TRIMS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT, FRINGE TOO!!

I want to take a moment and let all of you in on a secret: beautiful trims, beads, fringes, and lots of supplies for everything you can imagine. I have known this seller for over a year now and have been buying from Nancy for as long as that, at least. I have never been disappointed. What's better, she keeps adding items you just can't live without to her shop. If you want great service, this is the place to visit, great selection, many colors and styles, and friendly service. Nancy also likes to offer a variety of specials and coupons that can save you money. If you sew, craft, or are a scrapbooker, Nancy has beautiful trims you could use. Please check her out at:
www.linensandlaurel.com
http://lachambrerose.blogspot.com
http://www.livinonthefringe.etsy.com
You won't be disappointed.

Pink Saturday Is Here!!

Welcome to my Pink Saturday offerings this week. This is my first time posting and I want to thankyou for visiting. I thought it would be appropiate to feature something with a heart because of Valentines Day. Here we have a faux sugar cookie on a bone china dessert plate that is sure to please anyone on a diet. No fat and no calories. This is made from wood, then painted and sugared with german glass glitter. Enjoy!!

The Best Oatmeal Blueberry Bars EVER

I am hopeing that you won't mind one more recipe from me, so soon after the sugar cookie, but these are good!!!! They may be great to think about for the Easter weekend with your families.

1 3/4 cups Quick or old fashioned oatmeal

1 1/2 cups Flour, 3/4 Cup Brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon Baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup Chopped nuts, optional

3/4 Margarine or butter, melted

To grease pan, Cooking spray or shortening.

FILLING

2 cups Fresh or frozen blueberries

1/2 cup Sugar

2 Tablespoons Cornstarch

3 Tablespoons Water; divided, 2 Tablespoons and 1 Tablespoon

2 teaspoons Lemon juice

CRUST

Grease 11"x 7" baking dish. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, nuts, baking soda and salt.

Add margarine or butter; mix until crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup of mixture. Press remaining mixture into bottom of baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

FILLING

Combine blueberries, sugar and 2 Tablespoons of water in saucepan on stovetop. Bring to a boil; simmer for 2 mintues, uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Combine 1 Tablespoon of water, cornstarch and lemon juice. Mix well. Gradually, stir into blueberry mixture. Cook and stir 30 seconds, until thick.

Spread over baked crust to within 1/4" of edge.

Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes. Cool, Cut into squares.

Just so you know, the sweet angel sitting in the chair is my 3 yr old grand-daughter, Allie, the light of my life.

Getting Back To Basics

Floral design is what I did for about 18 yrs. I haven't worked as a desiger for about 7 yrs and must admit, I haven't missed it. You might wonder how that is possible, seeing as tho I was around beautiful flowers all day, wonderful scents at my fingertips. I must confess, it's very hard work.....standing on your feet for hours at a time, working with your hands. After a while you don't smell anything anymore and you really don't appreciate the flowers like you once used to. It's a job, and therefore becomes......work. But...........

Last year I was vacationing in New Bern, North Carolina when I went into an antique store and saw a lovely hand-painted tea cup and saucer. My first thought was this would make a beautiful topiary, so that is what I did! I have it listed for sale, but it is hard to part with. I think the one thing I learned from creating this is that I need to incorporate some of my floral experience into my cottage home decor designs, and that is just what I am going to do. Please be watching for a little transformation, I have some great ideas coming your way.

The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever

While I was visiting a very good friend of mine in Albuquerque, she was making sugar cookies. Now I know everyone has a recipe for sugar cookies, but trust me, these are very good. The picture on your left is not these cookies, but instead are faux cookies that I am selling on etsy. The recipe I am giving you are for actual delicious eating, calorie counting, great tasting, mouth watering sugar cookies.

2 cups Butter or margarine, softened

1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Butter Cream Frosting

3 1/2 cups Confectioner's sugar divided

3 Tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 Tablespoon shortening

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 to 4 Tablespoons milk, divided

food coloring which is optional

Cookie:

Cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Add sugar, egg yolks and vanilla: mix well.

Add flour a little at a time and mix until blended.

Cover and chill 2 hours or until firm.

Roll out onto floured surface to 1/4" thickness.

Cut into 3" shapes: place 1" apart on greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until set, not browned.

Cool 5 minutes: remove to wire racks to cool.

