Thursday, 6 December 2012
A Little Love For Frosty
Remember your favourite holiday shows? Was Frosty the Snowman one of them? This photo was taken last winter. Sadie was 2. I would pop frosty in and then I would go get dressed or put a load of laundry in. He was (and still is) capable of holding her attention for the whole show. However, as you can see, she could not get close enough to her dear, cold friend. When I would leave the room she would hop right up on the table to be with him. What are your holiday faves?
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Frustrations lead to Happy Memories....Sometimes....
Thankfully this is one of those times that the frustration does lead to a happy memory................
You moms out there.....with school age children..............will likely know exactly what I am talking about........I am sorry if you instantly feel stressed and annoyed when I mention the word "homework". Not only is this a stressful thing in and of itself........but.....add to this the broken pencil. Yes, you read me right..........the broken pencil and let's just add, for frustration sake, that the eraser is also non existent on the end of the pencil. Of course, there are no pencil sharpeners around, the boys look at me like they do not even know what I could possibly be talking about.......a pencil sharpener? What? They, honestly, just stare at me blankly.
Blood starts to boil right about NOW.
This happens at least 3 times a week. Now, do not think that I do not have pencil sharpeners, because I do. But, each time I give them one, it somehow disappears, or it just plain does not work.
Here comes the happy part. Last week I was wading through another cupboard filled with "stuff". We call these the cupboards of death. Why? Because as soon as you open them everything falls out and you drown in the "stuff". I have a few of these.....tupperware anyone?
Anyhow, in this cupboard I found the old telephone pencil sharpener from my grandparents home. It hung on the wall in my Nana's kitchen. They did not have a lot of toys for us at their house, but I played with this endlessly. As you can see, on the one side there is the piece that you can put up to your ear and pretend you are having a real conversation. Side note: this must have been when I first started talking to myself...........
Anyway, I have had this sharpener for years now, it is truly vintage. It even has a removable tray for the "shavings". Guess what? Unlike my vintage NUT post, this one actually works.........and works well.
This one shall be hard for them to lose............as i am screwing it to the wall this afternoon!!! One less headache come homework time!
Saturday, 1 December 2012
I'm "MISS DECEMBER" !!!
WHOOT WHOOT!!
Sarah, from Journeys of the Zoo, asked me if I would like to be her December Feature!!
I prefer to think I am "Miss December"
I, of course, was so excited. Sarah thinks I must not get out much..............
Anyhow, you may or may not have noticed that I have not been posting much this week.......we have been fighting the flu and other ailments ..................sorry for that..........you have no idea how sorry I really am..............trade places anyone???
Come visit me at Journeys of the Zoo and check out all that Sarah has to offer!! She is amazing at keeping up with all the latest and greatest giveaways...............check it out............she'll even link yours up!!
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
You Can Always Use One More Cupboard!!
Finally it is completed!! I say finally because it is one of those things that needed to be made and put in place 2 years ago. However, it remained in my head up until a couple of weeks ago. You see, my stove is meant to be a built in gas range..................but, when we moved here, there was no place for a built in appliance. So, it just looked unfinished. And be all observations one would think this did not bother me.....................but it really, really did. Still I delayed in getting the measurements to my dad..........he's the carpenter you see. But, I finally did and after lots of measuring and re measuring and phone calls back and forth.............it arrived! Then it was my turn!! I am the finisher...........not the cabinet maker...............Some paint here and there, a vintage knob, some chalkboard paint and voila!
The kids have a wonderful place to draw and leave notes for Santa............
Monday, 26 November 2012
Cyber Sale at Sadieloohoo!!
Two new "big dolls" have been added to the shop this week!! Lucy and Bonnie are their names and they come with their own little "non shedding" pets.
Sadieloohoo is having a sale this week. Use Code cybersale15 to receive 15% off your purchase!!
Friday, 23 November 2012
Sometimes You Just Need Comfort Food
I grew up in a home of "homemade" cooking............seriously, my mom even baked loaves of bread. I was one of those kids who took the homemade cookies and muffins to school and traded them with the "lucky" kids who got vachon, or those mini packs of raisins. I grew to be quite proud of all the things my mom could bake, cakes she could decorate and all the other yummy things. On the walk home from school, as we got close to my house, we could smell the cookies baking and my friends would want to come play at my house.
