David and His Basketball Team

For my new readers, David is Leslie's husband.  He owns the local gym.  He enjoys working with young kids in his spare time.

Here he is with a small group of 8 and 9 yr old, who wish to learn the game of basketball.

"Okay guys, last week we spent time going over the rules of the game and we worked on our dribbling."

"Today you will practice your dribbling.  Then we will learn a little about shooting and passing the ball.  When we get to passing, you will be working in pairs.  I will work with one of you, since we only have five people."  (David)

"Do you want to work with me?" (Tyler)

"No. I'm working with Shannon." (Nikaya)

"Everyone grab a ball and hold on to it."

"Nikaya and Shannon, why are you sitting down?" (David)

"We just thought we would rest a little, Mr. David." (Nikaya)

"But you haven't done anything, yet.  Let's go! Up on your feet.  Everyone spread out." (David) 

"When I blow the whistle, you can pick up your ball and start your dribbling.  No two handed dribbling, please.  And you need to practice with both hands.  When it's time to stop, I will blow the whistle again.  So make sure you are paying attention." 

"On your mark, get set...." (David)

David blows the whistle and the dribbling begins!

Note: The blue wall things are micro fiber cleaning sponges from the Dollar Tree.

Chocolate Cookies. Need I Say More

I made these on Saturday.  Along with some other treats.  They are currently available in my Etsy Shop.  They come four to a plate and they are loose for ultimate play.  They can be glued down upon request.

Each cookie is hand sculpted.  

The back is nicely finished.

This is Shannon, one of Nikaya's friends.

They are just back from basketball practice. They are hanging out at Shannon's house, where her mom made homemade cookies. Shannon has the best Stacy body.  Her ankles bend and everything.

I would love to show you her mom, but if you read my earlier post today, you know that she is still in the Big Lots store.  She looks like the perfect little girl for Barbie Basics #1

Sunday Doll Purchases

I know.  I know.  It was just last week when I professed that I was done doll shopping for awhile.  Well apparently awhile meant about a week.  You can blame Hey It's Muff.  She blogged about some pens she bought from Big Lots and reminded me of the 20% off sale this weekend.  I decided to go to a Big Lots about 40 mins away near my sister-in-law's house.  I picked her up and off we went.  I got two packs of the pens then pretended like I wasn't going to the toy department.  LOL!  When I got there I picked up 3 dolls.  A PowerTeam guy, and 2 Denim Basic dolls; Barbie #1 and Ken #16.  I talked myself out of both Basic dolls.  They weren't on the list and the clothes weren't calling out to me.   We went to an herb shop about 20 mins from the Big Lots.  You will not believe what was sitting in the window being raffled off!  A totally stunning redressed Barbie Basics #1.  The doll was gorgeouss!  The jewelry.  The outfit.  The hair.  All stunning!  The herb shop was closed, so I just sat there at the window questioning my decision to leave Barbie Basics #1 at the store.  I saw this as a sign.  I have never seen a Barbie in an herb shop before.  So of all days and all the herb shops, we picked that one.  I immediately wanted to go get her, but with my sister-in-law in tow, I had to keep my crazy in check.  I hinted around at the idea, but she didn't bite.

So we continued on to the next store.  I must admit, I punched Big Lots in the GPS when we got in the car to see if one was close.  Not close enough.  When we got to our last stop, Cost Plus, I was happy to see that it was in a shopping center with Marshall's, TJMaxx Home Goods and Ross.  I still had that Barbie Basic on my mind and figured I would check those stores to see if she was there....and cheaper than $10.  Nothing at Marshalls.  Nothing at TJ.  Ross is the last stop.  No Barbie Basic dolls, but they did have the black jacket accessory pack for $6.  I picked that up and a Harley Davidson motorcycle that was marked $13.  Not thrilled at all about the price of the bike and I wasn't sure if it was big enough.  But the thought of me leaving it in the store and then regretting that decision again, made me keep it in hand.  Off to find my sister-in-law, who was in the handbag department.  As I am getting closer to the handbags, I notice a bin near the linens.  This bin is full of dolls!  Jackpot!  No Barbie Basics, but LIV dolls.  This bin is a mile away from the toy department.  Why do they do that?  You mean from now on I can't do my normal beeline to the toy department?  I now have to meander through the stores to see if some bright person decided to  put dolls in some off location?  I know there is a marketing reason for doing something like this, but they are missing out on those of us who just go to the department we are interested in.

