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April 29, 2011
There's nothing quite like spending unlimited hours at the mall searching for some new "dress up" clothes!  Here's to H&M dressing room fun and the red dress I didn't buy...  By the way, if Photoshop came in a liquid form to apply to the face, they'd be (more) billionaires (than they already are).

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April 28, 2011
Today is a bittersweet goodbye to my "old" job.  It's been a lovely year and one fourth and my co-workers are the best!  My daily photo opportunities are about to become very narrow-- I'll just have to expand my creativity! Soon I'll be posting a photo of my new job!  Goodbye very tall front desk! Goodbye computer that takes forever to log on!  Goodbye radio that doesn't work well!  Good by phone that rings in on three lines simultaneously! Goodbye Will Call Files!  Goodbye Eva the Heater!  Goodbye candy hidden behind the monitor! (oh wait, I took that with me!)  Good bye return forms that were given to people who couldn't keep their plants alive!  *deep sigh*

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April 27, 2011
Surprise! Food!  Here's a variation of the Thai noodles for those who like stir fry; a quick and easy gluten-free meal to prepare in about 20 minutes or less.
Rebecca's Thai Tilapia Stir Fry
2 tilapia fillets, frozen
1/2 jar (Trader Joe's) green curry sauce
Thai rice noodles
1 bag frozen stir fry veggies
1/2 cup diced red onion
several cloves of garlic peeled
turmeric powder
soy sauce (I use gluten free)

Cook noodles, drain, and add green curry sauce. With some oil (I use almond oil), saute veggies and garlic, adding a dash or two of turmeric powder.  When veggies have cooked for several minutes, add tilapia fillets and soy sauce.  Cook for several minutes until the fillets flake.  Serve immediately.  Done!

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April 26, 2011
Entertainment tonight provided by the *almost* famous ToMuu and J.Dogg! Check out their latest album Hold That Pose with new hit singles "I Am a Muu Creation," "Jeff Sauce," and "Eat Your Veggies."

(Contrary to the somewhat awkward photo, they are pretty cool.)

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April 25, 2011
Here is another food post!  Superb Strawberry Banana Gluten-Free Muffins that I whipped together for Easter.  Not being a very good baker, I would never have thought muffins *made from scratch* could taste so amazing!  Thanks Tom R. for the recipe!  I am not going to write out the recipe at this time, however, if you'd like to try it, please send me a message and I'll get it to you! 

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April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!  True story: without my faith that Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead, I would have no reason for anything. This is the foundation of my existence and the reason for my life, the forgiveness of my past, the hope for my future, and the peace in my present.  I pray you, too, will find this peace and confidence, and grace when you need it the most!  It's free and there's nothing you can do to pay for it, because He already did.

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April 23, 2011
A healthy dose of summer weather soaked into my bones today, stirring the winter wrapped cells into wakefulness! Even the trees and flowers are coming alive again!

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April 22, 2011
A night of rock stars!  (It was one of those "which-photo-would-I-be-least-hated-for-posting" nights. Sooo much good material!)

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April 21, 2011
Some days, a woman just has to have her dessert!  If you're a woman, you know exactly what I mean.  Tonight: TJ's Soy Creamy Cherry Chocolate Chip non-dairy frozen dessert. Yah, I know.  And a Cinnamon Something So-Good-Gluten-Free Yumminess (I KNOW!) that wonderful Jennifer P. dropped off at work today for me! Sheer brilliance! Thank you Jen and TJ's for a bright spot in my..... day! (If only I could italicize "...")

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April 20, 2011
If you don't know what makes today significant in the lives of many Americans-- probably especially 20-somethings-- well, it's probably best to be blissfully unaware. However, in observance of "4/20" here's a real pot head:

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April 19, 2011
I remember just 19 days ago, I was dreading April because March was so full of clouds and rain.  But today, today was warm enough to wear a t-shirt to mow the lawn!  Glorious day!  As my grandma would say... "There's just no words! No words!"  *sigh contentedly*

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April 18, 2011
I think that I will someday write a recipe book.  Did any of you make the Gallo Pinto?  Try this next one sometime and let me know what you think:

Thai Italian Spaghetti & Garlic Butter Asparagus: 
Cook a bunch of Thai rice noodles; drain, and add a can of diced tomatoes.  Sprinkle about 1/2 tsp each basil, Italian seasoning, oregano, *secret ingredient* turmeric powder, a dash of salt and coarsely ground pepper; about 1/4 cup chopped zucchini;  simmer. Meanwhile, on a foiled pan, roast asparagus (I used frozen this time, but I prefer fresh) uncovered with some butter on top, ground "everyday seasoning" (from Trader Joe's), and fresh garlic chunks (a clove or two), and a dash of garlic salt for 10-12 min, then set the broiler and broil for a couple more minutes. YUM.

