A Real Quick Post

I just wanted to drop in and say I hope all my friends out there had a very Merry Christmas.  After FOUR DAYS of NO INTERNET (sob) I am back on-line.  We were at my father-in-law's and not only does he not have internet, NO ONE has internet!  Heck, my brother-in-law doesn't even have a house phone anymore because Bell South couldn't figure out why his phone line kept going out.  So they operate strictly on cell phones. 

Y'all cannot believe how backward it is up there.  Maybe I'm just so used to having all the comforts of the country with all the technological advances available to me where I live.  It was so bad, that I spent an ENTIRE day on Saturday, (no kidding, 8 am to 8 pm) shopping til I dropped.  Do not even think about asking what I spent!  I went to Michael's twice, Best Buy (got a new digitizing tablet I now have to figure out how to use), Goodwill (scored some cool stuff, just wait and see!), several antique stores (more goodies to share), AND Hobby Lobby twice (well, I ran into Office Depot between trips for post-it flags) - gotta stretch those 40% off coupons you know.  So anyway, me, the agoraphobic (yep, a card carrying, diagnosed agoraphobic), shopped all day long, 98%  of the time by myself. 

Got back to our house today, emptied the truck (the Avalanche was PACKED - entire bed of the truck AND the backseat were full), and while hubby went to thank the neighbors for watching the house and feeding the dog (the cat lives inside and has a self-feeder and self-waterer), I started measuring for shelves - I have a ton of Madame Alexander dolls (among others) that need to be displayed.

Well, hubby hollered it's past midnight, so I'm off to bed.

More to some later with pics.

Smiles~

Yes I'm Actually up and Typing this at 1:00 am

Just in case I don't have time to post something today (like cool pictures I took on my trip to the Cajun Village a few weeks ago) I wanted to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS & a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I'm up to 53 followers (YIPPEE) and am planning a cool giveaway in January as a Thank You to all who follow my ramblings posts.

Believe it or not, I'm going to be without a computer for three days, unless someone near where I will be has wifi.  I'll be in the boonies, so don't think that's going to happen.  BUT, I do have my laptop and will at least be teaching myself how to use Photoshop.  I have so much I could share with all of you if only I could figure Photoshop out.  So, I'm on a mission! LOL

Well better get to bed. Have to get up early and help my mom get a new cell phone, run by an antique store I've been wanting to visit up here, then get back in time for gumbo (hubby made it so we wouldn't have to do much cooking today), boudin balls and boudin sausage (I never can spell that right), open gifts, then take off to hubby's dad's house for more Christmas-ing. That's where the "no computer" comes in.

Then on the 26th, it's time to hit Michaels and Best Buy!  Need cool Tim Holtz stuff from Michael's and a stylus and digitizing pad from Best Buy.  Maybe Hobby Lobby where I can cruise their Clearance section.  Then I'll head over to Antique Alley and see what goodies I can find (found five of my dollhouses there!).  Hubby and son will be duck hunting so I will have a free shopping day!!!!!

Then, on the way back home that Sunday or Monday, I want to hit several antique stores, but we may not go that route.  If I can con him into driving through Mississippi to go home, it's antiquing time.  If not, I'll just have to hit the ones near my house.

Well, off to bed.  Y'all have a very Merry Christmas.

Smiles~

Just Another Manic Monday

Like the name of the song, is was a manic Monday. 


Well, first I woke up late:


Then rushed to work (late for me is getting up at 6:10 am).  Was at work, looked at the clock - UHOH going to be late for my appointment!
 
So I rushed off to the doctor 

 
 
Then back to the office.  Then worked later than usual in the office, rushed to get to the pharmacy, post office, grocery store then home.  Where, while I'm trying to get some software installed via the internet from my office, my son is going "MOM have you called AT&T about my phone" "MOM take me to WalMart" "but MOM, I NEED you to do this" and then my hubby is calling "Marilyn, did the package arrive?" "Marilyn, why didn't the package arrive?" "MARILYN GIVE ME THEIR PHONE NUMBER", then my aunt calls, the office calls, and I'm ready to pull my hair out. I can just feel that small area of white hair I have expanding exponentially. 
 
