Happy Spring, Everyone! Yesterday was the first day of spring and things are really starting to thaw out around here. Over the weekend I started planting some vegetable plants for my garden, including a new endeavor: BROCCOLI. Last year I planted potatoes for the first time, and they were pretty easy. I planted just two 12-inch pots and they will be my experiment for this year.
Broccoli Experiment
I have been working on a few things for the shop, but life keeps getting in the way. I hope to have a few items in my shop soon.
I hope you are thawing out and enjoying this spring!
giggleFritz and Co. Booth – St. Ann’s Holiday Gift Fair
It’s been over a week now and before I go on I need to say “Thank You” to everyone who stopped by the giggleFritz booth on November 12 at the St. Ann’s Holiday Gift Fair. This craft fair was run very well and everything went smoothly. The other vendors were friendly and had great products to choose from. Most importantly, there were many customers who came through the door and they were wonderful to speak with and sell to. This is the second time I have participated in this event and I am so happy I could be included. This is a great community! Watch for the giggleFritz booth again next year!
I am pleased to announce giggleFritz and Co. will have a booth at St. Ann’s Holiday Gift Fair in Stoughton, WI this year! The craft fair runs from 9am – 2pm on Saturday, Nov 12, and 9am-1pm on Sunday, Nov 13. Our booth will only be participating on Saturday, Nov 12. Please, see our Events page for a map to the show. I can’t wait to see you there!
Last night I was dead tired. After a nice hot cup of cocoa, I fell asleep reading a book in our recliner. I woke up some time after 10pm and made my way to bed. It’s not my ideal way to spend the evening, but I feel great this morning! I am working on Sock Monkeys today, and my buddy Timmy is helping me out. He is very supportive and encouraging with his sweet Christmas smile!
I just picked up new pairs of Red Heel Socks in different colors. I have pink, yellow, green, light blue, and of course, traditional brown. Now it is time to turn socks into friends! They will be in the giggleFritz Shop soon.
I am waiting on admittance to the St. Ann’s Holiday Gift Fair in Stoughton, WI Nov 12-13. I will post an announcement if/when I am accepted. This is such an exciting time of year!
Today is my birthday! I am not working on ANYTHING today, just enjoying another sweet birthday. I started off the day by sleeping in until 6:10 am (that’s a big deal!). My husband made our breakfast this morning and we took our daughter to the playground. The weather is perfect today, a wonderful beginning of fall. Later, we are getting burritos. They are yummy, our daughter eats them, and I don’t have to do any dishes! I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY!
Welcome September, and the start of the “ber” season: SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovermBER, DecemBER!!!! This is my favorite time of the whole year and I am ready to get to work.
I didn’t go to Coffee Break Fest in Stoughton, WI on August 20th. That day it just HAD to rain on and off all day. Months before Coffee Break Fest I prayed that we would not have the hot, humid, awful weather we suffered through in 2015. Two weeks before the festival the forecast said it would storm that day. I thought the forecast had plenty of time to change, the weathermen are rarely correct. Throughout those two weeks they were adamant it would storm. The night before the festival the radar confirmed what they were saying was true: it was going to STORM! I thought for a long time about going in the rain or sitting it out this year. I pulled out of the craft fair because I knew my equipment wasn’t sufficient for storms, many of my things would be ruined. I was so disappointed. But, it did rain. And now, I am moving on.
So, what’s new? Last Saturday I stopped in at The Bees Knees in West Bend, a store that sells vintage and handmade products. I inquired about renting space, but they were full. No problem. (What a beautiful store!) I will see if anyone else has a permanent space. I am looking for one or two more craft fairs to finish off this year. I am also planning ahead for next year.
I am off to work on more books and sock monkeys. Have a wonderful first day of the “ber” season!
It is that wonderful time of year again, when Stoughton Coffee Break Fest is fast approaching. I am excited to announce that once again the giggleFritz and Co. booth will be in the Arts and Crafts Fair. This is a great festival with a coffee brew off between local Wisconsin coffee brewers, a 5k run, car show, arts and crafts fair and more! Did I mention you get to sample the coffee? For a small fee (something like $5) you get a coffee break mug to keep and take home. Use the mug to sample the coffee brewers’ coffee in the competition. After sampling the coffee, cast your vote for the best brewed coffee. There is something for everyone!
So, stop by the giggleFritz and Co. booth, say, “Hi”, and check out all of the lovely new things I’ve been making. I can’t wait to see you there!
Have a blessed Memorial Day, Everyone! Take a moment today to think about the sacrifices that have been made by brave men and women and their families. We truly are, “The land of the free, because of the brave.” God bless our servicemen, servicewomen, and the USA!
How is your Memorial Day weekend going so far? My family and I are enjoying this beautiful stretch of weather we have been having. Some rain and thunderstorms have made it all a little more exciting, but right now it is just GORGEOUS!
It is great to have the sounds, smells, and sights of summer back again. Yesterday (Saturday), we went to my sister and brother-in-law’s cookout. They live near a lake and while we were outside we could hear the hum of the motor boats, smell the freshly mowed grass, burgers were sizzling on the grill, and the surrounding landscape was vibrant with new foliage. It’s been a great start to the summer, so far.
We didn’t show up empty-handed to the cookout. I made two dishes: Deluxe Macaroni Salad and Dirt Cake. They were absolutely delicious and we even had some leftover for today. Now I don’t have to fuss over dinner! Below are the recipes.
Deluxe Macaroni Salad from Freistadt Cookbook
Deluxe Macaroni Salad
8 oz. macaroni, boiled and drained
½ lb. ham, diced
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
10 oz. frozen peas
4 hard-boiled eggs, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1/3 cup radishes, sliced
¼ cup green onion, chopped very fine
2/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayo
1/3 cup pickle relish
1 ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and chill.
Dirt Cake
Dirt Cake
32 oz. Oreo Cookies (1 pkg. + 1 row)
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup butter (1 stick)
2 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz.)
3 ½ cups milk
12 oz. whipped topping
Gummy worms, clean flower pot, etc. for decoration (optional)
In a blender, grind Oreo cookies and set aside.
In a medium bowl, cream the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and butter. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mix vanilla pudding and milk with a wisk. Fold in the whipped topping. Fold in the cream cheese mixture.
In a flower pot or other large container, place some of the whipped topping mixture on the bottom. Add some of the cookies and continue alternating cream mixture and cookies in layers.
Refrigerate for 24 hours and garnish with gummy worms or other decorations.
I served each dish in 13 in x 9 in Pyrex pans because I transported them in a carrying case with lids and ice packs. The macaroni salad fit perfectly, but I had extra dirt cake that I left behind for us later. Printable versions of these recipes are below.
