Another old photo...I think that this is my Grandmother's brother's wife. Look at the shoes and coat...pretty stylin! I will be posting lots of old vintage photos in the year to come....I am in the process of scanning all the old albums that I can get my hands on!

Old and New

The new year is almost here...I'm in the process of scanning more old photos....I have lots. This is my Grandmother. My Dad and Aunt are in the back of the old 23 Chevy. I think they are on a camping trip. I love looking at all these old photos....I'm lucky to have them.
I've been doing some atc's for a Valentines Swap....and still cleaning the studio...made tacos for dinner last night...and Andy and I watched a movie called "Little Miss Sunshine"...Hope everyone has a fun...safe...New Years Eve! Don't Drink and Drive!!!!!!!

Happy New Year

I had to create something!!!! Here is a New Years card for everyone!
I hope the New Year brings Health...Happiness...Prosperity....and Love to each and every one of you!

Grateful Happy Things for Friday

I am all messed up on the days....I then realized it is Friday!!! So here is the "Happy Things" list for today.....
nature walks
hot chocolate at an outdoor cafe
buying a hat, gloves, and boots
recipes from old books
the dignified face of a woman well into her 80s
the sound a yawning dog emits when he opens his mouth too wide
tall candles
knowing where all your books are
Speaking of books...the photo at the top is of a very very old book that I found at the library yesterday....I love old books...I love to open them up...and smell the old musty odor of the pages...this book was published in 1869...and the copyright is 1880...
The author of this little gem is a girl named Elizabeth Prentiss...she was only 16 years old. There is a Publisher's Note on one of the pages that reads; "Stepping Heavenward" was first published in book form in 1869, and at once attracted wide attention. No less than five different houses republished it in England. It has been translated into French, German, Norwegian, and Swedish languages. More than 75,000 copies have been sold in the United States. There is still a constant demand for the book in this country....the present edition, complete in every respect, is issued in response to these requests.
BOOKS...BOOKS....BOOKS....never seem to get enough books!
watching the rain fall
reaching out to people
spending the weekend alone with the cat
secret doors
railroad stations
That should do it for this friday......the last Friday in the year 2006!!!!!!!

A Christmas Pin

Christmas 2006

It's Ty... buried in Christmas wrapping paper....Christmas 2006.

Cookies Anyone?????

A GOOD solid week of baking....17 different types of cookies...
along with fudge....here is a tray full! Hi Everybody!!!! Wish you
could all join me for some cookies and a glass of milk! I shipped
a box off today...that's done with...the rest are all MINE!!!
I'm still really tired from EVERYTHING...so I've been taking it easy
and going slow...An and I just finished taking the tree down..I
usually don't take the tree down this early...but when An put the
tree up...he forgot to cut the bottom off...so it was dry and dead as
a bone...It always scares me about fire...so down it came! I'm
just putting away the last of the boxes now... All I must
do is clean the studio....and I'm taking my time...I'm looking
forward to doing lots of new art projects in the new year! AND
blogging with all my wonderful friends...I hope everyone had
a great Christmas.....I haven't had time to visit any blogs...hope to
get to each and everyone later....

The Cookies...Ready To Go!!!!!

The Yule Log

May the fire
of this log
warm the cold;
may the hungry
be fed; may the
weary find rest,
and may all enjoy
Heaven's peace.
( Traditional prayer said when Yule Log is lighted)

Poor Pitiful Pearl

Does anyone remember the "Poor Pitiful Pearl" doll? I found mine!
and it brought back so many memories!!!! I loved this doll!

More Wonderful Treasure

These wonderful treasures are from my friend Catherine. The German
scrap...the old postcard from France..and the wonderful Zetti angel
that she made. Thank-you!!!!!! You know my heart!!!!!!!!

I like days
with a snow-white collar,
and nights when the moon
is a silver dollar,
and hills are filled
with eiderdown stuffing
and your breath makes smoke
like an engine puffing.

