Gobble Gobble

This may be a couple of days late...but if you still have leftover turkey this is a casserole that won't disappoint.  It's Hot Chicken Turkey Salad.  I had it the first time at my cousin's Shelley's (from Crazy Wonderful) baby shower.  Her dear friend and hostess with the mostest Katherine who blogs over at Harper and Ollie's House introduced me to it and it is delish!  

 Notice the corner missing and the fork?  There is no shame in my game!

For the complete recipe click the link  Hot Chicken Salad on the Food Network  It's a Paula Deen recipe so you know it's good!  Add your turkey instead of chicken...and I used imitation lemon juice instead of the real deal.  

Click on the I like to party tab to see where I am linking up!  Have a great week!

also linking here: http://todayscreativeblog.net/

30 days hath November...eight things you didn't know about me

1.  I am not a morning person.  I am however when I don't have to work.

2.  I love staying up late crafting and sewing when everyone else is sleeping.

3.  I usually sleep with a pillow on my head and the heaviest comforter I can find.  I hope this doesn't lead to early balding.

4.  I love handmade things and vintage (not really a surprise) and dream of someday having a studio or warehouse space I can open to the public for sales, craft nights, etc. 

5.  I can eat sweets in mass quantities, not candy, but things like donuts, chocolate, filled apple pies, cinnamon rolls...

6.  I badly want a vintage upholstered floral couch.

7.  I love playing sports but only enjoy watching them when someone I know is playing.  

8.  I love comedy and actions movies...and can't bear to watch sappy love stories, like nails on a chalkboard.

Well, now you know me a little better, come play along at 30 days hath November! 

 Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Days Hath November...Something I could never tire of

This is a day late...but truly something I could never, ever, tire of.  This sign really should have my name on it.  

 This is my favorite thrift store and a block away from work.  I've spent more lunches here than anywhere else.  

This is my favorite thrift by the house.  Across the street there is one as well...and maybe another one about 1/2 mile down.  I live a mile from from thrift row, and I love it!

30 days hath November

My weakness...

I thrift way too often, sometimes multiple times a week.  I have a little Etsy shop where I sell some of my wares because if I didn't, you would see me on hoarders.  I truly love everything I buy, so thankfully I get just as must joy sharing those goodies with others.  I can't not thrift.  I've been doing it forever, it's my zen.  

Here are some of my own personal favorite treasures...

 I found this Bambi needlepoint for $7 and it has a note on the back.  It's from 1985 and says "to Derek, Love Aunt Maxine and Aunt Lucine".  I treasure it and have it in my kids room.  

 Another pretty needlepoint.

are you getting the picture?  I can't wait to have a bigger house with a giant wall to display all my beautiful needlepoints.  I have almost all of my beloved Grandmother's needlepoints in my basement and I hope someday my grandchildren will treasure them as much as I do.

 This is a huge paint by numbers.  I found this one thrifting a while back.

Did I mention tchotkes?  

 And dishes?  I have a set that matches this vase in a box in my basement and can't wait to have more room to display/use the whole thing.

 teacups and saucers are also a weakness.  

 as are fire king mugs.  Unfortunately a lot have been broken over the years.  The nice thing about thrift is that you can never be too disappointed with breakage.   My kids have broken 3 out of 4 of my jade cereal bowls.

 This luggage is lined with pink! You can see more here.  I love vintage luggage.  

and last but certainly not least, this beautiful vintage typewriter.

Linking up...so check out the "I like to party page" and here http://todayscreativeblog.net/

Hope you enjoyed it!

Peace and love, Amy

30 Days Hath November-Something I've been craving

I am craving a new house.  Badly!  A place where all my tchotchkies have a home.  A place where we no longer have to share one bathroom.  A place for the hubs to go and watch his games and a place for me to craft.  I would say a place for the kids to have their own space, but who am I kidding...the whole house is their space and I believe will be until they are teens and retreat to their rooms.  I will take it while I can, because having them at my feet won't last forever.

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Meet Me at Mike's...a new blog fave

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I love everything about Danielle Thompson's kitschy style.  She is a long time fave.

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What are you craving?  

30 days hath November

30 Days Hath November What I love about my Job

I've held down a variety of jobs through highschool and college, some make momma proud, some maybe not so much.  Babysitting, Taco Tico, Taco Bell (I like mexican food), waiting tables at a variety of restaurants,  selling cars, selling candles out of my trunk, selling marketing for people with patents, and my current job...still selling.   

