The Rat's Pajamas: 2012

25 November 2012

Cyber Monday Shopping Idea List

25 October 2012

My Sister Is Getting Off Her Butt....

and is getting serious about her shop. Happy, happy..I always knew she had it in her. :) Okay...she has a blog just for her shop (but as of two minutes ago still didn't have a link to her shop....silly girl. :) Here is the address to her shop blog: www.unpretentiouspeacock.blogspot.com She hasn't listed anything in the shop yet, but she does have a few pictures of things to come. I'm so proud of her and really excited. So, if you can go over and take a peek....I'd really appreciate it.

28 September 2012

Cool Stuff from Target

Okay, I think I've got this down...I do like that you can change the order of your pictures....found that out by sheer chance. :) Apologies for not being around. I was prepping for Handmade U and I returned from that on Sunday evening. It was great, but that is another post. Today, I want to discuss the above. :) All these goodies were purchased at Target (weeks ago.....I just learned how to upload on my new computer). I'm not sure if you can still get the soup or crayolas....but they are pretty cool. Good thing my hubby and Jr love tomato soup. :) Cupcake themed cryola crayons...frigging adorable. The best of the lot- the Apple Fritter Bread. I love this bread and I think that was loaf three and I am on loaf four right now. It can be eaten toasted or not.....delicious stuff. I haven't tried it yet, but it might be worth trying out as french toast. They have other flavors...Blueberry Struesel (not bad), Mocha Marble (next on the list), and there was a Pumpkin one on Monday. I'm not sure if all Targets will offer the bread...it may only be the ones with fresh groceries.....our Target was updated in June. It isn't a Super Target, but it isn't bad. :) These photos were taken weeks ago....so the cool stuff in the Dollar Spot hadn't come in yet. You will want to check that out right now as well. :) I love Target!

20 August 2012

Holy crap...I'm so out of shape

Well, I've been exercising every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday since wee one started school. I'm so tired...someone put me out of my misery...not really. I really did need to start exercising. I'm just waiting for that burst of energy crap they talk about....not happening here...I can't do shit for hours afterwards. I'm not getting anything accomplished and I have so much that needs doing. :) I did clean up my crafty pantry thing the other day...kind of....far from what it needs to be...but you can walk in there and some what find things. It took hours. The etsy shop has to go on the back burner (yet again) as I'm prepping for Handmade U.....vendor goods come first and I just got my supply list for classes. It's less than a month away. I'm glad that I got some of it done this summer. I'm so excited about going.....the classes will be a challenge.....I'm not a journaler, but I do like learning new artsy things. :)

07 August 2012

One Down, One To Go

I'm back......summer went too quickly (for once....it usually drags). Even with multiple TDYs, we managed to get some family time in....a trip to UT and a quick trip to Phoenix last week. The boys and I went to Vegas one weekend, wee one had horseback riding on Thursdays, and we got in a bunch of thrifting this summer. I hardly read or cooked this summer...no crafting at all. Happy news...I'll be attending and vending at Handmade U in September. I'm also Sponsor #8. :) There are still slots available...go here to find out more: www.rach-ology.blogspot.com . Should be a good time. School started for the oldest child yesterday and tomorrow for the little one....sweet freedom. Not really....I have much to do....prepping for Handmade U, working on my neglected shop, organizing my crafty crap.....to top it all off I offered to go running with the lady across the street..oy. I haven't done that in years...but my fat ass needs the exercise. :) Hey, I bought a swim suit for the first time in 9 years last week....I can do this running thing. I think I'll go have a ding dong now. :)

01 June 2012

Summer Break...I'm taking one

This photo was taken in Phoenix over Spring Break. At one of the many animal related trips we took. :) My kids have been out of school for exactly one week so far and I'm already going insane. :) I feel bad that I haven't blogged much and don't want the added pressure of feeling I need to. This is my month.....I have a birthday and anniversary...it is supposed to be happy month. I've shut down my shop for the summer as well. I'm hoping to just enjoy doing nothing in particular. Have a great summer!!

07 May 2012

Holy crap...

