Recent Reads

Checked out Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano is a fun book! Lots of kitschy crafts. Switch plates, hanging lamps, punk plates, Japanese hand-mirrors, Warhol litho-pillow, ultra-suede covered containers, fabric covered hangers and so many more. It is a big ass book of crafts but lots of fun.





Another I am reading right now is Home Hints and Tips by Rosamund Richardson. It is very interesting but also making me a little batty. It is a guide to living in modern times naturally, safely, leaving less of a foot print on the planet and just over all more healthy. Talks about all the toxins in paints, wax on foods, plastics leaching and so on - so making me a little sick to my stomach when I think about it all. It has great tips and resources though.

I would like to have both on my bookshelf.

Friends

As I mentioned in my gratitude post yesterday I received some mail love this past week. I couldn't find the card online but it is similar and from the same series as this one.

It said on the front:

"Awake, my dear.
Be kind to your sleeping heart.
Take it out into the vast
field of light
And let it breathe."

Inside she just wrote a very touching message. I have been having lots of insomnia and her words were a comfort.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. A lovely piece of mail love I received this week from a dear friend.
2. For getting some yardwork done and the shed painted - 2 tasks I am not especially fond of with my allergies.
3. For cookies I baked this week coming out PERFECT - which is at times a challenge in high altitude.
4. For being able to wear a spring top I bought on clearance this winter
5. For the wonderful day I spent with Michael. I had one of those moments that got me choked up and teary because I am so blessed to have him in my life.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Beautiful Day

We have had a lot going on here lately. So we just needed a little break. After making a delivery to a neighboring town, we stopped by the grocery store to pick up impromtu picnic supplies. And took the long way back to Grand Junction stopping to have a picnic up on the Mesa. There is still snow up there but it wasn't too cold. Just a cool breeze. And a beautiful view of the San Juan mountain range.

On our way up we stopped in a little town that had a distillary. We took a little tour and the owner was very passionate about it. And we could relate as we are pretty passionate about our business too. Michael had a drink of the whiskey and he said it was incredibly smooth.

While driving up, I had one of those moments that choked me up. Because I realized how blessed I am. I was able to spend the day with my love in our beautiful state just enjoying a nice spring day. It was truly a beautiful day in so many ways.

Helvetica

We watched Helvetica tonight and I enjoyed it. I have a thing for typography/fonts but also from a designer-graphic artist-mixed media artist, I could appreciate it too. And even though I am a designer and have a thing for typography I didn't even realize how often Helvetica is used. I actually don't use it all that often. I didn't even have it as a font on my computer until 2 years ago when a client had it is in his logo and I was designing letterhead/business card to match so downloaded it. Probably very sad that I haven't used it. Probably will now though. :)



I really liked this guy - Michael wasn't as amused by him as I was though.

And then I also liked this guy too...

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. quality time with Michael
2. Black Bear for breakfast - we hadn't been there in a very long time and it was so good
3. That taxes were filed on time despite all the computer problems Michael had the last 2 weeks
4. That we got a big project done and mailed out
5. For the yummy cake I made on Easter

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Blog Hopping

When you give a girl a camera - just beautiful

Happy Tape - look at the fun ways to wrap presents and make cards from it! Oh adding to wish list!

15 Days of Couponing (only 12 there as of now though) - I have been trying to save money - like everyone else so I have relied on coupons more lately. And I found this site had some great ideas. Make sure you click on home too as she lists deals at most grocery stores and plus Wal-mart, Target and the like.

Dollar Store Crafts - And in that saving mode - the whole site is about making crafts from Dollar Store materials! yay for thrify!

