tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322624462024-02-19T00:30:26.918-08:00MandiCrockerMandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-12055751627873822342016-11-29T14:12:00.002-08:002016-11-29T14:12:34.397-08:00Happy Holidays, everyone!<br />
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Well, it looks like we're wrapping up shop here on Blogspot. It is time for some new, fresh energy! I am super excited to announce the launch of my new and improved website MandiCrocker.com. I would be over the moon for you to join me! If food, photography, travel and inspiration are your jam, this new community of dreamers and creatives is for you.<br />
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Today I posted a sugar cookie recipe with a goofy comedy sketch. Please take a look, don't forget to subscribe and pass along to your family and friends!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mandicrocker.com/">www.MandiCrocker.com</a><br />
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Here's to bigger and better things! Xoxo<br />
MandiMandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-5089218461353314982016-04-18T12:00:00.001-07:002016-04-18T12:22:11.794-07:00The Taj Mahal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Boy, do I love my days off. :)</div>
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There's just something about sleeping in, heating up some homemade Masala Chai and watching the light play in the surrounding trees. Making the effort to have nowhere to go, nothing to do. It's quiet and peaceful here. It often reminds me of a campground. As much as I love baking, it's really hard on your body, social life and psyche to get up in the wee hours of the morning and get to bed so early. Therefore, I really try to relish the days I get to sleep in! </div>
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I also have time to remember that work isn't life. That I've gone somewhere! I have time to relive the experience though my pictures and imagine I am still there... </div>
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Everything I read about Agra was that the Taj Mahal was beautiful but the surrounding city was really poor and dirty. "You don't want to spend much time there," the articles said. And we didn't! We basically got in the day before, toured the Taj & the Agra Fort the next day and left early the next. Pretty much one full day there. And yet, it was one of my favorite places! </div>
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The Taj is beautiful, yes. It's kind of surreal to say you've been to one of The New Seven Wonders of The World. But it is the people, living in these dirty and poor conditions, that made the experience so rich and lush. They were beautiful... We had such fun with them! That will be one of my next blogs.</div>
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As for the Taj... We woke up early and headed on our way. We wanted to arrive before the swarms and I also wanted to get good sunrise lighting for pictures!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKL2-__ru8wTBKBhygBcOswr-CfG0ffSc3DtYvlkW9oUlssrfVr0_ogOIzvT3rHrXtIbPjY6geIUMfMi5ayvcjSdrJx8ub4e6Mw3U4sPmqPOlMiaEw4e-BVybanNSHk7Ew2x3qg/s1600/DSC_1570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKL2-__ru8wTBKBhygBcOswr-CfG0ffSc3DtYvlkW9oUlssrfVr0_ogOIzvT3rHrXtIbPjY6geIUMfMi5ayvcjSdrJx8ub4e6Mw3U4sPmqPOlMiaEw4e-BVybanNSHk7Ew2x3qg/s320/DSC_1570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The streets outside of the gate. </div>
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Always very hazy in India.</div>
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Folks walkin to work? Out and about?</div>
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Who knows. :)</div>
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As we were about to enter the gate, I saw this man walking down the street. With the pollution, the haze and the dirty street, it came across kind of war torn to me. And yet, this is right outside the gate to the grand Taj Mahal. This is the juxtaposition of India I talk about that just fascinates me. </div>
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The cattle call! I'm so glad we went when it wasn't that busy. I can't imagine how many tourists fill these rails during the high season. Once you pass through here, they check your bags quick and you're on your way. </div>
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Inside the gate is a series of outlying buildings that are beautiful in their own right.</div>
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This is The Great Gate, the building you pass through to get to the Taj. It is primarily made of marble. </div>
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And once you're through that building, this is what you see.</div>
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It's very hazy. :)</div>
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I knew nothing about the Taj when I went, except the vague recollection of a love story. So here's the scoop, all info credit to Wikipedia. The Taj was built in 1632 as a mausoleum by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz was a Persian princess who died giving birth to their 14th child. (Let the records state, I WOULD TOO!!!) </div>
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The documentation of the period illustrates the love story held as the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. It's fixed on the center of a 42 acre complex and employed about 20,000 artisans. It took about ten years to build and cost 32 million rupees, which today would be about $830 million. I'm just gonna say the year 1632 again.</div>
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I took the below pic with my iPhone, the rest are all the Nikon.</div>
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It is surrounded by four minarets that frame the Taj. They were being worked on when we went. They were used as bell ringers to call the faithful to prayer. AND! I just learned... that the way they were built, if catastrophe were to strike, they were designed to fall backward away from the The Taj Mahal. 1632, people. Incredible. The only time I've ever felt like I was walking through something manmade like this, surreally grand, was Hearst Castle. I highly recommend a trip there, too! </div>
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The outlying buildings were just as beautiful to me.</div>
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Especially with the sun!</div>
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So many birds flying about... </div>
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Click to enlarge, by the way!</div>
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Little pictures really don't do it justice. </div>
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Well, pictures in general, couldn't possibly.</div>
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For scale, you can see the people hiding in the entryway below. </div>
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The sun was too perfect on all of the outlying buildings, so I spent my time there first. </div>
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I walked around the outside for a bit and took it all in.</div>
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I loved the light against the red and white-ish gold! </div>
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And then I noticed this man standing at his post. :)</div>
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I just couldn't and can't imagine people building this in the 1600's! </div>
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This is behind the Taj. In this pic you can really see the intricacy and contrast of the floor. The close attention to detail. The symmetry. </div>
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And if you look to the right at this point, you'll see the Yamuna River!</div>
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This is probably my favorite picture of my entire trip to India. I somehow managed to catch this guy in a jump. I'm so glad I had my wide angle lens with me. This picture sums up how excited I was to be there, everything I was getting to see. If he wasn't going to jump, I probably would have! </div>
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But then the walkers came and ate everybody... Ha!</div>
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This is part of the surrounding, beautiful garden. The haze really made it feel like a dream. Like Alice in Wonderland! <br />
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Below, young American <i>tourists</i>... </div>
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Below, young American <i>travelers...</i></div>
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See what I did there? Cause I'm a snob!!! Ha!</div>
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But this is my Stacer and Lucas!!! :)</div>
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But fo realz, the tourists were FASCINATING to watch...</div>
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This guy with the glasses in the middle reminds me of Jack Nicholson.</div>
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"So this is the Taj Mahal... you don't saaaaay..."</div>
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Everyone toured and experienced in their own way.</div>
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These pictures make me laugh.</div>
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This one kind of reminds me of a car commercial print ad. </div>
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"I'm the proud owner of this used red sandstone building!"</div>
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And I kid, but I really try not to naysay anyone's adventures. Some people travel to eat really great food and sleep in fancy hotels. To not be working and to be on vacation. Some people carry everything on their back and stay in hostels. I travel to experience the culture and take pictures to share with the world. Open to the possibility of experiencing something different and having it change me. My aunt and uncle travel to rock climb and bike and enjoy the outdoor activities that they love so much in new, beautiful places. None of it is wrong or right. I think everyone gets something out of it on their journey. Traveling would have meant something very different to me 20 years ago. And probably will 20 years from now. So, hey lady-- take your over the shoulder picture, you know what I'm saying? </div>
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So you'll see this lady has little baggies on her feet.</div>
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In order to enter the interior of The Taj Mahal, you have to wear them!</div>
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"I once caught traveling hopes and dreams that were THIS BIG..."</div>
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Me too, lady. :)</div>
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I love my wide angle lens! I was so glad I brought it. I need to watch some tutorials or bug Stace to know how to get rid of some of the warped-ness in Photoshop. Sometimes, wide angle lenses have a tendency to 'bend' the outskirts of a picture. Not always what you're going for! You can fix it but I don't know how to do that yet. Like below, part of the Taj (on the right) got in the picture. Sometimes I can retouch it and sometimes the elementary editor on my Mac is weird and doesn't let me. Always learning!</div>
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Love all the silhouettes and the shiny surfaces...</div>
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All the points of the domes..</div>
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I would highly suggest looking online for better pictures of some of the intricate details. Inside the Taj, it's very dark and photography is not allowed. I thought it was rather hard to see the intricacies in the interior chamber. With the glare of the sun, you miss a lot!</div>
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During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, British officials defaced the Taj and chiseled out the precious stones. (Lovely!) However, in the early 1900's it was restored by another British viceroy. Due to pollution, causing the Taj to turn yellow, they've set certain business restrictions in place in the surrounding areas. The Yamuna River is also drying up rapidly, causing the wooden base of the Taj to rot and create cracks in the mausoleum. According to Wikipedia, some estimates in 2011 said it would crumble within five years! Eeks. I didn't know that before I went in! ;)</div>
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A family touring...</div>
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The Taj Mahal complex is bordered on three sides by the red sandstone structures. The Gate and then their are two that mirror each other, I believe. The complex was constructed with materials from all over India and Asia. Over 1,000 elephants were used in transportation of these materials! The scaffolding was so immense it was thought it would take years to dismantle. But according to legend, Shah Jahan decreed anyone could keep the bricks taken from the scaffold and therefore, it was dismantled overnight. Hmmm... I love legend. :)</div>
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Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore described the Taj as a 'tear-drop on the cheek of time.' It is not without it's tragedy. Soon after it was completed, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at Agra Fort (another beautiful place you'll see in future blogs!) Later on we learned through other tour guides, though I'm not sure the story is true, that the son made sure that his father could see the Taj from his jail cell, still being completed without him. #BURN!!!</div>
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Such a sad story and yet such beautiful light! ;)</div>
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A place to put your shoes...</div>
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The gardens are just as beautiful.</div>
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During the restoration, the British actually put them in.</div>
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One of the birds landing on a nearby tree-bush.</div>
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Again, the tourists were just SO FUN to watch!!! </div>
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There were people from everywhere...</div>
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And the colorful saris of India!</div>
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This is one of my favorite pictures, too. It was a candid shot but it just looks posed like a wax museum. Everybody is doing something different. There was something I just kept revisiting with the tourists I couldn't escape. This might be a 'means more to Mandi' shot. Who knows!</div>
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A sweet couple holding the Taj in their hand...</div>
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I want to say it was their anniversary!</div>
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Stacer and Lucas!!!</div>
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Always so many exclamation points with them. :)</div>
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Walking back out through the gate, this couple went through before us. She was dressed in this fiery orange sari, I loved it. </div>
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And THAT, ladies and germs, is the Taj. If you're ever in Agra, it's absolutely the place to be. If you take the time to really think about the mini details, it will take your breath away. :)</div>
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Mandi</div>
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-35269333172953715242016-04-11T11:34:00.001-07:002016-04-11T11:43:14.602-07:00The Journey to Agra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were only in Delhi a day or two before we hopped the train to Agra. None of us had ridden a train in India before so it proved to be quite the adventure. There is a very small window of time to buy tickets in the States online. We are almost on opposite sides of the globe, so you have to be up in the early hours, when their offices are open, to purchase them. In our Amazon Prime delivery service culture, it definitely makes you a bit wide-eyed you can't just click the thing and be done. Stace took a million for the team on this trip... She took the train ticket watch and had everything ready for us. </div>
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People ask if I was ever afraid on this trip and I always say no. I had very easy travel companions that made it very comfortable. I was never alone. On a trip that I have to plan myself, or if I travel back to India alone, it would definitely be terrifying. But that feeling of slight stomach turn, a bit of breathlessness, a racing pulse-- the "I am half crying and half laughing"-- is also the excitement of it! The life of it! People that understand that, LOVE traveling. People that don't, are the ones that probably should have taken the cruise. ;)</div>
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I saw a few women on their own, in their long skirts out and about, looking a bit lost or overwhelmed; I have such friggin respect for them!!! As much as I was soooo grateful my first international trip was comfortable, I also envied them because I know to travel on your own, is to live with a bit of fear. Or in India, a parallel universe, potentially a lot of fear! Clearly, this was a trip that <i>meant something </i>to them<i>. </i>And because I know that feeling, I know everything you get out of it. I just wanted to scream, "YOU GO GIRL!!!" </div>
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Our American culture doesn't necessarily speak to the idea. We're very, very comfortable and like to live in fear, calling it 'responsible' and 'societal norm.' But, the more you step out in faith, the more you get in return. And those ladies got the world. Don't worry, I stepped out plenty in my own way and got the world in multi-color MandiVision but I'm happy to show respect to these kindred spirits. </div>
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We got in our cab and headed on our way... </div>
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I just snapped pictures all over the place. For practice, whatever drew my eye, to document my time... </div>
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For my parents, my family and friends... This is what the side of the road looks like when you're in a cab on your way to the Delhi train station. You don't see this in America everyday!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiaa8hibskmvL68RF5zGM8PeKHoKa5VcgOQRmEujZRmTZj-rEyo4rq2cmULRxvtPgleK-_Go4pbEk5T5wVT8V_aDU55QpVKO3ugZsXFSrAYCmJc0mDPiATwB5nFnYgxxZb3rX5Q/s1600/DSC_1492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiaa8hibskmvL68RF5zGM8PeKHoKa5VcgOQRmEujZRmTZj-rEyo4rq2cmULRxvtPgleK-_Go4pbEk5T5wVT8V_aDU55QpVKO3ugZsXFSrAYCmJc0mDPiATwB5nFnYgxxZb3rX5Q/s320/DSC_1492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below, is a whole line of tuktuks... I LOVED riding in these things. As a person that gets car sick riding a bicycle, I was certain I was going to yack on a tuk tuk. I wasn't looking forward to this part of the trip. The stopping, the starting, the heat? It was going to be a barf fest. Well, the great, wonderous, miraculous surprise was that it was NOT a barf fest and in fact, I found the experience exihilarting, fascinating and fun! </div>
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Our first ride was on our first day in Delhi. The three of us piled in the back of what feels and looks like a bumper car. I have big hips and Lucas is 126 feet tall, so you can imagine... I had no idea what to expect but I did the mental genuflect and we took off! </div>
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Traffic in India is INSANE!!! There are these bumper cars, there are regular cars, there are entire families on motorcycles, people on bicycles, scooters, pedestrians walking, horse drawn carriages... And they just make it work. They don't have blinkers, they honk. It is always LOUD. It's-- HOOOOONK, I AM PASSING YOOOOOUUU!!! and we're done and HOOOOOOONK, I'M ON YOUR LEFT, LADY WITH THE BABY... and we're done. It is just how it is. It's not angry. It's not road rage. It's just how you communicate.</div>
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Anyway, our driver actually had a radio in his tuktuk, something we didn't experience again. Bollywood music was blasting in our ear drums, we were weaving in and out, darting between motorcycles and other tuktuks and I seriously had the time of my life. Who knew! </div>
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Now, I just need the bumper stickers:</div>
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MY OTHER CAR IS A TUKTUK.</div>
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I was recently asked the most fascinating thing I saw... And that's a hard question to nail down. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX4VWFF4OlEKx0QWWwIm1PJ4cmWRkTfhK93T31eSvLunrGmd1aTDudtmqOcg6HI5BZ-xVw7XRg6f9s427mcEeI5MmaWY81htX0OymWNzkXgwb3b7kztnm0B_vWXGJnkYDBtmnJA/s1600/DSC_1497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX4VWFF4OlEKx0QWWwIm1PJ4cmWRkTfhK93T31eSvLunrGmd1aTDudtmqOcg6HI5BZ-xVw7XRg6f9s427mcEeI5MmaWY81htX0OymWNzkXgwb3b7kztnm0B_vWXGJnkYDBtmnJA/s320/DSC_1497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">However, the juxtaposition between what India is and isn't is truly fascinating. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRLtcmoEdT2dxpzI5XFbm2YFq0yW8MyPwAbN8hD083FdBEJrrIhXwQfF6b4yvwwY-nPE3TY7w44DB72x8fT8vJ1p7bie-vBo7MGv6OhVCCJsu4zcUX7QUjuUYIrtKhy3oPdfrSQ/s1600/DSC_1499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRLtcmoEdT2dxpzI5XFbm2YFq0yW8MyPwAbN8hD083FdBEJrrIhXwQfF6b4yvwwY-nPE3TY7w44DB72x8fT8vJ1p7bie-vBo7MGv6OhVCCJsu4zcUX7QUjuUYIrtKhy3oPdfrSQ/s320/DSC_1499.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Businessmen, in full blown suit pants and button down shirts, like you would see here in the U.S., laying down in the middle of the sidewalk taking a nap. Or peeing on the side of the road. Entire families, traveling shoeless... You just never know what you're going to see. </span></div>
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Sometimes these fruit carts are pushed by hand, sometimes by horse. Regardless, it looks like an arduous process. I can't even imagine. </div>
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The train station in Delhi was a ZOO. There were so many people there, the driver could only go so far. So we got out with our bags and walked. All of the signs were in Hindi and we had no idea where we were going. If I wasn't with Stacy and Lucas, I probably would have lost my shit here, to be completely honest. There would have been tears and crying, for sure. Ha! Which is okay! Because something else about India, while they <i>really </i>will do anything they can to take your money or get tips, they really don't want to see someone upset. They love their country and want you to enjoy it. "Don't cry, Miss! You come all this way to have good time, right? I show you. I show you." </div>
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When we finally figured out where we were supposed to be (and by 'we' I mean Stacy and Lucas), we camped out in a holding room. We got there early which was good but we were so exhausted and just ready to be on the train. Stace and I passed the time playing teacher and student with my camera. </div>
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When the camera came out, so did these faces! This father was grateful to have pictures taken of his children. I keep using the word fascinating but it is! Because he has a cellphone with a camera on it... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBtsjOzY36y2XW5lCGbt5xn8S8dDQZ_KjgpagosNzpe-rQiSACbHGQHbn1Sthg2NFVHl8FPtiTJCsx5ou0FZaAzQyjhcug7iTtdw1vxlMECjTXfhNQK7thzHlWbTECwvcVP8i9Q/s1600/DSC_1511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBtsjOzY36y2XW5lCGbt5xn8S8dDQZ_KjgpagosNzpe-rQiSACbHGQHbn1Sthg2NFVHl8FPtiTJCsx5ou0FZaAzQyjhcug7iTtdw1vxlMECjTXfhNQK7thzHlWbTECwvcVP8i9Q/s320/DSC_1511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So why does he or anyone care that their picture is being taken? Is it because we're American and we get to take back this memory? Is it because to have your picture taken is a privilege in India? I really don't know but I really want the answer. Ha! </div>
