Merry Christmas 2009!

Well, it's here! After all the planning, the preparations, the buying, the wrapping, the baking and the sending...Christmas is here! While it's just Christmas Eve yet, it's the day that our official holiday celebrating begins! Another year, time has gone so fast! I was just thinking to myself this morning as I sat at Starbuck's with my girl, enjoying a few minutes of time together while we had our drinks, that wasn't it just yesterday my girl was celebrating her first Christmas??? Can it be that 16 of them have come into her lifetime? I fear that I will blink my eyes tonight and next thing I know, she will be celebrating a "first Christmas" with a wee one of her own!

So, as I am misty eyed over all the years gone by, all the time passed, I am also grateful for all the many years I've had to share this special holiday with the greatest blessing God ever bestowed upon me! I wish all of my friends and family a very Blessed Christmas. May your day be filled with nothing but joy!

I leave you with my girl....yep, taken this morning at Starbucks! I have this thing about taking her picture each time we are there...seriously, my iPhone is loaded with pics of her smiling face!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Bailing!!!

Yep, bailing on my journal for this Christmas! I know, I know dang it all! I just don't have it in me this year...just not feeling it is all and it's okay with me! I'm thinking instead I'll try to do a book of 2010 and try to take a few pics each month and then next December do a book about the year...it will prove to be an interesting year for me for sure so I'm thinking this will be the better choice for moi! So, get over it people...

Alright, I've been promising my girl Nancy pics of my new baby! Yep, about a month ago (maybe I'm not real sure) my sewing machine decided to act up on me. I had enough of it! I had been thinking for about a year about investing into a new machine but since my current one was okay, I kept putting it off. However, when she decided to give me fits while in the middle of an important sewing project, I threw my hands up and said..ENOUGH! I got super lucky and was able to score an amazing deal on my new baby, a Janome Memory Craft 6600!!! Good Lord about, this machine freakin' ROCKS!!!! I was able to finish off my project and but for having to thread and wind a bobbin, I swear this baby all but sews on its own!! So, here ya go Nancy, I've been promising you pics...here ya go! With said project on it as well!!




I can't scream loud enough at how awesome this machine is! Automatic needle threader, automatic thread cutter....oodles of embroidery patterns at my disposal....it's SWEET! I have already become quite the fabric junkie...you should see the fat quarter bundle I just scored from Acorn Quilt & Gift Company...talk about yummy fabrics...just waiting to begin being made into yet another quilt! Moda...can I just say how much I love Moda fabrics! Ah, once the holidays are over that new baby of mine will be getting quite the workout!

Alright, that's about it for me....gonna go throw a movie on the dvd player and chillax. It's a grey and gloomy Sunday here in Chicago but I had a good morning hanging with the girl at Starbucks....all decked out in my new Uggs and feeling very warm and sassy! Hope ya'll have a good week...how bout it, less then two weeks until Christmas...ARGH!! Stop the machine, I need to get off...it's coming way to fast....

Until next time,
Blessings!

Just keep swimming....

that's my motto for these layouts...I'm now only 2 layouts behind and hopefully I will catch up tomorrow as we are supposed to be in for a huge snow storm tonight! I know Mandi is keeping fingers crossed for a snow day...we shall see!

Today, I headed out to the grocery store to stock up for the week..figured if we are snowed in tomorrow at least I'd better have some supplies in the house! Met my mom at the store by chance so we headed over to Borders and then made a stop at Starbucks where we sat and chatted for awhile while enjoying a latte...it was nice.

Came home and figured I'd better get cracking on these layouts..I mean, each day I slack is one more day behind. Today I caught up with my December 6th layout. The nice thing about doing Shimelle's project this year is that not each day is "photo specific" for the day..I mean, the prompt she gave for today, December 8th, required some photos and I did manage to eek out a few, but the layout will have to be done tomorrow. However, for the December 6th layout it was more a thoughtful post...to think about and journal about your best and worst Christmas memories. Now, I will say it again, I don't think I've ever had a Christmas that I didn't think was perfect, so I have no "worst" Christmas memory. Instead I decided to take my own spin on the topic and journal about my favorite Christmas gift received. You'll laugh when you see what it is..yep, a set of video tapes for one of my all time favorite shows, Absolutely Fabulous! Seems like a pretty silly thing to get all gooey over, I mean, come on...VHS tapes?? But this just wasn't about the tapes themselves. While I love this show...I mean, in another life Mary (my bff) and Me are Patsy and Edina, LOL! Who doesn't love two totally rich, champaign drinking, void of any morals, single woman? I could watch these shows over and over. Okay, so why is it the best gift? Well, I never in my wildest dreams thought that Roger for one minute noticed that I watched this show. I would usually watch it on a Sunday afternoon, all by myself while he was busy with one thing or another..it never occurred to me that he was aware that I loved this show! When I opened up my gift on Christmas morning to find the complete set (at that time, and only available on VHS) of "Absolutely Fabulous" I was blown away! Not only did I get a gift that I really liked, but more so I got a gift of knowing that Roger really did pay attention to me, and it showed! I was a puddle of teary goo that morning and it still remains to be the best Christmas gift I've ever received!!

I took the pics today of my VHS set...not all that jazzed with the quality of the pics, but, heck...it's not always about the pictures, it's about the memory....the thought....the best gift Roger has ever given me (for Christmas!).....



(credits: patterned papers - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals, Christmas Quote - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals, Border embellishment - Art Warehouse, Designer Digitals)

I had hoped to be able to finish off one more layout today but it's not gonna happen...gives me something to do tomorrow if the girl and I are snowbound, right?!

Off to finish watching some tube, have myself a glass of wine and think about all the white stuff that will be invading my life soon..ugh!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Slacker already!!!

Yep, I slacked, I admit it! The end of last week and the weekend caught me doing other things and my poor little entries into my Christmas 2009 journal got put to the back burner! This morning I was able to catch up a bit and finished off my Day 4 and Day 5 entries!!

For our day 4, the idea was to daydream about your perfect Christmas. At first, I was a bit sad with this because I immediately thought that it meant I had yet to have a perfect Christmas, and that is so not the case. Then I realized that it could mean so many things, and I decided to look at it as daydreaming about what it is that makes each of my Christmases perfect. I decided to write a letter to Mandi for this layout and let her know what it is that has made and continues to make my Christmases perfect! It's not the most festive of designs but I love the black and cream look (I should, that's what my sCRAP room is decorated as!) and I wanted the focus to be the letter itself and not all the frou frou stuff on a page! I really like these kinds of prompts, the ones that make me write (that's part of the reason I chose to do Shimelle's class this year, for the journaling aspect of it) as I feel I am more creative with words than anything else (not that this letter is overly creative by any means...I just get totally jazzed when I can write!)...



