botanical gardens

Last day of Spring Break. Oh where did it go? Today's adventure was the Botanical Gardens. In a thunderstorm. With 2 frightened girls. They survived and even liked the place.

This is my favorite picture..  I love the colors

Chilling at the Koi pond

Posing on the little bridge

to your corners

Spring Break for us is 7 "business days"... add the weekends and you get a very very long time.  I was home for it this year and well,..  I need a vacation from my vacation.  Don't get me wrong..I love my daughter more than anything.  But I need to not be in the same room as her for a bit.

We had my niece over and we watched a friends 3 year old as well.  The zoo and the science museum were in order as it was nice the morning and rainy later.  I think E and I fought most of the time.  Its the whining and the statements of "I'm not whining!" that are driving me up the wall.

So one more day...  and back to school.  And back to work.

a year

I took this photo in October of 2009. She wanted to get an apple from the top.

This is October 2010....  still climbing...

need i say more?

motivation

I am lacking in the motivation to move today.  I have a list of stuff to do that really needs to get done...  I don't want to move from my spot. Its cold and rainy.  But I know I should get a move on it. Dishes need to be done, laundry put away, Easter Candy needs to be bought (thats going to be the hard one as I really need a piece right now), cans and bottles taken in, munchies to buy for next  week, clean the kitchen, clean the bathroom, clean the  remaining bits in the family room...  in no particular order.

Yes, yes, yes,.  I should have listened to my Mother and made sure this didn't happen in the first place.  So I need to get off my butt (and the computer) and do something.

What motivates you to clean??

Buffalo

This the view you see when you stand on the Rotary Ice Rink downtown. The reflection of the building in the other building is one of my favorite views.

i should run

I am thinking I should be running and not posing with a TRex behind me.. but no.. its a photo-op! Erin on the other hand has a look of concern on her face. At least my purse looks fabulous.

hair cut

Ok.. not bad for $13.95..  I just needed a trim and thats what I got.  The girl was nice but smelled like a mix of mint and smoke.

As much as I love Cortos in South Buffalo, I just can't afford it all the time.  SuperCuts will have to do..

I am taking a gamble and going to Supercuts. I am trying to save a little so we will see what happens. Wish me luck!!

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a guys soap opera

I'm fairly certain I will get flack for this..  Game of Thrones is TOTALLY a male soap opera.  My darling husband just gave me the readers digest version of the premise...  and its so a soap.  I'm not saying its a bad thing at all!  Blood, beheadings and period costumes on top of people who can act.. this is what a soap should be.   The reason I say its a soap is for the simple fact..   the twins... eeewwwwwwww!!!  If you haven't read the books yet or are just starting to watch the HBO series... I will not go into detail for the simple fact I can not remember and repeat what he told me. So the next time a guy gives me crap about watching "my stories".... I will throw this in his face and tell him to suck it.

my little nightengale

As much as I complained/complain about my kid's attitude being that of a monster, she has shown me she really is a good kid.

The stoopid stomach bug had made its way into our house this month.  Erin had it first then I got it.  I happened to hit with it harder than her.  I was hoping it was done... nope.  Its not. Or its the steak I had yesterday (I don't remember the last time I had steak so my stomach may be just revolting against the yummy goodness of red meat).

Regardless of the cause, I am sitting here in pain.  My child comes up to me and rubs my shoulder.  With the most sincere look of concern she says "Mom, feel better".  She kissed me and went off to Girl Scouts.

She offered to rub my shoulders whenever I want.

Now, if I could just channel that energy into her doing what I ask her to when I'm not ill.

sales

There is something to be said about smells.  Some bring back wonderful memories, others make you run screaming for the hills.   This morning I was walked into, yes, it was like a solid wall of smell, of Sales.  Strong coffee and heavy cologne.

