Hello, remember me?

 
Wow!  can't believe it's been over two weeks since I've posted!
  Thanks to all who wondered where I was,  or thought I fell off the planet.
i'm A.O.K.!   just insanely busy,  but all in a good way!
  Time just seems to fly by doesn't it?  especially during this time of year,  everything seems so rushed and fast paced.
  We had our Open house and it was a great success!
People lined up outside the door,  and it just kick started our season in such a fabulous way!
  We have been wild ever since then! 
I have been busy with bookeeping,  re-ordering, crafting, blowing noses, and cooking and cleaning in-between.  not to mention a few dog-squeezes in there too.  Poor sweet neglected Pearl.
  I Also haven't had a chance to take any pictures lately either because of glitches in my computer!
UGH!  technology is both a blessing and a curse!
I spent most of yesterday burning 16 discs full of photos and backing them up on an external hard drive,  then of course dumping them, all 5000 of them,  I am not kidding.  I have 3000 more to go.   but hopefully I gained some space on my hard drive.  My computer has been incredibly slow,  which of course drives me nuts.
  I need it to be lightening FAST!
I also spent some time at the Apple STore in the Mall yesterday.
have you ever been there?  oh my.  it totally speaks to my inner geek in such a big way. 
I stand there mesmerized by all of the high-tech gadgetry.  totally in love and smitten with apple products.
  you will never get me to change from an Apple to a p.c.,  no way.
  I was checking out the new Ipod Nano's and other wonderful things,  ended up coming home with a new Ipod
and of course had to start downloading songs to it right away.   more time wasted.
  The wonderful thing about that though, is now I have one at the store,  AND my home,  it cleared up 2 shelves at the shop,  more room for boxes and tissue paper,  and less room being taken up by electronics!  gotta love that efficiency!
  Today I have parent/teacher conferences, and a dinner to prepare,  but Honestly,  my new schedule has allowed me to become more efficient with my time,  and I have been able to actually cook for my people EVERY day.
  This is quite the accomplishment,  since we usually are out in restaurants all the time.
  So Hopefully by next week,  I will be back on target with other things and able to produce more work. and be a better blogger, and friend.
  I also have been very behind in the craft department.
  I DID manage however to make a few of my snowmen,




and paint a dresser before the Open house,  but that's where it stopped.
I plan on making some ornaments next week,  and some more jewelry.  keep your fingers crossed.
  For this weekend we have an in store Book signing with Local author and artist Tracy Gallup!
  She will be here on Saturday dec. 1st from 12-2 to sign copies of her adorable books from the crazy little series,
snow crazy, tree crazy, stone crazy and shell crazy!  ADORABLE!  she will also have some of her small dolls for sale too.
NExt week we will be open late for Midnight madness
and for all of you local people with small children,  we have been so lucky to have been chosen to host Santa's Mailbox in front of our store!
  So come by and drop the old Jolly guy a letter if you wish!
  And lastly,  here is an example of time flying by.
I had my children's picture's professionally taken by my friend Myra Klarman a couple of weeks ago.
  I have NEVER had my kids photographed,  not even those J.C. Penny kind,  or Sears packages,  nothing, nada, zip.
  I figured I see them everyday, and I have some of my own from my camera.  (bad mom)
  well,  let me tell you.  this was the best money I have EVER spent on pictures.  She did such an amazing job of capturing them.  they were comfortable, casual beautiful pictures that make me want to cry.
  I still can't believe my little babies have grown up
so quickly!  I am So happy she was able to capture them and their spirited personalities!,  She was even so kind as to put them on her business cards!  how special is that!? 
I now have the arduous task of trying to choose a few photos to have framed.  very tough, would you like to help me?
I'll show you a few to give you an example of my huge task!  here are just a few,  I literally have 98 to go through! OH my!












  SO if you are local,  please call this woman and schedule a sitting,  you will NOT be disappointed.
o.k.,  I am off to twirl around in circles for a little while before I blast off to somewhere else.
  I will try and post more pictures in the next few days!
  Hope YOU are all well!  BIG HUGS!
xoxoxo
catherine


 

Comments

[jerusalem]

those are the BEST pics of your kids - how great! Our open house is this Sunday so I am knee deep in projects! See you on the other side!

