Happy New Year!

While visiting my friend Heather, i noticed she had the cutest New Years greeting from here. I thought i would share it with you too. I hope you don't mind, Heather!

May the new year hold nothing but the very best for you and yours!

Happy Birthday!

Here is a picture of my mom and dad when they were dating. It's dads birthday today and he turns 79! I wonder what kind of a day it was then, as we are having a storm today with all kinds of advisories.

Already Baking Again...

Yes, it's only four days post Christmas and the goodies are gone. With all we had, i never would have imagined that! However, i sent some home with the oldest son, the younger son had other young men over, and waa-laa! Gone!!! These Chocolate Chip bars are so easy and good i thought i would share them with you!

Chocolate Chip Bars

1 c. softened butter

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. flour

1 pinch of salt

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together the butter, vanilla, br.sugar, and egg. Stir in the flour and salt. Then mix the choc. chips in. Press into a prepared 9x13 pan and bake for 20 minutes or till edges start to brown (do not over-bake!). I use semi sweet chips but any will do, even butterscotch. I have even made them with Heath Baking pieces. Yum Yum!

A Very Merry Chirstmas

May you be blessed today with all the joy your heart can hold as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

More Inspiration

Here is a snapshot of one of Jayme's bedrooms. Since i can't seem to pull together my Christmas decor, i figure i might as well show you some of my favorites from others! Please visit

Jayme here.
If she lived down the road from me, we would be best buds!

Ho-Hum Bug

Now, don't go getting all excited. This is not from my home. You see, i'm having just a little glitch in my decorating scheme this year. Nothing seems to go together right. my Christmas Village that usually goes up in 4-5 hrs. took 2 days this year. i can't decide where to put my snowmen, i don't have near enough candles, and i put the small tree in the dining room instead of the family room. is that wrong....must be cause now the family room seems bare. so, i had to scrounge for the garland to put around the fire place. then i had to dig for more lights because it wasn't bright enough. see what i mean???

The above photo is inspiration from cozylittlehouse. She has the best ideas! I encourage you to stop by and visit her if you haven't already. And so, i will plug onward. Hopefully i will have something to show you soon!

Winter Art Show

Well, the big night finally came! Over to Ortonville and Java Jewel's for the Winter Art Show. What a wonderful evening! Most of the artists were in attendance and it was so much fun to get to meet and visit with all of them. They are extremely talented!!! And i do mean EXTREMELY!

As you can see there was everything from acrylics, water color and photography to quilting and fiber art.

Local writer, John Salls, read an excerpt from his new novel and graciously signed every book!

Here are two of my gal pals, Jody and Sara. Thanks you guys for sharing the evening with me, i hope you had as much fun as i did. Except i don't think that was possible!

ps-if you are ever in Ortonville, make sure you stop at Java Jewel's, the coffee and treats are out of this world!

pps-yes, the shirt is Tracy Porter.

I. Love. Tracy. Porter. Her style, photography and products are everything i wish i could incorporate into my life! I see today she has 50% off everything online. You should go there if you haven't already. you can also get to her blog from there. I would HIGHLY recommend it. Her carefree approach to style, decorating and life in general is so refreshing.

I have to say that unfortunately, i do not have a lot of her pieces. I do have one of her blouses that i am going to wear to the opening of our Winter Art Show tonight. I will try to have someone take a picture to show you tomorrow.