Monday, November 23, 2009

Monday Morning Staff Meeting

Good morning everyone. Thanks for your patience last week as I was busy in preparation for the Christmas craft show and the birthday dinner party for our daughter. One of those events went well and the other did not.

First we need to talk about today's treat. It's a leftover from the dinner party. You won't mind leftovers like this:



It's Italian cream cake and it's simply wonderful.

There's an old saying, "If you want something done, ask a busy woman."

I find this to be so true. It must have some basis in physics, a body in motion stays in motion. A woman with a to-do list is a force to be beckoned with.

Last week was such a busy blur but lists, timetables and a plan helped me pull it all off.

I participated in a craft show and ran home to host a dinner party that evening. It was all possible because I did most everything ahead of time.

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The craft show was disappointing and I will not do this one again. Here's a photo.



Do you see any customers? Neither do I. I'm not quite sure what the problem was. I heard that they advertised it and there were large signs out on the main highway. Perhaps they were up against another big craft show that weekend. I'm not quite sure.

Here's part of my display.



And no, that's not a customer on the left, that's another crafter.

I want to give a plug for Bob and Sue Wulff. They had a wonderful display of Bob's gorgeous hand crafted pens. If you know anyone who loves writing instruments, send them to their site.

WRITE IN STYLE PENS

More pens. Be still my heart.



I promised myself to return the booth and buy the beautiful fountain pen crafted from inlaid wood as soon as I made some sales in my own booth.

Didn't happen.

No sales.

No pen.

I promise to return and treat myself to that pen. It's something to work towards!

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Thanks to my sister who sat with me for the day and made the hours fly by.

We packed up early and I headed home to complete the final preparations for the dinner party. It was a birthday celebration for our daughter and we invited her boyfriend and his parents who are dear friends of ours.

I love to entertain!

Here's the menu:

Pumpkin Coconut Bisque
Romaine salad with apples and almonds
Roasted Whole Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce
Grilled vegetables (red, yellow, orange peppers; mushrooms; zucchini and eggplant)
Baked potatoes
Italian Cream Cake and fabulous Brownies courtesy of my friend Jan

Everything went very smooth with the birthday girls help.

One thing about having a party - it's a good way to make sure your house gets cleaned.

My greatest wish is that I could entertain some of my readers. The Pioneer Woman does this and I know some of you have been a guest in her home. Jenni, you've been there, correct?

I don't have a plush bunkhouse but my guests could stay in my sewing studio/guest room. I might even put you to work. I'd feed you well. Beef tenderloin, for example.



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It's Monday and everything returns to normal around here. Translation: the Farmer informs me that he's out of socks and underwear. That means it's laundry day!

..... and vacuuming day

..... and figuring out what's for dinner day

..... and errand day.

Thanks for visiting with me today. Come back tomorrow when I share the recipe for Pumpkin Coconut Bisque. My kids loved it.

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My mammogram is scheduled this month.

Watch this video made for breast cancer awareness by Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon.



Did I see an orthopedic surgeon rocking out?

I love the elderly maintenance man letting loose.

Do you think this is where ALICIA'S husband works?

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That's all I have to say today. I'm turning the meeting over to you. What's new?


16 comments:

Leslie T. said...

Your dinner party menu sounds delicious! My stomach is growling!
I'm sorry that the craft show was a disappointment. Bah. The public missed out! They should have come for your aprons and the pens alone! Too bad for them... they don't know what they missed. They'll all be very sorry when they have Thanksgiving gravy spatters all over their apron-less selves! :) :) :)

Diva Kreszl said...

sorry about the craft show but your dinner sounds like a great time and very yummy!!! thanks for the video, it made me laugh and that's good!

Ang. said...

Sorry that craft show didn't pan out! I have had that happen. It is so disappointing.

I am spending the early part of the week with Thanksgiving preparations. We will be serving our first homegrown turkey this year. I am a bit nervous about this. Surely they are as tasty as the chickens we grow, right? I am currently taking a break and then I will be up to my elbows in flour. I am making my dinner rolls today to be put in the freezer until Thursday. My plan this year is to do as much cooking ahead of time so I can actually enjoy my guests!

chocolatechic said...

Loooooved the video.

Loved it.

Sorry that your craft show was a bust. Did I by any chance see a pink apron???

Today is laundry day, the end. The next 2 weeks the girl and I are lounging around the house doing whatever our wee hearts desire...nothing. at. all!

Jody Blue said...

I loved loved the you tube, I'm passing it along to a dear friend who was just diagnosed. THANKS for sharing!!

lisa said...

That was an awesome video!

ingasmile said...

That was a GREAT video. How much fun?!

I have participated in craft shows that don't do well, they are no fun. Make you feel like you are wasting time that could be better spent elsewhere.

I am glad your dinner party was a hit though!

Inga

Jules said...

We Oregonians know how to dance, yeah? That was fun!
It's laundry day here also, along with going down to the store to get the goods for the feast. Have a lovely week!

J'Ollie Primitives said...

Craft shows are hit-and-miss. You might have to sit through a few shows before the apron crowd shows up. My BFF and I have done a few this year ~ it's been ummmm interesting.
Dinner menu looked like a sure winner! YUM.

Lily said...

Sorry to hear that the visitors did not come to the show. It is so depressing to wait and wait for them...
I am happy you had a great dinner party later.
Isn't a good meal and friends and a birthday party a good spirit lifter?

Lily said...

Sorry to hear that the visitors did not come to the show. It is so depressing to wait and wait for them...
I am happy you had a great dinner party later.
Isn't a good meal and friends and a birthday party a good spirit lifter?

Second Sun Press said...

There's no way to ensure a good crowd, but you can make good use of your time anyway. Bring a couple sets of precut apron pieces and your featherweight. You can stitch one up when things get slow; and the sound will attract everyone in the hall right to your tables. We all like to see a sewing machine in action. I used a variation on this theme at the model railroad shows I used to attend. I always had a crowd ... even if it was only the dealers.

Thirkellgirl said...

Doing a little house cleaning, cooking our five-dollar turkey (are they 39 cents a pound out where you are?) today since we're going out on Thursday, and awaiting the arrival of college girl! I have been puttering, mostly.

Stuck on Sunflowers said...

You are an amazing woman. Your craft show lasted all day and then you rushed home to entertain guests. Not too many women would even be willing to try it. You meal WAS GREAT. We had an amazingly awesome time. Thank you very much for a terrific meal with even more terrific friends. House boat huh!

Michelle said...

Not much to report from my neck of the woods. The children and I are on Thanksgiving break, as of this afternoon. My MIL is cooking for everyone on Thursday. Bless her heart, this never happens....I hope she is alright.

Loved the menu for your dinner party. I watched that same video the other day. Wonderful.

LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...

Your items at the craft show looked so wonderful. I'm sorry you were sad about the lack of customers...more to sell on your etsy though.