(credits: patterned paper - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals, Holiday Words - Cathy Zielske, Designer Digitals)

For Day 5, the prompt was about advent calendars. Growing up this was always something I wanted to have but never did. I would always envy my friends who had advent calendars. When Mandi was a little, her Uncle Berndt would always remember her at the holiday with an advent calendar filled with chocolates! I can close my eyes and see her little face each day as she got to open a window and find the treat hidden inside! As she got older, however, those candy calendars stopped finding their way to our home. Last year I was lucky to be able to take a class at the ScrapFreak. Shannon (aka Chickie) hosted the class and taught us to make an advent calendar using a cookie sheet! It is awesome!! I just love this calendar. It hangs in my kitchen and both Mandi and I enjoy taking the days off as we count down to Christmas!



(credits: patterned papers - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals, Christmas Daily Servings Embellishment - Andrea Victoria, Designer Digitals)

I have two more days to catch up with, so it's not to bad...I'm determined that this is the one project on my list that I start and finish!!

Today I was also able to get all my Christmas cards ready for the mail tomorrow..woohoo! Feels good to have one more thing to cross off the holiday to-do list! I also spent a lovely lunch out with my friend Julie. Julie and I grew up together and even though we live only minutes away from each other, our lives make it almost impossible to connect!! It's totally pathetic and today at lunch we decided that we were going to make it a point to meet up once a month...I mean...come on, right? LOL! I really hope we can make it work!

That's my story for today....off to make some veggie burgers for the girl and myself for dinner and chill the rest of the evening, maybe some hot chocolate for dessert is in order tonight!

Until next time,
Blessings!

December 3, 2009

and so it goes...I apparently did jinx myself yesterday with that post about not wanting snow, not liking snow, never having to see snow again...yep, today it snowed!! Giving such thanks that it didn't stick though! LOL! Again, beware, this will be the constant whine from me for the next few months...sorry!

alright, I'm over that...what did I do today? I went Christmas shopping for the girl. Knocked out a few gifts..whew! and, did a little spending on me too! Yay! Saw the cutest pair of Marc Jacobs red suede pumps but dang it all...they didn't have my size..boo! Then I tried for a pair of patent red pumps..still, no luck...what the heck, does every girl have a size 7 foot?! On to Abercrombie for another pair of jeans, Victoria's Secret (yep, I am ADDICTED to Victoria's Secret...just love pretty little things to wear under my threads) and the MAC counter at Macy's! I should say that this is all pre-Christmas stuff but, alas, it was needed items and needed items do not fall under my catagory of Christmas prezzies! HA!

Came home, chilled and then did my layout for my Day 3 entry into my Journal Your Christmas, 2009! Today's prompt was about holiday cards...sending, thoughts, blah, blah, blah....

Every year I hand make the card we send out. It's been that way for, oh, 16 years or so..yes, I was a stamper way before I was a scrapper..anyway, this will be the first year that I said..pooh! not doing it! Instead, I decided to have my uber fabulous photographer friend Chris Jenkinsdesign a digi card for me using some of the shots she took of Mandi this last May when she visited! Now, I know that these shots don't scream holiday, but I love them and so there! It's my card and I'll do what I want to! What makes these pictures especially special (love those two words together) is that Miss Mandi is wearing one of my dad's many cowboy hats. Yeppers, my daddy was a "good 'ol boy", a true blue cowboy at heart! He had many hats (I am owner to his awesome formal Stetson) and my mom has this one, his straw one. She brought it along the day Chris took these pictures and I just love them. If you saw the rest of the session, this would make total sense as we shot the pics at a farm, using an amazing old farmhouse (hence the porch she is sitting on) and the barns..just love barns!

So, I asked Chris to use these two shots from that session to design the card I would send out this year! Easy peasy Japaneasy!

Okay, where was this post going..oh yeah, Day 3's prompt...so, being that today's prompt was about the holiday card, I created my layout using my card this year...duh...right? LOL!

I know that these layouts in general don't scream Christmas..they are not all green and red....silver and gold, with lots of twinkly and frou-frou embellies, but in my somewhat simple, grungy style, they work for me! Wow, I hate how I justify my designs here...gotta learn to just let it be...it's me, right? Accept it Cricket, accept it!!! LOL!



(credits: Patterned papers - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals, Christmas Ribbon Brush - Art Warehouse, Designer Digitals, Font - InaiMathi, Inked Overlays - House of 3, Postmark Brush - Art Warehouse, Designer Digitals, Vintage Flashcard - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals)

I'm happy that so far, I'm keeping up with this project...I shudder to say that too loud, look, tomorrow will be the day I fall behind..nope, not gonna go there..positive thoughts bring positive things! Mandi is excited, each day she comes in to see what I'm creating for the book...I love that she is into the idea of memorializing this holiday season for future remembering! I'm all verklempt with wonder at what tomorrow's prompt will bring and the excitement of getting to fire up my digi supplies and make schtuff!! So.........

Until next time,
Blessings!

December 2, 2009

So far so good, I'm keeping up with my journal entries (but, it's only the second day right? LOL)...

Today's entry is about snow! Now, those of you who know me well, know that I HATE (I know..strong word) snow! If I never, ever, EVER saw snow again it would be too soon! Luckily (and I'm probably jinxing myself right now with this post), we have yet to have any snow fall in Chicago. Now, I know, many of you love that icky, messy, cold, wet, white stuff, me...not so much. I'd rather be sitting in warm temps, barefoot and in a tank top sipping some hot chocolate and chillin' to the Christmas tunes, than to be dealing with snow...I'm just hoping that it stays away for as long as possible. I realize that I will be dealing with it at some point this winter, it's inevitable when you live in the midwest, but the longer we go without it, the shorter I'll be dealing with it and thus complaining about it to you all, here on the blog!

Again, and I'll most likely preface each entry picture with these same words...simplicity is key! I need to be able to create my entries in about 30 minutes (give or take). While these won't win any awards for their complexity and design quality, I get the job done and in years to come will have something to look back on, yep, while sitting in my warm temps, sipping my hot chocolate!



For this layout I took a photo of the front of my house today....see, no snow..heehee...and then using an action, changed it from a color pic to one with a more vintagey look! Using kraft and black for the colors and just a simple snowflake border to the side finished it off! Once I saved the layout into jpg format, I then used another action to add the vignetting to the entire image.

(credits: Krafty Elegance Papers - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals, Snowflake PNG - Rhonna Farrer, 2 Peas in a Bucket, Font - Harrington)

Two down, 23 to go! While I know Shimelle's class goes longer than that, I am only going to do mine through Christmas Day..keep it in the same groove as last years album..you know, anal me has to have everything uniform and even. I can't have an album from one year be longer than another..sheesh! LOL

Until next time,
Blessings!

