Rum & Coca-Cola

Have you heard this song by the Andrews Sisters? It's very weird, but oddly comforting (working for the Yankee dollar?). I first heard it on Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour, which we love. Anyway, I haven't had Coke classic in a long time, so I had one today (sans the rum). My sucker husband saw the nifty retro-y holiday bottles and had to buy a 6-pack, so it was staring me in the face.


Anyway, funny how a taste (or smell or song for that matter) can give you a massive flashback. Made me think of sitting in my grandma's house. She'd always say to my brother and me, "Honey, go out in the garage and get yourself a Coke". In fact, even in the nursing home, she'd still tell you to do this (just a lil' dimentia there). My gram and gramp had a massive fridge in the garage packed with Coke and Vernor's gingerale. And we'd always drink out of her Fenton Mary Alexander glasses.

Ooh, one more thing that we used to drink out of the Mary Alexander glasses on Christmas Day (so good!). I just realized I can't drink it this year (darn this being PG):

Vodka Slush

INGREDIENTS
2 (14 ounce) cans cream of coconut
3 (6 ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (46 fluid ounce) can unsweetened pineapple juice
1 (750 milliliter) bottle vodka (a fifth)
2 liters ginger ale (I prefer Vernor’s)

DIRECTIONS
In a plastic container combine cream of coconut, lemonade concentrate, pineapple juice and vodka. Mix well and store overnight in the freezer.

To serve, scoop into lowball glass, then fill to top with Vernor's.

Oh, and plugging along making more shtuff...

It's Not Me, It's You, Prison Break

Prison Break, this is painful, but we have to end this thing. I know that sometimes one cannot control the direction that his network has decided to take, but my love for you (well, more like for Wentworth) just isn't enough this time. How you could just suck me in and make promises to me like you did? After all the time I'd invested in you and how I stuck up for you when people wanted to know how a "Prison Break" could be stretched into three seasons...what did I get for it? I'll tell you what I got! Sara's head in a box!!! And you know that if you hadn't killed her now, it would have been done later this season-- let's not fool ourselves. I thought I could forgive you when you killed off Tweener last year, but it still hurts. Bottom line is this, PB-- you should know that I had Tivo'ed your last two episodes, but I never watched them. And tonight, I finally had the strength to erase them.

You're dead to me, Prison Break. Forget you ever knew me.

(I don't know what's sicker-- the fact that I'm such a TV junkie or that I took the time to write this post).

The Girl Land Rubberstamp of Approval!

I'm so excited. I had a rubber stamp made for Girl Land by Miss Farrah of Sweet Papery. Isn't it nifty? I'm going to stamp my bags (with pink or red ink?) for the upcoming MICE show and add a snippet of Xmas-y ribbon to the handles. Fun fun!

I'm also excited because I've been looking for a cute mini address book since I (ahem) inadvertently threw my old one out while cleaning out my craft room. I bought a plain book from the dollar store and had the idea to doctor it up with a piece of Japanese fabric from my stash and a little apple shank button. I think it turned out A-ok, and I think I'm going to make a few more for the show. I wish I could keep the cost a little lower, but that dang fabric is so expensive. Think it still would make a fun little stocking stuffer.

My shop is going to be pretty blah until after the 12/8 show, but I'm going to try to keep clearing out some of my vintage stuff to add here and there. And I'll update with my handmade Xmas stuff on 12/9. I had 5 sets of these cute little ornaments, but 4 of 5 of them sold yesterday, so I was happy.

Bleachin' & Flockin'

That sounds like a name of a band or maybe a store if you added an "-N-" instead of the ampersand. Don't ask me what kind of store or band would have anything to do with Bleachin' OR Flockin'. I just thought it sounded funny. Anyway, that's what I've been doing today. I followed Sarah's how-to on bleaching the trees, but it wasn't working fast enough (I'm so impatient), so I took my trusty bleach pen to them. Here are before and after pics of the trees and wreath.

And remember the cute house I bought (for way too much) at a local shop last weekend?

