NaBloPoMo: Day 30: My Thoughts

I took the November NaBloPoMo challenge which is basically just blog every day for a month. Most months have a theme but November was without one so I decided to go for it.

There was a bit of trouble on Day 2 when I had some problems logging onto the internet but aside from that is was smooth sailing.

I blog a lot anyway, sometimes several times in one day but then sometimes I'll skip a day, usually on the weekends when I am spending time with my family.

It was a bit challenging because I have been spending time making presents for the holidays, working, doing the Farmers Market plus tending to my home responsibilities: taking care of the boys, cleaning, buying groceries, paying the bills, etc. so blogging daily was sometimes just too much.

I do feel like I posted several 'blah blah blah' posts just to fulfill my obligation and that's not how I want to do things on my blog: it's a drag for me and not fair to anyone who may be reading.

SO, while it was a fun experiment (and I do hope I win something!) I will probably not be doing it again. I like my blogging rhythm as is. I have more to say when I skip a day or two. I can't guarantee it's more interesting but...

I can't help but compare it to sex: if you were somehow required to do it every single day it would not be great every time. Maybe 2/3 of the time would be average or maybe even spectacular but there would definitely be some mediocre sessions mixed in there.

Thanks for hanging in there....I will definitely NOT be blogging every day in December but I will still be blogging a lot!

I'm taking the boys to Arizona the day after my birthday to spend Christmas with my family so there will be a week when I won't be blogging at all. Can I survive???! ;)

Farmers Market: Round 4

I've been up for 28 minutes now and I'm finally just starting to wake up. The morning's are such a challenge for me (one that I normally do NOT rise to meet) especially after two days of tryptophan-laden turkey.

Although I'm happy for the essential amino acid that my body does not, on it's own produce I really would have liked an extra three hours of sleep.

But anyway, I'm waking up and have made my tea and began the grooming process that will leave me semi-ready to deal with other humans.

This is my last Farmers Market, at least for a few weeks. It is hard for me to think about stopping when I have finally hit my stride, and right before the holidays. But I do have another job that I have committed to and I really need to be spending the holiday weekends doing that. I hope to squeeze in at least one Farmers Market day in December but we'll see how it goes.

When I'm done I'm going to come home and begin my bread dough. I know it seems crazy to bake right after Thanksgiving but my bread has become a staple in our pantry and I don't want to neglect my starter. Plus, baking/preparing bread soothes me.

I hope you are all having a nice weekend! If you're local come see me!

***Check out my blogger pals adorable granddaughter in a pair of my earrings! What a beauty!

The Day After

and I am in a turkey coma. Can't even think full thoughts much less type full sentences. We will return to our normally scheduled programming soon!

Hope everyone is enjoying this (dreary, here in Austin) day. (and avoided the shopping trap!)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

I woke up early this morning to make cranberry sauce and cornbread dressing and corn souffle.

The turkey is in the oven, the sauce is simmering and I am just about to get started on the cornbread. The smells are mingling nicely and from my spot here on my chair I can see my chickens outside in the backyard running and pecking and looking for bugs to eat.

Last night my cousin A came over and had dinner with us and hung out while I made two pumpkin pies.

My boys are eating an orange and watching Clifford the Big Red Dog. It's a mellow day so far.

I hope everyone has a lovely day full of food and family and laughter and gratitude.

Haiku From My Husband:

sweet lips cowboy boots
long brown hair and sweet brown eyes
stubborn stubborn pride

Who, Me??

I blogged recently about this contest that I read about over at Crafty Chica's blog. I thought it sounded great but wasn't planning on entering. But then she left me this nice comment:

Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica said...

don't doubt yourself! go for it! it is a fantastic opportunity!!!

And so after reading that and also lots of encouragement from my pal, I decided to enter a few projects. I didn't think they would be emailing until next month with the results so I had kind of forgotten about it.

Today I've been ensconced in PMS hormones and a residual bad mood after a particularly lame phone conversation with my MIL and so imagine my surprise and delight to receive the following email:

Congratulations! Your craft has been chosen for the Indie Craft Display at the CHA 2009 Winter Convention & Trade Show. The Show will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA from January 25-28, 2009.

I scrolled down quickly to find out which of my babies was chosen and it was...
My decoupaged lid earrings!!!!