I don't know why it reminded me of Sales guys but the smell turned my stomach.  The poor kid (I say kid - he was close to my age, maybe younger and was trying really hard to look the part) just stood there not realizing what he was getting into.  RUN MAN!!! RUN WHILE YOU CAN!!!! Or at least go easy on the cologne.

made of win

I won!!!!  Dancing Needle held a contest and I won!!    So excited... new patterns from Sublime Stitching and a purple hoop.    can't wait!!!  I love to embroider.. it's one thing that I can do that doesn't really hurt my hand.

purge

Did you ever feel like you just want to throw everything out?

I was cleaning up my dresser yesterday and had to restrain myself from just throwing it all in the garbage.  I think I'm itching for spring.. this cold weather has me on my last nerve.  I want to kick E outside to get some fresh air but its muddy and cold and snowy still.  Not the good kind of mud to play in either.

She tried riding her bike (another room I want to throw everything out of is the laundry room where we keep her bike) but it got cold again.  The new 20 inch bike has been tackled and she can ride it.... its just too cold.

I think I need to clean... yeah..  I am chucking things tonight.  Fear not Tim, I won't touch your stuff...

hover

At swimming i hear a parent get upset that she can't be on deck. Per the woman in charge, it caused too much of a distraction in the last series.   Let your kid experence and learn!! Do not hover!! THEY WILL BE FINE FOR 45 MINUTES!!!!

I am so happy that Erin is independent yet still likes her snuggle time.

owwww

Alrighty..  I have been slacking here due to stuff.  First, I had another trip.  This time to Franklin, Mass.  Thats a whole other entry.   Work has been eating up most of my life of late so I decided I needed to take a minute for myself.  More like an hour.  I am taking a class at my daughter's dance studio - an adult Cardio/Dance/Pilate's class.

I happen to be really good friends with the instructor.  I grew up with her.  And she is taking no mercy on me what so ever.  Today was week 2.  I am beat.  Broken as Erin says.

I haven't taken an actual dance or exercise class since high school.  Wow...  I am out of shape.  But its getting better.

so if you all will excuse me, I am going to melt into the floor now.  

adventures in phily.

The start of my walk to get the train...  at least it was wonderful weather

I spent my Friday in Philidelphia, PA for work.  I needed to be at a meeting with a client.  Now, I'm not a frequent traveler so this will become the norm for me soon given my job.    Anyways.....
The flight out was the first leg of the adventure.  It was  a prop jet.  Yep... a prop jet.

The Phily airport was huge!!  After trying to find the darn Taxi cabs, I finally made it into downtown.  The cabbie took the side roads to avoid the main traffic. Such beautiful brownstones.  And the streets were so narrow!  I'd hate to see what they are like snow covered.

I was dropped off in the "artsy" section of the city - South Broad and Pine.  Can we say total Character?  I sat in Starbucks just watching.  I don't think I can ever burn from my mind the old man, in speedos, wearing skates and carrying a bugle.  Yes... you heard me.  A bugle.

My meetings went well and I made the decision to walk the 9 or so blocks north the Suburban Station to catch the direct Commuter Train to the airport.  My VP called me brave to walk.  I called it an adventure.  The route was direct and full of..  color.  I use the term to describe the flavor of more characters along the way.  WOW!!!

After a 20 min walk, I found the station (right near city hall which was beautiful!!).  Finding the ticket counter was a pain and it was like pulling teeth to get info from the ticket agent.  Its true what they say.. people in Phily are angry.

I have never taken a commuter train before.  When I went to DC with Tim we took the subway but this was different.  It was a step up from subway but not quite Amtrack.  The car conductor was a gruff middle aged man..  with a blinking  tie.  Yes.. he had lights on his tie.  How can you be so angry and wear that tie?

Back at the Airport security went smoothly.  No pat downs at all.  Found my gate, found the shopping, got the souvenirs I promised (how could I not get a mini Liberty Bell bell?) and got some food.

so far, things were going smoothly.  Until it came time to board.  I ran between gate B8 and B1 because the computer was being stoopid.  With that settled on B8, we were old we had to delay boarding because of a BROKEN SEAT. 30 minutes later, we board.  And wait. There was a change in wind direction which was causing take off issues.  We were supposed to take off at 6:10pm.  We took off closer to 8pm.  