Journal Your Christmas!!!

And so it starts...December 1st and my attempts to complete another holiday album! This year instead of doing Ali Edwards "December Daily", I am also going to be doing Shimelle Lane's "Journal Your Christmas". I think that I will be going rogue this year and trying to incorporate both of these talented ladies ideas into my one album.

I like how Shimelle gives you a daily prompt to get you motivated and thinking and creating. I like the simplicity that Ali's "December Daily" offers in the basic documenting of your daily lives! I thought to myself, why not do both? Some days I won't have pictures, I mean, come on...I'm a stay-at-home mom who leads a pretty basic life, one that I love but still people, I'm not doing rocket science or solving the world's problems on a daily basis..LOL, and so having journaling as pages seems to help alleviate the stress of having to have a photo to tell my holiday story!

And, I will be doing this all digi again! Today I went on a whopper of a shopping spree, spending quite the time making my decisions on what papers and elements I want to use. I want to keep it simple again. Just one set of patterned papers, and a few basic colors (Kraft, Black, Red, Ivory) and a few elements to help set the pages in motion. I will use some of my elements from last years book as I really love some of them and can't see never using them again...I mean! It's just too fun to be able to create this book without the hassle of paper and glue and being able to move stuff around, resize to need and re-color, make more or less transparent...blah, blah, blah...I could go on and on...so, yep, digi it is! That in itself will help to keep me on task this season with my little project.

My hope is to share my pages here, on my blog, like I did last year...might be that one day goes by and I don't, but the next post will have that much more to look at! Hee hee...

so, without further adieu, here it is, my December 1st page. A "manifesto" as Shimelle calls it. The intention with which I create this years album. No picture, just words and I love it just the same....




(credits:patterned paper, flourish brush - Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals. Font - Edwardian Script

Until next time,
Blessings!

Grungey..Dirty...layer fun!

just playing with some actions in PS. Used a picture the girl took of her foot while we were waiting for my sister to try on clothes when she was here visiting. Don't know why but I love this picture...just a foot...




been super busy these past couple weeks. My sister came in for work and extended her stay to include a nice visit with us! I wish she lived by me all the time, it's fun hanging out! Other than that, just been living life. The girl is finishing up her driver's ed school tonight...yay! and in no time will be tooling about the streets in my beloved Libby...oy! LOL!!

Getting ready for the holiday, I can't believe we are a week out for Thanksgiving. It will certainly be different for me this year, what with my vegetarian diet...no turkey for this girl! I am making one for the rest of the fam damily though so the house will smell all Thanksgiving-ish!!

Alright, short but sweet post...things to do, holiday preps to be done...until next time...

Blessings,

Toy Camera

Wow, November already! I know we all are feeling it, pretty much like the year has just sped by, but seriously, I'm totally shocked that in about 7 weeks we will be celebrating Christmas and then a new year will begin! I'm so behind on things for the holiday, usually by this time I have my cards made and ready to go, just waiting for Thanksgiving to pass and they can be mailed, but sadly this year I am not making any cards...by this time I've started to Christmas shop..nope, haven't done that either yet, and if I am making gifts, that process has begun..another big nope there! I am hoping to get started on a couple things this week, although with my sister visiting, I'm sure it will be more like middle of next week! LOL!

I did, however, get the Halloween decorations put away today, that felt good! Just think, in 3 weeks I'll be posting that my tree is going up and out will come Christmas decor! Wow...again with the wow!

So, in other news, the girl is now officially enrolled in driver's ed class! Yep, my girl is driving! She is doing so good with it too, just like a natural behind the wheel! We decided to do class privately as opposed to it being taken in school, just works out so much better for Mandi and that way she doesn't have to deal with it for an entire semester either! Big, big score!! The other day, when I was taking her to class, we arrived a little early so I was playing around with my iPhone...yes maam, LOVE my iPhone..how did I ever live without it? LOL! And, I had found a cool app called "Toy Camera" to play with. This cool little app allows you to take pictures with a variety of different looks, vintage, black and white, different colors..it's so fun! It also will let you take a square picture..way cool! So, I was playing with that app and shot these couple of pics of the girl...I opened them up in PS and tweaked the saturation on the color one...playing it down, and I also messed with the contrast and brightness in the black and white one! Now, these might not be something you like, but I kinda like the looks of them...and, heck, they were taken with a little app on my iPhone...I think that's awesome!

Vintage Warm Setting with saturation tweaked:



Black and White with contrast and brightness tweaked:



I'm thinking I will do something scrappy with these for sure...most likely digi though...kinda done with the whole paper process! I don't know, just really bored with it. I've sold some stuff off, going to go through more of my stash and sell it..just don't use it anymore. I like to do altered items and cards and think that is where I'll move my paper playtime into...I know I've said it before, that I was going digi, and then I slide back, but there is just something that calls me to the computer...I really enjoy it so much more than playing with paper and pics...so, enough waffling, and on with it!! I'm also going to be doing the December Daily album again, and yes, I've already started to collect my digi elements for that one..can't wait to get started!

Alright, this was pretty much just a bunch of rambling, right? LOL! Not a lot more to tell, just pretty much keeping on, keeping on!...off to finish laundry (I know, you are jealous, right?) and wait for the girl to get home from school...another night of driving is in the plan!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Halloween!!!!

It's finally here!!! Halloween!! I really like this holiday, it's so much fun to decorate for and plan for and it's always so fun to see all the little kiddos who come to the house at night trick or treating in their costumes!

The weather here in Chicago is typical...cold, windy and icky, but I suppose it helps to set the mood for a spooky night of ghostly fun, right?

This year I was fortunate enough to be able to join in a swap, hosted by Christine Edwards. You should really take a minute and head over to her blog to see all the really fun stuff she has done and participated in this Halloween season! I swear, I don't know where she gets the energy or time to do everything she does, but it's all totally fabulous!! I have to shout out to my girl Luz for pointing me in Christine's direction and the Trick or Treat Swap! The idea was to hand make at least two out of three items that you sent to Christine. After all the players sent in their items, Christine swapped them out and send you three items back. Today, on Halloween, all the players and their blogs are posted on Christine's blog and we will go trick or treating tonight to see who got what and who created what as we sent in the items without names! I can't wait until after dinner and I can go trick or treating!

I made only 2 items as time got away from me (well, one of my items took a boat load of time to make!! LOL)...but I hope the person who received my store bought item thinks it was just as cute as I did when I bought it!

