Giveaway Reminder

Time is running out to enter my first giveaway!  In celebration  of  100 followers you can enter to win a custom made dish towel dress for the oven door to match your kitchen theme or colors!  Deadline for entry is midnight December, 31st and I will draw a winner on January 1, 2010! 

To enter just leave a comment on any blog post until the 31st.  You will get 1 entry for each comment!   Also, if you mention the giveaway in your blog with a link to this one, you will receive an entr

Christmas and Birthday

Another Christmas come and gone.  We spend so much time preparing for Christmas day and then it's over.  Things go back to normal the next day and all the exhausting hard work is finished for another year.  Well, in our house, the day after Christmas is my daughter, Erin's, birthday....we get to celebrate another day!!  Erin turned 25 and I'm so proud of the woman she has become.  Happy Birthday, baby doll!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and made some great memories!  Shylee loved her rocking chair, so my Christmas was perfect!

       

Merry Christmas

The festivities have begun and while I have a minute, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!  I wish you all the love, joy, peace, laughter and happiness the holiday brings.  For those of you going through difficult times right now, I pray God will fill your heart with peace and love and bless you beyond measure. 

God Bless You All!

Icicles And Giveaways

I find icicles fascinating and beautiful.  The way they sparkle in the sunlight, the way they 'grow', the shapes that are created...all these are beautiful to me.  This is what I found around my house this morning.

Completely off the topic of icicles is a giveaway I want to mention.  You can win this romantic heirloom afghan by going to Irish Rose Creations and following the instructions.  Isn't it just beautiful?  It reminds me of the wonderful pieces my great grandmother created.

And don't forget you can enter my giveaway by leaving a comment on any post or blogging about it!

I hope you have a marvelous Monday!

Blizzard 2009

Yesterday was spent watching the snow fall and blow around, wrapping gifts and setting out the Christmas village.  My little piece of Maryland sees 1-2 inches of snow a year and this morning I measured 13 inches on my patio! 

Today the sky is an icredible blue and snow is falling off the trees and beginning to melt.  I should be digging out but I don't need to go any where so I'm in no hurry!

The village needs some work done.  Some of the buildings in the back need to be raised and I need to get extension cords to turn on all the lights.  It's a Thomas Kincaid village and if you know anything about him and his work, you know it's all about the light!

I do hope you are enjoying this weekend and not stressing too much about Christmas!

Hmmm.....someone has unfollowed me, but I'm having the giveaway anyway!

It's A Celebration/Appreciation Giveaway!

I realized this evening that there are 100 people following this blog!  I appreciate you all so much and thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my posts!  As my way of saying 'thank you' and celebrating this mile stone I'm going to have a giveaway!  I will have a drawing for a CUSTOM MADE DISH TOWEL DRESS FOR THE OVEN DOOR, based on your kitchen theme or colors!  Here is one I made and sold

To enter the drawing is very simple:

~ Every comment you leave between now and midnight, December 31st, on any post, will get you an entry!
~ If you blog about this give away and link back to my blog, you get an entry!  Leave a comment letting me know! 

 I will draw a winner on New Year's day and contact you to get specifics for your custom Dish Towel Dress!

Thank you again and good luck!

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I don't wait for moods.  You accomplish nothing if you do that.  Your mind must know it has to get down to work.

~ Pearl Buck ~

Do you find yourself doing tasks based on whether or not you are in the mood to do them?  Do you find yourself saying, "I'm not going to do (fill in the blank) because I'm not in the mood"?  Or, "I'm in the mood to (fill in the blank)" so that's what I'll do today".  When I came across this quote, I realized that this is key to my success.  My lack of self discipline is getting in the way of my success, because I do things based on if I'm in the mood to do them or not!  This has come about since becoming an empty nester.  My time was my own and suddenly I could do whatever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to.  Five years later,  I'm struggling to do what needs to be done because of the mood attitude!  I hope this quote inspires or encourages you the way it did me!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Shylee's Rocking Chair

We headed north to Lancaster County, Pa, (Amish country) this weekend.  When I was there in October, I saw a few things that would make great Christmas gifts but couldn't get them then because there was no room in the car and people were with me I was going to buy for!  I can't show you everything  I bought because the gifts are for people who actually read this blog, but I can show you the handmade rocking chair I got for my sweet pea, Shylee!  This is for her but it will stay at Grandma's house!  I'll put a big red bow on it and put it out Christmas Eve.  I might set a big teddy bear or baby doll in it too, hmmm....

How did you spend your weekend?

Santa Collection

I've been collecting Santas for about twenty years now.  It's been a few years since I've bought a new one, mostly because the last two years I was working retail and I barely got the tree up let alone other decorations.  The two Christmases before that we lived in an apartment with most of our things in storage and again was doing good to have a tree! 

So this year they are all out in a place they've never been before.  I think they like it here!  If you click on the picture you can see them better. :)

Have you started any Christmas collections?

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

I came across this quote a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be good for today.  So I'm keeping it lighthearted and funny instead of serious and thought provoking!

If you want to look young and thin, hang out with old fat people!  ~Anonymous

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Weekend Fun

Friday I made this

Friday night I made this

Saturday I put the apron in my booth at Sassafras Hill

And Shylee enjoyed her first snow

How did you spend your weekend?

A Little Bit of Christmas

Remember these ornaments from a few weeks ago?  They were one of the Friday's Fabulous Finds features.

 

Here they are today on my tree!

