It's Time to go to Market

The Ladies have Landed!!!  We have safely arrived here in Houston for the International Quilt Market.  Our booth is just about set up and we are ready for customers.  

We are located in Booth #447 and would love to see you!

Time Flies!

Look at the calendar... LOOK!  It is time to start thinking of Thanksgiving and then Christmas right behind it. Oh My Gosh!  We have been so busy with work, life, family, school... we haven't done a whole lot with friends lately... Too busy!  Too much stuff scheduled... Does this sound like your household?  Everyone we have talked to lately has said the same thing.  Busy, busy, busy!!!  Let's all just slow down a bit... get a little more sleep... play a little more... love a little more... and breathe a bit more RELAXED...

Maybe we should do more of this... back to basics of teaching the young to sew... see a movie... play checkers... sit outside and listen to the birds and the sounds outside.  It's time for camp fires and fireplaces warming the house... Roasting marshmallows, chili cooking, brownies baking... you know... like we used to do... Just food for thought!  Christmas is coming!  Put down the phones and enjoy the people around us!  So let's all think of things to do to inspire our family, our friends, our children and grandchildren... Let's get all those ideas on paper and do them.  Make a bucket list with your spouse and do the things you have been putting off.  We did that a few weeks ago and went to the Albuquerque, NM Hot Air Balloon Fiesta...  It was awesome.  I will share pictures with you later.  We took a lot of great pictures!  But seriously... I just want anyone reading this to really read this and do the right thing!  ENJOY LIFE NOW!  

Have a wonderful week!

Funny story and a Winner!

This past weekend at the Affair of the Heart show, we had guests enter a drawing for $25 gift certificate to our online store.  As I was entering all the entry forms into my computer, my daughter was sitting nearby.  Typically, to pick our winner I use random.org to generate the number.  This time, for kicks, I thought I would let my little one pick the number.  She thought hard and chose #77.  The funny thing is, we decided to go onto random.org to see what the computer would pick.  And can you believe it, it picked the SAME number!  We both got a little chuckle out of it :)

And our lucky winner is, Ronda H!  She gets a $25 gift certificate to spend on any of our wonderful products!  Check out full line of vintage-inspired kitchen, home items, and quilting fabric and supplies our website!

Ready Set Go!!!

Good  MONDAY to you!!!! We had a great weekend and are back to shipping out all the orders that came in this weekend.  Thanks for your support!  We are also preparing for the International Quilt Festival in Houston this week.  We leave again in 8 days on Tuesday and return the following Sunday.
Ready, Set, Go, again!  We are so excited about bringing you more of the
"Back to Grandma's Kitchen and Home Decor" so check out our website at Home a la mode . 

Our customers were wanting to know when these Popular towels would be back in stock... As seen in Country Living Magazine... They just arrived today!  We will be shipping Bait and Tackle Towels out all this week... So if you haven't gotten yours yet.... Order now! They are the GREATEST towels ever...  

For a fisherman, your favorite guy, lake house, or just cause they are so stinkin cute and USABLE???   

They wash and dry dishes like nobody's business!!!   They are flour sack, 100% cotton and just awesome.  There are 4 and they are all different as you can see above and come in a cute fabric package, which by the way, makes a great apron!  Kristin made us some wonderful pillows out of the towels and those are already gone. So she is busy sewing up some new ones.  Check us out!  

Have a wonderful week!   Make it a great day!

Come see us in Oklahoma City this weekend!

Well the ladies have landed in Oklahoma City for the Affair of the Heart.  They have been working really hard getting ready for the show.  We wanted to show you the progression of how the booth comes together...

Unloading the trailer

Everything is out of the trailer

Every now and then you have to take a break and be silly

Here is the booth set up and ready

We would love for you to head to the booth and say HI!

We are located in the Travel and Transportation Building Booth #157

Mentioned that you saw this blog and we will give you an additional 10% off your purchase.  Have a great day, Everyone!

It is time to have another affair!

The ladies are packing up the trailer today to head to...

AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART--OKLAHOMA CITY

I just want a cup of coffee!!!

Morning...that is all I have.  No bright and cheerfulness today.  You see, I start my mornings by getting up...saying good morning to my little one...heading into the kitchen...getting the coffee pot going...and getting my little one her cup of milk.  This morning as I was getting the milk, I was noticing something was different.  I didn't hear the cheerful perk of our coffee maker.  I stopped in my tracks. What could it be???  Ran to it...the green light was on...but that was it.  I messed and fussed with it...still nothing.  I went and punched my husband awake.  How could he be asleep when I was having such a crisis?  He messed and fussed with it...and yet, still nothing.  We even pulled out our camping gear looking for our campfire coffee pot...but someone, me, decided to throw it away after our last outing.  I hope I am not the only one who finds this a crisis.  