For my swap items, I made a Halloween journal, complete with hand stitching in the signatures into an antique book. Using a few different manufacturers papers and embellies, I created an altered journal that can be used for pictures, memorabilia, or just about anything you'd like. I really enjoy hand making books..hope to do more of that soon! I also made a glittery spider ornament! Taking a metal spider ornie, I painted, glittered, added eyes and ribbon to create it! Lastly was the purchased "boo" decoration...I just love the little ghosties!



These are the awesome items that I received back! I just loved how everyone had wrapped their packages, complete with cool tags!

My first item is an altered composition notebook with the coolest ghostly look! Whoever made this did an outstanding job. Not only is the notebook wonderful, but inside were a set of really great tags!! Thank you!!!





The second item is a really neat Halloween Wind Chime type decoration. I just love it! Made of muslin strips with cool embellies attached, it hangs proudly in my home! Very unique and creative for sure!!!





And last but certainly not least, a way cool Halloween garland! I just love the orange and black garland, adorned with letters to spell out "Happy Halloween" and the cute witches that hang from it too! I'm sorry, my picture taking skills stink and totally do not do this justice..however it looks really fun hanging on the staircase in my home! Thank you!!





This was my first time participating in a swap like this and I had sooo much fun. I just hope that I did it justice in my own creations! I want to thank Christine for all her hard work in putting this swap together and to everyone who played! For those that created the wonderful items I received, thank you!! I love them all and they will be displayed in my home for years to come on Halloween!

Hope everyone has a great night...don't eat too much candy and beware of ghosts and goblins!! To finish off one of my favorite holidays, I have to add my favorite movie and it's music! Yep, Halloween!! What would this night be like without my beloved Michael Meyers! Just a side note...Miss Mandi is once again donning her Michael Meyers costume to hand out candy to the kidlets!! Gotta love my girl...she loves Michael just as much as me!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Trying my hand at...

making apple chips! Yep, after my trip to the apple orchard over the weekend and my eagerness to make fresh apple you name it, I am realizing that I have a TON of apples!! LOL!! So, decided that I would also try my hand at making some apple chips. Today I headed out to the store to purchase a food dehydrator ( a useful gadget nonetheless for my kitchen) and a Mandoline (I've been wanting one for ages) so that I could take part of the afternoon and make some apple chips! Well, after a couple tries with slicing on the Mandoline, I got it down pat and things went lickety split! Four trays are now in the dehydrator and I am anxiously awaiting my little apple delights!!

Today was really the first day that I said "brrrr!" as I woke up to temps in the 40's!! But, it just meant that I got to finally pull out one of my new scarves I picked up in San Francisco to wear!! :D Took myself in search of the dehydrator, stopped off at the grocery store to pick up some things to make Black Bean Soup for dinner, picked up a good bottle of vino for the hubs and myself , popped into Border's and scored myself Mitch Albom's new book, "have a little faith" (been waiting anxiously for this one to be released) and then headed straight to Starbuck's to indulge in a soy pumpkin spice latte..yumm!!!

On the crafty front, I started a new journal today. Doing a Christmas one. I can't share the Halloween one yet as it is for a swap, but it's basically the same type of design, hand bound, using vintage style papers as well as real vintage papers and embellies! I love vintage postcards! My grandmother had a huge collection of them and gave them to me years ago. I've had them stashed away, just waiting for a purpose and it seems that every time I hit an antique store I head straight for the postcards! Last year I scored these two postcards and thought that I'd share the jpg's here for ya'll (or those interested). If you like to use vintage images in your paper crafting, I hope you'll find a cute use for these. I've not shared something like this before on the blog and am assuming all I have to do is post a pic here and you can right click and save as to your computer! If not and you have troubles, send me your email address in the comments and I'll email you a jpg copy!!








That's pretty much all I have for today..OH MY HECK! how could I forget?? My quilt is finished and settled in on the back of my loveseat in the family room..I love it!!! I still need to take a pic, that will be tomorrow's job! So happy with the results! I have one more that is almost completed, still need to do the corners and borders, then it will be off to the longarm for quilting! Just love working with fabric, it's sooooo yum! Alright, off to work on my journal, wait for the girl to get home from school and the hubs to arrive!

Until next time,
Blessings

Squash you say???

I asked the lady who runs the little farmstand where I buy my fresh veggies, "what is asparagus squash?"...she told me that it was the most delicious little squash you'd ever want to eat!! Course, the word squash and I'm instantly hooked...I mean, who doesn't love squash?? I probably consume 2 to 3 squash items a week...either as my lunch or dinner entre...so, when I stopped into the farmstand this morning to pick up a fresh supply of tomatoes and spied these little green buttons of goodness on the counter, I knew immediately what lunch would be for me!! I asked her how to prepare them and what she told me to do is exactly what I do with my zucchini and crookneck summer squash...ah...life is good! I came home and this is what followed:










Yes, my vegetarian self LOVED this lunch...perfect!!! Fresh asparagus squash and a big 'ol homegrown tomato, a few Wheat Thin crackers (my all time favorites), washed down with a big glass of ice tea..ahhhh! and, and....I have enough of these little morsels of deliciousness left for tomorrow!!! SCORE!!!

After indulging in my yummy lunch today, I tried out a new muffin recipe for the cafe...can I just say that my house smelled wonderful...totally consumed with the aroma of apples, spices and sugar...delicious! Mandi could hardly wait to sample the goods and so after they came out of the oven and cooled a smidge, we dug in! Yep, these are a keeper....they will be the next muffins to make their way to the trays at the cafe next week! Just take a peek at these goodies....vegan of course!!



Mandi is already looking forward to having one for her breakfast tomorrow morning! I actually think a nice chai tea and muffin just might be what my breakfast will look like as well!

Speaking of tomorrow, the girl and I are headed out to the apple orchard...need to get me some fresh apples as I want to make some apple butter! I love apple butter!! After said apple butter making, I see some quilting in my future. I still need to bind my last quilt, have a bunch of fabrics just waiting to be sewn up into fun stuff!! Today I worked on my scarf, knitted on it as the muffins baked, listened to some good tunes and enjoyed a wonderful fall afternoon.

Alright, that's about it for me, off to have myself a cup of tea and watch a movie...I feel horror is in order...might just throw in my copy of Halloween..I mean...'tis the season!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Last official weekend of summer 2009!!

Wow, that stinks to write! LOL! I can't believe that summer is almost, officially over...that we have had our last weekend of summer 2009, time just goes way to fast! I had a good summer, even for the summer that wasn't..hee hee..I mean, our weather pretty much sucked! My pool, well, I was in it only once and that was to vacuum it!! Mandi never made it in the pool and Roger was in it once himself...what a waste that was this year.

Barbecuing, well, I did that a lot...Mandi, my little carnivore, loves her food grilled, I enjoyed my veggies on it so all was good...and, sitting out on the deck, grilling for my girl and enjoying a glass of wine was delightful!

