Maddie*Kate Guest Interview now posted...

On the Boutique Buyers Blog. Let us know what you think.

We made it back from Disney World Sunday night. That was a very long day for all of us. I never imagined the week of Thanksgiving would be a busy time to go to Disney, especially this year with the economy the way it is, but it was packed! The kids had a great time visiting with their cousins that were here for Nate's grandmother's funeral. There was also a new "meet the characters" set up in Toon Town. Where we used to get our pictures taken with Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck, there is now a whole new "Fairies" themed area. Mallory got to meet 3 of the fairies from the movie Tinkerbell. It was really neat.

New Owl Fleece Set Listed on eBay

Here is a fun set that we just listed on eBay. Perfect for those chilly days ahead (or today for us!!) Made with some hard to find owl fleece and some comfy knit. Custom sized 2T-8!
You can find the latest Maddie*Kate listing by clicking here.


Mallory looks so grown up in this picture :-(

Thankful

Today was Nate's grandmother's funeral. It was a touching ceremony and really opened my eyes to what an amazing woman she really was. It also got me thinking (along with Thanksgiving coming up next week) about all the things that I am thankful for in my life.

First and foremost, I am thankful that I am healthy and most of my loved ones are healthy. For those that aren't healthy, I am thankful for the people taking care of them (you know who you are), as it's a very difficult (and somewhat thank-less) job that I can't imagine doing.

I am thankful for the wonderful man that I call my husband. He is the most selfless person that I've ever met, he always puts my needs and the kids needs before his own. He is also the hardest worker, period. I've never known anyone to work so many hours a day, almost everyday, just to make sure that the project is finished (and perfect) and to provide so many wonderful things for us - AND NEVER COMPLAIN!!!!!

I am thankful for my beautiful children (need I say more?)

I am thankful for my parents; for them guiding me through the years to become the person that I am today; for their generosity; their unconditional love, our family dinners and being only a few houses down to come visit daily (and to get those beautiful children out of my hair for a few hours).

I am thankful for all my great girlfriends, whether it be my high school friends, college friends, or my friends that I've met through Nate or the kids school. You all have meant so much to me over the years. Just being able to "shop" off some frustration or chat on the phone for hours catching up on life, or taking much needed girls weekends AWAY.

I am thankful that I LOVE my hobby of sewing. I am thankful that my mom was eager to teach me everything that she knows and I love that we are business partners and most of all, friends. I am thankful for all the wonderful people that we've met through our business; customers and other sellers.

I hope that all of you will be able to be with the people that you are thankful for this Holiday Season.

Wordless Wednesday

Maddie*Kate Boys Resell - Later Gator!

One of our sweetest buyers just listed a resell of ours from last Spring.
Size 5T, 2-pc set includes knit hoodie top & denim appliqued pants. So cute for a trip to the zoo!
You can find the listing here. Be sure to always search Boutique MK to find our listings and our resells!




Our local Publix Supermarkets had their Holiday Open House tonight, so my mom and I took my kids and my niece and nephew to see what they were offering. We had our share of apple pie, tiramisu, apples with yogurt dip, peppermint ice cream, chocolate covered pretzels and lots of yummy things to drink! There were Christmas carollers and stomp dancers and over in one corner, we spotted Santa Claus!! The kids were so shy to go up and talk to him, they were both hiding behind my legs. I wanted to get a reaction out of them, so I said, "Tell Santa how BAD you've been this year!" They both came from behind my legs and said, "No, no! We've been good!" I got a good laugh out of that. Maybe now they realize that Santa is around and watching them, so they better be good, for goodness sakes!

My Little Papillon, er, Butterfly

Mallory had a birthday party for a little friend in her class on Sunday that Nathan took her to, as Jack had a birthday party to attend at the same time that I took him to.
When she walked in the door, this is what she looked like.



She said, "Mommy, I'm a papillon. That's French for BUTTERFLY!" How does she know this, you might ask? Well, either she is a 4-year old genius, or she has been reading Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy too much. I think she's a genius.

