MERRY CHRISTMAS DAY

Off she flew
heavy heart,
sky of blue.

So.............Instead of heading to the movies this Christmas day

which was always a tradition for the kids when they were teens

I will watch this one at home...
(and watch the computerized
United flight schedule as she flies, lands, flies some more
and then lands to have more family love 2,500 miles away.)

I share this little gem with you.
It's rather "Twilight Zonish"
almost creepy
but incredibly done.

But before watching this little movie - go and turn the music off in the playbox to the side or you will have both playing at the same time. That will totally mess with your head.

Blessings this special day

Alma from Rodrigo Blaas on Vimeo.

````
I DON'T KNOW.......
DO YOU THINK IT'S TOO MUCH???

These folks don't think so

It's just how they do it here.

Part of the compensation for lack of snow.

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE IN ARIZONA.

After a wonderful dinner at White Chocolate

followed by an awesome dessert

Mr. J., my little bird, and I drove around the town

to check out the lights

then home to light a nice fire and exchange presents.

Just simple goodness.

I think this was one of the best Christmas Eves in a long time

In the morning I drive her to the airport and I will try.

Yes I will really try.

To concentrate of how lucky I am to have had her here with me

over a month.

They need to fly away these little birds of ours.

It's just how it's supposed to be.

But I will be counting the days until she returns.

Merry Christmas my dear bloggies.

xox Rella

~~~

FINALLY THE BAKING WAS ACCOMPLISHED


It's not like I had to bake and decorate dozens
of cookies for goodness sake!!

One pan of yummy sweetness.........that's it!

Needing to bring in a dessert for a work party,

I scoured my huge collection

of tattered, stained, and loved recipes...

from years of child rearing

and gatherings with family and friends.

Many Christmases, birthdays, cookie swaps.

Now, with life on a totally different path,

I seldom look at my worn and tattered collection.

But I should do this more often.........

because I come across wonderful memories.

Like the pretty handwriting of my mother

sharing a family favorite on a torn piece of notebook paper..

and drawings made by my youngest son

when he was a teenager

sitting at the recipe strewn kitchen table with me....

chatting and drawing.


and this 'recipe' the same son decided to write out for me

when he was three.

All of these precious, precious memories bring me such joy

and even tears. (mostly happy ones)

So much history of family and love and amusement.

sigh.

Now I will share the tried and true recipe that is so easy-peasy.

From a stained and worn card that is dated in the 70's

that I purchased from The Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library.

Cards that must have come every month I'm guessing

and went into a huge plastic yellow container that came as part

of the 'deal'.

These are called Coconut Chews in the 'Come For Coffee' section.

They look so unassuming, but are D I V I N E.

COCONUT CHEWS


3/4 CUP BUTTER
3/4 CUP CONFEC. SUGAR
1 1/2 CUPS FLOUR
2 EGGS
1 CUP BROWN SUGAR (PACKED)
2 tBS. FLOUR
1/2 TSP BKG. PWD.
1/2 TSP. SALT
1/2 TSP VANILLA
1/2 CHOPPED WALNUTS
1/2 CUP FLAKED COCONUT

ICING:
1/1/2 CUPS CONFEC. SUGAR
2 TBS BUTTER MELTED
3 TBS O.J.
1 TSP LEMON JUICE

HEAT OVEN TO 350.
cREAM SHORTENING AND CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR.
BLEND IN 1 1/2 CUPS FLOUR.
PRESS MIXTURE IN BOTTOM OF UNGREASED BAKING PAN, 13X9X2". BAKE 12 - 15 MIN.
(closer to 12 than 15 I think)

MIX REMAINING INGREDIENTS;
SPREAD OVER BAKED LAYER
AND PUT BACK IN OVEN FOR 20 MIN.
(Maybe even closer to 15 if you have convection oven)

***WHILE WARM SPREAD WITH oRANGE-lEMON ICING
(WHOOPS...i AM TYPING THIS INSTEAD OF DOING THAT!!)
it's an important step so that the icing really melds into the bars. eek
mine will not be so perfect)

COOL AND CUT INTO 3X1 INCH BARS.
MAKES ABOUT 32.
THEY ARE SMALL BUT DEADLY WONDERFUL.