Yeahhhhh, I was pretty P.O.ed because I went to Hobby Lobby whilst visiting my parents for Thanksgiving and OF COURSE they had an almost identical plain unpainted version of the house for a song. I bought it and will make a house of my own for the upcoming MICE show. Mine will be lots cheaper but it's already shaping up to be cuter than the one I bought. Drat. Above you will also see the greeny-blue roof I painted that is now plastered with silver glitter. It's detachable from the house, so you can put a little light inside.

And don't get me started on Hobby Lobby. God bless the HL! We have NONE in the Detroit metro area. It really is the best craft store, hands down. My friend is Business Development manager for the municipality that I work for, and she actually called their real estate division to try to entice them into our city. Unfortunately, a dumb independent grocer (and not a good one, a junky one) just went into a space they were interested in, but they still said they are fully intending on opening a store in the region. Thank goodness!

Hope everyone is recuping from the weekend. We all barely got out of our pj's today, but we had to go rake leaves. And not fun, dry, pretty leaves. Nasty, dirty, wet ones. The three of us were filthy head to toe. I put Quinn in this sweatshirt though from Target. Look at the adorable whale print! So adorably 80s in spirit. That Target...

P.S. I thought I may cry after I left my parents yesterday. We forgot leftovers-- and there were LOTS. :( Boo hoo.

Turkey? Yes, please!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and loved ones! I will be getting my turkey and fixins on fairly soon (sans the gravy-- I don't do gravy). I am contributing an apple pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company and a Sweet Potato Casserole that is always a hit at our work potlucks (my co-worker makes), and it's super easy! A nice alternative for those who may not care for marshmallows (the freaks):

Sweet Potato Casserole

40 oz can of sweet potatoes - drained & mashed (if you use fresh sweet potatoes then increase the sugar to 1 ½ cups)
½ stick margarine/butter softened
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tlb corn starch
1 cup milk
dash of cinnamon

You can make the part above in advance (or not). Just mix all together in a 9"x13" casserole dish, cover and refrigerate. Before serving, add:

Topping
1 cup cornflakes - crumbled
½ cup sugar
½ stick margarine/butter softened
½ cup coconut
½ cup chopped pecans

Cover and bake 20 minutes at 400º. You want to toast coconut & melt sugar - browning whole concoction.

Gobble, gobble everyone! xo

Go Elf Yourself

I can’t stop laughing at this. I think it’s the Quinn elf that is particularly disturbing. Maybe as equally disturbing is the fact that I think Ryan has elf boobs. Watch a holiday message from our family to yours!


Then go make one for yourself—go! Hurry! Thanks to Pixiegenne for a mid-afternoon funny.

Pink is the New Red & Green

I thoroughly concur with Emily that pink should be considered one of Christmas' official colors. Just bought these two ornaments at K-Mart (by Martha, of course, for $2.24 apiece!). My wonderful hubby picked up the Snow & Graham Xmas cards during his recent trip to Philadelphia because they reminded him of me. He's a pretty good doobie. All situated on my newly received (wrinkled) cute bow fabric from Frances.

I Love a Parade!

We took Q to her first Christmas parade downtown Royal Oak. This year, I've wanted to skip right over Thanksgiving/Fall decor and head right to Christmas for some reason. Doesn't help the RO's Xmas parade takes place so early.

Q was pretty good-- she didn't try to run at the horses and didn't really get antsy at all. Dale & Thomas was giving out (messy) mini bags of cheddar popcorn though, so that kept her occupado as well. I just bought these boots for her-- they crack me up. The girl is far better dressed than I. She's like my living doll.

Then we went to my friend's hubby's office which is right on the parade route and watched it from the 2nd floor with a nice warm cup of hot cocoa. Had a very nice weekend. How was yours?

Also, went shopping with my sis in laws downtown RO and picked up this cutie at The Green Bee. It lights up too! Q loves (as do I). I wish I could just jump inside. I may try to find a battery operated light to put inside and stick it on my mantle.

