From what I hear, everyone in America is freezing right now. Of course, here in Nashville, we rarely get real snow.  The weathermen promise us it will be here.  Schools close.  We all go out into the freezing awful weather and stock up on bread and batteries.  What is that about anyway?  I really don't do that, because I always have batteries.

But I did stock up on marshmallows and hot chocolate.  Bring on the snow, seriously!  I love the snow.  Snow means you get to play hooky (especially if you own your business and you are the lone employee).  Snow also means hot chocolate.

Sigh. We got about one eighth of a lousy inch of snow. BUT, I did have the hot chocolate.

So, I have this friend named Ivy.  Ivy is five. Ivy loves sugar.  She also loves plants and dogs and the color of sparkly pink.  She really is an interesting little girl, and I think she is a whole lot of fun.

Her mom and I had been talking about hot chocolate so I wrangled an invite up to their house yesterday.  Ivy was home, as it was a snow day.  A snow day with no snow. 

Anyway, I went up armed with some supplies which included marshmallows and a container of finely crushed peppermint candy.  I had a mission with Ivy's mom as well, but I will reveal that tomorrow. 

I wanted to show Ivy and her mom, Eden, how to make these peppermint covered marshmallow just improve the hot chocolate experience.

Now for a girl that really appreciates her sugar, there was some coaxing to be done.

 

 

Seems like I interrupted an imaginary trip to Forida.  She had a pink back-pack and a cool kinda of bear sleeping bag all ready for the trip, and I show up with marshmallows.  It was a bit of a let down. 

But then we started dipping the marshmallows in a glaze of water and powdered sugar.  Then we sprinkled the peppermint crumbles over the top and then all the glorious aroma of mint and pink began to take over her little sweet spirit.  She was coming around.

 

I had her in my clutches now!

One taste and she was hooked.  My neighbors may start to realize that I have this power.  You see, I took her mom some velvet and stamps and gave her a tiny taste of that too!  And, sure enough, today she was calling for more velvet!  They are powerless now!

Ivy has her mouth full of marshmallow.  She is trying to savor the moment.  But, I have to mess with her and ask her to whistle.  Come on Ivy.  Whistle!

You have to give a girl credit for trying.  Her mom tells me to whistle.  She isn't going to stand by and just watch this without having some fun.  But I practically spit mine right out.

Snow or no snow, this was worth it all.  At least we all got to play hooky and drink this!

It is spring, everything is in full bloom, my sale was extrememly successful and will take me three weeks to fulfill all the orders.  But sadly I am not jumping up and down.  I am just down.  I think someone must have hit me scare in the forhead with a brick.  I would confess to a hangover, but I gave up the sauce for Lent.  This is the second time since Lent began that I have felt just like I had a hangover.  I mean I have nausea, then the awful headache that renders me helpless, and then an insatiable urge for Krystal hamburgers.  This is probably more than you ever wanted to know, but now you know it and you may judge me harshly.  I even bought Krystal stock once. It bombed.  It was the first stock I ever bought.  

For those of you not in the south, Krystal are little square burgers, sometimes called drawer burgers.  They have moist yummy buns, lots of weird little onions and no nutritional value.  They also have the best Cokes ever! They may have a bit more soda that sugar and they can cure a hangover better than anything.  I only eat at Krystal when I have the "Boogy Woogie Flue" or its faux cousin, which I am suffering from right now.

Anyway, my strength is waining, and I cannot think anymore because it hurts.  I will work on orders this weekend.  For you youngsters out there, there is one thing I know is true. Only the good die young.  

I have all these good intentions to write THREE BLOGS every week, starting this week.  I thought it would be nice to start with how grateful I am with the world.  BUT, as I sit here waiting for some tech person to call me back, I am not feeling grateful at all.  I am actually torn about the entire subject.  You see I am grateful, most of the time for computers and printers and all the cool hi-tech stuff in my life.  But when it causes one teeny miniscule of inconvenience I not only forget about all the convenience I have had, and the bonus to all of the fast communications, but I get angry.  Seriously if I lose any time at all due to something I cannot figure out then I just blame it all on the machine in front of me and the unknown person that does not jump high enough or fast enough for me.  What in the world is wrong with me.

So while I sit and I wait, exercising a modicum of patience I will list some things I love and adore.  I am sorry not to have picture to make this little exercise more visual, but that would mean leaving the computer and then when I get my much anticipated email I would miss the golden opportunity to solve my problems! Actually I am uploading pictures as I wait, and wait and wait for help.

 So not in any particular order I am grateful every single day for dogs!

