Reindeer Sighting

Flying reindeer are my favorite Christmas doodles. I learned these from my favorite calligrapher in the whole world, Betty Locke from Canada. After admiring her water color and calligraphy for years, I was fortunate enough to take classes from her on two separate occasions. I'd take another in a heartbeat if I could just get her down to Texas.

In the summer of '09 St. Wayne and I went up to Victoria Island where she and her husband Duncan live and actually had lunch with them. But, unlucky for me, no time for a class. I adore everthing Betty does and she has such a fun, whimsical style. You might google her and see for yourself. She's fabulous.

But back to Rudolph...it's one thing I learned from her that anyone can do. These little reindeer have graced many a Christmas envelope for me over the years and, if you start right now, they can for you, too. It takes a little practice and the right tools, but you can do it!

I use a 1/2" flat watercolor brush, or you can actually draw the rectangle and the triangle. But the flat brush is just one horizontal stroke and a pivot for the head. Then draw on the tail, antlers and the flying legs. The finishing touch is a red nose. Get your supplies out and have a fun afternoon getting familiar with Rudolph!

One More Tag Printing Technique

Okay, I'd like to promise this is the last time I post about little tags, but I can't. You know I love them and I keep discovering ways to use them. But this post is a "tease" because it's such a good idea, it will be part of the show at "Move Over, Martha!" a week from Saturday.

You may recall seeing an earlier post about printing on tags, but this technique allows you to be even more versatile with your tiny things.

That's right friends, learning this method of printing on little tiny things with your ink jet printer is just one of the many things you'll learn on November 6. I'll show you several new and fresh ideas to make your holiday easier and more fun. But that's not all...I'll show you how to make a darling, personalized gift for a friend for less than $5...that alone is worth the price of admission! Which, by the way is $65 and what tickets we have left are available at Four Chicks in the Park in Lamar Park and Stitch It! on Alameda.

Don't be left out, get your tickets now...come out and support Habitat for Humanity. See you November 6th!

An Abbreviated Family Reunion

St. Wayne and I put 1,050 miles on ole Pearl this past weekend going to see these people. We had so much fun. They're alot more fun and entertaining than they look.

Let me introduce you to my Aunt Faye and Uncle Troy. They've been married 52 years and are as much in love as ever. They take care of each other, laugh at each other's jokes, mow yards together (they each have their own riding mower), and find ways to stay out of their recliners.

They have a daughter Sandy who's married to another Troy who didn't make it to the reunion. I've never met him...it's a little suspicious. They all say he's really nice, though. She drove about five hours from Orangefield, Texas. Her daughter Alicia, a very good citizen of the world, was far, far away at college, but was able to skipe in for a hello. Sandy has a huge heart, she works in the church office and drives the school bus...and she's a great cook.

Her son is Jason. He's tall and fishes, hunts, and crochets...hats and things. He eats the whole time he's at his Granny's. I told him it's okay, that's what you're supposed to do.

Then there's Sandy's brother, Troy. Yep, another one. To avoid confusion, we've always called him "Bubba"...Cousin Bubba. He's funny and full of energy and works at about 14 different jobs then comes to the lake to help his dad build docks and things on the weekends.

His wife is Sherry. Sort of quiet but fits right in with this crazy crowd. She works for an ambulance chaser in the big city. And I think she keeps Bubba in line.

Their oldest child is Andrea. She makes me laugh. She has a quirky sense of humor and what's not to love about that? She's going to college. She's in the process of deciding what she wants to be. (In the meantime, she's entertaining.)

Then there's Travis. He's his dad's right-hand man. He goes to college and keeps up with his dad on the job. He's the kind that can fix anything...and I think they said he's planning to be a dentist, so that's good. Uncle Troy said he was 50 years too late for him.

And then there's Cody. With twinkly green eyes. He likes to eat, too. Sorta like Jason. He fishes and puts out trot lines.

We spent the entire day with them at Lake Fork last Saturday and laughed and ate and told stories. It did my soul good. It was wonderful to reconnect with them and get to know their kids. It makes me feel like I have family again. It's been twelve years since we've seen each other and I'm betting it won't be another twelve.

Oh, the screwey drawing is because we forgot to take pictures. I was just sick when I realized we'd missed out on a Kodak moment, so I took the liberty of drawing them as I remember them. They're a pretty cute group, huh? And they all have long legs (for real).

Thanks, guys, for a great time! Your Cousin Judi and Cousin Wayne love you!

It's That Time Again...

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since we presented "Move Over, Martha!" benefiting Habitat for Humanity. But it has--it's now time for our 3rd annual fundraiser!

Tickets are on sale now for this fun, entertaining little seminar/luncheon about entertaining at home for the holidays. On Saturday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 100 ladies will gather at First United Methodist Church on the bayfront and get geared up for the upcoming holidays. You don't want to miss it!

Buy your tickets today at either Four Chicks in the Park or Stitch It! and see ideas for holiday entertaining presented by Kathy Dewbre, Gary Homan, Carmen Dy, and me. And keep in mind, all but $5 goes directly to our local Habitat for Humanity.

Jan's Fan

My friend Jan lives in Dripping Springs. A small town about 20 minutes from Austin. She lives in a fabulous house up on a hill at the highest point of "Drippin," as the locals call it. And since Jan's lived there about four years, that's what she calls it, too.

When I need creative inspiration or my brain seems stagnant, I sneak away and spend a day or two with her. I've know Jan since 1992 when she came into my shop to order rehearsal dinner invitations for her son. Over time we became fast friends. I have learned so many things from her through the years. She has style and class and terrific ideas.

