computer cozy.

I've been meaning to show you this laptop bag. I won it over at Sweet Life In The Valley and boy, this bag is "sweet." I don't have a laptop, but I can either use it for other stuff, or save it. A month ago, I would have told you that I never win anything, but today, I have to be honest and tell you that it's the second goodie I've won within a month! What're the odds? Now, if we could only win the Florida Lottery...

day to clean.

My people! How're you doing? Are you recuperated from the hustle and bustle? No? Me neither! But I'm working on it! Speaking of working, I'm in the process of retooling my web site. I'm going to add some fresh spring items, but first and foremost, I need to figure out some technical difficulties I'm experiencing with it. Blah, blah, I won't bore you with all that. It seems that January is the month to clean, to purge, to begin anew. Here in Florida, it feels like Spring. But in my heart, I know that it's still winter for so many of you, and that is why I'm going to resist the temptation of "springing up" my blog. And my web site. I'm keeping it in real time at it's a wonderful...

I am working on a little political side-note, I hope it won't offend you. I like to keep my blog bright and cheerful, but this topic is under my skin, like an annoying sliver of wood. My brother and I are coordinating our blogs regarding this "sliver"...his will be factual and articulate, mine will be an emotional, raving, nonsensical editorial. We'll link up once it's a go.

On that note, I'm off. I have some sewing to do and volunteer work this afternoon. So be happy, dear friends. See ya later!

Feast Of The Holy Family.

Christmas continues...today is the Feast of the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph made holy offerings in the consecration of the baby to the Lord. Simeon, whom God promised should see the Savior, was presented the baby in the Temple. Anna, the prophetess and widow, also was shown the blessed child. That we may not see and yet believe...

good intention.

Hello, bridges! I know you haven't seen me in a very long time...but I'ma comin'! All those wonderful walks up, down, up, down...all for naught! I blew it, I fell off the wagon, I caved! Now I have to start over. But I'm gonna get back on track and walk "it" off. Oh, the injustice of it all!

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Glory to the newborn King!

Southern-style Christmas Dance.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

day in Western New York.

I received an email from my sweet, gentle brother offering to do a guest "spot" on my blog. Well, that's an offer I can't refuse! "Sweet!" Then I read the text and honestly, I don't get no respect! He's dissin' me. I know a dis when I read one. The nerve! Like we don't have our freakish bouts of nature down South! Like a hurricane is a walk in the park, a splash in a puddle, as easy as falling off a bike...you get my drift. (Ha, ha.). OK, Mr. Grizzly Adams, take it away...
. . . or, How the Other Half Lives--north of the Mason-Dixon line, that is. The bent-over gent in the picture is me (Tom), Patti's brother, stranded in an Arctic settlement known as Brockport, between Buffalo and Rochester, New York. This is how I'm enjoying my Christmas vacation. How about you folks down Florida way? I thought so--WIMPS! As of 5 p.m. Sunday, December 21, I've had to shovel out my driveway 6 times--since 11 a.m. on Friday, December 19. Seven times if you go all the way back to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16. WHAT FUN! Up here, we can really relate to all those cute graphics you see on Suthun blogs of Santa in his Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, sipping a fruity cocktail. Well, we know the REAL Santa--we live just down the street from him! So, when ya'll get tired of sweating in your shorts and T-shirts, c'mon up here and we'll put you to work in the driveway, where you can experience sweating under 7 layers of heavy clothing with a shovel, instead of a cocktail, in your hand! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hey, Tom! Would you like a little cheese to go with your whine?

more "goodbyes."

Goodbye, little Christmas wristlets. Santa, I see you peeking at me, smooshed under the other wristlets! OK, guys...it's been fun, but it's time for you all to go out into the big, bright, beautiful world! Have fun, be good, maybe I'll even see you on the streets. Good cheer and Merry Christmas to your new ladies!

farewell address.

Goodbye, pretty Christmas purse. I'll miss your perky plaidness, your happy holly. You're going to a good home. Have a Merry Christmas...next year, you just may have a twin hanging around.

funny show.

Do you remember these guys? How genuinely funny they were, how much fun they seemed to be having together? I thought that maybe you'd enjoy this little clip. Just take that walk down memory lane and try to remember what you were doing way back when.

memory.

I remember those days...the glorious thrill of gliding downhill at break-neck speed. The biting cold air, the beautiful white snow; mittens, hats, scarves. Hopping on the sled with a brother, feeling the wind on my face and laughing all the way down the hill. Can I be a kid again? That was so much fun!

happy, happy, happy day.

And then along came Brown, sweet rollin' Brown. Hello, Brown! I've been waiting for you!

What's this? For me? Oh, I wasn't expecting this...or was I? Let's see, the logo on the box says it's from Wiley Publishing. Books? I didn't order any books...or maybe I entered a SWEEPSTAKES AND WON!!!!

