Planning my Menu's, Wedding Shopping and Whatever Else the Kids Have Planned For Me

I'm trying to plan a few things to make so I'll have healthy foods

 ready to eat when I'm busy this week

 or just to lazy to chop, dice and cook.

 

I'm thinking about making

 Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

from Pip & Ebby's blog tonight for dinner.

  I think everyone will like that.

 

Pip & Ebby's photo

 

I'm also thinking about making

Grilled Chicken with Crunchy Asian Slaw

from Clinton Kelly's recipes on The Chew.

I'm pretty sure at least Earl and I will like it.

 

I'm also thinking about

The Garden Grazers

Spinach + Tomato Quesadilla with Pesto.

These look so yummy and

I can substitute ingredients to make my own little yummy creations!

 

The Garden Grazers Phot

 

I've also got to go shopping and get me a few things

to help me look decent for my son Jesse's wedding tomorrow.

Ezie needs some pants and shoes also so thrifting we will go and then

 to Wal-mart for what I can't find at the thrift stores.

 

High School Football tonight?? 

Maybe....we have to see what kind of a mood Mal is in.

 

 



Day 1 and Day 2 of Eating Right

I did really well if I may say so myself!

Day 1 I stayed under 1500 calories

and even had a beer.

Day 2 I was under 1200 calories.

 

I ate lots of veggies, some fruits, lean meat and good grains.

I wrote everything down and added up the Carbs, Proteins, Fats and Calories that I ate to keep a good proportion of everything.

 

Actually I feel like I'm eating more than I usually do.

The only thing I hate about doing this is all the planning and journaling everything,

but,

I know it will be worth it in the end.

 

Tonight I'm making Spinach Lasagna Roll-ups for dinner.

I found the recipe on Pinterest and the actual recipe is from

Gal on a Mission....to make the BEST recipes loved by all

(I borrowed her photo also)

 

 

http://www.galonamission.com/spinach-lasagna-roll-ups/

 

I doubled the recipe and made 35 out of the lasagna noodles for the family

and then I had 2 portabella mushrooms.

 that I put a serving of the cheese mixture in for me.

I added some garlic powder, pepper and oregano to the cheese mixture too

 because we like things spiced up around here.

 

They were so yummy easy to make!

 

Square 11 -- Square in Square

Square 11 is a rather simple square but I liked it and I love my changes to it.

 

I got the pattern for this square from Debi's blog DLY'S Hooks and Yarns

 

 

Here is a picture of Debi's square

 

 

 

and here is a picture of mine

 

 

 

I followed Debi's pattern through Row 5,

except I used an H hook

and then I started making my changes.

 

My instructions probably aren't very clear and I apologize for that in advance.

I'm writing them out in my own way mainly for me to go back and make more squares for another afghan, but I will be more than happy to try to help you understand my way of writing if you are interested in making some of these squares. 

 Just leave a comment or email me

 

 

Row 6:  (turquoise) 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in each corner.  1 DC in the BL of next 6 stitches, 2 DC in ch space, 1 FPDC in the next DC and then repeat backwards for the rest of the row.  (21 DC)

 

Row 7:  (purple) 2 HDC, ch 2, 2 HDC in each corner and then SC in the BL of the next 4 stitches, FLHDC in the next 2 stitches, SC in the BL of the next 4 stitches and then a FPHDC in the middle DC.   Repeat backwards across (16 SC, 10 HDC)

 

Row 8:  (white) 2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and then a SC in theBL of the next 5 stitches, a FPSC in the next 2 stitches, 4 SC in the BL of the next 4 stitches and then in the middle stitch of the row a FPSC...repeat backwards for the other side of the row.  (27 SC in all...22 SC, 5 FPSC)

 

Row 9:  (light blue)  2 DC, ch2 , 2 DC in each corner and a SC in the BL of each stitch of the previous row   (31 SC)

 

Row 10:  (darker blue)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in each stitch of the previous row  (35 SC)



Square 10 -- Sunburst Square

My next square I started off the same as the Snowfall Square

by Dragonfly Mom of 2

 

 

 

 

and here is my Sunburst Square based on the Snowfall design

 

 

 

I ch 6 and sl st to form my ring

Ch4 and join to form a ring 

Rnd 1: Ch3, 15DC in ring. Join (16dc)

Rnd 2: Ch3, DC in same st. [Ch3, sk 1 st, 2DC in next st] 7 times. Ch3 and join. (16dc & 8 ch3)

My instructions probably aren't very clear and I apologize for that in advance.

