A few more splashes of paint --

Just a few of those things that kept me busy these past couple of weeks...

Most of these were gifts for members of the family. Copies of some may make it into my etsy shop, but not all. (A lot of my shop merchandise is inspired by items madefor or requested by family members.)

Some of these sets were based on tops I already carried for the shop but I designed matching bottoms to go with them for the purposes of the gifts.


I gave quite a few sets of potholders out this year, too! Some were accompanied by copies of the family cookbook. (That was a gift I first put together two Christmases ago but some newer members of the family received their first copy this year.) Most included some cookie recipe cards.

Then, there were a few special requests:

And that's what I've been up to !!!

Goodbye, 2009 ! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

This is the final post of 2009 !! I, for one, am glad to see 2009 go. This definitely wasn't one of my best years. It's been a tough one. I'm eager to get started on a new year.

I've been busy giving my 2010 Goals some deep thought. I don't make resolutions. They simply don't work. I set goals instead.

It seems when you make resolutions, they quickly fall by the wayside. Once you've broken the resolution, you simply let it fall off the face of the earth - at least, until next New Year's. BUT, with a goal you just keep working toward it. You know, "the try, try again" philosophy. You can change tactics and go about it in another manner. It can be fine-tuned over and over and even expanded upon.

I'm proud to say I really did accomplish a number of last year's goals. Some were quite personal and I'm proud of those successes. A few were more public.

One you've been a part of. I set the goal of posting regularly to this blog as 2008 was quite sporadic and had little continuity. With the exception of the last few weeks, I've done a pretty good job of posting almost daily. These last few weeks were just very hectic with Christmas preps, quite a few orders, house guests and both The Big Guy and I had a few days of illness. Something had to give. Unfortunately, it was the blog.

I think I'm back on the job again and plan to be here daily starting today. That is one of my "public" goals. Related to that is a goal of having a few standby, stock piled pieces that simply require pushing the publish button if time gets really tight. I've got a little notebook where I jot down ideas for a few generic posts "when I have time" to put them together. These are the pieces that are somewhat timeless and can be pushed aside when and if there is something of immediate news or action.

There are some goals related to my business and expanding several areas there. Some of those still need some fine tuning. I'll share them as time goes by. As with most years, there are a number of personal goals that deal with myself and/or family relationships and things on the homefront. These are quite personal and won't be discussed here in public.

One of the most immediate goals is to continue with the challenge I issued sometime ago to all you bloggers out there. It was actually a double dog dare thing. Remember? I wanted to go through and check out each of my blog followers, getting to know them better and taking time to comment on their blogs. I really did start and made some progress there but it's a slow go and there are a lot of you. I'm getting right to that one again. In fact, I'm even going back and touching base with the 40 followers I already did this with. It's been long enough I feel I should start over.

So, if you'll be so kind - leave the light on please, 'cuz I'm a-comin!

Shhhh! Santa's sleeping. Or, at least, he should be!

Okay, so how's an elderly, fat (morbidly obese) guy who eats way too many cookies. runs non-stop for who-knows-how-many hours without a break survive Christmas?

I, for one, am flopping all day today! I'm tired - very tired. This is the first day I haven't had to rush to deliver packages, get something together to take in the way of food, get myself fixed up and presentable for socializing, etc.

I've got the house to myself. I stayed in bed late this morning. That felt wonderful! I mosied out for a glass of tea (I'm an iced tea addict. No hot tea for me in the morning.) Tea in hand, I cuddled up in a big chair with an afghan and relaxed some more.

Yeah, I will need to do some laundry and The Big Guy would appreciate a nice dinner so I guess I will have to do something. I just don't plan to do much today.

I've already read two chapters in my latest book and I'm thinking about settling in for several hours of catching up on my blog reading. Things have been so hectic that I haven't had time to post myself, let alone read everybody else's musings.

Today is like a respite in a storm. I do have several items ordered for delivery later this week. So my paint brushes won't get much break. I'm just not doing it today! We still have some folks to visit with this week so the partying goes on.

As of today, we have no big plans for New Year's Eve which is good as they are predicting another possible snowstorm moving in on Thursday and another on Friday.

