* a Brussels sprout
* a dehydrated Brussels sprout (later)
* Ferraro Rocher wrappers
* a wrapped cough drop
* small scissors
* pens
* pencils
* nail clippers
* dozens of Dixie bathroom cups
* small inkpads
* milk caps
* spinach
* apple peels
* potato peels
* kleenex
* full sheets of note paper
* tweezers
* a pencil sharpener
* very heavy beanbag turtle & horse from Bali
* my"Damned Dollies' - handmade dolls from a Toronto artist
* the Eiffel Tower (okay ... a replica)
* the CN Tower ( again, a replica, but I'm thinking she could do the real thing ...)
What are all these things, you ask ? These, my friends, are some of the many items my kitten Dillee likes to carry in her mouth while she runs. It is too funny !! Her other talent is totally annihilating rolls of toilet paper ... and maybe I should get mad and make it clear that is not good behavior ... but it is so funny to see this little cat go ballistic on a roll of TP and then sit in the ENORMOUS cloud of white shreds. I laugh now thinking about it ...
Anyway, Dillee was spayed 2 days ago ... and she has been on HIGH ENERGY ever since .... running, climbing, NUTS !!! Because she seems to have so much energy, I will be calling today for MY vet appointment !!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
hmmm ... what's up with this day ...
Here's the day so far ... but don't get me wrong - it's great !
1. hardly any sleep for the last 2 nights ... Dillee had to be spayed on Tuesday so that meant no food after 8pm. So we needed to take the food up which meant 5 cats with no food . The direct translation of that is "NO SLEEP FOR PEOPLE". They foraged all night ! Then last night we brought the newly spayed Baby Dill home. She was fabulous ! But crazy. I asked Sara if the incision is where they actually put in batteries - she NEVER STOPPED ALL NIGHT. Crazy running, climbing, jumping, running over us , on and on ... So another night without much sleep. And we tried. We thought she would calm down and rest if we turned off all the lights ... you know, trick her into thinking it was night. Yeah, great idea. We ate dinner and sat all evening in the dark. We got tired but she didn't !!
2. I have priced about 300 strands of beads in the last week or so. Pretty happy to have gotten that done. Not so happy this morning to find that all the barbell tags have popped open or fallen off !!! THEY DO NOT STAY STUCK !!!! So I have spent most of the day TAPING every tag together. GRRR.
3. Just ate my lunch ... chicken and mayo that expired in October and then a pudding cup that expired in August ... Hmmmm ... do you get the idea that I am NOT on top of things ??!! Hopefully it won't cause me to expire....
BUT ... have you seen that sparkly diamond like snow out there ? Have you felt that warm gorgeous sun ? Have you noticed how blue the sky is ? How can I care about all that other crap when it is a day of glorious proportions out there ???!!! Enjoy the day my friends !!
1. hardly any sleep for the last 2 nights ... Dillee had to be spayed on Tuesday so that meant no food after 8pm. So we needed to take the food up which meant 5 cats with no food . The direct translation of that is "NO SLEEP FOR PEOPLE". They foraged all night ! Then last night we brought the newly spayed Baby Dill home. She was fabulous ! But crazy. I asked Sara if the incision is where they actually put in batteries - she NEVER STOPPED ALL NIGHT. Crazy running, climbing, jumping, running over us , on and on ... So another night without much sleep. And we tried. We thought she would calm down and rest if we turned off all the lights ... you know, trick her into thinking it was night. Yeah, great idea. We ate dinner and sat all evening in the dark. We got tired but she didn't !!
2. I have priced about 300 strands of beads in the last week or so. Pretty happy to have gotten that done. Not so happy this morning to find that all the barbell tags have popped open or fallen off !!! THEY DO NOT STAY STUCK !!!! So I have spent most of the day TAPING every tag together. GRRR.
3. Just ate my lunch ... chicken and mayo that expired in October and then a pudding cup that expired in August ... Hmmmm ... do you get the idea that I am NOT on top of things ??!! Hopefully it won't cause me to expire....
