002011-09-19T23:13:25.418-04:00Leontien's Upcoming Battle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of my favorite people has been burdened once again with that nasty little beast - cancer. I have a good feeling this little lady will demolish the dragon- her attitude, determination and love for life are too strong for anything less! Leontien....Here are a few weapons to help you in your fight...</div>
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A sword for slaying. I hear Harry Potter used it, so it must be good!</div>
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Nun chucks - The only stipulation...you have to dress like a turtle and wear a red bandana around your eyes before you use these. </div>
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I hear he can help with anything! <br />
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And finally....</div>
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Always a must when fighting any battle!</div>
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<center><a href="http://fourleafcloverdairy.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/crisgoode/Leontien.jpg" /></a></center>I feel a bit rusty on blogging lately, so OOPS if my codey thingy doesn't work for the photo above! If it doesn't work, then just be sure to visit Leontien's blog <a href="http://fourleafcloverdairy.blogspot.com/">Four Leaf Clover Dairy</a> and leave her some love as she enters into her battle. We love you Leontien! <br />
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Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-89153183755241458132011-06-12T22:54:00.004-04:002011-06-12T23:07:45.139-04:00A new wardrobe for $62.61<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Due to my $15 monthly clothes budget, I don't shop very often; however today, I went on a shopping spree and managed to come home with 3 pairs of jeans, 2 blazers jackets, 4 skirts, 2 pair of capris, 1 pair of shorts, 2 pair of dress slacks, 1 pair of shoes, 3 tops, and 1 dress <strong>ALL for $62.61</strong>. (Megan, are you proud?) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How? One word...Goodwill. So yeah, in the past I have visited several times for breakfast club outfits, Halloween attire, odds and ends apartment furnishings and even jorts for my sand volleyball team, but I never took Goodwill seriously for real clothes shopping...until today. My good buddy, Amber, and I choose the Goodwills near and around Carmel, so maybe this is why we came away successful. If you don't mind used clothes that look brand new, then I suggest you visit soon. I was shocked to see all the name brands and barely-worn clothes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you American society addicted to consumerism...I'll take your "old" clothes...Check it out....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dress shoes: $4.49, New York and Company Blouse: $.99</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYMrSSZBVxxy4gyuqPn07giw-nBHk5nRsy4RTueqEDqcp4duqd1ki4gIxo4E64zzVyMW-UI8CeeCMI1Zq3tjramCcGjIKO4AFCwZSdIf7lVw8UpBcEclWsVURgYgV33hdPLRi9uH4NFw/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYMrSSZBVxxy4gyuqPn07giw-nBHk5nRsy4RTueqEDqcp4duqd1ki4gIxo4E64zzVyMW-UI8CeeCMI1Zq3tjramCcGjIKO4AFCwZSdIf7lVw8UpBcEclWsVURgYgV33hdPLRi9uH4NFw/s320/IMG_0467.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Barely worn shorts and A&F capris: $3.99 each. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih23lA6hNtcdZi8Z0grfmOBWGlQfKaC9Q-PrmDDs5IJGnQmU_ysEOL1tGQQK4262nFo8vyS6lFXWj60XwpxVtmR6eWmrIKJ5wUjU1OLde40GgWdmqX9IMBe3V-zW_7iBNqXE3NiFcZvmQ/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id=":current_picnik_image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih23lA6hNtcdZi8Z0grfmOBWGlQfKaC9Q-PrmDDs5IJGnQmU_ysEOL1tGQQK4262nFo8vyS6lFXWj60XwpxVtmR6eWmrIKJ5wUjU1OLde40GgWdmqX9IMBe3V-zW_7iBNqXE3NiFcZvmQ/s320/IMG_0466.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Express skinny jeans: $.99 </div><div align="center">Mossimo jeans that fit so perfectly: $.99</div><div align="center">Brand new Mossimo jeggings: $.99 (jeggings ha! gees)</div><div align="center">Express tank top: $2.99</div><div align="center">Blue fitted dress shirt: $4.29</div><div align="center">Old Navy blazer jacket: $6.99 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3zm3ikX8Jlk0WqXkQgJJbU6OBdkNDMwXhEKVch2aLx4M7-6GKLMQWKTsb6vG0YZr_e10IklFeLndQDHv0ee7WoHgYCKhM1zYrpTCv8I176TjK-anldvgvMekWWVVAsXK_Gu4VMTS1V0/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3zm3ikX8Jlk0WqXkQgJJbU6OBdkNDMwXhEKVch2aLx4M7-6GKLMQWKTsb6vG0YZr_e10IklFeLndQDHv0ee7WoHgYCKhM1zYrpTCv8I176TjK-anldvgvMekWWVVAsXK_Gu4VMTS1V0/s320/IMG_0465.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Black strapless summer dress: $4.29</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWOCEo_g6o0/TfVvWolWcXI/AAAAAAAABm4/6NrEi_yzuzM/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWOCEo_g6o0/TfVvWolWcXI/AAAAAAAABm4/6NrEi_yzuzM/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Four skirts: Total $10.58</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ8Hl71glFI/TfVve5CR-CI/AAAAAAAABm8/yIYujMXRui4/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ8Hl71glFI/TfVve5CR-CI/AAAAAAAABm8/yIYujMXRui4/s320/IMG_0463.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This skirt from Cache' still had the original tag on it for $88. I got it for $.99 and it fit like a glove!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sjRhY8UADFbhfYdWyTP9TpeRPLaIRdcxKRDDTC6KrcO0asikLQoHWXKo3Zd3VulRGmCDeNX8Qlfg9RKNRsmlAEW3lsDyC7BW-KQn_RcJ63_Fcypm9BP_T1tEUPauC6cu8cOwgqF8wmc/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sjRhY8UADFbhfYdWyTP9TpeRPLaIRdcxKRDDTC6KrcO0asikLQoHWXKo3Zd3VulRGmCDeNX8Qlfg9RKNRsmlAEW3lsDyC7BW-KQn_RcJ63_Fcypm9BP_T1tEUPauC6cu8cOwgqF8wmc/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two pair of dress pants: $.99 each</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oD0-MM2OKk/TfVuC53MADI/AAAAAAAABmk/91jcVuQiYhs/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oD0-MM2OKk/TfVuC53MADI/AAAAAAAABmk/91jcVuQiYhs/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Blazer jacket: $6.99</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2LFQ5VO7Hg/TfVt5hGiyjI/AAAAAAAABmg/YDzjDGlhtXA/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2LFQ5VO7Hg/TfVt5hGiyjI/AAAAAAAABmg/YDzjDGlhtXA/s320/IMG_0457.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now, I will be cleaning out two tiny closets so I can make room for these. That's my rule..if I buy new clothes, I have to get rid of clothes. Goodwill should be looking for my bag of donations soon...I just hope they will make a person's day like someone else's "old" clothes made for me!</div>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-50442415231873633582011-05-15T22:12:00.006-04:002011-05-15T22:50:44.860-04:00Technology ShiftI guess you can say that I'm pretty slow when it comes to keeping up with technology. Check out the camera and phone transitions I have gone through in the past few years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejK6YTA6Xl6uvhrJcr2nqUtGpSQrkrGxVu0h28iv4REy7nGdreriOFO0i6O1Yw2d9Xef-zoaIOdnKkvvYYEC5v_ZLMP3nussI0mU4cWOuRB1QpLG13csEXI6exBWvfZNyImcr2R09JTU/s1600/DSCN0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejK6YTA6Xl6uvhrJcr2nqUtGpSQrkrGxVu0h28iv4REy7nGdreriOFO0i6O1Yw2d9Xef-zoaIOdnKkvvYYEC5v_ZLMP3nussI0mU4cWOuRB1QpLG13csEXI6exBWvfZNyImcr2R09JTU/s320/DSCN0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Nokia cell phone I had for 7 years up until one and half years ago was my prized possession, and to be honest I really wouldn't mind using this dependable little guy again. It's been dropped in the toilet, run over, thrown across floors all during my five years of college (and two years out of college), and it still works. As you can see from the picture, I even ordered some pimpin' green buttons from Japan. (I couldn't source them in the U.S.). Did I mention the original battery still lasts two days? I'm keeping it around in case Smithsonian calls and wants it for their cell phone history display.<br />
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My OWL Shot camera was my first camera I owned through high school. I took that thing with me everywhere, and it served its purpose very well. I took many many photos during those four years and have about 10 scrapbooks to prove it. Unlike the Nokia, I will not be taking any more photos with this beast. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My Nikon Coolpix camera broke last week, so I had to dig OWL out of the drawer for a wedding I attended. I got the film developed (it cost $12 for 24 pictures), opened the package excitedly to see the results and walah...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cP8thcJc_8c/TdB7UDGji7I/AAAAAAAABaQ/NgzUAdeKrus/s1600/014_12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cP8thcJc_8c/TdB7UDGji7I/AAAAAAAABaQ/NgzUAdeKrus/s320/014_12.JPG" width="320" /></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/AVvXsEgvL3NbdOefgJ193cqb73_QXk2XEHFlGT1bGOZb6BgWYCoUdwv4DR4DAIKDPnD9vcW3LrXTVgPSXxu8cqEvtbvrCpdO8qm5yqtFLCu8rrZ55lzzu6ZNSRP7Lbcl3eRvd8kPopSF1MkB4YQ/s1600/015_11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvL3NbdOefgJ193cqb73_QXk2XEHFlGT1bGOZb6BgWYCoUdwv4DR4DAIKDPnD9vcW3LrXTVgPSXxu8cqEvtbvrCpdO8qm5yqtFLCu8rrZ55lzzu6ZNSRP7Lbcl3eRvd8kPopSF1MkB4YQ/s320/015_11.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8acwr-04hw/TdB_eJ5X0HI/AAAAAAAABcQ/-mdDJLK8Pqs/s1600/011_15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8acwr-04hw/TdB_eJ5X0HI/AAAAAAAABcQ/-mdDJLK8Pqs/s320/011_15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pixelation nightmare! <br />
Did you recognize LJB on the left from <a href="http://jeansboots.blogspot.com/">Jeans Boots</a>? Her blog rocks!</div><br />
Side note (Wasn't it the best getting that package film and opening it to see the treasure inside?!) I guess the curiosity alone and excitement of seeing the photos for the first time was worth the $12 I spent, but I doubt I'll ever buy a roll of 35mm film again.<br />
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Since my camera broke and since I'm obsessed with taking pictures, I had to buy a new camera. No question. Even though my dream is to one day own a SLR and take a photography class (see bucket list), I can't really afford that right now (see college loan line item in bucket list), so I went in search of the perfect point and shoot. I wanted a simple camera that could take great night photos, indoor photos, and macro shots. After some thorough internet research and help from some camera experts (thanks Megan, Rob and Leah), I settled on this little beauty:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUtNGoet5Ro/TdB7H24hLGI/AAAAAAAABaI/eH21rTBwM7A/s1600/IMG-20110515-00019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUtNGoet5Ro/TdB7H24hLGI/AAAAAAAABaI/eH21rTBwM7A/s320/IMG-20110515-00019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_elph_300_hs#Features">Canon Powershot ELPH 300 HS</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">Let me just say that so far, I am quite impressed with this powerful little camera, which made its debut in March. Here are some cool photo effects I played with today.</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tl5EbhfMVjhnkSdJsmnMU2dPGV5cjZIOqCY46EAqa7560pEdW2VCRjcHMnA_MQScKYmSE90kePrUgFRnoj_NXS5btszMudd7YShX2KwU951QlN-ll5-03OHKLJhGtdWjxXTVqos1TKE/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tl5EbhfMVjhnkSdJsmnMU2dPGV5cjZIOqCY46EAqa7560pEdW2VCRjcHMnA_MQScKYmSE90kePrUgFRnoj_NXS5btszMudd7YShX2KwU951QlN-ll5-03OHKLJhGtdWjxXTVqos1TKE/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Original</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxs4Iyfsf4Nh06jhJKdjb4sc35x3FU1YpgKbYueIaOoDVxYQ-rU6EemhUm2u-0CWoI987r4ErDNDoKDA_-LmjxSHPoVf7LmrcRJcUgQq_m3EsFAa0u64lYKPeoVGKT4MOhJOoSqs-UO4/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxs4Iyfsf4Nh06jhJKdjb4sc35x3FU1YpgKbYueIaOoDVxYQ-rU6EemhUm2u-0CWoI987r4ErDNDoKDA_-LmjxSHPoVf7LmrcRJcUgQq_m3EsFAa0u64lYKPeoVGKT4MOhJOoSqs-UO4/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Color Accent Selector</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3bRVKjWjfw/TdB6YVPbXeI/AAAAAAAABZw/tkMJHnpN1YU/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3bRVKjWjfw/TdB6YVPbXeI/AAAAAAAABZw/tkMJHnpN1YU/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Color Replacement - Yikes! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(To all you lotion companies out there...I am available for hand modeling)</div><br />
<u>Here are some other features of my new camera:</u><br />
Takes slow motion videos<br />
Takes miniature effect video (check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb5GpV_LUuU&feature=related">one</a> from YouTube)<br />
High burst continuous shots - for a fast moving target. It can capture 8.0 frames per second<br />
Fish eye effect<br />