There was one thing that my mom made that was not so "healthy".............turns out it is my favourite meal. I would request it on my birthdays. It is so simple and so yummy. It's homemade macaroni and cheese, where the cheese is Cheese Whiz!!!
Here's how you make it:
Cook up a pot of noodles ( I usually do 2 cups of raw macaroni noodles)
one small chopped up onion
half a jar of cheese whiz
a half can of diced tomatoes
the other half of the can of diced tomatoes you blend up
salt and pepper
Add all the ingredients to a pot and heat slowly on the stovetop so the onions go soft. Maybe half an hour.
Or, you can cook it in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour.
On a side note, I grew up to be that mom that sends homemade goodies in the kids lunch everyday. When we moved away, all the kids I used to look after, told their moms how much they missed the dough balls and cookies that I would make for them. What goes around comes around.
There was one thing that my mom made that was not so "healthy".............turns out it is my favourite meal. I would request it on my birthdays. It is so simple and so yummy. It's homemade macaroni and cheese, where the cheese is Cheese Whiz!!!
Here's how you make it:
Cook up a pot of noodles ( I usually do 2 cups of raw macaroni noodles)
one small chopped up onion
half a jar of cheese whiz
a half can of diced tomatoes
the other half of the can of diced tomatoes you blend up
salt and pepper
Add all the ingredients to a pot and heat slowly on the stovetop so the onions go soft. Maybe half an hour.
Or, you can cook it in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour.
On a side note, I grew up to be that mom that sends homemade goodies in the kids lunch everyday. When we moved away, all the kids I used to look after, told their moms how much they missed the dough balls and cookies that I would make for them. What goes around comes around.
Monday, 19 November 2012
Thankful for Parents and their Skills!!
My dad came by this weekend! He had made a cabinet for beside my stove. In my old house, the stove was a built in gas range.............however, when we moved, there was no "built in" area for the stove, so............it's just been sitting there with one side unfinished. Dad worked long and hard and came up with a lovely cabinet to make the stove appear "built in". I will show pictures of it after I have finished the things I need to do to it!! Thanks Dad!!!
My mom sent a few treaties along with dad..............YAY!!! First is a lovely brown bag filled with spice cookies. Everyone enjoys these. They are in a lovely glass covered dish............so I can hear when the boys are trying to sneak them!!
Next is a lovely crochet yoke. I found the pattern on etsy and knew that I had lovely material to go with the yoke. However, I do not crochet right now........in comes my moms expertise. She crocheted this up in a day and sent it over too. I added the paris fabric to it this afternoon and now Sadie has a lovely new dress. Thanks Mom!!
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
I've Been Farming???
Let me start by saying that it is a hectic week here. Two of my sons have birthdays this week. So many cakes and meals and one party must be planned and executed. Dinner and gift giving number one was tonight. Spencer turned 15. Yay him...............he can now be hired by McDonald's !!! Whoot , Whoot. River turns 5 tomorrow............5.........what...........not happy about that...well he is happy...me, not so much. He is having his first "friend" party. Oh the cakes have been baked, the prizes wrapped and the treats bags are ready...........I' sure there is fun to be had!! Now to the important matters at hand.....
So, I've mentioned that we bought this fun, yellow brick house, out in the country. It used to be a chicken farm. It hasn't been for many years now.....Many people in our house are "gamers". This happens when there are pre-teens and teens going on................and they are all boys. I am not a gamer. Many years ago, my parents bought one of the first home computers..............a VIC 20............oh yes they did!!!! I became a pro.......learned every screen...........could beat every game. It is terribly addictive. Last week my husband brought Farm of Dreams into my world.....I resisted...........yes I did.............In a weak moment I played screen one................I am on screen 48 now..............good luck resisting...........Farm of Dreams
So, I've mentioned that we bought this fun, yellow brick house, out in the country. It used to be a chicken farm. It hasn't been for many years now.....Many people in our house are "gamers". This happens when there are pre-teens and teens going on................and they are all boys. I am not a gamer. Many years ago, my parents bought one of the first home computers..............a VIC 20............oh yes they did!!!! I became a pro.......learned every screen...........could beat every game. It is terribly addictive. Last week my husband brought Farm of Dreams into my world.....I resisted...........yes I did.............In a weak moment I played screen one................I am on screen 48 now..............good luck resisting...........Farm of Dreams
Monday, 12 November 2012
Teaming up With Jellibean Journals with a Giveaway!!