BUT ... have you seen that sparkly diamond like snow out there ? Have you felt that warm gorgeous sun ? Have you noticed how blue the sky is ? How can I care about all that other crap when it is a day of glorious proportions out there ???!!! Enjoy the day my friends !!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A little somethin' somethin'
Here are a few things I made this past week ... I have cleaned up my work room and am on a roll !! The Creativity Journal has really helped me to stay in the groove. I try to always clean off my table at the end of a project and leave the journal laying there ... like an invitation. And it works !! ( my, I am easily influenced ...)
Anyway, this week I experimented with a collaged canvas ... and it was FUN !!! I got to play with Claudine Helmuth paints, inks, sprays, ripped paper, Mod Podge ( although I always call it MODGE PODGE ... flows better ...) metal bits, stamps, whatever !! Here is my first attempt. I already have another canvas painted and waiting !!
Then I took stock of all the paper I bought when I was just in hungry paper-buying phases ... what on earth will I do with it all ????? So I am making it up into small albums. I will sell some in the shop and on ETSY and some will be gifts. Why not ? The first was a kit I bought at a silent auction. Now, why I bought a kit, I will NEVER know ! I HATE kits !! I am such a stubborn ... ah ... person that my life motto is "You're not the boss of me." And that extends to anything creative ... I will not follow a pattern or directions ! At card classes I always had to use the other side of the paper ... stubborn. (It's not always my best trait, I'll admit ...) So , anyway, I have this kit, all packaged page by page. So I dumped the whole thing in a pile, threw in a few other things, and put it together HOW EVER I WANTED. I looked at the directions when I was done and the 2 projects were nothing alike. So now I am starting on all the other stuff I have ... crankin' them out !!
We went to my niece Kari's birthday party this past weekend. She made her own cake ... she was inspired by Sara's beautiful Hallowe'en cake to start decorating cakes ! Her cake was a sweet little garden with rows of little peas-in-pods, carrots, radish, and lettuce - all made by her ! It was adorable ... I'll try to get a picture from her. Her next cake was a fish bowl complete with rocks & goldfish ... cute ! But here's the best part ... she has asked to be the "Guest Baker" for the CAPS fundraiser this month. So she will make the treats for the week of the 25th ... I can't wait to see what she will make !! WOOT ! WOOT !
Well I have a big box of beads calling my name ... better go be productive !! Have a great week !!
Anyway, this week I experimented with a collaged canvas ... and it was FUN !!! I got to play with Claudine Helmuth paints, inks, sprays, ripped paper, Mod Podge ( although I always call it MODGE PODGE ... flows better ...) metal bits, stamps, whatever !! Here is my first attempt. I already have another canvas painted and waiting !!
Then I took stock of all the paper I bought when I was just in hungry paper-buying phases ... what on earth will I do with it all ????? So I am making it up into small albums. I will sell some in the shop and on ETSY and some will be gifts. Why not ? The first was a kit I bought at a silent auction. Now, why I bought a kit, I will NEVER know ! I HATE kits !! I am such a stubborn ... ah ... person that my life motto is "You're not the boss of me." And that extends to anything creative ... I will not follow a pattern or directions ! At card classes I always had to use the other side of the paper ... stubborn. (It's not always my best trait, I'll admit ...) So , anyway, I have this kit, all packaged page by page. So I dumped the whole thing in a pile, threw in a few other things, and put it together HOW EVER I WANTED. I looked at the directions when I was done and the 2 projects were nothing alike. So now I am starting on all the other stuff I have ... crankin' them out !!
We went to my niece Kari's birthday party this past weekend. She made her own cake ... she was inspired by Sara's beautiful Hallowe'en cake to start decorating cakes ! Her cake was a sweet little garden with rows of little peas-in-pods, carrots, radish, and lettuce - all made by her ! It was adorable ... I'll try to get a picture from her. Her next cake was a fish bowl complete with rocks & goldfish ... cute ! But here's the best part ... she has asked to be the "Guest Baker" for the CAPS fundraiser this month. So she will make the treats for the week of the 25th ... I can't wait to see what she will make !! WOOT ! WOOT !