That's where I was Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Sometimes I just feel that I need something new to look...just to get the creative juices flowing again. She always has fresh ideas. She is a fabulous cook and the best party planner under the sun. Her presentations are over the top and one just never passes up an invitations to Jan's. (And sometimes one doesn't even WAIT for an invitation, one just invites herself, like I did last week.)

Leaving here on Wednesday morning at 6:30, I was in her driveway by 10:15. We took off to Austin, picked up our entertainment for the day...her daughter Andrea, and made our 12:30 lunch reservations at Bess's with time to spare. Bess's happens to be Sandra Bullock's restaurant on Sixth Street and Pecan. She didn't know we were coming, so she wasn't there, but the food was fabulous and the atmosphere was stellar. Even without her, it was wonderful...and besides, she now has that baby to take care of...

We then drove to Marble Falls to shop, finding inspirational displays at The Mews and finding great disappointment that my favorite kitchen store, Zoo-La-La, is out of business. We drowned our sorrow in the bottom of a pie pan at The Bluebonnet Cafe...making it there just in time for "Pie Happy Hour"! My kind of happy hour...

After many miles and lots of calorie-burning giggles, we dropped Andrea back at her house, drove back to Drippin', and grabbed a rocking chair on Jan's back porch just in time to watch a few rain clouds roll in.

The next morning Jan followed me in her car to a little junk/antique shop in Elgin, a little town east of Austin. Had a quick bite of barbecue, which is what Elgin is famous for...much more so than junk/antiques, we discovered. From there we took the back country roads to Geronimo, a tiny, tiny town full of antique stores. We both thoroughly enjoyed the ride through the lush, green countryside to get to Geronimo. It was sort of on the way home for me and just a giant loop for Jan.

I spent a total of $27...$10 on a tray and $17 on a wire basket, but the inspiration was priceless. And I came home with a bag full of books and magazines that she thought might offer me something new to discover.

So thanks, Jan and Andrea, for the laughs, the good company, the fabulous food, and always being up for an adventure! It does the soul good!

Little Stool Makeover

My friend Colleen is coming for a visit in a couple of weeks and I'm in high gear getting ready for her. I find houseguests provide a great incentive to get things in shape...like all those "temporary" piles that develop in my guest room get cleaned up and put away and my linen closet gets organized again...those sorts of things that I need a little push to get done.

I was walking through the garage last weekend and found this stool that she'd given me on one of my visits to her house. I have a thing for little stools and seem to have them all over my house. She'd found this one at a garage sale and thought I'd like to redo it. It was covered in some type of nautical polyester rope in blue and white and if I lived on a houseboat like the ones we saw in Seattle a couple of months ago, I'd be good to go, but it doesn't really go with my decor. So, it's been sitting in the garage along with another gadzillion projects waiting to be done and I figured I'd better hurry up and get it done before she gets here.

The square base is wonderful and sturdy with barley twist legs so, of course, the first thing I do is remove the rope seat and spray it with black satin paint. I spray anything that stands still long enough with that stuff and I always like it better. Then I asked St. Wayne to glue the joints just to give it a little more sturdiness. I left it to set for the week.

This afternoon, I dug out a package of left over drop cloth from last year when I made pillow and table runners. Remember those? I had plenty left over, so I cut out six strips, folded them in half, sewed them, then turned them right side out and pressed them with the iron. I then wove them across the bottom and stapled them underneath. That provided a base to attach a pillow. I lettered "No. 12" (because I have a thing for numbered things, too) and scanned it, ran a transfer sheet through my ink jet printer and ironed the transfer onto the cushion top. Sewed it up, stuffed it with polyfil, and glued the finished sides to the woven strips...and there you have it. I'm really happy with how it turned out...and it really didn't take that much time and cost about nothing. And we just won't tell Colleen it took about two years to get it done!

Tiny Tags

There are times you'll want to print on something other than a 8.5 X 11 inch sheet of paper in your computer printer. I'm always wanting to print on something small...like the tags in the first picture. I use these for gift tags, labels for boxes and baskets, and mailing labels. Well, I have a trick I use that might make your life easier...you can thank me later.

The second photo shows the blank tags ready to be printed and the secret ingredient...Post-it tape.

First, I choose the font, color, and size I would like to print on my tag and then type it up with lots of space around it as shown in the third picture.

Then I use a Post-it Labeling and Cover-up Tape to secure each tag OVER the words that were just typed and printed. You have to secure it and make sure there are no little edges sticking up because you want it to go through your printer again without coming apart. In the next photo, I show you what it looks like all taped up with the Post-it tape holding the tags in place.

Then I send the same piece of paper through the printer with the tags taped up and cross my fingers. It makes a little noise and scares me a little...but knock on wood...I've never had a problem losing anything in my printer.

You remove the tape and your little tag is ready to go. The Post-it tape is available at Staples Office Supply. We don't have a Staples locally, but you can order online. It's wonderful tape and easily removed after it's done its job.

If you have trouble understanding the process, email me and I'll walk you through it. Good luck, practice on one tag at a time at first and then, hopefully, it will open up a whole new way of printing all sorts of things...luggage tags, postcards, placecards...the possibilities are endless. Manipulate your printer at your own risk and practice until you become fearless like me and are willing to try anything. Don't blame me if you have to buy a new printer...afterall they're pretty inexpensive. Just kidding...it's always worked for me and if you secure the tape so nothing catches as it's going over the rollers, you really shouldn't have any problem.