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At first they pretended they were shy... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEmQCfkMVDdbbfd4Ar1eb62bI961ObobwyIb0IDvv0OsDzmlGbxYtFdoVMsmpFWl3TNtjlmreBeG1Cn4RwjUVUYRz6_5WG-1EPZOyHFaUg5F9_p8n1e-WS3q4CSmGdIYNez6q1w/s1600/DSC_1512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEmQCfkMVDdbbfd4Ar1eb62bI961ObobwyIb0IDvv0OsDzmlGbxYtFdoVMsmpFWl3TNtjlmreBeG1Cn4RwjUVUYRz6_5WG-1EPZOyHFaUg5F9_p8n1e-WS3q4CSmGdIYNez6q1w/s320/DSC_1512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But then their goofy little spirits came out and it was all pictures, all the time. :)</div>
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I used to roll my eyes that Angeline Jolie feels the need to adopt<i> every</i> child she comes across overseas... But now? I get it. I getchoo, Angie. I would take any of these little ones home in a heartbeat. </div>
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As I said before, I took pictures for a variety of reasons on this trip. Some I'm really proud of, some are just for the memory or documentation of it. Photographers talk about killing your babies, not getting sentimental when an image just isn't strong enough, etc. This one below, however, is one I <i>really</i> hoped would come out. When I first downloaded it at the time, I was heartbroken. I was so bummed it was grainy and blurry. For major contests or world glory- ha!, it is a throwaway picture. </div>
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But for me, revisiting it a few days ago? Holy floodgates, Batman! This is the picture I had forgotten all about that got me the other day... These are my babies that I'm NOT going to throw away. These are babies I didn't realize I took for ME. :) :) :) :) :) :)</div>
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I can't tell you what it is... but the children here and their little spirits are SO vibrant, SO full of life, they just fill you. Your cup runneth over. And they're soooo goofy and brave. </div>
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This sweet girl <i>really</i> wanted her picture taken but she was <i>way</i> too shy or well mannered to ask. I could just tell. She kept playing with her hair and standing in a nonchalant casual-model pose. Like <i>every </i>young girl at that age would want... Such a sweet family. This all only lasted a few minutes, so I quick snapped what I could. Then they were off! This is the gift of photography. It's a selfless muse. It just gives, gives, gives... </div>
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And then a train station worker came in to our standing room, pointed at the sign saying women and made all the men get out. Apparently, we are supposed to be separated. Poor Lucas, the total champ, went and sat... somewhere... else. Ha! I was grateful to be young and able. There was an elderly couple that had been together in the room. She was laying on the ground and didn't look well. Certainly, didn't move about well. He kept sneaking back to check on her. So sweet. </div>
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With everyone gone, Stace and I kept playing... </div>
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"If that's what you're going for, you want to shoot for the light in the window, not the people..."</div>
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Learning, learning, learning...</div>
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From the inside of our holding room windows looking out to the platform entry... </div>
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When they got separated, many chose to just sit out in the entry together. Soooo many people, soooo much color. People aren't afraid to sit, sleep or pee anywhere in India! I wasn't thrilled to have my bag on the floor let alone sit on it. But... that's India! You just do it and realize how manicured we are in the U.S. We're 'The Capitol' of the world in Hunger Games speak, we really are. </div>
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One of the trains came and left and everyone cleared out.</div>
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The crazy was over.</div>
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When we got on the train, I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting smells and chickens. Pretty much all of New York City in the space of one train car. Stace, however, had purchased some air conditioned seats and you could lay down if you wanted.<br />
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"First time on a train in India picture!"</div>
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#grainy</div>
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#iphonepic</div>
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#bestIcoulddo</div>
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The train took a bit to leave soooo... I took out my camera again. Ha! I am so glad I did because I really love the following two pictures. This is out the window of our train to the platform.</div>
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And this is one of my favorites from the entire trip. I love the intense look of the guy on the platform, looking right at me, the yellow of the glass against the blue of the train car. With our fellow traveler asleep inside the train, it almost looks like an abstract painting. I have no idea what it 'says' but I'm proud of this one!</div>
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And noooooooooow, we're back in Mazamaland... Ahhh... The quiet, the newness of Spring and fresh basil. I'm lucky. I love our little home. In Jaipur we took a cooking class and I'll be spending the day prepping my first attempt at Indian greatness for friends coming over tomorrow. Wheee!!! Which, cause we be reeeeeal in this blog, WON'T be serenity or fresh basil. Ha! It'll be piles of dishes, pop station pandora to keep me moving and the 'in and out' of the squirrel chasing small dog. Beautiful in its own way. :)</div>
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Stay tuned! Next up is the TAJ MAHAL!!! I've been trying so hard to get us there but SOMEBODY took 12 million pictures and has such difficulty not sharing ALL OF THEM. Because! Because! But! Cause! I just... I just... Better luck next year. :)</div>
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BRING ON THE GRATED GINGER, B*TCHES!</div>
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(No need to peel by the way!)</div>
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(I know! Dare I say, an eye opener!!!)</div>
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(For a whole other blog...) :)</div>
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Till next time,</div>
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Mandi</div>
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-54509217256965352092016-04-05T18:58:00.002-07:002016-04-05T19:19:07.014-07:00Life and Death<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
National Geographic has an online photo community and they give out 'assignments' based on stories they are going to publish online. The assignment right now is 'When Death Comes.' Photographers--amateurs or professionals alike, submit their photos and everyday their editors go through them giving recognition to the best of the best.</div>
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While I am very much an amateur, I enjoy these assignments immensely. For starters, I am better with deadlines. Second, I really enjoy having an intention behind the photos I shoot. Photography, for me, is a creative outlet-- another form of expression. But with an assignment, there is a mindfulness about what you're shooting. I like the artistic challenge in that. And finally, I just enjoy the community because it's quite amazing to see what gorgeous and meaningful work people do. To see good work, is a learning experience, for sure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzCAM1lkmU99tsylrhYOqI7qy-M9DhUnUWbAKxWredk9lb3umoAQlwPPdQ_G6idKMDdJEb8cJA0X4gFPoaCe76B4nQlt1vcB7HJIVwrSigtPru-n_2zn2yKW_QdNr7uXiEdYF4A/s1600/DSC_4434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzCAM1lkmU99tsylrhYOqI7qy-M9DhUnUWbAKxWredk9lb3umoAQlwPPdQ_G6idKMDdJEb8cJA0X4gFPoaCe76B4nQlt1vcB7HJIVwrSigtPru-n_2zn2yKW_QdNr7uXiEdYF4A/s320/DSC_4434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had already submitted my photo. I wasn't too excited about the assignment because, in general, I don't think of Mazama as a place that reminds me of death or the afterlife. We had just finished an assignment on the equinox, the death of winter to spring, so I didn't want to go that route. I had already been in a death/life metaphorical Easter state of mind. I just didn't feel like shooting with the same intention. </div>
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So yesterday, Lliam, The Small Dog and I headed to Chelan to pick up my new glasses (oh my god, THRILLED), and we ran 1,000 errands in the process. On our way to pay the electric bill, we passed these crosses. I had seen them once or twice before but completely forgot they were there. </div>
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Apparently, a night ago years back, a car was driving slowly on the road due to ice. A car behind them got impatient and tried to pass. Going too quickly, there was some kind of accident that resulted in the death of at least one high school aged girl. Lliam wasn't sure of the whole story but it got me thinking about the way we pay homage to these deaths on the side of the road.</div>
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I remember driving to Nevada City (?), there was-- quite frankly, the creepiest grave I passed on the side of the road. It was for a toddler born in the 1900's. I can't remember why but it was totally random and had nothing to do with a car accident. For whatever reason, someone built a crib there and people still bring dolls and toys to this grave. Everything was wet and covered in dirt and mildew. It looked like a romper room nightmare. Needless to say, I wish I had my camera then!</div>
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At some point, I'm going to have to learn to 'kill' my own babies. They use this term in photography when people get too sentimental about their work and can't say goodbye to clearly inferior photos. Or, when you have to play Meryl to your four kids and 'Sophie's Choice' them. I've got four pictures of crosses here... which one do I post? For now, all of them. Ha!</div>
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I like and dislike all of them for a reason. One is the most boring to me. I wish the lighting was more interesting in four... Anyway, I look forward to being good enough to know which shot is the best shot. But regardless, it's just an honor to hear the story and to do my best to tell it, even with the very little time I had.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcrKi9pimKcB27h4EFlUyi2_yclLGC7yoMEsSHxCmxmmDnFeCf8t2FjlR6rpcR1nbLZ3nZGVkEyOjOmatbFddAZZQi089scRRdyL-oEJvxaGI45pOpnxsPRS6sB79Wgj-bkGYTg/s1600/DSC_4440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcrKi9pimKcB27h4EFlUyi2_yclLGC7yoMEsSHxCmxmmDnFeCf8t2FjlR6rpcR1nbLZ3nZGVkEyOjOmatbFddAZZQi089scRRdyL-oEJvxaGI45pOpnxsPRS6sB79Wgj-bkGYTg/s320/DSC_4440.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Today I'm posting pictures because I have 12,000 things to do. I have to order flowers, set up an appointment for dress alterations, start wedding favors, start freezing wedding desserts, etc, etc, etc...</div>
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I am definitely mindful about not making the wedding something to 'get through.' I would hate to feel that way. But I do look forward to the rest of the summer when all I have to do is water my garden and learn Photoshop. Ha! Anyway... I'm allowing myself blog time because there needs to be balance. I'm working on finding the balance in each day. Work, play, spirit, etc. It's all outta whack, man.</div>
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I have dreams of grandeur where I hike down 153 for a month and take pictures of rural America. There are <i>soooo </i>many interesting things to see on the way! There's never anywhere to pull over when I am by myself, such a bummer. Lliam was with me on this trip to Chelan... so he let me take a FEW. He just needs to understand that being my chauffeur for a day, letting me hop out wherever I want, would probably be the most fun he's every had in his life!! ... A girl can dream. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJSxeawrZhXHPWDg0ZfyleVEqmLPXAs3BxQcaWL6NoA6TynMidcOJEzYmYnIzJacfftL20UZ_rv80Jve1URy0ckHHGD_9DUMNCb9EeUPrvPmJCQF5KikY2kf9NXO2s9jT-HNDxA/s1600/DSC_4441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJSxeawrZhXHPWDg0ZfyleVEqmLPXAs3BxQcaWL6NoA6TynMidcOJEzYmYnIzJacfftL20UZ_rv80Jve1URy0ckHHGD_9DUMNCb9EeUPrvPmJCQF5KikY2kf9NXO2s9jT-HNDxA/s320/DSC_4441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Speaking of! Look at these two... </div>
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I love them.</div>
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They are my family and fill me with so much!!!</div>
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I've also been reading about finding your voice as a photographer. I'm intrigued the more I practise, as the years pass, what 'voice' I will have... I would love for someone to one day see a photo and know it was mine, but I would hate to be confined to having my photos look a certain way. There are so many instagram photographers and people on EyeEm with huge followings that use the same app or filter throughout all of their photos and while they might be beautiful, or be 'commercial,' it would absolutely bore me! </div>
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I think my goal will always be to have my pictures turn out in camera/onscreen/as prints what I see them to be with my eyes and heart. For my intention as a creative to be the finished product. Then, whatever voice-- Blake, Christina... whoever! That's fine. lol</div>
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I do like shooting windows & reflections, tho. Ha!</div>
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Look at that ridiculous dog!!!</div>
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She's such a goober.</div>
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Mommy loves her Sadie soooooo much!!!</div>
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And there's daddy! He's such a good sport.</div>
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"Are we pulling over so you can take a picture?"</div>
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"All right, this time I'm letting the dog out."</div>
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"We're never getting home, are we?"</div>
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I don't know what the heck this thing is... It looks like an old bridge but even in perfect condition with handrails, how would you walk on it??? Badminton net for kayakers??? A clothesline for white water rafters? I don't know... Anyway, it creeps me out. Reminds me of a movie adventure I don't want to be on- ha!</div>
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And finally... This is a picture of an old deserted burger joint in Twisp. The sun was setting and Lliam wasn't driving... so I did a u-turn and quick snapped it. Now if I had more time... ;)</div>
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He's such a good sport, my honey.</div>
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Thanks for listening. :)</div>
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Mandi</div>
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MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-78859870492307174662016-03-30T16:46:00.004-07:002016-03-30T16:57:02.753-07:00Delhi Day Two <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is definitely Spring in the Methow Valley. The snow is melting fast around these parts although Lost River is still too covered to start thinking about gardening. They have begun working on the pass and are planning to have it open by May if everything goes accordingly. When the pass opens, so do the Seattle tourist floodgates. It gets busier at the store and last minute wedding details (or very big ones!) become more difficult. We're trying to enjoy the quiet and the snow capped mountains for as long as we can...</div>
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I'm still relishing India... and gluttonously craving more adventure. Instead, I blog. :)</div>
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On our second day of adventure, we went to The Lotus Temple in Delhi. It is beautiful! Not to my surprise, the temple has won numerous architectural awards. It is surrounded by lovely gardens and nine ponds.</div>
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According to Wikipedia, "Like all other Bahai Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all, regardless of religion, or any distinction, as emphasized in Bahai texts." You can basically pray, chant, read, etc. in any religion, regardless of the language, as an act of worship without any denominational restrictions. </div>
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Photography and shoes are not allowed inside. Religious pictures, statues and images are also not allowed and altars can only be included as an architectural feature. Inside it is very beautiful, quiet and peaceful. With the lack of spiritual decor, it actually reminded me of a more contemporary evangelical church with marble floors and wooden pews.</div>
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After praying and mediating for a bit, we came back out and enjoyed the view.</div>
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It was a great collection of individiuals... tourists, worshippers, locals, etc. </div>
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The grounds were lovely as well. This place has attracted over 70 million people and since it's inauguration as a house of worship in 1986, there are years it has surpassed The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal in tourism. Who knew?!</div>
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Anyone know what kind of flower this is? :)</div>
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Such vibrant colors!</div>
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Stace really enjoyed it here...</div>
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She was a bit verklempt. ;)</div>
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Selfies, selfies, selfies. No one was taking any in this picture... But I know they were planning them!! ;)</div>
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There were also orange trees!!!</div>
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We were still a bit jet lagged and it was fairly hot out. We hopped back into a tuk tuk-- which, by the way, is like riding in the crazy bus from Harry Potter. The chaos of the traffic, weaving in and out, the continuous honking... It was exhilirating! I loved it!! We finally made our way back to our part of town. I like this picture... all the reflections of people's faces. </div>
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We at lunch at a place that felt very LA- ha! </div>
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Contemporary, sleek... We were definitely in a bigger city. :)</div>
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It was delicious!!</div>
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These are our 'after dinner mints.' They're silver painted cardamom balls. I ate one. They are <i>super </i>intense. And interesting. And now that I know that, I never need to eat one again. Yay!!!</div>
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This was our hotel the first couple of nights. It took great convincing to get our driver to believe this is where we were staying. But finally, very late at night, the man inside sleeping on the cot on the floor, got up and turned the light on when we called, and let us in. They opened this great big archaic looking book and we had to 'sign in' and write where we were from, the length of our stay, our address, etc. This happened everywhere we went. They took photocopies of our passports. In our technological age, even when everyone has a smartphone, this kind of 'paperwork' is astonishing.</div>
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Before catching the train to Agra, we strolled around our neighborhood.</div>
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It is just thrilling to be able to take pictures some place I've never been! Always looking for a new way of seeing something, or looking for the thing or the moment that is special...<br />
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You never know when magic is going to happen!</div>
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Like a chance at winning the lottery everywhere you look!</div>
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And I miss it!</div>
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These two wing nuts are almost on their way home!</div>
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Random thought: I can't wait to revamp this blog! When the wedding is over, I'm probably going to go over to Wordpress and start a different blog. This one has served me for many years and holds many memories but I've changed. It started off as a 'cooking what scares me' blog and that was 12,000 years ago. It is something else. I am something else. We'll see!</div>
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Kitty!!!</div>
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Boys playing in the park.</div>
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I loved seeing how another part of the world lives.</div>
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To see how we are different but the same.</div>
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Most of us use dryers.</div>
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They have balconies.</div>
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Just a regular street.</div>
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Regular traffic.</div>
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Ladies hanging outside of a store...</div>
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And scooters galore! </div>
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I don't see too many of these in the States.</div>
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A woman cleaning...</div>
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More scooters...</div>
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How soon after the wedding do you think Lliam will be okay with me traveling again???</div>
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In Travelandia dream world...</div>
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Mandi</div>
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-30699505556784296772016-03-26T16:10:00.000-07:002016-03-26T16:26:21.270-07:00Live From The Washington Democratic Caucus!<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"A horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible day for personal photography, but a great day for Washington democracy!" -MandiCrocker</blockquote>
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Today I went to my very first caucus! While I really didn't <i>feel </i>like going (I'd rather sleep in and eat donuts when I take a day off, who are we kidding), I left feeling a bit exhilarated and grateful we live in a country where we can hash things out. Especially on a candidate level, you really know that your vote counts for something. It's hard to feel that way about politics most of the time. It was also great to meet more people from the community! </div>
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My camera, so it seems, slept in and ate donuts. (It couldn't <i>possibly </i>be me). Every picture I took was blurry. For the most part, I've taken a majority of my photographs in natural lighting. I now realize what a dreamy scenario that is! In harsh gym & cafeteria fluorescent lighting? BARF. GAG. YACK. It was a caucusf*ck! </div>
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To zero my histogram, I had to crank my ISO all the way to Jupiter and reduce my shutter speed and increase my aperture. I played with it a bit and I just couldn't seem to make much progress. I brought my 35mm f/1.8. So maybe I should have used a different lens? When I switched out my wide angle, I think I had slightly better results because I could at least start at f/4. In other news, I could have hit a wrong menu button or something weird & for lack of experience, wouldn't even know. </div>