I like days
when feathers are snowing,
and all the caves
have petticoats showing,
and the air is cold,
and the wires are humming,
but you feel all warm...
with Christmas coming!
Aileen Fisher

My Kitchen is a mystical place. It is a place where
the sounds and odors carry meaning that transfers
from the past and bridges into the future.
------Pearl Bailey

Baking Up a Storm!!!!!

The kitchen and all the Baking!!!!! I will be at it again today!! It's supposed to start raining later......My cousin asked me what I do with all the cookies!!! Well...I give them away!!! Of course! I give them to my siblings....my relatives....my friends...and the rest go in my cookie jars!!! (notice I said "jars")!!!!!
Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays...Ho! Ho! Ho! Only 4 more days!!!!!!

Old Santa cookie jar that was my Moms....and my cup of cocoa (I was sipping on this while baking yesterday).

Singing Houndog

While out shopping the other day I stopped at the grocery store for some more baking goodies...they were having a half price sale on all those animated figures that sing and dance etc. I found this little Houndog...he sings all kinds of Christmas songs...and when he's finished he puts his head back and howls!!!! It is so cute! Ho! Ho! Ho! he says....only 4 more days until Christmas!!!!!

Winter Wishes

I participated in a 4x4 swap named "Winter Wishes"...hosted by Danielle at Vintage Dragonfly...I was lucky enough to get Jenny from Jenny Everyday as my sender! Here is the awesome 4x4 she sent...(it's on a piece of wood...with a hanger on the back)....and also the sweet Christmas card.... Thank-you so much Jenny! I love them both!

I AM NOW A BETA BLOGGER!

Well....I am now officially a member of the Beta Blogging Team!!! I owe it all to my friend...Sombra!!!! Sombra...Thanks so much....I will be paying you in COOKIES from now until dooms day! Have fun tonight at your gig....and be careful in all that snow!!!!!

I AM SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!

I flipped when I opened this treasure from my Secret Sister...Marilyn!!!! She knows me like a book! Below is a close up of the fairy box...I just love it! The fairy box is shaped like a small hatbox...and it was full of goodies! All cool vintage things that are my favorite! She sent me vanilla spice tea...and the BEST smelling candle I have ever smelled...it's vanilla orange! ...the cutest dog frame...(of course Toby's photo will look darling in this)....a packet full of vintage seals...tags...postcards...and a cabinet card! The beautiful wing tag...and the little drawers that are full of old buttons...embellishments..and flowers...MARILYN!!!!!! THANK-YOU from the bottom of my heart for everything!!!!! You put so much thought into my package and it shows ...along with the love...you are AWESOME!

My "Laini" card...and the fairy box full of goodies!

The coolest wing tag...and much much more!!!

I am so thrilled to have this! This is one of Sombra's beautiful creations!!! I wanted one of his horses!!! and now I have one! and it's RED....just for me!!! I ADORE this! Thank-you so much Som...you are a sweet friend...and I will treasure this horse always!
( He wrapped the horse using the paper in the background behind the horse).....very cool!

Another treasured package from my friend....Sheila in Canada...a (much needed) address book! (How did she know????) A little pocket calendar that she covered with red paper with the letter V on the front...a little card with a teabag in it...(which I already had....and enjoyed)...a new Christmas dish towel...( a girl can never have too many nice dish towels)...and a lovely hand-made card!!! I posted a close-up of that here! She can't tell me she's not an artist!
Thank-you so much Sweetie...you are so thoughtful!

I am so sorry for not posting this sooner!!! I've been so busy and finally last night I was able to take photos and scan etc. This treasure is from My Sweet friend Beth...(who will always be "Bethie" to me). The coolest knit cap!!! with the most beautiful colors of blue! (Bethie...did you knit this?) and a hand-made snowman card with a little stuffed snowman for my tree...and the most wonderful smelling candle...winterberry! The cap is going to come in so handy this Winter...especially with the cold temps. that we've been having. Thank-you Bethie...I love it all!