Frosting:

Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla and 3 Tablespoons mile in mixing bowl: beat until smooth.

Gradually add remaining sugar, beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add enough remaining milk for desired consistency.

Frost cookies.

Yield: approximately 7 dozen

This is my favorite sugar cookie of all time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I would love to hear what you think.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY~Love it OR Hate it??

To understand my feelings about this holiday, you first have to understand that I am a child of the 1950's". As far back as I can remember, I never liked this holiday, it has always been one that I have not looked forward to and glad when it was over. I still feel the same today.

I think it all started back in school. I remember the brown lunch sacks that we all had to decorate, put our names on and then hang in the front of the classroom. This was done a few days before, so we were able to enjoy each others art work before the big day. The night before, we had to purchase our Valentines, sign them, address them and put them in the appropriate bags the next morning. Some children received more cards than their bags could hold, others didn't fair as well. I think maybe today, there are rules in place that if you give a card to one, then you give to all. I was never on the receiving end of too many or too few, but just in the middle. I hated the whole process of buying, addressing and stressing about the question, would I receive any?! Knowing what I know now, and if it were possible to go back, I would make sure the unpopular children had more than their share of Valentine Cards. I wonder if any of this haunts them today. I hope not.

My husband was in the military and so we moved every 3 to 4 yrs, sometimes overseas. When our children were in school I got a job as a floral designer. It was a good choice for me because it was a job I could continue no matter where we were stationed. I never realized the hard work florists have during the holidays. AND guess what? Karma bit me in the fanny every year for the 15 years I worked this profession. You guessed it......Valentines Day!! It wasn't uncommon to work an 80 hour week during that time of year. It starts about 5 days before the actual day, hundreds of flowers come in, they have to be cleaned and put in buckets of water. Now, we are talking hundreds of roses, all colors and on top of that, hundreds of assorted flowers, fillers and greenery. Your work days are pretty much the same hours as a normal day. The two days before is when the actual designing starts. You need to remember that this is above and beyond any other work that comes in. Your feet ache and your hands swell, you are tired and can't think. Your body is definitely on auto pilot. You keep reminding yourself you are doing this to spread the love of the day to all the happy people out there wanting to make someone else feel loved. To all the girlfriends, wives and mothers. I let my husband off the hook for the past 36 years that we have been married. I told him please, no candy, no cards and by no means, no flowers. I can say that I at least make one man on this earth very happy on Feb. 14th!!! No obligations at all.

Happy New Year AND Happy Birthday Everyone!!!

I just had to do it: wish everyone a very happy New Year AND birthday; because....you see, you can't escape it. It's the start of a new year and everyone on the planet will get to celebrate a birthday sometime this year!!!! I got lucky, my birthday is the month of Jan. so it comes first. Some will be excited ( if you are 5!!) others will want to bury their heads in the sand and re-emerge sometime later. It all depends on how you choose to look at your birthday. I choose to celebrate every last minute of mine, take all the congrats I can get, eat all the cake I want, and generally be happy and elated for the day. This reminds me of the glass half full or half empty question. I was thinking about this the other day and unfortunately for me, I learned of this question way back when I was in college. I was in a psych class and read about the question of half empty or full as an experiment. I was never actually asked the question. I often wonder what my answer would have been if asked, would I have looked at myself "without enough" as in half empty, or would I have answered "half full"? What does it mean if you look at the glass as just a glass of something?? Not full OR empty??!! That probably would have been me, a fence sitter.........pondering both sides of the question. I tend to do that, much to the dismay of people around me.
This brings me back to birthdays, celebrate yours!! You can't stop it, it's coming, so enjoy it. What's the alternative? and who wants THAT!? Step up to the plate (literally) and eat cake, enjoy your day to the fullest, you are the boss, it's yours to enjoy, and just think, when it's over, you have a whole year before (if you are lucky) it's back again!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing Everyone A Very Merry Christmas!!

We spend all year waiting, planning and trying to stay ahead of the holiday season. We plan parties, write our Christmas cards, wrap our gifts and want to be stress free. My hope for all of you reading this is that you accomplished those plans and are all ready for the big day. This year we are going to Cabo for a week. I had no choice but to get it all together, because when we return, there is no time and no looking back. It's over, and all that will be left is the what if's. My packages, or most of them, are bought, wrapped and under the tree. I have a ham in the refrigerator for dinner Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The one big thing that didn't get done this year are my Christmas cards. Yes! I will be taking them with me to have them completed and ready to mail as soon as we return.

