Happy New Year!!!

I can't believe it... 2012 is around the corner!  Where has the time gone?!
Here's to another amazing year!  I wish you all the very best.  I look forward to meeting new friends and reading more blogs!

And of course, I would like to thank all of my bloggy friends for their support this year.  It's hard to find good friends... but when you find them -- hang on tight.  Good people are hard to find.  I am very fortunate to have stumbled upon these lovely ladies.  Happy New Year to you all!

Thank you to:
Veronica at:


Steph at:



Susan at:



Courtney and Betina at:

Michelle at:



Katherine at:



Kelly at Billhime, Party of Four:



Lisa at:



Kelly at:



Aurie at:

Merry Christmas!!!

A bit late... but I hope your Christmas was as AMAZING as ours!  The children had a great Christmas day... and now we are enjoying each other's company!  Life is good.... 2 weeks of  school break... hanging out together... not rushing off to school...lessons -- even dad is home with us!  What more could we ask for, right?!

(We went with an eco-friendly look this year -- personalized pillow cases for Santa to fill!)

And fill he did!!!

Chocolate dipped pretzels!

Their treats of choice for this year's class party:

Of course, there were lots of sampling involved... and we ALL approved!  ;)

New Item!

I am so excited that I am now adding a new item to my list -- charm bracelets!

The bracelets are 7" long (almost 8" with the additional jump rings I'm adding at the end ).  I can make longer if needed, just let me know!

All the bracelets start at $25 and then the rest is a la carte!  Choose what charms or pendants you see and add it on.   And the BEST part ?  I am including in the bracelets, UP to 6 birthstones or pearls at NO CHARGE!!!  (mix and match, go for it, it's okay!)  The possibilities are endless!!!

These are so simple, yet so "charm"ing!  (haha, I crack myself up at midnight!).  I'm in love with them already... (wait til Baby girl sees these in the morning!).

My partner makes her own pendant!

Tomorrow, 12/12 is Auntie Clare's birthday.  MG couldn't think of what to make her...  So with a few tips from me... She got started:

She drew a picture first -- This is her and Auntie Clare, of course!

 Then she cut out the picture:

 She used mod podge to stick the picture onto a glass tile:

 I helped her glue on a bail:

 Voila!!!!  A pendant is born!

Pictures of Auntie Clare wearing upon presentation of gift... coming soon!
(update 12/13/11 -- Auntie Clare wearing MG's pendant with pride)

Beef Wellington and Quinoa

Made something new...
Beef Wellington ( Did I say I love Trader Joe's?  Well, I do... it's because they have the best puff pastry pack!)  with Quinoa and Black Beans

 Both recipes were easy to follow, easy to make, and approved by the children... who all had a blast saying "keen wah" all night during dinner.  FUN!

I love GLEE

...and making this wedding day highlights was SO much fun because of this song they chose!  I sang throughout the night (I tried to sing in my head, but every now and then I found it a bit difficult!)... and even though I went to bed at 3 AM, I went to bed happy!

I hope they like it!!!!

What do you think?!

A hard day's work...

but so worth the time!  They did a great job...

Looks almost good enough to eat... well, I wouldn't, but youngest did (thinking I didn't see... well, I didn't, wink, wink) and then proceeded to lick his fingers as he continued to "help" finish the activity!