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December, 2005 |
I'll be
back again someday !!
Frosty, in a coat of red, with a scarf upon his head. A ball
of snow from head to toe, before the springtime he must go! |
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Country
Chatter and Calico Kitten Designs
are excited to present
Country
Chatter
Newsletter
December,
2005 - Issue #8 |
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Welcome to the "new" issue of Country Chatter |
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I want to welcome all the new
people to my little newsletter. The newsletter is just my way
of sharing my part of the world with everyone, and helping
people with their businesses and hoping to make the world just
a little bit better for a couple minutes, to bring a laugh or
a smile to your face and just a way of saying thanks.
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Can you believe that the Holidays are almost here???
It has been a busy couple of weeks out here. Country
Chatter has become a part of Crafty Ones, same great
newsletter, just a new home for us. |
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Fall has finally come to the Valley, cool in the mornings and
warms up in the afternoons. We have even had to turn on
the heat in the evenings.
We
went to the "Thursday Thing" in downtown Glendale last month
and had a ball. There was something different this time, you
were given a empty recipe book with pages in it with each
store's name on it. You had to go to each shop and ask
for their recipe, what was really neat was that some of the
shops had samples of the recipes. Some of the recipes
will be included in the newsletter and on the website.
It was so nice to walk around and see how all the shops were
decorated for Christmas and see some old friends. The horse
drawn carriages were there and were free for the evening, so I
dragged Claudia on one of the them.
The Friday after Thanksgiving was the tree lighting in
Downtown Glendale. We got there early, there is usually
about 40,000 people there. There were crafters, food,
bands, snow (in the desert), Santa, palm trees decorated in
lights and of course the huge tree. All the streets in
Downtown and Catlin Court are decorated and so are all the
houses. Only in Arizona would you be dancing in the
streets on the day after Thanksgiving without a coat on.
I
hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. |
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A WOMAN
SHOULD HAVE
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill,
and a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
one friend who always makes her laugh...
and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a good piece of furniture not previously
owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal that will make
her guests feel honored..
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND
WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and
WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the
nature of her parents...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may
not have been perfect...but
its over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't
do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if
she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
whom she can trust, whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't
accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...
One of the ladies in a group that I belong to, shared this with everyone. |
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Crafter's Corner
Please check out Crafty Ones -
www.crafty-ones.com
They are always looking for new crafters to join their
website.
Country Chatter is proud to announce that Crafty-Ones is
sponsoring their "First Sunday of the Month Virtual Craft
Show"
All
crafters/vendors can sign up for a 1 hour booth spot.
The booths will be held in our live chat forum. Crafters
will have that booth for the time slot designated to hold a
virtual craft show/party sales.
The offer is extended to anyone to participate and not
limited to just crafters selling on Crafty-ones.
We will be holding the craft shows on the 1st
Sunday of every month.
The cost for each booth is $5. We
will be doing extensive advertising to promote the show to
bring in traffic to all participants.
If you are interested in doing this, please either get in
touch with Tami at
admin@crafty-ones.com or
Cindy at
dacarebear@yahoo.com
I
would still like to start a Quilting Clubfor quilters or anyone who would like to give it a try. I
want to start a mailing list of people who would be interested
in doing this. Each month, you will send to one person on the
list, four 5 inch squares of fabric of one theme. Go and look
in your wonderful bunch of fabric and pick out four different
fabrics in Americana theme. We will do this for 3 months with
one theme and then choose another theme for the next 3
months. At the end of the three months, please design
something with your fabric and send me a photo and I will put
it in the newsletter with your name and website. If you are
interested in doing this, please email the staff at
dacarebear@yahoo.com
and please put quilts in the message line. I think it will be
a fun project, just to see the different fabrics that you will
receive.
A new feature for the
"Crafter's Corner" is that I will be featuring one of the
crafters on Crafty Ones.
HOW
THIS HARD WORKING MOM HAS
MADE HER BIG DREAMS COME TRUE
Let me
tell you a story. This is a story about what it took for
this determined, enthusiastic and talented lady to lift
herself up by her boot straps so she could achieve her most
cherished and fun-filled dreams.
The
creative force behind Mom O’All Trades on Crafty Ones, is
Tami Polichetti. Tami has behind her the support of her
husband as well as a house full of four beautiful children;
a college degree in accounting; and a growing accounting
practice as a CPA.
Several years ago, Tami started Crafty Ones. Her dream then
was to reach out, via the marvel of the internet, to reach
people all over the world and let them know about the many
beautiful, unique, one-of-a-kind handmade craft items
available from Tami’s very creative friends and associates
who are a part of Crafty Ones.
Of
course Tami knows she has to take good care of her family.
In addition, her many accounting clients have learned to
rely on her for her sound advice regarding taxes and other
financial matters. But, I remember one time when she
confided in me that after a long day at a desk, using her
brain and constantly working with numbers and complex tax
problems she found she needed to take a break.
