I suck at blogging.

For whatever reason, the more domestic goddess-y I've become, the less time I find to blog about it. So I'm gonna try harder.

A week and a half ago, I swore off doing freelance design work for a while. This self proclamation suddenly felt freeing and empowering. I'm now free to do whatever I want in my spare time. I can take care of laundry AND sew a potholder. I can make a purse. I can doodle and paint. I can take cute pictures of what I've accomplished. The sky is the limit, but I find myself lost in the clouds.

Christmas brought forth a never-ending supply of items to make: I knew just what I wanted to do, and how to do it. I organized my sewing room and went forth on my mission. I stitched, and glued, and painted, and pinned, and cut and did it until my fingers were falling off. Enjoying every minute of it. I would get in my car after work, and on the drive home I'd imagine all the things I could accomplish that day, and couldn't wait to get in the zone.

After Christmas passed, the projects were completed and the gifts were distributed. I felt so accomplished. The first year I've actually managed to MAKE the gifts. And then I relaxed into a dark, furry, soft place, and stayed there.

I'm ready for the project mojo to come back. Sure, I made a purse, but it took over 2 weeks to complete. I started a potholder, but currently, it's sitting on my piano bench with more pins than a voodoo doll. I'm customizing a munny for an art show in Feb, but anything that could go wrong, has. I'm not short on creativity, imagination or ideas, I have at least 10 pages in my sketchbook full of future projects waiting to be born.

I just need that mojo back.

It's finally October!

Ernst and Gilpin is throwing our 2nd annual halloween bash... scaled back from last year by quite a bit.  I pulled out all the halloween decor I own last week and was looking through it. I already had a few skulls and little bits out, but I felt that since October finally came, it was time to go all out and enjoy the decor for as long as possible.

Last year's party was a "Twisted Disney Mad Hatter" theme.  This year, it's just going to be creepy.  REALLY creepy.

Spooky Halloween Party Planning

If you're planning on throwing your own Spooky

 Halloween Party, the first thing you want to decide on is FOOD... yes, Food.  Why food first?  The food should take up around HALF of your budget!  Also, depending on the amount of Alcohol you want, it could be 3/4 of your budget.  Take careful consideration when planning the time of your party.  If you plan on opening your door before 7pm, plan on feeding people more than just cupcakes.

Decide First whether you're going to serve a buffet, appetizers, potluck, or a full course meal. That decision will factor into the INVITATIONS, especially if you're asking guests to bring food or drinks.

If you like a lighter fare, like appetizers and finger food, pick 3 items to make, but make enough to feed your crew. An easy way to creep up appetizers: add black, orange or red food coloring to dips, spreads and some of your water-based veggies, like celery will take on the color of choice if soaked in a shallow dish of cold water and food coloring for a few hours (it also keeps them crisp).

If you think coloring your food will ward off guests from sampling them, add non-edible decor to the serving platters, and use aged or festive bowls and plates.  Scour thrift stores for some fun finds like old silver platters.

Invitations

Once you have an idea of what the menu will consist of, make invitations, and send them out at least 3 or 4 weeks ahead, especially if you'll be asking guest to wear costumes.  Consider all things about the party when making invitations, and what you expect your guests to bring... or n

ot to bring.  Alcohol, children, costumes, food, wine, and games are all things to bring or leave at home.

There are some fantastic and easy ways to make your own invitations, and set the mood long before the party begins.  You could choose from a myriad of clip art, or go to your local craft store and get cardstock cutouts, stamps and decorative paper. Or buy a can of granite-look spray paint and paint tombstone-shaped cutouts, then write the info on them once they’re dry.  Make sure to include your address, the time of the party (and an end time if you like) and the name of the hosts.

If you have all the guests' e-mail addresses, you can skip the stamps and paper and use an e-invitation website to reach your guests.  Sites like evite.com have pre-designed templates for every occasion and style and are easy to fill in an

d hit send!

Creepy or Cutesy?

Decide on a theme for your decor, and stick to it throughout your 

party-scape.  If you'll be utilizing your entire house, divide the areas into "scare zones" for an even creepier effect.  