Face detect - when a new face comes into the photo, it can detect it and start the countdown until photo snap.<br />
Wink detect - It doesn't take the photo until someone winks to trigger it. (yep - it works. I tried it and laughed out loud when it actually worked!)<br />
Handheld night scene<br />
Under water mode - would have to get a protective case, of course.<br />
It has the ability to record Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 videos at 24 fps with stereo sound, thanks to its CMOS sensor. <br />
Very thin, yet still has a 5x optical zoom<br />
Can capture 24mm wide-angle images<br />
Long shutter<br />
Stitch assist for panoramic shots<br />
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These are just a few features of this camera. I'm excited to try some more features out this week as I head to Florida (especially the Beach Scene Effect). Stay tuned!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-46105560551965883152011-05-09T09:21:00.001-04:002011-05-15T22:49:35.803-04:00Weekend in L.A.My first reaction when we arrived L.A. last weekend was, "Who are all these people and where the heck are they all going at 11 p.m." Rob wasn't kidding when he told me about the large quantity of people living in this town...er..city. Our small town visits and hospitality along Route 66 were over and L.A. welcomed us with open arms. So let me tell you about the last and final leg of our Off the Cuff adventure.<br />
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Saturday morning was spent helping Rob unload the U-haul, signing his lease for a new apartment and meeting his new "very outgoing" future roommate. We were curious how storage was handled in L.A. since there is barely even space for parking lots. Instead of garage storage units like we are used to here in the Midwest, the ones in L.A. were built upwards. We had to load everything on carts, haul them into the elevators and head up! Both of us were so excited for the warm weather, we wore flip flops without even thinking about the move! We did manage to make it out with no blisters though!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraClRH8LwCRiyMFRE897LSSKA40dbAJ2wODUKes4Y1lwv-biP-ltb8KLaBspAQEPLqSMWbliF7SbZqfmKcryd7Fi1JN_45DyaWl6H5FsgeYNkEsD0eBE8s52mWQsxMYViBJ4koMTYTJs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraClRH8LwCRiyMFRE897LSSKA40dbAJ2wODUKes4Y1lwv-biP-ltb8KLaBspAQEPLqSMWbliF7SbZqfmKcryd7Fi1JN_45DyaWl6H5FsgeYNkEsD0eBE8s52mWQsxMYViBJ4koMTYTJs/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rob locked me in the storage unit for a while (ok for about 1 minute).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the car was FREED of the back-end-nusiance it had been hauling around for 2,000 + miles, we headed to <a href="http://www.santamonicapier.org/">Santa Monica Pier</a> to enjoy the sunshine and of course, ride the ferris wheel!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AONmm-szuCQ/TcbIOg0yqLI/AAAAAAAABD4/cw7tlbgqiBI/s1600/SAM_3688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AONmm-szuCQ/TcbIOg0yqLI/AAAAAAAABD4/cw7tlbgqiBI/s320/SAM_3688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdxiYQdxgvXCtYvaT8u9oaC0dezsfZ8srum6xkAafov8LdlDfo3luYZIXm-QqDjEK3kskAozXmbsiLJNE4v_xMaBeGgGJVtkNN2ixuX1WovpqcNB4KckdkET5NGgss3b7W9Te2FgB77g/s1600/SAM_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdxiYQdxgvXCtYvaT8u9oaC0dezsfZ8srum6xkAafov8LdlDfo3luYZIXm-QqDjEK3kskAozXmbsiLJNE4v_xMaBeGgGJVtkNN2ixuX1WovpqcNB4KckdkET5NGgss3b7W9Te2FgB77g/s320/SAM_3672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5GskFon7QgNKgXiVUbwVz192vf8Lf1O6gsfFOe-QF40eFbUtRzbd7Y5mEdBKiQxxKYrwUJFEwnsu-j_-NkM3Qx04DUi2XF1Z2-6WEOj0LHOae-3y5jKc29F7FW9pySjxseIMqIdWkaw/s1600/SAM_3675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5GskFon7QgNKgXiVUbwVz192vf8Lf1O6gsfFOe-QF40eFbUtRzbd7Y5mEdBKiQxxKYrwUJFEwnsu-j_-NkM3Qx04DUi2XF1Z2-6WEOj0LHOae-3y5jKc29F7FW9pySjxseIMqIdWkaw/s320/SAM_3675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday night, we treated ourselves to a very nice dinner of corn-fed steak and BBQ ribs at a restaurant and then watched the waves come in on Hermosa Beach Pier. As you all know I am not a very romantic person, but this was a pretty neat evening. </div><br />
Sunday came quickly and our first stop on the Lord's Day was church. Rob scoped out the churches in the area and decided on <a href="http://www.olacathedral.org/">Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church</a> downtown L.A. The mass was very long- complete with three priests, incense, and all the old traditions, but it was neat to see all factors at play to make a beautiful service. I always enjoy visiting new churches when traveling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RHHAaZ2H4A/TcbIz0xHuZI/AAAAAAAABEA/gBOsKNmwDP0/s1600/DSCN5190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RHHAaZ2H4A/TcbIz0xHuZI/AAAAAAAABEA/gBOsKNmwDP0/s320/DSCN5190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After church, we continued being tourists and walked around downtown to see the <a href="http://www.laphil.com/">Walt Disney Concert Hall.</a> The walls reflected so much light and heat that it felt like we were in a sauna standing next to the building. Rob explained that some of the walls had to be sanded down on the back side, because they were heating up a nearby apartment complex. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpJN8CXhvC8/TcfmF-z4DmI/AAAAAAAABEk/2RGlb1o3RrA/s1600/DSCN5191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpJN8CXhvC8/TcfmF-z4DmI/AAAAAAAABEk/2RGlb1o3RrA/s320/DSCN5191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We then made our way to Rob’s workplace – RTKL architecture firm in the Bank of America building. Side note - Apparently Richard Gere’s office in “Pretty Woman” was in this same building. <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;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GmoC8MvxUh0oIEdhtmucVSyk4w37mFFwb4bArlK3d37IvmpvScrhFGdQb9OePUE7TS7yyU8IhvwPzNZ-o1eLxhFRA4Jm1LOGiPPSkb0Q0ICw_SGcjWGCto5LlCeZSt5pyNBip4239QA/s1600/DSCN5193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GmoC8MvxUh0oIEdhtmucVSyk4w37mFFwb4bArlK3d37IvmpvScrhFGdQb9OePUE7TS7yyU8IhvwPzNZ-o1eLxhFRA4Jm1LOGiPPSkb0Q0ICw_SGcjWGCto5LlCeZSt5pyNBip4239QA/s320/DSCN5193.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I get giddy any time I enter a creative “space.” (yeah, you should see me when I step into Hobby Lobby) and this was no different. It was pretty cool to see his cubicle and the projects he has been working on.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H_K7wcsZScg/TcbMTqImtFI/AAAAAAAABEQ/-RWNS6xBnIM/s1600/DSCN5204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H_K7wcsZScg/TcbMTqImtFI/AAAAAAAABEQ/-RWNS6xBnIM/s320/DSCN5204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then, the tourists ventured on to Hollywood! I’m not much on keeping up with the Hollywood scene, celebrity gossip, etc., but I was a little star struck when I met Darth Vader, Cat Woman, and Charlie Chaplin. It was also pretty neat to see the stars lining the sidewalks and the Hollywood sign adorning the mountain side. So famous yet so small! I was shocked at how tiny it appeared.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsvsLoy_zn73MpsYn_1mDMgXQXtyPESHkjmpEAUd2lEGP-PSDOu-xeEjY3b9z1UNxaoCgUsndxWy154di0VASo-9EZlIQsE46I3AJxgKc2fJjeNpu9ko00wgXaRrYWuvEXx6KRak1abs/s1600/DSCN5210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsvsLoy_zn73MpsYn_1mDMgXQXtyPESHkjmpEAUd2lEGP-PSDOu-xeEjY3b9z1UNxaoCgUsndxWy154di0VASo-9EZlIQsE46I3AJxgKc2fJjeNpu9ko00wgXaRrYWuvEXx6KRak1abs/s320/DSCN5210.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TU4KghRl5kQ/TcdFM0SdtiI/AAAAAAAABEg/4pzFXGrfX60/s1600/DSCN5213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TU4KghRl5kQ/TcdFM0SdtiI/AAAAAAAABEg/4pzFXGrfX60/s320/DSCN5213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Camera zoomed in all the way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpaV64TjKTOLPGylbZ_1o_h7b1x8UpDDBYX6MIPYwQDoVWZsCBAJwOVaDxF47dzr6imSOQ6Njnx54xnyzPx8sw8YWnSajFgPRgtYlFsKYecDtai6O-11SLjvAqyboFHtqhZ8kN4wZm_Q/s1600/DSCN5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpaV64TjKTOLPGylbZ_1o_h7b1x8UpDDBYX6MIPYwQDoVWZsCBAJwOVaDxF47dzr6imSOQ6Njnx54xnyzPx8sw8YWnSajFgPRgtYlFsKYecDtai6O-11SLjvAqyboFHtqhZ8kN4wZm_Q/s320/DSCN5206.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We finished our day on the beach in Hermosa enjoying the sunshine and playing in the sand. Let me reiterate how great it is to have someone to play and act silly with!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtxKD2bwI0LM-RMbeTfkc-W7jUvGjZ-nVEBpphR2-vn_h054k_8auMl88r8suXMBIJ4hJDLv1UYj-sUZCfiWpVGR-dSsYbi7gYXT5tYZzaEIcpNf1sN-1KTwPgb3ZE49b3tAWRd-uSLA/s1600/DSCN4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtxKD2bwI0LM-RMbeTfkc-W7jUvGjZ-nVEBpphR2-vn_h054k_8auMl88r8suXMBIJ4hJDLv1UYj-sUZCfiWpVGR-dSsYbi7gYXT5tYZzaEIcpNf1sN-1KTwPgb3ZE49b3tAWRd-uSLA/s320/DSCN4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We made our own walks of fame.</div><br />
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Our final dinner before my flight was at <em>In and Out Burger</em> – one of the best burgers you’ll ever taste. If you’ve been there before, you know they only offer about five options on the menu, but do you know about the secret menu (or "not so secret" menu as they proclaim on their <a href="http://www.in-n-out.com/">web site</a>). Yep, we got our burgers “Animal Style” with caramelized onions and extra sauce. If you are ever out West, don’t miss one of these burgers of greasy goodness. The <em>In and Out Burger</em> was right next to the airport, so we picnicked outside and watched the planes come in over our heads (Bucket List – check!). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7sV713qPRo/TcbNsRMOGQI/AAAAAAAABEY/-edjMzhcZlQ/s1600/DSCN5244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7sV713qPRo/TcbNsRMOGQI/AAAAAAAABEY/-edjMzhcZlQ/s320/DSCN5244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">And that is it my friends. It was a great end to a wonderful trip with a great person, and I managed to check five items off the bucket list. (Visited three states I haven't been to, watched planes come in over my head, and visited and hiked the Grand Canyon). Hopefully we'll have more adventures to come. The first adventure will be figuring out this long distance relationship stuff, but I'm looking forward to the challenges and the rewards of seeing how we can grow together from here on out.</div>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-28445714442627224652011-05-03T18:50:00.002-04:002011-05-15T22:48:57.911-04:00Friday: Almost to L.A.Lack of computer connection and lack of Rob's photos prevented me from posting this weekend, so even though it's late, I'm continuing to post so I can remember our wonderful trip!<br />
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We started off Friday morning, visiting our friends, Fred and Wilma. Yup, that's right. Who knew Bedrock was so close to the Grand Canyon. And we were pleased to find that everything still looked really good for being over a million years old. I guess it is made out of stone...anyway..check it out!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SaHdH8D8HI/TcB_G-YsLGI/AAAAAAAABCs/Q_MyaAlS3-M/s1600/LA+or+Bust+402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SaHdH8D8HI/TcB_G-YsLGI/AAAAAAAABCs/Q_MyaAlS3-M/s320/LA+or+Bust+402.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZKVzQHYlIVTsJMlDhCspjAK1SjJIa1tm09NevbmxbNktuKf7rf-_QMd3ySTZeM-07Whc6JkgrxWo-s8L2ar9rOHA1IFLThGOTD07HvhBVLTx1KnCz_kurdQtcynlf5sdDhnz1WrcFZI/s1600/LA+or+Bust+412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZKVzQHYlIVTsJMlDhCspjAK1SjJIa1tm09NevbmxbNktuKf7rf-_QMd3ySTZeM-07Whc6JkgrxWo-s8L2ar9rOHA1IFLThGOTD07HvhBVLTx1KnCz_kurdQtcynlf5sdDhnz1WrcFZI/s320/LA+or+Bust+412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnQeSt6kQnk/TcB_cUeTICI/AAAAAAAABC0/3zasqFF4o-Q/s1600/LA+or+Bust+408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnQeSt6kQnk/TcB_cUeTICI/AAAAAAAABC0/3zasqFF4o-Q/s320/LA+or+Bust+408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_KpxuwTAuo/TcB_9t_yxfI/AAAAAAAABC4/hA14_6RqdTo/s1600/LA+or+Bust+406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_KpxuwTAuo/TcB_9t_yxfI/AAAAAAAABC4/hA14_6RqdTo/s320/LA+or+Bust+406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cipti5DOm48/TcCDLrobfMI/AAAAAAAABC8/GdTtF1bEi9Y/s1600/LA+or+Bust+398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cipti5DOm48/TcCDLrobfMI/AAAAAAAABC8/GdTtF1bEi9Y/s320/LA+or+Bust+398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We said goodbye to the Flintstones and headed...I'll let you take a guess..Westward! Onto L.A. For lunch, we stopped at a famous little restaurant in Needles, C.A. - recommended by a gas station attendant- called <a href="http://www.juicysrivercafe.com/">The Juicy's River Cafe</a>. Our appetizer was fried fettuccine. I think I'm going to bring the idea to the State Fair this year. Delicious. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX3kc2OB5yc/TcCFEkzAZxI/AAAAAAAABDA/BAc-_IKuvQo/s1600/SAM_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX3kc2OB5yc/TcCFEkzAZxI/AAAAAAAABDA/BAc-_IKuvQo/s320/SAM_3636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvJ1Wtm09ok/TcCFcLauGFI/AAAAAAAABDE/szV720LoyZQ/s1600/SAM_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvJ1Wtm09ok/TcCFcLauGFI/AAAAAAAABDE/szV720LoyZQ/s320/SAM_3637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>During the drive to L.A, we jaunted off I-40 down to I-10 so we could take a pit stop at Palm Springs. Getting down to I-10 was quite the drive. Let me paint the picture for you...two lane road lined with nothing but lone cacti, scattered bushes, barren rock formations and every so often, a solar powered call station. There was not a house or electric line in sight. No other roads were seen for a 70 mile stretch. We did stop to get a few pictures of the cactus.<br />
