Lots of Christmas Lights ~

Here are some pictures of the outside lights I referred to in my last post. I call them Griswold style because of the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Chevy Chase played the father Clark Griswold and he really overdid it with zillions of lights....I think the whole neighborhood experienced a black out when he flipped the switch. Anyway, it was a funny movie and I kid my husband about how many lights he strings out every year. Hope you enjoy the pictures.




Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
Gail

Decorating for Christmas ~

This has been one busy year for total knee replacement surgery. Mom had both knees done....one this past spring and the other during the summer. Dad went in last week to have one of his knees replaced and I think this will have to be the last one this year. :) He is doing great and they released him the very next day! He already has the range of movement they want so he's on his way to a full recovery very soon.

I did manage to get my tree up as well as a few other things displayed. My husband has the lights up outside ~ Griswold style....if I can get decent pictures I'll post them, they are pretty amazing.

A Sparkling Gift ~

Imagine my surprise when this huge heavy box arrived at my front door! The return label said Marydon Ford ~ her blog link is over in my right column ~ so I knew it was going to be amazing!


The box was loaded with old chandelier crystals and bobeches...the kind you can not find anywhere and if you did they would cost a fortune. The spears with little designs in the crystal are my favorite. I can't wait to get in the shop and play around with these treasures to see what I can make with them and I will share my creations in future posts. I tried to get good pictures of the prisms for you all to see but these are the best I could get. Oh yes,...Marydon made me promise to tell you all she sent these stunning crystals "my wonderful friend"....That's me! :) Thank you so much Marydon...what a sweet and very generous gift!




Thank you for stopping by today!
Gail

Giveaway Winner ~

Congratulations to Free Indeed for winning the cupcake ornaments! Please contact me with your mailing address so I can get them on their way to you! Thank you all so much for entering my giveaway!
Gail

Cupcake Ornament Giveaway ~

These little cupcake ornamnets are made of plaster and decorated with colored "sprinkles" on the pink icing. Just leave a comment and you will be entered to win the pair. This will run for a week and I will announce the winner next Monday afternoon. Please spread the word! Good luck!


I did get a few items ready to list despite complications with Mom's meds and another trip to the ER with subsequent admission for tests. Turns out one of the pain meds she was using after knee surgery was giving her a pretty rough time. She's good now...I hope! :)
Here are some of the items I listed on eBay and etsy.....






Thanks for stopping by today!
Gail

Coffee and Sunshine ~

Our weather has been beyond amazing recently ~ the dogs are loving it too! The temperatures have been in the high 70's and the sun has been shining so bright it makes the fallen leaves radiate color....The back door is open and there is a warm breeze flowing through..... I couldn't ask for anything better.


Well, accept for this fantastic coffee brewer! It arrived a couple of days ago...what a huge surprise!


I discovered this unique coffee brewer at the hospital when mom had her knee surgery last month. They have a fully equipped kitchen for the families of patients and this coffee machine caught my attention. It makes one cup of fresh brewed coffee at a time. You simply pop in a "K-cup" and hit brew...a few seconds later your cup is full of fresh brewed coffee or tea or hot cocoa ~ the K-cups come in lots of different flavors... OR you can use the refillable K-cup and use your own coffee or tea. My husband saw how much I enjoyed it ~ ie. lots and lots of hospital visits :)... so he secretly ordered me this coffee brewer online for my birthday this month. He is so sweet and I am now officially SPOILED!

I hope you are all having a great week!
Please stop back in again soon....I'll make you a cup of coffee!
Gail
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Marydon is having a great giveaway! Pop over and enter at Feedsack Fantasy ~ Four giveaways to choose from!

Holiday Baking and Ornaments ~

I have been pretty busy in the shop lately but I made some time today for a little baking. I have been searching for a great recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins. I had them at a church function and they were fabulous but I have been unsuccessful tracking down that recipe. All I know is the recipe starts with a yellow cake mix, a can of plain pumpkin and mini chocolate chips. I did find a recipe online that is similar but if any of you have a favorite recipe for these please send it my way.
The ones I made today are very good ~


Here is the recipe I used ~

1 yellow cake mix
15 oz. can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup apple butter
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Beat together with hand mixer in large bowl until mixture is well combined.

Stir in 1 cup mini chocolate chips and spoon into paper cup lined mini muffin pans.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 17 minutes.

The apple butter helps make them moist while using less oil so they are a little better in the calorie department. :)

I finally finished the little ornaments I've been working on for eBay ~




And I got a couple of chandeliers listed too ~



I hope you all are having a great week!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Gail