Well I have a big box of beads calling my name ... better go be productive !! Have a great week !!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
It's Been A While ....
Time to catch up !!!
Here are a few things tickling my fancy these days ...
1. Just finished reading "Knit Two" by Kate Jacobs ... nice to catch up with the gang from the Friday Night Knitting Club ! Now I am on to Wally Lamb's "Wishin' and Hopin". So far it's good ... reminds me of my childhood ... actually it would be EXACTLY like my childhood if I was 10 years older, Catholic, if my Dad ran a lunch counter at the bus depot, if I had sisters, and ... oh yeah, if I were a boy. So it's close ....
2. Magazine Recycling ... I have been bringing stacks of them in here for anyone to take and enjoy ... okay some may be missing a recipe but most are "original condition" ... anyway, it makes me feel good to see them out of my blue bag and off to another home ! Pass it on !
3. TOTE ADDICTION ... I think I have it. Is there a 12 step program ? I have bought 20+ different totes and several shelves and rolling carts in the last 2 weeks. I have put stuff in ONE of them. I just enjoy the IDEA of being organized ...
4. ZIGZAG stitch ... I have been using my new sewing machine and really enjoying it. Those are two words ( ENJOY + SEWING MACHINE) ... I know ...3 ...that I have never said together before !! Anyway, so far just on paper but I have another project up my sleeve ... I have been fusing plastic bags together to make a fabric and the day is coming when that very fabric will become tote bags ... or gift bags ... or aprons ... but probably not pants.
5. STELLA and her FAB prints !!! I bought this print from http://www.stellagirl.etsy.com/ and I LOVE IT !!! And then she sent me some great gifts too so now I also LOVE HER !!! Check her out and buy something for yourself ... go on ... you'll be sooooo happy !
(p.s. ... do you know the story behind the "Keep Calm and Carry On" ? I love the posters - got one of those from Stella too. It was printed , I believe, in 1939 ( date may be off ...) in Britain to be used during the war to keep people calm and have life carry on. The posters were never used and were only recently discovered. They have become a real phenomenon and the jumping off point for all sorts of great slogans. I saw some products at Chapters this weekend that said "Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake" ... 2 of my fave things combined !!! Wish now that I had bought one ... next time !!)
6. GLASS TILES !!! Just received a HUGE box of tiles of all shapes and sizes ... I will have necklaces and pendants for sale soon that I will make with them but I will also be selling just the pendants so you can make your own !! And ... hopefully ... the gorgeous Japanese paper to use with them . Soon, my friends, soon.
7. Miniature Wrinkle Dog ... yes, really ! One of Charlie's customers had her puppy in last week ... so cute !! Like a hairy little brindle accordion !! She will only be about 30lbs full grown. SWEET !
8. Music ... loving Down with Webster ( Canadian !!), the new Hedley CD (especially The Sweater Song), and Justin Timberlake's version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah ... only the best song ever written. And written by a poetic genius ... Anyway, you can download it from iTunes for the Haitian Relief effort. Awesome song, awesome cause .
9. Somerset Studio Magazines ... my CRACK !!! I even have an enabler at the book store who lets me know when they have come in. I start jonesing for them as soon as I know they are there . DROOL DROOL ...
10. The new paper lines from PINK PAISLEE ... can't wait !!
11. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans ... I have a big bag of them and every night I take a little pile and slooooooooooooowly eat them. But I have to guess the flavour before the next one. I offered some to Charlie but said he HAD to eat them one at a time. He "handfuls" them. That's just a waste. He refused my offer. Whatever. Anyway, they are so yummy ... except the Caramel Apple ... tastes like meat. UGH!
12. Collaged Canvases ... I have been painting, stamping, grunging, altering, decoupaging, ... to my hearts content !! It is so fun !!