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All stuff that can be frustrating when you want good shots... But still fun!!! Like-- 'as fun as eating donuts' fun. That says a LOT about how much I'm loving this. Because we don't have any photography classes out here (not to mention Sensai Stacy doesn't live here in Washington anymore, sad face!!!), I bought some photography books online and am patiently awaiting their arrival... SO EXCITED!!! There's a wealth of information online but I don't always want to be staring at my computer screen. </div>
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With all that said, the caucus was really interesting...</div>
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I arrived early.</div>
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All of the volunteers deserve a round of applause!</div>
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It filled up fast and ended up being </div>
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a really good size turnout!!!</div>
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Bernie supporters... </div>
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LOVE THE BAG.</div>
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BLURRY. </div>
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UGH.</div>
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Everyone filled out their forms...</div>
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They put us in the cafeteria for announcements...<br />
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And the pledge of allegience! I'm so bummed this picture is blurry. But the blurriness is also kind of funny with the angle cause it looks like we're fighting for deli lunches. Ha!!! "In a war ravaged cafeteria, eaters unite..."</div>
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"YOU CAN'T TAKE OUR </div>
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TURKEY WITH MUSTARD!!!!"</div>
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It was soooo cool to see young people. They're always so passionate about the process. Cory, one of the local kids, actually stepped up to be our 'chair delegate.' (Excellent job, too, might I add!)</div>
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I love this picture... </div>
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Actually I really just love this little chunker!</div>
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All generations... so cool. :)</div>
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After they split us up into our precincts, </div>
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we did an initial tally. </div>
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Then, folks got three minutes per person (if they wanted) to talk about why they believed in their candidate. We all had places to be but it was inspiring to know that people were there because they really cared about something. Knowing that everyone got a chance to speak from their heart about who they were passionate about and why, made it feel like your voice mattered. It was also just being a part of a community. I got to hear from doctors and youth and neighbors about how the issues of the day affect their life in a day to day way. Really neat and educating!</div>
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After the opinions and rebuttals, we did a final tally.</div>
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In our precinct, it was 19-9 in favor of Bernie. We only get two delegates in Mazama, so I think they each ended up with one.</div>
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When I left, the overall tally so far was 30-4 in favor of Bernie. With 39% reporting at this moment, statewide, it's 3 to 1 in favor of The Bern. We came. We saw. We caucused. ;)</div>
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Even though I consider myself an independent and I registered Democrat specifically to vote for Bernie, as a community we were united on one front, however... ANYONE BUT TRUMP. It's gonna be a long year...</div>
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Fingers crossed,</div>
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Mandi</div>
MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-92206377119451760402016-03-21T12:02:00.002-07:002016-03-21T12:02:51.164-07:00Delhi, Day One Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has taken me approximately eight days to want to go back to India. I was planning my next trip while enjoying this first one but by the end of my ten days there, I had such an intense desire to be home for a variety of reasons, I was a little nervous maybe I didn't want to return!</div>
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Once Stacy started posting about Shimla, however, going up north to the mountains, the cold, the rituals, the Ganges, it was all over. The reason I was initially drawn to India was for the north. Teachers I worked with in L.A. used to take students to Rishikesh on mediation retreats. The Ganges is considered a holy river and didn't Elizabeth Gilbert walk on water at an ashram up there or something? I can't remember. ;) PLUS my love of the mountains? Monks, PLEEEEASE. So ONE trip to the north it is! </div>
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BUT THEN... Jamie, Stacy's friend that I got to meet on this trip (now my friend- yay!!!), would love to go back South and eventually drive up the coast. I'd also love to hit Goa and see Mumbai. Prior to this trip, Lliam and I had watched a travel show about the spices grown in the south and the culture there. Beautiful and fascinating. Spending time with the elephants was such an amazing experience, I'd love to see other wildlife in the country! Riding camels? Visiting Bengal tigers? I shudder! :) My honey would love it!!! What I'm trying to say is that there are at least TWO trips I'll be making to India in the future. Maybe four... </div>
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...to eight. ;)</div>
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It will be a while before I can return-- its currently all wedding, all the time around here and the expenses associated with it. But with a ten year visa, it would be a major travesty to not visit again, right!??? :) :) :)</div>
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But let's continue our tour of this trip, shall we? Cause it was the best first trip a girl could ask for! Click to enlarge... </div>
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Prior to visiting The Complex, we continued to relax and catch our breath wandering through the streets of Hauz Khas. I saw this girl's dress from a block away and had to take a picture. Super cute! Westernized fashion in Delhi, for sure.</div>
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The power lines in India are pretty nuts. They hang everywhere and every which way, and there are a LOT of them. I'm surprised these bigger cities haven't burned to the ground yet. I'm NOT surprised there are power outages almost every day- ha!</div>
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We walked through the city's little side streets full of shops and came upon this. Thought it was cool. It's not raised form the wall, just how it's painted. :)</div>
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Loved where the light fell here... </div>
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I actually really like this picture!</div>
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We quickly visited an art gallery... pretty neat! Interesting to see the work of other artists that live on the other side of the planet. Such pretty flowers outside... lots of bright fuchsia ones like we had in Pasadena!</div>
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I bought a pink sari. </div>
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I <i>definitely</i> plan to garden in it. </div>
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I like this picture, too. Walking down another street I noticed this group of men, some military training facility? I loved the contrasting colors and how the men are sort of framed by the gate. </div>
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Friend of the tuk-tuk driver having a little nap!</div>
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Stacer and Lucas... :)</div>
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Finally, we made our way into Deer Park. It was peaceful and relaxing. The harsh light, the air pollution, folks from all walks of life, the greenery and the brown dirt totally reminded me of the park on Tujunga in North Hollywood. Ha!</div>
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Loved this... </div>
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New sign for the garden?</div>
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I love these people!!!</div>
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There are stray dogs <i>everywhere </i>in India<i>. </i>Because there's garbage all over the city, it seems like the end up fending okay for themselves. They like their naps. :)</div>
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A classroom full of kids in the park.</div>
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More young girls and their selfies.</div>
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It's a selfie epidemic in Delhi!</div>
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Then we passed some folks getting some exercise the park.</div>
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Just all hanging out...</div>
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I imagine this is a little what China is like!</div>
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Look at this magnificent tree!!!</div>
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The trees in the park reminded me of Hawaii. :)</div>
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Swans and duckies!!!</div>
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This kid was peddling snacks and water around the park. These kids are always hustling!</div>
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Lucas bought a soda.</div>
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Probably for three U.S. cents.</div>
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It's crazy to think.</div>
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Not a great picture but I loved the gnarled trees, the dogs napping and the couple in the light. They can't all be winners but they're certainly all memories. :)</div>
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Stray doggies having a siesta.</div>
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Kids playing cricket in the park. </div>
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I tried to get them to hold hands through telepathy but the force was strong with these two.</div>
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The lake in Deer Park.</div>
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By late afternoon, we required beverages and more relaxing. We went to a bar a few floors up with a beautiful view of the lake.</div>
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It was a really fantastic first day.</div>
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King Fisher beer... the one, the only.</div>
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And falafel!</div>
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On our way back home, some young boys...</div>
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Also, a dance class in progress...</div>
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In the park??? Cool. :)</div>
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I was too tired the night before to assess the hotel situation. But with a bit more rest, you're able to look around and take in what you're actually sleeping in and sleeping on. Ha! They don't have mattresses like we do in the States (at least not where we stayed). Instead, they're packed straw mats. They're really hard! They typically only give you one sheet and a comforter. The sheets are not bleached so they're stained... <i>maaaaaybe</i> sometimes not even washed at all? I don't know, man. Hairs. And the comforter was super dirty and definitely not washed. In a very long time. But with no expectations, it's India, you go with the flow, you're grateful for what you have and you sleep in somebody's hair and live to die hard another day!</div>
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I also found this fascinating... There are 12,000 different knobs on every light switch. And about 26,000 different outlets on every wall. It's a fantastic adventure figuring out which ones work at all and which one flips on what you need. I also felt like my computer was going to power surge and explode at any minute because the adapters fit so loosely in the sockets. </div>
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This is a pretty typical bathroom in India! It's basically a shower stall with a toilet and sink in it. There is a drain in the floor. This means that everything gets wet, even the untiled bathroom door. Also the reason why the bathroom always smells a bit like rot or mildew.</div>
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Well, that concludes our Day One adventures of Delhi! But like my honey said, you should never finish a blog with a picture of a toilet- ha! </div>
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So let's also welcome Spring to Mazama!</div>
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The girls are starting to venture out more and more.</div>
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Hopefully they'll start laying eggs again!!</div>
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I love traveling but I'm always happy to come home!</div>
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Playing with the micro lens...</div>
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Snow melting!!!</div>
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Spring Equinox Mazama style... </div>
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Wishing everyone delightful, air freshened bathrooms and planned Spring adventures... :)</div>
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Mandi</div>
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-5635178151807230462016-03-19T17:07:00.000-07:002016-03-19T17:14:09.785-07:00Delhi Day One, Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Coming back home to Mazama which is still full of winter and snowy mountains, my trip to India feels like some crazy dream. Like it never happened... Like I ate the wrong mushrooms and took a long nap. So much a dream, in fact, that the past four nights my dreams have taken place in India. They've been crazy! Stacer says India feels like traveling to a parallel universe. I can't help but agree! So before it all disappears, I'm going to share these photos and memories as best I can. </div>
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I flew into Delhi at some ungodly hour. Stacy and her hubby Lucas got there an hour or two earlier and they were waiting for me on the other side. Customs was iffy for a second because while I had double copies of passports, birth certificates, plane itineraries, credit cards, etc., I did NOT have the name and address of the hotel we were staying. </div>
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Somehow, I remembered researching Hotel Krishna for my visa application so I wrote that name on my custom's form and without the address, he let me pass. I was nervous and totally out of my element but fatigue sometimes works in your favor. Had he not let me pass, I probably would have forgotten Stacy was waiting for me altogether, snort-cried for a moment and would have proceeded to take a nap on the floor. I couldn't help but think that Stacy had traveled to India by herself last August, had to deal with newbie situations like this on her own and never had anybody waiting for her on the theoretical other side of customs. RESPECK!!!!</div>
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But I got through, we exchanged some cash and Yay, I'm in India!!! </div>
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We tried to sleep in the next day but it wasn't happening. Our very first morning, in a bit of a haze, we stumbled on this little cafe. Aside from vaccinations and visas, the dos and don't about toilet paper and water bottles, I had done VERY little research. Most of the reason was that I was working through the holiday season like a crazy person while trying to plan a wedding. The smaller part of that was just knowing I was going with seasoned travelers, I didn't have a whole lot of time... And quite frankly, I knew that to expect an Eat, Pray, Love-esque experience of India was only setting myself up for failure. Not to mention, limiting the possibility of what it <i>could</i> be...</div>
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I've also had my naive assumptions of other countries blown to smithereens in the past. I remember reading about a friend's adventures to Africa. They mentioned the remote tribal kids knew who Kobe Bryant was because the kids had satellite television. No bathroom or running water but satellite television. I remember some of the Lost Boys still stuck in Sudan had cell phones. So what do I know, right? I had no expectations about what India would be like or should be like, and I knew I would get the most 'experience' out of it that way.</div>
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But let's cut to the chase... This is just a long-winded way to tell you that after 20 hours of flying-- not expecting anything-- when this little cafe had cappuccino? I was STOKED. (You can take the baker away from the bakery with coffee but... something, something, something.)</div>
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Minutes after taking this picture below, we would discover a Starbucks half a block down. Hashtag Westernized! Delhi is the second largest city in the world sooooo... yeah. ;)</div>
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*click to enlarge*</div>
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This is Aloo Paratha. I can only describe them as to say that they are like potato quesadillas without cheese that taste like they're made with naan and angel wings. <i>Suuuuuuper </i>delicious. :) :) :)</div>
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From our window, we could see kids head off to school. One young boy was running around and climbing all over the cars. I could only think 'boys are boys everywhere, man!'</div>
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This is Stace and her honey Lucas. </div>
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They are terrific travel companions!</div>
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I can't believe THEY'RE STILL IN INDIA!</div>
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After breakfast, we leisurely strolled through the streets. We were in the Hauz Khas village area of Delhi. It's full of art galleries and bars and shops. The clothes everywhere in India were gorgeous. I ADORE VIBRANT COLOR and India is full to the brim with it!</div>
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We then strolled into the Hauz Khas Complex. According to Wikipedia, it is home to a water tank, an Islamic seminary, a tomb, a mosque, pavilions... I was so friggin' out of it, there was no history lesson happening that day. ;)</div>
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Despite the fatigue, I was so psyched to be in India, to have my camera, to be traveling with a photographer, to have the memories... I seriously took pictures of <i>everything. </i></div>
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This is Stacy!!!</div>
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She is my everything!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx39yRBrG6ow9WPM6tnBw338J2TWlnn8boua9FQzSHGEe0tf_SRUSQGgctdc6UkJe7bVVHXKjO5YHjEDJxeN60czDJIdA3YkJOSVkyVSph1d-PqadNTA8ubxBAjqyqkPOKC0rxA/s1600/DSC_1229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx39yRBrG6ow9WPM6tnBw338J2TWlnn8boua9FQzSHGEe0tf_SRUSQGgctdc6UkJe7bVVHXKjO5YHjEDJxeN60czDJIdA3YkJOSVkyVSph1d-PqadNTA8ubxBAjqyqkPOKC0rxA/s320/DSC_1229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I pretty much shot non-stop for the entire time we were there. These pictures, taken on the first day of our trip, feel very weird to me now. Stace talked me though so much, <i>taught me so much</i>, I feel like in just a week's time, I was taking better shots. It could also be that this wannabe photographer was different... so she was <i>seeing things</i> differently... Oooh, deep. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGcngeVyj0aLKPDJstulM8cxbFUlqKWJcbDbgfeupjbn23wws3FaFMOJbP3tOck54Rz-5MR1Ep4-GP4EUPAC7sBjW4SxqL364QKwJh1MxvbED3XTW6RIS5oowZHnD_XA_tsK_bA/s1600/DSC_1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGcngeVyj0aLKPDJstulM8cxbFUlqKWJcbDbgfeupjbn23wws3FaFMOJbP3tOck54Rz-5MR1Ep4-GP4EUPAC7sBjW4SxqL364QKwJh1MxvbED3XTW6RIS5oowZHnD_XA_tsK_bA/s320/DSC_1231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had been reading a lot online about framing and light. Soooo, pretty much if something felt <i>remotely </i>framed or there was <i>any</i> kind of light, I was taking pictures. Ha! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9p4J-7Bce_1r8tGFvTDvCYsh7JOYhLZ_9kMU8W8dRMqWjRgLPAWcQM2DxL5DJbCqj5Lr56GfDsdbmbsnIaFy6g0c69MIV-RyXyt19vbiKyUysSceVjZ26sfv6FII9tiurY8icNA/s1600/DSC_1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9p4J-7Bce_1r8tGFvTDvCYsh7JOYhLZ_9kMU8W8dRMqWjRgLPAWcQM2DxL5DJbCqj5Lr56GfDsdbmbsnIaFy6g0c69MIV-RyXyt19vbiKyUysSceVjZ26sfv6FII9tiurY8icNA/s320/DSC_1233.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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I honestly don't know if I would have enjoyed India as much if I didn't have my camera. Part of the tremendous experience of it all was getting to play photographer. Having wanted to get into it for so long, it was just utter joy to do so many things that I loved at the same time! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtU3bUBQXlL5TkaSrKZlwDksuF5mproglUUZc_mNMo45b2TxqP8YQTn6iIJinSuuTlCzHHwKuczS8hjSQd4Lf-nYgxB62uxU8j-zgP1D8TVMqaAwnEZlWW7KmRMxnN6OR9AKUKQ/s1600/DSC_1234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtU3bUBQXlL5TkaSrKZlwDksuF5mproglUUZc_mNMo45b2TxqP8YQTn6iIJinSuuTlCzHHwKuczS8hjSQd4Lf-nYgxB62uxU8j-zgP1D8TVMqaAwnEZlWW7KmRMxnN6OR9AKUKQ/s320/DSC_1234.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Food, travel, experiencing new things...</div>
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I was seriously in HEAVEN.</div>
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Click, click, click...</div>
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HASHTAG SQUIRREL!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3AgKu9LyRPf469yHO73ds3MnTN86dQH4QaAYAHRLr4qso-mYr89ME9crcZYgIynJ-QkVBSTubvvaQ2omZQc3x9bh2HxdAz-N359aVlpotNN6JTqJ8ShQetEmzpvEMvIUvFnjzA/s1600/DSC_1238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3AgKu9LyRPf469yHO73ds3MnTN86dQH4QaAYAHRLr4qso-mYr89ME9crcZYgIynJ-QkVBSTubvvaQ2omZQc3x9bh2HxdAz-N359aVlpotNN6JTqJ8ShQetEmzpvEMvIUvFnjzA/s320/DSC_1238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And despite my love of performing and years in comedy, when I'm out of my element or meeting new people, I'm actually a very shy and quiet person. It takes me a while to feel comfortable. For whatever reason, the camera makes it so much easier for me to talk to people. I loved that the camera brought out a different side of me! It also might help that so many Indians wanted their picture taken. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSkLdIN2hkYDXAQoZWzQyKfuxJPPqqgLTTdSqL9hFfjn8x9foNEX1Z6qbX_njilmgyRCLodiJGwjU-S5v8c86DaJGRCehxxC-oe-nGYG8BrPY2IJiQqTRM4RY16YiuRkhS8GjzA/s1600/DSC_1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSkLdIN2hkYDXAQoZWzQyKfuxJPPqqgLTTdSqL9hFfjn8x9foNEX1Z6qbX_njilmgyRCLodiJGwjU-S5v8c86DaJGRCehxxC-oe-nGYG8BrPY2IJiQqTRM4RY16YiuRkhS8GjzA/s320/DSC_1243.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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So many queens in Delhi taking selfies...</div>
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EVERYWHERE. :)</div>
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These are a couple of the pavilions... </div>
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Lots of beautiful old architecture in India... It's pretty inspired. Architecture in the States only goes back so far, know what I'm saying?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvv9N0ttNdTyr2o0mcsrr-xC1xzIaMf7WczsTy87yDVO19tinhOwm3EfWKLY6q4FqbUssQaqY2a34lFGxbKbu8tAMA0YDzADHynGx7SiE7Wx3zkoxZjHj6PvYBJ6335HwGOvZ3A/s1600/DSC_1248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvv9N0ttNdTyr2o0mcsrr-xC1xzIaMf7WczsTy87yDVO19tinhOwm3EfWKLY6q4FqbUssQaqY2a34lFGxbKbu8tAMA0YDzADHynGx7SiE7Wx3zkoxZjHj6PvYBJ6335HwGOvZ3A/s320/DSC_1248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the Madrassa... It was established in 1352. No big. It was 'one of the leading institutions of Islamic learning in the Delhi Sultanate. It was also considered the largest and best equipped Islamic seminary anywhere in the world.' It definitely felt like a campus!</div>
