merry christmas!

thank-you friends and family

for following my blog!

december was a whirlwind of

hustle and bustle... i look

forward to blogging more in

2011!  in the meantime....

don't eat too many christmas

cookies!

smile, wink, nod!

look what netflix delivered today!

my own homemade daybook for monday 12.20

what i ate for dinner:  homemade black bean-veg soup, baked corn tortilla's, finished it off with two three no-bake cookies.

what i'm wearing:  nick and nora  vintage snow globe print pajama bottoms, brad's t-shirt, wet hair (shower) and bare feet.

what my man is doing:  brad is watching antique roadshow and looking like he'd like to go to sleep.  

what book i'm reading:  tonight, i start... "the help."  found it at goodwill.  hardcover. $1.  

what is that i hear?  tommie in the shower.

what is to my left?  a really ugly john deere blanket.  so un-shabby chic.

what is to my right?  netflix dvd on top of a christmas pillow.

what i am hoping?  that the rest of the week goes smoothly and stress-free.  and quickly.

  

Snuggie Huggy Christmas

my blue eyes scanned the thrift shop toy shelf!  blinking with disbelief, heart beating rapidly... i quickly lifted this gem from my childhood, off the shelf.  i peeked inside.. yes! looked like all the pieces were there.  sauntering, with a cocky spring in my sciatic-pain step, i pulled out three single dollar bills and bought it!  we played this art auction game the other night- had a blast, too!  then.... i checked it out on amazon and ebay.  it's selling for $37.  i'm not about to sell mine.. just saying... if you keep your eyes peeled, you could easily flip this on ebay.  $$$  smile, wink, nod.

pink giant shasta daisy's...

line my back porch windows.

each week, when the day is over and done at the market i set up at, i am given bunches and bunches of fresh, leftover flowers that didn't sell at the vendor's booth next to me.  i've been blessed with dozens and dozens of pink or white roses, french yellow tulips, fuchsia carnations and orange shasta daisies. talk about kindness....  thanks kathy!  smile, wink, nod. 

always a hit!  instead of giving plates of homemade cookies or cookie mixes in a jar.... i love making and giving these homemade cookie rolls. this year, for friends and family, i whipped up homemade gingerbread cookie dough, wrapped and rolled them in wax paper, then foil... and then covered a section of the cookie dough with a fun-designed wrapping paper!  i chose fushia and orange.. non-traditional christmas colors... so that, my recipents use them in january... the colors will perk them up!  i'll attach a note with baking directions and a note, to stick the roll in the freezer and not use until 2011!

smile, wink, nod!

years and years ago, my cousin lori gave me this addicting recipe for homemade carmel corn!  it's pretty quick and easy to make... plus, your kitchen will smell very cozy! and, the best part for us... it's gluten-free!  here's the easy-peasy recipe:

2 cups light brown sugar

1/2 c. light corn syrup

2 sticks butter or marg.

boil the above for 5 min.

remove from heat and add:

pinch of salt, pinch of cream of tarter and 1/2  t. soda

in a lightly sprayed roaster:

Pour over 8 quarts of lightly salted popcorn.

Toss gently

(i use a wooden spoon)

Bake at 200* for an hour.

Dump on waxed paper.

Let cool.

Break apart and store in an airtight container.



just went with my boys to see, the heart-warming christmas play, "the homecoming." the theatre is intimate and cozy. the actors did a stellar job.  and the story certainly succeeded in putting us all in the christmas spirit! and, to top it off... it had a definite christian flavor. want to read more?  click here!

a flop!

i decided i had enough of just "looking" at my candy thermometer, sitting on the pantry shelf, and decided to use it.  i found a 2-ingredient recipe for carmel cream candy and directions, just three sentences long!  how hard could it be?!

what grand, cozy memories i thought my boy and i would be making. my thimble-sized kitchen quickly filled up with a marvelous maple-vanilla smell.  heavenly.  then, it came time to, "mix until fluffy"...  listening to the mixer struggle, grunt and groan, and finally releasing a toxic, plastic-burnt smell... we came to the sad realization that..........

this idea was a complete flop! my mixer went to heaven that day.  cleaning the pot, wasn't as joyous as one would expect either, and our cozy smell, quickly fled.  looks like it's back to wurther's originals, for us.  smile, wink, nod!

i'm thoroughly enjoying my work at

the mansion....i've been blessed

by the owner, to display and sell

some of my goodies!

i decorated my room with twinkle lights.. and a pink neon christmas tree!

 saturday night, found me hosting a birthday party-murder mystery, for 25 people, at the mansion!  i don't need to do any of the cooking, serving or clean-up... just greet and make the guests comfortable, and get the group into the murder mystery adventure! however, i do enjoy the owner, her family and family friends, sheryl... so, i just sort of lend a hand in the kitchen, when i can!



i'm looking forward to tomorrow. the mansion is having a christmas tea and i'm invited to work!  there is no better place to catch the christmas spirit, then in this breath-taking atmosphere!  plus, i enjoy dressing up for the events... a welcome change from my jeans.

look to the right...

i've added some exciting new

blogs to my sidebar!

paris montana

rhinestone armadillo

a fanciful twist

check them out... i think you'll enjoy them!

i recently treated myself to this fantastic new bible resource book!  very user-friendly!and, i'm learning bunches!

smile, wink, nod.

