The last 2 weeks...

I told you I'd get you caught up on what I've been doing the last couple of weeks. Well, here is it...baking and candy making. I've been up to my ears in cookies, candies, and gift baskets, and more. Rice crispy snowman pops...about 400 or so.

Caramel and white chocolate pretzel rods...almost 500 of the little buggers.I baked cookies for 2 days straight...peanut butter and chocolate chip.

The last thing I did was pumpkin rolls.

Along with the cinnamon rolls I told you about last post, I have baked for right at 2 weeks straight. These were my gifts this year and also sold a few for Timm's office. They were all well received and much appreciated. I'm glad because there were many nights I was up past midnight getting items finished. Here are a few of the gift baskets I completed.

Christmas Day

Well wishes of a Merry Christmas to everyone!

What a day, I love it but I am so glad it has come to a close. There is so much to do and so many to spend time with that it can just be exhausting. We hosted Christmas Eve for my family. Timm smoked a brisket, Mom made sausage balls, I made mashed potatoes, etc. It went well and all had a great time. We even had a fire blazing in the fireplace. I was planning on just preparing for dinner but I ended up making my last deliveries to the office and an order to Boulder City. Cassy made deliveries with me and wore a holiday bow of pretty ribbons on her collar. We spent 2 hours frying up side pork (outside...brrrrr) for Christmas morning too.


Christmas morning is spent with the Martin side of the family. They do a Christmas breakfast. Timm's mom used to make the side pork and gravy, now it is a job that I have taken on. This is our first Christmas with out her and we all really miss her. Another task I have assumed is cinnamon rolls. (Maybe it's the house...or because I spent so much time with her...or maybe it's because...who knows) Mom made the best rolls. I invited Trish to make them with me so we spent Monday at her house (she has a bigger oven) and we baked all day. We had cinnamon rolls coming out of our ears...but made some great memories too. I enjoyed baking with someone instead of just by myself (Ipromise I will show you what I've been up to in a new post)

Anyway, breakfast was delicious...too much food as always. Time is spent sharing with family, and just a small gift exchange (even though there wasn't supposed to be one).

My sister, Carolyn hosted dinner today. Ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and the rest of the spread...yummy. I swear I don't have to eat for a week. Only kidding...there are cinnamon rolls in the freezer. Her mother-in-law lives with them and she cooked up a storm for the big day. There was dessert too but I had to pass.

On a new note, we went to the movies tonight. I've never been on Christmas Day however, 'Marley and Me' was calling our name so Timm and I took our kids to see it. What a great movie, I highly reccomend it, just bring some tissues.

Well that was the last 24 hours or so. Oh, it rained today too. I am so greatful for rain but don't really like it when it has wind and cold temperatures behind it. But hey, we will take it when we can get it around here. Tomorrow, no alarm, I want to sleep late, I swear I'm not cooking anything, maybe just curl up under the blanket and watch the fire. Oh yeah, I promise to catch up on my posting tomorrow for ya.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you. May you take in and realize the true meaning of the season.

Snow in Las Vegas!

The jet stream changed and Las Vegas has been blessed with SNOW. Last time we had snow was 2 years ago, just a small amount. This is big news around here. Red Rock, Potosi, and of course Mt. Charleston go the most. The west side of town had up to 5" according to the news. We didn't get any at our house...just rain, although Sunrise Mtn has snow on it today when I got up. Here are a few pictures I snagged from the Channel 8 website. Enjoy!

This is on the Red Rock loop. It is always stunning when it snows.

This is on the west side of town somewhere on the outskirts obviously.

Desert trees with snow...lol

This is in Calico Basin just before you get to Red Rock...Gorgeous!

Toay is partly cloudy and chilly. Tomorrows forcast...more snow!

Such a treat...as long as there isn't too much of it. hehe

The Christmas Tree Hunt

Sunday we set out for the annual 'Christmas Tree Hunt'. We only went for the day this year. We used to go for the whole weekend, camp out, explore, and more. Timing just isn't what it used to be, the kids are grown and have their own activities and schedules as does the rest of my family. Normally, my parents, one of my sisters, my brother, and their families all go with us, and sometimes my aunt and her family as well.

This year we went to Utah for our trees, normally we go up around Caliente and Pioche, NV. But now I need a skinnier tree for the new house...so off to Utah we go. I never complain about having to go to Utah, I just love it there. Most places were closed but there was not time to shop anyway. The boys got their wishes...snow. The dogs had a blast romping around in it, making snow angels, and more. We got some beautiful trees, had a wonderful time spending the day together, took some family photos for the Christmas cards, and ate out one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Cedar before heading home. If you'd like to more details diary of our adventure, check out my other blog: http://TrailhoundAdventures.Blogspot.com

This trip was what I needed this week. Earlier in the week my mom had surgery to remove some kidney stones, doing fine now though. Friday we lost one our dogs, Rosco. He was a unique, awesome dog. Rosco will really be missed around here, he had quite a fan club.

