Brett Dennen -- This is Good Stuff!

I have found some new music that I want to share with you.  I REALLY like this song:



Tell me what you think!

Lucas Oil Stadium

Lucas Oil Stadium
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Here's the new stadium in Indianapolis. It's the Lucas Oil Stadium and it's home to the Indianapolis Colts. We surprised the Little Guy with tickets to yesterday's game (as a last-minute Christmas gift).

He was ELATED. Like on cloud nine (or ten or eleven, not really sure).

We had a great time. And the Colts won too.

Latest Issue of Cotton Time

I found this on etsy.com today. I'm hoping to find some Japanese craft books (or Zakka books) in Indianapolis later on this weekend. We've had to delay our trip due to the rotten ICY weather we're having. There's a state of emergency keeping us hold-up on the house for now. So...it was tomato soup and grilled-cheese sandwiches for lunch and camping out by the TV and computer as ways to pass the time.

Here's the craft magazine I found on pomadour24's etsy site:

Hopefully, we'll be able to start our trip a little later this afternoon. Until then, it's back to surfing the web. Hey: it's better than spending the day at work!

Take care,

Let's Get Organized

Hey bloggers! We're headed to Indianapolis for the weekend.

One of our stops will be the Franklin Covey store. Click on this post's title to find out what's on sale at Franklin Covey right now. My wife has been a Franklin Planner Girl for many years. As a busy accountant, she has to keep track of every minute of her time. And...let me tell you: this girl is O R G A N I Z E D. WAAAAAAAY more than I am.



I guess it's the 'opposites attract' thing with us. I am Crafty Dad and she is Organized Mom.



Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Merry Christmas !

Wishing you a very 

Merry Christmas

and the happiest of New Years.

The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

SUGAR COOKIES II

(Makes Approximately 40 3-inch Cookies)

4-1/2 cups sifted flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

½ cup milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter baking sheets. Sift together the dry ingredients.

Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat well. Add the dry ingredients, 1 cup at a time, alternating with the milk and vanilla, beating well after each addition. Wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll 1 piece at a time on a floured board and cut with large cookie cutters.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Cool on racks.

From The Martha Stewart Cookbook -- Collected Recipes for Every Day

YOU: Aaaaaa-chooooooooooo!

ME: Bless you!

YOU: I need a tissue.

ME: Funny you should ask.




Tissue holder anyone? I have several laying around the shop.

My "Country Living" Photo Shoot

Yeah, right.



But...I am very happy with this photo of my sister-in-law's living room / dining room.

Whadyathink?

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

I love goofing around with Picnik (www.picnik.com). It's free and fun. Wow. What a great combination!

Here is one of the wreaths that was placed on my mom's cemetary plot. I took some 'graphic license' and added some snow for effect.

Two Days! Just Two More Days 'til Christmas!

Hey bloggers! No...I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth. I've just been a tad bit busy with work (the day job) and a ton of other stuff.

How do you guys do it? How do you have a 'life' and still have time to post all these great entries and beautiful photos? Do you not sleep? What's the deal?

Lately, it seems that I need to take a vacation day just to get things done. That's crazy. With all these high-tech gadgets, it seems life has become more and more hectic. (Ok...I'm off the soap box).

I did actually take the time to make a tote bag and wallet for my favorite Aunt. I'll get a photo posted as soon as I can find it. LOL! And...I cranked out some great-smelling soap for the people that work with me: glycerin with spearmint; aloe and olive oil with lavender; and goat's milk with tea tree oil. They turned out very well and the peeps love them. Whew!

There are two baby bibs that are 90% complete. I recently bought some Japanese fabric (man I love that stuff) and made a bib for Audrey (photo coming soon) and a bright orange and green bib for baby Ava (ditto: photo coming soon).

Oh....and I finally got a replacement for my DOA (dead on arrival) blindstitch machine. The slacks had been measured and pinned...just waiting for the new machine. Yes! the new one works perfectly. And makes hemming pants very, very fast. Love it. Speaking of machines...my dad is buying me a commercial grade, portable (is that an oxymoron?) walking-foot sewing machine. I found one on eBay and of course had to have it. It's on its way from the west-coast. I doubt if I'll have it by Christmas, but ... it will be fun to try it out when it does arrive. I've always wanted one, but the cost has been a bit above my budget. Cross your fingers that this one arrives perfectly so I can plug it in and give it a whirl.

Enough babbling already. I gotta get back to work.

Hope you're ready for the big day. My Christmas Countdown clock says 2 days, 13 hours, 7 minutes and 22 seconds until the big day. And let's all remember: it's about the Christ Child. All the gifts and glitter are great. But...the reason for the season is Jesus. I'm very proud to say that. Amen.

Love you guys!

--mike