I am already asking myself "where did the year go?" Hard to believe that 2008 is coming to an end. Every year I think it goes faster and faster, and with it goes another year of my life!!! At this rate I will be an old woman in no time....I have to admit, I enjoy life each and everyday. I often wonder what else can I do to enrich and enjoy the days to their fullest. You know how people say enjoy each day like it is your last? Well, no one ever says what you are suppose to do if you are already doing that!!! What comes next?? No matter how much you live life to it's fullest, love your self and your family, give to the less fortunate and try and do good deeds, father time comes and steals seconds, minutes and hours from your day. There just is never enough of it.

My advice is this, just have fun this holiday, stay safe, enjoy yourselves, don't worry about eating too much because you already know that you will. You can worry about it during the New Year when you yet again have a chance to make all those resolutions you won't keep anyway. My big promise to myself was to lose weight, me and every other woman out there. It's Dec. and I still haven't lost anything!!! So it begins again, I will get more exercise, eat less and get healthy....yeah right!!!

From Thanksgiving To Christmas, Move Over!!

Thanksgiving, Christmas

What Happened in Between??

Yep, that's my lucky husband ( lucky, because he is married to me!!) getting ready to carve the Thanksgiving turkey. Next to him is our nearly 3 yr. old grand-daughter with her mother on her side. See the smiles??? It's always fun at grandma and grandpa's house. We had a wonderful day and one that brought many blessings to all of us. Just being together and enjoying a lovely meal is a blessing. We are all healthy, safe and enjoy each others company. I can honestly say that I know parents and children that don't want to be in the same room with each other. Such a complete and total loss. Anyway, lets move it along, shall we??!!

Before I knew what hit me, Thanksgiving was gone and Christmas is upon us. I had most of the tree up the day before Thanksgiving and even had some wrapped gifts under it as well. Unbelievable you say? It's true, but I must confess, this is the first year that this has happened. You see, I am one that loves fall so much and the wonderful tradition of giving thanks, that our tree never goes up until Thanksgiving is behind us. This year is different tho because we are going on a trip and there would be no time once we return. This too is a first. More about that when we return. Where are we going, you ask? It's a secret to be revealed upon our return. I have to say that I did like having the tree up this early and may repeat the process next year as well. We all get so harried this time of year and don't enjoy the festivities as much as we should. Lets not forget why we are celebrating in the first place. Lets enjoy our families and spend time together doing things as a family. Lets watch less T.V. and have less computer time. Let's keep the doors open to our rooms and be accessible to one another for chats about what is going on in our lives. A new year will be here all too quickly and this glorious holiday season will just be a memory of the past. Let's make it one to be remembered always.

Graditude

It's that time of year when we start to reflect on the past, search our hearts and question "where has the time gone?"
November is the month when we plan to get together with the family, eat way too much, and generally feel good about ourselves. We spend time with people we don't see often enough, and vow we will see more. We will do better next year. We make promises we know we won't keep, but hoping somehow that things really will be different in the future. Deep in our hearts, it's what we want, but there is never enough time for it all. Time does indeed fly by faster and faster with each passing year. I think that is because we become busier and busier with each passing year. We should be doing the opposite: slowing down and heeding the warnings of not enough time spent with family. In this great big world we live in, isn't family the only people that truly care about us? Yet we give them the leftovers of our time, just like the turkey sandwich the day after.....but, we do love that sandwich, almost as much as the Thanksgiving meal we had the day before!!!
If you read the book, The Secret, then you know that gratitude is something that needs to be a part of your daily life. Be grateful for another day, another meal, people to love you. I often joke, if I can get out of bed, breath on my own and remember my name, it's going to be a great day! My family laughs at that, but what is the alternative? None of us knows when that day will arrive, lets celebrate each and every day, every family member and friends, just like it's the last. We don't need Thanksgiving to remind us of how very lucky we are to be alive, we just need to realize and be grateful for each day we have on earth, to love one another, to help one another, be kind and considerate. You wouldn't think that would take a conscience decision, but it takes practice and lots of it. This is a fast paced and hard world we live in. When we sit down to our Thanksgiving meal of roasted turkey, potatoes, and other delights, lets take a minute to really reflect on our lives and think about what we could do to improve not only our lives, but others as well.....we have so much to be grateful for.

