Category / Holiday

by Talmadge House

In the spirit of giving “A Free Giveaway”

Attention all friends and family . . . In the spirit of Christmas Talmadge House presents a giveaway of an advent calander handmade by me.  You can tuck the calendar into one of your Christmas displays or lean up against something on your desk.  I borrowed the idea from Jenni Bowlin who designs and sells all things pretty.  Isn’t that picture of the children and santa vintagy?  It’s circa 1940’s of my Uncle David, Uncle Gary and Aunt Ruth.  My Aunt Alicia and my mom call Mr Santa “The Sexy Santa”.  I think they’re right . . . our santa’s today don’t look like this one.  Although if you look at his eyes and the grip he has on my aunt he looks a bit scared.  I’m thinking my uncles bribed him for whatever it was they wanted for Christmas and told him they’d give him up if he didn’t make it happen (little devils).

So there’s only one so only person can win and here’s what you need to do to qualify.  You must subscribe to our blog (Talmadge House) which is very easy and I’ll describe in a minute.  The second thing you must do is leave a comment telling us one of your families Christmas Traditions.  Don’t have a tradition then tell us your favorite Christmas movie.  Comment section is at the end of this post.  If you’ve already subscribed then all you have to do is leave a comment as noted above.

Alrighty then . . . so onto those needing help subscribing to our blog.  Look to the top right of this post and you’ll see a red square with a gold door knob (this is actually our front door of which you’ll see on all of our pages . . . you can click on it and it will take you back to the home page otherwise known as the front door, clever huh?)  OK so right below our red door is a field where you enter your email address and then select the “subscribe” button.  You will receive an email (from confirmations @ emailenfuego .com) asking if you really want to subscribe to Talmadge House’s Blog. You will need to click on the link listed in this message to activate your subscription. By subscribing you will automatically receive an email from us when we post a new blog entry.  Isn’t that awesome!  You only have to visit us when we send you an “invitation” via your email.  Of course you can visit any other time as you’re always welcome.

OK you guys listen up . . . we will know who does and does not subscribe and you can only qualify for this advent calander by subscribing and leaving a comment as noted above.  By the way, our blog is for fun and so that you can keep up with our daily lives (that’s if you want to see us and read about us) and we do not give away your email address.  We will draw a random name on Wednesday 12/17/08 9PM eastern time and will post the winners name the same night.  We will mail the advent calendar to you . . . of course we’ll pay for the shipping . . . it IS a giveaway right?  It would warm our hearts and we’ll even do the sugar plum fairy dance if we have all of you sign up.

And a picture of the baby who we took for a walk at the marina this weekend.  Had to check on the boat to make sure all was well.  Look how little Scottie is compared to the boat . . . or maybe our boat is a big girl?  Scottie was right at home though, he LOVES the marina!  His spirit was lighter after this visit, it has been awhile.  He’s so used to going there pretty much every day from April – October.

Oh wow . . . this is a lengthy post hope you don’t mind.  I promised my girlfriend Latonya that I’d post pictures of my vintage finds from last week so here they are.

My most favorite is this vintage fan that has the original cord and yes it really works.  FABULOUS find!

And an apothecary jar for my peroxide (2nd jar from the left).  Love these containers, they dress up your bathroom.

And these door knobs made into knobs that can be added to a shelf to hang all things pretty from.  These are from Belgium.  I asked Santa (Mike) to make me a custom shelf for my studio of which we’ll add these knobs to.  Yippee!

by Talmadge House

Free Vintage Gift Tags

Ooo-la-la these are sooo pretty.  Sweet Jessie has given her readers a free PDF for these vintage gift tags which was worth sharing with my female readers.  Sorry guys Mike has to get to work with his manly postings.  Until then you’re stuck with me and HEY I don’t think that’s so bad and I’m sure you’d all agree wouldn’t you?  And listen think of the points you’ll earn if you printed these Vintage gift tags on nice cardstock and brought them home for your wives to use?  Mike would earn alot of extra credit points for that gesture.  So hop to it guys, get printing!