Well, several of you have asked about the nerve test I did.   You know, the

 
 
 
 
 
I was hit with.  And the
 
 

I was stuck with.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So the results.......I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in BOTH wrists.  I was fitted for hand splints today and have to wear them every night.  No wonder I was in such pain!
 
As for my neck, well, I'm headed to a neurosurgeon sometime.  I'm waiting on the call.  Currently, the shot they gave me for back has helped.  I still hurt, but not as much. 
 
So that's where I stand.   We know what's wrong with the hands and the back; now to concentrate on the neck.
 
 

So, I will leave you with a few more vintage goodies my mom has.  Isnt' the lantern so cool?

How about all these Sears and Roebuck reprints?

Smiles

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It's Sunday

Okay, I didn't get out of bed until after 12:00!  My husband came sometime around 10:00 or so to give me a pain pill (which normally wakes me up) & that's about all I remember.  That "emotional glue" the doctor prescribed for me (steroids and me do not mix) apparently knocks me on my butt.  I'm worried about getting up in the morning - I HAVE to.  I have work and an 8:00 am doctor's appointment to find out what's going on with my neck.  The test results are in, so now to find out the problem.

My husband FORBIDS me to try and do anything.  Last night, I tried to hang a shelf in my little work room - my husband informed me I was to sit my butt on the sofa and NOT to anything.  That I was bound to hurt myself. So sit I did.  He's in the little room now hanging the shelf!

Though I would share a few pics from my mom's house - it looks like the inside of a shop!  Well, it did - apparently most is being moved to her little building that she got to store all our Etsy stuff in.

Okay, Blogger is giving me some problems right now, so please bear with me.

This gentleman is so cooler in person - Mom got all this stuff at auction!

Yep, those are real cypress walls and slats - they can be found throughout the main areas of Mom and Dad's house.  It took them over 4 years to build the house AFTER they paid off the land.  They did about 80% of the work.

This phone is just sitting around gathering dust.  But isn't it so cool!  My mom loves phones like this.  Daddy tolerates.

This is CocaCola tray Mom has had FOREVER!!!  I think that is an old temperature gauge below it, not sure though

This is my brother's favorite - a black cat (jaguar - no such thing as a black panther so I've been told).

A collection in a corner of Mom's - I like the egg-shaped thing next to the Arkansas Razorback pig7

Would you believe I didn't know Mom liked clowns until I started taking these pictures?  She started showing me her clown collection.

What you see here is another collection of items at Mom's.  In her living room!

I always have to look real close at Mom's.  She buys items most weekends when she goes to auction.  What she doesn't keep (which really isn't a lot - anymore) we put up in our Ebay store.

I was going to show you more pics, but it's late & my medication is kicking.  NO WAY I'm having another steroid injection, "emotional glue" or not.  Good grief, I can't even think and my hands do not want to do what my brain tells them too.  Typing this is an act of futility!

Good Night All.

Postcard Friday

I wanted to take just a minute to share with some a postcard from my collection.  I just love it and hope you do too.  It's over 100 years old.

The colors are still very vibrant and I love the writing.  There are two more in this set, both address more or less the same way.  Apparently, JP was doing a little "courting" 100 years ago and they are spread out over about 3 years!  The lady these were addressed to held on to them all.  I think that is so sweet and romantic, don't you?

Hope you like it. 

Smiles~

Christmas Came Early for Me - And a few other notes

First, I had to share this.  My hubby already gave me a Christmas present.  Yep....it was just TOO heavy and bulky to haul to our parents' houses where we split Christmas.  So what is it you ask? This:

Yep, a five-drawer Kobalt tool chest from Lowes!!!  Okay, what kinda girl gets excited over a tool chest??  This kind!  The kind that knows how to wield a hammer and screwdriver better than a needle and thread.  The kind that makes things from miniature furniture to miniature dolls to full-sized, real-life sized objects.  One that is more at home with a paint brush than a makeup brush.  ME.  Just think - I can put ALL kinds of tools in there.

