Busy Baking!

I meant to get a post up earlier today, but no such luck! I've been busy in the kitchen. Here's what I've made so far this week:

• 36 molasses cookies
• 38 cherry flips (there's a red maraschino or green glace cherry inside)
• 15 thumbprint cookies
• 46 mint almond truffles
• 40 pecan cookie dough truffles

I'm going to add a running tally like this on my sidebar in order to keep track of what I've made this year! And if you're wondering why there aren't more pictures, it's because I get caught up in the baking (& covered in flour) & completely forget!

I also have some spritz cookie dough in the fridge - it was supposed to go through my cookie press, but the poor (cheap) thing couldn't handle it. Two separate pieces snapped.... *sigh* So I'm just going to roll the dough out & use cookie cutters instead; I have lots of fun shapes, including some woodland friends ones I found at IKEA.

If you were wondering (mom) why there are so few thumbprints, it's because I forgot to thumbprint the second batch. They puffed right up. So I turned them into cookie crumbs (with pecans) & made truffles out of them. GREAT idea! I'll just make another batch of the thumbprints.

Since I'm rolling & using cookie cutters for the dough I already have, I'm also planning on doing the same with some sugar cookies & shortbreads today. Yum!

Best get to it!

366Pages - Sign Up Now!

Today's the last day to take advantage of early bird prices for my 366Pages sketchbook workshop!

Sign up now!

Wordless Wednesday

Fishing on the Beach

There were a couple of fishermen at the beach when we went to see the ocean in New Jersey.

Pat wondered & asked what they were fishing for - bass & blue. Actually, this guy's first response was "nothing" & a good laugh... we didn't see them prove otherwise.

Mosaic Monday

It's Mosaic Monday! I hope you'll join us - it's really easy! Just make a photo mosaic - you can use whatever photo editing software you like, or a website such as the mosaic maker & photos from Flickr - & then post it on your blog. Go ahead & pick a theme if you want, but don't feel like you have to. Have fun with it!

Make sure to include a link back to my blog so that everyone can participate. Then come back here & submit a link to your blog post (using the "add your link" button at the bottom). I'll be looking at & commenting on each one!

Here's mine for this week: polka dot fish.

1. Polka Dot Wooden fish, 2. Untitled, 3. Polka Dot Grouper, 4. Fabric fishy bunch - blue

Here's the list of mosaics for this week. Once you've blogged, click the button below to add your blog post link.

Weekly Forecast

Good morning Monday!

Are you ready to tackle the week? Once again, my to-do list is long & I hope to cross out most of it!

Last week I posted a mini update on Monday, along with a list of things I wanted to accomplish & blog about that week. I rather enjoyed the process - it was a great reminder to go back to during a hectic week. I didn't get many of my domestic tasks done last week though, so I'm going to try to concentrate on those this week.

The highlight of my week will definitely be getting some new glasses. Last week, I went to get my eyes checked & received my very first prescription. So we went shopping for glasses this weekend. I found the perfect pair, quite easily too! The only problem is that the frames I like come in 3 different colours & they only had 2 in stock. The 3rd should be in by Wednesday or so... & then I'll have to decide! The store is having a BOGO free sale though, so I may go with 2 of them. We'll see.

To-Do List:

• Monday: start baking cookies (at least one batch)
• post a new item in each shop each day (an MMG challenge)
• fill in a page a day in my December journal
• break out my sewing machine & hem mom's tablecloth (promise!) - then make a few more things while I'm at it (some napkins or a table runner with the excess, bags/cozies)
• bake more cookies & make chocolate candies/truffles
• make & send my Christmas cards

I'll think I'll leave it at that - there's a lot more to do, but I want to make it achievable. Any more I can do will be bonus!

To-Blog List:

• Mosaic Monday
• Part 2 of my holiday wish list
• My Creative Space
• my Christmas cards & cookies that I will make this week
• a 366Pages giveaway
• a look at some of my holiday decorations
• a winter palette

So that's my week - should be frantic, like December usually is!

What's your weekly forecast?

There are still a couple of spots left in my craft it forward giveaway - don't forget to check it out!

Craft It Forward

Last month, I was fortunate enough to be one of the first participants in the "Craft it Forward" giveaway on the Planet Fur blog. I received this sweet little deer last week:

The felt ornaments that Marlous makes are beyond adorable & I'm so happy I can finally call one my own! This little teal & white fellow looks perfect on my wall!

In return, I'm "crafting it forward" & offering my own blog giveaway!

The other day, I made up a few sets of my recycled medium-sized notebooks:

Each set is comprised of three 8.5x5.5" notebooks, each with 20 pages of recycled & new paper & a colourful cardstock cover. Each set is hand-stamped & numbered 1, 2 & 3.

The sets are as follows:

Neapolitan

1: strawberry; 2: vanilla; 3: chocolate brown

Forest Friends

1: olive; 2: tan; 3: goldenrod

80's Cardio

1: hot pink; 2: light blue; 3: emerald

Citrus

1: lime; 2: ultramarine; 3: orange

The first 4 people to leave a comment on this blog post will receive one of these notebook sets. If you are particular, feel free to specify which set you'd like to receive. First come, first serve, so don't hesitate!

The Rules:

1. Leave a comment with a way for me to reach you.

2. Craft it forward: make something & host a similar giveaway on your blog, website or facebook page.

3. That's it!

Looking forward to crafting it forward!

Waterfront Property

Can you imagine living here?

With this as the view from your front door?

And the beach just a short walk away?

Yes please!