Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, and a wonderful 2008! Don't forget to.....

Out On Good Behavior

Well, the other day I decided it was time to treat myself and have fun with a friend! I did all my holiday shopping, had a very fun "Ceramic Open House" with my all my little students for 3 HOURS!!! ....sent orders out and gifts, polished and cleaned my house for our holiday guests.......WELL..at the last minute my sweet friend got sick! ( I even went and got a flu shot) ....that's another story! So the plan was to visit "CiCi's Jewelry" open house in Seattle....she is an amazing artist, sculpting jewelry, with handblown glass, and gorgeous beads, from glass mermaids, to roses (I own one of those!)..to succulent grape sculptures..a must se...anyway..I really don't like driving too far alone....but I needed to escape...and have fun...I drove through forests, over bridges, 3 fwys, tunnels, uphills, and finally, I arrived to Seattle's Westside. Charming as could be..cottage style homes, white picket fences, and the feel of Christmas everywhere..and POURING RAIN!!!!! All the while thinking..so what...this will be fun...I never get out..always working...SO..I get lost of course...Then I find CiCi's charming house, with a white picket fence, I walk in, her house decorated with SO many unique ornaments, hanging everywhere..(I'm holding the Eiffel Tower...)I wanted it!! LOL...LOL.....all along the ceiling, my mouth open as I gaze all the amazing pretty things! Lot's of people already there, buying up her pretty pieces...my thoughts..what I'm supposed to have I will...sure enough...I find the most AMAZING..little vintage earings...that have a brass charm.. swarovski's of course.Qui..or Non! Is that me or what..? I can never make up my little gemini mind...I bought the beautiful pink heart necklace too! With the Qui or Non charm too!...Well, I stayed a a bit longer..snatched up some other pearl and crystal goodies some for friends..& when everyone left, CiCi & I chatted..we took some pics, had some some giggles..then realizing I was teaching a class that day..I had to hurry & make the hour travel back home in a hurry...but with a BIG smile....I had a wonderful and fun time...Thank you Cici!!! Your Valentine show..what date??LOL :)

Some Tea with Those Cookies?

Well, it's been fun eating some great cookies this week...and I made the cutest pink Tea Pot to go with them. Thought I would share my Pink Santa Pot and my newest Pink Holiday clock! Always food safe.. made in the USA. by me~

Christmas Cookie Exchange French Shortbreads!

Welcome to my Christmas Cookie exchange..I made..well I tried.. these are so

de-lish!! OK! I lied a little, my DH..FC (French Chef) hubby made them with me....a famous traditional cookie recipe from world reknown French chef , Gaston LeNotre..he was a famous pastry chef in his time he lived from 1920 until the 1990's. Well these cookies, are TDF, little shortbread as I would call them, but they have a fancy French name too! I dipped them half in melted chocolate and sprinkled with powdered sugar! We had so much fun making them AFTER our art show that we did on Saturday. It's official we are snowed IN!..can't get out so why not BAKE....and eat of course. By the way, no calories this week at all!

This starts out like this, makes about 40 (3 rolls of cookie dough @ 1 1/2 " diameter)

1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup soft butter, 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract, 1 3/4 cups flour, salt just a pinch, 1 egg yolk, large granulated sugar if you have it, if not regular. Mix sugar, butter and vanilla first, then everything together in mixer, then refridgerate for 30 min. then, divide mixture in 3 parts, roll out in shape of sausage, then again refridgerate for 15 min.

Beat the egg, brush the rolls all over, then roll in sugar then pre-heat oven @ 400 F cut each roll of dough into 1/2 " slices & place on a lightly buttered baking sheet. Bake for 13 minutes or until golden brown..let cool..

December fun!

Where did this year go? Already December, and with so many things to do and things to think about..I choose FUN! I wish that for all of you too! I will not get overwhelmed, I will not stress, even though I do much more than I should, but I do have fun! Doing art shows a couple a week, this holiday time..has me bouncing....but I cannot forget those who have less, so I choose to give and to have fun! On my December newsletter being sent in a few days, I will have another contest..so be sure to join my mailing list on my website for something fun....

Also, please visit http://makeminepink.com/ to read the new "Women Who Inspire" article, I interviewed Christie Repasy, world reknowned Rose painter..in Laguna Beach Calif. It was an honor and a lot of fun!