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS.... LOOK AT THE PEOPLE SMILING.
ESPECIALLY LOVE THE MOTHER WHO HOLDS HER SON'S HAND!
JUST BEAUTIFUL!
HOW I WISH I COULD'VE BEEN A PART OF IT.

eeks!

having a bit of trouble posting pictures, tonight.

what's been happening these past few days?

decorated the house for christmas.

tree is up and lights are plugged in.

doctors appointment in the big city, due

south of us.  which included a walk through

trader joe's, barnes and noble and best buy.

finished, under the marble sky... i am extremely

surprised it didn't make the best seller list.

no other book in america has been written about

the meaning of the taj mahal.  

 excellent-excellent.

i didn't go out on black friday.  nor did  i

participate on cyber monday.  i have a thing

about crowds.  shudder.

wishing this rain would turn to snow.

scheduled to work at the mansion, quite a bit

this december.  looking forward to that!

bought red nail polish.

now, off to try to download a picture....

smile, wink, nod.

gift bags or gift wrap? both, but i prefer gift wrap!


real tree or artificial? faux.


when do you put up the tree? yesterday.  usually always the day after thanksgiving, because i'm anti black friday.


when do you take it down? new year's day.


do you like eggnog? nope.  but i'd like to try hot toddy this year.  


favorite gift received as a child?
many, many, many!  barbie doll houses, trailer,  tent, and a big, real life size baby doll with a beautiful crocheted outfit and bonnet..which grandma crocheted me.


hardest person to buy for? my mom!


easiest person to buy for? my cousin cathy and friend rhonda.


do you have a nativity scene? sure do!  my sweet daddy made the manger when he was about 20.  and mom gave me our family nativity set.


email or mail christmas cards? snail mail.


worst christmas gift you've ever received? can't recall.


favorite christmas movie? national lampoon's christmas.  chevy chase.


when do you start shopping for christmas? i'm one of those "year-rounders"... if i find that something special, i pick it up and stash it away~


have you ever recycled a christmas gift? yes.  


favorite thing to eat at christmas? hello dolly bars!  bring them on!  and bring them on now!


lights on the tree? white and lots of them!


favorite christmas song? john mellencamp's version of, "i saw mamma kissing santa claus."  or madonna's, "santa baby!"


travel at christmas or stay home? this year... staying local!


can you name all of santa's reindeer? of course.


angel on the top of the tree or star? the angel gabrielle!


open presents christmas eve or christmas morning? christmas morning.


most annoying thing about this time of year? over-packaged christmas products, made in china, phony and smell toxic.


favorite theme or ornament color? love all the colors!  i'm really enjoying the blue outdoor lights, i've seen this year!


what do you want for christmas this year? black yoga pants, muck-lucks from on-line target, recycled garden art made from metal, a pressure cooker, jovan-orange cap musk, tasha tudor books.

fa-la-la-la la!

happy

thanksgiving!

what makes you smile?

these things make me smile:

hot mandarin tea

pink polar fleece pajamas

looking through black friday newspaper ads

(although i refuse to go... crowd anxiety syndrome)

a new/used novel, sitting on my coffee table... waiting for me.



              my new lemongrass-lavender soy candle
                  supporting local businesses
                   my faux ugs-two years old
              a family of blue birds in my backyard
                  they haven't flown south yet!



a cheap rhinestone candle holder found at salvation army $2.

(see picture)

leftovers of cabbage soup, corn bread, squash and chicken broccoli/cauliflower bake.... all thrown on the table, smorgasbord style!

and

being blessed with free fresh flowers each week, from a vendor-friend, at the market(see pic above)!

what makes you smile?

what's new?

mother-in-law getting a pacemaker tomorrow.  my dog had 8 teeth extracted and is walking around dazed and confused. can't stand the anticipation of who's going to win dancing with the stars tonight; although, i'd bet jennifer grey will. treadmill 2 miles.  looking forward and planning ahead for next week's homeschool lesson's: animal farm by george orwell. thankful, i can self-educate right along side my son. allegory, rhetoric, stalin and the russian revolution, pesto chicken, cauliflower & broccoli bake, and rice for dinner.  house smells garlicky.  would sure like donald trump to run for president.  now, the big decision... do i watch the duggars or dancing with the stars?  problem solved:  i flip back and forth.  smile, wink, nod.