Jelli from Jellibean Journals recently contacted me and we decided to team up and do a little giveaway! You can win this sweet peasant top from Sadieloohoo! Just go to Jellibean Journals to check out the requirements.
1. Check out Sadieloohoo and leave a comment telling what your favourite item is in the shop.
2. Follow Sadieloohoo blog via gfc.
3. Follow Jellibean Journals via email.
The peasant top that is up for grabs is available in sizes 18 months to size 6. Ends November 16, 2012.
Good Luck!!
1. Check out Sadieloohoo and leave a comment telling what your favourite item is in the shop.
2. Follow Sadieloohoo blog via gfc.
3. Follow Jellibean Journals via email.
The peasant top that is up for grabs is available in sizes 18 months to size 6. Ends November 16, 2012.
Good Luck!!
Friday, 9 November 2012
Dear Santa Project
I saw the pattern for this penny rug in a sweet quilt shop and knew I had to make it. There are many children in our home, thus many things that they need to "explain". I often find myself saying "now why did you do that" or "what on earth are you doing". The answers I receive are like this "I don't know" or "what do you mean mom" or "I'm not doing anything". Since they can't explain their craziness to me, I doubt they would be able to explain it to Santa...............But it is a cute project to stitch up!
Thursday, 8 November 2012
More Chalkboard Paint..............
Chalkboard Coasters!!
Buy What?
Buy natural stone tiles at Rona
Buy Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint
Buy Corkboard
How To?
Paint the tiles with the paint, sides and tops
Do two coats, 2 hours between coats
Cut cork to fit backs and adhere.
Wrap with jute and a piece of chalk.
DONE
Makes an awesome hostess gift!!
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Movember and a Pretty Hat
I know I always show you things happening with my little ones, the littles...............I would show you things in regards with the older ones.......but they are secretive and refuse to be photographed!!! Well, it's Movember and my 16 year old son is participating in the event! ( I must tell you, his mustache looks way, shall we say "less", in person). I asked him if I should delete this picture and do another..........No no, he says, he thinks he looks awesome in this "thick" mustache picture. He has also donned my 3 year olds halloween hat. Everyone in the house is in good moods tonight (there are 8 of us right now, so that is saying a lot for the "all happy" factor) I must take advantage of the good moods and take pictures............they just might smile!!
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Burlap And Chalkboard Gift Tags
I was looking wading through all my fabrics around here, and found a cool piece of chalkboard fabric.............what to do? what to do? I am always in need of gift tags! I still have tons of burlap left over from yesterdays curtain project..............so...........here you have it.........burlap and chalkboard gift tags!! Perfect for Christmas......or anytime!! You just erase them and reuse them...........environmentally friendly or what? Have you thought about gift wrapping yet? Do you use all new wrap each year, are you someone who saves and reuses?? I do both!
These tags can also be found here in my little part of the etsy world.
These tags can also be found here in my little part of the etsy world.
Monday, 5 November 2012
Silky, Smooth Frango Mint Pie
My sister introduced me to this pie several years ago.............this pie and I get along just fine............
Here are the ingredients for Frango Mint Pie:
1 cup softened butter
2 cups of icing sugar
4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate
4 eggs
3/4 tsp peppermint extract
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup graham crackers crushed
Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Add melted chocolate to the butter mixture and beat thoroughly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg until well blended. Fold in the peppermint and vanilla.
Line a pan with crumbs. Pour in the filling. Refridgerate for 2 hours.
This is for an 8 inch pie pan.