And a picture worth sharing of our baby sleeping while I was working for Thought Out assembling iPhone hands.  Such a good boy!  You can’t really see in the picture but his little head is actually laying on one of the metal hands.  He was comphie & content next to his mama and the warm wood stove . . . spoiled for sure!

by Talmadge House

Sparkly Christmas Wreath Tutorial & a Birthday Party

A sparkly ornamental wreath tutorial just in time for Christmas.  If I don’t make it this year, I’ll surely make it in the future so to the tutorial archives this link goes for me.  Can you imagine the sparkly pretty things that can be added . . . oh my

And a great big Happy Birthday #5 to Miss Isabella who celebrated with nine of her little friends at Great Escape today.  Wow, what an experience . . . I’m thinking my sister does not want me to have a child by allowing me into places such as this.  LOL!!!

This was at time of arrival when all the children were sweet smelling and extremely excited!

See how busy it started to become.  All the children were tagged like heards of animals and had to leave their shoes with the hearding staff.  Picture is a bit blurry but you get the idea.

Look at her looking at Leium (I know I’ve misspelled this little guys name).  He was quite the little entertainer as you can see by the sweet smile on Bella’s face.  It appears he’s covered his eye with a purple cup and she apparently thought this was funny.

Like monkeys in cages . . .

And yes Isabella I felt the same exact way at the end of this party . . . HA!

While I joke I’m truly blessed and entirely greatful to be a part of Isabella growing up.  Happy 5th birthday cutie pie!

Great Big Hugs & Kisses From

Aunt Brandi & Uncle Mike

by Talmadge House

A Mixed Bag

Our first snow fall of the season happened this morning . . . so pretty!

OK . . . this year we had two Thanksgiving meals.  Thursday we went to Michael’s dads and Saturday we went to my sisters.  Here are some photos from the events.  We’ll start with my sisters dinner first.

This is where you’ll typically find Mike . . . yep always working!

My mom . . .

My brother Scott . . . love the new beard/stash!

Our niece Shelbie who has the most beautiful blue eyes . . . She’s growing up so fast!

Our niece Isabella who is such a bundle of bouncy joy . . . simply adorable!

And we decorated their Christmas Tree (Bridget handed out the ornaments) . . .

Now onto Mike’s dads dinner . . .

Mike’s sister Crystal loving the turkey . . .

Mike’s sister Carla . . . we got a picture with both eyes open, amen!

Me with Crystal’s new puppy Chloe (such a sweet loving little puppy) . . .

LuLu (sweet mush pie)

And last but no least Charlie (he’s the alpha dog of this household) who’s growing tired these days . . . we love you Charlie!

by Talmadge House

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was awakened as normal on a day off at 5:30 AM by our furry baby pawing me at the bedside.  It’s his new thing lately asking me to please help him up into the bed so he can cuddle.  He isn’t so good with jumping up into the bed these days.  So up he went and we were off to cuddle land and I let out a great big “gooble gooble” as I always do on Turkey Day.  I was then reminded of one of the greatest things I’m thankful for.  It’s the unconditional sweet love that Scottie gives us every second of his life.  I’m also thankful for my husband who is the greatest man in this entire universe and also our friends and family.  Without the relationships we have life wouldn’t be nearly as good as it is.  And isn’t it true that the things we are most thankful for are the things we work hardest at?  So with that statement I’m thankful for the business Mike has developed and is taking off like no ones business.

Anywho . . . a few pictures of our furry babies and their attitudes this morning . . .

These two faught all morning.  Pele (the black kitty) will sit and just look at Wilbur which causes growling.  Had to keep seperating the two of them and reminded them they’re lucky their not turkeys!

This one kept howling at the back door.  Guess she wanted a turkey hunt outside . . .

