Dishaholic

I'm a dishaholic.... I love dishes and  I can't walk through a department store without checking out the housewares department and the dishes.  

I love thrift stores but here in Central PA I haven't been to successful finding lovely dishes.  I like old dishes and am particularly fond of Bavarian china and lovely hand painted roses.   I also like new dishes and like to change out our dishes every couple months. 

This week I purchased some Lenox dishes.... Butler's Pantry....I was so excited to get them out of the package and wash them and put them in the cupboard.  Uh....the cupboard.... it's not quite big enough.... what a bummer!  I can't get the cupboard door closed with the plates in them so today I decided to do some rearranging and reorganization so that I can have my new plates handy.   I spent the morning cleaning out the pantry so I could put stuff from another cupboard in there and have room for the plates.   Mission accomplished!   These are my new dishes.

Anyone else love pretty dishes?

We've Got Snow

It snowed here yesterday...a wet kind of snow....snow followed by sleet...  not wonderful for driving but great for kids and snowman making.  On my way home from work I noticed the kids in our neighborhood had a cute little snowman in their front yard.  I don't know about you but every time I see a snowman my heart melts.....I just think that it shows such creativity and spirit of fun in kids and I always imagine the fun that the kids had building the snowman. 

I didn't get a photo of the snowman but this one will always be a favorite of mine...my nephews built it in our front yard one Christmas. 

Anyone else enjoying the snow?

Camera Case

I finally finished part of my sister's Christmas present.  She wanted  a camera case.  She is also a blogger and likes to keep her camera in her purse for those unexpected shots, so the case I made for her will give her quick and easy access.    Today was her birthday, I actually thought I could have it to her by today but I wasn't sure what kind of closure to use....  got it all figured out now I hope.  Happy Birthday Lindy, this will go in the mail first  thing Monday morning.

It's really cold out there!

Is it cold where you are?  It sure is in Central Pennsylvania.  About four years ago when we got a new refrigerator we put the old one out in the garage and we have been using it for soda and extra food, etc.  I love having an extra place to store cold food! 

Unfortunately I forgot to check  the temperature in the refrigerator and I knew that as it was getting colder outside and the soda was starting to get kind of slushy I should have been concerned.  Well today it happened...   a can of soda exploded in the refrigerator. This was not my first experience with a can exploding so I should have been concerned a few days ago, but it was easier to just ignore the problem and  now I have a mess that I am not cleaning up until it gets much warmer in the garage!    I think it's going to be warming up so I have my fingers crossed that the mess doesn't get any worse.

I guess I can be happy that we didn't have any pipes break, yep, things could be much worse! 

Crossing my fingers, saying a prayer....

I'll be doing something tomorrow that I have never done before.....something that a lot of you already do and don't think a thing of it...but not me....I am starting to get cold feet!   I have an appointment to spice up my hair tomorrow at noon.   I have had red hair all my life and anytime I mentioned color or highlights or anything that would alter the color of  my hair,  my mother would launch into a lecture so..... I hear you mother, but I'm not listening!!!! 

I've had highlights before but never had anything other than that.  I'm 55 and my hair is dull and lifeless and boring....it's winter and cold and right now my life is about as dull as my hair so its time to do something interesting and fun.  My first choice would be to lose about 20 pounds but I don't see that happening so I'm going to have my hair colored.  I am hoping that I leave the salon thinking "I should have done this 10 years ago" but I'll settle for "I think I'm going to like this". 

Monday when I got my nails done we picked a color...I'm going with a red that will be a bit darker than my natural shade and then I'm getting highlights on top of that!  Ok, I'm sure that's more information than anyone would ever be interested in....

So, tell me your hair coloring stories...I'm particularly interested in the ones where you tell me that it makes you feel great and look about 10 years younger...  Do you stick with the same color or change your color with the season or your mood? 

Fluffing!!!

It snowed all day today so I planned for a day of fluffing up the house....  what you ask is "fluffing"?   "Fluffing" is when you don't really have to clean, you just rearrange everything, change vignettes, etc.   I started in my bedroom and dressing room.  I took the white down comforter off my bed and folded it and put it at the bottom of the bed and put on another one I had that also matches the room but gives the room a bit of a warmer look.   I don't think my cleaning lady dusts the bathroom....  so I dusted in there and changed the vignette that was on the counter, then went into the living room and rearranged and fluffed the shelves on either side of the fireplace.  Previously the top shelf  just had 3 plates and was looking kind of bare so I played with that and then started rearranging the furniture.  Since no one uses that room now that we put 50" plasma out in the "man cave", I moved the furniture so the dogs can look out the window!  Ahh yes, Stewart is a happy camper!

Christmas Swap

My Crazy Quilters for Newbies Yahoo Group had a Christmas swap trading supplies. I am a true newbie, I’ve done a few small pieces and I dream of bigger and better things but am not experienced enough to feel comfortable with any of the round robins or swaps where you actually swap your work. I have been mostly accumulating embellishments and fibers to play with and I’ve had a great time doing it. The swap was for supplies and you could even ask for a particular color. I asked for pink and the person who sent me stuff was Karen K from Arizona. She sent me such wonderful stuff…. an abundance of lovely things. I can’t wait to start using everything….I am so excited about the little charms she sent, a sweet little sewing machine and such a tiny cat….buttons ribbon, thread, motifs and fabrics galore. I just love everything and am so blessed to have gotten such a wonderful package to add to my stash.

Thank you Karen for everything…. I love it all!!!