For instance, you can purchase "bloody handprints" that cling onto shower doors and plastic curtains for a "PSYCHO" look in the bathroom.  The entryway (inside or out) could be filled with flying bats made from black construction paper.  The kitchen might be transformed into a dirty meat market, with body parts in the sink and sticking out of the oven.  Jello Brain Molds are easy to find and inexpensive at your local party store.

For more Halloween Decor ideas: Martha Stewart and many others offer DIY instructions for creating your own spooky decor, from super easy to advanced craftsman.  Take a gander...

But it's only September!

That's what Jason said to me.

Let me start at the beginning... We're moved into the new house, now known as Gilpin/Percy Manor, and Jason and I have been trying to unload all the piles of boxes that stretch across the garage.  (I have a lot of STUFF.)  So, last week I started making my way to the HALLOWEEN decor filled boxes (FUN!), and pulling out items for inspection.  I put out a few tombstones in the front entryway, skulls atop the bookshelves, and a creepy black wire tree and candles...  

Then I found one of my favorite pieces of decor - my flying demon.  He's so scary at night with the right lighting.  So I thought I'd catch Jason by surprise, walked in the house with the demon, and he loved it.  I started holding it up in different areas to see where it fit best.   

That's when Jason asked: "When do you want to start decorating for Halloween?"

I was stunned for a moment, and said: "I already have."

"But it's only September!!" he laughed.

I have been preparing for Halloween in my mind for at least a month or so.  And now that I have my own HOUSE, and can decorate it any way I see fit... it boggles the mind.  The options are endless.

There's just something about Halloween that makes me feel magical.  Not the same kind of magical that christmas offers.  A little darker brand of magic.

Life and other catastrophies.

Yes, goddesses, it's been a while.

Brooke and I keep experiencing life slam into us like a freight train, and something has to give.  Unfortunately, that's been Domestic Goddess for the past month or 2.  Interest seems to be on a decline, due to life happening to everyone else too.

I had a mini-breakdown-crisis yesterday, upon feeling the weight of the world and all its accessories, life started closing in on me like a garbage compactor.  It was a day of extreme ups, downs, frustrations, sadness and delight - pulverizing my nerves. I had to stop.  Just stop.  Stop thinking, stop doing, stop worrying, stop hoping, stop expecting, stop disappointment, stop obsessing. Just stop. 

And breathe.

I calmed down.  For about an hour, I just sat in front of the TV and watched it.  Didn't do anything else.  My mind was emptied.  I felt better, calmer, less on the edge of screaming.  And it happens to us all.  Things build up, especially when we aren't paying attention.  Soon we're choking out the goober coffee shop kid because he asked if we want whipped cream.

It occurred to me in writing this very blog, that there is a direct correlation to the weight of the world closing in, and the lack of me creating something just to create.  It is an outlet, a safe haven, and therapy for me.  I can so easily slide into the softness of it's womb, and keep my sanity by just creating.  The challenge is - doing something for a living that's creative = not being as willing to keep it up when I get off work, because sometimes it feels like work.

I've had my paints, canvases, beads, fabric and crafting stuff packed in boxes for 3 weeks now, since I'm moving in less than a month. I don't really have time to unpack what's been packed - I need to pack MORE.  And that, I feel, has partially led to my mini-breakdown-crisis. 

So I decided in all my enlightenment to dig into some stuff I've always wanted to do, and include the Domestic Goddesses in my projects.  So join me.  I'm planning to do one project a week. (until I move, and then start it up again.)  Please feel free to offer suggestions.  I've already come up with THIS WEEK's PROJECT: MAKE YOUR OWN SHAMPOO!

