Thankful

Driving to the middle school this morning, things were different.  The air was cold, frost was on the ground, the sky was blue, and a police helicopter was in the air circling around the neighborhood.  The brilliant colors of a hot air balloon were peeking through the tops of the trees.  It was close by, and it looked like it was landing, or taking off right in the middle of the street -- which was unusual.


The carpool speculated as to why a hot air balloon was in the middle of the street, and a police helicopter was hovering in and around the school. Me -- I thought the helicopter was the Border Patrol on a drug bust. Anna guessed it was looking for a thief who had just stolen a car. Johnathan said "I think they are looking for someone who is lost. It happens you know." In my head I thought "Yeah, that guess is about as far off as you can get Johnathan." But when I got home, I learned that he was right.


When I sat down at my computer, I had a slew of emails all saying the same thing: "An autistic boy in our neighborhood wandered away from his home in the middle of the night and is lost. We need every available body to meet at Chelsea Estates to look for him as soon as you can."


I looked at those emails and I broke into tears. I thought about the parents of the lost boy and how they must be feeling at this very moment.  Their son had been missing for 7 hours.  It made me think of the time we lost Claire -- for 15 minutes when she was barely two years old. Fifteen short minutes that seemed like an eternity.  She wandered out of the back yard.   I had been shopping that day, and Matt was on baby-sitting duty. I pulled up to the house and saw him frantically hunting through the bushes. He said "Claire left the backyard, and I can't find her." In my entire life, I've never felt more panic that I did at that moment. We lived right off a busy thoroughfare, and we had a huge storm drain right in front of our house. I started imaging all sorts of horrible things.  Right then, I prayed harder than I've ever prayed in my life -- desperate pleas for immediate help. I laid down on the asphalt and peered into the storm drain, but it was too deep to see whether Claire had fallen in.  So I got up and started to pull up the manhole cover.  Just then we heard a faint cry that was coming from the neighbor's yard. We ran to their back gate, and sure enough, it was Claire who went next door to play on the swings as the gate closed behind her.  She had been trapped. I dropped to my knees and cried for a good 20 minutes. I was so thankful that she was safe.


Luckily, my morning appointment had been canceled, so I got in my car to help search for the lost boy -- a stranger to me, but a neighbor nevertheless.  I drove to a local shopping center where a rescue operation had been erected. As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw other women and men who had responded to the call for help -- all familiar faces. I knew every single one of them. There were many others who had arrived much earlier, who were already driving neighborhoods searching for the boy who we learned was named Stevie.

I looked at all these people I knew, and thought "Wow, it is something to belong to an organization -- like a church, that has the ability to mobilize hundreds of people on a moments notice." I am thankful for that, because I know if I were the person in trouble, I would have an army behind me too. And, I am thankful for technology. We are so blessed to live in a time where there is an internet where we can Facebook, and email for help when we need it. And texting . . . to get the word out that someone is in trouble.


I stood there in the parking lot with the rest of the volunteers and waited for instruction which came about 30 minutes later. A police woman came out of the trailer and informed us that Stevie had been found sleeping in a safe place near the vineyards --  about 2 miles away. Cheers erupted from the crowd and we dispersed to get back to our daily routines.


Days like this remind me  that I am grateful to live in a place like Temecula, where there are good people who take the time to help each other.  

But, I know Temecula isn't the only town with good people.  There are good people everywhere. I've found them in every place that I've lived.  I'm grateful for that too.

Weekend Update

It all started with Harry Potter.  I neglected to mention last week that we went to the midnight premier.   I don't know what it is with kids and watching movies at midnight, but it seems to be the thing to do around  these parts.  My friend Chanin, Matt and I were the designated parents.  It was mighty cold sitting outside until all hours, but lots of fun.   And the movie . . . Harry Potter never disappoints.

