I'm speechless!

I open my mailbox to find yet another parcel awaits me. I've been totally spoiled over the past few months with parcels from my blog friends - first it was JanMary in Ireland, then Cicero from BC and now from my blog friend Betty - all the way from Paraguay!


Betty has been so patient to answer my ever pesky questions about her corner of the world and it was particularly touching to me that she included some home-made jam. She'd tried to explain what the flavor was like on her blog, but now I get to try it myself. I'm AMAZED it made it all the way here, unharmed! Why, I've sent items here within our own province which has not survived so nicely.

LOVE the little hat, Betty, it lives on my keychain now. Did you make the angel? Is there a story behind it? I will treasure it, thank you.

I'm sure your hand made jam gives me a much better taste of the fruit than anything I could buy here. Who knows, one day its not inconcievable that I might taste it right from the trees! Turns out we have a friend in common who is not so far away from you!


My friend Amalia was very excited when I showed her these photos, she says the chocolate is VERY good, and I can now attest to this!

As I said Betty - I honestly can't find the words to thank you for your generosity. I'm so blown away by how thoughtful and kind my blog friends are. (Miles is so incredulous too, by all your generosity, my friends!)

Betty has a blog HERE where you can find tons of interesting facts about Paraguay, her family, great recipes and some funnies too. Its a must-favorite blogsite.

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I'd like to thank Amy for sharing her blog header with us - she used my Worship the King Mini Kit. I think this is so wonderful - your girls are too cute! Why not stop into say hello to Amy today and you might just learn some new 'baby language' while you're HERE.

If you've used any of my elements or kits and would like me to feature you on my blog, just send me a jpg along with the credits and I'll do my best to post them here.

Thanks for stopping by to see my show and tell items today. If you're visiting for the first time today and would like to find out more about the show and tell, or even sign up to join in the fun, just click HERE to be taken to Kelli's blog where you can find out all the details or add your name to the links list. At least I'm HOPING there's a Show and Tell today, for there's not much happening at Kelli's at the moment, but do check, it might go ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my neighbors to the south!

Well, I have plenty of little treasures around our home which I intend to 'show and tell' but being as I generally visit the thrift store on Thursdays I seem to always have something new to show off. Today is no exception. I found these two wonderful treasures from yesterday's trip.





This festive little dish will certainly serve up some of those ribbony christmas candies to our guests. I wonder if any of you out there will have seen any of these pieces or know if they are collectible or not? I'd love to know.





I was tickled to find this container to hold all my cooking implements. For the longest time I've had them in a mug till now, and while my sister gave me the mug, and it was cute, it was not suitable as it had a very small base and it fell over all the time. And I'd grumble. Not at my sister, for she's wonderful - but its no fun picking stuff up all the time.

Seeing as I have a vintage sort of theme going on in my kitchen, and a fruit thing too, this is the perfect touch!

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Of course I baked this week. I think I drive everyone crazy with my constant baking. This is definitely not a good place to visit if you are dieting.

The following photos are of the treats I made for a tea I hosted for two dear friends. One friend is Alison who is less than 1/2 the age of Eileen who's turning 89 - an unlikely pair to celebrate together, and therefore it made this all the more fun. Alison came to pick me up and we drove to Eileen's for the party.

I brought everything I could think of because I was pretty sure Eileen might not have a setting of 12 of everything to serve a full English Tea. I filled a cooler with the Christmas Tea china set my mother in law gave me this summer and I also put in teabags, napkins, cream, sugar.

I baked four different types of scones and whipped up a container of fresh whip cream so we could slather the scones with great 'lashings' of it and also my homemade cherry preserves and apple butter. Mmmm.

I was not the only one to bring food. Leila made a 'stove-top' cooked warm, dark and delicious pudding. She says she ran across a young friend who had no idea pudding could be cooked - the friend thought there was only instant! Rose made puckery lemon bars and Jim and Elaine brought some rich pound-cake.

Leila's husband Nathan brought his guitar and we had a resounding rendition of Happy Birthday to our two special ladies!

I put together this little slideshow so you can feel like you were part of our party too. Notice the little 'birthday princess' balloon floating above Eileen, doesn't that make you giggle?

Alison is in the green party hat, Eileen is wearing purple. And me, I'm the one laughing face to face with Eileen. She's a hoot! I loved blessing my two friends with this fun party.

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OOOOHHHH - parcel. *squee*

My mailbox held this yesterday. I was not expecting this. Its from my friend Cicero Sings. I don't know whats in the package. Yet.

