Tuesday, February 4, 2014

pom pom













this week i made pom pom's. they are addicting to do! it would be fun to see them all around my studio, pom pom's are sweet and colorful and happy. but before using up the worsted, ' favorite things' scarf (seen directly above) needs finishing. there is a new love (obsession) around here. pom pom quarterly magazine! in december, after seeing an issue, a resolution was made to collect every copy, there are seven so far. i checked their website, and etsy and even ebay for copies, with no luck. what to do what to do?? the stockist's! i wrote to every single stockist on pom pom's site. not sure what to expect, would anyone reply? would there be any magazines out there? the next morning (after staying up till three am emailing) i woke to a jam packed mail box! oh my gosh the responses! so many kind people everywhere! one by one every issue was located. yippee! 

the shawl in progress is ysolda's mystery knit along (i hope it's okay to share?). it has been so much fun collecting these clues every monday, which also made it difficult to decide which to knit. so i'm making three. this one is in time out, still deciding if the colors are working. the kauni is ombre creme wool and the mustard is a mystery vintage wool. i found the cone at a thrift shop for one dollar! it's soft and knits into a pretty fabric, just not sure of the colors together...we've had some epic winter sunsets, and finally even a small amount of rain this week. aren't the shades of the sunset and the shawl very similar?  hmm, we found a new to us coffee shop, chuck had a hard time deciding what to order, but ended up choosing the grilled home made banana bread with caramelized bananas and raspberry infused butter. i had new zealand style coffee, a long black. and did you see my husbands contribution to this weeks creativity? he peeled a tangerine into a perfect S. hee hee  ;)
xxxxxxxxxxx 


* if you have an interest, more Africa with lori times five can be found here and here! and here
* joining with ginny here
   


80 comments:

  1. I love pompoms, too !!!! Very curious about those magazines : later, I'm going to check!!!
    The yarn you work with are always so beautiful!!!!
    xxxxx Ale

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    1. thank you ale! if you'd like to see one of the magazines right away they offer it digitally as well :)

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  2. I love Pom Pom Quarterly, Lori! I always feel a little closer to my beloved north London and Loop Knitting shop when I read through its delightful pages! The aesthetics are pure joy and fit in perfectly with l'air du temps.

    Beautiful post as ALWAYS Lori! I was feeling hugely motivated before but NOW I'm kicking up my creative heels!

    Stephanie

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    1. ps Come and see my pink hat! I'm so in love with it!

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    2. i love your hat stephanie! and loop knitting shop! it is kind of painful when having layovers at heathrow, knowing loop is (kind of?) within driving distance, but still not having enough time to go. someday...must make the time! :)

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  3. I have a little pom pom envy :) Actually I have a link open on my computer all set to make some with the little man and since today is a snow day, guess what we are going to be doing.

    The scarf and the shawl are gorgeous! Have a lovely day.

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    1. oh gosh kim that sounds so wonderful, you and your little one making pom pom's and snow! have a fantastic day!

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  4. Hello dear friend! The pom-poms are really cute, and so are you! I love the last happy photo, and also the ones of you and your shawl at the ocean.
    Thinking of you and sending love…
    Renee XO

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    1. aw thank you dear renee, pom pom's are so much fun (esp after the lace shawl!) i hope you are keeping warm there, sending love back to you. XO

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  5. I think the colors are perfect for your arrow shawl :) I love how there are many knitters out there like you who can't just commit to one clue and have cast on more than one shawl for the same knitalong. It's what knitters do!!

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    1. ha ha, it's so true karen! even with the best intention, i am only going to make the one i said!

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  6. Pom poms are so fun aren't they?
    Love the colors you are using for your shawl, it seems like such a fun knit.

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    1. thank you tracey, it is a LOT of fun, amazing the amount of people making it :)

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  7. Lori, I don't even know where to start - every photo is just so perfect! The pom poms are adorable and now you have me wanting some to add some "fun" to a few spaces around here. I think the colors of your shawl are beautiful together, the mustard colored yarn was such a lucky find at the thrift store! Your craft room is such a delight, I hope to have a beautiful space like that for myself one day!

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    1. thank you very much anke! i think i'll keep on with the shawl, it will be part of the mystery ;)
      i really do LOVE having my own space for the first time, even though many sad tears were shed to gain it, it meant my children all grew up and left home...*sniff* sigh...good now though :)

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  8. I will be watching the progress on your shawl with eager anticipation...it's so lovely!

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    1. thank you leigh! i've been putting it aside in favor of other things on the needles. better get back to it though, it's kind of fun to race to be finished for the next clue!

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  9. Oh I love what you are knitting. I love your yarn for the edge! I love your last picture. I wish I could come to your studio one day!

