Wednesday, April 23, 2014

brick by brick

Isn't it true that things take time?  The garden takes time.  Most days you can find me out back combing my beds like a detective to see what has pulled through the winter.  All the while trying to consciously balance my garden obsession so the beans don't grow up thinking I was completely nuts!  But these days I am beginning to think that we're all a little nuts in our own ways, just trying to navigate this thing called life!

Last year I started work on our garden room but knew that the path had to change due to drainage issues and mud when strolling through.  


After a ridiculous amount of leveling solid compacted dirt I was able to line the path with my pre-exisiting brick, lay down some landscape fabric, and fill with gravel.  Nope I'm not done.  With three beans sometimes 5 with the other little ones I watch, things get done in stages around here!


A lot of brown still!





Just so happens that this spot is completely a hit in the entertainment department.  Trucks and diggers spend most of their days scooping and dumping.




I am finding signs of life everywhere now!  My flower seeds won't be going in until May with temperatures still shifting most days.  And on the subject of seeds, I was able to find GMO free seeds from organic distributors on Amazon!  And very reasonably priced for those of you who are still wrapping up your seed orders.

The Cornelian Cherry showing bursts of sunshine....this tree is actually a Dogwood and its small colorful red fruit is a great song bird attractor.



peonies...


our kitchen garden....carrots, peas, and lettuce are in thus far



My bare-root Autumn Bliss raspberry plants just arrived and in they went.


Hellebores...



Dwarf Viburnum blooming...


 New paths going in...



Bleeding Heart coming up...


And my sweet bean sitting with the daffs!



 Whatever your passion...may it fill your soul with great joy!





79 comments:

  1. Your garden look very nice, it is a real joy to see all the hard work pay off in every plant growing!

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  2. Hi Nicole,

    You have such a wonderful garden with some gorgeous plants and flowers coming up.
    I agree, things do take time and there is always something to keep you busy out in the garden. The path is great and can see how much fun it would be for your children playing with their diggers and toys.
    Happy day
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  3. Hi Nicole, building a garden path all by yourself is a lot of hard work and that with having three kids to watch, I am very impressed! It looks really good! I am glad to read that you went for organic GMO free seeds. If we all would care a little more. we could make this world so much better. Love the last photo of your little girl in front of the daffs. Sooo... cute! Wishing you a nice rest of the week!
    Christina

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  4. OK, you've inspired me now! Love this post and your photos. My garden beds are ripe and ready for planting after some god rainfall recently and a slight cooling in the daytime temps. Just gotta get off the couch first!!

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  5. Such sweet photos of the little ones in the garden and on the paths! The last one is so precious and so well worth the sweet time you have to take to accomplish all of your dreams! You are making a wonderful start and your paths and gardens are getting the good 'bones' that make up the foundation of a good garden. Putting in paths and fences take the longest, but are so worth the time. It's so nice to see your part of the world enjoying signs of spring after a very long winter. So beautiful. Hope you get more sunny days to play in the dirt with those sweet beans. xo Karen

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  6. Oh.My.Gosh! Love seeing the progress and can't wait to see what develops as it progresses!!

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  7. Your garden is looking great Nicole. My boys would doing exactly the same thing on that path. Really love your profile pic too. xo

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  8. Looks like you're having a great time!

    S
    xo

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  9. love the garden path and seeing a little one with bare feet tells me you are into spring - finally!

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  10. I am loving your new path - well done you. I am sure once you have flowers and plants spilling over the edges it will look a treat - and the beans look as though they will enjoy playing on it. Such a sweet photo of your little one appreciating the daffodils.

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  11. The brown will turn green soon, I'm sure! I love your 'bean' with the daffs, both are so lovely! Happy gardening.

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  12. Lovely post and you made it the gravelpath, of course with great help of the beans. I see on the pictures they are quite busy egalizing the path, haha. Such fun, these children. Spring is so exciting with all greens sprouting outof the soil and even your sweet bean loves the daffodils.
    Enjoy your time with them, working together in the garden!

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  13. Your garden is coming along beautifully! You're quite a bit ahead of our spring it seems. I've only seen crocuses blooming in gardens so far. The path looks really nice, and I can appreciate how much work that has been. What a good mom to let the kids dig away in the gravel. I used to let my son and his friend play in a certain raised garden with their trucks until the plants went in, but I think we were all a little sad to lose that great digging space. Give and take :) Have a wonderful week Nicole! Wendy x

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  14. Love your garden! It looks and feels serene and nurtured with love. :)

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  15. Love your garden. It looks and feels serene and nurtured with love. :)

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  16. I can tell that working in the garden gives you a joyful heart...and guess what? THAT makes you a better Mom and wife. When your soul feels peace and happiness it exudes from your pores and touches the lives of those around you-so don't ever feel guilty for doing something that you love (well, unless it is dating the mailman-that wold not be good!;>) xo Diana

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  17. What a lot of work on that gravel path, but it is progressing very nicely. Slow, but it will get done! Love the cornelian cherry blossoms --- I'd love to see a shot of the whole tree to see its form & size, etc.
    Happy spring!