Thanksgiving at our house was quiet -- just Matt, Eden, Claire and me. I found it weird. Thanksgiving is for big crowds of family and kids running all over the place.  Our family was in Utah celebrating without us. We missed them. But, we tried to have fun anyway. We spent the majority of the day in the kitchen.  "We" meaning all of us.   Eden, Claire and Matt each cooked up their favorite Thanksgiving dish -- a tradition that began the year I thew my back out and could not move. I told my family then "If you want a turkey dinner, it's up to you." They did the entire meal and it was fabulous. They've been in the kitchen every year since then, and I tell you it's lots more fun than doing the entire thing alone.

We also went to movies, rode trains, raced go-carts, played video games and ate lots of leftovers -- my favorite part of this holiday.


Last night, however, we were struck with misfortune when the stuffing strata burned to a charred black crisp. The entire house filled with smoke and smelled like a campfire gone awry. It still does. And my new casserole pan met its demise, which was quite sad since I burned two new pots last week when I forgot about the balsamic reduction that was cooking away on the stove. I am pleased to tell you, however, that the fire alarms are in great working condition. My neighbors across the street can hear them just fine.

Thanksgiving Traditions

I meant to get this post out two weeks ago, but time just got away from me.  Better late than ever, I always say.  (I really don't always say that, but it seems appropriate here.)


I wanted to share a few of my Thanksgiving traditions with you.  My grandmother started them back when I was a little girl.  I think she did it to get us out of her hair while she was trying to get everything ready for the big meal.   They've been a part of every Farish (that's my maiden name) table for as long as I can remember. The kids are always in charge of this part of Thanksgiving --  I always looked forward to it!

Keep in mind that these crafts are for kids -- so  they are not scrapbooker beautiful -- they look like kids made them.  But I don't care about perfection, I care about fun and memories.  I hope you do too.


Tradition #1 Native American Place Cards.

Every Thanksgiving the kids are in charge of giving everyone at the table a special Native American name. You have to guess where you sit, by finding the name you think belongs to you. It's loads of fun and we have always gotten very creative with the names we make up. 

A few examples for your viewing pleasure:


Heap Big With Child
Yellow Hair
Can't Hold Her Bladder
Chief Bald Eagle
Smiles A Lot
Deep Water


I think you get the gist . . .


The above picture is Claire's place card which I personally slapped together just so you can get an idea of what our cards look like finished.  She's on the dance team at school, and the school mascot is a wolf -- hence the name.   Clever huh!

We use the following materials, but you can really use any craft materials you have sitting around your house including just coloring with crayons and paper.


Walnut shell for face
Google eyes
Sharpies, or craft paint for nose and mouth -- applied with the pointy end of a small paint brush
Black yarn for hair (I didn't have any so I used black crepe paper.) I liked to braid the yarn hair when I was a kid, but you do what you want with that. :)
Pipe cleaner for headband
Feathers
Card Stock
Glue (I use E6000 because it dries fast and it's thick)



Tradition #2 - Candy Filled Turkeys

These are super easy, a five year old can do it. I know because I made them when I was five, and so did my kids.


You need the following supplies:

Brown tulle (Which my craft store never seems to carry so I have to use a horrible flesh color, but you get the gist, don't you?)
Brown pipe cleaner
Red pipe cleaner
Google Eyes
Candy Corn or M&Ms (buy a big bag)
Glue
Scissors for cutting pipe cleaner and tulle.



Cut 12 inch squares of tulle. I layer two for each turkey.

Place a generous amount of candy in the center of the tulle and gather the 4 corners.  Secure with 1/2 of a brown pipe cleaner.

Roll the other half the the brown pipe cleaner into the shape of a turkey head.

Add google eyes, and a snip of red pipe cleaner bent in half.

Stab the end of the head into the body.
Voila, you are done. 

Place each turkey on the plates at your dinner table.


Tradition #3  -  A Gratitude Tree


This is a new tradition, and I haven't had time to take photographs so I will just tell you about it.


Go outside and cut a branch off of a tree. Fill a vase full of white dried beans or rock salt and stab the branch into the beans. Cover the base with moss.


