And The Winner Is...

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I am so excited and happy to announce the winner of the fabulous
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{Red Fir Shabby Apple Dress}
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drum roll please........ is...

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Eneia over at "The Charm White"
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Yay!!!!!! Congratulations!!

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Thanks so much to everyone for entering. Thank you also Shabby Apple!!
It was a really fun giveaway.
I hope to host more in the future. xx's
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P.S. Happy Monday!!
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P.P.S. Hosting a giveaway & need a way to generate the winner randomly, try Random.org
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Friday's Photos - Dress Giveaway via Shabby Apple!!

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This Giveaway is now closed. I will announce the winner Monday (morning) Sept 19!!

Here it is!!
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I'm so excited to announce this giveaway via "Shabby Apple" - an amazing vintage inspired online dress boutique, that offers absolutely beautiful women’s apparel, jewelry, & more!!
Honestly, I wish it were mine!!
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I'll make entering to win this gorgeous dress {seen above} -- Red Fir, from their Yosemite Collection, as simple as possible. Good Luck!!
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1. Follow the link "Shabby Apple" and check out all of their amazing dresses -- they are arranged by collections {which I love} and pick the one you like most.
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2. Return to barefoot in the orchard & post a comment telling me which one was your fav.
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3. You may also want to check out their blog - Shabby Apple ~ Apple a Day - & follow them. ;)
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Note: This giveaway will run for one week and ends at midnight PST - Friday September 16, 2011. I will announce the lucky winner and Shabby Apple will send you the dress, in the size you specify, directly. This giveaway is open to US residents only.
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Here are some more things from Shabby Apple {not included in the giveaway} that I love -- enjoy!!
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Good Morning ~ Good Coffee

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I love a good cup of coffee! Let me rephrase that -- I crave a good cup of coffee!! Coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world after oil. A path that 500 million people are journeying and I am right there with them all.
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For all you Californian's, there is a website called delocator.net that helps you find independently owned coffee shops in your neighborhood or a neighborhood you may be visiting. I use it to find - coffee - wherever I go. It also helps support the underdog and promote a future that includes the culture of small businesses!
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My favorite local place: Flying Goat Coffee.
My favorite coffee: Espresso Con Panna (a shot of espresso topped with whipped cream).
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What's yours? Happy coffee drinking!! :)
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P.S. Wonderful Giveaway Coming Tomorrow!! Don't Forget To Check Back In!!
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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

Mid-Week Pause ~ Reflection

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There is no meaning to a flower, unless it blooms. ~

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(Image Courtesy Jupiter Images)
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Jardin Potager - Kitchen Garden & More

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As fall draws ever closer (my favorite season) - I'm in the process of clearing and readying a new fall garden space. I've actually seeded some things already -- a second summer planting of fava beans, cucumbers and butternut squash. Soon, I hope to add kale, lettuce, leeks, arugula and beets. I also hope to clear even more space for additional plantings, such as fruit trees and berry bushes -- so excited! Zone 9 (Northern California) usually experiences summer-like weather that stretches well into October. In fact, it isn't unusual to be out trick-or-treating in flip flops.
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My current veggie garden space (which is much smaller but very productive) is happily growing lots of yummy summer things -- tomatoes, italian parsley and other herbs, arugula (which I can never get enough of) pumpkins and edible flowers. I love going out to the garden each morning to water and see what is ready to harvest and eat. Lots of tomatoes never seem to make it to a salad or sauce. ;)
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Fertilizer is an important part of growing vegetables, as any gardener will tell you. I am lucky that we have two adorable bunnies (Tamale and Luna) that make lots of bunny gold {bunny poop} to spread around the garden. I recently found out , from a very accomplished gardener, that rabbit pellets are considered cold manure and therefore can be placed straight into the garden and is safe to use without composting.
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Bunny Gold Fact: It contains the highest concentrations of basic plant nutrients of any common animal manure. Go bunnies!!
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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

Perfect (Labor Day) Recipe - Grilled Watermelon w/ Arugula & Goat Cheese

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Happy Friday!! Have a great 3 day weekend, everyone!!
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Grilled Watermelon Salad

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1/2 (5-pound) seedless watermelon
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt (specialty salt is great here, if on hand)
• 2 cups fresh baby arugula, washed and dried
• 1 cup goat cheese, crumbled, preferably a French Chevre
• Fresh finely cracked black pepper

Directions

Stand the watermelon half cut side down on a cutting board and slice away the rind, leaving a solid block of melon. Turn the block on its side and cut it into 8 squares, roughly 3 by 3 inches and 1-inch thick.

