Merry Christmas

"Love is what's in the room with you

at Christmas if you stop opening presents

and listen." 

Spoken by an anonymous child on

Christmas morning.    Let's all take time 

to listen and reflect on the magic of the day.  M.

Counting My Blessings

While I was putting finishing touches around

the house this morning, I was thinking

about how blessed I am. 

My husband is fabulous and feeling

healthier all the time, my son just returned

 home safely from a two-week road

 trip and will be joining us today. 

I have the best friends and family, a job,

health and it doesn't get much better than that. 

Christmas 2009

I think it's important to take a moment over

this Christmas weekend and reflect on just

how many things we have to be thankful for. 

With that said,  I had the opportunity to visit with a certain jolly old elf.  He asked what I wanted for Christmas and I said I had everything that I need.  He seemed to think that I didn't have a picture of me on his lap ... sooo ... now I have one!

Ho, Ho, Ho! So, take time to enjoy the holiday

and as Elf Bryony says (from Arthur Christmas)

"There is always time for a bow!"  M.

Little White Church Obsession

Quite by accident, I seem to have collected
a few little white churches!

This might be influenced by the memory of the
white church that always adorned
my Aunt Sissy's mantle each holiday season.   

I was fascinated by it.

The cellophane stained glass windows, snowy roof and the steeple. 

You could almost hear voices singing Christmas carols from inside!

This little one was a gift from my cousin Beth. 
It reminds me of the Christmas

that she spent with us here in Oregon.  
Very special.

This one I made almost 10 years ago. 

One of my first attempts to create a vintage-look.

My sis made this one for me.  It was her first attempt. 

I keep it out year 'round.  

This year I received 2 new ones for my collection.

Elf Patty heard me say how much I loved

these little churches and surprised me. 

The one above for my birthday and

this one for Christmas!  This one is very special as it

belonged to her Grandma Pepper.  I think we all would like

to have a Grandma Pepper like Elf Patty did.  To think that

she would give me such a keepsake is such an honor.  I treasure it.

Not only is the church so sweet -  it still  has the original box

with price sticker ... $1.99 at S. S. Kresge Co.  - perfect ! M.

Gifting: Yummy Stuff !

Whether it is Christmastime or otherwise, sometimes you feel the need to let people know that they have been special in some way.  Over the past few months, there have been several people that have made an unpleasant time much more tolerable.  My hubby and I felt we wanted to let them know that we noticed and it made a difference. 

The bottom line ... they cared and we wanted to reciprocate.   For me, cooking equates with caring.  So, last week I got busy and baked lots of fun, yummy stuff to give.  I had fun! 

I pulled out recipes for my favorite holiday treats and included a new one that I had been wanting to try.

The results are pictured below. 

I think that packaging and presentation are as important as what is inside the package. 

 As they say, you eat with your eyes first.

There were snowflake pizzelles dusted with powdered sugar ... 

chocolate dipped marshmallow pops and

coconut thumbprint cookies with cranberry curd centers ...

cranberry-orange nut bread, savory parmesan crackers and



sweet, salty pecans!  I hope the recipients enjoyed sampling
everything as much as I enjoyed creating it. 

The savory crackers and thumbprint cookies were recipes from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa.  Both fabulous!!!  The sweet and salty pecans are a holiday favorite.  I have served them at the Holiday Treasures show for the past two years.  They disappear in a matter of minutes.  I thought I would share the receipe.  If you have any questions about the recipe or any of the other items shown above - just email ! 

Sweet and Salty Nuts

Butter (about 2 tbsp. to grease baking pan).

1 pound pecan or walnut pieces (4 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup light-colored corn syrup

Coarse sea salt or kosher salt (about 1 tbsp. or 2 tsp. salt)

Freshly ground black pepper (about 1/2 tsp.)

Coarse raw sugar

Preheat over to 325 degrees.  Using about 2 tablespoons of butter, generously butter a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside. 

In a large bowl stir together the nuts, granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and pepper until well combined; spread in prepared pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbly, stiring once or twice.  Remove from oven.  Sprinkle generously with raw sugar; toss to coat.  Transfer mixture to a large piece of foil.  Cool completely, about 30 minutes.  Break apart to serve.

Store nuts in airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in freezer container in freezer up to 3 months.  Makes 20-24, 1/4-cup servings.

Merry Baking ! M.

Holiday Events this Weekend !

I know, your thinking, "It's not even Thanksgiving !!". 

What's with all this carol-playing on the radio?  
Is it my imagination

or is it starting earlier and earlier each year? 

Holiday gift shows, light-hanging, so on and so on.

Instead of avoiding it all and
waiting until December 24th,

embrace and enjoy the holidays by
shopping early and

take advantage of 2 of Salem's great

decor and gift buying opportunities.

First, the Annual Gift Sale at

Historic Deepwood Estate

Friday, November 18 & Saturday November 19 
10 am - 3 pm

Featuring seasonal wreaths, unique jewelry,
hostess gifts and more!

1116 Mission Street SE, Salem, OR

Free Parking at 12th & Lee Streets

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

Second, the Heritage Holiday Faire

at the Willamette Heritage Center (Mission Mill) 

This event, hosted by Roost Reimagined

and Danner & Soli, 

begins November 18 and goes through the 20th. 

On the 18th there will be a pre-show party that includes wine by Duck Pond Vineyards,  pulled pork sliders from Adam's Ribs and other appetizers to tempt you with.  And as always the first picks on all the great merchandise ($7 entry fee). 

Show opens with free admission on:

Saturday the 19th at 10:00 am-6 pm and

Sunday the 20th 10:00 am-3:00 pm.

