Another Batch Complete!

PHEW! Last batch done!

 Now we just have to tray them up and give them away :)

Holiday Treats!

The cookie/candy madness has begun! Every year my mom makes everyone in the family, friends, neighbors, and others cookie and candy trays. She has done this for as long as I have been alive (I won't say how long that is!). As a child every year for my birthday we would decorate the tree. Then for my birthday party I would have my little friends over and we would decorate Christmas cookies. So of course, every year when it comes time to make cookies and candies I love participating. My mom can bake circles around me, and I think I make more of a mess then I do cookies.  This year we have decided that neither of us needs the extra sugar in the house, so we aren't keeping any of these goodies for ourselves. Interesting part is, I'm okay with that. I really just love the process more then the eating. I have really come to love how much enjoyment people get out of these trays when they receive them.

So, the past 4 days we have been busy working on cookies. And these are just the cookies. This isnt' the candy part. Mom also makes bon bons, fudge, turtles, peacon bars, and lots of other things I don't know the names for. It really is cookie and candy madness.

So I wanted to share some pictures of the process so far :)

Pretty Things: Another Giveaway -- Beads!

Pretty Things: Another Giveaway -- Beads!: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Birthday Celebration

I had a very simple and lovely birthday celebration. Just my aunt, cousin, mom and me. My fiance called me several times through out the day.When I was young I wanted big parties. And as a child those usually included a sleep over. 10-15 screaming girls sleeping on the living room floor. I have no idea how my mother could stand it. Now, the older I get, the quieter I want things. For me the ultimate birthday celebration is..well...exactly what I had. A few of your favorite people enjoying a quiet evening together, and of course cake! Cake is the best! This year instead of one big cake, I got 3 mini cakes from the bakery. A carrot cake, chocolate mint (my favorite), and a strawberry shortcake. So we baked a bree, and had cheese, crackers, and cake. It was perfect! seriously perfect!

Simple Beauty

I'm always searching the internet for beautiful photo's of flowers. It's somewhat of a new fascination, the last year or so. I having a bit of trouble finding words this morning, perhaps just tired, but it's so much more then just a pretty picture of a flower.. I think probably the fact that they inspire me to create, to mimic their colors palettes, textures, fragility. They all just amaze and move me emotionally.

Anyways. Here are a few that I found on the internet today. Most didn't have names to go with them, so let me just give thanks to the photographers who were thoughtful enough to share these on the internet with us.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday surrounded by loved ones.

With such a tough year it's sometimes hard to remember to be thankful. So I just wanted to mention...that I am thankful for my fiance's love and for his recent accomplishments as they have brought him such joy,  for all of my family and my loved ones, for negative test results, for all of my friends here, for the health of my family, and for the people in my life who have been able to acknowledge their weakness's and being strong enough to ask for help. And with all the suffering around us these days I am thankful for what work I get, for the work my family and friends have, for a roof over my head, food on my plate, and the love in my life and heart.

(hugs)

I'm back :)

Yep, still alive. I had a fabulous and terrible week all in one. Terrible because of family drama happening in my life, but also fabulous because my fiance was here this week. We have been apart for 7 months. Not by choice, but like everyone today, we have to do what we have to do. Which means, he has been working in New York, while I am still here in Arizona. So after spending a week with him my spirit is refreshed, and once again I have a positive outlook on life!


Looking forward to getting back into the normal swing of things, and keeping the negative away :)