It's that time of year!

I've been busy in the kitchen making Susan Branch's recipe for 
"Perfect Chocolate Sauce"
Click below to get her deeeeelicious recipe:


http://www.susanbranch.com/archives/1671#comments


Earlier this season I made tags for my neighborhood Christmas
 gifts to hold a bottle of the Perfect Chocolate Sauce. 
(I got the idea from Nichole Heady's blog)

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2011/09/make-it-monday-34-thick-chipboard-accents.html#comments

Here are some up close and person shots ... 

.. And here is Megan, helping me deliver the goodies to 
our neighbors and friends!

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Woke up to more snow!

Here is yesterday's morning view thru my craftroom's
door. We awoke to 4 inches of the white stuff
blanketing our yard. How thankful I am for our wood
stove that keeps us warm ... and my husband who
loves to go wood cutting.

He not only fills our wood shed
but many others in our area.  He's such a good guy.
May you all be warm this Christmas season and
all winter long!

The first snow in Western Colorado

Joel left early this morning for a shooting competition.  

As he kissed me good bye, he said, 

"We got a couple inches of snow last night!"  

I jumped out of bed to look out the window.  

There is something about the first snow ... 

I felt the excitement of a little child!

 Putting on my robe and slippers, I grabbed the camera 

and took a few shots. 

Enjoy the early morning wonder with me.

*(Click on the photos to see a larger image.)

Yesterday Megan was the last of our children to head back home 

after the Thanksgiving festivities.  With all our children and 

grandkids safely back in their homes, I can relax 

and take in Mother Nature's beauty.

I found this WONDERFUL blog today on pinterest.com

This designer is amazing and I adore her work. 

 She has several free patterns and this is one of them!

I can't wait to get started on it ... perfect for Christmas!!

Click on her link to get the pattern yourself!

http://www.red-brolly.com/red-brolly/2011/10/the-first-christmas-sampler.html

As we enter into December, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

EditingMySpace.com - More Christmas Blinkies Comments

Pinterest, oh Pinterest- what did I ever do without you?

When I found Pinterest.com, a whole new world opened up to
me!  I have found so many wonderful gift ideas and this is one
of them.  I think it's called a Harvest Blessing mix.
So easy to make!  I made a batch of my Carmel corn, added a box
of Coco Puffs, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cheese Nips, Candy Corn,
Candy Pumpkins, Reece's Pieces, Pretzels and peanuts.
You can add just about anything your heart desires!
I purchased my jars at Wal-Mart, added ribbon and stamped
some cute tags and there you have it! 
This made a bunch!  I filled 5 jars and a huge glass cookie jar!
Even have a plastic bag full to replenish the cookie jar.
 
Ribbon, papers, stamps and punches all from Stampin' Up!

I made these for our Visting Teaching and Home Teaching families
A fun and easy gift idea for the Fall!

 

Just like Susan Branch!

A few days ago Susan Branch - one of my very favorite artists and authors - blogged about her collection of fake fruit.  Now I have always steered away from fake fruit but her story about her collection and why she collected fake fruit struck a cord in  my old heart. 

Today Joel and I went up to the big city of Grand Junction to my favorite craft store and what should I see but a lovely presentation of fake fruit!  I told Joel all about Susan's blog and that I too wanted a piece of the fake stuff.  He helped me pick out this lovely red pear.  He thought it was more festive than the green one and I have to admit I love it. 

The only problem is now I feel the need to go to a local antique shop to find the right bowl to display it .. just like Susan Branch .. oh my!

Here is a link to Susan's blog - enjoy the read.
http://www.susanbranch.com/archives/2485

What I'm thankful for...

"Turkey" Day is almost here...

Picture via PINTEREST.com

... and I've been thinking of all the things I'm thankful for.

Here are some of my favorites:

Joshua and Kendra

Trevor, Addie and the Quinster

Sean, Sara, Lissa and Peyton

 

Megan Anne

The love of my life

Joel

 

Last but not least .. our naughty little dog

Life is good

I went to the Pumpkin Patch craft show today ..

I love the Pumpkin Patch Craft show.  I try to attend

every year.   I had REALLY hoped to go with my bestest

buddies, Teresa and Renee' but they were both tied up.

Sigh!

After texting back and forth..trying to get one of  them

to go with me, Renee' told me I HAD to go, to tell them

about all the cool stuff they missed.

So, I went ... all alone ... sniff - sniff!

The craft show was quite a bit smaller than previous

years but I still found some treasures.

I was really surprised at the fun I had just talking with

the venders at the show.

Take for instance these two charming ladies!

- Melissa and Sherrill -

They made the whole trip worth while!  Such talent

and inspiration in these two women.

They had lots of quilt & stitchery projects that were

top notch! I bought the cutest pumpkin tea towel that you

can see below.

Sherrill use to own the best stitchery shop in 

Western Colorado.  I thought I had died and gone

to Heaven when it opened. But alas she had to close

it and I still morn that loss to this day.  

Melissa is starting to sell her lovely quilted projects

and I really hope she is successful.

Thanks for making my day shine ladies! 

Here is what I brought home - minus some Christmas presents

that I don't want my kids to see :)

LOVE this snowman.  I will have to find a very special place for

him to sit this Christmas. 

Here is a close up on Melissa's tea towel.  I adore it! 

I'm crazy about pumpkins so this really fits in my fall decor!

Doesn't it look too cute hanging on my oven?

Next comes the PepperMint Patch Christmas show.

Teresa and Renee' ..  you'd better mark you calendar for this one!

A little Halloween fun..

Well, it's been over a month since I last posted on this blog..

..so here's some Halloween fun to share!

Angie Kennedy Juda recently shared this cute tutorial on her

UStream.  For some reason I can't get to her Ustream to share her

link with you but I will try again later.

Until then, enjoy these cute treat holders.

(I have Packets of candy corn in them)

Perfect for my Primary kids and neighborhood spooks this October.

Boo!

                                       

Card stock is from Stampin' Up:

Old Olive, Egg Plant Envy - (discontinued color) and basic black.

I Used a discontinued stamp set that I love.."Tasty Sweet".