Do give them a try and DON'T allow yourself to be distracted

as I clearly am no matter WHAT I am doing.

xox Rella

~ ~ ~

SO EASILY DISTRACTED

I should be baking

A gathering at work is scheduled for Monday

and on the sign-up sheet I put my name next to

'Dessert'.

That is what I am SUPPOSED to be doing right now.

Instead, and true to form,

I am playing with glitter, buttons, baubles, etc.

And instead of sugar cookies, what appears???

A Sugar Faerie.

I just can't help myself.

And clearly I don't want to.

This little Sugar Fae measure about 3 1/4"

from tip of her sugar crusted antennae

to the bottom of her 'word bubble.'

The first of the Button Faeries that will be listed

on Etsy.

I should have her packaged up before the weekend ends.

Part of the fun is in the packaging I think.....

and that will..ummm... delay the baking.

That I SHOULD be doing.

Fa.la.la.la.la.....

I so don't care.

I wish you a sugar coated Saturday.

xox Rella

~~~~

LEAVES FALL IN THE DESERT, TOO!

Along side the cactus,

on rock covered front and back yards

we experience the falling of leaves

when the weather turns a tad chilly.

There are deciduous trees here at faerieluna.

Several types of fig trees, to be exact.

Their ginormous leaves turn brown and

literally 'crash' to the ground.

It can be startling in the middle of the night!!

But the leaves that I love the most

are from the Bougainvillea bushes.

I can count on their cheery presence 365 days a year.

How amazing is that?

There are folks who grumble about the falling leaves...

blowing into their yards....

their pools.

I have never been one of them.

What is not to love about these glorious falling leaves?

and the sweetest thing is the flower within.

Tiny, white and precious.

How magical are these?

....and to view some more beauty

may I encourage you to visit a stunning blog

and get to know Anna

A beautiful soul.


Wishing you a beautiful, magical day.

xox Rella

~~

WORKING ON THE LITTLE SNOW FAERIE TREE



It's always a process

no matter how large or small the tree.

I can't seem to do this in one fell swoop.

Nope, not me. Little, by little

It's just like a piece of art....I have to walk away and think about it

shop a little, go through my collections........

Maybe by Christmas Eve it's done.

See the tree top faerie? That's the 2009 Patience Brewster Faerie

Isn't she precious????


Some places are sold out on this fae.....

but at Faerieluna you can scoop one up for your very own.

I have a few available at my Etsy Shop along with the

2009 Santa


xox Rella

~

I HAVE NOT ABANDONED YOU

Popping in for a second to report that I have not abandoned you

I have enjoyed visiting all of your blogs the past few weeks for sure.

But I have been so enjoying my time with my little bird

and I feel the time flying by too, too fast.

Especially since I go off to work each day

and she is working at the cafe with Mr. J.

That gives us very little 'actual time' together.

You know how it is, those who are Mothers and Fathers.

You want to scoop them up and keep them close, especially the older we (and they) get.

Time seems to be more precious with each passing year.

My little birds the day of the magical wedding

ADVENTURE WITH LITTLE BIRD

Off we went on a mini adventure.

Movie and lunch.

Movie:

A delightful movie that really never had a dull moment.

I'd say we absolutely chuckled on and off all the way through.

Truly a movie for young and old.

Afterward, off to lunch at Pita Jungle

to enjoy really good hummus

something my vegetarian little bird and I really love.

I had a portabella mushroom sandwich with grilled red pepper
It was good.

Not the best I've ever had, but certainly good

Little Bird had something called 1,000 beans

I don't think there were 1,000, but I was not about to count them.

I suspected it had 1,000 pieces of onion...

as the ride home with the leftovers

made for a very pungent drive.

The sky toward home (East) looked very dark and threatening
Unusual for November

and lo and behold, as little bird ran in to make an exchange

this amazing sight was on the windshield

RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodness how we need rain.

This was not enough to do much good
but it refreshed and really cooled the air

and made driving with the windows down

ALMOST onion free. :)

I'll leave you with a great shot LB took

of the fountain outside our cafe
a day or two ago.

The sun passing through the spray creating a gorgeous rainbow.

We never seem to tire of this fountain.

That's it for tonight.

Off to the Drama at The Desk tomorrow.

How divine it has been to have four days at home.

xox Rella

~~~

I WAS GRANTED A WISH!!!!

I certainly made no bones about my favorite designer
on Project Runway this year.

