Grand Opening and Tuesday's Shop Feature

I'm almost done listing everything in my etsy shop, Colletta's Kitchen Sink, but I can't wait any longer to have my:

GRAND OPENING!!!!

Each day for the next couple days, I will be having a Shop Feature.  I have some new items that you haven't seen before and I have some that will look familiar that I've moved over from my old ebay store.

I also have a special treat for my blog readers that I'll tell you more about in a bit.

Today I would like to feature:

COBBLESTONE CLOTHS

I had blogged about a set I made for myself a while ago.  I absolutely love them!  I decided to make them into a set of 3.

1- 10" X 10" Cloth
2- 7" X 7" Cloths

They are great for any number of tasks. Dishes, wiping up spills, dusting, cleaning, bathing etc. Anything you would use a rag for, you will want to replace with these Cobblestone Cloths.


I crocheted them using NEW Lily Sugar'n Cream worsted weight thread made from 100% USA Grown Cotton.

These cloths are machine washable and can be thrown in the dryer with the rest of the laundry.

Here are the colors currently in my shop (you can click on any of the pictures to go directly to that listing):

"Cool Breeze"

"Playtime"

"Daisy"

"Field of Dreams"

"Summer Splash"

"Pastel Delight"

Now for the special treat for my readers.  For the duration of my Grand Opening, I am giving my blog readers 10% off all items in my shop!

When you check out, use coupon code:  GRANDOPENING

I know. How original.

So thanks for reading my blog, checking out my shop and giving me someone to show my creations to. 

After the GRAND OPENING, I'll be getting back to my regularly scheduled blogcasts!

Baking Up a Storm!

I'm baking, baking, baking today.

So far I have orders for 12 dozen Audrey's Chocolate Chip Cookies and 2 dozen Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I can't believe it!  I am so grateful.

If you have checked my shop out yet, just click on the banner below.

I still have aprons, kitchen towel combos, and totes to list.

I'll be glad to get everything set up and be able to CREATE more.  I heave so many ideas.

If you have any ideas for my shop, please let me know!  I appreciate all your support!

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 4/17/11

Memory Verse ~ 4/17/11-4/23/11

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your strength." 

Deuteronomy 6:5

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     

Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful parties I'll be linking up to.

Email Changed

I have changed my blogging and etsy email address.

My new email address is:  collettaskitchensink[at]yahoo[dot]com

I'm trying to get everything a bit more organized and think this will help.

I still have my other email also, so I'll still get your message if you send it there.

One more thing checked off the list!

Movie Review: "Faith Like Potatoes"

Movie Description from Netflix

2006   PG    111 minutes

Based on a true story, this inspiring drama centers on white farmer Angus Buchan (Frank Rautenbach), who -- weary of the conflict in Zambia -- moves his family to South Africa, where they try to transform a bare plot of land into a working farm. Buchan faces a string of challenges, but as he overcomes each hurdle, he gradually realizes that his hunger for material wealth has been replaced with a growing sense of spirituality.

Cast:  Frank Rautenbach, Jeanne Neilson, Hamilton Dlamini, Sean Cameron Michael, Casper Badenhorst, Matthew Dylan Roberts, Anton Treurnich, Candice D'Arcy, Morné Theunissen, Rochelle Buchan

 

Director:  Regardt van den Bergh 

 

Genres:  Drama, Dramas Based on Real Life

 

This movie is: Emotional, Heartfelt, Sentimental, Feel-good

 

My Thoughts:

 

I watched this movie last night and while it was based on a true story, I really wonder how much was skipped over.  I would have liked to have seen more of the main character's process of having his heart changed and transformed.

 

It went from one aspect to another in one scene and I know that life is a lot more difficult than that. 

 

I felt such compassion for Angus in his anguish and not knowing why he was working so hard and what for.  He had no hope and it was taking a toll.  The movie portrayed that very well, but it jumped from him being on the verge of a breakdown to him being ready to hit the road preaching.

