Lighter Already

While I'm pretty much wrapping up this blog, it only seems appropriate that this post goes here. And that is... I am no longer associated with Weight Watchers. Yes, I quit this afternoon, after a LOT of thinking about it. I mean, it does seem crazy to quit a job doesn't it. But working for WW, at least for me, carries a lot of psychological baggage in that leaders are lifetime members, and have all the associated food issues that many of the current members have. I certainly did. I'm hoping that I can step away from the always thinking about food, and points, and weigh ins and simply enjoy eating, without said baggage.

I will probably keep up my monthly weigh in, but will really try hard not to let it rule my life. And so, goodbye Weight Watchers.

A New Blog

I've done the rant on clutter, etc. and how I'm trying to lighten things up, and I've noted that this particular blog has become cluttered with stuff that just doesn't really represent me anymore. Sure, I like all the stuff that is around on the sides, and some of it is moving with me to the new blog, but I'm going for more streamlined.

It's a huge work in progress. I guess any blog is really, but the side columns aren't all filled in with my favorite blogs, sewing and otherwise, I don't have any followers (you can be the first), and I don't have any other cute gadgets (I'm really going to try to keep that at a minimum).

Come on over and take a peek, and then come back again! It's a Sewing Life!

From an Etsy Friend

Sue, of Maddy & Me Designs, was my designated gift giver in the Bittersweeets First Annual Winter Sweet Swap. She made this gorgeous wreath, which I plan to hang in my studio, but am enjoying in my kitchen right now. Ever the ecological gal, Sue uses scraps from her beautiful felted handbags and other goodies, to make wreaths of all sizes. I love the year-round colorfulness of it, and it will always remind me of the great friends that I've made on Etsy.

She also included this sweet little felted bird's nest with two little eggs. According to her card, tradition says that a nest in your Christmas tree brings health and good luck in the new year, and the wreath brings warmth and cheer to all those who enter your home.

That just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, just like Sue's warm and fuzzy handbags!

Leaving Etsy Teams

If you read my last post about the clutter in my life, this one is related. If you are an Etsy seller, then you probably know about the Etsy teams, and have an opinion on their usefulness. I wondered about their usefulness when I was a new seller, and as my shop(s) have evolved, have developed a more experience-based opinion.

First, my official team history: I joined the Boomers and Beyond initially, because I fit the demographic. Somehow, though, I never felt that I fit the team, and was not active, so I dropped that one pretty quickly. The second team I joined was the Georgia Street Team because I fit the geographical region. Up until yesterday, I still received the email digest from their yahoo group, but I have not been active, do not use their tag for my items, and don't make any treasuries from the group (nor am I in any).

The next 2 teams I joined (and this is not necessarily in chronological order, but more of an importance order) were the Etsy Bloggers, and Quiltsy. I was active in both to some degree. Quiltsy is a great team, and I think if you make quilts, I would highly recommend them. They are a wonderful group, and I even met a few of the ladies in October at the Quilt Show in Houston. They are also very chatty, and I found it hard to keep up on their thread, but I still have quilts in my Down the Street shop, and would still like to promote them. The quilts are just not my main focus at the moment, however, and my mom hasn't made any lately either. She tells me she'll have some "fresh" ones after Christmas. I haven't officially dropped out of Quiltsy, though I don't believe I've met their requirements recently, either, and I suspect they have dropped me.

That brings us to the Etsy Bloggers team. This is also a wonderful group, and they are very active. I long ago gave up on participating in their very chatty thread, but as the requirements are very specific, and blog related, I managed to (mostly) meet those, and did tag some items with the Etsy blogger tag. I only make treasuries periodically, but would often look through the Etsy blogger group for inspiration. Of their requirements, I almost always did the featured artist feature, and had the button on my blog. I also participated in most of the blog carnivals, or at least the one a month required, though one recent month all 4 possible topics left me quite uninspired. I've decided now, at this stage in my life, I surely can come up with topics to write about, and can feature artists that really touch me personally, so I'm ending my relationship with the Etsy Bloggers.

I have one more group that I am extremely active in, though it is an unofficial team. We've talked about becoming official, but we really like it the way we are now. We are positive and supportive, buy from each other and make treasuries for each other, and this holiday season even organized a sort of "secret Santa swap". If you're looking through the team threads, you can find this group with the search of "bittersweeets" (yes, with 3 e's).

This is the one I'm sticking with for the time being, in the reducing clutter in my life phase. I won't rule out other teams in the future, but I will definitely think long and hard about the fit before committing. If you have an opinion or experience on teams (and you've actually read this far), I'd love to hear about it.

Do you ever have...

... something like this:

in your life? You know the feeling: like the walls are caving in around you. That's my 6 ft long cutting table, and I've been working like this for, oh, at least a month or so. Maybe longer.

