scripture – Page 6 – Cottage Green on the Lake

Winter Wonderland Tablescape …

I had fun creating a whimsical tablescape befitting our first wintry weather, complete with snow flocked trees, a frozen pond, and miniature skaters. Little twinkle lights glow in faux white branches covered in glitter while the “real” tree branches loom beyond the window, stark and dark against the twilight sky.

A navy tablecloth covered with white lace is the snowy backdrop for crystal mugs and cherished blue stemware … reflecting sweet “yesteryear.” Memories of our own dear little boy and girl carefully choosing each jewel colored stem and buying them for me with their combined allowances … Momma’s beloved Christmas present! ❤

Christmas Naif dishes by Villeroy and Boch, painted by the French artist Gérard Laplau depict a picturesque village scene with children playing near a snowman … “with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal” and a horse-drawn sleigh … are perfect for my Winter Wonderland!

“Come to the church in the wildwood” with windows glowing, amongst the twinkling trees and spruce.

Winter evening beckoning in the deepening twilight, within and beyond …

These little skaters, with their magnet pedestals actually pirouette around the iced pond when the music box is wound up and playing.

After dinner coffee and Dutch Almonette cookies are waiting to be served. Crystal mugs, biscuit barrel, and sugar creamer set match the “icicle” look of the frozen pond and snow flocked trees.

“Coffee?” “Yes, please!” (:

White crocheted-edged napkins are tucked inside navy blue napkins and are tied with a simple gold cord which nonchalantly holds the salad and dinner fork. Individual little tealights glow in white holders covered in “snowballs” and personalize each place setting.

Hope you’re staying warm and enjoying this special season with moments … snuggled under cozy blankets … holding steamy mugs that warm your hands … gazing at the beauty of winter through frosted window panes … with family and friends taking “the bite” out of the frost! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

EASY RECIPE for Tuscan Tomato Soup … and Winter Weather

When I was a little girl I remember coming in from the cold with cheeks stinging and hands frozen (inside inadequate mittens) and seeing bowls of steamy tomato soup that our mother had made. I loved the flavor of the soup, but I always liked to add a little “flotsam and jetsam” to the broth! (: I would get a slice of American cheese, fold it into smaller pieces and drop them into my soup.

I can remember how scratchy this little wool hat was and couldn’t stand to have it tied under my chin! See the gum in my mouth?!? (:

Just a little detour before I share my recipe. Here are some interesting FUN FACTS I discovered when I was looking up Campbell’s Tomato Soup that I thought you’d be interested in, also. Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup is still the top 10 grocery items that American buy … it has been in the market since 1895 (123 years!) … 85 million cans of Campbell’s Tomato Soup are still sold each year …Campbell’s sent the Tomato Soup to the Paris Exposition of 1900 where it won the Gold Medallion of Excellence which is still displayed proudly on every can of Tomato Soup … out of 100+ varieties of Campbell’s Soup available today, Tomato Soup is still one their 3 top sellers along with Cream of Mushroom Soup and Chicken Noodle Soup! (:My mind still links Tomato Soup and cold winter days together and we had a “snow day” this week which made me want to make “Tuscan Tomato Soup.” (first pictured on my blog “Al Fresco Dining in Autumn”) This soup is just a combination of ingredients I keep on hand … a can of Tomato Soup and a bag of frozen Beef Ravioli (which provides the “flotsam and jetsam” I still love adding to my Tomato Soup!) It’s so easy to make … in 20 minutes or less, you’ll have a delicious soup Mama Mia herself would be happy to serve to her own family! (;

Tuscan Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups frozen beef ravioli (or if you prefer, cheese tortellini) from a family sized bag, cooked and drained according to directions (mine cooked in only 6 minutes)
1 Tablespoon butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 cups chicken stock or 3 cups of water with 3 cubes or 3 teaspoons of chicken bouillon granules or reduced sodium chicken bouillon added
1 Family size can (23.2 oz) Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh spinach or kale (I used and loved Trader Joe’s Triple Washed Organic Baby Spinach! Even after a week in the refrigerator, all spinach leaves are still so fresh)
grated Parmesan cheese
black pepper

Directions:

