getting ready!

'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la!

Here is our 17.5 year-old boy. This is an example of why parents keep their children for as long as they do...menial labor. Good thing this boy is sweet-natured, or I might be the one with an errant staple lodged in my forehead.

*Note the color of that sky...isn't it a perfect shade of blue?

Success! This is just the beginning of our Christmas preparation, but what a kick-off!

I love Christmas!

wordless Thanksgiving.

Apparently, Jason kind of stuck his foot in "it" the night before Thanksgiving. I was talking to Mom on the phone and she said that she thought we should give up drinking alcohol for Thanksgiving (hello, Mom. That's Lent, not TG!). Jason quipped back that he would give up alcohol if she would give up talking. Guess what?

Upon unwrapping my frozen turkey, I discovered that it wasn't the Tom I assumed it would be, it was a girl-turkey! How do you tell a frozen girl turkey from a frozen boy? My turkey's legs were crossed in a lady-like fashion....note the "bling" I rewarded her, on the tip of her wing.

A picture's worth a thousand words...thanks, Mom!

I do believe Grandma was looking for a written message for Jonathan...I love it when they laugh together!


And that, my friends, was our Thanksgiving in one hundred words or less. Inspired by Mom.

blessed holiday.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

pluck those feathers and truss that bird!

This is what I'll be doing today. Frantically searching for recipes to prepare and serve for tomorrow's guest of honor, Monsieur Turkey. Have I ever told you that once there was a turkey who resided on the other side of our fence? He was incredibly cool, funny, entertaining and functional...he would gobble at anyone in our yard who didn't live here. He was our watch-turkey. We don't know what became of him; one day, he was gone! Hmmmm...

I am thankful to the Pilgrims and the Indians for coming up with the phrase, "Can't we all just get along?" It was they who said that, wasn't it? And then the Indians ticked off the Pilgrims again and the Pilgrims threw the chief in the stockade...? No? That was Rodney King from the LA riots?

My history seems to be all mixed up...

doo wa diddy.

This kicked my giraffe-butt. It's not that difficult...only the very last step of construction. When the sun makes its return in "sunny" Florida, I'll post some pics of the other "kick my hiney" clutches/wristlets/shoulder bags. This photo lacks a scale reference...I'm bad!

Today I'm trying to focus on making more of my standard wristlets. With one more Market left, I need to restock some stuff. I'll probably finish with 5 or so purses, more pouches, a few journal binders and a few more aprons. Oh, and in the next day or two, I need to cook a TURKEY and some taters!

Other than that, I'm not busy at all. How about you? Are you ready for Thursday and that ever elusive (in my life) Black Friday? Do you participate in that?

Have you enjoyed the links to the fabulous tutorials I've found along the way? Would you like me to continue my quest for creative Christmas ideas? Hmmmmm? Would 'ja?

turkey nonsense.

It's time to get your turkey together!

Defrost that bird!

little birdie ornament!

It seems I can't stop myself from posting adorable Christmas ornament tutorials. Here's yet another one. I added the bows in Photoshop. Again, I couldn't help myself. The birds looked naked to me. So I "dressed" them. This is what happens when you've lived with all boys your entire life.

Now go forth and accessorize!

shiny & bright!

Beautiful. Rich. Vibrant. I love this wreath! One more easy Christmas decoration to make...I know, I know! It's not even Thanksgiving and we're already talking Christmas. But let's face it, the time to start crafting for Christmas is now. So here's a handy little tutorial from the lovely blog, Just A Girl. This one looks pretty easy and I'm all about simple (notice I didn't say, "I'm all about 'easy'?).

Have fun making this wreath...I know someone who's going to be all over this tutorial and her initials are D.R. Am I right, JR?

day to get your craft on!

No, say it aint so! Isn't this the cutest little Gingerbread Man ornament you ever saw? I came across this tutorial a few years ago and had always intended to make him. But I forgodda 'bout it! Until I visited How About Orange and right there was Mr. Gingie, with a link to the tutorial. If you'd like to make him and give him to me, I'll love you like I love my makeup...that's a whole lotta love!

Speaking of tutorials, here's another fast and easy tute. This pillow is so cute and easy. You can easily trade the phrase, making it Halloween ("Boo"), Valentine's Day ("Love"), or Christmas ("Noel"). Visit La*T*Da for this and a host of other fabulous tutorials. If you make me a pillow, I'll love you more than my hairdryer, and that's a whole heap'o love!

I'm waiting for the sun to get high in the sky, so that I can take some photos of my new bags. But first, it's lunch with FAB a the Loop (a Gorgonzola walnut salad, please. Yum!).

it's baking time!

Oh, hi! You're just in time for some fresh-baked cookies. You have great timing!

Tomorrow: some photos of my new fabulous little bags. They're just adorable!

day at the Market.

