Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Mystery Surrounding the Death of Frank Ackerman


Tonight, Husband and I are attending a 30th Birthday.
In effort to celebrate our friend's biggest year yet, and to include the amount of creep factor that Halloween weekend deserves, Husband and I will be in full character taking part in a spooky murder mystery.

Tonight, call me Anna Lutz.
Recluse. Poet. Artist. Close friend of the Diseased.

Fifty people are expected to attend the Funeral of Frank Ackerman, a detective, and one of the latest in a string of copycat murders in a small town.  The party has been in the works for over five months and lots of work has gone into this production.  Upon our arrival, we will be handed more information on our objectives for this evening, and the mystery will begin. 


To add some creep factor to my part, today I picked up a black crow.
Reclusive-artistic-types wear crows on their shoulder, right?

Can't wait to tell you about it next week,
and I'm hoping the "news reporters" will have their cameras, tonight.
Off to work on my head piece!

What are you up to this weekend?
Any festivities? 

xx, Cassie

 

Friday, October 28, 2011

The Little Things {Lately}

  • Evening hot cocoa.
  • The stove roaring through the night.
  • Finally feeling confident in the possibility of it all...
  • Connecting with my sisters through Pinterest.  Yay for another way to keep in touch!
  • Baking to find THE sugar cookie recipe.
  • Secretly loving Jet's obsession with golf balls.  There must be 100 half-chewed golf balls around the property.  He's so cute the way he will sprint at the sight of one soaring through the air. You probably guessed that Husband doesn't find this as cute as I do.
  • The maple tree off the back porch that is glowing red this October.
  • The handful of rosemary that my friend handed me upon my leave.
  • The piles of books stacked near where I sleep.  It must be a comfort thing.  Comfort or hoarding issue...I'm not entirely sure, but I'm okay with it.
  • The mere thought of bookshelves. filled. high. upon the wall. one day.
  • Opening my mailbox today, to find not one,
    but three brown parcels of supplies for the shop.
  • The way Asher calls, "Jet, come here, boy!" in his newly acquired three year old country twang.  Acquired from where?  We don't know. 
  • Chicken Adobo dinner nights.
  • The sweet emails that are randomly dropped my way, that say things like I thought of you in the subject line...
  • Watching friends do what they love...write scripts, make short films, start non-profits, teach, start their practices, interview for their dream job after two grueling years of school work.  The passion is infectious.
It's all about the little things, no?
xx

pinterest

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Ten Minutes Ago...

I nearly stomped my feet when Husband asked me to go outside, in the near freezing weather, to take pictures of the firewood to put on Craigslist.  In the horse corral, nonetheless.  I contemplated the quick trip in my Havana sandals then reconsidered, and I'm glad I did. 
Turns out the moments in the cold,
thick-treed horse corral, photographing firewood, can be nice.

A lovely Tuesday to you.

xx

P.S.  I haven't introduced you to the horses!  Soon, I promise. 
This morning, they are on the other side of the property in their winter stalls.

P.P.S. Yes, the firewood is for sale. 
Shoot me an email if you're in the area and are in need.

A Decadent Sunday

Sunday, I broke free...from the family and the franticness that is bazaar prep.

I headed past Portland with a good friend of mine, to meet up with her sister to run the Sellwood 5k.  It was a beautiful fall morning, so the pre-walk and 3.1 mile run made perfect segue into the rest of the day.  Not to mention, the run was followed up with some fro-yo (frozen yogurt, Mom).  My kind of run!


And the day just got better!

Breakfast at Hash
Two streets worth of antique shops
One alphabet letter for my alphabet collection
A soy pumpkin spice latte
A set of teal & turquoise vintage books for my family room
Heapings of eye-candy topped with inspiration overload
Two sweet friends
One patient Husband waiting at home with two happy kids
And to end a pretty perfect day--a pink sunset.  sigh.

It was good.  So good.  Just what a hunter's wife needed.

I hope your weekend was just as swell! 
What were your highlights?

images courtesy of Danielle T.*
*You said decadent at the start of the day, and decadent it was!

xx


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

America's Largest Christmas Bazaar--Portland, Oregon

I failed to already mention that this year my handmade shop,
Between the Lines, will be at
America's Largest Christmas Bazaar in Portland, Oregon 
Which of course, I do hope you'll come say hi if you are in the area!

Mine will be one of 500+ handmade booths and one of a thousand booths to shop
for your merry delight this Christmas season.

The fun begins the day after Thanksgiving, which many like to call Black Friday.  It runs through the weekend and the following weekend as well, totaling six days of business. 

