Chat

And just like that, it’s gone. The Summer of 2011 is just a blur. According to my archives, with the exception of a few visits with the kids, it wasn’t a particularly memorable summer here in ThimbleannaLand. It whizzed by in a cloud of more work than play. I want a do-over! More cook-outs and time to enjoy the flowers and fresh air. The only thing that makes fall’s arrival so soon, even remotely bearable, is this:

It’s candy corn season! I luuuuuuvvvv the sweet salty taste of candy corn mixed with peanuts. I know a lot of you outside of the US can’t get candy corn. I think you should call/write/lobby your authorities and demand Candy Corn Equality! You deserve to share the candy Love!!!

Did you all have a nice weekend? It was a three-day-er here and it was a tad bit more stressful than I’d like. That’s ok though — the previous weekend was super fun, so now we’re weekend-even. I did manage to sneak in a little sewing. I really wanted to work on the Children blocks but I decided that the UFO that screams the loudest will get my attention. And since my Bliss blocks were spread out all over the basement, they won.

I eeked out about 10 more blocks and have 10 more set up to be put together. It’s slow going, but I’m really enjoying it.

One last thing. Julie and I were talking about glass jars being used as cupcake liner holders. She mentioned that she hadn’t seen the cookie jar idea so I sent her the link. In case any of you also haven’t seen that idea, I took a picture of my cookie jar cupcake liner holder (that’s a mouthful!)

I love it. My cupcake liners used to be crammed into a box and it wasn’t pretty. Now it’s pretty!

Now, go forth and have a good week. Fall is on it’s way!

XOXO,

Anna

Ok.  Show of hands.  How many of you have had these Biscoff cookies and love them?  I first had them years ago on a Delta flight (do they still serve them in this day and age of skimpy airplane service?)  Then one year, someone gave MyDadLovesMeBestSister a huuuge basket of them for Christmas.  And now, luckily, they’re starting to show up in our local grocery stores.  (If you’re in the states, there’s a retail store finder that will help you find out if they’re in a store near you.)

But I’m not here to show you Biscoff cookies.  Courtesy of my awesome invisible friend Linda Noblog, I’ve discovered Biscoff spread.  Aka Biscoff Peanut Butter.  But without the peanuts. Or nasty hazelnuts.  (Oh, Nutella … I love me some chocolate, but did you have to put those bitter hazelnuts in there???)  Have you tried Biscoff spread?  It tastes all brown sugar-y and cinnamon-y just like Biscoff cookies!

When Linda e-mailed me about it, I was in such a hurry to try it that I ordered it off of the Biscoff website.  (It occurred to me later that it’s probably in my local store right next to the Biscoff cookies.)  I’ve tried it on apples, bananas, and bagels — all of which were wonderful.  And even better there are lots of recipes on the internet for using this spread.  Like the Devil’s Food Cake with Whipped Biscoff Ganache that started this whole conversation with Linda Noblog (she’s an amazing baker!)  Or how ’bout ?  Or a Biscoff Banana Milkshake?  (Ooooh, I even found a recipe to make Biscoff cookies from scratch, although, it’s hard to imagine that they’d be as good as the real thing.)

If food doesn’t grab you, how ’bout a new toy?  Have you seen these new dry erase markers from Crayola?  Be still my little worker bee heart.  Now I can have some color at my desk at work.  They come in regular and bright.  Of course, I chose the bright version, ’cause, well … they’re just brighter.

They come with a cute little felt pouch, so I put a clip on it and I hang it near my white board.  I was going to add a new flower on my board each day, but most days I forget.  I draw baby stuff on my little twin-expecting friend‘s board when she’s not looking too.  It’s a nice diversion when I need a minute to get up and stretch.  Anyway, they’re really cool and they look like crayons, but erase just like dry erase markers.  I think they’d be great for kids too.

And my last little Friday Finds are for you Ghastlie lovers out there.  Go check out this gorgeous sewing machine cover, this amazing quilt with a fun creepy twist (Help Me! Help Me! LOL), and this very cool quilt (perfect to showcase the large print).   It’s so fun to see all the Ghastlie inspiration out there!

Ok, I’m off to run errands.  Have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Anna

Welcome to Part 2 of the Aurifil Blog Hop. Remember in February when 9 bloggers each made a quilt block while learning all about Aurifil thread?

Well, now it’s time to set all the blocks into a little quilt and Pat wants your help. All week long (July 5th – July 9th) she’ll be presenting you with options and asking you to leave a comment indicating which settings/color options you prefer. Leave Pat a comment, and in return, you’ll have a chance to win one of Pat’s 40 wt. Aurifil Thread Kits — a super nice prize!

Aaannnnddddd, if you leave a comment here, I’ll have a drawing for an Aurifil Sampler Pack.

Plus, a little kit of Divine Twine and some bitty scissors, just like I gave away last week.

So. You know what you have to do. Have fun!

XOXO,
Anna

I hope all of you in the US had a Happy and Safe 4th of July today! Ours was short and sweet — it whizzed by, but we had a great time at our traditional cookout with family and friends.

We were lucky enough to have TheFirstChild and SweetiePie for just 24 short hours — it all went by too quickly. SweetiePie and I made a few patriotic goodies (fun ideas from Pinterest!)  I love the 4th of July — it’s always so fun to be outside, relaxing, having fun and eating good food.

Do you remember when Pat Sloan hosted the Aurifil Blog Hop? Now it’s time to set all the blocks that we made into a little quilt. There will be more giveaways, just like last time. Stop by Pat’s tomorrow as she kicks off the fun!

Now…off to bed to be lulled to sleep by the sound of fireworks!

XOXO,

Anna