Oh Monday.

Have you ever had one of those days where one cleaning project lead to another and you find yourself cleaning the kitchen drain for the first time in 2 years? and are completely horrified with what you're finding? (everything but the kitchen sink indeed!) After I got all that I could with the Q-tips, I just poured straight vinegar down there hoping it would eat what was left. {shiver!}

sooo... I went for an evening grocery shopping trip sans the kiddos. and as I was marveling at the dusky fall sky, a bat loped over my car. Bless him. It's like he knows I prefer a surreal life and little woodland creatures just add to the fantasy. (the black widow on my porch the other day? Not so much.) A bat on October 5 could not be a more appropriate beginning to my favorite month of the year. I shall be doing 'top ten' lists for the number 10 month.

You have been warned. and feel free to join in.

meant to be

first there was this: single serving pie in a jar.

then there were these:

free printable jar labels.

Say hello to freaking cutest Christmas neighbor gifts ever! And the beauty part is you can start them now... before you become catatonic!

went up the canyon

for lunch the other day. To do a quick photo shoot for my new fall stuff.

{a random outlet imbedded in some rock. wondered if it works}

{the caravan}

{awed by the views}

{the views}

{mellow yellow}

{found treasure}

{went exploring off the beaten path}

{don't let him fool you, he actually does like this hat}

{see?}

{just a sneak peek. the hat will be available Oct. 1. You can see the other stuff at my other blog. What? You still aren't reading my other blog? Well I think my two readers will tell you: you're missing out. Do yourself a favor and subscribe and link it too, of course ;) I post free patterns and projects and discounts. Some stuff even the most sewing-challenged can do!}

gasping!

So I stumbled across the blog of Anna Maria Horner, a fabric and pattern designer. {and yes, I have quite a bit of her stuff} And I was nearly in tears with her family picture. I want one sooo bad! It's gorgeous! {Candis, you like?} Anyway. Loving her blog, but she also has a website. check'em out!

It's amazing how many heart-breakingly talented people have been crammed into this world.

le sigh!

LOVE IT!!!

This print by EvaJuliet WILL be hanging in my perfect, organized and fabulous sewing room some day. It means 'It's never too late... to be what you want to be.'

I know that's my motto!

misery loves company

It's been in my head ever since Hil showed it to me a week ago.

I'm sorry!

you heart me, you really heart me!

Well my grand opening was, i think, a huge success. I am so excited that my hard work is being so well received. and i would like to thank everyone who has been so monstrously supportive!! You're all so sweet i could just put 7 Cups of you in my home-made strawberry nectarine jam and bottle you up. then on bleak days i can suddenly remember that you are in my pantry and smile to myself as i pop the jar and spread you on a piece of toast.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

yummy yummy

I have made jam! (said like Tom Hanks in Castaway) I must admit, I thought canning was for old ladies and over zealots.

(I kid! I kid!)
I never wanted to attempt it because I was under the belief it would take a huge mess and a pot the size of texas. But it was really easy and I used the inversion method.

Here's my recipe:

3 1/2 C pulsed Strawberries
{about a 4qt container}

2 C pulsed Nectarines
{about 3: ripe, but not mushy}

7 C Sugar

1 box Pectin

then just follow the directions on the Pectin box.

BUT, after you ladle the jam into the jars you don't need the giant pot of boiling water. Just screw on the lids nice and tight and turn the jars upside down. I let mine sit that way for an hour. I turned them over and the lids still pushed up and down so I thought it didn't work. But in the morning they were sucked in real tight.

Hooray!! Jam for the next 6 months.