VETERANS DAY TODAY

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have served this great country in the past, as well as the present. Without you we would not have the freedom we have today, or the future of a great tomorrow. Many have given their lives so that we could live free, thankyou just does not seem enough. I pray that today we all take time to honor the fallen and the brave. Say a pray for the men and women that are risking their lives today so that we can have a tomorrow.

The Cutest Twins In The World!

These beautiful baby twin boys are our daughters sons. All dressed up for Halloween and ready to party. They a 1 1/2 years old and so not too sure of what is about to happen. Jack, on the left is Captain Hook, Kyler on the right is dressed as a pirate from the movie, Pirates of The Carribean. So cute and just adorable. HEY!! Where's the candy??!!

Could This Halloween Baby Be Any Cuter??

Even tho this holiday is behind us, who could resist this sweet angel, baby girl. This is my newest grand daughter, Jenna. So cute in her little costume, she was a pumpkin that turned into a princess.....

I AM HONORED TO RECEIVE A MARIE ANTOINETTE BLOG AWARD

I was given the honor of this blog award by my good friend Debbi. I want to thankyou so much for this. I will certainly pass this honor on. You can view Debbi's beautiful blog at: http:cgtreasures.blogspot.com

Here are the list of rules for this award: Here are the rules:1. Please put the logo on your blog2. Link it to the person from whom you received the award3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs 4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog 5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them (I'm letting them know here too)And the winners are:~
http://carolannesboutique.blogspot.com/
http://brandywineboutiques.blogspot.com/
http://pinkbuttercreme.blogspot.com

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Our grand-daughter was a fairy princess for Halloween this year. She didn't need the costume tho, because she is already a princess in our eyes. She reminded us of all the excitement of this wonderful holiday when you get to dress up in anything you can imagine, be anyone you can imagine without someone thinking where you really belong is the "nut house." I walked with her and her father for 1 hour and 1/2. I don't know how she did it!!! I don't remember how long I used to be out when I was her age, but I can tell you I got my exercise last night and would not have traded it for anything in the world. We had a great time. When you got home, she did what we all did and still do, dumped out the loot and dug in!!!! It's nice to see some things never change!

Fall In Gatlinburg, Tennessee

I spent the last seven days in the beautiful city of Gatlinburg, TN with my husband and two of our closest friends. We were invited to stay at a resort for the week. I couldn't say no to an offer like that one, as you see, fall is my favorite time of year and I didn't want to miss the gorgeous colors of the changing vegetation.

I was amazed at how much decoration there was.....it was EVERYWHERE! Pumpkins, scarecrows and cornstocks. They were tied around anything standing, even had the corn still on the stocks!! Beautiful, large pumpkins were outside buildings, all decorated in the theme of fall. I must say it was very beautiful.

We spent 3 great years in Georgia and loved every minute of the south. There is just something special in the air, the friendly people, the food, a feeling of coming home. Safety maybe? It's hard to explain unless you have been there. I am a city girl, born and raised in the great state of California, but the south has my heart, I must confess. It was hard to leave, but like I have said before, home is where the heart is, or should be...........hummmm??? Has me wondering....

The Great Smoky Mountains were as beautiful as you would imagine. We did a lot of climbing and even saw a black bear. Needless to say, I would love to return some day and repeat the experence......to be continued for sure.

I've Been Very Busy

I have decided to take a break from ebay for awhile. I hope to be back there selling at the end of the month.

I am concentrating my efforts on other sites right now, as there are only so many hours in a day. I am focusing most of my time in my etsy shop, the Friday Flea Market and soon to be opening, Lollishops. On top of taking all of this on, I am happy to announce that I am also selling through the Market Square on Shabby Lane, and am a guest seller on VintageToChic. WHEW!!! That seems like a lot to bite off, but I am having so much fun. This keeps me very busy designing and creating beautiful things for you, and that is what I love to do. Please check back often as I will be adding new items weekly to my shops.

The Friday Flea Market is a concept where talented artists come together on one site, for one day a week, and offer you the best of the best. If you would like to visit us on Fridays, please just click on the red button on the right of this page.