Mmmmm...

I'm addicted to this! It's from Bath & Body Works. It leaves a nice shimmery glaze on your kisser and not too sticky either. Sorry about the nice "stock" photo, but since it's dark here at 5:00, I cannot get a decent photograph to save my life.

Finished up and made some progress on some more ornaments. So basically, 1 ornament down some others started), 15 or so to go (yeesh) and 1 banner down, 5 more to go! I'll try to take a picture of my tiny snow deer ornament. He's in a little sphere painted mint green with red glitter, downy white cotton snow, and a snow-flocked mini pinecone. I love him. Ryan thinks he's gaudy. Pooh on him! Also working on some 3-d Xmas image ornaments for the MICE show. Yee haw!

That's What He Said

New Xmas banner!

I will be making a couple for the MICE show, but this one is for Naomi's lovely shop plus two others and some ornaments. We were discussing the phrase "ho ho ho" via email and decided we both had the sense of humor of a twelve-year-old boy. I also cannot help snickering when someone mentions Tittabawassee Road (in Saginaw where my parents are from).

Finally am feeling a little motivated to craft. The hubby gave Q her bath tonight which helped me get the banner done. I could have gotten more done although she knocked her head on the wood floor AND fell off our bed within 1/2 hour time span which prompted the "MOMMMMMYYYYY!" cry for help. My problem is that I rock her for like 5-10 minutes before bed which completely saps my energy.

So anyone out there have sciatica with their pregnancies? I'm almost 16 weeks along, but it seems a little early for this. However, I have this shooting pain when I stand up from sitting or lying that runs down the right side of my lower back into my butt. Does that sound like sciatica? Hmmmm...

QR2

Happy birthday, my little Tater Bug! You are getting so big every day, and I can't believe you aren't a baby anymore. Daddy & I love you so much! We know you will be an amazing big sister. xoxoxo

Shiny Happy People

Contrary to what past posts may have reflected, I am a pretty happy person. I’m thinking someone has released some sort of non-toxic happy gas into the air in the Detroit Metro area because people are being REALLY NICE. And I like to give credit where credit is due, so here is a list of some Nicey Nicertons that I have met within the past few days and would like to thank:

1. Unknown Postal Clerk at the Berkley Post Office: I was sending an order yesterday consisting of two books. I had included a few little extras including some candy and a retro-ish pencil eraser. I asked the clerk if I could send it media mail even though those extras were included, and she said no. Since the cost difference was over FIVE DOLLARS, I decided to open the package and take out the extras (sorry, Stacey). I came back to the counter to buy a roll of packaging tape so I could tape my opened package back up. Unknown clerk silently hands me a piece of packing tape from her own desk, and the clerk beside her says, “WOW! Are you actually being nice? Miss, I’ll have you know, this doesn’t happen very often.” Maybe it was because I was honest? Or because I didn’t gripe when she told me the rules? I only saved like $3.59, but it was the thought that counted, so thank you Surly-but-Nice Postal Clerk! And I like their new holiday knits stamps too.



2. Unknown Sales Trainee at the Southfield Michaels Store: Went to buy craft supplies for my new Christmas projects. Did you know that if you forget your Michaels coupon, you can sign a list and use the 40% discount on one item anyway? It’s true. So I told the girl I wanted to use my “virtual coupon”, she rang my zillions of items (how do you spend $76 at Michaels with only one item over $5?), gave me the total and then forgot to give me my 40% off one item. I told her it was okay, but she said she’d correct it. Luckily, the store wasn’t busy (I hate people like me). She returned the highest priced item then re-rang it with my coupon. Saved me a whopping $4.00 (hey, it adds up!), but she was perfectly cheerful and willing the entire time. Then, after all that, I left that ONE damn item at the register and they chased me down in the parking lot (did I tell you I hate people like me?). So thank you, cute little Michaels trainee girl! I hope you don’t quit after today.
   
