{ THIS MOMENT }

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~Inspired by Soulemama

{ This Moment }

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~ Inspired by Soulemama

Winding Down

With Christmas just around the corner I've been sneaking in as much painting time as I can between feedings and naps.  I'm just about done with all my Holiday orders.  Remaining orders for the Holidays will ship on Monday then its time for cuddling, eating good food, drinking, and spending time with family and friends.

I want to savor these last few weeks of the year before I'm back into hectic wedding season.  Here are some recent customs I've worked on.

Kokeshi Wedding Ornament.

These will be available next year.  I love how it turned out.

Karate Boy and Girl

Custom Fencer Ornament

Hope your getting a chance to savor the Holiday Season.

Enjoy!

K

{ This Moment }

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~ Inspired by Soulemama

Slow Cooker Stew

Thursday was a cold 37 degrees here in the Garden State.  It called for something warm for dinner.  Of course using the trusty crock pot.  I decided to make slow cooker stew.  Very easy when you use McCormicks Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix.  It calls for beef but I think you can use pork or chicken or meatless.  I used chicken and followed the instructions on the back of the package.

Slow Cooker Stew

- 1 package of McCormick slow cooker Hearty Beef Stew seasoning mix

- 1 1/3 cups water

- (your choice) 2 lbs beef stew meat cut into cubes or 2 boneless chicken breasts or 2-3 thick boneless          pork chops

- 1 cup each (or your choice of veggies) Carrots, potatoes, celery, onion

Place all the ingredients in your slow cooker.  Set on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.  Serve with some crusty bread, egg noodles or rice.

**I choose to use 2 chicken breast.  An hour before it was done I took the chicken out shredded it and put it back in the cooker.  I also added green squash at that time**

It was delicious.  I love anything you can throw in a pot and forget about!

xo,

K

{ This Moment }

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~ Inspired by Soulemama

Christmas Cheer

I can't believe it's upon us.  I did some light decorating this year since the little one doesn't understand and keeps me busy.

Over the weekend I just put up our tree and decorated with some lights on the outside of the house.  Next year I'll go all out.  I was honestly too lazy to get all the decorations out.  I really have to go through the boxes after the new year and get rid of a lot that I don't use.

I also did a mini photo shoot with Miss E.  I plan on framing a picture of her to give as gifts to our family members.  Here's some of the shots.....

I think the first picture in her Jets outfit and the first Christmas outfit shots are the winners.  Love my Charlie brown tree?  

XO,

K

Holiday Reminder....

**HOLIDAY ORDERING DEADLINES**

-International orders must be received by November 22th 2012

-U.S. orders must be received by Dec 1, 2012

Most items will ship first class mail unless otherwise stated.

Shipping times.....

** International.... approx 2-3 weeks. It can take longer or shorter it all depends on customs
** U.S.................... approx 5-7 business days

Emily Agnes

Introducing.... Emily Agnes

Born 11-1-12
Weight 7lbs 2 oz
Length 19 inches

Big Sister.  Miss Zoey is very protective of her new 

little sister.

We're totally in love with both!

XO,

K

A bundle of Joy

We welcomed our first child 11-1-12.  Totally in love is an understatement.  I've been in a world wind since then between hurricane Sandy and meeting the new little miss.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow of our little Princess in the meantime enjoy 10% off your order now until 11-11-12.  Enter offer code BABY2012 at check out.

XO,

K

Counting Down

I'm officially 39 weeks today.  My due date is a week from tomorrow Nov 3.  My entire family is on the edge of their seats waiting for the arrival of Miss Emily.  She seems to be content in my belly.  No signs of escape yet.

We are currently waiting out hurricane Sandy aka Frankenstorm which is supposed to hit NJ Monday night/ Tuesday.  My husband is worried she'll come in the eye of the storm.  He's a worst case scenario kind of guy.  I think I'll be taking it to the end which is fine with me.  I still have a ton of inventory I'm trying to get done to keep the shop open.

My Mom fly's in on Wed night from Florida.  I'm so excited.  She'll be here for a month helping me adjust with little one.   Hopefully her flight doesn't change again.  It's already changed once because of the hurricane.

In shop news I've been busy painting and making hair accessories.  Here's a peek at some of the new hair clips and headbands I've been working on.

Cinderella Inspired Headband

Holly Berry Hair Bow

Forest Critters Hair Bow

Jack Frost Clip set

Polka Dot Hair Bows

Princess Hair Bow

Red Ridding Hood Pendant and Tote set

Rapunzel Pendant and Headband Set

XO,

K

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken and Rice

I'm terrible at taking pictures while I cook but I wanted to share this really simple and delicious recipe I got from All Recipies.com

I'm all about the crock pot in the winter oh heck anytime really.  You just dump your ingredients in set the clock and forget about it!

