14 February 2011

Lovely Journals


Happy Monday!
I hope you a had a thrilling weekend.
In my neck of the woods, the sun was out,
the temperatures higher and that's
a definitely a TADA!

Do you like journals?
I like them a lot.

I make sure to stop and say HELLO
to these beautiful blank books when
I'm at a bookshop or paper goods store.

I've picked some up over the years & I really
use them, even if sometimes I think they're
too pretty for scribbling random thoughts.
I'll show you all this week how I'm filling
them up, beginning with this one:

TADA! -- A Kitchen Journal.
{The cover had a lot to do with
the choice for use.}

I designed a mission statement for
the inside front cover.

It's full of recipes I want to try &
keep making over and over.
{Actual recipe cards, hand-written &
clipped from magazines}

It also has inspirations for entertaining
and presenting food with style.

It's now getting too fat, it needs its own shelf.
Or maybe I should start Volume II.

See you tomorrow for more ideas.
And by the way,
Happy Valentine's Day!

11 February 2011

A Winter Walk


All this week, I was ranting about how winter
can be such a blah and how I cope
while staying indoors.

Today, I'm celebrating winter's TADAs!

C'mon, take a walk with me.

I think winter is TADA! after the
snow has fallen and the ground is
immaculately white.

Even if the holidays are over,
it still looks like Christmas
when snow settles on the trees.

Shadows are more dramatic
on an icy, white canvas.

Winter can be quite solitary,
but it's good to drown in one's
thoughts sometimes.

But the biggest TADA! of winter...

...the promise of spring!

Happy Friday Lovelies.

10 February 2011

Snuggly Soft


Are you experiencing winter weather
where you live?

Do you think the cold, dark days are blah or TADA?
I try my best to deal with it with hot drinks
and soft things.

Including this nice and cuddly throw.
A TADA! if I should say so myself.

It warms me up on the sofa as I
watch a romantic comedy or
devour a fabulous book.

I wish you a beautiful Thursday!


09 February 2011

Wear a Hug


Oh winter, sometimes you make me feel so blah.

Sure, you're pretty to look at,
but slushy roads and below zero
temperature ain't fun. Sigh.

Thank goodness for fleece robes
that keep me warm & toasty.
No doubt a TADA! in my book!

08 February 2011

Walking on Clouds


This week, I'm taking a little break from
crafting to tell you about how I'm dealing
with this winter weather in the East Coast.

I think winter is a blah when the days
are dark, dreary and numbingly cold.

A simple & TADA! solution -- these soft, cushy socks!

They're thick & warm. Hmmmmn.
Heavenly.

Here's a tip: Slather some lotion or
petroleum jelly on your feet before
putting on some socks.
Do this before bedtime and your feet
will be smooth & not winter weary.

07 February 2011

The Winter Blahs


Happy Monday everyone!
I hope you had a TADA! weekend,
and for you sports fans out there,
a super Super Bowl Sunday.

Today, let's talk about the
weather, shall we?

Where I live, it's been snowing every week.
And while falling snow is just magical,
mountains of dirty snow are forming
on every sidewalk, the roads are
slippery and it's freezing!

This is not Alaska.
It's the Hudson River!
{The seagulls don't seem to mind.}

Since it's too cold to play outdoors,
I'll tell you how I turn this
blah situation into a TADA!

I make me some hot chocolate!
I poured it into a bowl so
both my hands are warmed
when I take a sip.
TADA!

This is one of my favorite brands.
It's thick, rich and not too sweet.

And what's hot chocolate without
marshmallows?

These ones from Trader Joe's
just have the right hint of mint!

Have a wonderful day!


04 February 2011

Please Send a Valentine


I'm thinking that many of you dismiss Valentine's Day as just an ordinary day. I'm with you on that one, I must admit. I don't expect flowers or an evening on the town. But I don't mind sending out Valentine cards. Especially if it's for a worthy cause.

As I've told you last Monday, ETSY and Citymeals-on-Wheels will share the love to elderly New Yorkers by providing hot & healthy meals, heart-warming greeting cards and friendly fellowship. This project is called:

And ETSY wants us to join in! All we need to do is to make a card (or more) and send these to the ETSY Office. You'll find all the details and FAQs here.

I've been taking advantage of my time indoors (due to the wild winter), turning blah materials into TADA! greeting cards. I just can't stop! In my mind, I imagine that an elderly lady or gentleman's day will be brightened because of something simple as a Valentine card.

Here are the new ones I made:

Using gift wrap scraps

Reusing brown paper circles that once held truffles

Look what shiny stickers & a silver pen can make!

Plain card stock + decorative puncher = TADA!

If you have some time, please make a Valentine card
{enlist the whole family, too!} and send these
to ETSY by February 9, 2011.

It will make you feel good, I promise!
Have a crafty weekend!