It's official

I am a pastry chef! I fulfilled all my requirements, so in the near future I'll be getting my official diploma in the mail.

:)

Much thanks to my kind friend Elise, who sent me a flower cupcake in celebration! Isn't it beautiful??

I've never seen these before-- it was waiting for me when I got home. What a lovely surprise. :)

NaNoWriMo Ups and Downs

Hahaha ... well... I just saw that Nicky noticed how I tried to *discreetly* slip the NaNoWriMo counter off the blog without notice... but I was caught!

The truth is, I didn't even make 13,000 words. As I struggled to write more and more down, it seemed as if the more photos I looked at to spark my memory, the more frustrated I became when I couldn't remember details from our time together. I thought it would be easy to write down the memories. While the memories aren't gone, I found that they don't respond well to being cued up and ready to go when I want them to be.

So I think the lesson I learned is that I should keep writing them down as they come to me.

One nice thing I did find out over Thanksgiving is what my Dad shared with me about my Mom. Apparently, she had toyed with the idea of going to culinary school as well, but gave up because she knew my Dad wouldn't eat anything she made (he has a very very plain palette).

Her mother (my grandmother) was a phenomenal cook. I never met her, but I've heard from other family members how great her potato dumplings and Sauerbraten was. I didn't know my mother had shown an interest as well.

I feel a newfound connection to the grandmother I never met and my mother. It's satisfying to know that through three generations of women, we all share something in common.

Perhaps that's the story worth writing.

:)

Featured on EFA Blog

I am featured on the EFA Blog today for my entry in the December Challenge. Every day will be a new entry into the challenge, which is "Peace to All Beings."

December Give Away!

'Tis the season for giving ... so my gift to my blog readers is a 5x7 of their choice from my shop!

Simply visit jmcguinness.etsy.com and tell me which photo you like best. If you win, you'll receive your pick!

Deadline to enter is December 12.

Good luck!

P.S. Congratulations to Annette who won our Christmas card giveaway!

Holiday Shopping with the CT Etsy Team

Kirstie of the Connecticut Etsy Team has created a gift guide for the holiday season. It came out really nice! Click here to check it out!

Buy One, Get One Free Sale!

Free item must be of equal or lesser value. When checking out, please indicate in "Message to Seller" what your free item is. Valid Nov. 27 through Dec. 1.

Visit jmcguinness.etsy.com to shop. :)

Enter code BLOG READER to get an extra special freebie! :)


In addition... the CT Etsy Team is also having a sale this weekend. Click here to see a list of shops with their offers!

Holiday List

I'm going to try and do the majority of my holiday shopping on Etsy this year. I'd rather support individual artists and artisans than some big corporation.

It's always so hard to find the right gift for everyone on your list. But that's what I love about etsy... there's something for everyone on there!

For the music lover...


This fun, screen printed shirt is from Salmon Street Studio for $26.

For the dashcund lover...

This little cutie is $13 from the Ginger Card Co., and is made from EcoSpun felt, which is recycled from plastic bottles!

For the crafty one...

Woolpets offers several DIY kits for needlefelting. The one above is $18, but others vary in price between $16 and $20. And it's great for the bird lover, too!


Not sure what to give...

Who couldn't use a pretty bowl for company? Pottery is a great option when you're not sure what they'll really want for Christmas. This lovely heart bowl is $20 from Red Hot Pottery and is food, dishwasher and microwave safe!

For the die-hard journalist...


This lovely photo from MKC Photography gives a up-close look at the keys of a vintage Remington typewriter. Available in multiple sizes, this listing is for an 8x10 matted photograph for $25.

For the coworkers...

Morgan Street Soap offers delicious-looking cold process soaps, at just the right price. For $5.50 a slice, this little piece of heaven is a great option to show coworkers you're thinking about them this holiday, too.

Off to search some more!