Cut a bunch of small pieces of paper and punch a small hole in the corner of each. Tie string on each piece of paper so you can hang them on the tree.


About a week before Thanksgiving, take time every night and have your family write something they are thankful for on one of the papers and hang them on the tree.


If you are having guests over for Thanksgiving, have them write something on one of the papers too. You can use the tree as your centerpiece.


After dinner, read all the slips of paper.

Hope your day tomorrow is wonderful!  I can't wait to have a turkey sandwich tomorrow night after all the dishes are done and the mess has been cleaned up.  That's my favorite part of Thanksgiving!!

What's On Your Wish List . . . Angie??

Meet my friend Angie -- another cyber friend. Angie found me . . . I don't know how. But she left a comment one day on a post about books. We discovered that we both loved reading, and making jewelry! We've had a lot of fun chatting back and forth. She's hilarious and quite a writer. You need to check out her blog and her Etsy shop!

Here's Angie's wish list . . .

Why, hello, there! I'm Angie and I write the blog, A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That. I have a husband, almost 9 year old identical twin girls (Casey and Chandler), a two year old son (Leo Quinn) and a dog (Ike). Needless to say, our house is kind of chaotic. In addition to being a wife and a mother, I am also an elementary school librarian, lover of books, making jewelry, eating vegetables and well, chasing dogs and children.

When Crystal asked me to guest post about my wish list, I knew that this would be an easy enough task. When my husband and I got married, we wrote in our marriage contract that I would always provide a gift giving list. And I have strict rules about gift giving. I began my list of rules as a child. My birthday is the day before Valentine's Day, so an automatic rule is “no combo gifts.” For instance, I once had a boyfriend who gave me a fish tank for my birthday and fish for Valentine's Day. Seriously. I also hate surprises. I always work it up in my head to be something greater than what it is and I have a hard time faking excitement and joy. My face betrays me every time. So this year, I had a stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. I signed into etsy as my husband and marked all of my favorites for him. A fantastic plan, right? Except for the fact that I add to the list every three days, my husband is very down with this plan. So, here are a few of my favorites....

{50's Birdcage Pillow by Olive Handmade}

Big Sigh.  I am in love with pillows.  I think it may be because I can't have them right now in my life, which makes me want them even more.  I have a son who likes to lick things and a dog that likes to bite and chew on things...especially things with stuffing inside.  But, this pillow...big sigh...so wonderful.

{Mama Ring Stack by Foundling}

My children call me Mama.  So, therefore, I should have this ring.  Just sayin.

{Antique Printers Typeset Drawer for Jewelry by Blue Bird Heaven}

It's no lie that I love jewelry.  I love making jewelry.  I love buying jewelry.  I love collecting jewelry.  And with all that loving of jewels...well, I am always in need of new jewelry storage and this one is fantastic!  So much better than a jewelry box, in my opinion.

{Close Your Eyes Handprinted Letter Press by Roll & Tumble Press}

There are quite a few things in this shop that I feel are must haves...Like the "Eat" and "Drink" posters.  And I definitely need the "You're So Fly" poster.  I want to hang it in my living room.  I have the perfect spot for it.

{Merci means Thank You by YeeHaw}

And then I will need these oh so cute thank you cards to send to people when they get me the things that I am really wishing for...the items on my list...or a free night of babysitting.

What's on Your Wish List . . . .Lyndsay?

Meet my friend Lyndsay. I've talked about her a lot. She's the genius behind all my cool graphics, and the creator of The Blog Guidebook. We became cyber friends a couple of years ago when I asked her to create a banner for my Etsy shop.  This summer, I paid her a visit and we spent an afternoon together while her husband Wes taught Eden about video editing. Can I tell you how much fun it is to meet blogging friends in person. It really is. You just pick right up with conversation and it's like you've been friends forever.  I'm hoping I get more opportunities like that -- to meet blogging friends.  If you come to Southern California, you better give me a call.


