Mixed Media Weekend

Travis went hunting last night after work so the boys and I are hanging out around the house. Actually, we kind of have to hang out around the house because Travis had to come back and get my Explorer because his pickup was having issues and he was worried it wouldn't have made it in all the way to, or out of, their hunting camp. I stayed up until 4 am last night working on various projects. It was nice having some alone time. While I really could have put that time to better use (ex. cleaning my neglected house), it was much more fun doing the things I did. Maybe I can clean tomorrow.

I baked Chocolate Scotcheroos for the first time maybe ever. I've had them several times before, but I can't recall a time when I have actually made them. I ♥ them a lot!

Next I dyed my hair because it had been FOREVER since I've done so.

It's not really a whole lot different.

I took a picture of Hunter and myself since it had been too long since our last one and I decided to make a change.

I finished stamping the message on the inside of all of my Christmas cards so they are ready to be signed, sealed and delivered - but not until it's a bit closer to Christmas.

I started and completed my section of 'Jack Frost' - one of the current blankets being worked on by West Coast Oddball Knitters (my section is the top dark part only).

Today, Hunter and I finished painting some wooden Halloween decorations we had gotten awhile back from the craft store.

I did some more glass etching, in fact I finished the projects I had in mind (and had materials for). I'm trying to think if there are any other gift ideas I could do for anyone on my list. I didn't use the one set of initials I had printed out to somewhat match the first set of glasses I had done...it just wasn't "doing it for me" anymore. I ended up with this instead:

I'm fairly certain the people I'm making these gifts for don't read my blog....if for some reason they do, guess they won't be surprised much on Christmas. Ha! Actually, most of them can be for many different people I know so if you have a 'J' or 'A' for either your first or last initial...it could be you, but maybe not - guess you'll find out in 2 months (can you believe Christmas is only 2 MONTHS away?!)

I was going to stay up awhile again tonight and work on getting my backing for my quilt completed but I'm tired after only sleeping 5 hours last night (though I'm perfectly capable of functioning on that amount) so I think I'm going to call it a night "early" - it's already 11 pm.

Shop 'till You Drop

I was fortunate enough to be given the day off today!!  After dropping Travis off at my mom's house (where he has to park his work truck since our neighborhood is lame and we were told we couldn't park it in our driveway overnight) the little boys and I went shopping!  It was only for groceries so it wasn't that thrilling but I do have to say it was better than most grocery shopping trips and here's why I'd say that:

1.  The time of day - shopping early in the day is the way to go!

2.  The other customers - because of the time of day you get a completely different crowd!

3.  No hurry - we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere so we could take our time!

I guess when you go in the evening, most people (including myself) are getting done working, are cranky from that and in a hurry to get home and that always makes for a bad shopping trip.  In the morning, you generally get the older crowd and, let's just face it, their pace and attitudes are usually a whole lot nicer.  They're friendly - stopping to chat with the kids, (mostly) happy and don't give you attitude when your kid is blocking the aisle.  

Here's to grocery shopping in the morning!

I bought pork carnitas today for the first time ever.  I've had pork carnitas burritos, but I think that's it.  Now I need to go find a recipe to use them in!  Anyone have any good ideas - please share!!

Let's Party!

I am doing my first Pampered Chef (in home) party in over a year tomorrow.  I'm very excited for it, but don't have anything ready yet!  I always have dreams leading up to shows where I forget things (like don't have any of my products, catalogs, etc) and of course I had one just the other night.  I'll get it all together and things will work out as they always do.  We're making these mini carrot cake cupcake things that look SOOOOO yummy, I can't wait to try them!

I really need to start doing more shows so I can have some extra money to finish paying all of our recent medical bills.  Hopefully at tomorrow's show I can get a booking or two.  I know exactly what I need to do to book more shows, I just can't get myself motivated to do it!  Do you have any tips or ideas to help me?