My hammers and pliers, my scissors, hemostats, tweezers, punches, chisels, dental tools,sclupting tools, even my stamps and ink pads!  This thing is BIG.  Now the million dollar question......Where will I put it????????  EEEEKKKKKK  Yeah, it's sitting in my living room.....on the floor....empty.  My studio has to be cleaned first.

But, I can't clean the studio right now. Why?  Well, tomorrow I am scheduled for an epidural injection in my back.  If that helps, great!  If not, surgery.  On Monday, I get the results of a nerve test.  Will I have nerve damage?  Will I need another test to see which bad disc in my neck (yeah both neck and back are bad) is pinching nerves causing pain in my neck, arms, and hands?  So for the time being, I'm reduced to working my full-time job, half at work/half at home.  I can't sit in a chair more than half a day before I must come home and sit/lay on the sofa and work.  Thank goodness for laptops, wireless networks, and the ability to tele-commute.  Oh, and I can some up with some GREAT ideas.

I have notebooks scattered all of the house, my truck, and my purse.  I even have one by my bed and a flashlight.  Inspiration comes to me right before I fall to sleep, as the stresses of the day ease and my brain relaxes.  So, I have SO much planned in miniature and in real-life size I want to do. 

Okay, enough about my pain.  No sympathy, put I'll take all the prayers I can get!  LOL - there's plenty of people out there a LOT worse off than me & I pray for them daily.

Now, a month or so ago, I posted about an auction I was getting to go to.  Well, did I have LUCK.  I'm talking about the kind that lets me get TWO FLATS of MILK GLASS for $2 each flat.  It was an AWESOME sale.

Here are just a few pics from that auction.  Pat and Eddie are the BEST people to know. 

I missed this clock - think the key was with it, but there was an antique dealer there that had a little bit more money than me - I go for CHEAP LOL.

Cute figures - Mom got Uncle Sam there.  I tried for the candle holders but no go.

Okay this was a STEAL - NO ONE BID AGAINST ME!  It's real jade and something else - I'll remember soon.  Now if my mother can remember where she put it!  I'm going to find it when I visit at Christmas.  Aggravating to say the least.

Now, Mom got this too.  She loves these fezzes (sp?) and has several. We have to be real careful not to bid against each other.  But guess what?????  I got the shoe molds.  Yep, and THEY WENT HOME WITH ME!!  They survived by mother's truck-cleaning binge the next morning.

Now isn't this the cutest lineup you've seen? I ended up with the wicker, which will get a fresh coat of paint and a couple glass paperweights.  Tried for the Starbucks coffee holder you see in the bottom lower right, but another lady wanted it a LOT worse than me!  I'll find something else to put my coffee an.  Anyone have any cool VINTAGE ideas???  :)

I did get a few of these though - can't remember exactly which ones.  See, these are at my mom's house and while I slept in the next day, in real intense pain (even sitting does that) she "cleaned out" her truck and "stuck" everything in her little travel trailer. So it disappeared into the Dark Hole of Calcutta - however, she now has her storage shed just about finished out (see, it's good I know about tools because I helped her with it - made sure she got all the materials necessary to build it out - my DH is an electrician so he wired it) and is moving stuff in, setting my stuff aside - I hope!  Isn't that wicker so nice?  Again, a new coat of paint and Wallah! good as new!  It was cheap too.....  :)

Anyway, now this picture I got on a WHIM.  No one was bidding and the poor thing just spoke to me.  It's old, in great shape, and I love it.  I may keep  it, it may go on Etsy, not sure right now.  The candelabra was too tall for me to deal with.  I don't have a brick and mortar store or booth and it was too heavy and tall to ship with ease.

You wouldn't belive the TREASURES I found in these boxes.  Oh yeah, my mom and I bought a LOT of them.  I love box deals.  Most of these were books. OLD OLD OLD books.  Antique books.  I'm going to take the old ones that are in bad shape and carefully take them apart to sell for collages and the like.  Of course, I'm keeping some for myself LOL.  Plus there were some really old collectable books I'm adding to my collection.  I LOVE old German and French books from the 1800s.  I can't read them, but love looking at them.  There was also a nick nack shelf perfect for my miniatures in one of them. 