Pour the vinegar into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until reduced to a thick syrup consistency. Set aside.

Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle just enough olive oil over watermelon slices to thinly coat and place on hot grill pan. Grill each side about 2 minutes until grill marks appear; transfer to a plate and season with salt.

To assemble the salads, put about 1/4 cup of baby arugula on a serving plate, followed by a grilled slice of watermelon in the center, and top with a tablespoon of crumbled cheese and another 1/4 cup arugula. Add another watermelon slice and another tablespoon of cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Finish each salad with a very light drizzle of olive oil and balsamic syrup. Dust with black pepper and serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy Claire Robinson - Photos Courtesy of The Food Network & Jupiter Images

Home Grown Tomato Yumminess!

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"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." ~ Lewis Grizzard
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Fresh organic, heirloom tomatoes from my garden & my lunch. ;)
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(Above photos copyrighted to me - Sabina DeShazo)

Back to Blogging - Imperfect Motherhood

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(Caitie-Baby 2001 -- above photos copyrighted to me)

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Note: This is a re-post from a few years back but still relevant and I could use a reminder - enjoy. :)
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With my kids all happily back in school (yay!!) and a summers worth of swimming, picnics, car trips, and lots of fun in the sun behind me - it's time to return to my daily blogging.
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Good Mothers vs. Bad Mothers - Moms Judging Moms vs. Moms Supporting Moms

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I thought I would begin my first post back by talking about being a mom. I am fortunate that I have been able to be a stay-at-home mom, but there are all kinds of moms out there. Let me be the first to say - we as women all need to support each other more!! We seem to have this vision of perfection that is an unrealistic idea for anyone to live up to. I read a small article from a book this summer that hit a nerve. It went something like this.

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The good mother remembers to serve fruit at breakfast. Is always cheerful and never yells. Manages not to project her own neurosis and inadequacies onto her children. Is an active and beloved community volunteer. She remembers to make play dates. Her children's clothes fit perfectly. She does art projects with them and she enjoys all their games. And of course is never too tired for sex.

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If you can prove this woman exists - I'll bet she is a "Stepford Wife."

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Have you ever noticed that dads completely get off the hook when it comes to this standard of perfection. I find that my husband only has to do the most minimum of activities with the children for the whole world to take notice and let him know he is "such a good dad." I am completely guilty in this observation of other husbands myself. If I see a dad walking through our neighborhood holding a child's hand - I think - what a good dad. When I see the countless women doing this same task - I take little or no notice.

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I have found that we as women tend to look for models of "bad mothers" because it makes us feel better. At least I'm not ----. "Good moms" make us feel like a failure. We have to reject this. Women cannot be everything to everyone. We have to stop judging ourselves and others by this "perfect mom" yardstick.

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So today I am celebrating the imperfection of motherhood and all the joy, tears, laughter and frustration that comes with real life and being a "real mom!!"

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Happy Friday - Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com

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A lovely TED talk to start your day...if you have 20 minutes. If you don't, maybe save it for later. ;)

Happy Friday!!

Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability | Video on TED.com

http://www.brenebrown.com/
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(Photos Courtesy Of Jupiter Images)

Thinking With Your Heart ♥ Improve Your DHEA

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(Re-post - Happy Summer)
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I have been accused of thinking with my heart and not my head, numerous times in my life. I admit - I am guilty as charged - but I think this has made me an infinitely happier person. Now there is scientific data to back this up! Apparently thinking with your heart improves your bodies own natural DHEA levels. By the way, DHEA is known as the anti-aging hormone.
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With that in mind, here are some photos of babies sleeping. These kinds of images often bring our minds to our hearts. Think with your heart today and see if your life and the lives of others are not improved.

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(Photos Via Jupiter Images)_