All I Want for Christmas ...

..is a real good tan. I'm not an official fan of country music, but I do like this Kenny Chesney song. I'm just sayin'

Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World

Have a great weekend. And safe travels to those in the winter wonderland states.

More Finished Objects

Tissue Holders
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Sometimes I surprise myself. Case in point: these tissue holders.

I've seen tons of these in the blogosphere and always thought they were pretty cool. So....I found a pattern and, voila, handy-dandy tissue holders.

I think they'll make nice little stocking stuffers.

Woo hoo...more gifts to give away. Gotta love it.

Barb: please turn away from this photo. You may be getting one of these in a few days! :-)

Stocking Cap for Dad

Stocking Cap for Dad
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Here's what's 'on the hook' right now. My dad has been asking for a stocking cap for quite some time now. So...with Christmas just a few days away (you knew that right? I mean the fact that Christmas is just 15 days away???). As in HOLY COW! I have a lot of gifts to make and wrap.

So anyhow...my dad wants a hat and when I asked him what color he wanted, he said 'green and white'. Well...checking the yarn stash, I had lots of green but no white. And with the goal of using up what I already have, I am making him a hat in this soft green and cream. I think he'll like it.

Now...let's just hope I can find some time to sit down and get it done.

This week is full of Cub Scout meetings, band and orchestra programs, birthday parties and some big school projects (including a time line project for my little guy). Whew! What a week.

Son No. 1 Makes Breakfast

2007_1208asof1208070008
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Yes, it's true. My oldest son said he was going to make scrambled eggs for breakfast. And a fine, fine job he did.

Thinking back to when I was twelve, I was cooking, cutting the grass, helping with laundry, babysitting my brother and sister (which is a subject worth a blog post all its own!).

So...it was really nice to come downstairs to a plate of scrambled eggs. Just add some ketchup and enjoy.

Thanks Son No.1! You can make breakfast (or lunch or dinner) for me anytime. :-)

Look! Finished Objects!!!

2007_1208asof1208070019
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

Seems like it's been a long, long time since I've actually made (started and finished) a project.

These are my coasters. They are pretty much 'prototypes' as I tried a couple different techniques.

But...I really like the pattern of the fabric (a thrift shop find) and the coordinating linen-look backs.

I'm excited.

My trusty sewing machine

My trusty sewing machine
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

was very busy this past weekend. We hemmed SEVERAL pairs of pants for the boys. And...get this...we even did some C R A F T I N G. No kidding. We actually made some tissue holders and a few Christmas gifts (stocking stuffers).

More to come...

Crafty Dad - The Monday thru Friday Routine

Here's where I hang out during the week. It's the anti-craft, for sure. But...it's a great job, pays the bills and makes me think. Click on the image for a larger version and you'll see the little sign under the left-hand flat panel. That's my reminder. Every day presents new challenges. It's up to me (and you too) to think. Remember the old saying, 'work smarter, not harder'. It's pretty much true. ;-)

Mashed Potato Tribute for my Little Guy

My seven-year-old had a bit of trouble yesterday at school. It seems he was buried in a pile of leaves when another student decided it would be fun to jump on him. Oh maybe three or four times on the stomach. Yeah. That's the ticket! Then...as if that weren't enough, a second student joined in the fun and jumped on him -- twice. Dang! The behavior of some kids is just a bit more than I can handle.

Let me just say that my wife and I don't pretend to have perfect kids, but I can tell you that they have enough sense and manners that they know right from wrong. I don't think I would find either of my sons in a situation where they would jump on another kid. While I'm on my soapbox...can I just say that the behavior of several school children pretty much amazes me. It seems they can't keep their hands to themselves. And...the 'grown up' language they use is another issue I have. What are their parents teaching them? Or...have I hit the nail on the head with that comment? Perhaps the parents are NOT teaching them. I guess I'll save that for another post.

But...back to the story. So...my wife is at an offsite meeting for the entire afternoon yesterday when the school principal calls and leaves a voicemail message to let her know that our son was in a "situation" at recess but everything is okay. Not so fast..... When my wife picks him up from his after-school program, he tells her that his stomach hurts and that he can't pee. (Oh joy!) When I get home from work, he's complaining that his lower abdomen still hurts. So...the decision was made to take him to the ER to check things out. After an IV and a CT scan, he was allowed to go home. Some bruising, but nothing major. Thank God!

So..."Little Guy", I'm so glad that you're okay. You've had your share of tough times at school this year and I sure hope that things get better for you.

This post is for you buddy! My red-headed, mashed potato eater. Mom and Dad love you very much. And we're sure proud of you!

Hot potatoes in the mixing bowl on Thanksgiving morning.

Ready for the second batch. Love that KitchenAid mixer baby!

My "little guy" licking the bowl and the spatula. He LOVES mashed potatoes. And Hershey does too. See her in the lower right-hand corner? She knows a good thing when she sees/smells one. :-)

Have a great weekend everyone. Give your kids an extra hug.

Home Makover :: Holiday Style!

