Shameless self promotion here

Etsy is one of the really great sites to browse and purchase fun, fascinating and fresh handcrafted creations, as well as vintage items. You owe it to yourself to check it out. It's easy to get to, fun to shop and safe to make payments.


Artfire is another great site for finding the unusual in one-of-a-kind treasures like jewelry, stationery, clothing and accessories, art and much more.

Day by day

Well, we came through our terrible rain and wind storms with only one tree down across our road that we had to cut up and move. Other parts of the country have it much worse with snow and cold. We can't complain...much.

I'm getting the last of my Christmas packages ready to mail and that will be a great relief, especially when I hear that they arrive. I always wish I could be there to watch them open it. Don't you?

Getting ready for our Hanukah meal on Sunday also. I've made cookies (sampled a few, of course), bought applesauce, and will be making the latkes (traditional potato pancakes) Sunday morning. They are a lot of work, grating all those potatoes and onions, adding flour and salt, frying them in hot oil, but ooohhh, the taste!

I'm so excited!

Try some of these for your holiday treats!

I can't resist trying new recipes and even experimenting with my old favorites, hence my name "Substitutionqueen!". Give these a try and see the smiles.