There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends.
I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.
~ Jane Austen

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Beautiful Music!


I thought I would
share some beautiful music!

Wishing everyone a wonderful day!


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Merry Christmas!


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Special Surprise!

A wonderful mail surprise!
I received a package from Deb.
She really sent me some wonderful
vintage Santas. 


She made an altered tin for me.



Goodies inside her
handmade paper pocket.




Thank you Deb for all of my
wonderful Christmas gifts!

You are a dear friend!

Wishing everyone a
wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Christmas Home Tour

I hope you are having a great start
start for your week.
Have you finished your
Christmas shopping?
I have...and mailed all
the gifts yesterday.

Today I thought I
would share some of
areas decorated for
Christmas with you.
We kept the decorating
low key this year.


This is my favorite area in the morning!
Look at my new santa!
More on the santa later
this week.


Some images of our kitchen area.
This is where we spend most of
time in our home.









This is another small tree
our dining room.




This is our bedroom
 decorated for Christmas.




Greetings from Jake.
I couldn't get a photo
Gracie Hope...she
moves around too much!

Wishing you a wonderful
week dear friends!



Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Getting ready...

Getting ready for holidays is always so much fun! 

I am working on a few holiday swaps this week.

I will post some peeks for you later in the week.

Here is a favorite recipe of mine for holiday gatherings.

Chewy Chocolate Cookies Recipe

  • 4 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate, melted
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder or instant coffee granules
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 ounces coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate
  1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper of silicone liners.
  2. Melt 4 ounces of the chopped chocolate in the microwave or on the stove top (whichever you prefer). When the chocolate is smooth, stir in espresso powder or instant coffee. Set aside to rest while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt and set it aside while you mix the wet ingredients.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy.
  5. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  6. Mix in the vanilla.
  7. Beat in the melted chocolate and espresso mixture. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula if necessary to make sure all your ingredients are well blended.
  8. Add the flour mixture just until combined.
  9. Gently stir in the coarsely chopped chocolate, being careful not to over mix.
  10. Scoop dough by two-tablespoon amounts onto lined baking sheets, spacing the scoops of dough at least 2 inches apart. (I like to do this with a small ice cream scoop.) Bake until the edges of the cookies are just dry, about 13 to 15 minutes.
  11. Remove from the oven and carefully transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
This recipe should yield about 2 dozen Chewy Chocolate Cookies
Enjoy!
Wishing you a wonderful week.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


Wishing you a wonderful and safe 
Thanksgiving with your family
and friends!



Just a note.  I am having a
sale on all of my Christmas
cards and gift tags in my
Etsy Shop!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

And the winner is...

Good morning!
Hope your week has been a great one!

I ran the counter but can never get
it to copy...to post on my blog.
The winner of my Holiday Blog Give Away
Please visit her blog! 

Don and I are going on a short road
trip this weekend to Atlanta.
Sometimes it is just fun to
do these little trips with
no great fan fare!

Thank you to all of you entered
and left your comments for
my give away.

Have a wonderful and safe
weekend!


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

don't forget!


my blog give away ends this
evening!

as always, I will be adding
some vintage goodies!




Sunday, November 6, 2011

Missing


I really miss sewing.

This is a photo from
my first craft show
I participated in Texas.

Just some thoughts lately:
It is so easy for illness to cut the confidence,
attack our personality, and end relationships.
 Each day I keep thinking ~ saying to myself,
 “I can accept this illness without
allowing it to define me.”
Since August, my life has
really changed.  I do not take
a day for granted!
because of the severe breathlessness
I get, I am limited to my
activities I love dearly.

I don't blog much about
my problems...just
wanted to say what's on
my mind.  My posts have
been few lately due to
health issues.  So I have
decided to continue my
blog and share my
little creations and vintage
finds with you dear friends.

Blogging has allowed me
to meet so many wonderful
people, and share in swaps
during the year.

Most importantly,
I am so thankful and blessed
for my wonderful husband Don,
and close family members.

Just a note:
Free shipping on all holiday tag
and card listings this week in
my Etsy shop.

Thank you for your visits to
my blog and your kind comments!

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Holiday Give Away!

As promised!

My holiday give away is here!

These are just some of the goodies!

In appreciation for all of my followers, I am
having a blog holiday give away.

Southern Lady Holidays Magazine
Stitch-Craft-Create Magazine ~
Premier Issue!


Home Made Stickers
Hero Arts Card Kit


To enter this give away, please
leave a comment about your
blessings for 2011.  This
give away for my followers only.
Please post your comments ~
entry by November 9th!

I have added some new items
to my Etsy shop this week!
vintage finds
handmade gift tags





Wishing you a wonderful week!


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Blog Give Away Coming Soon!

I hope your week has been a great one.
I am having another blog give away
 next week. So check back to see
the goodies!

I scanned some of my vintage postcards
and note cards this week.  You may use
them in your holiday projects.  Please do
not resell these in your Etsy shop or
on eBay.




Enjoy!
Thank you for your visit today!