Happy New Year

This morning I got up and made coffee the way I like it.

I opened a box that I had sealed for almost 3 years and it was better than opening presents at Christmas. This box was one of only a few that I brought with me when I moved from Florida to Virginia. It contained my favorite kitchen decorations (the only room in that home I actually decorated) and the hand painted dishes that my Florida friends made for me at my Turning a Quarter of a Century Birthday Party. (I wanted paint on pottery party. How nerdy am I?!!)

The last two days were physically and mentally demanding and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. But with the help of my sister Sunshine and my new best buddy Andy from work I was able to get all of my stuff to the new place.

It feels good to be here. As I sip my coffee and look around at the bare walls, I no longer see emptiness. I see potential! I have quite a few ideas and I am very excited. The past 10 years have been … less than desirable. I am determined to make this year the best ever and the first of many more great years to come!

On a Wednesday

Today I pick up the keys!
Tomorrow I move in!
Friday I start my new life!

Kurbert

My camera is broken. I'm shopping for a new one. Trying not to spend much money because I'm moving into my new place in a few weeks. On top of deposits and moving costs, I have no furniture or kitchen items so I have to purchase those too. I did get a microwave 1/2 off (woohoo!) and a new set of silverware this weekend.

Saturday I had coffee with Becky and Denise and we talked about art. We set a new theme to challenge ourselves. It will be interesting... Denise, who is the same Denise from Odd Imagination, brought a basket of her babies in to show us and even let us pick one to take home!
Since my camera is currently in pieces I stole this picture from her blog. (click on the picture for a larger view) My little guy is the one circled in yellow. I call him Kurbert. He looks like a Herbert but his frog baby makes me think of Kermitt... so Kerbert it is. I love him almost as much as Blossom Bunny!

Sweet Potato Pie

Besides helping my sister with her Stampin' Up Stamp-a-Stack holiday card making event, I didn't do much this weekend. I attempted to clean my room. I managed to pack one box before I got over whelmed and frustrated. Last night I made sweet potato pie. I guess I needed some comfort food from all the stress of packing my one box. LOL! I didn't take any pictures, but here is the recipe:

1 lb sweet potatoes
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1 unbaked pie crust


Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin.

Break apart sweet potato in a bowl. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Stir in sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools.

So simple, even I can do it!

27 days

Things are moving a long at a snails pace. I cannot wait until I can finally move into my new place. The week after Christmas is my projected move in date. Keeping my fingers crossed.

In the mean time I have finished my holiday shopping, which was easy because I've cut back on my holiday spending this year. Just a few gifts for the family. I need to save every penny I can because I need to re-acquire almost everything I gave away when I first moved to Virginia. I really can't purchase anything at the moment because I have no place to put it. But after I move in, maybe I'll be able to drag my sister out shopping with me. She is a better shopper than I am and knows how to find all the good deals.

I am beyond excited about having my very own craft room! I am mentally planning where I want to put everything (I know, I'm a dork). I've been working on small tables, in closets and on the floor to create my crafts. It can be extremely frustrating. I'm hoping that with all the new space, there will be no excuse for not being organized and productive. I have an order due for mid January and I am looking forward to being able to create it in my new "Studio"!!!! I'll be posting before and after pictures. I am going to paint the walls. I've never had painted walls before. Every place I've ever lived has been void of color and art. Empty. But not the new place. I am determined to make it my home and not just some place I live. My crafty sister suggested painting with magnetic paint and then going over it with chalkboard paint. So that I can have a giant magnetic chalk board in my craftroom ..erm.. i mean my studio. I think I want to paint a tree on the wall. I love trees!