I'm writing them out in my own way mainly for me to go back and make more squares for another afghan, but I will be more than happy to try to help you understand my way of writing if you are interested in making some of these squares. 

 Just leave a comment or email me.

 

and here are my changes:

Row 3:  Ch 1, SC in same st, SC in next DC and then in every ch sp make 3 SC and 1 SC in each DC of previous row.. (40 SC) 

Row 4:  (yellow) Your working on the SC of Row 3 but I need to use Row 2 to help explain.  Above where there is a group of 2 DC on Row 2, ch 3 (first DC), 2 DC, ch 2, 3 DC in same stitch to make your corner.  ch 2, 1 SC in middle SC of previous row, ch 2 and then 2 DC above the next set of 2 DC, ch 2, SC in middle SC of previous row and then make another corner in the next set of DC of the previous row.  Do this all around. 

Row 5:  (orange)  for each corner 3 DC, ch 2, 3 DC, and then ch 1, SC in ch of previous row DC into the SC of Row 3 and DC into the next SC also then SC in the ch, ch 1, SC in ch of previous row DC into the SC of Row 3 and DC into the next SC also then SC in the ch, ch 1, make corner again and repeat across and for each row, . 

Row 6:  sl  st in the next 3 DC, ch 3, 1 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in the corner, ch 1, 3 DC, ch 2 in next space 3 DC, ch 2 in next ch 1 space of previous row, 3 DC, ch 1 in next ch space, 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next space to make another corner. (14 DC, 6 ch on each side) 

Row 7:  (white)  In each corner 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC and then ch 1, 3 DC in next ch space, ch 1, 1 DC, ch 1, 1 DC, ch 1 in next 2 chain spaces ch 1, 3 DC, ch 1 in next ch space and then repeat corner.  Same thing all the way around. (14 DC, 7 ch)

 

Row 8:  (darker blue)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in the BL of the next 2 DC, 1 SC in ch space of previous row, a SC in the BL of next 3 stitches, 1 SC in ch space,  Sc in BL of the next DC, 2 SC in the next 2 ch,  and then repeat backwards for the rest of the row.  (27 SC)

 

Row 9:  (light blue)  2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in each corner and a DC in each stitch of previous row.  (31 DC)

 

Row 10:  (darker blue)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in each stitch of the previous row.  (35 SC)

Square 9 -- Circle Granny Square

I chose the circle Granny square to make next.

I've never made one before so I used the pattern by Kate from Signed With an Owl's blog

 

Here is Kate's beautiful square

 

 

and here is mine

 

 

Kate has really good photo's and instructions on her blog for the block.

 

I followed her instructions for rows 1-5 except that I used an H hook.

 

 

My instructions probably aren't very clear and I apologize for that in advance.

I'm writing them out in my own way mainly for me to go back and make more squares for another afghan, but I will be more than happy to try to help you understand my way of writing if you are interested in making some of these squares. 

 Just leave a comment or email me.

 

 

So here's my changes:

 

Row 6:  (white)  I started in between a 2 DC of Row 5 with a SC, ch 3.    SC in between the next set of two DC of Row 5 all the way around. (24 ch 3 sets and 24 SC around)

 

Row 7:  sl into the ch 3 space, ch 3 for your first DC and add 2 more DC, ch 1 in same space, 3 HDC, ch 1 in next chain 3 space , 3 SC, ch 1 in next 2 ch 3 spaces, 3 HDC, ch 1 in next ch 3 space,

 

and now for the corner: 3 DC, ch 2 in the next chain 3 space and then 3 DC, ch 1 in the next ch 3 space.  So the corner will take 2 of the ch 3 spaces.

 

Continue around with the 3 HDC, ch 1 and SC, ch 1 as above. 

