Saturday, November 29, 2008

Peanut Butter Pie.


Carol's Peanut Butter Pie....

This was... well, probably still is.... Todd's favorite, even though he really shouldn't be eating it.... and why I haven't made it in over a year.  His mom's pie.  I have gotten pretty good at making it- although I am sure not as well as the original!  And I still remember the first time I made it in Defiance... with Carol and Wilma.... and the meringue was.  Let's just say... not at all fluffy.  And those sweet ladies blamed it on the humidity.

I made it the other night and almost forgot to bake it at the end.  See the snowy white peaks? I was thinking:  Wow, it's like marshmallow.... Mmmm.  I bet it would be good toasted.... Wait a minute... aren't they are supposed to be a little toasted on the tops? Oops!  I threw it in at the last minute and it turned out delicious, but I my picture turned out blurry.  So I used the pre-oven toasted photo.

Looks pretty good.... right?  :)

Thursday, November 27, 2008

from far away.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is late!  I am planning my day for tomorrow: turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce...

We just ushered the last couple of stragglers out of our house from our annual Wednesday night game night... We had a loud night of Nerts, Spoons and Wii.   Now we're preparing for about 15 more people tomorrow.

And I thought it was going to be a quiet Thanksgiving.  And I was dreading it.

But as it turns out, this week has been full of family (friend-family) get togethers and lots of delicious food.  So far, so good!

And even so, we sure do miss our family back East... and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving day.  Wish you were here!  Love.

Monday, November 24, 2008

randomly.


One of the girls' favorite things to do when I am shopping at Michaels is to find little treasures from the floor.  Little pieces of forgotten flowers.  Stray beads.  Half broken marbles.  A fake grape.  I am not quite sure if it is stealing if they bring it home.  I think I asked once.  

This weekend was.  A good experience.  And a complete flop.  But I met some cool people?

I have some really fun craft ideas.  But I think they have to wait until after Christmas.

Working on some of Todd's mom's Peanut Butter Pie.  I think I'll post pics of it too.

Evie is getting molars.  Molars!

It was a little cloudy today, which was nice.  When I came out of Michael's tonight it was a little chilly.  Getting Christmas-y!

There is something really fun about being in wine country.  We spent the whole weekend at a vineyard.  It was relaxing.

That is the end of my random thoughts.  Love, love.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Templeton.


We had a great time in Templeton.  The downtown is so cute and quaint, the perfect backdrop for our adorable booth!!  Our second show was so fun... and it was a beautiful sunny day.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

it was... good.

Wow.  The day.

What began so early this morning is now winding down.  I am so pleased with the new things that transpired today.  OK, so we didn't make much money.  We barely broke even... and we accidentally gave away a onesie by forgetting to charge... and there were lots of crafty crafts and poofy Christmas ornaments... and tank tops for women made out of.... hanes...for men.  There were people with REALLY bad taste.... but those are almost ALL of the bads.  Now.  NOW.  Let me list the goods.

1.  Grandma Bonnie.  Grandma Bonnie, aka Grandma, was in the booth behind us.  Never mind what she was selling (ehem...hanes!).  Right when we got there she showed us the ropes.  Introduced us around.  Gave us her dolly to bring in our stuff.  Later, she gave us the low down on all of the craft fairs and gave us her number to keep in touch.  You go, Grandma Bonnie.

2. Our display.  Looked BEAUTIFUL.  Props to Erik for building one of the most amazing displays in the entire boutique. We got SO many compliments from those putting on the show as well as other crafters.

3.  Teens in touch.  The lady across the aisle was so inspiring.  She runs an outreach to troubled teens where they get together and make bottlecap jewelry, bracelets and other fun little things.  Then, they sell them at local places and the teens take home the cash.  Isn't that cool?  I thought so.  What a great idea.

4.  Rachel.  Eva and I decided that Rachel is a kindred Spirit.  She makes really REALLY cute necklaces.  You can buy them HERE!  She has 2 little girls who *loved* our ribbon swirls.  I am excited to get to know her better.

