It's Monday and I've done nothing...

I'll be back tomorrow, I'm TRYING to get some stuff done because all I have is free time and I am frivolous with it....
So in the meantime shall we all dream up a way to get this ring for me?

It's only $117, 178.99 on overstock.com.  Can you believe it didn't push the Mister into action when I told him there was "danger of low stock"?? What is wrong with that man?
Ok, I'll see you tomorrow!

Dutch Oven?

So, I made this Pumpkin Rosemary Soup last night...
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Sound good?

Try it right HERE!!!

and just so you don't have to google "dutch oven" like I did, I'll go ahead and tell you what it is.  A "real" dutch oven happens to be (from Wikipedia)

 A Dutch oven is a thick-walled (usually cast iron) cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. Dutch ovens have been used as cooking vessels for hundreds of years.

but also found on Wikipedia, the only version of a dutch oven that I, personally, was familiar with:

A dutch oven is a fart chamber (a contained area of flatus) created by pulling a blanket over some one's head and breaking wind. The phrase is a slang description based on the cooking action of a Dutch oven where food is cooked and steamed inside a closed chamber. Performing a Dutch oven creates an area of foul-odored air in an enclosed space that must be inhaled.^[1] This is done as a prank or by accident to one's sleeping partner.^[2][3]

^{I was only familiar with the 2nd dutch over-Trust me, go for the "real" dutch oven for the soup!!}

^{A pan will work, we didn't have a dutch oven.  I also used vegan bacon.} 

^{This soup is SOOOO good, it's seriously worth going to the site and making it!!}

^{We've had the most fabulous week here in Michigan, the sun is out, the temps in the mid to high 60's...Ahhh, if only it would stay this way for the next 3 months!}

^{Have a great weekend and let me know if you try the soup!!}

^{Any other favorite fall recipe's?} 

What happens when I can't sleep...

Thankfully, me not sleeping does NOT happen often!  I'm that girl that lies down, closes my eyes and the next thing I know, the alarm clock is going off... or Darling is standing next to our bed, 2 inches from me  breathing that stinky kid morning breath in my face!  Last night I was tired, but not sleepy... you know that feeling?!  So anyway, I'm laying awake thinking of how I need to re-do the entire house, except not my kitchen, which I still love...for now.

Ok, "love" once the appliances are all stainless, the trim is done and there is an awesome window treatment, THEN I'll be in love...maybe!

Our master bedroom needs some love too...

I'm thinking these giant stars and a draped backdrop would help

(and a flat screen TV)

plus some new lighting is a must

I was so exhausted at this point I finally fell asleep, but don't worry, I woke in a panic trying to figure out how I was going to get it all done by tonight!

Great, I just realized 

I haven't even started on my living room, front entry, or lower level...

I better go....

Anything you've done in your home that you're loving right now??

Feel free to add a link in the comments!

Happy Thursday!

Cutie Cupcakes!!

I took these pictures the other day, but really need to take some outside now that we have SUNSHINE here in MICHIGAN!  How weird is that!??  I'd re-take them today, BUT my camera is off deer hunting.  The Mister took it so he could use it to in some deer spy camera thingy in the woods.  I'm not into hunting or hunting equipment, can you tell?   Ok, yeah, I have the big mama

but if you think I've got that all figured out, I'm sorry to disappoint!

★★I need a personal technology tutor!!★★

Anyway, I made some new "Cutie~Cupcakes" for my etsy shop... here's a little preview:

Don't forget to check out my etsy shop and my OpenSky Boutique...

☃Christmas☃ is just around the corner!!

This week has been crazy busy, how about you?

Happy Wednesday!

   

Hello Monday!

Hello New  Followers!

Did you have a nice weekend?

Darling and I went shopping and for some reason, filled her closet with more cute stuff!

Do you know of Crazy 8?

shop HERE!

There is just TOO much cute stuff for little girls!  Maybe for boys too, but since we're a 1 girl home we didn't look.

Here's a peek at just a bit of what we got

Dogs in glasses?! How can you say no?  Especially when the "glasses" are clear sequins!!

Long sleeve tee with a faux bib necklace!

