It's beginning to look a lot like...

...Christmas?!

Oh yes. Christmas has come early around here. I have been working hard to finish my advent calender (remember the advent calender?) in time for December first. Because I'm pretty sure Christmas can't happen without it.

And I'm one of those annoying family members who insists on homemade gifts. So that's been happening too (sorry, no sneak-peaks!).

Cute, no? Now I just have to figure out what to do with these bad boys. I'm thinking of making a tree. Or a branch with hooks. Either way, I hope to have it done soon. Because then I can get back to Harry Potter.

Fairy Slippers

Earlier this past summer, while out on a mountain adventure, we struck gold. Well, not real gold. But wildflower gold (which is just as valuable).

It all started when Evan was hiking up ahead of me and started shouting. I immediately thought 'Bear!', and started to panic. We were in the Beartooth Mountains, after all.

After rushing to his side (how brave am I?), I learned that there was no bear. He was excited about something totally different.

'twas a single Fairy Slipper. We couldn't believe our luck! We savored this little flower and after approximately 700 pictures, decided it was time to move on.

And then we discovered whole clumps of Fairy Slippers! A whole closet-full!

And then I discovered this little guy at our house the other day. How sneaky!

A sip of Color

When we moved into our house, we sort of 'inherited' a set of champagne glasses from the previous tenants. And since we're not really the champagne-drinking type, they had been shoved in a box and placed in the basement. Forgotten about. But one day while searching the house in want of something to help separate my pencils by color, they were rediscovered! And quickly promoted to 'main floor' status.

Mmmm.... I'd take a nice glass of the green stuff please!

Purple looks nice too. I wonder what purple tastes like?!

And the winner is....

.... Sarah! Who likes caramel apple suckers (good choice). I had forgotten how much I despise choosing a winner (even if it is random), because deep down I want everyone to win. I'm pretty fair that way. So better luck next time everyone! And Sarah, let's be in touch about a mailing address, so your bit of fall cheer can be on it's merry way.

Weekending

They grow up so fast, don't they?! I can't believe how big my pup is getting. And yes, I still carry him around. Don't look at me like that! He's cute. And I really can't help myself.

It's been a pretty crazy week around here, and in what little spare time I had, all I was able to make myself do was read Harry Potter while drinking hot chocolate. Which isn't necessarily the best use of time.

But I have some big plans. For next week. Once I finish my book. Well, I guess once I finish the series.

In the meantime, there is still some time to enter the giveaway. And here's to hoping next week is more productive. Ahem.

Happy Fall ya'll

Meet Miss Autumn. She also goes by Twice Hairy Groundsel.

This flower was drawn from a picture Mr. Evan took this summer while hiking in the Beartooths. And I knew that I wanted to draw it even before I knew what it was called. And so I started. And the picture had little hairs all over the stem/leaves, which I opted to leave off. Because....too hard. And then when I found out the name, and that it had hairy in the title, well, I was kind of shocked. And embarrassed.

So please don't tell anyone. It can be our little secret.

And a bonus? I'm going to give a print of Miss Hairy away to one of you! Because I like you guys. And I want to spread a little fall cheer.

To enter, just leave a comment, specifying your favorite Halloween candy (mine would have to be mini Reese's cups) by Monday, October 18. I will randomly select a winner, and let you know the following day. Happy Fall!

******Comments closed-winner will be announced later today!******

Autumn Garland

Yesterday while out on a walk with puppy, I started collecting pretty leaves. Isn't Autumn the best?! Beautiful leaves everywhere. And by the time we were home, I had already decided what I was going to do with them. It was time for an Autumn Garland.

It's all very simple. First, you must go on a nice walk and capture leaves from the ground (I will admit that I did reach over the fence on more than one occasion to steal some lovely leaves. My reasoning was that they were just going to fall anyway, right?! So finders keepers.)

