tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87061382009-12-10T13:36:02.633-05:00what's on my mind: frugal living, vegetarian cooking, yarn and a baby with a brain tumor.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.comBlogger713125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-5347147141548767792009-12-08T18:17:00.000-05:002009-12-09T23:07:36.984-05:00

One thing about moving across the country is people don't know our story. They don't even know what Evan has, and most of the time I like it like that. Sometimes something in a discussion or coordinating schedules comes up that reveals he's had a different path than most 3 year olds.Because people have never heard of HH, my explanation usually included many details of his condition, diagnosis and

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-38038089922331981822009-12-05T20:05:00.007-05:002009-12-05T21:19:11.654-05:00

Thanksgiving at my parents' house (built in 1902, hence all the incredible woodwork.)Cousins Lucas and Evan check out the sites in the ViewMasters.First snow today, over our garden bed of kale and carrots.87 pounds of Mission Falls 1824 Cotton mill ends, going up on eBay and etsy. This, preparing for the holidays and the massive sale at SuperCrafty.com have been keeping me plenty busy.

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-52708685691509578932009-11-30T08:33:00.004-05:002009-11-30T08:39:40.132-05:00

Call it a Cyber Monday blowout sale, or whatever you wish, but what it comes down to is that I need to move the majority of my inventory out by 12/31.20-50% off Almost Everything at SuperCrafty.com! Plus, get FREE shipping on any order of $100 or more to USA and Canadian shipping addresses. No coupon required for the ship discount! Shop now for best selection. Here's a sample of what's marked

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-89357193300731230352009-11-27T07:20:00.008-05:002009-11-27T17:44:18.661-05:00

Even though I'm not participating in the mass merchandiser Black Friday, out of curiosity, I looked in the paper yesterday and it was 90% ads. I looked at them, and there was nothing I found I really needed or wanted to give to someone for Christmas. I have deleted no fewer than 50 emails trying to get me to buy something today. Being bombarded with so much consumerism on one day is overwhelming.

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-34209255561383864602009-11-26T22:20:00.007-05:002009-11-26T23:36:56.700-05:00

Retailers, myself included, are desperate for money coming in and have resorted to desperate measures to get consumers to buy, buy, buy. The Black Friday mayhem (camping outside stores??) freaks me out. Even owning a retail business myself, I'm not participating in the insanity of the big box brick and mortars tomorrow. Honestly, I am overwhelmed with all the sales and have never been a fan of

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-8082741876292423802009-11-25T11:48:00.002-05:002009-11-25T11:56:55.498-05:00

$10 off any $50 order at Supercrafty.com. Use code 10bucks - valid now through 12/01/09. FREE shipping on $100+ to USA and Canada. No coupon required for the ship discount.

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-69353633330805631572009-11-24T18:22:00.004-05:002009-11-25T21:16:11.521-05:00

My little pie pumpkins from Halloween have gone on to better things: this cake. Serve this very moist cake by itself, or with a little ice cream.Pumpkin Chocolate Chip CakeServes 121 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup wheat flour (can sub all-purpose flour)1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice1 1/2 tsp baking soda3/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, softened to room temperature1/4 cup white sugar1/2 cup

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-29700515996830985602009-11-20T08:04:00.010-05:002009-11-20T09:36:11.346-05:00

I was sitting somewhere the other day and heard a bunch of moms discussing how accomplished their toddlers were, defined in their eyes by how their child measured up, or over, the "experts'" definition of average. Then the discussion moved to the importance of choosing the right preschool; how it leads to the right kindergarten, private school and college. It was very Nursery University, right

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-72942668982399424782009-11-17T22:39:00.001-05:002009-11-18T22:44:05.683-05:00

The craft fair was Saturday, and all in all it was just OK. The attendance was pretty good and I got lots of compliments, but people weren't buying much - from me or the other vendors. Maybe it's too early for holiday shopping or maybe it's the economy.It wasn't all a bust: I met some lovely people who live in my neighborhood and may have even made a new friend out of it. I did a trade for that

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-72098335051952236122009-11-13T10:12:00.007-05:002009-11-13T10:28:32.997-05:00

A great freebie today: Sirius Satellite Radio's website has a free Martha Stewart Thanksgiving recipe booklet download. I think it might be today only, but you can save the pdf file to your desktop for reference later.Here's an easy recipe for a delicious way to prepare yams: mashed with pineapple. I will be making this for Thanksgiving!Sweet Pineapple YamsServes 6-82 1/2-3 cups of yams, peeled

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-90799274739625517182009-11-12T09:04:00.012-05:002009-11-12T17:15:01.653-05:00

I get ticked when people - especially women - ask you to do something, paired with a line like "I work full time, so my time to do X is limited." The implication, or perhaps my inference, is that they believe I do not work; that my time is not limited, being at home all day and all. But I do have a job - several in fact. Because owning/running a business, being a crafter for profit, being CFO of

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-6117769925471465362009-11-11T07:03:00.005-05:002009-11-11T11:50:06.819-05:00

I haven't talked about Evan's condition much recently, because I am trying not to focus on the downsides of it. While he is doing very well, he is still in occupational therapy and physical therapy for his sensory and motor planning issues. The good news is that he barely qualified for both OT and PT, and his speech therapy was dropped, because he tested well into the 4 year old range for speech!