Little Miss Faerie Girl herself,

Carol Hannah

just won me over from the very first show.

It could be the her love of 'faerie-like' designs

or her adorable personality that makes you just want to hug her

Her bio on her Etsy profile sums it up:

southern belle transplanted to the big apple. self-proclaimed gypsy. lover of people. lover of fashion. in that order.


Then she lists her favorite materials:

• Silk Chiffon

• Charmeuse jersey

• metallics

• textures

• sparkle

• sunshine

• candy

• sugar and spice

• magic

Any designer that has this list has MY interest!!

I know for sure she is an artistic and kind soul

and I am totally excited to share THIS.....


I have had the pleasure of recent communication with the talented Ms. CH

and she graciously agreed to a mini interview!!
(OMG, just pinch me!)

A few simple questions,

a glimpse, if you will, into the heart of Ms. Carol Hannah

1. R:When did you first know you would be in fashion design....or did it just happen as you followed your passion?

CH: "It was more of a natural progression that I fought along the way. I started sewing very young and always did fashion as a hobby, but the nerd in me thought that it was too fluffy for me to pursue as a career. I later realized that was a rather dumb thing to think, that I had something special, and that I wasn't meant to do anything else".


2. R: In moving to New York, what do you miss the most about home?

CH: "Oh so many things! I do love New York, but for completely different reasons than why I love South Carolina. I miss the food, the sunshine and beautiful weather, the southern drawls, and the genteel charm. I especially miss my bicycle, which I used to ride everywhere in Charleston. Most importantly, I miss the people".


3. R: Aside from your sewing machine, what tool or item in your sewing room could you NOT possibly live without?

CH: "I would say my ham. For anyone who doesn't know, a ham is a tailoring tool used for pressing (especially for pressing curved seams) that looks like....a ham! Proper pressing is a crucial element in good construction, and you cannot get those results without a ham!".


4. R: What other hobbies spark your creative edge?

CH: "Drawing...Though my degree is in business, I minored in studio art in college. I love to draw in charcoal or ink. I also really enjoy interior design. My staple gun and I have recovered many a chair".


5. R: Who would you most like to design one of your beautiful dresses for?

CH: "I'm sure it would be fun to design for celebrities and such, but I honestly love just working with the women that I already do. Nothing makes me more satisfied than seeing how my clothes make a client feel beautiful and happy. That's probably why I like bridal so much".

What a sweetheart this young designer is

and her dresses are feminine without being overly fussy.

I especially like her recent additions to the
Wedding Collection

they are just gorgeous and yet I can imagine
they are incredibly comfortable at the same time

In her other Etsy shop - Carol Hannah -

I thought this dress,

that could be done up in just about any color or length

truly captured the feminine,

comfortable,

and oh-so-flattering essence of her designs.

Take a few moments and visit Carol Hannah

her blog is lovely

and it gives you yet another look at the spirit of this darling little fae.

Thank you, CH, for granting me this very special interview

I wish you the best of everything life has to offer

including faerie dust and magic.

xox Rella

FINISHED WONDERLAND SLIPPER PROJECT

(Rather Marie Anoinette inspired, yes?)

This has been a lovely project
and making each one a bit different kept it fun

A little closer peek

It was really fun to sew most of the project
even the little bells are sewn on rather than glued

All in all this was a great project and I may even
do one or two more.


That is always a good sign.

Later I will tell a tale of late night critter antics
and another battle in an ongoing war

xox Rella

WONDERLAND FAERIES

Along with the slippers in the Paper Whimsy exchange
we are to create little ornaments or gifts to tuck inside

Knowing my propensity to drag things out
I originally set aside my idea of making Button Faeries

Time, time, time

always chasing for more time to play

I thought I would do up something a little less involved.

But I could NOT stand that thought

It kept eating at me and I found myself looking over my button stash.

Resolve.........I am what I am

Putting aside the slippers, I began setting out buttons

cutting out Paper Whimsy faces

finding good quality glass marbles

always a challenge.

and here they are.

I would not have been happy to do anything different

They are due to be mailed by December 4 and I know that seems

like a lot of time to most of you.

But I dilly, I dally, I swirl and twirl as I admitted on the PW forum

I cannot stay on task and thus I need every bit of time given.

Have a joy and love filled weekend my friends.

xox Rella

One of my darling little birds is here!!!