 

It was a good movie and I enjoyed watching it.  I will warn you that there is a majorly heartbreaking scene.

 

This movie makes me want to read the book that it was based from.

 

Feel Good Friday ~ 4/15/11

"Just make a list. List 5 things that made you really happy this week. No matter how bad or boring you think your week was, I bet you can find 5 things."

1.  I opened my etsy shop!

2.  I've already had 3 sales and don't even have everything listed yet!

3.  I love my newly painted and floored bedroom!

4.  An afternoon nap that I'm about to take!

5.  Payday!

{this moment} ~ Spring Flowers

 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo (or 2, or 3) - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Audrey's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Audrey was my Gram's name.  I started making cookies with her from a time so long ago that I don't remember when it was.  Probably from the time I could stand up on a chair beside her and help.

I'm calling these cookies "Audrey's Chocolate Chip Cookies" because in my heart, that is what they are.  The recipe is also in my heart because I've made them so many times with her, and then on my own.  (sniff...sniff)  Wow, didn't think I'd get this emotional!

I'm not going to write the recipe out because I think it might be fun to give you a little scavenger hunt.  It might just be a scavenger hunt of your memory.

I graduated from high school in 1996.  Our Class Song was the theme from "Friends".  My friends and I loved that show!  We'd get together on Thursday's get our homework done and then have a Pepsi party and watch "Friends".  Hyped up on caffeine and friendship, we had a blast!

So here is the clue:  In one of the episodes, Monica is trying to figure out the recipe for Phoebe's grandmother's secret chocolate chip cookie recipe.  Phoebe's apartment had burned (it was Rachel's fault) and the recipe with it.  But she had 1 cookie in the freezer.  Monica was a chef and just knew that she could figure out the ingredients by taking little bites and then trying a batch of cookies.

There were cookies everywhere in the apartment because Monica just could not figure it out and it was driving her crazy.  It was hilarious!

So what does that have to do with "Audrey's Chocolate Chip Cookies"?  My grandmother's recipe is the exact same recipe as Phoebe's grandmother's recipe!

So who will fess up to being a "Friends" fan and to remembering that episode?

In honor of Gram and all that she taught me, I am offering homebaked "Audrey's Chocolate Chip Cookies" in my etsy shop. 

You can click HERE, on my banner below or my Shop's widget at the top right of my sidebar.  They will come in batches of 2 dozen or 4 dozen, but I can accomodate larger orders, if you desire!

Please see my left sidebar to see the great places I'll be linking to!

P.S.  If nobody comes up with the answer to the clue and you would like the recipe,leave a comment and I'll be glad to share!

April's Journal

 I'm finally getting to show you my journal that I decorated for April.  I ran behind because of my dad's surgery and actually didn't decorate it until April 2nd. 

For 2 days my journal was just a plain old (well, new) composition book.  Then I jazzed it up a bit.

It is much more cheerful now!  It looks like I took this picture before I trimmed the edges.  Oh, well!

So there you go.  April's Journal.

Please see my left sidebar for the great places I'll be linking to!

Queen of the Castle ~ Week 15

Week 15 ~ Adventures in Gardening
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

It is finally that time of the year.  Grass is getting greener, leaves are budding and trees, daffodils and other spring flowers are blossoming.

If you are anything like my husband, you have been pouring over the seed catalogs that started to arrive in the mail box mid-February.  He tells me his plans, but I know they will change 20 more times before the planting actually starts.  The latest news is that he wants to add a 4th garden plot right out in front of our house by the parking lot.  We'll have to see about that.

Here is a quote from Celestine Sibley's, Small Blessings:

"I have seen some of the great gardens in this country and some that are not so great but far, far better than my fondest dream.  And because I have yearned over seed catalogues, spent the grocery money for cow manure, wrenched my back shoveling, and sometimes emerged with little to show for it except the dirt under my fingernails, my pleasure in all gardens is multiplied a hundredfold."

Well, we haven't spent the grocery money on cow manure (yet) but I think I know what she means.