Dr. G and Special Sauce Penne

Dr. G and Special Sauce Penne

with Italian Garlic Bread

Ingredients for Penne:

• 1/2 box penne pasta 

• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

• handfull of mushrooms, chopped (your choice, but I use baby bellas from publix)

• 1/2 onion, chopped

• 2-3 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped

• 1 can of diced tomatoes

• 1/2 jar of Tomato Sauce

• 1 tsp. Adobo with pepper

• 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp parsley (fresh or dried)

• Grated Cheese

Ingredients for Italian Garlic Bread:

• Sliced Italian Bread from your local bakery or Farmer's Market

• Olive Oil

• Italian Seasoning

• Garlic Powder

Directions:

• Heat Olive oil in skillet on medium

• Boil penne as directed on package, until al denté

• Coarsely Chop Mushroom, Onions and Garlic 

• Sauté until Golden Brown

• Add Can of Diced Tomatoes and set heat to med-high

• Add 1/2 Jar of Tomato sauce, and simmer till it's bubbling

• Add dry spices, and stir, turn the heat to low.

• sprinkle cheese over the top, don't mix yet

• When pasta is done, gently fold into Sauce in skillet, and turn off 

heat

For Garlic Bread:

• Pre-heat toaster/oven to 350º

• Cut slices of bread in half, and place on baking sheet

• Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning

• Bake for 10 min, or until light golden brown

Garage Sale!!

If you'd like to donate any items or goodies for the bake sale, all proceeds go to the Kunze Family. Their family took a hard and unexpected hit this year, Mr Kunze has a rare and unknown disease that is deteriorating his brain, he basically has the mind of a 6 year old. The doctors have no idea what it is. They are definitely feeling the strain financially and the kids are in desperate need of a break from the situation. Any little bit helps.

Accolade Chem-Dry is donating their first set of season tickets to the Bucs Game to their family as way for them (especially the kids) to have a break and just have fun. We are having the bake sale to raise money for parking, concessions, and t-shirts for the kids. If you are able to help us by donating a baked good for our sale I know they would appreciate it.

Summertime, and the livin' is easy

Grass Clippings floating through the hot breeze.  Piles of flip-flops in the doorway.  Kids running through the sprinklers.  Hot dogs and hamburgers sizzle and pop on the grill.  Summertime.

Summer in Florida is fierce (and can be deadly), but there are so many ways to beat the heat AND the humidity, and not spend a fortune on your A/C bill.  

Did you know?  Air Conditioning in Florida can be 60-70% of your summer electric bill!

- If you have a programmable A/C thermostat, you can save by setting it CORRECTLY for the time of day:

6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 75 degrees

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 80 degrees

5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. = 75 degrees

11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 80 degrees*

- If you have central air, set your thermostat above 78 degrees, and each degree above 78 will save you up to 8% on cooling costs.

- If you leave your home for more than an hour, set your thermostat to 80 degrees, or turn it off completely. (It cools off again in 15 minutes or less, and uses less energy than leaving it running while you were gone.)

- Use a fan.  Ceiling fans can make a room feel 6-9 degrees cooler, and uses less electricity than your A/C, but make sure the fan is turning counter-clockwise, so that it's blowing down and not up.  Turn the fan off when you leave the room.

- Add curtains, blinds or both to your windows.  The sweltering summer sunlight creates about 20% of the heat in your home*, and comes in through the windows.  Try fitting it into your normal morning routine, eat a healthy breakfast, grab a water, and close all the blinds and curtains before you leave.

- Greener shade.  Plant some shady shrubs and trees near your windows, especially the West facing windows, to keep the afternoon heat from making your home about 10 degrees warmer.  Awnings over your windows can also be installed to block the heat.

- Run your most heat-making appliances at night during cooler hours, like the dryer and dishwasher.  The oven can also produce unnecessary heat in the home, so use your microwave, or even better- take it outside!  Use your charcoal grill to make dinner with some yummy recipes from DG.

- Use Energy Saver Fluorescent bulbs to reduce heat and electricity - they use up to 75% less energy and 90% less heat*.

- If you have a spare bedroom that rarely is used, close the vents that feed that room until you're entertaining guests.

- Clean or Replace your A/C filter MONTHLY!  A dirty filter makes the A/C work harder.

*-sources: www.thisoldhouse.com, michaelbluejay.com