Also, check out this sweet video I just learned how to create on my camera. Too bad I didn't know about this feature when we started! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxAxcjX_T1Wy27tskgVxXONB5QE5BsuLRMmSfsoWzi-uYptmxWm_SrqtdAaWNjfuGkIxSBZH_9QZ0TTuvKKyA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
When we arrived in Palm Springs, it was getting dark, but we decided to do what we had come for anyway. Head up the cliffs of the Chino Canyon via the <a href="http://www.pstramway.com/">Aerial Tram</a>. This tram ascended up 6,000 feet from the hub station in about 10 minutes, as the picture of Palm Springs got smaller and smaller and smaller. We did get some really neat views of the city lights 8,500 feet below us and got some quiet moments under the stars alone before we caught the last tram back down. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvHiAGxW7AA/TcCGBPiGk6I/AAAAAAAABDI/f9yGQvBQ9mw/s1600/SAM_3647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvHiAGxW7AA/TcCGBPiGk6I/AAAAAAAABDI/f9yGQvBQ9mw/s320/SAM_3647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpNS0T0ytxqvB5_gzCpCsf6H4EJ6g5JqxPIy1X6fuUrLjbfe6e26q7VJNs7Q53B74HoZ0Oo-cp822jeH4Lze82HlGRiqN7-2UcckMgDwjojzxorqmeeT7qIyOITF6j7t8HC3jdcfLLy8/s1600/SAM_3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpNS0T0ytxqvB5_gzCpCsf6H4EJ6g5JqxPIy1X6fuUrLjbfe6e26q7VJNs7Q53B74HoZ0Oo-cp822jeH4Lze82HlGRiqN7-2UcckMgDwjojzxorqmeeT7qIyOITF6j7t8HC3jdcfLLy8/s320/SAM_3651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The last two hours of our road trip to the West Coast went fast and we arrived in L.A. around midnight to stay with Rob's brother who lives there. It's a little sad for me knowing that we don't have any further to drive. This is it...I'm hoping that maybe there is a chance we can just drop off the U-haul then I can take him right back to Indiana...well, at least we still have a whole weekend to enjoy L.A. together!Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-32553432879677983342011-04-30T01:26:00.003-04:002011-05-15T22:47:21.860-04:00Thursday: Cars, Craters, and CanyonsAs mentioned in yesterday's post, Rob and I stayed at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona Wed night. It felt like we had entered right into a scene from the Cars movie...The parking lot around the teepees was filled with old time cars and historic signs from the Route 66 days. We arrived late Wed night, so the hotel staff left our key under the mat and also left the light on for us. Small town hospitality and trust is something we very much appreciated.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601241963141044914"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/Tbub44oImrI/AAAAAAAABBM/MDGrexrK7U4/s288/2.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601242107264101474"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplyOhZS3zbTfIa4xyuFjuX8e8m-EJsWmfeyk1b3t4lGo4Je8Uh0LKp0sJVgqWUDRtOfCahboWzdwyhZvC5Rpbh6nna-bTBnX4LOA4e9DX5ZkkhhFuG1irSrS7pNqt87hoZZDEw7Lx9xE/s288/4.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
Breakfast for us was enjoyed at a local cafe called Joe and Aggies.<br />
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During breakfast, we asked our waitress about the town - famous for dinosaur sculptures and petrified wood from the Petrified Forest - and she explained that the man who had created the concrete dinos had plans to create a dinosaur museum in hopes of attracting more visitors to keep the small town viable. After dying a few years ago, his dream never came true. The kids sold many of the dinosaurs and the town never got its museum.<br />
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She also explained that Radiator Springs in the Cars movie was actually based off Holbrook and two other towns in the area. The movie producers came out to see the town and start drawing! It was cool to see the book of Cars drawings and then look out the window and see the buildings that inspired them.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601242149312598770"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5rSPqrqik7CGPLrhY6BDfMl2dagHO8_3oH7yjnS3TYyR9fhbDtEW6ZkLuLRNJaoseP2rN39E9qUptqHXqMiU9ow413IoVSZyccoeD1bQ9FOhyphenhyphenoP3haQuJNMd16JH97oMMbp2puI3Z4Q/s288/7.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601242223523443234"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnYPEEgxvg2DYqVrSlWWJiwHgWyILWuzgOexrB-jaySvPFtze9aXf25ytuSLGyY8upVIy2jKbYnvllrasywqdF86K9r20V_p3EAAxjJOuxfI9X7tgrmPc-htgySLNBu0YL0lrXOxpgxE/s288/11.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
After breakfast, we walked across the street to see some of the dinos and the petrified wood.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601242252304226802"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRKFGjUnE9sZL9LEbsKZKP3eANuh00faIB7t5yz5Sjo4IRxEVrz8fumzTT0N8DsAJxUKoy5R491-bVyz2l0fTyydgvMFyvo7P4tWVj-w22pwXZTaQler8VUF8ep4EU-yHIvM6qAMbVhc/s288/13.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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After the dinos, we carried on westward towards the Grand Canyon! Two desperadoes on the road again. Crank up the Willie Nelson!<br />
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Before arriving at the biggest ditch in the West, we took a short detour to see the Meteor Crater, the breath-taking result of a collision between a piece of an asteroid traveling at 26,000 miles per hour and planet Earth approximately 50,000 years ago. It is nearly one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference and more than 550 feet deep.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">p.s. Check out where we were...middle of nowhere.</div><br />
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We arrived to the Grand Canyon early afternoon and enjoyed a 5 hour hike down the Canyon and then back up. Icepacks for the calves anyone? This was my first time visiting the Grand Canyon aside from seeing it out of a plane window, and man oh man- what a sight! The depths and angles and massiveness of the place was absolutely breathtaking. I could have stayed there gazing for hours. This was definitely one of God's greatest works of beauty. <br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601243719374760722"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbudfHG4axI/AAAAAAAABB8/f2L0ls-HXpw/s288/23.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
I'm almost hesitant to post pictures, as they just don't do the place justice, but it does give you a good idea.<br />
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We hiked down a trail that started about seven miles from Grand Canyon Village called Hermits Rest. It was pretty easy going down the rocky canyon trail, seeing the beautiful formations, the changing landscapes and the incredible views. We started late, so we were some of the only people on the trail, which made it seem like we found a private untouched place. Every so often, we would look up and splendor to see how far we came, but then we would shutter thinking about climbing back up to get back! <br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601243742972584610"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbudgfBCoqI/AAAAAAAABCA/_LGIsA03DVs/s288/20.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601243756043960050"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbudhPtf_vI/AAAAAAAABCE/5W4pyvG2TM4/s288/21.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601243776905374546"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfP7yCIJE9zTKl8SE2csrzApPd_DpyduwK-GozEqiHVnWmsPOAEE4GMCouLihBPKyxdEFNcGjnPsk3GAmY44GeUC5ydVzngMRsODdtTeInTkzqV7lieOlvQETSr1FH5JvGi1B2spA0pk/s288/22.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601243792874866482"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-eaRi62O9d3E0UWzPYd0rPbS3ItJwc6ZWrrc12BL0HzqAwpiWL9IdDuY29cxn-Gamw9muCF9BJkLIa5eoJboKEzY6wv8MZyo6xhuLBxFsVjCh6HepsIJMPp8hjFjfoulQPTtIHZTnRE/s288/24.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
We made it back up huffing and puffing, wishing we had worked out a little bit more and vowing to hit the gym again when we got back to our respective cities.<br />
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After enjoying a breathtaking sunset sitting on the edge of the canyon, we headed back to our hotel to end another very fun day. <br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5601243801924294338"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKrg0S5mcOjcNK0HUI-8uw05tkBoqn58spIk3JbNOOf4eN-f65LaIkLBJ8NIh_3Q2yfTiS0CHzAKyYiko1k9o7gBlsdk6jKZHKddpHezKN2D31iamWHdYg-6U26R2j9Bed_K8O4wXSOE/s288/18.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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<strong>Things Learned Today: </strong><br />
"When traveling in the West, pack more than one sweatshirt. Those desert nights sure are chilly."<br />
"Tumbleweeds explode when you hit them while driving on the Interstate."<br />
"Be nice to everyone who takes your picture at the Grand Canyon. You may run into them again the next day at a small gas station 70 miles away."<br />
"Always stretch before hiking down the Grand Canyon."<br />
"Drive slow down the barren Arizona roads and watch out for cows"<br />
"The word 'moderate' when describing Grand Canyon trails really means 'sorta extreme.'"<br />
"Sammy Hagar was really describing Rob's car when he wrote his song 'I can't drive 55.'"Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-77765137111669267772011-04-28T23:30:00.003-04:002011-05-15T22:47:42.593-04:00Wednesday: Pedal to the MetalFor those of you who are reading my blog each day, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to write last night. During the last leg of our Wed trek, we decided to watch the movie Cars instead(I watched and Rob listened). Why Cars? Well, we ended our night staying here...<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600837628765957282"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_khOpb5kcu6dcvxh55Kt9bUc8bcq99ykBbKQjYfgPODZkvHjB1WzLPJCXhpbOmwH8XfYpd-eIb5VQ4qDqreTlPfo5T95XYLiU4esuMkWbCqCXUWp2W7qbojSc9Ki5e7cjXlHX8oxULhk/s288/2.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
The Cozy Cone Motel in the movie was based off this Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ. More about that for tonight's blog post. Back to yesterday...<br />
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Last minute on Tuesday night, we decided to call the Big Texan motel in Amarillo after seeing signs on the side of the road. They still had rooms available, so we entered our saloon style room, complete with Wanted signs wooden shutters, and swinging saloon doors (Ours was in the Cattleman's Hotel).<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842804957782466"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YEG6wKWnoOlrUoNYjRBK7LRYpq377kuSpZbdYg04RYw0bJNC3RpRXu3FHHJziAZEM1qI0DLJhAfaOfb6-kIcUFrffDwP9h_3QmCBBrVY7FJaUVaWK891z5joZxA3CrNWnq-a3pRVyes/s288/3.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
Wed morning, we went to breakfast across the parking lot at the Big Texan restaurant - famous for it's 72 oz steak. If you eat the steak meal in under and hour, it's free! If you don't finish, it's $72. According to the steak dinner legend, in 1960 on Route 66, a table full of hungry cowboys competed for Big Texan bragging rights by eating 1 pound steaks over a 1 hour period of time. When the hour ended, one cowboy had eaten four and 1/2 one pound steaks, shrimp cocktail, salad, baked potato and bread. From then on, the tradition lives on. The current champ finished his 72 oz steak meal in 8 minutes and 52 seconds.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842821340874722"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqUWaVTJLCNLx8fkO3HsYuecpCLCI9IjU14uJV2oedMmpOd8XywhMI8qRg1HxiEo8fpyO7LYfwbf3c-YdJDaXKTCF3X-a0xsCqiNi-8ZoCHuNH_12Urq4b92THCz58N2bJDgGyMZdg9U/s288/4.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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After the delicious breakfast, we headed deeper in the heart of Amarillo to see these...<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842842489467074"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/Tbow5AVfsMI/AAAAAAAABAo/xSsztyTR2LM/s288/5.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