From Thanksgiving to Christmas -- all in a four-day weekend. Can I get a woot-woot?
It all started with a bowl of cranberries.

And quickly went from here to ...

Nutcrackers all in a row in the little guy's room...

to this...

Garfield ornament on my little guy's Christmas tree...

to this...

Gumby-style ornament...

to this...

the family room tree.


A favorite (and simple) ornament.

By the end of weekend...my wife and I felt like this.



Hershey was not impressed by all the decorating hub bub.

So: let the craziness begin! The shopping. The crafting. The baking. The making of lists. And checking them twice. In all the rush-rush-rush, may you find some peace and quiet during the Holiday season.

So Very Thankful --

For so many things. Even though I've been crabby and complaining about my stress level and work load (at work) I'm SO happy to have a job that I really like (most of the time LOL!). And a wonderful, supportive, gracious, (the list goes on) wife. And two of the best kids in the world. And last, but certainly not least, the fantastic blogosphere of crafty people. You are some of the most talented, creative and caring people on the planet.

You make my day. You really do.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pickles, Pumpkins and More

Dill pickles, sweet pickles, garlic, Kosher, bread-and-butter, I love them all. Yes, I'm a pickle person to be sure. Are you a pickle lover too?


Just to the left of the plate o' pickles is the pumpkin bowl. Which currently serves as the centerpiece of the dining room table.



And above the pumpkin bowl is this light fixture. I was playing with the camera when I took this one. I really like the black background.

Fountain in front of the Woodwind and Brasswind's showroom.

My oldest son's saxophone needed some TLC (new cork and a thumb-key adjustment) so it was off the The Woodwind and Brasswind for a repair visit. If you're ever in the market for a musical instrument, I highly recommend visiting their showroom in South Bend, IN or their web site. Cool place. Very cool.

Hope you're having a great autumn weekend.

Brown Friday

Lightly-browned apple muffins. Food seems to show up often in this blog. Wonder what that means? Oh..nevermind.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Thursday - Cream Anyone?

Today is brought to you by the color cream. Enjoy!

More Blue Wednesday

Okay, I'm going overboard here, I know. But really. Have you ever seen such a B:L:U:E sky? I ask you: Well??? Have you?

Ok. That is all.

Blue Wednesday

Woo Hoo...three days in a row with the color theme started by JCasa. I'm so proud of myself. Ha!

A sea of blue. The combined Seventh Grade Band at this year's Fall Band Festival. This is the second year of band for my oldest son. He loves it! And has a ton of fun with the other kids. Their musical skills are vastly improved over last year. My wife and I were so impressed. Like 'goose bumpy impressed'. The kids really worked hard and the concert was a hit.

Blue sky. Green and amber trees. And a hint of russet. Against a beautiful blue sky.

Tuesday :: Grey

In keeping with JC Handmade's color of the day theme this week, I humbly offer this splash of grey.

Grey. With a touch of gemstones. The boys panned for gold and gemstones during their trip to pick out pumpkins this year. Amazing Acres is just that: amazing. As part of the tradition, my dad accompanied us on the trip. We had a great time. Feeding the goats, laughing at the goats, playing in the 'cornbox' (think sandbox, but instead of sand, it's filled with kernels of dried corn).

My oldest son is making a corn-angel in the cornbox. And my little guy is jumping in to join him (upper left-hand corner). They had a great time that day.

Yummy, Yummy Pumpkin Bread

Nothing says lovin' like something from the oven. My wife made four loaves of scrumptious pumpkin bread this weekend. Just add butter and you are in heaven. The plate is a thrift-store find from a few months ago.

Catching Up a Bit

I know Halloween was a few days ago, but I promised my kids that I'd get a picture of their jack-o-lanterns on the blog. So...without further adieu, here they are:

On the left: my seven year old's creation. On the right: my 12 year old's.

A little bit closer.

How cool is this? I helped, but he did a great job, didn't he?

Oh, by the way. This post (with all its orange-ness) fits in very nicely with Jennifer's 'color of the day'. Check out the JC Handmade blog. It's one I visit frequently.

In the foyer

It's out with the pumpkins and in with the Pilgrims.

Turkey Day is just around the corner folks. So...some Pilgrims and a cornucopia now reside on the foyer table.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Amazing Acres - where we've been getting pumpkins for the past few years.

Ha! And you thought I had gone away forever. Nope. Not true at all. Just been a teeny-tiny busy, that's all.

Work has been a constant stream of new and exciting experiences. Things like:

• employee turnover
• tons of work to do
• hiring a new person
• training a new person
• doing the work of two people

All the while, I'm trying to be a husband and a father. Holy Cow! I have a new appreciation for single parents. Because I truly don't know how they do it all.

And while I don't have a lot of time to sit here and create this post (busy with some home-related chores today), I did want to tell you that I'm still alive and kickin' and I HOPE to be back on a more regular basis.

Oh, and take a peek at the calendar -- Thanksgiving is only a few days away. And Christmas is just around the corner too. Amazing isn't it? I feel like summer was just a few days ago. I guess it's true: the older you get, the faster time moves.

I'll be back soon.

Take care!