Luckily I had all ingredients on hand.  Here we go....

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups converted long-grain white rice 1/2 large white onion, sliced 1 (24 ounce) jar salsa

1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies 1 (1 ounce) packet dry taco seasoning mix, divided 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Pour the chicken stock into a slow cooker, and stir in the rice, onion, salsa, green chilies, and half the taco seasoning. Rub the remaining taco seasoning over the chicken breasts, and place into the cooker. Place the lid on the cooker, and set to high setting.
2.	Cook until the rice is thickened and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 3 hours. About 20 minutes before serving time, turn the cooker to warm setting. Remove the chicken breasts, and slice them. Stir the chicken and the black beans into the slow cooker. Return lid to cooker, allow the beans to heat, and serve.

I did do a few substitutions.  I didn't have taco seasoning but I had fajita seasoning.  I also omitted the green chilies as I didn't have any and even if I did I would probably have left them out.  I used 3 chicken breast we get them from BJ's or Cost Co.  They come individual package great for quick meal.

I cooked mine for 6 hours on high.  About an 1 1/2 before it was ready I took the chicken out, shredded it then put it back in the pot.  At that time I also added the rice.

This is a keeper.  My husband loved it so much he took left overs to work for lunch!

Enjoy!

Xo,
K

Tiny Shop Update

I'm officially done with orders. I can't believe it.  I've been taking the down time to stock the shop and create new items for my maternity leave.  Take a peak....

Kokeshi Alice

The man of steel

New Alice Pendant

New Rupunzel Pendant

I'm also working on some more hair accessories and Pendant and hair clip sets.

The baby's crib was delivered today!  The nursery is almost complete.  Waiting on the crib bedding to come hopefully next week.  I'll do a nursery revel soon!  Only 2 more weeks to go!

XO,

K

Crock Pot Pepper Steak

I made pepper steak in the crock pot today, however I substituted pork chops for the steak.  You really can probably sub chicken too.

I used this recipe from allrecipes.com.  It came out great.  I have to remember to take pictures while I'm making something but I can honestly say this is a keeper.  Absolutely no leftovers.  I served it over rice.

Try it out!

Crock Pot Pepper Steak ( or pork or chicken)

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 2 inch strips garlic powder to taste 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cube beef bouillon 1/4 cup hot water 1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup chopped onion 2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon white sugar 1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Sprinkle strips of sirloin with garlic powder to taste. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil and brown the seasoned beef strips. Transfer to a slow cooker.
2.	Mix bouillon cube with hot water until dissolved, then mix in cornstarch until dissolved. Pour into the slow cooker with meat. Stir in onion, green peppers, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, sugar, and salt.
3.	Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

XO,

K

3 More Weeks!

3 more weeks and I will be a Mom.  I can't believe it!  We are super excited around here.  I don't know who's more excited My husband and I or our family.  I guess not having a baby around in a while makes everyone giddy.

Between getting ready for baby I've been fast a work finishing orders and stocking up the shop for when baby comes.    With the holidays on my mind I finished these 2 Nativity sets.  Ready to ship.

5 piece peg dolls Nativity set

Kokeshi Nativity

See them in the Shop!

Shop Update

I did a little shop update yesterday.  Lots of super cute little girl gift sets and some new kokeshi dolls.
Just a reminder.  The shop will be on Maternity Leave from 10-31-12 to 11-15-12.  

Doll Necklace and Hair bow Clip Gift Set

The Kringle Girls!  Perfect for this years Holiday Parties

Kokeshi Jasmine

Belle Pendant and Hair collection

The Clauses 

Happy Monday!

It's a BOO Sale!

I just love this time of year so I decided to have a little sale in the shop just because.  Enjoy 10% off your entire order from 10-1-12 to 10-15-12 Enter offer code BOO2012 at check out.  Offer expires 10-15-12 Eastern Standard Time 12:00 pm

October????

Ok where did September go?  I can't believe October 1st is tomorrow.  Only 4 more weeks until our little one arrives.  Amazing.  Joe had off this past week so he got to work and painted the Nursery aka my old office.  It came out adorable.  Now just to add some wall art, curtains, crib, rocker ect.. and we're all set.

I'll may post pictures this week but might wait until everything is complete.  I hope to get the curtains done and her name in fabric framed letters done this week.  I still have to work on stock for the shop along with finishing up a few remaining orders.   I did work on some New Items and also have some more DIY items like Bride and Groom peg dolls with stands!

Check out what just hit the shop!

Set of 4 Fall Flower hair clips

Kokeshi Mario and Princess Peach!

Skinny Headbands!

It's off to bed for me.  Hope your enjoying Fall!

XO,

K