Excused Absence

We're unloading the trailer!

I'm sorry for the unannounced absence but we had the opportunity to take a buying trip up to Door County. You know how I can't resist those! So after a week of hunting for unique-tiques, we're sifting through the boxes of treasures today.

I was thrilled to discover the clerk wrapped the old green Mason jars in sewing patterns. Unpacking is almost as much fun as buying. =) I'll start adding things to the shop soon. In the meantime, I hope to be by for a visit this weekend.

Eco Cafe

Well here's a "green" building solution that I hadn't heard of before ~ shipping containers! Homes, stores, cafes...

I've seen lots of little shops popping up that are housed in airstreams or travel trailers but shipping containers is new to me.

Click Here to check it out

(container photos: MSN Real Estate)

Mini Websites

I haven't the slightest idea how I came across this but what a fun bit of information.
Make your own websites ~ Free!
Click the Photo or Visit My Mini Website

Flea Market Network

It's snowing here this morning! And my daughter and I are off to watch the Nutcracker at one of the historic theaters in town. Over the weekend I spent some time creating a network for the Friday Flea Market sellers. You should go check it out. It might just be the best part of FFM yet!

Crazy Redhead

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Simple Is Simple Does tagged me last week to tell 6 crazy things about myself. In the past I've used these tag games to reveal more serious matters but I'm feeling cheeky today so here goes...

1) I'm freakishly organized. I'm sure it's a disorder.

2) When I start a task, I have to finish it. And I don't mean this in a interviewing-for-a-job-so-I-have-to-impress-you sort of way. I mean that if I can't find that green sock, I'm gonna be up all night until it's found. I'm sure it is also a disorder.

3) Though I'm a germ freak, my house is never clean (but it's organized!). I hate when someone just stops by for a quick visit because I'm the girl shoving green socks behind the tv as I answer the door. It's a treatable disorder I'm told.

4) Those closest to me say that I'm a control freak. In fact, my friend Suzanne told me recently that she's very impressed that I'm only a crying, slobbering mess lately - what with my oldest turning 18 and preparing to leave for college. Somebody please treat me for this disorder!

5) I never attend "required" social events. In fact, I dread even the "fun" social events. Even though my mother-in-law coordinates all the ladies-day-out activities for church, I've never attended even one. No, I'm not afraid of being out in public. I just don't like gatherings that require me to be happy & impressive (unless I'm in the mood to be happy and impressive - does that mean it falls into the controlling category?). Believe me, friends have been trying to treat this disorder for years!!

6) I couldn't think of one more so I asked my husband to tell me one. His response... "Well.. you're not all that crazy."

Apple Meringue

Check out this old handwritten cookbook. Again, one of mom's great finds. She's my garage sale hero. I was thinking that I'd put the recipes in a file on the sidebar so we can all try them out. It's a hoot reading some of the instructions -"add butter the size of an egg". If you think you might use them, I'll work on getting them in a digital format. Let me know what you think. Here's a couple that sounded good for an Autumn Tuesday Treat (just click to enlarge):

Carmel Pudding & Apple Meringue

Carmel Ice Cream

Victorian Rustic

Just added some DIY kits to the website. Includes everything you'll need to make your own victorian rustic tussie: old heavy-duty thread cones, vintage lace, crinkle ribbon and a rusty little bird. Happy weekending =)

212) That God is a DIY guy... What's this list about?)

Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.

The Faux Ring

The other day when it was raining the entire day, I found these faded, dried roses sitting on the window sill in the sewing room. I just love the colors they turned.

The kids spent hours making robots. This is Bot-Boy.

But the sweetest treat... My 5 year old asked me to marry him and sealed the deal with a faux donut ring!

209) Sticky little fingers, big imaginations and pretty colors... What's this list about?)

Manna

This was so interesting I just had to pass it along (thank you Denise for sharing it with me)...

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily- Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide- Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina- Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca- Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna -Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo -Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo- Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village -Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp- Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

maison d'amis

I've been saving calling cards. No, not for any particular reason. They're just pretty. Wouldn't they make a lovely house of cards? A house of friends! Do you see yourself in the pile? (you can click it to enlarge).

I love the phrase on this one!

Complete this fill in the blank phrase: Friends don't let friends ...........!

(It's my tote-along-picnic-pillow in case you were wondering what that thing is. Those gals have been to the beach with me more than a few times. Wish I looked that cute in a horizontal striped bathing suit!)

Going to The Polls

I've found a whole new avenue of blog addiction! Changing the look of my blog! But it's come to my attention that some feel that changing your blog appearance too often can give a wrong impression. I sorta lump it in with my theory of "infinite arrangements of joy" but I don't want to be an enabler so tell me what you think...

Au Natural

Celery Roses! What d'ya know?! Do you have any "green" painting methods?

When it Rains it Pours

Ever have a week where difficult things are falling out of the sky all around you? The toast lands buttered side down... The toilet overflows... An ink pen in the washing machine... If it's not puppy puddles, it's teenager troubles. It's been a doomsday week at our house - everyone says so!

And then all of sudden... prizes,

kindness,

teasures,

and surprises! (I'm so in love with my new-old- table!! Can you believe it actually came those colors and that chippy?!)

Here's the message carved on that way cool twisted bracelet:

For Everything There's a Season

We're getting ready to have a big sale at the store - making room for all the Summer stuff. I thought I'd show you the before... (their website still isn't up but you can call if you see something you love - LaDiDa 815-962-1234 )

SAT's are done (whew!), the soil has been tilled, the new seeds are planted and Neighbor Bob has given his stamp of approval. Tomorrow... tackling the porch!

Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

Weighing the Consequences

Benedict Arnold! That's what they are... Eggs Benedict and french toast with strawberries. We only had one child at home last night so we stayed up late watching movies and feasting on yummies and they have come back to get me today. Please pardon me as I suffer on the sofa. See, this is why I could never be a drinker... I get a hangover from holindaise!!

P.S. The Antique Paperie is having a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE sale today! Run, run, run - you don't want to miss it!!!

Enchantment

ENCHANTING! Isn't that the most lovely word?! Lola Enchanted got me looking for the enchanting yesterday after I saw a darling fairy video clip that she posted. I added it to the Romantic Video Stash along with this Victorian walk in the park. Isn't that music divine?! I also added a link to the new Family Channel movie, Princess. Go take a look... You'll want to leave the office right now and set up shop on the sofa for the day!

This project was a close as I got in my real life to lovely or pretty. Although the colors are dreamy, they weren't nearly so enchanting when I was hole-punching and ribbon tieing my supply of thank-you inserts. If only it were all as alluring as those creative blog ladies make it seem =)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Weekend Anchor Girl

P.S. She told me to tell you that she investigated a smidge and found some duvet/bedspreads and shams like the one she got at Goodwill last week (for those of you who emailed admiring it). You can see them HERE and HERE ...I'm -I mean- SHE's so thrilled to have found it for $5.99!