So, here's Lyndsay and her wish list.

I literally didn't even sit down and think about what my personal wants and needs are for Christmas until tonight. I crafted a post on my personal blog, here, listing mostly over-the-top gifts I would love to find under the tree (or in my garage...ahem). But my realistic list is a whole other thing! That's a bit harder. I can't get away from ideas for the rest of the family. So here are some gifts that I would love to give, as well as some I'd love to receive. Enjoy!

For the photographer in my life:

Lens Bracelets at the Photojojo Store.

For the librarians in my life (of which there are two):

Postcards from Penguin: One Hundred Book Covers in One Box.

These beauties for the seamstresses in my life:
Miniature scissors by Sajou found HERE.
 

I plan to make these for the wee ones in my life:
PDF patterns found at mmmcraft's Etsy shop HERE.




And to make my life a little easier:
Rainboots by Crocs (found HERE)—I can't wear rubber rain boots,
so I was very excited to find these!


Purse from Anthropologie 
(which makes it a long shot gift, yet highly desirable)

Post Script from Crystal: I so want a pair of these scissors. I need to keep a pair around my neck on a chain at all times.

What's on Your Wish List . . . Dandee??

It seems like every conversation I've had with friends lately has included Christmas shopping. Do you dread it??? I do. I have to get going and get shopping because I haven't done a thing. Not one thing!!! So while I'm shopping, I've asked a few of my "groovy/in the know" friends to guest blog for me and tell us what is on their Christmas wish lists.  They might have some awesome ideas that you might like too!!!



First on the lineup is my friend Danyelle.

We met in cyber world. She has a really cool blog called Dandee that I found lurking one day. And on that very day, she had some really cute calling cards that she had designed for a friend. So, I emailed her and asked her if she would make me some. And she did. We've stayed in touch -- because we have things in common. We love to create, and cook, and sew, and think up fun party ideas.  We even like the same books and movies.  Boy I wished we lived near each other, we could have some kind of fun.  She's a talent that Dandee. You need to check out her blog because she always has something interesting going on at home.


Here's what's on Dandee's Christmas wish list . . .


A few years ago my husband and I started the Want, Need, Wear, Read gift giving tradition in our home. You can read more about it here. These are the treats I'm hoping to find nestled under the tree Christmas morning.

Want:

This pretty kissing bird ring from Odette New York is definitely a want. A major, major want.

Need:

I've been searching high and low for the perfect clock for my craft room. I love the simplicity of this Uncomplicated Modern Box Clock from  Decoylab. It's a need. Really.

Wear: 

Traditionally in our home, the "wear" category means new pj's. These stripey pants make me happy. 

Read:

I have been in love with these pretty Penguin Classic Cloth bound books since I first spotted them over a year ago. Why do I still not own a single one? It's baffling, really. I'd like to start my collection off with Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility + Emma. They're my favorites.

Post Script from Crystal . . . I am already wanting these awesome books so I can stare at the covers.  Soooo beautiful!!  Worth building a library with these babies.  I've read most of them, they are all great reads!   Start with Great Expectations, one of my favorites.

There She Goes . . . . .

Yesterday afternoon I ran to the local craft store to pick up some supplies to make our traditional Thanksgiving crafts (which I will post tomorrow, so stay tuned.)    As I was driving home through the back streets of Temecula, I spied a blue mini cooper buzzing along in front of me.  It looked a lot like this mini that I blogged about a few days ago.


I pulled up along side of it at a stop light sure enough, my daughter was at the wheel.  Funny that I would see her out on the road at that very moment.  It was oh so tempting, but I didn't honk or roll down the window and yell -- I didn't want to be the person to distract her and cause her to do something rash.  That would be tragic -- your own mother causing you to get a ticket, or even worse -- crash the mini cooper owned by the  very nice driver's ed school.


So, I just rolled down the window and sat there smiling hoping that Claire would notice me.  She didn't -- she kept her eyes on the road, which was quite comforting.   Nice to know she's taking this driving thing seriously.


