sweet november: window view

I love the view outside our sliding door (well, except for the power lines). That big rocky peak there? It's called Bishop Peak and it is a volcanic plug, one of the Nine Sisters. You can hike up to the top of the peak (the mister does it often, I have yet to do it....cough, cough.) At various times during the day, if you look to the top of the peak from the homestead you can see people standing there. Just the other morning I was up around 6:30 and the entire top was covered with a line of tiny figures, while yesterday I watched the moon set over the peak. I really want to go up but always end up so sick now with my menopausal allergies. Sigh. The bird shape is there on the glass so the birds don't fly into the window. It's never fun when the birds fly into the window. The flying saucer is there care of the nephew a-go-go. He is a bit enamored of all things spacey. Just below this is a duet of predator aliens or something. He loves a good alien. To the left is a Godzilla that I have since turned into Minnie Pearl complete with pearl necklace and lips. I often go through the menagerie of space creatures and pretty them up much to the nephew's dismay. I think he has given up on changing them back now.

sweet november: pretty {and a giveaway}

 I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some may think this wee bit of denim and doily is far from pretty but I like it. I really like it. It's pretty, don't ya think?

I cobbled this brooch together with a bit of burlap, denim, doily, and shine. All small bits randomly cut from thrifted items and folded and stitched together in just a few minutes.

I made  three and so two are up for grabs. If you would like a chance to win a wee bit of handmade pretty from me, leave a comment and share what your favorite thing to make is be it cooking, crafting, or mischief!

sweet november: on screen

I wore blue and green striped socks. Not a fez or a bow tie but still I was festive. A just about perfect way to spend my hacking day...with a doctor...or two...or three....

sweet november: warm

I picked up this moth eaten cashmere wrap at the Goodwill Outlet. It's a bit swiss cheesy but golly is it soft. Worth every penny...little less than a buck's worth. I'm going to ad some felted sweater patches to it and hope that all this wheezing I've been having is not connected to it.

sweet november: shoes

My walkable school shoes. Though I did just by a new pair of clodhoppers that the sales guy tried to talk me out of by suggesting I look at something more aesthetically pleasing.

sweet november: pumpkin

mr. a-go-go and I went to a pumpkin potluck this past weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday. We made pumpkin espresso ice cream which was a bit on the meh side. I think it needed more sugar. We also brought homemade donuts which I thought were going to be a bust but then they cooled down and were quite tasty. There was not a crumb left. I need to make them again. I found the recipe on pinterest and baked them in the cupcake baker. I think it was this recipe. So good! Oh and that photo up there? That is espresso with pumpkin ice cream (trader joe's, not mine). Also very, very, tasty!

There was pumpkin risotto, pumkin brioche, carrot cake...cheesecake...

Homemade chocolate dipped marshmallows (I had three).

And this fantastic savory bit that was kind of like a bread pudding crashed into a rarebit. Holy moly, was this good!

After we ate and stuffed ourselves silly we headed outside for some festive fun. It was time to make some birthday art....

And as it turns out, while we may be awesome at whipping up pumpkin dishes, we are a little less awesome when it comes to popping balloons with darts.

We managed (I popped two!) and then mister started throwing sticks...

and then everyone started throwing sticks...

and then the birthday girl got right up in that last green balloon's face and gave it some what for...

I want to do this for my birthday...I may need some darts.