Category — Random

I am spending all my waking hours either supervising the front yard remodel, trying to keep the dirt and dust from said remodel to a minimum, or driving all over town gathering supplies for next week’s Craft Party.

Dave, on the other hand, is spending each waking minute working on taxes for the October 15th extension deadline.

Under the current government crisis, could this one be any more accurate?!? [Read more →]

Sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but officially, Oktoberfest is over.

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest fair held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a 16-day festival running from late September to the first weekend in October with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year.

So, yeah it ended on October 6th, but here in the USA, we celebrate all October long!

To help you keep that party spirit going, I give you this informative chart sent to me by web journalist, Alex Hillsberg.

Enjoy!

Last year I drove up north to Freeman Farms in Chino Valley, Arizona to buy these Jarrahdale pumpkins. Then, after Thanksgiving, I harvested the seeds, dried them on a rack, and waited until this year to plant them.

Problem is, I planted them too late for Halloween.

This is what my “pumpkin patch” looks like as of today.

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Each of today’s funnies have a little something to do with what’s going on with me this weekend.

We are in San Francisco not only to visit Marissa but to celebrate Dave’s birthday as well. On Sunday, he’ll turn 56, so vodka really only did come in one flavor when he became of legal drinking age.

This really is always my dream, but when in San Francisco, even more so!

No comment is needed for this one!

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Two years and one day ago, I posted THIS. It’s the easy instructions for making homemade vanilla extract. In it, I tell you to run out to Cost Plus Market and buy vanilla beans. That was good advice back then.

Today, I would like to revise that advice and tell you to run as fast as you possibly can (or drive the speed limit) to Costco and buy as many packages of their fantastic vanilla beans as you can afford, or as you can use, or as you might like to give as gifts. Personally, I bought 5 packages.

It has been about three years since I last found these vanilla beans at Costco, so I know they are only there for a limited time. They are amazing, they are super cheap … a steal really! Ten long fresh, soft and supple, superbly lovely vanilla beans for only $11.19 each. Trust me, you won’t find them cheaper anywhere!

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I can now share with you some exciting news about another big party scheduled for my new back patio.

In January, I’ll be throwing a baby shower for my dear friend, Tram Mai. She and her husband, Stephen, are expecting twins in March!

Photo credit

Yep, petite Tram is carrying twins! Crazy Wonderful! She and Stephen shared the glorious news with Dave and me over the weekend. Then Tram announced it on her show, EVB Live, yesterday. You can watch her sweet surprise live-on-air announcement HERE. I could not be happier for her!

Since it is now quite obvious that I’m not posting a recipe today, how about I also share with you my fun finds from last week’s Sweet Salvage sale?

This is the porcelain enamel scale that I so badly wanted to get.

Maybe I can incorporate it into the baby shower decor.

Until then, it has found a new home in our breakfast room.

I promise you that I will not be incorporating these creepy freaky doll parts in the baby shower decorations…

They, along with the skull and flashcard, are for my Halloween mantel.

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Today is my favorite day of the month! It is the third Thursday and that means one thing – it is opening day for the 4-day Sweet Salvage Sale!

The theme this month is “Hallowed Haven” and I’ve already had a sneak peek at all the wonderfulness!

Yep, last night, Peggy and I attended the Preview Party. We and 98 other guests scoped out all the fabulous finds and made long lists and strategic plans on what we wanted and just how we were going to get it!

Our personal strategy? Peggy goes one direction and has 6 treasures on her list (2 for her and 4 for me) while I go the opposite direction and snag 7 finds (4 for her and 3 for me). I hope our plan works, I shall keep you posted!

Remember how I was one of the lucky VIP 15-minute early entry recipients last month?  This month they had a really fun theme game going – it all centered around the board-game CLUE. You must go to their Facebook page and see how amazingly creative these women are. They blow my mind!

Here is your own personal sneak peek – the doors open at 10 AM, I hope to see you there. Look for me, I plan to be at the front of the line!

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Since it is Friday the 13th, I figure these Snarky Kinda-Crabby Friday Funnies might be just the thing.

Enjoy. xoxo

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