Halloween Dinner

I love Halloween. Any of you that really know me already know this. I prefer to have two Halloweens. One for the kids, and one for the adults. This year I had a modest Halloween dinner with some very good friends. As the night progressed, I regret that I did not take pictures of the food (fail). But I did take pictures of the table setting (half win).

 The menu was a bit different, in that it was mainly vegetarian. Okay. Maybe not. But there was very little meat. This made the dinner very affordable and a little different. The menu was as follows:

Black Pasta (Squid Ink Pasta)

Lentil Soup - Simple with ham and carrots

Braised Asparagus

Banana squash with butter and brown sugar

Scallion and Garlic Bread

Cake or Death Chocolate Cake

 This picture is not a picture of how I served it, but it looked very similar. I served it with minced garlic, olive oil, and mizithra cheese. Simple. And actually, a bit off-setting. Ask my quests. BUT it seemed good enough. Most of it was eaten, and I had made 2 packages.  

I was going for an "earthy" but colorful theme, and to feed 6 of us (could have easily fed more) the price tag came to a modest $25. Lentils and pasta go a LONG way. 

I dusted of my china, which I think we have used once in our 13 years of marriage and decided to go a little formal with the whole thing. This way, with the untraditional menu, it feels more like a party. I rarely sit to eat, and so this felt like a special occasion, indeed! 

I still regret not taking pictures, but I have learned my lesson. All in all, I had fun. I hope my guests did, too. 

Old China and a Softer Side

First of all, let me put in a sort of disclaimer. For those that don't know, I really do have a soft side. I have a spot in my heart for most things vintage. I love the contrast of new and old, soft and hard, black and white. I have a corner of my soul reserved for nostalgic things. ...sigh... Deal with it.



With Spring upon us, it's time for my annual stock-up for the Farmer's Market. I hunt for containers throughout the off-season. A completely underestimated source for supplies to ease my itch for containers and boxes is the DI. (AKA Deseret Industries - a second hand shop for those that may not be aware.) I often go there and I am able to find some unrealized treasures. I think second hand and thrift shops are fantastic. (But for some reason, the DI is just different; as I exit, I honestly feel like I need a shower.) Now given, I have a bit of a fetish with boxes and bowls (which can include cups, jars, and other containers). But maybe that's why my radar is so fine-tuned and able to spot something ho-hum that can be transformed into something hallowed. A prime example are these teacups. To look at them alone, they are really nothing the special. At a whopping $0.50 each, I bought a few. And then if you want a little more interest than just the cups, buy a $0.75 saucer or two. The cups and saucers did not come paired, but I think they pair well. And so, for a mere $1.25, you have a one-of-a-kind (or two-of-a-kind) container that will make that dinky $2.00 plant that much more special. The teacups with plants you see here are what we gave our mothers on Mother's Day. Something simple and small, and is a simple and small token of what is felt for our moms. And behind the scenes, they come to a grand total of $3.25 each. But don't tell mom.

Bipolar Betty

I have this friend. We've never met. We've never talked. And I didn't know she existed until today. My friend Betty. She's bipolar. Ok. We're not friends. But I like to think our sarcastic minds would be kindred spirits. Or at least get along. I came across this shop on Etsy, one of my favorite websites. Betty makes these hilarious cards that make me ROFL. (Figuratively, not literally, of course.) After you read these cards, I am sure you will want to see more, so visit her shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/bipolarbettygoods



Another favorite:


Just one more...sorry this one is blurry.



Remember to visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/bipolarbettygoods for more!

Steam Bug

STEAMPUNK—THE ARTISTIC REVOLUTION THAT LOOKS BACKWARDS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL INSPIRATION, is the inspiration for these robot-like insects by artist Mike Libby. Mike buys actual real (but non-endangered) insects from Africa, China, New Guinea, Brazil and other parts of the world, then fits them with mechanical “engines” from harvested antique pocket watches, parts from old sewing machines and typewriters, sprockets and other mechanical paraphernalia. Libby says about his work “Robot-like insects and insect-like robots are the stuff of science fiction and science fact.”

A turn for the better

It's time for a change. I am taking this blog in a new direction. I have found over time that I am inspired a lot. Many things strike me as beautiful and noteworthy. This blog is now going to be a collection of things that trigger a spark or excite me. I hope that the few followers that I have will enjoy the ride as much as I am going to. This being said, let us begin.

Another Holiday for the Kids

So...Valentines Day. Now, if I didn't have the love of my life already, I don't know how I would feel about this "holiday". Don't get me wrong, I'm all for love and crap, but come on. I think it's fun for the kids, but for grown-ups, it's a bit contrived and commercialized. I admit, I enjoy making things for this holiday, but find that most people are buying the items for the little ones or friends. It's not a big romantic gesture because the calendar tells them it's supposed to be. It's fun for the kids, and should be kept that way. Don't take it all too seriously. Lighten up. It's Valentines day.

Please feel free to browse the shop. Although, much of the Valentines items have been snatched up already. (Geeze, you guys are really on the ball!) Never fear, I will restock. I'm SURE you were losing sleep over it. http://www.etsy.com/shop/mistress22

Halloween Decor 2009

Happy Halloween! I love Halloween. Most people that know me well already know this. Here are some of this years decorations around the abode.
One of my favorites. The creepy PLUS the glitter? What more could you want? OH! A gorgeous glass apothecary? Done and done.

I think they look happy. But it may just be the glitter. Either way.

The mantle.
If you look closely, you can see the gauze being held back by our resident ghost so you can see the crow tea light holder. He's such a helpful ghost.
Wall decals and crow silhouettes...
More crows...a murder, if you will.


The coffee table with a white sheet, cake stand, and more glittered skulls.
Treat bags! Oh...you want to see them closer?
Closer still?
Boo! Careful, he might bite.