Then, you must give them a good coat of Mod Podge, front and back. After they dry, let them really flatten out under a stack of heavy books. I let them do this overnight.

Using your machine that sews, connect them by placing one leaf after the other, no backstitching required. I must tell you, sewing leaves is rather crunchy! And I hope I didn't accidentally fill my machine with leaf crumbs. Oh well.

Festive!

And I regret to tell you that I have no estimation on the life of this garland. My reasoning was that the Mod Podge would sort of 'seal' the leaves, thus slowing down the deterioration process. But smarty-pants Evan thought it might be better to first press the leaves, letting the moisture escape, and then apply Mod Podge. But who has the patience for that kind of thing? Not me.

Besides, I think it might be kind of fun to have the garland slowly turn brown. Because by the time it's brittle and old, it will be time for winter. And Christmas garlands! Or maybe that's just me being impatient.

At any rate, please make yourself an Autumn Garland. Because not only is it super awesome, but it's free!!

And then, much to her surprise, out of the carrot patch she pulled....

... a little pair of dancing legs.

Which left her feeling a little speechless.

A three hour tour

I spent the past few days cleaning/organizing and de-junking my little studio. Because I haven't been very productive as of late, and not wanting to blame myself, I decided to blame my studio.

And then I kind of freaked out because I actually have a studio. And I hadn't been using it. And I'm not sure if I will always have a sunny little space to do my creating.

So I cleaned. And washed windows. And filled bags for the thrift store. And now I am ready to really appreciate it.

What sparkling windows you have!

Why thank you! I washed them myself.

My fun neighbor gave me this shelf shortly before moving to Hawaii.

She was a good person to have around and I miss having her pop over. She always knew the phase of the moon and my daily horoscope. And every time I'd see her, she would without fail tell me I was "such a virgo". But her astrologer told her it was time to move. And move she did (true story). And she gave us a ton of stuff (true story).

This is the flower corner. Where flowers are made.

(p.s. orange flower in the works!)

I started these flowers six years ago, and have since lost my reference. I think it might have been a Better Homes and Gardens magazine cover or something.

So probably they will never get finished. Sad.

So now that it's really clean in here, and the windows are so clear, I have no more excuses.

Super Awesome Ginger Cookies

Every time I make these cookies (which is more often than I feel comfortable mentioning) I get a standing ovation from Evan.

And every time I bring them somewhere or share them, I get asked for the recipe.

They are those kind of cookies. Secret weapon--will you water my garden while we're gone all week--kind of cookies.

And close up, the cookies look they are full of little diamonds. So please pay attention:

Ginger Cookies

from Once Upon A Tart

2 c. sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 c. molasses

1 1/2 c. shortening, butter or combination of both (I usually do 1 c. butter and 1/2 c. shortening, because I think butter is important)

4 c. flour

1 T. cocoa powder

1 t. ground ginger

1 t. ground cloves

2 t. cinnamon

2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

extra sugar (we like crunchy Turbinado) for rolling cookies

Combine sugar, molasses, shortening/butter and eggs. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. Roll spoonfulls of dough in sugar before placing on a cookie sheet and baking at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Useful for bribes, thank-you's, and anything that ails you.

Blue!

It all started a couple of weeks ago when our car was getting sick. We were debating whether or not to fix it or look for a new one. Bleh. I hate car decisions. Anyhoo, long story short, we decided that we would just get another bike. That way, if our car broke down, we would be extra prepared to travel the town in style. And since Evan was beating me in the bike numbers department, it was my turn.

We are so smart.

And so without further ado... Here is Miss Bike herself:

I know. Pretty, right?!? And since everything needs a name, I've been thinking all day about what to call my new baby. I've narrowed it down to just a couple options. And so I would appreciate any votes or recommendations. This is official business.

1) Minty

2) The Blue Canoe

So please give this some serious thought and let me know. Or not. Because you probably have a life. For the record, Evan named his new bike Sweetness. Which upset me at first, because I thought I was his Sweetness. But come to find out, I'm his Sweetheart. Which is better. So everything's alright now.