                          

The more I looked at them, the more I couldn't resist them.  They are gorgeous!  Shylee loved them too and I don't have to worry about them breaking.  Go to SewnGreen and find lots more of these fun unbreakable ornaments in a variety of colors!

Something else to do with ornaments

Slowly but surely it's begining to look like Christmas!

I hope you're having a fabulous Friday!

Another Dish Towel Dress

Finally, I got around to a Christmas dish towel dress!  This one is different from others I've made because the towel part is reversed colors on both sides.  Also, I did an applique stitch around the neckline instead of a seam.  This was so much easier, quicker and less frustrating!  I'm all about quick and easy! 

I haven't decided yet if I'll put it in my Etsy shop or in my booth at Sassafras Hill.  Both are lacking items and could use some holiday cheer!

                                

 While you're here,  take a minute to visit Mamas*Little*Treasures.  She is giving away eBooks for making tea cup pincushions, stick pins, and applique projects.  This is for a limited time so hurry on over!

             

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

“Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.”       ~ Anonymous

 Do you ever get tired and discouraged when working towards your goals?  Do you ever feel sometimes like it's just not worth it?  Do you feel like the harder you work the less you accomplish?  Me too.  I want instant results and automatic perfection.  The Etsy forums are full of tired and discouraged artists ready to give up for one reason or another.  I believe that when you reach that place, you should push yourself harder and you might be surprised at what you can accomplish.  Giving up never accomplishes anything!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Memory Makers

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  I love when my kids are here.  The house is filled with laughter and good times that make for great memories.  This weekend had it's share of memory makers!

Shylee had two 'firsts'.  I love having tea parties and I collect teapots and tea cups.  Erin and I were having a cup of tea and Shylee wanted a drink of the tea.  Erin gave her a drink and Shylee loved it!  This grandma was just thrilled that not only did she love the tea but her first try was from a tea cup and not a mug (which I use for just me most of the time)!

Hmmm....Shylee might get a tea set for Christmas!

Her other first was climbing the stairs!  She had made it up two steps when I found her and she was proud of herself and scared at the same time!  She could go up but couldn't come down!

Annie also made a memory this weekend.  She loves popcorn as much as I do.  Erin and I spent about four hours stringing popcorn to put on the Christmas tree.  It was 1:00 a.m. when we finally decided to go to bed and put the popcorn garland on the table.  We specifically made sure it was out of reach of Annie.  Imagine my surprise when I came down the stairs in the morning and found this....

I should have known something was wrong before I even came down the stairs.  She wouldn't come out from under the bed and when I finally coaxed her out, she wouldn't come down the stairs but laid down at the top and watched me go down!  She knew she was in trouble!  We decided the popcorn on the tree might not be such a good idea.  Never mind that I've done popcorn for most of the past 30 years!  I didn't do it the last two years because working retail this time of year doesn't leave time for such time consuming things!  We were doing good to have a tree up at all, so I was looking forward to my popcorn garland this year.  No, I'm not bitter....

What great memories did you make this Thanksgiving weekend?

Thanksgiving Gourmet Buffet

TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING GOURMET BUFFET!

Carved Roasted Turkey, Glazed Ham and Tenderloin of Beef,

Crab Stuffed Flounder and Herb Crusted Alaskan Salmon.

Maryland Style Crab Cakes and Seafood Risotto

Sage Infused Cornbread Stuffing and Garlic Smashed Potatoes,

Maple Glazed Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Bean Casserole.

Maryland Cream of Crab Soup and Seafood Gumbo.

Smoked Salmon and Assorted Smoked Seafood Display.

Cranberry Relish and Mixed Field Greens with Condiments.

Macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers and fries for the kids.

Fresh baked breads and Gourmet Desserts

Coffee, Specialty Teas and Soft Drinks.

 
I'm not cooking the big feast tomorrow!  We are going to the Yellowfin Restaurant in Annapolis for our Thanksgiving dinner.  This menu was just too tempting to pass up!  Actually, my kids have never really cared for the traditional meal that I grew up with on Thanksgiving and the day usually ended up with the kids in a bad mood and me with a headache!  It was stressful all the way around.  When I finally let go of the traditional foods and just focused on the joy of being together and giving thanks, the holiday became much more enjoyable.  So tomorrow we will eat out and everyone can have something they like and we can all be grateful without the stress!
 
I will still make dessert to have later in the evening.  Probably Paula Deen's Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake.  This will be the first time I haven't made pumpkin pie, even though this is the one dish everyone liked!   Now that I think of it, maybe I'll make both!
 
Whatever your plans and traditions are I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Yummy Goodness

I made cookies today!  My husband's office is having a potluck tomorrow and he asked me to make these cookies.  I'll probably be making pumpkin bread later...not for the potluck but for the weekend.

I hope you're having a terrific Tuesday!

Friday's Fabulous Finds....On Monday!

Better late than never, right!?  Any day is a good day for fabulous finds and today is no different!  Thanksgiving weekend is my Christmas decorating time and there are some fabulous items on Etsy for decorating!  Here are some of my favorites! 

Peppermint Twist Advent Cake by daisyanddots

Unbreakable Fabric Christmas Ornaments by SewnGreen

Chainmaille Celtic Star Ornament from Sneath

Christmas Greetings Custom Handmade Wreath from gatheringplacedesign

Christmas Skating Stocking from bebesniklefritz

Christmas Placemats from PurpleDragonQuilts

I hope you have a marvelous Monday!