So, to
escape and get away from the numbers, the computer, and the
tax problems, here is what she does. She gets up, walks out
her back door, across the yard and steps into her barn
behind the house. There, her well equipped wood shop awaits.
Soon, with all thoughts of family, accounting and computers
behind her, she finds herself lost in the most relaxing,
attention holding work of using her hands to cut and shape
the wood into simple little artistically painted objects of
art.
As you
can see on her website, Tami has the talent and imagination
to make many different kinds of colorful garden ornaments.
There are: markers, puzzles, decorations and plaques. Each
brightly painted wooden design is a product of her
imagination and holds within it her heartfelt desire to make
a really unique one-of-a-kind creation just for you. She
hopes each new owner of one or more her simple little wooden
treasures will learn to love, and enjoy their simple beauty
for many years to come.
Finally, Tami wants you to know, as you hold one of her
little wooden creations in your hand, it is proof that
dreams do come true.
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Activities
Around the Valley
This part is for my
friends who need some reminders about what is going on in our
part of the world. This is the time of the year when
everything starts happening here in the valley, so put on your
walking shoes and enjoy.
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December 15 - That Thursday Thing
Historic
Downtown Glendale 6-9 pm
Old storefronts with colorful awning, turn of the century
bungalows with welcoming front porches, tree lined brick
sidewalks under the glow of nostalgic "gas" lights and dotted
with friendly benches and of course shopping.
Every Weekend in December
Glitters and Glow
Downtown Glendale, Arizona
Close to a million lights decorate the park including all the
palm trees
Carriage
rides, crafts, food and music.
For those
who prefer a quiet alternative, there will be 40 non-event
nights for visitors to simply stroll Glendale’s streets and
take in the ambiance
December 10 - Lighted Boat Parade
Tempe Town Lake, Tempe, AZ
December 10th - Christmas in the Park
9-5pm -
Litchfield Park Village Center
December 31 - Fiesta Bowl Parade
Downtown Tempe,
AZ .
Farmers Markets & Craft Show
Every Saturday year round
Roadrunner Park, 10-2 pm - 3502 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix
Well, I hope that I have found something that interests you
enough to go and explore all these wonderful activities, this
is the time of year where everything happens out here and what
we wait all summer for.
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Craft Project
Corner |
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Candy Cane
Stripe Treat Jar
(borrowed from Better Homes & Garden)
Supplies:
- Round
glass jar with lid
Newspaper
Disposable foam plate
Acrylic glass paints in red, white and green
1/4 and 1 inch wide flat paintbrushes
Pencil with round tip eraser
Toothpick
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Instructions
1. Clean
glassware. Before beginning to paint, wash the
glassware and let it dry. Be careful not to touch your
fingers on the areas that will be painted (use a towel)
2. Cover
your work surface with newspaper
3. Paint
white images. Place some white paint on a foam plate.
Using the 1/4 inch brush, paint a ring around the top of
the jar and on the edge of the lid knob. Using the 1
inch wide brush, paint slanted stripes around the jar,
leaving about 2 inches between stripes. Let dry.
4. Paint red details. Paint 1 inch red stripes between
the white stripes. Use the 1/4 inch brush to paint
vertical stripes over the white-painted rings at top and
on knob. Let the paint dry
5. Add
green dots. Dip the eraser end of the pencil into paint
and dot on the surface of jar and lid. Let the paint
dry. To add tiny white and red dots in the center of
the larger green dots, use a
toothpick dipped in
paint.
6. Paint the top of the knob, using red paint. Let the
paint dry. To add white dots on the top of the knob,
dip the handle end of a paintbrush into paint and dot
the knob. Let the paint dry |
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Ads Corner
The cost
of running an ad is $2.00 to run an ad in Country Chatter,
please email me either at
dacarebear@yahoo.com I will be sending an email out
in the middle of December reminding you about placing an ad
for the January newsletter. Some wonderful people have
placed ads in this month's newsletter, be sure and check them
out.
CJ's
Country Crafts
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Let me bring a little bit of the Arizona sunshine into your
home with one of my hand made creations. You will find dolls,
angels, bears, rabbits, and home decor, each made with love
and of course, a little bit of the Arizona Sunshine. For the
month of December, CJ is offering free coasters (set of 4)
with any order for placemats, and placemats, set of coasters,
two hot pads for $24.99. Please put "December special" in
message when ordering.
Crafty-ones Arts & Crafts Gift Shop
- Fastest growing
craft mall around! Buy or sell your crafts! Free features -
send e-cards, get craft patterns, recipes and more! Browse
through our shop for quality handmade arts & crafts
http://crafty-ones.com
Adorable
personalized note cards, stationery, invitations, baby
announcements, pregnancy announcements, notepads, gifts and
more! We feature fun and affordable designs, including stick
family people, princess, frogs, ladybugs and more, perfect for
children & adults.
