Who Loves Chocolate ?

A Tasty

INVITATION

come to : Pere Marquete Park Lodge
where: Grafton, Il

CHOCOLATE FEST
when: Sunday Feb. 7, 2010
time : 11-3 pm

We'd LOVE to see You there !

Got Chocolate on my Mind!

Yep, that's what I said,

Chocolate, getting ready

for the first fair/festival this year.
Sunday we will be at

a Chocolate Festival...

we are to have something for sale

related to chocolate. So just in case

my daughter has made some

chocolate covered pretzels to sell.
Although I don't have enough room

to sell any clothing

(my overalls, pillow case dresses or my dirndle skirts)

You are given a 8 ft table and a couple feet behind for seating.
We plan on taking some embellished knit hats, hand painted kokeshi dolls,

wooden blocks, hair bows and the chocolate candy. Hope it all fits.
I hope it all sells. The weather in the area doesn't look good,

Snow is suppose to start tonight, and the Festival is approx. two hours away.

I guess we will see. Lil Orchid loved helping make brownies.

Should I be Flattered??

I don't think so, nope not this time.

I am talking about people (who think they can call themselves artist, crafters, etc.)
those who claim to have original ideas.
I love to see others work, creations through their eyes and they amaze me.
I love to see how they turn and twist something so simple, into something incredible.
I love watching my family create, using their God given talents of imagining, then seeing and producing a work of art.
But, as I browsed through ETSY I was astounded and surprised by the audacity of a few people who not only copied (I want to say robbed) not only my original, no two alike creations but copied my words, my phrases, my sentences. HOW RUDE! HOW WRONG !
Unfortunately, they then charge three times or more for those stolen ideas!
Please look at the dates and don't be fooled....
they aren't Original...
they even duplicated my granddaughters costume
I created for a family members Themed Birthday Party this summer.
I work so hard and so does my children who help me sell.
I pride myself on my originality, my use of recycling and my love of creating.
But this drains me with frustrations.
I know that my blog is even being invaded for ideas.
Do I stop posting Photos?????

Groundhog Day

What's with Phil.....saw his shadow ?? It's nothing but dreary, cloudy and yucky HERE !!
Maybe he was confused ?? Maybe it wasn't the sunshine, maybe it was the lights from the camera man ?? 6 more weeks...I won't make it !

Happy Birthday

Yesterday, the 29th

was my daughters Birthday....
ended up getting alot of running done (which included 3 hrs at the DMV) so we didn't properly get to celebrate. Of course, Lil Orchid and myself sang her Happy Birthday and Lil Orchid made her MomMom a special picture both at school and at home. We didn't eat out because we were so tired but brought home some Chicken Atlanta for supper. Great Great and YeYe and my sister called and sang Happy Birthday also. Later my son called and sang twice, once for the birthday girl and again so Lil Orchid could hear...then brother and sister they talked for hours.

Pizza Song

Today we were invited to Lil Orchids school to hear a small presentation of songs that they had been learning. Pizza has been the focus of learning math (slicing pizza), food groups (making pizza), dexterity (cutting paper chefs hat) and singing a pizza song. We also heard the Bear Hunt song and a I Love You song, in which she turned and pointed to her MomMom standing amongst the other proud Moms.

She made a pretty bead & foam bracelet before we arrived.

So now back to the grindstone....

sew, paint, sand, cut and create!!!

It's COLD outside

Busy, busy day. Beginning to work on new items

for the coming craft fairs and the Etsy Store.

check out the cute Zu Zu Pet clothes I made for my 2 great nieces....

will try to get some done to sell.

Having Fun!

Busy weekend but it was relaxing ..
even though I have tons on my plate, after shipping a package to a new customer we decided with the help of some invitations to relax this weekend, well at least Saturday. Headed out to attend a baby shower (or as Lil Orchid says "a Baby Party") for a cousin's grandchild. Had lots of fun & laughs creating this outfit for her grandson to be...I think every family has a cousin like this....alot of laughs and attitude.

