Raige Creations

Yup. Think it finally has hit me. I. Am. Burnt. Out.   How do I know? It could be that I wake up every day wishing for a vacation.  - Or -  That when I am getting ready to go in to work I just wish I could hire someone to go in for me.  - Or  - That I can't even find the motivation to get out there and run/walk (knowing this usually gives me the energy to get through the day.) - Or - On my one day off I spend in sweatpants and fluffy socks, not brushing my hair, not doing any chores, barely getting off the couch. I couldn't even get up to put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea. Source:  behance.net  via  Victoria  on  Pinterest My Spark Burnt Out! - Or - It could be that I wasted 2 hours before I HAVE to go in to work just trying to find pictures for my neglected blog that I didn't even feel like writing for the past week. Not even Music Monday!   - OR - Worst of all..... 1950's Housewife, complet...

Yesterday I mentioned fondue and my first attempt at creating a great fondue. Well, chocolate is seldom bad, so it turned out good. But somehow I forgot to add water to the bottom pot (duh me) , so I had to rescue my hardened chocolate fondue. Luckily, some chocolate milk saved the day and finally people started eating it. If nothing else, it looked beautiful on it's dedicated table and smelled GREAT.  I am definitely going to try it again for Thanksgiving, when my oldest will be home from college and we will be all together again as a family. Besides, he is the one that will probably dip anything in chocolate and eat it. ** Side Note: When I was pregnant with him I had big Ho-Ho cravings and ate a lot of them, and strangely he is the one who loves chocolate the most. I had bologna cravings when pregnant with my daughter and she is the only one who like bologna. With my youngest, I ate everything, no particular cravings like the other two, and strangely he likes just about ...

"Do you Fondue?" I eagerly asked the deli manager at Ingles. No it is not 1977, it is 2012 and I was excited to be bringing a touch of retro into our Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting reception. We wanted chocolate covered strawberries, but the cost and time it would take to achieve this was much more than I could handle. But Fondue...hey that could be a fun interactive way to enjoy the same thing. The deli manager and I brainstormed this idea and I panicked a little having never 'fondued' before. So I asked her if she had. She, being of the right generation to have enjoyed it back in 1977, got this gleam in her eye and knowingly smiled saying "Yes, I do" , reassuring me it really is quite easy.  Over to the chocolate melting chips we went and she hooked me up with all I would need, save the actual fondue pot.  "Oh, I have the perfect one" , I thought. It is a beautiful copper one that we picked up at an auction. But I had some shining up t...

As I mentioned the other day, something about the fall air is invigorating . I get to experience breathtaking views and beautiful color every day. I am as amazed by it now as I was when I first saw it, when hubby brought me here  to show me our potential new home that October 5 years ago. Perfect motivation for getting out there and enjoying! So get out there. Enjoy. And if you are in the Asheville area, stop by Blue Rage of Asheville for the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting and Fine Art Exhibition Colors In Time .

This weeks Featured Artisan for Share the Love, Blogger's Unite is Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs. Classical and Contemporary jewelry with a Hint of Nature! You can Find Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs on: Craft Cafe   Pinterest   Facebook   Luulla Grab the code for your blog HERE Are you On Fire for Handmade? http://onfireforhandmade.com

I missed stargazing the other morning. Apparently there was a meteor shower in the early morning on Sunday, but I slept right through it.  They said it would seem that the meteors  come from the Club of the famous constellation Orion the Hunter . I don't think I even know where that is in the sky. But still, I love star gazing, and when we can be shown an even more spectacular bright fireballs and persistent trains it is worth seeing. Maybe next month we can see the next round of meteors decorating the sky. There are opportunities to see meteors at least every month.  Until then, we will gaze at Andrew Wood - an influential and inspiring musician who burned bright and faded far too soon. 

Yesterday was a true autumn day. Through and through.  First thing in the morning there was this beautiful crisp view from the front sidewalk of the high school. Soon after I went for my run/walk and the breeze was string and cool, with the smell of leaves in the air. I brought the dog and Madonna with me, and something about the entire experience was invigorating! Each wind gust, the birds riding the air, the leaves in their reds and yellows. It all gave me energy I hadn't felt in a long time.  I ran almost the entire time, and it felt good. Surprisingly good. The energy stayed with me and I accomplished so much yesterday morning it surprised me.  Up until that point I felt this sadness when I let it sink in that it was fall. I was missing the warm air, the hot sun, the summer!  Yes the leaves are breathtakingly beautiful, but I wasn't ready for the seasons to change. All I could see was winter not far off and I am just not ready for that.  ...

