~ Wish Boxes ~

This is one of my latest creations. It is a "wish box". While "junking" at the local thrift store I found an old wooden trinket box. I painted it white, distressed it, and embellished it with vintage costume jewelry. Brooches, earrings, beads, rhinestones and crystals that I picked up at estate sales and thrift stores. I decided that this would make the perfect wish box. To use a wish box, you take a small piece of paper and write down your wish or goal. Fold it in half and squeeze it in your fist while concentrating on your wish.......then put it in the wish box, soon your wish will come true! I have some more ideas knocking around in my head, I hope to be able to create them soon. It has been a bit hectic around here with family from out of town visiting, our apartment being torn up by the capenters for renovation, and a very busy 2 year old.

Christmas 2008

Christmas Day was the first time in 6 years that all 5 of us, my brothers, sister and I had been together in the same place at the same time!

~ Thoughts for the day ~

"Compassion is a profound human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. In ethical terms, the various expressions down the ages of the so-called Golden Rule embody by implication the principle of compassion: Do to others as you would have done to you. Ranked a great virtue in numerous philosophies, compassion is considered in all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtues."

"Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others." - The Buddha.

~ Easy Cherry Cobbler YUM! ~

My Grandma always made this wonderful and easy cherry cobbler also known as "Fruit Magic", and brought it for our holiday get togethers. I miss my gram so much! The recipe for this is on the side of the Jiffy White Cake Mix box. It is so easy and delicious!

Ingredients:
2 Boxes Jiffy Cake Mix
2 Cans Cherry Pie Filling
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup) softened
1 small package of walnut pieces

Spread pie filling in 9 x 13 inch pan. Combine cake mix, butter and nuts in bowl and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over pie filling. Bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes or until golden brown.

~ The Best Banana Bars EVER! ~

Frosted Banana Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
  
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
  
• FROSTING:
  
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  
  

DIRECTIONS

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in bananas.
Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool.
For frosting, in a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually beat in enough confectioners' sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 3-4 dozen.

~ Win a $100 Home Depot Gift Card Sponsored by Mommies with Cents ~

I don't know about you, but there are always projects around my home that need to be done and keep getting put off because frankly there is never enough cash. The people at Mommies with Cents Blog are giving away a $100 Gift Card to Home Depot in honor of their 1000th blog posting. To enter this great contest go to: http://www.mommieswithcents.com/2008/12/giveaway-in-honor-of-our-1000th-post.html

Good Luck and Congrats to Mommies with Cents on your 1000th post!

Woohooo! I did it!

I am over the moon excited! I listed 2 of my vintage jeweled Christmas Tree pictures on etsy.com a few days ago, and one sold today! I never know how much to ask for my art, I marked it kinda low, but, am really happy about my first sale. It means that someone out there really likes what I do. Fade to Sally Field......."They like me, they really, really like me." Okay, not ME, but, something I made with my own two hands. That is such a satisfying feeling! It gives me motivation to make some more things. I have several ideas churning in this little brain of mine.........but, they will probably have to wait until after the holidays before reaching fruitition. Between carpenters tearing up our flooring and removing our kitchen cupboards and a super active 2 year old, it may be awhile before I am able to create anything. Stay tuned.......