And instantly felt "at home"? I know I have - a few times. This morning - with the cold temps in our area, it got me to thinking about one time in particular!
Several years ago, I was so very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach at a retreat sponsored by Calico Gals in (at that time) Fayetteville, NY. Back then, they were located in an old barn along the Erie Canal. It was in February of 2006. I arrived at Syracuse airport, and was instantly dismayed at the lack of snow - although their freezing cold temperatures helped to make up for the lack of white stuff. They had just experienced a huge winter wind storm - and boy was it COLD!!! I was picked up at the airport and whisked away to the quilt shop where I was instantly mesmerized by everything I saw. But more importantly - I was made to feel at home the moment I walked into their shop. At that time, I had known the owners of the shop for a couple of years, and in meeting the rest of the staff I felt as thought I'd known them for a long time as well. To make a long story short - it was a fabulous 4 days filled with fun, friendship and an awesome bit of shopping!! Not to mention - we DID get a huge amount of snow - I experienced my first 'whiteout' conditions while driving on the interstate (thank you very much Joan for keeping me alive) and got to make my first snow angel!!!
Fast forward to 2012 - Calico Gals main shop is now located in Syracuse NY
(with a second shop in Oswego),
and I am positive that the 'new' main shop is every bit as warm and inviting as the old barn used to be. They just happen to be hosting my Strip Smart Quilts trunk show
through the month of January, so if you happen to be in the area - why not stop by and see the quilts, shop - shop - shop till you drop - and tell the gals I said hello! You'll be so glad you did!
Don't forget - our Warehouse Sale ends tonite at midnight - so head on over and see what you can find!
With a warm heart,
Kathy
I'm just not good at them. Oh, don't get me wrong - I can come up with a whole slew of New Year's resolutions - but find them falling by the wayside like a bunch of dominos.
It's not for a lack of WANTING to keep the resolutions - truly I do - or I wouldn't attempt to make them in the first place! Rather I think its a right brain - left brain thingy! My "left brain" - that organized, methodical, check-it-off-yer-list - 1% side of my braing has really, really good intentions. But that "right side" if my brain - that free spirit - artistic - fly by the seat of my pants - damn the torpedos full speed ahead - 99% side of my brain takes over - and the dominos just fall by the wayside. It happens every year.
This year, I decided things would be different. No resolutions. No dissapointments in myself. No DOMINOS! Instead, I decided to take a look back at 2011 - see the accomplishments that I have made, recognize and acknowledge the things that I could have done better, count the blessings that I have in my life, and make a promise myself that 2012 will be even better than 2011.
I'm blessed with the gift of a wonderful family: a husband that understands me and manages to somehow navigate through that 'right brain' side of me! A daughter who has blessed me from the day she was born and continues to amaze me each and every single day.
I am blessed the gift of friendship from a group of amazing women who enrich my life more and more each day.
I'm blessed with the gift of a fabulous job - one that I can wake up to every day and go to bed with every night knowing that my creative soul has been nourished and fed.
I am blessed with the gift of good health that allows me to take care of my family, take care of my mom that is still with us, do my job, and enjoy all that life has to offer.
So as I look forward into 2012, I carry these blessings with me knowing that I have the armor to forge ahead (damn those torpedos!!!) and make 2012 a better year. My hope is that you too will be blessed with the gift of a fabulous 2012!
With a warm heart,
Kathy
OH - oops - before I forget - Thursday is the start of our first ever Warehouse Sale. It's going to be a biggie- - you don't want to miss it!
Oh my! I guess the lyrics to that song kinda date me - don't cha think? Oh well - as we all say goodbye to 2011, I'm looking forward to a bright 2012! Lots and lots of bright shiny new things in store for The Teacher's Pet - both personally and professionally - and we're going to be hitting the ground running!!! So it's with fond memories that I say adieu to 2011, and usher in 2012 with open arms. Are you with me?
image shamelessly solen from www.sewuniquecreations.blogspot.com Thanks Tara!!!!
To kick things off - we're going to have a HUGE whopper of a sale. To make room for all of the upcoming events / projects / fabrics etc etc etc - - we've got to clean house - warehouse that is!!! So - - beginning Thursday January 5th - and running until midnight on Friday January 13th- we're having a sale like you've never before seen on our website!!! Simply shop till you drop, and we'll take 25% OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER after checkout. Patterns - books - and kits - all 25% off. Limited to stock on hand (we cannot cut new kits for this sale) and rulers are not included in the sale (sorry!) Shipping charges will be added after your order is totaled and discounted!!! You won't see the sale price reflected on your order confirmation email - but rest assured we will send you the adjusted price in a second order confirmation email so that you can see just how much you have saved!!!