There were also some Snoopy and other cartoon books in here.  I love Snoopy!!!!  Everybody dig now.  Find those treasures!  I did. 

Please realize, my mom and I FILLED TO THE BRIM an extended Dodge Durango. You know, the kind that seats 7.  We literally had barely enough room in the front seats for us and had to leave three boxes of stuff we had sorted out for Goodwill.  But I bet Ms. Pat called them right after we left or took them there for us. She and Mr. Eddie are good like that.  I love going to their sales.  They love us.  They tell everyone....we are so glad to have Ms. Louisiana here! 

Okay, last pic of the auction.  I hope to have some good pictures soon after Christmas.  Yep, my "play" camera came in! Yep, MOM has it.  Well, it is HER gift to ME. 

I got almost everything on this table. The orange enamel cast iron cookware, the football player, the Snoopy in the back, the brown vase and blue pot, and a couple of other things.  You can't see it, but just off to the left was a black wicker piece with a mirror in it and a small drawer.  It now belongs to me and will be getting a touch up.  In great shape though.

Whew, sorry for the long post, but it's been a while.  But,  I need to go to bed as I have to get up early to get my morning allowance of coffee into me BEFORE I have to quit drinking or eating.  My procedure is at 1:40, so I can eat and drink until about 9:00 am.  They give me a mild anesthesia, so they don't want me getting sick.  However, I am awake during the entire time.  Last time, the doctor told me I "was a mess".  I was smart-mouthing the entire time!  Well, what else can you do face down on a table with a doctor burning nerves in your neck?????  I did keep everyone giggling though. Gotta love pain meds.

                                                                                 Smiles~

Good Monday Morning

Just a quick post to tell you about something - I had a nerve test this morning so typing is painful.  Run for the hills if anyone says you need one LOL.  On the serious side, painful though it was, it was necessary to find out what's causing my problems - I should have the results by Wednesday.  Now on to what I wanted to mention....

I joined a PostCard Exchange.  For those that don't know what this is, you sign up at the link below, and then you can exchange postcards with people from all over the world.  Today, I mail out five - the max I can have in circulation at any time.  They are going here in the US, Germany, Estonia, France, and The Netherlands.  I can hardly wait to see the postcards I get back.  I LOVE postcards.  They are mini works of art. 

Anyhow, just go to Postcrossing - Postcards Traveling the World and sign up.  It's that easy.  I have my five ready to go out in the mail today and can't wait to start receiving them!  Think of all the cool stamps, cancellation stamps, and handwriting, not to mention cool postcards, you could receive for just a $1 & change (most of my postcards cost me $1 at the local gift store). 





Got to run and try to get some work done.  I have pictures from my shopping trip Saturday (I was feeling okay for a few hours so decided to finish up Christmas) & from an earlier auction that I want to share with you over the next few days.  Plus, my husband got a shelf up for my dolls collection (well, for some of them - an 8 foot shelf wasn't nearly long enough) but more are needed.  I'll have pics on that too.

Please bear with me as I fight through the pain caused by all my neck & back problems - I have good days and bad and I'll post when I can.  I have a LOT I want to share with all of you.  Minis, Dolls, and More.

Smiles~

Cajun 12 Days of Christmas - This is Hilarious

I've seen/read this before, but when my husband emailed me this, I just had to share it with everyone. 
Day 1

Dear Emile,

Thanks for da bird in the Pear tree. I fixed it las night with dirty rice an' it was delicious. I doan tink the Pear tree would grow in de swamp, so I swapped it for a Satsuma.

Day 2

Dear Emile,

Your letter said you sent 2 turtle dove, but all I got was 2 scrawny pigeon. Anyway, I mixed them with andouille and made some gumbo out of dem.

Day 3

Dear Emile,

Why doan you sen me some crawfish? I'm tired of eating dem darned bird. I gave two of those prissy French chicken to Mrs. Fontenot over at Grand Chenier, and fed the tird one to my dog, Phideaux. Mrs. Fontenot needed some sparring partners for her fighting rooster.

