Wednesday Words

A new baby is like the beginning of all things—

Wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.

– Eda J. LeShan

Like a new baby....a new year begins! Wishing you all the best for 2009!

Wednesday Words are brought to you by our Wall Enhancer Line. Have a favorite saying or quote? Put it on the wall!

New Year's Cheer

A new cookbook brings new yummy recipes! Recently we received our shipment of new books.....Bon Appetit Y'all was one of them! We have served several of the appetizers from it for our Christmas tea...but we thought we needed to share this one with ya! (It's a keeper....and perfect to start the New Year off with!!)

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 loaf brioche or challah, sliced

8 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup whole milk

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Pinch of salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Confectioners' sugar, for accompaniment

Sorghum, cane, or maple syrup, for accompaniment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Combine the melted butter and brown sugar in a baking dish.
• Arrange the bread slices in the dish.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl.
• Pour over the bread, letting it soak in.
• Top with the pecans
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, and up to 12 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Let the chilled casserole stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Bake until browned and set 30-45 minutes.
• Remove to a rack to cool slightly
• Sift over confectioners' sugar
• Serve hot or warm with sorghum, cane or maple syrup.

Shadow Shot Sunday

There was no STRAINING to get this week's shadow shot! I was pleasantly surprised while we were preparing supper tonight - a wonderful shadow appeared from the colander as I opened the cupboard!
Join us and see just how exciting it can be to find shadows!
Drop by Hey Harriet for your shadow fix!!

Christmas Blessings

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

~Third Stanza of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

Christmas Blessings be with you today & always!

Wednesday Words

Wednesday Words are brought to you by our Wall Enhancers line.
Do you have a favorite saying or quote? Put it on the wall!

Shadows & Ice

It was a bit Icy out today...a great time to stay inside, get the house in order and make lots of cookies for Christmas!

This is the same tree, that just a few months ago had beautiful green leaves for a shadow shot. While everyone was settling in I snuck out to get a good shot for today.

Go over to Hey Harriet to see many other shadows that are being posted this weekend! (Sounds like the perfect thing to do on a cold day!!)

Enjoy your week - and a Merry Christmas to all of our Shadow Shot friends!!

Karla & Karrie

Wednesday Words

Christmas Cookies & Happy Hearts...this is how the Holiday Starts

Wednesday Words are brought to you by our Wall Enhancer Line. Have a favorite saying or quote? Put it on your wall...or window or furniture!!

Shadow Shot Sunday

It has been rated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.

Last weekend we traveled to Las Vegas for a long weekend with friends. Our favorite day was our trip to the Hoover Dam - it is truly amazing and awe-inspiring when you see what men accomplished during the Great Depression.

There were some really great shadows, so I hope you enjoy them as you pick out your favorite....



We took a tour inside of the dam. one of my favorite shots was of the tunnel leading to the vent to look out at the river....you could fit two people side by side comfortably to look out of the vent - once it was our turn - the view was fantastic!






Here we looked at more tunnels - steps....lots of them - glad we didn't need to walk up all of them!

Here is the room with the generators. We were in luck, for they were repairing the turbine from #4 and we got to see it - I guess it isn't a sight that many guests get to see....

Do you see the white car at the bottom - just so you can get an idea of the size of this thing!

After the tour I snapped this picture of the other side of the dam. The white on the rocks is calcium deposits from the water - showing how high it got back in 1983.

Here are two of the four intake towers. These two were on the Arizona side - the other two are on the Nevada side.

I have so many pictures.....I had to narrow down the 273 for this post (ok, ok - that includes Vegas shots too - only 130 were of Hoover Dam!!)

A tribute to the men that built the dam.

If you are ever remotely close to the Hoover Dam, and haven't been there - it come highly recommended!!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone! Check out more shadows over at Hey Harriet today!

The 12 Decorating Tips of Christmas

Well, here it is, the last Friday before Christmas....and your final decorating tips. Hope you've enjoyed our top 12 tips...we've had a lot of fun with it at the store! Missed some tips? Check out 1-4 here and 5-8 here.

And now....drum roll please......

9. Brown Bag It!
Get a brown paper bag and cut out a shape of your choice. Insert a mason jar with a candle for an instant luminary - perfect for Christmas eve!