 

Row 8:  (purple)  In each corner of Row 7 make 3 TC, ch 2,  3 TC, 1 DC in the BL of the next 3 stitches, ch 1 and sk ch of previous row, 3 HDC in the BL of the  next 3 stitches, ch 1, 3 SC in the BL of the next 3 stitches, ch 1 and repeat backwards for the other side of the row.  (24 stitches and 5 ch on each row)

 

Row 9:  (light blue)  1 SC, ch 2, 1 SC in each corner and a SC in the BL of each stitch and ch of the previous row.  (31 SC)

 

Row 10:  (darker blue)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner space and a SC in each stitch of the previous row.  (35 SC on each side) 

 

Square 8 -- The Huh Block (Not Quite Straight) Square

Square 8 is a Not Quite Straight Square

and the pattern I used was designed by Tiggerbee's  Buzz

Here is her square done in 2 colors



The square looks complicated,

but it was really easy.

Here's a picture of my finished block

 



 

 

 

My instructions probably aren't very clear and I apologize for that in advance.

I'm writing them out in my own way mainly for me to go back and make more squares for another afghan, but I will be more than happy to try to help you understand my way of writing if you are interested in making some of these squares. 

 Just leave a comment or email me.

 

 

 

I followed the instructions for the square except I use an H hook on my squares

:

Rnd 1: ch 5, join into ring with slip stitch into first ch.

Rnd 2: ch 2 (counts as first sc), sc into ring 15 times, join with slip stitch into 2nd chain.

Rnd 3: ch 4 (counts as first dc), * hdc, sc, hdc, dc * , then repeat from * to * twice, hdc, sc, hdc, join with slip stitch into 4th chain. Change colour.

Rnd 4: Join colour B on next stitch, * sc, hdc, dc, tr, ch4 *, and repeat from * to * three times. Join with slip stitch to first sc, and end colour.

Rnd 5: Join colour A at start of 4 chain loop. * (sc 2, hdc 2 in chain loop), dc 2, tr 2, ch4 *, and repeat from * to * three times. Join with slip stitch to first sc, and end colour.

Rnd 6: Join colour B at start of 4 chain loop. * (sc 3, hdc in chain loop), hdc 2, dc 3, tr 3, ch4 *, and repeat from * to * three times. Join with slip stitch to first sc, and end colour.

Rnd 7: Join colour A at start of 4 chain loop. * sc 4 in chain loop, hdc 4, dc 4, tr 4, ch4 *, and repeat from * to * three times. Join with slip stitch to first sc, and end colour.

 

Here's where I started making my changes:

 

Row 8:  I made one more row as above with 5 of each stitches on each side.  sc 4 in the loop and then SC 1,  HDC 5,  DC 5, TR 5

 

Row 9:  (white)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in each stitch of the previous row (23 SC on each side)

 

Row 10:  (purple)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in each BL of the SC of the previous row (27 SC on each side)

 

Row 11:  (light blue)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in each BL of the SC of the previous row (31 SC on each side)

 

Row 12:  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in each SC of the previous row (35 SC on each side)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Square 7 -- Spiral Granny

The next Square I made is a spiral granny from SmoothFox Crochet.

 Donna gives excellent instructions and I followed them exactly, until I completed 6 rows of the granny square.

Please go to her page for instructions with illustrations if your interested in making this square.





Here's my square

 

 

I also used a H hook

 

Row 7:   I did 2 SC,  2 ch, 2 SC in each corner and a SC in each stitch BL of each DC of Row 6 and in each ch space. (27 SC on each side)  

 

Row 8:  Repeat Row 7 (31 SC on each side)

 

Row 9:  Repeat Row 8 except do not do the SC in the BL. (35 SC on each side)

My instructions probably aren't very clear and I apologize for that in advance.

I'm writing them out in my own way mainly for me to go back and make more squares for another afghan, but I will be more than happy to try to help you understand my way of writing if you are interested in making some of these squares. 

 Just leave a comment or email me. 

 

Square 5 -- Flower Burst

Square 5 is going really smoothly and I love the flower in the middle.

