The Holidays are Over

Now that Orthodox Christmas has passed, i have to admit that the holidays are over. Even though there's no snow. It just doesn't fee the same, ya know?

I had a good holiday, so snow or no snow, i know i should be happy. I got a great loot of presents, and a lot of them are support to my crafty side, so i'm very appreciative of that. I just need to use them and get to know them better. One new change for my blog (of a few) i plan to do is to start reviewing some of the things that come my way. For instance, a good book (or a not so good one), a tasty dish, a great movie. An amazing concert. You get the idea. I don't know how 'regular' they will be but i think it will inspire me to get.outside.of.my.box. more. And i need that. It will motivate me to challenge myself more, and also write more focused blog entries here.

I already have a few things to review, but before i do that, i wanted to share with you some present highlights. For instance, my sister is crafty in ways that i'm not and she made me the best relaxation pillow. It's full of flax seeds and lavender and i can't wait to have to use it! She even embroidered monkeys on it. Monkeys! And, while i love surprises, i do have a wish list (or two) that people can work off of; this year, i got a lot from it too!

Another great thing are all these books i got:

* Sew U
* The Apron Book - an great surprise!
* The Simple Little Vegan Slow Cooker
* Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World
* In Stitches
* Craft Magazine subscription
* A Bed of Red Flowers

I can't wait to find time to really read through them all. I've already tried a recipe from the cupcake book and have made things from the In Stitches book, and so both of these have been wonderful to me!

And, as to the cooking side of my craftiness, i was treated to some new things! Even though i already feel pretty stocked up in the kitchen, i got some amazing new things: 3 Le Creuset casserole dishes, a rice cooker, and a salad spinner. I think my kitchen is officially complete now!

Oh, and i almost forgot some other great surprises - the cards! I don't usually care for cards because i don't find them that environmentally friendly. Unless of course, i can recycle parts of it for hand-made cards. And i've done that before. But this year, i received some lovely cards. This one is from my parents for my birthday (remember i have a white cat):
...and these other two lovelies are handmade. The one on the left was made by my friend who traced my profile from a picture and i just love the other card that my honey got for me. His cards are always fantastic because he writes the best stuff inside. Eye-watering good stuff!
Did i mention the cat card is three-D?