How I spent my Thanksgiving weekend...

Well, like most folks on Thanksgiving, we all feasted on turkey and all the fixin's. Timm deepfried a turkey, that's my dad carving the tasty bird. We had planned to eat outside but had rain. Some of us ate outside anyway. Lots of bodies, and oven going, and my mom hates to be cold...outside was just right. :)

Chris is my gravy mash potato and gravy boy. Notice that half his plate is potatoes...and the gravy lake has to be just right. Scott and Christy take a more balanced approach, although Scott is my stuffing kid. He was freaking out that I wasn't making the stuffing. Gosh wasn't 10 pounds of mashed potatoes enough. I promised him stuffing for a later date.

Friday morning we hit the road at 5:30am to go camping and ATV riding near Tecopa, CA. Stopped at Bass Pro to pick up some jeans, well 8 pair of jeans...what a zoo. I got what I needed and got out of there. We met up with a group of friends for the weekend and had a wonderful time. We tend to camp in the middle of nowhere so we can explore and ride. Only covered about 80-90 miles this time but had lots of fun exploring old mines, mining ruins and more. We even took a night ride to an overlook where we could see Dumont Dunes...it was lit up like Vegas! There must of been 20,000 people there. I just don't see the facination in the dunes in the first place. People are all crowded together, it's noisy, most of the tend to do lots of drinking, heck...they have Flight for Life posted there on holiday weekends. It's just not for me.

The stars were just fabulous out there and so bright! Coyotes were yipping and calling at night and some came very close to camp. We even enjoyed shakes and fresh baked breads and muffins at the China Ranch Date Farm.

Well, that was my weekend, hope yours was just as enjoyable for you no matter how you spent it.

It's Raining!

Praises of thanks raise up as the showers of rain come down! It's raining! We have had so little rain here this year...not that we get much anyway. A normal year is 4-4 1/2" for us, pretty sure we are still under 2" for the year. I hope it rains all day! Timing isn't all that fabulous, but hey, we take it when we can get it. It's been so nice I know many of us were planning on an outdoor Thanksgiving Feast. Will need to adjust some plans, it may pass through by tomorrow afternoon. Rain doesn't normally last very long around here.

Of course, we are idiots when it rains when it comes to driving...space people...you need more space between cars...and stop slower and sooner.

We are camping over the weekend so the should be no dust on the trails...that's a good thing. I think I will pick up some long johns for the trip. ;)

Show Season Is Over For Me

Well, my craft show season is finally over...I'm glad and sad at the same time. My last show was a home boutique so I didn't even need to work the whole event. I'm burnout but still feel the need to create so I will focus my attention on the house. I would like to make a valance or something for the kitchen and dining room I think I will make a curtain for the laundry also. If I could find more drapes like the ones in the living room I would make ones for the kitchen so it all matches. Will need to hit up some more Targets I guess, but I think they discontued the style. I can also work on my craft room, it's still naked.
Friday, I gathered stuff for a yard sale. I pretty much cleaned out one of the sheds. Now I know I have lots of crap but when you actually start gathering it up....YIKES...I don't what else to say. So I set it up, pulled out about a billion suitcases that I was going to paint on, along with a hundred other things like wood bowls, coffe pot or two, glass jars witht he clamp on them, and more. Well, I made $7 dollars, called it early so I could set all that stuff to the curb so the trash guys could haul it away. All they took were the trashcans...they left everything else! GRRRRR! So folks have been pulling up taking things away a little at a time. Thankfully, no one has made a mess...yet. Yard sales are not my thing I guess.
I need to take the last of my stuff to the store. I ignored it for too long. I think I will mark it all down so I don't have to store too much of it.
All the kids were here for dinner tonight. It was nice to have us all together, haven't seen Scott and Christy for a while. Their new pup, Zoe is getting huge. They said she weighs 36 pounds now. Her but wiggle so much when she wags her tail she slaps herself with it.

Show & Tell Crafters Market A Big Hit!

If you missed our show over the weekend you really missed out. It was awesome! There was a steady flow of shoppers all weekend with lots of mad rushes! I love it! I'm exhausted not that I've let myself relax and breathe for a minute. The Show & Tell blog is acting up and I can't access it right now so I'm posting pictures here for your viewing pleasure. Looking forward to a March date for the next market.

Here are a few more pictures of my booth.

