No words can describe...

how awesome the Tras-Siberian Orchestra was last night! My mom and I went to Minneapolis, St. Paul and seen their holiday show. It was AMAZING! The music, the lasers, the lights, the video screen wall, the pyro-techno, fireworks and their voices with such magnitude....

it is indescribable! I enjoyed myself immensely and most likely will never forget it. Now, you may think of an orchestra of a bit slow and some may even think a bit boring. Not this orchestra if you have ever heard of them. Trans Siberian Orchestra takes it to a whole new level and borders on the verge of heavy metal in some respects. Some may think of it as just noise, as for me, I like almost all music and thoroughly enjoyed myself and the show.

There was not a moment that went without entertainment. If ever the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is in your area and you like all types of music, I highly recommend this show! We were on the second level, facing the stage, and we were able to see everything! The laser show from above was phenomenal to say the least! If you search Trans-Siberian Orchestra on youtube, you will be able to see some of the show, but video does not do the show justice at all.

I had a blast with my mom! I must tell you, my mom is such a trooper. She just had a total knee replacement on Dec. 13 and she didn't let it stop her one bit. This is the second time my mom has been to the show and she would go again and again. I enjoyed my time away, now back to reality. Cheers, Tonya

Merry Wishes...

Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas.
May the Magic of the Season be forever in your Heart.

Today.

This is what it looked like today, as well as this evening. Snowing, blowing and huge drifts. Snow and more snow. We are going to break record snowfall for Minnesota in December this year. The kids got out of school early today, but not early enough. In my opinion, the schools should have closed at about 10 a.m. It was terrible out and you couldn't see past our property line at about 8:30 a.m. but the superintendent never takes the country roads into consideration. They closed the schools three hours early...

The roads were so bad today that a bus went into the ditch. No one was hurt, but they never think of those poor bus drivers that have to take all of those children home. I have nothing but great respect for every single bus driver out there. The crap they have to put up with, I don't think they get paid enough.

I knew the schools would close early today and I honestly don't think they will have school tomorrow. I also don't think that I can get down my driveway to take the kids to the bus, even if they do have school. It would do no good to plow the driveway now, the wind is to fierce. The drifts are tall and when I picked the kids up at the end of the driveway today at about 1:30 p.m. the drifts were pretty high then and I almost got stuck a few times.

I am thankful I am done with school until January! YAY!! I got all straight A's and am pretty happy with myself. It was a lot of hard work, but it was a challenge that I was/am up for. Just think, I already have one-quarter of my schooling out of the way. Time sure flies when your having fun. :) I am so happy for the break from school thou, I can breath and catch my breath. I was up in my studio playing today. I am making some last minute things for gifts.

This past weekend, the kids and I went to my mom's house, stayed the night and baked our little hearts out. One of my sisters was there with her son as well. We made all sorts of goodies, we even made homemade caramels. YUM! They turned out absolutely PERFECT! Wishing each of you a wonderful week and a Magical Holiday Season. Cheers, Tonya

LUCKY ME!!

I was the LUCKY recipient of the BEAUTIFUL handmade wool hooked rug. I won this Jolly Snowman from Rhonda of "My Glory Stars." Rhonda's work is AMAZING and the colors are so very PERFECT for this rug. I could not believe I won. When I woke up on Sunday morning, I was greeted with an e-mail from Rhonda, stating that I had won. What a great way to start off the morning.

You will have to visit Rhonda's blog, as her work is simply amazing. Besides making hooked rugs, Rhonda also makes needle punched handmades. I adore my rug and will have to find the perfect spot for Mr. Jolly! The colors are perfect for me, as the blue in the background is about the same color as my studio.

I honestly don't think that I can put this sweet creation away for the year, once winter is over with. So, Mr. Jolly will reside with me, in my studio, so that I may enjoy him all year through. Thank you again, Rhonda. I will treasure him always. I adore him!!

I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Have a fabulous Friday. Cheers, Tonya

Random Thoughts...

We finally received some measurable snow on Friday. Not a whole lot, but enough to make it look like winter/Christmas. It had been quite chilly too.

Well, this semester is getting down to the nitty-gritty! Most of my finals are this week and then 2 next week. Wow, how time has flown right by. I am very pleased with this semester (grade wise). And on Friday, I got 94% on one of my tests. I was very happy and pleased with myself. Remember, Grammar and English have never been my strong suite and that is what I got the "A" on, so yes, I was pleased as punch! I was grinning ear to ear.

We take our tests online and once you are finished, you see your grade immediately. I love the fact that you do not have to wait to find out your grade. Technology and what it can do, it is simply amazing, if you think about it.

There is not really anything else to share, except our kitty is doing a bit better, but still not 100 percent. Thank you for all of your kind words. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Cheers, ~Tonya (I will be studying hard all week!)

New listings on Etsy...

I did find some time to finish Sweet Sally Snow Bunny! I have listed her and my hand made tags on Etsy. This is probably the last dollie for the year. My time is very limited in the creating department.
Sweet Sally has lots and lots of detail put into her. I love how she finished up. She has so much class and that black and white together, just so clean and crisp looking together. I even gave her some painted little leggins'.

Here is one set of my hand stamped tags. Is is the only set. Actually all three sets, they are all that is available. I have finished this set in German glass glitter. Pictures do not do these tags justice. It was very cold old, my fingers froze and I did not want to go back outside for natural lighting. In person they are so very pretty...

This set is without the German glass glitter, but still looks just as pretty. It all depends on what "look" you are after for your Christmas packages or your decor. Wouldn't they look so pretty on a feather tree.

And my last set of tags, a pretty reindeer. In person, there is so much detail in the reindeer. Little candy canes and such. Very neat. I have finished off the antlers with glitter, but you cannot really see that in the pictures. Oh well, I tried.

I do hope that you will hop on over to my Etsy shoppe and take a peek. I hope you each have a fabulous week and weekend. Cheers, ~Tonya