Needless to say, I am glad to be home.  And I get to do it all over again next week.  I will miss Mr. Bugle man.

Places i can say i have been to. Philly. Its a pretty city in parts. Beautiful archicture on the old city homes. Other

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croup

The kiddo awoke yesterday with a panic.  She gets that tone in her whiny cry for me.   Then I heard it.  The tell tale Seal Bark.  Croup.

Here I was hoping she would out-grow it but no.  She will be 8 in a mere 5 days.  And she gets Croup.

Now the logical side of me says "the likely cause was this weekend's event.  Lots of people, lots of germs.  No biggie, monitor for fever and keep tabs on the cough.  Steam then cold. And make sure she naps".

The other side went "crap crap crap!!!!!!  She has 2 swim things this weekend.. this is gonna break her heart!  crap crap crap".

Well needless to say, she immediately crawled into bed with me and fell asleep for like an hour.  This is good.  There was no lack of appetite and no fever.  Just the cough and runny nose.  Steam came that afternoon and then we ventured out to Target and the pet store (present for friend and a replacement Hamster ball.  poor steve is going crazy).

The cough lessened.  Now, I am sick.  I could tell exactly when I got it and I hate that feeling.  Mrrrrrrrr.  Flying with a cold sucks.  Having to meet with a client under those circumstances sucks more.

Coffee and rest are in order for me today (even tough I am at work, I am resting..  its not like I have move around a whole lot at my desk).  Speaking of coffee.. I am broken.  I need to fix that.

hot tub time machine

Yes, I actually watched this movie.  And yes, i laughed out loud. {"I want my $2!!!"}

Its been sitting at home for over 2 months now and we finally watched it.  General thoughts...
John Cusak was funny.  the 80's genre fits him
The inside 80's jokes made me feel old.
There were a lot of breasts... clearly a movie not for kiddos.

Would I have paid to see it in the theatres?  Nope. but I liked it.
Of course now I will be singing "Home Sweet Home" by Mötley Crüe all night,

blogging

There is all this talk about moms being professional bloggers.  Going to blogging conferences like BlogHer, getting items to try from companies and then giving them away.  I trying things and then giving them way (heck,  I've been on the winning side twice.. its a great feeling!)

I WANT IN!!!!

Ok.. Sorry about that.  I want to take the time to blog, find ways to get more readers, the whole kit and kaboodle.  That is my goal.  That is my ambition... well that and sewing.  So tonight, I am going make some tea, grab my blanket and read BlogHer for a bit.  

silence

The only noises in my house right now are
1) Tim Sleeping
2) Erin sleeping on the floor next to me
3) The clock

I usually only see this hour of the night if kiddo has a problem.  Tonight, the cat woke me up.

So here I am thinking about the laundry list of stuff that needs to be done and that I didn't do on my so called "vacation".  And I'm hungry.  There is a loaf of Banana bread in the kitchen with my name on it.

On a good note, I did finally use my new Kitchen Aid Blender today to make a smoothie.  BJs has the big bags of the Yoplait mixes- banana strawberry.  So I made 1.  just one.  not 2, a mere 8oz serving.  Yummy and perfect (but so not filling)..

Great, now I can hear my stomach rumble.

I think I am just going to lay here under my "grandma" quilt, listen to someone snore and will away the hunger pangs.   And why does the clock always sound louder at night??

IT CAME!!!!!

Look look!! My Kitchen aid Blender came in the mail today!!
No I didn't use it yet. It is 16 degrees and the glass was so cold, I want to thaw out a bit.

Thank you Northern Cheapskate!!
My daughter is having a slumber party next month and now has Icees on the menu.

cold

Ok Old Man Winter.. I am through with you!  You've been around long enough.  You have2 weeks and then I expect to see some warmer weather!  I'd like to start wearing something other than jeans and boots everywhere... and burrowing under blankets.

As pretty as it can be, I'd like to see some color out there...  greens, yellows, reds... you get my drift?  Speaking of drifts.... you can stop those too.