And this one . . . he laid around the kitchen floor while I prepared some food to take to dad’s for dinner.  Love when he lays like this . . . By the way, we’re getting new flooring for the kitchen.  Wouldn’t you agree it’s about time?  HA!

So now we’re off to my father-in-law’s for dinner.  I’ve been assigned to the mashed potatoes this year.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

by Talmadge House

Is It Bob’s or Barbara’s?

It’s that time of year again . . . Christmas card planning which involves a family picture for us (me, Mike and Scottie Buddy Boy).  Can’t forget the furry baby, he’s part of the festive experience.  So off we went to pick up a new shirt for Mike cause ya know he has to match what I’ve chosen to wear.  So he decides that Bob’s would be a good place to start and who am I to complain, I’ve got him in the car actually going to pick this new shirt out.  So Bob’s it is, here we come.

I never really thought about the name of the store and that it might imply they catter more to the male species.  I mean they’ve got a little bit for us females but nothing like they have for our counterparts.  As we make our way to the back of the store I notice they’ve got all this hunting clothing (you know like Carharts & Dickies).  I’ve catagorized the make of gear as hunting due to growing up in upstate New York where almost all the men hunted and always wore Carhart clothing.  So I finally say to Mike “you know this store has so much stuff for men and very little for women”.  He proceeds to say “well, it IS Bob’s NOT Barbara’s”.  HA!!!  Funny little man came out with a good analogy of which I had to share with all of you.  Thanks for reading.

Because I love pictures so much and don’t like posting without one here’s one I pulled from the Fall this year.  Mike and his dad impatiently waiting for me to finish taking pictures while at the Bethlehem Fair.  See the impatience on Mike’s face?  I’m surprised my father in law didn’t have his tongue sticking out at me.  See what I have to deal with . . . like father like son.  HA!

by Talmadge House

Pumpkin Patch @ Wells Hollow

OMG! Do puppie dogs get any cuter than this furrie baby? Personally, I don’t think so but surely I’m biased. So I really wanted to go to Jones Family Farm for our pumpkin picking this year but they don’t allow cute furry puppie dogs. Sounds like descrimination to me . . . HA! So we decided to go back to the farm we used last year (Wells Hollow) which was far more convenient anyhow being 2 miles from home and no unruley, screaming, cranky 2-legged children which is what we would’ve gotten at Jones Family Farm. I’ve decided that the BIG farms are over-rated mostly because our puppie isn’t allowed to experience them. We’ll see if I feel different with our 2-legged children. Anywhow, love this little family farm where we found this years perfect pumpkin. Mike said he wanted a tall skinny pumpkin this year so I pick one out and he says “that one? that’s huge and MUST cost alot of money!”. WHAT? This is a man having NO problem with top of the line Apple computers but a big expensive pumpkin???? Watch out bank account we’re about to purchase a pumpkin LOL.

So this is the picture taken a couple years ago when we unknowingly WENT to the big farm where they don’t allow our baby. Isn’t that sad? Scottie had to stay inside the car watching mommie pick his pumpkin. Sniff Sniff

by Talmadge House

Pampered Chef Party

Pampered Chef

I’m hosting my first Pampered Chef party and it’s online.  How awesome is that to have the opportunity to purchase great kitchen supplies right from the comfort of your own home.  It’s quick and easy.

I’ve posted a picture of all the items I purchased from Pampered Chef in July of this year and here’s a little bit about each of them.  Mike and I have searched and used several hard cheese graters and haven’t found anything we liked until the Deluxe Cheese Grater came into our lives and is one of my favorites!  I was jumping with joy to learn they carry a product that will make my Walnut Christmas cookie making a breeze and it’s with their Mini-Tart Shaper.  OMG!!!! I can’t believe how much time this inexpensive extremely handy tool is going to make my life this winter WAHOOO!!!  I’ve also heard so many good things about Pampered Chef’s Stoneware so of course I had to get my very first pizza stone.  LOVE THIS ITEM TOO!!!  Not even sure how I survived pizza making without it.  And the Measure-All Cup is just fantastic especially for measuring ewwy gooey things like peanut butter.  It’s so easy and clean with this cup.  The pinch bowl set I earned free and really like having them.  Especially since fall/winter is almost here.  I do alot of crockpot cooking (you know night before work prepping of food) and these bowls work very nicely for this.