We made it to the Bristol Renaissance Faire 3 times this season, that is always a good time, and since it wasn't a super hot summer, it was really enjoyable to hang out there! Took my girl to San Francisco for a nice, long weekend and I have to say, the weather was so rad there! I think Miss Mandi and I have a future on Haight Street! LOL!

My girl turned 16 this summer, holy moley!!!! We spent the weekend in the city, and caught the annual Air & Water show. Spending any time in Chicago is always a blast, I love the city so much! If Mandi and I don't make it to San Fran, I see us in a cute condo in the city one day as well (Roger too..LOL!).

Spent a lot of time hanging out at the Wild Tree Cafe in Evanston. It's where I've scored the most awesome of gigs..baking! I do all the vegan baking for the cafe and am loving it! I wish it was a bit closer, the drive can stink, and, it seems my treats are doing well and so we need to do them more often, just need to figure out a plan for timing and such. I am so blessed to have had this opportunity present itself in my life, and who knows where this will take me! Right now though, I'm just enjoying the process and the baking and the friendship. I've met so many cool people at the "Tree", it's such a terrific atmosphere and the girl, well, she is hooked!! Her face lights up when I ask her if she wants to take a drive down and hang out, she never says no! Last time we were there, we had lunch on the patio, Mandi brought her sketch book and I took this shot of her just chillin'...



That's pretty much how we spent our summer. Other than that, we just appreciated getting to sleep in, hang out and chill. Now that school has started up again, and has been in session for almost a month now (sheesh...) those days are but a sweet memory now.




For my last weekend, I thought I'd just throw in a collage of pics, showing how some of it was spent! There is always a Starbucks iced nonfat latte to be had, I worked on my scarf using the delicious yarn I scored at the Renegade Craft Fair last weekend, since my garden is pretty much kaput, I hit the local farm stand and stocked up (well, they don't last long around me) on some more fresh 'maters, took a picture of the fall colors that are starting to show themselves on the trees around me and, yep, muffins! Made some sinful peanut butter/chocolate chip muffins today and bought myself a new ceramic mug for my morning java! I just love the red of this mug, makes me smile!!

There it is, summer 2009 Cricket style! I'm sad to see it go, while I do love fall, fall leads to...well....humpf, not going there right now, I'm too happy today to even think about that!! I am not wishing my days away, Lord knows how precious each one of them is and I cherish that, but, I am hopeful and wishful that it won't be long again until I can walk barefoot in the grass, wearing my tank top and a comfy pair of jeans, with the sun hitting my face as I pick fabulous, fresh goodies from my garden again! I hope ya'll had a wonderful summer of 2009, give thanks!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Makes my heart happy!

Seriously, you need to watch this video! This was posted on FB today and I just had to share it here with you all. I love deer. I am lucky to live in an area that has deer! There is a road right by my house and that is where I see a lot of deer most times..every day when I drive that road, I am always searching the fields for deer, just to see them makes my heart happy and gives me such a good feeling! They are such a beautiful creature of God and how anyone can kill them for sport or population reduction just makes me sick!! Sick I tell you, SICK!!! I would love nothing more than to have a deer eat in my garden, or hang around my backyard and visit with me...heck, I'd grow my garden just for them! So, when I saw this video, all that went through my mind was...sign me up! Where can I go and have this happen? How totally wonderful, heart warming and cool this is!

Enjoy!





Until next time,
Blessings!!

City Bound!!!

Yeah...I wish!!!

Had a fabulous weekend! Weather here in Chicagoland was AH-MAY-ZING!!! I just wish it could be like this all the time..sigh!

So, Friday night I headed over to Hannah's, our local scrap store, for a crop with Amy and Nancy. It was fun..brought a Halloween project I'm working on and even got a few pages done! It was great just to get out and hang out. I didn't stay super late because I had to be up bright and early Saturday morning to meet Nancy. We headed down to the city to attend the Renegade Craft Fair!! Oh my heck, such fun! It was the first time I had been to Wicker Park in Chicago! Totally filled with really good, arty goodness. We got there about 45 mins. before it opened up so we hung out at Starbucks enjoying a latte! Once the fair officially opened we hit the pavement! There were so many cool vendors there with tons of fun stuff. I scored myself some really yummy handmade soaps and lotions (got Mandi some too!), an uber cute headband (wearing it right now in fact), some delicious hand dyed, handspun yarns (knitting them into a scarf as we speak), and I happened on the bestest Fair Trade boutique and scored myself two awesome dresses and a new purse..all fair trade...FAB-U-LOUS!!! Nancy and I headed over to Small Bar and sat outside having lunch and figuring out how to solve all the worlds problems! LOL!! I endulged in some really tasty hummus and veggies (and a nice glass of cab!). After we finished the fair we jetted over to Lincoln Park and hit Swirls Cupcake Shop!! I was totally bumming cause they had just sold the LAST Vegan cupcake, and when I voiced my sadness to the girl, she was awesome and gave me a bunch of mini vegan cuppy cakes on the house!!! I bought Miss Mandi a yummy vanilla and chocolate cupcake which she was over the moon about!! Sadly, then it was time to come home....shucks!

It just further cemented into my head my total need to move to the city..or as close as possible! There is just soooo much to do, so many cool people, events, places...it's my dream!! I WILL be there one day...maybe even sooner than I think as Roger has given me the go ahead to start looking at places....WAH-HOO!!! I am now calling Lake Villa, Lame Villa!! LOL!! Can't do Lame Villa much longer people, just can't!!

Today, Mandi and I hung out at home. I worked on the Halloween project, finished laundry, made us a yummy vegetarian dinner and now I'm about to relax with my knitting and a dvd! It was a divine weekend and I'm sad to see it end...but am giving thanks for all the goodness it provided me, my soul, my spirit are refreshed!

Alright, so in honor of my love for the city...and, actually, this drive is the best way to get into Chicago...gorgeous views, I love to just fly down LSD (Lake Shore Drive) with the wind in my hair (yep, it's short but it still gets wind in it..LOL) and the radio blasting out some terrific tunage....I'm playing you a little homage to my fair city....and, so you know, the "feeling" that this song conveys..all peppy and fun and stuff...that's how I feel when I'm flying down LSD!!!

Until next time,
Blessings!

just cause...

I don't have a ton to share about today...except some really good retail therapy at Lucky Brand Jeans ( I was in serious need of some new jeans...none of mine fit anymore..um...and in a good way LOL!)...lunch out at Stir Crazy, some yummy veggies and brown rice..yumm! and chillin' at home with my girl...

so, thought I'd share some eye candy for tonight....cause, well, cause he is just sooooooo eye candy-able! yummmmm-o!!! Now, this is what I call dessert!

enjoy!



