Just Because...

.....just because it's still winter outside, 

I thought I'd share my favorite icy picture.

Once again my fab Sis-in-Law has styled her chandy beautifully.

             I think she really captured the beauty and elegance of winter.

Snuggle up my friends,

Punch and Cookies Winter Style

There are a lot happenings in our small town, 

                  and at most of those get togethers you could expect to find 
                                                punch and cookies.

Head off to a PTA meeting,

               you can bet there will be punch and cookies at the end.

At a Republican "Meet the Candidate" night,

             it's for sure that punch and cookies will be on the agenda.

When the Democrats meet.......well actually I believe the three of them just meet at the gas station for a sodie pop so bad example. 

But when it was my turn to bring the refreshments to the monthly quilt guild meeting, I was pretty sure that punch and cookies would be the expected fare.  

In honor of the cold weather we have been having here I decided to change it up just a bit and provide a...

Cocoa Bar and Frosty Cookies

There were

    sugar sprinkles,

         and crushed up starlite mints, 

                and chocolate chips,

                       and of course whipping cream 

to top off the hot chocolate.  

The styrofoam cups were decorated with a cute, free printable I found here .  

Don't you just love it when creative bloggers are generous like that. 

Ya, ya you have seen cocoa bars before 

                                 but feast your eyes on this....

Chocolate dipped oreos with a fancy, frosty design. 

The credit for this idea goes to my Sister-in-Law who says she got the idea from her cousin who got the idea from....well who really knows where it all starts?

Begin by melting the chocolate, or white chocolate (or blue chocolate) in the microwave.

Start with 30 seconds stir and go slowly.  

It will melt just be patient and don't over heat the stuff. 

If you heat it too fast for too long you can end up with a white residue after it cools....very not cool.

Put an Oreo in the melted chocolate and turn until it is covered on all sides.

Let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl then place the cookie on a sheet lined with waxed paper.  

This is where the magic starts!

The design comes from a transfer sheet. 

I purchased the snowflakes from a local bakery supply shop but there are many good sources online.  

Here is a link to an online shop with lots of great designs.

Cut the sheet to the desired size and place on top of the chocolate covered cookie before it has a chance to cool.  Put the cookies in the refrigerator for a few minutes.  When the chocolate is set, remove the transfer sheet.

It's more fun than a temporary tatoo!

I'm not sure the quilt guild crew was too crazy about blue cookies.  I noticed a lot of the cookies went home for the kids to "try". 

                     I wonder if they really meant "test".  

(Testing out strange colored food on your kids isn't a bad 

idea if you've got a few spares around the house?)

It really was a fun evening and I'm hoping I'll get invited to another punch and cookie event soon.  

I've got some

                heart transfers I want to try 

                        and then those cute shamrocks,

                              I'm sure I could find an easter egg transfer,

                                                                         and then and then......

Stay warm my punch and cookie friends,

Sharing with my friends over here.....

                            

A Cozy Little Chapel

Whew, the perfect wedding dress had been found!  

Next up was finding the perfect spot to host the ceremony.

Ravenberg Photography

The Dress

I suppose I've got some explaining to do.

Explaining about the big hole in my blog that was the month of December.  

It's true I stepped off the blog planet for a while but I wasn't headed to Christmas town.   Nope, for a brief time we entered the wintery, white and wonderful world of weddings!  

Ya see, during the holidays while everyone was out making merry,

  

                     and Ho, Ho, Ho-ing....

I was busy making marry,

                     and sew, sew, sewing.

I first introduced you to this adorable engaged couple back in October, and shared the  bridal shower with you here. It's hard to believe that December has come and gone and now I'm referring to my daughter as my Mrs. Baby Girl.

But I've got to take you back to the very beginning and share the fun of picking out the perfect dress.  

Oh, and I didn't mean to imply that I sewed the wedding dress. 

                 (After all this is a real life true things only blog) 

I just whipped up a couple of the bridesmaid dresses and a table runner, more on that later.

 "Something vintage, classic, with a little bit of sparkle and not strapless", said the bride. 

 Finding "The Dress" proved a little more difficult, especially the not strapless part.    