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  18. You look so young to be such a good gardener. I love the picture of the children playing in the gravel...the boys will haul it away in their little trucks. LOL. Some times if we get the kids to help they will take a pride in it and help take care of things. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  19. True indeed that good things take time. Your garden is coming so nicely and it must be such a joy to see it blooming and your beans enjoying it :) Hope you're having a great week Nicole!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  20. Gosh, you're so knowledgeable and talented, Nicole. I always learn something new here. The path looks great and it will improve things a lot. I'm glad it's providing good entertainment value too. :)

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  21. Your garden is coming along just great, having boys I remember the days of gravel being used in their toy trucks well. I love the photo of your little bean with the daffs. xx

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  22. Good effort with the path - you can't do it all at once! I've just been tidying up the front garden while Mr Asparagus Pea builds a log store in the back garden - chaos, but it's good for you to make something (even if it's just a mess) xxx

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  23. Hi Nicole, I love the pics of the kids....esp the little bean with the daff! You have great design sense and your gardens are looking great. You're ahead of us by at least two weeks.......Here's to little beans who grow up to be big beans who love nature as much as their mom does! Blessings to you and yours:-) Sally xo

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  24. There is always work to be done in a garden isn't there, just like life I guess. There is something so therapeutic about digging ones hands in the dirt, watching new life come up. I'm so hoping we can get a veggie garden in this year, we are already behind. love the kids playing in the gravel path, which looks great btw.

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  25. Nicole! Your garden is SO far along already. I'm living vicariously through you! I love seeing your kiddos playing in the gravel. I too, can remember those days; we had a gravel drive. Please keep us updated on raspberries in the container. Are you planning on transplanting them? If not, that is a fab idea for small spaces. :) Garden on, friend!

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    1. Hey friend...I have been doing a bit of research about growing them in pots...so fingers crossed we get some fruit this fall....we have a regular suburban lot so space is everything!

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  26. I'm so glad you haven't got your seeds in, I've held off as the soil is so cold and wet. Lots of people around here have planted, which makes me think I've got it wrong, but I'm sticking to my plan. I wouldn't worry about your garden passion, I bet your kiddos will look back and fondly say, "mom was so happy in the garden".

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  27. Wow! Girlfriend you have been busy looks delightful:)

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  28. Nicole!!! you are a workhorse look at what you have done just recently all I can say is WOW. I like the idea of bare foot gravel walking - what a sensation. Jo x

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  29. Nicole: Your garden and paths are looking great! Gosh, I wish I had the gardening gene, but, I enjoy seeing what YOU do! -Derrith

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  30. That little gravel path will keep them busy while mom works on other yard projects! You have a lot of things showing signs of spring. We are just getting the first buds to appear on the fruit trees. Little by little spring is arriving!

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  31. It's looking good Nicole, I'm especially intrigued with the kitchen garden. I'll be watching the progress, I do so love to see what other people are growing. And I can imagine how much fun the little people had with all of that gravel. Wonderful!

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  32. What a wonderful project! Your path is looking great!! It is a lot of work, but it looks like everyone is having fun!! My kids already know I am nuts about my flowers!! It is good to show them how to be passionate about something that brings you joy!! Beautiful post!

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  33. looking great--love all the pictures! I'm very familiar with the things getting done in stages thing :).

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  34. Look at all those plants springing back to life in your garden! I know what you mean about things happening in stages with little ones in tow- story of my life as well. Your garden (and garden path) is looking great though and I love that your metal tub is already full of sprouts!

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  35. great path! I just finished putting in my first bed at our new place - a native garden, but then we had some freak snow storm last night. At least the plants are used to our weather! I am currently pointedly ignoring that white stuff out the window. We are definitely behind you in weather, though I did see some crocuses popping up in town the other day!

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  36. That last picture is so cute! I think your garden is going to look fabulous. ;) have a great weekend!