So here is my new PowerTeam guy.  I didn't pay a lot of attention to him in the store.  I saw that he was okay looking and he had real hands.  Once I got him home, I realized he has an Asian feel about him, so he will be the husband to the Pediatrician, Mari's dad, and the brother to the other Papa.  Do you see that cool vest and hat.  Rod will be sporting that on a future fishing trip.  It's perfect!

I already have this set, but can you really pass up $5.99?

So this was the first LIV doll I saw in the bin.  I picked her up and put her down.  I always liked these cute outfits, but I have a box of newly purchased LIV dolls in the studio.  Don't ask.  Ok, it was the $3 -$6 LIV blowout at Target a few weeks ago.  They haven't made it out the box yet.

Then I saw this one.  She didn't look familiar at all.  "Lift to Open".  That's what the box said.  I did.

Ooooh  weee!  The spa doll.  Didn't these dolls just come out not too long ago?  All of a sudden, $9.99 was looking really good. 

This little dress is the cutest!

You know who's getting this robe.  Danielle, of course!

For those of you not familiar with the spa dolls.  You can change their eye shadow color, their nail color, and their hair streak color.  Makes me want to keep her in tact and play with her as is.  I may do that until I need her body.  

I looked back in the bin and saw another spa doll I hadn't noticed.  She's wearing a cute little nightgown. 

 I only have one doll whose name starts with an "S" and that is Sylvia.   So she may get the robe, unless one of the new nameless characters gets an "S" name.

By the way, after deciding to get both Spa dolls, I also decided to get the first LIV doll I saw and put back. I did at least put back the motorcycle, with no regrets.  I have two here already that have yet to be used.

So, the moral of the story is.....  I don't have a clue.  I broke one of my rules.  "Buy now, ask questions later."  Had I done that, I would have had the Barbie Basics #1 and I wouldn't have had the crazed "I got to find this doll" feeling again.  I could have just driven back to the Big Lots and bought her, but I hate backtracking.  Of course, if I had done that, I wouldn't have run across the LIV dolls.  So maybe the whole end result was to find the LIV dolls.  I stand by a statement I say all the time.  I have never regretted buying a doll, I've only regretted not buying a doll.  With that said, I suspect my doll buying is still not over.  

Busy Saturday at Debbie's Design Shop

It's the typical busy Saturday at "Simply Handmade".  Although Debbie schedules most of her appointments during the week, she still has a full schedule on Saturday with clients who can't get there any other time.  First client of the day is Dominique.

After several conversations on the phone, Debbie and Dominique are finally meeting in person.

"Well it's good to finally meet you." (Debbie)

"Same here.  I am excited to see what you have to offer.  As you can see, I am not an 'off-the-rack' girl, and finding clothes in this town that fit have been a challenge, to say the least." (Dominique)

"Well, you're beautiful, and I'm looking forward to designing you the perfect wardrobe." (Debbie)

"Based on our conversations, I pulled a few designs to get your thoughts." (Debbie)

"Wow, this suit is beautiful.  I love the Chanel-like jacket.  It will also be nice to have some pants suits. " (Dominique)

"You know I love my animal prints.  I love the style, but I would like this a little dressier.  Right now, they look more like lounging outfits." (Dominique)

"Okay.  We can definitely make that happen." (Debbie)

After viewing the rest of the designs, Debbie lays them out on the cutting board so Dominique can decide which outfit she would like to proceed with.