Views from my Lunch Spot

About once a week I take my lunch down to the bayfront. Today I took my camera. I'm a firm believer in taking advantage of where you live and finding spots to love. Needless to say, my favorite thing about Corpus Christi is the bayfront and the energy down there. I especially love Wednesdays because there is a regatta in the afternoon. There's nothing I love better than watching those boats dance with the wind on the bay.

The top photo is the view where I ate a sandwich then I drove over to the second spot to have my cupcake for dessert. Even though my thermometer on my dash read 96 degrees, just knowing it's September, makes it feel different.

I was a little early for the races today. Some Wednesday in the near future, I'll talk St. Wayne into dinner on the water and we'll snap some pictures of the boats in action.

What's the view like where you have lunch?

Last Day of Summer in Judi World

I know it's not officially the last day of summer, but in my world, it is. The last day of August...I've been waiting three months for this!

St. Wayne and I spent eight days in July in Oregon and Washington this year and last. It has changed my view of the world. I used to think those pictures in magazines of summer parties in the yard were either staged in a studio, airbrushed, or a figment of someone's imagination. In Oregon and Washington, one really could have an outdoor party in the summertime. In fact while we were there, we spent several nights at our friends' Jennifer and Peter's house in Vancouver where we ate every meal al fresco on their patio and slept without air conditioning (and under down comforters). We come back home to South Texas asking why do we live here where it's hotter than it ever needs to be???

The picture above is our backyard. The squirrels think we placed that table and chandelier under the trees just for them because we hardly step outside the back door after May. But now that September is tomorrow, I just might spend a little time out there, if the squirrels will allow it. Okay, in actuality, I won't even attempt it until October and maybe not until November. But in my mind, I know I could if I wanted to...if I were naked...if the water sprinkler was on...if I had a cool drink in my hand...ah...come on crisp fall days...I'm ready for you!

Wedding Wrap

Here's wrapped gift we gave as a wedding present last month. It was easy and quick and pretty. I used wallpaper...the kind that has a very deeply embossed texture and is paintable. It has a name, but I never get it right. You can find it anywhere paint and wallpaper are sold. I got this on a roll at Home Depot or Lowe's once on clearance and it cost $10. It's lasted forever...so make sure you like it.

It's very thick so it makes really pretty creases and folds. I then wrapped double-faced white satin ribbon around it and tied a bow. I then added another piece of ribbon on top of that and tied another bow. Then I hot-glued a silk gerber daisy and a couple of leaves to the top to cover all the knots and attached an enclosure card. It turned out sweet and pretty...just like the wedding Laura and Andy planned so meticulously...right down to Andy singing her a love song. A stellar evening!

Easy and Delicious Desserts

Here are two dessert recipes. The first is a Lemon Tart. At least that's what I call it. It's a Lemon Squares recipe that was given to me by my friend Jeannie Talley many years ago and has always been a favorite. I prefer to bake it in two smaller tart pans. If I use a round pan I call a Lemon Tart and if I use a square tart pan it is called Lemon Squares. So you do it the way you want. It always comes out delicious no matter what the shape. And the good thing is I usually have all the ingredients on hand.

The second is a Cream Puff Pie. Again, the original recipe calls for a 9 X 13" cake pan and is called a Cream Puff Cake, but I like to make two smaller ones in spring form (cheesecake pans) and call them pies. Besides, "Cream Puff Pie" is more fun to say. And that way I can serve one and give one away. If you like cream puffs, this is the dessert for you. It's probably my family's favorite of all time. It's a little more involved, but I promise, so worth the effort. This one came from a tea room in Salado.

Lemon Tart

Crust:
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix together and press into the bottom of two pans. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling:
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
7 tablespoons lemon juice

Beat together and pour over baked crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar. (For this cute little finishing touch, lay a plastic fork and spoon on top before sprinkling with powdered sugar.)


Cream Puff Pie

For the cream puff:
1 cup water
1 stick butter
1 cup flour
4 eggs

Boil water and butter. Remove from heat and add flour and mix well with an electric mixer until ball forms. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Spoon mexture into two 8 or 9" spring form pans that have been sprayed with Baker's Joy. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. (If it's puffed up really high, smash it down with the back of a spoon.)

For the filling:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cup milk
2 large packages instant vanilla pudding
1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip
1 jar Smuckers Hard Shell Chocolate (found with ice cream toppings)

Beat cream cheese slowly and add milk, beating until smooth. Add the two packages of vanilla pudding mix and beat for one minute. Let mixture stand approximately 15 minutes. (It will be very thick.) Spoon into crust. Spread Cool Whip over the pudding mixture and then dribble entire jar of hard shell chocolate on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

So there you have it...cool, refreshing desserts for the last draggin' hot days of summer. Enjoy!

A New Facebook Friend

In 1957 I was asked to be a candlelighter in my Aunt Rita's wedding. I remember being thrilled that she'd found a job for me. I was worried because, at seven years old, I was beyond the age of a flower girl and that was before Martha Stewart invited junior bridesmaids. I was so happy I would be a part of her wedding when she married Uncle Ed.

I wanted to be a part of anything that involved Rita. She was one of those people who could have been written up in Reader's Digest's "Most Unforgettable Character." She was lots of fun, the life of the party, and always had a twinkle in her eye. She made everything an adventure...so I figured this wedding would be, too.

