Care to Share ?

Anyone else made some fabulous cookies this week? Have any recommendations? Or warnings...like, stay away from *this* recipe, it's evil.

I made these last night...oh so yummy! But just so you know...it says 3 ounces of cream cheese...that must have been a typo cause it's really 8 oz. I rolled the dough into balls, then rolled the balls in coconut, made thumbrints in them and filled them with raspberry preserves...and they turned out divinely!

And plan to make these today, after hearing rave reviews about them.

{ White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread }

how lovely are your branches...

One of my sweetest sweetest memories is the first year we got married, was our total excitement to decorate our Christmas tree. We were giddy, we had been married 4 months and that to us felt like a little family event. We danced and sang around our living room, and just by thinking back Im transformed there.
This year setting up our tree was different, that was a very crabby baby napping, The hubby was running up and down stairs helping the garage repair man, I was exhausted from shopping at 3am and had the sniffles. Plus this year we forgo the hunt for the perfect fresh tree and in light of baby who eats everything broke down and bought a fake tree. I thought I would hate it. I thought it wouldn't be the same, and we even said if we only keep it a year it was the price of real tree normally. But something about it all decorated, it is "our" tree as normal, and even though daily life caught up with us, the second all of our special things started adorning that little plastic tree... in an instance it was ours.
And then we went and got baby up from her nap, and we danced and sang around our tree. And isn't that what Christmas trees are all about to spark a reminder of the joy of the season. I hope your Christmas tree gives you much much domestic bliss.

A warm thank you.

from one of our lovely swappers...

Thank you so much for hosting the holiday helper swap -- it was wonderful! My swap partner was Kathy McCulloch and she sent me the most amazing package of goodies. Honestly, the best package I've ever received. Ever.Our weather here in the NW has been terrible and I'm staying with my Grandmother in the heart of Grays Harbor County -- one of the hardest hit areas in last week's storm... so opening that package reminded me that this time of year really is magic. Of course, I've already written my thanks to her personally, but since I don't blog -- actually, I don't even quite understand how I'm able to use the computer -- I wondered if you would mind mentioning how wonderful Kathy is in yours? Thanks again, and please let me know when another swap comes up -- enjoy your holidays! (and that new baby!)

-Pam Herrick

Show and Tell....

Your Christmas Tree.

Here's how it works: Either leave in comments to a link for a post already written up, complete with pictures of course, including your Christmas Tree. Or email me a picture, with or without a blurb at domestic.b@hotmail.com and I'd be happy to post it for you...( just make sure to include your blog address, or name if you don't happen to have a blog ) and of course for you contributors, feel more than free to write your own post.

Preparing to be enchanted, ladies.

{ Christmas Inspirations }

Anyone need gift ideas? I have more gift ideas than I can handle/afford.

How about an apron from Anthropologie. The only problem with that being, how do you narrow it down to the one? Impossible.

Does anyone else adore felt at Christmastime like I do? I mean, I can't get enough of it. I plan to have acquired some felting skills by next Christmas. These and these are partly to blame for this new fetish. Ah, pointsetia cutouts , someday I will master you.

Or how about a gift card from, here, here or here.

Or this or this or this book, from http://www.amazon.com/.

All this pretty red stuff can be found over at Wisteria

All these lovelies From Fjorn Scandinavian.

Anyone else care to share their gift giving tips/lists? Anyone?

{ Happy Holiday Preperations }

So ladies, by now you should have all recieved your Holiday Helper swap partner info. If not email me right away at domestic.b@hotmail.com. Be sure to post any pictures on our Flickr account so we can all share in your part of the holiday cheer. I don't know about you but I am beside my self with excitement to send and recieve my packages. I feel like and have a secret elf aiding and abeting my Christmas efforts this year. So, with that said, just have so much fun, wrapping and sending those festive, happy boxes ladies.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

Ralph Waldo Emerson

{ p.s. today ( Wednesday ) is the last day to sign up for the Holiday Helper Swap , so why don't you run over to Domestic.B@hotmail.com and sign your little self up, while you still can. It promises to be a very happy sort of pre-holiday treat.}

Holiday Helper Swap

Christmas is just around the corner.
Are you ready for it?
I know I’m not.