The light turned green, and off she went, traveling at the appropriate speed.

Why I cried as I saw her drive away, I'll never know.  But I do know this -- teenagers sure do have an effect on your tear ducts.

(Is is "affect" or "effect"?  I don't know that either. :)

My 15 Minutes of Fame -- Sort'a

I've been paying a visit to my mail box every day for two weeks, which is unlike me -- I usually leave that task to someone else in the house.   Want to know why??  I've been waiting for this!!  Holiday with Matthew Mead.

After months of anticipation, it finally arrived.  I spent a few hours pouring over it yesterday.   I have to tell you . . . . if you didn't buy one, you need to get one.  It's stunningly beautiful and full of great ideas and resources.  Matthew Mead and crew put their hearts and souls into this "Bookazine" and it shows on every page.


But . . .  the page I like best is this one.

Yup.  Number 7 is Crystal B!!

Matthew, Jenny, Linda and the rest of you at Holiday, I am honored to be a part of your first issue.
  

Post Script:   Did you know I'm having a giveaway on my giveaway blog?  What are you waiting for . . . get over there and enter!!

Post Post Script:  If you haven't got a copy of Holiday yet, click on this button.  You can only buy it online.  Tell Matthew, Crystal B sent you.

Thinkin' About Thanksgiving.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? I had big plans to go home -- which means "Utah" in my head, even though I haven't lived there in over 23 years. I was getting really excited to take the holiday road trip, but last night, Eden and Claire informed me that they do not want to travel to Utah over Thanksgiving. They would rather go over Christmas break because cousins will be in town and they want to hang out with them, which means we are staying home and I will be cooking. I'm a little disappointed -- I had already made big plans to visit friends and hang out with some people I haven't seen in a while. Now, I have to switch gears and plan a menu.


So while I'm at it, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes with you in case you are in the middle of making your list too. Before you start to panic, I don't make ALL of these dishes on Thanksgiving.   Sometimes I'm going to someone else's house so I just make one.  Or, sometimes, my whole family gets involved in the kitchen, and each person is assigned a dish.  Then they hunt for the recipe they want to make -- it's loads of fun.  My kids really get into it.  But, these are the dishes I love most -- and I usually make two or three of them when we cook at home.


Click on any of these titles and it will take you right to the recipes, all of which are on my food blog.

Orange Rolls

Caramelized Sweet Potatoes


Spinach Salad with Apples, Blue Cheese and Maple Dressing

Cranberry Sauce (So Easy You Should Never Buy Canned)

Sausage Stuffing with Apples

Southern Style Carrots

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions

Carmel Apple Pie

Rosemary Pecans


Artichoke Soup

The Queen Bee

So here's how it ended . . . my booth finally set up at the Queen Bee Market.

What an amazing boutique!  Mique and Jess did an outstanding job planning this event.  It was loads of fun.

I loved hanging out and chatting with my booth neighbors all weekend.  So many talented women, let me tell you.  It could have been really intimidating if it weren't for the fact that they were all soooo nice.  We had the best smelling row thanks to the lovely organic soaps to my left -- they masked the smell of burnt coffee wafting down the hall.  


Best part of the weekend . . . meeting new creative friends. 


I had established friends there too like Little Red Wren and My Sticky Designs.  We always have a good time together.  

Before the weekend was over, I made plans to take come classes with Michelle, and visit the L.A. fashion district with the sweet creator of Elk Dresses.  It always amazes me that kindred spirits are everywhere.


Wost part of the weekend . . . . setting up, and tearing down.  It takes FOREVER, especially if you are vying for parking spaces in a tiny lot!!!!

Now I am exhausted . . .  I think it's time to take a nap. 

And......She's Off!

The dreaded day has come.

She's at the wheel, without me in the car, driving the streets of Temecula.  I need to make a hair appointment -- even though I just had one two days ago. As she pulled out of the driveway, I felt all my hair go gray at once.

