"Makes Me Smile" Monday

I wanted to post some of my favorite pictures from 2007, to wrap up the year . . . a few may have been posted previously, but most have not. They all make me smile . . .

Happy Monday New Year's Eve !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Holiday pics today :

Happy Christmas Eve Monday !!!

Nifty Gifties

Every Christmas since I started my job at the office, I've made gifts for each and every co-worker. Being a new manager then, I thought it was a good thing to do . . . a nice gesture, to show no favoritism, and giving the same gift to everyone. It's been more fun for me, though, to come up with ideas every year . . . something creative, that everyone can use and will like, all within a small budget and time constraints. Over the past 5 years I've done votive candles in painted & decorated terra cotta flower pots, gingerbread scone mix, Christmas cd's (complete with original cd covers !), chocolate-covered pretzels, and individual chocolate chip pies !!!

So here's this year's little nifty gifty:

. . . . cookie mix in a jar !!

These little lovelies have everything in them: white and semi-sweet chips, oats, and rice crispies !!! So good, and too easy to make !!

I've already got ideas for next year . . . . !!!

Here's to all the creative nifty gifties making the rounds this season !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

To help me get into the holiday spirit a bit more -- I have to remind myself it's only a week away ! -- I thought I'd share a few pictures of my favorite haunt:

I so wanted to capture this corner of the store better, with all of its beautiful grapevine trees and amazing birdhouses . . . it's harder than I thought to take pictures and be quiet and sneaky at the same time . . . !

Some lingering harvest decorations . . . .

Truly one of my favorite places to be ! I received the ultimate compliment from a co-worker when she first saw our home: she said the coziness of our house reminded her of this place. No wonder I'm drawn to it . . . !!!

Here's to happy haunting of your favorite places !!!

Care to share your haunts ?!?!!!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

And inside, too. That's because our furnace has died. It was a bit on the old side, and we knew we'd eventually have to replace it . . . we were hoping we could nurse it along for a little longer. Twas not to be . . . it's officially DEAD !! So we have been without heat for the past two days. Exiting my morning shower into a warm, heated bathroom is a mere memory now. . . it was Tuesday the last time that happened !!!!! So, this has been the scene in our living room since yesterday:


We brought our guest bedroom mattress downstairs and parked it in front of our wonderful gas fireplace . . . our only source of warmth ! And we've piled on the flannel sheets, fleece blankets, heavy socks and jammies . . . anything and everything warm !! Jack even hauled out one of my Christmas gifts ahead of time (a taboo in our house !), just for this occasion: an electric blanket !! A few space heaters from our workplaces made their way home tonite, too.




So this is how we're spending one more heatless night, until this lovely new furnace can be installed tomorrow:

Glad it's going in before this weekend's nor'easter is supposed to bury us in snow !!! I'd love to type more, but my fingers are almost frozen to the keys . . . . !!

Wishing you a warm and cozy weekend !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Maybe today should be called "Makes Me Beam" Monday . . . or "Makes Me Choke Back Tears" Monday !?!?!?!!! Either way, I'm smiling because of a performance last night by Rochester's own Teagan Ward: my amazing husband was the drummer !!!

(wish I could've gotten a better picture . . . it was so dark in there !)


It's been about ten years or so since I've seen Jack play live, in a band . . . not since the GCC days, with their jazz band "Shades of Swing". He rarely lets me hear him practicing here at home, which makes performances that much more exciting. And this was such a different style of music than I'm used to seeing him play . . . no jazz here, but a mix of country, rock, and blues !!! So much fun !!

I just couldn't have been prouder of him or happier for him . . . I spent almost the entire first song trying not to ball like a small child !!! Just to see him in the midst of what he's passionate about and so talented at, having so much fun and sounding so awesome . . . it was a gift !!! Hopefully more gigs are ahead . . . !

Happy Monday !! Here's hoping you're beaming at your special someone, too !!!

Festivus Friday

The holidays are all about tradition. So with a nod to "Seinfeld", and because we always need another excuse to stuff ourselves with food, my co-workers and I came up with our own little holiday tradition: Festivus Friday.

It's basically an all-day-long buffet/potluck that we have on a Friday or two around the Christmas holiday. We fill what used to be the darkroom with appetizers and snacks of all kinds, and nibble our way thru the work day . . . and goof off a little more than usual, too !!! Here's a tiny peak at some of our Festivus snacks from today:

We had everything from veggie and cheese platters, potato pancakes, crab dip, cowboy caviar, and bruschetta . . . .

. . . to macaroni salad, coleslaw, pulled pork sandwiches, sour cream potatoes, chocolate mousse, and oreo cupcakes (made by yours truly !). By God, we sure know how to feast !!! And we have such great cooks in our office, too ! We are so much more than just a dental office !!!!!

Here's wishing you a Happy Festivus, and to enjoying all of your own holiday traditions !!!! Gotta go put on the elastic-waist pants now . . . !

Drop Me Off Here Please

This is a place I would love to spend time:

It was mentioned several years ago in an issue of Cottage Living, and I've been dreaming of going ever since. When I received the latest course catalog the other day, back to dreamland I went !

Just to spend an entire week crafting . . . makes my heart skip a beat ! With courses in cooking, gardening, knitting, clay, soap making, beads, quilting, mixed media, and so on . . . . how could you choose just one ?!?!?!!! It looks like such a beautiful, serene, and encouraging setting as well . . . . I think I could use a dose of that ! It is a bit on the expensive side for my taste, but I'm sure it's worth it and then some. I'll have to start saving my pennies . . . I'd love to make going to "craft camp" a reality someday !!! Who else wants to come, too ??!?!?!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

It's wicked weather here today . . . high winds, freezing temps, and LOTS OF SNOW !!!! But it's warm and cozy inside, with signs of the season all around:

. . . at work . . .

. . . . and at home . . . .

Happy wintry Monday !!!!