Sparkle shoes in black to go with the doggy T and a pair of grey sweats (UGH!!!!) that I caved on!

This girl of mine is ALL about comfort, I hope she's not setting herself to be attacked by Clinton and Stacey at some point (WHAT NOT TO WEAR for those of you that aren't sure who those 2 are!).  

Then we went to see MEGA Mind with the Mister

Cute!!

On Sunday I started a blanket for Darling because I like to have 100 different crochet projects going on at one.

That's about it, nothing too exciting, but then again I'm still recovering- geesh! I think I'm finally getting better!

Ok, I better go do something exciting so I have something to post tomorrow!

Perhaps run through town wearing only my mask...

Oh, who am I kidding, it's way too cold!

Have a great day, smell ya later!

Let me introduce you to....

Paola Zakimi of the etsy shop:

holli

SHOP here!!!

I love the style of her gorgeous drawings and hope you'll check out all her other art!

LOVE her sketchy style and use of color...

Dreamy, aren't they?

Have a wonderful weekend, I'm off to my studio... I might actually do something besides stare at my glitter collection!

Bon Qui Qui and other Random Goodness!

Random Goodness for Today!!

1. Ok, I think this is HILARIOUS!!
(seriously????? you can't watch it here???? Oh jeesh...)

Bon Qui Qui at King Burger (MAD tv)

I WILL CUT YOU if you don't think the same!

2. I've been on a "jean kick".  I'm often on a "kick"... do you know what I mean?  A kick means I become ALL ABOUT something, perhaps it's just a nicer way of saying a compulsive behavior? :)

BUT, let me share my little jean KICK secret...

EBAY!

Don't Judge me and my USED jeans!! Yes, I washed them ALL before I wore them!!!!

 When you are 4 foot 11-3/4 inches tall, you have to HUNT for jeans!!  Yeah, you can check the kids dept, but sometimes a 12 year old is just built different than a 41 year old.  Last year I told my Mister "I have 2 pair of jeans and I hate them!"  Off we went on "the hunt".  We shopped everywhere from Target to TJ Maxx to Norstrom Rack, to EVERY SINGLE STORE at the mall!  The very last stop was Express where I found 1 single pair that fit for $90!  I'm quite sure at the time I could have talked him into buying me 10 pair at that price if they would have fit!!  It's exhausting and beyond frustrating!  2 weeks ago for some strange reason I though I should check ebay for jeans (with a 28 inch inseam) and what do ya know! 

JACK POT!

Let's just say there was a package in the mail for me every single day!!

a few things I have learned:

1. make sure you know what brand "fits" you, know your inseam size and check the sellers measurements!!

2. check the brands websites and make sure you're not getting outdated "MOM" jeans

3. make sure you know what "destroyed jeans" means!! (think jeans with NO knees)

4. your favorite name brands are available (LOTS of American Eagle, Gap, and Abercrombie!)

5. the best thing I've learned: pre-worn jeans can be bought for  as low as .99 (& usually ship for around $5!!)

 Random item #3...I've fallen in LOVE with Gray and Yellow.

2 colors I kinda hate and 2 colors (although if you want to get technical, Gray is NOT a "color", it's a shade) I swear do NOT go together...

who would have thought?

4. Random and Funny Photo

That would be Darling wearing "I love cookies" PJ's, her robe, MY boots and hat taking her dog out for a late night potty break on a rainbow shoelace while carrying 2 old (stinky) turkey brats out to the cats...

5. I will be making these ASAP!  and if you're in LOVE with avocado's like yours truly, you will too!

Avocado Fry Recipe go HERE!!

Whewww, that was Random!!

Seriously, Could people be any nicer?

Look at that cutie banner....the not fitting part is my fault.  BUT, isn't it cute?? Don't ya know my long lost sister, Angela (Gingers Girl/Pickles on Pizza), made it for me!!!  I've got an SOS out to blogspot help, so someday this blog might look "put together", until then let's just focus on how stinkin' nice people can be!!    

2 words:

HAT DRIVE

(check below each picture to find out which sweetie sent what!!)

Look at those tiny little mittens...love the little flower!

Don't you know this makes me want another little girl SO BAD??!!

