Wee Man...

The night before Christmas...

Whew. I didn't think I would complete everything I needed to by now, but with today being insane busy, I did it...well, we did it. It helped a lot having Tyler home to help with wee man while I worked away. So much yummy food prepped and presents wrapped and baking done and orders shipped and....I think we're ready!

By the way, here is an incredibly yummy recipe for Montana's Antojitos appetizer. This recipe yielded 10 rolls when I made it, which is 70 bite-size bits of heaven.

Ingredients:

12" soft tortilla shells

2 cups Kraft shredded Tex Mex cheese

2 cup cream cheese (or 2 packages)

1/4 cup green onions

1/4 cup red peppers

1/8 cup jalapeno peppers

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 tsp basil pesto

Preparation

Place the cream cheese in a mixing bowl and let it sit to soften at room temperature. Finely chop the onions and peppers and then mix with cream cheese. Lay the tortillas out on a flat work surface and use a spatula to spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture over the surface of the tortilla. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mixture. Roll the tortilla into a tube shape and score the top of the bread six times.

In an oven pre-heated to 375 degrees F bake for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove the roll from the oven and cut into seven pieces.

Dipping sauce:

Combine the sour cream and the basil pesto together for a refreshing dip for these spicy appetizers.

It is snowing like mad in our parts, which makes me a little tense with a weekend of traveling ahead of us and family members also having to travel. What adds to the tension is that I am apparently ridiculous for worrying about traveling in this mess, according to a cerain Mr.

Also according to him, we will be traveling regardless of the conditions, unless the roads are closed. Not my choice with wee man in tow. However, we have a nice big, 4x4 truck, which will certainly help...I don't think the Jetta would really appreciate being put to the test in this. She'll stay neatly and safely parked in the garage for the weekend. Wish I could join her....

Well, Christmas, here we go...

The view from my angle....

I have to admit...I'm feeling a wee bit stressed. I have close to a million things to do before Christmas (including shopping, wrapping, baking, creating some of the gifts + some custom orders to fill). I am also feeling a wee bit lazy and a whole lot worrisome.

The craft sales could have been better, that's for damn sure, and there has been a few other setbacks to my online selling. With all of these roadblocks culminating, I am certainly becoming discouraged. But, I will persevere and to do so I will just put my head down and stay as close to the original path as possible. A few tweaks and I should be good to go in the New Year.

Random Pics from the Files....

Some of my favorite shots.

Christmas Cards + Craft Sales.....('tis the season!)

I am currently procrastinating....hard. Here I am tip-tapping away on my laptop instead of addressing the pile of envelopes before me for my Christmas cards or getting the last minute tasks completed before the final sale in Winnipeg this weekend.

Below is the Christmas card I designed to mail out. Wee man isn't so wee anymore, but I resolve to continue calling him my wee man! I suppose he is more of a little man while he walks all about our home babbling away in his cozy little sweater.

We have wee man's H1N1 booster on Saturday, which I am terribly dreading. Last time was a nightmarish wait (4.5 hours!) This time, though, Dad will be around, so wee man and I will be staying home until Dad gets closer to the finish line and calls us to come down. It's just too long for a toddling toddler to be fastened into a stroller. Immediately following that, I head into Winnipeg for the final craft sale of the year. Hope it's a great one! I also hope the roads are decent...I fear driving by myself in poor winter conditions.

Have a good weekend all!

Loving You...

This just sums it up, really.

I just love my wee man so incredibly. I am overwhelmed some days with the love I have for him. Today was one of them. He is just perfectly delightful. He climbed onto the couch today, so a whole new world will be opening up for him (and me!) yet again. Christmas is coming and I fully embrace the season with Christmas music, a constantly lit tree, hand-making presents and singing to wee man. I feel warm + happy today.

Charming.

I thought I would help wee man attempt coloring again today. I make crayons that are specially designed for wee hands, so it was perfect I thought. I have tried painting and coloring with him a number of times so far, and he just doesn't seem to be too interested (or, in some instances, downright pissy). This saddens my artist within. So, with crayons in hand and paper fastened to table, I set him free...again. I then became immersed in the Christmas decorations I am making for all the wee ones in my life.

