its all a little to good to be true...

Pin It Now! 2012 had its ups and downs, more ups than downs! I think life right now is just a little too good to be true. Yep I said it, wrote it, in the virtual world, out there forever.

Things are really going up and up for
The Little Things Vintage
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLittleThingsVin

stop by, shop and use code FRIENDS to save 20% off any item. (use the code at checkout)

I'm a new proud member of the Etsy Vintage Society Street Team http://www.vintageetsysociety.blogspot.com/
welcoming me with open friendly arms!

I just today bought a serger, on a whim....so I can get some sewing in..wait when is their time to sew?
I have a few creative sewing projects, I would like to complete and sell on my shop.

I'm in the midst of throwing a two year old birthday party for 40+ family members!Train theme, pictures and post to follow :)

Never enough time to read all the books on my wish list.....

No more Everyday food magazine...beyond disappointment. It comes in the mail as my reminder to make new foods, yea pinterest is great, but once I pin something I have the hardest time finding it again?!I like a hard copy recipe..call me old fashioned!

I feel like I'm starting to get closer to that age old question of "what do you want to be when you grow up" My answer was always an art teacher, and I got pretty darn close to that. Yes, I felt pretty shot down when I was in South Carolina and an advisor said to me.."Don't you want to teach school age children, you know they are doing away with art teachers" what a sad concept. I worked many many years with school age children in before and after school care working on art projects. Learned a lot from those little people and some days miss it. I have my own budding artist now and he gets so proud when I hang his paintings on our wall. Eager to show daddy when he comes home from work our latest mess :)

I truly feel like this is the year...my creative, artistic, fine arts degree background will really show its self...A girl can hope right?

2013 is full of hope and focus.

To work hard, play more and live a life full of love

***Just for randomness I've had somethings on my mind lately

That dress from back to the future that Lea Thompson wears to the Enchantment under the Sea...need to find one like that.

A herkimer diamond, would love to own one.

A backpack stroller

A collection of vintage pill boxes

Teavana

A glass display box

and heated socks!

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Teavana Perfect Teamaker, Yes please!

Pin It Now! Yes it is amazing, best gift ever, its been used non stop in my kitchen since Christmas.
Simple, lovely design, no messy leaves in my cup, I don't have to find somewhere to put my tea. I have no fear of breaking it. Did I mention simple to use? You place it on top of your cup and it releases directly into your cup! Reasonably priced! Amazing and Im so happy with it!

http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/tea-makers-infusers/p/teavana-perfect-teamaker Pin It Now!

I'm never buying Bisquick again

Pin It Now! I'm never buying Bisquick again...
Here are my waffles.
Pretty basic recipe adapted from here...
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pancakes-waffles/waffles/

Waffles:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour ( I usually use a combination of whole wheat and regular flour)
1 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/4 cup cooking vegetable oil
Dash of vanilla try this...Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract, I only buy this vanilla now
Pinch of fresh grated nutmeg... (World Market has great prices and hard to find spices)
http://www.worldmarket.com/ online shopping..coupons & store locations


In a medium bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.

In another medium bowl beat eggs slightly; stir in milk, oil, and vanilla. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be slightly lumpy).

Pour 1 to 1 1/4 cups batter onto grids of a preheated, lightly greased waffle baker (use a regular or Belgian waffle baker). Close lid quickly; do not open until done. Bake according to manufacturers directions. When done, use a fork to lift waffle off grid. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm.

Makes 12 to 16 (4-inch) waffles

Buttermilk Waffles: Prepare as above, except reduce baking powder to 1 teaspoon and add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Substitute 2 cups buttermilk or sour milk for the milk.





Sorry to say I have no pictures to share except this one sad left over piece
























Need a waffle maker recommendation? We have been using this one heavily for over a year, works great!

Cooks Belgian Waffle Maker

http://reviews.jcpenney.com/1573/176423/cooks-belgian-waffle-maker-reviews/reviews.htm Pin It Now!

