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Small Town Girl turned 1 today!

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sorry...

I am sorry that I have not been blogging lately. I have been really really busy with school and even though there has been a lot that has been going on it has been too much to even write down. 

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By Heather Sanders This year Groundhog Day is on Sunday, February 2nd. In the midst of a turbulent winter season, many...

I love it!!! <3

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Absolute tranquility and peace. Stretching in the wilderness - soothes my body, mind and soul !

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Backpack workout Do-it-anywhere workout using a filled backpack. Perform the following circuit without backpack first, then perform it 3 times with backpack. (Be careful: your body has to adjust to the changes that the backpack makes in your center of gravity. Pay attention to how the weight shifts and how it affects your balance.)

10 exercises, 10 reps each: 

1) Plié squat 2) Alternating forward lunes and twist 3) Hip thrust 4) One leg bridge on the right leg 5) One leg bridge on the left leg 6) Up and down plank 7) Squats 8) Push-ups 9) Lunge & kick on the right leg 10) Lunge & kick on the left leg

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There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who do not. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living.

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Best Ever Caramels

(This buttery caramel recipe has been passed along for three generations, proving they really are the best ever.)

Cooking Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 cups Sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup LAND O LAKES Butter, softened

1 cup milk

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup light corn syrup

1 1/4 tsp. vanilla

DIRECTIONS

In heavy 4-quart saucepan combine all ingredients except vanilla. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted (20 to 25 minutes). Continue cooking, without stirring, until candy thermometer reaches 248*F or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a firm ball (1 to 2 hours). Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour into buttered 13x9-inch pan. Cool completely; cut into 1 inch squares. Wrap individually in wax paper or plastic food wrap. About 7 dozen.

TIPS

For easier cutting, line pan with aluminum foil, leaving some overhanging on ends; butter foil. When caramel is cooled completely, lift caramel out by foil. Cut into pieces. 

NUTRITION FACTS | 1 SERVING

Calories 70 | Protein 1g | Carbohydrate 10g | Fat 3g | Cholesterol 10 mg | Sodium 30 mg 

CANDY MAKING TIPS

For best results be sure to use an accurate candy thermometer.

It's best to make candy on a dry day rather than a humid day.

Always use the freshest ingredients and a heavy pan when making candy. 

Patience is a plus. 

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Embroidery Projects

Well, as you already know Christmas is just around the corner and I just decided what I wanted to give my boyfriend's mum, and two sister-in-laws....towels to dry their dishes. I am trying to embroider them as fast as I can. I started today and I did not even get one whole towel done. There is 7 patterns per package that I have to do. I love the patterns but it will be very interesting to see if I can actually pull off getting it done. The hardest part about it is picking out the right color. Here are some photos of the patterns I picked out! (by the way...one of the sister-in-laws already has a little baby girl and the other one is expecting a baby boy). 

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Create GIFs with your webcam!

Here’s how:

Create a photo post.

Click “Take a photo” on the bottom right corner.

Allow Tumblr to use your webcam. 

Click the GIF button.

Smile and move your face an/or body around. (Optional.)

Your camera will take four shots in a row and then turn them into an animated GIF. Happy giffing!

(Chrome and Firefox v20+ only, for now)

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