AMERICAN IDOL(S)

What a star studded week the last one was! As I mentioned in a previous post, on Thursday I had the pleasure of attending Sis Boom's Annual Holiday Show hosted by Jennifer Paganelli, herself. She is not only extremely creative, she is also a very lovely person, inside and out.

Martha and Frannie

Then, on Saturday, Frannie and I attended a book signing with Martha Stewart. This event was held at Stew Leonard's in Norwalk, CT. We live within walking distance, so we took a nice little stroll down to the event, and it's a good thing (no pun intended) because there wasn't a parking space to be had. Yes, the book signing line was very long, but Frannie was a trooper and I didn't hear a single complaint from her. We only purchased one copy of her new book, Martha Stewart's Cooking School, but it seemed as if the majority of people were purchasing a half dozen copies each. Although not personalized, Martha did sign each copy while chatting with each person in line. Martha's two French Bulldogs, Sharkey and Francesca, also attended the event, although Francesca did manage to escape for a moment or two. Everyone was yelling, "shut the door, shut the door," so she couldn't escape, and her handler finally managed to catch up with her. Those two puppies are awfully cute. Martha and Frannie even had a little discussion about Francesca, because they share the same name (Frannie is short for Francesca). I was even allowed to photograph Frannie and Martha together. Martha Stewart was very gracious and even invited all those attending with small children to come to the front of the line. Kuddos Martha!

Santa and Frannie
(How About That Hat? - I mean Frannie's!)

We couldn't leave Stew Leonard's without paying a visit to Santa. Frannie wanted to be sure he knows exactly what she wants for Christmas.

S.W.A.K.

It goes round and round, up and down
Round and round, up and down
Round and round and a up and down
And a one two three kick, one two three jump

Don't Be A Scrooge!
THE MORE THE MERRIER!!!

SKY BLUE

And yet, another purse...

Mary Engelbreit Photo Books
(where I keep pictures of everything I create)

With an Eiffel Tower charm

S.W.A.K.

Well, you like it like this, the PEPPERMINT TWIST

The MORE The Merrier (Hint, Hint)

SIS BOOM!

I am lucky enough to live near Jennifer Paganelli, and this morning I visited her Sis Boom Holiday Shop - an annual delight. If you're in the area, you still have time to visit.

Magical, isn't it!

Can't wait for her spring show.

S.W.A.K.

Yeah, the name of the dance is PEPPERMINT TWIST

VIRTUAL Christmas Cookie Swap - THE MORE THE MERRIER!

CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP

(This is the Christmas card I sent out last year - Mary Engelbreit - I'm so glad I saved one!)

You Are Cordially Invited
To Take Part In A
Christmas Cookie Swap
Hosted By
Cute Stuff Inside
Sunday, December 14th

Bake up a batch or two of your favorite Christmas cookies
(hey, make 3 or 4 batches, who's counting?!)
Invite your friends and family over
Take lots of pictures
Write up your recipe
Enjoy Your Cookies!
Then, on Sunday, December 14th
(or a day or two before if necessary)
post everything to your blog
Next, check in with Cute Stuff Inside to find links connecting you
to everyone who's joining the party
Print out all those recipes that look yummy!

To join in, leave a comment telling me that you want to sign up for the Christmas Cookie Swap with your name and blog address. I will put up links to everyone who participates. Maybe there will be Christmas music - if I can figure out how to do it. :) You may even want to offer a fun holiday giveaway like I'm doing. As a matter of fact, everyone who signs up has a chance to win this fabulous prize :)

Remember, The More The Merrier, so, if you can, let's share the fun with everyone by putting up the Christmas Cookie Swap icon on your blog with a link (it's the red one above with the Mary Engelbreit card in the center).

Okay ladies, start your engines - I mean ovens! :)

Let's make this holiday a little more SCRUMPTIOUS!

As promised, here's a photo of all the wonderful goodies I received from my Polka-Dot and Rick Rack Swap partner. Look at that haul! Santa couldn't have done better himself! Janet, thank you ever so kindly.

Okay Frannie, you can wrap your doll up in the Christmas quilt now. Sharon, you've got competition! :)

BOP SHOO-OP, A BOP BOP SHOO-OP

S.W.A.K.

PEPPERMINT TWIST GIVEAWAY

The Christmas season has officially begun and I'm feeling generous! So, how about a "Peppermint" giveaway? Just look at the fabulous prize you could win! :)

Included is a package of Oreos with Old Fashioned Candy Cane Creme, Peppermint Peeps, the mandatory Candy Cane, a Chocolate Covered Pretzel with Peppermint Crunch, a Peppermint Teacup Ornament, Glittery Naughty and Nice Ornaments, and Chocolate Santa Coal and Gift Candies, all packaged in a Peppermint Candy decorated box. Last, but not least, the best prize of all, a Snowman picture drawn by our very own Frannie. The artwork alone is worth entering for! :)

So here's the Twist - leave a comment telling me whether you've been

Or

No explanation is necessary! But if you insist, let's keep it G-rated, after all, Frannie will be reading this right along with me and I don't want to have to delete anyone who enters. :) On December 15th, at approximately 8:00 PM eastern time, Santa Frannie, who's going to know if you've been bad or good, will be checking her list twice and picking a winner - so leave a comment - for goodness sake! One more thing - if you're feeling generous, post the Peppermint Twist icon on your site and spread the joy!

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - I've decided to host a Christmas Cookie Swap - Details next post!

P.P.S. - I've received my Polka-Dot and Rick Rack Swap goodies which Frannie and I absolutely adore - Thank you Janet! I hope to get a photo up for you all to see next post also.