Checking it Twice

To be honest, I've already received my Christmas gift this year: a Kindle. I love it. Truly. But that doesn't prohibit me making a list. *grins widely* And so, in no particular order of preference, I present the 2010 list of 'Presents Possible':

Jigsaw 'Butter Leather Trench'

Sterling gemstone band by JujuBySarah on Etsy
With citrine and peridot, please.

Biscuiteers Book of Iced Biscuits

And perhaps some Christmas biscuits from Biscuiteers as well.

(Thought I'd throw this in for good measure:
I'm still searching for a leather sectional Chesterfield - fyi. Red leather, please.)

Hallmark ornament: 1940 Ford pickup

Blerg.

I've tried to not love it. But I do.

Adore her. (And I may have already purchased this.)

Sing it with me...

This should surprise no one; I ask for it every year.

Vintage NARS: 'Full Metal Jacket'

So, Mr C, aka darling husband... If you are so inclined, I will be most grateful. And thank you again for my wonderful Kindle. xx

Happy Christmas, dear blogfriends.   tIO x

Waiting Patiently

Patience is something I have been advised never to pray for. (And that suggestion comes from someone who also never uses the word 'never' or ends a sentence with a preposition.) Alas, some of us are not naturally inclined toward it and therefore have to either pray for patience or acquire it through osmosis.

I prefer to 'practice' patience. Currently, I am practicing with this:

It arrived in my mailbox today. However, I am waiting until the day after Thanksgiving, aka 11 more days, to plaster it to the glass side door. Of course, I then will practice additional patience, aka 5 days after that, to begin hanging the 'ornaments'. *sighs*

Wherever did I find such a clever thing? The lovely ladies of Willow Creek Signs created it! After 'Wonderful Graffiti' - my online, go-to wall decal shop - closed earlier this year, I'd been looking for its replacement. Unsurprisingly, I ventured onto Etsy. As ever, I am glad I did.

For this 'Advent Calendar' design, they offer four styles of trees:

And for all of their wall decals, they have literally dozens of colors from which to choose! I do like choices.

Oh, look!  *checks clock*  It's Tuesday already! 10 more days...

Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again soon!   tIO x

More designs from Willow Creek Signs:

   

She Wants Pinking Shears?

A friendly reminder for those of you with 'significant others'. Though it may feel like she wants this:


she may simply want this:



(Or possibly just a new pair of these:Just a suggestion, Keith.)


Happy weekend, lovelies.   tIO x

"1 cup fresh lemon juice"

Perhaps this is a non-sequitur during the winter gastronomical season, but I love lemon bars. Here's my favorite recipe: (from Ina Garten's 'Barefoot Contessa Cookbook')

For the crust:
1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:
6 extra-large eggs, room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4-6 lemons)
1 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1 cup flour
1 cup Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack, and leave the oven on.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.

Cut into bars and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Yummy! And remember this...

Made by the lovely dazeychic; click-through to find her shop on Etsy.

Off to bake! TTFN...   tIO x

White Collar

I might be enamored with the show (Tuesdays at 10p on USA), but I quite like these white collars as well:

1. 

2. 

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6. 

7. 

8. 

All items found on Etsy: 1. White Cotton Shirt by yystudio 2. Mother of Pearl Necklace by JulReDesigns 3. Neckwarmer Cowl by piprobins 4. Floating Statement Necklace by DolorisPetunia 5. Flurries Cowl by windowsill 6. Summer Moon Necklace by Seashaped 7. Bastion Top by desirapesta 8. White Poplin APC Shirt by joliejuliett


Following is the best quote from the most recent WC episode, courtesy of Neal Caffrey, who was drugged, but happy, handcuffed to a chair and told "don't pick this": (to the handcuff) "I could slip you off. That wouldn't be picking; that would be slipping."

Happy days, kids!   tIO x

Happy 2010!

Welcome, New Year; we've been waiting for you! So, pop the cork, and feast your eyes on these bubbly Etsy delights:


'2010' champagne lollies from Vintage Confections


Hand-dyed silk yarn in 'Pink Champagne' from thefiberdennlace


'Petal Rim Bowl' in champagne and blue from StudioElan


'Bubble Locket' from PersimmonTree



Recycled 'Bubble Up' Soda Bottle Glasses from YAVAglass



Pink Champagne Cake from DessertNetCafe



'All About a Pink Champagne Bow Clutch' from DavieandChiyo


Here's to health, happiness, and joy to you and yours in 2010. Cheers! from tIO x

Banner Day! with meringuedesigns

It's the Monday before Christmas, and it's a 'banner day'! Let's celebrate with the wonderful Etsy shop, Meringue Designs.



Cynthia Winward is a SAM of three who " found (her) passion in life" through sewing. When she left finance to raise her children, she also reunited with her serger and that's when things came together. Literally! Drapes, quilts, jackets and clothes for the children and for herself. And now she creates pillows, embroidery, patterns, and - of course - celebration banners like this one:

The best thing about this banner, though, is that it's for sale as a pattern - an "entire alphabet in mirror image...for uppercase and lowercase letters". It is a supplement to her 'Birthday Banner' pattern, which includes instructions for constructing the banner itself (also available in her shop). Wonderful, especially for those of us who like to 'make do and mend' - and create!

More loveliness from Meringue Designs:

  

Meringue Designs is a lovely shop and Cynthia writes an engaging blog, "Deep Thoughts by Cynthia". Reading through, Cynthia is not only "additcted to color", but this little tidbit caught my eye - and made me laugh-out-loud: "There is something ironic about being a seamstress and yet hating to sew costumes for my kids. I swear I can’t be bothered." I love that irony! And finding a terrific shop full of great fabrics, gorgeous pillows, and amazing banners - like Meringue Designs.

Time to wrap-it-up, lovelies! Here's to a great week - and a banner day!  tIO x

PS: Happy birthday, Tim!

Pink. Peppermint. Christmas.

If it's pink, or a peppermint, or has to do with Christmas, I'm posting about it today. Hang on to your...

"HOT PINK HAT Vtg 60s Cloche' by vintageapparel


'beijo do Brasil fuchsia pink agate druzy ring' by BeijoFlor

'Tea for Two Earrings' by erinelizabeth

'Poppy Longstockings Candy STRIPE' by poppyswickedgarden

'Large Peppermint Twist Bath Puff' by rebeccajay

'Peppermint Love' giclee fine art print by karenfaulknerart

'Set of 3 Evergreen Festive Trees' by pinkbeeb0

'Vintage Plaid Men's Tie' by WhatGoesAroundShop

'Christmas Boxwood' by twoinspireyou

'Merry Christmas Banner' by TheBannerSisters


Happy Christmas, Crackers!  tIO x


PS: All of the above, or similar, were found on .