   
3. Unknown Waitress at Southfield Telegraph Kerby’s Koney Island: Do people outside the Detroit metro area know what a coney island is? Is that a stupid question? I’m from the west side of the state, and we don’t have coneys there, so I’d never heard of them before I moved here. They are basically diners, most of which serve Greek food in addition to standard diner fare, and there’s one on virtually every corner. Anywho, said nice waitress gave me extra dressing for my carryout Greek salad and a large Guernsey Farms lemonade even though I only ordered a small. Then she called me “honey” which I always think is endearing especially when it comes from someone other than a blue-hair because it’s unexpected. Oh, except if you are a man, do NOT call me “honey” or “sweetheart” in the professional realm because I will go ape-shit on you. But thank you, exhausted-looking but super sweet Kerby’s waitress! I salute you and my beloved Kerby Melt as well.



4. Mary Helen: For noticing my burgeoning bosom (one good thing about being PG). And everyone else who has made sweet comments about my embarrassing photo op.
   
   
   
5. My Quinner: Who has been such a good girl for me in her Daddy’s absence (he’s in Philly at a work conference). Yesterday morning she woke up at 5:45am, yelled, “Mommmmayyyy” across the hall, I replied, “Go back to sleep sweetie. It’s too early to get up,” and she said, “Okayyyyy”. And she didn’t make a peep until an hour later even though I knew she was awake and reading in her crib the whole time. She’s a good shit.




6. Martha again: Have you seen her K-Mart ornaments? My mom said she also has cute polka dot balls too. If not for Martha, I could possibly take the (All-)Handmade Pledge.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, Loveys!

Obsession

My obsession with Japanese fabric continues...

I just purchased these from Matatabi's Etsy shop. I just keep compiling fabrics for Q's fantasy quilt. I have no idea if they are going to flow or what. My aunt will have to decide from my ever-growing pile!!! Most of what I have are hedgehog/mushroom prints and I thought the bows above and just a small pink polka dot on white would be good too as accent pieces. To be continued...

The Xmas Train

I CANNOT believe everyone is already on the Xmas train. In reality, it IS November 8th, and that doesn’t seem too early, but I guess I’m just in disbelief that it’s already November 8th, fer cryin’ out loud. I do have to agree with Jennifer that there are many things about Michaels that I do not love, but LOOK AT THE NEW MARTHA THINGS! I am all about the beautiful faux bois (aka woodgrain) ribbon. I just like to bust out my limited French skills on y’all-- faux bois literally translates to “fake wood”). Mmmmm…Christmas.

So last weekend I was out of town visiting my sweet friend, Lizard, and her family since last Wednesday, but I am back. We saw some movies-- The Devil Wears Prada (as horrid as I thought it would be), Knocked Up (my 2nd time seeing it), and a GREAT ONE, Gone Baby Gone (directed by Ben Affleck). I'd be curious to hear if anyone else has seen it. My parents think Casey Affleck made the wrong decision at the end, I do not. I'm very surprised that this movie wasn't hyped more because it was very good-- Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris as well as his real life wife, Amy Madigan, were in it.

I've decided I would not be a good southerner. No offense to anyone reading from the south-- I am just too high-strung to handle it. We went to a fun Antique/Collectible show at the local expo center, The Metrolina (I just like saying it). Didn't buy anything because there were dealer prices, not flea market prices which I'm used to, but it was fun to look anyway. My friend found a nice and cheap mantle shelf for her fireplace.
I have to also show you some paintings Lizzie made for her son's nursery. It's of their three doggies (one of which had to be put to sleep a few months back). I really love the colors. She's a very good artist!

Busy MICE!

Sorry for the short post-- more tomorrow (promise!). Will tell you all about my adventure this past weekend.

I need to get on the proverbial crafty stick here because I am going to be part of the Holiday MICE Show (Michigan Indie Crafters of Etsy)! Yay! It won't be the same without Danielle (sniff, sniff), but Heidi is doing a great job and look at the sweet poster that Jason made!!! Wa-hoooooo!