I spent the morning at the Dollar Tree with 4 other preschool board members buying all the presents for the kids to go "shopping" in a few weeks. We send a form home with the kids for their parents to fill out who the kids will need to buy presents for (mom, dad, siblings, pets, grandparents, etc.) and one day in December, we take them to a room at the school with their list in hand, and they do their Christmas shopping! It's so cute to watch them pick out special presents. There are 75 kids in the school, so we have to buy a TON of things. Today, we bought 360 items. That poor cashier!!

The Best Lasagna Recipe & Promotion on eBay

Promotion:
The person with the most bids on our two Peanuts Valentine sets (one giveaway for the boys set and one giveaway for the girls set) will win a SURPRISE holiday set from us, worth $65!
You can find the boys listing (with only ONE, lonely bid) here and the girls listing here.

I'm making this tonight for dinner, as we've had a little cold snap and I feel like cooking something delicious! My kids will even eat it!!

1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 (29 ounce) can of diced tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
12 dry lasagna noodles
2 eggs, beaten
1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese


Directions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, onion and garlic; drain fat. Mix in basil, oregano, brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook 5 to 8 minutes or until al dente; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels and blot dry.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and 1 tsp salt.

4. Layer 1/3 of the lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover noodles with 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top.

5. Back in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

I could give you all the nutritional information, but that wouldn't be any fun!

Enjoy with a tossed salad and garlic bread!

Black Friday Deals

Just in case you haven't seen these yet and you like to get up early after stuffing your face on Thanksgiving to get your Christmas shopping done (or started like me), here are the Black Friday ads.
I will be out there braving all the crowds in search of some great deals.
http://www.black-friday.net/

New Craft Project - "Sock Friends"

Aren't these the just cutest things? I love them and purposely went out shopping for socks today (even though it calls for misplaced socks) so we could make some Sock Friends when the kids are on Winter Break in a few weeks.



If you are interested in making your own Sock Friends, you can find the simple instructions here. Or, if you're lucky, I might give a few away in December to some of our readers.

It was a FRIGID 87 degrees here today. What a nice Fall we are having. The kids thought it was Summer, so they threw on their bathing suits and headed out to our swimming pool, er, bucket. It is supposed to rain tomorrow and bring some cold temps. for Sunday and Monday. I can't wait to turn off the A/C!



Hope you enjoy the Christmas music I've added today.

Maddie*Kate Boys Peanuts Valentine Listing

Here it is. I got so much sewing done today, because my dear friend, Amy, was kind enough to pick my kids up from school for a playdate. Another bonus of the playdate was they were pooped and in bed at 7:15 tonight. Woo hoo! Here's to more playdates :-) Love you Amy!

Jack is 2 months away from turning 3... He is now my difficult model. I can remember when Mallory was first modeling our things. It was such torture for us all involved. What used to take 30-40 minutes in the HOT Florida sun, now only takes 10 minutes tops for Mallory. I guess I need to get the good bribes started for Jack! He would not stand still or smile very much today. I was stressed out too, as the sun was quickly setting behind the trees, hence the not-so-focused pictures on this auction.

You can find this Maddie*kate listing on eBay by clicking here.






I read this amazing quote from another designer friend's blog. I hope it makes you think.
One author writes: "I have spent long hours in the Intensive Care waiting room watching anguished people, listening to urgent questions: 'Will my husband make it? Will my child walk again? How do you live without your companion of 30 years?' The Intensive Care waiting room is different from any other place in the world. And the people who wait are different. They can't do enough for each other. No one is rude. The distinctions of race and class melt away. The garbage man loves his wife as much as the university professor loves his, and everyone understands this. Each person pulls for everyone else. In the Intensive Care waiting room the world changes. Vanity and pretence vanish. The universe is focused on the doctor's next report. If only it will show improvement. Everyone knows that loving someone else is what life is all about. Could we learn to love like that, if we realized that every day of life, is like a day in the Intensive Care waiting room?"



Off to watch Grey's Anatomy in peace.