Saturday, December 30, 2006

All Us All the Time Blizzard 2006 - Takes #2

That's right round #2 of snow for the second week in a row. What does one do when blizzard in for the second time? Hum? Let's see....


Check the mail?
Mailbox
Have a BBQ?
BBQ
Lounge in the backyard?
Chairs
Or perhaps on the deck and gaze at the stars?
DeckMaybe a bike ride?
Bike
Shovel the sidewalks.......NO!
Shoveling Sidewalk
Stay inside and drink lattes...YES!!!
Latte
Wait a minute...did I just see a pink flamingo?
Pink Flamingo
Or maybe it was a reindeer?Deer
Or Snow Puppies!!!!
Snow Puppies
Oh! Could it be?
Sun Shine
Could it really be?
More Sun Shine

Mr. Sun!!!!
Kitty

Friday, December 22, 2006

Thursday, December 21, 2006

All Us All the Time Blizzard 2006









































































Let it snow!!! Well, actually, it can stop any time now.

All Us All the Time Buried in Snow

Snow Storm“...Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful and since we no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”.

And boy is it ever in Colorado, they are predicting up to 26 inches for us on what they have already named “The Holiday Blizzard of 2006”. Guess I won’t be doing that last minute Christmas shopping today, which could be very bad news for my family. Technically though, I have until Sunday evening, right? Or in my case until 2pm on Sunday (Bronco kick-off time). Hopefully we will be thawed out by then.


Today though, like the song suggest, we should curl up in a fluffy soft fleece by the fire, with a good book or good movie (perhaps White Christmas?), and a warm beverage. Then just relax and enjoy the magic of the season. Unfortunately, I have someone else in my household that thinks we need to be out shoveling snow, which may I just add, is so NOT delightful. Oh well, at least when I come in I can still enjoy that warm beverage via my Cocoa Latte Maker, non-fat espresso eggnog. Even if it is not blizzard conditions where you live, you can still enjoy this delicious hot beverage:

Snow Storm
Espresso Eggnog (non-fat)

½ cup egg substitute
2 teaspoons vanilla syrup (can use regular or sugar free)
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup skim milk
1 13-ounce can of skim evaporated milk
½ cup of brewed espresso
Ground nutmeg

Whip egg substitute and vanilla syrup together and then combine with the skim milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, and espresso. Mix well. Then according to the directions on your Cocoa Latte Maker machine heat and froth beverage. Sprinkle on nutmeg before serving. Serves 3.

Optional: To spice things up with some holiday finesse, you can also insert a candy cane as a stirrer with this beverage. The candy cane will eventually melt down adding a pepperminty taste.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

All Us All the Time...New Stationery

Cowboy Boot StationeryJust an FYI that we added a new stationery set to our site last week in our Just Because Card Collection. This latest stationery set is titled “Out on the Range”, and if you could not guess from the name, has a western flare to it. The stationery is reproduced from my sister’s original watercolor paintings and includes a cowboy boot with a bandana faded into the background, a very colorful chicken of orange, turquoise, and dark purple, a beautiful yellow rose, and a lone pinecone. The stationery highlights the intricate details of my sister’s work and is in a very warm and pleasing color hue. It is a nice stationery set to have if you need to write a quick thank you note, staying in touch, or just because.

Yellow Rose StationeryChicken StationeryPinecone Stationery

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

All Us All the Time...New Year Party Supplies

New Year Fill-in InviteA real quick blog for those spontaneous folks who have just decided wouldn’t it be so cool to have a New Year’s Eve celebration to usher in 2007. Don’t fret as we may have just the thing for you spur-of-the-moment party throwers.... New Year’s Eve Party in a basket. Every thing you need to get you going for a fantastic celebration. The basket includes fill-in invitations with very classy black envelopes and matching stickers, coordinating place cards, disposable party coasters, and disposable party drink charms. All of this in a basket that then can be used to serve chips and dip in, or used to hold utensils and napkins for your New Year’s Eve Big Bash.