Next on tap ... a glass fusing kit and an awesome book on soldering ... always more projects and supplies than I have time for but there is always something new to look forward to and be inspired by !!
13. A few randoms ... hand cream, skull & crossbones hubcaps ( gotta get me some of them !), Distress Embossing Ink, Claudine Helmuth paints, crispy grapes, pork stew.
Anyway, that's been my week. Tonight I bake cookies for my C.A.P.S. fundraiser this week. Drop in for a Morning Glory Cookie with Cream Cheese Icing OR Chocolate Buttermilk Sheet Cake with Fudgy Pecan Icingand a coffee or tea ... for a $2 donation to CAPS. Let's help those wonderful people with all their hard work !!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK !!!
P.S. Here's a great coleslaw recipe ... maybe your old recipe needs a makeover ... a ZIPPY little make over !
In a bowl , whisk together ... a SQUIRT of yellow regular mustard (I would say about 3T), a few spoonfuls of green relish ( like for hotdogs), a good splash of rice wine vinegar, a sprinkle of sugar or squirt of honey , and then whisk in some canola oil ... you'll know when it's enough to be a nice dressing consistency. Taste it then add coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Add more sugar if needed. Then toss with whatever you usually put in your coleslaw ... cabbage, carrots, red pepper slivers, etc... Really good !! Zippy but sweet !!
Here's Nellie , Charlie's feed store cat, hiding in my store ... this is about 7 feet up !!!
Here are a few things tickling my fancy these days ...
1. Just finished reading "Knit Two" by Kate Jacobs ... nice to catch up with the gang from the Friday Night Knitting Club ! Now I am on to Wally Lamb's "Wishin' and Hopin". So far it's good ... reminds me of my childhood ... actually it would be EXACTLY like my childhood if I was 10 years older, Catholic, if my Dad ran a lunch counter at the bus depot, if I had sisters, and ... oh yeah, if I were a boy. So it's close ....
2. Magazine Recycling ... I have been bringing stacks of them in here for anyone to take and enjoy ... okay some may be missing a recipe but most are "original condition" ... anyway, it makes me feel good to see them out of my blue bag and off to another home ! Pass it on !
3. TOTE ADDICTION ... I think I have it. Is there a 12 step program ? I have bought 20+ different totes and several shelves and rolling carts in the last 2 weeks. I have put stuff in ONE of them. I just enjoy the IDEA of being organized ...
4. ZIGZAG stitch ... I have been using my new sewing machine and really enjoying it. Those are two words ( ENJOY + SEWING MACHINE) ... I know ...3 ...that I have never said together before !! Anyway, so far just on paper but I have another project up my sleeve ... I have been fusing plastic bags together to make a fabric and the day is coming when that very fabric will become tote bags ... or gift bags ... or aprons ... but probably not pants.
5. STELLA and her FAB prints !!! I bought this print from http://www.stellagirl.etsy.com/ and I LOVE IT !!! And then she sent me some great gifts too so now I also LOVE HER !!! Check her out and buy something for yourself ... go on ... you'll be sooooo happy !
(p.s. ... do you know the story behind the "Keep Calm and Carry On" ? I love the posters - got one of those from Stella too. It was printed , I believe, in 1939 ( date may be off ...) in Britain to be used during the war to keep people calm and have life carry on. The posters were never used and were only recently discovered. They have become a real phenomenon and the jumping off point for all sorts of great slogans. I saw some products at Chapters this weekend that said "Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake" ... 2 of my fave things combined !!! Wish now that I had bought one ... next time !!)
6. GLASS TILES !!! Just received a HUGE box of tiles of all shapes and sizes ... I will have necklaces and pendants for sale soon that I will make with them but I will also be selling just the pendants so you can make your own !! And ... hopefully ... the gorgeous Japanese paper to use with them . Soon, my friends, soon.