Rob shrunk again! These were very impressive and so random. There were even cows grazing nearby. I wonder what they think every time they look up at these naked legs intruding their pasture space. Down the road, we found this giant cowboy standing outside of a restaurant..<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842847822233490"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/Tbow5UM7P5I/AAAAAAAABAs/2GVkQg97GPM/s288/7.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
Hopping back into the car, we drove a bit further down the road and stopped at Cadillac Ranch, a public art installation that consists of what were (when originally installed during 1974) either older running used or junk Cadillac automobiles, representing a number of evolutions of the car line (most notably the birth and death of the defining feature of early Cadillacs; the tail fin) from 1949 to 1963. I'll let the pictures explain.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842859124653058"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp89lrGqFbRwaCal5opZR6Q5cEP5KoTGs47Z4TTP4vKWHnfvcMFH_hhywwl8qMi0wzZnIcV4FctQvRr_rcx_KH2w_BD1sqECBJMPGwbU9wuT7RT2mzXquRY5147yE9gAgle5t1NekE2wM/s288/12.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842868870526898"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7La9nfcNifla6quZE-73XCQWFg2CGPk2tUIKhYzChgvjoJVefNCt9tL7uuUkyx27gkduOxLQ0ErYZg9hZhtP2l5Vfk1MMNWf_eLnvZGZ0igc4HdOSpL-5ux0SkzzQ4rRjd219ycfOvI/s288/13.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
After Cadillac Ranch, we continued west, had lunch at a Route 66 Restaurant in Santa Rosa, New Mexico (This was my first time in New Mexico, BTW). <br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842879005497234"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/Tbow7IXmF5I/AAAAAAAABA8/jfUsbDEAq9M/s288/15.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
The reason for the title of my post is because Rob's car had quite the experience hauling its trailer up the gradual rolling hills of New Mexico. Sometimes, he had the pedal all the way to the floor and it wouldn't go past 60 mph...but so far so good, and the car is doing one heck of a job getting us to L.A. <br />
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When we reached Albuquerque, N.M., we decided to hop off the Interstate and drive Historic Route 66 for about 20 miles. The nostalgia and old neon lining the streets took us back in time to what this place could have been like for those living during that era.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842883193001426"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/Tbow7X9-VdI/AAAAAAAABBA/HaeH0ezhWww/s288/14.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842893863791026"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKbR3BFUc4p7p5xNZAVkIdAEdNf6AeU9fq28o36I8qkkMKoRXWNO9MfduNcvzxzjcfGgCtregTBNvPy_TRLPAIBnOUEGgEEMvCfnRpd6pO_l3VZiAUpkpdaLvo837fonneedCgC0qkwo/s288/16.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
We also stopped and walked around in Albuquerque's Old Town, complete with street vendors, tiny old shops made of stucco, and Hispanic heritage.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600842902209485426"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/Tbow8ez22nI/AAAAAAAABBI/bjVI5x43wig/s288/17.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
After that, we drove all the way to Holbrook AZ, aside from stopping at Blakes LottaBurger for a nice greasy dinner. Yum!<br />
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Things Learned Today: <br />
"Food eaten in local diners always tastes better than the chains."<br />
"There is only one clear radio station in between Amarillo and Albuquerque."<br />
"The game of 20 questions is the best when you are trying to get the other person to guess Roadkill."<br />
"Cars can haul Uhaul trailers just fine...as long as there is some coolant on hand at all times."<br />
"Gas is much cheaper out West."<br />
"Bugs Bunny always takes wrong left turns in Albuquerque."<br />
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Question of the Day:<br />
"I wonder who lives in those lone homes out in the middle of the desert..and what is their career?"Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-18516580936902972712011-04-27T03:33:00.003-04:002011-05-15T22:48:24.862-04:00Amarillo By MorningIt is currently 12:30 p.m. Indiana time and Rob and I are still driving to finish out our Tuesday. And my what a Tuesday it has been. Let me show you...'<br />
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So you remember that Bed and Breakfast I was telling you about last night. This was my first B and B experience and it was quite enjoyable. Each room in the Walnut Street Inn was themed after a famous person from Springfield, MO. We were placed in the O'Neil room...after Rose O'Neil. She was a famous illustrator who first created the Kewpie Doll. Look it up..I'm sure you will recognize it!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163177685237282"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zK5V4UohBpXVwNpRlHgmi6X1R1SHfqSQxP7-JsRP1zHLuQustNcp3cspheYPowHsrggkyHrSeJIgGLIQSASnNkgOWpFJxljFdYfaIgAMU-xwPpp9UdSngrbwonnM32yXH7FCAAmM_JY/s288/2.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
Here is the Inn from the outside and inside.<br />
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We started out our Tuesday heading to the first and largest Bass Pro Shop in the country. 150,000 square feet and about every wild animal you could imagine..stuffed, posed, and placed in natural looking man-made environments. The entire time, I was thinking, "Would you like some merchandise with these museum scenes?" It definitely made for a fun shopping experience.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163209749376946"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLQ9hdr-fMj7ZjNMSpj5xCN14t4a9UF_E8Non-NL9Fj_O_3yFKmEIFSC0QrGs2Zcwubh4NzXQG7PdB_Mq30ZvYjqninecq34AZGdl794v4n76WowmFnyapc-doGzj9dhAwG1NnoqxG1k/s288/4.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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Next, we headed to the World's Largest Fork also found in Springfield.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163246827383602"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbfGzVNYKzI/AAAAAAAAA_c/5Dppr3PdGIQ/s288/9.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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Then we visited Askinosie Chocolate Factory (www.askinosie.com). Our B and B innkeeper told us about this hidden treasure found in the rough part of town. The founder first spent his time in Springfield as a criminal defense lawyer, making big bucks defending criminals. After some time, he decided to quit and make chocolate. Not just any chocolate. His is unique in that he has complete control over the entire process of the chocolateering, including the bean itself. He has visited numerous countries around the world, creating a more economical point of sale for bean farmers by introducing them to profit sharing. He made sure the communities he sought out were one of low economic growth, so that the bean production would bring it back onto it's feet. We tried chocolate from beans grown in Tanzania, Ecuador, Philippines, and Hondorus. Each one was a little different, but all were so good. (I even bought a chocolate bacon cupcake).<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163255948991538"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3CDQDwEjkhMR8uiXSU34x-ZPX2MrYZHaC5nl1ErDnRcFZRa5ScCHSL9rAQNYCOLBPHcI1TZURRqmvuJumBzmdjXWbKXw7pNXpg_z0tUEDB_28_Cc5ewY5SofiOErAjprasPXM4J_Eu4/s288/11.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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Next on our stop were The Fantastic Caverns, the only drive-through caves in North America. They was discovered by a farmer who immediately called for people in the town to come help him explore further. Twelve women were the only ones to show up to do the exploring. Ya! During Prohibition, a back cavern in the cave served as a speak easy for the locals needing a refreshment. <br />
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Even though we weren't able to take the jeep ride through the cave because of flooding, we did get to walk though and see some of it..for FREE. <br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163262748728754"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbfG0QhUnbI/AAAAAAAAA_k/RosZRHP3Nyc/s288/12.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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By this time, it was noon and we hadn't left Springfield. Hence why we are still driving at 2:30 a.m. Amarillo by Morning! On with the trip...<br />
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Our plan for lunch was to eat at a cliff side restaurant embedded in the side of a large hill in the Ozarks, but the flood waters kept us from getting there. Not without a fight though!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163277950402674"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gSoS4Te6WI3_IH5uiZuCtnptSamdhFxg85Y7rY1WrxjaQrZkfgVKSWUZC0qTrDhedpIqCMJQBLORBzo4oFBrx1yLzePAuvhyphenhyphen2u0ayR9YHEwysgZWSm6W0UCMnj410Co6akVYuEUJvLI/s288/14.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
Here's Rob maneuvering his big rig backwards. This was before we tried another route, just to get turned down again by high waters.<br />
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So, we drove on towards Tulsa, stopping along the way to see this large concrete beast in Catoosa, OK.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163295351549570"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcR7IChza-D-1ibomBIS7_uUVyvCTkDGtyOXykBIEzEPAqEHaHPeUVLY93ukreXo1JQhBX8A0J_foR2-H5TvIcpuLMdYchJVnjpYOFaRGXnFysUkc3biZw-38M2TR0uVNyCs89w6nw7k/s288/16.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
Can you find Rob in this photo? <br />
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We arrived in Tulsa and found our very first Tall Man at a traveler's center. And check this out...something crazy happened when we were there...<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163297989789490"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6BAB1atQnh1b1jFAwdbBpteM6IHfXsWYyfRlKND7DUg5fxW22bvDbIPQPziStelfOfy8yRKBAdax8g9EIVZIWMWS2icKIX4e0MLNPzMJdbDsqqy9Kv8ajRkj8cBA0-N5nPl2LrlRNtU/s288/17.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
Rob Shrank!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163306023429170"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbfG2xu0JDI/AAAAAAAAA_8/E9YzPuCghvc/s288/18.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
And I Grew!!<br />
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Next stop...Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. Home of the World's Largest Praying Hands. <br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163312886321298"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbfG3LTDkJI/AAAAAAAABAA/nbgJTFRR3r0/s288/19.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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To all my Jasper friends and Family, check out below to see what we found!!! Made me miss those arcade games and free plastic checkered cups.<br />
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After Tulsa, we hopped back on the road and headed for Oklahoma City, searched for a giant Indian, jammed to "Runnin on Empty" and debated about where we wanted to stop for the night. We still had a couple stops to go, so we kept on moving! <br />
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Our last stop in Oklahoma was a giant wind turbine (photo on Rob's Camera), and then we cruised on into Texas. Texas greeted us with a lighting show on the horizon that we quickly caught up to. At that time, we welcomed back our dear old friend...rain. From here on out though, it should be clear blue skies.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163329320416482"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbfG4IhP9OI/AAAAAAAABAI/z2rb9ad7Lvo/s288/21.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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About 45 minutes ago, we left a small town named Shamrock, Texas - a town complete with an Irish Inn, Blarney Inn and Shamrock Country Inn. They even still had their St. Patrick's Day decorations adoring the streets. We couldn't find the famous Blarney Stone, but we did find a mural and plaza dedicated to their Shamrock Water Tower. Yeah...who knows! We were a little disappointed there were no stores open to buy official shamrock paraphernalia. What? No where open at 1am? :) Honestly, who can blame them?<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5600163334601326434"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhK3su944peaq5k7RyVHIJBlXwiShgcqDiJg0twbh5tTK7mxNFEmuvZ4U-g0hdWQzUkUUDTXimvo-FXQHzpLCvOGMTIf870NBEQ5hJStW4J0Ax8Uq8J5ywBmI2SihDRdIKaz77CsU67Q/s288/22.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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Well, we are almost to Amarillo and after I get done blogging, the sweet sound of George Strait will be filling our ears as we arrive at our final destination to crash for the night. I'm excited to see what tomorrow holds for us! <br />