We love you dearly in December and January.. but you're overstaying your welcome.

Thanks so much...

Me

rocker shoe

I totally caved.  I have  been looking at the rocker shoes since I have been having issues with my foot.  Kmart has these shoes - TheraShoe.  They are cute Mary Jane style..

So far, they are comfy.  Cute with long pants.  As long as they help with my toe and the pain goes down, I will be happy.

blenders make a monday morning

So I woke up this cold Monday morning like you do and checked my email while I waited for the coffee to finish.  There, in my inbox was wonderful news.  I had WON a Blender, a Kitchen Aid one to be exact.
Thank to Northern Cheapskate I can now make smoothies in a brand new Blender.

I've been following Northern Cheapskate for a few months now.  I'm on a quest to cut some costs and I am following several blogs, including Christina's.

I'm so freaking giddy right now, I can't think! More later on the Blender, I promise.  WOOHOOOOO!!!!!

more deer tracks

In my neighbor's yard this morning, I saw 3 sets of deer tracks all leading to an exposed plant.  Hungry little buggers!  MORE DEER!  Prints were too narrow in the deep snow to be dog and way too far apart.

We saw the same kind of tracks at the end of the block too.  A deer cut across the corner of the lot.

It becomes an adventure every morning for me to see what hoodlums were roaming the street while we slept.

I am seriously considering in setting up a camera to video the wee hours of the morning.

Mom,... I want to live on a farm

as says my 7 year old girl.  "with chickens and cows".  And apparently, when we clean up the cow's poop, its going into the garden.  She then said I could live there too and help milk the cows.  Lucky me.

I told her if she lived on a farm, she probably won't be near stores so she'd have to learn to make bread.  "We'll have a wheat field mom".    Her grande idea is all planned.

Lots of land
A husband
A couple of kids to help
Cows
Chickens
horses
a garden
wheat field
Me
(I said I don't think Tim would like it very much so I may be a part time resident)
An Alarm clock - so she can get up at 5 am to milk the cows.

 The more I think about it, the more I like it.  I wouldn't mind living away from the crap city.  A big farm house....  sigh..  if  I could, I think I would.

Doe.. A deer

this is the second day i have found deer tracks on the sidewalk. Next to them were bunny tracks. I think bambi and thumper moved to our neighborhood

tracks

As Erin and I walked to the corner this morning to get the school bus, I noticed a flurry of snow tracks in our drive way.   Some poor little bunny was being chased my a cat.  Looks like the bunny escaped to our back yard and under the shed.  Stay there bunny.

The cat then walked back and down the sidewalk.  Now, in looking at the tracks, I saw not only Rabbit and Cat... but a new one.  Deer!  We live in the "city"... well the edge of it anyways.  Plus we live near rail road tracks and the nature preserve.  There are a ton of deer that live not more than a mile away.  One of the little girls Erin waits with said last week she saw deer in her back yard and at her grandmother's house - which is on the street behind us.

Possible?  I should thinks so.  We've been here 10 years and I have never seen one.  There is a first for everything!

Girl's weekend

Tim was away this weekend (the boys went gaming).  So the kiddo and I went to Swim class and then to the mall.  Since it was lunch, I treated her to Jack Astors. Such a proper little lady.  She skipped the fries and ordered a salad.  A knife and fork were in order for eating chicken fingers.   

No manis, no pedis.. just a walk around the mall.  My sweet girl.  

Morning ritual

this is what she does when it snows. She brings the shovel down to the bus stop and clears out the fire hydrant.

laundry update

I have done 4 loads with the Borax/Washing Soda mix.  With it, I swapped out my normal fabric softener with vinegar.  Yes, vinegar.

I have to say I am impressed.  My clothes are super soft.  Only one fleece was staticy but it always is.  No smell either.  I just peeked into the washing machine and boy, was that water dirty.  The soap must be doing its job.  If this works, I will be very happy.

Next batch will be a different soap.  I have see if I can find more about which soaps are better than others.