So get ready to shop till you drop - and have some fun in the process!
Until then, I'd like to say a HUGE "THANK YOU"
to all of our loyal customers far and wide
for supporting The Teacher's Pet in 2011.
You have made it one of our best years to date!!
I truly appreciate your patronage, your loyalty, and most of all your friendship.
Here's wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR:
one that's full of promise,
filled with peace, laughter and love,
brimming with an abundance of good health and prosperity,
but most of all - joy!
With a warm heart,
Kathy
Wow - have you seen the news? Aurifil has announced their Designer of the Month Team for 2012! And as luck - or good fortune - or whatever - may have it, a couple of gals that I know and think the world of are part of that team!!!
Introducing Miss January:
It's Roseann Kermes of Rosebud's Cottage fame! Woohoo Roseann!
Roseann is followed by several super talented designers - one per month - till we reach Miss June:
None other than Pam Vieira-McGinnis - Miss Pam Kitty Morning herself! Way to go Pam!!!
This year's Aurifil Designer of the Month program is going to be awesome!!! Each month one of these 12 amazing designers will be creating a stitchery using Aurifil 12 weight thread.
The 12 stitcheries will be small and very doable. All 12 can then be put into a custom quilt design from Sherri Falls, the February artist. As I understand it, there will be a sneak peek of the quilt design coming very soon! And - each stitchery will be framed in this awesome fabric:
Looks like 2012 is off to a great start! I love handwork, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Aurifil thread, LOVE all the designers chosen for this year's program - - so what's not to LOVE about the whole kit and caboodle?
Why don't you pop on over to the Aurifil Blog, check out what's in store for 2012, and get ready to do some stitchin'!!!!
Here's hoping that the rest of your 2011 is blessed with warmth and good cheer, with family and friends surrounding you during this wonderful holiday season.
With a warm heart,
Kathy
Just about the cutest little towel in the world!!!!
What a clever gal to come up with something so cute - so sweet - and so much fun right before Christmas! Makes me want to whip up a dozen or so for those last minute Christmas gifts. OR - hmmmmm - maybe a Merry Christmas to ME gift??? Come to think of it - you can do the same thing too!! Just go here:
http://pamkittymorning.blogspot.com/2011/11/list.html
and you can find a list of shops carrying Pam's fabric. Run now - right now - this very minute - and get some - heck, get a bunch!!! - then start stitching these adorable tea towels!!! You'll be so glad you did!
With a warm heart,
Kathy
It's cold and rainy here - and with a ton of pattern writing - designing - drawing that must be done - this was the perfect solution to an already filled up day! Enjoy!
Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
3-4 Chicken breasts
1 large can of refried beans
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 -2 cans chicken broth
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can light red kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can great northern white beans
1 can yellow corn
2 packets of taco seasoning
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (original)
Cook and shred the chicken breast, and put in the crock pot with the refried beans, chicken broth, and seasonings. Stir until well blended.
Drain and rinse all of the beans. Add the beans and corn to the crockpot mixture.
Cook on low for 6 hours +.
Sooooo very simple and mmmmmm good. Serve as is - or add a bit of shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream and tortilla strips on top as lagniappe!
VARIATIONS and Side Notes:
Vegetarian - omit the chicken breast and chicken broth - substitute vegetable broth and add an extra can of beans
Spicy:- add 1-2 small cans of green chiles or jalapenos
Weight Watcher Friendly: use 2 chicken breasts and fat-free refried beans. Yield - 1 point per cup. 2 points per cup if you add 1 T shredded 2% cheese, green onions, 2T tortilla strips and 1T low fat sour cream
Side Note: I boil my chicken breasts in the chicken broth, then shred and add to the pot. I strain the fat off of the simmered chicken broth before adding it to the crock pot. We like our soup to be hearty and thick - like a chili - so I'm guessing the yield on the chicken broth used ends up being about 1 can. If you like yours thinner - add more broth. Also - a LOT of the canned refried beans out there contain lard (gag!) - so check your labels if that bothers you (asit does me!) I use the Wal Mart brand fat free refried beans - just the beans and no lard thank you very much!!!
This oup gets even better when refrigerated overnight and warmed up the next day! Enjoy!!!
With a warm heart,
Kathy