“Come join Love the Pie with TidyMom sponsored by Whirlpool and enter to win a new Whirlpool Range”
I posted this in at this party: http://igottacreate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/wildly-original-linky-party-25.html
Here are the ingredients for Frango Mint Pie:
1 cup softened butter
2 cups of icing sugar
4 ounces of unsweetened chocolate
4 eggs
3/4 tsp peppermint extract
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup graham crackers crushed
Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Add melted chocolate to the butter mixture and beat thoroughly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg until well blended. Fold in the peppermint and vanilla.
Line a pan with crumbs. Pour in the filling. Refridgerate for 2 hours.
This is for an 8 inch pie pan.
“Come join Love the Pie with TidyMom sponsored by Whirlpool and enter to win a new Whirlpool Range”
I posted this in at this party: http://igottacreate.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/wildly-original-linky-party-25.html
Burlap Curtain with Burlap Rose
I bought the burlap about a year ago now..........finally hauled it out last night and made my plans. First off, I'd just like to say..............burlap is messy and it doesn't smell so great either!!
This project took a good 2 hours to complete, start to finish. I started with the big rose burlap flower. I have tried other flowers like this before..............they rarely turn out for me. So, this time, I did not look up any "how to's" and just went at it on my own. The rose turned out really, really well. I'll be making some more! Then I cut and hemmed the long curtain of burlap...................looked really boring. What should I add??? My trusty, unbleached, muslin fabric would do quite nicely! I gathered up a ruffle of that, stitched it on...........took it up to my daughters room to hang in the window. When I put the rose tieback around it, I did not like the length of the curtain..............back downstairs, cut a 5 inch length of burlap. Ruffle it, hem it and attach it to the bottom of the curtain. Now it is complete...........an upper ruffle, a bottom ruffle and a rose.............lovely for my little girls room......................Can't wait to do her walls and trim...............
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Oops, I didn't realize.......
There are many, many things I don't know....small things, big things.....lots of things. Today it is about Leibster and being nominated.........I didn't know what it meant.......little embarrassed. Thank you so much to Esther at Esther Norine Designs for the nomination. She nominated me on October 28. It took me this long to find out what it even meant. I got answers like........it doesn't mean anything to it is something to keep moral up around new bloggers. Then I found that there are questions and such that need to be done.........so, I thought I best get on that.
Things to know:
You need to give 11 random facts about yourself. You need to answer the questions from the person who nominated you, then, you need to nominated 11 more people, with less than 200 followers for the award.
11 Random Facts about Me:
1. I do not like to read manuals of any kind, this causes problems.....but it is still true.
2. I love things that are turquoise in colour.
3. I'm Canadian......those are not spelling errors, we spell words like color with a "u"..colour.
4. I love stale red licorice.
5. I rarely wear jewellery.
6. I have been sky diving.........it was awesome.
7. I went on a skiing trip to BC at Kicking Horse........but I don't ski, so I sat in the chalet at the top of the mountain and enjoyed vodka instead.
8. I have a massive collection (seriously huge) of scrapbooking supplies.........I have yet to scrap book.
9. I am not a hoarder.
10. I look stupid in a hat..........any hat except a beret style hat.
11. If you package something up, real pretty....I'll likely buy it.
Now for Esther's Questions:
I like blogging because it is fun to just put something out there in the world for people to read....or not read......but it's there for all to see and read.
I don't really dream of vacations. I don't have a lot of hope that I will ever get one...........so I don't really put any energy into thinking about it.
I do not have pets.............just children.
My guilty pleasure is my subscription to glossybox. It's a cool box of makeup that comes once a month for a fee of $15. That being said, they upped the cost to $22 starting next month and so I'm cancelling it. I'll have to find a new guilty pleasure.
I would pick up a book over the remote any day!!
My favourite (not a spelling error) holiday is Christmas. The music, the cookies, the shows, the traditions..........all those lovely things.
I do like Starbucks. I order the Caramel Macchiato or the Caramel Frappacino .
I like shoes even more than purses. Not heels though. Love boots the most!!
I love to cook and to bake!!
