The Rat's Pajamas

03 June 2013

Rain and cake

There has been nothing but rain for days on end. There is flooding all over Europe...so sad. I spent most of today baking. It has taken a little longer for things to come to room temperature. :) I'll have pictures tomorrow. I've got one more cake to go.....the frosting is done...it has to be made in advance. Hubby took me to a flea market on Saturday and I still need to take a picture of my treasures...a whole handful that cost me 19 euro. It started raining right as we were leaving. It was fun and I can't wait to go again.....maybe my brain will catch up...I know my German numbers, I swear I do. Well...it's bedtime..so until tomorrow....which will be awesome. :)

27 May 2013

Happy Things

I know today is Memorial Day and it should be a somber day. I don't like to be preachy about it...it is different for different people. I figured I'd show some happy things instead. We had a team event on Wednesday and we went bowling and had a potluck. I always bake for potlucks. :) I made red velvet cupcakes using this recipe: http://divascancook.com/2009/11/the-best-red-velvet-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-moist-with-southern-flair.html They turned out pretty good. I made another Apple Cake with Butterscotch Cream Cheese Frosting and remembered to take a picture this time. I did forget to take a picture of the corn bread. :) I shared some of the cupcakes with the van driver and aide for wee one and she gave me these flowers in return.....columbines...I love them. We used to grow them when I was a child. I splurged this weekend at the Real (German grocery store plus more). I got some peonies for 4,99.....I know I bit steep for just three flowers but so worth it. You can see part of some flowers I got last week....2 bundles of flowers for 2,99 each. The best thing ever was this Playmobil set.....I've been wanting this one since we got here...it screams Germany. There is one more Playmobil set I want...it is like a roadside stand with a chicken coop...awesome. I love Playmobil sets with food. This one was in sale...just to make it even better. However you are spending the day I hope you have a good one and don't forget to drop by the auction site tonight and bid on something, please. :)

26 May 2013

Hope for OK auction items

Here is my contribution to the Hope for OK auction. I didn't have time to make anything, but Heather suggested German goodies. I went a little nuts and had enough items for 3 boxes. If you are interested the auction starts tomorrow. Heather has a preview of some of the auction items on the site right now....go take a peek and hopefully, you'll open your wallets this week. :)

https://www.facebook.com/hopeforok

22 May 2013

Hope For Oklahoma

Heather Ales (fellow Silver Bella artsy craftsy friend) has started an online auction to benefit the people of Oklahoma. Here is the link to the Facebook Page. If you can donate an item or two for auction, please do. If you can't, please go to the auction and bid on something. Thanks.

https://www.facebook.com/hopeforok

20 May 2013

Just Because It Makes Me Laugh

This is a picture from San Diego back in February. We were geting popcorn and a Sprite (per Wee One's orders) and these seagulls stole a bag of chips and proceeded to rip it open and eat it. It was awesome. I'm still recovering from our weekend of errands...the boys had to get haircuts. When you are a one car family and you live off-post all your errands take place over the weekend. I baked a pie last week and forgot to take a picture until we ate half of it. :) The week before that I made an Apple Cake with Butterscotch Cream Cheese Frosting and didn't remember to take a photo at all....grrr. It was really good. I got it out of a book I checked out from the Graf Library.."More From Magnolia" by Allysa Torey. The frosting alone is worth finding that book for the recipe...yes, that good. I made Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins last night and had they come out of the muffinpans good...I would've taken a photo. Most of them got stuck and I had to rip them fom the pans. I haven't found my cupcake liners yet. :) Oh well.....I'm going to try to craft now....mostly cut things out. It is a start....I'm trying...really, I am. :)

15 May 2013

The joys of IEPs

We had to go to yet another IEP yesterday. :) I usually hate these things, but it turns out they wanted to modify his IEP..in a really good way. They applied for an aide for him, so that he can go hang with the neurotypicals more. He still needs someone to keep him on task, help with transitions and the like...but this is awesome news. I always knew he was smart..his looks get in the way. :)

