She Said Thank You!

The boutique yesterday was a big success! We had so many people and the response was great considering the economy. Going into it we just weren't sure what to expect. So everyone went home happy...including the shoppers. :)
Beth did an amazing job setting up her two front rooms. It looked wonderful. So inviting and talk about stocked with items...wow! I think she could have opened a small store. Her work is beautiful. It was a fun day chatting with people we hadn't seen in a while and laughing with good friends. Here are a few shots.
And to Beth, Faith & Rachel.....it was a great day, thanks for including me in the fun!

Home

So good to have the boys all home. Even though they aren't very far away, just knowing they are all under the same roof makes my heart smile. We have so much to be thankful for. Blessings beyond belief. God is so good. I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with reminders of how much you already have. Sometimes we lose sight of the things that are closest to us...the ones that mean the most because we are so busy with "life". Take a minute and thank God for all He has done.
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Here He Is

As promised...here is Prince. We are puppy-sitting a 9 week old pug. Isn't he a cutie pie! We are having so much fun with him. Tonight he fell asleep in my arms. (I loved it) :)
Our other two dogs think he is great. We only have a couple days to enjoy him before my son takes him to his apartment for the rest of the week. Just wanted to share.

Big Win

Saturday was filled with Academic Decathlon competition for my son Colton. There were 15 schools at this invitational. Testing was throughout the morning and then in the afternoon parents and visitors were allowed to watch the only "open" portion of the weekend event. (It was all day long on Friday too) This part was the Super Quiz. Colton's team took FIRST place!! Awesome. Then later in the day Colton won a THIRD place award in his division for his personal testing on Latin American Social Sciences. We are so proud of him!
Just had to share. :)

Now we are off to have lunch with our Aunt and Uncle from Michigan. Always fun to get everyone together.
Have a wonderful Sunday.

Keeping Busy

Well, things have been crazy as always around here. Besides the everyday "life" things, I have been working on projects for the boutique. This year I am trying to keep them simple and less expensive. Little add-on items that can be used on packages, etc. I am also working on necklaces that are turning out so cute. Those will be very reasonable priced as well. It just makes sense this year considering the economy. Everyone still wants handmade things but just not as elaborate & expensive. At least that is what I am hoping. :)

We have company in town this weekend so we will be spending time with them. It will be great to see them. And of course in between I will be working & creating more things to sell.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Oh we get to babysit a new puppy during the Thanksgiving week....how fun! I will try to remember to post a photo. He is a little pug puppy....how cute!

It has been a little crazy around here lately. I am trying to get ready for the boutique with my friend Beth. I have tons of ideas floating around in my head and not quite enough time in the day to complete them all. But I am trying. :) My scrap room is a disaster as you can see from the photo. Does that mean the creative juices are flowing....haha That is what I am telling my family.
I have gift tags, small ornaments that can also be used on gifts, scrabble tile necklaces, dominoes made into necklaces and pull ties, magnetic boards of all sizes and so many other ideas that I hope to get to. And yes, sometimes the thought "what was I thinking?" enters my mind, but I keep plugging along. Wish me luck and be sure to stop by and say HI at the boutique.
Have a great day!

Boutique

This year I will be participating in a boutique again that is always such a good time. My friend Beth holds it in her home and does a beautiful job. There are always lots of great gift items to choose from. People get there early and it has gotten bigger and bigger each year. So be sure to stop by and check out all the wonderful hand-made items on display. Things are always reasonably priced. We are striving for a big variety this year too. So join in the fun and come visit us!

Just Because

I came across this song today that I hadn't heard in a very long time. I wanted to share it with you. It just makes you smile! :) Enjoy!
The Cartoon Song

New Class Starts!

Today is the first day of Jessica Sprague's class, "Stories in Hand". I am excited to start. I have the book assembled...not decorated yet but that will come. It should be fun. :)

What Kind of Christmas Tree Are You?

You Are a Traditional Christmas Tree

For a good Christmas, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. You already have traditions, foods, and special things you bring out every year.

So I found this online... What Kind of Christmas Tree Are You? It is a short, fun little quiz. It actually describes me perfectly. I am a very traditional person at Christmas time. I LOVE all of our family traditions and really strive to keep them going. So, what kind of tree are you? Go find out. It's fun!

Peach Cobbler Recipe

I promised to post the recipe for the Peach Cobbler that I served at the party. It is a great recipe from an old neighbor. My family loves it and I hope that you do too!

4 C peaches, sliced (fresh are best)

1/2 C butter

3 1/2 C sugar

2 C flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 C milk

2 T cornstarch

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

2 C boiling water

Place peaches in 9x13 baking dish. Cream butter and 1 1/2 cup sugar. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cream mixture alternately with milk. Spoon mixture over fruit.

Sift or mix 2 cups of sugar with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and nutmeg. Sprinkle this mixture over batter.

Pour boiling water over top. (Yes....that sounds strange but it works. Makes a nice crust over the top) Bake at 350* for 1 hour. You may need to bake longer-check for gooey center and color of crust. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. YUMMY!

Party

The party was a huge success! We had such a good time & I think our guests did too. I know my husband did, so I consider that successful since it was his party. teeheehee :)

The weather couldn't have been nicer. We spent the evening outside with great friends and family. Inside I had set up a table with photos from my husband's childhood. And of course the embarrassing teenage and college photos too. In the mail that week we just happened to get a letter addressed to him from AARP....couldn't have been better timing....I threw it on the table too. haha And of course I had the "50 Sucks" bouquet on there. My husband had requested a scrapbook of the building process of our house and that was there too. It turned out so well. Everyone enjoyed looking through it.

We had a ton of food. We got the BBQ from Joe's BBQ. It is the best. I also made my grandma's calico bean recipe. Yum Yum. My friend made a BLT macaroni salad that was great. And my mom brought a bunch of fresh veggies. There was fruit, chips and spinach dip, red pepper humus, and more. For dessert my husband had requested Homemade Peach Cobbler instead of birthday cake. (I took photos to share the recipe later) So that is what we had. It was delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Outside we had the tiki torches lit, the firepit going and lanterns on the tables...so pretty. Just a great time!! Here are a few photos to enjoy.

So Excited!

Things are really hopping around here. We are so excited for the party tonight. Everything is ready to go except for baking the peach cobbler. (great recipe from an old neighbor...I will share later)

Last night we set the tables up and lit all the tikis, lanterns and firepit. Oh my....it was so pretty. I am glad that my husband is so excited about the party. That was the goal. The big 5-0! I want him to enjoy!

Well, I will share more with you later. Along with photos.

Wahoo!!