The Unexpected Tenant...

 A couple of years ago, I was gifted a beautiful, handpainted gourd by

Aunty Margaret. When I brought it home from Wisconsin, I installed

it in the large magnolia tree that lives in our front yard where I could enjoy

 it every time I found myself outside. It's been unoccupied until recently.

Last week, Handsome suggested that I check out the newest tenant in our 

yard. I walked to the magnolia tree and found the most unlikely occupant.

 One of the local tree frogs decided that this would be a comfy place

to set up housekeeping. Sunny, safe digs during the day and a nice

warm place to sleep after an evening of chirping and eatin' bugs.

 I especially like the pose. He/she looks just like an old lady watching the

neighborhood from her front porch. I think it looks like it's just leaning on

the edge of a window sill, don't you? We're happy to have this little frog

 live here for a long as it cares to. If I thought other froggies would move

 in, I'd add a few more gourds just for that purpose. They make me smile.

Thanks for the get well wishes. Recuperating can be difficult, but I'm doing
better by the day. I'll be back to normal very soon, and will take it easy over
the holidays. I only have one more project to finish and hope to be

 able to work on it today so it can ship. I really appreciate your prayers.

Goodness. Christmas is just around the corner!

I hope you're able to celebrate the reason for the season and

not feel like you're caught up in the trappings. We'll be looking forward

to special times spent with family and friends. That's what's important.

Tuesdays With Tag - Countdown to Christmas...

You can have fun with your own images, too. Go to Photofunia.com

 Hi, Everybody!

I had big plans to get you up to speed on all the projects Mom and I

have been workin' on for Christmas. Unfortunately, Mom has been

under the weather since Friday, so I'm going to wait another week.

I'm busy keepin' her company and makin' sure she gets better fast.

I'll be back next week with lots to tell you about. Sorry to be so

borin'. I had so much more planned. Gotta run. Mom needs me.

See ya next week. 'til then,

"More Waggin' and Less Barkin'!"

Kitchen Goodness...

 This year's batch of vanilla extract is bottled and "brewing". I'll be

giving them as gifts for the girls at Paneras, and I'll even tuck a bottle in

here or there with other gifts I've already selected for family and friends.

 Each four ounce bottle has one and a half vanilla beans inside.

They've already "brewed" nearly two weeks, but won't be fully

steeped until February. All the recipient needs to do is shake the

bottle once a week, and resist the urge to use the vanilla until then.

I've written about how to make your own vanilla before. If you'd

like to try to make your own batch, here's the link to my "how to" post.

I purchase the bottles from Specialty Bottle online. Here's a link to

purchase the 4 ounce bottles, but their 2 ounce bottles would be great, too. 

I purchase the vanilla beans from Arizona Vanilla Company. Their

company name is the link to purchase beans for your own use. I prefer 

their Madagascar beans, but they have Tahitian and Mexican, too.

I'm almost finished with my projects for this year. Woo hoo!