Especially for Ruby and Buster.  I love these two dogs, and because they cannot read I will even confess to a teeny bit more love for Ruby.  I have had her longer and she is just the sweetest mutt that was lost and forelorn in my alley about 10 years ago.

Ruby

 

  Buster

I love my mama.  She is just a dream to know and I am so lucky to have her close by.  We take trips to the ocean together.  We see each other all the time.  And in her old age she has decided to become much more liberal in her thinking.  Now that is just ducky in my opinion!  I love Mama!  

Mama and me 2008

I love my husband.  Brian is just as cute as a bug.  He can be a real bug too, but he has a heart of gold and I feel lucky to have found him.  He does not appreciate good food for some strange reason but he has exceptional taste in every other area. That is rare for a man.

Brian 2008

 

I love to play in the dirt.  That is evident from my earlier blogs.  I have some male genes I fear.  When it comes to shoes and how I like to get dirty I have some pretty masculine qualities.  But I love sparkly stuff and pretty clothes and jewelry, so I am still more girly.  I do not like to vacuum however.

I am so grateful that I am creative.  I just cannot imagine life any other way.  People say that I am a free spirit.  Now what in the Sam Hill does that mean anyway?  I also say what is on my mind to just about anyone.  I have tried to stiffle this, but it just did not work out for me.

 

Oh this one is really shallow  But I love love love my car.  It is so cute, and fun and I can hardly believe I own it.

  

Bringing home balloons after a party in my cute little car. Gave the balloons to the wide eyed little girl across the street.

Are these people ever going to get in touch with me so I can send out a newsletter?!?!?!?!?!?  I am not feeling grateful.  All the good thoughts above are just washing out with the tide. Pooh.

I am still grateful. So there.

 

Without a doubt I find Spring to be my favorite time of year.  Everything is blooming and so soft and new in the yards, and then of course my birthday is or was the first day of spring.  For most of my life the world celebrated spring on March 21st.  I am not sure when the change happened.  I mean change is good, but not when it comes to changing such a very important date.  But now, for inexplicable reasons, the first day of spring apparantly is March 20th.  I am going to get in touch with Barack, as if he doesn't have enough on his plate.  I guess when I look around my problem isn't quite so big after all.  It is kinda nice that the Republicans take issue with him.  The Democrats take issue with him.  I believe that the guy might be doing some real good and making people accountable! 

I still have my house, my job and frankly I do not miss shopping for all the useless stuff.  I am simply more careful with my dollars, as in books, craft supplies, sewing supplies and well this!

 

THE PEACH

With some lovely warm weather last week and unruly growth along my fence that I call a hedge, I decided that I actually needed/had to own this tool.  It is a small chain saw.  I have no chain saw experience, so this little peach is the perfect starter tool.  I have even named her, The Peach.   I have this uncontrollable attraction for power tools.  I was the only kid that seemed interested in tools (or lived anywhere nearby), so my dad would often bring me a wonderful tool for him vast assortment on Sunday after church.  Talk about tradition, a tool and a Bloody Mary.  Now how many folks do that every Sunday.  Well me and my Dad did.  I really missed him the day I bought this.  He would have loved this thing and would probably have already owned one and would have given it to me.  His tool lovin baby.

Look at the teeth.  It is really called a Gator.  Black and Decker make it.  I had to go three places to find it.  And it was worth the trouble.  I love this thing.

 

I have had to put it in the barn for a few days as the rain and cold returned.  I hate to vacuum. I love the dirt.

Anyway, I first tried the bad boy out over at a friends house.  Her Crepe Myrtle needed pruning and I am to close to my neighbors house to start making noise until after 9:00 on Saturday so I started up my pickup truck.  Another story in itself.  And off I went to Mandy's.  She could hardly believe that I just wanted to do this.  But check it out.  I am loving this.  Now if this was how I had to spend every day, I would not feel so happy.  But for a few days in the spring.  Bring it on!

 

Happiness is a warm...power tool!

Well I only had a two hour window.  Mandy showed what she wanted butchered and I had my way with her living things!  We filled up the truck twice!

 

What a great way to spend the morning!  But that wasn't all. The Lawn and Garden Show in Nashville was scheduled for the same weekend.  Now mind you it is a bit early to put out new stuff, but i just had to go have a look see.

 

Five Little Mosses and How They Grew

I indulged in these lovely mosses that are Irish and Scottish.  I am both of those things too!  They are so sweet and I think they will be okay out in the weather for now.  I bought a couple of other plants, but will protect them until all danger of frost is over.  And then I found this.

 

Is this so darling.  I love this watering can.  I guess it is okay to love a watering can.  Heck, I love my power tools, so this is probably much more acceptable. Oh and I love the spring, and I love Barack Obama, and I am just full of love right now! I really love being creative!