Updates to come later!  Its Laundry Day 2

laundry

I don't mind doing the laundry.  I mind putting it away.  Regardless, it needs to be done.  In an attempt to save some money, I scounged the web to see what  the correct (or somewhat  correct) ratio would be to make Laundry soap from scratch.

I opted for powder.   I am lucky I only needed to get a bar of soap.  I opted for Dr. Bronner's Lavender Bar soap.

Here's what I did.

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1 bar (well, 3/4 of a bar 'cause my hand hurt) finely grated bar of soap
Mix well together and store in an airtight container.
use 1/8 cup (a tablespoon) for a small load
use a 1/4 cup (2 tblsp) for a large/heavily soiled load.

It smells wonderful.  I can only hope it works out as well as people say it will.  I would love to not have to buy the liquid stuff.  They take up so much space and it would be one less thing to throw out.

I'll let you know how it goes.  I have several more loads to do over the next day.

relaxing

the big cheese

This is the view I prefer to have while I am Chuck E Cheese. sitting down with my feet up.
Ours was recently remodeled and I have to say, its much better. More games, more chance for tickets. More room for the kiddos to run around and not bump into each other.

The food is, well, edible. The pizza has gotten better over the last few years. The fact that they also have beer and wine doesn't hurt either.

They also added several Big Kid games, like Guitar Hero. And some trivia games. Over all, a much better place.

The only downfall - the Skee Ball game. The old Cheese had used machines that used wooden balls. Now they are plastic and too light. This sucks! Bring back the wooden ones!!

new year

We have a family custom to go to Tim's sister's house for New Year's Eve.  Its an important day for her and her wife.  So we are lucky to spend it with them and ring in the new year.
This year, we toned it down since Gracie was introduced into the mix.  So game night 2 happened.

 Moe was apparently getting very specific about something.

 Bernie, our Niece, tried to play.  She did really well.  I was very proud of her that night.

 Almost midnight and E wanted to snuggle with Tim.

Me and my girl.

stocking up

I ventured out today to accomplish a long over due task. We call it "Big Shopping".  I'm talking stocking up on meat and staples.  Especially paper products like paper towels and bathroom paper.  

So I braved the snow and yuck this morning (while Tim took Erin to her first Swimming lesson).  First stop was BJs Warehouse.  I really only needed 5 things... TP, paper towels, 2 kinds of cheese and Tim's meds.   I ended up grabbing some extras to save $$ - like drink boxes...  better get them there than pay thru the nose in the store.  Mission 1 accomplished.  

Off to Target.  Note to self - avoid Target on Saturdays.  Women there are nuts!  Talking the phone, not paying attention to what they are doing in the aisle.  I needed only 1 thing really - had coupons for a few more..  walked out with my Biore strips (Facial night!), Kleenex  and a sweatshirt for only $3.75. 75% off!!  SCORE!!  Mission #2 done.

Final stop Wegmans.  List in hand, I tried to stick to it best I could.  Only wavered a bit.  All in all, we have enough food to last us a month.  Coupons really didn't make a dent... I wish veggies and meat had coupons.  

A MONTH!!!!! 

With any luck, I will only have to buy Milk, bread , Lunch meat and maybe some veggies.  Thats it.  Heck, I can make bread if I wanted.  I have no issues with no lunch meat either ( but tell that to the 7 year old, not gonna happen).  I am content with PB&J or raman or soup.  

To make it even more fun, I drove home in a snow storm.   BRING IT ON MOTHER NATURE!!!  I have food, TP and Booze.. I am good to go.  'cause really, what more do you need?

stalker

I'm such a stalker.

I follow so many Vintage/Retro, craft and sewing blogs, I forget I have my own!

I'm such a dork.

On a good note, the living room and half the kitchen are clean.  So is Erin's room.

Hey, its something.

Really late Christmas photo

Christmas Eve
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

I am so behind in posting so its time to get going.

Erin was all dolled up for Christmas. She even had me do her hair. She sat in curlers for over an hour and then we put her hair up. It needed something so we added a ribbon. It really made it stand out - she looked like Cinderella!

