News About Daniel

Daniel's fan club keeps asking how he's doing. For those that know this sweet young man, you've noticed him getting around with a cane. He went through major surgery last Saturday and I've been updating the results and his rehab progress on my blog. You can get to it HERE. 

Fashion Show Pics

We had a wonderful fashion show on November 21, with lots of people watching and lots of people modeling clothes from Whimsy. Since I'm terrible with names, and all the models were friends of Nancy's, I'm not going to include any names, but lots and lots of pics.

The pictures were taken by Dr. Kevin Watkins, who commented to me midway through that it was too bad that we weren't taking pictures. Oops! Fortunately, I'd bought Nancy a camera for her birthday and she carries it with her everywhere. So, Kevin took lots and lots of pictures (though understandably a little biased toward his wife and daughter), and I am filling this blog with them. If I missed anyone, I apologize, but I think we got all the models.

Note: Just click on any one of the pictures for a larger version - it should fill your screen, and then some. Or, if you want to see a slide show of the pictures, use this link.

First, came the runway appearances by each of our models.




After the individual models, then came the parade of all the models, which of course, we only caught a portion, and not all from the front.



So, once the fashion show was complete, then it was time to hang around and talk, and shop, and talk some more.



Oh yes, we also had some food and drink. That is, we had Sangria (notice who's first at the punch bowl - me!) and Gingersnaps! I posted the recipe in my last blog, just in case you want more.

Gingersnaps

We were asked again for the Gingersnap recipe, so I've included it again (reprinting it from last year). They're not real tricky, as I prove every year by making them. I got the recipe from Nancy's Mom, and others claim it's in the old Betty Crocker Cookbook.

I always make a triple recipe, for several reasons. First, if I'm going to go to the effort of measuring, mixing, baking, and cleaning up, I want to get more than a few cookies. Second, I find the measuring easier with the triple batch - mostly the molasses. I never measure that into a cup because it turns out that half a 12 ounce bottle of molasses is exactly what I need for a triple recipe. The third reason I make a triple recipe, is that I end up making 3 or 4 triple recipes every November for our friends at the open houses - we serve a lot of cookies!

Gingersnaps - Each Recipe Makes 36 2.5" cookies
	1 Recipe				3 Recipes
Mix Together:	3/4	cup	soft shortening		2 1/4	cup
	1		egg		3
	1/4	cup	molasses		3/4	cup
	1	cup	brown sugar		3	cup
	2	tsp	soda		2	Tbs
	1/2	tsp	cloves		1 1/2	tsp
	1	tsp	cinnamon		1	Tbs
	1	tsp	ginger		1	Tbs
Then Add:	2 1/4	cup	flour		6 3/4	cup
Chill dough. Roll into balls the size of large walnuts. Roll in sugar. Place sugar side up on no-stick cookie shee. Bake until just set in cool oven. I usually end up using 325 degrees, but ovens vary so much I never know what I'll be starting with. Remove quickly to keep the bottoms soft.

something new every day

i am not a journal writer, so this blog thing is challenging. maybe i'm not very stream-of-thought, or maybe i just have no sense of humor. that oldest child thing.
the interesting blogs are funny and cool and say startling things, which
i don't
so it's weird that this is the thing to do
and i'm going to try.

i mean i'm really going to try.

monica told me she was going to link to my blog, but she visited it & it was
sad :( (my paraphrase)
man, is she right.
i've only written on it once
myself
until now.
my husband was doing vicarious posts for me last year.
then he got a job again :)

and i need to learn to take pictures and (well, first, find a camera) and learn how to get them on here.
i mean, i know it's supposed to be easy but
it all sounds hard to me.

the only mechanical/electronic thing i feel comfortable with is
my sewing machine. i have no fear of my sewing machine.

ok, so i'm writing and this just might be fun.
btw, i was inspired to write because i was up in the middle of the night looking at a magazine, and it had an article on a store called Red Shoes in Ann Arbor. so i went to her blog
i've been reading it from end to beginning, and her attitude is contagious.
go there & enjoy!

so monica, thank you.
catherine (who doesn't know i exist) thank you.
thank you! come back!
i'm learning!!

nancy

Trading Places!

I can't believe I haven't written here about our move!
We traded places!
Everything that's been at Whimsy is now at The Good Life (at 135 East Main), and visa versa.
We had lots of great help & got it done so fast. Whimsy was closed only three days.

You've got to come & see the stores! They fit their new homes so much better! We love them. We've had so many customers comment that the clothes show so much better in the wider store, and with more natural light. We agree!

Our clothing selection keeps growing, and we're getting in lots of new jewelry lines--handmade from aluminum, from china, from silver spoons, from recycled cans, and more!
We also got in some beautiful tops & skirts & jackets made from saris. Indian women are paid for their old saris, and then beautiful, and often reversible, clothing is created from the patterned silk. Silk takes dye so well, the colors are saturated. The pieces come assorted, so I can't pick colors or anything....so it's first come, first choice.

Anyway, I'm going to figure out how to get some pictures on here soon. Keep checking! Later!
Nancy

February Furniture Sale!

Hi everyone!
Don't forget to buy the furniture you've been wanting while it's still on sale at The Good Life. It'll be 25% off through the end of February--that's just 5 more days!