And We're Back!

So I finally just broke down and paid the crazy monthly fee.  

On to things past...Thanksgiving.  We had a nice one.  David and I invited all the Americans we could think of and had them all over for a turkey lunch the following Saturday.  It's not a holiday here you know.  Usually about a third of the people we invite can't make it.  However, only one person canceled.  This meant that we would be having 18 adults and - get ready - 12 children eating in our home!  Where were we going to put them?   It worked out.  The kids never really sat down, so that solved that seating problem.

Here are a few good pictures of the day.

Centerpieces 

 The tables

All the guests 

(or most of them.  Some were still filling their plates)

We had a nice day and it was a nice Thanksgiving.  The food was great and the company was even better.

Happy late Thanksgiving!

Picture-less

It's been a while since I've last posted anything.  There's a reason for this.  Last week I went to update my blog with some pretty pictures of our Thanksgiving feast.  As I was getting ready to load my pictures, a message popped up on my screen informing me that I had used all the free space they were allowing me to post pictures with.  If I would like to post any more I could kindly pay a monthly fee.  What?!   Not sure what I'm going to do just yet.  My writing skills are not at a level where I can post without pictures.  And really, what's a blog without pictures?  Boring.  So this will be a picture-less blog post just letting you know the scoop.  Hopefully I'll figure this out and be back to posting pictures soon!

Apple tote

I finally made something from that vinyl I found at the salvation army.  I just listed it on the Etsy shop.  We'll see if anyone likes it or is interested.  I think it's cute and fun.

So I've been told that November can be a busy month for Etsy.  With that in mind I'm getting ready to vamp up the shop.  More bags, more scarfs, more stuff!

Yum!

I got an unidentified package in the mail today.  I've ordered a few supplies since I started the Etsy Shop, so it wasn't unusual to get a package.  I pulled it out of the mail box thinking I couldn't remember  what it was I had ordered from the States.  I'd already gotten the zippers.  The magnetic closer things came last week.  What was it?  The writing on the envelope looked familiar.  So I did what any intelligent person would do.  I shook it.  It kind of rattled.  Now, the return address should have been a clue.  Especially since it did have the name of the person mailing it.  But in my defense, I was talking to someone while I was checking the mail.  So I didn't really read who it was from.  Anyway, after I rattled it and realized where it came from, I knew EXACTLY what it was that was rattling from within.  I quickly came inside to rip it open (those padded envelopes don't rip very easy by the way).  I got it open and immediately shoved the contents into my mouth.  Here's what I found.

That's right folks.  I like candy corn!  I'm not a big candy fan.  But for what ever reason, I have always liked candy corn.  I can't get it here in Switzerland and have lived without it.  But every now and then a  kind soul will send a bag my way.  Thankfully I am the only one in the house who likes it.  I've already eaten a little too much.  But I can't help myself.  Yum!

Oh yes.  Thanks mom for thinking of me.  It was a great surprise to find in the mail today. 

Cookies

I'm not a huge cookie fan.  I never have been.  Growing up my mom made molasses cookies.  I did like those.  I still like those.  The other day I made a batch.  They have a lot of spices in them that seem to go with the fall.  

Here's the recipe.

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix together the first 4 ingredients.  Add flour, baking soda, salt and spices.  Chill dough for one hour.  Form into balls, roll in sugar and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.  

I have to say I'm never patient enough to chill the dough. I didn't do it on this batch and they turned out 

great.  I'm pretty sure I ate the whole batch.

Grandma's Brooch

I've been making more scarfs for my shop.  Partly because it's very scarf-y weather here and plus they are fun to make.  As I was arranging the scarf on Betty for a photo shoot it came to me.  I have my grandma's brooch and it would look great with this scarf.  So here it is.  Isn't it pretty?  

Sorry, a little blurry.  But you get the idea.

 I really like this scarf.  

I really like all the scarfs I make.

It's hard not to want to keep them when they are done.  I might make myself one of these though. And I might have to get all gussied up and wear it somewhere with grandma's brooch.  

P.S.  If you're interested in one for yourself you can find it here in my shop.

doodad

So I finally did it.  I opened an Etsy shop to try and sell some of my sewing creations.  It's been open for a day now.  I posted about it on Facebook and have had quite a bit of attention.  We'll see how it goes.  Here are a few things you will see in the shop.

It's been a long process putting all the pictures on the website.  Actually, sewing the products was the easy part.  When I finally opened the shop I was excited and nervous.  What if no one looks at the shop?  What if no one buys anything? Are they really worth buying?  So far-no sales.  I'm trying to be patient.  After all it's only been a day.  If you're interested in looking at the shop go here and buy your next Christmas gift!