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. getting a closet organized
2. for finishing one project
3. for the client of that project - as he was really easy to work with and the project went very smoothly
4. for Facebook allowing me to keep connected to old friends, new friends and family
5. for some unexpected surprises I found the closet I organized - little presents that my Mom had sent me and some how got put in the closet.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. For a wonderful day with Michael
2. For a trip down memory lane going through old year books
3. For a great brownie recipe - they were perfect for what I wanted this week
4. For the library as always - I have a huge stack books next to the bed. I enjoy being able to read so many different types of books.
5. For having a stack of mail love ready to mail out. I love being able to give friends a little bit of cheer.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Surfing MarthaStewart.com

I have been obsessed with MarthaStewart.com lately. Crafts, recipes, organizational tips, cleaning tips and so on. Anyway one thing I found was link to a sister site: Whole Living and it has great recipes and tips too. But thought I would at least share this link to some tips to do one thing each day to make it Earth Day everyday and help save the planet.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. that my cold finally went away
2. that I heard from a friend I was worried about
3. for Frank & JoAnne giving us their wok that. They didn't use it so asked if wanted it. I said: YES! And I have used it twice this week and plan to use it again tomorrow night.
4. for the wonderful gift that my friend Jessica gave me. It just made me smile and was so much fun! (pictures below)
5. for having several good movie nights with Michael this week
6. for getting my list together for spring cleaning - starting spring cleaning next week. Which probably isn't somethign to clook forward to but I am looking forward to cleaning the house out.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

I got a present from a friend that was so much fun....it was a big ball of yarn that had a little tag on it that said: "unwind me...all the way" and then as I unrolled it little gifts appeared wrapped in it - buttons, beads, charms, stickers & other little emblishments. In the very center there was a teeny tiny handmade book.








The purple/blue one is mine that Jessica made! It was really the coolest gift. I want to do it for someone sometime.

**photos are Jessica's she said I could use them since I was just so excited to unroll it that I forgot to take pictures!

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. for the beautiful weather this week
2. for spring coming!
3. for jelly beans
4. for lists
5. for a wonderful day with my love

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Insomnia....Surfing Etsy

I am having some insomnia and my insomnia brings me to Etsy.com to surf - which is probably a dangerous place to surf in the first place. Lately my obsession has been pottery on Etsy. Tonight I stumbled on to the perfect little gift - ESPECIALLY for those that need....SPOONS. (my 100 things about me - spoons)

The spoons are made by Scrumdidlyump.

Aren't they just the coolest?

Just a few of the others I surfed tonight...
Magpie Pottery - really love those plates. The style of collage on them seems very me.









Tina Rice - I love this necklace - really all of her necklaces but I am not sure I could wear it because of my skin allergies. But they are so fun that I keep coming back to them.









Cyrus Potter - I love the colors of most of his pottery. They just are colors that appeal to me. The lines and colors of the vases are my favorite though.

Blog Hopping

Newspaper Bunting @ Maya Made - a great way to repurpose newspaper - fun and easy!

Daffodil Napkin Rings @ Good Housekeeping Crafts - fun, easy and cheery for Spring and Easter!

Make Coasters from Paper Napkins and Tiles @ Curbly - I thought of my Mom with this one only because she likes pretty decorative paper napkins. And it is something I am sure I got from her too because my friends could testify that most packages they get from me has paper napkins in it.

And then one non-craft - more decorating that I just think is cute...

Bundt Pans on the Wall @ 2Modern - I have seen pans like that at thrift store. Even make them bright and new again by using magic erasers on them and maybe doing a coat of paint on them since they are just being decoration

Breakfast Burritos

I came across a link to an article about making "cheap" bulk breakfast burritos for quick morning breakfast. But their cheap, although might be cheap by some standards, weren't by mine. The burritos on that site came to .72 cents a piece. I made 20 burritos that ended up being .37 cents a piece. So Friday after dinner I realized I had all the ingredients and why not make some up.

Pictures, break down of cost and process over on my other blog.

Gratitude Friday + me

1. For a beautiful day.
2. For being able to get out and take a drive on this beautiful day. We drove over the Colorado National Monument.
3. For getting my hair cut short - 8 inches off. And for being able to donate the hair to Locks of Love.
4. For time tonight to make up some bulk breakfast burritos.
5. For the library - I am on my last Sookie Stackhouse book. I am so thankful I can just order books online and pick them up.

Picture of my shorter hair...

Wedding Congratulations!

Wishing my oldest friend Kerrie congratulations on her wedding...and I hope you and Jennifer have a beautiful wedding day and an even more beautiful life together! Sending you love!

