This and that...early October happenings...

 We are just plugging right along.  Life seems to just move more swiftly along the older you get.

We are so blessed.  One of our more recent blessings has been the addition to our family of sweet Katarina Blue...our part Russian Blue kitty.

 For those that follow my blog, you probably remember that our former fur-baby Oreo always slept in this little box-bed that Nate made seven years ago.  Sweet Oreo slept in that bed for the full seven years he was with us.

 When he passed on, the box went to the basement.  However, when we adopted Katarina, Nate brought the box back up.  I really didn't think she'd go into it.  But look where sweet Katarina is sleeping!

 Yep!  Nate is thrilled that she has reclaimed the box-bed!  Sweet girl.

 This kitty-girl has brought so much joy to us.  Our home was so empty after sweet Oreo passed.  And now it's filled with kitty love (and kitty fur) again.  I snapped this picture as she was climbing on me and I called her name and as she looked at me, she must've blinked as the flash went off.  Isn't it adorable?!?!

 Most of you know I decorate custom cookies.  And not much makes me more happy then new cutters!  My momma scored these vintage cutters for me and brought them up to me today.  What a great surprise!

 I haven't posted any hair updates like I had been.  It's been 14 (very long) months since I started growing out my pixie.  Here is a side-by-side of where I was 14 months ago...and where I am today.  I think it could have been a little longer, except I had a few scissor-happy gals who trimmed it a couple times.  But we're getting there.  It's progress!

 I've been working on a big cookie order for some special people.

For those who don't follow my blog, check out my Sweet Ivy Confections blog:

http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

Or look me up on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Ivy-Confections/247776648584544

I'm also on Twitter:

@Sweet_Ivy_Conf

And Instagram:

sweetivyconfections

 These are just a few sneak peaks of what I've been doing.

I can't share the full pictures yet because the folks who are getting the cookies, don't know they're getting the cookies!

 Today, my mom, sister, and I went thrifting.

It...is...a...thrill.

We go crazy thrifting.  It's like finding treasure.  We have a lot of great thrift stores around here.

I ended up with:

5 sweaters

2 dresses

2 blouses

3 scarves

1 headband

1 necklace

1 make-up bag

1 pair of shoes

1 coffee cup

2 vintage coffee mugs

2 vintage cookbooks

1 vintage ice cream scoop

ALL THIS...FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF...are you ready for this?

Drum-roll...
Less than $30.00!!!

Can you believe it?

Neither can I!!!

 Here we are making our, "Can you believe how much stuff we bought?" faces.

LOL!

 Our haul in the trunk...

 Our, "Our husbands are going to freak out" looks.

LOL!

 Selfie!

Or is it a "groupie"?

Hehehe!

 Well, now that my hair's finally growing...I can finally get it in rollers!

Yay!

I was able to fit it in my hot rollers today.

It was SO NICE to rock a different look!

I love curls!

 ...and a few edits for fun...

Well, I think that's about it for now.

Between working full time, going to school full time, baking, and keeping up with the family...I don't blog as much as I used to.  I do try to fit in at least a few a month though.

I hope this finds all of you happy and healthy!

Have a blessed autumn!

Our Springtime...

 Well, we are all happy to report that kitty made a full recovery from his UTI and is back to his usual frisky, stinker-of-a-self.  He is back to playing, lounging in the sun, getting into mischief, hanging out with the boys, and sleeping...a lot. 

He also has a new habit (as do I)...Candy Crush.

I have become quite addicted to this new game on Facebook, LOL!

And it never fails...as I sit down to play...kitty is on my lap.

(I secretly think he enjoys playing too, hehe!)

 And then he usually konks out fast asleep on my arm...

 In other news...

We got rid of our sectional.  It took up so much room in the living room/daycare room.

And we never used the sleeper sofa in it.

And so...we sold it on Craig's List...and bought these two new recliners!

I love them!

 I did some cleaning, rearranging, and organizing in the daycare as well.

I can't wait until it's warm out and I can haul everything outside for my annual spring cleaning.  Everything needs to be deep cleaned and aired out in the sun!

 The weather has been completely unpredictable.

One day it will be sunny and in the 60s...the next day will be pouring rain...

(or even SNOW!)

Yes...we're still getting snow flurries here and there.

Kitty enjoys the nice days that he can get in the window and get some fresh air!

 I can never resist snapping a picture when kitty is relaxing/sleeping in his bed that Nate made him all those years ago.  It still amazes me that he sleeps here after all these years!

 In other news...

I have been consumed by a large baking order.

I have baked, decorated, bagged, heat-sealed, tied ribbons, and added thank-you tags to...

Wait for it...

1400 mini cookies!

 A bride contacted me and asked if I'd be willing to make favors for her wedding.

I was hesitant at first...I had never taken on an order this size.

But I agreed to do it.

It has been a massive project.

And you are getting a sneak-peak at the finished project...even before my baking customers!

I haven't even posted it on my baking blog yet!

I will be sharing the whole process/journey on my:  
Sweet Ivy Confections blog 
in an upcoming post.  I will let you know as soon as it's ready.  I think those of you who enjoy special desserts, creations, or baking will enjoy the post.

Well that about wraps up what we've been up to this spring.

Until next time...

Melody