~Rosie Says....It's Cyber Monday~

It's me, Rosie! Don't tell my Mama, but I read it's Cyber Monday, and I'm offering FREE SHIPPING on Mama's website today!! Use Coupon Code CyberFreeShip. Don't miss out! Shipping costs lots of dog bones. So save your pennies to spend on those!!

Uh-oh.....here comes Mama. Gotta go....bye.....

~Black Friday Sale At RoseCreekCottage~

Mommy and I are shopping at RoseCreekCottage website Friday for their Black Friday Sale. All ya have to do is use the code BLACKFRIDAY10 at checkout for 10% off on your order. Don't forget....BLACK FRIDAY ONLY...at www.rosecreekcottage.com. Don't miss it! They have some neat stuff!

(the photographer apologizes for the blurry top photo. camera settings got mixed up. it was just too cute not to use)

~Now I'M The Grandma~

I love the song, "Over the River and Through the Woods". It brings back so many dear childhood memories of going to my Grandmother's' house for Thanksgiving and holidays. She was always there....standing in the kitchen. Red-cheeked. Old-fashioned house dress under her apron. The house always smelled SO good. And we all gathered around her huge dining room table. All of us.

Then, my Mom became the grandma. And we would pack up the boys and head to "Grandmother's House" on holidays. She was always there....standing in the kitchen. Red-cheeked. Slacks and a sweater under her apron. The house always smelled SO good. And we all gathered around her huge dining room table. All of us.

And now....I'M the Grandma!! They get to come to MY house. I'll be here.....standing in the kitchen. Red-cheeked. Slacks and sweater. No apron! The house will smell SO good. And we will gather around our huge kitchen table. All of us. And we will remember. All the childhood holidays spent at OUR Grandmother's House. We'll be making those same memories for our grandchildren. And my grandbabies will look back, long after I'm gone....and remember~

A Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to all my blogger friends, all my dear customers, and all my 'real' world family and friends. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you for many more Thanksgivings to come~

***Watch this space for Black Friday Specials on my Website tomorrow***

~ Pumpkin Pie Martinis....Oh My~

Turkey time! My favorite holiday meal-of-the-year tomorrow, AND my grandbabies and whole family will be here!! How lucky can a very tired lady get??

Katie came yesterday and we worked into the evening. Lots of orders to go to the PO today.

Pumpkin pies are in the oven.....the tables are ready to set......all the prep for potatoes, stuffing, appetizers will be completed this evening. Jim gets off today at 3 pm which is a huge help AND he loves to cook! Again.....I'm a lucky gal.

For now....I have promised myself to spend the next 6 hours in the studio working on orders since I'll be taking the rest of the day and tomorrow off. Katie and Fannie will come back and spend the day Saturday in the studio with me.

We'll be saving these to make tomorrow. They're DELICIOUS!

Pumpkin Pie Martinis

This recipe only serves one, so you need to double, triple it etc. for your guests~

• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 ounce of vanilla vodka
• 1.5 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 1/3 cup half & half
• 3 tablespoons of pumpkin puree (from a can is fine)
• 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
• cinnamon and sugar

1. In a shaker combine the ice, vodka, Bailey’s, half & half, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Shake vigorously until chilled.
2. Use a napkin to wet the rim of a martini glass. Combine equal parts cinnamon and sugar on a plate. Roll the rim in the mixture.
3. Pour the martini in to the prepared martini glass and sprinkle with more pumpkin pie spice (if desired).

Rosie and I have lots to do. We were both up at 3 am sneaking around the kitchen and dreaming about tomorrow....so I best gather her up and head to the studio. Have a beautiful, thankful Day-Before-the-Turkey wherever you are in this world~

~Dawn~

Good Morning! It's dawn here in Ohio. The sun hasn't come up yet. The orders are stacked and ready to be filled....a brand new day is on the horizon!

Lots got done this weekend because Katie and her sister Fannie spent the day with us on Saturday. They arrived here early.....surprising us with a warm-from-the-oven apple pie and just-made apple sauce! They were up way before dawn to accomplish all that in their Amish kitchen! You haven't lived til you've tasted home-made Amish baked goods! I think I'll invite the girls to join me for baking Christmas cookies this year! What fun!!