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Get to class, slackers!!!</div>
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It was well tended by royalty for a while...</div>
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But you know how those dynasty things go... </div>
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They were filming a movie there that day!</div>
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You can take the LA girl to India but...</div>
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something, something, something.</div>
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This couple was talking at the top of these stairs for a while. Then she got up and left. In this shot, it kind of look like he proposed and she wasn't having it... Ha! Hope that's not the case... She probably just wanted a cappuccino!!</div>
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Now behind me is this lake. It really is green!</div>
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HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY FROM INDIA!!!</div>
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We made our way out of the ruins and continued through to Deer Park. And yes, they really have deer! (You can take the girl out of Mazama but... something, something, something.) Anyway! I'll share more during the next blog. THIS is why Stacy takes one and a half pictures a day. Cause sharing them with family and friends is like 12,000 blogs long. Oy to the namaste vey!</div>
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Seasoned world traveler that wouldn't dream of having a phone without an international plan AND hotel addresses for every city and maps for tuk tuk drivers that don't know where they're going in every pocket at all times,</div>
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Mandi :)</div>
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-90753788330368601132016-03-12T07:21:00.000-08:002016-03-12T07:28:16.868-08:00Portraits From IndiaIndia... I've been staring at this screen for quite a while. How on earth do you put it into words?<br />
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There is a part of me that would like to shelve the whole experience for three months (or 85 years) to decompress and process my time there. The other half of me acknowledges that the vivid pictures and feelings I experienced there begin to slip away each day I'm back home, which makes me determined to put what I can into writing.<br />
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India is the ultimate dichotomy. It <i>is </i>everything so it leaves you <i>feeling everything. </i> It <i>fills you</i> with everything. It is dirty. It is beautiful. It is different. It is the same. India is drowned in hardship and it shows on thick toenails and calloused, bloated feet. It is also vivid with motion, color, sounds and smells that leave you feeling exhilarated and breathless.<br />
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At one point I was riding an elephant as the sun was setting (I can actually say that) and tears began to flood my cheeks. I had never been so grateful for my life. I had never felt so alive or in such gratitude for everything I was experiencing. I had never felt so whole or complete. Everything that resonates in my bones was in that moment in India. Travel, adventure, doing what scares you, color, culture, people, reality, connectedness with animals and nature, connectedness with other parts of humanity, the differences, the same-ness, the search for what's true...<br />
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Talking with Stacy, part of that is the obvious adventure-- the scary and thrilling first time world traveller experience. The other part, for me, was having my camera. It felt like being cracked open. I was so excited to shoot I couldn't sleep at night. To me, photography is a practice of being in constant gratitude. You're always looking for color, composition, lighting, etc. When you're always looking for beauty, humanity, a special moment, etc. it feels virtually impossible to not be grounded in gratitude. These are moments I would typically miss or would have taken for granted. And then to capture it? Such a gift! There's an exchange of humanity there. And an exchange of respect. It's humbling. It's a teacher. And then you get to share it-- so the gift just keeps on giving.<br />
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In the coming weeks, I will be doing a daily run down of our time in India but for today, I just wanted to share some of the portraits I got to take while I was there. I am so grateful for each of these people and what they shared with me. It truly was an incredible experience. These people were lovely and they humbled me.<br />
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A merchant-ess. I bought a wok from her!</div>
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A sweet mother and her son...</div>
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These girls from Agra were an entire cast of characters.</div>
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One of my favorite memories of the trip I'll blog about later.</div>
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A sugarcane presser...</div>
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A taxi driver... he wanted me to take his picture.</div>
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A lot of people wanted their picture taken in India!</div>
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The old woman with glasses...</div>
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He was frying corn for some kind of fritter...</div>
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These sweet girls at the train station.</div>
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He was also a sugarcane presser, I believe.</div>
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(They press the sugarcane to make a milky drink out of it) </div>
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This sweet and handsome school boy was hanging</div>
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out in the markets of Jaipur.</div>
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One of the merchants.</div>
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Loooooove his smile!!!</div>
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These four guys were at the train station all dressed</div>
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in various shades of red. Men are very affectionate in India.</div>
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They all hold hands and aren't afraid of showing</div>
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their feelings for each other. Fascinating.</div>
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The Peacock Man. </div>
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I bought one of his lovely fans but it got damaged</div>
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on the return trip. </div>
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The Doorman to a bakery...</div>
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It's the strangest thing... The best time of my life followed by the most intense gratitude for being home. Until I head back to work tomorrow, I'm soaking up my honey, The Small Dog, the quiet and this beautiful place I live in!<br />
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Namastes full of elephant kisses,<br />
Mandi<br />
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-6534634714220607372016-02-24T19:57:00.000-08:002016-02-24T20:00:10.792-08:00Color Challenge SubmissionsWith only three days to go before I board a plane for India, I wanted to take a moment in all the last minute scrambling to share my final <a href="http://www.mandicrocker.blogspot.com/2016/02/shooting-for-india.html" target="_blank">Color Challenge</a> submissions with you. I'm fairly certain that once I come back, I'm not going to be thinking about these photos at all. ;)<br />
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RED.</div>
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ORANGE</div>
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YELLOW</div>
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GREEN</div>
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BLUE</div>
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PURPLE</div>
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This final photo isn't a part of the submission. The light in the kitchen was really neat and I wanted to see how I could capture it. I have to say photography is the new baking for me. I find myself spending hours online pouring over information that will help me become a better photographer, let alone be able to call myself a photographer at all! I've always viewed the world differently when I've taken pictures, but it has become a bit of a mad obsession with this camera. I stay up way past my bedtime, nearly run the car off the road when I see a shot out of the corner of my eye... </div>
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I truly cannot wait to see India through my eyes, through my heart and through the lens....</div>
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Three days. Terrifying and thrilling!</div>
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Click... Click... </div>
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Mandi</div>
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MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-71577682555722670852016-02-18T16:23:00.000-08:002016-02-18T16:23:09.800-08:00Color Challenge DudsIt is hard to believe that in just nine days my honey will be dropping me off at the airport for a two week adventure in India. I'm going with no expectation-- only open-ness to experiencing it. I could love it. I might hate it. I will most likely laugh. I will most definitely cry. I might experience all of those things in the same three seconds and then eat some curry or ride an elephant! Being open is the only plan. I'm beyond excited, intrigued and totally terrified!!!<br />
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It's been good to play with my camera and take my mind off of the fear! Instead, I committed to finishing my <a href="http://www.mandicrocker.blogspot.com/2016/02/shooting-for-india.html" target="_blank">Color Challenge</a> and these are the duds I am NOT submitting to my friend Stacy. (The pictures don't know about the challenge, I don't want to hurt their feelings).<br />
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Yes, we still have our tree outside. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X55HtZWBb0_2I__9WeCF8fCeOZmK-be3q3y2spp5aUlv5Mv5rc9zoJiBgRf70Y2bMe_N6rgSgQtU6PsmCSwJ0M6pH1RHMeyhB1lQB1mxCyht8udB3oq2VOBgATrv_SLNnQ8AEg/s1600/DSC_0881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X55HtZWBb0_2I__9WeCF8fCeOZmK-be3q3y2spp5aUlv5Mv5rc9zoJiBgRf70Y2bMe_N6rgSgQtU6PsmCSwJ0M6pH1RHMeyhB1lQB1mxCyht8udB3oq2VOBgATrv_SLNnQ8AEg/s320/DSC_0881.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our sweet girl!!!</div>
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If it was a CUTE Challenge, well... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6DG_T23baJ-ULH1n451XBz3FnQWjAfB_qYloIDV2fu3RUZV7WyZFcUVTYzBENXIn4aVQMzqF3-UOtzNog6Y6Tu94jy0V7_5iVnyHkrwWhWCc55m-M21UODZ9c_QVfBPkrF-4MQ/s1600/DSC_0888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6DG_T23baJ-ULH1n451XBz3FnQWjAfB_qYloIDV2fu3RUZV7WyZFcUVTYzBENXIn4aVQMzqF3-UOtzNog6Y6Tu94jy0V7_5iVnyHkrwWhWCc55m-M21UODZ9c_QVfBPkrF-4MQ/s320/DSC_0888.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A potential 'Blue Submission.' I submitted another angle that I felt was less busy and made the blue in the picture more prominent. I love the crazier angle and the lines but wasn't sure if it was too busy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_LNodDfmhYpoRGgpVJcs4i2C9QJe6jDCRUF2dOoQU-fqJ2qWGhqSFRlrRazd2g5R4g5_KyiFoTUASK6eZcvkdpY_7hNXo39Y-y5uXgKX9Inas6WDOHJiJW25zf8gC5z2bdHx7A/s1600/DSC_0921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_LNodDfmhYpoRGgpVJcs4i2C9QJe6jDCRUF2dOoQU-fqJ2qWGhqSFRlrRazd2g5R4g5_KyiFoTUASK6eZcvkdpY_7hNXo39Y-y5uXgKX9Inas6WDOHJiJW25zf8gC5z2bdHx7A/s320/DSC_0921.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just trying to find some color...</div>
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We had a ton of snow in Lost River but it's melting quickly!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzhKRyxRD74l8i7ILh54uVrSEJuh1YGEqkAMcSpIW6GIUScYax3OkzxKqM97vfpB8mnobeZe9EZbPewWnFhTjQPQciPdFT3qjDvZV9QoigE6YGeF1bNMkcCy_41-4Po0msYjl_w/s1600/DSC_1061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzhKRyxRD74l8i7ILh54uVrSEJuh1YGEqkAMcSpIW6GIUScYax3OkzxKqM97vfpB8mnobeZe9EZbPewWnFhTjQPQciPdFT3qjDvZV9QoigE6YGeF1bNMkcCy_41-4Po0msYjl_w/s320/DSC_1061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Yellow submission that never made it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGnDk_A4yxP9_Z2fqBpZFhD7o8Z3OWr7gNjY0ZJ8BSJnGCbhmtx4QHIZlTDexpwJWwhuJZqhfjxV6ao-PasiJuVYpNh1ZaU2vZwX_t6397pVT8UIZfBmTL55GiKINhPZt0cQipg/s1600/DSC_1012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGnDk_A4yxP9_Z2fqBpZFhD7o8Z3OWr7gNjY0ZJ8BSJnGCbhmtx4QHIZlTDexpwJWwhuJZqhfjxV6ao-PasiJuVYpNh1ZaU2vZwX_t6397pVT8UIZfBmTL55GiKINhPZt0cQipg/s320/DSC_1012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Look at this dog's talons! </div>
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Imagine you're relaxing, reading a book... And BAM!</div>
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She jumps onto your gut with those things.</div>
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So painful but those little paws are the cutest.</div>
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:) :) :)</div>
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In winter it's hard to find orange in Lost River, dude.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFloCh5GJ5Rt9joMgOGFwT6K0uDPVdZv_4gMQ70fG5vikhwo1cTLTzUI_cSXOVp7uWgvcD7IVWy6Txdi8AKDSoJldulGW1aiwtWyo2fjqYM2hSZINAuOl2qMvbaoAZHZYTu006pA/s1600/DSC_1022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFloCh5GJ5Rt9joMgOGFwT6K0uDPVdZv_4gMQ70fG5vikhwo1cTLTzUI_cSXOVp7uWgvcD7IVWy6Txdi8AKDSoJldulGW1aiwtWyo2fjqYM2hSZINAuOl2qMvbaoAZHZYTu006pA/s320/DSC_1022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was some cool lookin' ice!</div>
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By the end of the day, I was pretty tuckered out. I tried to get a picture of this tree because it looks like an umbrella. I kinda slipped into the snowbank and decided it was just best at this point to lay down. That's when this crazy dog jumps up onto the snowbank and puts herself right in my shot.</div>
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And then, like mom, she decided to take a breather.</div>
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I could not find a lick of purple anywhere...</div>
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Until I got home and realized I had purple socks on.</div>
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And that apparently I tend to have purple socks on.</div>
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And that I also leave messes.</div>
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Folks, I submitted the photos for the Color Challenge to Stacy! Psyched to hear what she says and learn more! I know there's so much I'm not thinking about that she'll be able to point out. At some point, I'll post them. I hope you enjoy your week... I'm going to try not to freak out as the ultimate countdown continues to lower itself over me... Nine days. :)<br />
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NINE DAYS!!??? <br />
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Mandi<br />
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-8086990559348398412016-02-08T09:17:00.001-08:002016-02-08T09:26:59.386-08:00Shooting For IndiaDid I mention I am going to India?<br />
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After all of the mental worry about the cost and seemingly selfish aspects of a potential trip to India-- especially before a wedding, my friend and fellow adventurer, <a href="http://www.staceyosterman.com/" target="_blank">Stacey Osterman,</a> took the decision making process away from me. Such a nice thing for a tormented Libra! In an unfathomable great act of kindness, this fellow wild heart used her airline miles to purchase a ticket for me. There's more to it than that but I'll just leave it at this... She's friggin' AWESOME, dude. <br />
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She has taken the reigns on every aspect of our trip, something my vaccinated, visa dredged and wedding fried brain is incredibly grateful for! We'll be visiting the Golden Triangle area which will include a few days in Delhi, Agra (home to The Taj Mahal), Jaipur (the pink city!), Jodphur (the blue city!) and we'll spend time in Rajasthan to visit an orphanage there. Occasionally she throws out words like 'cooking class' or 'riding elephants' and my little grinch heart grows three sizes!!!<br />
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By clicking on the link above, you'll find that Stacey is an accomplished photographer. Having recently purchased a Nikon D7000 for myself, we're both <i>very </i>excited to experience the heart of these cities and see what we can capture digitally. Unlike Stacey, I did not go to photography school. Instead, I purchased an overwhelming camera that is going to take me years to learn because it was an amazing deal. Ha! With that said, I need help and LOTS of it!<br />
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I mentioned to her that everything here is eight feet of WHITE right now and how India, in comparison, couldn't be a richer sea of vibrant COLOR. Not to mention the nearest photography school or class is probably 12,000 miles from our little hamlet in the mountains. How could I possibly prepare for this technically and creatively? Stacey, the patient teacher (which I keep forgetting to mention to her might be an inspired career path) has given me a photography challenge! <br />
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THE COLOR CHALLENGE!<br />
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The assignment is to take and submit one picture for every color of the rainbow. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, etc. What fun!!! When it comes to creative projects, I'm much more focused when I have an assignment. Endless possibility in life is great! Endless possibility in art makes my head spin into space and the only art I have to show for it is the remnants of a two day maple bacon biscuit binge creatively displayed on my hips. Yay!!! <br />
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So here are some of the photos I took when I was out on this challenge. These photos are NOT my submissions but rather some extra photos. They're also the duds I'm not submitting. Because you're worth it. ;)<br />
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This is our fence to the Chicken Coop.</div>
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The snow has reached the top!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_W9nkwi7mJlzWNYSmYIEpd7CEW102dVOg8I0Kch_KntLTy5P-0Z4Q-V6CeykwqkbQnJGEdfXuCMn2TWP9SY9YMqANVoXWDv5X_cP7CvOHzT7x8pCNavxfHQVZA0jQf0sjsfOcA/s1600/DSC_0794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_W9nkwi7mJlzWNYSmYIEpd7CEW102dVOg8I0Kch_KntLTy5P-0Z4Q-V6CeykwqkbQnJGEdfXuCMn2TWP9SY9YMqANVoXWDv5X_cP7CvOHzT7x8pCNavxfHQVZA0jQf0sjsfOcA/s320/DSC_0794.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I bought these little mini cups at work.</div>
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I just can't get over how cute they are...</div>
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The perfect (and cutest!!!) buttered rum mugs.</div>
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Lliam says he doesn't enjoy this picture because</div>
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there's too much 'Spring' in it. </div>
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#snowmobilerproblems</div>
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Winter is beautiful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_hq5wm4dDLhN4wWlAP4bfx05luyosKaiko_b6qo9noTNAIlCSnwy7JCC0O0z6k36VtAlVrXZ-m0-h_5qJk9Da2BsvsDuYKmmbuYKv1DuFHG9ukbguQjuPkACpJC2CZtEz1PlCw/s1600/DSC_0830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_hq5wm4dDLhN4wWlAP4bfx05luyosKaiko_b6qo9noTNAIlCSnwy7JCC0O0z6k36VtAlVrXZ-m0-h_5qJk9Da2BsvsDuYKmmbuYKv1DuFHG9ukbguQjuPkACpJC2CZtEz1PlCw/s320/DSC_0830.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There isn't really any composition to this... </div>
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I purposely overexposed it... </div>
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But she's just so cute I had to... </div>
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Look at her little nose freckles.</div>
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:) :) :) :) :) :)</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">This is the inside of 'The Beast!' </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Lliam built this 3/4 ton Dodge truck to working </span><span style="text-align: justify;">condition for me </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">so I can get to work safely </span><span style="text-align: justify;">when it snows. It's a TANK. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I could run over children and wouldn't know it! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Um... I might have.</span></div>
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This was <i>almost</i> the red submission but I know if it's too</div>
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underexposed/dark/lightproblemthingy? </div>
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There's little light but I really like where that little </div>
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light falls. That's what makes it interesting to me?</div>
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I don't know. Ha!</div>
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I really need to put our Christmas decorations away.</div>
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In the meantime...</div>
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This is the first time I've played around with the</div>
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Tokina 12-24 lens that came with the camera.</div>
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A new favorite!</div>
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Hannah Honda looks like a sleek, new car </div>
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in black and white with a 12-24 lens! </div>
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You wouldn't even know that her front right splash</div>
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guard fell off and I ran over it in the dark!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TyAgaDg659uPUktU8YfCHLE_8BMH25DDl13JmUFok08rSVEnvD8FWHgsiX_jJuCQG0qcBDSufUwj6YlalbteY80R8AMSuPpPP-wRTwOFpIQUBBzfhsnjML8m44Zn7-7p6ZeIpA/s1600/DSC_0855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TyAgaDg659uPUktU8YfCHLE_8BMH25DDl13JmUFok08rSVEnvD8FWHgsiX_jJuCQG0qcBDSufUwj6YlalbteY80R8AMSuPpPP-wRTwOFpIQUBBzfhsnjML8m44Zn7-7p6ZeIpA/s320/DSC_0855.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Just playing with this lens to see what it looks like... </div>
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Didn't plan on taking the 12-24 to India but knowing </div>
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we'll be visiting so many structurally beautiful </div>
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places, I think I'll kick myself if I don't!</div>
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Our beloved Chicken Coop just totally overwhelmed</div>
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in snow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzow3qg9bWOF8YVB6sxmRURqmjFCvGujusUIhOspMl-VjFQDJMN6k3tNM4m0HdOqIuTeTzj1zTKDOSk8PY1Uy5Gc2v18HeQBCKIsw73lKVQSH0yAFsNV0cAWE4qd0THG5vAbhXdg/s1600/DSC_0791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzow3qg9bWOF8YVB6sxmRURqmjFCvGujusUIhOspMl-VjFQDJMN6k3tNM4m0HdOqIuTeTzj1zTKDOSk8PY1Uy5Gc2v18HeQBCKIsw73lKVQSH0yAFsNV0cAWE4qd0THG5vAbhXdg/s320/DSC_0791.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our spice drawer... EESH.</div>
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"Nothing says 'I need to dust' like a DSLR!"</div>
