The Magic Returns

Once again, a night of magic, wonderment and believing.  A very Merry Christmas to you all. M.

A Little Whimsy

A great thing about entertaining early in the holiday season is that you are finished with decorating and can enjoy your efforts.  Our get-together this past weekend was delightful.  Just the right amount and mix of guests.  Not because we planned it that way, but it just happened.  It was fun to observe who was in an in depth discussion with who.  Also, to hear a burst of laughter from the other room and wonder what spurred all the hilarity!  It was wonderful time with some of our favorite people.

I wanted to share something I saw on an recent episode on the Food Network.  Nigella Lawson prepared gingerbread for a holiday party and decorated the stacked squares with a little forest scene covered with powdered sugar.  I thought it looked like a fun thing to do.  Instead of gingerbread, I made cake-like brownies.  Our local cake-cookie decorating store had the exact little trees and deer to make the scene.  I piled the brownie squares on a cake pedestal, added the trees and deer -- and this is the fun part -- sifted a dusting of powdered sugar over the top!  Voila - instant holiday fun!  Here is the result...

Sorry it is a little blurry, I was hurrying to get a shot before guests arrived.  It and the poinsettia blossoms above are a couple of my favorite holiday things this year.  The blossom stems were damaged and wilting.  I snipped them off and placed them in old bottles filled with water -- something I had seen in one of the holiday magazine issues.  The blossoms were saved and can be enjoyed for a long time.  Easy and instant holiday eye candy!

So, I guess the moral of this post is ... you don't have to go to a lot of work to create a little fun and whimsy during the holidays.  Keep it simple and enjoy the time with friends and family.  M.

Tis the Season

It only seems fitting that on the first day of December I will be making my first batch of Christmas cookies.  We will be hosting a holiday get-together this weekend, so we spent last weekend "decking the halls".  And, deck it we did - even a sprig or two in the "loo"! 

I spent some time cleaning-up my workroom.  What a mess it was. Now it's a much more contained mess.  I am looking forward to working on a few projects (gifts) this weekend.  I know that my hubby will be watching the Civil War game between U of O and Oregon State, so I will have some quality time at my work table. 

I always look forward to being able to work leisurely on a project for someone special.  Actually, that is how I got started in this creative business.  People would see something that I had made for a friend or family member and ask if they could commission me to make something for them.  And, so it went.  Ten years later, here I am making lots of somethings for many of you.  It still makes my heart happy to see some one's eyes light up when they hold one of my creations.  That makes all the work worthwhile.

For some time now I have been discussing conducting a day-long workshop or two after the first of the year.  I am devising a project that will be universally interesting to a mixed group.  I will pair this day of creativity with delicious food and lots of fun.  SO, stay tuned for more information.  It's coming soon!   M.  PS  If you are interested in hearing more about the workshops, leave a comment and I will keep you in the loop!

BBRRRRR !

We woke up to a nice covering of snow this morning!  Much earlier than usual for the Willamette Valley, but it's here just the same.  I know it has played havoc with the morning commute, but it has helped get me into the holiday mood.  I know that sounds odd since I just completed a few holiday shows.  However, once the shows are over (usually before Thanksgiving) I have to decorate our home.  Sometimes it is hard to be up for it after decorating and taking down, then a couple times more at various venues.  Soooo,  a little dusting is just the thing to get me in the spirit of things.

Several of you asked for the glazed meatball recipe that we served at the Holiday Treasures Show.   It is super easy and only three ingredients. 

So here it is:  Cran-Chili Meatballs!

2 - 12 oz jars of chili sauce

2-3 cans of whole cranberry sauce - depends on how saucey you want them

1 bag frozen meatballs, We used the ones from COSTCO that have about 140 per bag.

Put chili sauce and cranberry sauce in a pot and heat until all is melted.  Stir often.  Add frozen meatballs; heat until meatballs are thawed and then simmer for 3 hours.  We moved them to a crockpot to keep them warm.  You could use a chafing dish. 

Enjoy!  M.

More Holiday Events and a Big THANK YOU!

What a wonderful time we had ... our 5th Annual Holiday Treasures Show was ...

the best ever!  I don't think we could have fit another person in the door -

well, yes, we would have - if necessary I would have waited outside! 

It was so nice to see familiar faces and get acquainted with new ones.  

There was a very festive mood in the air and the spirit of the season was all about. 

More than once someone commented that they need a push to get

them into the holiday mood and this little barn did the trick!

Glad we could help and ...