I met this little sweetie at the Riverside Arts Market this past Saturday. I love her. She's sweet! Her name is Penny and she's a puppy.

I met this lovely lady at the Market, too! I love her...she's pretty and she's retro!

Just feast your eyes on this jewelery. It is absolutely beautiful! I don't normally fall for jewelery, but these pieces spoke to me. Crystals of Love was our neighbor and I just couldn't help but to periodically run over and feast my eyes on the vibrant colors and richness of their booth. The quality of their pieces is outstanding, brilliant designs and excellent craftsmanship.

This is Del-mari, the creator of those divine necklaces. And the owner of that redhead up there. Del-mari's husband was with her and he crafts jewelery, too. His site is House of Hardwearz. He's shy...but very creative. His booth was the envy of MacGyver, who was tickled to be neighbors with another inventive/handy soul.

Oh, this was a very cute booth. Bands by Hand...they craft headbands (so cute!) and darling picture frames. The whole family was there...well, not the whole family, but about half! Dad was sitting in a chair, barking orders at the girls...what a taskmaster! Not really, he was laid back and friendly. It just sounded good...but the girls, how creative! The frames are to die for, so colorful and cute! Go visit their website, they have darling personalized frames...go!

Now these two were characters! I felt like I was on the dock of a fishing town, listening to tales of the old sea captain and his first mate. They were charming, gracious and knew how to greet a lady. I didn't see a lady while I was visiting, but I just instinctively know a gentleman. The first mate tipped his hat to a lady there, but I didn't see who it was. What's that you say? It was me?! Why, I'll be! The sea captain caught that school of fish in a recycling bin and painted them. That's a lot of work! He doesn't have a web site...he doesn't require such foolishness!

And Honey here, his name is Mick. He's a scream! So nice and friendly and funny! I love funny! I asked him if I could take his picture and blog him. Mick started to chuckle and can you guess what he said? He said that was the best offer he had all day! Did I mention that I love funny people? 'Cause he's priceless. There's a lot of honey and jammin jellys on that table...

Here's my new friend again. She wanted to kiss me. Next to our dear doggie BB, she's the sweetest thing since Mick's honey and jammin jelly. Have I mentioned I fell in love with her?

The Market was a blast and thank you for visiting my new friends. If you would like more information on any of the vendors above, email me and I'll pass along their phone numbers and email addresses...the Captain and Mick don't have a web site. C'mon, Mick! Get a web site! Jacksonville needs your jammin jellys!

For people like me, who have no clue as to what they're doing on Facebook.

There really should be a tutorial on how to use the technology, for oldsters like me.

"Hello, is there a kindergartner in the house who can help me?!"

I think I'm doing it wrong.

sitting on asphalt under the bridge.

Come join us under the Fuller Warren Bridge for the Riverside Arts Market on Saturday, November 14th! The weather will be beautiful, there's tons of great deals and entertainment, not to mention the delicious food and Farmer's Market. My prices are reduced for the Market, and I have some really cute and affordable gifts for Christmas. Think of teacher gifts, sisters-in-law items, coworker gift ideas...

Look for the teal & yellow sign marked "The Rubia" (that's me!). We'll be in booth #514...come over and say hello! I want to see you!

amazing Grace.

As a little boy, Jonathan was the most spiritual child. He loved Jesus so much, that he would insist on stopping off at the chapel on our way home to kiss the feet of Jesus. True.

If one were to have a little taste of something at mealtime prior to our blessing, Jonathan would loudly protest and say, "ooooooooh, spit it out!" We would then bow our heads, he in his high-chair with his little curly head bent and recite our grace. We were then permitted to eat.

I recall one lunch... Jonathan and I were at McDonald's and naturally, we prayed prior to our meal (Jonathan was, when dining out, known to narc to his Grandmother on other guests who did not pray). Upon our "amen," an older gentleman rose from his seat, came over to our table and thanked us for our public display of faith and gratitude to God. I thought it very charming of this man to reaffirm our family's belief in thanking God for our bounty.

Today I was reflecting on this and I began to wonder why we're sensitive as to not wanting to offend anyone else in our realm with a public display of our gratitude to the Most High. So I ask you this:

~is anyone worried about disturbing others when jacking their car stereo as high as it can go?

~exposure of butt cracks and crotch-grabbing...do these people care that it might offend me?

~vulgar public language, children saying "suck," "pissed-off," and the "f-bomb." No wonder our children's test scores are so low...they can't express themselves with real words.

The saying "walk the walk" is a perfect example of gentle evangelising. Maybe we can make this "one nation, under God," once again, through our faith and gentle public reminders. Good people are the majority in this country, we really ought to make a stand against evil. Erasing God from all public venues is not going to keep good at the helm...it will only weaken the citizenry and eventually expose this great nation to overwhelming evil. And where will that leave our grandchildren? Pray. Loud and proud.

