Quote of the Day

"People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas." ~Author Unknown

Quote of the Day--Don Vincenzo Giobbe

"...Trust no man in whose eyes

you do not see yourself

reflected as an equal."

Easy Money

Times are tough lately, and I think it's safe to say that I am not the only one experiencing this. I read some reviews and this money earning opportunity seems to be legit. I posted the banner at the bottom of this page or click here if you want to sign up. Once your account reaches $25 they deposit money into your PayPal account. Just check the email advertisements that they send to you and make sure to click the "view advertisement" link. Wait 60 seconds once the page loads and your points will be verified. Good luck!!

Quote of the Day--Oscar Wilde

"No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly."

FINAL day of FREE shipping in my etsy shop!

All you need to do is enter "TURKEY" in the note to seller during the checkout process.
If you enter the code anytime during the 4 day period, a refund for shipping will be sent to your paypal account.
Considering the hectic weekend, I ask for your patience with refunds. I will do my best to complete them within 24 hours of the payment being received.
Fancy.etsy.com

BLACK FRIDAY PREVIEW

I am posting this now since I will be franticly grooming dogs and cooking sweet potatoes on Turkey Day.

Black Friday 11/28-Cyber Monday 12/1

FREE shipping on EVERYTHING in my etsy shop!

All you need to do is enter "TURKEY" in the note to seller during the checkout process.

If you enter the code anytime during the 4 day period, a refund for shipping will be sent to your paypal account.

Considering the hectic weekend, I ask for your patience with refunds. I will do my best to complete them within 24 hours of the payment being received.

Fancy.etsy.com

Enjoy your turkey and family!

Things to Do for Thanksgiving

Things to Do for Thanksgiving

1. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.


2. Invite a friend for dinner that would be spending the holiday alone.


3. Send a thank you card to the troops.


4. Watch the Thanksgiving Day parade.


5. Donate canned goods to a local food shelter.


6. Have your kids make place cards while the turkey is in the oven.


7. Play a game of flag football.


8. Tell your family what you are thankful for around the table or keep a thanksgiving journal documenting each family members' comments through the years.


9. Take a walk after dinner.


10. Set up a craft table for kids to make turkeys out of construction paper and pine cones. Have coloring sheets available for younger kids.


11. Draw names for Christmas gifts.


12. Play games with your family. (Catch Phrase is a favorite of ours)


13. Watch a Christmas movie.


14. Jot down gift ideas while everyone is together to make Christmas shopping easier, especially for those taking advantage of Black Friday sales.


15. Bring leftovers to an elderly neighbor.

Quote of the Day--Robert Caspar Lintner

"Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day."

It's a Good Day for the EFers!

KaleidoscopeKorner created the above treasury that made it to the front page of etsy this morning. Four other members of the Etsy Friends Team were included in the treasury, which produced several sales and views. I was also featured on the front page today but I do not have a screen shot. I did make two sales from the feature, however! What an exciting day for the EFers!

Quote of the Day--Billie Holiday

"Somebody once said we never know what is enough until we know what's more than enough."

Newly Listed!

These earrings can be purchased in my etsy shop.

Gobble Up!

EtsyFriends Team Gobble Up Handmade Sale

14th-17th

Get FREE shipping on any purchase over $10 in my shop. To get this sale, simply place your order and if it is over $10 a refund will be sent to you through Paypal.

To see other specials please check out http://www.efpromotions.blogspot.com/

Gobble Gobble!!

Halloween Results

Here are the results of our Halloween projects!

Jack O Lanterns carved by Josh:

Lucy & Ella in their tutus made by me:

My mom made their bows in aboout 5 minutes. Wish I had those skills!

The food:

Caramel apples dipped in chocolate and pecans.

Chili with cheese cut with a cookie cutter.

Mummy dogs. Tried adding mustard eyes but it looked like a cyclops!

Breath of Heaven Treasury

I created this treasury, what do you think? You can see it here.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

GHOSTS
I am almost afraid of the wind out there. The dead leaves

skip on the porches bare, The windows clatter and whine.

I sit here in the quiet house. low-lit. With the clock that

ticks and the books that stand. Wise and silent, on every hand.

I am almost afraid; though I know the night Lets no ghosts walk

in the warm lamplight. Yet ghosts there are; and they blow, they

blow, Out in the wind and the scattering snow.- When I open

the windows and go to bed, Will the ghosts come In and stand at

my head?

Last night I dreamed they came back again. I heard

them talking; I saw them plain. They hugged me and held me

and loved me; spoke Of happy doings and friendly folk. They

seemed to have journeyed a week away, but now they were

ready and glad to stay.

But, oh, if they came on the wind to-night

Could I bear their faces, their garments white Blown in the dark

around my lonely bed? Oh, could I forgive them for being dead?

I am almost afraid of the wind. My shame! That I would not be

if my dear ones came!