This is big.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't wake up at 3:30am this morning thinking of all the work that needs to get done in the next month, and for a moment considered bowing out.  I'd be lying if I said I don't have a long list of honey-dos for Husband, supplies to purchase, samples to design, replicates to make and a 10 x 10 space to decorate.

I'm freaking out.

Yes, it is 5:44am and I am on my way to my studio with coffee in hand.
Yes, I'm going to regret this early rise come afternoon when my children are asking me to take them to the park and/or fighting over Calliou or the movie, Cool Dog. 
And yes, I need this in the largest print possible, today:
xx

Monday, October 17, 2011

An Eccentric Burlap Chair Makeover

How was your weekend, friends?  Ours was good!  Husband was away, so there was a sleepover with a friend and her little one, a couple late nights and naps to make up for them, and spontaneous crafting revolving around my kitchen table chairs...

Back story: Fabric dining chairs are not for kids--or dogs.  So it wasn't long before I was embarrassed to even have guests sit at the table since on any day, there could be a stain, two or three waiting for them as they pulled out their chair.  Eww, right?  And the upholstery cleaner attachment--I'm still looking for that.  Regardless, the tan fabric covering the chairs had to go.
Much to my surprise and and excitement the seats screwed right off.
The set had been covered a couple times already, and since I didn't have the tools, and let's be honest--the time, I decided to cover the cushions right on top of the other fabric.

Insert fabric:
Collected burlap sacks. 
 Husband found one sack in the attic and the other two came from firewood
bundles on a camping trip.  I knew I could make use of them!
What's that I hear you say?  Yes, it is still "tan," but it's way more awesome!
Stapling six chairs will give you some serious wrist cramps, but the payoff is fantastic!
I've just decided to lay towels over the chairs when my sloppy kids sit in them.
A practical solution for what are impractical chairs for this little family.
Who wants to place bets on how long it takes for one to be completely ruined? 
I'm trying not to think about that.
Join me for dinner?

Time: 2 hours
Re-upholstery Cost: $0.00! 

Slowly but surely this place is coming together.
Good grief.
Now...if only this set was black...

xx, Cassie

Friday, October 14, 2011

The Best Fondue.

Pinned Image

Last night, we had good friends for dinner, and this quick appetizer (thanks to my sister, Tammy) received rave reviews.  "It's better than Gustav's," one of our visitors said, and that's what I'm after--easy recipes as good or better than the restaurants. 

It's easy, delicious and you can't go wrong--unless you burn it.  Yeah, be careful with that.

Two Cheese Fondue

3 Tbsp. butter
1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
3/4 C. chicken broth or stock
1 tsp. minced onion
1/4 lb. swiss chese, finely sliced
3 Tbsp. flour
3/4 C. half and half or light cream
1/4 C. parmesean cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Melt butter in fondue pot.
2. Blend in flour and cayenne.
3. Gradually add liquids.
4. Add onion and cook, stirring until thickened.
5.  add cheese and cook until melted.

Dunkables: cubes of French or Italian bread, olives, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, apple chunks, celery.

You up for some Friday night Fondue? 
I think tonight at the McCully Ranch,
whilst Husband is away setting up camp for his deer hunt,
there will be some crafting and relaxing and possibly another round of Fondue.

Happy Weekending!

xx

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Little Things {Lately}

  • The tumblr website 'I Can Read' is an inspiring little place full of typography like the above. Typography makes my heart sing.  This quote should be made into a universal pledge.
  • Handmade drawings made by Brooklynn masking taped to various walls around the house.
  • Meals from Costco on the nights I don't want to cook.
  • Husband tucked in with the littlest watching Lion King.
  • Quotes from Steve Jobs.
  • My new business cards purchased off Etsy. Yay!
  • The cool, sunny forecast for the next week.
  • Husband taking on the kitchen duties, then surprising me with a slice of pumpkin pie that was supposed to be for tomorrow night's guests.  Woops!
  • Fuzzy socks and riding boots.
  • Feeling inspired while exercising.  It's funny, but I do get a lot of my ideas while on the treadmill.
  • Sewing and craft dates (which reminds me that I need to schedule some writing dates, too.  Speaking of writing, I was unable to attend Wordstock after all.  I came down sick and had myself quite a frustrating weekend. Shouldn't have, but I did).
  • I'm still obsessed with Goodreads, but my ever-growing list of books to-read is scaring me.
  • Return customers to Between the Lines makes me smile. 
What are your Little Things?  I'd love to hear!