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    1. thank you andee :) come to california! you are welcome anytime!

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  10. I love the way the colours in the shawl perfectly echo the ones in your beautiful winter sunset. I can't wait to see all 3 versions!

    I'm so happy when you show us glimpses of your heavenly studio. Pompom garlands are a perfect addition. And now I'm off to the store to buy a pompom maker (LOVE your clogs too)

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    1. i think chuck thinks i've gone a bit mad, i'm envisioning pom pom's everywhere! love these clogs, thank you! i found them here:

      http://www.lottafromstockholm.co.uk/

      they are swedish made, sold in the uk, i think beautifully crafted. i'm holding off on another pair, maybe the boots, saving up for shetland!!

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  11. Love your shawl, the colors are amazing. Are you really making three?
    I really like the first picture - I love clogs - my puppy half chewed up one of mine last week and then buried it in the garden -I think it is unfortunately beyond repair!
    Here a long black coffee is called an Americano! Chucks's caramelized banana raspberry thing sounds delicious!!

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    1. thank you emma! yes, three, yes a little crazy. it was curiosity that made me do it. and the first 3 clues finished up fairly quickly. now that i said that, i'm behind on all three of them for clue 4. :)
      i think i'm keeping these clogs hidden from our puppy! and yes, same thing with our coffee. it was fun to find the bakery with australian? new zealand style coffee names. but you are right, it's the same thing.

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  12. I love the shawl colors and what a quaint, adorable shop to have coffee and a morning treat. I couldn't think of any place better to knit and relax. Those pompoms are adorable and would be a good way to use up my "leftovers." I know the grands would love them. Have a wonderful week, dear friend, XOXO

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    1. thank you susan :) it was the cutest bakery! you would love it. i loved the open kitchen so you could see all the yummy things being prepared. we can't wait to go back!

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  13. Isn't a long black just an americano with the water and espresso added in reverse order? Or am I thinking of something else?

    Loved reading your recap of the trip on the Rhino website (from an earlier post). Your words are always so beautiful and your life so amazing. It's funny, but reading your blog is like reading this really amazing book that is only available in snippets at a time. (:

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    1. yes, you are right, the coffee was just named a different name than we are used to, really fun to find new zealand in santa barbara though! thank you so much for visiting the rhino africa site. it was really thrilling to have them use my posts that way. super exciting! it lets us relive experiences too. thank you so much for such kind words melissa.

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  14. Love your mystery knit so very pretty- and the magazine- looks like a new favorite for me.

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    1. thank you camilla :) i hope you find a copy, it's really lovely, a beautiful addition to any knitters library.

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  15. Oh, Lori ~ your posts always brighten my day! With another snow/ice storm hitting New York today, I needed to see your pom poms! : )

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    1. thank you evelyn! so sweet. stay safe and warm there! and maybe make some pom poms too? :)

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  16. Oh my gosh, I can't stand it, the yarn/colours you are using for ysolda's mystery shawl are out of this world, continue, continue! Can't wait to see it finished.

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    1. thank you meg! will keep going, between the mystery clues and the mysterious yarns, it's kind of irresistible! and a lot of fun :)

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  17. My girls love making pom poms! Never heard of the magazine but it looks great!

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  18. you would never know we are knitting the same mystery shawl! How fun is that??? We're also sort of inadvertantly having a 'favorite things' scarf knitalong, too, I see!!! You are much further than I am….mine has been in time out quite a while.
    I LOVE pompom….i have yet to knit anything from mine, but i drool a LOT!

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    1. have fun with your mystery shawl! so sad the last clue is almost here already!

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  19. Hello you! I have not heard of Pom Pom magazine, but now I am so intrigued...largely because I think you have impeccable taste. Just look at your crafting space (drool). And speaking of husband's with creative orange peel talents, Josh always makes an elephant's head in one go with his peel. I swear we have each married the other's doppelganger. Lots of love to you,
    xo Jules

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    1. ha ha jules, josh is awesome! it's really a shame we don't live closer, but then we might never see our lovely guides ;) hopefully the magazine will be available at your lys soon! XO

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  20. I only just discovered pompom magazine recently too Lori, I think it was over on the fringe supply co website. How lovely to find all the backdated issues. Your mustardy yellow yarn is gorgeous, that was a great find too.

    Thank you for sharing your Out of Africa Stories with me. I'd love to see Karen Blixen's home In Africa one day as well, or maybe the one in Denmark. I want to start reading her books I didn't realise that she'd written Babettes feast. I love that you have the vinyl soundtrack to the film. The weird thing is that we are moving (all being well) this year and on my wish list is somewhere that I can play music with the windows open from old records, without disturbing the neighbours. And to play it on an old record player. Like you I've started looking for the vinyls on my travels...I still have to get the turntable but there's time.