I can not fully articulate how excited I am about this. I am very very blown away and thankful for the encouragement I received--without it there is not way I would have thought of entering. Thanks, ladies!


Opportunities for Winners
1. Extensive visibility and promotion. Projects will be displayed in a showcase located in the Indie Craft section of the Innovations booth on the Show floor.
Over 15,000 show attendees will have the opportunity to view the winning projects.

2. Selected winners will have an opportunity to provide individual promotional sheets that will be available at the booth for attendees to take.

CHA is very excited to announce a unique opportunity for Indie Crafters to present their distinctive work and display it at the CHA 2009 Winter Convention & Trade Show.
The Show will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA from January 25-28, 2009."

Wordless Wednesday: My Lee's Picture Face!

Weekend Wrap Up: Sunday Fun

On Sunday we decided to split the boys up and give them some one-on-one time with each of us. I got my little Moomies and LeeLee got to hang out with S.

It was a beautiful day: a light rain fell in the morning leaving a soft, moist, slightly warm and breezy feel to the air.

Moomies and I went to my favorite thrift store to chase away a lingering bad mood I had been in. (sometimes retail therapy really does do the trick and it did not disappoint this time)

I got a few things and then decided to buy the boys a couple of things. They had new toys in stock for the holidays and I bought the boys two things each: a warrior magnet thing
and a Spiderman thing. Both have a million small pieces and are plastic junk but they are fun for them so far and we got them for far below retail.

After doing a bit of shopping we went to S's mom's house to visit for a bit.


Moomies and Nana





Exploring

Cookie face

LeeLee checks out his new toys





I love that I have friends to copy great ideas from inspire me. My pal Belle showed me a pair of arm warmers she had made from old knee high socks. I have a pair that I loved but I'm not really rocking the naughty schoolgirl look anymore so I decided to warm my scrawny arms with them instead.

Before:

After cutting off the toes and making a thumb hole:

No more toes!

After:

I found these tights in a really obnoxious cute shade of bright red at the thrift store. I saw the size 8-12 and was so thrilled. I have always wanted a nice thick pair of tights to wear on chilly days. I brought them home and was planning outfits to pair them with when the top stopped rudely at my upper thighs. I stretched and stretched but no luck. I took a second look at the package and it said: weight- 50-60lbs. Um, ok. They are for little girls. I guess maybe now I'll have TWO pairs of arm warmers!

Weekend Wrap Up: Farmers Market Round 3

It was cold and gray on Saturday. I felt warm and toasty in all my layers and ready to face the hoards of people desperate to buy my crafts day.

But...everyone seemed to have slept in that day because sales-wise it was a total bust for me. BUT--I was able to do a trade for four bottles of my biggest addiction: agave nectar. Yum.

Plus, I really loved our new spot and as usual met and chatted with lots of great folks. Despite having a slow day, I still had a great time.

First customer of the day, she was so cute!


New product: men's shave sets

My partner in crime


My favorite mannequin ensemble...and the apron that I have been coveting.

Super cute kids' clothes

New item: felted bag

Magnet sets: make great stocking stuffers!
Shave set

Rings!

The Zoo!

Warning: This post contains 2 extended-breastfeeding photos. If you are squeamish scroll down quickly when you see the caption 'nummy time' !

Last week I decided to take my boys to the zoo. I like to go for their birthday but it's always so effing hot so I promised them that we would go when the weather cooled down. I realized that the time had come and we'd better hurry before the dreary rainy season arrives.

I get really lazy and housebound sometimes but I forced myself to suck it up and make the effort. I'm glad we did--it was the perfect day for it and it wasn't crowded at all. It was actually pretty empty.

Sweet Moomies

In the reptile house


Nummy time

This is exactly what his face looked like when he was ten minutes old...

My LeeLee


He looks like a sixth grader here! (look at his nasty scratch, courtesy of his brother)

The shoes that broke the camel's back

Yes...run off all that energy!


Follow the yellow brick road


The patas monkey that bit me the last time we were there...notice the new fence they put up to keep me morons from putting their hands through...

The boys kept saying 'don't hurt my mama, mean monkey!'
Um...I've never seen this before, good to know!








The boys decided that this pig was "mean" so they were spinning webs at him!

These axis deer are so cute!

Almost cute enough to make out with...




Fall in the beautiful Texas Hill Country

Wheeeeee! We're on the train!

Brotherly love



Goats!








Peacocks!