"I think I would like to start with the Chanel-like pants suit.  So what's the next step?" (Dominique)

"Well we need to schedule a time when I can take your measurements.  At that time I will probably have fabric for you to see, as well." (Debbie)

Debbie and Dominique schedule their next meeting.  As they are finishing up, Debbie's next appointment has arrived.

"Hello Danielle.  Perfect timing.  We were just finishing up." (Debbie)

Everyone exchanges hellos.  Dominique scurries off for her next Saturday appointment, the hair dresser.  She is never thrilled about going to the hair salon on Saturday, but this time it just couldn't be helped.

Debbie and Danielle get down to business.

"So this is the cute tux, I need to replicate." (Debbie)

"Well, it doesn't have to be a replica.  That is what Jacob is wearing, but they don't have to match." (Danielle)

"Where is that darling Jacob?" (Debbie)

"Oh, grandma has him.  They are just down the street at the store, where I am sure she is catering to his every whim." (Danielle)

"That is what grandmothers are for." (Debbie, laughing)

"By the way, did you get your wedding invitation?" (Danielle)

"I sure did, and I was so excited, I already made my outfit.  I can't wait.  You are going to be a beautiful bride." (Debbie)

"I can't wait either.  I am so ready to get back to my normal life." (Danielle)

"You are getting married.  This means you will have a husband.  Which means your normal life is over." (Debbie)

"Well aren't you depressing today." (Danielle, laughing)

"Sorry.  Now back to this tux." (Debbie) 

"Julian, in order for me to make your tux, I am going to take your measurements.  Are you ticklish?" (Debbie)

"I don't think so." (Julian)

"Yes. He is very ticklish." (Danielle)

"Well, I will try to be quick.  We don't want you dying of laughter.  Oh and by the way, the bat man shirt is way cool."

All Julian can do is smile.  He is loving all the attention.  Danielle is excited to have one more thing on her list being worked on.  

Cute Kelly Items Found at DollarTree

Today while visiting the DollarTree, I found the cutest Kelly sized play furniture.

This is a play sink with a pot.

Here is the most adorable table and chair set with tea cups.

This is a desk.  There was one more item that was a bakery type setup.

I saw this little cutie in Walmart and had to take her picture.  She is probably 14 - 16" tall.  Hard to see her hair in this picture, but it is two afro puffs. 

Antoinette Shares a Real Recipe

Hey guys.  I'm filling in for Vanessa today.  She is busy making furniture for the neglected Etsy store.  So I told her I would handle today's post.

We both wanted to share a quick recipe for making slightly healthier cake and cupcakes.  Notice I said slightly.  She got this recipe from www.Sparkpeople.com.  If you haven't checked out that site yet, and you are interested in getting healthier, it is worth taking a look.  

Here is a link to the actual recipe.  http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/recipes.asp?id=12588.  The recipe has water listed.  I've tried it with water and without water, and I think I prefer it without water. 

So you will need any regular cake mix.  I've tried chocolate, yellow and red velvet.  The chocolate and the red velvet were delicious.  The yellow seemed to be a bit gooey, but it could have just been me. 

You will also need a block of the softest tofu sold..  

Then you mix your chosen cake mix with your tofu (and a little water if you like).  DO NOT add any of the extra stuff listed on the cake mix box like eggs and oil.  Once mixed, follow the baking directions listed on the box.  

And that's pretty much it.  I usually make cupcakes for the kids and Tony.   They love them!  I haven't told them yet that there is tofu in them.  I know my family.  All of a sudden they will start imagining that they can taste tofu and it doesn't taste right.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures to show you of the ones I made.  I wasn't expecting to ever need a picture.  I was able to go through Vanessa's files and find one of her pictures.

Here are chocolate tofu cupcakes that Vanessa did a few weeks ago.  She told me they were delectable.  You really should give them a try sometime.  Let us know how they turn out.