Visit us at
http://www.carrieskiddiecloset.com
Memory Teddy
Bears...the perfect gift year round. What better gift for
yourself or a sibling than a bear made from Dad's shirt, Mom's
favorite sweater, or some other special memory clothing?
Parents having a milestone anniversary? What about a bear made
from their children's clothing, or their wedding garments?
These can be personalized with family buttons, photos,
stories.
www.BellybuttonBears.com
The Homestead Store
Original, Handcrafted, Personalized - From your memories to
heirlooms....our talented sisters will turn your photos,
treasured garments and special moments into unique gifts or
home decor, one-of-a-kind treasures to cherish for a lifetime.
Memory teddy bears, lovingly designed to hold a memory close
to your heart. Magic Mirrors, a usable mirror with a memory
buried inside that will visit you now and then. Kitchen
accessories to fit your color scheme AND theme. Bags, micro
mitts, primitive and rustic frames, note cards, books, vests,
patriotic gifts -- all original and handcrafted.
www.homesteadline.com
Real
Life Solutions - A Family Resource site that was created
to help you lead an emotionally & physically healthier, more
productive
and less stressful life. We offer resources, family
related articles, life
guidance and other tools to help enhance your lifestyle.
www.reallifesolutions.net
Hand made cloth dolls, bagdolls,
critter bagdolls and kitchen appliance covers with
coordinating kitchen accessories made just for you in the
USA. Fabric selection gallery. Custom sizing free.
Quality at
affordable prices since 1999. Watch for
spectacular sales
at www.finchfarms.com
for holiday gift giving and home decor
I
would like to thank everyone who placed an ad in this month's
newsletter, and I would
love to have yours
in the next newsletter.
Contact me at
dacarebear@yahoo.com
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Recipes
Each one is set up that if you want to print them out, just
copy and paste that recipe. I want to thank everyone that sent
me a recipe, and if you would like to have yours in the next
issue of Country Chatter, please email me at
dacarebear@yhaoo.com
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Peanut Butter Candy
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup margarine, melted
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 box of powdered sugar (appx. 3 1/4 cups)
2 cups chocolate chips, melted (appx. 3 minutes in the
microwave)
Put the peanut butter, margarine, graham cracker crumbs and
powdered sugar in a bowl and mix well with hands.
Press into a 9x13 greased pan. Top with melted chips.
Cut into squares and refrigerate.
"Thanks to Glendale Visitor Center"
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Corn Pudding
3T. butter,
softened
2 T. sugar
2 T. flour
1 t. salt
3 eggs
1-3/4 cups milk
2 cups fresh or frozen corn
Blend the butter, sugar,
flour and salt in a bowl. Add the eggs and beat well.
Stir in the corn and milk. Spoon into a buttered baking
dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until top is
golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out
clean. Yield - 6-8 servings
"Thanks to The Country Maiden - Simple Pleasures Wooly Garden
for this receipe"
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Cranberry Upside Down Cake
8T. unsalted
butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. allspice
1-3/4 cups cranberries
1 lg. egg
1 t. vanilla extract
1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 cups milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in center. Rub the
bottom and sides of an 8-inch round cake pane with 2 T.
butter. In a samall bowl, whick together 1/2 cup sugar
with the cinnamon and allspice. Sprinkle mixture evenly
over bottom of pan; arrange cranberries in a single layer on
top. With an electric mixer, cream reaming 6 T. butter
and 1/2 c. sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and
vanilla; beat until well combined. In another bowl,
whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. With mixer
on low speed, add flour mixture to butter mixture in three
batches, alternating with milk until well combined.
Spoon batter over cranberries in pan and smooth top.
Place pan on a bakingsheet, bake cake until a toothpick
inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.
Let cook on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife
around the edge of the cake and invert onto a rimmed platter.
"Thanks to Bears & More for this recipe" |
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Well,
I hope that you have made it down to this little part, I love
talking about
Arizona, sharing this state with everyone. I want to share a
part of my world
with everyone and doing this newsletter is my way of thanking
everyone for being a friend. Katy and Tigger want me to say
hello, they have been cheering me on while I do this
newsletter. Tigger loves Sundays, he is a huge football fan,
and loves it when he gets to come out in the living room.
Mom yells at the TV whiles the games are on, which scares the
cats and only makes him yell even louder.
It is has been a really long time (20 years) since I can wear
my Bears' jerseys with pride and watch the pre-games shows
without hearing "bad" things about my Bears but........ This
year my Bears are in FIRST place in the Central
Division, 9 games in a row - "The Monsters of the Midway" are
back !!!!!!!!!
I
want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, count your
blessings, pray for our troops, hug your family and friends,
and thanks for being a part of Country Chatter
Hugs,
Cindy
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Country
Chatter
Cindy Kingren
623-210-3511
(after 3 pm - mountain time)
dacarebear@yahoo.com
www.countrychatter.com and
www.crafty-ones.com |
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