Until next time,
Blessings!

He spoke to me today.....

While I don't often blog or even talk to others much about my religious faith, it's very deep. I have huge faith in my God. I suppose I don't talk about it much because while I enjoy discussions based on religion and I love to learn about other peoples views and faiths, it does tend to be a subject that can produce a lot of tension and disagreement. I, however, am open to everyone having the right to believe as they wish, and I never condemn another soul for their beliefs. That said, here I go...God spoke to me today.

Before you say "Cricket....please, go see someone for those voices in your head"....it wasn't that kind of talk. God's words were not audible to me. God's words to me were even much more "real" for me. You see, for about 5 weeks now I have been dealing with an issue. I won't bore you with all the details, that isn't important. What is important is that today, when I hit the climax of my issue, it literally disappeared! DISAPPEARED!! VANISHED!! was no more! What I speak of isn't an emotional or psychological type of issue either, it was real, it was there and today, it wasn't!! As I was waiting on the actual verdict as I sat in the waiting room, I glanced over at the side table next to me, there in big letters on the cover of a magazine were the words "You're STRONGER then you know!".....it was then that I knew, this experience I was having was God speaking directly to me. I felt blessed beyond measure. I think God speaks to us each and every day but we are so caught up in our own lives and thoughts and fears and struggles that we don't take the time to really hear Him. I have been praying to Him for weeks now, wondering why I wasn't receiving any answer and, today it came. It came in a form so vivid and real and tangible that one could not ignore or dismiss. I have done nothing all day but reflect and give thanks. I wanted to share. I feel it is the very least I can do for Him as my way of saying Thank you!

Has this changed how I feel about my God? nope, not one bit, but it has changed how I feel about me. It has changed how I look at my God, how I look at my self and how I look at my life, just another blessing bestowed upon my simple self.

So, I guess my words today are just that He is always listening to us, always blessing us and always...always...always speaking to us...are you open to hear?

Until next time,
Blessings!

Tuesday in September....

Hey friends! Here I am, just a regular 'ol Tuesday in September. Had a good holiday weekend. Roger came home, spent one last day up at the Renaissance Faire, hung out with my girl at the Wild Tree, chilled with some good friends, ate some good food, refreshed my spirit and soul! All in all, giving thanks for a blessed weekend!

Today was just basic. Spent the morning running errands, gathering yummies to make into treats and dinner! Tried out a new recipe for Pumpkin Pecan muffins and the verdict from the girl is DELISH! I, myself, think I need to tweak it just a touch..add in a bit more spicey taste, but otherwise, yep, it's a winner and will find it's place this coming fall at the Wild Tree! I hadn't cooked dinner in a while so tonight I made the girl and I a most yummy vegetarian dish! Took some veggie crumbles (fake meat LOL), macaroni, corn, salsa, tomato sauce and water...cooked it all up, added some cheese and viola...a little "faux" mexican skillet dish that my girl gobbled up! Did I tell her it was vegetarian? um...no, LOL, but, I smiled when I saw her eat it like there was nothing different! Really, you'd never know either...swear it!

That's really all that is new in my world right now...still working on my art journal, still writing, still trying to find some time each day to be creative and to find my bliss...still giving thanks each day for all I have...

I found this rad new chica...love her tunes, her voice, her message! I don't watch "Biggest Loser"....didn't realize she does a song for the show...but, either way, am totally loving her right now! Sharing a video....just got her cd and it's da bomb! Are you Proud??? I'm just sayin'...enjoy and, until next time....

Blessings!

September???

can that be? already?? wow, I know the older I get it seems time goes so much faster, but seriously, is it really September? Our weather is sure indicating so! Right now it feels so much like fall outside. It's sunny, and that is a good thing as I can tolerate cool temps as long as the sun shines, but I sure do wish that we had more summer warmth this year...I feel totally robbed of summer and here we are now, heading into fall.

However, that said, Fall used to be my favorite season. In actuality it really still is, I mean, the colors, the smells, the holidays...I love all that stuff, but, with the entrance of fall means the presence of winter on the way..and, we all know, I HATE winter!!! I keep counting down...three more winters and I won't have to take the torture anymore!!!

Alright...enough whining Cricket!! :D Back to fall!! With fall comes Halloween!! I really like Halloween...I mean, for this girl who loves all things horror and dark and twisty, Halloween is a great holiday, and fast becoming my favorite! I used to decorate a ton for the holiday and then I sort of slacked off, but this year I am really inspired to "do up" the house! I'm not big on the outdoor stuff, maybe a wreath and some pumpkins..more fall themed than scary, but the inside is going to get a real makeover and I can't wait! I've been losing myself each night in magazines devoted to all things gothic and Halloween (Martha's got a great mag out now on the holiday) and I've got a lot of cute ideas swirling about in my head! I even joined a Trick or Treat Swap!!! I'm so psyched to be a part of this!! It's given me some new mojo to create which was sorely needed! Check it out, link is on the sidebar ! Thanks to my girl Cinnibonbon for hooking me up! I've also been indulging myself in an art journal..loving that creative process as it combines both my love of paper and ink with my biggest love, writing! It feels really great to have a place to "put" both of those things together.

Another really big deal for me right now and one that excites me to my toes is my baking gig! Yep, after years of "dreaming" of being a pastry chef, I have the opportunity to put another of my passions into play! I have been hired on by this amazing cafe, The Wild Tree, to do some baking of treats for them! The Wild Tree is such a cool place to hang out, the community there is amazing and you can just feel all the "good vibrations" that eminate from within. Ivy, the owner, is such a wonderful spirit, very supportive and I can't begin to thank her enough for helping to make this dream of mine become a reality! While I like to bake tons of different things, right now I am focusing on doing Vegan desserts for her. Now, most desserts are probably considered Vegetarian because, well, there isn't meat in desserts really! LOL, but the main difference between a Vegetarian and a Vegan is the use of dairy and eggs. Vegetarians (myself) will still eat eggs and dairy (I cannot give up my cheese omelets or ice cream!) and a Vegan will not. So, yep, there are ways around those ingredients in the baking world. There are really awesome substitutions that I use and so far, everyone who has tasted or purchased my treats has said that they would never know they were Vegan!! Whew!! So, right now, I head down to the cafe once a week, after it closes and do my baking deal. My friend Mary (who was key in getting me this gig by the way!) comes along and helps out! We crank the tunes, turn on the oven, hang out and bake..it's a blast! I look forward to seeing where this adventure will take me!

