I Love Fabric!

I just discovered that I love fabric. One of my favorite past times is browsing fabric store touching and feeling everything I pass by. I have recently become addicted to the vibrant quilting cottons seen in popular boutiques. What I love most is the way different prints can be matched. Alone, the florals seem vivid and bold, but paired with another floral, stripe, or polka dot, they pop that much more.

In no particular order, I love prints by Amy Butler, Michael Miller, Sandy Henderson, Anna Maria Horner, Robert Kaufman, Heather Bailey. There are others, but these are my top favs.

I recently found two funky fabric stores in Atlanta that only sell these types of fabric: Intown Quilters and WhipStitch. If you ever want to visit, tell them I sent you.

I’ll Be at the Waldorf School on Saturday, November 7

Festival season is in full swing! I’ll be selling the “My Me Baby” dolls at the Waldorf School of Atlanta’s (in Decatur, GA) Holiday Fair on Saturday, November 7 from 10am-4pm. Come pick out the perfect doll for the little one in  your life and help support the Waldorf School. Visit their web site for more information and directions: http://www.waldorfatlanta.org/holiday_fair.php.

Come Visit Me @ Atlantic Station Nov. 1

If you are in the Atlanta, GA  metro area and are looking for something to do, come visit me at the Atlantic Station Artist’s Market. I will be showcasing my “My Me Baby” dolls from 11AM until dark. I have lots of new dolls and accessories just in time for your holiday shopping.

Introducing the “My Me Baby” Doll

For the past couple of months, I have been in deep R&D mode developing a new idea that has been swimming around in my head for quite some time. After many starts, stops, and prototypes I would like to introduce you to the “My Me Baby”!

“My Me Baby” is a unique handmade doll whose face shows a clear reflection of you. In an age where we are supposed to look a certain way, “My Me Baby” offers a new perspective on how both children and adults view themselves.

My Secret

Shhhh.

Let me share a little secret with you. I hate to cook! I’m actually a really good cook but it’s not something I enjoy. I do it because my kids would starve to death if I didn’t. Personally, I would be just fine eating a cheese tray filled with brie, fruit, crackers, and boar’s head meat, all washed down with a glass of wine of course.

I’m a “dump” cook and I don’t use recipes. I know if a dish is sufficiently seasoned if it “tastes” right. I can tell if it’s done if it “looks” right. When people ask for one of my recipes all I can do is recite the ingredients as I remember them and the rest is up to the curious chef. My instructions go something like this, “add some sausage, ground beef, beans, green peppers, onions, salt, pepper, honey, {secret ingredient}, and cinnamon, and then bake it in the oven”. By the way, that’s the recipe for my famous baked beans (I think that’s the only reason my friends invite me to cook outs…lol).

I learned from the best soul food chefs – my mother and both grandmothers. They all cook the same way and their meals are always wonderful! My paternal mother makes the best pound cake around. Oh, and her sweet potato pie is the best I’ve ever tasted. It’s so good that I won’t even eat anybody else’s pie.  And her biscuits dipped in sorghum syrup (only people from the country know about that)……… I could go on for days.

Being a “dump” cook is a great thing because I can create a meal out of anything in the fridge but it doesn’t help too much with variety. I tend to cook the same meals over and over again. A chicken breast doesn’t have a chance in my house.  Every day I find myself stewing over what to cook for dinner. It’s actually quite stressful because I often run out of ideas.

Today, I came across the 30-Day Meal Plan on the nannygoat blog. I was so excited when I saw it that I just had to blog about it. She has a brilliant way of creating and organizing her monthly meals. I think I’m gonna try it myself and post my progress here every day,  or as much as I can. I think this will simplify my dinner dilemmas and add some variety to my daily routine. Check it out for yourself and leave me a comment letting me know how it works out for you.