For several weeks. To visit with me
and work at the cafe for Mr. J. and & I
which will help her replenish the travel fund.

My little gypsy girl. :)

We will do some fun things on one of her days off
that will coincide with one of my days off
(it helps to be part boss to accomplish this)
and even create some art together.

I am, however, in the middle of a little project
with the Paper Whimsy gals.

We are creating paper and fru-fru slippers
that will hang in multiples in a banner......

and in the vamp of the slipper we will place ornaments.

We each make five and ship out four to exchange.

I am in the Wonderland Group

and our color theme is light blue, silver, and white.

I doubt I can do all exactly the same
as that would bore me to near tears.

So here is a peek at the - not quite finished with the glam and doo-dads yet -

slipper number one.

Tulle, glitter, lace, pearls,
silk flower, ribbon, gimp......for a start.

I think it will have a little bell or something on the very tip and some more ribbon before I am done

I will show the others once they are all glammed up.

That's it for now............

xox Rella

ME AGAIN

Something small but I just wanted to ask:

Do you become as delighted as I seem to..

when you read of a new book in the works

(yes, ANOTHER artist book of sorts)

that lists contributing artist

with names that you haven't seen a bzillion times????

I KNOW you know what I mean.

xox Rella

FRIENDS AND FOES

I was thinking of THIS FRIEND today

the sweetest of faerie friends that I finally met last year at Art Unraveled

and I remembered she had given me this special sweetness a while ago


Typically I feel awkward about these things and tend to shy away,

but something brought her to mind today

and following that small voice I visited her blog

which is always so dear and I was reminded of her sincere kindness

and I am hoping to see her again

as it is a shame not to gather with like minded souls

that live in the same area.

We need to make a point of doing this

and I, for one, have to force myself out of the 'work-home-work-home' rut.

Especially considering the
toxic energy that is at the work place.

I wonder if I have sequestered myself way too much.

I go within and prefer the silence of home.

I realize it is BECAUSE of the Monday - Friday
battle, but I am feeling I need to add something
to my routine
something that will help with the battle.

I am open to suggestions and tips on surviving within a toxic environment.

Today I spent the entire day cleaning

and listening to Dr. Judith Orloff

on CD to help with emotional vampires.

I believe I have gathered some very useful tools that will help this week

as I head back in.

PROJECT RUNWAY

O.K., I am pathetically addicted to that show.

I wanted to jump for joy when Carol Hannah made it the finals.

I think I have loved her and her work

from the moment they presented her.

Just my kind of girl.

Every time the judges talk about her impeccable work
I feel like a proud mother and think "of course it's impeccable."

I mean, seriously, is THIS not the most stunning dress??

The other two designers are good......

but they don't have the sweetness that CH has.

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

I swear I will have my own little party here if she wins.

SHE HAS TO WIN!!!!!

FRIDAYS

as in TGIF

More like TGIMITF

which translates to Thank God I Made It To Friday

But as I walk out the door and take in the beauty

This moment is all there is.
~ Rumi

and breath deeply, probably for the first time since entering the building

I am so incredibly moved as I think "This one,

extraordinarily, beautiful moment

is 1000 times more powerful and healing
than anything that went on in this building

were supposedly they are working toward a cure.

and I drive home, toward the place where I find peace

and re-energize somewhat

looking back in the side-view mirror to what is behind me

then turn in just before taking the road into my little neck of the world
to look out over the valley to the South of me

getting out of my car to take it all in

letting the very gentle breeze wash over me

and take away all the toxic energy of the day/the week

(if you click on the photos and have a large screen...
it will almost be like 'being there')

And I feel so incredibly grateful

to have this view..

..to see these beautiful vistas each and every day

they are soothing

and healing

even if only for a few minutes.

And I remember a question someone who had just moved here asked me

"At what point did this become 'old hat' or taken for granted...all this beauty?"

I smile now as I did then when I answered

"It NEVER has, I am taken by the beauty
each and every day, even when it's 112, it's still beautiful..
....beautiful eye-candy"

I wish each and everyone of you

a blissful, peaceful, beauty-filled weekend.

xox Rella

THEY CAME IN DROVES


As I dumped several bags of candy into the basket

Mr. J. looks at me and says "Jeeezzz,
how many kids do you think are going to come?"