    I'm just going to read all your African links now.
    Enjoy reading your magazines.
    deb

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    1. i really resisted the magazine, from the first issue when they were on etsy. it was hard to justify the cost ( + shipping). but it really is a wonderful addition to the knitting library. i love supporting independent inspiring publications. lucky you having it so close! i am waiting for the spring issue to arrive, while the uk is already knitting from it!

      i've only read her books on africa, shadows on the grass and letters from africa, and a very favorite (besides out of africa) called longing for darkness. it's a book about the friendship between Isak Dinesen and Kamante, who served as the writer's majordomo during her years in Kenya. i found it at the museum (which is now her home near nairobi) and hugged it when i saw it! with photos by peter beard and drawings and watercolors by kamante, it's a true treasure! i love that your new home will be filled with music pouring out open windows!

      thank you for following the links, so excited about them!

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  21. you create the loveliest little vignettes lori xo
    love your sweet studio & pom pom garland ...your wool cupboard is gorgeous!

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    1. thank you so much deb, your flag is very happy at home here. :)

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  22. I have recently discovered pompom magazine through Ravely, though I don't have the time or desire to go to such lengths to collect them! Have a great time knitting from your new treasures, friend!

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  23. oh Lori, I've missed you so but have been just so very busy :( As usual, your pictures bring me smiles on this wintery day. Your friend Tricia @farmishmomma (also know as the friend formerly known as crunchy catholic momma heehee

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    1. hi tricia! i hope all is well with you and your beautiful family!

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  24. i LOVE these pictures!!
    such happy colorful ones, i already know that i am going to come
    back again several times just to see them : ) they make me feel like the
    sun has just visited me here on this gray and dark winter day- thank you!

    xoxox

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    1. oh if i could send you some sunshine and warmth in an envelope dear v, i would! i'm so glad these photos gave you a bit of that. :)
      thank you!

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  25. I had a rush when I saw those colors! Absolutely love them. My first thought was, does she ever pick bad colors? Guess it's easier to second guess yourself eh? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

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    1. thank you very much alisa! color is exactly that! so great when it makes you feel emotion. i think if you love it then it will look great, whatever combination of shades are combined. i'm not sure why this one was making me uneasy. going to keep on though, knitting to see what the mystery reveals ;)

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  26. Lori, as you probably already know, today we got some more wintry precipitation commuting challenges here in NYC. I am so glad to have gotten home tonight without slipping even once on the icy slush. My Dr Martin boots got me through!

    Tomorrow's a day off and I want to dedicate it to knitting. (I love my Clover pom pom gizmo's...perfect pom poms in the desired dimension every time. Your pom pom photos show me that you have got this technique down perfectly.

    Ohhh, you are so far ahead of me on the Follow the Arrow mystery shawl, with multiple versions. I have almost fallen a week behind in the clues, but will continue to go on, row by row. I do love your two-color version. (I also intend to try more than one combo of the clues...eventually.)

    Chuck's expert citrus peeling is a beaut.

    Promising that I will find time to have that proper viewing of your safari sources...either tomorrow or this weekend. There are so many things I want to do in my "free" time. I just cannot understand how some folks seem to find themselves bored, do you?

    xo

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    1. :) we were a NEVER allowed to use that word while growing up. i am so grateful, i don't know what it even means.

      i've just had a lot of knitting time lately, so the extra shawls...i have the day off tomorrow too! i wish you could take a magic carpet here and meet for coffee and knitting. my dear friend and i meet at a cafe across the street from the beach. i'm sorry! it's gorgeous out right now, not hot, not too cold, just perfect shawl wearing weather. i have been getting regular updates on your weather. my girl knows how much i wish i were in snow, so i get these cool little videos of flakes falling and her boots crunching. so i wish i were there too!

      do the clover pom pom makers work well? i've wondered if i should buy one. i have this set of plastic makers i've owned since highschool. they are called pom-po-nette. on the medium size one i used it says to use 4 strands of yarn 45" long. i like that better than trying to wrap a realllllly long piece.

      i hope you enjoy your day tomorrow, i hope you can go to africa in the links with me :) and i really hope i get to see your fair isle sweater on you soon!

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    2. Lori, I've got my day off started with breakfast and laundry. Knitting and some other errands waiting in the wings. Yes, a magic carpet would be wonderful!