well, i found my christmas gifts... note plural. 

i wear a size 7 shoe.

and, so if you were wondering

what to get me for christmas...

i'd be happy with any one of these or all of them!  click here to see  what i want!   

i made my very own lunch bag.

 first... i found a vintage cloth money bag.

just a dollar at the flea market.

i took my best black sharpie.. and doodled.



 then, i played with vivid, cheap acrylics (walmart under $1.) dipped my paint brush in water and dabbled away... fun watching the colors blend.  tye-dye like.



ta-da! 

 front and back pictures of my project.

the perfect size to stuff a sandwich and chips in.  and a candy bar.

smile, wink, nod.

so....

what kind of handmade gifts will

you be making this

christmas?

i plan to make altered art journals.

favorite craft sites? 

share those, too!

time to start thinking of fun things for christmas~  i found this 1950's retro gift tag, at this blog. i like the blogger's suggestion... attach it to a brown paper bag, with a coffee mug and/or little bags of flavored coffee and top it with a big red bow!  really cute for a hostess gift, don't you think?  click here to see more printables on this site! i really like the blue, blue christmas tag, too~

just for fun on sunday....

do you remember wearing this?

i think i was in 7th grade.

and thought, i was so grown up!

not to proud to dumpster dive......................



while at the market sunday, i meandered over to the plastic trash can to

throw my bacon, ranch salad container from mcdonald's away.  when what did my blue eyes see?  but this discarded vintage scrap book! not bothering to look around... i scooped down and salvaged it from the life of a dead-end landfill.

giddy, is how i felt when i started flipping through the homemade pages and found get well cards from 1962....



playing detective... i noticed this belong to a 16 year old girl from our area.  1962.  her name was sharon.  she must of been quite sick, because this scrapbook was maxed with get well cards.  there were also, letters and notes of get well wishes. 

i especially love the graphics on the cards!

i pitched the book, but did manage to gently peel the cards off to save! 

 safe to say, i've started a new vintage card collection!

smile, wink, nod.

lucy.

my dog.

turns 16 next week.

i adore her.

 she's slept with me

since i brought her home,

sixteen years ago.

she's sleeps right on top of my legs.

she makes sleeping cozy.

smile, wink, nod.

a timer, a doll and a stool.

my blogger friend, janet m., thought i'd like this vintage kitchen timer!

and i do!

and, i've already used it!

thanks janet, for sending it my way!

i couldn't say no to this vintage handmade doll.
i found it at the flea market on sunday.
$2.
i sure do wish i knew the story behind her!


snatched this gypsy-hippy stool up at the market, too.
it is homemade, from a drum-barrel.
cheap thrill at $8.
comfy, too!

today, i wrapped up the glass castle... i simply adored this book... loved the author's message.... a determination to create a good life. and most importantly, make wise choices, in spite of a shaky upbringing. i would hope this book changed many, who spend their lives playing the blame-game and wallow around in self-pity. holding their parents responsible for this, that and the other. tonight, i look forward to a new story... Beneath a Marble Sky by, John Shors. The pages will take me to far away, Taj Mahal ... seventeenth century India. Aside from the fact that it took 20,000 men and 1,000 elephants to build the monument... I've also learned that post-building, the architects and builders had their hand's cut off, so they couldn't ever build anything as beautiful as this, ever again. So, where is your latest reading adventure taking you?

last saturday night, i enjoyed working at a local mansion.

in fact, i really, really like working there.

(when my "work is finished," i am usually done and home by 8-ish.

enough to have family time with my boys.)

before the party started... and before my role as the late

mrs. lambert came into play...

i helped in the kitchen with food prep work.

when the guests arrived... i dashed to the back and up... up... up...

the maid's staircase

and slipped into my role.

which included a fog machine.

i have more plans to work there this weekend.

when am i ever going to write nanowrimo???

smile, wink, nod.

i found this on the daily meme and thought i'd play along...

list the top ten things that put you in the holiday spirit!

1. snow and watching it fall

2. the smell of cinnamon or maple candles

3. decorating for christmas

4. listening to christmas music

5. watching christmas movies

6. christmas shopping

7. baking christmas cookies

8. wrapping presents

9. looking at christmas lights

10. reading children's christmas books

(even though i'm an adult!)

this brisk weather, makes me think of making super quick, simple and easy and cheap crafts.

this one, fits the ticket! here's the tutorial.

monday:

one, tough lay me flat down, all day long migraine. accompanied by chills, sensitivity to the slightest light and sound and a good mix of nausea. not even a vanilla milkshake can cure. nor excedrine migraine medicine. slept deep for a couple hours this afternoon. and woke up, still ill but, honkered down writing my nanowrimo novel. 2000 words. 48,000 to go. what a tough, tough challenge. sure hope i'm up and feeling better tomorrow... too much fun stuff to do and need to do. smile, wink nod~