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April 17, 2011
Dang it, I didn't get the photo posted before midnight, but that's because I was e-filing my taxes! Nothing like the last minute... So since I'm still up, it's still technically Sunday, April 17th in my book.  In case any of you NW Oregonians have forgotten, this is sort of what a sunset looks like:

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April 16, 2011
Local theater talent!  Perhaps capturing an awkward moment of the thespians, however, the subject of the musical itself was awkward ("Urinetown"), yet fabulously done!  Good job! *hands clapping*

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April 15, 2011
Does anyone else feel like a prune after today?  The magnolias are even starting to float like wilting lotus blossoms in the soggy air.  The good thing about having more precipitation today is that we're one day closer to summer!

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April 14, 2011
I'm so glad taxes aren't due until Monday. Agh!  I have no photo of today besides just these fantastic sweet potato fries and Cajun tots from McMinn's. How could there even be leftovers?

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April 13, 2011
Amidst the hail storm, wind, and yes, sun, we had to have some light-hearted fun at work this afternoon, dreaming of warmer days to come. 

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April 12, 2011
My ultimate comfort food comes in the ethnic cuisine called "Gallo Pinto," or "Spotted Rooster."  Now, there's nothing rooster about this dish, so I don't know why it's called that, but in Costa Rica, this dish is served for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.  I love it!
Here's how you make it: Cook some brown rice.  In a sauce pan, saute some chopped onions with oil, about 2-3 Tbsp worcestershire sauce, a few shakes each of ground ginger, corriander, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt & pepper until onions are translucent-ish.  Add a can of black beans and cook for several minutes until heated through.  Add the rice and stir everything together.  Serve with fresh chopped cilantro and sour cream!  You can also add chopped cooked chicken or ground beef, or your meat of choice.

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April 11, 2011
Just wanted to remind you, if you're reading this blog every week (or day) and not a "follower" yet, click the button over on the right hand side of the page and become a follower! I like to know I have fans...

Today I had the opportunity to sit on a *dry* deck in the sunshine and allow the rays of vitamin D to kiss my cheeks.  Golden-hearted Duncan rested his head next to me and faithful old Nikki tentatively took a few steps out of the patio door to feel the warmth, even though there was a nippy breeze flying around the corner of the house. I see the following photo as a poem-- the sunflower is a promise of summer, yet the monochrome is a reflection of the not-yet fulfilled promise.

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April 10, 2011
I found a happy muse of sorts the other day.  Everything in my life receives a name, so I have to work on this one, but like my resin bunny (see day 35), this little tweety bird will get a place in my little everlasting (read: artificial or not really alive) animal garden.  It makes me happy in a pathetic sort of way.

At least there will be no vet bills with this pet.

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April 9, 2011
The Plague is going through the store, picking AGC's employees off one by one, starting with the managers.  Here is the risk you run if you have an office in the store and you are out sick: the office will be decorated, complete with yellow "cuidado" tape, face masks, bleach, Lysol, rubber gloves, and a statue of a dog (?).

Small print: "If the symbol on this sign appears out of focus, please see a physician immediately-- you may have an eye infection."

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April 8, 2011
Who knew that columbines bloomed in April?  Having lived in Colorado for several years, I enjoyed summer hikes through alpine fields blanketed with wildflowers-- columbines being a predominate variety-- but that was always in June and July.  Evidently in Oregon, columbines start dancing through the April showers! This beauty is going to be planted in my yard.

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April 7, 2011
This must be the week for cute dog photos!  For every day there's a cloud in the sky, I could take a photo of a cute dog trotting through the garden center.  Today, surprisingly, was no different!  Everyone, meet Toto! His mom, Jen, calls him a "dorky:" half dachshund, half Yorkshire terrier. 

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April 6, 2011
Ah, this cute little lady came into the store saying that her little beagle wanted to say hi to me!  So I asked her if I could take a photo of little Penny, and she said yes.  Everyone, meet Penny. 

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April 5, 2011
For the record... the tattoo photo was my April Fool's Day joke. I did not get a tattoo, I did not take the photo. However, it was a rather successful joke for me! Doesn't happen very often...
All I have for today is the fat red tea kettle, needing a good polish.  Faithfully, every evening before I go to bed, it heats up the water just right and sings me a lullaby goodnight!  I should name it.

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April 4, 2011
Today was my last day volunteering with Miss Natalie's 1st Grade Reading class. This past school year has been such a blessing to listen to these kiddos read stories and watch them improve!  They wrote me notes and put them in a book as a goodbye present-- it completely made my day!

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April 3, 2011
My "Christmas cactus" decided to surprise the world and bloom again in April, despite every bit of advice for the care and reblooming tips for schlumbergera.  Maybe it's a lesson in in not just doing what everyone else is doing when they are; do what you know you should in your season.  Maybe everybody's timing for your life is not God's timing (ever experienced that?).  Have patience and know that in the right season, you will rebloom!

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April 2, 2011
Yesterday was the only day of the year I can sorta lie.  April Fool's!  Today's photo is really my own photo again.  It's an experiment taco pizza made with a gluten-free biscuit mix!  It turned out spicy, but very remake-able (with a few tweaks to the recipe).

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April 1, 2011
Took the plunge today! I've been planning for a long time to get a tattoo, and today I finally did it! It's "Faith" forwards, and "Hope" backwards.
(sorry, poor quality photo today due to a phone camera)