      I do like the Clover pom pom gizmos very much. Each set contains two sizes. I have the large and small set, so have 4 possible very easy pom pom sizes to be made. I use a mix of yarns all at the same time in my wrapping and somehow the colors seem to distribute themselves well. (I'm actually not sure how long those strands actually are!)

      xo

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  27. Oh goodness, I forgot to thank you for the link to those happy feet clogs. I will have look.

    xo

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  28. missing you, missing blogging. I do love to stop by and see what you're up to. magical as always! xoxo Lo♥

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  29. What a lovely post! It brighten my grey windy day. I love your pom poms and your magazine sounds intriguing....

    Can't believe you are making four shawls!

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    1. thank you very much :) i can't believe it either! it must just be the nature of the mystery knit along. i really only planned to make one, not three!

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  30. Having been ill for a few days I haven't really read any blogs (or done any blogging myself. for that matter), but today I read this, and it was such a lovely, colourful post! It feels like a vitamine injection :-) ... I only wish I could've been at that coffee shop too, it sounds scrumptious.

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    1. i'm sorry to hear your were feeling unwell irene, feel better soon! wouldn't it be lovely if we could meet there for coffee?! come to santa barbara :)

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  31. The pictures in this post are so beautiful! I have never seen such gorgeous knitting photos as the ones you take! I love the pom poms, they are so decorative, and make such a sweet garland. And the lovely shawl that matches the sunset.......magical. I'm so glad you were able to track down all the issues of the magazine :)
    Happy weekend, dear Lori!
    Helen xox

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    1. thank you so much helen! you are right, pom poms are so sweet and decorative. and so much fun to make, i think there will be many more in the near future here!

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  32. Hi Lori,

    Your string of pompoms looks lovely! I can imagine how much fun it must be to make :-) Your 'magazine story' made me smile. Glad you found them all!

    Lucky you to go vintiguing every day. Wish my job was like that :-)! I can recommend the book by Sarah Moore. The styling is beautiful and some lovely projects are featured.

    Happy weekend,

    Madelief x

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    1. thank you madelief, i'll look for the book, it sounds nice! happy weekend to you!

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  33. Wow! Looks simply adorable, really! I read some of your posts now and am really impressed by the beauty that you share here with the world (thank you!) Not only the pictures that you make are fabulous, but you have also this kind of excitment about nature and art and the beauty in it, that I feel truely drawn to. And I can't express how much I adore your knitting- this is just beyound words, I must say: incredibly perfect, every single project I saw on your Ravelry site. Wow! Well... Just let me say to you how much I like this all. And thank you for stopping by on my own blog recently- It was an honour to me and a great pleasure!
    Bora from Switzerland

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    1. thank you dear bora, i was so impressed by the kindness you had shown to another blogger i had to come visit you. and it was all my pleasure! thank you for the kind words for me too! so heartwarming!

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  34. Hey Lori,
    Firstly, pom poms suit your house! Lovely! Did you use a pompom maker or the traditional cardboard donut??
    Pompom mag: I have ogled and so far not succumbed to purchasing, but love love their styling !
    Now, your cream/ochre/bright yellow combo is a bold and interesting move: you know, I think it works!!
    and finally, every time I have a glimpse of your favourite things scarf my heart skips a beat: cannot wait to see it finished!
    happy weekend! we are having a sweaty, scorching February here in Melbourne town!

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    1. hi jo! the pom pom maker i used is a decades old plastic ring thing i've had forever. it looks like the cardboard cutouts you can make. i like this but i'm kind of curious about the clover maker...pom pom quarterly is available online as a digital download if you would really like a look. i did see there are stockists in australia too, maybe one near you? keep cool there!

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  35. Lori, the poms are darling. My blog misses you, it has been months. xoxo

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    1. hi annie, i hope you are well, i will come see what you are painting :)

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  36. I like your pom poms. And I love your blog. I miss you and am happy to be visiting again.
    XO

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    1. aw thank you neighbor :) i love yours, just need to put the needles down to make a proper comment when i'm there!

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  37. I've been dying to see your Arrow Lori as I knew it would be special. It's absolutely gorgeous!!! xxx

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  38. The mustard yarn is gorgeous! And the Pompoms are just fun. I'm rather taken with Pompom magazine too, but I don't have them all.

    I do envy you being able to keep your yarn in a glass door fronted cupboard like that ... I was doing but have had to move all mine to plastic wrapped safety since I found a moth in with it back in the autumn.

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  39. I love garlands, but I've never thought to make a pompom one! What fun! It's lovely!

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  40. I love all of these photos! And the shawl in progress is absolutely gorgeous. I totally wish I was near an organic bakery like that...it looks amazing!

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  41. Hi Lori! Love all your pictures and sweet words. I've not had a chance to read your blog. Will make time to get caught up soon. Just wanted to pop in and say 'hi'! have a great week. Susan

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xoxo lori