 

I found this pattern on Ravelry and it's another one of Melinda Millers.

 

 

This one is called Princess and I did have to alter the square to fit my squares.

 

I can't get her pattern to copy so you'll have to go to the link above to get this one.

 

I followed the pattern for the first 3 rows except that I changed colors for Row 3.

 

 

 

My instructions probably aren't very clear and I apologize for that in advance.

I'm writing them out in my own way mainly for me to go back and make more squares for another afghan, but I will be more than happy to try to help you understand my way of writing if you are interested in making some of these squares. 

 Just leave a comment or email me.

 

My version to fit my square size is:

 

Row 1-2 Melinda Millers Princess Square except for color change on Row 3.

Row 3:  (turquoise) 3 DC, ch 2, 3 DC in each corner (the point of any flower) then ch 4 and sk 4 SC of the previous row over to the next point , 2 SC in the next point and repeat around. (8 SC, 40 ch, 24 HDC)
 

Row 4:  (green) 2 HDC, ch 2, 2 HDC in each corner and then 1 HDC in the next 3 DC of the previous row, ch 4, 2 SC in the 2 SC of the previous row and repeat.  (40 ch, 40HDC, 8 SC)
 

Row 5:  (purple)  2  HDC, ch 2, 2 HDC in each corner and then 1 HDC in the next 5 HDC of the previous row, ch 4, 2 SC in the 2 SC of the previous row and repeat. (40 ch, 56 HDC, 8 SC)

 

Row 6:  (pink)   2 HDC, ch 2, 2 HDC in each corner and then 1 HDC in the next 7 HDC of the previous row, ch 4, 2 TC in the 2 SC of the previous row and repeat. {8 TC, 40 ch, 72 HDC)

Row 7:  (white)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and 1 SC in the next 9 SC in the next 9 HDC of the previous row, 2 SC in the ch space, 1 SC in the middle of the 2 TC of the previous row and then continue the other half of the row to match the first half.  (27 SC in each row for a total of 108)

Row 8:  (light blue)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and 1 SC each of the SC of the previous row. (31 SC on each side 124 total)

Row 9:  (darker blue)  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and 1 SC each of the SC of the previous row. (35 SC on each side 132 total)



 My squares are 7 inches and I use an H hook.

I'm also using Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

 

All of my squares have 35 SC on each side.

 



Square 4 -- Snowflake Square

This square took a little time to get it to the right size. 

 

I started off with a circle this time.

 

 

 

I borrowed the center of the circle from DragonFlyMomof2 Designs Snowfall Square.

My instructions probably aren't very clear and I apologize for that in advance.

I'm writing them out in my own way mainly for me to go back and make more squares for another afghan, but I will be more than happy to try to help you understand my way of writing if you are interested in making some of these squares. 

 Just leave a comment or email me.
 

 

I followed Dragon Fly Mom of 2 Designs for row 1-7 except I changed colors for row 7.  I also use an H hook.

 

Here's where I started making my own changes.

 

Row 8:  To make the corners you need to make 2 DC in any SC that is at the top of the point of one of the snowflakes tips then ch 2, 2 DC and then 1 DC in the next 19 SC of previous row.  Then make next corner with 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in each corner and continue with the 19 DC and then repeat corners and sides. 

 

Row 9:  3 DC, ch 2,  3 DC in each corner.  A FLDC in the first stitch after the corner stitch, 5 DC, 1 FLDC and repeat across and all on sides.  (31 DC)

 

Row 10:  2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and SC in the top of each DC of the previous row. (35 SC)



 My squares are7 inches and I use an H hook.

I'm also using Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

 

All of my squares have 35 SC on each side .

 



Quiltingranyy is Having a Giveaway on her Blog!

My dear friend Jean is having a giveaway on her blog

 

so if you want to see some beautiful quilts and find out about her quilting group

be sure and click on the link above

 

or if you are just interested in the giveaway

 

Jean's offering some great prizes for her 2000th blog post.

Square 2

I made this next square based on the pattern

by Melinda Miller that I found on Ravelry.

 

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ladys-rose---6-square

 

I altered it a little to make it fit the squares that I making.
So here's my square.