10. You light up my life...
We don't know about you, but every year we have lots of burnt out light bulbs from the Christmas tree.....now we found a nice place for them to be put to good use! Any glass jar will do!




11. Stick it to it!
Insert poinsettias into those pots that held your summer flowers - throw lights in them if you'd like (we added sticks....of course!)







12. Cards, cards, cards!! You get more mail in December than any other month of the year! It's great to show off the cards that you receive. We love hanging garland over our doorways and windows and stapling your cards onto the garland as they come in, or punch a hole in the back and put a ribbon through the hole and tie onto the garland!!

Finish up that decorating if you haven't yet so you can hop on over to Hooked on Houses on Monday to show off your holiday spirit!

Happy Decorating!

Wednesday Words

"I've decided to put myself in charge!"

Wednesday Words are brought to you by our Wall Enhancer Line. Have a favorite saying or quote? Put it on the wall!

Sister Sale!

Sister Sale starts this week...today through Saturday the 13th!

Why a "sister sale"?

Well...we are 1. Sisters....and

2. We love White Christmas....especially the "Sister's" song....!

This week we have some promotions going on in the store:

~Buy a mixture of 2 of our Scones, French Jams, or Teas, and recieve $2 off

~Purchase 3 Caldrea product and recieve $5 off

~Take 20% off any in-stock floral arrangement, wreath or swag

Thursday, December 11th from 5pm -8pm

will mark our Annual "Sister Fun Night"

The most important day of the year......TRIPLE BAP points!! That's right! For every $10 spent, get three points for your BAP card instead of 1!

It only happens this one day of the year - don't miss this....

plus our honorary "sisters" for the evening:

~Catherine from Healthy Bakes by Catherine will be unveiling her newest scone - made from our own Summer Kitchen Blend Tea. She will be demonstrating how to make the perfect scone from 6pm-7pm

~Terri Jahna from Vibrant Solutions will be here as well, making sisters and friends happy with mini massage....plus great tips to help curb the holiday stress that comes with the season!

There will be prizes given away, so be sure to sign up!!

Once Upon A Time.....

......We decorated like....what?

Have some fun on the Better Homes & Garden website looking at some of their decorating advice back in the 40's and 50's! This posh decorating picture from December of 1948 takes the cake....don't you just love, well, just love everything!! (Hate to see those candles lit - yikes!!) Enjoy your trip down "memory lane" !

Shadow Shot Sunday

No, no! We didn't get that much snow!!

Just a dusting so far! We were going through last year's pictures, and we couldn't pass up this winter-y shadow for you all!

Have a JOLLY time going over to Hey Harriet to see the COOLEST shadows on the planet!

12 Tips of Christmas

Here we are again.....one week down...in three weeks Christmas will be over...."sigh"!
Time for tips 5 - 8 for Christmas decorating:


5. Throw In The "Hat"
Santa's hat, that is! Top your tree with the jolly one's hat - and watch people chuckle (and take your idea home with them!!)



6. Use Flower Pots For Candle Holders

Use them like they are, or spray them a color that you'd like! Set pillars inside of them, fill with sand, mini Christmas ornaments, pinecones....whatever your heart desires!



7. Gather Old Pictures, Photocopy and Make Ornaments

Have a few cherished pictures? Make copies of them and cut, paste and decorate! Add a ribbon on the back - and you've got a personalized ornament for your tree....or even better - tags for your gifts!








8. Have A Beautiful Christmas Card? Frame It and Set It Out

Christmas cards are pretty - make the most out of them and get an inexpensive frame to put your favorites in - it can change every year! Great art - for pennies!



Miss last weeks tips? Check 1-4 out here!

Over the Top

Over the Top of the door that is! Just when you couldn't find another place to decorate for the holidays.....try the ceiling! All you need is a bit of chicken wire attached to your porch's ceiling and add greenery and lights - wow! We love it! See this idea and more at Cottage Living!

Wednesday Words

"Loved you then...Love you still.

Always have...Always will."

Wednesday Words are brought to you by our Wall Enhancer Line....got a favorite saying or quote? Put it on your wall!