Smithfield Saturday

Pin It Now! This year we wont be traveling for Christmas. So we decided to go all out. Got the real Christmas tree, the halls are decked, presents are getting wrapped, Department 56 village is out and the lights are hung! So we decided to take a trip to Smithfield, Virgina in search of the perfect Christmas Ham!

Off we went today to shop, Main Street, downtown Smithfield...colonized in 1634
http://www.visitsmithfieldisleofwight.com/

I fell in love instantly. This is it, we may just have to retire here in Virginia and move to Smithfield. Antique shops, restaurants, an inn, a theater, a bakery, a coffee shop, ice cream shop, marina & water front, old cobble streets, gorgeous Victorian homes, 200 acre Castle Park what more do you need?

Our first stop was Taste of Smithfield to check out the hams. Want a Smithfield Ham for one of your holidays? You can check out their website, request a catalog, I did!
http://www.smithfieldmarketplace.com/category/genuine-smithfield-hams?gclid=CLGDw_utoLQCFUOK4Aod4DYAtg





lots of nice specialty items too





























I fell in love with Laura and Lucy's on Main Street. They had a beautiful shop, loud classical music playing, so warm and inviting inside. Here are a few photos of my favorite things....
http://www.virginia.org/Listings/Shopping/LauraandLucys/




Laura and Lucy's
333 Main Street

Smithfield, VA 23430

 


























 

Raw Amethyst

 





Nippon Chocolate Set





Shabby teapot

 
























Horse grazing, pencil drawing

 


























little flower painting on wood

 



Knit Mitten Garland...adorable



Christmas Tree made from Vintage Jewelry



*** More info on Windsor Castle Park****

http://www.visitsmithfieldisleofwight.com/windsorcastlepark.php
"Windsor Castle Farm was originally part of a 1450 acre parcel patented in 1637 by Arthur Smith and is situated on a knoll overlooking the Pagan River. The farm was purchased with the intention of preserving the rich historic heritage of the Castle, as well as providing a passive public park on the estate grounds. The park features over

4 miles of a woodland trail system, orchards, picnic areas, a dog park, a state-of-the-art kayak and canoe launch, fishing pier, scenic overlooks and the Windsor Castle Historic Site. The purchase of 162 acres of farm was made possible through the generous contribution of Mr. Joseph W. Luter, III. Another 46 acres was gifted to the town by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis McMurran."





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Toddlers and Christmas Trees

Pin It Now! Toddlers and Christmas trees, just something about the two together that brings worry to us mom's. I hate to hear myself say NO over and over again to my son. I like to focus on what he can do by saying something like this instead "Wait, stop, lets try this" I like to save my stern NO's for when I really need them.
Yes, we have kid friendly ornaments on our tree that we let him play with during decorating. But "don't touch, just look" have become commonly used words when I see him reaching for the tree. He's starting to learn that its okay to touch the ornaments gently but not the lights and not the tree. I have a feeling one day he will turn into a pretty good "NO" negotiator like his father.

Meanwhile, my nice vintage ornaments from my great grandmother are sitting on the sideboard, in a clear glass bowl on display until little guy can be trusted. But that's okay by me, I can still enjoy their beauty without having to worry they will break.

I was planning on buying some Disney Cars ornaments, just for him because we are a big fans of MacQueen & Mater around here. I just never got around to doing it. Now the tree is here and the decorating has begun I knew I needed something for him that was just his and his to do what he wanted with. So I stitched these up in a jiffy.

My materials:

Felt

Glue

Glitter

And random product pictures. I cut these images off the huggies pullups packaging and a card board box some books came in from the dollar store.

I sewed the the images to the felt (you can use glue)

then topped off with glue & glitter

add a ribbon for hanging.

Easy, simple and clustered together they actually look quite nice on the tree.

Little hands are all over on these and that's OK that's what they were made for!

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