[sara]

Love those snowmen!!! CUTE. and your kids- WOW....those pictures are fabulous!

[Sarah]

Gee, I wonder why she chose to use your kids!? Cuz they look like little models!!! So adorable. How fun. Hope all is well, and have a great holiday. xo

[paloma]

We sure missed you for the last couple of weeks. You would not believe but even my seven year old Clara was wondering about you...We are happy you are just busy. see you soon.

[Lauren]

Welcome back! Beautiful pics of the chitlens!!! I think my fave is the b/w of the two together on the chair!
Take care!

[amy j.]

Just wanted to thank you Catherine for sending out my mushrooms! And such a lovely package they came in. It smelled lovely as well...your shop must smell heavenly.

The mushrooms look great on my daughters' tree. I'll post a pic of it on my blog soon and send you a link. So wish I lived close to your shop. I'd be a weekly patron!! Have a great holiday season.

[Diane]

Welcome back, glad you are okay! What fantastic pictures of your kids, I love the one of your son from the back on the skateboard. Have a great day.

[Kristen]

gah! those photos are #W$%#@$^ amazing! you poor thing b/c you have to pick from 98! i'd want them all...at least keep the proofs. =)

glad you're back my dear!

[Teresa]

Glad to see you back... you HAVE been missed...however, I know you have been busy...what else could it be this time of year!

As for the pictures of the kids...I say.."they are all so great!"....geez how does a mom pick??? I'm a total stranger to your kids...and I would want them all...love, love, love the ones of your daughter walking in front of brother in her ever so vintage looking coat, she's sumpin else....she's a doll...on top of the fact she looks like she could conquer the world...and I love your son with his arms crossed in that gorgeous blue plaid shirt...and that FACE...OMG!! Of course the one of sister kissing brother...how could you not get that one...the expressions are priceless...yeppers...you're going to have to take on a part-time job just to pay for ALL of those pictures...too awesome...those two!

Blessings...
Teresa

[Heather]

Catherine,
I wouldn't be able to pick either - they are adorable! Love the projects too. I did a little bit of painting and thought of you and your humongous projects; I can't imagine. I would never finish and, by the way, polka dots are HARD to paint - like most things, you make it look easy. Hope all is well.
Heather

[deb]

She really did fabulous work with your kids (although it would be hard not to since they're adorable!) But I loved her settings and they just seem very at ease. The door open is so welcoming. So glad the Open House was a success! Oh - and I remember Midnight Madness from my retail days. :) Happiest of holidays my friend.

[kari & kijsa]

Yea!! A great open house...ooh what we would have given to be a fly in the wall. A fly- what were we thinking- no we needed to be there in full-fledged person, bearing all sortsof fabulous goodies in our arms!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

[noodle and lou studio]

Hi Catherine! We missed you:) But...SO thrilled that your open house was a smashing success (of course!) and that all is well! The photos are gorrrrgeous! I have NEVER had a "professional" photo snapped of my boys either...but I would so love someone to capture them like these treasures! How will you decide!? Can't wait to see your ornaments! Love the dresser! Keep up the great work...xoxoxo
jenn

[sandi @ the whistlestop cafe]

I just popped in to wish you a Merry Christmas.
The pictures are wonderful. Believe me those munchkins grow all to fast.

[Laurie]

The photo's of your kids turned out great! Very creative, love the one against the wall. Your blog is very inspiring. Thanks a bunch!

[tiffany]

that dresser is so lovely!

[Prairie Home-Sherry]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!How great it is to capture those sweet faces!!!
I know Mama's proud!

[secretleaves]

MAN, you have some beautiful children. And this woman's work is wonderful.

Sharon

[jaana*maaria]

Hi, it's a long time since you've published this post, but I just happened to see your snowmen in lille-ursus's blog and had to stop by and say hello! I love snowmen, and I sure love yours!