Her Godmother bought her the dress and it of course came with a matching doll dress. Two peas in a pod.

Erin even wore my good pearl necklace. She really does clean up nice.

steve

Santa brought Erin a hamster cage for Christmas.  Sunday, we went to get a hamster.  Erin found Steve.  

He is a long haired hamster..  a tan/cream color.   And he's very sweet.  

Welcome to the family Steve.  

vacation

We're on winter break.  We managed to go to the library and bookstore yesterday to get some reading material for her.  Her nose has been in a book for the last week so I can't complain.  Today is laundry day and rest time before Family Game night.   So what does she do. Read.

I love my girl.

Her first game- the 2 of us

Her first game- the 2 of us
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

I took Erin the Sabre's game last night. And she loved it. I splurged and got her a hat and necklace, oh, and a foam finger. And lots of munchies. It was such a good game too. Lots of scoring and fights.

I am very lucky to be able to take her. Our seats were in the 100 level and not cheap.

So today, we are recovering. Neither of us have voices.

GO SABRES!!!!!!!!!!



But before the game we did go downtown to Prima


and then road the train to get to the Arena. I refuse to pay more than $5 for parking.

The Electric tower is all lit for the Holiday.. So pretty.

too heavy

too heavy
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

I took this at 4pm. The snow was so heavy that the hedges started to bend with the weight of the snow. There is a tree in our back yard that is doing the same thing.

I'm so glad I didn't put lights on the hedges. We did that 9 years ago and we have the same type of snow fall. Totally ruined the lights.

After shoveling for some 3 hours, this is how my arms feel. I can't lift them.

And we're not done. The approach to the drive way has to be done.

I'm going to try and sleep now... maybe, if I can move.

Snow

SAM_0160
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

So we've had snow since yesterday. I'm thinking we've got at least 3 feet. In a 24 hour span, that is a lot.

I've taken some great shots.. if you like snow. Needless to say, we haven't seen or heard a plow yet.

I do think I need new gloves... ones that don't absorb liquid....

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)

----------------------------------------

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

happy halloween!

I dressed up for work. I'm a Geisha. And yes, I made the Kimono. The hair is a wig, not mine thank goodness.

So everyone knows, my face is itching like a fiend! But I look good and I have the Halloween spirit.

retail therapy

There is something to be said about going to Amvets and finding something you have been looking for.

I have been on a quest to get a tan overcoat. I refuse to pay more than $20 . I'm frugal. So there, on the rack was a hook! Holding my coat (teehee). For $10.98, a Lands End trench. My size. No stains or rips. How can I say no? I was fortunate as it started to rain just as I was leaving.

I checked out the current coats at Lands End. I think I may have saved a bundle! The coats run $60 to $120... I paid $11. You do the math.

halloween homemade

On some blog somewhere, I found that someone (sheer genius) took a piece of muslin for a table cloth and then embroidered the corner with a spider web. Simple. Creepy.

I wanted to do it. So Thank you Dollar Tree, I found the flour sack towels. All I did was embroider the web and spider in the corner. Its now proudly hanging in my kitchen as a valance over my blinds.

I need to do a second one. Erin wants a bat. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend

(photo to come as soon as I get a chance).

books and a guardian angel

Someone left me a bag of Celtic books and some other goodies. Strangely, there are the very items I need. The books have the basic celtic knotwork designs and images for me to use for a scroll for Erin along with some embroidery things I want to do.

Here's the deal.. I have no idea who left it for me. I wasn't at the event and my friend took it for me for me. All she remembers is 1)she was tall 2) blonde and 3) never saw her before.

I can not for the life of me figure out who it is. This person used my SCA name.. so... yeah. no idea.

To whomever it was.. THANK YOU!!

fall

Its time to start this again. Life is winding down in some areas and gearing up in others.

The kiddo is in 2nd grade and has a new responsibility of making sure homework is written down and completed, none of this pre-printed stuff. So we are thrust into the world of "did you do your homework?". Joy.