Before long, wee man was flitting about at my feet (which always happens). After a few minutes of tugging on my skirt and banging on the drawers I looked down to see what he was up to. Well, he had colored all over the cupboard drawers/childproof latches/garbage can/his shirt. I was surprisingly happy about this. Charmed even. That's what I wanted +/or expected all along. Be free wee man.

He looked on with disapproval as I quickly swiped away his lovely artwork and when I attempted to re-route him to the paper....he wouldn't have it. Funny wee man, you make me laugh!

Christmasy feelings....?

We spent yesterday setting up our Christmas tree and it felt strangely out of place. I put on the Dolly/Kenny CD as I always do, but without snow, it doesn't seem like the Christmas season yet. Maybe that's why the craft sale last weekend was a bit of a bust. None of the artisans I talked to had a good day. I have one sale left on December 13 in Winnipeg, and I hope it is a good one! I have 2 custom orders to fulfill this week, which I hope to get a head start on tomorrow.

I do love the warm, fuzzy glow of the tree in my house. I can't help but remember back to last year at this time and how I spent a good amount of time with wee man lazing about on my chest while I had my satellite tuned into Traditional Christmas music and how we just happily gazed at our beautiful tree. And this year wee man is a jingling decorations and laughing out loud in excitement at the lights. Time moves incredibly fast!

Bring on the Christmas season!

Kitty stress...

My old man cat.

I have 4 cats....I know, too many. I am feeling that more and more each day. They are getting older and 2 of them are over 14 and have been inappropriately eliminating themselves for almost 2 1/2 years now. I just don't know what to do anymore. I have tried absolutely everything. And I mean everything.

I spend a lot of time just cleaning up after them each morning and I am constantly worrying about it. I am having trouble, too, determining which one(s) it is for sure. I have a good idea, but not entirely sure. I have a vet appointment tomorrow for the one cat to get a total examination. Hopefully, we can figure out what is going on and maybe a solution. Oh, please, please, please.

I heart you Apple...

I have to say that I am such a proud owner of an Apple MacBook.

Honestly, every time a problem pops up (which is not often) I can do a quick search on Apple forums and find a real solution to my problem posted by an amazing Apple-using guy or gal who discovered the solution and then kindly posted it for others.

Amazing stuff! Makes me happy. I heart you Apple + your lovely, kind, helpful users!!

A few of my designs....

I know some of these have been posted before, but I wanted to showcase some of my designs for a potential customer, graycat26.

Hey, graycat26, most of these designs are for my own business including Etsy banners, business cards, the banner I had printed to take to craft fairs and headers for my blog. Notice the important consistency with my design for my brand, Artiafora. There are a few that were made for special occasions or seasons, but I believe in the classy and simple.

Thanks for looking.

Safety Corner Guards

Hey all! Anyone with kids....I have discovered the best idea to make sharp or hard corners safer for the newly walking wee one. I tried a couple different protectors, but either wee man could pull them off or you had to screw them into your furniture.

Well, if you want to save your furniture, as I do, try this! Hot glue. That's right....just hot glue. I globbed it on the corner really thick and gross-like, and it works amazingly well. I tested it and pulled the glob off and my furniture was fine. And, it was pretty tough to pull off, so wee man won't be able to. At least not yet.

So, give it a go, if you are looking for something that works.

Cheers!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I had so much fun creating "my favorite things" list last time, that I just had to do another. Really, it is a perfect excuse to sit, relax, enjoy a cup of tea and create on Mr. Mac.

For baby, I love:

• Sophie the Giraffe - if you haven't met Sophie yet, you must. She is made from all natural rubber and natural food paint, which is really cool. Perfect for teething wee ones. Sophie keeps my wee man company in his crib and I hear her happy squeaks often throughout the night, which makes me smile.
• Swimmi Pants - Considering the high price of disposable swim diapers, these seem like a no-brainer to me! Wee man and I have swimming lessons each week and I just love these handy, affordable and reusable swimmi pants. And, they are completely adjustable, so will fit him for as long as he is in diapers probably.
• Joe Fresh - LOVE, love, LOVE these baby clothes and accessories. I use ONLY this brand for all my designed baby clothes. Thick, soft and durable 100% cotton can't be beat!