God gave Adam and Eve:

 "every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it...for food"  Genesis 1:29

****
These are some tips that LBW passess along from some gardening experts:

-Start Small.  You can always add to it next year.

-Soil preparation is key.  Break up the ground to about twelve inches and spread six inches of "organic amendments" such as peat moss or manure, then mix it in.

-Choose sunny gardening sites.

-Plant at intervals to minimize your rise.  (Plant some this week, then wait a week or two to plant the next batch.)

-If you're new to gardening, try planting the same flower in several locations to see where it does best.

-By planting in pots, you can move them around to find where they grow best.

-White plants are most easily seen in the dark, so use them along walkways or in dark corners of your yard to make that area "pop out".

-Plant the plants you loved when you were 6 year old, says her friend who is a landscape designer.

-And from the Master Gardener Himself:  water your garden if you want it to flourish (Is 1:30; 58:11; Jeremiah 31:12.)

"Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sigh and good for food."  Genesis 2:9

Please see my left side bar to see all the great places I'm linking up to!

My First Etsy Listing!

Remember these guys:

The Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies?  See my blog-post HERE.

I've decided to try adding some baked goods to my etsy shop along with my crafts.  Because that's what I do.  I bake and craft!

Just to feel the waters, I've listed 2 sets of 1 dozen of these monster-sized cookies.

So if these are making your tastebuds pop and you don't want to bake them yourself, go to my shop by clicking HERE and order some.  (what shameless self-promotion!)

Thanks!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Muffins

The night my dad got out of the hospital after his surgery, he and my mom stayed at our house.  I woke up early the next morning and made breakfast for everyone.  It had been a rough couple days and I wanted to do some pampering for my family.

I made these muffins, plain oatmeal for my dad, scrambled eggs with cheese, and sausage.  It was a yummy way to start the day.

I got this recipe from http://www.howsweeteats.com/ .

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Muffins

1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini's)

Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin tins.  Makes 12 muffins.

Add oats to a bowl and add 1/2 cup of milk.  Let soak for 5-10 minutes, while you prepare the first few steps of the muffins.

In a large bowl, combine egg and brown sugar.  Whisk until smooth.  Add in vanilla and butter.  Whisk well, smoothing batter as much as possible.  There will still be some small butter chunks.

Add flour, oat misture, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Mix well.

Add remaining 1/2 cup milk and combine until smooth.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill muffin liners with about 1/4 cup of batter.  Sprinkle the tops with sugar.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until baked through.

Serve with butter.

Share with family and friends.

These really did taste like a Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie only in muffin form.  Makes them solid breakfast material!

Please see my left sidebar to see all the great places I'll be linking to!

Weekly Bible Study Update ~ 4/10/11

4/3/11-4/9/11

1st Place for Health.  


"God's Purpose for You". 
Week 2 ~ "Respond Wholeheartedly".

Memory Verse:  "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.".  Proverbs 29:18

Day 1:  Running Wild
Day 2:  What God Reveals
Day 3:  Choosing God's Way
Day 4:  Understanding and Obedience
Day 5:  Wholehearted
Day 6:  Reflection and Application
Day 7:  Reflection and Application

This week's lesson was about how God wants us to resond wholeheartedly to obeying His commandments. 

Do we obey grudgingly?  Doing what is right but really wanting to do what we know is wrong.

I have to admit when it comes to food and dieting, that is right where I'm at.  I eat the Special K bar for lunch when I really want a Happy Meal like the rest of the family.

Exercise too.  Sometimes I have to force myself even though I'd rather be in my comfy bed reading a good book.

What about Sunday morning?  Do you get up anticipating a great worship service or do yo"u have to drag yourself out of bed due to a feeling of guilt and obligation?

This week, let's respond wholeheartedly to God and live our lives intentionally for His service.
Next:  Week :  "Desire Real Change"
*********

"Walking With Women Through the Word" with Wendy Pope. 
One Year Chronological Bible in the New Living Translation.
April 3- April 9, 2011

We're almost to Day 100 in our reading!