Another MeMe....

What time is it? 7:30pm
Where are you, right this very minute? Sitting in a comfy chair relaxing my back.
What are you listening to? My dog growling at a toy.
What are you most afraid of? Someone in my family/or someone I love getting hurt.
What is the most recent movie that you saw in a theatre? I took my Dad to see Pirates of the Caribbean.
Last DVD watched? Miracle on 34th St. (Christmas)
Ever been to Alaska? No
Ever been toilet papering? No
Favorite day of the week? I like all the days.
Favorite restaurant? Chinese called "The Golden Dragon" especially the Generals Chicken.
Favorite flower? I love all flowers..but I would say Roses, Foxglove, Wisteria, Morning Glories.
Favorite color? Red
Favorite sport to watch? Don't watch sports.
Favorite drink? Tea...water...hot chocolate...and Squirt.
Favorite ice cream? Coffee
Favorite Fast Food restaurant? Don't eat too much fast food...but...Carls Jr.
What color is your bedroom carpet? Burgundy.
How many times did you fail your driver's test? None.
What do you do when you get bored? Bored is not an option for me...I never get bored!
Bedtime? Whenever....
Favorite TV shows? Don't watch too much...Greys Anatomy, and Boston Legal.
Ford or Chevy? Ford
Vanity plate? I don't know what that is??????
Farthest you've been from home? Thailand
How many pets do you have? 1 dog...and 1 cat
Been in a serious car accident? No
What would you like to accomplish in the next year? More art...more reading...more gardening...learn new things...and go to Europe!
I'm not going to tag anyone...just do it if you want to! ( this is for my friend...Alix)

It's Nurse Vicci sayin Merry Christmas!

Only 6 more Days !!!!!!!!!! Here I am Christmas morning...playing with my new nurse kit!!!! (I still remember that kit)....the glasses..geez! I'll do a meme later...but right now I am baking up a storm!! I have to run to the store for more chocolate chips...and regular milk...darn! I just wanted to stay in my jammies today...It's been really cold here...colder than normal! I finished the rest of my shopping yesterday...the only thing left is go to the store for Christmas dinner....and do more wrapping and baking...and of course the usual everyday stuff...I haven't had too much time to be on the computer...but while cookies are baking I try to go to someone's blog...just wanted to check in with everyone...and say Ho! Ho! Ho! only 6 more days!!!!!! Sending everyone lots of "Christmacy" Love...and energy for the week...Oh! and I CANNOT forget I got 2 wonderful packages in the mail last night... I will post photos later!
PS....Check out the cool toys in the photo...the pots and pans set...and some Doll thing behind it!

7 MORE DAYS !!!!!!

Okay....all you little elves and munchkins and fairies....only 7 more days until Santa Claus arrives!!!! I know all of you must be busy..I sure will be this week! I'm going to try to finish my shopping today...I have to go to the post office...pay bills...and just your basic running around...This is the week before Christmas. The week that I have a baking "frenzy" going on in the kitchen...I have bowls...measuring cups and spoons...rolling pins...towels...pans...racks...timer...cookbooks...chocolate (of various types and colors)...spices, ...flour...sugars...all kinds of extracts...nuts...jars of marshmallow cream...cans of evaporated milk...peanut butter..oatmeal...raisins....sprinkles (jars of them)..butter...(lots of butter)...scattered all over the kitchen counters.....just waiting for me to start in...I also have some cinnamon roll cookie dough that I rolled up last night and placed in the fridge...I'll cut that into slices when I get home and pop those in the oven...I am in BAKER's HEAVEN!!!!!
The little snow scene above is something I put together from stacks of old Christmas cards..cut out shapes...and then added glitter....(just messing around)...
Okay..everyone, don't forget to BREATHE....pace yourself....take little breaks...focus..and start your week! AND...the most important!!!! HAVE FUN! and keep lots of Christmas LOVE in your hearts!!!