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Oh and Mom, I promise we will not make it this late tomorrow night!Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-44580279482771334682011-04-25T23:56:00.003-04:002011-05-15T22:48:05.151-04:00The Little Mazda That CouldIf you have been reading my posts for the past couple of days, you should know I am now traveling across country with my boyfriend, Rob, to help move him to L.A. If you haven't, check out my post titled L.A. or Bust to find out more. <br />
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We started our trip this morning around 10 a.m. packing a few odds and ends and stuffing his final pieces of furniture into the U-Haul trailer.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5599735356411934610"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIv6JZjbSAZMVvtaEDBhWEMvabV9W4u0oVMlzlwmD8agWQ0Gh3s2TqB0rNA-XWPwOVjfUnZdYJpXRX3xb9HmHRhsG5YsgqgVl4pUjKzOdc-fgr_naH4LXbGyH3Aim4v5kURzBGzVaqCZs/s288/1.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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His '97 stick shift Mazda 626 has never hauled anything other than passengers before this trip, so he didn't know what to expect. Not only that, the weight limit for the trailer is 1000 pounds. Well, the trailer is filled beyond its capacity, so the drive has been interesting to say the least. Everything has been fine so far, but it has taken some getting used to...Especially when going over roads like this in St. Louis...<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5599735592382660098"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TbZB2kQUfgI/AAAAAAAAA-k/s6KrVlqtwc8/s288/2.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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We were searching for a place to park our 25ft ride and were forced to drive down this narrow one way bumpy road. After a few hitch drags and bounce outs, we found a spot about 20 minutes from the Arch. A fun little jaunt in the pouring rain led us right to the metal gates of the Arch being closed for the day.<br />
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We missed it by just a few minutes!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5599735674109002594"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj8Jm0fU0c7oMSwkEIGSgfiXfGaHeGYlldAcdS7PDjzxeapl11GUwcRGWHrMNx6d9gQYikPLS9Cv8e4gmBha0OKnvrWbzLGk0fRHPj7MJoAQj4NkJqlonquIQpNKg_uII_HQsDJrNOjk/s288/3.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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But that didn't stop us from taking some pictures!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5599735729766875266"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiOW44B46nKhkOCt3-unPpusXrv6jurUVRWMVdKjPXD4UDQ1jgyljJjAq2CruNF35dZR749N_kcMzIKhhJa4G_9PY-jMcwJCmsB4qpFWvGxfcA4rnyM0iyBlGMDMFRO7WWNvHZqwEUXw/s288/4.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
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As we speak, we are still on the road, driving in the rain, recovering from a food coma induced from a meal of fried chicken and fried potato wedges. It feels like State Fair already! <br />
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Lee's Fried Chicken in Rolla, MO is famous for their potato wedges, so we didn't pass at the chance to try them. They were soft, yet flaky and oh so good. <br />
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We are trying to stop at restaurants neither of us have been to before (non-chains if we can), and have been successful so far...ok so Lee's is a chain, but neither of us had heard of it, so we dove in for some greasy goodness.<br />
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In Marshall, IL we found Los Tres Caminos with tacos as big as your head! Well Rob's was anyway.<br />
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Well, that is about it for tonight, folks. I better get back to keeping my awesome driver company for our remaining 30 miles to Springfield. A key will be waiting for us at the quaint Walnut Street Bed and Breakfast. http://www.walnutstreetinn.com/ when we arrive. A hint to all travelers...call on the day you are staying and you get a huge discount. Worked for us! <br />
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until tomorrow..Goodnight!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5599736052207039442"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJv9UGcDTxJyrko0pARrPH4rkMjy0ZJPT2-SvxKbb_BryBO1Rj2NOMpdg-O0M5Pu2ChSGxkl5hZWH5CGSCr0pXBs0LJzYle1TrwK4X4m9GLKl4Su7y68DJ5OUZBjZVcEXxVO13oikA2g/s288/11.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-16454947972817963382011-04-22T19:48:00.001-04:002011-04-22T20:31:29.469-04:00Breakfast of ChampionsI've been trying to eat healthier lately. So this past week, I started each morning with an egg. My kind of breakfast. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also had rabbit, however he only lasted two mornings. I usually go for the ears first. What body part is the first to go on your Easter rabbits? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbGmjbppDyw/TbIQmIdR9mI/AAAAAAAAA94/eLiMExknwx0/s1600/DSCN4734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MbGmjbppDyw/TbIQmIdR9mI/AAAAAAAAA94/eLiMExknwx0/s320/DSCN4734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to Rob for the Easter care package and Adrienne if you're reading this, the egg did come with a side of apple...</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Easter!</span></strong></div>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-68471541526675336162011-04-21T00:38:00.002-04:002011-04-21T22:37:23.668-04:00When Someone You Care For Is HungryLast week, I got nailed in the head. Yeah, those reality checks hurt pretty bad sometimes. My sister forwarded me a blog post written by a girl, Heather who is currently in Kenya doing the same program Haley did one year ago.<br />
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On this particular post, a name stuck out to me as I continued reading. That name-Maurice.....One year ago, when I visited the country, I had a chance to sit down and talk to Maurice for some time. I clearly remember that day we sat on the curb outside of St. Teresa school in Kabula and talked about his family, his passion for school and his dreams to become an engineer. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0aj_PRSc8OQ/Ta-u4In5nVI/AAAAAAAAA84/KKUdaysmM_s/s1600/DSC01347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0aj_PRSc8OQ/Ta-u4In5nVI/AAAAAAAAA84/KKUdaysmM_s/s320/DSC01347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>His father had recently died from HIV, his mother and younger sister were suffering from the disease and he, being the eldest son, was left to care for his other siblings. Being from a poor family is not uncommon in Kenya as one may expect, but Maurice touched me that day in ways that were unexplainable. Maybe it was his positive attitude despite his circumstances, maybe it was his drive and determination to succeed and learn despite so many challenges that I knew lie ahead for him. Finances, corruption, disease, family suffering. We became friends that day. We connected. He was a writer, as am I in my job. I even got to check out the magazine he helped design for the school........<br />
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As Heather wrote about going to visit Maurice's family, who lived one hour from St. Teresa's, she wrote something that stung..that struck me hard..."<em>It was so humbling to see his village and the compound on which his family lives. They have a one room hut which is used for eating, sleeping, and living space. They hadn’t eaten for the past 3 days, yet still managed to prepare a large dinner for us of cassava ugali and fish. The leftovers were then eaten by the family. I felt awful eating their food when I knew I could easily go without and was assured of a meal this evening."</em><br />
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The family hadn't eaten for the past 3 days, yet were so giving. I think about my life now and I shutter to think about the many times I complained that I was "starving" or those times when I didn't get the kind of food I was craving. I also think about the hundreds people in this country who even have the nerve to complain about the food on their plates right in front of them. Seriously?<br />
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Her post hit me pretty hard. It made me humble myself to God and thank Him for the many many many blessings in my life. For me, hearing that people are hungry somewhere out in the world never had much meaning. It was something I heard on the news, felt bad about for a few minutes and then forgot about. This was different. This is someone I knew. Someone I had connected with. Someone who shared with me his life. His dreams. His passions. <br />
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It is different when I actually know someone who could be going without food tonight. But it shouldn't be like that. <br />
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When the typical reality checks hit, they usually don't leave scars. The wound heals until I'm hit again just to remember what it felt like the first time. In a weird way, I don't want this one to heal. I want this bump to remind me what I have in my life to allow me to live, but more importantly..to remind me what I have to give.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEtBBoqwP_U/Ta-sxJWjqgI/AAAAAAAAA8o/4nJK7uRuQRs/s1600/DSCN7919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEtBBoqwP_U/Ta-sxJWjqgI/AAAAAAAAA8o/4nJK7uRuQRs/s320/DSCN7919.JPG" width="240" /></a>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-89197545419649917272011-04-19T09:07:00.006-04:002011-04-20T16:25:46.054-04:00L.A. or BustMarch 8 was a tough day for me. That was the day my boyfriend broke the news to me that he had accepted a job in Los Angeles. I had just gotten used to the non-long distance relationship we had started to bud - since November to be exact - and now he was heading across the country to embark on a new adventure. Thanks to Skype, snail mail, email and texting, we are able to have a semi-non long distance relationship, but it still stinks by gee golly! He's been sending me postcards since he's been gone, so now I have a small sense of what it's like out there in the Land of Stars.<br />
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It's been two weeks and one day since I dropped him off at the airport, so I'm definitely excited to see him this weekend over Easter. Oh and one more thing...<br />
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I'll be leaving with him on Monday. ok...wait wait wait..now don't get too hasty. You see, he took off for L.A. to start working but left all his furniture and belongings here in Indiana. Now it's time to hitch up the ole wagon and make our way West. We're going to cross many roads, climb mountains, and maybe even forge some mighty rivers. Hopefully we won't have to kill any bison along the way.<br />