Friday Gratitude with Pictures of Keystone

I am thankful...
1. for the beautiful condo we had at Keystone
2. for the beautiful state we live in - Colorado just takes my breath away almost daily
3. for being home where Michael can rest as his cold ended up getting worse while we were out of town
4. for New Earth giving me lots of food for thought
5. we were able to see Michael's parents while in Keystone. And for the gifts they gave us - wok, olive oils and chocolate - Thank you!

Some pictures of our condo in Keystone. We stayed at the River Run Condos.

One view from the deck of our condo


Another view from the deck of our condo - a night view of ski slope


Bedroom


View from kitchen and near door looking into living room


Fireplace in living room

Leaving for Keystone

We are leaving this morning for Keystone. Keystone is a beautiful mountain ski restort. We have work there so will be there until Friday. We both are getting over colds so although we are looking forward to getting away (even work-related) - I know it will probably set us back in our colds as we be so busy.

When we get back, I have several projects to work on. But hopefully I will get back into blogging more consistantly.

New Earth Quotes

Reading New Earth so saving a few quotes....

"You do not become good by trying to be good but by finding the goodness that is already within you."

"To recognize one's own insanity is, of course, the arising of sanity, the beginning of healing and transcendence."

"...realize that how 'spiritual' you are has nothing to do with what you believe but everything to do with your state of consciousness."

"I didn't realize yet that thinking without awareness is the main dilemma of human existence"

Gratitude Friday

I have been busy working and also sick so not posting much. But hope to get back into it.

I am thankful...
1. That although I have a cold - it seemed to break my migraine cycle.
2. For the coupons for free sandwiches - free is good. We had them for dinner.
3. For getting to know a new friend this week.
4. For an old friend contacting me via Facebook.
5. For a piece of cardboard inspiring me - going to make them into postcards and send out some mail love.

Blog Hopping

These are all things I found via blog hopping...but aren't blogs...

Acts of Kindness

Paper Source Accordian Book with pockets

And Colorscope via Papersource to see what colors reveail about you.

Don't Divorce

A friend had this video on her blog. She just got married this summer in California to her partner so might be one of the couples forced to get a divorce. It is upsetting. So this video is made in support of the Courage Campaign to fight it.



"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. For Michael giving me PS I Love You for Valentine's! It is such a good movie! (which I am watching right now)
2. For Kathie giving me a perfect suggestion for the cookies I was making for Michael for Valentine's Day. (Also thank you for the Valentine's Card)
3. For the cookies turning out!
4. For just a fabulous week with my love
5. For a nice dinner on Thursday to celebrate our anniversary since I was sick that day.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Blog Hopping

Link for Valentine tablescapes - all sorts of them here. It isn't a blog. But pretty ideas.

Saving in Style - So cute as well as a good idea. I used to clip coupons but I haven't in a long time. What I don't like about coupons is they are for pre-packaged foods often.

I love using my crockpot. I do at least once a week. But I blog hopped on to this blog that did a YEAR of using the crockpot EVERY DAY for 2008 - A Year of Crockpotting

Growing up one of my Mom's quick meals was hot ham and cheese sandwiches. I actually crave them. And tried to make them not too long ago but they just didn't turn out like Mom's. Found this link for a recipe for them (now that blog is on my sidebar too because I found so many good recipes) and it made me want to try them again.

Homeless in America

So the other day Michael and I watched - well he watched and I listened - to President Obama's town hall meeting in Florida. During it a woman who sounded like she was on the verge of tears and talked of living in her car with her son. And asked if the stimulus package would help them. Later I found her son was laid off from a computer programing job so couldn't keep their house payments up. I was instantly in tears of course watching her... and feeling for her.

Here is a link to the Huffington Post with the clip of Henrietta Hughes asking President Obama her question.

When trying to find the link to that clip, I made a mistake by clicking on a conservative right blog. It went on and on how it was staged. I have read the news articles with photos of people standing in line for tickets. And doesn't seem it was staged. The next thing they complained about is how a homeless woman could have stockings on, a decent looking dress and nice hair but be living in a car. That they had never seen homeless people that didn't have matted hair, dirty clothes and stunk. I was appalled that people would talk about people less fortunate like that.

