My Favorite Things

a fabulous evening

Tonight, (well at this point, it was last night actually) my friends Kyra and Laura and I went to a Poinsettia show at a local botanical garden.  There was a path that took us winding through decorated Christmas trees and beautiful poinsettias.  Each tree was decorated in a different theme with ornaments that could be purchased right off the trees.  It really was a lovely way to begin the Christmas season (I know we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet ... I get a little ahead of myself when it comes to Christmas)  My friend, Kyra comes every year with her two kids, and she had told us ahead of time how there is always beautiful live instrumental Christmas music playing while you meander around.  Well, there was music, and it was Christmas ... sort of.  There was a gentleman singing a little known Christmas diddy about Christmas in Texas.  In spite of the music, we were definitely put in the Christmas mood.

 me,Laura,Kyra

Not that you would really notice, but I have to mention that I am wearing my new favorite t-shirt.  I purchased it at J.Crew while I was in Omaha last weekend.  It has a reindeer filled in with black sequins on the front.  It is cute and comfy ... an unbeatable combination.

Well, after the poinsettia show, we were off to see the movie Twilight.  I really haven't read any reviews yet, mainly because I wanted to decide on my own what I thought.  We all three absolutely loved the movie.  It really stayed true to the book.  It is quite funny, however, that what really is a book series for young adults has attracted the mom squad.  I didn't notice, but Kyra mentioned after the movie how she felt very old in the movie with the majority of the moviegoers being teenagers.  I don't mind ... we are just young at heart :)

Has anyone seen the movie?  If so, what did you think?

Well, I am off to bed.  I have to get up and sell tickets at our high school football game.  This is the last game before the State Finals game.  So, if we win this, we are off to state.  I am not really into football, but I get paid to sell tickets ... so really not a bad gig for a couple hours of easy labor. (I hope no one from my town reads this because I might be flogged for making such a statement.  This is definitely a football town.

Have a great weekend!

till next time,

melissa

a cold weathered friend

Jen over at The Cottage Nest (http://www.thecottagenest.blogspot.com) is asking for a favorite cold weather recipe.  Well mine definitely has to be a Taste of Home recipe for baked potato soup.  I have relied on this wonderful stand-by for years.

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

7 cups milk

4 large baking potatoes, baked, cooled, peeled and cubed

4 green onions sliced

12 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1-1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

In a large soup kettle, melt the butter.  Stir in flour; heat and stir until smooth.  Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened.  Add potatoes and onions.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients; stir until cheese is melted.  Serve immediately.  Yields: 8-10 servings.

I gave you the recipe as it reads, however when I make it, I double the potatoes because we LOVE  our potatoes :)  I also find that the soup is best if it simmers for longer.  In fact, it is even better the second day as all of the flavors have melded together better.

This is one of the only soups that I can get my husband to eat because of how thick it is.  It is definitely a hearty, warm you up kind of treat.

I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does.

till next time,

melissa

an amazing weekend!

Oh my goodness!  This was my second year at Silver Bella, and it was even more amazing the second time around.  The instructors were fabulous, the other attendees were so inspiring, and of course there was Mary!  

Mary Engelbreit spoke at our luncheon on Saturday afternoon.  She has such a sensible and down to earth view of life and how her creativity fits into that.  Sadly, as I am sure most of you know by now, Home Companion was dropped by their publisher.  We can only hope that Mary and her team will be back soon teaching and inspiring us.

This is a photo of Mary signing a new print that she has created.  We bellas had the opportunity to pre-order it and have it signed by Mary herself ... how exciting.

I know the picture is a bit blurry ... but I don't mind :)

In the upcoming week I will be posting the amazing things I received in my swaps.  I will also post some photos of my finished and not so finished projects from the classes I took.

I took a leap this year and participated in Vendor Night.  And boy, am I glad I did.  It's always hard to put yourself out there for scrutiny, but these ladies were soooo encouraging ... and they made purchases :)

These are a few pics from that night.

 

In the first picture you can see my hubby's head peaking out.  He bravely entered a room of almost 200 women to help me with my booth ... now that's true love.  By mid evening he and the only other 2 men in the room (Jim McFayden and Jared Bowlin) started bonding over talk of sports.

I apologize for the quality of the pictures, but I was glad to have at least documented the evening.  So often, I get so busy (and forgetful) that I don't photograph the items that I make.

I have really gotten interested in hand embroidery lately, which I implemented on the "Peace" pillow, as well as the "candy cane" blanket at the bottom.  I love trying new techniques.

The pieced scarves were also new for me, and so fun.  

I am going to put some of the items that didn't sell in my etsy store.  I am going to be adding items up until Christmas, so please feel free to stop by and browse.  If you don't see exactly the colors of an item that you want, just email me, and I can make something up just for you.

My goal from this point on is to get more faithful with my blogging.  I have been "strongly encouraged" shall we say, by some new friends from Silver Bella to get myself in gear with my blog.  I really needed that kick.  And I have to say that I was so totally motivated when I went to visit their blogs when I got home.  So please, I encourage you to go be inspired by their fabulous sites.

www.thecottagenest.blogspot.com/

www.freckledfarm.blogspot.com/

bloomstudio.wordpress.com/

The other incredible person that I got to spend a little more time with was Amy Powers of Inspire Company (inspireco.blogspot.com/).  I have loved her blog and her creations of the "Sugarville" glitter houses for the last year (since last year at Silver Bella).  She has such an amazing spirit.  She was and still continues to be such an encouragement to me.  So please, go visit her site, if you haven't already :)

till next time (very soon),

melissa