Here is my show partner, Rochelle's booth...as always, it looks most excellent.



Here are some of our show friends in their booths too.

Bob & Kris Smith, Me & My Misses (just about the cutest and nicest couple you'd ever meet by the way)

Autumn Kizerian and her daughter Clarissa of Lollipops & Bows.
Cyndy Dawes of Cherry Street Fleece.

Kathy Castonon, KC Creations
Diane Dorman

Great day at the Show & Tell Crafters Market!

Well, today was the first day of the Show & Tell Crafters Market...Whew!...Glad we got that one under our belt. Rochelle and I have been there since Tuesday prepping and getting set up. The property managment person we've been working with forgot to order power and we barely got it up and running before the show started. Lots of prayers last night for that one. Crowds today were excellent and we had a mad rush for about 2 hours...Awesome! Almost all the gals brought their 'A' game, we still have a few newbys though. The booths look awesome. Be sure to check the Show & Tell blog for pictures of the show at http://ShowandTellCraftersMarket.Blogspot.com

Here is on of me in my booth...enjoy...I really don't like my photo taken. Thanks goes out to all the vendors for making their booths look great and we pray for a great show. I'll keep you updated.

P.S. My camera was found...obviously.

Thank you to all veterans

Thank you to my dad, my father-in-law, my uncles and all Americans who have served, sacrificed, and given their all to protect our country, our freedoms, and our lives. I salute and thank you to each and every one of you not only today, but every day.

Lost

That's right, I can't find my camera. It's lost, missing, MIA, gone! I took it to California, I know I had it at the end of the show, pretty sure I had it in the hotel room Saturday night but now I can't find it. I don't like to post without a picture...so...no posts lately. The suitcase, tote bag, and purse have been gutted but alas, no camera. I know as soon as I go out and buy a new one, the old one will reappear. If you see it, it's a little blue Olympus digital camera...hopefully trying to find it's way back home. Check your milk carton, please.

Tomorrow is the 1st Give Away

Don't forget the last day of the month is tomorrow! The 31st is the first give away for my blog. Leave a comment on my blog (I know I originally asked you to do that on my website...but no one has) so I will make it easy on you and ask you to leave a comment here for the give away drawing. I will draw tomorrow night and post the lucky winner. A grungy primitive snowman ornie is the prize...(I know, it should have been something goulish since it's Halloween)

Best of luck to you all.

McQueen Craft Faire

I know it's been a few days and many are wondering where an update is. I've been a little busy...and tired. Here are some photos of my booth at the McQueen Craft Faire in Reno, NV. My youngest son, Chris and I got up at 2am, left Vegas at 3am and headed off to Reno. The sunrise outside of Tonopah, NV was pretty with a pink and orange skyline.

After a nice lunch at Chili's, we checked in at 1pm, unloaded and began to set up. It was nice to have some help this year in setting up. I was set up in record time and ready to go when they opened the doors at 5pm. Chris headed off to dinner with his cousin, Micah for a while. One of my best customers, Heidi was there right at 5pm to shop. She and her daughter made the rounds, shopped with me some more and came back to shop again before gathering their goods for the night. She is the sweetest thing and I really appreciate her loyalty. I have several other customers that very loyal and dependable also. I love them all.

My friend, Diane was next door to me this year. It was nice to have her there. Last year, she was across the courtyard. The weather was horrid last year, windy, rainy, cold...and the wind blew over the building and right intot he wall she was against. She froze to death. This year the weather was delightful, I didn't even wear a jacket Friday evening. In fact, the weather was good all weekend. I didn't need my long undies, gloves or the portable heater I brought with me.

It was reassuring to see so many shoppers come out for the fair, and to see they were spending money. I have to admit I was nervous about traveling that far for an event in this uncertain economy. It all seemed to turn out well for the weekend and I feel blessed with all the gracious comments, and happy shoppers I encountered at the event. I pray this will continue so we can all have a good season.

I stay at my brother in law's in Washoe Valley when I show there. This is the view from his back porch...I know, it's awesome. Yes, that is a buffalo...and it's his. I got to visit with all his kids except one. Nell has the cutest little baby boy with a head full of hair. Thanks to Tim and Allison for letting me use their Jeep for the weekend. It helped out a lot so Chris could hang with his cousins, ride quads, and shoot rifles, etc. We also stopped to see Justin and Maranda's house in Dayton just before heading home. They have 2 beautiful children and their little boy is growing like a weed. The ride home was dark, the moon didn't rise until almost 10pm. Arrived home at 3am, parked and hit the pillow. It was a good weekend. Now I just need to make more stuff...I know, I always need to make more stuff.