7. Miniature Wrinkle Dog ... yes, really ! One of Charlie's customers had her puppy in last week ... so cute !! Like a hairy little brindle accordion !! She will only be about 30lbs full grown. SWEET !
8. Music ... loving Down with Webster ( Canadian !!), the new Hedley CD (especially The Sweater Song), and Justin Timberlake's version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah ... only the best song ever written. And written by a poetic genius ... Anyway, you can download it from iTunes for the Haitian Relief effort. Awesome song, awesome cause .
9. Somerset Studio Magazines ... my CRACK !!! I even have an enabler at the book store who lets me know when they have come in. I start jonesing for them as soon as I know they are there . DROOL DROOL ...
10. The new paper lines from PINK PAISLEE ... can't wait !!
11. Jelly Belly Jelly Beans ... I have a big bag of them and every night I take a little pile and slooooooooooooowly eat them. But I have to guess the flavour before the next one. I offered some to Charlie but said he HAD to eat them one at a time. He "handfuls" them. That's just a waste. He refused my offer. Whatever. Anyway, they are so yummy ... except the Caramel Apple ... tastes like meat. UGH!
12. Collaged Canvases ... I have been painting, stamping, grunging, altering, decoupaging, ... to my hearts content !! It is so fun !!
Next on tap ... a glass fusing kit and an awesome book on soldering ... always more projects and supplies than I have time for but there is always something new to look forward to and be inspired by !!
13. A few randoms ... hand cream, skull & crossbones hubcaps ( gotta get me some of them !), Distress Embossing Ink, Claudine Helmuth paints, crispy grapes, pork stew.
Anyway, that's been my week. Tonight I bake cookies for my C.A.P.S. fundraiser this week. Drop in for a Morning Glory Cookie with Cream Cheese Icing OR Chocolate Buttermilk Sheet Cake with Fudgy Pecan Icingand a coffee or tea ... for a $2 donation to CAPS. Let's help those wonderful people with all their hard work !!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK !!!
P.S. Here's a great coleslaw recipe ... maybe your old recipe needs a makeover ... a ZIPPY little make over !
In a bowl , whisk together ... a SQUIRT of yellow regular mustard (I would say about 3T), a few spoonfuls of green relish ( like for hotdogs), a good splash of rice wine vinegar, a sprinkle of sugar or squirt of honey , and then whisk in some canola oil ... you'll know when it's enough to be a nice dressing consistency. Taste it then add coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Add more sugar if needed. Then toss with whatever you usually put in your coleslaw ... cabbage, carrots, red pepper slivers, etc... Really good !! Zippy but sweet !!
Here's Nellie , Charlie's feed store cat, hiding in my store ... this is about 7 feet up !!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
WHiR ... WhiR ... wHiR ...
(that is the sound of a butt in gear ...)
Yes !! Finally !!! The holidays is a time of such ... well... sloth. Too much food, bad food, too much wearing of the pyjama pants, visiting, not working as much, visiting more, eating again, drinking, eating ... SLOTH !! And it is a hard pit to get out of ... hard to get the old "butt in gear". But I have !!
This week has been about being productive ... and digging it ! It's been about cooking ... homemade soup, cheesy biscuits, pasta with chicken/bacon/boursin cheese (yum), salads, ... all good cooked meals. (well ... er ... except for the cardiac canape recipe at the end of the post ...oops ...) I have tidied up (a bit ...) (that may be a direct result of watching "Hoarders" ... I am but one depressing incident away ...). Totes have been purchased to stow all the Hallowe'en stuff, Christmas presents have been put away, baskets have been found to hold all the DVD-VCR-Wii stuff. Things are looking up. I have organized my beading supplies, made plans and ordered supplies. A rolling kitchen island has been added to the kitchen and a cookbook shelf is on its way. I have kicked my old ornery sewing machine in the ass and have bought a new one - I am tired of fighting with that miserable machine !! I am feeling good about all this !!
I spent yesterday making glass tile pendants and covering note books ... 27 of them actually !!