Then since we were in the next county we received an invite to supper from my daughters sweet friends (patiently waiting for their little Maizi), it was delicious food and so much fun, they are the type of couple that can make you feel relaxed and so at home. Found out that our families have a little more in common, his great grandma and my daughters great aunt were in the Kitchen Klatter Band together. How's that for nostalgia!

The weather continues to be dreary, cold and WET!
But I keep my spirits high by just listening to the sweet laughter and amazing smile of my Lil Orchid.

Big News...

Just wanted to know my internet is working...

and I have just added 81 items to

lilorchidstoychest.etsy.com

I also added several new clothes to

orchidsandladybugs.etsy.com

Haven't heard from some of you

regarding help with MY Cookbook...

please let me know yes or no...

I HOPE it's YES!

Home Again, Home Again..

Our trip to help my son move into his apartment and start his new job was a success...rocky, somewhat stressful and very cold and snowy. All three things are long stories.
(1)THE WEATHER: Of Course everyone is feeling the weather..we drove after and into a snow storm.
(2)THE STRESS: The night before the move (Thurs nite)the moving company arrived late I mean after 6:30pm and into bitter, bitter temperatures and brutal winds, drifting snow. Finally got them out of the house, we kept two car loads (one of them a van with seats removed) of his personal, non replaceable items to drive up with. Had to load pillows and blankets for us to sleep on cause the movers said they couldn't get there til Sat night.??
(3) THE ROCKY: The arrival & unloading with movers....I don't even want to get into that story..

But being with my son during this new adventure in his life was non-replaceable. He is really a perfectionist..knows how he wants his keepsakes, clothing and rooms arranged. It's a good thing his sister and I know him so well, he only moved a few items around after we unpacked him. We left alot of things for him and concentrated on kitchen cabinets and hanging clothes,etc.

Sunday we drove the city some, finding stores, his work place and had fun looking for the Squirrels...Yes, squirrels, you know how some towns paint cows, frog statues etc then raise money by selling them, Cincinnati has squirrels (famous area for black squirrels).
We were packed up and walked out of the door Monday morning with him on his way out. Emotions welled up inside..it was like letting go of his little hand again, that first day of kindergarten. I Love him and am so Proud of him. What can I say, he is so-o-o-o Amazing!!!

About the Cook Book..I am receiving recipes and Photos of those CUTE kids out there helping and cooking in the kitchen. Thanks and keep them coming..I AM SO EXCITED!!

A Family Cookbook filled with LOVE!

Well, If all goes well I am sending out a request

to family, friends, customers and

those whose stories has touched my heart.

I am so excited on this endeavor,

recipes and photo's of those children

who inspire and keep the family rolling in laughter.

Not only will it feed your family,

but it will feed your soul

with inspiration, hope and love.

I think mixing the photo's of children

with the recipe will truely be Sweet Success.

Lemonade Slush...

Some ideas/ examples, include ....

Horseradish...

carrot cake cupcakes...

Egg salad (an Easter after thought)

Apple Dumplings with fresh apples,

Fresh Strawberry Smoothie....

The Beginning......2010

"MomMom I helped make the Gingerbread House why can't I Eat It!"

I wish that this new year is a beginning of better things to come, to everyone....

Wishing everyone a heaping helping of better Health, Happiness sprinkled with lots of Sweet Love and Prosperity all covered with Success.

if I stare long enough will that M&M fall off???
With that said...I am hoping my friends & family contribute to my newest Creation, a Cookbook. Not any Cookbook but one that is close to my Heart "a Family Cookbook".
I could probably fill it myself with recipes and photos of Lil'Orchid but I want to share my vision.

"Pancakes anyone"

I'm using my new scraper"

I am asking for donations of recipes near and dear to your hearts, and a photo of your child, children at any age (cooking,eating or helping in the kitchen) to be submitted and headlining YOUR recipe.

I'll send more specifics later

but if your interested E-MAIL me!!!

If you have ANY questions just email.

If your a waiting family,

I'll accept your youthful photos ;)

This girl LOVES her Deviled Eggs(Egg Boats as she puts it)

Look closely and she is using her Safety Knife from Santa.

Tell a friend, spread the word.

This is a special apron handmade by Great Great!