I keep trying, but I find that I can always use a little help around the holiday times.
So, who is up for a little “Holiday Helper Swap?”

Holiday Helper Swap

Wrapping paper, ribbon, cards, Christmas music,
Packages and boxes, cookies and gingerbread houses, oh my!
Need some help? Or just a spot of brightness in the mail?
Sign up for our swap and be dazzled with Christmas delight.

1. When can I sign up?: right now! Deadline is Wed. Nov. 21.

2. Who’s my partner?: We will send out your partner info via e-mail around Nov. 21 or 22

3. What goes into a package?: Have fun with this!

Beautiful tissue paper, bright colored ribbons, twine, raffia, handmade gift tags,

colored or striped tape, tulle, small items to be tied on top of packages,

a handmade ornament, Christmas scrapbook papers, Christmas fabric scraps,

Christmas buttons, Holiday stickers, vintage Christmas sheet music, a handmade garland,

a CD of your favorite Christmas music (or burn a CD full of all of your favorite songs!),
a Christmas magazine issue that has inspired you this Holiday season,

Holiday recipes that are family tradition or are great to take to celebrations,

a candle or two of your favorite Holiday scent, some tea for calming frazzled nerves,

a delicious treat, maybe a small gift to your partner {just because} to brighten their day.

4. How to I join in on all this fun?: send us an email at

Domestic.B@hotmail.com

with the following details

- first and last name

- postal address
- email address
- blog address (if you have one)
- describe your Christmas/Holiday

colors and theme in a few sentences.

Packages to be sent by Saturday, Dec. 1st

Please note: This is an International swap, so if you do not want to ship internationally,

please let us know in your email.

5. How much should this package be worth or How do I know how much to send?: If you are going by monetary value, try to make it no less than $12. If you are going by “how much,” try to pick at least five of the above mention items.

A Big {Thank You} to

all of our Happy Miscellany Craft Swap particiapants!

You guys have made this such an amazing and happy experience!

Thank you for your giving hearts and spirits.

Not one unkind, unthoughtful word was spoken or sent via e-mail

and all the pictures that have been shared are nothing less than an

amazing show of generosity on every person's part!

You guys have made this swap a great success and we offer a

great big {Thank You} to each and every one of you!

Below is a list of all of our participants and thier blogs so you can see

all the lovely and talent ladies who joined in on the fun.

Andi @ Tales of a Crafty Mama

Leigh Ann @ There's No Place Like Home

Chelle @ The Value of Cheerfulness

Jill @ Bailiwich Designs

Andrea @ Creations from the Land of Bungle Bear

Rebekah @ dont call me becky

Monique @ monART

Gina @ Feather Your Nest

Fanny @ Fairbanks Fancy Goods (on Flickr)

Patricia @ Essentially Vintage

Cynthia @ Springmont Cottage

Jerusalem @ My Little Life

Sheri @ The Leaking Window

Jen @ The Cottage Nest

Jessica @ Living the Swell Life

Fairlight @ Under the Polka Dot Tree

Elaine @ Pa-knitter

Andrea @ The Sunny Little Things In Life

Stefanie @ Artsy Momma

Elizabeth @ My Own Lil Space

Kim @ Curiouser & Curiouser

Mary @ Cat's Fiber Adventures

Kathy @ Shocking Pink Thread

Rosemary @ Roses Petite Maison

Hyein @ Christina's

Leslie @ My Happily Ever After

Carrie @ Carrie's Crafty Cottage

Teresa @ Plumwater Cottage

Bristol @ Cottage by the River

Terri @ Lavender Between The Crack's

Ann @ Keepin' up with the Tatums

Kimberlie @ My Wedded Bliss

Julie @ Jane's Apron

Marianne @ Les Scraprices de Marianne

Cathy @ Cranberry Cottage

Abigail @ The Minnesota Van Gelders

Lori @ Girls in the Garden

Jamie @ Remnants

Abby @ Dear Abby

Sarah @ The News from Madisonville

Diana @ The Chic Life

Christi @ Charmed, I'm Sure

Cathy @ Treasured Heirlooms

Sondra @ Aged Essence

Tiffany @ Perla Bella

Kristi from TN (no blog)

Anna from Australia (no public blog)

Pam from Washinton (no blog)
Naphtali from Minnosota (no blog)



Check back soon for news on our new Swap coming up very soon!