I suppose you've got to kiss a few frogs before you find your perfect prince of a dress, right?

But first I thought it would be fun to show you a few that didn't make the cut.  

THE BEDHEAD

Actually a really pretty crinkle fabric dress that would look great with loose tousled hair. 

 Not too vintage, 

                 not too classic 

                          and strapless (how would you add sleeves to that?)  

By my count that's three strikes.

THE TRAIN RIDE

Wow, that is a big, sturdy train. 

Too bad this one didn't work out. 

I know a few toddlers who would have loved to be dragged around the dance floor on the back of that thing. 

I can almost hear them giggling now.  

THE WONDER WOMAN

The accessory package included a groom-catching lasso!

THE PLANET HOLLYWOOD

Nice dress if you are Angelia Jolie headed to a swanky.......something. 

                        ....and there's that strapless problem again.

THE GETTING CLOSER DRESS

Not bad, she needed something with just a bit more sass.

It was so fun to watch the bride's best friend during this process.  

Her face was just like a bridal dress barometer, 

                               and you didn't need to be a weatherman to read the highs and lows.   

"Ummm, as your best friend in the world, there is something I need to tell you"

"Well, that one is .... interesting"

"That's it....totally and completely."

This could be the one...

.....just one more look at the back....

"This is the one mom...I am finally done with kissing frogs......forever"

She did make a few changes to the final dress, can you spot them?

THE DRESS

With the addition of a simple veil and a touch of jewelry, she was ready for the big day.

After the dress was decided on the rest of the planning seemed easy.

So if you love weddings, stick around. 

 There is more to share on the chapel decorations,

                 the flowers and 

                          the wedding brunch.    

PS: It' nice to be back on Planet Blog,  I've missed you all!

A Look Back and a Look Ahead

As I look back on the year that was 2012 I can see many high points and a few surprises.  One thing that was both a high point and a surprise was finding so many wonderful friends as I entered the blog world.  

You have truly inspired me with your creativity, 

                          made me laugh 

                                          and have generally made each day a little brighter! 

It feels good to know there were a few things I was able to give back to the community.

So here they are....my top three posts from 2012.

#1 - Chicken Wire Valance (uh, make that Poultry Netting Valance)

link here

#2 - Front Porch Addition

link here

#3 Pinwheel Flank Steaks

link here

So what will the new year bring?  

2013????

I do have a few predictions for this lil' ole blog.

I predict this will be the year I finish the exposed brick office,

                craft room,

                bathroom addition 

                and post that house tour I've been planning for so long. 

I also predict I'll get the video tutorials on using Olioboard finished.   

On a bit more personal note, 

2013 will be the year I step over the half-century mark (if all goes well).  I admit to clinging to the few remaining days of my 40's as I await that welcome letter from the AARP.  That dreaded letter letting me know that I'm now eligible to join the ranks of the Association of American Retired Persons....even though retirement is a distant dream for me. 

But there are a few things I am looking forward to as someone who has lived a half century.   For example:

                                         grandchildren, 

                                         senior discounts, 

                                         going to dinner at 4 pm 

                                         and a colonoscopy.  

Yup, you read that right, and why did I add colonoscopy to that list?  

Is it because I haven't had a chance to flash my backside since mooning fell out of fashion in the 1970's?  

No, that's not it, but good guess.  

Actually I have a great example to follow.

photo credit

My dear old dad is with us today and free of cancer because he did the very thing many 50-year-olds don't.  He submitted to a bit of an inconvenient test many, many years ago and was able to receive early treatment for the colon cancer that was discovered.  We can't imagine not having him there for the very special day we all shared a few weeks ago.  

And that is why 2013 will be the 'Year of the Colonoscopy" for me.  

So if you are 50+ and have been putting it off, set a goal to make this the year for you too.   

It's a day that is sure to make this blog and we can 

             laugh about it, 

             and maybe cry a little 

             and just be glad we cared enough about the people who love us to get it done.  

But if it's all the same to you, I think I'll tell the AARP to just hang it up for a few years.

Thank you Dad for always being there!