-Fannie Stearns Davis

(1884-1966)

Country Cottage Bed and Breakfast

Country Cottage Bed & Breakfast of Berger, MO

We stayed at this B&B last weekend and will definitely be going back! This was our first B&B that we visited and loved having the whole cottage to ourselves. There was no television, just a CD player and cabinet full of games.

When we arrived there was a plate full of cookies waiting for us on the table. In the kitchenette area, they had hot chocolate, coffee, oatmeal, cold cereal, and bottled water.

The last picture is of the screened porch. There was also a fire pit in the back yard but we didn't get to use it. Staying the night here was like taking a step back in time. And breakfast was delicious! For more information go to their website.

Quote of the Day--Maya Angelou

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

Just Listed!

I just listed 3 new pairs of earrings in my etsy shop:

Don't forget the EtsyFriends Sweet Treat Sale runs through Sunday the 19th.

Receive FREE shipping in my shop on purchases over $25.

SWEET TREAT SALE

EtsyFriends Sweet Treat Sale

October 16th-19th

FREE Shipping to the United States on purchases over $25 in my etsy shop.

Shipping will be refunded once payment has been received.

For more information and to see other Sweet Treat Sales, visit http://efpromotions.blogspot.com/

Quote of the Day--Bette Davis

"To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy."

Half-Ass Halloween Banner How-To

I started making this Halloween banner from supplies I had laying around. Unfortunately, I left my blinds open and the next day when I went back to finish the banner, the orange pieces (just construction paper) had faded. :( Hence, the "half-ass" quality of this tutorial.

1. Decide what you want to spell out on your banner. If you don't have much time, you can do "Boo", I chose to do "Trick or Treat".

2. I used a scalloped square punch on orange construction paper, approximately 2x2 inches. I would recommend using cardstock and if you don't have a punch you could just do clean lines or use fancy scissors.


3. I used black cardstock with silver sparkles for the second layer, cut the same amount but slightly larger so there is a border around the orange.

4. I used a punch on the corners but it is not necessary.

5. I didn't have an alphabet stamp set that was large enough, so I just handwrote my letters. You could use stickers, cut outs, etc.

6. I did not have to glue my orange pieces because of the punched corners, but you might need or want to.


7. Here are all of the pieces laid out.


8. The next step would have been to select a third coordinating paper and cut it twice the length and slightly wider, again making sure there would be a border.

9. Fold third piece in half, and insert a length of ribbon spacing out each piece to your liking and glue in place.

10. Finish by affixing the lettered pieces to the ones attached to the ribbon. Display and enjoy!

Updates

We went to Belleville's Chili Cook Off on Saturday with Josh's sister Brandy. It was a beautiful day but a little warm in the sun. Last year it was 90 degrees when we went, definitely not chili weather. Our favorite was the Scrubby Dutch Chili, not too spicy and the perfect consistency. Here we are listening to Area 51 and people watching. And trust me, people watching was ideal that day...

Here are some recent pictures of Ella. She loves my jokes.

Last night Josh decided he wanted me to try cutting his hair since I did such a good job on Lucy, OUR DOG. It turned out pretty good considering it was midnight and I've never cut hair before. No pictures yet, but he woke me up this morning to show me how good it looked styled.

Quote of the Day--L. Frank Baum

Because I love the Wizard of Oz. And we share a birthday.

"Imagination has brought mankind through the dark ages to its present state of civilization. Imagination led Columbus to discover America. Imagination led Franklin to discover electricity."

The Little Black Box

I received my very first Little Black Box yesterday! I only ordered it a few days ago and was surprised to see it get here so soon. My LBB had a variety of things; including earrings, soaps, mini notecards, etc. Opening up my LBB was like Christmas morning...so many goodies inside! It was well worth the $23 I spent and I can't wait to order another one. I am also thinking about sending some of my own items to be distributed. Order your box here.

Mom A's Meat Loaf Recipe

I wasn't able to snap a photo of dinner last night before it was gone, so the above photo will have to do. This is Josh's mother's recipe that he loves so much so I thought I would give it a try.

Meat loaf Recipe

1-1.5lb. hamburger

1 pack of Lipton onion soup

2 eggs

1 pack of crushed crackers (I used wheat)

1/2 cup of worcestershire sauce

salt & pepper

ketchup

1. Mix onion soup packet, eggs, worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper in a bowl.

2. In another bowl, cover hamburger with crushed crackers. Pour above mixture into second bowl and mix together with hands, kneading like dough.

3. Form meat into a loaf pan. (I didn't have one so I used a round corningware dish and it turned out just fine.)

4. Put ketchup over top evenly.

5. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

**SALE**

15% off all necklaces in my etsy shop!

Limited time only. Savings will be refunded to your paypal account after payment is received.

Etsy Shop--Sun Studios

Sun Studios

"specializing in vintage image and other unique pendants"

Fabulous Finds--Monster Mash

jellibat--$28

aksarbenlove--$17

identity seven--$50

fancy--$3.50