14 May 2013

A Walk in Weiden, Part 2

I went to Dehner's (garden center) and Norma's (small grocery store) after my walk around town. That croissant (schoko-nuss) tasted way better than it looks. It was like a carnival game getting it out of the dispenser...I lost. There was a beautiful one in the back, but it just would not come out. The Bacon Peps we discovered the first time we went to Norma's back in February....I love bacon anything. The Dehner's has a small craft/home decoration section. That is where I found the crepe paper.....I haven't played with crepe paper in forever.....flowers...that is what they are destined to be...if I can remember how to make them. :) The tea pots and buttons are fabric...too cute to pass up.

A Walk in Weiden, Part 1

I decided to get out of the house today. I'm not comfortable taking pictures of places yet...not sure if it would be rude. So I'm sticking to nature shots. I'm thinking of re-naming my blog "Auto Focus" for the fact that is the setting my camera is on and will probably stay on. Maybe I'll figure out how to do it manually.....after I unearth my manual.

13 May 2013

Mushrooms

These photos are brought to you by the letter "T"...as in Teri. Thanks for telling me how to get photos back on my blog. :) It wouldn't be Germany and I wouldn't be me if I didn't post a few mushroom photos. These were taken in my backyard last week. Yes, that is grass....green grass. Not rocks, not "dormant" grass...real green grass. Billy is happier than a pig in shit. :) We are all happy. We love Germany. It is beautiful. Weiden is a great town to live in...if you feel like being an expat...come here.

21 April 2013

I guess I should post something.....

I'm just enjoying being in Germany. Oh...I just love Germany. The bratwurst, brotchen, brezen...it's green (even covered in snow). :) We now have all our stuff (car included), so I've been un-packing. It's been a busy two months. We had to get a house, our two kids in school (one was a challenge), figure out how to get where we needed to go....lots of little things....okay, where all the German grocery stores were in our town. I am a grocery store whore. It's a sickness....one Hubby and Jr don't mind...they like food. We try to pick something new to try everytime...okay, for them to try. I'm still a picky eater who loves food. I know it is just wrong. We bought flowers and plants yesterday. They have to go in pots....I'm used to that. I'm just happy knowing they won't die from the heat. :) I've been reading a crap load.....two different libraries to chose from....you can check out as many books at a time that you want. I'll have to start of all the books I've read so far....mostly fluff and that is okay. You need to read what you will enjoy or it is a chore. Reading should not be a chore. I'll try to start posting more....pictures I can't promise. Oh...there is a church down the road, so we get to hear the church bells.....nice. I do miss the cannon on post though.....only got to listen to that for two weeks...it was awesome....ka boom (as wee one liked to say whenever it went off). :)

11 January 2013

Happy and Sad

Man...blogger is being such a bitch this week. I can't upload from my computer. Well, I'll have to do it without pictures...argh. 2013 is shaping up to be a really good year. We are moving this year...after many years of trying...we are getting stationed in Germany for a third time. I'm so excited I might piss myself. We've been waiting since September for this assignment.....I didn't want to get my hopes up and have them dashed (like the two previous times). We are due to move in early February. So I've been busy destashing and more destashing....because things you want come at a cost. I will not be able to keep my shop open while we are in Germany. I've found a few nice ladies to take some of my stock for their own shops. It has been hard, but it needs to be done.

Yesterday, was a good day...we got our transportation dates. I now know how quickly I need to get rid of stuff. :) I read a really good quote on a blog the other day...it has put it in perspective for me. :) "You will find that it neccessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy." -C. Joy Bell C. As a military family....we have a weight limit....I thought it was funny. This was the other totally awesome thing that occcured yesterday: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/01/army-master-sergeant-selections-announced-011013w. My husband made the E-8 list and will be promoted this year. I'm so proud of him...I knew he could do it. :) I guess that is all for now...that crafty closet needs a crap load of work. :) Happy New Year!

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. :)