And she just so happens to match my mixer. Which makes me want to bake something right away.

Fall-ing

Happy Fall! I love fall. And am so ready for it to be here. It's been cha-cha-chilly here this week, so I've already gotten in plenty of Fall activities.

Which around here, most definitely include drawing while wearing fuzzy socks,

with Fall-colored pencils.

And eating lots of fall colored things too. Mmmmm pumpkin. Gesso votes for the pencils.

Scrappy

Something that I love about big sewing projects is that there is almost always leftover scraps. And the Autumn Quilt was no exception.

And hating to let something good go to waste....

...a little patchwork pillow for the porch was made.

Which, I found out, is much easier than sewing a quilt.

Puppy photo-shoot

Confession: I think that pictures of animals dressed as people are hilarious. And I'm sorry if that means we can't be friends.

But I can't change who I am.

So when Gesso received this charming top-hat from my elder brother+wife, I was more than a little excited.

I had plans. I was going to make Gesso wear this whenever we had company over. And for Halloween. And our Christmas card??? A nice picture of Gesso wearing the hat.

And so I set out to take said picture earlier this week.

And this was the best shot I got. Can anyone say "Merry Christmas"?

Oh dear. Must think of new idea.

Holly Peanut Butter Cups

*important side note: Gesso ate Evan's Thesis. As in, he ate the leather bound book representing 2 years of Evan's life. I told Evan to just write a new one...but he wasn't in the mood. That is all.*

Peanut butter and chocolate? Yes please!

I grew up being a big fan of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. They were my favorite. I always hoped they'd contact me for some sort of sponsorship. Long story short, they never did.

Anyway, now that I'm an adult, my taste buds want a little more than Reese's can offer.

And so I came home from work today and played around in the kitchen.

And I am very (very, very) pleased with how things turned out. Plus, as an added bonus, I'll now be able to sponsor myself. Reese's can eat my shorts.

Holly Peanut Butter Cups

for the filling:

1/2 c. good quality peanut butter, chunky or creamy

1 T. melted butter

1/4 c. powdered sugar

1/4 c. brown sugar

for the chocolate sandwich:

1/4 c. whipping cream

1 c. good quality chocolate chips

For the filling, combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Set aside.

To prepare the chocolate, heat the whipping cream on stove top until just boiling. Pour over bowl filled with the chocolate chips. Let stand one minute and then stir to combine.

Set up 15 miniature cupcake liners. Put a small blob of prepared chocolate into the bottom of liner. Smush down with a spoon and then place a larger blob of the peanut butter combination over top. Spoon more chocolate over the peanut butter, filling the cupcake liner almost to the top.

Place in freezer for 30 minutes.

Eat. Smile. Repeat.

Store in the 'fridgerater.

Quilted.

Whew. She's a quilt.

Stitched together with blue thread.

Complete with two layers of cozy batting to make it a perfect weight for fall.

I'm very sentimental about things I make. It's not just the fact that I put so much time into something, but I associate all that was happening while I was in the process of making. And as for this quilt, whenever I look at it, I'll remember the fun afternoon spent fabric shopping with my Mom and Sis, and how we had to get milkshakes after (because we were so exhausted), and how we sent my little sister to get us a second order of fries, and then ate them all.

And how Evan was away with his work and I missed him so much it hurt. And how I had to sneak in quilting time during Puppy's naps (he likes to eat fabric).

All those things became part of this quilt.

And now I am officially ready for Fall. Well, after I get myself some Halloween candy I'll be ready for Fall.

My little pup...

...is getting so BIG! I can't even pick him up anymore without almost breaking my back. That big. Also, he is starting to get some freckles on his nose. He gets that from me.

Just thought you might want to know that.

You're welcome.

Weekend of Labor

:: photos by Evan the Magnificent ::