One last thing: I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving to say this, but to get into the swing of things...

Christmas Trees and Merry Christmas!

day to honor our Veterans.

Thank you to all of the United States of America Veterans, who have or are serving our beautiful God-given country! We are all eternally indebted to you and your families. May God abundantly bless you and keep you safe and close.

For a beautiful tribute to this day, please visit His Truth Is Marching On. I don't know of another soul who can as beautifully capture in words the thoughts and hearts of those who honor and give tribute to our national treasures, our heroes, our Veterans.

God Bless America!

dash to the finish.

I'm in a quandary. Between a rock and a hard place. In a pickle.

Speaking of, don't those pickles look delicious? I don't really know who would put a pickle on their pine, but hey, to each his own!

I'm spending the next day or two embroidering Christmas deer, Santas, cardinals, snowmen, et al, onto fabric which will be whipped into purses. My goal is 5. By Friday. AND, aprons. I have to finish my aprons, too! Which by the way, I found an adorable tropical Christmas fabric at Joann's and I'm hoping that sucker sells fast. I know I'd buy it! Psssst...it has flamingos on it! With little wreaths on their necks...cute!

I'll be under the bridge this weekend with my hubby, selling purses, aprons and lots of other stuff. If you live in the Jacksonville area and are looking for something to do because you've been in the house for 3 days trying to stay dry from Ida, come see me in booth #514 at the Riverside Arts Market. We'll hang out, I'll let you go grab me a drink. And I'll buy one for you, if it's under a dollar...

Alrighty, then. Time to dash away and finish my reindeer...hey, I'll put that on the other side of the purse: "dash away." Thanks!

birthday day!

Happy Birthday, Grandma and Papa!

Grandma is my Mom, Papa is Jason's Dad, my father-in-law.

We party together every year on or near November 9th. It's the right thing to do!

Cake. Ice cream. Coffee.

Yes, we did make dinner, but that isn't what we gather for. We come together for cake!

Yes, my Dad was there, but it wasn't his birthday and I have room for only so many pictures...you're OUT, Dad...



...because I just had to include this photo of the very spoiled grand-dog.

Do you think we should fit her for braces? She does have Pa's (my Dad) underbite...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

happy days!

Perhaps it's safe to feel like Fall is finally here in Florida. The past few days have been glorious, temperatures in the low to mid seventies, beautiful breezes, lovely sunshine and absolutely no humidity. We've been sleeping with our windows open, relishing the crisp night air. Walking outside is joyful, no instantaneous sweat pouring down one's back...just pretty, sunshiney weather.

Here's to hoping that the hot, humid days are behind us and cooler days are waiting to greet us. Oh, I know that some hot days are certain to rear their ugly heads and I'll be sure to complain and rail against them.

But for now, I am basking in the cooler, refreshing breezes and looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Where do you live and what's your weather like?

oops! I did it again...

After this fiasco, you'd think things would change. That I'd be more careful about leaving the house without triple-checking my appearance from head to toe.

At this juncture, I would like to blame two very dear people...my MOTHER and my SISTER-IN-LAW...

I spent the whole entire day with them, from 11 AM to 5PM.

We even had a lovely lunch together, sitting at a cozy table, laughing and looking at each other while chatting and eating.

You'd think, then, that they would inform me that the mascara on the lower lashes of my left eye was missing! One lopsided eye. My worst phobia, going out in public without makeup...

Discovered, 6:30 PM. Gee, thanks girls!

walk on by.

I've been busy decorating the outside of our house for Christmas. I think I did a pretty good job! And the snow that fell in Florida added a nice touch of whimsy, don't you agree?

A funny thing...I went grocery shopping yesterday (Sasquatch was hungry) and noticed that the other shoppers seemed to be acting particularly strange. One lady even kind of ran past me, like she was trying to get away from me. If it weren't for the fact that I was in Publix and there were no blue light announcements for shoppers to run to (remember those?), I'd think I was at K-Mart back in the '70's. People seemed to be looking at me in a strange kind of way...even the manager dude that was cashiering left right in the middle of scanning my groceries (Lisa took over for him). Then my bagger ran off to get "something" for another customer...odd, she usually insists on taking my groceries out to the car...

Maybe they were all acting strange because MY ZIPPER WAS DOWN THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS SHOPPING!!!

You know what? Years ago, that would have profoundly embarrassed me. But not anymore! Approaching the age of 50 leaves one with a "who cares- oh well" attitude.

I wonder if this is going to reflect poorly on our son...he works at that store.

games girls play.

She wanted these this morning, but she didn't get them...

...because she never finished this, from yesterday.

So now she's doing this, to punish me.

I know this game...sulk until you get what you want.

You know what? It works!