Featured Artisan on Share the Love Blogger's Unite The Featured Artisan this week for Share the Love... Blogger's Unite is Melissa Ruede - Melissas Jewelry and Gems! Melissa is married, a mother of two children, ages 7 and 3. She is also a part time nurse, as well as being an avid gemstone collector, and jewelry maker.  She has some Beautiful Creations in her Shop. Stop by Melissa's Shops to see all of her Beautiful Creations! You can Find Melissas Jewelry and Gems on: Etsy Facebook Blog Twitter Grab the Code for your Blog HERE

I am much too old to stay up until 2:30 am and get up at 6:00 am. But that is just what I did Monday night. Why? Probably one of the most common reasons people cannot sleep. Stress. I had tried to relax after working my 6th day in a row, avoided turning on my computer when I got home. I just watched the boob tube until my brain finally quieted down and I dozed off on the couch. But then ~ midnight rolled around and on my way to bed from the couch it hit me! I HAD SO MUCH TO DO!! Thus my brain and body said - NO SLEEP FOR YOU . I mindlessly did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, the tried to find my brain and write all of my 'to-do's on the message board. Then I felt compelled to turn on my computer, and I printed off the past 4 months of bank statements and proofed some graphics and worked on my blog.   Finally, I forced myself to bed at 2:30 am.  The alarm going off at 6:00 am hurt. But I got up and did the normal morning rituals, except in a slight dream like state. B...

Driving the kids to school last week (when they missed the bus...again....) I was shocked and amused to see this on Main Street right here in little ole' Weaverville . Yarn bombing ! Then I wondered if I should have been in on it! I sort of felt left out!! But really, I wouldn't have had the time, energy, much less skill to be part of this wacky tradition that pops up every now and then. At least I can enjoy it. It really is spectacular to think all this time and effort goes into letting the general public get a kick out of what is covered in yarn. And to think about what they heck it is over the rails of the Library? Wacky. Today the only thing left was the bench cover. No Teddy bear, no garbage can cover, nothing left of the rest of it, just the bench cover. And it had just poured rain for the last 3 or 4 hours, so it was soaking wet.  This left me wondering what happens to yarn bombed things over time. Do people take the yarn, and if so who? Do people steal i...

Today I am going with an impromptu chorus at dinner last night.  (In order to keep up with NaBloWriMo and the gazillion other things I gotta do I will go with my gut on blogs from now on and not over think. I think.) Hubby began 'I want you to.....' and POP! This song was right on my tongue and out it came. When I stumbled on some of the words, he was right there filling them in. We surrendered to silly singing at the dinner table. (But Surrender is a different Cheap Trick song ) It turns out he wanted me to help him with unpleasant financial chores stuff, but this made it a little more bearable.  Yes, singing at the table is frowned upon. But sometimes you just gotta...well... Surrender .  Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'?  Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'? Now try to get that out of your head. And yes, you may see me cryin' as I try to fit everything that has to be done today into one day. Now....

Classic Black, what could be better. Nice collection and another cold reference. My Red Heart Brings Love Scarf . Still not ready for cold. I do love that sign about family - that might make a good gift - can you believe I am thinking about Christmas? In the Black   Curated By: bluemorningex... ArtFire.com Handmade Gifts

A spectacularly chaotic, crazy, what the heck? type of video . I have even felt like the drummer when the backdrop actually drops on his head.  Perfect. This is how my weeks are lately. So I embrace the chaos.  Yes, it is Friday. MUSIC FRIDAY! I missed Music Monday - I have had trouble keeping track of the days really. I don't know if it's Monday, Wednesday, Sunday etc. I work at the shop all days but Tuesday, and my son was home for a long weekend. The high school kids have random days off, but didn't have Columbus day off, the bank was closed so couldn't do my Monday deposit. You can see how I am confused this week. So It's Friday! Why not some music to go with what crazy times we've been through lately. I'm In Love!! And suddenly today I realized I never posted this yesterday, so story of my life again. LATE.

Dang it has been chilly lately. I had to dig out my jacket!! And I am wearing a SWEATER! That's why this is a perfect Collection for this week. I guess I will have to dig out my winter Stick Shift Cozy . Red HOT from CKDIN   Curated By: ChristieCottage ArtFire.com Vintage Fashion OR maybe I will make myself a purple one - yeah, that's what I am going to do. That will make driving in cold weather MUCH better Everything is better with a little purple.