Embroidered Bag

This is the project I referred to in my previous post.  I got this bag for free and it is a great size for carrying books, craft projects, etc...   It was like a blank canvas asking for some embellishment, and the front zippered pocket seemed like the perfect spot for some embroidery.  I can't wait to get it finished so I can actually use it, but it's slow going.  I haven't decided if I'm going to fill in the circles or just leave them with the outline.  Any thoughts?

Right Now I'm...

Okay, I actually saw this on another blog which had been copied from yet another blog, and I thought I would copy it as well.  Shameless, huh?
Right now I'm...reading Shanghai Girls.  I have to saw I'm not enjoying it all that much yet, but will keep reading either until I can get into it more or really can't read any further.  I used to have a feeling that once a book was started, I had to finish it, but these days, if I'm not fully enjoying it I move on.  There just isn't enough time to spare.
...watching Once Upon a Time.  I absolutely love this show!  I watch religiously every Sunday evening and the wait not-so-patiently for next week's episode.  I didn't think I would enjoy a series based on fairy tales, but there is so much depth to each story line and character that I'm hooked. 
...working on getting more items in my Etsy shop.  There is not much to see yet as time with two young children plus my poor time management skills has not been very conducive to my productivity.
...working on embroidering a bag for personal use.  I need to upload a picture as soon as I get a chance.

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

If you aren't making your cookies from scratch, you are missing out.  This is an easy recipe and does not require refrigeration as many sugar cookie recipes do.  I think that's what deters a lot of people from making sugar cookies from scratch.  My mom got this recipe many years ago from a good friend, and we've been using it ever since (30 yrs or so). 
You will need:
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder. 
Mix shortening and sugar until creamy.  Then mix in each additional ingredient.  A stand mixer makes this part much easier if you have one.  Don't overmix or you'll end up with tough dough.  In a separate bowl mix together approximately 1 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of sugar.  This is to keep the dough from sticking when you roll it out.  Roll it out to approximately 1/4 inch thickness and cut.  Bake at 375 for about 7 minutes.  If you like your cookies soft, then take them out before the edges turn brown.  Decorate with icing or sugar.  The ones pictured were decorated by my daughter with royal icing and lots of colored sugar.  Enjoy!

Favorite Christmas Decoration

It's quite late for a Christmas related post, but I do still have a handful of Christmas decorations lingering around my house that haven't been put away yet. Some are still out due to my laziness, but a couple are just enjoyable and I like to leave them out a bit longer. These guys are some of my favorites. Plus, they are not overtly Christmas themed, but winter themed. I got them about 6 or 7 years ago just after discovering the Marshall Field's online store. Shortly thereafter, the store was bought out and I didn't get to do any more shopping through them. They are etched glass with metal hats and sit atop a tealight holder. This started as a set of 3, but sadly last yearI managed to break one when I was packing them up. I haven't looked for a similar set yet, but it would be nice to replace the broken one. Perhaps you know where I should look for a replacement?

Yes To

One of my favorite paraben free and cruelty free brands is Yes To.  While I haven't tried too many of their products yet, I absolutely love the Volumizing Shampoo.  It smells great and leaves my hair feeling so clean and soft.  Since I can no longer find it in stores I recently placed my first online order at the Yes To online store.  Along with the Volumizing Shampoo, I also ordered the Acne Regimen Bundle to try on my breakout prone skin. 
Upon completion of my order, I was given this link to pass along to friends that gives you a 35% discount.  If you haven't tried these products before, or if you need to stock up, now is your chance.  Enjoy!

Amazon Prime

Recently my free trial of Amazon Prime ran out and I am planning to pay for a subscription.  Not only is it very nice to have free shipping with no minimum purchase, but they continue to add other perks to this membership.  The first perk added was free video on demand.  It sounds nice, but the selection is fairly limited at this point.  The most recent added perk is free Kindle book borrowing.  I'm not sure how large the selection of titles included in this feature are, but it is just another way Amazon is keeping things interesting in the world of retail these days.

All Saints' Day/Dia de los Muertos

Until recently I had not given much thought to these 2 holidays other than the day my church observes All Saints' Day and pays homage to all the loved ones the church and its members have lost during the last year.  I thought Dia de los Muertos seemed morbid and odd.  The more I have thought about it recently, I think it is a wonderful idea to give special observance to people you have known who have passed away.  I am fortunate to have not lost anyone especially close to me in a terribly untimely manner.  Take some time today to say a prayer of thanks for those you have known who are no longer with us on earth, but are in a glorious place with God.