be yourself: live with passion

juicy little tidbits...

I think we all like them.

Juicy little tidbits.

So, before I take off for Scrap Gala tomorrow, I thought I'd link you to site that reveals little facts (some weird, some not so much) about all of the instructors who will be there.

It's a pretty clever idea that the Scrap Gala gals came up with...a 10 day countdown with a little fact about each of us each day.

So, if you want some juicy little tidbits about Christy, Tena, Debbie, Kah-Mei and me, just check the site every day through Friday.

My bags are packed...I'm excited about being there again this year.  Totally looking forward to seeing the gang and teaching my classes.

I'll try to post from New Brunswick but...no promises!

Have a great week!

the creative process...

It all started with a recipe for stuffed acorn squash that a friend downloaded and printed out for me last week.

On Sunday, I was in the mood for baked stuffed squash.

I pulled out the recipe and much to my chagrin, I actually had fewer than half of the ingredients on hand.  And, seeing how I didn't have the major stuff like oh, turkey sausage, bell pepper and Swiss cheese, or even acorn squash, I decided to rethink the meal plan.

Here's the thing...by that time, I was in my Sunday stay at home clothes and I wasn't about to hit the grocery store.  I don't know about where you live but around here, Sunday at the grocery store is a happening place but not a fun place (i.e., filled with lots of people who don't want to be there!) so I avoid it when at all possible.

OK, I still wanted that stuffed squash.  I had butternut squash on my kitchen counter...a good start.  Foraging through the pantry, refrigerator and freezer produced some interesting ingredients (some of which ended up in the dumpster!)...how about frozen brats, herbed stuffing mix, onions, fresh parmesan cheese...can you see a stuffing happening here?

So that's how we got our baked stuffed squash that night.  I skinned the brats and got my sausage, browned that with some onion, added the stuffing mix, extra herbs and spices, some garlic and freshly grated parmesan cheese (yes, we're still in the parmesan phase of our life) and baked until it was nice and bubbly.  Voila!  Stuffed squash and I didn't even have to leave the house.  Life is good!

I have to tell you that this is the way my brain works when I have a project to build as well...sometimes, the original plan and the finished product are miles apart.  I guess everyone operates with a different creative process and I'm really curious about this...what's your creative process (in all things, not just cooking:))?  Would you have gone to the store or would you have searched through your stashes for substitutes?  Do you have a specific "recipe" that you follow when you are creating or are you flexible with your ingredients?   Just curious...

the comforts of home...

There's something about having cooler temps at night that has me seeking out the comforts of home...even though it's the busiest time of year for me, both business-wise and personally, it seems like I crave the time to enjoy these small indulgences.

For me, maybe it's a cup of tea and a magazine before going to bed.

Or a hot bath and a book.

Candlelight dinners at dusk around the patio table with lingering conversation (which drives our dogs crazy because they get a little after dinner treat if they are good :)).

Reading a good book in a comfy chair with a shabby quilted throw loosely tossed on my lap.

What about you?  What brings you comfort in your home?

(Quilted throw from Isabella's Journey, pillow from Bella Notte linens, tray from flea market finds, Earl Grey tea from Stash)

treat yourself...

Halloween is over and the kids have had their treats.

Now, it's time to treat yourself.

Don't you just love small indulgences?  That special chocolate truffle or flavored coffee drink?  Or that fabulous cashmere scarf?  Or, maybe that vintage accessory that you simply have to have?

Well, how about a small indulgence of a creative sort?

I have 10 kits that I've put together with the supplies I had remaining from when I taught "The Many Faces of White" at Right at Home Scrapbooking in August.  While the book is designed as a summer book with birds and butterflies, included in the kit are two pages of holiday ephemera and a package of faux snow...perfect for transforming it into a white holiday book.

There's a set of detailed instructions with color photos of each of the pages included with the kit and I have prestamped the images that are cut out and pasted into the book so that you don't have to run out and buy the stamps.  (Although we love to justify why we need yet another stamp, don't we?)

Anyway, the kits are going for $35.00 plus $5.00 shipping (in the US...outside of the US will be a little more).  If you're interested, please email me and we'll work out the payment details.

This is a first come kind of thing...to the first ten emails I get.

Before you get into the thick of holiday shopping, decorating and parties, indulge yourself in a bit of creativity!

Happy Friday!

ETA:  KITS ARE ALL SOLD!  THANK YOU!