I made a Creativity Journal and plan to keep track of what I make & do ... and I hope to do it most days ! So far, so good !!
I also planned out my "Cookies that Care " campaign ... the last weekend of each month looks like the perfect time. This month will be either Giant Morning Glory Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing or Red Velvet Whoopie Pies. I need to do a test run on the Whoopies first. Then I'll decide.
So things are humming along and I am thrilled !!
oh ... this is really REALLY a sloth thing ... but delish !!! ( Believe me - it is !) But you feel like maybe you should have a cardiologist on speed dial or be sitting by the trailer with Julian & Bubbles when you eat it ... everyone that I have talked into trying them or making them though agrees ... delish !!
You take one pkg of weiners, cut them in quarters. Take a package of bacon and cut the slices in thirds. Wrap each little weinie with a bacon piece. Pack them into a baking dish, sprinkle with 1 cup of brown sugar and bake for 1 hour at 350. Then eat. Shhh ... listen ... do you hear that ? CHOLESTEROL RISING !! But you will get this dumb happy but guilty look on your face and your hand will sneak over repeatedly to the dish ... If you want to be fancy, pass the toothpicks !!! DO NOT EAT THESE on a regular basis ... I am sure they could kill you !!!
Yes !! Finally !!! The holidays is a time of such ... well... sloth. Too much food, bad food, too much wearing of the pyjama pants, visiting, not working as much, visiting more, eating again, drinking, eating ... SLOTH !! And it is a hard pit to get out of ... hard to get the old "butt in gear". But I have !!
This week has been about being productive ... and digging it ! It's been about cooking ... homemade soup, cheesy biscuits, pasta with chicken/bacon/boursin cheese (yum), salads, ... all good cooked meals. (well ... er ... except for the cardiac canape recipe at the end of the post ...oops ...) I have tidied up (a bit ...) (that may be a direct result of watching "Hoarders" ... I am but one depressing incident away ...). Totes have been purchased to stow all the Hallowe'en stuff, Christmas presents have been put away, baskets have been found to hold all the DVD-VCR-Wii stuff. Things are looking up. I have organized my beading supplies, made plans and ordered supplies. A rolling kitchen island has been added to the kitchen and a cookbook shelf is on its way. I have kicked my old ornery sewing machine in the ass and have bought a new one - I am tired of fighting with that miserable machine !! I am feeling good about all this !!
I spent yesterday making glass tile pendants and covering note books ... 27 of them actually !!
I made a Creativity Journal and plan to keep track of what I make & do ... and I hope to do it most days ! So far, so good !!
I also planned out my "Cookies that Care " campaign ... the last weekend of each month looks like the perfect time. This month will be either Giant Morning Glory Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing or Red Velvet Whoopie Pies. I need to do a test run on the Whoopies first. Then I'll decide.
So things are humming along and I am thrilled !!
oh ... this is really REALLY a sloth thing ... but delish !!! ( Believe me - it is !) But you feel like maybe you should have a cardiologist on speed dial or be sitting by the trailer with Julian & Bubbles when you eat it ... everyone that I have talked into trying them or making them though agrees ... delish !!
You take one pkg of weiners, cut them in quarters. Take a package of bacon and cut the slices in thirds. Wrap each little weinie with a bacon piece. Pack them into a baking dish, sprinkle with 1 cup of brown sugar and bake for 1 hour at 350. Then eat. Shhh ... listen ... do you hear that ? CHOLESTEROL RISING !! But you will get this dumb happy but guilty look on your face and your hand will sneak over repeatedly to the dish ... If you want to be fancy, pass the toothpicks !!! DO NOT EAT THESE on a regular basis ... I am sure they could kill you !!!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
It's over !!!! Back to NORMAL !!!
Wow ... the holidays kill me ... I never know what day it is or whether I am supposed to be going to work ... I eat too much junk and I hate all the reruns on TV(those 24 hour "Holmes on Homes" marathons are TOOOOO much !!). So I am always so happy to be back to the so-called normal life ! Bring it on !!!
