Sweet potato latke

we tried sweet potato latke. All i have to say is yum. Best new idea for dinner ever!!!!

shhhhhh

I did something bad today.  I hung Christmas Curtains..  well winter ones at least.  I found 2 flannel sheets at Amvets and they were Snowflakes.  One was red snow flakes and the other was blue.  Sheets!!!  So up they went today. Being flannel.. I didn't bother sewing the bottom.  So up they went and the Fall stuff came down.  BUT THAT IS IT!! Really.. Until Friday.. Really.. ok. except the snowman sugar bowl in the kitchen. BUT THATS IT!!

small rant

Off the holiday lists for a minute..

ARRRGGG!!!!!!!!!!!   I AM NOT A TRAINER!!!!  I AM QUALITY CONTROL!!!!!
sigh...

spice it up! Holiday Gift Idea #4

I didn't find Penzeys on Elmwood until a few months ago.  I needed some new spices and boy, was I impressed.

The store smells wonderful first off.  And the selection was overwhelming, but in a good way.  The staff was more than helpful and there is even a little station for kids to color at while you shop.

They do offer some gift sets already prepackaged.  But go nuts!  You can make your own sets up in either the pretty glass jars or in the bags.  To be honest, its really not that expensive.  For the amount that you get, they do last quite awhile and if you store them correctly, they won't get stale.

I need to go back and get some good Vanilla for Christmas this year.

etsy local shopping - Holiday Gift Idea #3

I hate shopping at the malls for Christmas presents.  I'm rushed, I'm tired and I can't carry my coffee and my bags and my purse at the same time.  I will do short specific spurts to the mall ONLY IF I REALLY HAVE TO!.  I prefer to hit the Elmwood Village or shop online.

One of my favorite sites on etsy is a local shop - elm studios.  I remember like 2 years back at a craft show I saw the beautiful little containers.  So sweet and personal.  The work of Erin Lynne Meissner is always on my list of things to look at on etsy.

The breathe bowl is probably my favorite.  Here's a shot of it (no, I don't own it.. I covet it.  I need to remember to do that every so often - the shot is from her etsy site.. go there. really.  you'll love it)

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again, in no way I am connected to the artists.  I'm simply tossing out different ideas for the holidays.  If I mention it, it must be good.  everyone should create. and i applaud these artists for doing what I can not.  with that, I'm going to snuggle up in my flannel sheets and read a book.  yes,  a real book.  with pages and a spine and ink.  

martha Holiday Gift Idea #2

I hate Martha Stewart but at the same time, I love the stuff she and her staff come up with.  I suppose I hate her because I should have thought of the stuff first and I can't seem to get around to making the items I so covet.

I'm on the hunt for little things I can make with the kiddo for Christmas - little gifts or ornaments she can give to family and friends.  I saw this Pipe Cleaner Snowflake that would be awesome for her.

I took her new book out from the Library and I love it!

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia Of Sewing And Fabric Crafts: Basic Techniques For Sewing, Applique, Embroidery, Quilting, Dyeing, And Printing, Plus 150 Inspired Projects From A To Z

I have been flipping through this book and it would make a wonderful addition to any sewer or crafter's collection.  She explains the basics and provides some neat tips.  I do love the section on the Japanese embroidered linens.  Nothing in it overly complicated or things you just wouldn't use.  She covers Aprons, Curtains, dolls, stuffed animals, how to Applique, making sheets for your bed.... you get the idea?

Now, I think I need to go sew something.

pottery junkie - Holiday Gift Ideas #1

This is part of my pottery addiction.  Only 4 pieces are missing.  I adore handmade pottery and I am fortunate to know several potterers.  

The newest addition is the Polish Pottery - the white and blue.  I won them at a basket raffle and boy was I lucky.  I used it last night and I couldn't have been happier.

The bowl on the top left was made by a local artist.  The Cup on the left was made by Dancing Pig Pottery and the little green/blue mug on the right was made by Hughes Pottery  

I adore these pieces and I really do use the mugs every day. So if you are thinking of getting something for the Holidays this year, why not consider hand made pottery.  They are unique and very well made. Don't hide them in a china cabinet...USE THEM!!

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Note: These are not endorsement  at all.  I was not paid or contacted by these wonderful artists.  I just simply adore their work and a wanted to share some different Gift ideas for the Holidays.  Enjoy!

ummm

Thats pretty much my answer. Its that time of year and everything is going. School is prepping for Christmas and the play, and the Gingerbread house and the Santa Breakfast.

Work is,... well work. December will be nuts. Home is a mess... not emotionally but physically. The Cookies are finally done and now I have to recover from that and having to clean out my car to get it fix. The door no longer has a hole in it. Thank goodness.