My favourite accessory is my ponytail.......it really has a life of it's own.
I lived in the city for most of my life. We moved to the country two years ago. I am undecided which one I like better............but I'm leaning towards country.
My Nominees Are:
Sophie from A Good Year
Jacinda from Yellowcloth
Ramsey Grace
Life with Ash
Too Goodin to Be True
Life and Lemons
Rustic Love
This is my Life
One Creative Housewife
kitchen.garden.love
Short Girl Long Island
My questions are:
What is the last book you read or movie you watched?
If you could drive any car, what would it be?
Cheesecake or pie?
Would you rather stay up late at night, or wake up early in the morning?
If you could only use one kind of makeup, what would it be?
What language do you wish you could speak but can't?
What is your most embarrassing moment?
What do you want for Christmas?
Do you know who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
If you could rename yourself..........who would you be?
What is your dream job?
Things to know:
You need to give 11 random facts about yourself. You need to answer the questions from the person who nominated you, then, you need to nominated 11 more people, with less than 200 followers for the award.
11 Random Facts about Me:
1. I do not like to read manuals of any kind, this causes problems.....but it is still true.
2. I love things that are turquoise in colour.
3. I'm Canadian......those are not spelling errors, we spell words like color with a "u"..colour.
4. I love stale red licorice.
5. I rarely wear jewellery.
6. I have been sky diving.........it was awesome.
7. I went on a skiing trip to BC at Kicking Horse........but I don't ski, so I sat in the chalet at the top of the mountain and enjoyed vodka instead.
8. I have a massive collection (seriously huge) of scrapbooking supplies.........I have yet to scrap book.
9. I am not a hoarder.
10. I look stupid in a hat..........any hat except a beret style hat.
11. If you package something up, real pretty....I'll likely buy it.
Now for Esther's Questions:
I like blogging because it is fun to just put something out there in the world for people to read....or not read......but it's there for all to see and read.
I don't really dream of vacations. I don't have a lot of hope that I will ever get one...........so I don't really put any energy into thinking about it.
I do not have pets.............just children.
My guilty pleasure is my subscription to glossybox. It's a cool box of makeup that comes once a month for a fee of $15. That being said, they upped the cost to $22 starting next month and so I'm cancelling it. I'll have to find a new guilty pleasure.
I would pick up a book over the remote any day!!
My favourite (not a spelling error) holiday is Christmas. The music, the cookies, the shows, the traditions..........all those lovely things.
I do like Starbucks. I order the Caramel Macchiato or the Caramel Frappacino .
I like shoes even more than purses. Not heels though. Love boots the most!!
I love to cook and to bake!!
My favourite accessory is my ponytail.......it really has a life of it's own.
I lived in the city for most of my life. We moved to the country two years ago. I am undecided which one I like better............but I'm leaning towards country.
My Nominees Are:
Sophie from A Good Year
Jacinda from Yellowcloth
Ramsey Grace
Life with Ash
Too Goodin to Be True
Life and Lemons
Rustic Love
This is my Life
One Creative Housewife
kitchen.garden.love
Short Girl Long Island
My questions are:
What is the last book you read or movie you watched?
If you could drive any car, what would it be?
Cheesecake or pie?
Would you rather stay up late at night, or wake up early in the morning?
If you could only use one kind of makeup, what would it be?
What language do you wish you could speak but can't?
What is your most embarrassing moment?
What do you want for Christmas?
Do you know who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
If you could rename yourself..........who would you be?
What is your dream job?
Friday, 2 November 2012
Just a little "Frosting"
Mom, Mom..........look!! Look outside!! It's not snowing............just a little frosting...........
Oh Sadie, come quick, come see the frosting...........hurry before the ground licks it up...........
I can so see those words in a "Dick and Jane" reader.
Things to write down and remember, because I know I'll forget. How sweet are the thoughts of "almost 5 year old" boys.
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Seriously People......Seriously?????