Cook frozen ravioli (or cheese tortellini) according to directions, and drain
Meanwhile, melt butter in another large saucepan or Dutch oven
Add onion to melted butter and saute until translucent
Add chicken stock or water with chicken bouillon added and turn heat to medium/medium-high
Pour in condensed Tomato Soup and stir with whisk, continuing to warm
Add chopped spinach or kale
Add cooked ravioli and warm all ingredients in saucepan until thoroughly warmed, without bringing to a boil
Dish into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled with black pepper

Woodland free printable tags decorate sweet napkins rings made of miniature grapevine wreaths and are tied on with a satin ribbon …
Winter weather managed to push past the borders of Texas earlier this week, and obliged us with a deposit of sleet and snow! We were excited when the weather forecasters predicted the possibility of us getting a wintry mix and began to look expectantly for our guests’ arrival. At 10:00 pm Monday evening the sleet arrived, right on time and entertained us for 2 hours before tiny snowflakes began falling! Snow is always a thrilling sight in our area of TEXAS and Richard and I watched the enchanting display from our opened door until shivering, we reluctantly left our vigil to warm up, before checking again. We finally went to bed around 2:00 am; the flakes were still swirling and our driveway and deck were covered. The weather forecasters deserve a gold star … not only did they get their predictions correct, our winter guests were punctual and came exactly when expected! (;

Front Deck …Side yard and cobbled pathway …Waiting for Spring …Backyard and lake …View from our bathroom the next, sunny but cold day!Hope you have a wonderful weekend with moments enjoyed padding around in warm fuzzy socks, mugs of coffee in hand, snuggled under comforters, comfy within and without!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining: Lynn from The Vintage Nest

Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate & Decorate

Sandra with Sweet Sensations

Christmas at Cottage Green

What a special season Christmas truly is. It’s not just one day, but a culmination of days. Days of … cookie making, shopping and wrapping, decorating the house, watching Hallmark movies, drinking hot cocoa, setting up the manger, being with family and friends, caroling, and worship . Then, hanging up stockings, putting out cookies for Santa, sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn, and finally (there’s a sermon in here!) “joy, comes in the morning.” It’s a season of busyness, frenzy, stress, wonder, love, sadness of “memories of happy years gone by” gratitude, reflection, and marvel. Here’s a last tribute to our Christmas season and moments at Cottage Green. There’s lots to re-cap and lots of pictures, so get yourself a “cup of cheer” and make yourself comfy!

Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright …

“Not a creature was stirring, not even a …” porcupine!

… or a hedgehog! (:

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.”

“The stars in the sky look down where He lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”

“Angels we have heard on high, sweetly caroling o’er the plains.”

“Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays”

“O Christmas Tree, o Christmas tree how lovely are thy branches …”

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree …”

“Santa Claus is coming to town …”

“It’s a marshmallow world in the winter …”

“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you …”

“The holly bears a prickle, as sharp as any thorn, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day in the morn”

“Here we come a-wassailing …”

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire …”

Then … family photos with little and big kids! ❤

“When it’s Christmas time in Texas …”

“It might just look like a summer day There may not be snow in San Antonio But it’s a Texas Christmas to me.”

“Thank God for Kids”

“Thank God for kids there’s magic for a while …

(grand son <3)

A special kind of sunshine in a smile …

(grand daughter <3)

Do you ever stop to think or wonder why? The nearest thing to Heaven is a child.”
“Daddy, how does this thing fly?”

“And a hundred other where’s and whys …”

(dear daughter-in-law DDIL <3)

“You really don’t know but you try, thank God for kids …”

(grand daughter and daughter <3)

“When you look down in those trusting eyes that look to you, you realize …”

It’s a love that you can’t buy thank God for kids.”

Thank God for kids, there’s magic for a while …

A special kind of sunshine in a smile …

Do you ever stop to think or wonder why? The nearest thing to Heaven is a child

When you get down on your knees tonight To thank the Lord for his guiding light And pray they turn out right, thank God for kids Thank God for Kids” ~ songwriters: Edward Futch/Edward G. Futch

(our kids <3)

Oh, I hope you enjoyed seeing our Christmas at Cottage Green and I hope you had a wonderful, blessed Christmas filled with moments that will warm your heart throughout the year. Our grand daughter told me, “Grandma, I’m sad Christmas is over” … I’m sad Christmas is over, too, but I promised God I am keeping Christmas in my heart, all year long! ❤

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

Barbara from 21 Rosemary Lane

Christmas Tablescape “Up on the Housetop Reindeer Pause …”

The table is set and ready for a Christmas Brunch with Fitz and Floyd “Florentine Christmas White Stag Reindeer” dressed and ready for their important flight on Christmas Eve! Saddles are trimmed with holly and tassels and lie cushioned on the reindeer’s back atop cheery red and green blankets (that look like they were made by Santa’s elves!) Encircling their necks are pine branch harnesses festooned with pine cones, holly leaves and bows.

