Lookie Lookie! Someone Got Their Craft On.

Because Noah loves to put up the Christmas Tree early, and because I love him, we have our tree up already......as of Tuesday. I'm not complaining. It's fun. We're hip. We're starting a trend.

Since the boys destroy almost anything that hangs on the tree, last year I didn't even hang ornaments. This year - - - I improvised. I'm just gonna own it: I am not crafty. My crafty genes are unrecognizable. My medium is food. If I can bake it, cook it, eat it, or count the calories of it, then I might have a chance at creation. But I found these cool ornaments on design sponge, and thought, "Seriously, yo' mamma (that's my witty blog alias), you can do this! You can work a pair of scissors and a stapler." Take a gander. Become inspired. Then copy me. You don't even have to give me credit. Tell everyone you thought of it on your own. Take a peak.

Do you like it?

How About Now From a Super Cool Angle?

Or Would You Prefer To Admire It in a Group?

Perhaps a Close Up Grouping?

Or is Extreme Close Up More of Your Thing?

How About Black and White? That's Always a Winner, yeah?

I tried to cover all visual blogging preferences. So, I hope I convinced you to make construction paper ornaments. Run along now. I've got to go to bed.

Who is Looking for a Job?

My love for all things sticky, sweet, and delicious has driven me to keep a running list of items I would put in a sweet shop and/or bakery. The list includes, but is not limited to:

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Whoopie Pies
3. Fruit Pizza
4. Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes!!!!! (yellow w/chocolate frosting, chocolate on chocolate, etc. you get the point)
5. Bite-size caramel apples on sticks.
6. Tennessee Walking Sticks (pretzel rods dipped in caramel and drizzled with pecans and chocolate)
7. Peanut Butter Kiss cookies
8. Fruit Pies and Cobblers (in the fall)
9. Chocolate Covered Cherries
10. Huge, big, fat slices of Red Velvet Cake
11. FUDGE
12. Cranberry Orange Muffins
13. Banana Bread
14. Nathan's Brownies
15. And Jello. Kidding. I don't think that is a dessert. At all.

The list goes on, but I think that you get the idea. I think that I might name it: What Katie's Craving. Because as far as I can tell those desserts don't have anything in common with each other except that I am probably thinking of one or more of them at any given moment.

Anyway, the plan is to get my kids a little bit older and then open up some sort of shop to fulfill my sugar-filled fantasies. I am currently taking applications for cash register and frosting taster. Please make sure to put your name, qualifications, and ideal salary (please note that you will be paid in desserts). I am also accepting menu item and store name suggestions. You will be awarded in futuristic dental money (a.k.a. - a free cleaning from Noah in about 3-4 years).

What I Saw When I Was Running

I was not running from the police, danger, or a natural disaster, but rather towards my health. I usually hit the treadmill because it is so much more convenient, being in the basement and all. But whenever I get a chance, if Noah is home, I like to run outside. I hardly notice the torture because I love to take in the surroundings. I thought you might like to be my accomplice for Thursday's run.

I have to show the graffiti. Not because I think it's especially beautiful, but because I am always so impressed that someone would have the gall to just spray paint on someone elses stuff. Seriously. Get a canvas. Or some paper. Even your own wall.

This rather regal looking lion was guarding a teeny-tiny yard with a Dora the Explorer Mini-Jeep. I bet he is worth every penny.

Every time I run past this tractor trailer, it makes me think, "How did it come to this?" It would take a tremendous amount of time and energy to dig that thing out that mess. Then I feel motivated to keep running, so that no one ever has to look at me and say the same thing. (Bonus: More Graffiti)

This sign really threw me for a loop the first time that I saw it. I missed the "t" and almost hugged the sign. A sign named after my favorite food? Then I saw the "t" and was a little bummed. But not too bad because I just started to think of all the sandwiches I love: PB & J, Peanut Butter & Honey, Turkey and Cheddar, Chicken Salad, Hot Ham & Swiss. I could go on . . . . . . Meatball subs, BLT's, Muffalettas. Ahhh. The Joy.

And finally, a Vespa. If there were a safe way to travel as a family on one of these babies, you might just see the Shafer family zipping around town on one. These gas prices have us up against the wall. Plus I think the colors are cute, which is exactly what Noah cares about, too. Kidding.