Christmas is almost here...and the end of the world?

 Five more days until Dec. 21st, 2012....is it the end?..I don't think so but I did make a pilgrimage to Chichen Itza with my husband in February of 2011 to check things out. It was a "Bucket List" trip for me, I had always wanted to see the Mayan pyramids for myself.  An older Mayan gentleman who was selling souvenirs assured our tour group that the world would go on business as usual on the 22nd of Dec. 2012, just the end of and age, not the end of it all.  I am taking his word for it and carrying on as usual...if it's meant to be over and done with, I hope I can still make my crafty stuff on the other side!

 Here is our tree all set and ready to go.  It seems that the Holidays are a lot more low key around here than they used to be.  The kids have grown up as I mentioned in an earlier post on the Blog.  I guess we are in an in between time before they start getting married and having babies...I for one am enjoying the relative quiet.  I have been making a stack of rag rugs, it seems to be my favorite thing to do right now when not at my day job. 

I have also been trying hard to come up with a shortbread recipe that tastes like my Father in Laws.  Since he passed away I have tried to make his shortbread in order to keep my husband and kids happy.  This year I think I have come really close...not quite exactly the same but very close!  Here is the recipe in case you want to try it....Shortbread...1lb. of butter softened, 1 cup rice flour, 3/4 cup of icing sugar, 3 cups of flour.  
I used my mixer with a dough hook to blend the ingredients together and then pressed the dough out onto my granite counter top making it about 3/4 of an inch think, I then cut it into bars and used a fork to make the holes in the top of the bars.  I baked the bars at 325 degrees F until they just started to turn a golden color.  I sprinkled the tops of the bars with some regular granulated sugar.
I really wish I had a shortbread mold but my Sister in Law inherited his molds so I am going to have to keep my eyes open for a good old Scottish Shortbread Press.   The bars turned out very flaky, it just melts in your mouth!  The holes help to bake the bars but they also help to make an even break when you you snap them in half.  I will be making my 3rd batch today because it is just not lasting around the house....I do really think I am close to Jack's shortbread...maybe he is helping me out with it, I'd like to think so.
Anyway...Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year too....I hope to see you all in 2013....if the world doesn't end.

Anyone for a "Sandwich"?

Hi all, I have been busy this week working on my Etsy shop and making new projects, taking photo's, cooking and baking and walking my dogs.  What a great week off!  I must soon face the reality of getting myself to my "day job" but I have had a blast.  Late last night I finished a new tote bag that I began to work on earlier in the week and I love how it turned out.

 I am defiantly going to try to make more like this this winter.

 I am still waiting to find somewhere at home for studio space...I am spread all over the house!  With kids who are on the verge of beginning their lives away from home we are in a fuzzy transition time around here....they don't want to be here anymore...trying to spread their wings....my husband and I are patiently waiting  things out but it feels like we are in a holding pattern. 

It's funny how life goes.  The kids want to be out on their own and "free" and just when we think we may be free too we have other responsibilities that crop up. 
I believe it is called "The Sandwich Generation"....."The Sandwich generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children."

We didn't really see it coming five years ago but here it is...I now understand where white hair comes from...my hubby and I are sprouting a good crop of it each!

So for now, I will tear sheets apart and crochet, crochet, crochet!  Thank goodness for etsy, pinterest, facebook, stumbleupon and all the other places I go to feed my artists heart...it is keeping me sane....well sort of......

Just joined Bloglovin! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hey, I am excited to have just found Bloglovin.  I am thrilled to be able to find blogs that inspire me!

Time flies when you have to work!

I am neglecting this blog and that is not my intention.  I have been working at my "day job" and I am spread pretty thin with my need to make things with my hands and my need for rest.  The blog suffers.  I have been busy making new things however and so I am going to share some new pics!

 This a rug I just listed on my Etsy page, the dogs love these rugs, so cozy.  The bag below was made a few days ago and is also for sale online, I am so tempted to keep it, I love the colors.

This rug was made for me...I needed something for the front entry and I worked on it while watching a couple of season's of Dexter....one of my new favorite TV shows...I am also loving Boardwalk Empire.  I guess if  I wasn't watching TV I would be updating this blog!

I have been working to re-stock my Etsy page...I tried a year of selling on Artfire and had dismal sales.  Just a few things but defiantly not worth all the work.  I am hoping success will follow where my attention goes so I am spending lots of time on Etsy.  I really love to see all of the work that everyone is doing out there online.  It is so inspiring to me.  Pinterest has also become a new time sucker...but I love it as well.   Thank goodness my kids are grown...they would be having to drag me away from the computer is they were little ones!