Day 4

Dear Emile,

Mon Dieux! I tole you no more of dem bird. Deez four, what you call "calling bird" wuz so noisy you could hear dem all da' way to Lafayette. I used they necks for my crab traps, and fed the rest of dem to the gators.

Day 5

Dear Emile,

You finally sent something useful. I liked dem golden rings, me. I hocked dem at da' pawn shop in Sulphur and got enough money to fix the shaft on my shrimp boat, and to buy a round for da boys at the Raisin' Cane Lounge. Merci Beaucoup!

Day 6

Dear Emile,

Couchon! Back to da birds, you big dumb turkey! Poor egg sucking Phideaux is scared to death ah dem six goose. He try to eat they eggs and they pecked the heck out ah his snout. Dem goose are dang good at eating cockroach around da' house, though. I may stuff one ah dem goose with erster dressing to serve him on Christmas Day.

Day 7

Dear Emile,

I'm gonna wring your fool neck next time I see you. Ole Boudreaux, da mailman, is ready to kill you, too. The poop from all dem bird is stinkin up his mailboat. He afraid someone will slip on dat stuff and gonna sue him. I let dem seven swan loose to swim on da bayou and some stupid duck hunter from Mississippi done blasted dem out da water. Talk to you tomorrow.

Day 8

Dear Emile,

Poor ole Boudreaux had to make 3 trips on his mailboat to deliver dem 8 maids-a-milking & der cows. One of dem cows got spooked by da alligators and almost tipped over da boat. I doan like dem shiftless maids, me. I told dem to get to work gutting fish and sweeping my shack--but dey say it wasn't in their contract. They probably tink they too good to skin all dem nutria I caught las night.

Day 9

Dear Emile,

What you trying to do? Boudreaux had to borrow da Cameron Ferry to carry these jumping twits you call lords-a-leaping across da bayou. As soon as dey got here dey wanted a tea break and crumpets. I doan know what dat means but I says, "Well la di da. You get Chicory coffee or nuthin." Mon Dieux, Emile, what I'm gonna feed all these bozos? They too snooty for fried nutria, and da cow ate up all my turnip green.

Day 10

Dear Emile,

You got to be out of you mind. If da mailman don't kill you, I will. Today he deliver 10 half nekkid floozies from Bourbon Street. Dey said they be "ladies dancing" but they doan act like ladies in front of dem Limey sailing boys. Dey almost left after one of them got bit by a water moccasin over by my out- house. I had to butcher 2 cows to feed toute le monde (everybody) and get toilet paper rolls. The Sears catalog wasn't good enough for dem hoity toity lords. Talk at you tomorrow.

Day 11

Dear Emile,

Where Y'at? Cherio and pip pip. You 11 Pipers Piping arrived today from the House of Blues, second lining as dey got off da boat. We fixed stuffed goose and beef jumbalaya, finished da whiskey, and we're having a fais-do-do. Da' new mailman drank a bottle of Jack Daniel, and he's having a good old time dancing with the floozies. Da' old mailman done jump off the Moss Bluff Bridge yesterday, screaming you name. If you happen to get a mysterious-looking, ticking package in da mail, don't open it.

Day 12

Dear Emile,

Me I'm sorry to tell you--but I am not your true love anymore. After the fais-do-do, I talked all da night with Jacque, the head piper. We decide to open a restaurant and gentlemen's club on the bayou. The floozies--pardon me--ladies dancing can make $20 un hour for dancin', and the lords can be the waiters and valet park da boats. Since da' maids have no more cows to milk, I trained dem to set my crab traps, watch my trotlines, and run my shrimping business. We'll probably gross a million dollars next year.

Joyeaux Noel et Bonne Annee!

Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Smiles~

Postcard Friday

This is the first Friday I've participated, and darn it, almost forgot!