Last night we ran around in the rain, collecting our fair share of treats around the countryside. We returned home with frozen fingers and numb toes and dripping wet..........we'll thank "Sandy" for that, not just the usual dreary fall weather. While the kids sat in front of the fireplace.......rooting and gloating over their haul..........we sat in front of the tv.............and then it happened...............you know what I'm talking about.............the first CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL..............I'm not kidding!!! I glanced at the clock, still Oct. 31.............where is the decency people??? Not even November and the first commercial hits. It was for a travel agency............now ok, if you are lucky enough to cruise through Christmas, maybe, maybe you need to book now??? However, did you need a commercial to tell you that? My guess is, if you plan to go on a cruise through the Christmas holidays, you've already planned it and bought your tickets. If not, you are waiting for a super deal............but you don't need the commercial to tell you that, do you?
Flash forward to this morning.............yeah, this morning............I open the paper............TWO Christmas shopping flyers!!! November 1st people..............not time for this yet!!! The Americans haven't even done Thanksgiving yet!!!
I guess it is never too early for them to start grabbing at our wallets. I guess they think if they wait too long, we might have given all our money to "the other guy".
Honestly, yes, I have started shopping already for Christmas. Months ago actually. But it is a little too early for "them" to start clawing at us for our dollars. SHEESH !!
Flash forward to this morning.............yeah, this morning............I open the paper............TWO Christmas shopping flyers!!! November 1st people..............not time for this yet!!! The Americans haven't even done Thanksgiving yet!!!
I guess it is never too early for them to start grabbing at our wallets. I guess they think if they wait too long, we might have given all our money to "the other guy".
Honestly, yes, I have started shopping already for Christmas. Months ago actually. But it is a little too early for "them" to start clawing at us for our dollars. SHEESH !!
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
This Old Tree
You can see it here in this photo. It was one of the features we loved when we bought this old house. Watching the kids in the tire swing..........just such a wholesome thing. We are seriously worried about this tree. It is very close to my bedroom, and when the wind howls, I worry it will come crashing in. Thankfully, it did not blow over last night..........but we are all very tired today......having stayed up most of the night, listening to the limbs rake the side of the house. A rather haunting sound............fitting for this time of year.
Monday, 29 October 2012
Great Kindergarden Mom......just sayin'
Oh the fun I had!! For real this time...............this little treat was easy and not stressful at all to make!! The tags were easy....I sort of read the manual and they turned out just fine. Only little bit tricky part is getting those sticky pumpkins into the bags........just be patient.
Rice Krispie Pumpkins
1/3 cup butter
250 g bag of marshmellows
6-7 cups rice krispies
tsp of vanilla
orange food colouring
tootsie rolls
green icing
Melt the butter and the marshmellows. Stir in vanilla and colouring. Stir in Rice Krispies.
Mould them into balls. Place on wax paper. Put in fridge for 15 minutes or so.
Cut up tootsie rolls to be the stems.
Take out of fridge. Use icing blob to adhere the "stem" to the pumpkin. Add the vines and a leaf with your green icing. Ta Da!! Done.
Now just bag and tag and you look like an awesome mom at the kindergarden party!!!
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Halloween Hat
My mom whipped up 4 of these tiny hats for Sadie. Two are for halloween and two are for everyday. We went out and about in the "big town" of Listowel today and Sadie was properly "goo-ed" by everyone out there. The Hat was a big hit!! If you want to see how to make it.........just go here. The Quirky Crafting Shmoogle Bean has some cute crocheting on the go over there!!
Friday, 26 October 2012
Skirts, dollies and dresses........OH MY!!
November 7th is creeping up really fast!! That is the last day for taking in items to the store I sell at in Stratford, Ontario. That's right, the last day to be prepared for the Christmas shoppers!! I can't believe it is that close! Todays photos show what I have made in the last 2 days. Sweet paper doll, twirl skirts............Christmas candy, knot dress........ and more vintage dollies!! I make my own tags as well, so have been tea dying them, drying them, stamping them.............almost ready to pin them on to all the items that have been piling up in the "ready" room. You can see all these items....and more.....in my little Etsy shop Here.
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Ahhhh..........Nuts!!