{ Meet Belle and Boo }

{ Little Belle gives Boo a Hug }

Mandy is a artist/illustrator from London. And I have on numerous different occasions, found myself lost in the enchantment of the beautiful world her hand creates. It's a innocent, fanciful place full of pretty little children, flowers, smallcreatures and soft colors. I would consider a print or two of hers sprinkled here and there to be an added touch of wonder in my home. Her Etsy shop, Belle and Boo is full of all sorts of goodies. Everything from stickers to dolls to of course her very precious prints. And she keeps a lovely blog. Also called Belle and Boo.

{ Winter Woolly}


{ My Favorite Spot in Winter }

{ Cowboys and Indians }

(If I had to pick a favorite. Which I am not at all sure I could do. This might be it)
{ Rosie's Red Flower }

The only problem I have run into, upon my visits to Belle and Boo is, " what to buy first? "

thank you thank you

to Chelle and Fairlight who hosted this lovely little swap...

hope everyone else is receiving and enjoying there goodies like I did.. :)

*we now return to regularly scheduled programing of featured etsians...

{ Meet Lulu }

LuLu Sparkles

"Accessories Make the Girl "

~ On the Dot ~

I heart LuLu. This lady turns vintage baubles and charms into the most fabulous pieces. Her jewels are stunning, elegant and truly one of a kind. And the descriptions and pictures of her jewels are nothing short of eye candy.

Take Fifi for example.

Fifi buys fresh flowers

wears spectator pumps

tells time from a pocket watch

always carries a hanky

paints her own toes

drinks cosmos

~ Jeepers Creepers ~

~ Beloved ~

~ Salsa Dancing ~

On sale for $8.00 ladies. I have been eyeing and coveting this lovely & colorful pair for a while now. I think it's time I made a purchase.

Lulu's mouthwatering description reads: made especially to go with your new swingy sundress, slingbacks, salsa music, sangria and someone special.

And I'll close with some words from the enchanting Lulu herself,

get your sparkle on!

Shop Lulu Sparkles Here!

{ Is it too soon to be in the Christmas Spirit }

That is the question at hand? Thanksgiving is still a good two weeks away. I don't know what's gotten into me. But I am already planning and scheming and wishing away. I have even been Christmas shopping. This year I plan to earn my Christmas spending money by making lots of things to sell on Etsy. Which if you are not familiar with is online handmade-lovers paradise. Shhh. Don't tell my hubs but I dearly hope to stuff is stocking with among other, smaller items, a I-Pod. :) So I thought as a celebration of the piles of paper, and stacks of fabric, I would take a minute to share three of my planned Christmas shopping stops. Each of these lovely ladies sell on Etsy and have been so kind as to permit me a little bragging up on them here. They are my Etsy favorites. They are amazing artists. Each in their own right. So stay tuned. The next three posts will be showcasing these spectacular Esty artists! I happen to know that lots of you ladies out there have Esty shops. Please leave your shop URL in the comments here so we can all stop in and browse through your lovely wares.

{ Round handblown glass ornaments from Restoration Hardware }

{ Link of the day and other odds and ends }

{ another pretty room from Domino's Decorating Contest }

Anyone send off there Swap packages yet? I am just heading to the Post Office now to mail one to France and one to North Carolina.

I aboslutely adore this idea from Andrea over at Hula Seventy. I plan to do this myself, sometime soon. Andrea's fabulous idea, inspired me to start a new "label" for this blog and entitle it, " Link of the Day. " Curious. Go see for yourself. And any of you other contributors care to play Link of the day. Please, be my guest!

And don't you dare miss the Give away Goodness at The Apronista.

It almost seems too good to be true.

Also, I thought that there was a rather good sale going on a bunch of different sets of interesting china over at Anthropologie. I can almost afford stuff from there, as long as it's on sale.


That's all for now. Hope you enjoyed these little tid-bits.

Brown Paper Packages, Tied Up With String.

Or pink or green or red or blue.

By now ladies you should have all recieved an email with your swapping partners details enclosed. Hope you have as much fun putting together, sending off and then

unwrapping your packages, as Fairlight and I had dreaming this all up and putting it together.