The Willamette Heritage Center is located at

1313 Mill St. Salem, OR

For more info visit:  http://www.roostreimagined.blogspot.com/

A Big Holiday Thank You!

Our Holiday Treasures Show was such fun this weekend.  It was great to see old friends and get acquainted with new!  Diane and I would like to thank you all for coming to her sweet, little barn in the Sublimity countryside.  Your support means more than you know.

I know its too dark, but those waiting to come it were warmed by a inviting fire. It combined with the twinkley lights really got you in the holiday mood.  Diane and her husband, Matt, really outdid themselves to make the setting special.

Here are a few pics of what was inside.



Diane has posted some fabulous pics.  So be sure to check out her blog.

And, again ...

Thank you & Happy Holidays !

Frosty's Friend

Each year I make a new type of snow man.  This year, I decided I wasn't going to invest in expensive foam balls as my base. Instead I experimented with wads of newspaper.  I think the result was even better than before!

This year's snow man reflects my love of old & recycled items:  newspapers pulled from the recycle bin, an old rusty funnel "hat", a belt salvaged from on old pair of roller skates, neck scarf from an warm woolen blanket.  He is perched on an old book of Christmas stories.  He is just one big repurposed hunk of snow man!

He and a few of his best friends will be at the Holiday Treasures Show this weekend hosted my Diane (Molly Mo's) and me.  Show details are on the left.  Hope you can make it!  M.

Frosty's New Hat

We all grew up with Frosty the Snow Man

and have come to identify his

iconic black top hat with him.  

Of course, being so famous,

even Frosty needs a new look 

for all the Holiday gatherings. 

Something a little ... lets say ...

special ... for festive soirees. 

Something a little over the top (hat) ! 



These glitzy, tree-topping top hats are just the ticket!

The Royals have nothing over on old Frosty.

These toppers are fit for a King (or Queen)!

Come take one home this weekend at :

More show info on the left!  Hope to see you. M.

Good Luck Mushrooms

Some people have their own interpretation ...  

but the German culture have long used mushrooms

as good luck symbols. 

They are displayed in honor of the people's reverence

for nature and hopes for good luck in the coming year.

I don't know about you,

 but I think we could all use a good luck mushroom! 

 I walked through the yard to retrieve the mail and

all the sudden there was one ...

then two ...

then a whole mess of them!

To get your good luck mushroom, hurry out to the ...

See you there! M.

On to the Next Season

A Season of Change.  It has been an unusual Fall - to say the least.  I have had to learn to adjust and accept the way I usually go about things.  Something I don't do easily.  I'm not inflexible.  I CAN accept the things that cause the change and go forward.  However, it does require some serious reorganization of what is in my brain.  So with that ...  My husband has had some health issues that have required some changes.  Nothing awful - just change on his part and, for me, adapting to how that affects me and this little business that I love. However, I love him more - so you take care of what is most important and realize that everything else is just not such a big deal.  What is precious is apparent really fast.

Not to worry!  He is much better!  I, however, am adapting to a different plan for the next season of creations and shows.  Again, it takes me a bit to wrap my tiny, little brain around this stuff --  but I AM doing it.  If I hadn't said anything, no one would be the wiser, but I feel it.  I am a planner and organizer.  Changes of "The Plan" put me in a spin.  The good part of this is that I am being forced to work smarter and more efficiently.  No time for creative indulgences that can take precious time. 

Since this post has been all about change - there has been a big change in my workroom.  A change from black glitter to mica flake and silver sparkles - everywhere!  There was a little "snow" storm in the workroom this weekend.  Even a little bling - and - we all love bling!

Last year Elf Patty ordered the publication, Holiday with Matthew Mead.  A beautiful collection of eye candy for the holidays.  One picture in particular caught my eye - two blingy, blue trees created by Debbie Dusenberry of http://www.curioussofa.com/.  This year I decided to had to make a few of these.  What fun and I think they turned out lovely. 

These cuties and many other creations will be waiting for you at  ...

Keep checking back for more new things coming out of the workroom.  The glitter is flying about and everything is a-sparkle! M.

Presto-Chango

It only makes sense that if it takes a week to set up for a show -- it takes a week to undo it.  It indeed took a week.  What have I learned from this experience?  I have to find a different venue for my next Vintage Halloween Bootique.  We knew after last year's event that we might be able to have it in our home one more year, but after that -- probably somewhere else.  We were right.  It has gotten too big, too much stuff to relocate and too much stuff to display!  And ... above everything else ... too much disruption in our everyday lives.  My husband is such a sweetie and just goes with the flow.  He even admitted that it is time to "move the Bootique"!  So the search is on for a new venue.

Here are some pictures of the Bootique just before we opened our doors on Friday evening.  It was a smashing success and certainly made the blood, sweat and tears worthwhile!

So here you go ... PRESTO ....



A variety of small "bites",

sweets, and



what's a party without "spirits of the vine" and ...



lots of ghoulfriends???

CHANGO !

Back to normal ... a-gain.  If you are asking yourself, "Was it worth it?"

Yes, it was.  I would like to thank everyone who attended.  It was fun, crazy busy and rewarding to see the little "Bootique" image in my head come to life. 

I would also like to thank all my wonderful friends that helped in one way or another:  Ellen (my sis), Rosa, Sarah, Diane, Carly, Betty, and of course, Elf Patty.  Without these women and my husband, it wouldn't have been possible.  I owe you all BIG!  I would also like to thank my nephew, Matt and great-nephew, Hayden for providing the muscle to move all the furniture.  (Tip:  you can get lots done by bribing with warm brownies!)

Coming up ... Holiday Treasures Show, November 11th & 12th.  Mark your Calendar! M.