A few years back I was into going to Antique Markets. I still do it, but, not as seriously as before. On one of those outings, I found this Nut Meat Chopper. We had one when I was a kid. When we were going to make some yummy sundaes, we would get this out and chop up peanuts to throw on all the ooey gooey sauce. Yesterday I thought I would make a yummy cinnamon loaf that another blogger had up on her site. It called for chopped pecans.......sounds yummy right? So, got out all the ingredients, started stirring and folding and measuring everything. Time for the nuts............oh the chopper worked, for a bit, then it just fell apart............the front just fell off the thing in mid chop. Nuts spilled all over the counter...........NUTS!
Back to the real old fashioned way...........hand chopping.
Back to the real old fashioned way...........hand chopping.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Old Black Witch.........spunky friend of mine.
"Bat's!" she would say, "Bats! Crickets? And snakes' knees!" Honestly, how could I not love someone who said such things!! This is one of my all time favourite books from childhood. "My" old black witch was ornery, short, fat, black, dirty, warty and spunky!! All the things I love in a good/bad witch. This book is not just for Halloween, as is has nothing to do with Halloween! It's a cool story of a mother and son, starting up a sweet tearoom, and all the troubles that go along with having an old black witch in the attic. "My" witch soon takes to helping the mom and son with the business.....thus her recipe for blueberry pancakes.....on the back cover of the book.
Enjoy!! If you can find a copy that is!!
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Let the Small Town Bidding Begin.....
We used to live in a "big" city. We moved, 2 years ago now, to a quiet, tiny community. We do love it here, although, it is different..........really different. My kids used to attend a school where, I honestly believe, the parents all felt it was a private school. That's what they all acted like anyway..........but it wasn't, it was just a normal public school, although that would come as a huge surprise to many of the parents there. That school had all kinds of fund raisers, although I don't know why, because, rarely, the funds raised went to the school, they were always giving the money raised, away to some charity or another. Strange really. That all being said, some of the fundraisers were huge. Like the fun fair, it was like a huge carnival, massive amounts of money was raised.
New Setting........small town..............school fund raiser. Such a cute school my kids now attend. It's a public school, and no one pretends it isn't. We went to the fun fair last spring. It was very small, there was very little to do..............however, there was an auction of sorts. You know the one where you go around and write your bids on a sheet, and then someone else comes and up bids the item and at a certain time the bidding ends and whoever has the high bid wins the auction. Well I don't think that our new community gets the whole idea of fund raiser. I think that they were playing "Let's Make a Deal"!!!! Anyhow.................Here's how it went:
US: Wow, look at this great auction.........A weekend away in Stratford Ontario at an awesome B&B and tickets to "The Matchmaker" at the Festival Theatre. Let's Bid.
"The Others": Wow, this looks like fun. A weekend away, let's bid.
US: What the heck??? Someone has upbid "Our" auction. How dare they...............we must up our bid.
The Others: Hey, did they just put in another bid.......................let's make them miserable and up the bid again.
And so it went for 3 hours. We went home for 2 hours (there really was nothing to do at the fun fair).
When we came back, there was 10 minutes left to bid...........and so, we did. Back and forth. Finally, we had had enough of this nonsense! We put in our high bid of $325.00..........That's right, just $325 for this wicked weekend away!!
At the school we used to attend, this would have gone for over $1000.00............why...........because it's a fundraiser!!
Anyhow, we got the weekend away!!! It's been a blast. We have to check out in half an hour now...........boo.........back to reality again.
I may, or may not, share some of our crazy adventures from the past 3 days......tomorrow...........
New Setting........small town..............school fund raiser. Such a cute school my kids now attend. It's a public school, and no one pretends it isn't. We went to the fun fair last spring. It was very small, there was very little to do..............however, there was an auction of sorts. You know the one where you go around and write your bids on a sheet, and then someone else comes and up bids the item and at a certain time the bidding ends and whoever has the high bid wins the auction. Well I don't think that our new community gets the whole idea of fund raiser. I think that they were playing "Let's Make a Deal"!!!! Anyhow.................Here's how it went:
US: Wow, look at this great auction.........A weekend away in Stratford Ontario at an awesome B&B and tickets to "The Matchmaker" at the Festival Theatre. Let's Bid.
