Look who came for a holiday drink....

It was the highlight of our Thanksgiving dinner to see these guys outside our window....Hope that all of you have a splendid day with family and friends.

Baby Claude magic and Silver Bella fun

What fun traveling with Jen and baby Claude to the Silver Bella event in Omaha. I went as the nana/aka/nanny.... such fun getting to know that little bundle of joy. Jen was there teaching her magical classes.. I had a chance to check out a very unique group of teachers. Each and every class looked like such fun.... but Claude and I had much more fun going for walks, and checking out Old Market area... I did attend the vendors nite, which was fab....so many goodies to tempt one....all in all, a very fun weekend..

we're on our way!!

Some little guys for the Silver Bella event... Traveling on a plane is difficult enough these days, size is quite the issue. These lttle 9" fellas fit into the suitcase quite easily. We hope they have a safe trip... off to funville!

bittersweet

Today was such a treat. Sunshine makes everything better. I've been preparing for the show in Omaha next week, but had to get outside on such a sunny day here in Michigan. The weather is "on the edge" these days...no longer warm days, they are a thing of the past... The bluebirds have packed their belongings and are heading off to a kind'er, gentl'er place. We will miss them. Only the colorful bittersweet remains....

Home again, home again!

We had a great time at the Hunt Valley Holiday Show this past weekend. ... seeing lots of old friends, and making new acquaintences. PBS was there to take part in the event, and so were lots of collectors.

I loved decorating our table with the shiny baubbles and teds dressed in their warm atire...

Makes me anxious to fluff up the house and get ready for the up and coming season!

Getting Ready...

The girls are getting ready for the festive Holiday Show in Baltimore this weekend, and who doesn't love a nice warm sweater on these cold fall days. It's been a challenge to jump from Halloween to Christmas, within a span of one week, but I think that we're getting into it!

Halloween treats

I was thinking of something yummy on this cool raining morning, in preparation for the spooky upcoming week, and these cupcakes came to mind. For those of you having a Halloween get together, these couldn't be easier, or more appropriate. They will fit right in to your Holiday spread.... They are one of my favorites. Enjoy the treats!

1 8oz pkg cream cheese,softened

1 egg

1/3 cup sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 cup Semisweet choc chips

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup water

1/3 cup oil

1 tbsp vinegar

1 tsp vanilla

preheat oven to 350 degrees oil muffin pan,s or line with papers

Beat cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in choc chips,. Set aside.

In large bowl, mix together flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, soda, salt. Make a well in the center, and add water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin cups 1/3 full with the batter, and top with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture. Bake for 25-30 mins...Yummy...

what a treasure

Just when I thought that I had seen all the vintage costumes out there, I ran across this little treasure... well, actually, it's not so cute, but check out what it is made of... yup, it's a little ditty from the 1940's made of mohair. So what was that little one dressed up to be on Halloween nite? Warm for sure... maybe a little teddy bear. Perhaps someone lost a part...

At any rate, it will make an awesome bear.. I do love the vintage mohair. It's becoming hard to find these days. It would just about fit our grandson right now, but he's a tad small for those kind of festivities this year...

Slowly things are coming together, but I dont know where the time goes.... Here are some of my favorite things today..

Halloween fun

Now that the website has been updated, I have a brief moment to catch my breath before getting ready for the Christmas Hunt Valley Show in Baltimore... It's only 2 weeks away, but I did want to get my Halloween treats out to display before jumping into Christmas!!

Here it all is... I ahve only allowed myself one cupboard for Halloween, and each year I am tempted to purchase more, but knowing how chocked full it is, well... that keeps it all under control...more or less.

I'm hoping to get it all up before the weekend is over... I will share with you , if that happens.