giving

 My home made treats are all lined up and ready for giving.  Ever since third grade, I have been baking the classic chocolate chip cookie and here they are wrapped up.

 Found these fantastic boxes from smock paper on line and love the way the gift tag from pixelimpress looks 

tied on top.

 the cookies stack up inside perfectly on parchment paper and tissue.

My new Bertazzoni oven is a dream.

Wishing I could send each of you one of my home made treats.

tweed tailgate

This weekend, we look forward to going to our son's tailgate at Union College. 

My tweed Jacket is ready along with a plaid blanket and umbrellas.

 I am preparing some treats to bring along, black bean dip, some fresh cheese, breads, fruit and a thermos of hot apple cider.  What sort of treats would you bring to a tail gate?

nice cream

We are anticipating a 100 degree day.

The heat makes me scream for some nice cream!

How about you, what do you scream for?

treats

"treat" money- pve design illustration

I have a wonderful money memory from my childhood that I would love to share. If my memory serves me correctly, I was in the third grade and we had lots of freedom to ride bikes and time to play. There was a market "Roppels" that I loved to ride my bike to for a "treat."

On occasion, I would ask my Mom for twenty-five cents to go and get a candy bar. My Mom would have to get her "pocket-book" and give me treat money. One of my favorite candy bars was "pay day." It was a treat to ride to the store and to be greeted by the store owner. I think somehow there was a secret language that parents and store owners had in regard to treats. We were only allowed one treat and it was not an everyday event.

As Halloween approaches and the infllux of treats in our homes becomes one part temptation and the other pure cavity tricks for a Dentist to fill. I am suddenly reminded how certain formative experiences shape who we become. Perhaps the age old expression, "like a kid in a candy store"- rings a bell for many of you.

A "treat" should be something to work for, some sort of reward. I thank my Mother for instilling strong values. How do you deal with "treats" at your home.

bar none

When this taste maker posted these chocolate bars, I hopped over here to place my very own order. I adore a bit of chocolate, really good chocolate. Take a look at these artisans and brothers.

I also love pretty papers. Can you stand these pretty packages?

Here's how they arrived, stacked, tied with a bit of hemp twine.

I rather fancy the notion of "sitting around and eating bon bons or bits of chocolate" - Do you allow yourself a little treat? Bar none, these are a special treat, all part of my new year's plan to be good to myself. Can you tell that I have a thing for crafty types.

Meet Bailey

Meet Bailey.  Bailey is waiting patiently to go for a promenade outside, then back home for a treat served on a silver platter and after that a wee nap by the fire.  Does that sound good to you?