Thank you for stopping by and if you have any questions about any item Pampered Chef carries please let me know.  I’d really love for you to give one of their items a try . . . I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.  Party closes Saturday, September 20th.

Browse & Shop Here

www.pamperedchef.biz/maryjo?page=products-main&showId=1754593

by Talmadge House

Homemade Bread

Homemade Bread

Oh for heavens sakes I truly forgot how good homemade bread really is! I humbly admit that my mom gave me a bread machine for Christmas about five years ago. I’ve used it a couple times and am not entirely sure why I haven’t continually used it. It’s so easy in comparison to the other option of making bread with your own hands! I love to cook and all but don’t have time to knead a dough ball! Michael has been dropping hints here and there for five years about using the machine and that he’d LOVE some homemade bread. And of course I half listened and poo poo’d him . . . ya da ya da ya da (wink)! Then Christmas rolls around this year and I get the itch to make a Christmas Bread and I cleverly think “oh yeah I have a bread machine to make this task simple”. So out comes the bread machine and 3 hours later the house has a wonderful homemade bread smell and it took me all of 5 minutes to add the ingredients to the machine. So my friends and family, I urge you to go out and purchase yourself one of these babies and permeate your home with the wonderful smell and the phrase “oh my gosh this is so good” will be falling from your loved ones mouths. Listen, just because Michael knows my bread comes from the machine doesn’t mean your loved ones have to know. Let them think you made it entirely from scratch. HeHeHe

bon appetit!

by Talmadge House

Christmas @ The Talmadge House

Our traditional Christmas Eve was nice as usual. My sister and her family were down in addition to my father-in-law, mother-in-law and Mike’s sister, Carla. We had lots of good food and great company to share during this festive time.

Scottie was up to his typical business with his preperation to look his cutest to ensure as many nibbles as possible. Grandma Carol would’ve fed him all night long but she was very good with restricting the nibbles :-).

Our cats Wilbur, Darcie and Pele hid out in their quarters. Actually Pele has found a new hiding spot when he’s scared, the litter box. Can you believe the darn cat curls up in there until the coast is clear. He’s a freak! LOL

Mike was up to his good old picture taking. This year for his birthday I gave him a new lens for the Canon so he was playing with that through the night and got some nice pictures. I must learn more about this fancy camera! My father-in-law was busy pulling his glasses in and out of his jacket pocket so he could see things . . . bifocals are in order for him . . . hehehe. Carla wasn’t feeling well this year but still made it of which we’re very happy for. Thank you Carla and we hope you’re feeling better!

Bridget was pulling recipes from me and filling my wine glass throughout the night. Thank you sis! Jeremy was relaxing and socializing with everyone. And lastly our little kins of the house, Kane and Isabella. They both were charmers to have as usual. Bella was so excited at the prospect of Santa Claus coming. Remember the gitty feeling we all had as kids when we knew Santa was coming the next day? Oh to be a kid again! So I have this little story about Isabella . . . she was so excited to open a gift and we told her that she may open a gift after we have dinner. So I’m at the tail end of preparing dinner and she approaches and asks me when she can open her gift so I tell her just as soon as we have dinner. She sweetly tells me that she just had her dinner (LOL) so I tell her once the adults are done she may open her gift. So a few minutes later I hear her ask Carol when she would be done with her dinner. I laughingly bring Carol into the loop on why Isabella has inquired about her dinner. Well just then Bella taps me on the leg and wispers to me “Brandi, I didn’t know that”. TOO FUNNY! . . . so sweet I could put her in my coffee! Anywho, I’ve rambled long enough. Hope everyone has a safe and celebratory New Years. See you next year 🙂

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