The holidays are fast approaching, so I have been coming up with items for your shabby cottage home and also for use as gifts. Many of my designs would be perfect for teachers gifts, hostess gifts or keep them for your own use. Please sit, enjoy a cup of java, tea or any other beverage and look around............you are always welcome.....

Fall Pumpkins

This is the reason I just love fall. How can resist decoracting their homes with beautiful pumpkins, whether they are fresh or handmade?! The fall leaves, scarecrows, witches and all the Halloween decorations, not to forget the candy and scary movies. BUT, that's just a warm up for the real thing: Thanksgiving....a time to pull out all the stops. I get to use my orange pumpkin soup tureen with matching bowls, beautiful leaf napkin rings and lovely dishes. Family comes over and spends the day...now I ask you, what more could you want??!! I can answer this question with one simple word: cold weather. We are in the desert, so we usually are still wearing shorts and tee shirts. It's still in the 80's during the day and not much cooler at night. All in all, I am beginning to get used to it. I have found that you need a day trip to the mountains to get into the fall mood, otherwise, this holiday will come and go and leave you wondering if you fell asleep and missed something!
You can find my pumpkins on ebay and on etsy, thankyou and Happy Fall Everyone.

FAIRY SWAP ON ETSY COTTAGE STYLE

This darling baby shoe was given to me by my fairy swap partner Barbara. It is a pin cushion, but I will not use it for that purpose. It's waaay too cute to be stuck with pins!!!! This will have a place of honor on a night table for all to see. Barbara did a great job and was a wonderful swap partner. I am now on a quest to make one of these baby shoe pin cushions to sell on ebay or in my etsy shop.

This little shoe was painted with a pink crackle paint and also is embellished with a small news print in the german language. The toe has pretty silk flowers and a baby with lace wings, thus the "fairy". A pretty pink ribbon is used for the shoe ties. I just can't tell you how much I appreciate the time it took to create this lovely piece for me. Thankyou Barbara, I will always treasure this gift.

Fall Is In The Air??!! OH BOY, Another Swap!!

I had the wonderful honor of being in a swap this month, and low and behold, I am lucky enough to be in another one. This one is a Halloween Door Swap, and I think that speaks for itself. I already have my project picked out and am ready for action. I probably don't have to tell you that fall is my very favorite season of the year. Oh the colors, I don't think anything can beat them. The rusts, burnt oranges, browns, reds and the yellows, all so beautiful. It is the whole season that I love, corn stalks with pumpkins on the porches, cool brisk air and the start of fires burning in fireplaces. Apples and all that goes with that word: pies, cider, the list goes on and on. October is the start of the best 3 months of the year for me. It's also the best month for candy and t.v. movies. Just think of any other time during the year when you can choose and buy such a variety of candy. Bite size candy.....candy that was around when I was a child. That must be what makes it so special for me, I see candy that you don't see everyday during the rest of the year, brings back great memories of growing up. What a treat.
Movies: now this has to be one great month for those of us that like horror movies. I remember being dissapointed last year because the selection was not like in previous years. What happened?? I find it hard to believe there was no interest in horror movies or great mysteries. What would Halloween be without the Jason movies, or Friday the 13th, or I know what you did, Scream, Hitchcock, the list goes on and on. I'm getting so excited just thinking about all of it.
I live in the desert. During fall months, we are still wearing shorts, tee shirts and flip flops. We still have green grass that needs to be mowed, and we still run our air conditioners. It is still in the 90's here. Cooler at night, but summer still the same. The leaves on the trees don't begin to turn until Dec. so it's hard to get into the mood for Halloween. There is one option tho, and that is to head for the mountains, just under a 2 hour drive away. The elevation is 5 and 6,000 feet, so fall has landed, even if not in the valley. I guess you could say we are very lucky and can have our cake and eat it too.
The best news for me is that I get to spend a week in Oct. in the Smokey Mountains at a resort with friends this year. Yaaahoooo. I am so excited to get back south with all it has to offer and just enjoy ringing it all in. My bags will be packed and ready to go long before it's time, I will have to dig deep to find long pants, sweaters, sweatshirts and socks. I don't think I have seen any of those clothes for years. Hey, maybe I'll just go shopping??!!! BUT, right now I'm off to get ready for my swap and all the fun it'll bring to both me and my swap partner.