 

 

 

I started off using the pattern as written on rows 1-9 but made changes on row 10 and added rows 11-13.

 

For Row 10 I changed to color C and I put 3 DC, ch 3 ,3 DC in each corner and on the sides I crocheted 6 DC, ch 1, 6 DC making each row have 18 DC with one chain in the middle.

 

For Row 11-13 I did each row in SC with 2 SC, ch 2, 2 SC in each corner and Row 11 has 23 SC on each side, Row 12 has 27 SC and Row 13 I changed to color D and crocheted 31 SC.  Each round has ch 2 in the corner.

 

 



 My squares are 6 inches and I use an H hook.

I'm also using Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

 

All of my squares have 31 SC on each side with 2 ch in each corner.

 

 



Layers of Hope-Quilting 911

My blogging friend Jean from Quiltingranny organizes people to make quilts for the families of people who have died in tragedies.  She asked me to help with the Arizona Firefighters families.  The name of Jean's group is Layers of Hope-Quilting 911 if anyone is interested in helping with sewing, purchasing fabric or donating money for postage.

 

I had fun making these quilts for the family of Travis Turbyfill's family.  I haven't actually machine quilted very much and so I challenged myself to do it and it wasn't as hard as I thought it might be.

 

The Turbyfill's have 2 little girls so I made one out of bright colors and a Tink fabric.

I machine stitched it with different colors of thread and in an "organic" straight stitch.  It was nice because the quilting lines aren't suppose to be straight.

Works for me!

 

 the front

 

 the back

 

 a close up of the back

 

 

 a purplish patchwork quilt

 

 the back is some Princess Dora fabric I had in my stash.

 

 

 and the front of mom's quilt

 

 and the back.  I also did mom's in the organic straight stitch, but in white.

 

 

Then I made a couple of doll quilts for the girls.

 

 the front

 

the backs

 

Earl and I stuck in a couple of magic wands and Jace put in some of the mustaches and lips I made for his class.  I hope the family knows that people do appreciate their sacrifice and think of them often.

 

I have quilts I need to do for us now.  I can't wait to see how they turn out!!



I'm Trying to Bloom!

I saw this beautiful pillow on Pinterest and had to get my scrap yarn out and try it.

After I started it Mallory I and decided it would be a great gift for her friends birthday gift.

So here is the start of mine.

It is actually really easy and I so hope it turns out pretty.

Thanks to Lucy at Attic 24 for coming up with this gorgeous pattern!

I'll post my progress tomorrow.

Feeling the Need to Swap this Year?

Val from YarniGras is hosting a Year of Enchantment Swap for the 3rd year. 

If you'd like to join our group go to her swapping blog and check it out. 

Zombie Doll Swap

Val from Yarni Gras had a Zombie Doll Swap that I joined. 

It was so much fun and got me started on a doll kick again.

My partner was Susan from Shabby and Frills and this is her very first doll.

Can you believe it?!?!?

I think she did such a fantastic job and this doll!

Here is the rest of the goodies that she sent me. 

 Candy, a pumpkin scrubbie, 2 Halloween dishcloths, tissues,

a mummy ornament and a wooden pumpkin container. 

I made out great!!

Here's what I sent to Susan.

A Zombie trick or treater

 and when you remove the costume there is an Annie Doll.

I also made a banner out of a quilt block



and then made her a twashi, a matchbox ornament,

and a little bag to put it all in.

Thanks Val for hosting the swap and

Thank you Susan for a wonderful time swapping

 and I LOVE my doll you sent!

So Much Racism in 2011? Really?

     I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.  I actually do think quite a bit, but I tend not to share my thoughts.   I thought I would say what's on my mind and voice my opinion on racism. 

photo from http://lawbusinessrevolution.com/blog/2010/03/05/what-drives-you/

    

     I think of myself as a sometimes naive, a very trusting and easy going person.  I try to see the world in color and not just black and white.  This is not to say that I don't make instant judgements or assume the worst in people sometimes, but I honestly try not to.  I go by the theory of "treat others the way I want to be treated."  I believe that we all have the right to be individuals and to have our own opinions. 