As someone who has worked in homeless shelters and known people who were homeless at one point or another in their life. I can say that if they got a ticket to see President Obama - they would have been in a bathroom at a public park getting ready if need be. And I am sure that is what Henrietta Hughes did and that is sad that someone has to do live like that.

I found another post on Huffington Post about helping people like Henrietta Hughes. And trying to find solutions.

I suggest taking a look at Change.org that is a social networking site to learn about causes, connect with people good people working for change and take action.

Elizabeth Gilbert on TED

Michael found this and passed it on to me. It is Elizabeth Gilbert the author of Eat Pray Love giving a talk about the creative process and what it does to us creative types. I really enjoyed it and felt myself nodding along on many things.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. For the beautiful words Michael gave me for our anniversary - He wrote me here on blog and gave me a card that said the most beautiful things too.
2. For my knee finally feeling good enough to do more things around the house and get around easier.
3. For reorganized cupboards - I open them up and they make smile because they are so organized right now.
4. For all the good things I made this week. I felt like I was in this place where nothing was turning out. But I think I finally got my cooking muse back.
5. For Michael for being an amazing man and for the love that fills my heart for him.

Blog Hopping

Pattern for a little Owl Valentine from BHG

Little felt heart pins at the Purl Bee

And another one from Purl Bee - Sewn Paper Cards

Her Morning Elegance

Just passing on this cool music video...

Together 6 years

Michael wrote me a beautiful note on our other blog on Friday in anticipation of our anniversary. And then I made him a little graphic and posted there too.

Compassion

Bean of Coyote Craft posted this.... and I just had to repost it.

"Sometimes we think that to develop an open heart, to be truly loving and compassionate, means that we need to be passive, to allow others to abuse us, to smile and let anyone do what they want with us. Yet this is not what is meant by compassion. Quite the contrary.

Compassion is not at all weak. It is the strength that arises out of seeing the true nature of suffering in the world. Compassion allows us to bear witness to that suffering, whether it is in ourselves or others, without fear; it allows us to name injustice without hesitation, and to act strongly, with all the skill at our disposal. To develop this mind state of compassion... is to learn to live, as the Buddha put it, with sympathy for all living beings, without exception."

~ Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness

New Attitude

I am cheering as tonight I cleaned my studio. Which sounds probably silly but the thought really is - I was ABLE to clean my studio. I still ache and can't bend completely but hardly any pain walking and able to move around fairly normal. I am hoping tomorrow I can get a little housework done. I know I will need to take it slow to make sure I am not pushing.

My whole attitude tonight is so different because of my knee finally feeling better.

Quote from Living the Creative Life

From Living the Creative Life by Rice Freeman-Zachery: "Most of us think there's a right way to do everything, from the "right way" to brush your teeth, to the "right way" to paint a picture (like Rembrandt or Jackson Pollock, but not like your five-year-old nephew). Most of us given a canvas, a brush and a set of paints and told, "Paint a tree," would be terrified. A Tree? What kind of tree? How big? What shades of green should I use? We'll search the internet for photographs and paintings of trees, hoping to learn the "right way" to paint such a thing."

(just adding the image of a tree that I did for a round robin altered book - I like that tree I just put the paper that I cut that tree from paper that I basically used as a scrap piece of paper to paint on top of - and then I just added a little more paint to it and cut a tree out.)

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. For being able to witness history in watching the Inauguration on the 20th.
2. For having a new president - President Obama!
3. For the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen - chili in the crockpot and a pumpkin pie in the oven right now
4. For ice pack for my knee
5. For my website being uploaded with the new design. I am grateful I am finally done with it. On the other hand though it always happens with me. I redesign it and then I am not happy with it and have 10 million other ideas in my head for it. But I am grateful I at least have a new design up as I was really sick of the old one.
6. For all the inspiration around me.

Blog Hopping

Tablescaping - a blog dedicated to different tablescapes (deocrating the table basically with dishes, tablecloth, centerpiece and so on - someone asked me what tablescape means)

Felt Votive Centerpiece on Design Sponge - so cute in its simplicity. (I love the website design of Design Sponge - wish I would have done it!)