I am the WORST for waiting to open things so when I got this I was all charged up to do my usual and open it immediately but I think there is a conspiracy going on... I think my sister must have cautioned everyone haha. Not really. But I did open the card and it says "DO NOT" open at least Dec 10th. (stop snickering, Nina!)

The parcel sits on a table and I know its going to glare at me till the 10th while my mitts itch to open it. Meany Cis. Kidding... but oh, what could it be? LOL.

Thank you so very much, whatever you did you shouldn't have but I'm happy and delighted you did.

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We are getting close to the end of this never-ending post. Honest. Can you imagine when I thougth about posting yesterday I could not think of what I could write to even fill a paragraph? Ha!

I've recieved an award!

This award comes to me from Louise (LouCee). Aw Gee you sweet thang! I'm supposed to award this to 5 desrving others... and I will try to do this, just not today as I've got a backlog of 'stuffs' piled up. I wanted to be sure to say thank you and give you a big {virtual} hug! And I'll add you in my list of permanent links, methinks.

In case you don't know Louise, she is a very talented and generous designer. I'd HIGHLY recommend you stop on over at her place today - she's got some fabulous freebies happening and amazing projects to follow and the files to go along with them. She's in cohoots with KimB - and between Louise's gift of bringing it all together in a hybrid card and Kim's sweet elements, you can make some adorable cards! Just click HERE to visit Louise's blog.

And won't you take a tiny moment to drop into my sister's blog - she's just started her own blog and I'm sure would love you to check out her card making! (puffing up with pride!) Just click HERE to say hello. I'm also in awe of my sister in law, Judy's card making. I can't believe the amazing cards she made from the elements I designed. You ladies are incredible! Just click HERE to see Judy's cards too.

And of course, visit Kimmy too, she's like a celebration every day of the year at her place for there's always something nice to download! Just click HERE and I'll ferry you over.

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And of course I could not finish my post without leaving a little gift for you too! This element measures about 3" and is in png format with a transparent background. A perfect touch to your festive projects.

Fine for Commercial, Personal and Scrap-For-Hire
download

~My Sister Gets A Blog ~

Ah, I'm all warm and fuzzy today. I get to brag on my talented Sister and Sister-in-laws! I'll begin with my sister, Nina. Nina just had her birthday recently and I finally convinced her to consider starting her own blog. She's been hand-crafting beautiful scrapbook-type cards for quite a while now and this will be a showcase for her lovely work. I helped her get set up a few weeks ago, but she's just now ready to 'make her entrance' - I hope you'll give her a warm welcome.

I'm so proud I could just bust at the seams.

click HERE to visit my sister's blog!

This is the type of amazing carding she does - I feel a little intimidated by her talent! Welcome to bloggie world, Nina.

PS: don't b'lieve all that mush she says about me... *blushing!*

my birthday card, created by Nina, my Sister!

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~My Sister-in-Law Makes Christmas Craft~

And of course, I've shared a special blogging bond with my sister in law Judy, for quite some time now. Judy has been a crafter for YEARS and amazes me with her handiwork. I love that her blog is a showcase for her close-knit family. Thanks for blessing us, Judy.

hand-made Christmas Crackers
made by my sister in law Judy.

Judy has been gathering with a few of her close family to share some fun evenings of preparations for the festive season. It seems that the warmth and fellowship of family brings out the creative side. You can visit Judy at her blog by clicking HERE.

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~My 'Nudder Sister-in-Law Sells Her Crafts~

And finally, my sister in law Neti has been taking part in a Christmas Fair held in Sparwood, BC, where she was selling her incredible crafts. Looking at these photos she's sent. I'm trying to figure out how many hours of hard work this represents!

Ohhh - lookit the SNOWMEN!

Crafts by Neti - my sister in law
Next craft sale - November 27th, 2008
at the Sparwood Mall

So, if you just happen to live in the area, please drop in to check out Neti's tables. G'wan, give her a hello from me too!

Neti, you're the next for a blog, right? Don't worry, us Sisters have got it down to a science.

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I've had requests coming in to re-issue some of my older Christmas Kits - so here's the one I've been getting the most requests for (which delights me seeing our King and Savior being honoured!) I'd love to see how you use this kit, just send me a small jpg of your layout along with credit details and I'll make you the star of my blog. I think there is someone I'm forgetting who's already sent me a layout. If you're out there can you please let me know?

Worship The King Mini Kit
download

PRETTY PINK (party) PURSE

download

HUMMIE is having a blog party today, and has asked me to participate. (thanks Hummie!) I'm still in the throes of moving etc... Miles is on his Spring Break from school now so every minute is of the essence. Hence, today's entry will be short and sweet. Hope you all enjoy the party.

Join the Party! Click Here!