Gingers Girl on etsy, show my sista' some ❤

and check out her blog... she's gonna be famous, trust me!

Angela at Pickles on Pizza

from Kim...

lucky for a little gal in China this didn't fit her new grand baby!  I wish you could see Darling in this hat... hee, hee!!  It's so cute on!!

 Cat Can Crochet on etsy, show her some ❤

I seriously SQUEALED when this came in the mail!!! Those little elf shoes??

GET OUT!!!

 Cat Can Crochet

Heidis Hats on etsy...show her some ❤

Go visit this sweetie!! I bought a pattern from her on etsy, she is super helpful, kind, sweet, and talented! love this girl!!

Hand Knit Hugs on etsy, show her some ❤

Wish you could see this in person!! Beautiful wool and her stitches?!  

PERFECTION!!  Her shop is FULL of gorgeous baby items!!

K.C. 

(not sure she wants her name out there...)

Can you believe all these??

Seriously, this crochet mama went crazy!!  I jumped up and down when the Mister brought these 2 BIG packages home!!  Can you even imagine she's already asking if she can make more for next year?

and... MY Mama!!

Yep, chinaGrandma made all these little knit caps on her magic knitting hoop/ring/thingy!  I think she was knitting these all the way to Montana to see Pilot boy (my youngest brother).  You put this woman on a task and you better WATCH OUT!!

To say my heart is full is an understatement!  You know I'm not real sappy, but God truly put the kids of China on my heart.  I could just weep seeing all these hats and knowing some precious little child will be that much warmer.  I'm sure they'll feel the love right through that gorgeous head of black hair!!

I'm going to put a disposable camera in the box and pray someone takes some pictures!!!!  

I can't thank you enough...really I can't!

But just so you know, in my mind I am buying each of you a white Range Rover and we're all going to Maui to sit on the pure white sand, sip a drink of our choice and listen to the ocean!

Oh, wouldn't that be fabulous?!

Love you gals!!!

❉ ❉❤❉ ❉ November is National Adoption Month ❉ ❉❤❉ ❉

Yeah...I know....

So I changed the background and that made my header thingy all wonky and the main stripy thing of the blog is smaller than the place where you type.  Yes, those are the official and technical terms- cause I said so.
I've been to "Blogger Help" and as you can see....I am not smart enough to follow their genius directions.  Only people under the age of 9 can understand them.  Darling will be home from school in 40 min... maybe she can help me.  How is one suppose to have to most outstandingly beautiful amazingiest blog EVER if one can NOT comprehend photoshop, blogger, and "help"?  Is there someone I can have come to my house, sit next to me, move my fingers on the keyboard, teach me photoshop and all things MAC (while feeding me apple slices, and pouring me coffee)?  ANYONE? ANYONE?
My brain is tired, and I've accomplished nothing today...Well, nothing I wanted to accomplish.  I'm wondering how much more time I should devote to accomplishing nothing or if it is time to move on...Anyone want to bang their head against a wall regarding their blog/computer/photoshop issues??  Please tell me I'm not alone, or better yet... tell me there is hope for this 41 year old Mama!!
That is all...

I LOVE Political Ads... yeah, right!

Well, if you aren't ready to pull out EVERY hair on your body in frustration of the 9 billion political ads running every 2 seconds, then you are a stronger person than me (or you don't have a television in your home)!!   Regardless of how crazy the ads are making you... get your booty out there and

 VOTE

 and then when you get home, pour a glass of wine and celebrate the end of the ads... for a while anyway!

As you know, the deadline for my Baby/Kid Hat drive has arrived and...

Let me just say my ❤❤HEART❤❤ is overjoyed at the hats I've received for the little kiddo's in China!!  The generosity of people that don't even know me (and some that do), or these kids....it makes me a bit weepy with JOY!  I want to give a proper shout out to the contributors and take pictures...so stayed tuned tomorrow for that post!  AND, if you didn't get in on the hat drive this year... FEAR NOT!  I'm going to do it again, feel free to send hats ANYTIME!!!  My big push will be again next summer, but I have a special closet I keep them all in, so send away!

(handmade, store bought, gently used, baby, kid, teen...ALL are welcome!!)