And because Design Sponge is up for a design award for the bloggies listing the link to vote in the 2009 Weblog Awards

Captured....Yesterday

This link has amazing photos of yesterday....breathtaking...

Captured - Inauguration Day

Adding this link to the prayer at this mornings service.

Happy Birthday!

Wishing my Dad a VERY Happy 60th Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration today! Sending you love!

The Journey Begins...

I know I won't have words for today. As said many times it is history in the making. In 2004, Michael and I heard just a little clip on CNN of a speech by Obama (weren't hooked on MSNBC at that time). I turned to Michael and said one day that man will be president. I didn't know anything about him. I had never heard him speak before. But that night how he spoke and more importantly the words he spoke were powerful and moved me. And that hasn't changed. When I listen to him, I am nodding in agreement and end up feeling hopeful - in a way I have never felt.

So today I am going to be spend my day glued to the TV. I will have kleenex box near me as I usually am so moved by Obama and in a few hours I can say "President Obama."


*image from Wallpaper for Obama

We are One

I watched the We are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial yesterday on HBO with Michael. We were disappointed that HBO didn't air Rev. Gene Robinson's opening prayer. Supposedly it was the Inaugural committees fault. But still it was odd to me. If you didn't know Rev. Gene Robinson is an openly gay bishop of the Episcopalian Church. (Read the text and watch the youtube video)

Many things said and sang at the concert made me tear up. I am going to need a kleenex box planted next to me during this whole Inauguration.

So my favorite part of the concert was U2. I have been fans of theirs since high school - maybe junior high. As always Bono got political which of course at this type of concert was the right place. He commented that Obama's election is "not just an American dream but also an Irish dream, a European dream, an African dream, an Israeli dream and also a Palestinian dream." I also liked what he said about four Irish boys..."What a thrill for four Irish boys from the north side of Dublin to honour you sir, Barack Obama, to be the next president of the United States." They sang one of my favorites Pride(In The Name Of Love)- which is their tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

So here is U2 form the concert....



* by the way the link above to We are One Concert is to HBO and it says watch now so looks like you can watch it online there.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. That although I have a very swollen and sore knee - I got through the filming and did some set up.
2. For really good chili fries for dinner! Junk food I think tastes even better when not feeling well.
3. For the arrival of 2 books I ordered using some of the amazon gift certificate my sisters gave us for Christmas.
4. For inspiration found in those books.
5. For Michael - as always he just has been amazing with me being down and out. Taking care of me - making sure I am elevating and icing. Getting up in the middle of the night to get me more ibuprofen. Just doing everything he can to make sure I am comfortable.

Face Plant on the Driveway

Always a great way to start the day by doing a face plant on the driveway. I was walking to the car and looking at the things in my hand to make sure I had everything and tripped. I landed half on the driveway and half into the snow next to the driveway. My face and all the stuff in my hands ended up in the snow. And my knee hit the driveway hard.

When I first came into the house, I couldn't put any weight on my left leg/knee. Now after icing it - it is weight bearing. Bruised and battered looking but movable (mostly). Thank goodness. We leave for Denver this afternoon. Hopefully I will be able to film tomorrow. I think filming is possible as I would just be able to sit and film. I don't think I will be able to help with set up though and that will almost kill me watching Michael do that all on his own.

Art Journal 2009

For Christmas 2006, my sister Michelle gave me a little suede covered journal. And in it she wrote a little sweet note about using to create. I have wanted to do an art journal in it but it is one of those things I always have thought in my mind "I need to do it everyday" so it stopped me as I knew I would never be able to keep it up everyday. So this year I finally gave myself permission to not create in it everyday. Mostly after reading Visual Chronicles and Living the Creative Life.

So I don't expect to create in it everyday, but I hope to capture either moments that were important to me or just be creative without worrying about the "right away." It is my test ground for things. It is where I can do as little or as much as I want. Whatever I need in the moment to express.

My first entry in it is my favorite as it really represents me right now and of how I have felt at times and especially in turning 40.



Quote that is on the left hand side is from The Mermaid Chair: "I lived molded to the smallest space possible, my days the size of little beads that passed without passion through my fingers. So few people know what they're capable of. At forty (42) I'd never done anything that took my own breath away, and I suppose now that was part of the problem--my chronic inability to astonish myself."

