* Stocking photo and tutorial credit: Cluck Cluck Sew via Pinterest

Let’s be real.  Buying stocking stuffers for little kids is easy.  Heck, a piece of bubble wrap stuffed in the stocking for a three year old is the best. gift. ever!!  Teenagers are a whole other beast, however,  so I’ve gathered some stocking stuffer ideas for your teenager/young adult that have been a life saver for me.

1.  Gas Cards – I have 3 young drivers in my house and I figure I’ll be paying for it anyway, so I may as well get some mileage out of it (no pun intended).

2.  Roll of Quarters – if your young adult lives on campus, there are never enough quarters for laundry or vending machines.

3.  Gift Cards to their Favorite Eat – we all love to eat out so what a treat to have a few of these in your wallet when the craving hits!

4.  Travel Mug – pick one up with the name of their college or favorite sports team.

5.  Mittens and Wool Socks – we live in Minnesota and there always seems to be a few pairs that have lost their other half.

6.  Favorite Shampoo and Conditioner – my girls are very particular about their shampoos.  Again, something I’d have to buy anyway!

7.  Hair Items – bobby pins, pony holders and headbands – they are small and get lost easily so restock, restock, restock!

8.  Magazine Subscriptions – Seventeen, Sports Illustrated, Cosmo, etc.  – it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

9.  Candy & Packs of Gum – what kid doesn’t like these things?

10.  Books – paper back or gift cards for their Nook or Kindle.

11.  Batteries – ok, so I know it seems like very few things need batteries anymore, but at my house, the Wii remote eats battery power like it’s going out of style (which it just may be).

12.  Slippers or Fuzzy Socks –  fun and useful!

13.  Earrings and Jewelry – this used to be only for the girls, but not so much anymore.  Leather corded jewelry is all the rage for the guys now.

14.  School Spirit Wear – visit the bookstore or spirit shop and stock up on the newest t-shirt, sweatshirts, hats, etc.

15.  Phone case – self explanatory and apparently needed in a variety of colors and designs by my 13 year old daughter.

16.  Head Phones – I don’t know why, but these seem to grow legs and walk away at my house.  Have a back up pair and save yourself some looking around for them!

17.  Tickets for Sporting Events or Movies – we have a university in town with some great sports teams.  Pick up some tickets for hockey, basketball or football games.

18.  DVDs/CDs – ok, in the age of downloadable music, I realize this may be a stretch, but if your teen has a favorite movie or tv series, why not throw it in?  Besides, you can pick them up for $5 or so.

19.  Nail Polish and Makeup – this goes into the category of “can you have too many colors?” – I think not!

20.  Favorite Foods – one of my kids would eat Nutella by the gallons, if allowed.  How happy would he be to find that in his stocking this year?  Words can’t describe.

21.  Perfume or Cologne – everyone loves to smell nice!

22.  Christmas Ornament – this is a great tradition to start, if you haven’t already – make it something they are into this year and don’t forget to date it!

23.  New Socks – call me crazy, but nothing makes me happier than brand new socks – soft, cushy and NOT stretched out!

24.  iTunes gift cards – always a crowd pleaser and never returned to the store – definitely a fan favorite for kids of all ages!

25.  Musical Equipment – for the musician in the house – new guitar strings, drum sticks or piano book – one year I ordered personalized guitar picks!

This will get you started. Good luck and have fun with it and if you’ve got any good ones to add, I’d love to hear them!

I haven’t been to the Minnesota State Fair in more than 10 years and after going this year with both of my daughters, I remember why!  But I’ll go ahead and save my rant observations about that for another day.  You’re welcome!

One of my very favorite things at the fair (other than Sweet Martha’s cookies and the french fry stand) is the craft building.  Shocking, I know!  I’m always amazed at how talented people are – especially the quilters.  There was one particular quilt that I fell in love with.  It was made with 100’s (maybe 1,000’s) of 1 1/2 squares from 1950’s reproduction fabric.