My final reward for the weekend was the sprouting of my winter wheat.  This picture is a few days after it came up.  My friend Nola sent me a bag of the seed and it does wonders during this time of year when you need to plant something.  It is just the right addition in the huse, out on my porch in pots, and won't this be nice with little Easter Eggs tucked in it a few weeks down the road?  What about the planter?  I found it in the alley.  My alley is a treasure trove.

 

Stay tuned, I have a weird give away this week...

Can you believe how long I have made you wait to find out the winners.  Well there is a story and now you have to hear all about it.  I have a good friend and a builder in Nashville that jaunts down to the Forida Keys every winter for fun and fishing during December and January.  He invited his realtor and my frind Mandy and myself to come down for a few days and with 2 degree weather looming ahead for Nasville and no more Titan football to watch we decided we should rush right down.  This has not only caused a delay in my announcing the winner but also a delay in sending orders out in my typical timely fashion. 

Now if this is the worst that can happen, I will be just fine, but just to show the rush I was in to pack my bags, I showed up with two of the same shoe!

 

This has actually been the misfortune of the trip so far.  And if you consume enough rum drinks, you actually forget that this can even be an issue.

So, we left at 6:15 in the morning and were at the beach in time for lunch!  We are right on the beach with not much activity of any kind.  We did take a walk up the beach and we think it may be a nudist beach up the way.  We made a U-turn, as lord knows what might happen if we ventured up that way.  Here is the view from our porch.This is our view, not the nudists, obviously.

The decor is interesting, maybe it would be called "Cruise Ship Deco" .  It is more than unique.  I am not really going to share that stuff as it just is not what I want to share.

 

Rogan, my builder friend, hires this great fishing pro, named aptly Fishin Buddy.  This is his boat and we went out for a full day of fun and fishin with Buddy. Pompano, which are delightful to eat were our first victims.  Mandy had the "magic fishin rod" at this point and novices that we are, she just reeled em in.

 

 

 

 

Then we moved on and tried for snapper.  We did fairly well but things were just not as exciting. 

Then we finally headed closer to shore and went for grouper!  They have to be at least 24" long and mine was 23 so he got his freedom back.  

 

I could not be more excited!

Rogan got this Goliath Grouper.  They are protected so he swam back to his cave as well.

 

Now while we are out catching our dinner, another friend of Rogan's is swimming with Flipper, actually this dolphin is named Pax.  Dana, does not like to fish so she chose to spend her day like this!  Very Cool indeed!

Enough about me!  You are probably really tired of my wonderful adventures and just want to know about the winner/winners.  First the reason there are two winners, each receiving a $50.00 gift certificate, is my own careless fault.  I asked people to email me, but I meant to post onto the blog.  Half of you read my mind and posted to the blog.  Half of you actually emailed me as I said so I just decided to reward both types of folks.  I chose the winners through Randomgenerator.org and then had to count to come up with the winner as the posts are not number. Good thing the numbers were on the low side.

First winner is number 29 and that is from the blog.  The second winner is from email and the number is six.  So the winners are....

My New Year's resolutions are to enjoy life more, take more "me" time, and pray for peace in the world.  In addition, I want to clean out my craft house (my entire house has some type of craft project in every room - bad organizing).  I at least have my jewelry beads and supplies cluttered all over my husband's desk.  Okay, so there is a small space for the keyboard and his laptop if he wants to use it on the desk - I'm not completely selfish!!!

Love the velvet scarves!!!!
 
Katie

That is from thebearwoman2004@yahoo.com also known as katie D

The next winner is from the blog and that recipient is

 

my resolution is to take better care of myself,get to bed before 2:30am!
I also really need to get out of the hunting and gathering stage of crafting and really create more! It is the creating that makes me happy and then I am more productive for everyone else! I am busy creating and doing things for my daughter's wedding and that has been fun and stressful all at the same time..but other things kind of take a back seat right now. But I guess that is really okay!
Loved seeing your Mom doing well,I bet that made Christmas even better!
Happy New Year,

mary Friederichsen | ghfred@cox.net | 68.111.206.176 | Delete

I cannot belive that this is the winner as I feel like I know this person.  We email back and forth and Mary is a very good customer!  I am thrilled and I promise that this is the entry that randomgenerator chose..number 29.  

Good luck to you both and I will email you confirmation of your winning.

I will post more of fun in Florida soon.

 

So it is time to pay attention to this blog and start making entries for all you folks.  So here I sit in my office completing one resolution and ignoring the other, the one to cleanup my office, really clean it!  I really enjoy reading some good blogs so I will commit to addressing this weekly and it might be worth while to visit a bit since there will be useful information and give aways.