You know, being snowed in for two days with my man and no outside commitments, doesn't sound bad!

Ahhh! Two days past...

Two days past the big day and not a creature was stirring. Their bellies were full, their bodies exhausted and their minds were drained. It was time for that long winter's nap.

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I stopped panicking on Wednesday. it was getting me no where. I took time refine the "To Do" list, adjusting the priority system to reflect the chores, first, in the order they'd be needed and, secondly, in the order of absolute necessity. All the while, I slowly repeated my mantra: FLEXIBILITY - FLEXIBILITY - FLEXIBILITY !!!!!

Ultimately, I looked at each item and asked several key questions: * Is it necessary? * Is there an easier/quicker substitution? * Can somebody else (i.e. The Big Guy) do it? * What happens if it doesn't get done? I managed to eliminate a few items from the list.

Life goes on. Even if there are no presentable-looking poinsettias left on the Christmas Eve afternoon when the party delegated to purchase one (as the main gift for a close family member) finally gets himself to the store -- life goes on. (The "make do" gift was just as warmly received - maybe more so.)

We set a record, I think - only one domestic dispute throughout this highly stressful, hectic week!!

All in all, it was a great holiday !

We spent time enjoying great food and drink with lots of family over several days. There was lots of chatter, laughter and hugs and kisses. After all, time spent together making memories is the best part of the holidays.

REMEMBER - These are the moments we'll talk and laugh about at future holiday get-togethers !

It's here !!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL !!!!!!!!

Make it a safe, happy and memorable one.

Christmas Countdown - Less than 3 days !!!

So much for counting in days - I can hear the clock ticking. I HAVE to be ready by 6 p.m. Thursday. That give me less than 50 hours !!!

I've spent the day frantically making candy. Those few days lost to illness last week certainly slowed the machinery down around here. I won't be dreaming of sugarplums, I'll probably be running from chocolate monsters in my dreams !!! The house has this very strong chocolate aroma. Who needs scented candles ?!?

I still have "one last store run" to make . (yeah, right, ONE !) Tried to make a quick trip to Target earlier today. That was a laugh. They have the worst cleaned lot in town. It appears they never attempted to take it down to blacktop so it is now simply hard-packed ice which means everybody is parked at haphazard angles hoping to get a few wheels on a clear spot for traction, etc. Walking across the lot is treacherous. I made the precarious trip in only to find they didn't have any of the items on my list. (We're talking basics like my hair conditioner, not the in-demand toys and such.)

I'm sure we're all in this boat, getting all those last minute needs taken care of. Who are those folks they always show on T.V. who are sitting back leisurely on the couch watching Christmas specials and having a cocktail with their families. The gifts are all neatly wrapped under the tree and there's a tray of perfectly decorated cookies on the coffee table. I've never met those folks, have you?

Good luck, y'all !

A moment to breathe - finally!

Okay, so what's kept me so busy?

Besides shoveling!

Well, there were the hamster shirts. I was surprised how difficult it was to make them really look like hamsters! The customer was very happy with the end product.

Then, it was time to work on some of our family gifts.

Some of those I can't reveal here for the moment as some of the family actually reads these posts!!!

Most of the little girls in the gang are getting variations of paper doll style flannel board play sets, complete with individual flannel boards. Each set is different as to colors and styles of the dolls themselves and outfits for each. I've had lots of fun doing these and they really weren't very difficult or time consuming!

The hardest gift each holiday is my mother-in-law. Her health and physical activity level makes it very difficult to find something useful for her. She certainly doesn't need any more clothes, has very limited space for trinkets and such and cannot see well or do much activity at all. She has always loved her dogs and we have, for years, made an effort to give her something with dog designs on it. I finally hit on a bag for her walker made out of a dog print. I think it turned out quite well if I must say so myself! I hope she likes it.

Today, I'm working on getting all those Christmas cards addressed and in the mail. Maybe folks will even receive them before Christmas!!

I'm also planning to fix a worthwhile dinner tonight for my man and I need to do a little housework. Then, back to holiday must do items!