Well with all that being said...as I sit here drinking my glass of ice water and a tear in my eye I want to tell you about what we have going on at Home a la mode.  

We are having 10% off of all our fabrics...I think I need to talk to Karen about us carrying coffee pots.

When I say all...I mean all like our Precuts

Any one of these would be super cute made into mug rugs for a piping hot cup of coffee.

All of our Say it With Words Panels

Awww...I think these would be cute made into sets of coasters.  They would be really sweet to give to your friends who drink coffee every morning.  Without fail...unless of course,  their coffee maker breaks.

Even our 45" fabric

I think it is sweet that you are thinking about getting some of this fabric and making some super cute coffee cozys to keep your wonderful cup of coffee warm.

All of our Specialty Fabrics...

Stop what you are doing...You definitely need to get some of this yardage and make some coffee towels just in case...heaven forbid...you might spill a little of it.

And finally all of our 54" Fabric

I know...you are thinking that you need some of this fabric to make a super cute table cloth to look at while you are enjoying your coffee.  I get it...I really do.  Who wants to drink their coffee sitting at an ugly table?

**REMEMBER...use my DISCOUNT CODE and you can get another 5% off of your purchase.  Your purchase of beautiful fabrics that you are going to make great things to go along with your morning coffee.

Well, with all that being said.  Have a great day!  Oh yeah...I hope your enjoy your coffee! And by the way... we have lots of coffee items that are not made of fabric. :)

Our winner and and seeing signs

Our Winner of the Suzy Toronto contest is...

Congratulations, Mommarock!  Contact Karen at ksmisek@homealamode.com and give her your address and she will get your water bottle out to you!

I head over to Home a la mode headquarters about once a month.  Each time I go, it seems that there is always something new there.  The other day I was plundering through all of the wonderful items we carry and came across something very interesting.  We have started carrying tin signs...

Have a minute tin sign

I have always loved the retro look of tin signs.  If I had a barn, I would be one of those people who has signs  hung up all over the side of it.  

Vintage Gas Station Signs

I really like these.  Like I said in this post, my husband is in the automotive field.  I showed him these, he immediately told me to order a set.

Now these next ones are my absolute favorite...

Whining Tin Signs

I would love to have a set of these in every room in my house.  I have to laugh when I see these.  I think though, my family wouldn't find them as funny as I do. 

Well, now that I have shown you the signs, it is time to sew.  I have to college girls upstairs asleep in my office.  The question now...do I go wake them up so I can work or do I let those little angels sleep?  Hmmm...it is soooo tempting to go wake them.  What would you do?

I have some questions.  How many of your are getting ready to go to Houston for Quilt Festival.  What are you doing to prepare?  Are you going to look around or are you setting up a booth?  This is my first time to get to go and I am super excited.  What is your favorite part about Festival?  Ok, enough questions

I hope you all have a stupendous weekend.  What are you planning to do?  I would love to hear from you.

Planning a 50th...

                                                      *I took this image from here

I don't know about all of you...but this has been one of the craziest years for me so far.  We have had a lot going on this year.  It seems like we barely finish up one thing and it is already time to start a new project.  On top of everything else going on this time of year...I received a text from my sister last week...basically asking me when we wanted to celebrate our parent's 50th Anniversary.  HOLY COW!  How could I have forgotten that?  

Luckily, it isn't until December, so we still have some time to plan.  So, the preparations have begun.  I will be the first to say, I am NOT an event planner...there are so many things to plan...it is crazy how much is involved...here are just a few of the things I have been thinking about...

• How many people?
• Do we invite extended family?
• Who will we offend if we don't invite?
• What kind of tablecloths do we use?
• Do we buy the decorations? Or do we spend hours on Pinterest searching for the perfect decorations to make?
• Do we have it catered?
• Do we make a cake or have one made?
• Do we hand make inivitations?
• Do we match our fingernails to the decorations...ok, that one is just me, I have to have a crazy bullet in there, don't I?  Just seeing if you are awake. :)

This list just goes on....SIGH...do you have these issues or am I just an over planner...lol.

With all of that being said, I do want to say how proud of my parents I am...hang on a moment while I step on my soap box...I am so proud when I hear of people who have been able to stay together this long.  It really is a great accomplishment and something that you should stand up and pound your chest like a crazy ape man about.  If there is anyone else out there who has made it to this wonderful milestone...I stand up and  APPLAUD you.  Wow, how AWESOME!  I hope that one day, my daughter is able to post something like this about me.