I laugh and say..."ummmm A LOT!!"

Mr. J. begins to tell me why he thinks we won't have that many

and I HAVE to make it a bet.

I say "I will bet you $5 (big spender) that it will be over 100

Mr. J says "your on!'

easy money.

One of 7 bags of candy that we went through had 105 pieces in it.
This was posted on the front of the bag!!


I believe I won the bet around 7 p.m.


We had several of these:
Plenty of these:

Some were carried:

This one ran right up to the camera:
There was only one of these: and he told me the best thing about his costume was that he
didn't have to smile

These guys were pretty scary:

Hippie Chicks: (flashback for me)
only two of these:
lots of these and my favorite, of course:

But the one that made me smile the most had these little darling shoes:
and left me wishing I could find them in 7 1/2 or 8.

We had fun with our little setup outside,
saving Pia the stress of her least favorite night of the year.

The night was stunning.......beautiful moon, stars, good company....

............and I am $5 richer.

HALLOWEEN!!



We say goodbye to October and hello to many, many

ghostlings and goblins tonight

and the weather has turned back to a delightful 80.

Taken a few moments ago, THIS
is what Halloween looks like here at Faerieluna.

Clear blue skies and vibrant bougainvillea

Mr. J and I will greet over 100 or so creatures in costumes

and Pia (who does not like this type of intrusion)

will be behind closed doors
She is ONE scary black cat that is for sure.

Our neighborhood is one
where we are certain
cars from other parts of the Valley
drive to and drop the kidlets for treats

Let's just say that if ONLY the children
from our neighborhood dropped in

we would scarcely need one handful of candy

INSTEAD OF 6 OR 7 GINORMOUS BAGS!!

and with it being a Saturday, AND a balmy day.....

I may have to make a quick candy run.

Have a fun evening friends and foes

turn your clocks back
(those of you that do...unlike this crazy place)

and welcome November with open arms.

THANK YOU KIRSI XOX

With the help of dear Kirsi of iTKUPILLI
You can, once again, see that this place is Faerieluna.

I stumbled upon Kirsi's blog a few weeks ago
and purchased a few digital pages that I was head-over-heels loving.
She does a beautiful job and is constantly adding new images
...so, of course,

I want to shop all the time!!!

Quickly I saw that she is a generous soul.

She has the most amazing,
step-by-step tutorials
to help you with creating on your blog,
and I just love her 'darker side'
that is still amazingly beautiful.

Jump on over and visit Kirsi. You will not be disappointed.

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
THE 'BUG' IN MY HEADER HAS NOT BEEN SQUISHED

Dearest Sharon helped a little bit ago, and now that I am revamping,
well, the ugly bugly is still annoying me.

This may be a long process..........

NOTES FROM THE NEST


Dear Ones ~ Four Junes ago, with trepidation, I began this blog Faerieluna.

Such a struggle it was to put it 'out there' that now, four years plus later,

I am amazed to be still at it!

As with all things in life, change is necessary and rather inevitable.

We morph many times

if we are fortunate to live several decades in this life.

Where am I going with this? you wonder........

Nothing Earth shattering, I promise.

Just a wee change.

The face of Faerieluna will be under construction for a bit.

It's just time.

Kind of like Fall cleaning and rearranging the furniture.

I considered going to the OTHER blog place...and even set up a little trial.

But I wasn't as comfortable there.

Not yet, anyhow.

So blogger is where I shall stay... for now.

Soon you will see the complexion of Faerieluna change

(this will include the addition of new blogs on my sidebar-blogroll)

Some of you will love it instantly.

Others will scrunch up their faces with that sound of "hmmmmmmm"

and not be loving it so much. That's o.k........no worries.

Bottom line: I feel the time has come,

overdue actually, for a little change.

And now I am off to bake some cupcakes and enjoy the bliss of being here in the Nest.

This is the place I would like to be sitting a spell while creating a new blog page
imagine the gentle fragrance of salty, ocean spray wafting through the cottage.

Have a wonderful day, my friends.


xox Rella

for Ms. Audra Mae

'pRoMiSE mE yoU'll alWaYs REMEMBER:
you'RE bRavER thaN you bEliEvE, aNd stRoNGEr
thaN you sEEm, aNd sMaRtEr thaN you thiNK."

~CHRISTOPHER ROBIN TO POOH