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That's right, we'll be embarking on a 5-day roadtrip cross country - Hiking the Grand Canyon, sleeping in teepees, visiting parks, taking pictures with the "world's largest" crazy tourist destinations, taking a sky tour of Palm Springs, visiting a meteor crater, and finally arriving in L.A. for a weekend in Hollywood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPItSiHIZ_h43nNnlf6jRfJVL23cOnbHFeMKMwEY1VJmRX8Swn_FggGOBZii_dGeCYP_2_gBlJjxcwJ3u4DP55H4lQAiqYGip52ze1FDZpajUVNwojIZSJHjt3qTmvPeflXnLRtudJfuI/s1600/DSCN4729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPItSiHIZ_h43nNnlf6jRfJVL23cOnbHFeMKMwEY1VJmRX8Swn_FggGOBZii_dGeCYP_2_gBlJjxcwJ3u4DP55H4lQAiqYGip52ze1FDZpajUVNwojIZSJHjt3qTmvPeflXnLRtudJfuI/s320/DSCN4729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the trucker hats we designed together and ordered. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also have a song list going using <a href="https://docs.google.com/">Google Docs</a> (a file sharing system online) that we have been updating for the past few weeks. We hope to have a good playlist ready...here is a taste of our songlist: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6627495477919798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On Road Again - Willy Nelson</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6627495477919798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Born to Be Wild- Steppenwolf</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6627495477919798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I've Been Everywhere- Johnny Cash</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I Get Around- The Beach Boys</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rambling Man- The Allman Brothers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Start Me Up - Rolling stones</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I Can't Drive 55 - Sammy Hagar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6627495477919798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Route 66 - Rolling Stones</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6627495477919798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Amarillo By Morning - George Strait</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6627495477919798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Free and Easy - Dierks Bentley</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6627495477919798" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">California Love - 2Pac</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Beverly Hills - Weezer</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hollywood Nights - Bob Seger</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Other </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">California songs (Who would've thought there would be so many!!) - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_California">check out all of these songs about California!</a> </span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
It is exactly six days until we leave, so be watching for daily blog posts. I plan to post each evening so you can follow along with our adventure. <br />
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Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-69888853864324622572011-04-14T19:53:00.002-04:002011-04-20T16:20:34.559-04:00How do you frost?I'll admit one of my guilty pleasures....<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5595591656012361058"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TaeI9uTBrWI/AAAAAAAAA0U/36CHg_Ar4T4/s288/1.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
I bought these a few weeks ago ( gasp, I know- they lasted longer than a week!) That is...until tonight! I finished off the last two just a few minutes ago. Oh so good! That's my problem...I can't stop once I start. So usually I just don't buy them.<br />
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Growing up, beginning the morning with a Toaster Strudel was a treat. Mom didn't buy them very often, but when she did...watch out because they would be gone in a matter of hours. Breakfast...after school snack...sneaking them out of the fridge when mom wasn't looking... with three kids obsessed with them, they wouldn't last long. <br />
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One of my favorite things about eating a toaster strudel is the frosting. I love tearing off a lone packet of frosting and then "working it." Thats right, squeezing that sucker till it was warm and liquidy...<br />
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Rob and I were eating them the other day and got into an argument about the correct way to frost these little monsters. He thinks you should make it look just like the box...so perfect and pretty. Ha! Who has time for that when you want to enjoy that tiny inch of frosting on every bite...and before it gets cold, mind you. Ever since I was little I have frosted mine the same way...<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5595591663260172322"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCgnaFc59KDV4FLqtzLeVUGJ4WooCLNpZ8SgFui3dtrzjWGs4VM_VFMP-CJanOpIrnfxnZuQQDmEDiqr9k6BdDeM4Ojh1Nt0dhvXvegg54B_laZA0k0DiG2S3tMsVO3nY1eyvgBV9fQM/s288/2.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
First you start with a plain strudel.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5595591671224515746"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TaeI-m94vKI/AAAAAAAAA0c/vDIKJWeQkCA/s288/3.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
Then, you squeeze out all the oooie gooey goodness in a big blog.<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5595591681061341234"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AFTfVRw_69p-gFbxawhkk0r68CoTHpe_tb4yXEmXzpHMdLXV4bbj_MX1sfyxBrtXgw7BbRR5Qoh6HVbY-ou0uN2fsP0KpK0upyGyMswRgnb2cFn4LU7kL5YRI1fpj8KyLyfC_IqJUI4/s288/4.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
Then spread it to every corner with your finger. One of the best parts is then licking your finger after the spreading is complete.<br />
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I know you're probably getting out your car keys now to hit up Kroger! Happy flavor hunting!!!Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-60932020628048721792011-04-14T00:27:00.002-04:002011-04-20T16:24:47.924-04:00It's officialI'm back! Don't worry, I'm not going to waste another post trying to explain why I have been absent from the blog world for so long. No excuses this time….well ok…to put it quite frankly, my wireless card and my computer were in the middle of an “it’s complicated” relationship. But it’s ok now, because my computer has found a new relationship with one whose initials are ATT. <br />
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So let’s go! In no particular order, here is a quick snapshot in photos of what’s been going on since Freezo-Rama!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vyco0xEm11s/TaZuetFo55I/AAAAAAAAAyY/YHMJeR3sin0/s1600/DSCN0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vyco0xEm11s/TaZuetFo55I/AAAAAAAAAyY/YHMJeR3sin0/s320/DSCN0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Goddaughter, Brooke turned 3</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoW_h7zUP4Q/TaZwvKiSC6I/AAAAAAAAAy8/B_A-3PkMnbY/s1600/DSCN0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoW_h7zUP4Q/TaZwvKiSC6I/AAAAAAAAAy8/B_A-3PkMnbY/s320/DSCN0243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Palladium, a new concert hall in Carmel opened up and we went to see free concerts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kAkxzFrWkI/TaZuqr9OzCI/AAAAAAAAAyc/dssryIIfS8Q/s1600/DSCN0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kAkxzFrWkI/TaZuqr9OzCI/AAAAAAAAAyc/dssryIIfS8Q/s320/DSCN0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Work party at JJ's Backyard BBQ</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bnn4xzsZxo/TaZvBvngiQI/AAAAAAAAAyg/9_W2R7qJioE/s1600/DSC08047_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Bnn4xzsZxo/TaZvBvngiQI/AAAAAAAAAyg/9_W2R7qJioE/s320/DSC08047_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home for Christmas...fresh snow on Christmas Morning</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlAYfNjw5bl1bLU5-ykzvfhu8HDJBd0iMP8Ir4-j0oP6bxkxMIqwdhPPY9Y9Z_dKWMY7sPhpliPiVT1wcNwZZ_9lfFkl5N-TNajpDT700ur6Mr7EKmrK2Sjd-MAH2zPEf9QByOcCuZQk/s1600/DSCN0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlAYfNjw5bl1bLU5-ykzvfhu8HDJBd0iMP8Ir4-j0oP6bxkxMIqwdhPPY9Y9Z_dKWMY7sPhpliPiVT1wcNwZZ_9lfFkl5N-TNajpDT700ur6Mr7EKmrK2Sjd-MAH2zPEf9QByOcCuZQk/s320/DSCN0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Traditional Christmas date nights with Grandmas. Here is my sister, grandma and I at the Mill in Jasper.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaDQdShQo3nxBoecctRxWwMig-bXQC6JI5ufVdT5LIYw2PAaK-5uKyL-LmqDjmUFNBE45dwLqVKGatqA_yL2cWXteSJObJuHL-PBNQXJqe0YdDMNz5ExHqGntJqE5XiwKlkn3SDO2IWY/s1600/DSCN0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaDQdShQo3nxBoecctRxWwMig-bXQC6JI5ufVdT5LIYw2PAaK-5uKyL-LmqDjmUFNBE45dwLqVKGatqA_yL2cWXteSJObJuHL-PBNQXJqe0YdDMNz5ExHqGntJqE5XiwKlkn3SDO2IWY/s320/DSCN0145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holly's (bottom) bachelorette party in Nashville TN</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN38rzPSw6_2-_9sHop3nrZKI1wPyx_us_wU3-tBebo1iHMdyObd9x_ZvLse1-AXLIhhmqjJEmV2Seg0TC6aBKOKR5NHS71NEuO53Tto34pRXdXgj3JjnkJRXTPdG7XBZEdjH6kiGJF4/s1600/DSCN0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN38rzPSw6_2-_9sHop3nrZKI1wPyx_us_wU3-tBebo1iHMdyObd9x_ZvLse1-AXLIhhmqjJEmV2Seg0TC6aBKOKR5NHS71NEuO53Tto34pRXdXgj3JjnkJRXTPdG7XBZEdjH6kiGJF4/s320/DSCN0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New Years</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKk9IYGHFTu4628O37hvqCS0GBTh1nx5JMQirkbxaj_0SDh7oPEmtRHZur0N5C8hl_WfqYEXHijyh9xq4fcdJyZ_SFGi9H3XfOe5TlykURQ6atxTuCo9JuzW5qcTzjFlbnLgNEheAd5c/s1600/DSCN9902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKk9IYGHFTu4628O37hvqCS0GBTh1nx5JMQirkbxaj_0SDh7oPEmtRHZur0N5C8hl_WfqYEXHijyh9xq4fcdJyZ_SFGi9H3XfOe5TlykURQ6atxTuCo9JuzW5qcTzjFlbnLgNEheAd5c/s320/DSCN9902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holly's Bridal shower. I love this hard core pic</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmD41X8GLeM/TaZwlmYMfeI/AAAAAAAAAy4/2x5XG2FS3O4/s1600/DSCN0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmD41X8GLeM/TaZwlmYMfeI/AAAAAAAAAy4/2x5XG2FS3O4/s320/DSCN0211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Harlem Globetrotters</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJMTQpysb6lF6UooHs7FYNEmQW3RVjRvFkpht3DXAGFQmjEu83DnIo1rU4apcI1I9JobYs9pTs42pl5um9it7H4hdPCyGFEO_vxLWb6tyQhd0cUsiYlu6dqj0h24mEilIovssEZOXTFc/s1600/DSCN0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJMTQpysb6lF6UooHs7FYNEmQW3RVjRvFkpht3DXAGFQmjEu83DnIo1rU4apcI1I9JobYs9pTs42pl5um9it7H4hdPCyGFEO_vxLWb6tyQhd0cUsiYlu6dqj0h24mEilIovssEZOXTFc/s320/DSCN0330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's hitched</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/AVvXsEjUMw7WDuC3DanD7fqt_RfuwMsJ2bdbYgmc85SmQsOL8IfcfDdAWiZCO3mfUThvyXngpImcAK3mRiRzhiuRYf4kyo4iZ74EaFvGTsxup7lqVVMlxy67R3nY9bWUHQgwmJgNsB9aLKoHDMQ/s1600/DSCN0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMw7WDuC3DanD7fqt_RfuwMsJ2bdbYgmc85SmQsOL8IfcfDdAWiZCO3mfUThvyXngpImcAK3mRiRzhiuRYf4kyo4iZ74EaFvGTsxup7lqVVMlxy67R3nY9bWUHQgwmJgNsB9aLKoHDMQ/s320/DSCN0500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valentine's Day Dinner</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PssBUzQdPqE/TaZzfvxguLI/AAAAAAAAAzE/CKfEJNB07RE/s1600/DSCN0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PssBUzQdPqE/TaZzfvxguLI/AAAAAAAAAzE/CKfEJNB07RE/s320/DSCN0522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Belly dancing lessons</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8ZYijLMpkgnxEZHNTV1Am0-14BDoZT5JBTP89kkUKpdxdwq4Pnz1fP2sGWwSZtX8Lvf7aCjRgGaZH00ons9jWa_rH-Y6asoXn9YUiffn1TIWUdsCsFrW8OCGvxDmip2eSrWmmCZQPWc/s1600/DSCN0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8ZYijLMpkgnxEZHNTV1Am0-14BDoZT5JBTP89kkUKpdxdwq4Pnz1fP2sGWwSZtX8Lvf7aCjRgGaZH00ons9jWa_rH-Y6asoXn9YUiffn1TIWUdsCsFrW8OCGvxDmip2eSrWmmCZQPWc/s320/DSCN0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first ever hockey game. Tampa Bay Lightning</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOxcVXa9_eI/TaZzrPQWQEI/AAAAAAAAAzM/-AOXcEPA2j8/s1600/IMG00127-20110305-1457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eOxcVXa9_eI/TaZzrPQWQEI/AAAAAAAAAzM/-AOXcEPA2j8/s320/IMG00127-20110305-1457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trip to Tampa, Fl for work</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LY0bICLhLdY/TaZz5oRLoYI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ORc-1JlebSU/s1600/DSCN0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LY0bICLhLdY/TaZz5oRLoYI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ORc-1JlebSU/s320/DSCN0583.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bill Cosby</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebCJD01abSpFZqHRgK2YkrBs3HwUjDkP9IRGuZly1IWaJiS6rqVv6qLv9RNB3DgVfEhxId3wofy8Qsq402jYSGBnRMR1St0tWZZQdZjIhM1Ugtbq9xkQy7i2h5V0I3TyK_SpG5eVHJBo/s1600/IMG00072-20110204-1432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebCJD01abSpFZqHRgK2YkrBs3HwUjDkP9IRGuZly1IWaJiS6rqVv6qLv9RNB3DgVfEhxId3wofy8Qsq402jYSGBnRMR1St0tWZZQdZjIhM1Ugtbq9xkQy7i2h5V0I3TyK_SpG5eVHJBo/s320/IMG00072-20110204-1432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I fell on the ice and tore my ligament and chipped a bone. Had to wear this puppy for 6 wks</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e4Yr8OU5aQ/TaZ0GWESpdI/AAAAAAAAAzY/RlrtFhHFUu8/s1600/DSCN0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e4Yr8OU5aQ/TaZ0GWESpdI/AAAAAAAAAzY/RlrtFhHFUu8/s320/DSCN0626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rob's (middle blue) going away party.