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-2016 Stepford Housewife Slogan</div>
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And that's it! On that note... I'm going to go dust. *snickers*<br />
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I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!<br />
20 days to India and counting... (Holy crap)...<br />
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Mandi<br />
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-71119770425984223632016-01-18T12:33:00.002-08:002016-01-18T12:49:08.091-08:00MockingMe: Catching BreathI like to pretend I'm Katniss Everdeen. I'm a fighter and perfect champion that is passionate about what is right. If I was just given a bow, I know I could propel myself to life-affirming greatness and, in my humble confidence, change the world!!! But in reality, some of that time, if not most, I am disappointing myself, apologizing for something careless I've said and am catching my breath rather than catching fire. <br />
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When I was in Chicago and re-starting life as I knew it, I was on a positivity bender. Working with some teachers in Los Angeles, I learned a lot about how our thoughts control our destiny. How what we think and feel can become reality. Simple and mind blowing. With this in mind, I went to the other extreme of madness. Everything was positive and inspirational and magical and "Hey guys!!!" with wide eyes and a big smile... and it was awesome! There is truth to that. I have brought some incredible stuff into my life by being positive and only expecting great things! I am grateful.</div>
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But I've also learned that there's a fine line between being positive and being grounded in reality. True positivity is grounded in love. It comes from a place of peace and love <i>within yourself</i>. (I have a <i>really</i> hard time loving myself). Positivity should never be threatening or demanding. It should never separate you from the world. There has to be compassion towards yourself and there really has to be compassion toward others. Positivity isn't something to sell. It's just a choice you can make. And it absolutely makes no one better than anyone else.</div>
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A few nights ago, my honey and I watched 'Inside Out' which I feel speaks to this tremendously. It is in our human-ness, in our utterly grand mistakes and sad feelings that we learn the trait of compassion and how to relate with others. That human-ness is beautiful. And I'm really glad that there is a kids movie that helps open the door to that conversation. Maybe it will allow my kids to know, at such a young age, what it took me till 37 to <i>begin</i> to discover. *fingers crossed*</div>
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This month I had my ass handed to me. We've had such great snow, the store has been slammed since before Christmas. I worked too hard, didn't take care of myself, ate crap, helped a friend with her chocolate business, computer died, had to get a new computer, but had to get my wedding invitations designed, had to do all this yesterday, had to download photoshop and other programs, wouldn't download, had to drive 15 miles to library one night, had to get help, had to print invites, had to assemble invites, had to get visa, had to print documents, had to get stamps for invites, had to send out invites, had to make vaccination appointments, had to drive to Wenatchee, cancelled trip to Wenatchee for bad weather, still busy at the store, working, working, working, going to India, new trip planned for Wenatchee and-- BAM! GOT SICK.</div>
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GOT SICK!?</div>
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Yup, <i>reeeeeal </i>good and sick. Out for the count. (Um, Katniss Everdeen is never out for the count). I was home an entire week. All of that overtime I was so happy to make, and the hours of my life I traded for it, became pretty pointless as it just went to pay for the days I was sick. Granted, I love to be of service to where I'm working but in hindsight, it felt so silly. Of course I'm not invincible. </div>
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And the 'fails' just continued! Once I was back at work, it was slow again at the store. So was my mind. I was still hazy from the whirlwind, the wheels still spinning like they hadn't forgiven me for not taking care of myself while having too much on my plate. In my absentminded lack of presence and grounding, I made biscuits without baking powder. Little dense pucks, not acceptable. A lot of them. A day later, for various reasons and in my absentminded lack of presence and grounding, I made a quiche that was <i>waaaaaay</i> too spicy. I mean, the local Burn Ban should have been in effect kind of hot. </div>
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Life is messy and I'm not perfect. (Um, I find that really annoying. It gets in the way of my belief that I'm Katniss Everdeen.) And dang it if there are not always consequences for that human-ness. BUT... the great but... is that life is also beautiful for it. The messiness is beautiful. The just 'sitting in the shit' is beautiful. And when these experiences happen that knock me on my ass, it helps me remember that I am, too. </div>
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I broke the quiche in half and crumbled each half into a bowl. I cut up the dense old biscuits, added extra egg filling and a ton of great cheese. I added a teaspoon of sugar to each and sweet red peppers to cut the heat, and long story short, I turned it into two pans of 'Chili Biscuit Strata.' Pastor Randy came up after enjoying a piece, fishing for the recipe. He said the spices were 'just perfect.' Ha! Gotta love it. But that's life, dude! </div>
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The bright side, because there is <i>always</i> a bright side (a choice I still very much believe in), while I was sick, I got to re-watch three seasons of Gilmore Girls (fun!) and got all of my wedding invitations done and sent. It took <i>way </i>longer than I thought it would so if I hadn't gotten sick, they probably wouldn't have gone out til March. I had the money from a few weeks of overtime to pay for the week I was sick. (Huge blessing!) I planned to start a new nutrition program when I got sick and regardless of getting sick, I started the program and have stuck to it, a pretty big deal for me! I also bought a bunch of new cookbooks because I'd like to work more with alternative flours as part of this lifestyle change. And also because alternative flours are fun, unique, a new challenge and can add great depth of flavor! #cookbookbender</div>
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In many ways I live a charmed life. I love my honey, love our little house, love baking... I have it all! That is the choice I make. But to say I don't have my days that are cloaked in oversensitivity, self righteousness, rage and loneliness, would be a terrible lie. Sometimes it's a really deep loneliness, missing family that have the same shared memories or friends that love the same things I do or always understand when I'm joking. Some days it's totally stupid, a childish rage I can't just order a pizza or stream Netflix. I'm learning to come to terms with the messiness because it's absolutely a part of who I am. But I'm also learning <i>that</i> part gets to be beautiful, too. I have a sneaky suspicion that this path leads to more love and compassion for others-- probably the path that <i>really</i> changes the world.<br />
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The Girl Who Has Quiche On Fire,</div>
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Mandi<br />
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MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-46239088142341167092015-12-30T17:08:00.002-08:002015-12-30T17:29:26.688-08:00THE WORST OF BETRAYALS Dear Sweetie,<br />
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As I type this, my stomach is turning. I've been in bed all afternoon utterly nauseous. I just can't believe it... I know where you are. I know who you're with. And I know what you're doing. <i>Your watching Star Wars</i> <i>without me.</i> There's really no other way to say it. <br />
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I have to be honest, I have never felt more betrayed. I know we never made plans to see it together, (though we talked of upcoming date nights), but I assumed we would go together. Foolishly, I was wrong. I'd like to say I'm being naive, I wish I was... but I've asked other people and everyone agrees-it's just what individuals that were born before 1980 and are in a relationship do together!???? <br />
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I just feel so stupid. Like a girl living in a My Little Pony fairytale, I dreamed we would go together. I dreamed we would drive down to Wenatchee in your Audi (we'd lovingly call it The Tauntaun) and reminisce about our favorite Star Wars moments. We'd share childhood memories of what Star Wars meant to us... How my dad back in the early 80's brought home a magic cardboard box that housed a VCR so we could watch it at home, how my sisters painted our pool inner tube with the words Millennium Falcon, or how they would braid my hair like Leia on Endor in Return of the Jedi. Intimately, I would share that sometimes when we're sitting together watching your car makeover shows, I daydream that you're Han Solo and I'm Leia, happily married and retired from the Rebellion. With the Imperial Fleet destroyed, we're finally able to think about kids. Sometimes wacky Uncle Luke stops by...<br />
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But NO. While I dreamed we would share a big bucket of popcorn and watch in wonder-- laughing, crying, experiencing Carrie, Harrison and Mark together, fully confident that JJ Abrams is a Jedi and would do it right, I was truly living in a dreamworld. I thought you knew me. <i>Really knew me. </i>But again... I was horribly wrong. You don't know me at all.<br />
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Instead, you're with 'our friend' Kurt. He was supposed to be the best man at our wedding. I just knew he would do something like this. He had to have known I would want to go with you but selfishly, he drove you to Wenatchee and called it 'a Christmas present' so you couldn't say no. Could you have said no? Do you have it in you? Is this the man that snuggles with me and tells me he loves me? Because what partner, again born before 1980, would do this to his future wife!??? What man, WITH THE HEART OF A JEDI, would do this??? <br />
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Well... the damage has been done. And if I'm being perfectly honest, I'm not quite sure it can ever be repaired. I know to the world, it is just a movie. But to me, it was the world. A world that your betrayal and disloyalty tarnished like a double crossing Lando. And if you're capable of THIS, how can I trust that you're going to wait for me to get home before watching the next disc of Fear The Walking Dead???? How do I know you'll actually DVR the next season and not just watch it live???? Will you even care if I watch it or will you just go straight to Kurts!?<br />
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I hope one day I'll be able to forgive you... But I know in my heart I could never forget. I hope you are happy. I do. I hope the movie was everything you and Kurt dreamed. But know that my hurt is beyond words. YOU have weakened the force in me. And I never would have thought that possible.<br />
I just hope it was worth it. <br />
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While I'm very angry, and probably will be for a great while, I still believe there is good in you. (I can feel it). I am also writing to tell you that when you come home, I'll be gone. Please don't try to contact me. I'm taking the good beer and The Small Dog. I'll be on Dagobah with Yoda, someone that truly loves me. I know he will help me find my inner Jedi again. He has before...<br />
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Mandi<br />
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P.S. If you bring home a pizza, I'll think about coming back home.MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-21040554745614437442015-12-28T08:46:00.001-08:002015-12-28T08:46:26.190-08:00New Year's Resolution: JoyNow that Christmas has come and gone, it is that time of year for new hopes, dreams and aspirations! For me, 2016 is already a game changer. I'm getting married in June and I'm going to India for two weeks in March. Huge stamps in my life passport! I'm so excited for next year and what it will mean to have family and friends at our big day, I can't imagine what else is in store that I DON'T know about!<br />
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Granted, there are LOTS of things I'm always <i>thinking</i> about and psyched to pursue... :)<br />
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1) Online photography classes.<br />
2) Work on a cookbook.<br />
3) Re-open my Etsy shop.<br />
4) Overhaul and rework this <i>tired</i> blog.<br />
5) Print some pictures and submit to hang work at the gallery here in town.<br />
6) Write something that really makes me proud.<br />
7) Take voice lessons with Seester<br />
8) Etc, etc, etc<br />
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But if I were to nail down a goal or intention for 2016, it would be JOY. Finding joy <i>everywhere</i> and in <i>everything. </i>That makes life fun! Being grateful. Living in the moment. Creating because I love it. Performing because I love it. Cultivating relationships that I really care about. Being open to opportunities that scare me. Being open to possibilities about myself that I didn't even know existed. <i>With absolutely no expectation in return.</i><br />
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Between wanting to be a working actor in LA and wanting my own business in Chicago, I have a tendency to 'drive' and 'accomplish myself' into burned out fatigue. It's not fun. Man, I had some serious expectations that led to some serious disappointments.<br />
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My jaw drops at the awareness that I manifested all the things I subconsciously ever wanted because I moved to the middle of nowhere for a <i>summer job</i> at a bakery. Am I famous? Am I loaded? Nooooo. :) But I only wanted fame and fortune for the financial freedom to be able to live creatively, have Christmas in the mountains and go on vacations! Ha! I already get to do that? What else do I need? (Okay, after the wedding, maybe a kitty... ) :)<br />
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So JOY is my 'goal' for the New Year. Lightening up and having a sense of humor. Not taking things so seriously. Pursuing other goals or areas because it's FUN not because it's a part of a plan or something else I've got cooked up.<br />
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On my way to help a friend make chocolates for her business (FUN!!!), I snapped a few pictures with the new camera. I finally got to research and play with the manual settings so the pictures here aren't taken on auto. It was a glorious day out that morning... The pictures aren't perfect but I had a blast taking them! Hope you can see a smidge of what I saw in the day. :)<br />
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What's new and important to you in 2016?<br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
MandiMandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-4380777198159048992015-11-30T09:30:00.002-08:002015-11-30T09:33:19.533-08:00America Runs On... Eggnog BreadWhen I was little there was something dreamy about a box of Dunkin' Donuts. Someone always brought them to special social gatherings or my family and I would have them on a lazy Sunday morning when my dad would sneak out to surprise us before we all woke up for church. Not only do I remember the donuts being quality but the munchkin boxes themselves were little works of art. The boxes had little mini elf bakers, what looked almost hand-painted on the sides, filling powdered puffs with jam or rolling dough in coconut. It was magical to a kid. <br />
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When I was in junior high, both my mom and sister worked at Dunkin' Donuts. Closers got to bring home what didn't sell so every other morning I would wake up to dozens and dozens of donuts. It was awesome! My mom would give them away, take them into school or we'd bring them to church 'happy hour.' Dunkin' Donuts is what got me up in the mornings and suffice it to say I ate a countless number of donuts that year. Granted, this was the early 80's.<br />
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Here it is 2015 and times have changed. I understand a majority of America still 'runs on Dunkin,' but my junior high school self wants to protest outside their corporate headquarters and scream "Give me my childhood back!!!" The donuts are a 'whiff' of the magic and quality that they used to be and everything is branded and corporatized to death, it makes me sad. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's the way things go and I probably am nostalgic about something that never <i>really</i> existed in the first place... But one day I will tell my children, and my children's children, about the magic that once lived in little mini donuts and the mini elf bakers that baked them!<br />
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Today I made an eggnog bread that is a little crumbly but reminded me of the flavor in those cake donuts I used to love long ago. I'm not sure if it's the vanilla spice in the egg nog, the mix of nutmeg and cinnamon in the recipe, or the real rum I added because *hiccup*-- because, because... *hiccup*...I don't remember why... But if you're feeling nostalgic, it'd be a nice treat for you during the holidays. <br />
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For the record, I used the below eggnog for one major reason that may or may not be blaringly obvious to you. <br />
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Also, I bet it would be pretty fantastic if you were to pan fry it with a bit of whipped cream, and dare I say, some drizzle of raspberry. Next time I will try baking blueberries into it because blueberry Dunkins were the bomb. If you're a purist that likes his/her eggnog cake as is... just don't forget to dunk! :) The recipe is below...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRRXG8hwbq-uZILR4Fbp1EmMKS5kYAmr4XgLZM_3q7KwGm3zpfkXr1DYqI2FsEZCFrel7Z294PHzGWl_tGHpIxY9yuB_DlTy4ZSL0in9Zh3c8SwT-gHyAS2S8ySsPzmIM9PKgng/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRRXG8hwbq-uZILR4Fbp1EmMKS5kYAmr4XgLZM_3q7KwGm3zpfkXr1DYqI2FsEZCFrel7Z294PHzGWl_tGHpIxY9yuB_DlTy4ZSL0in9Zh3c8SwT-gHyAS2S8ySsPzmIM9PKgng/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the meantime, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are now enjoying a truly blessed holiday season. Happy Holidays, y'all!<br />
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Mandi<br />
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EGGNOG BREAD:<br />
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2-1/4 c. flour<br />
2-1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/2 tsp nutmeg<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/4 c. oil<br />
3/4 c. sugar<br />
1/2 c. butter, melted<br />
2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
2 T. rum<br />
1 c. eggnog<br />
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<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 350. Spray a standard bread loaf pan.</li>
<li>Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.</li>
<li>In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, sugar, melted butter, vanilla and rum.</li>
<li>Add the flour alternately with the eggnog until combined. Ex: Add a third of the flour to the wet ingredients and mix. Add half of the eggnog and mix. Add another third of flour. Add the rest of the eggnog. And then mix in the remaining flour.</li>
<li>Bake about 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.</li>
</ul>
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</section>MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-60242328133296599662015-11-23T11:44:00.004-08:002015-11-23T11:58:27.514-08:00The Way We Were: Technology<div>
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<i><b>In Love...</b></i></div>
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It started with Netflix. Oh, Netflix. You great connection to the world! You made me feel like I was back in L.A. watching Oscar nominees and catching up on series television. My friends felt close again. </div>
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<i>"When you love someone, from Roosevelt to me, you go deaf, dumb and blind."--Hubbell</i></div>
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<b><i>Things Are Off... </i></b></div>
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Then I got the DSLR camera. A major victory but aside from shooting on auto, I barely knew how to use it. In order to learn and watch tutorials, I needed internet. Maybe one day? We also have this wedding to plan! There are so many cost effective cute ideas online and you can search through dresses, invitations, etc. I was down valley almost everyday using the library's wireless or going to cafes, spending money. Everything requires internet!</div>
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<i>"I don't have the right style for you, do I?... I'll change."--Katie</i></div>
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<b><i>But We're Okay...</i></b></div>
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It was getting to be too much so we finally caved and got internet through DISH. Yay!!! I was certain that this would make flowers grow and would give birth to baby kittens that ride rumbas! And because DISH is incredibly expensive and it seemed like such a slap in the face to pay so much for internet alone, we bundled it with the smallest cable package. At the very least, Walking Dead, right??? </div>
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<i><b>"</b>Maybe something terrible will happen-- maybe you'll have a good time."--Hubbell</i></div>
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<b><i>No, Things Are Actually Very Off...</i></b></div>
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We didn't have a TV to get service installed. They didn't tell us it was required or that we'd need one immediately. Lliam quick got on it and borrowed a ginormous bulk tv from a friend. We began to look for a cheap flat screen on all the local boards as our place is so small to have anything bigger feels like a boat is in the room. We eventually got one online. </div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">"You think you're easy? Compared to what, the hundred years war?"--Hubbell</span></div>
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<b><i>Everything's Wrong...</i></b></div>
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It also became imperative to get wedding invitations done and printed. I started to put something together when my Dell computer decided to crap out. Hmmm... Wasn't planning on thaaaaaat eitheeeeeer. With the camera and a photographer's future in mind, I upgraded on a payment plan to a refurbished MacBook Pro with retina display. I figured I'd download Adobe Photoshop to edit photos AND do wedding invitations. Two birds with one stone... but many dineros! </div>
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<i>"People are more important than their principles."- Hubbell</i></div>
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<i>"People ARE their principles."-Katie</i></div>
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<b><i>The Break-Up...</i></b></div>
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Cut to the external hard drive... I ordered it online to transfer all of my files from my Dell to the new Mac. It arrived completely dead. Did I also mention that it's been almost five years since I've used a Mac and I didn't know how to use it then? Or the fact that Mac doesn't come with an internal DVD player? I've been a Mac envying Dell girl my whole life, psyched to have something so fancy and stable and here I am trying to figure out how to cut and paste sentences. I have used up <b>80% </b>of our satellite internet for the month (!!!) trying to <i>unsuccessfully </i>download Photoshop! And that was just by downloading the Cloud app to GET to Photoshop. Ha! In the span of a month and a half, I am utterly overwhelmed as we are up to our ears in technology we never had or that I don't know how to use:</div>
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Netflix</div>
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DSLR Camera</div>
