Cranberry Sauce

Yes, it is that time of the year...that yummy time of the year! Turkey, stuffing...and yes cranberries..those bright burst of color and flavor!

Well, a year or so ago, I found out that I am allergic to those wonderful cranberries! Yikes...now that Thanksgiving and Christmas is among us...what is a girl to do...all those foods can't help but be complimented by those round red joyous berries!

So, I am bound and determined to find something that can be a substitute or should I say a compliment...find something that has that sweet and sour pop in your mouth...

ok...so I started hunting around on the Internet for cranberry substitutes...nothing...nada...no good...

Not to be stopped in any way, I put my thinking cap on...

well ok..maybe I like one that has a bit more sparkle to it...

anyway..I thought why not use sour cherries??

Bright and cheery-ful...and use my favorite recipe...Fiesta Style Cranberry Sauce  and change out the cranberries for the cherries add a bit of apple for the crunch and reduce the sugar a bit...it is worth a try...

 you what they say...

when life hands you cranberries best to make it cheerry!

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Technical Difficulties

Ha! Of the course the week that I am finishing a commission piece and preparing for my once a year Surprise Holiday Doll Class...I had major computer issues!!

But thanks to my wonderful and most heroic husband, my computer is back up and running...only glitch is I did not have time to write my blog this week...

so please stay tuned for next week when I am back and in full running mode!!

Giving Back

As many of you have seen through the years, I join in with many volunteers, to give back through the Salvation Army Doll Tea. 

 

My part may be small, showing my wonderful students and my dolls, but the cause is enormous! The funds raised from the Festival help the Dress A Child program that gives more than 200 at-risk children a back-to-school shopping spree for new clothes and shoes. For some children, it is the first time they have brand-new clothes.

Me and the Dolls!

As I walk in to set up my exhibit, I cross through many rooms...the merchant mall with oodles and oodles of good old fashioned hand-made items, re-dressed dolls at a good price (so everyone can go home with something), and of course those baked goods...might as well start the season off with some cookies! I meander through the gigantic set up of the trains and into the exhibit area... I have my place ready and set everything up!

Back row: Folk Santa Middle Row: Etta Front Row: Twinkle Bright

This year I added a display in remembrance:

Our Cowgirls- Boudoir Style

My hope is that I bring a smile to someone as they view our dolls and knowing that not matter how small our part, we have given a piece of our love of dollmaking to help a child in need.

photo collage from Salvation Army

Every Blade of Grass...

Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it 

with a stick, hitting it and whispering, grow, grow. 

I was told of this fable in the last week...

The woman who was telling us of this fable spoke that even though the angel is hitting the grass it is not such a bad thing...when you think about it, that is when we grow- when we are faced with our misfortunes, our mistakes, our challenges. 

When things are going smoothly, we are pretty much status quo thinking I have got it made...baby!

 

If we choose, life is there to teach us...to helps us grow and we grow only by stepping out there and into fray of it! Yes, you will make mistakes and maybe even get knocked down...but that is how you know you are in the right place- learning and growing into the most we can be.

 So grab your boots and get out there into the muck of it..the world is waiting for the surprises only you hold... 

and you never know who you will meet along the way...