Forgive the through-the-glass-camera-phone photo of this gem – you and I both know it doesn’t do it justice and seriously, what is with the 3rd place ribbon?  I can’t imagine why they’d keep it behind glass anyway – maybe to keep us jealous fair goers from drooling all over it?  Yup!  Makes perfect sense to me.  Talented Quilt Maker – this is a blue ribbon in my book.

So now, here I am trying to talk myself OUT of making one of these beauties.  Can anyone help me, please?  Pretty please?  I didn’t think so.  My own version will be on the way soon, but do us both a favor and don’t hold your breath for the unveiling…something tells me it could be a while!  Sigh….

Growing up, we always had a dog.  Purpee, Scooby, Milkbone and Penny – to name a few.  I love dogs, but did NOT love everything that came along with them!  Haley, is an animal lover.  She always attracts the strays – in animals and friends.  If there was an animal within 20 miles, she felt the need to rescue it.  I did not, however, share her enthusiasm – until one day in June, 2008.

It was summer and I was working.  Haley called me to ask if we could go to the Humane Society to walk dogs when I got home and I initially said no.  But then I began to feel guilty.  It was summer vacation and they were stuck at home all day and really, what could it hurt?  Besides, it would be good for them to volunteer and it was cheap (free) entertainment – or so I thought!

There he was – Max – the little white fur ball, prancing around, saying hello to everyone – with fur and without.  He had only been there one day and how could you NOT fall in love with this face?

I was sold but there was a big hurdle to get over before we could take him home – Dad!  “Operation Convince Dad” was in full swing – Plan A – get the baby girl (then 9) to call Daddy. It wasn’t easy, but I think even Corey had to admit he was pretty darn loveable.  Success!  Two days later, we brought him home.

I used to have an attitude about rescue animals.  I mean after all, there had to be a reason their owner didn’t want them, right?  We were told a man turned him in for his daughter because she was moving and couldn’t keep him, but I think that was a big, fat lie.   When we first met him, he refused to use the stairs – he would just stand there and shake.  He got over that quickly but he is still afraid of the broom and vacuum – even after 4 years.  It makes me wonder and breaks my heart a little too.  How anyone could hurt him is beyond my understanding.

I can’t imagine life without Max and it doesn’t hurt that he loves his mama the best.  Now, if only I could get him to help out around the house.  It’s official, he really is just one of the kids!

Neither of my two daughters appreciate my crafty endeavors.  I’ve tried to get them interested in knitting or scrapbooking, to no avail, but imagine my surprise when my 19 year old daughter, Haley, asked me to make a quilt for her.  You mean with fabric?  Wow!  Did she even know that fabric existed in the real world, at least outside Mom’s craft room?  This will be fun – or so I thought!

I forgot one little detail…Haley is Miss Picky McPicky and she was going to pick out every last piece of fabric for this quilt – all 20 of them!  I had many grand ideas of what this quilt was going to look like and she had others.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved welcoming her into my world of craftiness, but do we have to analyze the position of nearly every fabric?  Strip quilting is supposed to be about randomness, not analytical placement!

The squares are paper foundation pieced and measure 8 x 8 inches finished.   I started with the zebra square in the middle and sewed the strips on the diagonal towards the outside corners.  I love this method of quilting.  You don’t have to be precise, can use random pieces that fit your space and then you cut the finished square to match the paper foundation and then peel the paper off!  Haley did the peeling and ironed nearly all the squares herself.

Ok, so I have to admit, she did a great job picking out the colors.  They are bright, happy and it’s totally her and who knows, maybe there’s a crafty bone in her body afterall.  A mom can dream….

…as exclaimed by the 15 year old boy on the way to school the other day.  It seems like the leaves change overnight.  One day you notice one tree starting to turn and 5 minutes later they are all glowing in red, orange and yellow!

I love fall.  The bright colors, the smell of wet leaves and wearing my favorite sweaters again.  The only thing I really dislike about it is what follows – Winter!  Let’s face it.  This is Minnesota and it’s going to get ugly – and fast!

So, enjoy indian summer days, football games and sleeping with the windows open, for Mother Nature is busy making other plans!

Meet my nephew, Nels.  He just celebrated his 2nd birthday and he has Down Syndrome.