YES! I visited Anna one day and found that in celebration of the release of her beautiful new book and fabric line, her publisher was sponsoring a sweepstakes. The grand-prize package included a lovely new sewing machine, new thread, 10 yards of lovely Anna Maria fabric and an autographed copy of her beautiful book, Seams To Me. Out of 53,000 entries, I won a runner-up package. No sewing machine, but that's OK because I have a beautiful sewing machine. OK, I have four lovely sewing machines. Look inside the box, there's the thread, book, & fabric. Mmmmm, love it! Come to Mama, my pretties!

OK, Anna. I'll be happy sewing. And "Best Wishes" back atcha, girlfriend. Thank You &

Merry Christmas!

"what have we here?"

This fabric is so stinkin' beautiful. Though you can't tell from the photograph, the colors are rich and vibrant, cool and refreshing. I am in the process of quilting it, you can see where I need to continue running the rows through the material. "What's it going to be," you ask? I can't say, as it's a Christmas gift and the recipient might get a wild itch to read this silliness (I doubt it). I wish it were mine...the creator seldom keeps anything for herself. It's a rule. I must say, my tomato is a little messy looking. After Christmas, I'll put photos up of the finished projects I've been teasing you with...it's always fun to take a peek at what other people will be receiving. It helps with ideas of what to give next year. That's what I do, anyway. I'm good at that.

I'm waiting on Brown. I hate waitng on Brown. Something special is coming for me, via Brown. I am going to be sooooooo happy when Brown gets here. BROWN! Where are you?! I'll let you know what's in Brown's box once it arrives. And you're gonna say, "Is that all? She's nuts, that's not exciting!" But Randi will love it. Randi will be very happy for me. C'MON, BROWN!

one down & 999 to go...and the winner is!

Yes! I finished a Christmas present! Yippee! This is a gift for....I can't say, it's a secret. But it's so nice to get a project finished in record time. This apron is made from sturdy, almost canvas-like fabric, with nice deep pleated pockets. And chicken-print...cluck, cluck, cluck...

And the winner of the waffle weave apron is...RANDI!

randi said...
Any apron that I can lick chocolate right off of, is the apron for me! In fact, I will be making chocolate covered caramels will wearing it. At least I am hoping that I will! ;)
December 7, 2008 11:44 PM

Oh, my! This is like sending a photograph that you took of your baby to Anne Geddes. Now I'm all nervous...congratulations, Randi! Please email your address to moi and I'll get that apron washed and mailed. Just kidding, I didn't use it...or did I?

encrypted message.

I spent the day in the house, sewing and cleaning. Let's not forget about that laundry! But it's been nice not having to be anywhere, not having to do anything except that which I like to do. I had company, as Sasquatch seems to have caught the bug I have and I granted him permission to stay home and rest. He never misses school and he was awfully pale. What a change from when he was a little guy and I'd have to entertain him all day. Now he entertains me.

I have a friend who requested 4 to 5 wristlets. OK, Friend, here they are. I decided that it would be easier to blog about them rather than email you individual pictures. Let me know which you'd like. Just shoot me an email!

I'm waiting on a very exciting package, which should arrive in the next few days. Once it's here, I'll squeel with delight and take pictures of its contents, which I'll post right here. Oh, I can't wait!!!

You all have a lovely Saturday...sleep-in, inhale the Christmas season and pass along that beautiful smile .

holly, jolly Christmas.

Today, "sunny" Florida is not. Sunny. There are tornado warnings, the wind is blowing and it's gloomy. It's like an artificial northern winter day, to which I've taken advantage of. I've had a rather nasty cold all week, but I chose to ignore it and get on with my business. Bad decision. So today, after being sent home from my volunteer work due to my "ickiness," I came home and finished decorating the Christmas tree. I topped it with that old vintage Santa up there, that's been in the family for as long as I can remember. I believe he's over 50 years-old, always the highlight of our tree decorating as children. Santa was broken for many years, not wanting to light up. MacGyver came to Santa's rescue and fixed the wiring in ol' St. Nick. Mom and Dad lent Santa to us, as we have Christmas Day at our house. Thanks to MacGyver, Santa is back on the job! And I have my cozy, glad to-be-in-the-house winter day.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

**Please enter the apron giveaway, right here. I'll draw the winner on Saturday. Remember to leave your email address, so I can notify the winner. Good luck!

rose in bloom.

I know it's winter, but I thought I'd share with you some of God's lovely winter blooms. Tom has pictures of snow flurries in New York, Randi has pictures of her cute kids playing in the snow. I myself, long for snow. For the cold. For the snuggly, warm feeling of being in your cozy home as the cold beats against the windows. I know God put me here in Florida for a reason and today, that reason is to bring you some of His winter beauty, Southern style.

It's hard to believe that it's December...here are some charming yellow blooms. And above, is a beautiful pink Knock-Out rose. They're hanging out in our backyard, smiling at us as we pass by the glass doors. I'll keep an eye out for some pretty colors, if you keep posting your charming pictures of snow. That way, we can share God's abundunt beauty, together.

Speaking of beauty, enter the apron contest if you haven't done so already. Just click here and enter to win. Please leave your email address for me...good luck!

apron giveaway!

I went looking for plain white dishtowels to make this apron...no white dishtowels, anywhere! What's with that?! When did the demand for practical white dishtowels cease?