Tom surprised his dad by arriving after lunch to help him with the remainder of the leaves in the yard. Five acres of trees make for a whole lotta raking!! Bless you, Tom~xoxoxoxoxox You have no idea how much your dad and I appreciated it. We know you have your OWN huge yard to care for!!

It took Fannie 7 hours to clean the house. Yup. It was dusty and really needed attention. And Katie and I worked on orders. I have 2 overflowing bins to take to the PO this morning. My new stack is piled and ready with labels already on envelopes, thank you notes written.....just waiting for me.

The family will be here Thursday for Thanksgiving. I'm hoping elves arrive on Wednesday to help start the pies, sweet potatoes, etc, or I fear they'll never get done!

Coffee in hand.....Rosie and I are ready to start the day. It will be a long one. But....we're used to it....saying prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord who has bestowed all this on us...for us. Thank you, Lord.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving Week Monday wherever you are in this world. Remember to say prayers of thanksgiving for all the blessings in your life~

~Just A Shower Later.....~

I've been up all nite. With a migraine. I finally gave up trying to sleep and stumbled downstairs around 5am.....Rosie in tow....and headed out the front door with her. It had snowed. She looked at me as if to say, "Hey! I'm a 4 lb. little poodle. You really expect me to walk around in this stuff. Without boots or a coat? Really?". I was in no mood for those cute looks. She tinkled, I picked her up...and headed to the kitchen. Oh no. No coffee made. Jim is in NJ on business....so made a cup of instant coffee, took 2 Excedrin Migraine...again...and headed to the computer. This wasn't a day to have a hundred new emails and orders. sigh. The 'good news, bad news' of the Christmas Rush!

I printed off the orders that came in overnite...and headed to the shower, figuring I'd get dressed and ready for the day...fully intending to go feed mom lunch at the nursing home. Well...that's what I THOUGHT I'd do. One shower's-worth-of-time later: 55 more email orders! Looks like Mom, the PO and my stop at Starbucks is going to have to wait. For now....it's time for 2 more Excedrin! And some of Santa's Elves!

~In The Oven~

Apple season is always one of our favorites here in Geauga County. We happen to live nearby a wonderful apple orchard. Just to walk into their store is sheer heaven! The smell of apple dumplings and pies is worth the trip. We buy bushels of 'seconds', which are a great buy. Since we use them for baking, bruises don't matter! We peel, slice, toss with sugar and cinnamon, and freeze them in 'pie' amounts in freezer bags. Jim just brought in the last bag of last season's stash, so it's time to make more.

In the oven this morning is one of my favorite recipes: Apple Dumplings. These may sound strange....but they're delicious!

Apple Dumplings

2 sticks butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cups sugar
2 tubes crescent rolls
4 granny smith apples
6 ounces of Mountain Dew (or Sprite!)
Cinnamon
Vanilla ice cream

Directions: Peel and slice your apples. Wrap two slices in a crescent dough triangle and place in sprayed (greased) pan. In a bowl, melt your butter and stir in sugar and vanilla. Pour over top of the wrapped apples....or spread on top with a spoon. Pour the Mt. Dew all around and sprinkle with Cinnamon. Place in 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot with ice cream! Enjoy!

Rosie and I are off to the studio. She spent yesterday at the groomer's and is pooped...so she'll spend the day snoozing, curled in her furry bed in her special spot in the studio while I drink many pots of coffee and stamp away to make a dent it the stacks of orders. Katie and her sister are coming Saturday to help. I can't wait! Happy Thursday~

~Monday Blessings~

Goooood Morning. Monday again....and BOY do I have lots of Blessings to be thankful for:

~For my husband. I've known him forever....but learn new things about him every day. He's selfless, giving, loving, and just the BEST human being I know!

~For my life. It's very full. Very busy. And very very blessed.

~For my business. What other job could I possibly have where I not only do what I LOVE, but can do it at 5 am, midnite, or 3 am.....all in my cuddly 'jamas?

~For my kids and grandkids. They're all the best....and I get to see them all in 10 days!!