For Momma, I love:

• Vichy Thermal Spa Water - My Mr. often laughs it up when he sees me spray this light mist on my face, but it feels amazing! It really does improve your skin tone and makes it feel soft and tighter. I love it.
• Kirby Vacuums - OK, so I know it may seem weird to list this here, but really, the best vacuum in the world. I have the Diamond G series and bought it on Ebay. Since you can only buy new Kirby's through a "door-to-door salesman", I decided to go the used route, which is a good idea, since they last forever and are super expensive. But, if you are anything like me, you buy a new (shitty) vacuum every year hoping it will actually WORK. I have 4 indoor cats and needed something that worked before wee man came along. This vacuum was the answer...carpet AND hardwood....perfect!
• Modern Family - the new sitcom on ABC on Wednesday nights. Finally, a show that is so hilarious I can't wait to watch it. Please watch it - so it stays on TV!
• Chili Oil - My new most favorite thing. I add it to everything. You don't need very much to add a whole lotta spice, but it is great to use when you are frying up meat of any sort. I bought mine at a cool little asian grocery store "Living Delight" here in Brandon.
• Cherry Blossom trees - they're just beautiful. I have an abstract painting of one for sale in my Etsy store, if you are interested.
• Nexcare bandages - Truly, the only bandage that stays put through water, hardcore playing and for days...not that you'd want to use the same bandage for days...but if you did! Wee man had his 1st real owie (blood and all), so Mommy had to put the 1st bandage on his finger - and it stayed on - through tubby time, play time and sleep time! Way to go 3M!!
• Blurb - I have yet to use their really cool site, but plan to in the future. When I get time to design the book I want.

And, there you have it.

Cheers!

Truly.

I am in love with designing on my MacBook and I'm looking to incorporate it more and more into my creations, which you will come to notice.

The above is a tribute to my one and only wee man! I am truly in love with him.

It's on days like today, which are becoming more and more frequent, that I am completely at peace with my life. With my wee man. Being at home with him is unbelievably delightful.

We spent a whole lot of time playing and being joyful today and walking lots! Yay! I love watching him grow and develop, and it's quite comical watching him polish his newfound skills. There is constant change with each passing day and it keeps things exciting.

To say 'I love him' is a tremendous understatement. Loving him is the biggest thing I'll ever do.

Check out this fabulous artist!

Kal Barteski

Please give this art show your consideration. I love reading Kal's blog on a daily basis and her artwork is fabulous. She is having an art show on Dec 2nd in Winnipeg, MB, so please pop by and check it out.

Fresh Idea

Here are some pictures of my newest creation. I am so in love with them! The ones you see here are for my wee man and my niece and nephew. They are completely customizable from fonts to colors to wording, which is really cool. The initials are designed on Mr. Mac and then cut by hand with a blade and applied to my painted canvas. I then paint the saying you choose. Or, if you wish, the initial can contain the saying and I will paint "is for ___" on the canvas. FUN! I hope to get the listing up on my Etsy shop in the next day or so.

I say 'day or so' because this afternoon is going to be a big one. Wee man and I have our swimming lessons, as per usual on a Monday, but right after I am going to brave the line-ups at the H1N1 flu clinic. I am exhausted just thinking about it. We'll see how wee man makes out and if he gets antsy and super fussy, we'll just roll out. Now that he is rather mobile, being strapped to a stroller for hours isn't really his idea of fun! And, usually after his swim lesson, he is tuckered out. Wish me luck!

Fresh + excited #2

I am ever so excited about a new product that has kind of evolved and emerged on its own over the past little while. Here is a sneak peak of the beginnings of it. The canvas to add later. It is completely custom and for the wee ones nurseries. I admit, I am obsessing - a little - over it, but I think I got it down today. I know exactly what I want to do.

Now just to get it done and get the product on Etsy.