"The Others": Wow, this looks like fun. A weekend away, let's bid.
US: What the heck??? Someone has upbid "Our" auction. How dare they...............we must up our bid.
The Others: Hey, did they just put in another bid.......................let's make them miserable and up the bid again.
And so it went for 3 hours. We went home for 2 hours (there really was nothing to do at the fun fair).
When we came back, there was 10 minutes left to bid...........and so, we did. Back and forth. Finally, we had had enough of this nonsense! We put in our high bid of $325.00..........That's right, just $325 for this wicked weekend away!!
At the school we used to attend, this would have gone for over $1000.00............why...........because it's a fundraiser!!
Anyhow, we got the weekend away!!! It's been a blast. We have to check out in half an hour now...........boo.........back to reality again.
I may, or may not, share some of our crazy adventures from the past 3 days......tomorrow...........
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Sugar......ah Honey, Honey
There is no better candy than Brach's Corn Candy!!! Not just any brand either, it must be Brach's!!! I know what you are thinking............and YES this delectable treat deserves it's own blog post!!
When we were growing up, my mom had a few treats that she "hid" from us...........as in would not share. However, this is one candy she did share! And I will probably always love it. You have no idea how expensive this candy has gotten for me! You see, dear reader, you can no longer purchase this candy in Canada. Yes, you heard me..............Brach's no longer sells Corn Candy in Canada, nor have they for a very long time. What is a girl to do? How will she get her fix? Ebay...........that's how. Several years ago, I took to buying this little treasure off of ebay. The bag itself might have only cost $4 (totally worthy), but, the shipping............to get my precious here..............$12-$18 for 3 bags. Yes, I admit it, I bought it anyway. It was worth the cost to have this sweet treat!! Then I hit another snag.........last year no one was selling it on ebay that would ship it to me. What to do, what to do. In steps my brother. He was in the USA at just the right time last year. Here is how the texting convo went.
Brother: Hey Sis, Walmart has Brach's corn candy, do you want some?
Me: Corn Candy you say....how much is it? (As if this matters at all)
Brother: Well, they are having a sale, how does fifty cents a bag sound?
Me: ( with no shame) I'll take 10.
Brother: That's what I figured.
A week later, my corn candy and I were together again. You might be worrying right now, wondering, what lengths I have had to go to to procure this essential product this October. Do not fret, I have a few bags (well 2) left. Corn Candy is fabulous even stale. The only thing better than just eating the corn candy, (otherwise known as witches teeth), is finding the "rare" one in the bag. The one that should not have made it off the assembly line because it was not visually appealing. Oh, those ones taste so good!! I felt you would like to see this years "rare" find..............note picture number 2...............Yes, an all white corn candy.............I was good enough to let my daughter have it, she is 3, and equally addicted to the sweet stuff. I wish her luck in the future as I have a feeling this will get trickier and trickier to find. If there is a will, there is a way!!
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Christmas Candy Bustle Skirt with Peasant Top
Something we rarely had at home, when I was a kid, was candy. Nowadays, in my own home.........we always have some sort of candy around. When I saw this fabric, all I could think of was the treats that my mom bought around Christmas time. They weren't even that good, but, it was sugar, and I was (am) a fan. I absolutely love the bustle on the back of clothing. Watching Sadie swishing around in this style of bustle skirt is most enjoyable!! Hope you like it! You can find it here in my Etsy shop.
Monday, 15 October 2012
Retro Paper Doll Skirt
For the life of me, I have no idea why these photos are sideways, and I can not get them to go the right way. They aren't even sideways in the folder they came from. Oh well, this will just have to do for today.
Yes, I am continuing with my love of all things Paper Doll related.
I've had this lovely fabric for awhile now. I just didn't love it, it was white.
I don't love white as much as off white, beige, that sort of thing. So......
you know what I had to do, don't you? Yes, you are correct, I had to
tea dye the material. So, that is what I did yesterday, and now today we have
this lovely little retro skirt for Sadie.
You can find it here in my Etsy shop.
Have a lovely Monday!!
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