For wrapping ideas and inspiration I recommend you take a look at this and other articles from "Queen Martha. "

{ Don't Forget }

...you have until
Friday October 26th
to sign up for our
{happy miscellany}
craft swap!
You can see all
the details here.

We now have over 40 swappers, ladies!

{ Eye Candy Thursday }

Today, I am loving the colors and accents in this room. This picture came from Domino's Room Contest that is now down to thier 5 lucky finalists. Have a picture or so that is inspiring you this week? Please, do share!

Getting to know you: Leslie

About myself- Im Leslie Im 25 and married to Nick who I have known since I was 11 years old, crazy huh. We just had our first baby and wowza is that a trip, Rylan Mae is 5 months old, and all giggles and smiles and licking our faces (gross!). We are totally in love with the Lord, and just trying to live each day deliberately. I am a lifestyle photographer out of Orange County, Ca. and LOVE my job. Its fun and silly and creative and how else would I get to ask grownups to kiss and eat lollipops and dance in the rain. Super fun. My personal blog, and my website are ways to see more what I am all about.

Define Home – I am pretty sure home is wherever Nick, Rylan, and I are together and are comfortable enough to sit in jammies, make silly faces and eat ice cream right out of the container. Yep, that’s it.

Favorite Color – Ughhh. Tough one. I will admit I am slow coming around to color. If you asked my extended family they would say all I wear is black or gray or brown. Which might have some truth to it (im working on it!) So as much as I do admit that I love, brown, and black, I have lately been drawn to .. a limey-like green, white, teal, those are some colors I would love to bring into my house ahhh if only to redecorate.

Whether you come in to visit or just to rest when you enter our home may you be blessed.

Decorating Elements – Well I love typography, I love photos (obviously!), I love vintage bottles, I like bold prints in small amounts, I would also love to wallpaper my dinning room (but husband said NO), and vintage pieces made into something useful for today, I am not a knick knack gal but love pillows. And I love candles, just because they are romantic… what can I say? Oh and fresh flowers on my table.. ALWAYS! Even one daisy…

Creative Outlets - Other than photography my creative outlets, are scrapbooking, cardmaking, design, cooking, sewing (just learning!), and just trying to keep my home cozy, is eating chocolate a creative outlet, what if I eat it in concentric circles?

A recipe we indulge in (not our favorite, but what Im currently craving!) –

Chicken Tortilla Soup

½ tablespoon of minced garlic
2 Tablespoons of butter
2 cans of chicken broth
1 8 ounce can tomatoes sauce
½ packet of taco seasoning
1 can of rotel (15 ounces)
1 can corn (15 ounces), Drained!
1 can of green chilies (4 ounces)
1 Tablespoon of Worcestshire
2-4 chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste

Add everything to crock-pot
Cook on low for 8 hours
Top with crumbled chips and grated cheese to serve

* This is our favorite fall meal. We always have this on Halloween before we head over to the fall festival at church. We also always make this with the Marie Calendar mix of cornbread muffins with a little butter whipped with honey. So good. This also freezes great in the glad wear containers, but it does get spicier after you freeze so maybe leave out a few chilies unless you like spice!

A household tip – I dunno..play nice, and don’t play ball in the house and also always kiss booboo’s

Where do I find inspiration – Holy cow everywhere. Seriously. Advertising inspires me. Music inspires me. Restaurant menus inspire me. Walking through Target always inspires me (really!) Greeting cards, book jackets, just seeing new color palettes or new fonts. Ironically, I am most inspired when my scrap space is a disaster and all of a sudden some random ribbon is tossed over a random paper, and I would have never ever in a bazillion years put it together and I’m like, I can make that work. That’s when I make my BEST stuff. When it’s all clean and put up, that’s no fun! But mostly I find inspiration from a lot of other lovely blogging women and thats the truth.

Favorite spots around my home – I suppose I will follow Chelle's lead and show you as well... Sorry for the poor quality pictures the outside of my home today is covered in ash from these Southern California Fires its pretty gloomy.. pray for my neighbors who have recently lost there favorite spots around there home. There are a lot, I really like my cozy teeny tiny little home "our treehouse".