trillium mama

O Tannenbaum

This post is a bit late chronologically, but right on time for holiday spirit. A few weeks ago our family headed up to the frosty dusted hills outside our town. We live in an area known for Christmas trees, and the farmers here ship them everywhere including places like Hawaii and Japan. Thankfully we only have to drive ten short miles to reach the farm we go to every year for our tree outing, and our tree consequently only travels 10 miles to reach our home.

We took off out of the parking lot into the vast sea of Noble Firs. We found a very nice one just two rows back, and directly in line with our car. Of course we couldn’t just take that one, there could be an even better tree waiting for us somewhere in the hundred acre Christmas tree woods.

We looked and looked sometimes becoming separated, but a quick holler reunited our tree hunting party.

Finally after walking down many rows of seemingly endless trees, we decided to go back to the first tree we found. As we came around the corner there it was. The perfect tree-it almost looked as if it had a halo glowing over it.

When we got it home, we put it up, gave it a drink, and set out to decorate it. We bought new vintage style satin ornaments this year to reduce casualties from the whirling toddler. Looks pretty nice, doesn’t it?

And finally, the first verse from the German version of Oh Christmas Tree, which I learned as a child being of German heritage. It still is one of my very favorite holiday songs.

"O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
Wie treu sind deine Blätter!"

busy crafty holidayland!

Well folks, I made it through my first craft show. It was incredible, and nothing like what I expected. I really think they should consider re-naming it the crafty crazyland super busy holiday show-really. I have never been to a show that was that packed with customers, and it was incredible for it to be my very first show as a vendor.

We had very cozy 4x4 foot spaces in which to set up. My amazing and dear husband Andy not only built me a fabulous rack for my wares, he also stayed with me the entire day. He is a truly spectacular person!

I took a variety of things from gathered totes, wristlets, and Nile pyramid bags to toddler dresses and skirts.  The dresses and skirts flew off the rack, and I sold quite a few yo-yo button pins. I am happy to say that all of those weeks of crazy sewing paid off, and hey, people liked my stuff! I even had some gallery and shop owners show some interest in carrying my goods in the big city.

I was very luck to be set up to three of the nicest people- a couple from Seattle that makes absolutely dreamy smelling soap under the label Dandy by clyoung, and a sweet and peppy woman named Heidi from Passionflower, who makes fabulous jewelry. My first time show jitters melt away the second I met the folks from Dandy and Passionflower-thanks guys!

By the end of the day, we were so ready to go home. We tossed the few items left in a tote and grabbed the rack and table. Some people were lingering waiting for other vendors to make purchases and trades, but I took the  money and ran! I had such a great time, and I will definitely go back next year.

holiday candyland

The other day I decided to take a break from sewing for this, and decorate a gingerbread house. As you can see from the photos, I was not brave enough to actually bake the house myself. I instead opted to buy a well made kit which comes with pre-made icing, gingerbread men, snowman, trees, and a plethora of candy goodness.

Ava was immediately drawn to the bright colors, although she didn't know quite what they were. I explained that they were candies, but they belong on the house. She seemed to accept my rule, and set out to decorate the snowy path(covered with icing thanks to mama). She placed a variety of candies in tidy rows without any grown-up help. She did such a fabulous job with that corner!

When she was finished with her masterpiece, I was allowed to finish the rest of the house. It was great fun to pipe icing all around the eaves and windows, and squish in tiny sugar balls and gumdrops. Peppermints became windows and sweet tarts transformed into stepping stones. By the time I finished, we had a sugary cottage that would make any dentist cringe.

It was so much fun to do this that I plan to make it a yearly tradition. Next year Dad will be coaxed into helping, a who knows, maybe I'll bake the house!

a wintery night's feast

So tonight I tried a new recipe that I saw in a magazine. I added this and that, and turned out with a super yummy dish.

1  lb. chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and cut in 1 -inch chunks

1  Tbsp. olive oil

1  cup dried orzo

1  14-oz. beef stock or broth

1  tsp. dried oragano, or Italian blend

2  medium zucchinii, halved lengthwise, coarsely chopped (2-1/2 cups)

1  red sweet pepper cut in 1-inch long strips

In large skillet(and I do mean large-I had to transfer mine to a larger pan) over medium-high heat, cook sausage in hot oil until safe to eat(very technical I know); stir in orzo. Cook and stir 1 minute or so. Stir in broth,1/2 cup water, and seasoning(salt and pepper too if you like). Boil it up, turn down the heat, and simmer for about 4 minutes. Add zucchini and sweet pepper.Cook another 4-5 minutes or until orzo is done.

If you like your veggies less tender, add them just a few minutes before orzo is done

Put it in some nice thick bowls, get cozy, and eat it up! Delish!

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Old school-going no photo

Yes, I'm going old school today. Not totally old school because after all, I am on a computer. I wish I was going no photo because I wanted to, but alas-no. My dear self or my dear daughter have re-placed the cable that shuffles my photos from my camera to my computer.

It's really a shame too. On said camera there are all sorts of goodies- photos of my crafty goodies for the upcoming(this weekend) Crafty Wonderland Holiday show, photos of my fab new hair, photos of our voyage to the holiday tree farm. Yes, it really is a shame that I won't be able to show those to you.

I'm not sure how long I can stand the sabbatical from posting photos. I would like to say I will keep searching through the house, under cushions, in laundry piles, behind dressers, but I probably won't. I will probably just get in my car and drive 20 miles to the camera store and buy a new one. This is my way of finding the cable. We all know that as soon as you replace something, you find the something you set out to replace.

For the time being I will enjoy my old school post, and look forward to many photos in future posts!

outings to the big city

Monday night I was invited to drive to Portland with the owner of The Purl District to see Debbie Stoller. Debbie is the accomplished author of the Stitch and Bitch books and the editor of Bust magazine. We had such a great time listening to Debbie’s down to earth, comical chat about her newest book Son of Stitch and Bitch. I was a book signing virgin before this, and she eased me right into the world of authors.

As if it wasn’t enough to take my life into my own hands and head to the big city once, I did it again last night. This time I went to see me hair stylist who moved her biz from here to there, landing at Kalista Spa Salon. Let me first just say I love, love Tia-she is from my little hometown, and I’ve known her for many years. It was great to have my cut and color done while chatting about all the goings on of people we mutually know.

The best part about it was that I got a fab new cut and color. I mean it is a foxy fresh look, with color like I have never had before! You wanna see? Bummer, my camera battery is dead. Ha! I’ll post pics soon.

I won’t be headed to Portland again until next weekend when I attend the super hip and cool Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale. Check out the sidelines to see where I will be. At this rate I’m going to just have to move to Portland-ok who am I kidding-that will never happen to this small town girl!