Just recently, I rediscovered my love of old postcards and in the process, found some the were actual photographs.  I didn't know these existed and have been trying to add them to my collection along with the normal postcard greetings.  Personally, postcards showing places just don't appeal to me.  Greetings, odd photos, cartoons, and people are what appeal to me on a postcard.

Today, I'm sharing one that I just purchased.  Very seldom can you get an actual piece of history, signed and dated, thereby having proof of its providence, all for a whopping 41 cents!

Click the below link to go The French Factrice to be linked to more participants from all over.



Enjoy!

Smiles~

Just Stopping By for a Second to Share Another Win

I am so grateful.  In my time of extreme pain, God has decided to send angels with gifts to help lift my spirits.  Yes, I really do believe this!  I've been so lucky with blog giveaways lately that only God could grant me this luck.

Friday, I stumbled across a Snowman Hop for Stampers/Scrapbookers/Card Makers or anyone else.  I visited all the sites.  Many may not realize how much RL sized items (even stamps) can be translated to or used in miniature making.  What eye candy!  Everyone had the most gorgeous Snowman related items. 

Well, I won again (Happy Dance!)  This time is was Reindeer Kisses from Our Craft Lounge, and the site was With A Stamp and a Song.  Here is what my prize looks like:

So precious, isn't it?

Thank you Deb!

Smiles~

I'm Feeling Lucky! LOL

I won again!  This is just too good to be true and I am so very grateful. 

This time I won a giveaway from Vintage Patina - she had a great Newspaper Stamp Giveaway as a thank you to her followers and blogger friends.  Today was one of the more painful days for me - can't wait until the doctor burns the nerve in my back so I can stand up straight and not limp.  Then came the email from Mary that I won her wonderful giveaway and my day got brighter.

This is the stamp I chose: 

It was really a hard choice!  Both stamps (she had two to choose from) were ones anyone would want for their collection, whether or not they are a stamper (I'm just getting started but love unique vintage items).  To top it off, this was the very first time I had seen a stamp such as this.  It will definitely have a place of honor in my collection.

Mary, thank you so very much!  And followers, if you really want to check out a great blog, run on over to Vintage Patina and have a visit.

Smiles~

I WON - YIPPEEEE - HAPPY DANCE

Sorry, I'm just a tad excited.  Heidi, over at Fairy Footprints in the Sand just emailed me that I had won her giveaway.  Look: 

Isn't it sooooo neat!  A domino necklace.  I can't wait until it comes in!  Happy Dance........  :)

Smiles~

Party Time Deaux - WOW

Guess I better not wait as I see people have already started to visit me!  So here we got!

I believe my mother-in-law gave me this.  He currently resides in my spare bedroom all year round.  

My teddy, one of my favorite Christmas ornaments outside the nativity scene I mentioned in a previous post.

He sits on a little trunk in my hallway.  Isn't he cute?

Please ignore the junk in the background!  I "dressed up" my inside workroom last night with some estate/garage sale finds.  This is a sprig with a pinecone - plastic but I like it.  Better looking in person as my photo skills are HORRIBLE.

 

This little guy hangs on my bulletin board on my door to my work room.  I found him at an estate sale earlier this year.  He's made of wood and soooo cute!  Think I paid all of twenty-five cents.

I bought this Santa at Michael's on Black Friday as a gift, then decided to keep him.  He's hanging in my workroom next to the pine cone ornament.

I love this ornament.  Got it at a St. Jude's garage sale.  Think it's early 80's but not sure.  Anyway, it looks great!

My mini Christmas trees that stay on my entertainment center all year long. Found at Hobby Lobby (the green one) and Dollar General (the gold one).

My workroom door all dressed up for the holidays!
LOL - So, I'm lazy - pain does that to a person!


Okay, as promised, here is a WONDERFUL EASY divinity recipe.  I usually make these at Christmas.

Divinity in a Microwave

2 cups sugar
1/8 t. salt
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup karo
2 egg whites
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts

Combine sugar, salt, water, in 8-cup glass measure.
Microwave on high, uncovered 3 minutes.  Stir-microwave on high uncovered 8-10 minutes or until a small amount dropped in very cold water forms a hard ball (260).  Beat egg whites in large bowl until stiff--pour over hot syrup in thin stream on high speed-add vanilla continuing until mixture holds its shape and starts to lose its gloss (about 5 minutes); fold in nuts-spoon onto wax paper-approx. 50 pieces

See, now isn't that sooo easy!

