Aprons....Oh My!

Aprons seem to have been around since the beginning of time. The blacksmith wore one to protect his clothing from the grime associated with his job, gardeners wear them even now to keep tools at hand, and of course the chef or baker will wear one as well. But for most of us, they bring to mind memories of our childhood. Ads from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s show ladies donning beautiful aprons for everyday chores. Though the apron is more traditionally a functional piece, there have been occasions that aprons have made a fashion statement, as evidenced in these ads.

Some of us feel different in an apron. I suppose that is because it allows for a freedom of creativity without worry. We lose the obsession with keeping our clothing free of the remnants of our creativity. We have at hand some cloth to wipe our hand and a pocket to place our smallest items. An apron makes the crafter free.

Whatever your project, whether crafting, cooking, baking, gardening, or even spring cleaning, you will need a good apron to help you get your work done. An apron is the perfect companion for your busy day. That's why The Odd Sparrow is introducing a new line of handcrafted, affordable, stylish aprons. Visit our aprons section on our website at http://www.theoddsparrow.com/

where you can purchase your apron for all of your spring tasks. And don't forget...they are just as beautiful hanging from a peg when you are not using them, so add one to your decor as well!

One other note: don't forget that tomorrow is Tuesday Treasures at The Odd Sparrow and at Shabby Lane Shops. Visit us and all of the other shops at Shabby Lane as we present our weekly themed shopping event: "Linens, Pillows, and Aprons...Oh My!" During Tuesday Treasures, celebrated the entire day, I will be offering select pillows and aprons at 20% off! So come and join the shopping fun.

Another wonderful week

Ahhhhh...I just love this time of year. Don't get me wrong...it's not quite there, weatherwise. But we keep hoping. Hoping for the sunshine. Hoping for warm weather. And when we do get a day or two here and there, we bathe in its beauty. We throw open the windows to let the fresh air into our homes. We sit in the sunshine, soaking up its every ray as if there will never be another day like this again.

For this very reason spring fever runs through our veins. It overtakes our senses....the air seems cleaner, the day seems brighter, food tastes fresher, and the bird's songs cheer our hearts. What could be more fitting than the spring overhaul of our homes then? We long to wash windows and curtains, clean out the junk we have accumulated, and bake something special. If only we could have that spring fever each and every day...imagine what we would accomplish!

This week at Shabby Lane, the Tuesday Treasures theme is The Kitchen Cupboard. One space I love to freshen up in my home is the kitchen. Just to have fresh linens and pretty serving dishes for spring makes my day! The shops at Shabby Lane are offering lots of special items to help you spruce up your kitchen this Tuesday, March 16. Won't you join us and enjoy a relaxing time of shopping and fun? And while you are there...be sure to stop by The Odd Sparrow where I will offer an array of items to get you started on your spring fresh-up at special pricing. Yes, every week that The Odd Sparrow joins in Tuesday Treasures there is an offering of special treasures for 20% off...sometimes more! So be sure to check with The Odd Sparrow every Tuesday because you don't want to miss anything! See you there!

Springtime in...Paris?

No way! It is getting to be springtime right were you are. While I show my featured product here, Springtime in Paris (which has been greatly reduced in price, by the way), I know you are thinking about freshening up your home.

Please go to my online boutique at www.TheOddSparrow.com and shop til you drop with the coupon code on page one of the site (BESTCUSTOMER) to enjoy even more savings on top of our already reduced prices. And while you are there, check out Tuesday Treasures...all offered at 20% off, as we celebrate the onset of sping this month. For more Tuesday Treasures shopping, enjoy shopping at all of the shops at www.ShabbyLaneShops.com and...HAPPY SPRING!

I am guilty...

...so very guilty! I am guilty of being remiss in posting on my blog. Blogging (i.e. writing in general) somehow tends to present itself as a peculiar challenge in my life. If you were to write to me via instant messaging or personal messaging or even email, I would have no problem responding to you. I can chat away with the best of them. But ask me to blog and my mind is a big blank canvas. It is something that perplexes me. How do I start? What topic should I discuss? Can I write even one full paragraph about that?

I know it sounds silly, especially for those of you who know me. But I am one who has never journaled and I cannot even begin to understand the gift of writing that God has bestowed upon my dear son. So with that, comes the topic for THIS blog post...what to blog about. I am taking any and all suggestions. Please list them in your comments. And as I begin to think about and rework my blog, building on these ideas, I hope you will join me and help me to create a special place where we can all chat as comfortably as if you were here in my home enjoying a cup of tea with me.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RECIPE WINNER!

Some awesome recipes were submitted for our contest last month. Thank you to everyone who participated. Our winner was selected courtesy of the random number generator at random.org. The winning number is 2 for the submission of Granny's Easy Homemade Chili by Lillian Hilton of Shabby Denim Rose.

You can enjoy this and more by visiting my site at The Odd Sparrow and clicking on the recipes tab. I am adding recipes as time goes on, so be sure to check back often!

Please also remember that this week is our big "We are Thankful for YOU" sale at Shabby Lane Shops. The Odd Sparrow is participating in this event by offering discounted prices SITE WIDE! Please shop from this Wednesday at midnight through Cyber Monday and enjoy the special savings of the season. I can't wait to shop in my jammies!

