In "Style"

For several years, I have been aiding and abetting my dear friend, Judy,, with her original style show.  She not only designed and made the outfits but wrote the script and presents it complete with jokes and commentary in her role as the "Common Tater".  You can see her Idaho inspired outfit above.  We recently held the show for the Kohler Senior Citizen group. 

Several friendly models also posed in their trend setting outfits.  Ann chose a casual look in her T-shirt with details by Lipton and Augusta National.  She wears it over bell bottom pants and has added "matching" accessories.  Betty has topped a checkered skirt with a double breasted jacket and the classy pillbox hat, courtesy of Walgreens.  Katchen is all dressed for travel in her nylon dress that never needs ironing.  In keeping with the neutral theme, she chose "toast" accessories.  I also joined the crew with my favorite costume, the "slip over sweater" with "capped" sleeves.  My jewelry (by Tiffany of course) is fourteen carat and you can't miss my "picture" hat!  Finally, we had to have a bride, and my lovely neighbor was persuaded to fill the roll.  She was led in by a bridle and carried a nose gay donated by our local plastic surgeon.  Her sweet little daughter was our "Flour" girl.

Now you see what you can be done with a vivid imagination and a sense of humor!

Surviving Winter with Dinner and the Symphony

You are looking at one of the very best s'mores, ever!  A homemade marshmallow topped light custard last night at Margaux, one of our favorite restaurants here in the Sheboygan/Kohler area.  And one of the best parts was that dinner was almost free thanks to a gift certificate from my daughter and son-in-law, Becky and James Reinhold.  We also enjoyed soup, salad, and two delightful entrees, a baked salmon in leek wrapping over a coconut flavored risotto, and the Margaux steak with pommes frites.  Margaux serves both full and half portions, which are ideal for us.  Our dining experience was superb!

Then all we had to do was walk across the street to the beautiful Stephanie Weill Center for a luscious performance by the Sheboygan Symphony.  Last night they featured Dr. Li-shan Hung on the piano for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor",  and the full orchestra with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4.  For a small city, we are continually amazed at the quality performances.

Now this is certainly a great way to spend a winter evening!

Business and Surviving Winter

This is what you see if you place a special order with Peacox Creations or Peacox Too.  Winter always gives me extra time to build up inventory, even a mild winter like this one.  So I've been hard at it, concentrating on scrubbies, baby afghans, and greeting cards.  When these supplies have been accumulated, photographed and listed in my Etsy shops, I'd love to start on some paper cuttings and pine needle picture frames.  But this is also a good time to place your special orders.

It's time, also, to do some updating and promotion of my shops.  I wish I could get some extra help with promotion.  Of course the ideal person would be one who would take products in trade, but that's only in my dreams!  Publicity is one aspect that needs help as it's not my favorite part of this mini side business!

The up side is that there's time to do some planning and thinking!  Winter is certainly not all bad!!!

Presenting: Lizswares More Winter Survival

I'ts a lovely way to spend a winter afternoon:  browsing for jewelry.  And I've found a great spot to do so, an Etsy Shop called Lizs Wares.  You'll find her at http://etsy.com/shop/lizswares  Each bracelet, necklace and pair of earrings is lovingly designed and  made with great care by Liz herself.  I particularly like this gorgeous bracelet with a sparkling winter palette of colors and it can be worn year round.  Please take a moment to visit her stunning shop.  You won't be sorry!

Naming Teeth; More Winter Survival

I'm thinking of naming my teeth.  Now before you think I'm crazier than I really am, I didn't come up with the idea first.  It comes from a character in one of my favorite TV show, NCIS.  In an episode a while ago Abby had named her teeth.  What got me thinking of it again, was some considerable dental work that I'm dealing with right now.  And since I'm down to 31 teeth after Monday,  maybe it's time to identify with each one a little more.  Also winter gives me more time to think of such silly things.

So, it's time to think of names whether I go ahead with this system or not.  At first I thought of "honoring" friends and family, but that would mean selecting certain people and not selecting others and I don't want them to be "insulted"!  Then I contemplated naming them after places I love, but that is a little impersonal.  I'm leaning now to naming them after some of my favorite literary characters that can't come back to haunt me.  Obviously, I'd love to tell you that I'm writing this "tongue in cheek", but my cheek is still sore so I can't do that!

So if you have any ideas for me, feel free to let me know!

Another Way to Survive the Winter; the Winter Survival Kit 4

To each his own!  David has decided that our living room carpet is a great putting green.  So now our front room has a putter, a mock golf hole, and several golf balls as part of its decor.  For everyone who knows us, it is not surprising, as he just loves golfing and a Wisconsin winter is not conducive to much golfing.  I figure that as long as he is enjoying himself and I know exactly where he is, this is a great winter survival technique!

Tomorrow, today's other activities will be explained!

A Day of Guilty Pleasures; Winter Survival Kit 3

I'm still stuck, but that's OK!  Today was truly a day of guilty pleasures.  As it was a late night last night, I got to sleep in again;  this time until after 8:00.  What a treat!!  We enjoyed a great breakfast of eggs Benedict and after a little  computer work, I settled in to the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times crossword puzzles.  As usual, one was much easier, but as you can see, I'll need to take another go at this one tomorrow morning when I'm fresh!

The greeting cards begun yesterday are now finished as far as I can get without buying more tape, and this year's anniversary cards are now designed, but that was the end of most activity other than a load of wash, because our dear neighbors called to ask if it was OK to bring over a pot of chili for an early supper and enjoy the football games with us.  And what a pleasant afternoon and evening it was!

Now it's quiet here and I'm indulging in more guilty pleasure by watching

Downton Abbey.  I must admit it has me hooked with a great story line and superb acting!

Hope you all found some joy in the day, too!