In my memory, there were thousands of candles and, as you can see from the picture above, there were hurricane covers on the candles on the pew markers that had to be removed, candle lit, and then replaced. I was so afraid of dropping and shattering the glass, and out of the corner of my eye I could see that my fellow candlelighter, who was eleven and much taller and faster, was way ahead of me. And I remember playing with her when I would go to church with my grandmother and always thought her name was Karen.

A few weeks ago I received a message on facebook asking if I was related to Rita. The woman had seen my picture and thought I resembled my aunt, and because Rita and I had the same maiden name, she thought there might be a connection. I've never heard or thought that I looked like my adored aunt, so I was thrilled. She explained that she was Uncle Ed's neice. After exchanging a few emails, we discovered we were both candlelighters in their wedding! She was totally surprised when I told her I had a picture of us in action. The pictures above were in with lots of others from my grandmother that I somehow inherited.

We lost Rita years ago from breast cancer. She was so young and full of life it's hard to understand. But I have such fond memories of her. Thank you, Cheryl Kincaid, for prompting me to pull out these photos and remember a beloved aunt. It's just one more great Facebook connection with a story!

Manly Wrap

There's nothing I love more than a beautifully wrapped gift. It's the thrill of anticipation while admiring the beauty of perfectly creased corners and the ribbons and the tags...oh I love it all!

Back in May my son Brian had a birthday and even though his idea of a perfectly wrapped gift is a picture of a president wrapped up in a small wad of currency, I did find him a little gift to go along with the aforementioned bill.

After finding some houndstooth wrap in my paper closet, I wrapped the box and tied it with black satin ribbon. It was nice, but just nice. I wanted it to look stellar...after all he's my only son and he has only one birthday a year.

I found these cigar label stickers I'd bought from Kate Jones Gifts in Rockport a few months ago and found one to coordinate with the colors I was using and slapped it at the bottom across the ribbon and...tada...I loved how masculine it looked. So now I'm all over the idea of unusual stickers to add the finishing touch on a gift wrap.

If you want to see some really beautiful wrapping ideas, go to this blog...one of my favorites:
www.agiftwrappedlife.blogspot.com
Enjoy!

Where in the World Have I Been?

Wow...where does the time go? I can't believe I took such a long break from this blog. I didn't really intend to, but it suddenly wasn't a priority for me because since early Spring we've had lots of houseguests, weekend roadtrips, and that pesky stuff that always gets in the way of fun--work!

And I can't say I haven't been piddlin'...simply because I always piddle. But I haven't taken pictures of much. There are a few things I could tell you about, and I will. But I really need to know you're out there. Nobody ever leaves comments and I feel lonely...very lonely. So if there's anyone still around, let me know and we'll get back in the groove.

I've been told leaving comments is difficult, but other blogs have them, so it can be done. I know you have to set up some type of account in order to do that. I have a Google account with a password and the whole ball of wax just so I can leave comments at the many blogs I visit. And, believe me, if I can figure it out, so can you...or call in some little people to help...they always know their way around Computerville. So, do what you have to do, but let me know you're with me. If nothing else, send me an email at invitickles@stx.rr.com or find me on Facebook. Just say hello so I know I'm not all alone on this side of the keyboard.

So...you have an assignment! And I'll get started on this end...

Happy Easter!

It's Springtime and that means Easter and that means Bunnies! Here's my favorite bunny who lives inside the wreath on my front door.

Mine is made of heavy watercolor paper to withstand the elements outside. Our humidity tends to make his ears curl a bit (same thing it does to my hair/hare) but I think that just adds to his cute character.

I've included a pattern for you to enlarge and trace onto the paper of your choice and a copy of the tag you can add to the ribbon around his neck. I used scallop scissors to soften his look and give him a little frill.

So this should get you started and then you can add your own creative touches.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Girly Letters

It's equal time for little girls after my last post of animal letters for boys. Here are some lettering ideas with a feminine flair. Again, I drew the letters with a permanent pen and colored them in with colored pencils.

I've also shown in the above photo, how the luggage tags are packaged. I find them at Office Max or Staples Office Supplies, neither of which we have in our town, so when I do find them, I stock up. These make sweet tiny gifts to tuck into a birthday card or hang tags for wrapped gifts.

Animal Letters

Here's a fun little gift. These are luggage tags I made for a dear friend's twin grandsons that I will be meeting for the first time today. I've been invited to a "Sip and See", but I'm hoping it's a "Sip and Squeeze"! The only thing I love better than squeezing a baby is squeezing two babies.

I've been told babies need tags on their diaper bags for when they're spending the day at "mother's day out" so I siezed the perfect opportunity for piddlin' a little on this rainy morning. The top and bottom samples are made into laminated tags with a little kit you can get at an office supply store.

The middle sample is done on white paper stock and then glued to colored stock. I will add that to a gift later. All the letters were done with permanent markers and then colored with colored pencils. I added lines and dots just to jazz it up a little. So pack up your markers and pencils and piddle around in the jungle...

International Day of Women

Yesterday, March 8, was the International Day of Women or Donna Day (and that's pronounced "don-ya") and a small group of us women celebrated in style.

I was invited to a luncheon and my contribution was to be the party favors. Much more fun for a piddler than making a salad. I thought I'd show you a quick and inexpensive favor that you can adapt to Easter or any spring occasion. Remember you can click on the picture to enlarge and see the details.