5.  Cute old lady #2.  OK.  So, this one was a little scary.  But this lady was SO cute that I just HAD to tell her.  "You are so cute!"  I said... before I knew it I blurted it out.  But she was!  And so sweet too.  Even though it caught her off guard, she may have appreciated it.  Who knows.

6.  Personalizing a bib for a BRAND NEW BABY.  She was born at 1:43.  Lilly Ann.  And she is A for adorable.

7.  There was a man across the aisle who made the MOST beautiful wooden toys.  So intricate and detailed.  He had a Circus Train that looked like something out of an old children's book.  Gorgeous.  And as it turned out, the man was from Alaska.  And he loved Gov. Palin.  Loved her because she was the babysitter and friend of his daughters!  And apparently he watched her hunt with her dad when she was 6 years old.  Pretty sweet that old man was.  Eva got to talk with him more than I did, but it was so exciting to meet all of these different people with all of their many different talents.

8.  As I was sitting in our booth, a lady came around with some fliers for other craft fairs.  This one is tomorrow, she said.  You may as well come, you've got all your stuff together already! she said.  I was not completely sold.  As she looked around our booth, she began to get excited.  So, she said- OK.  I have to give you this too.  What?  An invite to participate in ANOTHER fair.  But this one is a bit less crafty she says.  She names people.  I don't know them.  It is really an honor for me to ask you, she says.  OK, I nod.  Your stuff is really great, she says.  So, we will see.  We may be entering another craft fair NEXT weekend.  

9. Hanging out with EVA.  And making fun (in the nicest possible sense of the words) of the ridiculous things people think are cute.  Example?  Picture a onesie with an picture of an ipod.  Only it says "iPood".  *SO cute.  Maybe they should just make a onesie with an actual picture of some poop.  That would be SO cute.  The only thing that would make it better would be if it could be scratch and sniff.  That would TOTALLY sell.*       *excerpt from actual conversation.

10.  Now we feel like we are totally and completely qualified, if not more, to be a part of craft fairs.  In fact, because we had a great time, we ARE going to do the one tomorrow.  So if you are anywhere near Templeton, CA tomorrow, come on down to downtown for some Founder's Day fun.  They have a really cute old feed building, some tractors and free pie.  How can you resist?

11.  At the end of the day, Grandma Bonnie forgot her stool.  So I called her house.  I guess it was Grandpa who must've answered.  Later when she called back, I said.  Bonnie, you left your chair!  But do you know Sally?  She has it.  She'll bring it tomorrow.  See you there!  mmm. hmm.  Grandma Bonnie.


today is the day

Today is our very first *official* craft show!  It is early.  I am making coffee.  We're getting ready to hit the road!  I don't know what to expect, but I am excited and a little bit nervous!  But mostly excited!  If you're in the area ;) come on over to the Atascadero Lake Park and join in some holiday buying fun!  :)  

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Introducing Patty

Introducing Patty.  Not to be confused with Tigerlilly from last year, this bird has actually lived more than 2 days!  And she is warming up to us, as you can see!

We let her out of her cage for little bits of time each day.  She is a great bird, because when she has had enough, she flies right back into her cage and we shut the door.  So, that is nice...

She LOVES Evie and Emma both.  And she lands on heads and likes to play with our hair.  She had some fun with Em today, and Emma LOVED it.  She was laughing, she thought it was so funny!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

almost time!


If you want to come see our stuff, we'll be selling at some local craft shows!  The first is this weekend.    Here for info.  We'll also be doing Christmas in the Plaza in San Luis which is the first weekend in December.  

Monday, November 3, 2008

costumes and candy

Emma had wanted to be a horse, but when we got the dress up clothes out,
the mermaid took over.

Abigail was a Pirate.... Captain Hook, to be exact. 
(See the lace-y sleeve on the hook?  That was her very own addition!)

And Bella was Cleopatra.  She won the contest at church.

They all had a great time at the Fall Celebration at church.  Much candy was attained.
Games, Castle Maze, Trunk or Treating....
I, however, was sick!  I had to miss all the fun... but am better now!!