This week had so many great stories.

The Judges, Jephthah's Vow, Samson, The Levite and His Concubine (very disturbing), Naomi and Ruth (one of my very favorites), Hannah's Prayer, Samuel's Birth, and then the Capture of the Ark by the Philistines.

So many of these I learned about in Sunday School as a young girl and now my daughters are learning them as they grow up in the Church.

One thing I didn't remember reading before:  After Hannah gave Samuel over to the Lord's service, the Lord blessed her with 3 more sons and 2 daughters.  That made me so happy.  It made me want to say, "In your face, Penninah!"  I guess that isn't very Christian of me but Hannah does say a Prayer of Praise that kind of says that in a round-about way.  GO HANNAH!

I'm really looking forward to seeing what is in store for this week.

Have a great week everyone!

Please see my side bar for the wonderful places I'll be linking to!

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 4/10/11

Memory Verse ~ 4/10/11-4/16/11

"May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." 

Psalm 20:4

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     

Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful parties I'll be linking up to.

TSMSS ~ 7 X 70 by Christ August

 

I want to dedicate this song to my good friend, Jeff.  He says this is "his" song.  Here you go, Jeffrey!

I'm Moving to Etsy!

So, the decision has been made.

I'M MOVING TO ETSY!!!

I've set my etsy shop up but haven't listed anything in it yet.  I'll let you know when I do.

It is called "Colletta's Kitchen Sink".  (just like my blog.  lol)

You can click on my new banner or  HERE to go add me to your favorites!  hint, hint.

I've moved most of the items in my ebay store to Online Auction for 5 days.  The auctions are starting with lower prices than Buy It Now.

I'd like to sell as much of the items on ebay as I can, so that I don't have to relist them in my etsy shop.  A fresh start would be easiest.  So, click on my ebay store button on the top left sidebar or HERE to check it out.

I'll let you know when I have my etsy shop stocked and running. 

My goal is to start adding some of my new items tomorrow and then anything I have left from my ebay store next week.  Maybe I'll even have a Grand Opening Party!

I'M SO EXCITED!

{this moment} ~ Laundry Day

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo (or 2, or 3) - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Feel Good Friday ~ 4/8/11

"Just make a list. List 5 things that made you really happy this week. No matter how bad or boring you think your week was, I bet you can find 5 things."

1.  The new floor is going down in my bedroom!
2.  We had a great time at the Ladies Salad Supper last night!

3.  I think we're taking the girls to see "HOP" tonight!

4.  I made myself a new apron!

5.  Laken slept in her bed the WHOLE night ALL week!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Wednesday afternoons, my mom and dad come to visit for a while before we all go to Prayer Meeting.   Mom usually ends up playing "Pet Shops" with Laken, or sometimes we'll sit at the table and crochet together and have tea.

This Wednesday, Mom kept Laken entertained while I made Lasagna for supper and made these PB&J Bars to take to Prayer Meeting.

My dad, who had his gall bladder out last week, is back to his old tricks of sneaking goodies while Mom isn't watching.  (He's also diabetic.)  I saw him sneak a piece of this bar and hide in the next room while he ate it!  Those two are so funny!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars 

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1 stick of butter, room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup of strawberry or raspberry jelly or jam

Preheat oven to 300 and grease a 9X9 baking dish.

Mix all ingredients except the jam in a large bowl.  Press 1/2 of the crumb mixture inthe bottom of the pan.

Spread with the jam or jelly of choice.  (I used some black raspberry that I had left from the Rugelachs I made a few weeks ago.)

Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over the top of the jelly and press down lightly.

Bake for about 35 minutes.

Share with family and friends.

I found this recipe at www.thewednesdaybaker.blogspot.com.  It was very, very easy to make and tastes so good.  Just like PB&J should be.

Let me know if you try this recipe out.  I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Please see my left sidebar for all the great places I'll be linking to!