Fur Baby Holiday Treats

Today I'm working on fur baby treats for the holiday.  I've decided that if I'm absent of lots of babies around (my adored Granddaughter is in high school) I will treat all of the fur babies to a stocking stuffed with some goodies for the holiday.  At least I can make those treats ahead of time - I don't think they'll mind.


My finished pile of Doggie Treats

 

I've really been getting into the "earth mother" thing lately.  I actually wonder if that is a shoot off from working with the clay.  The whole getting your hands dirty things has royally rubbed off for some reason.  Baking bread has become a bi-weekly thing and the loaves are turning out  phenomenally.  My favorite is laced with asiago and cheddar cheese but no preservatives.  It's nice and filling.

Anyway, I digress.  Today's goodies are dog biscuits.  My favorite (Trudy's too) and super easy recipe goes like this:

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2/3 cup flavored liquid (bouillon, broth, etc.)
6 Tbs. vegetable oil

1. Mix the ingredients.   
2. Roll and cut into shapes.  I like to roll it out and use a pizza cutter to make squares.  I also
    use a dog biscuit cutter.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes.

There you go - that's all there is to it.

Trudy whole heartedly approves.

 

Miss Trudy - age 7

It's Beginning to Feel like the Holiday

Macy’s ain’t got nuthin’ on me!  Can you see me doing a “Who’s your Mama now dance?” Take a look at this tree – whoot whoot.  There are over 400 hundred bulbs on this baby.  I used to decorate like this a lot for the holiday but haven’t done it in years.  This year with all of the kids being able to be here at the same time I thought what the heck – and I out did myself with something festive and new.  I even managed to do some outdoors decorating.  It’s not much but it looks inviting. 

This is the usual tree that I do the Nightmare before Christmas tree decorations on.  It’s a black tree but lends itself pretty well to any kind of decorating.  I’m so pepped about things looking peaceful and having a few new things around I think I’ll do this again next year….but with a twist.  I’m pulling out all of the old decorations – every single one of the kids have ever made me and I have quite a few.  I have a few tucked in here and there on the tree now.   But next year I think I’ll find some central kind of kid theme (hhhhhmmmmm – my wheels are turning - maybe lollipop looking treats covered in different kinds of cellophane?), my favorite Angel, and all the ornaments.  I think I’ve a theme – don’t you?

I did add one very traditional touch on this year’s tree.  See the photo of the bell?  My mother made that. She made bells for all of us in this family and for friends.  I will try and find the pattern if you’re interested.  You’d of had to of known her – she kept a list of every bell she ever made.  There were a lot of bells.  Her hands were arthritic but she kept at it.  Her thought was this, I may be gone someday but every Christmas when my friends and family put their trees up and unpack their ornaments they’ll think of me.  She’s right but I miss her more often than that.

If you’re not in the spirit yet – pinch yourself!  The more you do the better it gets.  I’m keeping dollars in my pocket for the Salvation Army Bell Ringers.  I even turned on the music station on the cable.  How many old Christmas tunes do you know?  Turn on the station and you are going to astound yourself. 

Can we say Periwinkle Blue?

 

 

Pantone Spring 2013 Color Selections

 

Here we go - new colors to play with that match whats going to be going on with the new spring clothing collections.  Emerald Green supposed to be this years color.   We're also back to the lime green but a soft shade called Tender Shoots, kind of appropriate and pretty.  Dusk Blue really looks like Effetre' Periwinkle Blue glass to me.  And that Lemon Zest looks a lot like a recent color by CIM (Creation is Messy - glass company).  Monaco Blue could be a nice shade of just about any cobalt blue.  The other muted shades will take a little work or thought to find matching hues.  LOL - one thing is for sure - you can never go wrong with a piece of jewelry made of metal.  





Poo-poo-pee-doo

This is a heck of a way to start the December posts but what the heck - ya gotta start somewhere.  A couple of years ago Mallory Hoffman roomed with me at a Bead and Button Conference.  She brought along with her some air freshener for the bathroom - she's a thoughtful gal that Mallory.  A princess among swine I'm telling you!  After the conference Mallory let me take the remains of this magical stuff home.  Eventually I ran out.  I looked and couldn't find it - shit! (and I mean that).

Poo- Pourri

Anyhoo, who'd of thunk it.  This product works....I don't care why.  I raised boys.  Not that girls can't stink too but boys seem to relish the aftermath of a meal they should not have poured tabasco sauce on. 

So here it is.  The first post of December is about covering up bathroom odors for the holiday when all of the relatives come to visit.  Consider it - really - it will be quite the conversation starter on the sink near the toilet.   But, you might want to find a subtle way to explain that you spritz before you use the toilet...

Whoo Hoo - Let the holidays begin.   Click on the caption underneath the bottles - It's Poo Pourri.  Mallory had brought the No.2.  I'm not sure what I ordered but I'm sure it will work great.

No torch time - ACK! - but I'm not sittin' around

There hasn't been any torch time lately so I've been busy getting some ceramics glazed.  Well, that and making some bread and some pies for Thanksgiving.  Part of what I did on my little hiatis was to take two quicky classes - I call those brain recovery/ destressing activities.  Anything that's creative but not in the 'norm" will do.