Christmas was nice ... we frantically wrapped all the gifts for family on Christmas eve, then shoved our presents for each other back in the shopping bags and pretended they were wrapped ... worked for me ... (I hate wrapping !!) So it was a WONDERFUL HalloWIIn Christmas at our house... a new Wii that we are loving and lots of great "Halowe'enie" style gifts. AWESOME!!!
(hmmm ... not only did we not wrap them Charlie apparently left the tags on ... maybe to simulate gift tags ...)
Some AWESOME movies !!! "Coraline" is one of my ultimate favourites ... it is sooo beautiful (the animation) ... the opening credits are gorgeous and I could (and WILL) watch them over & over. And this time it will be in 3D !!!! And who can resist "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" ??? "Let's do the time warp again ...."
I even scored some cool things for Charlie ... a skull rear view mirror for the hearse, a Dracula tree ornament that TALKS, and a GLOW-in-the-DARK skeleton shirt !!!
And , yes, my friends, that IS what you think it is ... my MOST FAVOURITE thing ... A HEARSE PURSE !!!!
How amazing is that ???!!!!
And then our Wii ... I am pretty much a pro bowler now and a tennis ace ... not to mention an amazing canoe-er. I have never "canoed a boat" before so I am pretty happy with all the records I am SHATTERING !!!! I may go pro ... (except for my very sore arms and shoulders ...) I am worried though that I may become really BUFF from the waist up ... and still have the same legs ... Scary thought !!!
New year's Eve was quiet ... we went to Charlie's step mom's and spent the evening with her ... eating cheese, drinking wine, and having a great chat. Nice way to end the year !! We started the New Year with a funeral ... not the best way to start off but it happens. The funeral was on the Saturday of the snow storm ... we had quite a trek to the graveyard and a horrendous trip home.I was REALLY happy to see our house !!!
Now it is back to normal ... no resolutions ... I don't really believe in them ... no word to "theme" my upcoming year ... don't believe in that either. I just want to do the best I can for myself and those I love. Period. And by doing that,the year should be just fine !!
Hope to hear from you or see you soon !!!
P.S. Here are a few "Dilly Updates" ...
The baby we call "Dilly"
Dilly hanging with some of the big cats.
A bad picture but ... this is what Dilly does to poor Earl ... she climbs on him and uses him as a chew toy ... poor fella !!
Christmas was nice ... we frantically wrapped all the gifts for family on Christmas eve, then shoved our presents for each other back in the shopping bags and pretended they were wrapped ... worked for me ... (I hate wrapping !!) So it was a WONDERFUL HalloWIIn Christmas at our house... a new Wii that we are loving and lots of great "Halowe'enie" style gifts. AWESOME!!!
(hmmm ... not only did we not wrap them Charlie apparently left the tags on ... maybe to simulate gift tags ...) Some AWESOME movies !!! "Coraline" is one of my ultimate favourites ... it is sooo beautiful (the animation) ... the opening credits are gorgeous and I could (and WILL) watch them over & over. And this time it will be in 3D !!!! And who can resist "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" ??? "Let's do the time warp again ...."I even scored some cool things for Charlie ... a skull rear view mirror for the hearse, a Dracula tree ornament that TALKS, and a GLOW-in-the-DARK skeleton shirt !!!
And , yes, my friends, that IS what you think it is ... my MOST FAVOURITE thing ... A HEARSE PURSE !!!!
How amazing is that ???!!!!And then our Wii ... I am pretty much a pro bowler now and a tennis ace ... not to mention an amazing canoe-er. I have never "canoed a boat" before so I am pretty happy with all the records I am SHATTERING !!!! I may go pro ... (except for my very sore arms and shoulders ...) I am worried though that I may become really BUFF from the waist up ... and still have the same legs ... Scary thought !!!