Antique snack sets are stacked and ready to be filled with finger foods. Christmas punch or Percolator Spiced Tea will fill the matching cups that set in special compartments on the glass trays.

A gauzy runner with beaded edges weaves around a pine garland with tiny twinkle lights that add a touch of Christmas magic.

Shimmering gold is repeated in the brass stand holding a carafe … a shiny picture frame, … and a line of dessert spoons. The colors in the picture “Noel” are a perfect match to the colors of the reindeer and serving pieces, so it became a bit of “whimsy” and a part of the tablescape, propped on a golden easel. Nearby, a sweet little creamer and sugar bowl are nestled close and adorned with Christmas bows.

. NOEL … From Church Latin in reference to the birthday of Christ, from natus, past participle of nasci “be born.”

Gold forks and linen napkins edged in lace are lined up for easy buffet-style serving.

This Fitz and Floyd “Florentine Christmas” Canape Plate will hold Peanut Cluster Blitz-ens! (; topped with Christmas sprinkles!

Fitz and Floyd “Snowy Woods” stacked serving platter is waiting to be loaded with Cheesy Bacon Pinwheels shortly after the Christmas guests, arrive.

Fitz and Floyd “Jolly St Nick” platter awaits Delicious Yuletide Appetizer – Chicken Enchilada Dip

Everything is set and ready …

“Ho-Ho-Ho who wouldn’t go …” ??? (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

I’m joining Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

Christmas Advent Calendar “Countdown to Christmas” DIY Project

It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to,

"Deck the halls again now...
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
And we need a little Christmas
Right, this very minute
We need a little Christmas now."


~ written by Jerry Herman for the Broadway musical Mame

The countdown to Christmas has begun and these miniature envelopes you make yourself (use free link below) are a charming way to mark off the days until Christmas.

The Last of Autumn … “Something Told the Wild Geese”

As I was taking a picture of this glorious Ash Tree, I recognized a sound above me, like the whoosh of a wave approaching the shore. I hurriedly snapped the picture and was thrilled when I saw I had “captured” these pelicans in flight! As I stood there and marveled, phone still poised and ready, 3 more “squadron” of pelicans flew over! I felt like I had just been presented with a gift … as indeed, I had! (: NOTE: A group of pelicans have many collective names … BRIEF, POD, POUCH, SCOOP, and SQUADRON … are all names for a group of pelicans.

As I stood there reflecting on what I had just seen, I thought of this poem …

Something Told the Wild Geese

Something told the wild geese

It was time to go,

Though the fields lay golden

Something whispered, “snow.”

Leaves were green and stirring,

Berries, luster-glossed,

But beneath warm feathers

Something cautioned, “frost.”

All the sagging orchards

Steamed with amber spice,

But each wild breast stiffened

At remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese

It was time to fly,

Summer sun was on their wings,

Winter in their cry.

~by Rachel Fields

Here are the pictures I promised I would share with you of Autumn in November at Cottage Green on the Lake.

Golden leaves on this young Eastern Redbud and more golden leaves on our Ash tree down by the lake contrast beautifully with the red bark and the red roof on our boat dock and stand out brilliantly against a backdrop of green.

The red leaves of the Sweet Gum Tree and the golden yellow leaves of our Ash trees blaze against the blue of the lake and autumn sky. Fallen leaves cover the lawn in gold!

Chartreuse Sweet potato vine rambles over a treasured hand pump that Richard’s mother used in “days gone by.” ❤

Flowering Kale and Cabbage and sweet-faced pansies line the the paved sideyard.

Azaleas, Coleus, and Impatiens in varying shades of vivid pink.