Using a 2-dozen egg carton tray, I cut it into 6-egg sections with an exacto knife. I wanted to use the hinged carton but when I looked in my local grocery store, I couldn't find one plain without advertising stamped on it for less than $2.99 and I needed six so I thought that was a little too expensive. So I went to an egg company where they sell large numbers of eggs and picked up a couple of 2-dozen egg trays. They are easily carved into the size you need.

After lining it with a few strands of Easter grass, I filled each section with all kinds of treasures...an assortment of chocolates, a tiny baby chick inside a plastic egg, and a tiny little accordian book I'd made with quotes about women. I then placed the whole thing in a cellophane corsage bag and tied it with a ribbon and added a name tag and a daisy. Everything was color coordinated and looked fresh and spring-like...just the look I was after.

I'm still looking for inexpensive small hinged cartons to use as gift-wrap. I can just see a tiny gift tucked inside and then wrapped with a beautiful ribbon and a gorgeous silk flower hot-glued on top. It'd be great as a graduation gift for a very studious grad with a gift certificate for a favorite book store with a hang tag on top that said, "for our favorite egg-head"...or a wedding gift with a tag that read, "for a couple of good eggs." Okay, Judi, stop now. Just let your imagination run wild!

Pauline, The Dancing Queen

There was an ad in the paper last week about a Czech Polka Fest. St. Wayne and I had no plans for Saturday afternoon lunch, so we thought we'd check it out. We're so glad we did!

We got there about two o'clock and walked into the Sokol Hall which is huge. It's very unlike what you'd expect from the outside. There were people everywhere...some standing in line to buy plate lunches of sausage, or chicken noodle soup, or barbecue...and some at the bar to buy beer or soft drinks. There was a band complete with a tuba and an accordian and polka music filled the air of the huge hall.

After choosing our lunch and beverage of choice, we made our way to the last two seats at a long table full of people. Little did we know at that point who we'd chosen to sit beside. As fate would have it, we were in for a treat!

I tossed a bag of kolaches we'd purchased to take home on the table as we were getting seated and one of the ladies announced to the entire table, "Oh look, she bought us all kolaches." That should have been my first clue that we were seated in the rowdy section. It was definitely a party atmosphere and we couldn't decide what we were enjoying more, eating the lunch, listening to the music, or watching the dancers. It was definitely sensory overload!

When the next song started, the couple next to me got up to dance. When they walked away I read the back of their vests. We were seated with the king and queen! I'd never really dined with royalty before, so I was pretty excited. At the end of the song as they were coming back to the table, I checked out their attire. Red, red, and more red. He in red pants and a red vest, she in a red skirt and a red vest, and red boots! The backs of their vest had embroideried "Queen 1995" and "King 1995." They were so cute!

When they sat down, I leaned in and whispered, "So what does it mean to be queen?" I quickly learned they were from the big city and their Czech chapter, which has 1,000 members, nominated three couples as queen and king, and they were chosen. All year, they travel with other couples to cities all over Texas to dance the afternoon away.

She went on to tell me she and King Robert had been married 54 years and let me know "that's a long time to be with one man." During the course of the afternoon she also expounded on his "selective hearing." I laughed all afternoon listening to her talk about King Robert. She loves to dance and never gets tired, in fact, she gets "ansy" when she's not on the dancefloor. The King does get tired more easily than she does but that's okay because she'll dance with other husbands...because their wives get tired, too. It all works to her advantage and she sat out very few songs during the afternoon. And when she wasn't dancing, she was entertaining me.

Before we left we exchanged email addresses so I could send her my kolache recipe. I hesitated to tell her that I, of German descent, made kolaches. She wants the recipe because it's easy and although she used to help her grandmother make them, she thinks they're too much trouble. I don't know if she'll take the time away from dancing to make them, but I'm sending the recipe to her all the same.

I'm so glad we went "out of the box" and did something unusual on Saturday. I would have missed getting to know a thoroughly delightful couple. Here's to our new royal friends...Queen Pauline and King Robert...may you have many more years of dancing and laughter!

Make It a Banner Valentine's

Here's a fun way to express your sentiment for whatever holiday is coming up...a festive little banner. This one was made in just a few minutes by cutting out hearts and running them through a crimper. You can get crimpers of all sizes at the craft stores or you could use one of those little tools for squeezing out the last bit of paint in a tube. I have both and either works fine. Then I cut out tags from black card stock and letter "LOVE" in white ink and tie them on wire with ribbon. I wrapped some white wire around a thin dowel to make the spiral look and then stretched it to the length I needed.

Quick and easy...and you can adapt it to birthdays by lettering the birthday celebrant's name and do one for every kid in the family. I have one I did years ago that has "NOEL" lettered on craft colored hang tags with black folded stars tied on the wire with old twill tape...it's old as the hills and I hang it every year and still love it. It has a real "vintage" look.

So play and piddle and add a festive banner to your holidays!

Piddlin' Around with Somebody's Heart

Here's a litte heart box you can use for giving little tiny valentine treasures. If you click on the pattern, you should be able to enlarge and print it. Then go to a craft store and buy a few sheets of scrapbooking paper in a heavy, card stock weight and cut and paste away. I found this in Las Vegas the very first time I went. We stayed at the Stardust Hotel...that should tell you how long ago it was...and as I was walking through the lobby, I passed an Ethel M Chocolate store. Oh my. And this little box caught my eye. I promptly went in an bought the little box of chocolates solely for the pattern. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I've tweaked it just a bit to suit my needs and I know Ethel would want you to have it. It's easy and quick and will fit on a 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. You can add embellishment...raffia or ribbon and stuff it with crinkle cut paper and it just looks so festive and sweet.