Let me just say, Remember the REAL meaning of Christmas this holiday season.  The Christ Child.  Thank you dear God for sending him to us so we may be saved from our sins and join you in heaven one day.  Amen.

Enjoy!

SMILES!

IT'S PARTY TIME!

Sorry about that guys, hit enter by mistake!

Okay, today, Bella Dreams is hosting a Christmas Blog Party.  As I have been having chronic pain problems, I haven't gotten a lot posted, but I did take a few pictures of ornaments and Christmas items that I have strewed around the house.  I'll be back later with some pictures, but first........

I have a prized Christmas nativity scene.  My paternal grandmother made it back in the 40's or 50's I think.  She used to let my brother and I set it out and play with the camels reins.  Ma (that's what we called her) was a pretty uptight woman, but that was the one time she relaxed and it's a treasured memory.  Just thinking about it gives me a nice feeling.  I also have some of her really old Christmas ornaments.  They are so thin and fragile, I'm afraid to even take them out of the box.  They haven't been touched in a couple of years, but I really need to find a display case and put them in there - they are way too pretty to hide.

So, I'll be back later with pictures, AND I have an easy Divinity recipe to share.  The other day, as part of a cookie recipe swap, I posted an easy praline recipe, so check that one out too.

Until later.

Smiles~

Christmas Cookie Party

Etsy Cottage Style is having a Christmas Cookie Exchange Part.  All you have to do is click on the below picture that's in my sidebar (just like the one below) to join in the fun (and get some really great recipes)!  I couldn't figure out how to add the link to my picture inside this post - my HTML skills are non-existent!

So.....Here's mine.  Being close to New Orleans, I just had to do this one.  I make them almost every year for Christmas:

PRALINES A L ‘ORLEANS

4 Qt. Microwave safe glass mixing bowl, aluminum foil

Microwave Time: 13 minutes

30 large or 60 small pralines

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup whipping cream

1 pound light brown sugar

2 cups pecan halves 2 tablespoons margarine, room temperature

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix whipping cream and brwon sugar together in a 4 quart microwave safe glass bowl.

2. Microwave on HIGH (100%) 13 minutes Candy should be about 234-240 F (NOITE:  This was written BEFORE the invention of 1000+ watt microwave ovens so adjust time accordingly)

3. Quickly add margarine and pecans, stirring to mix.

4. Drop candy by teaspoon onto a sheet of foil and allow to cool

Now eat until you have a sugar high!  These are really very, very good

SMILES~

I WON I WON

YIPEEE.  I'm on cloud nine this morning.  I won TWICE in Jill's (Gypsy Brocante) VBF giveaway.  Not only did I win a great surprise package - can hardly wait to see what it is - but I also won some of her awesome hand stamped muslin ribbon. 

If you've never checked out her Etsy stores, you've got to.  She is such a talented artist AND she also has an Etsy store selling some cool vintage items.  Below are her three stores and they are linked to the Etsy pages.

Gypsy Brocante, Vintageology, and Gypsy Flea Market

There are lots of giveaways from other blogs going on, so just check out my sidebar from time to time.  Fiona and Twig just announced one click here along with Vintiquities Workshop click here. 

Okay, better run and get back to work.  I just wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to Jill. 

Smiles!

Another VBF Is Here! Also, SOB, the last

I was only a participant of Vintage Black Friday for a short time, but I LOVED it.  I wasn't going to post, but I'm feeling better today, and actually did some shopping.  If what I saw in North Louisiana today (still visiting Mom) is an indication of how well the economy is recovering, it must be doing a great job! Long lines, full parking lots, lots of buyers.  GREAT deals!  I hit Michael's hard and early today.  Got lots of great stuff.

Anyhow, I'll leave you with some Vintage images of Black Friday! LOL

An old black Argus camera - really cool looking, especially in person.

