An almost complete dollhouse

Mom's dollhouse is a masterpiece! Complete with family dog and little handmade fern plants. I must get my creativity from her. The tips of plastic life size ferns were clipped and glued into tiny pots. Now they are miniature porch plants! Too freaking adorable! Dad was a good helper and painted (it is his profession after all...well, life size painting) Now we're on to the electrical. It is going to look stunning all lit up from the inside. After lights are installed then we can really dive into the decorating! Stay tuned...

BIG BIG news

I AM PREGNANT!!! I found out a couple days ago that my amazing hubby and I are expecting... expecting what I am not sure since this will be our first. Expecting poopy diapers, tears, laughter etc etc etc.
I feel the need to tell everyone about it too. I'm sure this is quite inappropriate but I have never been more thrilled about something in my life.
I suppose the little dolly house from The little dollhouse co. my mom is making might be the first of two (if it's a girl)
So far there is a wee bit of heartburn, but mainly just exhaustion... I guess I better get used to it!

I was also a featured seller in my metalsmiths in action MSIA team on Etsy! This is exciting news for me also since, I had just been feeling like I was neglecting my teammates. I promise to be a more dedicated team member from now on. I will also make more pieces since I am feeling quite inspired!
I promise pictures next time (mom has my camera for her dollhouse progress).

Baaaaad Cold gooood stoup!

Well I'm blogging on the couch on a borrowed laptop. Ahhhhhh the freedom!!! I know how long overdue this update is...bad blogger slap my wrist would ya! I have had a super bad cold and been doing nothing but watching movies. As nice and relaxing as that sounds, come on think about it, you know how much it sucks to be sick! I made a really yummy hopefully healer of a stoup this week. I think it was Rachel Ray that coined the phrase stoup, not quite soup, not quite stew.
Here it is with very rough quantities. Just use what you have on hand, you really can't go wrong with this one.

Big Big pot.
Saute 1/2 a large onion & 2 cloves of garlic in a bit-o-extra virgin olive oil.
add a while green pepper
1/2 package of veggie ground ("turkey" or tofurkey if you like that term better :)
a couple big carrots
1/2 a small-ish cabbabe
2 cans diced tomatoe
italian seasoning
couple squirts hot sauce
after simmering for a couple hours (or longer) add some egg noodles simmer another 10 min or so and remove from heat.
Freezes really nicely for lunches! mmmmmmmmm

New vigor for being Vegetarian

Sunday did it, I have more enthusiasm for being a veggie than ever! A few people claimed I wouldn't stick to it or "you need meat" Nope nope you don't! Before you read further please know this is MY blog, MY diary, MY opinion, MY point of view. This entry is not meant to offend or sound preachy in any way. It is simply how I look at things and what is right for, yup... ME.

My visit to farmer John's farm was delightful! Cute little lambs their fleece as white as snow...well dirty poopy snow. They are animals afterall, of course they are poopy! I love them all the same. Some think me weepy, some may agree but I cannot even think of putting one on my plate! What the hell would mary think!!!

The small time we spent on the windy, Masson Meadow farm we were surrounded by bleating, hopping, ba-aa-ing little lambs and protective mother sheep. Two lamas, and I can't forget Lily the sheep dog (more of a friendly people dog though)
One lamb was just born the morning of or day before our visit!!! Say it with me...aaawwww.
I am not vegan and have only been vegetarian for nearly a year, and am amazed at how easy it is and why I didn't do this years ago. I was NEVER a big meat eater and now that I have cut it out all together it seems the perfect fit! A vegan lifestyle is something I greatly respect, but do not feel ready for at this point in my life. All the man made "replacements" scare me a little bit too much. My only wish is that all the little animals can have a happy frolicky life while we take their eggs/milk/wool and such. I'd be happy to give them something of mine they might like...shelter/grain/attention and love. On that note here is a vegetarian recipe for you to try :)
That's just me

Broccoli Soup

1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
2 onions, chopped
2 potatoes (12 oz/375 g), peeled and coarsely chopped
2 cups (500 mL) vegetablestock
1 tsp (5 mL) each salt and pepper
3 cups (750 mL) frozen broccoli pieces
1 can (385 mL) evaporated skim milk
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh chives or green onions

Preparation:

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; cook onions and potatoes, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Add stock, salt and pepper; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Add broccoli pieces; cover and cook for 5 minutes.

In food processor or blender, pur?soup until smooth. Return to pan; stir in evaporated milk and heat through. Serve sprinkled with chives.

Rainy Sunday

Hello bloggers and blog readers
Back from a lovely brunch with some friends and feeling very full! Probably should be going for a walk instead of sitting here on the computer...I'll save the walking for this afternoon. I'm off to
see some little lambs and to wander around a small flee market this afternoon. A friend of mine grew up on a farm and has lovely leaping lambs right now. I'm really excited to go see the little guys. Super adorable!!!

I am also really excited as I have booked 4 spots at the Peterborough Festival of Lights as a vendor! I will be booked in for June 20 David Cassidy, July 11 U2 Elevation, July 18th 54-40 and August 12th Hotel California. It draws a really big crowd and will be the biggest venue I have been a vendor for! There is a lot of nervous excitement in my belly and am sure it will get worse as the dates get closer. I am gonna have to go CRAFT CRAZY to build up enough inventory! Definitely need to make a lot more silver pieces!!

Ever since I made my 1st Etsy treasury I have been totally hooked on curating these wonderful pages for everyone to look at. There is something wonderful about promoting items that totally deserve it!

I LOVE ETSY!!!

Tangerine Pearls

It's been a busy week!
Bank appointments, (mortgage inquiries, oh how badly I want to stop renting!) An afternoon wedding in Petawawa yesterday (nearly 4 hour drive) and crafting. Hmm I thought there was more, oh ya... a whopper of a migraine headache on Wednesday also. Today I feel pooped! Mom was busy with her dollhouse this week too! Here are some updated shots. What is it about seeing someone get married that is worth driving nearly 8 hours in one day? I simply love to watch 2 people in love vow to love and honor one another for the rest of their lives. Call me a romantic but that's just me.

post birthday blog

Monday was spent in bustling Toronto where I visited Lacy Co for the very first time. A pleasant little downstairs shop that carries a world of jewellery making tools. *Sigh* oh to have buckets of cash. Such is not the case for me so I settled for a few items that were pretty high on my wish list. Ring pliers, a ring display case and letter/number punches. The latter has a funny story! Instead of one letter I and one number 1... I received in my lovely little wooden case of punches, two number ones. so CHIVES looks like CH1VES. I am able to laugh about this as they were delightful upon my phone call asking for a replacement. One is currently in a bubble mailer on the way to me. No wait I is on the way...not one :) Confused yet?
After Lacy it was on to the Little Doll House Company. An adorable place for kids at heart!!!! I could spend hours at a time in there. Everything is so cute and teeny tiny small. I have always had a thing for anything tiny. Even miniature coffee and cheeze whiz jars for petes sake! Mom bought a gorgeous doll house which there will be many posts to come about I'm sure. It is a kit that you put together yourself and decorate once complete. The pictures here are actually of the finished in store model.
Can you imagine a 51 year old woman who has ALWAYS wanted a dollhouse, now finally let her daughter talk her into it! I am really quite proud of her. That may sound like a silly thing to be proud of, however when you have been taught that anything that is not absolute necessity is frivilous that is a hard thing to shake. I say live for the moment, there is only one today! If you want something for long enough and that urge has not gone away...give in to your guilty pleasure! If a hobby makes you happy and gives you hours of enjoyment, it IS a necessity!