It's funny how you can determine a purpose for something long after you acquired it. I have had a wood carving set that I just had to buy years ago. It has sat in the junk drawer, unused, since that time. Now, with this project I was brainstorming how I was going to go about things and I remembered I had this nifty set. Lo and behold, it works magnificently! I knew I had it for a reason. Ha.

These are a few of my favorite things...

So, of course, for my first lovey page, I had to include my MacBook. "I love you Mr. Mac, I really do." Oh - and I love my real life Mr. for surprising me with it for Christmas last year. By far, the best gift, never to be outdone. "I love you Mr."

In the baby scene, I love:

• Tyke Light by Mobi (and so does wee man)
• Boon Flo faucet protector - very hand for a crazy tubbin' wee man. Oh, and while I'm on this one, I bought it at one of my favorite Canadian websites to buy babe stuff....
• Dear Born Baby - Shipping is crazy cheap and the products are so much fun!
• Baby Legs are super cool and great for a wee man to spends a significant amount of time crawling about on hardwood flooring. Oh, and these can be purchased at Dear Born Baby also.

In the Momma scene, I love:

• That's right, top of the list is one of my wines of choice. Lindeman's....mmmm, just about time for a glass!
• I have a subscription, but have not had time to read even one in over a year. And so, my House + Home mags are piling and piling and piling. Wee man takes a round out of them every once in awhile. But, I do love reading them...if only I had a moment where I didn't think I should be doing something more productive.
• I believe, whole-heartedly that this is "no pleasure like Bueno pleasure." And - how could you go wrong with a promo that gives you the chance to win a pair of shoes every week for a year? You can't.
• My Mr. and I often poke fun at the beauty commercials you see on TV. We have discovered that they all have something in common - there is always some sort of magical balls that rejuvenate, exfoliate, plump, extend or penetrate to make you more beautiful. However, I was pleasantly surprised when this L'Oreal mascara actually did what it said it would. Enough to make me want to tell people about it. I know, I know, I had a big ol' belly laugh about the "beauty tubes" too, but check it out...really.
• I ensure that my toes are always painted. Always. Even when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and could barely reach my toes without entering some sort of crazy position, I did it. Mr. refused to do it for me, but I wanted my toes pretty for delivery. (I am loopy, yes.) But - the nurses did ask where I got my pretty toes done (cuz I put a little flower on the big toe:) Anyhow, I always use O.P.I. nail polish. It stays on for what seems like forever and it is nice and thick - one coat does the trick. Who has time to bugger around for hours with nail polish? My favorite color is "Call my m-agent-a". The funny color names are a great side note.
• I had to throw in one of the blooms off my hibiscus plant. Every couple days we wake up and are greeted with this lovely orangey-pink blossom. Wee man loves them too. I always tell him that they bloom for him.
• Of course, if you 've been following my blog at all, you will be aware that I am listing on Etsy. I have started my stay-at-home-momma biz and it involves attending the seasons craft sales and selling on Etsy, which is awesome! I love the site, very professional, hip and user-friendly. This link will take you to my shop (wink), but check out the site in it's awesome entirety.

Cheers!

Custom Paintings

I have been surprisingly productive so far this week given wee man's nap schedule is changing...eek! Not now wee man....please not now. I have finished a 2 x 3 foot custom black Motion Painting, which is simple yet beautiful.

And I put the clear coat on that 3-piece custom tree painting. I absolutely adore these little guys. I love how warm and welcoming the colors are and I love the delicate little blossoms dangling from the branches. I love them so much that I plan to get to work on a painting for my own home with these very colors sometime soon. I loved the feelings looking at these evoked in me and thought that those feelings would be nice to feel every day. My home is pretty formal with all the greys, black and browns...time for some color, I think!

The to-be owners of these customs have yet to see them, but I thought I would give you a sneak peek. Here's hoping they don't see this before the paintings reach their hands!

Apparently it is a good idea to randomly post a "here's what I love" list on your blog, so I am working away at it and will hopefully get something posted later today. Time for some fun on Mr. Mac...I deserve it. I've accomplished so much already this week and it's only Wednesday!

Cheers!