My Christmas this year was just lovely.  My sister came from Boston and her daughter, Sarah and her husband, Josh, drove from Colorado.  They all stayed close by in a hotel, which gave everyone some space and made for most pleasant relations.  My mom spent each day and evening with us and of course my husband was here until Christmas afternoon when he bolted and when to see his parents a few hours away.

Our tree was gorgeous if I do say so myself!  Since my husband had just gone out and indulged in not one but two big fancy flat screen TV's you can only imagine how shocked I was to get a fantastic and most coveted KitchnAid stand up mixer!  I actually cried when I opened it.  I had wished for one for years but have never asked for one as I think it is quite extravagant. (Not that I don't indulge in myself plenty)

Brian (my husband) got this little camera case from me (some things are just not that fair) that I made with my own little hands.  Actually I saw one of these on ETSY that I wanted to buy but the artist was closed until sometime in late January so I just had to reproduce one for myself, or technically for my husband.  He loved it.  He also got this cool Scottie door stop and this Scottie licorice.  He hates getting Scottie stuff, but when a man has a Scottie that he adores as a child, that is the price one must pay.

The family also did our traditional jigsaw puzzle this year only to find SEVEN missing pieces and a duplicate piece as well.  I am going to return the @$*&%$#^ puzzle today if possible as it was almost traumatic for the entire family.

I made 19 of the velvet scarves that are in the previous blog and actually kept this one that I made for myself on Christmas morning.  I also made 28 pans of sweet rolls that I gave away with home made sausage I buy from my mailman every year.  I thought that made a great gift for neighbors and friends.  I mean everyone loves breakfast, or at least they should.  I got the recipe at ThePioneerWoman.com and if you don't read her blog you need to.  Talk about give aways and valuable information and just a fun way to start your day... Check it out!

I have to start inventory at work and my real goal is to clean that place so you could eat off of any surface in there!  This is a monumental task as over December I was too busy and just let things fall and accumulate and basically it is a pig pen.

The other thing is that unfortunately I am going to raise prices abut at least 10% in January sometime. I should have done this annually for years but I didn't so, take advantage before the ax falls. Seriously, the prices are going up across the board so order soon, because they will never go back down I feel sure.

My other goal is to have a project every month to keep things exciting and hopefully have you coming back for more.  So, if there are any thoughts or requests, let me know and I will certainly consider your wishes and requests.

GIVEAWAY OF THE DAY:  $50 gift certificate, just email back and tell me your New Year Resolution and do it by Sunday January 11th at noon (central time).  I will pick one of you randomly and post it on my blog by Monday afternoon.

 

I have more than recovered from the big spring sale and suddenly found myself obsessed with these big stacks of bricks in my yard.  I have a bit of the packrat syndrome in me and when we remodeled four years ago I saved stuff, as in hundreds of old bricks.  Who knew they would become a condo unit for slugs.  It's true.  I digress.

Anyway, I took it upon myself to build a brick patio for the grill that I drug in from the alley. I do a lot of shopping in my alley. That is another story though. 

With no skills and lots of determination and some help from my friends I have built my patio!

My husband is not a handy man so he supplied moral support, cash, ice tea and sandwiches.  It works out best this way.  We agree on this.  It helped to have a week of no humidity and less than 90 degree temperature and my trusty "Neighbor of the Month" Liz.  The pictures of us are less than feminine.  Liz wouldn't have it any other way.  When you are doing this kind of work all thoughts of lip gloss and kitten heels fly out the window anyway.

 

Did I say ice tea?  Hmmm......

 

I have more to do on this project but I really need to get my attention back to the potato factory.  I am going to do my darn best to devote some time each day to this blog.  If folks start to enjoy it and I actually get involved in nice photos and interesting stuff to share it may work into a place to visit often on your trips to the web!

 

Since the is the beginning of such a commitment to this blog, I thought I would get the ball rolling with a  giveaway of a $50 gift certificate to Hot Potatoes!  Just make a comment on the blog and tell me what project you want to accomplish this summer and by Friday June 27th at 9:00 p.m. Central Time I will pick a winner with a random generator draw. I will announce the winner on Saturday on this blog.

 

  A winner will be announced later today...Monday! 

Can you even believe that I would post a photo of me looking like this? Well, share the humor, laugh at yourself.  Anyway this is my life.  People wonder why I love Mick Jagger, but as you can see, we have so much in common.  I have some mystery allergy and I have seen the doctors, listened to sage advice, given up gluton and still I am one swell girl.  This picture in particular is from a few days after a sale on my site that brought in so many orders that I was pacing in circles trying to sort out how to handle it all.