Of trains and double-booked seats...

After several delays and, on one stretch of the ride a double-booked seat (guess who got to stand the rest of the way - yup, me), I finally arrived home late last night.

Thank you, dear readers and blog friends, for continuing to stop by my blog and your very kind comments while I was away! I hope to stop by yours shortly!
I also hope everyone had a happy Christmas and your gifts were well received :)
I had a great time, and for once blogging took a back seat while I enjoyed preparing and eating the marvellous food, listening to a boys' choir and visiting the oldest Christmas market in Germany.

But now it's back to work, and with new regulations for freelancers (like me) starting on 1st January 2010, I have a lot of forms to fill in and getting all my papers in order...

Until then

take care!

Seasons Greetings from Sammy and me!

Sammy, don't be shy. Please stay and help me wish all my blogging friends all over the world a happy and safe holiday! I will be away for a week visiting family and friends. December 24th is our big day here. We always have a nice dinner, listen to traditional Christmas carols, and then the exciting part: exchanging gifts! I have a 9 hour train ride ahead of me - and it's snowing heavily. Wish me luck that the train doesn't get stuck in the middle of nowhere!

Signing off and wishing everyone Merry Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten, Prettige Kerstdagen, Joyeux Noel...

Sweet rosy apron

With the temperature dropping to -7°C (19.4 F), it's hardly surprising that we've been congregating in our cosy kitchen these last few days! And since I'm spending so much time baking I designed and made a new apron from this pretty fabric with an all-over rose print. Did I mention I love roses? The fabric is from Westfalenstoffe, a company  headquartered not far from where I live :)

Here's a close-up of the pocket and the strawberry button.


 The weather report said there might be snow this and next week - highly unusual for this area. Perhaps we're going to have a white Christmas for once. I'm sure all the neighbouring kids will love that! But sun-loving person that I am, I can't really share their enthusiasm!

take care,

New Kaffe Fassett flower print

I have had a number of requests for a bag I made from a colourful Kaffe Fassett print. I sold this bag a couple of months ago to none other than Michelle of Maria Michelle's Furkids and Animal Rescue. And since I don't usually duplicate any of my make-up bags, I decided to look for another print similar to the previous one. I came across a lovely flower print from the latest Kaffe Fassett collection. It is very cheery and bright and will stand out on any dressing table!

Also, before I forget, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Jenie, who generously passed on this award (my third time to receive it!). Changing the rules yet again I encourage anyone who leaves a comment on my blog to consider this award hers/his, since I already passed this one on here and here.

In other news, that non-sale I talked about a couple days ago really was more hassle than it was worth. Right now the issue is going back and forth between me and admin. Frankly, they are being very bureaucratic about the whole thing. I think I'll just consider it a write-off.

Internet connection - finally!

I switched on my computer this morning shortly before 8:00 a.m. as I always do and - nothing.
(panic mode ON)
I called the provider straight away and got a recorded message saying that there's a technical problem. Later on the news I heard that due to roadworks on the main highway a vital cable got cut leaving the entire state I live in without an internet connection!
It's 7:30 p.m. and they've supplied us with a temporary connection, because people all over are getting highly annoyed, not to mention frantic! So here I am just getting started on my work. Looks like it's going to be an all-nighter.

Happy 3rd Advent!

These are traditional German treats called 'Bethmaennchen'. Here's the recipe:

you will need

50 gr powdered sugar
1 tblsp. corn starch
400 gr. block of raw marzipan (chopped into pieces)
1 organic egg (size medium)
whole almonds
1 egg yolk mixed with 2 tblsp. cold water

this is what you do

put the sugar, starch, marzipan and egg into a bowl and knead until smooth. With cool hands quickly roll into about 40 balls and place on a baking sheet. The dough is quite sticky, so you really need to work quickly! Stick on the almonds (three each) and let them dry overnight.
Preheat oven to 150°C.
Lightly brush the 'Bethmaennchen' with the eggyolk mixture and bake for approx. 15 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and cool on a rack.

And yeah, I know it's tempting--but don't eat them straight from the oven, because you'll get a tummy ache. You have been warned :)

Early Christmas gifts for me :)

I had a huge surprise in the mail yesterday...a package from my dear blogging buddy Mel. Feast your eyes on these beautiful handmade items - Yes! That gorgeous card is also handmade!

The glittery bracelet is so, so beautiful and perfect for the festive season! I wish I could capture how it sparkles, but at mid-morning it is as dark outside as if it were 6:00 p.m.! The photo really doesn't do justice to its beauty. I love it, Mel!!!
Inside the cute pouch was this:

It's soooo adorable, don't you agree? I love the little ribbon. Thank you so very, very much, Mel. Your gifts are very special, and I will cherish these always. And I can't wait to wear them. The sparkly one will go so well with my little black dress :)
You can find sparkly bracelets like this one, rings, earrings and headbands and so much more at Mel's Etsy shop GlamUp. Please stop by her shop. There's sure to be an item there to glam up your holiday wardrobe!

Black Ornament Zipper Pouch

In the run-up to Christmas sales are picking up in my online shop. Newly listed is this versatile zipper pouch. I teamed the black ornament print with bright pink, and added a useful keyring too! Sorry about the dark photo*. It has been gloomy here for weeks!

*note to self : construct lightbox, and soon!

I have also had my very first non-payer! It's okay, though, because someone else bought the item instead, but what does one do about the feedback? If I don't give any feedback, then this non-sale will sort of 'hang' there. I want it closed. I'm reluctant about giving negative buyer feedback, because it will reflect back on me. Have any of you online sellers ever had this problem? Do you give negative feedback?

Happy 2nd Advent!

Chocolate-Mocha-Walnut Squares

as you can see the glaze is still partially wet - sometimes I'm so impatient!

They're very good, though (wet glaze or not)

☺

Wishing everyone a pleasant Sunday. Hope you're enjoying the day with your family!

My wristlet got featured!

My 'rosy wristlet' was a featured product on Dawanda yesterday! It's the one on the left. As always I'm dumbfounded when this happens, because admin has about 50.000 shops to choose from, but I'm especially pleased they picked the wristlet, because it is one of my favourite items :)

In other news...I went to see another doctor because of my uncertainty about having surgery done on my throat, and he reassured me that in his opinion I don't require surgery. I should just monitor the cyst every now and again to make sure it doesn't grow. Only then should I consider surgery. I'm so relieved.