~For Mom's caretakers at GV: They're all angels. Every single one of them.

~For Rosie, who's with me in the studio no matter what time it is. It's her favorite place to be!

~For coffee. And Excedrin Migraine!!

Off to the studio. Don't forget we're still offering FREE SHIPPING on our WEBSITE....NOT on Etsy..... using code FSN at checkout til the end of the month~

Happy Monday, wherever you are in this great big beautiful world~

~Uh Oh: Friday Already?~

You know you're really busy when you wake up and think, "Uh Oh! It's Friday already?". Seems like my customers started their Christmas shopping early this year! I'm looking at never-ending orders....lots of coffee.....and not a whole lot of sleep for the next couple of weeks. Now I'm not complaining. Orders are blessings, and I LOVE to be busy, but sometimes it comes with hurricane-force winds!! How do I keep up with it all?

1. Start the day with prayer and thanksgiving to God for all His blessings.

2. Surround myself with talented helpers.

3. I have fabulous family and friends who understand why I'm not as available during this busy season.

4. Plan healthy meals to avoid having to call Jim to pick up take-out food. This week: Meat Loaf and Mashed Potatoes, Lentil Soup, and on the stove right now: Mom's Italian Wedding Soup. yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

4. I keep taking my vitamins....and praying that they work!

5. Got my flu shot AND a pneumonia shot after getting so sick last winter.

6. I've made sure I'm very stocked up on silver sheets, birthstones, charms, etc. so I don't run out mid-season.

7. I cuddle with Rosie. She is SUCH good company in the studio, makes me very happy, and calms me down whenever I feel overwhelmed.

Rosie just reminded me that Christmas is only 43 days away, and we need to get off the computer and back to the studio. Ciao....and Happy Friday~

~Monday Blessings, Pumpkin Scones and Free Shipping~

Happy Monday! Do you know there's only 17 days til Thanksgiving??? Woo Hoo!! I can't wait. We'll be hosting 20 family members for dinner here. It's one of my favorite (and easiest) meals to prepare, and marks the beginning of the 2011 Holiday Season!! I love it~

Lots of Blessings this fine November Autumn....actually too many to list...so I'll move on to: FREE SHIPPING on my website this week by using Coupon Code FSN at checkout!!

I tried a new recipe yesterday that I am going to share here for all you pumpkin-lovers out there. It's absolutely delicious!!


PUMPKIN SCONES

For the Scones:

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1/4 cup and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3. 1 Tablespoon baking powder
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
5. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6. 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
7. 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
8. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
9. 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
10. 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
11. 3 tablespoons half-and-half
12. 1 large egg

For the Powdered Sugar Glaze:

1. 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
2. 2 Tablespoons milk

For the Spiced Glaze:

1. 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
2. 2 tablespoons milk
3. 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4. 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
5. 1 pinch ground ginger
6. 1 pinch ground cloves

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with fit the paddle attachment, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Add the butter and toss with a fork to coat with the flour mixture. Mix on medium-low speed until the texture resembles coarse cornmeal, with the butter pieces no larger than small peas.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, half-and-half and egg. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, and form the dough into a ball. Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a 1-inch thick rectangle about 4 inches by 12 inches. Use a large knife to slice the dough making three equal portions. Cut each of the portions in an X pattern (four pieces) so you end up with 12 triangular slices of dough. Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until light brown. Place on wire rack to cool.
4. While the scones are cooling, make the powdered sugar glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and milk together until smooth. When scones are cool, use a pastry brush to spread plain glaze over the top of each scone. Allow to firm.
5. While the powdered sugar glaze is firming, combine all of the ingredients for the spiced glaze. Drizzle over each scone and allow the icing to dry before serving (about an hour).

Yield: 12 scones

Note: you can freeze unbaked scones and enjoy hot from the oven scones any day of the week. Just freeze on a baking sheet until firm, tightly wrap in plastic wrap and place in a ziploc freezer bag. When ready to bake just pop into the oven straight from the freezer, no need to thaw. Just add a few more minutes to the baking time.

Enjoy....and Happy Monday wherever you are in the world~