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  37. wow. such a beautiful garden and space you are creating! i bet it sure does feel fulfilling and wonderful when you see little signs of life and buds sprouting everywhere! my papa used to have a tiny tiny garden and we used grow our own vegetables. i loved helping him out but i don't have a green thumb at all. i miss that garden and one day i hope to have one just like it! :)

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  38. Jealous! Saw the hosta in the first picture - ARGH...would LOVE to be able to grow those here! My Mom has them in Denver...yes, jealous! And the Bean on the rock path, BAREFOOT. Ah, to be a kid again, with those tough little feet...I never wear shoes, but have to admit I walk a little more gingerly on rocks anymore. :-) I love your yard, Nicole...always so beautiful - looking forward to full bloom photos. Happy weekend to you and those adorable, Beans. XOXOXO

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  39. The new pathway looks great!!! So neat and tidy with the edging. I wish I would have layed down landscape fabric under our pea gravel. Grrrrr.
    That hosta in the first pic looks like one I planted last year called 'Tiara'. It's so pretty!
    I have a raspberry in a pot, too, and it has some flowers comin'. Yay! And my two blueberries are LOADED with flowers this year. I'm so glad I put them in.
    Everything is comin' along - looks like spring has FINALLY come your way. As for spending too much time in the garden, is there such a thing?! I figure there are far worse things your kiddos could see you doing. :)

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  40. So rewarding watching it taking shape and transforming into what youd hoped! Looks great Nicole, well done! Oh and love your new pic xx

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  41. Hi, Nicole! Wow. You have been busy! Our plants need to be thinned and I wish I could share them with you!

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  42. OH raspberries!! If you make jam I swear I am driving cross country to eat biscuits and jam with you!! I will even drag Tanya along with me! I had a blackberry bush in Anaheim and I let the neighbor lady have all she wanted as long as I got a jar or two of jam!! It was the best trade ever, she used to make me bread and butter pickles too, dang I miss those! Your beans are so cute, how do you stand it!!!

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  43. Hi Nicole! Love the path you're installing and esp. enjoyed seeing the children play on it while in progress. Your garden(s) are amazing; I'm in awe of "Great" gardeners like yourself--it is truly a gift you were given. The signs of spring are a delight to see and I look forward to more updates and progress. Hope the rest of your week-end is blessed, friend!

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  44. I really enjoyed the tour of your 'garden in progress!' It's coming along nicely and so great that the beans are having fun in it, too! I love walking around our gardens to see what has poked it's head up every few days. Kind of like welcoming them back from a LONG winter's nap! Happy weekend!

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  45. Looking good! Yay for projects, even if they are always in process.

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  46. Hi there, just catching up! It looks as though spring has finally arrived and in great fashion!!! Everything is springing up and looking beautiful. Great work on your new path - especially as it also doubles up as such a great play area!!!!!! Who would of thought it. Never mind balancing garden and beans, they seem to be working alongside each other quite happily! So great to catch up on your news. Looking forward to seeing more as the year progresses!!! Hope that you are having a good weekend. xxxx

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  47. I am very envious of your peonies, where I live in New Zealand it is too warm to grow them successfully. Not enough frosts for them to do well. Love seeing photos of gardens in progress.

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  48. Looks like you've been busy in your gardens, where your heart lives. How long we had to wait this year for the nice weather makes these spring days all the sweeter. Your peonies are so much further along than mine. I've had a great time in my gardens this year, but there is more to do than usual. The harsh winter took a toll on my ivy and roses, which look more dead than alive. Lots and lots of pruning to do and then wait to see how much life is left. The only good thing about all the extra pruning is that now I can get close enough to my picket fence to give it a much needed paint job. Another job for the list.
    Happy spring!!!
    Cindy

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  49. Imagine how happy you'll be when it's all finished!

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  50. A garden that makes you happy and gravel that makes the kids happy is a win/win. :o) My carrots go in this week. :o) Hello, carrot cake and caterpillars! Your paths are awesome. I love that you used bricks you already had. Projects that don't cost a fortune are often the most satisfying. Have a fabulous week!

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  51. Wish you a wonderful time in your lovely landscaped garden!!
    Greetings Helga

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  52. so glad spring has arrived for your area-and your path will be awesome! love that kids are using if already-lol enjoy your new week ahead

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  53. All your hard work is paying off! And your little ones are just adorable :)
    Susan

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  54. Oh my heart flutters seeing your garden...I just can't wait to see more! I am obsessed with my "garden" as well...not sure what I'm doing...but obsessed nonetheless! xo Jen

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  55. I can tell your garden brings you and your family joy! I love it! The pathway is great!

