Christmas is over, the kids have returned to their homes and I miss with them with all my heart.  
I love when they are home if even for just a little while.  

This year we also had Eric's 1 year old Golden Doodle and what a treat he is, goofy and curious, smart as he can be and man, can he bound over tall couches, chairs and garden plants like you've never seen!  In all his craziness and love of stealing away with socks, shoes, tissues or paper towels, he never stole one thing off of the Christmas tree!  I must have praised him a hundred times for leaving the ornaments alone...even his favorite felted snowman.  Our "Olden" Retriever doesn't care much for other dogs, let alone a young upstart like Buddy but they both did a remarkable job getting along for the week that he was here.  Buddy loves her like crazy and wants nothing more than to lick her face and play with her but she'll have none of that!  
Poor Buddy just didn't understand, but he kept on trying!

We're now faced with the realities of having a very senior dog; her legs began to fail about 8 months ago and have sense gotten much worse, to the point that they fail her most of the time after we help her up to go out or walk to her food/water dishes.  We knew the time was coming a few months ago and I'm afraid we will have to make the decision sooner, rather than any later.  Sophie has been with us most of her 16-1/2 years and I often wonder if her siblings have lived as long as she has and if they had just as much personality as she has had.  What a pleasure she has been and what she has given us can't be measured.  She was a great companion for the kids, and for me since they both went off to college and moved out on their own, a superior Frisbee player and the most resilient dog ever.  She has had two major surgeries, the last one at 13yrs, and she handled them both like a champ.  We know she isn't enjoying life at this point and our wonderful Vet told us we would know when it was time.  He was right, that time is here but it's so hard to actually make the decision to let her go.  
Is there anything that makes it easier?  I don't think so.  
Just memories, photos and videos that will keep me laughing and crying for years to come.

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year!

See you next year!

Boy, it's been a whirlwind month!  Lots of orders went out and still coming in, wrapping gifts, decorating the house and oh yeah...a pesky hacker drained my checking and savings accounts.  What the hell is wrong with people?  I guess we're just nameless, faceless sources to tap for them to buy more hacking equipment and software.

Somehow they can get your card number and make a copy, allowing them to order from online companies at will.  No red flags went up at the credit union through all of this so I'll be looking at some other sources of account protection.  As per usual, if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself.

Just a heads up, watch your account closely, especially this time of year.  I didn't watch mine close enough and they took every penny we had.  Hopefully all will be resolved by the end of the week; fingers crossed, positive juju sent out into the universe and prayers sent.

Till then, I pick up my daughter at the airport tomorrow, have some last minute gifty things to buy, on credit, ugh, and food for a family dinner on Sunday.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe and hacker free holiday!  Merry Christmas & Happy Chanukah to all.

 

Thank you to our TBEC leaders, for all the work that you put into making our team 

event so successful! 

Small Business Saturday - November 29, 2014 

Just a few of our Tampa Bay Etsy Crew member's booths and tables.  I wish I'd had time to photo every single booth but please feel free to email any photos, with info, of those I've missed to kari1121.etsy@gmail.com

Megan, from bohoECO has bags made w/upcycled, and natural materials.

Next door booth-neighbor, Adam, inside his Dark Cycle Clothing booth.  A lot of awesomeness left his tent today!

Printsicle uses their 3D printer to make amazing cookie cutters; corn-based PLA Bio Safe material.

Wendy from Fandomonium Designs' aluminum cuff bracelets with quotes and sayings and upcycled pendants!

Natalie, from Burntoutbarbie.etsy.com had some great buys, and fabulous violet hair!

Somehow I missed photoing the amazing Stacy from Freak show follies but here are some great items from her shop!

 

Forever Spring Studios

Beautiful handlettering!!

Barbara from https://www.etsy.com/shop/banelsonart had some interesting characters at her table!

Love the cards, stationery and Wedding items!

Add caption

Morgan manning (or woman'ing) the raffle table. 

Very cute hand-lettered shells from Barbara's daughter!

 

My Photographic Art Prints are available on Etsy 

as well as Society6.com; both under the same name, 

Thistle and Thyme Photography

http://society6.com/kari1121

thistleandthyme.etsy.com

This print is exclusive to Society6

Pretty sure I need more of this today

From Wisconsin - a new favorite place

Beach Bliss - Early morning

My Grandfather's Hawaiian Guitar - a special keepsake

Well, I'm another year older as of yesterday!  I'm so thankful for my mom and dad, my sisters, my two extraordinary children, cousins and extended family, and the many friends who have sent birthday wishes and took time to give me a call!  I love you all so much.

I'm looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving this year, my first time so I'm hoping it will go well!  I'll have some photos of what I finally decide to decorate with and pics of the day later in the week.

This coming weekend is also Small Business Sat., 11-29 and I'll be at Peacock's, 200 Clw-Largo Rd., for a TBEC team event!  I hope you will come out and say hello, pick up a few giftie things and 

enjoy the day...it could be a chilly one according to the weather report I read this morning.  But, you know how those things go in Florida!  
Come on out, no matter the weather, and meet my team!

I met this next TBEC member at the Crafts and Drafts show, loved her work, took a business card and came home to check out her shop.  I ended up purchasing a gift for a friend and since we live fairly close, 
we met a local shop for some hot coffee and a chaton a windy, cool day.  It was a very nice break on a hectic day.

Thank you again Julie, my gift will be very much appreciated and loved by my friend!

Here are a few things from her shop, 

please pop in and have a look around!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/juliedyecraft

Judy Bales is the talented owner of 
Inspired Mpressions,

and another member of TBEC - Tampa Bay Etsy Crew. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/nspiredmpressions

The lovely Miss-M Turner is the shop owner 
of Phoenix Fire, on Etsy.
 www.PhoenixFireDesigns.etsy.com
http://www.treeoflifependants.com/

Another awesome shop on Etsy 
and fellow TBEC member is
Charlotte from Hello Dragonfly on Etsy.
www.hellodragonfly.etsy.com

 

 

Small Business Saturday is November 29th 

and coming up fast!

Ditch the big box stores this year 

and shop small and local!

I would love to see a bunch of my friends at this fun, family event!  

You'll find great holiday gifts, grab some yummy food, hang out and chat 

with your friends, old and new!  

 

 

TBEC was well represented at Creative Loafing's

Crafts & Drafts show on November 15th!

Although I missed a lot of our member's booths, 

I was able to get a few pics of some that were close by.

My neighbors to the left were Lotus Leaf Creations by Rachel and Ryan!

My Photography shop - Thistle & Thyme Photography

My jewelry shop - Maravillosa Jewelry

Phoenix Fire Designs - by "Miss M Turner"

Christina (L) from Franny & Franky Designs and Kate, from Kate Kreates (R)

Kate Kreates

We all had a great day, met loads of wonderful people and dogs of all shapes and sizes!