This is sitting on my parents' front porch!  An old player piano.

(ps.  it's for sale!!!!!)

The label on the inside of the lid.

My maternal great-grandmother and great-grandfather and two great uncles.  He was 20 years older than her!

Two of my great-uncles and that is my maternal grandmother in the middle.  Born in in 1911.

I thought this was a fitting end to VBF.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Smiles!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE

Just wanted to pop-in real quick and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. 

I'm having somewhat of a hard time recovering from my outpatient procedure, so I may not post much if any before next week.  However, don't forget to check out some of the giveaways that may pop up now and again on my sidebar.  I do go visiting some of my favorite blogs since it requires little use of my hands (unlike typing) and it's easy to post a pic and a link. 

The latest is a giveaway by Lulu Kellogg on her site for a set of Cavallini Stamps.  But hurry, the deadline for entry is November 29th.  Also, there are several more giveaways posted on my sidebar that are ending soon.

When I've fully recovered, I do have a lot to blog about.  I had a very worthwhile auction jaunt last weekend (lots of neat stuff) which doesn't include some things my mom got last Friday, a fruitful trip to Hobby Lobby on Monday (can you say LOTS of mini accessories for 1/2 off?), some pics snapped here and there of interesting stuff (borrowed my son's little camera), more interesting finds/wins on Ebay, and I'm getting an early Christmas gift!  My mom has ordered me a little digital camera I can shove in my purse and carry with me everywhere (unlike the huge Olympus digital I have for more professional/family get-together shots).  Yippee!!!

Oh, and if you don't know, Michael's is having a HUGE sale Friday.  The coupons are the best ever!!!  Can you say 25% off you ENTIRE purchase INCLUDING sales items!  My list is huge!!!!! LOL  Hopefully I'll be well enough that my mom (who is taking care of me right now - hubby and son are hunting) and I can make the hour drive to the nearest store for a little fun.  Any physical activity is really tiring.

No, I didn't have radical surgery, just four levels of nerves killed in the left side of my neck. Those nerves affect my entire head and neck, shoulder to shoulder, and down both arms to my fingertips.  Therefore the pain of typing.  I also have a bad vertebrae in my back causing a pinched nerve, therefore the trouble in walking.  The procedure was invasive, though short and of an outpatient nature, so I have to watch how much I lift and do.  My husband and mother both will not let me drive and fuss if I'm the computer too much!  I also had a  minor reaction to what they think is steroids they gave me to help with the swelling or possibly the anesthesia.  I've been itching compulsively for two days!


Anyhow, again, have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Smiles~

Well, Let's Hope I'm Numb & I'm a Winner!

Well, I came through the procedure on my neck okay but it will be 4-6 weeks before I know if it "took" this time and if it will give me some relief from my pain and allow me to turn my head.  Now, we start working on my back.  I literally could not get out of bed this morning when I woke up & in fact it took several attempts and about 20 minutes to get mobile enough for a shower.  Thank goodness I'm on sick leave this week!  At this moment, I'm sitting on the couch with an ice pack on my neck (the doctor said I looked like a pincushion, I told him I felt like one), still hurting even after a Lortab, and suffering from insomnia, a side-effect from the Lortab.

Now a little good news.....I WON, I WON.  I was the lucky winner of the giveaway at Flatwoods Folk Art.  Kerin from Remnants of Olde had created a wonderful tutorial for a Flying Angel Ornament and they pulled my name. 

Aren't they so cool?  And just in time for Christmas.

If your interested in making one for your own use, the tutorial is for sale at Remnants of Olde. 


Since I just acquired some wonderful postcards from Ebay (egad that four-letter word again LOL) and from an auction this past weekend, I have plenty of faces for the angels. 


The auction I went to this past weekend was surprisingly poorly attended, so I got some GREAT deals!  Most for our Etsy store, but some for myself.  I'm planning on getting some pictures loaded, probably after Thanksgiving since I'm headed to my parents' house and Mom doesn't have as good a setup for blogging as I do.


Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Smiles~