In this case I've always made a lousy pie crust and I can tell you that for many years my friend Susan has worked with me on bread to absolutely no avail....and she has worked hard on it.  She's sent me countless pdf's - xeroxed instructions (she knows I'm a total visual learner - thank goodness for you smart teacher friends).  She's coached, called, and sent photos.  Finally I gave up and took a class. 

Whoo Hoo - I got bread.  It was a class derived from 5 minute Artisan Breads - great class and book.  The other class helped tremendously with the pie crust.  I made a great crust last night but a lousy filling.  Who can ruin a pie - ME!  Today I corrected that (can we say do over) and froze them uncooked.  They'll come out of the oven all perfect for Thanksgiving.  And boy do I have plenty to be thankful for - this year - and every year.

I also unloaded some ceramics from the kiln and here are two recent additions to Etsy.  There are more yet to photgraph and list.

And... I want to whisper something in your ear while I'm here talking.  I'm having a sale on Etsy that is starting on Thanksgiving.  It's a way to say thanks for the all of the support.  BUT, I wanted to let all of my blog readers know first so if there is something you'd like at 20% off - convo me and I'll hold that listing for you at the sale price.  This gives you a little jump so you can concentrate on all of the holiday doings too.

Hugs -  Sharon

Back in the Saddle

My father used to make such jokes...we'd watch Roy Rogers or whatever and there's some cowboy chase going on and he'd say, "Hey look, there goes Tom Mix and his horse - Cement."  I was little and he'd giggle - so would I, but I didn't get it until much later.  He'd also refer to the monkeys in the Tarzan movies as my Uncle Mike. 

Anyhoo - the "Back in the Saddle" title brought out that little revelation and memory.  LOL

Ceramic Barrel Bead - hand carved and under glazed

Lampwork Elf Set

Ceramic Mitten Pendants and connectors

 

I'm back to listing on Etsy - although I admit to taking some very crappy photos this time.  Gheezish - gotta get things moving even if they aren't perfect.

Thinking of Veterans

Yesterday I was shopping in our only local haunt (Walmart - oh yuck!) and in the store was this handsome young man dressed in his uniform.  He was with the Air Force.  I should have stopped him and shook his hand.  I didn't - and I feel embarrassed about that.  Maybe I was surprised to see him there since we do not live near any military base.  And why that would shock me I do not know since we have plenty of the children from this community who are serving their country.  But where I grew up military were common place - they were my friends fathers.  We lived near to what was then Selfridge Air Force base.  Eisenhower was president and their fathers were involved in a "military action" called Vietnam.

It got me to thinking about the military.  As I grew up and presidents changed; Vietnam expanded, and it was my friends who were either enlisting or were called to duty by the draft.  As the first man I knew was KIA we mourned and prayed for our friends, brothers, or fathers to return.  And return they did - after ONE tour of duty.   Many had PTSD (very unpopular and difficult to prove at the time).  Many (including my husband to be) were exposed to Agent Orange.  It was being sprayed around the bases to keep the foliage down.  Trust me, I am not waxing nostalgic about this war - or any war.  People are killed - ours/theirs - innocent and otherwise.

My concern is that today these service men and women are being deployed to these wars for several tours of duty.  After having seeing what one tour can do - what in heavens name to do we think two, three, and sometimes more are going to do.  So many have survived one tour to be KIA in the second. PTSD?  Who would not have a stress disorder after such continual deployment.

I am worried about this trend of deployment and crazy overseas warfare.  I want our servicemen home - let them take care of our home front.  Hell, deploy them to New Jersey for clean-up.  Cook in Soup Kitchens.  Rebuild and defend America here at home.  Maybe it's an isolationist type of thinking but I do not care.  I'm sorry other countries are having it rough - we are too. 

 

Our service men and women deserve better than they've gotten...and I guess, for me, it better start at not being startled to see a young man in uniform.  And NOT being to embarrassed to say "Thank You." 

Alive and Well

Hey - Sorry about the lack of posts.  I had to take it off my plate for a bit.  And where I have I been - trip to North Carolina when Frankenstorm hit - small earthquake - and a very large and sorrowful old dog journey.  We've made it back home to receive new furniture and new bed.  Boy have I been busy...hopefully we'll get back to blogging as I once again pick up the pace.

Hugs, Sharon

You can take the girl out of Detroit but you can't take Detroit out the girl!

    The last time I was this fired up about the Tigers it was at Tiger Stadium not Comerica Park.  I
    was graduating from high school - it was the '60's.  My father held business boxes because of the
    company he worked for - Budd Wheel (hubs and drums).  I had spent part of the previous year 
    before the new school year sitting at the stadium with him watching games.  I knew all of these
    names very well:

    Mckey Lolich (pitcher) and Bill Freehan (catcher) - along with Jim Northrup, Mickey Stanley, Al 
    Kaline, and my favorite Willie Horton.

    I feel the fever coming - - - -Let it be SO.   GO TIGERS GO!

Here comes the cold weather....

 

 

I'm in a holiday mood and just running with it.   I still believe in the spirit of Santa and all of the fun and happiness that spreads at this time of the year.  These are some of the ceramic pieces I've gotten painted and that are listed on Etsy.  Whoo Hoo - back in the saddle again.