Why? I don't know. Lack of motivation maybe. A feeling like I needed to get something done, so I won't take the time to clean up. Any sewist will tell you that it really takes more than that little spot in the center (with the yellow ruler) to properly cut something out, even if that something is pretty small.

Why am I showing you this? Well, because it's not just my table that feels a bit out of control. [and for the record, now it has been cleaned off, and readied for present wrapping]. Be prepared for major blog changes in the near future, as Down the Street Creations has gotten away from what I really want a blog of mine to be about and for.

That's all I'll say for now, but will keep you updated as changes are made, and oh, if you are really a follower, then... you'll know.

A Mother's Love

I stole that title from one of my sister's latest blog posts, but it seemed appropriate in this case, too. You see, what with Laura moving to the land of the Big Blue (is that what you Kentucky people call Lexington?), there are some wedding errands that need to be done without her. I mean, SOMEONE has to taste the cake!

So, even though my surgery isn't a week old, I found a friend that was willing to go on an outing that ended with cake.

Cake is an important part of the wedding, wouldn't you agree? I mean, sure, the flowers are gorgeous, the flower girl adorable, and of course, the bride is stunning, but if the cake isn't good, well, then, people remember that.

My friend, Sharon and I ventured into Midtown Atlanta today to sample the wares at Chocolate Pink. Our report... delicious!

You can click on the link to her post and read about her sacrifice, and decide who had the harder job. I think she probably wins (if there is winning to be had here).

Flowers for Me

The big party is over, and on Monday I had a little bit of surgery. Here are the flowers my sweet kids sent:

By my bedside

And here is the plant basket that my mom, brother, and sister and family sent:

So wonderful to have all the well wishes. I'm doing great!

Party Pictures

Dinner Party for 18: 1 Day to Go

I know that I promised you pictures and no words today, but my tables are still outside. They are just too heavy for me to drag across the wood floors by myself. I was hoping to get them set tonight, and still might, but certainly won't feel like blogging about them after I do.

So, here's a peek at the mantle. I finished that this afternoon, and the sun was down when I pulled the camera out so I can't vouch for the quality of the pictures. Enjoy!

And the backs of the chairs...

Dinner Party for 18: 2 Days to Go

Today was the day to be serious about the whole festive party thing! OK, maybe a few days late, but better late than never. I got so much done because of the first thing I did today... I made a list. I KNOW! What a great idea! And it works!

I didn't manage to cross off everything, but almost, and did get the important things done. Did the laundry. Not really party-related, but Thursday is my regular laundry day and the hamper was overflowing. Did the grocery shopping, and got everything except the extreme perishables (i.e., flowers, salad, strawberries). Those will be on Roland's list Saturday.

Make ahead food for today included toasting the pecans for the salad. I do it in a dry saute pan on medium to medium high heat, and just keep stirring until they appear to be the right color. Doesn't take long, and watching closely is a must. Prepared the marinated cheese. I bought a goat cheese gouda, and the marinade is olive oil, champagne vinegar, black peppercorns, garlic slices and thyme sprigs. Very quick and easy.

So, the picture isn't the cheese that I made and you can tell that from the rosemary and not thyme, right? Right! But it will look pretty much like this, and I wanted you all to have a picture.

The most exciting thing I did... made the big centerpiece for the big table. No picture yet, but I think tomorrow's post will just be pictures. The tables will be set, all the decorations made except the floral arrangements, and the house will be ready. That will leave the final cooking on Saturday, and picking up the last minute things on Saturday. Oh, and the chimney guy, weather permitting. Leaky chimneys. Yep, never a dull moment.

Dinner Party for 18: 3 Days to Go

Where DO the days go? Yesterday wasn't terribly productive toward the festivities on Saturday, but I did have lunch with a friend that is loaning me several things for the party, so there was that. And I finally finished decorating the tree, and remade all the beds. Party invitees have also been invited to stay the night if they don't want to have a designated driver.

So, you may have noticed the title. Yep, one couple couldn't find a babysitter. The only change I'll make is setting 2 less places. More food for everyone else! Speaking of food, I've started doing the make-ahead things. First the salad dressing which took me all of about 10 minutes (or less), but it's done.

The star dessert is a white chocolate cake from Piece of Cake, which I'll convince Roland to pick up on Saturday. The icing is white, and I've decided to also have a large bowl of strawberries with port syrup, which should look gorgeous, and, hopefully, taste great.

I recently bought this new cookbook:

and three of the menu items are from it: pickled grapes*, which are already made and tested; pimento cheese potato gratin, tested as well to rave reviews, and strawberries with port syrup. That will be untested, but that's never stopped me before. I made the port syrup this afternoon, which is super easy, but, surprisingly, messy. As it simmers, it creates a fine sugary mist that coated the stove and the floor.

*The pickled grapes met with mixed reviews, but it won't stop me from serving them.

Tomorrow is the big shopping day, making of the big centerpiece, and cleaning.