Scrumptous cookies from Elf Patty's magic kitchen!

we are so glad you came out to visit.  So, a great big thank you once again!

It was our pleasure.  Also a million thanks to our family and good friends

that help us make this event possible:  husbands, Matt and Mark and 

friends, Elf Patty, Betty, Valerie, Kathleen and my sis, Ellen.  You guys rock!

So - on to the next events.  This weekend there are two more holiday events -

both less than a mile from one another. 

First, Historic Deepwood Estate will be hosting their

Annual Holiday Gift Sale.

 Seasonal wreaths, unique jewelry, hostess gifts and

handmade sweet treats & much more —wrapped ready to give!

Located at 12th & Mission Streets in Salem. 

November 19th & 20th, 10 am to 3 pm.

Free parking at 12th & Lee Streets

503-363-1825 or visit http://www.historicdeepwoodestate.org/

Proceeds help support this absolutely gorgeous

1894 Victorian museum/event venue.

The setting is worth visiting alone - and

the baked treats ... delectable! 

Second, just down the street is

Holiday Heritage Faire

Hosted by Roost Reimagined and Danner & Soli

Are you getting the itch to start turning on that holiday music? 

Maybe thinking about how you need that

special centerpiece for your holiday party? 

Or you really just miss seeing all the fabulous

ideas that ROOST comes up with...

Which ever you are pondering Roost Reimagined will be able to help! 

This weekend is the FIRST annual Holiday show for Roost Reimagined. 

And as with all Roost events we are planning on

making you amazed and inspired to decorate your own roost.

Come and discover a wonderful mix of vintage,

handcrafted, seasonal and everyday gifts and decor by local vendors

and of course Roost Reimagined.

Enjoy music, story telling, horsey rides, wine tasting, family photos,

Santa, Christmas trees and wreaths to buy and

hands-on activities for the whole family.

Friday 10:00am-6:00pm

Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm

Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm

Mission Mill Museum

1313 Mill Street SE

Salem, OR

Driving Directions for both events:

From I-5 North or South

Take EXIT 253

Turn west onto Hwy 22 (Mission St).

For Deepwood:  go approx. 2 miles on Mission Street to the light at12th Street
and turn left onto 12th.  Go one block to Lee Street to the parking lot.

For Roost Reimagined:  go 1.7 miles on Mission Street.

Just before the Mission Street Bridge turn right onto 17th Street

Go 3 blocks then turn Left onto Mill Street
go about 4 blocks and it is the big red building on the right.

If you have hit 12th Street you went too far. 

Mission Mill office number 503.585.7012

SO folks, there is p-l-e-n-t-y to do in Salem this weekend!  Grab

your shopping cart, tote, wagon or whatever and hit it. See you there! M.

The Stockings Were Hung ...

Santa won't find stockings, but he will find the "Santa Baby" shoe collection -- glittered and embellished heels that are perfect for big-girl gifts!  You know - bling, cash, keys to a new set of wheels - you get the picture.  You can select your "Santa Baby" shoe at the Holiday Treasures Show hosted by Molly Mo's and Vintage Trifles.  The show begins tomorrow night, Friday, November 12th, 5 - 8 pm.  Early buying admission is $5.00.  You can leisurely shop while you enjoy delectable food and drink!

The doors to Molly Mo's barn will re-open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 13th.  Free admission so you can shop as looonnngggg as you want until 3 p.m.  That's a lot of oohhing and aahhing.  There will be hot cider and sweet treats to satisfy your sweet tooth! 

Here are a few peeks of the treasures that await you in this sweet little barn nestled in the countryside.  It is gussied up and ready for the holidays.  Please come and join us!  More info on the left.

Ironstone and sparkly trees ...

 Miss Mistletoe's of the past ...

 Rose hip wreaths ...

 Reminders that it's Tinsel Time ...

 Sweet, little Charlie Brown trees in personalized buckets ...

 Spun silver ornaments and boxwood wreaths ...

 Glitzy stars and ...

Glee !!!   M.

Sparkle and Glitz

Yes, friends, it's that time of year when everything at my house has a little sparkle on it.  If it doesn't move, it gets glittered!  A virtual snowstorm of mica and silver.  What's this all about? 

We're preparing for the

5th Annual Holiday Treasures Show at Molly Mo's !!!

November 12th & 13th in Sublimity

Holiday splendor at it's best.

Lot's of antiques & collectibles to enjoy year 'round ...  aaannnddd ...

many, many things for gift giving and to adorn your home this holiday season. 

