Big Bug Lunch Winner!

The winner of the Big Bug Lunch book giveaway is Taran from Shoe Zodiac. Congrats Taran! If you'd like to purchase the book go here. The book plus the CD is only $18 OR you can purchase the CD alone for $10. It's really cute!

Fall Morning Run!

Nothing I love more...than taking a brisk fall morning run. It invigorates the soul. To prepare for your fall run, make sure to wear jeans...because they are so flexible. Also, you need your Rainbow flip flops for running through the grass with the early morning dew still dripping...because it feels so good to your feet to be cold and wet in a pair of WET leather sandals! Then, just to mix things up a bit take a few dashes through the woods...all the while running through lovely spider webs. Also, don't brush your hair or wear your sunglasses because your eyes will love the penetration of the sun so early in the morning. Then do this for about an hour around your 400 house neighborhood in the country. Oh, and don't forget to trespass in all your neighbor's yards...because they love being awakened by you as you call your dog's name...loudly. Yes...do this and you will make lots of neighborhood friends! Allie still isn't home. She's gotten out before and has always come back...I will continue looking.

*EDITED* After 2 hours of exploring the neighborhood, Allie is safely home. And I have realized that I am out of shape!

Big Bug Lunch Book Giveaway!

Big Bug Lunch is a children's book written by Skaie Knox and dedicated to her cousin Sierra. Sierra has diabetes...for more about Sierra's story go here. Skaie sent me a copy of the book which comes with a fantastic sing along CD. My first grader loves reading the book and listens to the CD nearly every night before bed...while dancing! She has graciously sent another signed book to giveaway to one of my readers.

EDITED*
To enter the giveaway leave a comment with the title of your favorite children's book.

For additional entries go to the Big Bug Lunch site and do one or all of the following:


1) Join the Klunker Krew to receive a monthly newsletter

2) Follow KlunkersKnews on twitter

3) Become a fan of Skaie Music on facebook


Do 1 of the above and come back and leave a comment for an additional entry. Do 2 of the above and come back and leave 2 separate comments telling me. If you do all 3 of the above, make sure to leave me 3 separate comments telling me what you did. You have 4 opportunities to win. If you don't have a blog, just make sure to leave your email...so that I can contact you if you win.

I will be using random number generator to pick a winner on Saturday, October 31st...HALLOWEEN! Good Luck and if you don't win...you can buy the book here.

Stuff I love

The stuff I love...a picture of my heart!

Old-Fashioned Lemon Bread

It's gotten cold and I'm craving all things baked and of comfort. I was craving some lemon bread and english tea one afternoon last week...so I made this. I made a large single loaf, but I've also made 4 small mini loaves as well and gave them out to friends. It's the hospitable southern thing to do. You must use lemon zest. I didn't have any and just used what I had...the lemon juice in a bottle. It wasn't quite as lemony. This bread is not super sweet...which I liked. I've also made Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Yogurt Cake...which is also divine!

Bread:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon or key lime zest or to taste
2 eggs

Lemon Glaze:
4 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl. In a small bowl, beat together eggs and next 3 ingredients. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients until just blended. Pour batter into a greased and floured 5x9 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. While bread bakes, prepare lemon glaze by combining lemon juice and sugar in a small pan. Cook over medium heat, but reheat when ready to use. When baked, remove bread from oven but leave in pan. While still hot, use a long skewer to poke holes to the bottom of the bread. Slowly drizzle hot glaze over top of bread. Cool in pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Turn out of pan and cool completely. Serve at room temperature.

Then enjoy with your girl's and an impromptu tea party!

Craft Studios

Do you have a space you can call your own? Whether it be a corner, a desk or even a closet? Find a space and call it your own. Make it your's. I found some inspiring spaces.

Craft & Creativity's

A Cabinet Craft Space found on Everything Etsy

A Scrapbooking Storage Closet Everything Etsy

Life in Grace's craft studio

Laurana's 16 Square Ft. Craft Studio

and then...there's mine...a complete and udder mess. I think I work well in this mess. When it's neat and organized...it means I'm not using it. I am using it right now. I'm getting ready for some craft shows/fairs coming up. Find your space and claim it! Whether it be a corner or a closet! Make it and create it! Here's how I redid a studio desk...here.

i am a twi-geek

yes, i am. and i'm proud. i hope my daughter's marry a man like edward...except for him being dead and all. i'm counting the days to new moon. i'm going with a group of about 10 women to the midnight show. i even made a cute this cute little pouch to carry my tickets...that i already bought. see, i told ya i was a twi-geek. You can get your very own here. i did list some other new items...also...just in case you're not into Edward.

Apron Ornament

Instead of doing the laundry, vacuuming my floor, training my dog...I was in my un-organized studio procrastinating and making this. It's an apron ornament or it could be a wine bottle decoration...or hang it on your frig? I don't know...but it certainly is cute.

Simple Halloween Decor Re-do

I thought the before was fiiiine. But I didn't love it. NOW, I love it! I've had this old hutch in my garage for some time now...and decided to finally paint it. I found it on craigs list. I love the end result.


I tried to use what I had to decorate...like my twilight books. Everything else came from the dollar tree. I found a set of oval frames at the thrift store that I painted black. I'll show the before and after soon...



Speaking of Twilight...look what I found on this etsy store. It is a life sized vinyl silhouette of Edward Cullen. I was searching for silhouettes and stumbled upon it. I was, certainly, NOT searching for Edward Cullen;0)