I don't blog for a month or so and everything has changed. Egads. Let's see...since March 12th- I've read eight books, baked a crap load (scones, muffins, cakes, quiches), drove my boys to Phoenix to meet my parents for Spring Break, went to two zoos and one aquarium, we had a quick 10 day visit with my hubby (before he left for another 7 week TDY), made two wreaths, donated a bunch of stuff, and watched a lot of tv. I haven't made much (other than the two wreaths) ,but I'm hoping to...I bought two different journal kits. I've never made one, so it will be a good challenge. I'm alive and tired. I have enjoyed the baking. We need soldiers though....I miss baking for soldiers.....maybe our next duty station (if we ever get out of here). I can't make any promises, but I'll try to blog more. :)

12 March 2012

Best Soup Ever (so far)

I've made this soup four times. That is how much I like it (and it has been soup weather here in Southern AZ...quite a bit in the last month or so....it's that friggin wind). It is Creamy Potato Leek soup. It has 5 ingredients and is pretty simple to make. It is a bit chunky, but we like it that way. I top it with cheddar cheese. It reheats well. I like the slightly green part of the leek as well....crazy I know.

CREAMY POTATO LEEK SOUP

8 potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 cups chicken broth

1 pound of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

3 leeks, sliced

1 cup heavy cream

1. In a large saucepan or stockpot, bring potatoes and chicken broth to a boil. Cook until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, reserving 3 Tablespoons of grease and set aside. Sautee the leeks in the frying pan with the reserved grease 8 to 10 minutes.

2. When potatoes are tender, stir in the fried leeks, heavy cream and bacon. Stir to blend and remove from heat. Serve hot.

Here is the orginal link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Creamy-Potato-Leek-Soup-II/Detail.aspx

That way you can read the reviews (in case, you like to make substitutions....I don't). Go make a pot....it is that good. That is saying a lot coming from me the Food Lover Who Doesn't Like To Eat. There is no salt and pepper in the recipe...I add both...I add freshly ground pepper to the broth and potatoes while boiling. The salt I add as I'm scoopping it into the bowl. If you have a Trader Joe's nearby....go and get their sea salt and pepper grinders.....they are refillable and are only around $3.00 each. They have a smoked salt and a pink salt ones as well. I love Trader Joe's. :)

02 March 2012

French General, Part Two

Well, here it is....the rest of French General. Wee one (after the stomach bug made it's rounds through the family) brought home a chest cold and felt the need to share that as well. Hubby is gone.....for weeks and weeks.....oy. Someday I will feel 100% and get my shit together. I do have a really good recipe to share...I have a picture to go with it....it needs to be downloaded. So simple, yet something I have yet to accomplish. Have a great weekend!

16 February 2012

French General, Part I

This is French General. Totally awesome. These pictures show the wall of beads and buttons. It is on the left hand side. The beads and findings are done by color....so cool. It took three shots to get the whole bead portion. The last picture is of the buttons. You can see that cabinet in the second picture. www.frenchgeneral.com

15 February 2012

Better Late Than Never

I figured I'd start with the people. :)

Top Photo (l to r): Kaari Meng, Charlotte Lyons, Pam Garrison
Second Photo: (the totally awesome) Dawn

Third Photo: Michelle of Paper Tales

Fourth Photo (l to r): Chris, Terri and Terry

Fifth Photo (l to r): Me, Lonnie Jenck, Julie Baxley, Cheryl Stoneham

I didn't get as many pictures of people as I would've liked....I was busy talking, crafting, eating and drinking.

24 January 2012

This and That

Time always goes so fast...when you are on a deadline. :) My Vintage Christmas ABC Pages were due to the hostess on the 20th....I got mine in the mail on the 19th. I had T and V.....T ended up looking like something to hang in a man cave. :) I included a little tree trimming kit, so that everyone can do up their tree how they want. The pictures suck due to the fact that it was a Thursday and I have a limited amount of time on Thursdays (early release day for the school...I hate early release days....we didn't have those growing up). I had to get them packed up and mailed. I love how my V page turned out.....I stickled the edge of her tutu....it's all sparkly. You probably can't read it, but it says, "Visions of sugarplums danced in their heads." above the velvet.....there aren't a whole lot of V words for Christmas. :)