Hurry...you just have a few days to get these done for everyone on your list so I'm making this short and sweet because you don't have any more time to read! Go...chop chop...get 'er done...!!

Oh...and Happy Valentine's from my heart to yours!

Presentation at the Garden Club

I had a fun morning. I was asked to present a program at the Ocean Drive Garden Club meeting. Their theme for the year is "going green" so I gave them some ideas for doing an edible centerpiece and an edible gift of fruit. The pictures above will give you an idea of the finished products.

When doing the centerpiece, I started with a piece of corrugated cardboard that can be bought on a big roll from your local paper supplier. I always have a roll hanging from the rafters in my garage and I use it for all sorts of things, from shelf liners in my kitchen to a valance over the window in my studio. I love the stuff...it's inexpensive and I like the way it looks. I've even made invitations out of it...and embellished gift wrap.

For this centerpiece, I took a small piece of cardboard and rounded the corners. I used fresh, colorful veggies and just arranged them on top and then added black beans around the outer edges under the vegetables for a finishing touch. This centerpiece cost about $14.

For the fruit arrangement, I cut a short strip of the corrugated cardboard to fit all around the bottom of a cardboard box that I'd cut. I scalloped one side and then glued that on to the box with hot glue. Unbleached parchment lined the box and then I just piled the fruit in. I like to add unexpected little snacks in unusual containers in with the fruit. I put peanuts in the shell into a tiny paper sack and tied the top with rafia. I added strawberries in a little wire basket, and cherries in a clay pot. Chocolates went into another paper sack. The entire fruit gift cost about $23.

The garden ladies were a fun and appreciative group. It was a great way to spend my morning and I enjoyed meeting some new people and seeing some friends I hadn't seen in awhile. I was also able to promote next fall's "Move Over, Martha!" our fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. They very graciously offered to help us sell tickets come November. I'll be taking them up on that offer!

Three More...

Just as I clicked "publish post", I received another email. One just in and two overlooked! I swear it's so much fun to get these continuous emails!

Sue let her husband go to the grocery store. He thinks she spends too much money when she goes. She also put four things on Ebay and donated the money she made to the Red Cross and Casa.

Bill gave money to a Baptist Men's group helping in Haiti and the Relay for Life in Port Aransas in memory of three people we've lost to cancer.

And Carole says what she did to scatter joy was to get out of bed...after all when you are 70 it is a joyous occasion to wake up and realize you are alive another day.

Okay...I'll keep you posted as more come in...

And the Scattering Continues...

My mother always said if you do something nice for someone and you talk about it, it doesn't count. I didn't argue with Sweet Fern very often, but i have to with that. I think sharing these stories encourages others to think of ways to pay it forward. And I don't know about you, but I like to think there's a lot more of "being nice" going on out there than we hear about on the news. I also think everybody that participated in Little Judi's birthday wish has thoroughly enjoyed it. At least they have according to the emails and notes I've been getting.

And just imagine how the people who were on the receiving end of this little project enjoyed it!

Now some people have remained very quiet and I haven't heard a peep out of them...but there's still time. And I'm just assuming they're a little slow reporting in. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking...

Pam helped her favorite checker at her neighborhood grocery store when she spotted her stranded with a stalled car in the parking lot...even though it made her late for bridge!

Donna unexpectedly spent three days last weekend in a hospice center in Houston as a family member took a turn for the worse in a battle with cancer. When she took a shower in the family facility, she noticed they were out of shower caps and toothbrushes. She provided a fresh supply of those needed items in partial payment for the love and support she and her family felt while there.

Nell made a special lunch and invited two young mothers from her church to join her in her new home.

Julie helped a friend plan a luncheon and then planned a night out for her family because it had been since Thanksgiving that they were all together at the same time. And in true Julie fashion, she helped spread the word about the "scatter joy" idea and created a chain reaction from people I don't even know. Todd talked about it on his radio show. And Pam wants to have it printed in her church newsletter, hoping the idea of celebrating birthdays this way will spread.

A friend of Julie's in California paid for someone's dinner behind her in line at Taco Cabana.

Mary Ann gave six tickets to a young mother to take her family to see The Wizard of Oz play.

Kiley and her college roommate bought supplies to make Valentines for the Children's Hospital in Lubbock.

Hartlee bought lunch for a girl with no money at school.

Kathy took her elderly widowed aunt to lunch and spent the afternoon with her.

Barbara has invited two blocks of neighbors to her house this coming weekend for cookies and punch so they can welcome new neighbors and get reacquainted with old ones...and she included Rick the mailman!

Janet invited our tennis group over for a 5-course dinner party and as party favors, gave each of us a blooming plant to give away. Debby helped her with that delicious undertaking and brought the beautiful roses in the huge apothacary jar you see at the top of this post for me to bring home.

Caroline made her sister a full-sized breakfast then went to the grocery store where they were collecting donations for Haiti and wrote a check.

Now that brings us to St. Wayne. He's quite the clever guy and always puts lots of thought into everything he does. He apparently planned this for some time. He bought twenty $3 scratch-off lottery tickets and attached a note to each one that said, "Today is Judi's birthday and I'm helping her scatter a little joy. Call or text her and wish her a happy day. Good luck!" Now the man drives 180 miles roundtrip to get to work every day so all the way up and all the way back he scattered lottery tickets with my phone number! I started getting calls at 7:25 Friday morning from people saying odd things. Some were in English and some were in other languages! I was puzzled but I knew he had to be behind it. And I got texts...which my phone plan doesn't allow for, so he'll be paying for that. The interesting thing is...nobody mentioned how much money they won with those scratch-offs. I did read in the paper yesterday some man in Sinton won $3,000 with a scratch-off, so I like to think that was one of Wayne's.