Last weekend, most of my family traveled to Duluth to participate in the Down syndrome walk in his honor.  While this is only our second year participating, thousands of people have been stepping up together in Duluth for the last 11 years to raise awareness for their friends and family members with Down syndrome.  Funds raised on the walk go towards supporting the programs and services of the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota.

Auntie bought him a new t-shirt, and yes, Nels, you are totally rockin’ it!

This is so true!  Nels is a musical genius – especially on the drums!

What a beautiful place to spend a Sunday afternoon –

walking along Lake Superior and the Aerial Lift Bridge.

My nieces, Leah & Kamryn.  A couple of clowns themselves (and a few teeth short)!

Two of my favorite things…Nels & mini donuts!

 

Love this boy!

 

Today is the first full day of fall so naturally Frosted Pumpkin Cookies were in order!  My kids love pumpkin cookies.  The mere collection of ingredients even gets an “I love you Mom” from the teenaged boy who may actually live to consume them. So gather up your stuff and watch the love come to life.

 

You will need:

–  1 Cup of Sugar

– 3/4 C Butter or Margarine

Mix together and then add:

– 1 Egg

– 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

– 1 Cup Canned Pumpkin (make sure it’s NOT canned pumpkin pie – it won’t work here)

Using your electric mixer (optional), combine until well blended.

 

In a separate bowl, combine:

– 2 Cups Flour

– 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

– 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

– 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

– 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg

– 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Mix well and add to sugar mixture.  If preferred, you may add 1/2 Cup of Walnuts before baking.

On an ungreased cookie sheet, place rough spoonfuls of dough and flatten slightly. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes and place on rack to cool.

 

Now you’re ready for frosting!

This is a very simple frosting.  It doesn’t really have a recipe.  You will need powdered sugar, milk and a small amount of karo syrup.  Mix to the desired consistency and drop in the middle of the cookie.

Enjoy and good luck keeping them around until the end of the day!

 

 

Weird, I know.  But there is a reason behind it.  One that has meaning to me.  One that makes sense.

Over the last 3 years I have struggled with what to name the blog I was going to start someday.  Afterall, you want it to make sense, you want it to have meaning, you want it to be memorable.  The best I could come up with was my own name, I mean, it’s my name, that means something, doesn’t it – well at least to me?  Thus my usual –  I can’t decide so don’t do anything at all.  Until Labor Day weekend, that is.

The neighbors invited us to their lake cabin for the day.  We’ve been there many times with no particular revelations, until this day.  The day my 15 year old was driving five of the six of us to the lake.  The day I should have been concentrating on keeping him from killing us all in a fiery crash instead of taking in the sites.  The day I first noticed it.  The blue silo.  It was standing tall.  Standing on the hill in the distance.  I don’t know if it is new or if it’s been there for 50 years.  All I know is today, it (the silo, my subconsious, whatever) spoke to me.  At that very moment, I heard “you need to be out on your own”.

Ok, so I know it sounds a little crazy, but my dear friend and neighbor Lisa clarified it for me.  In her office, they refer to siloing as taking on a project or issue on your own, without assistance.  Something they want to avoid.  Something I want to discover.

I’m very lucky to have a great job (plus a couple more), but the reality is, I want to work for myself.  I want to be creative. It’s my passion.  It’s what I dream of.  It’s why I have an Etsy Store and it’s why I’ve started this blog.

I know there will be times when I am frustrated and may want to just give up. Those are the times that  I will think of that blue silo, in the hot sun and the ice cold snow and still standing tall through it all.

 

My favorite word.  My go to when I don’t know what else to do.  Punt!

 

For nearly three years I’ve wanted to start a blog.  A craft blog to share my very favorite things in the world.  Maybe it will keep me accountable to finish what I start or maybe it will just give me another excuse to procrastinate some more.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I do my best work at the last minute.  Why finish today what you can do tomorrow?  Right?

What if I have nothing to say?  What if no one follows me down the field?  No more excuses.  Just punt and get going!  Take a chance and get it done.  First and 10.  Here we go.