I'm also tightening the budget more and looking for alternate ways of doing things. One that surprised me was getting rid of shampoo and conditioner. Replace the shampoo with Baking Soda and use a Vinegar/water mix for the conditioner. I used it this morning. I have to say, my hair feels clean is soft. And no, it doesn't smell. Both of these options are very inexpensive so I'm going to stick with them for a while and see. Tim won't do it.. But maybe I can convince the kiddo to do it. She is partial to the smelly conditioners. I'll be posting on how that goes over the next week or so since its going to be a long term experiment.

I've also been trying to do something with my tomatoes. Since I'm not a huge fan of eating them and Tim can only eat so many, I have resorted to freezing them. I'd love to learn to can them but that will have to wait. It’s a process I've read about but haven't been able to put it into practice. I need some tools too. So for now, I have several bags of frozen tomatoes. The oregano came in quite nice this year and I've that drying. The Rosemary not so much but it’s the first year. My poor pepper plants just wouldn't grow. I got 2 green ones and a red one that fell off early and didn't get a chance to change. :( I will try again next year.. Maybe onions too. But I need to research that one first to see what is involved.

There just hasn't been enough time to go the farmer's markets with Events and family things going on every weekend. I wanted to get some more berries to freeze but I missed it. But Damn, I will get to Blackman Farms next week for apples. That is a must. I'm also looking for a good deal on pork and beef raised locally. That can freeze and since we don't eat the meat as often we did, it could last quite a while.

Rummy

In prep for the trip, I got a deck of cards from the Dollar store. You'd think in this house, we'd have tons. Nope.

I cracked them open and started playing Solitaire. Erin became interested and helped. She had seen Papa play and wanted to learn herself. After some lesson, I went to go finish dinner. Upon walking back into the living room, I find her playing Solitaire herself.

Just before bedtime, she wanted to play "Goldfish"... Go Fish. After a few matches, it was War. Now, she seem interested. I think its time to introduce Rummy to her.

I play on and off. Only with my Mom. I was about Erin's age when I learned to play at my Grandmother's house. We'd play on the sun porch and we'd keep score all summer long. She'd kick my ass. I stopped playing just because thats what you do when you are a kid. Now, I'm bringing it back. I've re-read the rules and I think I remember them. I'll jot a few notes down before we leave and then give it a whirl with the 7 year old. I figure its a nice time sink when you are camping and need to kill time.

Mom, expect a phone call in the next day or so to clarify the rules.

alseep

The Kiddo is passed out on my lap after watching Doctor Who and insisting on wearing the skirt I just made her for Pennsic.

She's too cute when she is sleeping on me. She may be 7 but she's my baby gir

planning

For you Mom, since I don't update this often enough. And Sam, I know you read this too.

Pennsic prep is well underway. This will be the kiddo's first vacation away from Tim and no TV on top of it. No DS, no radio... It will be interesting. I think we'll need to find a kid friendly drum circle to let her wiggle a bit.

My clothes are mostly ready. Once more check of garb and I should be good. Then I just need to add in the mundane essentials. And shoes. I will forget shoes. For Erin, well... we are working on it. She has 3 tunics, a viking, jammies, hood and a cloak (that needs to be hemmed a lot). I am making her 2 more tunics, 2 skirts... I'm almost there.. I think. 3 weeks.. I can do it.

Not to mention I have an AOA to do as well. NO FREAKING GOLD THIS TIME! and a Knighting and another AOA... ok. Sew first.. then scroll. Food and Packing and then I can focus on the 2 out of kingdom scrolls.

Yep, I am rambling. What more do you want from some who has a pile of fabric cut and pieced sitting in her living room. And a tent and popup in the dining room.. and a tote of food that is marked " DO NOT OPEN 'TILL WAR!".

The sewing for tonight has stopped due to hand issues. I've been hand sewing to stay cool. Big mistake. 2 coifs and a skirt, lining in a coat ... and teaching Erin to hand sew.

Now I have cat next to me, so typing is a challenge. So there is where I am and where I am headed. Crazy.. as usual.