(the book had 42 but I used 40 for me although I am 41)

It is acrylic paint on the background with rubber stamped images to just give it a little more texture (I am all about texture) and beads glued on - and then a mermaid that I had in my stack of ephemera that I painted just every so lightly.

Homemade Christmas Gifts

This year I did lots of homemade gifts as we had a big investment in our business recently. My other criteria was I needed simple just like the clothes pins and little notebooks as I didn't have a lot of time this year as we were so busy with work.

So here are a few simple gifts I made...

Two frames - one for each set of parents. The frames I picked up at Dollar Tree. They were really flat plain wooden frames - perfect for embellishing. The ripped up paper is layered and glued on the frame. The paper is from a daily meditation/devotion book - and I used all the love, marriage and companionship type entries.


A frame for Michael's parents with a photo he took of them at their 50th Wedding Anniversary party. I rubbed antiquing tint on it with a sponge and then turquoise blue as it is a favorite color of Michael's Mom. And then they both really enjoy scrabble so I used scrabble type letters to spell out love.


This one was for my parents. The photo is one that Michael took of them when they were here for my birthday in October. On my parents I rubbed with antiquing tint again but then used white over it instead of the blue like Michael's parents frame. I embellished with scrapbooking elements.


And then I made this for my Dad. It is a clipboard that I picked up at again Dollar Tree. It has a little slide hanger on it so it can be hung up. I just basically did a scrapbooking layout on it. I glued down 3 different papers, then 3 photos on top were again from October when my parents visited that I roughed up around the edges. I embellished with tags and other little bits.

Visual Chronicles

We got home from Denver maybe 30 minutes ago but I didn't want to forget to do this so signed online right away...

Last night before bed I was reading from Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods & Karen Dinino. It is a book that Michael got me for my birthday and I love. The sub-title to it is "The No-Fear Guide to Creating ART JOUNRALS, Creative manifestos and altered books."

Anyway..here is the quote I wanted to share...

"I AM ART. Say it loud and say it strong. You are art -- right here and now. You do not have to do anything to be "artistic" or learn anything special to be quotable. You are a living, breathing, perfect example of art. You are color, light, form, words, song, sound....You are a unique, ever-growing, ever-changing masterpiece."

I think that last part of..."You are color, light, form..." is really amazing.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. for a productive and successful day of work/business.
2. for a much more relaxed set up and take down of equipment. It takes us an hour but we have felt rushed the last few times and this time was much more laid back. I think we are getting the hang of it.
3. for being able to have Frank's famous spaghetti and meatball dinner while here in Denver. They are SO GOOD!
4. for Michael finishing a wedding video he had been working on. He put lots of time into it and I am thankful he is done with it. It of course turned out amazing as he is a very talented man.
5. for time with family.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Crafts @ Christmas

We get peanuts at Sam's in the BIG tins. I have thought there has to be things I can do with them. And I have used a couple for art supplies. But then I thought for Christmas they might make good treat tins. This is the tin I did for Michael's parents.


I had 2 simple little crafts I did this year that I included I think in everyone's Christmas presents. The first is what I was calling gratitude journals. Just little journals to jot down gratitude as you think of it or need. I then expanded it to wish journals, simple pleasure, everyday moments, ideas, memories and so on. So the next 2 pictures are just a sampling of a few of them.





The other craft that was so so simple. I painted clothes pins and then used rubber stamps on them. On the back of the clothes pins I attached magnets. So little magnet memo clips....

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. for a wonderful holiday - Christmas and New Years were very nice, quiet and relaxing
2. for tea, hot chocolate and hot apple cider - hot beverages during the cold cold winter
3. for a great phone call from a friend...we laughed and shared and I am thankful for our phone call and more importantly for my friend. And we made a resolution that we would have a monthly phone call.
4. for finding a 50% off coupon for Michael's and having a Michael's gift certificate that I got for my birthday and hadn't used yet. So going there tomorrow.
5. for the Penzeys Spices that a good friend gave me for Christmas. When I opened them, they filled the house with wonderful aroma so I couldn't wait to use them.

Happy 2009!