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKYxplNGC7I/TaZ0JkyHN4I/AAAAAAAAAzc/yuK9vw8VkoM/s1600/IMG00090-20110216-1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKYxplNGC7I/TaZ0JkyHN4I/AAAAAAAAAzc/yuK9vw8VkoM/s320/IMG00090-20110216-1113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chicago view</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WP2X51QaHZg/TaZ0S8LVagI/AAAAAAAAAzg/WmBhgRWibrQ/s1600/IMG_4728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WP2X51QaHZg/TaZ0S8LVagI/AAAAAAAAAzg/WmBhgRWibrQ/s320/IMG_4728.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm from Ireland, Indiana so I went home to celebrate. Always a great time</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29hVPibfOdc/TaZ0lDfWNrI/AAAAAAAAAzk/JbbDcJFXGdw/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29hVPibfOdc/TaZ0lDfWNrI/AAAAAAAAAzk/JbbDcJFXGdw/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My boyfriend, Rob! He joined me at a banquet I helped plan through work. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwIo4RMcl7w/TaZ0qRfWfJI/AAAAAAAAAzo/1N_ZQKj3YnQ/s1600/IMG_3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RwIo4RMcl7w/TaZ0qRfWfJI/AAAAAAAAAzo/1N_ZQKj3YnQ/s320/IMG_3391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Church group fun. So blessed</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLDX4xAzEgo/TaZ0vy8bWHI/AAAAAAAAAzs/iAm-geMHf0s/s1600/IMG_4617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLDX4xAzEgo/TaZ0vy8bWHI/AAAAAAAAAzs/iAm-geMHf0s/s320/IMG_4617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Children's Museum</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BjceikgAAsU/TaZ1Q1fcVlI/AAAAAAAAAz4/1uQUTqBSWQw/s1600/SAM_3039_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BjceikgAAsU/TaZ1Q1fcVlI/AAAAAAAAAz4/1uQUTqBSWQw/s320/SAM_3039_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Skiing date. One of the coolest dates, I must say.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegInQv-r4cqJjBNCarE7oLxA_pyzs2uMBQvKLb09x3WFoUiM4J2j8-I9uJMsZdydaM5vM0JDLkkWlGwgGArzdcS9FvBOim95vYm7o0AcLAw7cHKhWNLwuJgl82o3KQfQhhK2HMSSk3-E/s1600/SAM_3159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegInQv-r4cqJjBNCarE7oLxA_pyzs2uMBQvKLb09x3WFoUiM4J2j8-I9uJMsZdydaM5vM0JDLkkWlGwgGArzdcS9FvBOim95vYm7o0AcLAw7cHKhWNLwuJgl82o3KQfQhhK2HMSSk3-E/s320/SAM_3159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Having fun with fresh snow at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. See Rob's snow angel next to mine?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4ltpB8WGW9gfntEfWggQaj_MxcIq0HxunXx47nmos1x7AmBe5GvDySCrOeDIs3mQ-9-9k69y3if1urF8SKH-daVl-3HAULtgvG6Dm9h6BIPDKzO643RSup8JRxNJryQDW2s5qzc-mtc/s1600/DSCN4667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4ltpB8WGW9gfntEfWggQaj_MxcIq0HxunXx47nmos1x7AmBe5GvDySCrOeDIs3mQ-9-9k69y3if1urF8SKH-daVl-3HAULtgvG6Dm9h6BIPDKzO643RSup8JRxNJryQDW2s5qzc-mtc/s320/DSCN4667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Good friend, Erika's (next to me) Bachelorette wine tour party.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJfUdoZn40I/TaZ42sgv-BI/AAAAAAAAAz8/TPK-2Rsj6a8/s1600/jeep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJfUdoZn40I/TaZ42sgv-BI/AAAAAAAAAz8/TPK-2Rsj6a8/s320/jeep.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The loaner (2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Honda gave me while one of the four new transmissions was being installed in my Hybrid.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxAID_aOzyo/TaZ438_fTtI/AAAAAAAAA0A/YUW9-87Xp-s/s1600/SAM_3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxAID_aOzyo/TaZ438_fTtI/AAAAAAAAA0A/YUW9-87Xp-s/s320/SAM_3115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ice skating double date</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYyPUwuDLV4/TaZ5FtbOnVI/AAAAAAAAA0E/H2oL6bluoU8/s1600/DSC07702_2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYyPUwuDLV4/TaZ5FtbOnVI/AAAAAAAAA0E/H2oL6bluoU8/s320/DSC07702_2_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Eagles that have made a home in my parents' tree</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kg55aXtU_NQ/TaZ5Ozv_gQI/AAAAAAAAA0I/XzI42J142oI/s1600/DSCN9959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kg55aXtU_NQ/TaZ5Ozv_gQI/AAAAAAAAA0I/XzI42J142oI/s320/DSCN9959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adrienne's birthday party at the Ratheskeller</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMMDWvNDEJJr2tGNOOoCmwToqPvKb5NP8o70i2mbotF_Zi4HwXK2xpCfErgTrVezIDrM61AEHoLqIQDi_O2tP31X5s3vLPX8nKiadcftsZ4EbFVuVpahx8QGuaYNRN7BDVMHeKX-6DqI/s1600/Conner+Prairie+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMMDWvNDEJJr2tGNOOoCmwToqPvKb5NP8o70i2mbotF_Zi4HwXK2xpCfErgTrVezIDrM61AEHoLqIQDi_O2tP31X5s3vLPX8nKiadcftsZ4EbFVuVpahx8QGuaYNRN7BDVMHeKX-6DqI/s320/Conner+Prairie+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Game night with my family...one of my fondest memories of the winter. This one was EXCEPTIONALLY fun!</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span id="goog_71108503"></span><span id="goog_71108504"></span>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-53021955523677512082011-04-04T19:32:00.001-04:002011-04-04T19:32:01.568-04:00Testing testingCan you hear me in there? Hello....is this working<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/hbrescher/OffTheCuffAndINDYpendent?locked=true#5591875277238204738'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TZpU8AgSeUI/AAAAAAAAArA/-qrXw4PmkM0/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-16733799627212133692010-11-16T22:48:00.001-05:002011-04-20T17:23:28.208-04:00A Lot of Food for One Single GalThis weekend was a treat. Literally. I got together with 11 of my fellow bloggin' buds this past Saturday for a Freeze-O-Rama fun time! (click the icon to see the whole crew)<br />
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</div><a href="http://www.goodenessgracious.com/search/label/freezeorama%20linkup"><img src="http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/crisgoode/chilledsmall.jpg" /></a><br />
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You may be asking - as all of my friends and family have already done - what the heck is a Freeze-O-Rama? A genius idea if you ask me. Twelve of us got together to cook masses of food. We were tasked to cook enough food for twelve other people and then share with everyone at the end. I decided to cook a dish I fell in love with this summer. Kale Pesto Pasta. I got the recipe from my friend, <a href="http://offthecuffandindypendent.blogspot.com/p/meet-peeps.html">Jaimie,</a> (the amazing cook) after I asked her to find an easy kale recipe for me. I had the leafy vegetable coming out of my ears after growing it in the garden this summer. Anyway...back to Saturday.<br />
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Because the stovetop was full most of the day, I decided to cook my entire dish in an electric skillet. At first I didn't think this could be done, but don't be fooled folks..it can! and it was!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> I first had to cook down the Kale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOIESQQsrLI/AAAAAAAAAfo/XAHiGg_QfDc/s1600/DSCN9850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOIESQQsrLI/AAAAAAAAAfo/XAHiGg_QfDc/s320/DSCN9850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl77bpWPjIYDcr3Ph0fYoTHIrTK3Ym9szsmaF7YnpcOplw36Q6n778bThyphenhyphen5JpMljDg1pBKLuJBQdm-uxcMS-8_AYzGihww2aNFchYNLZCZy11mRSXfaSj0qjdG8EgtImd8YbO4hECdxu4/s1600/DSCN9851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl77bpWPjIYDcr3Ph0fYoTHIrTK3Ym9szsmaF7YnpcOplw36Q6n778bThyphenhyphen5JpMljDg1pBKLuJBQdm-uxcMS-8_AYzGihww2aNFchYNLZCZy11mRSXfaSj0qjdG8EgtImd8YbO4hECdxu4/s320/DSCN9851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Gotta have garlic!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIoNAODuJwbIfwfq8sMHVSvAcz0VhA4Qo3tgOdhojv6knW6SnF1EcRSb2I9lWXyY8tGO1twvx7uanMeRyBicCMvxYo3e6lJh39NLEk1e0O0U79AmY9Nj-kAKQLkUCdT8m0F8FoKuWuW8/s1600/DSCN9855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIoNAODuJwbIfwfq8sMHVSvAcz0VhA4Qo3tgOdhojv6knW6SnF1EcRSb2I9lWXyY8tGO1twvx7uanMeRyBicCMvxYo3e6lJh39NLEk1e0O0U79AmY9Nj-kAKQLkUCdT8m0F8FoKuWuW8/s320/DSCN9855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Walnuts - lightly toasted in the skillet.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jC0p3t8C_N4R72Ao8CtKky4IHBjXfeNtlobFfpkhSHEqz91ynHhsZ15FaNDVbuek41Q_cdCz9cRNe7VAEROzJurzg3J-9zjJs5lA-7kBR9oKfsH7bc89S74PBA0hPhwrg3QB8EA-3p8/s1600/DSCN9856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jC0p3t8C_N4R72Ao8CtKky4IHBjXfeNtlobFfpkhSHEqz91ynHhsZ15FaNDVbuek41Q_cdCz9cRNe7VAEROzJurzg3J-9zjJs5lA-7kBR9oKfsH7bc89S74PBA0hPhwrg3QB8EA-3p8/s320/DSCN9856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, I blended the kale, walnuts, salt, garlic and parmesan cheese (sort of looked like the rumen of the fistulated cow I saw in my animal science class) sorry if you lost your appetite...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOIHNvkHiwI/AAAAAAAAAgE/moAgVCux-BY/s1600/DSCN9864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOIHNvkHiwI/AAAAAAAAAgE/moAgVCux-BY/s320/DSCN9864.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was noodle cookin' time! That's right - in a skillet! Eight boxes in a row.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVqJxmcY0UFJj0M-C8yuK-XYGRaX4QXusS1tq6rBAQFQlSNgdk8HnCPT3BXxRKI_ZgZglQbdupeGU7uJX1D59Wl58LOIlg8cJNupgCwxwHf41FgSqqW4CobyIFw-Gp1NFP_nV4Hf_-44/s1600/DSCN9860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVqJxmcY0UFJj0M-C8yuK-XYGRaX4QXusS1tq6rBAQFQlSNgdk8HnCPT3BXxRKI_ZgZglQbdupeGU7uJX1D59Wl58LOIlg8cJNupgCwxwHf41FgSqqW4CobyIFw-Gp1NFP_nV4Hf_-44/s320/DSCN9860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, I divided it all up into 12 portions!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOIG0FP-tpI/AAAAAAAAAgA/BrCI1OCg49I/s1600/DSCN9861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOIG0FP-tpI/AAAAAAAAAgA/BrCI1OCg49I/s320/DSCN9861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Even though I don't have an immediate family to feed as most of my fellow bloggers do, I still received all the food from everyone else. It sort of felt like Thanksgiving! Take a look...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdAR-misCt64cLkuAHUNAyoLQjnHk7UFgfRkNcujt37aw93BZZ8LWxHw33CfGjbx6N-xNu-ad9e8CTd-_LSo9xfc6B__nteBOBSCm_iZb4b0YlO5TkmduXCH-q07F8tIw6OdYnc9BHYE/s1600/DSCN9878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdAR-misCt64cLkuAHUNAyoLQjnHk7UFgfRkNcujt37aw93BZZ8LWxHw33CfGjbx6N-xNu-ad9e8CTd-_LSo9xfc6B__nteBOBSCm_iZb4b0YlO5TkmduXCH-q07F8tIw6OdYnc9BHYE/s320/DSCN9878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that's a lot of food for one freezer!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My solution...feed the family I do have in Indy. <a href="http://offthecuffandindypendent.blogspot.com/p/meet-peeps.html">Aunt Mary, friend Linda, and sister Haley</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I took the food over to Mary's house, and we filled our bellies with fresh <a href="http://alattewithotta.blogspot.com/2010/11/whole-lotta-shepherds-pie.html">shepherds pie</a>, <a href="http://whoisthegrownup.blogspot.com/2010/11/freeze-o-rama-12-bloggers1-kitchen-lots.html">sausage cornbread bake</a>, hamburger soup, kale pesto, and <a href="http://galinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2010/10/that-time-of-yearpumpkin-chocolate-chip.html">pumpkin muffins</a>. The funny thing is..this didn't even seem to make a dent. I was thankful they helped me and happy to share! As for the rest of the food...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Anyone want to come over for dinner?</div><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the full recipe</span></strong>:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Pesto</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">¼- ½ cup chopped walnuts</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1 ½ -2 teaspoons salt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">½ pound lacinato kale, stems removed, coarsely chopped (1 medium bunch should do)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">½ cup olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ground black pepper to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Whole grain pasta of choice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Add chicken if desired</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Toast chopped walnuts in a dry, heavy skillet (such as cast iron) over high heat, stirring constantly until they start to brown and become fragrant. Alternatively, place on a baking sheet and toast at 325 degrees. Keep an eye on nuts – they burn quickly and will get bitter!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
Bring about two quarts of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt, then add kale. Cook, uncovered, until tender (10 minutes) Remove from pot and drain.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