Plan B: use the waffle weave fabric I had stashed, cut it and hem it and add a few pretties...ta-da!

The waistband and ties feature pretty cardinals and holly, the embroidered snow couple are adorable and the red ball trim adds a little whimsy.

And it's for YOU!

The beauty of this apron is that you can wipe your damp hands on it and it'll absorb the water. You can get flour all over it and who will know? You can get chocolate on it and you can just lick it off. I mean, why waste good chocolate?

Here we go, ladies. Just leave a comment telling me what you're going to make while wearing this apron. And if I know some of you, this might be an interesting topic!

Leave your comment with your email address...many of you wonderful readers featured my last giveaway on your blog. Thank you! Do it again and you'll get an extra chance in the draw *if any of you have a great way figured out how to do that, please email me with your method*

We'll run this giveaway until next Saturday, at which time I'll let the Random-thingy do my dirty work! It's a pretty cute apron and I don't have one! Why is that?! Can I choose me?

If you'd like to purchase an apron, email me and we'll figger it out. In the meantime, good luck and enter now!

the cool winner is...

...lucky #13 (good thing today's Thursday), who said:

Deb said...
For Christmas? I'd (seriously) like a cleaning service. Twice a month would keep the piles o' crap at bay. And, after the chocolate and really REALLY good organic free trade coffee, I'd love a "subscription" to a nails or pedicure place.You can see I'm looking for creature comforts. I've decided I'm worth it!DebP.S. Mindy ROCKS!

Hooray, Deb! I love the idea of a cleaning service, you're brilliant! But tell us more about the coffee and chocolate, sounds like someone has a bit of a "habit." It appears that Mindy has quite the fan club. Being a princess, she pretty much can tell everyone what to do and boy, they do it! Thank you, Mindy fan club members, for entering my contest. And a big "thank you" to those who are not yet members of Mindy's fan club and who entered, but who ought seriously consider becoming one of the Mindy followers. She does totally rock.

Deb, please email me your address. I don't believe that you included your email address for me to contact you. You have two seconds to claim your wristlet. Ha, I make myself laugh.

I just came in from errand-running and remembered that I needed to pick up the makings for the next giveaway, but naturally, forgot. I'll have to get the fixins tomorrow. At any rate, check back Saturday for the next item up for grabs. Unless I can have it made by tomorrow afternoon, at which time I'll post it. I think you'll like this giveaway.

Stop by i have to say... for a holiday recipe, if you haven't already. Go on, she's real sweet over there. She's not a princess...she's an angel.

house of skinny recipe.

It's recipe time! For a great collection of recipes, head over to i have to say... for some delicious holiday recipe ideas. Today, the House of Skinny is featuring another delicious, fast & easy recipe...because I'm all about simple recipes.

Roasted New Potatoes

In boiling salted water, cook 2 lbs. of new potatoes until just tender. Cut into 1-inch cubes.

Mix 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon oregano.

Toss with potatoes, place on a lightly-greased roasting pan and bake at 425-degrees for 30-plus minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crisp and tender.

These are delicious and you can't taste the mustard...I don't like mustard, but I love these potatoes! Perfect to serve with roast, hamburgers, anything...'cause they're just that good!

mess.

This is what my cutting table looks like. It's not very conducive to cutting, is it? When I need to cut fabric, I get creative in stacking and pushing stuff over to one side. Is it like that for you? There are times when I organize my room and have little stacks where they should be, but then within 3 days, it looks crazy again. Oh well.

If you've entered my giveaway but didn't leave your email address (if you don't blog), please check back to see if you've won. Otherwise, I can't contact you for important mailing info.

My Photoshop Elements is installed, but it's going to take some figgerin' out. Does anyone have some extra time they can lend me?

Please enter the giveaway...time's up Thursday!

little secret.

OK, I made another wristlet. I love these things, they're so much fun to make. This is for a friend, but we won't tell her about it, will we? I was kind of skeptical about the whiteness of the fabric with dirt and all, but I figure it can be tossed in the wash and come out as good-as-new. So I'm not going to worry about it.

My photo-editing software arrived last evening, so I should be able to post better pictures in the very near future. Have I told you that I have my own I.T. guy? Yup! He's also referred to as MacGyver in these parts. He had a meeting last night, which was very inconvenient of him! But tonight, he's mine! In a day or two, better pictures on this blog, my friends!

Randi's reciped box swap is Thursday, so I've been thinking of a holiday recipe to share. Geez, all this pressure! So many decisions to make and so very little time.

And by the way, if you haven't entered the giveaway, do it here. I'll be announcing a winner on Thursday. I already have the next giveaway planned and it won't be a wristlet. It's something you've never seen before at It's A Wonderful... and I think you're going to like it. Stay tuned for details.

"what have we here?"

Ooooh, look at what I found. It is a much sought-after fabric on the internet, one that many people would love to get their sweet sewin' fingers on. Whatever shall I do with it? I have something up my sleeve, believe-you-me.

I had considered blogging in rhyme, but with Christmas coming, I just have no time!
Oh and before I forget, please enter the giveaway to win a wristlet!

That's all I have. Goodnight.