For now, that's all the kind acts I have to tell you about, but I'll let you know when I hear more. I sincerely hope I didn't forget someone. On Friday, calls were coming in one after another and I tried to jot them down. So if I forget just how kind you were, shoot me an email so I can let everyone know.

It was such a fun thing that continued to blossom, and I guarantee, you all made it one birthday I'll never forget! Thanks from the bottom of my heart...

"The heart that gives, gathers."

Marianne Moore

Scattering Joy...Chapter 2

It's really funny how some people really got into this and some people didn't at all. One family took it and ran. Lori took donuts to the nursery workers at her Friday bible study and her 5 year-old daughter Blaire hosted a play date and served pink cupcakes to all her friends who came. Her husband Richard took a friend to lunch, and their two year-old Case, well, he got through the whole day without biting anybody!

Mary might have gotten the prize for creativity as she started the day by putting her neighbor's trash container away and then drove to a butcher shop and carefully picked out six really nice rib eyes and delivered them to fire station #11 for their Friday night meal. Gotta love somebody who thinks of those unsung heroes!

Sara hosted a house concert for her singing friend from California to give her exposure to the Austin crowd. She planned and executed the whole event, paying close attention to every detail.

Barbara kept her cool when a client was 45 minutes late for a cut and color when it's about the umpteenth time it's happened with this client.

Cindy gave a friend whose husband recently died a movie gift card for her and her kids so they could have a night out. She also spent the day helping two "at risk" high school students look for and apply to colleges.

Sandy packed a friend's kitchen who had to move right after surgery.

My Aunt Mattie and her husband taped the sermon at her church for shut-ins.

Laurel paid for breakfast for the person in the car behind her at the Whatburger drive-through and helped a woman she met get in touch with the Women's Shelter so she can leave an abusive husband. She also helped her pay a utility bill, filled her car up with gas, and got her in touch with an attorney to help with some legal problems.

And my 4th grade teacher friend Barbara danced during a halftime show of a high school basketball game all in the name of entertainment.

Rhonda says she spent all day Friday scattering joy in little ways and sent me the flowers pictured above as her final act of kindness. Another beautiful surprise delivery.

Tomorrow I'll tell you how thoughtful others were including St. Wayne and how he helped scatter joy all over South Texas...and I mean that literally!

Til then...

Birthday Fun

Well, that birthday that I've been dreading has come and gone and I really don't feel any different...except my heart may be pumped up a little more than it was, thanks to all my generous friends and family.

If you've read the previous post, you'll know what I'm talking about. If not, we'll give you a minute to go back and get caught up to speed.

A few people were so excited about what they were going to do, they called before Friday to tell me their plans. I got some wonderful messages on voicemail. And some just couldn't wait until Friday. Cathie and Sharon donated coats to the homeless on Wednesday and decided it would be fun to treat the recipients to lunch so they put $5 bills in each pocket.

Friday was a fun day from start to finish and the calls about kind deeds started coming in early. Lisa in Bastrop called to say she had already been up and to the grocery store and put an envelope with $60 in the hands of her favorite sacker...a young man who is deaf and could use the extra money.

I checked the emails and Facebook messages and found out Kim sent a check to our local Women's Shelter, Tommy gave his wife a back and neck rub and made her favorite pancake breakfast, then wrote a check to the Red Cross for the Haiti Relief Fund. Annie and Eric also mailed a check to the Red Cross.

Sylvia called to say it was also her late dad's birthday and to celebrate she mailed a check to the Palmer Home for Children in Columbus, Mississippi. She went on to say what a wonderful place it is for children up to the age of 21 who can't live with their parents for one reason or another.

The doorbell rang before I could get out of my jammies and I opened the door to the beautiful bouquet you see above. What a fun surprise that was. Who doesn't love receiving flowers?

I went to lunch with Susan who left a $10 tip on a $20 lunch. She also gave a woman carrying a baby into a washateria $10 to help with her laundry. And gave a small blooming plant to a woman walking down the street of public housing.

Andrea babysat for a baby with special needs so her foster mom could slip away to the grocery store and enjoy a coffee break at Starbucks.

Debby donated six big bags of dog food to the local dog fostering program.

My Aunt Faye called and said she was taking a senior citizen out to dinner...I think that was her way of getting out of cooking for her husband on Friday night...but hey, it works.

I'll post tomorrow about the reports I got Friday night. Some of them made me laugh and some put lumps in my throat...and I think they'll affect you the same way. I was overwhelmed with all the emails I was getting. As I was reading one, another was coming in. Stay tuned to learn about the kind hearted people I know...

Birthday Time!

My inner child, Little Judi, and I are sending an announcement to family and friends for my birthday. There's a picture of her at 6 years of age on the front. I've always toyed with the idea of a birthday announcement before the big event because I'm always disappointed when people say, "Oh it was your birthday? I missed it." Excuse me, why isn't January 22 circled in red on every calendar across the country? I've never figured that out.

When I was a child growing up in the Dallas area, sometimes my birthday fell on a day of snow and ice. I distinctly remember my 5th birthday standing at the frosted window all day looking for cars to turn into our icy driveway. It made my mother cry, but i was so sure somebody would brave the weather to don a paper hat. But, it never happened. I was crushed. I think that must have been my turning point.