I would not make a good elf.

I have a question for you . . . how early do you start Christmas shopping?  Do you shop all year, wait until Black Friday, or to you run out the week before Christmas and buy everything at the last minute?


I have done all three. I just depends on what's happening in my life. This year, I haven't even thought about Christmas shopping at all which had me worried after I talked to my friend Christine who said she was almost done. I envy organized people. I do. And Christine is Or. Gan. Ized!!


Well today I had to run to Bath Bed And Beyond in search for a white tablecloth for Queen Bee Market. (Heavy sigh --Yes, I'm still in the middle of trying to get all that stuff done.) They didn't have a white tablecloth -- can you believe that!!! But I did find a miracle snake drain de-clogger that's been advertised on television that I just had to buy -- because, dare I admit, I have clogged drains. (Do you think that would make a good stocking stuffer?? Or white elephant gift? I'm debating.)


Anywhoo, as I was standing in line getting ready to pay for my drain snake when I looked over and saw this . . .

A cupcake maker!  It makes cupcakes in 5 minutes!  I think this is the perfect Christmas gift for a little girl. I know I would have died to have a cupcake maker and come cute cupcake papers and a few cake mixes from Santa. I asked for an Easy Bake Oven . . . and never got one. But I did get a Creepy Crawlers maker which was the best gift ever.


If you have a little girl on your Christmas list, you need to get her one of these! She will LOVE it. Go here if you want to order one online.  


I'm better at finding random gifts for people not on my list than I am at Christmas shopping for my family.  I would not make a good Elf.

Oops, I Did it Again!!

This post should make all of you bloggers out there feel a little bit better about yourselves.


A few days ago, I locked my keys in the car right after I dropped kids off at school. Have you ever done that? It is soooooo irritating! I didn't have a spare key because someone who was kind enough to clean out my car for me a few months ago accidentally threw them away. I won't name any names -- it was a scandal that I'm sure that person does not want to revisit any time soon.


I had to call my good friends at AAA who have been visiting me a lot lately. Have I mentioned how much I love AAA (The answer is "yes", on several occasions.) Charles showed up and rescued me so that I could get on with my hundreds of pre-Halloween errands. To show my appreciation, I gave him a spider cupcake and sent him on his way.


Well, it's only been how many days since Halloween . . . eight, and this morning, I DID IT AGAIN!!!!!


I locked my keys in the car!!! How in the world did I do that twice within 8 days????? I seriously haven't locked my keys in my car for at least 20 years, and now twice in 8 days???? What is wrong with me?

I blame Queen Bee Market. I am consumed with worry about getting ready for that big event which is this weekend. (Are you going??? You should!)


So I went into the house and made the call. I'm now on a first name basis with the dispatch man -- Ron. I think he knows my address by heart.


I was crossing my fingers that Charles would not show up again so that I did not have to explain how I locked my keys in the car twice in eight days. Way too embarrassing. Plus, I didn't have any cupcakes laying around and I didn't want him to be disappointed.

Fortunately, AAA sent Louis instead. But he had some troubles. Try as he might, he couldn't get the car door unlocked -- because I drive a Lexus and according to Matt, they are the ultimate challenge for a tow truck guy because it takes super eye-hand coordination skills to open the door and flip the unlock button at the same time.  Lewis lacked the skills.   But, I don't fault him for that because I couldn't even manage to help him.   He was resourcful though . . . he  immediately called for backup.

Quick as a flash, Robert showed up and had the door unlocked within 1 minute. He left so fast that I didn't even have time to snap a picture. It was like a super hero movie where you hear the person who was just rescued  say "Who was that masked man???"


I think I need to break down and buy a spare key for the car. And in case you are wondering why I haven't done this already -- they cost over $300.00, which is a lot more than a AAA membership.  (I think I should be their spokeswomen, don't you?)

P.S.  Don't tell Matt . . . or my kids . . . or I will never live this down.  Never.