All I want is a clean house. I had it.. but its gone. Saturday and Sunday will be the cleaning days. I want my space back.

Sigh.....

I think its time for some meditative music while I do this client install. Nothing make me focus like medieval choir songs.

totally worth it

Today was the crazy Community Days sale at the BonTon. Now, I'm not one to go to Black Friday, crazy super busy sales at any store. I don't like the crowds and I can never usually find anything. But I did have a $10 off coupon and I was looking for hankies. Some nice lady gave me another book so I had $20 total off. Nice.

Well, after wandering around for like 30 minutes, I found 1 thing. A plaid (browns) shirt for $15, normally $60. $60!!! um.. who spends that money on a flannel shirt. Well, I paid $5. So there.

I did find a nice flannel sheet set for us - Tim likes the one set we have but its pink. I got a green set for $29.99... yep, on sale and $10 off. Normally, this set is $80. Again, who spends $80 on sheets??

Last bit of luck was spent on a wool pea coat from London Fog. Normally $225. $70... yep.. And the blasted thing fit and has pockets and a hood and a scarf.

go me! I'm done. I have my oxford shoes, my pea coat and I finally figured out how to wear my hair in a 40's style.

So now I'm chilling - waiting for the kiddo to come home from the zoo. I am wearing my new flannel shirt, my new woolly lined flats and miraculously, my brown gauchos from ON.. which match the shirt. DOUBLE SCORE! I'm too cute to stay home.

you'd think it was disney

I'm wide freaking awake. Tomorrow is Hallowtide down near Olean. Its an SCA thing. Long complicated thing but in a nut shell its like living history of the middle ages. there. now you know.

Regardless. I'm taking the girls (the daughter and my niece) on a 2 hr car ride along with a good friend. I think I have everything packed. PACKED!! We are only going for the day.. and I have to pack.

Garb, drinks, stuff to do, scroll, feast gear, munchies, DAMN!! I forget the daughter's garb in the laundry room. Need to grab that.

It honestly feels like I'm going to Disney, or a long vacation... or the night before Christmas. All I want to do is sleep. I don't even have a good excuse like eating a box of Girl Scout cookies....

Thanks and Cookies

Its always interesting to have your Mom read your blog (HI MOM!!!!). I kind of like it. Although I need to remember to not spill the beans on any Birthday or Christmas secrets and such.

So Thank you Mom... You raised me right. I did a good deed today because it just had to be done. The cookies came in late and some parents were miffed. Well, Pissed. The poor troop leader was frazzled by this one parent. As we walked in, we saw the lack of help and offered to lend a hand. Damn it, I wanted my cookies.

To make a very long story short, I am still a Girl Scout at heart. So Thank you Mom... you'll get your cookies on Sunday.

change

Ohhhhh , look a pretty new blog. watercolors and all..

It will do for now...

better

I woke up this morning feeling a tad bit better after the dust attack yesterday.

The house looks a little better. At least there is room for cookies now. I found some fabric and now I can make my Christmas Curtains for the kitchen. And hung the brown ones for fall from my mom. Since we can actually eat in the kitchen now, I wanted to make it pretty.

I have plans to make 2 dresses for me. One green and one black with pink roses. It was a top sheep from Mom that would make a rocking vintage house dress.

Not to mention the trip to the Dollar Store yesterday. I have all kinds of "I need to make..." ideas for Christmas for people. I hope you all like scarves with embroidery...

Back to work I suppose....

giving up

The dining room is done. The Bathroom is done. I am done. I can't breathe! Damn freaking dust. All thats left is Laundry (sort, fold and more washing). That I can tackle tonight. So now, its Coffee and a movie while I regain hold of my sinuses.

The Young Victoria is in order I do believe.

crazy cats and sneezing

I have to use 2 vacation days that I moved in order to complete some project at work. Yes, everything is scheduled for the month of December.

I opted to take today to clean the dining room as I have some 200 boxes of cookies coming tomorrow.

2 hours into the cleaning I can't stop sneezing (yes mom, I will dust more). While taking my break (and to blog this), my cats are going nuts. I tossed a wind breaker on the ground (yes yes yes, i know, why didn't you jut hang it up? 'cause its project #4.... so shush). Now, I'm watching Ribbon go nuts jumping onto the windbreaker - it makes noise. Spaz Kitty!!

Dining room is almost done. Laundry is started. Sigh... not how I wanted to spend my day off but I do get to spend it in peace and I meditate while I clean ... Ommmmm I will have a clean home..Ommmmm