In a blender or food processor, add garlic, walnuts and drained kale and whiz until well combined. Pour in oil in a steady stream, and pulse until combined. Add ½ teaspoon salt, pulse, then taste. Add remaining ½ teaspoon of salt if necessary. <br />
<br />
Spoon pesto into a bowl and stir in cheese and pepper. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
For ½ pound pasta, use 2-3 tablespoons pesto. Keeps really well in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to a week.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
Freeze already-made pasta dishes in glass or plastic baking dishes and cover with aluminum foil and plastic wrap.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes about one cup of pesto<em>.</em></span>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-25840138554149984892010-11-15T11:52:00.001-05:002011-04-20T17:23:59.726-04:00Want Some Christmas Cash?Hey Friends and Followers! Check out the <a href="http://galinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-giveawayjust-in-time-for-holidays.html">$35 giveaway hosted</a> by my fellow blogger <a href="http://galinthemiddle.blogspot.com/">GalintheMiddle!</a> I know for a poor girl like me, this $35 from csn stores.com will sure help with some Christmas shopping! Happy entering!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOFk-KwmglI/AAAAAAAAAfk/iKfjAEoxk1o/s1600/2010-11-15_1149.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TOFk-KwmglI/AAAAAAAAAfk/iKfjAEoxk1o/s1600/2010-11-15_1149.png" /></a></div>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-77933212674614434462010-10-24T19:55:00.001-04:002011-04-20T17:24:40.956-04:00Playing in PhotoshopHere are some photos of my Goddaughter. I have recently learned some neat photoshop tricks thanks to Miss Cris over at <a href="http://www.goodenessgracious.com/2010/10/goode-photo-tricks-photoshop.html">Goodeness Gracious</a> and also from <a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/">Thecoffeeshop blog</a>. I am a new fan of photoshop Actions!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMTEQlxlhoI/AAAAAAAAAfE/Q46OMp8CpO0/s1600/DSCN0087_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMTEQlxlhoI/AAAAAAAAAfE/Q46OMp8CpO0/s320/DSCN0087_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMTEgjuxrLI/AAAAAAAAAfI/g_nJYaCd9Us/s1600/DSCN0088_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMTEgjuxrLI/AAAAAAAAAfI/g_nJYaCd9Us/s320/DSCN0088_3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OJMm6X3Ue3zoe2zCbb_b45BmflCg5HwO0fx94EoAIWtVjypebCqqlHwN0MaNMf69Z5soldB8VwhgYjjHxMxkWTkxvDfV2W-A0n8EWaWRF_R5NQOQVbgqBGrjs7XK33ymmXJzaplVZEY/s1600/DSCN0068_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OJMm6X3Ue3zoe2zCbb_b45BmflCg5HwO0fx94EoAIWtVjypebCqqlHwN0MaNMf69Z5soldB8VwhgYjjHxMxkWTkxvDfV2W-A0n8EWaWRF_R5NQOQVbgqBGrjs7XK33ymmXJzaplVZEY/s320/DSCN0068_3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAr94byi0Z01cghb4k1ijFnm3QgfGMgsBbG-CuPP3lLGDaIRDgFijYO2cD3qlU5iPzVqRPL5z1TXH8a7vYR2nzYhGxR-I_kDfMc1ue6yv-qCHgQsPEBn_nbUl-utnipjHnydl9ESX7opU/s1600/DSCN0083_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAr94byi0Z01cghb4k1ijFnm3QgfGMgsBbG-CuPP3lLGDaIRDgFijYO2cD3qlU5iPzVqRPL5z1TXH8a7vYR2nzYhGxR-I_kDfMc1ue6yv-qCHgQsPEBn_nbUl-utnipjHnydl9ESX7opU/s320/DSCN0083_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMTFhPPGAlI/AAAAAAAAAfU/bBtuy-sS12A/s1600/DSCN0084_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMTFhPPGAlI/AAAAAAAAAfU/bBtuy-sS12A/s320/DSCN0084_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzkN_0YZFg0WU1lCTP4k9NKuBZPMwAnDH_dS9I9rFshlT-z2rNr8DCs84ujKv0vH3wbasx9u2pX_LxFC-9zwCkiyrg4JXmeHeHAFqr10NbyXnP8AQWMhJioC4YZU9AJvT8WiIzKa8gSc/s1600/DSCN0072_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzkN_0YZFg0WU1lCTP4k9NKuBZPMwAnDH_dS9I9rFshlT-z2rNr8DCs84ujKv0vH3wbasx9u2pX_LxFC-9zwCkiyrg4JXmeHeHAFqr10NbyXnP8AQWMhJioC4YZU9AJvT8WiIzKa8gSc/s320/DSCN0072_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-38171008429905592602010-10-21T16:04:00.001-04:002011-04-20T17:36:14.796-04:00Fun on the Farm<div style="text-align: center;">A couple of weeks ago, I had fun with Maize...</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/AVvXsEizFduf7ZYpSAJCHZ_Fiyq5B3FYTy4e5p0a-gxAYBPm-k4mecDMBss06KcFzoItsje0e73ITpCtzh2s0vWW87OdxJOQfDZMLRugKfcCVT1z6sYpUha1sf4hE5X1RvMU1u0UGTyCZp7aNUI/s1600/DSC07409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFduf7ZYpSAJCHZ_Fiyq5B3FYTy4e5p0a-gxAYBPm-k4mecDMBss06KcFzoItsje0e73ITpCtzh2s0vWW87OdxJOQfDZMLRugKfcCVT1z6sYpUha1sf4hE5X1RvMU1u0UGTyCZp7aNUI/s320/DSC07409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a Maze...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMCSntAw3pI/AAAAAAAAAeM/ZFk-e5yNhUk/s1600/DSC07389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMCSntAw3pI/AAAAAAAAAeM/ZFk-e5yNhUk/s320/DSC07389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so did my sister, Haley!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMCU1Kxs4XI/AAAAAAAAAec/-97E_0ywkL8/s1600/DSC07406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMCU1Kxs4XI/AAAAAAAAAec/-97E_0ywkL8/s320/DSC07406.JPG" width="320" /></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/AVvXsEgE6XbriJszINvrEnP5-pdArcc0Zd6mGwEzeWkIJcB_qAPNvCh8PkTRGCoKUZfqkJSXYRILKu0i-RFF0H25tmG6qvuaRSND3qWsL-2IF8S4cIZcYGJCG6t1UAnri05-_OPsbJ_Ne95aNj0/s1600/DSC07387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6XbriJszINvrEnP5-pdArcc0Zd6mGwEzeWkIJcB_qAPNvCh8PkTRGCoKUZfqkJSXYRILKu0i-RFF0H25tmG6qvuaRSND3qWsL-2IF8S4cIZcYGJCG6t1UAnri05-_OPsbJ_Ne95aNj0/s320/DSC07387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We were visiting a farm nearby called <a href="http://www.kelsayfarms.com/">Kelsay Farms</a> located just south of Indy (check out their site to see a ariel view of their amazing Maize Maze..so SWEEET that they change it every year!) Thanks to the ladies at <a href="http://twomaidsamilking.blogspot.com/">Two Maids a Milking</a> for allowing us to come share in some fall fun on your farm! I'm so glad we heard about this!<br />
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Individually, Haley and I are pretty goofy people to begin with, but get us together and we are one crazy duo. We would prob do anything someone asked us to and if it causes an immature scene, we will probably be even more apt to take part! This is why I love her. We don't need kids to act like kids. Did I mention, I'm glad she is in Indy?<br />
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During our time on the farm, we became farmers..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3vFyF8tnoxBhuSw_Nkip-VDVeIuRCJZI5VQnNqY3jZlljjjNPWLD9yhOVIhzog5S2oGm9Y7CAi4E3ULgkqj3ytkDFhNdqcWjpd0b_cR8K-ECcs4vlMVNhE0SHbT_WkEp7Nqnv2a9pxU/s1600/DSC07382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3vFyF8tnoxBhuSw_Nkip-VDVeIuRCJZI5VQnNqY3jZlljjjNPWLD9yhOVIhzog5S2oGm9Y7CAi4E3ULgkqj3ytkDFhNdqcWjpd0b_cR8K-ECcs4vlMVNhE0SHbT_WkEp7Nqnv2a9pxU/s320/DSC07382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Acted like children...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMCSFW0VBTI/AAAAAAAAAeA/PbgwnjFEk_Y/s1600/DSC07385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TMCSFW0VBTI/AAAAAAAAAeA/PbgwnjFEk_Y/s320/DSC07385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and hurt our rear ends at the bottom of a slide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also wished we were these kids...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A9w5-mlnqvTPa9_SdGWIiKy0BSGvwoyPmw_VMLoGktWBDUIyAOoXQN4d9hPgPodR_9m6WvIXdurJd3J0SnUMbyf4OYq4hguw5zmxZbk4hLgJ8TPAYYcrt7dm60KPa1qQX64apiZIpy8/s1600/DSC07379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A9w5-mlnqvTPa9_SdGWIiKy0BSGvwoyPmw_VMLoGktWBDUIyAOoXQN4d9hPgPodR_9m6WvIXdurJd3J0SnUMbyf4OYq4hguw5zmxZbk4hLgJ8TPAYYcrt7dm60KPa1qQX64apiZIpy8/s320/DSC07379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you haven't been to Kelsay Farms, you should probably skip that wedding you have this Saturday and go! The pumpkins, corn maze scavenger hunt, baby calves, pumpkin bowling, corn sandbox, peddle pull contests and straw climbing tower are perfect if you want to pretend you're kids again. They are open every weekend in October, which means only two more weekends to go! So fun!Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7284558183080177519.post-56504133584432730872010-10-19T15:38:00.001-04:002011-04-20T17:35:34.037-04:00Over the Edge for Special OlympicsThis past Saturday, I was able to experience a rush of a lifetime! Three weeks prior to Saturday, I decided to try to raise $1,000 for <a href="http://www.soindiana.org/">Special Olympics</a> so that I could rappel down the side of a 17-story building. Thanks to the support and donations from friends and family, I was able to raise $1,625 for this wonderful organization! Added Bonus: Rappelling. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TL4AYr9WL7I/AAAAAAAAAdg/eM3sj3z8bZo/s1600/Over-the-Edge-web-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="121" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TL4AYr9WL7I/AAAAAAAAAdg/eM3sj3z8bZo/s200/Over-the-Edge-web-logo.gif" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Saturday was quite the rush, I must say. I was very nervous as I was eating my breakfast across the street from the building I would soon be rappelling down. I'm glad mom, dad and haley made sure I was always thinking about something else. And thanks Dad for telling the homeless man and other passersby all about how I was going to "jump off" that building in a few hours. haha. When I arrived, the Indy firefighters and rappelling crew first allowed us to rappel off a 3-story parking garage, so we would understand how to work the harness and what to do in case of an emergency. The whole process of staging and getting ready took longer than anticipated, so I had to wait an additional 1 1/2 hours after my original start time. My cheering section stood strong with necks cranked upwards, however, waiting for me to descend. They were great! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TL4Axn13hiI/AAAAAAAAAds/rVwMusm4D6g/s1600/Hannah's+family+and+friends+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TL4Axn13hiI/AAAAAAAAAds/rVwMusm4D6g/s320/Hannah's+family+and+friends+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>My cheering section taking photos</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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When I arrived to the top of the 17-story building, my anticipation was mounting and I just wanted to go! The view was nothing but blue skies and a few other building that were taller than the one I was standing on. They told me there would be a photographer there to take our pictures as we went over, but he was nowhere in sight. I was a little disappointed, but then a staff member checking our names off took out his personal camera and took about 10 pictures of me up on the roof. I was humbled by his willingness to do this and make sure the pictures got to me. I can't wait to see them!<br />
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I don't really remember what those firefighters on top of the building were telling me as they were strapping me in. Maybe it was because I was standing a foot away from the edge with nothing but a carabineer attaching me to the roof?? Or maybe because my cheering section, who had seen my red shirt started cheering sooo loud and yelling my name. The firefighters said I had the loudest spectators by far! <br />
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So, they had me kneel down and scoot backwards until my feet were hanging over the edge of the building. "Ok Hannah, just fall backwards nice and easy," was all I heard. My heart was racing the entire time, even though I knew I was safe. They had me hooked up with a radio, safety harness, backup cable, and a little seatbelt-like thingy that would catch if you traveled down too fast. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TL399l2DgRI/AAAAAAAAAdY/pkAJzeoa3rs/s1600/IMG_0025_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oZUBWVyyabo/TL399l2DgRI/AAAAAAAAAdY/pkAJzeoa3rs/s320/IMG_0025_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Coming Over the Edge</strong></div><br />
The building had a 40 inch lip, so they encouraged us not to try and swing towards the building, but to just travel straight down and enjoy the ride. I was a little disappointed I couldn't push myself off the walls (I really wanted to look like one of those professionals, you know!), but it was probably good because, I was able to twist around and get a good view of everything, ground included. It took me about 10 minutes to get down to the ground...safe and sound.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also put together a video from the day! Click below.</div><br />
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Who's up for it next year?Hannah @ Off the Cuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008776640263680971noreply@blogger.com2