New year's Eve was quiet ... we went to Charlie's step mom's and spent the evening with her ... eating cheese, drinking wine, and having a great chat. Nice way to end the year !! We started the New Year with a funeral ... not the best way to start off but it happens. The funeral was on the Saturday of the snow storm ... we had quite a trek to the graveyard and a horrendous trip home.I was REALLY happy to see our house !!!
Now it is back to normal ... no resolutions ... I don't really believe in them ... no word to "theme" my upcoming year ... don't believe in that either. I just want to do the best I can for myself and those I love. Period. And by doing that,the year should be just fine !!
Hope to hear from you or see you soon !!!
P.S. Here are a few "Dilly Updates" ...
The baby we call "Dilly"
Dilly hanging with some of the big cats.
A bad picture but ... this is what Dilly does to poor Earl ... she climbs on him and uses him as a chew toy ... poor fella !!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Craft Swap !!
For the last two years, a group of ten of us have had a craft swap for Christmas. You make nine of your craft ... you know, like a cookie swap. The gifts range from pickles & jellies to sewn items to cards to wall hangings, tree ornaments, organizers, birthday books, jewelry, candle holders, wrapping accessories ... you name it. Amazingly, every craft is completely different. And so beautiful ! The nicest thing is that each person really cares about what they make and wants so much for everyone to like it. It seems to really be what Christmas should be ... a gathering of friends sharing homemade heartfelt gifts. Perfect !!
The evening is fun ... we eat, we chat, we laugh, and then we take turns passing out our crafted gifts. And each one brings "oohs" and "aahs" and lots of questions about "how it's made". Because each person is a crafter there is such an appreciation for the work and techniques. It is an inspiring thing !!
This year we had the swap at the store ... I didn't want to decorate at home this year ! So I cleaned up the spare room at the store and set up the table. I needed a tablecloth because the table is 4'x8'... none of mine fit. I found one that fit ... perfectly ...a nice burgundy ... nice traditional burgundy ... perfect size. I carried it around the store for a long time ... something wasn't right ... nice traditional burgundy ... THAT WAS IT !!! All my decorations are bright aqua, lime green, orange, fuchsia, etc ... I just can't seem to get into a traditional scheme.It looks beautiful ... when other people do it ! So I found 2 raspberry coloured cloths that would cover the table and I felt right again ! Can't step away from the brights I guess !!
Here are the crafts I made ... Holiday Planners ...
and S'More Kits to make in the oven. Just a fun little add on !
This year we had mustard pickles and raspberry jam (can't wait to try those !), a lovely clear ball filled with snowy little branches and berries + cookies, an exquisite mini star book ornament, an amazing Stickled candle holder that took HOURS to Stickle & ornament & zipper pull, a wonderful Birthday organizer (oh I hope it helps me !!),a sweet fleecy little hand stitched vintage stocking, beautiful homemade bows and tags, and a fab card holder. See for yourself !! Isn't the variety amazing ?!
... this was probably the 8th group picture ... our "official photographer" Charlie took pictures with everyone's cameras ... Anyway, it was a great night. Today I am happily admiring all the great gifts and munching on leftovers ... today I will live on dips and Christmas goodies ... and life will be good !
So ... it is just 10 days to Christmas ...we went shopping last weekend and did pretty well ... just a few more things to buy for my family .I have some caramel corn to make, seasoning mixes,some more S'more Kits, a few things like that ... but no big deal. Our house is a kitten disaster ... okay, people disaster too ... we share the blame too !! But I am not decorating so we are just rolling with it ... who cares ?! So now everything seems easy for the holidays ... just delivering some gifts, making a few homemade treats, eating with family, visiting, seeing our newly engaged niece freshly home from Norway, all fun and relaxing. Christmas is really - for many of us - just 2 days so why do a month's prep for it ?? Relax ... chill out ... decide what's important ... and HAVE FUN !!!
Have a great week !!!
Here's a little update photo of Dillee ... why did we worry about how she would make out with the other cats ?? Really ... how will THEY make out ??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
... a few of my favourite things ...