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-21302715244574362262009-11-10T16:07:00.007-05:002009-11-10T22:25:54.736-05:00

Ah, the holiday shopping deals have begun! I don't normally shop there, but Toys R Us has such a deal going on right now on Hasbro board games that I had to share it. Evan's preschool has a holiday toy drive for a women's shelter, and so I bought a bunch for the kids at the shelter. We did keep "Don't Spill the Beans" which Evan LOVES.This deal is good in-store only through 11/14. Here are the

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-70978768350772557632009-11-08T19:45:00.008-05:002009-11-10T16:43:41.681-05:00

The SuperCrafty.com 20% off coupon is extended until 11/15. I had a great response and need a few bucks in order to be able to get this dishwasher installed. This is what big business is all about: saving me from dishpan hands!EXTENDED THROUGH SATURDAY 11/15! Save 20% off any order - even sale items! Use code 20off at checkout now through 11/15/09. Even if you used the code before you can use

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-24642602108020582482009-11-04T11:15:00.003-05:002009-11-04T11:34:40.560-05:00

I've got an abundance of little mini-sweater ornaments and I decided to host a swap of them at swap-bot.com, which is a fun website that manages almost any kind of swap imaginable. This is another fun, frugal hobby I've found recently, and also a great way to get something new for something you have already. I've swapped handmade felt ornaments, knitting books, teas and etsy site links. Who

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-67089926547257990022009-11-03T09:48:00.003-05:002009-11-03T10:01:37.097-05:00

Save 20% off any order at SuperCrafty.com - even sale items! Use code save20 at checkout now through 11/08/09. Plus, get FREE shipping on any order of $100 or more to USA and Canadian shipping addresses. No coupon required for the shipping discount.

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-55129886041811534062009-10-31T20:24:00.005-04:002009-11-01T07:41:45.079-05:00

For the past few days, Evan has been telling people who ask him what he's going to be for Halloween that he's going to be "a cat - meow!" I was really surprised but happy that he came up with this idea all on his own (and clearly understands dressing up for Halloween.) Last night, I thought I'd better rise to the crafty challenge or I was going to have an unpleasant situation on Halloween when it

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-49303631339520455782009-10-28T20:54:00.004-04:002009-10-28T21:09:14.741-04:00

I finished Evan's chef costume for Halloween. I think he actually might wear the top and the french fry pants since he's starting to understand that kids dress up on Halloween. I have been reiterating to him that in order to get candy like the other kids, you have to wear THIS costume and carry a little wooden spoon and maybe a little strainer basket for your candy. He wouldn't let the puffy chef

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-42269082938526312212009-10-27T00:38:00.000-04:002009-10-27T00:38:00.358-04:00

Happy Birthday, Evan! xoxo Momma

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-43517393066889164512009-10-26T10:53:00.003-04:002009-10-26T23:35:46.381-04:00

When I lived in Los Angeles (before Evan,) I did about 4 craft fairs a year. I haven't done one for several years because of Evan's health situation, but now that I have some time to craft (er, thanks, recession?) I plan on selling at one fair this holiday season as of right now, on November 14 at a neighbor's church holiday bazaar. Over the years, I've learned a lot about how to choose and

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-25963378536916278412009-10-23T10:16:00.008-04:002009-10-23T11:31:24.331-04:00

...and influenza. At least now I know why I've felt so crappy and been unable to shake this rattling cough for 2 weeks! A chest x-ray confirmed it's a "walking" case, but not to be taken lightly, nonetheless. At least it's not the swine flu. I'm on a heavy dose of antibiotics and those oh-so-fun-pills-of-insomnia, prednisone. I've been staying inside, resting, hydrating and losing IQ points with

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-21533916367757537432009-10-21T22:23:00.011-04:002009-10-22T15:04:00.208-04:00

In the comments, I welcome supportive and opposing points of view, as long as the delivery is respectful, mature, productive, articulate and substantiated. Posting sources or links to reputable sources helps convince others of challenging opinions. Popular or unpopular, opinions may inspire responses by me or others.Blatant advertisements, incoherent ramblings, mean-spirited, excessively

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-88051551200280209222009-10-20T10:36:00.011-04:002009-10-22T15:03:02.423-04:00

I've had this cold/flu/bronchitis for nearly 2 weeks and I need to get better by the weekend for Evan's 3rd birthday party. So, today I'm taking a sick day. Before I settled in front of some bad daytime TV with my knitting, I made some soup with a bunch of stuff I had in the fridge.Vegetable SoupMakes about 6 mugs of soupVegetarian5 - 8 cups of water or amount needed to get soup as you like it1

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-16703997366415786162009-10-19T20:49:00.011-04:002009-10-22T14:17:33.957-04:00

A few years ago when I started this frugal living journey out of necessity, being frugal was not as cool as it is now. The recession has brought frugality into the forefront. In addition, with the whole ecological movement, I think it's more in vogue to use less and think about the impact on the earth before buying or consuming. For my family, it's a strategy, supported by individual actions that

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706138.post-28874702217418579172009-10-16T07:52:00.014-04:002009-10-22T14:23:03.464-04:00

Jeff and I saw Capitalism: a Love Story last night. Because seeing a film in the theater is a true luxury, Jeff and I go to see maybe one or two movies a year, and usually among them is a Michael Moore movie. I really enjoy his films because they make me think and feel, plus I learn something, even if I don't agree with every point of view he presents. One thing about him is that he's always

Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11528215281248264122blog@supercrafty.com1