     I also am not saying that I don't stear towards people that are like me.  I think that is normal, but it doesn't mean that I am not open and willing to make friends with people from the "other" group.  It reminds me of high school.  In our school we had the Socials, the Blacks, the Freaks, the Nerds, the Jocks, etc..... and everyone was suppose to be hang out with people from "their" group.  I liked some people from the other groups, but it is hard to "go to the other side" sometimes.  Peer pressure....that is a whole different subject.

     Back to the subject of Racism though.  I was brought up to believe that all colors of people are equal.  I was brought up that no race is dominant over another and that all people are just that, PEOPLE.  Skin color should not be what determines a persons character.

photo is from http://www.theupbeatdad.com/2011/07/pride-and-prejudice-teaching-your-kids.html

     I am also not saying that I like all people.  I think that there are bad white people, bad black people, bad people of every race, BUT, I also think in those same groups there are so many good people. 

     There are several reasons that I started really thinking about racism, but I'll share the incident that Earl had at work the other day. 
            A couple at Earl's work were talking about how a black family moved into the house next to them.  "The black family is renting and are probably on welfare" (the rent is $1,700.00 a month....welfare.... I don't think so!)  This couple talked about sabotaging the other family to get them evicted and of course how could the landlord do this to them....rent to a black family!  A third person jumps into the conversation and says how he calls black people "Monday's" because everyone hates Monday's.  There was more said, but you get the gist of it.

     I really don't understand their attitude and especially in this day and age.  I really thought that society had come further than this.  A family is being judged soley on the color of their skin.  Earl's co-workers refuse to get to know their new neighbors and they are already filled with hate for them.  Why are they not giving this family a chance?  Maybe they aren't nice people, but chances are, they are nice and will make wonderful neighbors.  Chances are they are just another family that wants to enjoy their new home and live a happy and productive life. 

     Maybe I live in a bubble and just refuse to see all the negativity in the world.  I am just shocked and really REPULSED that racism is so alive in this day and age.  Black, Asian, European, Spanish, Indian, Arabic, etc, etc......we are all people.  People with their own unique cultures and colors, but still, we are all people, and deserve to be treated as such.  I think that we are all trying to achieve the same goal, to make it through life being happy, loved and accepted and to see our children grow up to happy and healthy.

photo is from http://www.theupbeatdad.com/2011/07/pride-and-prejudice-teaching-your-kids.html

   
      I also believe that racism is one of the most damaging and unfair things that parents can teach their children.  The Upbeat Dad explains this well "One of my strongest beliefs is that no child leaves the womb with any level of prejudice towards anyone. Babies are born innocent and come into a world with all kinds of divisions – ethnic, religious, political, economic and the list goes on. But babies are as innocent as they could be."
  
  "As these babies become toddlers and then pass through the different phases of development, they learn about the world that they live in. It’s a scientific fact that 90% of brain development occurs during the first three years of life."

     "Here’s an approach: be proactive in addressing these topics to children from the earliest stages of their lives. Teach them to love and honor themselves because they are truly wonderful and special. At the same time, teach them to love, honor and respect others – whether they look like them or not."

photo from tcsidewalks.blogspot.com and edited by me
    

     Actually living in a bubble is sometimes kinda nice....I get to see the beautiful opalescent colors reflecting in my bubble.  Another thing, I like Monday's.  Monday's are a new beginning, a chance to go out into the world and experience life.  I also am so grateful that my parents taught me to have an opened mind and see the world as a colorful, diverse place where we are all created equal.

     “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” 
                                                                                                             Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What I Received From the Brown Paper Bag Swap

Sorry I know I'm a late posting this, but I left the charger to my camera in Maine and was waiting for it to get mailed back to me.  Now if I could just get all the beach sand out of it so it won't be tempermental.

I received this gorgeous and super creative art piece from Ellen. 

\

Ellen came up with a wonderful idea....I would have never thought of doing this in a million years.  Check out the people sitting under the tree.  So cute!!  Ellen you did an amazing job and I really want to thank you for participating in the Brown Paper Bag Swap and for being my partner.