Good Things....

I have been remiss in posting...but decided to share a few good things that have happened in the past week.

I finally visited Krispy Creme...and came away hooked! Melt in your mouth good-I was right in staying away from this place...hope I can hold myself back from a daily donut (or two).

I was lucky to be home yesterday afternoon when these beautiful flowers were delivered. I have a thoughtful Mom.

I stepped by an estate sale a week ago on the last day when everything is marked down fifty percent. I didn't notice until I got home that Bob's name was stamped on this bowling ball. Not sure if I can turn it into a garden ornament since Bob the cat knows that it should belong to him and since I only paid $1.50, maybe it can.

Our sons will both be home next week! I expect to have a wonderful week and hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I traveled to Howard City (MI) last Friday for two stores holiday open houses and was charmed by both!
This small farm town is in the middle of nowhere-or so it seems to me-and has a charming shop on Main St. I went with two friends I have known since pre-school and we enjoyed shopping as well as having lunch at a little deli. Two of us stopped in our hometown and shopped a bit more. I fell in love with the giant wreaths on a stores window so included a picture.
This is just the beginning of the holiday open houses-many more this week. Looking forward to seeing fabulous decorating!
Enjoy the season!

HaLLoWeEn Decor

Before I begin the deconstruction of my Halloween decor (small sob), I thought I would share a few more pictures.
The hanging spiders on the sliders are new this year. The super sized spider moved in several years ago-found after Halloween on sale. I love a good sale!
I have found the stairs are a good place to display holiday fun.
I am still amazed at myself on how much I adore my witch hat lamp. This year, I added tinted eyeglasses along with a green wand from 'Wicked'. There is also a pair of sparkly (lit) witch shoes on the floor below.
I made the scarecrow five years ago at a mouse event (notice the mouse ears on his hat?). He hangs in the garage all year, waiting to come join the fun every fall. My husband argues that his hunting boots do not belong outside with Mr. Scarecrow. I sneak them out....teehee!
This year I went a bit crazy and bought a special wig for HaLLowWeEn. My main mummy seems to enjoy getting a bit crazy.
I will miss HaLLoWeN!

HaLLoWeEn Crafts!

Last minute crafting, just in time for our HaLLoWeEn party!
My sister, Lynne, and her daughter, Tori (our maiden name was Torrey!) came over last night and made their own candy corn topiaries. This is very easy & fast-compared to making the ribbon topiaries, that is. One big tip-do not use Brach's candy corn(which is my favorite!). It tends to break, as I found out when a good friend and I were making our first one. I bought more expensive candy corn which had a wax coating (locally, I found it at Sweetland Candy Store). We used a smooth foam 3" ball and hot glue in a pot.
The other topiary was made with 'Dot' candies. I used a 3 1/2" styrofoam ball for this one. Not sure I like the colors as well...
I hosted a HaLLoWeEn potluck lunch for my friends from high school Thursday. Most of us dressed up and looked very goofy (hard to believe we are really old ladies!). One creative friend brought acorn cookies. Adorable and tasty! She used Hershey kisses, small Nutter Butter cookies and peanut butter chips, with frosting holding it all together. Yum!
Finally, my cat, Bob, snapped this picture of me acting goofy....
I do have FUN!
Enjoy your weekend!

Folktoberfest!

Home again-exhausted but with a smile on my face!
Folktoberfest, a gathering of Wee Forest Folk collectors, was last weekend in Clare, MI. I went early to do my part, shipping out boxes of special mice which were ordered by collectors who couldn't attend. I also used my shopping skills to help the planners of the event find things used in our fun and games. Of course, eating and fun shopping figured in, along with visiting friends from far and near. I did manage to buy a few mice which had been on my wish list for a long time, at great prices (hurray for me-boo for the sinking prices of these adorable collectibles).
Once again, I didn't take enough pictures-here are a few. The first is my display made special for one of the event pieces.
Next is of the pumpkin I carved, 'Mouse Zombie'.
Third is of some attendees signing a special song. The theme was 'Four Seasons', and you can see we covered winter/Christmas.
The two man band played music Saturday evening and I worked off all the great food I ate. ('Cops and Donuts' sells terrific donuts and pastries and is right across the street from the hotel.)
The last picture shows my centerpiece...after our meal when I remembered to take the picture.
I am so fortunate to have a hobby which has made my life richer in friends from across the United States.
Now to find a place for my new mice!

Clean/Cleaner/Cleanest!!!

Wowie-have I been cleaning and decorating!
Mouser friends begin arriving tomorrow for the Wee Forest Folk event called 'Folktoberfest' here in Michigan. Two friends from WA and UT are flying into Grand Rapids to stay before we drive up to begin work on the event, so I had to (finally) clean house.
Best part of my cleaning frenzy was dusting my mice-I use a cosmetic brush on each one and really enjoy spending time looking at all the beautiful hand painted details. I only clean my cabinets occasionally so I had to show off the sparkling results!

Ghoultide Gathering

Ghoultide Gathering was this past weekend-and it was a terrific time with my wonderful sisters!
We spent two nights and two days together which is a rare occurrence. One day was spent shopping in Ann Arbor.
Then there was Ghoultide! Wow! The artists selling their original works were wonderful. I came home with a bat who is now residing in my brass birdcage; a small box and mouse print which my sisters bought me (early Christmas gift-luckily they knew I should enjoy their gifts now!); and a cement white pumpkin and squirrel, both of which won't ever die!
We are already planning next year's trip. I need to start saving my money!