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Internet</div>
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Cable</div>
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Television</div>
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Flat Screen TV</div>
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A non-working 500 GB External Hardrive </div>
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Refurbished MacBook Pro</div>
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Adobe Photoshop</div>
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<i>"If I push too hard it's because I want things to be better, I want us to be better, I want you to be better. Sure I make waves-- you have, I mean you have to. And I'll keep making them till you are everything you should be and will be. You'll never find anyone as good for you as I am, to believe in you as much as I do or to love you as much!"--Katie</i></div>
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<b><i>The Last Hope...</i></b></div>
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Last night, I drove down valley, parked at the library, stuck my computer in the trunk and walked around for 4 hours in the dark until it completed downloading. It worked!!!</div>
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<i>"Well then, why? ...Couldn't we both win?"--Katie</i></div>
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<b><i>The Morning After... It's Really Over...</i></b></div>
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Today, I tried to use Photoshop for the first time to do wedding invitations... </div>
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BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!<br />
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Trying to figure out Photoshop is like time traveling to the future. I now know how it would feel to live in a world with technology you can't understand. </div>
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"<i>You hold on and I don't know how. And I wish I did. Maybe you were born committed... I can't get negative enough. I can't get angry enough. And I can't get positive enough."--Hubbell</i></div>
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<i><b>The Aftermath...</b></i></div>
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In the meantime, I am blogging from home and I've taken more pictures. I feel defeated but life continues... And it will continue always for the better. </div>
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Click to enlarge if you'd like...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa7bJLA84Q1jCeJfLqrFjYhPyjXw9oaUJs378UAoYIKzK7qS50OWSR9C07nMDVvGLLRBoegQRmpvq9VxXKhkjM3dWAyoU5QN7ngJ3behTerQo3naGFQf9I6PmXPLSQmFRq51G0g/s1600/DSC_0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa7bJLA84Q1jCeJfLqrFjYhPyjXw9oaUJs378UAoYIKzK7qS50OWSR9C07nMDVvGLLRBoegQRmpvq9VxXKhkjM3dWAyoU5QN7ngJ3behTerQo3naGFQf9I6PmXPLSQmFRq51G0g/s320/DSC_0654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I posted this last blog as a black and white-- a bit too pixilated. Here it is in color.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50iDGbB8nqDy-BOZPPINzugBjpY8qX-ipkkbr2VaYLbNiMer0RIGe8P5xyGN3Iz556X24NqbzhM7_4xdVaIfHUwpq2WbPRjdeThWx4SIx0SvuTI1WqEHE3WX5q_nAwxmoV1Fi5A/s1600/DSC_0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50iDGbB8nqDy-BOZPPINzugBjpY8qX-ipkkbr2VaYLbNiMer0RIGe8P5xyGN3Iz556X24NqbzhM7_4xdVaIfHUwpq2WbPRjdeThWx4SIx0SvuTI1WqEHE3WX5q_nAwxmoV1Fi5A/s320/DSC_0564.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A dreary day but everything is a picture if you look at it long enough... There's so much to learn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_Ctsv4GeeBKfnY6QjfJfE_T7vLIn1Zap8Uk3p8oH2rhBTbp871xJU-DT-6Fx2xFkR7AWLybL1Gx9tPxwP8Zh01-ZaXGwzZ5SfcpHIMmpmZKxAlG1zwBBI1zlJY1i3AcfX8vdLg/s1600/DSC_0595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_Ctsv4GeeBKfnY6QjfJfE_T7vLIn1Zap8Uk3p8oH2rhBTbp871xJU-DT-6Fx2xFkR7AWLybL1Gx9tPxwP8Zh01-ZaXGwzZ5SfcpHIMmpmZKxAlG1zwBBI1zlJY1i3AcfX8vdLg/s320/DSC_0595.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This looked so wintery sad to me...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDEWfgTmReRrxtZrrW8Do0tFkJdSWVCZ2auHBSztWmPH0POLiDccrMzDkvmD3403l-jB7r9bgy_E97DFWKtCOg0Xu_Mr4ciWZ9olaEeCesyQzz1J28WnsA1K5KZpqpiWjprgwrQ/s1600/DSC_0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDEWfgTmReRrxtZrrW8Do0tFkJdSWVCZ2auHBSztWmPH0POLiDccrMzDkvmD3403l-jB7r9bgy_E97DFWKtCOg0Xu_Mr4ciWZ9olaEeCesyQzz1J28WnsA1K5KZpqpiWjprgwrQ/s320/DSC_0650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>"I don't see how you could do it."--Hubbell</i></div>
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<i>"And I don't see how you can't."--Katie</i></div>
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<i><b>The Way We Were...</b></i></div>
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It was quiet. We were book readers before bed. We went for walks in the snow with The Small Dog. We raised chickens and ate 'farm fresh eggs.' We gardened and drank craft beer on the patio Lliam made for us. Life was good and full of possibility... </div>
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<i>"Wouldn't it be lovely if we were old? We'd have survived all this. Everything would be easy and uncomplicated; the way it was when we were young."--Katie</i></div>
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<b><i>Your girl is lovely, Hubbell... </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Mandi</i></b></div>
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MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-7465082602540753292015-11-05T13:52:00.003-08:002015-11-05T13:56:52.773-08:00Playing With The Start Of Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm in LA, Trick! </div>
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Mazama is wonderful for so many reasons (especially the ones you'll see below), but once or twice a year, I really like to head south to reconnect with the crazy, creative energy that is Los Angeles. I've had an inspired time the past couple of days talking with my friends and family that are auditioning, performing in shows, tapping into magic of their inner artists, whether creatively or personally in their everyday lives. </div>
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It seems like the right time to be here. Everything in my world has been screaming at me, <em>for me,</em> to create. If I feel like singing, I start singing. If I feel like writing, I start writing. Unlike trying to make it as an actor in my early 20's, where I demanded so much of Inspiration. I suffocated it and stuffed it into a very small box full of my plans for us. This creativity is my friend. I want to take care of it. It isn't connected with expectation or demands. I hang out with it solely for the joy of it. What a difference...</div>
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Inspiration is kind of like The Small Dog, poking at me until I play 'pinecone' with it. So here I am in LA, carving out a minute of alone time to be with this other very real and yet unreal friend. Kind of crazy but that's how we're rolling these days.</div>
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My honey drove me to the airport on Monday. I knew there was snow on the mountains but as we passed through on Highway 20 it was quite possibly the most sparkly, magical, hand-clappy beautiful that I've ever seen it. It was breathtaking! He offered to pull over so I could take some quick pictures. And then, because he is so perfect for me, encouraged me to break out the new camera and quick grab some shots. It was a bit of a rush but I'm so glad I did.</div>
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This first one was shot with my iphone.</div>
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Camera phones are truly incredible.</div>
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This is with my Nikon D7000 and a 50mm lens. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JBSNYtpqHP2JEL08mqrvTDuaJdqoBVZBV1xwII-0DzAaIETbfznuAmyoJhEzVbQWPy7z5AUGrHyaJAouB2HCB0ox3LMkG3W2t8j1J_-wOR9y62v7Tn9QMTvyYLd-g_QwNh43Ow/s1600/Retouched+Hairpin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JBSNYtpqHP2JEL08mqrvTDuaJdqoBVZBV1xwII-0DzAaIETbfznuAmyoJhEzVbQWPy7z5AUGrHyaJAouB2HCB0ox3LMkG3W2t8j1J_-wOR9y62v7Tn9QMTvyYLd-g_QwNh43Ow/s320/Retouched+Hairpin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also, the 50mm lense.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0Ba1fyw_p8To0PFmt6malP2JsVOInzB_54V1c7yJY1Zg_tKf17xjO-ujVkHHotsJpW3OYVuiMmrPf0vBbsJPVg_958Vk19RC9sV7SY9k38jaAn2uIx81roGk7N9dyMmOJOFvfA/s1600/Silverstar+Black+and+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0Ba1fyw_p8To0PFmt6malP2JsVOInzB_54V1c7yJY1Zg_tKf17xjO-ujVkHHotsJpW3OYVuiMmrPf0vBbsJPVg_958Vk19RC9sV7SY9k38jaAn2uIx81roGk7N9dyMmOJOFvfA/s320/Silverstar+Black+and+White.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you enjoy! I would love to hear your goals and projects... This friendship is such a gift. I'm glad I'm relearning the value in it. </div>
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Now back to the inspired flesh & bloods... :)</div>
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Mandi</div>
<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-67599578484141786632015-10-21T14:48:00.000-07:002015-10-21T14:48:33.351-07:00Sadie HeadshotsLike mother like daughter... *sigh*<br />
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Our little Sadie is quite the drama queen! Playing with my new camera last weekend, she asked me to take a whole host of 'looks' for her headshot portfolio. <br />
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She said she no longer wants to be a Small Dog in a Small Pond and has bigger dreams and aspirations than to live with Lliam and I on The Compound. Oy vey! I didn't want to completely squash her dreams, however. So we did have some fun playing around. I also told her that when she's 18 and no longer lives under our roof, she can make her own decisions. In the meantime, she needs to get a good education. <br />
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This is her Commercial Shot for sure!</div>
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That's a face that could sell insurance to grandma!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gkDtU5Rg8tfov0F_RV_LKZpGDOIHcIxgG7_yER7nr0lW1u1_zbrGgiAzCpI1TRm4ORSSqGsZwWudvbBm3PV1exSOzL0TWM2ueEsTzrZsRvGPqe4xWFipbYWSE3rpfnEt6fc4bw/s1600/commercial+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gkDtU5Rg8tfov0F_RV_LKZpGDOIHcIxgG7_yER7nr0lW1u1_zbrGgiAzCpI1TRm4ORSSqGsZwWudvbBm3PV1exSOzL0TWM2ueEsTzrZsRvGPqe4xWFipbYWSE3rpfnEt6fc4bw/s320/commercial+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Coy & Demure Sadie</div>
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Good for murder mystery or period pieces!</div>
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"Dogtown Abbey"</div>
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Film Headshot</div>
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She just needs a space suit & helmet!</div>
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Dramatic Shot</div>
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I'm sorry Meryl but the Oscar goes to The Small Dog for 'Sadie's Choice.'</div>
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Smoky Eyes Sadie</div>
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(I told her she's too short to model but she won't listen) </div>
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Fragile Ingenue</div>
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**Sadie is available for weddings, bar mitzvahs and squirrel chasings.</div>
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Small dogs and big dreams,</div>
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Mandi</div>
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MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-73645285672059004362015-10-15T13:43:00.003-07:002015-10-15T13:47:11.966-07:00Photography Day One <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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There are head decisions and there are heart
decisions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Two weeks ago I made a HUGE heart decision that I am equally
parts terrified and excited. I bought a <em>really </em>nice
camera. I have wanted a camera my whole life but have no real experience
outside of a black and white photography class I took in highschool (which I <em>loved)</em>.
And yet, I was the kid in 7th grade, laying backwards halfway down the stairs
with a crappy plastic box full of Kodak film, taking artsy fartsy shots, only
to be <em>highly</em> disappointed come Rite Aid development time.
Whenever I asked about buying a camera with anyone I knew, I got
the same reply over and over... "It's too expensive a hobby!" or
"Oh, now you want to be a photographer? I thought you wanted to
start a business!" And for Christmas, I'd always end up
with a 'My First Sony!' point and shoot. It was NOT legit but I would
try... and then I would quit.</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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For the record, I LOATHE the idea that we're only allowed to
have one passion. I like to do LOTS of things and find that so often
people pigeonhole themselves into one little box that they miss out on galaxies
full of possibility. With that said, it's totally my fault for not having
a real camera sooner. The inquiry about owning a
camera was really my pathetic need to get permission from the people
around me . If my heart said 'CAMERA,' I should have bought a damn
camera!</div>
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*cough*</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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So, with <em>that</em> in mind, when I saw a listing on our
online Bulletin Board here for a Nikon D7000 that came with six lenses,
extra batteries & memory cards, a tripod and only had a shutter count
of 200 for $1500? I quickly tallied what was in my account. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong>MAGIC.</strong></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The way our pay periods fall, October randomly had an extra
paycheck. I also found it extremely <em>intriguing</em> that I was getting
random checks from my insurance company and credit card companies, etc. for
'overpayments' which, who are we kidding, NEVER happens. I had exactly
$1500. </div>
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"Oh, it must be
nice to have $1500."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes! For that 3 & 1/2 seconds, it was
AMAZING!!! I WAS RICH!!! You should try it and then buy a
camera. Also, we're changing some details for the wedding. The
BBQ reception has been cancelled for the more casual smorgasbord of
packaged condiments. Nothing says 'Thanks so much for coming to our
special day!' like a few packets of Arby's sauce. You're welcome! </div>
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Anyway, when the stars align, they align-- And I listen to
my heart. During my Great Debt-pression in my earlier years, where I
racked up all my debt, I regreted those $300 runs to Target for SHIT. But
during that time I never regretted Windy, my Kitchen Aid Mixer, or
Louise the Cuis(inart). Or my fancy knives. I don't regret quality...
<em>especially</em> when it feeds my soul.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I bought the thing and let it sit there for two weeks
because I was too overwhelmed. I couldn't even figure out how to get the
zoom lense detached. HA! But between Lliam who reads manuals
like I read funny birthday cards (I do not have his gift) and my
own messing around, I'm officially snaphappy! I'm shooting everything on
automatic for now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday I hiked to Blue Lake with the Sadiekins and
here are some of my first shots. This first one is by far my
favorite. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_shDsmVffg6x5BIZnyGmQcSWKog5AvQ1gsIaqLBuE567LoVQVOtmarNNHEURJ75bD5oKTsaw3f9hYAOVphME7f-IOke-6KfOt6AZlqZIr3QG2o_HdBaggy-uAjDPnQSucIS30gg/s1600/Blue+Lake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_shDsmVffg6x5BIZnyGmQcSWKog5AvQ1gsIaqLBuE567LoVQVOtmarNNHEURJ75bD5oKTsaw3f9hYAOVphME7f-IOke-6KfOt6AZlqZIr3QG2o_HdBaggy-uAjDPnQSucIS30gg/s320/Blue+Lake+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not only do I not know how to actually use my fancy
camera, I have no idea what even makes a good picture. I know a little
about balance & composition from art classes. Yes, I had a point and
shoot camera and would experiment with food photography. Otherwise, I'm
pretty clueless! Some of it is technical, sure- like baking! If you don't
get the chemistry right you just have a mess of lumpy mounds. Some
people, however, like a crispy cookie. Others, like a cakey cookie.
In photography, a lot of it is preference, too! So these first
four Blue Lake pictures are my favorites BUT... hell if I know which one
would be considered the better shot out of all of them. And I have no
idea what they might taste like!<o:p></o:p></div>
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These are all shot with the 18-70 lens. It was such a dreary, dismal
day. Lighting was terrible. Mountains are <em>really</em> hard
to shoot regardless. I went home soooo sad. They all looked
like poodely oodely. And then I color corrected them!
See? My days as an L.A. actor prepared me for this! YOU JUST
FIX IT IN POST, YAY! *the sound of 1,000 professional photographers
cringing*<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntKCUq066DIM8vtgoNnOsZQfxFKIeABgNS2Cxn55F22kTrgUJn2z3XxIt3vJ9P8Yr4T7VO1cIHTr_ECRpSkFvpge-5JNXH_rV9s71__npfch1m3P_5E07yQ6VUYE8gDCrr92AQA/s1600/Blue+Lake+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntKCUq066DIM8vtgoNnOsZQfxFKIeABgNS2Cxn55F22kTrgUJn2z3XxIt3vJ9P8Yr4T7VO1cIHTr_ECRpSkFvpge-5JNXH_rV9s71__npfch1m3P_5E07yQ6VUYE8gDCrr92AQA/s320/Blue+Lake+3.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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So I would LOVE feedback. I think the first four are pretty. Whether or not they're technically great photos, I doubt it. But it's a start and I'm okay with pretty pictures just for me right now!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2xnqONYchy-d-SsJ_X5bDBO90nwDdm6_TcU6bK4avfIPjTLF7QpbeFocy8T4V1HgcxCD2tVLH20hkkkoFk66V3r5dAnkLjmN3tj4rk5u5V6loJPWB8OFKp_EWNXH1HFaacdmrQ/s1600/Blue+Lake+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2xnqONYchy-d-SsJ_X5bDBO90nwDdm6_TcU6bK4avfIPjTLF7QpbeFocy8T4V1HgcxCD2tVLH20hkkkoFk66V3r5dAnkLjmN3tj4rk5u5V6loJPWB8OFKp_EWNXH1HFaacdmrQ/s320/Blue+Lake+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one was shot with my 70-300 zoom. I'm just
using Irfanview to color correct my photos. I want to invest in Photoshop but
my laptop is so crappy, it doesn't make much sense to do that until I
upgrade. Also, it's probably best for me not to depend on color
correction when I'm starting out. (BARF). By the way, how does one color
correct anyway!? Are their rules? Is that a class in Photography
School? Are my photos super color correcty? I overspice my soup
at the bakery. I'm sure I overcorrect my photos. Damn it,
Crocker!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_l1-94Vs3xs9A-gZi05HAvl4-YHrbAUbJlkfOtI4D42aUe8JjR2cbLtE_ARMaiArajU1UJlcagw9HLAGmLAbxYF_wsFvAHV1pZbhQcGbY8c9Cq7ItZ_Lpu_92hce7ijOl8rSBA/s1600/Mountain+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_l1-94Vs3xs9A-gZi05HAvl4-YHrbAUbJlkfOtI4D42aUe8JjR2cbLtE_ARMaiArajU1UJlcagw9HLAGmLAbxYF_wsFvAHV1pZbhQcGbY8c9Cq7ItZ_Lpu_92hce7ijOl8rSBA/s320/Mountain+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>But really... This is why I'd be super grateful to have
feedback. AND... here we are again with the same picture taken fifteen
times... Which one is the most <em>powerfully composed?</em> This
is what I ask myself when I'm shooting... "Mandi, are you composing
this shot <em>powerfully?" </em>And before I can answer I fart in my
shorts. Moving on!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This one below looks like a painting
so my guess is... YES. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Too color correcty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Technical term).<o:p></o:p></div>
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But if you saw the
original photo, you'd be glad I made it look like a painting! HA! Self
depreciating humor... Very important to maintain one's sense of shutter neurosis.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This looks like a Pixar movie.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or something out of
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(Which was EXACTLY what I was going for!)</div>
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So these were
shots with my 35mm. This is Buttermilk,
our rooster. He was walking around
all "bug up my ass!" I soooo wanted this picture to be colorful, crisp and vibrant. It just didn't happen. Even with color correcting, this is as good as she got! </div>
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One of Moonbeam's roses.</div>
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I like how the sun is peeking over in this one.</div>
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But the light on the mountain in this one.</div>
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Neither are great!</div>
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I've taken better shots with my iphone.</div>
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Liberty Bell. </div>
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This might have been with the zoom.</div>
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And this is Nora! </div>
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So there they are
folks! I'd love your thoughts...<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm sure there will
be a-PLENTY more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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But it's SUPER FUN.</div>
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I already look at the world differently.</div>
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:) :)
:) :) :) :) :) :) :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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"HELP ME, I'M
POOR"- Bridesmaids,</div>
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Mandi<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-51523897250599024872015-09-29T16:55:00.003-07:002015-10-14T16:35:25.404-07:00Winter Engagement Photos: Stacy Osterman Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Holy Crappoli is this blog way overdue! My dear friend and fellow adventurer, Stacy Osterman, is an incredible photographer. She used to live in Seattle and recently moved back to Los Angeles. This would make me very sad except that now I get to visit her everytime I go back to LA! The way she lives, she could have moved to Northern Africa or something. So, I'll take it! ;)</div>
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Before she moved back to LA, she visited and said she wanted to take engagement photos for us. Um, helloooo! YEAH! So one morning during her stay, we all woke up lazily, drenched ourselves in gluten free scones (Her choice, certainly not mine! Ha!) and good conversation and we took to the snowy streets. I hadn't brushed my hair and any make-up was remnants from the Monday night trivia three weeks prior. It was just that kind of delicious morning.</div>
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We just walked... </div>
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And this is what she captured... :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh3PVukHWs30EJrZ4InrhBFovhWKYaVF-Pc9mufl5pyr2wpkmdV9MOonk7n1pNQ0YsP8uvNxO9pQy9Z-r9TtKAqgigEzGoT_yPEdCJSbKkBPPWO0ZuSvEaPEjHXXS1TfgRQw66Q/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh3PVukHWs30EJrZ4InrhBFovhWKYaVF-Pc9mufl5pyr2wpkmdV9MOonk7n1pNQ0YsP8uvNxO9pQy9Z-r9TtKAqgigEzGoT_yPEdCJSbKkBPPWO0ZuSvEaPEjHXXS1TfgRQw66Q/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is one of my favorites. I look like a baby. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3N2vYN4qCyH6YqNvajMRFn1RZkGDjnsI1kfjmCj9CMT5LNP_30IxgGf4VbGBK_4gwI-niz6QbYrfLWMz_wWhBcMrzFTIt72jOL3cc0ge1-LMjaMXm429Wk0dVMNx_pTuKZxd7A/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3N2vYN4qCyH6YqNvajMRFn1RZkGDjnsI1kfjmCj9CMT5LNP_30IxgGf4VbGBK_4gwI-niz6QbYrfLWMz_wWhBcMrzFTIt72jOL3cc0ge1-LMjaMXm429Wk0dVMNx_pTuKZxd7A/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is another favorite... :)</div>
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That's my honey!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL78ifsXo6e-VmGK7v9Xi9nM5_xhiBDVyEX2sOE4R8OjENPzfZGtLEBf93HKwtj9vbn9RKSKbUJNbqWCPon_zoeHq780OQTGkK9a9RM4xC0cSXgKFO7K83l1aw1lmlwUxzW305A/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSL78ifsXo6e-VmGK7v9Xi9nM5_xhiBDVyEX2sOE4R8OjENPzfZGtLEBf93HKwtj9vbn9RKSKbUJNbqWCPon_zoeHq780OQTGkK9a9RM4xC0cSXgKFO7K83l1aw1lmlwUxzW305A/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the one we used for our STD's...</div>
