paper...plastic...or canvas??

I don't know about you...but I've been shopping my socks off this week!

I unpacked everything today...getting ready to bust open a bottle of wine with the hubby tonight and crank up the Dean Martin Christmas album for a good old fashioned wrapping party.

As I was unpacking I was shocked to see just how many bags were piled all over my bed. Can one woman really kill the planet with plastic store bags?? If she can, I am the responsible party.
* Insert guilt here *

So this made me think...should I do the "green" thing and carry my own bags to the store? I have tried this in the past...I bought a few super cute grocery totes thinking I would carry them with me into every store...ha! I think I have forgotten them in the back seat of my car 99 out of 100 times. Seriously, I don't even remember I own one until the girl at the checkout whips out yet another plastic bag for me to bring home. Geesh! (I have a serious lack of short and long term memory...but that is another story...we could be here a while)

So I have to know...do you girls bring your own bags when you shop?

I just gotta know if I am the only one destroying the planet with these things.

a new baby...

I am so giddy with excitement I can barely contain myself!
We had a new arrival in our home today!

 Canon EOS Rebel T1i

December 16, 2009

10:27 am

1 pound 6 ounces

8" long

I never imagined it would feel like this. I am so in love.

Isn't she beautiful?

Brace yourself, I will be boring you all very soon with photos of just about everything! Oooooh...and she shoots video, too! It will be like going to the in-laws and having to sit through hours of family vacation slides.

Let me offer you my apology now.

I can't wait to name her.

it's a Lola B's giveaway!

I was sad to hear Kasey is bidding her online store, Lola B's Boutique adieux.

Kasey and I met a couple of years ago at the show where I sell in the summer months. She has a good soul. And there is nothing better than a girl that has a sharp eye for all things vintage!

So pay her a little visit, leave her a kind word or two...and you may even be one of 3 lucky people to win some of her gorgeous boutique goodies!

As a business owner, I know how hard it can be to keep up with...well...everything! To constantly stay fresh, and on top of what is new and exciting. That is a full time job itself. So I cannot help but applaud her. This door is closing, at least for a little while, but I know many more are going to open up for her.

She is amazingly talented...so I know wonderful things are just around the corner for her!

Wish her well...and good luck...if you win...let me know what loveliness was in the box!

it's a creamy soup kind of day...

Just sharing a little recipe love with you all...

I am crazy in love with this receipe, so try it. You will love it. I swear.

CHICKEN & WILD RICE SOUP

You HAVE to try this one...it is super easy and fast to make. I serve it with crusty french bread....so yummy on a cold day! This is one of the favorites around our house.

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 grocery store rotisserie chicken, shredded

1 (6.2oz) box Uncle Ben's Fast Cooking Long Grain & Wild Rice w/seasoning packet

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup butter

2 cups milk

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot, combine broth, water and chicken. Bring just to boiling, then stir in rice, reserving seasoning packet. Cover and remove from heat.

In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper and flour. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in contents of seasoning packet. (It will be thick.) Reduce heat to low, then whisk in flour mixture by a little at a time, to form a roux. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Cook until thickened - about 5 minutes.

Stir cream mixture into broth and rice. Cook over medium heat until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy!