a Frightfully Wonderful Winterland

Stop by the Humble Arts on this Hallow's Eve ♥ and see all of these wonderfuls while they are still available.

Tonight's the Night!

I love Halloween and look forward to all the kids in their fun costumes.

I remember we would drive to the big sub-divisions to go trick-or-treating and come home with a grocery bag full of the sugary stuff!

Tonight, the weather is going to be in the 70º's so I bought a ton of candy to pass out.... it's not uncommon for us to get 300+ kids at my front door. I'm expecting them to come knocking until late in the evening - and I'll be ready ♥

KNOW WHAT THESE ARE, RIGHT?

Booo-bee's !

Happy Halloween, friends ♥

Humble Confections

We, at the Humble Arts have been counting our many blessings!

With deep gratitude to Joyce of Everydaisies for doing such a wonderful job, we have compiled our favorite recipes and family traditions to share with others and give back with much thanks to our customers.

Beginning Nov. 1 and running through Dec. 31, anyone who purchases from the Humble Arts site or signs up for the Humble Arts newsletter will receive a copy of our Humble Confections PDF e-recipe book .

It's really a lovely compilation with some of the most delicious recipes to cook up and share!

Smile for the Birdie...

Do you ever start out creating something only to switch gears entirely before the dust settles?

That's what has happened to me this week! I started out working on a little snow fella but last night as I put on putting the finishing touches on his face, I just couldn't find one little ounce of testosterone in him! So - yup, she must have been a tomboy hiding all her beautiful features from me, because I think she has blossomed into a beauty.

Belsnickles, anyone?

Just wanted to share my newest creations with you - they are heading to the Humble Arts come Nov. 1 (good grief - is it really NOVEMBER???)

CHEYENNE is the WORD!!!

So, maybe GREASE is supposed to be the word... but I think CHEY hits closer to the mark for me!

I'm so excited - tonight is the opening night of GREASE! and my niece Cheyenne (in the yellow sweater above) has the lead role of Sandy ♥ (If you click the link above, there is a big write up and a 4 minute video showing bits of the actors and the awesome inside of the Missouri Theatre)

To make things even better, my nephew Darb is playing drums in the band - and it is showing in a wonderful old theatre in my home town of St. Joseph, MO.

I remember fondly watching many 007 movies in this theatre. I'm not sure if it was Sean Connery himself, or watching his Bondness in these enchanting surroundings, but I fell immensely in love with both the man and the theatre growing up.

The Missouri Theatre presented the kind of ambiance that used to make the movie so magical. Instead of going to the movie to watch the film, you paid admission to admire the enchanting surroundings and make "going to the movies" a memorable occassion. I'm sure you know the kind of place I'm talking about - with the velvet drapes, the plush seats, the interior columns and fantastic portraits on the walls. But what really made this theatre so special to me was the balcony and the amazing canopy that spread across the ceiling - I found a link online that showed photos of the interior as I remembered it - and current views from the recent renovations that gave a wonderful facelift to the old gal! Check it out ♥

I may try sneaking my camera in just to get a few shots of the place .... for old times sake :)

It's a Happy Kitchen!

Just about every Friday morning from the 5th floor of our office building, you can catch the awesome aroma's coming from the kitchen of cooking bacon, eggs and hash browns. And this morning was no exception. It ends up being such a fun time when the girls gather in the kitchen, slicing and dicing and fixing up some good eats!

We always take turns cooking and helping - and since I organized the social this week, I was in the middle of commotion - rattling pots and pans.

Somehow (and dont ask where it came from...) this song got stuck in my head! As I started singing, the girls around me started doo-dee-doo'ing it cuz none of us knew the words. None of us, that is, except Lisa who DID know that part of the words to the song went something like "a little bit of Tina something something something..."

And being the kind and generous person I am, I figured it was only fair to share it with you and let you sing along too!

Happy WooHoo 1/2-day Friday, Friends ♥

(Cookie would like to thank the happy camper who posted this picture on the internet so I could snag it. I dunno who you are, but that is mighty fine sausage!)

Have a Holly Jolly....

I just finished up this lil Belsnickle mounted on a rusty funnel.

He was kinda fun to whip up and I rather enjoyed not fretting over what to put in his hands.

I just wish he would learn to fold clothes while he hanging around the washing machine! :)

This fun fella will be listed on this month's release of the Humble Arts come Nov. 1 - so be sure to tune in and see what all the girls have to offer up!

HO HO HO !!

Be sure to join us for our

TDIPT Mercantile's

Christmas Open House celebration during the month of November!

We've got wonderful door prizes created by some of our very own TDIPT artists,

as well as a $50.00 gift certificate up for grabs.

And it's so easy to get entered ....

Just sign up for our TDIPT Newsletter.

It's a 2 step process, so be sure to follow through and get confirmation. Anyone who purchases an item from the Mercantile will have an extra chance, w/ every purchase made.

We're celebrating this fun and festive event w/ our second annual
"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" theme as well.

All of our artists will create Christmas Treasures in hues of white, off white and lovely creams!
Don't miss out on the excitement come November 1st!

♥ Pink Thursday ♥

In honor of Breast Cancer awareness, our entire company has promoted "PINK THURSDAY" today with contests and doorprizes. It was alot of fun to see so many men and women all decked out in their Pretty Pink Best to promote such a worthy cause.

I lost a very good friend to breast cancer a few years ago and several dear friends have fought and won the battle, I'm thankful to say!

So please, as a favor to me - won't you click the pink ribbon in the upper left corner to give the gift of a free mammogram to another sister? It's a very simple and quick act to help save another's life!

Blair Witch

I've been working on another Blair Witch project and finally finished her this morning.

She will be making her way to Texas and I sure wish I was going along!

Hope she behaves herself ♥

5 Minutes away from Heaven

ok, not really Heaven....

but from the looks of the pictures someone took and shared, it's purdy dang close to it! :)

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

A small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

So you may ask yourself.... why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!