October Snow

Wow!!!! Snow and lots of it - east and west of here.  We are so lucky to be in the no snow zone!  I hope that everyone out east is doing OK with this nasty stuff

Ann Arbor show

The Ann Arbor show is rapidly approaching -- I'll have pics soon of some of the bears that are riding along. 

On a different note

Big Cedar Bluegrass Band is getting ready to release our 5th CD - A Big Cedar Christmas.
Our Christmas concerts are on Dec 9th and 10th - Top Photo from left to right, Fiddle player is Tim, Guest Bass Player is Mike, Guitar player is Peachy, Dobro player is Jim (my husband) and the gray haired woman is me
www.marthasbears.com/bigcedarschedule

Getting Ready for Ann Arbor, MI Show

I am getting ready for the Ann Arbor Michigan show.   Amy Thornton, Dian Pete, Donna Manthey and I are off and driving on Nov 5th -- the show is the 6th and we  come home that night.
You would think that we were youngsters!!!!!!
Go to http://www.bright-star-promotions.com/SneakPreviews/HolidayTeddyBearShowinAnnArborbyBrightStarPromotions.htm
For more information.

Teddies Worldwide preview coming

Teddies Worldwide

Hey Everyone - the Preview for Teddies Worldwide is coming soon -- Nov 4th

just follow the link.

etsy items

Hey there - I just added some cutie things to my etsy account
http://www.etsy.com/shop/marthasbears

dragonfly

 

mouse on spool

bat necklace

recipe for Mexican Lasagna

1 pkg no boil lasagna noodles 
1 pound lean ground beef (skip this if you want a veggie version and add on more can of beans)
 -- 1 - 12 oz can of mexicorn, 1 - 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, 1 small can of chopped green chilies, one can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed (2 if  you want meatless) 1 12oz can of green tamale sauce, one 12oz can of red tamale sauce, 1/2 pkg of taco seasoning mix for browning meat (I like Old El Paso)  1 - 12oz jar of taco sauce -- check to see the "heat" level on the cans of sauces and use the one you like best.  1 tsp ground cumin (or to taste) 2 tsp chili powder (or to taste) and I always put a little fresh cilantro in -- 2 pkgs of your favorite shredded cheese (chedder, jack, mexi mix)  - sour cream if you like it.

First brown the meat, with the taco seasoning mix - if you like onion, brown that now too.  If meatless - skip this part.
combine all ingredients with the meat except the noodles. Heat till it's hot and simmer for 10 or 15 min to blend the flavors.

while that is simmering line the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish with one layer of the no-boil noodles
Then using a ladle, layer in about 14 of the sauce mix and sprinkle with cheese
Add another layer of noodles going the other way (break them to fill in the gaps) add another layer of sauce and cheese. 
Another layer of noodles - sauce and cheese  and a final layer of noodles, sauce and cheese
Cover with foil and bake for 40 min to an hour until everything is bubbly hot
Serve with lettuce, sour cream and extra cheese

I did not say that this was a diet friendly item, but a small portion is pleanty and it is better the 2nd day (it freezes well too)

today - windy, rainy and cold

It is a very unpleasant day, but Jim and I went antiquing and errand running.  This all included lunch and dinner out -- !!


I did make Mexican lasagna last night and the leftovers are going to be yummy!  I made up the recepie.

Happy to share if anyone wants to try it -- easy and mmmm - if you like Mexican

What's next

Teddies Worldwide

Well, I have to go to the show in Ann Arbor, MI the first weekend of November and I am participating in the online show that you see here -- Let's see, I am going to  do a local craft fair in November and on to Virginia in December.  Whew! 

I'm kind of sad

Oh look - there is a sky -- and sun -- and -- Oh yeah, my husband! I have not seen any of those things for several days because of the trunk show, but the show is finished, I'm pooped, but I really enjoyed every second of it -- I did not want to take it apart - it looked too nice. But winter is coming and we would like the cars BACK in the garage sooooo

online show

Well, the physical trunk show is over - online show is on at www.marthasbears.com

We had fun on a very BLUSTERY day!

set up pictures!!!

Back wall of the Garage

Halloween table

Jewelry Table

kitche

more kitchen

kitchen

Hope no one opens the Garage door

more garage

Christmas corner

Well, thanks to Amy Thornton, Donna Manthey and Dian Pete - the Trunk show  is set up and ready to go -- Whew -- I think that we are pooped -- but here are pics anyway.

clean garage - getting closer

I am so excited and exhausted , the thinks are coming along nicely.  Here is the clean garage with backdrops in place -- tomorrow I will post pictures of the fully set up show

Garage cleaned - check

Well, with the help of my wonderful, retired husband, I got the garage cleaned and set up with tables and backdrops.  -- now ask if we will ever find those tools again????  I think not!
Anyway, I have a few new things to share - and the online show is this Sunday!!

Martha's mousie

Brown mousie

Martha's Needle felted wooly bear

Martha's Carrida

Terri's Bear

Candy's Pin

more trunk show previews.

Donna's bear

Amy's Pin

some great new pieces came in for the trunk show.  Pins from Amy -- pictures from Susan McCay and her minis - Susan's wonderful new hand bags, pics from Peggy Fleming, Jane Monroe  and Donna Manthey.

Peggy's Elephant

Jane Monroe's Pandy Cane

Susan's Hand Bag

Susan's Mini Bear

holy catfish!

Well, NOW all the pics come in for the trunk show --- YIKES!!!!!!!  I think I need coffee and one more week to get all the pages finished.
Heavy sigh  and back to work for me.

more updates

Tired of these yet??  Here are previews from the Hayes (there be dragons) and from AmyThornton

Beautiful Hayes Dragon

Amy's Bear

One of Amy's Halloweenies

Here are Amy's and the Hayes work

a few more preview pics

Kate's Pendant

Dian's Bear

Well, I just got these pieces from Dian Pete - the sweater bear, Kate Westenberger (wire wrapped pendants), new things from me - punkin make do and crow, Joel Hoy - the jester bear , Jane Monroe - the bare distressed bear, Connie Broulette - beaded necklace, and Beth Hutchison - the Punkin Head. 

Joel's Jester

Martha's Make Do

Martha's Crow

Beth's Punkin Head

Jane's Bear

Connie's Necklace

on the up side

On the up side, the weather is perfect and the leaves are spectacular!

trunk show before

Well, here is the garage as of today.  A little work you say???  Jim will need to was the floors, the peg board area will be covered with back drops, the rest of the stuff need hiding and the shelves power washing - hoo boy