“It was November … the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate winds songs in the pines.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

” … let the whole earth be filled with His glory.” Psalms 72:19

Today is the last day of November and Autumn. I hope you enjoyed seeing “The Last of Autumn” on Cedar Creek Lake! Tomorrow is the beginning of Winter and December and I will be showing you how to make a fun and nostalgic Advent Calendar to begin the countdown to … C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

This week I’m joining:

Lisa from Feathering My Empty Nest

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece and Autumn in November

by Trenda

Today was a cool day with gray skies that made the autumn colors so vivid, they almost glowed! I went outside to “gather” some cuttings from our yard to make our Thanksgiving Centerpiece and afterwards, I walked around just taking pictures of beautiful Autumn in November at Cottage Green on the Lake! (: And those yard “gatherings” I clipped and snipped from our yard made a lovely and grand arrangement on the dining room table that only took minutes to make; my only cost was the fresh Eucalyptus I bought from Trader Joe’s, for $2.99!

If you want to keep this arrangement on your table throughout the Thanksgiving season you will need to use soaked floral foam (protect your table by placing the floral foam in a container!) or use floral vials to insert your live clippings into. Both the floral foam and the arrangement vials are available at your florist or any craft store on the flowering arranging aisle. However, this arrangement is so easy to assemble, you can do it the day of your Feast!

Much like setting out and marking your serving dishes with what you will be serving in them … set the preliminary stages of your arrangement. I placed my table runner down the length of the table, set my candlesticks where I wanted them, then interspersed my pheasant and pumpkins down the length of the runner so I could easily come back and tuck in my Loropetalum and Eucalyptus, later.

Any time you want to make an arrangement like this, just clip your branches the morning of “your event” and keep any live branches or flowers in a vase of water until you are ready to make your arrangement. Then dry the ends of your branches before placing and tucking them along your table runner and light your candles!

Fresh Eucalyptus in a vase filled with water awaiting placement on table runner.

Here is a great picture showing how I mixed the “faux” garland with autumn leaves with the live burgundy leaves and branches of the Loropetalum and the fresh Eucalyptus. Even as I look at this picture I have a hard time distinguishing what leaves are real and fake! I love making arrangements and since we serve our Thanksgiving meal buffet style, we only need enough room on our table for the plates and glasses, our Fitz and Floyd Pilgrim salt & pepper shakers, a basket full of yeast rolls, and a beautiful Golden Carnival Glass compote filled with ruby colored Apple-Cranberry Salad

A brass pheasant matches the brass candlesticks I used in my arrangement and looks at home among the autumn foliage.

Tiger striped miniature pumpkins are nestled among the burgundy foliage of the Loropetalum branches.

Carved wooden pilgrims bring gifts of vegetables to the gathering.

Nestled among the real and “faux” flora and fauna, this miniature pumpkin looks so perfect, it almost looks unreal and reminds me again what a Master Artist and Creator the Lord is!

Candles glow in the lengthening shadows and “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart.” ❤

AND those pictures I told you I took after gathering my clippings for my Thanksgiving centerpiece … I’ll share with you in my next blog, but here’s one I particularly love, this sweet moss-covered cherub pondering in our birdbath.

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining:

Carol from The Red Painted Cottage

Courtney with Feathered Nest Friday

DIY Halloween Treat and Favor Bags

by Trenda

It’s almost time for our porch to be filled with ‘little feet’ and I always enjoy making special treats for everyone that ‘calls out, “Trick or Treat!” These cute Halloween favors are fun to make and should cause all your little ghosts and goblins to break out in toothy grins that would rival any jack-o-lantern! (:

Supplies Needed:

Treat bags
Roll of “Cling Ons” (*picture below) assorted holiday trims w/self-adhesive backs on a spool
Black tulle
Assorted Halloween ribbons
tag punch or a package of plain tags
standard hole puncher
Assorted Halloween stamps
alphabet stamps or black marker for lettering
black ink pad
scissors

Recollection tag punch and Halloween stamps …

Directions:

If you are making your own tags, punch out gift tags using a die-cut punch or use a pattern to trace a tag for your treat bag. I used a Recollection punch for my smaller tag and I traced a pattern out to make my larger tags. Each of my treat bags had 2 tags; a larger white tag and a smaller orange tag.
Stamp or write the words or design on your tags. I stamped the word “BOO!” on each of my smaller, orange tags and I stamped “Happy Halloween” on the larger tag.

