Merry Christmas!

Dear Reader,

I hope that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are wonderful celebrations for you and yours!  We are spending time with my parents today and time with my husband's family tomorrow, which is our usual holiday plan.  Our three year old is so excited that the holiday is finally here!

I will be taking a blogging break until the first week in January.  I already look forward to resuming posts, but until then I hope your time is filled with enjoyable moments with family and friends, great reflections on 2010, and hopeful thoughts for 2011!

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Crab Puffs

Dear Reader,

The Christmas Eve tradition with my family is to have a host of appetizers as dinner in the evening.  The recipe below for crab puffs makes the list each year.  It's a simple recipe and may be prepared quite quickly.  I've often thought that I should serve these when we have guests over, but for me the crab puffs are a once a year Christmas Eve treat.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Inspiring Words...

"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another."

- Helen Keller

Friday's Feature: Expressing thanks

Dear Reader,

This is my final Friday's Feature of the year.  (No, it's not the final Friday of the year, but with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve on Friday, I'm thinking this is my last post on a Friday!)  I want to use this post to thank the shops that have been featured over the year.  I have had the pleasure of communicating with each shop owner with regard to the Friday's Feature, and each one has been so gracious and kind (no exceptions!)

You may have noticed that all of the shops I have highlighted so far are Michigan based.   Perhaps in 2011 I will branch out a bit, but it's been fun to find so many talented individuals in my state.  I wish only the best to each of these shops and shop owners in the year ahead!

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: Oreo Truffles

Dear Reader,

This is a great recipe that I've used the last few years.  It requires very few ingredients, and I love that the resulting truffles look like snowballs - how appropriate for this time of year.  Last year our family made these to give as holiday treats for our neighbors, which went over well.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Inspiring Words...

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gifts for Great Teachers

Dear Reader,

My son is taking a number of early childhood classes through our school district this year.  I wanted to give a small gift to the two teachers that work with the students to offer our thanks for their efforts!  I decided to decoupage a clip board using a fun Amy Butler print.  I added a raffia ribbon and clipped a few notepads and pens and a Christmas card.  Now, let's hope the teachers find this gift useful (and maybe even a little fun!)

Sincerely,
Abi

 

A Word of Thanks...

Dear Reader,

I have come to love doing features each Friday as I am overwhelmed by the number of people using their gifts to create handmade items.
 
This morning I had the pleasure of reading a blog post featuring my shop.  What a fun way to start out the day!  Please feel free to take a look at this feature on Cora Anne (and all of the amazing favorite things included in this series.)  Thank you so much for thinking of me, Jill!

Sincerely,
Abi

Friday's Feature: A & B Shoppe

Dear Reader,

You may have noticed that often the quote that I select for the week is from the vantage point of motherhood.  Since my role as a mom is woven through so much of my life these days, I appreciate the words of others that share the experience.  This week I am featuring a shop which has found its inspiration in motherhood.

A good friend of mine suggested that I check out A & B Shoppe, and  I'm thrilled that she introduced me to this place on Etsy!  I really enjoy the variety of useful and fun products, each with a beautifully selected pattern or detail.  The hooded towels would be an ideal baby shower gift or welcome package for a new arrival.  The bean bags and dolls would make a great Christmas or birthday present.  And I love the bags for, well, any occasion (as continuing with my bag obsession!)  I have highlighted three of my favorite items below.  Please consider checking out this shop.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Fabulous Shopper in Olive Dot
Reusable Compactable Foldable Hobo Market Shopping Tote Reuse Bag

Hooded Towel Modern Dot Baby Toddler

MOD FOREST Bean Bags Set -
Imaginative Play Sensory Educational Toy Game

Renegade Recap

Dear Reader,

I had an absolutely lovely time at the Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Show.  With about 150 exhibitors, so much talent and handmade innovation radiated from the Pulaski Park venue.  I attended with my very talented friend Jill, and not only did we enjoy the Renegade Craft Fair, but we also shopped the Renegade Handmade store and other beautiful little shops surrounding it.  And, if that weren't enough, we took in the One of a Kind Show and Sale at the Merchandise Mart.  So. much. fun.

Sincerely,
Abi

Metro Patterned Blocks

Dear Reader,

I just added another set of blocks to the line-up.  Please feel free to check them out in the shop.  In the midst of the busy times that come with this month, I hope you're finding some spare moments to enjoy the snow (if you have some!) and anticipate Christmas!

Sincerely,
Abi

Metro Patterned and Milk Painted Wooden Blocks (Set of Six)

On the Menu: Anise Drop Cookies

Dear Reader,

For as long as I can remember, anise cookies were my choice Christmas cookies.  (Weird, right?!  I should note that artichokes were also my favorite vegetable by the age of 5.)  My dad's mom would make Springerle, a German cookie, each year, and these cookies were tasty and beautiful (as they were made in molds with beautiful patterns on each cookie.)  When my dad's mom passed away, my mom's mom decided to start making anise drop cookies each year and lovingly mail them from Arizona to my hometown in Illinois.  In the midst of such a busy time of year, I so appreciated the thoughtfulness of both of my grandmas in making certain that these favorite cookies were around for me (and others) to enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi

Inspiring Words...

"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly."

- Lauren Bacall

Friday's Feature: Holiday Renegade Craft Fair

Dear Reader,

Instead of featuring a shop this week, I picked a whole craft fair!  I can't wait to check out the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend.  Full report to follow.

Sincerely,
Abi

Business Cards

Dear Reader,

I decided to take the plunge and order some business cards last week (after trying to just make do with my first few Etsy sales.)  The small package arrived in the mail this week, and I love how the cards turned out.  I debated a DIY attempt and am really happy that I didn't do that.  Here they are...

Sincerely,
Abi

Google Today

Dear Reader,

Have you seen the way Google is honoring Rosa Parks today?  What a courageous decision she made 55 years ago today.  This is a beautiful picture, a hopeful image of community.

Sincerely,
Abi

On the Menu: White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Dear Reader,

These cookies came from modifying a recipe for "Island Cookies."  My family is not too exited about coconut and nuts, so I decided to add in dried cherries.  What a great treat when having friends over!  I've also considered these for gifts to the neighbors as Christmas cookies; given the red of the cherries I think they would be festive.  Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Abi