More fall goodness....cooking! Yep, don't often cook too much during the summer, it's just to casual and hot out to bother..but once the cooler weather sets in, it's like a little bell goes off inside of me and the urge to cook comes to me in full force! Today I tried my hand at homemade vegetable broth to which I then made a veggie soup! You should seriously smell my house right now, I have my soup simmering on the stove and it is totally wafting (yes, I actually used the word wafting!) up the stairs to my sCRAP room! I can't wait to indulge in it. I was cutting up all these yummy, fresh veggies and said to myself "self, lets just go harvest something outta this little garden you got going"..so, with shears in hand, I headed out and picked myself a beautiful squash which is now cooking itself away in my lovely soup! I love my garden, I will be sad to see it end but look forward to an even bigger one next year!

Alright then, that's about it for me. Gonna add some tuneage back to the sidebar...sorry, I just miss the sounds...so hit the stop button if you don't want to listen! I'm loving my songbirds..something about a female singer just speaks to my soul..this song is one of my favorites, first heard in the movie "Sweet November" (love, love, love that movie).... Back to my sCRAP room and creating some fun Halloween treats while my nose enjoys the smells of that soup downstairs on the stove...

Until next time,
Blessings!

Just....

in the mood to share my all time, absolute, most favorite (you get the idea?? LOL) song from one of my favorite bands...My Chemical Romance....enjoy! Yeah, I know...dark and creepy...just what I love!

My Chemical Romance lyrics

My Chemical Romance - I Don't Love You Video - My Chemical Romance Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure

Wednesday night babble....

I'm bored. I hate when I want to do something but I don't know what it is I want to do, just that I know I don't want to do what I'm currently doing and that is nothing....ahhhhhh.....the mind screw of it all! I decided that I'd read some emails, surf the web and try to find some inspiration out here. I did. Yep, linked to a blog from a blog and that was all it took!

I love to write. In another life I would have been a writer. Heck, in another life I would have been a lot of things...but, seriously, this blogging, however strange it might seem to others out there, it sure is a great way for me to "write". I get to jot down little snippets of life here and there, and while I may not have the skills to be an actual writer of books and such, it allows me to feed that little need inside of me to put words to "paper" and to speak what I feel, and I don't care if I don't have every grammatical rule followed or if what I say appeals to the masses, I enjoy the act and that's all I need!

Alright, alright....off track...I know, my mind has been other places today and it's exhausting! So, yeah, I was bored and found some inspiration in my girl. I should realize that when I'm feeling restless or bored or uninspired all I need to do is look at pics of my girl and suddenly the wheels start to turn! I took this picture of Mandi awhile back, it's alright, in fact I think I've shared it here before...I'm not a terrific photographer and while I keep on trying to get better, I figure Photoshop can help me out where my skills are lacking! I love the actions by Totally Rad Actions and since I now run Photoshop CS4, I can use them!! Big score for me!!! I pulled up this picture of my girl and decided to just play around with some of the new actions I have, see what they can do! Using one of them is cool, using 3 of them is FUN!!!



Now, I know, that this look might not appeal to everyone but for me it rocks my socks! I love it's dark, dirty, grungy-ness, and, if we are looking at things from an artistic point of view, one mans art is, well, you know what I mean!

So, there you have it, just a peek into what I spent some time doing tonight to ward off the boredom of a regular Wednesday evening in Lake Villa, that and some retail therapy by means of Etsy have helped to keep me occupied! Think it's time though to put my Mac to rest and call it a night.

Oh yeah, I know that a lot of blog readers hate the automated music on blogs, but, this is my blog man and I love my music, just don't get the same vibe off of here without it so it's back on! Been on a huge 60's old school rock kick lately, bought a fabulous CCR cd the other day so in honor of CCR and some rockin' good tunage, enjoy! (yeah, there's a hippie in my just dying to get out!)

Until next time,
Blessings!

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary....

How does your garden grow???

Well, I'm not sure how said Mary's garden is growing, but just take a look at what is in mine!!





Yes, I have a tomato (well, had...as I promptly picked it, rubbed it on my shirt and popped it into my mouth!! yumm!!) and the cucumber...man, I LOVE cucumbers!! I actually had two that were ready to pick and so I gave one to my mom....I mean, come on folks!

This is my first year doing a vegetable garden. I have always wanted to do one, just never got around to actually doing it. This year I asked my girl Mary (who is not said Mary of children's rhyme but has an amazing garden none the less!!) if she would come over and help me get one started. Mary has amazing gardens in her yard, she is like the queen of gardening! She even has a greenhouse in her yard..way cool stuff...and grows all organic plants. She starts the veggies and then sells the starters at local fairs in the early summer. She came over and helped me plant squash (of which I currently have 3 growing), tomatoes, cucumbers (I have jillions started), broccoli (it's growing), and basil (doing great and smells wonderful!!). I was a bit worried as we have had such a stinky summer in the weather department and everything seems to be taking a long time to grow, but, it is finally starting to take hold and viola...some success!!

I am really enjoying this whole gardening deal...I love to go out, look at my cute little patch of fresh veggies and water them..it's like taking care of it and all...feels really earthy and good! I can't wait until I have a full crop of 'maters to eat and of course share with my mom (who is anxiously waiting their arrival!)...

Ozzi is loving my garden too...each morning I catch him going over to it (of course I have some wire fencing set up so he can't wander in the middle of it) and looking around..wondering what the heck is going on with all this green, good smelling stuff!

So, there it is....my first gardening success!!

Not much else going on. Took Daphne out today for a fashion shoot, however, her hat wasn't filling on her just right and she's asked me to do it again so that she can look absolutely stunning before I post her pics! Be on the lookout...she does have the cutest outfit evah!!

so, until next time.
Blessings!!

They are here!!!!

My girls have arrived!!! After quite the journey from Asia to Europe and then home, Daphne and Piper are now settling into life here. Roger did such a good job of adopting these girls, he even thought enough of them to buy them some clothing and shoes to help start their lives off with me! Their first photos however, are in their traveling duds...more fun fashions will come, but this is how they looked when they arrived on my doorstep Tuesday evening!!

so, without further hesitation, let me introduce to you Piper!



I just love her glasses (of course, I mean...I love glasses right? LOL) and her swanky scarf! She is a gal after my own heart as while I was in San Fran, I picked up a bunch of cool scarves and wraps!!

and now let me introduce to you, Daphne!



LOVE the pink long hair and purple eyelashes! Daphne is a custom girl!!! I can totally see her decked out in my more gothic attire, sporting the other, more hidden side of myself!!

Of course, even while traveling side by side, the girls didn't have a chance to really meet each other. Here they are, finally getting to know one another. I think there will be some fun times ahead for both Piper and Daphne!!



All kidding aside...yep, my Blythe dolls are here. I had asked Roger this last time he was in Asia that if he had some time, could he go to these (of course I gave names, addys and numbers..LOL) stores and see about getting me a doll. He not only got me a doll (Piper being first), he got me two of the Neo Blythe's and 4 of the Petite Blythe's!!! Some clothes, shoes and wigs!! He bought the first one at Junie Moon in Japan, but said that the store sucked!! They only had the one doll for sale and hardly any clothes or anything..he doesn't understand how the store stays in business! The second doll, Daphne, was a custom done for the store in Singapore that he went to. He said he saw her sitting under a glass dome and asked the clerk about her. The clerk said.."oh, that is a custom, very rare, only one made" and Roger said, "can I buy her?" and the store owner said "sure!" so Roger said "wrap her up!!" SCORE!!! I love her. Her face has been sanded to remove the shine (like on Piper's face) and her eye chips are different, one set (which I'll photograph later) is really wild!!! and her pull chain rings are these really pretty beads (they are the things you pull to change the color and position of the eyes...yes, they have 4 different eye positions and colors!!).

I am just loving these dolls. It took me awhile, I had been dragging my heels on the whole Blythe craze but I finally caved and I couldn't be happier! A new addiction for me...Yay! Some new "children" to photograph....Yay!! and talk about clothes!! Sheesh...I think I'll go broke with some of the cutest dang outfits that I've seen on Etsy...already I've bought like 3 different outfits...now I need some shoes and glasses and hats!! The clothes Roger got me are cute too!! and the wigs are such a riot!!

So, there it is, my new hobby of sorts!! When you hear me talk about my girls now, you'll probably wonder..humm..Mandi or Piper or Daphne! Ha ha....life really is good!!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Well hello there!

hey! We are home again from our weekend in San Francisco. Wish I could say it felt good to be home..LOL...however, by now, ya'll know how much I'm loving it here in the Midwest, specifically here in the boring, podunk burbs, but, such is life..(sigh)..

San Francisco was the BEST! I swear, Mandi and I are totally ready to pack up our sh*t and move immediately! Even though the temps were low 70's and off the bay it felt more like the 60's, it was sunny, blue skies every day! And up in Muir Woods and on Haight Street, it was total summer living!

We did the basic touristy stuff as well as just hung out, walked, people watched, ate and had fun. I wish I could tell you guys everything about the vacation, but that would take way to long to type, LOL, so I'll just throw out some highlights with some pics!

Thursday we arrived, late due to lovely United Airlines and their so-called "on time" feature! Literally we sat for 3 hours on the plane, at the gate! Luckily, one of the perks to Roger traveling like he does is free upgrades and so Mandi and I had first class and it was fabulous...it made the waiting at the gate a little better...plus we got to have drinks and stuff so that was cool. However, due to the late takeoff and time change, we lost pretty much the whole afternoon on Thursday...but, we made up for it on Thursday night! We checked right into the hotel and off to the Wharf we went. Our hotel was located right on the Wharf (well, like 5 blocks up...no biggie) and so it was easy to just walk down and see the sites. Of course we saw the seals, Alcatraz, all the fun people and street musicians that play for money on the boardwalk, the vendors, and the food! We had dinner at a fabulous place Roger and I went to on our first visit to San Fran years ago..food was still da bomb! After eating, we trucked ourselves over to Ghiardhelli Square for some ice cream and, of course, Ghiardhelli chocolate!! Then we headed back to our hotel and totally crashed out!

Up early on Friday, we had some breakfast and then walked the Wharf for a while...after lunch we had a scheduled tour up to Muir Woods. On the way we hit the Golden Gate Bridge (hard not to when you have to drive over it...soooo cool!!), the Marin Headlands and of course, Muir Woods. It is absolutely amazing in the woods. The Redwoods are phenomenal and it is so quiet and peaceful, very spiritual inside. It smells amazing too..very clean. In fact, the guide said..this is some of the cleanest air you'll ever breath, take it in!!! I did...lots of slow deep breaths...felt great! Here are a few shots...however, as with anything majestic and amazing...photos just don't do it justice!





After our hike in the woods (a full 2 hours, it was heaven), we boarded the bus and headed out for Sausalito. Sausalito is a quaint little town, right on the water...very hoity toity high price and fabulous. Filled with lots of art galleries and small boutiques. Mandi and I looked around the art fair/farmers market they were having and then decided that we needed something to nosh on...headed over to a cute little Italian Bistro and sat outside on the front patio area so we could people watch and take it all in. We had the yummiest desserts, a peach tart with vanilla gelato and a chocolate hazelnut type of mousse thing...I endulged myself in a nice glass of wine! We then boarded the bus and headed back to San Fran. While driving back, our tour guide and driver said we had some extra time and since the weather was totally gorgeous and it isn't always like this, he was going to stop off at a great photo taking site for us! We had the most amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge!! I love the picture I got.



A young couple offered to take a shot of Mandi and myself and I have to giggle when I look at what he took! Since taking some classes and trying to be more aware of what I see in my viewfinder, I would have never taken a shot like he did..oh well, at least I have something to document the two of us at the Bridge. Notice what he did? Umm..can you say no feet!!! Sheesh dude!!!




After dropping off our schtuff at the hotel, we headed down to the restaurant and had some dinner....walked the Wharf some more and came back to watch a movie and chill.

Saturday, up early again, breakfast and then more exploring. After lunch we headed to Pier 33 to catch our boat to Alcatraz! I love Alcatraz..it's always been a total fascination for me and Mandi has been dying to see it ever since I can remember! She was beside herself that we were actually going to get to see it in person, walk around it etc..

The boat takes about 15 mins. to get there, it's very breezy but it was so cool. Seeing the skyline of San Francisco from the boat as you head out to Alcatraz is amazing...

While this picture isn't the best...I love how her hair is all blowy and since I was there, I know how that happy face she has is feeling inside!!



The actual main prison is something to behold. Very cool. You get to take a self guided audio tour and can spend as much or as little time as you like wandering around seeing all the sights. The audio tour is narrated by some of the actual prison guards and inmates that were there on Alcatraz. I took a lot of pics inside the prison and a lot of the surrounding buildings and grounds as you make the journey uphill to the main prison. There was this stone type of box/hole thing and I told Mandi to sit in it...I thought it looked cool. Who knows what it was at one time, but anyway, I took her pic inside...



After our adventure at Alcatraz, we headed back to the boat dock, back to San Francisco's Wharf and had some dinner. We called it a night kinda early, decided to head back to the hotel and watch a movie.

Sunday we caught a taxi bright and early in the morning and made our way to Haight/Ashbury....

I'll continue on with that adventure in my next post and share some pics...it was the most perfect cap to our vacation and one place where both Mandi and I want to live someday!! LOL!!