You can also join  me by posting and linking up on the right side-bar!
Please do visit the others as well!

xx

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Jam Cookies & Blackberry Jam Winners!!

Thanks for entering my
{Lemon Infused}Blackberry Jam Giveaway!
I love sharing treats with you guys!

The winners each receiving one jar of jam are....................

No. 15 Heather
&
No. 2 Suzi

Congrats!
I'll be sending you an email shortly to get your mailing address
so I can send you your package of goodness.

Speaking of jam, I have favorite childhood cookie recipe to share with you.
 

Jam Cookies

1 C. butter
1 C. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 2/3 C. flour

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Add in dry ingredients and mix.
3. Roll dough into medium size balls
 (about the size of a walnut).
4. Make a thumb-print in the center of each cookie and fill with jam.*
5. Bake cookies for 6-8 minutes; until bottoms are golden brown.
*Add sprinkles if they make you happy.

xx

The Little Things {Lately}

The neighbor out for a walk wearing a duck-shaped raincoat.
Hazelnut in my coffee and pumpkin spice burning on the counter.
Creating lists of books on Goodreads to read, to love and to recommend.
Propped up under the covers, a cup in hand, listening to Husband's Alaskan adventures.
The excitement and rejuvination that returns with a traveler.
The way Jet tilts his head when he is listening.
My five year old's yearning to learn and how quickly she picks up teachings.
Heart cakes.
Dew drops in the morning.


The Little Things is a series that happens every Thursday.

Care to link in with your your little things?
You can do so on my right sidebar.
I'd love to hear from you!
The Little Things Are The Big Things.

xx

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

My Anthem

One morning, when you're too lazy to get to the gym because the rain is falling and just the gloomy sight makes your toes cold, you may just come across your anthem.  Then, for the rest of the morning, you're filled with joy, because God is good. 

"I'll be my brother's keeper
so the whole world will know that we're not alone."



It don't have a job, don't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills
Won't fix your life in five easy steps
Ain't the law of the land or the government?

But it's all you need

And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I'll be my brother's keeper
So the whole world would know that we're not alone

It's waiting for you

Knocking at your door
In the moment of truth
When your heart hits the floor
And you're on your knees

And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I'll be my brother's keeper
So the whole world would know that we're not alone

This is the first day of the rest of your life
This is the first day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be alright

x

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

He's Not Perfect.

I miss him.  But the good news is he returns home to me tomorrow.  
He's been in Alaska for the last week and a half helping a dear friend remodel his home. 
I plan to hug him a whole lot and listen close as he tells me about his Alaskan adventures
and taking off and landing on a float plane.  I have to say, I'm a little surprised he was up for the float plane bit.  Especially for a guy who isn't too keen on flying. 

I Guess I should finish Part II of 'Husband Remember,' eh?
I have so many blog ideas that they get stashed here, there and everywhere.
Anyone else have this problem?

Speaking of remembering...did you enter the giveaway, yet?
It ends tomorrow night!


Thanks to the blog, The Short and Sweet of It.  This quote is perfect.

Monday, October 3, 2011

A Berry Delicious Giveaway!

Sometimes I can't resist puns.  It's my mother's fault.

How was your weekend?  Ours was swell.  It included a spontaneous kindergarten cheer camp for Brooklynn, which has since turned my daughter into an aspiring cheerleader.  I wasn't a cheerleader, mainly because I lack coordination, so as I watch her kick her legs arbitrarily, to land on one knee with her poms up, and I agree with my girlfriend, Heather--she definitely got her moves from her Dad.  She had to have.

I also did some garage-saleing and found some cool things that I'll have to share with you, finished my book, 'The Middle Place,' hung out with a girlfriend and her little boy and cleaned carpets.  The rain has hit us here in the northwest, so I'll need to start getting more creative indoors with my time.

A couple weeks ago, the blackberries were practically falling off their stickery vines.  So just as I should have, I gathered them up and made jam.  Two cases of jam!  Some of you reached out to me saying that you miss wild blackberries, so I've decided to giveaway one jar of my {Lemon Infused} Blackberry Jam to two separate readers!


To enter this {Lemon Infused}Blackberry Jam Giveaway:
You can earn two entries:

1) Follow this blog.
2) Tell me what you are loving about fall thus far.
Easy right?!

Giveaway closes Wednesday, Oct. 5th 11:59pm.  Winner announced Thursday!

Happy Monday, friends!


“You must write every single day of your life... You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads... may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.” ― Ray Bradbury
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