BUT...even better, you can enter to win a $50 gift certificate to shop our sales during these days! Please click the link on the graphic you see here, and follow the directions to enter the drawing.

I will be sharing some pictures soon of the wonderful family visit we enjoyed with my niece, her husband, and the three little ones. You MUST see these adorable blue-eyed boys. They will melt your heart!

AWESOME NEWS!!!

I have. I know you are thinking about what you want to get each and every person in your life to show them that you appreciate them. I also know how tight funds are in this economy. So The Odd Sparrow has provided a way for you to make your Christmas a very special day for the very special people in your life.

BUT...before I tell you all about that, how about if I ask a teensy tinsy favor from you. Would you pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease take the time right now to click on the vote for me button on the side bar and cast your vote for The Odd Sparrow in the site decorating contest? It would mean so very much to me to know that I have your vote today. Thank you so much!

So I promised you a way to enhance your Christmas shopping...and here it is: I have set up a special Christmas section on my website. In this section you will find stocking stuffers, decorations/ornaments, and best of all (I think) gift ideas! All you have to do is go to The Odd Sparrow at http://www.theoddsparrow.com/ and click on the "Christmas" button. All of the items are separated out by category for your shopping convenience, so if you are done your decorating, for instance, you don't have to look though all of the decor items while shopping for gifts!

Now I have not disclosed everything yet...there is more great news!!! Thanksgiving is next week and most of you are thinking of those Black Friday sales...and all of the crowds and long lines. No need to stress over that. Starting Wednesday at midnight and continuing through Cyber Monday, I will be joining the shops at Shabby Lane for a sale like no other! EVERYTHING at The Odd Sparrow will be on sale! NO LINES, NO CROWDS, OPEN 24/7...and best of all, YOU CAN SHOP IN YOUR JAMMIES!!!

I know that is awesome news...it really, really is! But there is MORE!!! (Can you believe it?!) If you go to Shabby Lane THIS WEEKEND and sign up, you will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to help you kick start your shopping. This is an amazing opportunity, so please be sure to get your name entered and do your shopping this week with The Odd Sparrow.

NOVEMBER!!!

Wow...I can hardly believe how fast time is flying by! Seems like just yesterday we were in the midst of summer and now we are heading straight for Thanksgiving. I won't complain, though. It is truly my favorite time of the year.

This week I have a favor to ask. It's not a big one...but it's big to me! Would you kindly go to my website at TheOddSparrow.com and click on the "Vote for Me" box? It will take you to a page where you can vote for me in a Christmas decorating contest for my site. You will have to scroll down that page to find The Odd Sparrow, but I am there and will definitely appreciate your efforts. If it is easier, you can just click on the link here to vote, but I am sure you will want to see the beautiful graphics that you are voting for. They were expertly created by my sweet son who does all of my graphics for me and to whom I owe a great deal of thanks.

Secondly, I need to remind you of our Tuesday Treasures themed shopping at Shabby Lane Shops. Of course, The Odd Sparrow participates in this event each Tuesday! If you click on my Tuesday Treasures category, you will find an array of sweet gifts that I am offering at a discount this Tuesday only. Our theme this week is "Cherished Holiday Gifts." Just use the coupon code I have put at the top of the page when you check out and you will receive an additional 15% off this week! How easy does that make your holiday shopping?!!! If you are in my immediate area and want to save on shipping, email me at OddSparrow@msn.com and I will work that out with you.

Next on the agenda...the recipe contest. The submission deadline for recipes for the contest was 10/31/2009. We have only had a total of eleven submissions!!! Now, that is NOT a lot...so the odds are great for one lucky winner. Wish you had submitted your favorite cookie recipe? Do you want to share your twist on a soup or stew? OK...want a little grace on this? I will give you a few more days just in case you missed the original deadline. YOU NOW HAVE UNTIL SATURDAY 11/7/09 AT MIDNIGHT! Any recipe will do...and you can submit as many as you like! Each submission will give you one entry and a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to TheOddSparrow.com. All you need to do is submit your recipe to me at OddSparrow@msn.com. That's it! And in the meantime, I would like to share with you another easy peasy recipe that was submitted to me for this contest and one that I think you will enjoy.

This one comes to you courtesy of Heidi in Michigan:

Spinach/cheese pie

1 small package of chopped frozen spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
1 small jar of roasted red peppers, drained, lightly rinsed, and chopped
4 large eggs
1 16 oz. container of cottage cheese
2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in mixing bowl. Pour into greased glass pie pan. Sprinkle top with a bit more parmesan. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour until pie is solid and browned on top. Enjoy!

Now...I have not tried this one yet, but I think I am going to make it Tuesday evening. It just sounds so yummy. I think it would go great with a cup of tomato soup....oooooooh...I am getting hungry! You will soon find these recipes and many others on my site under the recipes category. And remember...I will be sharing that awesome chicken dish I promised...real soon!

ONE MORE THING: Keep an eye out...the trees you see on the first page of my site will be available from me later this week!!! You will want to hurry to get yours as supplies are limited! Also coming this week: Christmas tags...and boy! are they ever beautiful! Keep an eye on us...we are adding new things and working hard to make this your premier shopping site this Christmas!