P.S. To my Mom and Dad,  I just want to tell you that I love you both so much.  A person couldn't ask for a better set of parents than you.  You have taught me so much.  How to hold my head high...how to help others...how to cry...how to laugh.  How to be a GREAT parent.  I really do want to say THANK YOU and how proud of you that I am!

Have a great week and let someone know how special they are to you today! 
Make them smile!  It's contagious!

Sitting by the fire

Hey Everyone, how was your weekend?  Our burn ban was lifted last week so we decided to start a fire in the fire pit.  It pretty much went all weekend.  We love this time of year.  Being able to sit around the fire as a family.  I especially love the fact that we aren't sitting in front of the TV.  Isn't this beautiful?...

A fire like this deserves some marshmallows, popcorn and hot chocolate.  This made me start thinking of some of the new items we are carrying at Home a la mode. 

Enamelware Popcorn Bowl

I think this bowl is screaming to be filled and taken outside in front of the fire.

Enamelware French Bowls

These bowls would be great to carry some great snacks outside to enjoy fireside.

Enamelware French Canisters

Since we have a fire going in the pit pretty much all fall, I think it would be fun to hide some S'more making supplies in these canisters and have them sitting on the counter top ready to go at anytime. 

We have gotten in a whole new batch of Enamelware items.  You should go check them out.  No, really you should.  Come on, you know you want too...just click the link above.  I know you will like all of the fun items we have.  

I hope you all have a BLESSED day today!

Happy Birthday Suzy and a Giveaway!

Happy Birthday Suzy!!!

You all know how much I adore our SUZY TORONTO line.  Well, today is Suzy's birthday!  In honor of this special day for her, we are offering 10% off of all her items and giving away one of her water bottles...

To enter, all you have to do is head over to Home a la mode and check out all of our Suzy Toronto products.  Tell us which one is your favorite.  Here are some of mine...

Tripping with the girls bag tag

"My Coffee" Travel Mug

"Substantial Amount of Chocolate" Memo Pad

My absolute favorite item is my 2012 Planner.  I always have to go searching for it because my little one loves to take it and look at the cute pictures that are in it.  As soon as we get the new 2013 planners in...I think this is the one I am going to get...

This one makes me giggle.

Remember all you have to do is take a look at all of Suzy's items and just tell us which one is your favorite.  We will keep this giveaway open until Thursday, October 11th at midnight and we will announce the drawing on Friday October 12th.

Everyone, have a FANTASTIC day!  I am off to work on some products for the upcoming shows that we have.

Finally, a recipe!

Hey everyone!  Well, the stars have aligned...the little one is being sweet...the hubs has a hungry tummy...and  I have finally figured out how to use my camera successfully...It is time for a recipe!  This is a simple recipe that is so awesome.  Thanks to the wonderful Pinterest, I came across this recipe.  It is called Texas Trash.  Trust me, this is anything but trash.  The first time I made this it was for a birthday party and it was literally gone within 30 minutes of me walking in with it.  

Let's get started...

*that cute dishcloth can be found here

Ingredients

8 oz  cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

2 cans refried beans

4 cups cheese of your choice

1 pack of taco seasoning*

 *I didn't have any taco seasoning packets so I made my own with the following recipe

• 1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/4 tsp. Dried Oregano
• 1/2 tsp. Paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp. Ground Cumin
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1 tsp. Black Pepper (optional)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

 Mix your sour cream and cream cheese together

 Add refried beans

 Add taco seasoning and mix well...
I really like using the enamelware in my kitchen and we finally got some in at Home a la mode.  
Check out all our new enamelware...

 Pour mixture into a 9 x 13 pan

 Mix your cheeses together...

I am the dishwasher in my house, so, I try to reuse my bowls when cooking.  Saves a lot of washing in the end.

 Add cheese mixture to top of bean mixture

 I like to add a little more spice to mine so I sprinkle the top of the cheese with some season salt.  
Bake for 30 minutes.

It is a West Texas thing...I grew up eating a lot of Mexican food...I don't think there is a Mexican restaurant out there that doesn't have an extra shaker of this wonderful stuff on the table.

 Decorate with our Texas Cowboy Flour Sack Towel and Tortilla Flour Sack Towel.  
Serve with chips.

You have to try this.  Not only is it scrumptious but is also one of the easiest recipes to make and impress your family and friends with.

I hope you have enjoyed this recipe.  Let me know if you try it!