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(Heh heh heh... SAVE THE DATES people). </div>
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((Though we don't judge.))</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0Zkm2LrZ-C6chUDnaRn8P5mhSO1ghUxwZZw_NUhbmhmPlIjhB9SCelydJbkhJxVPz5sfjRX7I0BE7ZGXFcVKDilASIOrGXfB0wjoyqM7ctDDmzVjsDlS3CJp1J6CtYEGg7bmpA/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0Zkm2LrZ-C6chUDnaRn8P5mhSO1ghUxwZZw_NUhbmhmPlIjhB9SCelydJbkhJxVPz5sfjRX7I0BE7ZGXFcVKDilASIOrGXfB0wjoyqM7ctDDmzVjsDlS3CJp1J6CtYEGg7bmpA/s320/7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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And this was my other favorite we almost used! </div>
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Oh, Small Dog!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQbT7yzsYjf6ERWVQOS5cFWq7ArL2bY06l15JPN_epszQRGcuW3m78naarNFrQoY0TkoF0WZPhyphenhyphen0xPTfvICmStbvxnDN9w6EbB4BGV-vuIvkS1yURsKxduhZPve2xiLGV3SDMbw/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQbT7yzsYjf6ERWVQOS5cFWq7ArL2bY06l15JPN_epszQRGcuW3m78naarNFrQoY0TkoF0WZPhyphenhyphen0xPTfvICmStbvxnDN9w6EbB4BGV-vuIvkS1yURsKxduhZPve2xiLGV3SDMbw/s320/8.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Our 'full of beans' Sadie-kins... :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWB1UdFibSKMAaoLXuk_ppW2v7lFQXUUJ_pgzAJDqq_EBAm9p6fO3WqoDvXFdqgAa1aO5Fx_FHoQBWyEs13qOOl5wOlBsWWia3jopkLbgtVs2CcWszn3TLex9YAuJ0oB737kh0g/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWB1UdFibSKMAaoLXuk_ppW2v7lFQXUUJ_pgzAJDqq_EBAm9p6fO3WqoDvXFdqgAa1aO5Fx_FHoQBWyEs13qOOl5wOlBsWWia3jopkLbgtVs2CcWszn3TLex9YAuJ0oB737kh0g/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Playing 'stick' with Sadie and Lliam.</div>
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Sadie's faster. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLU_MC9mY65hIJXCopTzqKHKVotpgZFjcf9CIA8dBSmP_C_VY01VOrIEckjcfHaRGI5x3onh2F9ddKM9Xi268FXW7bj7B9J_M6dAtKY0OznUKMgu0jpglXx3mO9tgrhJBBDHNAg/s1600/11+out+of+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLU_MC9mY65hIJXCopTzqKHKVotpgZFjcf9CIA8dBSmP_C_VY01VOrIEckjcfHaRGI5x3onh2F9ddKM9Xi268FXW7bj7B9J_M6dAtKY0OznUKMgu0jpglXx3mO9tgrhJBBDHNAg/s320/11+out+of+25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also used this on our STD's.</div>
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The rash went away but Lliam's still around!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM24JzsNwUffJgvm6VtXk0kHPv8BjLneCM28OZwi9Jv-mA55StUJPajxqrExa5w1IMt3xFKB0Fad6S1sD1uDiotqCHcevN6qzTpiA4LDoZx_HMZJOm4CLX3y8raPJqBTN5VW_iQ/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM24JzsNwUffJgvm6VtXk0kHPv8BjLneCM28OZwi9Jv-mA55StUJPajxqrExa5w1IMt3xFKB0Fad6S1sD1uDiotqCHcevN6qzTpiA4LDoZx_HMZJOm4CLX3y8raPJqBTN5VW_iQ/s320/13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I loved this picture.</div>
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I am such a hobbit!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzD8bUtjLQjWWzbfDsCQo35Q89xKLe8Ce9l3bUheKPSrcUC3W-ZpW6Y7CtGCw3Soka_WIzC2csI6cSeGdAmfujAijGRV3CXd4olyf1cYG8SzGA94Cvl-xDB5G2OJjHTiFn4-Q90w/s1600/16+out+of+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzD8bUtjLQjWWzbfDsCQo35Q89xKLe8Ce9l3bUheKPSrcUC3W-ZpW6Y7CtGCw3Soka_WIzC2csI6cSeGdAmfujAijGRV3CXd4olyf1cYG8SzGA94Cvl-xDB5G2OJjHTiFn4-Q90w/s320/16+out+of+25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I cannot wait for winter!!!</div>
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I will NEVER tire of those snow capped mountains!</div>
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Hobbit lovin'.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlotd1D_SNKCEPcCc5BUzBYwvSueLMeS3JpAiJGmSw0mxHHDFkOIjDxstZvOoI3BjaHuXnMNmF-ePKgBiyBBLLIc5KY3METOmatdCQzRI05l-uxz_LtPhBUXFEVJv-hQ-4BX4u6A/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlotd1D_SNKCEPcCc5BUzBYwvSueLMeS3JpAiJGmSw0mxHHDFkOIjDxstZvOoI3BjaHuXnMNmF-ePKgBiyBBLLIc5KY3METOmatdCQzRI05l-uxz_LtPhBUXFEVJv-hQ-4BX4u6A/s320/18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love this picture, too. My hair was definitely having a 'candid' day but I think it captures the happy mountain girl in her black puffy and red scarf from my other dear friend Ellie!!!</div>
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She loves the water!!!</div>
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We look sleepy. </div>
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It was a beautifully lazy morning. :) :) :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOdSa34j-BxOPNzjbH-4iw2G_kSad-eYtJItVKl4zjlEs-T7sNliCwwMIdsbxeKXG7n43uDIYUKBjIoV_zc4ChM2ee39uOipkmboIxdR3vbCNLMbWeL-jFKyBNStMCVLilRbvmQ/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOdSa34j-BxOPNzjbH-4iw2G_kSad-eYtJItVKl4zjlEs-T7sNliCwwMIdsbxeKXG7n43uDIYUKBjIoV_zc4ChM2ee39uOipkmboIxdR3vbCNLMbWeL-jFKyBNStMCVLilRbvmQ/s320/21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kisses!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwRq1JPNSW8Tz-nf_F53sdFaYL3YYd71kKw9onRoYPta6NfIekj-uBXW305gGQrvsUyc55j_3Hn6ZwctNggu53cTqsVYWDMiGCl1ZxSVxtceuvh15ChUBmbwhjKICYx_UwwiRIg/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwRq1JPNSW8Tz-nf_F53sdFaYL3YYd71kKw9onRoYPta6NfIekj-uBXW305gGQrvsUyc55j_3Hn6ZwctNggu53cTqsVYWDMiGCl1ZxSVxtceuvh15ChUBmbwhjKICYx_UwwiRIg/s320/22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our county has wild fires. Lliam has wild hair. Both tend to be 0% contained until reinforcements are called. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL52JguFBRvQ8rSWn0sDYho4OQ7zaUuGI2fCsZa28cENr_auVuvgK53-zowoXDbj-8F6hyw0wzJLFtcyrVfkG6Y-hzo-fQpKkd5WLq3WGKn4cfJaD59FwlPLONJ8YUWtZALlw5gQ/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL52JguFBRvQ8rSWn0sDYho4OQ7zaUuGI2fCsZa28cENr_auVuvgK53-zowoXDbj-8F6hyw0wzJLFtcyrVfkG6Y-hzo-fQpKkd5WLq3WGKn4cfJaD59FwlPLONJ8YUWtZALlw5gQ/s320/23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lliam drooling on my hair. </div>
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It happens.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLORRkFf6T0t5-rv3-AzVKJkHN81_TcNTJ6GWW03XskaBbMd1AH4tf9gGxdihqH5pL09pGJ3hMuB8GB4AvMiXWX2XMrkaa60cK7LCkJkilXOPT4f5xnTDayCeiPo1yBMRvj3vHSw/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLORRkFf6T0t5-rv3-AzVKJkHN81_TcNTJ6GWW03XskaBbMd1AH4tf9gGxdihqH5pL09pGJ3hMuB8GB4AvMiXWX2XMrkaa60cK7LCkJkilXOPT4f5xnTDayCeiPo1yBMRvj3vHSw/s320/24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And our little house that could!</div>
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On September 25th, we moved into our cabin so this is a perfect way to celebrate!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyruX3RFzQ2F1SGStA8HmvlTIO2mnlXLqCD-Eei6uR9Xe08AtjRCRnRUpQblZ0ZEgRmBET4v_T_zYjygU3HI4j-f8hNh5-n9p6vIyb8KahIBiqTjy3Dtbu8Osh9BgLqpB2TBA7w/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyruX3RFzQ2F1SGStA8HmvlTIO2mnlXLqCD-Eei6uR9Xe08AtjRCRnRUpQblZ0ZEgRmBET4v_T_zYjygU3HI4j-f8hNh5-n9p6vIyb8KahIBiqTjy3Dtbu8Osh9BgLqpB2TBA7w/s320/25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks so much, Stacer!!! She is currently located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, check out her blog: <a href="http://www.stacyosterman.com/">www.stacyosterman.com</a></div>
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Wedding Kisses,</div>
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Mandi</div>
<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-17169755425859499722015-09-11T15:35:00.005-07:002015-09-11T15:42:34.516-07:00Bourbon Pecan Brown Sugar Cream Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xXhBpEg-kAi-OQqQFKTDyArMxUleHOfSA9JkWtKgJfOoolGZAWgIcwHMHhLkOf4xP2VEGN7g7kwWRhHj6w7voX8C_dujubOsHZlruPMfZuuz_u9l86-0uQBsItjC6ps6poa29g/s1600/photo+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xXhBpEg-kAi-OQqQFKTDyArMxUleHOfSA9JkWtKgJfOoolGZAWgIcwHMHhLkOf4xP2VEGN7g7kwWRhHj6w7voX8C_dujubOsHZlruPMfZuuz_u9l86-0uQBsItjC6ps6poa29g/s320/photo+%252815%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the most part, I always post pictures to Instagram (under 'MandiCrocker') of the treats I make at the bakery. And oftentimes, friends and family will plead with me to get the recipes. While I would love to give away these recipes, especially to stop the whining (heh heh), I just can't! Wah!!! I know, I'm sorry!!! It's a business and that's how the store makes its' money. And I post pictures-- it's terrible! I am heartless and cruel.<br />
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BUT! When everyone whimpered and cried to get THIS recipe... Weeeeeeeeell, I have some GOOD NEWS. Jesus is risen AND this one is mine to give! I put my own spin on a recipe I found, and have never used it at the bakery! It also occurred to me that I ain't done posted a recipe in a really long time. So... YAY!!! :)<br />
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Now here's the deal with this pie... I know that rolling out a pie crust and par baking it can be a bit time consuming (for the busy & lazy & I'm Hungry NOW types, just buy a pie crust at the store), but know that on the other side of that baked crust, <i>the filling? </i>The filling is the easiest freakin' pie filling in all the live long land.<br />
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Second, YOU WILL NEED TO CHILL THE BAKED PIE OVERNIGHT. If you don't, you will have the ugliest but most delicious 'pudding pie' you can imagine. More like a smoothie in a pie shell (turtle power?) I am 'caplock-mentioning' it because I made the mistake of not reading entirely through the recipe first when I was supposed to bring said pie to my aunt's house an hour later. WHOOPS. Pudding it was. Chill it, folks. Overnight. Overnight like your parents are out of town, you know what I'm saying?<br />
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So here we go... The below ingredients are what you will need:<br />
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INGREDIENTS:<br />
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FOR CRUST:<br />
1 single crust par baked pie shell<br />
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FOR FILLING:<br />
1/2 c. sugar<br />
1/2 c. dark brown sugar<br />
3 T. flour<br />
pinch of kosher salt<br />
2 cups of heavy cream<br />
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla<br />
2 T. Bourbon<br />
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FOR WHIPPED CREAM:<br />
1 1/2 c. heavy cream<br />
2 T. bourbon<br />
1/4 cup of powdered sugar<br />
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FOR DECORATION:<br />
1 cup of candied pecans<br />
a sprinkle of powdered sugar<br />
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<i>For the crust: </i><br />
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<ul>
<li>Roll out the pie crust on/into your pie plate. Stick it in the freezer for an hour. Cover the dough with parchment, press it down and fill the pie with pie weights or dry beans. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes. Let cool. Remove the beans/weights.</li>
</ul>
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<i>For the filling:</i><br />
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<ul>
<li>Lower oven temp to 400.</li>
<li>In a bowl, whisk together the sugars, flour and salt. Gently stir in the heavy cream, vanilla and Bourbon. Be sure not to 'whip' the cream, it will prevent the pie from setting. IT'S THAT EASY! Dump it in the par baked pie shell and bake for 45 minutes. Large bubbles should cover the surface. (The pie will look like fresh vomit. It will NOT look set).</li>
<li>LET IT COOL OVERNIGHT. OVERRRRRRNIIIIIIGHT. Go to sleep, wake up the next day fresh face and rosy fingered...</li>
</ul>
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<i>For whipped cream topping & decoration:</i><br />
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<ul>
<li>With a sieve or sifter, sprinkle the crust with powdered sugar. This is totally optional. I just liked the look of it. :)</li>
<li>In a mixing bowl, whip the cold cream until it begins to thicken. Add the bourbon. Then add the powdered sugar. Spread out onto cooled pie. Smooth as best you can.</li>
<li>Sprinkle the candied pecans around the outside of the pie. </li>
<li>Keep refrigerated until ready to eat. </li>
</ul>
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EAT THE DARNED THING. :)</div>
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I hope you enjoy. It's different! And a great pie for fall. </div>
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YAYAYAYAY!!!</div>
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Mandi</div>
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<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-54349138786485652182015-09-01T11:12:00.001-07:002015-09-01T11:32:11.328-07:00To Be Like White Licorice <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The play ended and not a week into my bliss of gardening and regular sleep, we got hit with another overwhelming fire season. The Okanogan Complex Fire is now the largest fire in state history, stripping last year's Carlton Complex Fire of its title, and is just <i>one of many </i> massive fires burning in the state. Everyone is exhausted. </div>
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Due to the events of last year, all of the resources that were used, the emotional energy, the lack of dollars spent in our tourist towns, everyone was already struggling greatly and then to get hit again seems almost impossibly overwhelming. A lot will change this year. </div>
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Once again, we are totally safe in Mazama and aside from a day or two of craziness, not knowing the who-what-when-where-why of evacuations, we are totally fine. There was only one day where we lost power and only a night without cell reception. In that regard, our community here is even <i>more</i> lucky than last year. The only thing we've had to deal with is unhealthy levels of smoke and the hit in business. And even there, we've learned to have a sense of humor about it. </div>
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And yet, despite our luck, I still don't want to write about it. It's exhausting. It's sad. It's courageous and brave. It's heartbreaking. It's losing your house a <i>second </i>time. It's not having the words. It's being Methow Strong. It's ghost towns. It's tireless. It's thankless. It's the little things. It's <i>so many </i>things...</div>
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Down valley, they were not so lucky. The Twisp Fire, a part of the Okanogan Complex, took three firefighters from us. One of them was a young college kid named Tommy, who died defending his own hometown. I didn't know him having just moved here, but in a community this small, everyone else did. And they're deeply affected. The ultimate kicker? Prior to the start of the fires, he had just put in his two weeks notice. He only had days left on the crew.<br />
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He was a bright light-- a friendly kid, acted in plays, won awards doing spoken poetry, physics major. It's unfair. The only solace I have is the belief that we're all connected and he was such a bright light that his energy was needed elsewhere. He sounds like a Jake Merrill, a young man that lived in Mazama that died in an avalanche a year and a half ago now. Also, young and magical. Also, senseless. Also, a bright light. It makes you wonder... That kind of <i>exceptionality.</i> There's something there, something they knew that resonated in every part of their being, something that required their freedom from this world... I have to believe it... while the rest of us still run around like chickens with our heads caught off, left to ponder the mystery...</div>
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Driving home from work I came across these cattle walking up Lost River Road. They apparently didn't like the smoke and came down from the mountain where they were grazing.</div>
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...And yet life continues and we all adapt.</div>
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Our chickens started laying eggs!</div>
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Little baby eggs to start.</div>
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This was our first one.</div>
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And after a couple weeks, Mary laid a huge honker! I've heard the ladies at work talk about how their chickens stopped laying once all the smoke hit us. Mary had something to prove apparently.</div>
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And now they're slowly but surely starting to lay more continuously, getting bigger and bigger. The slacker chickens have started to lay and I make corny jokes to Lliam. He rolls his eyes but I'm pretty sure my excessive use of the word "eggsactly" is quite charming.</div>
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And people are wonderful. Lliam's been working in Okanogan where the air levels are considered 'hazardous.' I can't even imagine. Aunt Nora, his sister, made us both some adorable egg collecting aprons. They came just at the right time and were huge spirit lifters! </div>
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"Efficient and adorable!!!" </div>
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(The APRON, Jay).</div>
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The girls are obliviously happy and healthy. The smoke made our pompous rooster sound like a deflating elephant, a gross blow to his ego but wildly amusing to us.</div>
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Our rose bushes have been blooming. Moonbeam decided her job, especially at this time, was to create more beauty. I was grateful.</div>
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And she outdid herself.</div>
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The way she grows, I think Flora secretly wants to be a bonsai tree. It tickles her mom.</div>
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I have no idea what these flowers are called but they remind me of the tropical plants in Hawaii. For as long as I could endure the smoke (some days were better than others), I've taken quite a few vacations from a seat outside, a cocktail in hand, looking at these beautiful flowers. Can you hear the waves? </div>
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We started harvesting quite a bit.</div>
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We got some beautiful kale this year.</div>
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Made some kale chips and a terrific kale salad with walnuts, raisins and pecorino cheese. </div>
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Our edamame was tasty. </div>
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We've gotten some maters.</div>
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Looks pretty, doesn't it?</div>
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But Ay yai yai!</div>
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My tomatoes were infected apparently.</div>
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Zombie tomatoes. No bueno.</div>
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Lliam, thankfully, has some really beautiful beefsteak tomatoes.</div>
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Our cucumber plant started taking off!</div>
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When cucumbers start growing, they are absolutely adorable! </div>
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Like little cornichons!</div>
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Until they are grown cucumbers!</div>
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It's magic. Life magic.</div>
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I love it.</div>
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Zod keeps growing little zucchini weiners. They don't seem to get much bigger and then they turn yellow and fall off. I'm not really sure what to say about that.</div>
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Our Anaheim pepper plant is doing his thing</div>
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which is totally awesome.</div>
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Lliam gave me plant starts thinking they were watermelons. As they grew and we watched the leaves, we were pretty sure they were just more cucumber plants. Alrighty then, cucumbers for days! Let the pickling begin, right?</div>
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Then they started growing these little guys.</div>
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"Honey, they're squooshes!"</div>
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But then I found this one, as big as a baseball.</div>
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"Honey, they are watermelons!"</div>
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And then I found this guy hiding under a leaf!!!<br />
"Honey, they're freakin' CANTALOUPE!"</div>
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Cantaloupe in Lost River!??</div>
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So we've got a few cantaloupe growing. It's nuts. </div>
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It kind of looks like a planet.</div>
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But this is life, man. It ends. It continues. New life begins. </div>
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And then the miracles... </div>
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This is White Licorice. She's our rose bush that has never bloomed. She was moved early on so we weren't sure she was going to survive the replanting. But she was steadfast, got healthy and started to grow. We were hopeful when she and waiting... when she was utterly chomped to death by deer. I was so very sad. </div>
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I had such hope that she would come back. After the replanting, I just knew she was a fighter. And she was! She grew these buds...</div>
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Then she got chomped again.</div>
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I thought she was through. But we clipped her back anyway, I brushed her petals everyday very gently and a couple weeks passed. She started growing new red and green leaves like on Aurora pictured below. She grew red and green like Christmas. Like a gift. </div>
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And slowly she began to bud. </div>
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I held my breath for deer...</div>
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And today? White Licorice has fully bloomed for the first time. She's beautiful and a reminder to me of perseverance, hope and adaptability. It felt like a beautiful miracle. She never gave up. We never gave up.</div>
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I saw this a day or two after she bloomed.</div>
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The yellow made me think of her.</div>
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The fires made me think of us.</div>
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They say children teach us to be better people.</div>
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I think the same can be said for plant babies.</div>
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Much love,</div>
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Mandi</div>
<br />MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-48551585035607708132015-08-18T16:23:00.001-07:002015-08-18T16:38:56.704-07:00Cutthroat Pass: Be Careful What You Wish For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of extraordinary acting, it was the age of annoying summer tourists, it was the epoch of ensuing hilarity, it was the epoch of exhaustion, it was the season of delicious food and eating out, it was the season of stress eating and delirious spending, it was the spring of enormous creativity, it was the winter that was coming on HBO... </div>
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A week prior to the our performance, I decided to NOT do the dishes, NOT clean the house and NOT do the laundry... and to INSTEAD... hike up to Cutthroat Pass.</div>
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Why not? Being on my feet at the bakery, late nights and early mornings, an entire two months of stress eating, probably an extra 10-15 pounds, why not hike 11 miles up a mountain?</div>
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Then again...</div>
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For this picture alone, it would have been TOTALLY worth it.</div>