Beautiful Mail

I got this beautiful decorated cigar box in the mail the other day!!!! It is from Delta Moon over at http://art of quilts.blogspot.com/
I just love it! She covered the box with paper...feathers...doilies...lace..beads...It is so cool! She also painted it with gold paint...it looks rich and lovely! Thank-you Delta...so much! This was a sweet surprise....and I will treasure this!

ONLY 8 MORE DAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a BAKING kinda Sunday!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday Triple Chocolate Yule Logs
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teas. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 teas. vanilla
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup chocolate sprinkles
1. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt; set aside.
2. Beat butter and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well blended. Cover and chill dough at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350. Form dough into i-inch balls. Shape each ball into 2-inch logs about 1/2 inch thick. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake 12 minutes or until set. Let stand on cookie sheets 2 minutes; transfer to wire racks; cool completely.

5. Place white chocolate chips in small bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds or until chocolate is melted. Place chocolate sprinkles in another bowl. Dip each end of cooled cookie into chocolate and then into sprinkles. Return to wire racks; let stand until chocolate is set, about 25 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Yesterday Andy and I braved the crowds and did some shopping...I feel lots better today because I did manage to get quite abit done..Last evening I got it all wrapped! I do still have some last minute things to get...plus the grocery shopping...but the most part of next week will be devoted to COOKIES! Hope everyone is loving the festive spirit..and surrounding themselves with LOVE and PEACE...oh! and lots COOKIES!!!!!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

The Santas are comin to town! This is me and my son...having fun on Christmas! He was about 7 or 8 years old...(Tony on the left...Me on the right).

Friday's Happy Things on Saturday.....

These days are just going by sooooo fast...I forgot to list Friday's happy things...so...here they are.....1.poinsettias.
2. three essentials for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.
3. jolly..chubby...Santa Clauses
4. watching Christmas lights twinkling on a cabin home.
5. playing holiday music
6. the length of icicles
7.coming home to a crackling fire
8. stocking fillers
9. moist gingerbread and cranberry nut bread
10. velvet-starred nights
11. the richest of seasons
12. tissue paper
13. music in the air
14. hot chocolate at an outdoor cafe
15. whispering in the dark
16. ribbon candy
17. mulling spices of stick cinnamon, dried sweet orange peel, cracked nutmegs, and whole cloves
18. snow picnics
19. toy soldiers
20. getting Christmas cards in the mail
That should do it for today.....I have so much to do right now...and all next week..that I'm kinda in a panic...I keep thinking of everything so much that I can't sleep! (worse than a kid)....Guess what only 9 more days until Christmas!!!!!!! Yippppppppeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Decorated House at Christmas

The other night on our way home from the concert I spotted all these lights! Somebody really went crazy with decorating their house.....I made Andy pull over so I could get out and take some photos...it was pouring down raining...These pictures are of the same house! Now....here is some Christmas spirit!... Plus alot of time...energy...and work!

Another Christmas Morning

Another Christmas morning.....way back when....If I close my eyes I can be there! Where does time go????? I look at these old photos and it seems like yesterday...this is me and my brother..we are one year apart in age...

Toby's Card to his Groomer!!!!

Toby has to go to the Groomers tomorrow..We made this Christmas Card for her today!!! Ho! Ho! Ho!....from your favorite doggums "Toby"!!!!

The Winter Concert

The program from Ty's first concert...last night at Edwin Markham School...(the school I went to in the 6th...7th and 8th grade). I think everybody really had a good time. The kids were all so nervous...but...once they got their first loud applause they seemed to settle down...This was the very first concert for beginning band and orchestra members..."Jingle Bells" was alittle slow...but..just to get up on stage and play in front of a packed auditorium is hard enough! I loved it! The photos below are from last night...

The "Flute" Girls

Ty with her friends at the concert....getting ready to play!

Ty (on the right) with her fellow flute player...in her first concert at school!

With Love at Christmas....