I am used to totally inappropriate behavior and currently work for a real professional establishment, a no shenanigans type of place.  So these new pranks I am not used to.  I came back from lunch the other day and every item on my desk was taped down.  EVERYTHING.  The change, my earrings (I'm on the phone all day), my phone, my mouse, my ruler, my pen, my notepad...and more.  Here is a glimpse of the nice things that happen to me.

see all those pennies?  There were hundreds taped to my desk.

The sleeves on my sweater were tied with embroidery thread...that matched my sweater.  They love me, they really really, love me.  What do you enjoy about your job?

30 days hath November

Day 8-The last item I purchased

I found these two gems at Anthropologie yesterday.  I went in there looking for a planner.

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I found the cords in navy!  I am on Anthro's list so they send me a birthday discount every year.  I threw mine away after it expired (end of September) since I never used it.  When I got to the checkout I asked the lady nicely if they honor them after the expiration date.  They happily looked up my name in the computer and took off 15% of my total purchase.  Don't ever be afraid to ask...stores like Nordstrom and Anthropologie are notorious for wonderful customer service.  They treat their customers like gold.  I ended up getting both pairs that once were $128 each, for a total of $82.  And these pants are quality, they will last for years.  I am pretty excited since pants are hard to find for me.  And, no I did not buy a planner.

30 days Hath November

Day 7- A song for the day

I heard it on the way to work...and it was great way to start the day.

30 days hath November

30 days Hath November Day #6

What am I reading?  This funny tale.

Finished it last night.  I would have never known about Jasper Fforde had it not been for a co-worker.  Funny stuff, and good enough to read some of his others.   Had a long nap today with my babies and feeling better than ever.  Sometimes you just need rest!

30 days hath November

30 Days Hath November Day #5

3 years ago today I was...

I have no idea exactly what I was doing, but more than likely mourning the end of my maternity leave and returning to work.  Here is my stepdaughter holding her baby sister in September of 2008.

 And here is same tiny baby just 5 months later.  I admit...I teared up looking at these.

 She bears a tiny resemblance to the well known michelin man in this photo.  Oh how I miss those rolls!

I want another.  With the excpetion of gaining massive weight...late nights...no sleep, and being 37.  

30 Days Hath November

30 Days Hath November day #3 and a little DIY

Something I never leave the house without...

I carry crap.  I carry lots of crap.  I take it with me daily.  This pile of stuff is my normal haul to work.  My purse (full of crap), my work planner, my personal planner, my laptop, and whatever project I am working on.  If I don't feel like thrifting over lunch I have my "stuff" to work on.

 My work planner. A little spray adhesive and floral fabric makes everything better. 

 The other side.

 This bag I made from an old vintage towel (another thing I collect) and is the perfect thing to carry all my stuff.  The great thing about these bags is that they can hold 3 gallons of milk.  Yes, 3 gallons.  The thicker the towel, and the more you reinforce the stitching, the more crap you can hold.  

Want to make one?  You can use one of those "recycle" bags from the grocery store as a make shift pattern for the width/length/and sides.  The great thing about these is that they don't need to be perfect.  Actually they are far from it.  I purposely stitch them on the outside of the right sides because I think that imperfection is best with these.

 I made this one last weekend.  They are super easy.

Take one or two old towels, a bag you like the size of (I used the one I bought from the grocery store for $1).

I folded it in half and then creased the bottom in two spots (to make a flat bottom) and stitched across twice (see below).

  I am a lazy crafter so this was in lieu of cutting a bottom piece. I stitched on the outside because I like how it looks with these old towels.

see how i stitched two times across to make a small rectangle? 

I used the pink towel for the sides so cut two pieces of your side fabric and stitch to the sides and the bottom.  Think of sewing in a U shape.  

For the straps cut two long pieces and stitch the ends to the outside.  If you want it to be super heavy duty, cut 4 pieces and stitch the straps to both the inside and outside.  I always reinforce the straps and stitch not only the outside but an X pattern in the middle of the where the strap meets the bag.

And that's it!  If you make one I would LOVE to see it!  

To come play along with the 30 Days Hath November fun visit  SoFawned.  To see where I am linking up click on the "I like to party" page.

Happy Friday!

30 days Hath November day #2

3 Inspirational quotes

"Only boring people get bored"...my friends mom -Mary Pankey

"Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right"  -Henry Ford

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those matter don't mind"  -Dr. Suess

30 Days Hath November

Has anyone seen this?  The 30 day hath November challenge. Unfortunately for me today was the self portrait.  I am keepin' it real.  I called in sick to work,  got the kiddos off to school, then I went back to sleep until noon.  And then napped off and on until I had to pick them up.   I have been fighting a killer sinus infection for two weeks and couldn't take it any longer.

1st day down, 29 to go.  Come join the fun at SoFawned.