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  56. I am so glad I visited here, your garden looks amazing! I did some seed planting this weekend but need to finish a few bits. I love the photo of the little ones playing with the diggers, that is something mine would do! I have three children too and they look similar ages, they help me a lot with the garden! Looking forward to reading more. :)

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  57. Your garden is looking great!!!
    Show us more!!!
    xoxo

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  58. Like that trucks and diggers spending most of their days scooping and dumping. Real busy bodies.

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  59. I admire your patience with garden projects and three little ones in tow. Patience is key. Very key. We are working on something similar too with a little patio area. Putting down pea gravel today actually!
    Love your blog and thanks for visiting mine. It means a lot! XO

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  60. Nicole,

    Your gardens are looking gorgeous and it is obvious that you have been working very hard, along with the beans to create a haven for all who enter. The walkway is so nice with the brick and gravel and the kids will always find a way to use their imagination with whatever comes their way. They are hard at "work" with those little stones, building character as they play.

    What you wrote about the possibility of your beans thinking you are nuts made me smile. A good friend who is in competition barbecue cook-offs and who also, sells specialized cookers recently gave me some eco and bio-friendly wood pallets in which the cookers are shipped. They are made of some heavy planks, some of which are held together by huge bolts. My plan is to make them into raised garden beds. I have been out in the back yard, off and on for days removing bolts and nails and disassembling the things, hammering things back together and sometimes sitting, looking at the boards. I have been sitting, talking to myself about the best strategy to use, then hammering away and sometimes pulling back apart. My neighbors on both sides probably think I have lost my mind and one finally called out to me, wanting to know what I was up to. As you say, there is a little bit of "nut" in all of us.

    I love your new profile picture! It is so very YOU. Happy gardening!

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  61. Hard work but so worth it! Love all your posts but something about children out in the garden and so much new life makes me gleeful xxx

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  62. Hi Nicole, I was intrigued when I saw the name of your blog on "Three dogs in a garden blog", so I stopped by. Great visit, I always love pictutes that show how other gardeners do things. But believe it or not, being in France, I tried to see where I had landed...US? Canada? I still don't know! Where is your garden? Come and see me, my blog is mainly in french, I'm a bit lazy writing in english although I 'm a french- american.... See you soon!
    http://jardin-alsace-vignoble.blogspot.fr/
    Martine

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  63. love the garden and the peonies. your kids look had so much fun :)

    xx,
    felishmichelle.blogspot.com

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  64. Love what you are doing and it is well worth all of the time that you are taking.

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  65. The new pathway seems to be a hit with the little beans. it certainly didn't take them long to move in with the toys! I admire that you get anything done at all. Three young kids is a full time job and then some. Your spring garden is coming along wonderfully and I look forward to seeing how all your efforts come to fruition.

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  66. Sigh. I wish I had your green thumb! The plants all look like they are thriving wonderfully. The pathway looks like a great addition as well. :)

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  67. We are all definitely nuts in our own way :-) I often think to myself 'you only live once, so what does it matter?' about various things :-)
    Your path is going to look lovely! Despite there being no children around, it take a while to get things done around here too with all of our animals :-)

    Sarah xx

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  68. Love what you've done with the garden and it amazes me how much you get done despite having to looking all the little beans!! I only have one baby and hardly can find any time to spare.

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  69. Hi Nicole,

    Thanks for visiting me today and wishing you a happy weekend.
    Hope that the path and your garden work is going well.
    Sending hugs dear friend
    Carolyn

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  70. Yes, I remember how it was impossible to keep my kids out of the sand and gravel when they were small. You are making great progress, good work on your path. I'd like to have a cornelian cherry dogwood but Judy doesn't see the appeal.

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  71. It's looking good Nicole, gorgeous pictures! And i just love your sign off line, beautiful! xxx

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  72. Love that your passion is gardening. I totally wished that I enjoyed it more! I can't wait to see more of your space...spring seems way more advanced for your plants than ours right now!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  73. Hi Nicole: Your pathway is really great. We have gravel paths in our gardens, too, and I like that, in our very rainy weather that we have here, they pretty much keep things drained and dry for walking. And wow, your peony looks fantastic--I bet you'll have lovely blooms this year! I have been crazy busy with work, and hardening off flower starts that I did from seed--I'll be planting hanging baskets and containers next week, if it stops raining. I just wanted to pop in and say hi--I haven't forgotten about my blogging buddies, but just been super busy with life lately. Take care!

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  74. It looks all so lovely :)

    www.writingmonique.com

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  75. wow, you are a popular chickadee…look at all those comments pet!
    This garden of yours is going to be quite something by the end of Spring, if only I could pop over the pacific for a cuppa in it x

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