3. Choose the trim *(“Cling On”) that you want to decorate your bag. I used a different trim for each treat bag.

4. Adhere the trim to the top of your favor bag. Begin on the side so the final cut and matched ends will not show.

5. Cut a 9″ length of tulle and a 8″ length of Halloween ribbon. Place the tulle and the ribbon together.

6. Slip both stamped tags onto the tulle and the ribbon (the larger tag beneath the smaller tag.)

7. Tie the tulle and ribbon into a simple knot on the left, front handle of the treat bag.

8. Stuff treat bags with Halloween candy and favors.

I had fun stuffing my treat bags with Halloween candy, “Boo” notepads, pencils, and erasers, bubbles, playing cards, and stickers. For more treats (click here for “No Tricks just Treats”)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for taking some time to read my blog today! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

Halloween DIY Napkin Rings …………. by Trenda

Look who suddenly appeared, looking like he flew straight from the pages of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem and obligingly perched, right next to me. While I slowly reached for my phone, my mind began the recitation of these remembered words … “Once upon a midnight dreary, when I pondered, weak and weary …” .

I love decorating the table for any occasion and for HALLOWEEN … I use all kinds of “fol-der-ol and fid-dle-dy dee” to set the mood for a magical night that’s filled with possibilities and imagination! During these next 3 weeks, I have several fun projects that I am going to be sharing with you that will help you create your own “boo-tiful” Halloween tablescape! Today, I am going to show you how to make these spook-taular Halloween napkin rings!

Supplies needed:

glue gun
glittered spiders
copper wire (10 yds/20gauge)
beads (glass seed bead mix “Scream”)
assorted ribbons matching beads (I used Halloween polka dot & spider ribbon)
wire cutters
needle nose pliers

Instructions: (see pictures below)

Cut 4 pieces of copper wire, each approximately 12 inches long
Lay the 4 lengths of wire together and pull the wires up and around your fingers to form a circle large enough for a napkin to be inserted into the opening.
Twist where the wires cross at the top of the circle 1 or 2 times to secure the circle in place.
Splay out the 8 wires above the now-formed wire circle.
Begin threading beads, creating your own color pattern.
Leave enough wire at the top exposed to bend the wire with your needle nose pliers, forming a small closed loop to secure the beads in place.
After each wire is filled with beads and the wire is crimped, wrap the beaded wire around your little finger to “coil” your wire.
Remove your finger and bend each of the 8 coiled “legs” into desired shape.
Using your hot glue gun, place a small amount of glue on your ribbon and begin wrapping the copper circle.
Continue wrapping until the entire wire circle (the napkin ring) is covered with ribbon.
Cut the ribbon and hot glue in place, at the top of the napkin ring. Shape and adjust beaded “legs” how you like them, then hot glue on glittery spider.

Just look what a glitzy napkin ring this makes … perfect for all things “outlandish” for Halloween!

Pumpkin patch and harmless spiders …

Even just stacked in a pedestal votive cup “the eensy, weensy, spiders …” look frighteningly festive!

“Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps” click here for instructions

Little Ghost “Peeps” wearing “coats of chocolate” adorned with sprinkles and non-pareil’s make charming favors to take home or tuck into Halloween bags.

Click on the links below for all things “HALLOWEEN”

Halloween DIY Treat Bags

… DIY “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern” Halloween Wreath

Have fun getting your home ready and making these Halloween napkin rings! Before you know it, while your nodding … “nearly napping, suddenly” there will be “a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door” … shouting “Trick or Treat! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for taking some time to read my blog today! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click FOLLOW in the post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining Courtney with Feathered Nest Friday

Chloe Crabtree at Celebrate & Decorate

All the supplies I used for making these Halloween napkin rings were bought from Hobby Lobby.

Goodbye Summer! …………….. by Trenda

Goodbye Summer … we’re going to miss you!

It was another …

“Snow-cone dripping, bare foot skipping, iced tea sipping, front porch sitting …”

“flip flop plopping, baseball watching, mattress floating, snorkel snorting …”

“… pink nose glowing, green grass mowing, warm breeze blowing, hot dog munching …”

“… cricket chirping, sparkler waving … “

“firework gazing … “

” sunset blazing ….”

” wonderful summer!”

Poem “Wonderful Summer” written by Trenda

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for spending some time reading my blog today! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click on FOLLOW in the post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

	cottagegreenonthelak… on Thanksgiving Tablescape……
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	cottagegreenonthelak… on Thanksgiving Tablescape……
	inspiring22cfac651d on Thanksgiving Tablescape……
	Richard Toops on Thanksgiving Tablescape……

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