The Baby That Never Grows Up

At our house, we have a baby that will never grow up, and I am glad, because the girl that is holding her in this photo is leaving for college in 2 years, and I need something to fall back on when it happens.

It's a good thing that after 10 years, my kids finally talked me into getting a dog.  I resisted, let me tell you.  But, I love Elphie, more than I could have imagined, which surprised me because I always made fun of people who were ga-ga over their pets.  

I remember sitting at dance lessons when Claire was young, listening to a woman talk about being depressed because her dog had died two weeks ago.  At the time, I thought to myself "Get over it already!"  But now I know.   My heart will break into a million pieces when Elphie dies.  Just thinking about it brings a tear to my eye.

I apologize to "Dance Lady" and all of you pet lovers out there.

Tender Moments Make Me Cry.

I was at a holiday craft fair this morning in support of the high school water polo team.   It was a hot sunny day and I stood outside my booth with two of my friends.  We were chatting away, and all of the sudden in mid-sentence, we all went silent -- and started crying at the very same time.   It was because of what was happening right in front of us.


A high school girl on the water polo team who was working in the Krispy Creme booth, looked up and saw her dad -- who had just returned from a tour of duty overseas.  He was in uniform --- he literally just came home, and he went straight to the craft fair to surprise her.  She ran over and jumped in his arms and started crying.   And so did we -- all of us who watched it happen.


Witnessing a moment like this between a military father and a daughter is powerful. It leaves you speechless and all you can do is watch, smile, and feel grateful for the people who serve our country -- and the families who sacrifice for all of us.


After a few minutes, the crowd started cheering, and I heard someone yell "Thank you. Thank you so much for serving our Country."


I started crying all over again, and so did my friends.


I would have included a picture, but the one I got with my cell phone was of our chins and chests. And we all agreed we weren't going to post a picture of that -- it sort of takes away from the feeling of the moment.

Great Things Thursday

Are you a blogger?  I'm guessing if that you've paid me a visit, you are.  That, or you are my relative.  But if you are not my relative, that's quite alright -- lurkers are welcome here.


I have a lot of people asking me how I created such a cute blog.  Well I have to confess, I had nothing to do with it.  I give full credit to my ultra talented friend Lyndsay J., graphic designer extraordinaire.   

Do you want a cool blog too???   Well I'm going to tell you a secret.  Lyndsay has an awesome website called The Blog Guidebook that is for all things blog.   Here are just a few of the things you will find there.

• You can list your blog on her site to create more buzz;
• You can search for other blogs specific to your interests;
• You can find cool places to shop and get creative ideas;
• You can find out about giveaways;
• And best of all . . . you can use Lyndsay's amazing tutorials to give your blog a boost.  

I'm telling you . . . you have to pay this site a visit.   It's full of great resources.


For example, I wanted a lovely font for my blog headings.  Did you notice?  They are new today!!!   It was Lyndsay!! She wrote a post all about how to add cool fonts to your blog.  She even listed websites that have free fonts.


Interested???  Then you better pay her a visit!!  (Tell her Crystal B sent you.)


Click on the button here:

P.S. If you don't have a blog, and want to create one, then you definitely need to visit the The Guidebook. It's easier than you might think!

Here Are My Hands

A few days ago, Claire was busy making jewelry so that she could earn some money.  When she finished, she said "I want to use what I earned at the nail salon.  Will you take me?"   So off we went.


I spent an hour getting an overdue pedicure while Claire got a set of nails.  When we were done she stood there admiring her hands while I paid the tab -- with her money.  She said "Mom, why don't you ever get your nails done?  I've never seen you with a set of painted nails."  I didn't answer that question.  I just held out my hands.

Enough said.   If I purchased a set of nails, they would be destroyed in about 20 minutes. My hands look like this all the time -- and sometimes there is dirt, from working in the garden, or band aids from a culinary incident.  They may not be beautiful, but they know how to knit a sweater, write a note of thanks, and give a hug to someone they love.

I like them just the way they are.