My swap partner, Cari, from the stocking swap posted about what I sent her...go here for the scoop: www.luckygirlgifts.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-of-christmas-swaps.html . I happy she liked everything and I have to say I love her new header. :) I need to remember to bring her little piece of embroidery she made me to LA with me this weekend. I think it would be perfect in one of the projects (actually...a few of them). I really need to start thinking about what to bring with me. I am excited. It's Charlotte Lyons for goodness sakes. I just adore her classes...she's a nice woman as well. I'm excited that Pam Garrison is co-teaching that class....I never managed to take a class with her at Silver Bella. I'm going to bring my camera...I just hope I remember to take photos....I never remembered to at SB. :) Last, but not least- I marked everything down in the shop...no coupon codes to remember. Everything has been marked down by 50%....I figured it would be easier for shoppers. So, hopefully, you'll take a peek and see something you can't live without. :)

23 January 2012

Adventures in SLC Bluegirl Style

When we figured out that we were going to Utah for Christmas.....I decided to convo a fellow etsy seller and blogger, Julie Collings (http://www.theadventuresofbluegirlxo.blogspot.com/ ), to ask her for a list of favorite haunts. She obliged (thank goodness) and gave me a list of places. We got a late start (Hubby was nice enough to take me) and hit all but one thing on her list. Here is the list (just in case you find yourself in SLC):

Capital City Antiques (http://www.capitalcityantiquemall.com/)- 959 South West Temple, SLC

I loved this mall....they had great displays, but not too much. I found some great smalls here.

Decades- 627 South State, SLC
We both loved this one. All that vintage clothing....it was awesome. The prices were not bad either. If I didn't have a little Mr Sticky Fingers....I would have bought all sorts of stuff.

Retro Rose- 207 East Broadway, SLC

All their displays were color coordinated- too cool. :)

*Jitter Bug Antiques- 243 East 300 South, SLC

It is a few steps away from Retro Rose....all sorts of vintage toys, ephemera, and other gooodies.

A stop at the Anthropologie at Gateway Mall.

Not the best Anthropologie that I've been to, but they were having a sale...I got a shirt and a copy of Anthology.

Vine Street Antiques- 4854 South State Street, Murray
This was my least favorite.....they had great displays of vintage toys, but were overpriced. No picture...it was too dark.

The * was for the fact that it wasn't on Julie's list. It was fun and nice to see the city from someone else's prespective. :) If you get the chance to try that in a similiar situation, you should.

The reason for the late start...the day before, my Father, took Jr and me on a marathon thrifting session. We started at 0800 and came home after 2100...we hit 10 Deseret Industries, 2 Salvation Army stores, and 2 Savers. It was insane....do not attempt that ever. Oy. I didn't find much for the shop...mostly things for myself. Lots of books. I love books. :)

06 January 2012

I'm Having A Sale

I decided to embrace some of the new technology that Etsy has and made a coupon code (I know it's been available for a few months now...give me a break). If you use NEWYEAR20 you can get 20% off anything in the store. I've still got Christmas/New Year's items, loads of trim, some fabric and fun vintage items. www.MayMouse.etsy.com Go check it out...I need to make room for the new old stuff. :)

04 January 2012

A Year Ago Today

We moved to Arizona from Georgia. I can't believe it has already been a year...oy. We got back from our trip on New Year's Eve.....I figured we were on the road last year, so we should be home for this one. Utah was cold...not as much snow as I had hoped for, but enough that the boys could throw snowballs at each other (and their Dad). It was nice spending Christmas with my parents. I've got photos....I just haven't downloaded them yet. My Dad took me on a day of thrifting that lasted around 12 hours, 280 miles, and 15 thrift stores. I found a few things for the shop, but for the most part it was books....lots of books. Some for me (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden and Agatha), some for wee one's school bus, some for my b-i-l, and some for hubby and Jr. I, also, had a special trip into Salt Lake just to go to shops recommended by one of my favorite bloggers. We all went and saw "Alvin and the Chipmunks: ChipWrecked"...it was cute and wee one really enjoyed it..he kept screaming "Alvin" and "mango and banana"...he knows his fruit. We had two bottles of German wine, that we had my parents bring back for us and have been with them since 2004. Good times. I promise a better post in the future....still getting back in the groove of things....first day where all of them are in school/work....it is so quiet....that is a good thing. :)