Every year I love my birthday. I hum "happy birthday to you" all day long and I let everyone know it's coming. I've even been known to bake my own cake. There's not much chance of anyone forgetting my birthday. So the announcement makes alot of sense.

This year I was inspired by my friend Sherry. Let me tell you the story about Sherry's 40th birthday this past summer. Her son Jack was born with Down's Syndrome. Being the "take charge" girl she is, she started Rise School in Corpus Christi for children with special needs. When her birthday rolled around, her friends sent out an announcement asking for $40 donations to help the school. They ended up raising over $40,000! When I received my card, it put a huge lump in my throat. I thought to myself, "This will be one birthday Sherry never forgets."

So with that inspiration, I decided I'd ask my friends to "pay it forward" on my next birthday. Well, the time is here. I'll be turning 60 next Friday, January 22. So you have a few days to decide what you'd like to do to celebrate with me and Little Judi. The inside of the little announcement says:

Despite her youthful appearance,

she'll be 60 years old January 22nd

and she needs your help to celebrate.

She wants no party, no gifts...

just 60 family and friends to

Scatter Joy.

Her birthday wish

is for the world to be a happier place

and this is where you come in.

On Friday, January 22nd

perform a random act of kindness...

go out and make someone's day!

It can be in a big way or a small way...

but she wants to hear about it.

Leave a comment here or email her at invitickles@stx.rr.com and let her know what you did on January 22 to Scatter Joy. She'll love you for it!

After mailing out a big stack of these, I've decided to blog about it and maybe you could help me spread the word. Even though I always love and appreciate a sweet little wrapped gift, I really don't need anything...and there's so many people out there in need of a lift in their day. So, think of Little Judi next Friday and help her put a smile on someone's face!

Easy Kolaches

Unusually cold weather is headed our way and it makes me want to bake. I thought I'd share a great recipe for kolaches or pigs in the blanket. The bread is just a tad sweet and also makes great dinner rolls. You just layer seven ingredients into a stand mixer and go from there.

I gave these for Christmas gifts to a couple of friends, packing a dozen into a cute little brown box. And I let St. Wayne take several dozen to work. But I have to tell you, it's hard to turn loose of these little jewels because they make a great, quick breakfast when you're on the run and they're really handy and delicious to have on hand when we have houseguests.

My favorite thing is to bake these with someone as a group effort. This recipe came from my friend Jan in Dripping Spring, Texas. She came down and stayed a few days last fall and brought all the ingredients to make four batches. We made every kind imaginable that day and we were pooped! But there were enough in my freezer to last a long while. And I must tell you, you'll make a mess. Flour everywhere! But there's something theraputic about sitting around the table making these with your friends or family. Even St. Wayne helps me wrap the sausages because he knows he'll be rewarded in the end with a freezer full of his favorite breakfast snacks.

It's not a quick thing because it makes a lot of dough...it's a time-consuming endeavor, but so worth the effort.

Let me know what you think of these...just remember to keep your hands coated with flour because the dough is very sticky! Enjoy!

Kolaches

3 cups evaporated milk, heated

1-1/2 sticks butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon salt (yes, that's not a typo)

3 egg yolks

7 cups flour

3 Tablespoons dry yeast

(I put the evaporated milk and butter in a large glass measuring cup and microwave for 3 minutes to heat the milk and melt the butter all in one step)

Place ingredients in a stand mixer in the order listed above. Mix slowly with a dough hook and then scrape down the sides. Mix on medium speed for ten minutes.

Cover the dough in the bowl with a towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for one hour.

Flour hands well as the dough is very sticky. (I keep a small bowl of flour nearby and dip my hands each time I tear a portion of the dough.) Tear small portions (about the size of a golf ball) of the dough and stretch and shape into balls, and place on a pan sprayed with Baker's Joy or lined with parchment. Allow about an inch between for rising (it's okay if they touch when risen). Make a cavity using your thumb or the bottom of a small shot glass for the fruit or cheese fillings. Spoon fruit pie filling or one of the cheese mixtures below into cavity and top with crumb topping. For pigs in the blanket, wrap sausages. (I use Ekrich "original," fully-cooked, sausages.) Let rise again while oven preheats. Bake 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees.

Yields about 4-5 dozen, depending on size.

Crumb Topping

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

3-4 Tablespoons butter

Cream Cheese Topping

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

Cheese Topping

24 ounces cottage cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup dry tapioca

Concerns for Twenty-Ten

I'm just a little uneasy about the coming new year. I just found out L.L. Bean no longer sells my favorite jeans, Paul Mitchell has quit making my hair product, and Merle Norman has discontinued my favorite shade of lipstick. It's just too much to take all at once. I'm worried...

I Hope You Enjoyed Your Holidays This Much...

Where did December go? I'm so embarrassed that I never posted at all. I had "post on blog" on every list I made, so I can't figure out what happened.

This photo is of the top of my tv cabinet and these little santas greeted me every morning during Christmas with a chorus of "Hey Judi...we love you this much!"

And on some mornings they'd say, "Hey Judi, if you don't quit eating those Christmas cookies, you're going to be this wide!"

I do love them up there. They make me smile. The photo really doesn't do them justice. They're too cute.

But now they're up in the rafters of the garage where the rest of Christmas is...safe and sound for another year. If you're still interested...I will be posting again soon.