Here's a little peek of what will be filling Molly Mo's barn ...

Keep checking back for more pictures.  Who, what, when, where, etc.

is on the left.  Elf Patty will be preparing sweet and savory treats for

Early Buying on Friday night 5 - 8 p.m.  There is a $5.00 admission,

but you will be welcomed with warming liquid libations

and mouth-watering bites to enjoy while you shop. 

What a lovely way to kick-off the holiday season ...

 a party and shopping all in one!  M.

Happy Halloween !

It's a working day for me.  Lot's of candy to give to lots of kiddies. 

Get into the spirit, get your BOO on, and have fun today! 

Happy Haunting from the Queen of Halloween!

Next post ... It's Tinsel Time!!! M.

Thea's in the Pearl

A few weeks ago I was invited to place some of my Halloween collection in a delightful and interesting little store in the Pearl District in NW Portland - Thea's Interiors on NW Glisan.  It is an eclectic mix of antiques, vintage finds and a variety of unique, original pieces.  Wonderful!  Not only wonderful - it's BOOtiful!  (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I met our friends Betty and Steve for lunch.  Before lunch, we visited Thea's to see this special place for ourselves.  We weren't disappointed. 

What a little treasure trove! 

Here are a few pictures of some of my creations in Thea's.  I seemed to have

a thing for fabulous shoes this fall!

A few more little creations to get you into the Halloween spirit!

More shoes!  Aren't those great?  They are the real thing - a must see and must have.

Sparkly wands to cast a spell ...

and a few pics of the family - just for laughs!

Take some time and visit Thea's - it is frightfully fabulous! M.  Store info on the left.

What a Great Day!

The Vintage Halloween BOOOtique was a huge success!  Thank you to everyone.  Now I just have to start planning the 2nd Annual Vintage Halloween BOOOtique!  Here are a few pictures taken before the sale began.

Diane, Elf Patty and I before the show.  Many thanks to both of them and to Betty (who couldn't attend).  I am blessed to have such wonderful friends. 

In case you couldn't make it to the sale last Saturday, Thea, of Thea's Interiors on NW Glisan in Portland, has many, many more of my Halloween items in her shop.  She is participating in First Thursday in the Pearl - tonight!  I sent plenty of Halloween to decorate your home and get you in the spirit! Stop by and check out her beautiful shop.   See more information on Thea's shop on the left.  M.

Just a little peek ...

After hours and hours of creating, planning, making, marketing, glueing, cutting, pricing, placing, stewing and stressing ... I think I'm ready for the 1st Annual Vintage Halloween Boootique!  Here is a little peek of what to expect.

Before all the hoopla and fun, I would like to thank everyone that helped make this little endeavor possible.  You know who you are, but I'll say it anyway:  Hubby Mark, Elf Patty, Betty and Diane.  I'm very blessed to have such supportive, talented friends.  Also, thanks to everyone that helped me get the "word" out.  More pictures later this weekend.  It's time to shuffle off to bed ....  yawnnnnnn.... M.

It's Almost Here ...

My Vintage Halloween BOOOtique is THIS SATURDAY, October 2nd !!!  Elf Patty and I have been really cranking out wonderful, unusual Halloween creations.  Lots of them ... all kinds of stuff ... something for everyone.  I'm not kidding.

I've been making everyone wait to see what we've been making and I think the anticipation is mounting to huge proportions.  I normally wouldn't say this, but it's really true and kind of scary...

 and why not?  It's Halloween !!!   Here are a few more sneak peeks, but there is much, much more.  Just in case I don't have enough - I'm adding more by having my special guest Diane of Molly Mo's bring her wonderful collection of furniture and unusual finds. 

Please come visit us!  The show info is below.  We will have special music to get you in the mood, hot cider, a really frightening punch, caramel corn, nut brittles and sugar cookies from Elf Patty's magic kitchen.  There will even be some for sale.  Hope to see you ... it will be  SPOOKTACULAR !!!  M.  Oh .. bring a copy of this email or your postcard or a show flier 'cuz the first 50 people who do will receive a special treat!

Trick or Treat?!?

The time is near for little Trick or Treaters to be visiting our doorsteps. 

These little ones arrived a little early this year. 

Come visit them at the

Vintage Halloween BOOOtique !

Saturday, October 2nd,  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hosted by Vintage Trifles & special guest Molly Mo's.

Be there or .....

Beware !!!

More information to the left!