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:) :) :)</div>
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Man, this dog loves mud puddles.</div>
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It is utterly important that I get outside on a regular basis and connect with nature. Because when I am tired? <strong>FORGET ABOUT IT.</strong> I hate life, I hate people and I hate myself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wtvTwODZpWEm28hWI1rWrFxxqztD3BaaF7GL5ORTwSWWKbfY9YAg-bQQ7WC4GTsxJ5H8XUVjyK84N0vZuqCN_OHWeiIUUhWYmSZHLCFuq54KXN-4UfUeEz2o8YN2-MH_hm1b2g/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wtvTwODZpWEm28hWI1rWrFxxqztD3BaaF7GL5ORTwSWWKbfY9YAg-bQQ7WC4GTsxJ5H8XUVjyK84N0vZuqCN_OHWeiIUUhWYmSZHLCFuq54KXN-4UfUeEz2o8YN2-MH_hm1b2g/s320/056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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When I am in my mind, I am stressed about work, money, my relationships and I have a to-do list of 12,000 things that can never, could never get done. I demand of myself success in every avenue of my life-- from spirituality ("Be more loving and zen, damn it!) to a cultural success (which is a rather difficult scenario to dream up in a town of 200 where I can't even get internet). But mostly... That whatever I'm 'supposed to do,' the great reason of the gods that I was born and put on this planet, ...I am doing. I've got goals set and I'm in alignment with it. Like a great cosmic hokey pokey Panini press I put myself into. </div>
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<strong>NO PRESSURE.</strong></div>
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(SIDENOTE: This is Cutthroat Lake. It kind of reminds me of the movie 'It' when Ben sees his dad in the swamp water and he turns into Pennywise. Otherwise, it's super pretty!)</div>
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When I am out in nature, all those thoughts fade away. They seem so ridiculously unimportant. My thoughts drift from making dinner to 'just take one more step'... 'just breathe this air'...'people really mountain bike this shit!?'</div>
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There is something that quickly grounds me and screams:</div>
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<strong>This is who you are.</strong></div>
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<strong>This is what matters.</strong></div>
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<strong>All that is important is this moment</strong>.</div>
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Tired. Exhausted. Overweight. Thirsty. Happy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiTRhH1exr4SxPGoGxMBAvhusm7qOU60k7SZ4d2B6cIrQXHIob46ov2wDkvF6iPT_B4oZXcPyhUVADROslcQFfLEc0WT_tLiYNo1DwOTi6oe0fhyphenhyphenYG-oEdqPGewDmC2pHFAdcnw/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiTRhH1exr4SxPGoGxMBAvhusm7qOU60k7SZ4d2B6cIrQXHIob46ov2wDkvF6iPT_B4oZXcPyhUVADROslcQFfLEc0WT_tLiYNo1DwOTi6oe0fhyphenhyphenYG-oEdqPGewDmC2pHFAdcnw/s320/078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And after I've had those moments to just be, my real self begins to resonate and remembers what I love about my life, people and myself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqLHYPsSMnJ_fXqPLXDVHHnTXdpuCaVDMvb_IfEmYGJ33VQNU-BQQ41mmI8CsSxFS6oAPdDv1DCNnu7QnutqlS6Gg1VVrRGS85F3FDSPpxLTLcNIQdLz66A2swlU7Tu0spF2k2w/s1600/089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqLHYPsSMnJ_fXqPLXDVHHnTXdpuCaVDMvb_IfEmYGJ33VQNU-BQQ41mmI8CsSxFS6oAPdDv1DCNnu7QnutqlS6Gg1VVrRGS85F3FDSPpxLTLcNIQdLz66A2swlU7Tu0spF2k2w/s320/089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I connect with the inspired people that have hiked these mountains...</div>
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The John Muirs, The Kerouacs, The Cheryl Strayeds... </div>
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I begin to ponder what I <em>really</em> want my life to look like.</div>
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And I realize I already have it.</div>
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D'OH.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIgJjSidKZuuKja8hj_jhHK1nm4kHBN5ljzMtA5SZViK_3H9mvZAgJx1VaIZOVnfdx8DQawhCfaVBF8exsbGt90gz_MK9-JFw3hNch-I8eDTJwpVzDZ-5EnxXCAQ1YRU_3S-5Ww/s1600/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIgJjSidKZuuKja8hj_jhHK1nm4kHBN5ljzMtA5SZViK_3H9mvZAgJx1VaIZOVnfdx8DQawhCfaVBF8exsbGt90gz_MK9-JFw3hNch-I8eDTJwpVzDZ-5EnxXCAQ1YRU_3S-5Ww/s320/095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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How often have I said I'd love to make a living doing something creative?</div>
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The bakery allows me a lot of creativity.</div>
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How often have I said I would love to live in the mountains and live off the fat of the land?</div>
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I live as close to the mountains as you can get and have a garden.</div>
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I want to live someplace beautiful where I can just be silent.</div>
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Ummm...</div>
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I want to be able to travel.</div>
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I live in a tourist town whose ebb and flow of guests give us a slower November and a muddy rain season in March & April, perfect for travel. My boss also encourages time off & travel, especially when it comes to workaholics like me.</div>
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If I had cultural success, won the lotto, or came up with that million dollar idea, what would I want my life to look like? I'd want exactly the life I have. So why the h-e-double-hockey-hell am I putting so much pressure on myself to 'succeed' at God know what and to constantly seek that 'thing' I'm supposed to be striving for?</div>
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"You big idiot!" -the movie 'Nebraska'</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90N-V_8VVYa3m7f1XENLNUQSNdtGmnNZTeaA9GE3cfd400jWhGHZNVe2Sgw5G_fPpoMFol03lWPpsvkUPQlgsZhyeRT7ZTGzne_l42rERW3TfZwsVG-XXdogJfwfxoz5y3nyHzA/s1600/123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90N-V_8VVYa3m7f1XENLNUQSNdtGmnNZTeaA9GE3cfd400jWhGHZNVe2Sgw5G_fPpoMFol03lWPpsvkUPQlgsZhyeRT7ZTGzne_l42rERW3TfZwsVG-XXdogJfwfxoz5y3nyHzA/s320/123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So my point is... </div>
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BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. YOU MIGHT BE TOO DUMB TO KNOW THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IT.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84uzlh0XOqoz6cmuY20oA_ewkw9iRj85qTs50fOCOO5KXjclk6jzfFpcGNVb0RPbJDu1Yc0p3EULo5_GMsjVqCpDHjkBslD2CZ0zuV-3cSx4Dr7FSlgEs8x49k9XtgkrkWiyT0A/s1600/123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84uzlh0XOqoz6cmuY20oA_ewkw9iRj85qTs50fOCOO5KXjclk6jzfFpcGNVb0RPbJDu1Yc0p3EULo5_GMsjVqCpDHjkBslD2CZ0zuV-3cSx4Dr7FSlgEs8x49k9XtgkrkWiyT0A/s320/123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now I must stop for a moment to recognize a very important personal triumph. The only other time I have ever hiked Cutthroat, was with my aunt & uncle and two cousins. At this very spot, two years ago... </div>
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...I ate... I ate... </div>
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...<strong>A TUNA FISH SANDWICH.</strong></div>
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My aunt made it. It was a curried tuna fish sandwich. I was terribly hungry and I ate it. </div>
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Let it be known:</div>
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<strong>I AM FEARLESS.</strong></div>
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This time I brought peanut butter covered pretzels.</div>
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Continuing on...</div>
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In my own life, it's only in real gratitude for what I currently that I'm able to truly dream and manifest something bigger. I thought the only thing greater than what I already have is to be independently wealthy doing something creative. Hey man, I love sleeping in... </div>
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And it occurred to me, in a huge revelation of fire and lightening bolts, which is ALWAYS some ridiculous form of common sense... That if I want to make a living doing something creative, I should probably... you know...</div>
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<strong>CREATE.</strong> </div>
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And... like... </div>
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<strong>FINISH SOMETHING.</strong></div>
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After our 11 mile hike, even Sadie was tired. </div>
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We went back down the way we came up. </div>
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And I left feeling full in heart & spirit...</div>
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(though my feet & ego were a bit bruised!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-woTAXFRJOPyV7hiQQbP5gezPSvbf0HpPBQJQvKJG9LnfOclcREpJ5Hmxqm-u0etk3va9iX2GLRKza8NRmfpbkgDrbtRcO1Il9JUDEG8to_c4Ymbxxz7u6SjlJaJKHGpLThxhQ/s1600/143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-woTAXFRJOPyV7hiQQbP5gezPSvbf0HpPBQJQvKJG9LnfOclcREpJ5Hmxqm-u0etk3va9iX2GLRKza8NRmfpbkgDrbtRcO1Il9JUDEG8to_c4Ymbxxz7u6SjlJaJKHGpLThxhQ/s320/143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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... with a hopeful determination to finish something.</div>
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But first? A nap. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcvMClAqQjtlIxOmLYoeIRHDjrv-ZpDkB_sB9asal2tQWH7k6dH02As2j-xC7AwlVsasVsd-nObb5uYwQJ5IPigIT-B6AZzlNDT3P0p9Kci4kGgbbMLn5b3X7WmEzd9Rx2glMTw/s1600/146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcvMClAqQjtlIxOmLYoeIRHDjrv-ZpDkB_sB9asal2tQWH7k6dH02As2j-xC7AwlVsasVsd-nObb5uYwQJ5IPigIT-B6AZzlNDT3P0p9Kci4kGgbbMLn5b3X7WmEzd9Rx2glMTw/s320/146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Game of Thrones on my honey's big screen.</div>
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And cocktails. </div>
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Because a little balance never killed anybody. </div>
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(And winter is coming).</div>
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To the mad ones...</div>
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Mandi</div>
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MandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32262446.post-1967652138205837382015-08-11T15:03:00.001-07:002015-08-11T20:38:00.279-07:00The Top Five Reasons I'm Voting For BernieI was born and raised a Republican in a non-denominational Christian home. My parents got newspapers from Focus on the Family, there were always threats to boycott certain brand names and even as a kid, I attended pro-life rallies in DC and events in my hometown. Needless to say, we were pretty right wing. Thankfully, my parents raised me to be a loving kid and to always treat others with kindness rather than damnation.<br />
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As I grew older, like most college kids, I began to question these ideas and opinions about religion and politics. Attending Christian college, I had many thoughts about faith and religion that I've discussed in a previous blog, but these questions eventually got to a point where I dreaded the connection between the two and what it was doing to American culture. Living in Los Angeles and Chicago, through various life experiences, I definitely got a different perspective. Now I consider myself very much in 'Middle Earth' where I vote for who I want and watch the two sides of friends and family that I love so very much destroy each other online while I squirm and eat 'Second Breakfast.' During this great spiritual pilgramage, I voted for Bush, Obama and now Bernie and I can hear you all cringe. I cringe. It's lovely! <i>Truly.</i><br />
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So it is a gross understatement to say that I have great trepidation in putting my thoughts out there to be skewered or celebrated. I have a really hard time selling something these days and have no desire to make any human candidate the second coming. Which, sidenote, is the reason I was never completely sold, like the democratic masses, on Obama. The 'hope and change' inspirational hysteria still had a bunch of slick rhetoric to me that said 'politician' not 'man of the people.' I wanted a real plan. I wanted the numbers crunched. I wanted experience. While it was incredibly exciting to see history being made with our first black president-- a well spoken, educated and charming presidential candidate at that, I was left feeling pretty 'blah' about him come voting day. All personal opinion of course. I have friends that adore the guy. And friends that hate him. (Is it time for 'Elevensies' yet!?)<br />
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But truth of the matter is, if my friend from Vermont hadn't posted on Facebook about Bernie Sanders, boldly advocating for him, I wouldn't even know about his candidacy. The media has hardly given him the time of day and when they do it is always mentioned that Hilary is the frontrunner for the Democratic Party nomination. Case in point, The LA Times ran a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sanders-california-20150811-story.html#page=1">'Why a Huge Crowd Turned Out For Bernie Sanders'</a> article.<br />
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I commented on the article being shared on Facebook, the following:<br />
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"Thank you for the article LA Times. But regardless of whether Bernie votes go to Hilary later, for the primary, we're voting for Bernie. Hilary vs. Bernie? I'm registering democrat to vote for him and I've donated. You best believe I'll be there. He unites rather than divides. This is huge. The media needs to understand that."</blockquote>
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In the three hours I have written this comment, it has gotten 867 likes. And I am just a girl that likes gardening and The Walking Dead that lives in the mountains. Yodelay-hee-hoo! Who are these other people voting for Bernie?<br />
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So here is MY introduction to Bernie Sanders to you in hopes that you will, as well, do your own research, read with discretion and eventually #FeelTheBern. <br />
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1) HE UNITES RATHER THAN DIVIDES:<br />
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Bernie is<i> soooo</i> not slick. I don't want to have a beer with the guy. I don't want to instagram a picture of him. He never needs to be on SNL. This is a man that I could have an actual <i>political conversation</i> with-- he's a work horse NOT a hair do with rhetoric painfully trying to fit in with millennials. He writes his own speeches. To me, he is the guy that stays late and probably always has coffee on his button down shirt. In my opinion, everything a politician that works for the people should be. He is an independent that has a history of bringing together both sides of the political spectrum. With the glittery hairsprayed, corporate backing of today's candidates on both sides, Bernie is just an old fart with years of experience. But the crazy kicker is that friends and family on both sides of my life are Bernie supporters. Rich, white republicans to crazy, crunchy liberals are seeing an authentic man. That is a FIRST being reported here from Middle Earth. (I may not need 'Twelvsies!)<br />
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2) VOTING RECORD AND POLICIES:<br />
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If you take a look at Bernie's voting record, it is <i>solid. </i>He votes for what he believes. Granted, you may not like what he votes for, but with Bernie, it is refreshing that what you hear is what you get. Forget about socialism, to me, the fact that he is unwavering in authenticity for his values is the really radical concept. He has repeatedly voted for taking care of our veterans, has a 100% rating from the NAACP on race issues and his votes on women's rights and climate change are unalterable as well. He has voted against war numerous times and in a recent article in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/08/07/bernie-sanders-appears-to-give-schumer-obama-answers-they-want/">The New York Times</a>, he also backs Obama's Iran Deal. While the Iran Deal is terrifying, I have to stand behind a candidate that values the <i>torment in the decision</i> to go to war. He will always attempt peace first and use war as a last resort. I don't think that is crazy. His own words:<br />
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“The test of a great nation is not how many wars it can engage in, it is how it can resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner. The war in Iraq, which I opposed, destabilized the entire region, helped create and expand Al Qaeda and the Islamic State and cost the lives of 6,700 brave men and women, and resulted in hundreds of thousands in our armed forces returning home with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. I fear very much that many of my Republican colleagues do not understand that war must be a last resort, not a first resort. The United States must do everything it can to make certain that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon, that Israel is not threatened by a nuclear Iran and that a nuclear arms race in the region is avoided.<br />
President Obama and Secretary Kerry have worked through an extremely difficult and complicated process with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia and of course Iran. This agreement is obviously not what many of us would have liked, but it beats the alternative: a war with Iran that could go on for years.<br />
If Iran does not live up to the agreement, and that is a real possibility, sanctions can and will be reapplied. I think it is incumbent upon us however to give the negotiated agreement a chance to succeed. That is why I will support the agreement.”</blockquote>
Don't take my silly blog's word for it! For his complete voting record, click <a href="http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/27110/bernie-sanders#.VcpL5flViko">here</a>.<br />
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3) CHARACTER:<br />
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So many politicians throw people under the bus and name call once there is a race to be won. Bernie has strictly stuck to the issues. I am not a huge Hilary fan, honestly. I read her memoir years ago and while I admire what she has accomplished as a woman, and her voice in women's rights across the world, her voting record sways with the money. To me, any authenticity that she once had has now been lost to political celebrity. (On the other hand, I have a friend that worked for her back in the day that adores her, so there ya go). Bernie has the character to talk about his own race and his own stance and not make it about tearing down another candidate. In a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/09/politics/bernie-sanders-hillary-clinton-sexist-criticism/">recent article on CNN<i> </i></a>he spoke out against criticism of Clinton as being sexist. He's doing this while running a campaign against her. I personally never feel like I see that in politics today?<br />
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You may also have heard about the controversy when #BlackLivesMatter protested two appearances he made in Seattle. Rather than take to martyrdom, venomous tweeting or name calling, he met with members of the group. He listened. <a href="https://thsppl.com/i-racist-538512462265">As a white person of privilege</a> I'm never going to understand how it feels to watch my brothers and sisters die for no reason by law enforcement officials or understand what it means to repeatedly get pulled over just for the color of my skin. Say what you want about the disruption of his rally but at the end of the day, it absolutely raised awareness that these candidates NEED to make race an issue. There needs to be outrage and change. As white people, we DON'T understand. And I, for one, appreciated that Bernie was open to the discussion. Again, in an <i>authentic</i> way. So much of race discussion in politics is for looks. Yes, his voting record is solid and he marched with MLK, blah, blah, blah, etc. But he has intense <a href="https://berniesanders.com/issues/racial-justice/">policies on race now.</a> Not for the vote but because it's the right thing to do. I believe it takes humility to drop your ego and talk about what you don't understand.<br />
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4) DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM:<br />
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The word socialist used to scare me. It used to mean extremist leaders and revolution, followed by communism and Red Dawn and a false equality that meant standing in line in for potatoes for my freezing family members. As my political views changed, and I met people outside of the United States, I've realized there are <i>other</i> ways, too. Some of these are great, some are not so great. My point is... <i>I'm open to the possibility of putting our minds together to come up with something better.</i><br />
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Ex: Right now we incarcerate homeless people. We treat them as criminals. There's hardly compassion there except for hand out non-profits that feed people. "They should get a fucking job" is our American way. Then a <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/04/17/the-surprisingly-simple-way-utah-solved-chronic-homelessness-and-saved-millions/">compassionate Utah</a> decided to build homes for their homeless and is currently saving $8k in annual state expenses per homeless person. In Norway, there is such a stigma against not working, that <a href="https://www.nav.no/en/Home/Benefits+and+services/Relatert+informasjon/Unemployment+benefits.286402.cms">unemployment is one of the lowest in the world </a>and you are paid while searching for another job. Do I think a small tax on Wall Street trading is worth it to pay for free college for all? ABSOLUTELY. <br />
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<i>There are other ways. </i>Personally? It doesn't scare me.<br />
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NO, the Scandonavian countries and their systems aren't perfect. Neither is Utah. (Ha!) But I think this country is full of some pretty amazing brains. Maybe we could use them!? Why can't we have the wisdom to take a look at what works and what doesn't work in these countries and come up with an <i>American Way</i> that makes us better? It's not throwing democracy in the toilet. It's improving democracy. There's still checks and balances. I don't hear much complaining about Social Security except that its running out. Yeah, yeah, yeah... If I hate America so much I should move to Switzerland. ;)<br />
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5) GRASS ROOTS CAMPAIGN & ANTI-CORPORATIONS<br />
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Bernie has raised all of his campaign funds through <a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/jul/07/facebook-posts/meme-says-hillary-clintons-top-donors-are-banks-an/">small donors & labor unions</a>. He raised over $15 million in his first quarter but the surprising fact is that the average donation was only $33.51. That would require a GREAT support of regular grassroot folks. I also love that he's not afraid to show up at places like<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/05/heres-why-bernie-sanders-plans-to-speak-at-liberty-university-next-month/"> Liberty University</a> to campaign.<br />
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Okay, folks. I'm exhausted. That's the scoop. For the love of Peter, Paul and Mary Magdalene, do your own research. Consider this an introduction. Please don't get all troll-y on this blog. Just do your own research and write your own blogs if you disagree. <br />
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In the meantime, Bernie is filling stadiums of 27,000 and my LA Times facebook comment now has 1,637 likes. Too bad Hilary's the clear front runner. ;)<br />
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Kisses & ballots,<br />
MandiMandiCrockerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287767798926305504noreply@blogger.com8