We have two New Year’s Eve fill-in invitation and disposable party coaster designs to choose from, New Year’s Party Kitty and New Year’s Streamers. Then each set comes with New Year’s Party Kitty place cards and Wacky Wheel disposable drink charms. If you don’t need invitations, we also offer a basket that comes just with the New Year place cards, disposable party coasters, and disposable drink charms. All New Year’s Eve supplies are sold separately too.

New Year Disposable CoastersNew Year Disposable Drink CharmsNew Year Place Card














For all the impulsive party planners out there, come check out our New Year’s Eve Party in a Basket.

Monday, December 18, 2006

All Us All the Time Gift Idea #10: Colorado Cravings Cookbook

Colorado Cravings CookbookYou can’t help but be in awe of this enchanting illustrated book, Colorado Cravings, Recipes and Romance, written by Gail Riley with Bette Milleson James, illustrated and designed by our very own Pamela McCarville, and published by Blueline publishing. Gail Riley not only uses her nearly 30 years expertise as an innkeeper, but also her love of nature and all its beauty to bring you this book of wonderful food, romantic settings, natural peace, and aesthetic satisfaction. The Highland Haven Creekside Inn is nestled amongst towering blue spruce on a beautiful creek in Evergreen, Colorado, where elk and deer often visit, and the Colorado sky is yours to gaze upon endlessly throughout the seasons. Gail invites you to experience some of this rustic mountain charm and hospitality throughout the pages of her Colorado Cravings, Recipes and Romance.

Bette James Colorado Craving Book SigningAs winter approaches what better time to learn how to build a snow bear, and then come inside from the frosty cold to homemade graham crackers, and delicious hot steaming minty cocoa. Then let’s not forget that Valentine’s is right around the corner, and we all know the path to true romance is...chocolate and champagne, or in this case chocolate bread pudding with sauce and Lynette Champagne. Gail shares these splendid recipes and decorating ideas to a backdrop of whimsical watercolor illustrations by Pamela McCarville. What a perfect holiday gift, a cookbook that is too special to keep tucked away in the kitchen and should be displayed proudly on a coffee table never too far out of reach.


Pamela McCarville and Gail RileyI had the pleasure again to attend another book signing and then the launching party of Blueline Publishing at the Hotel Monaco in downtown Denver, Colorado. The lobby of the Hotel Monaco is quite stunning, so what better place to feature such a stunning book, Colorado Cravings Recipes and Romance. It was quite the evening of fun and excitement celebrating (and selling) the book and the launching of Myrna James Yoo’s publishing company, Blueline Publishing. Afterwards Myrna invited me to dinner with the talented author and the co-author and editor, Gail Riley and Bette Milleson James, along with that infamous illustrious illustrator Pamela McCarville. I am sure our laughter and joy reached even the smallest of nooks and crannies of the restaurant. At the end of the dinner we asked our server to take our photo when we heard someone from the next table asked if we would like the book in the picture. We looked over and there was a gentleman holding his prized purchase of Colorado Cravings!

Colorado Craving Cookbook Signing
You too can be the proud owner of Colorado Cravings Recipes and Romance cookbook. It is available locally in Denver Colorado at the Tattered Cover, Cry Baby Ranch, Corner Cupboard, Through the Looking Glass, Buckskin, Way out West, Barnes & Noble, and Borders or you can purchase online through the Highland Haven Creekside Inn website.

Gail Riley Colorado Craving Book SigningMyrna Yoo and Bette James Blueline Publishers PartyColorado Craving Book Signing




















Happy Holidays everyone from the jolly elves here at All Us All the Time!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

All Us All the Time Gift Idea #9: Art Prints

Raining Petals Art PrintAn art print makes an exquisite gift for the holidays especially if you have someone who recently moved into a new home or who loves to re-decorate his or her home on a monthly basis. We just recently added winter art prints to our art print collection that already included spring, summer and fall art prints for those who like to decorate their home for the season. Our new winter art prints are from our Winter Solstice collection that includes a wreath, candles with pomegranates, a winter bird with a red scarf, and the soaring winter dress with full moon. We also have floral, fruit, and gourd art prints with stunning intricate details and colors. Art prints come in two sizes, 8 x 10” or 9 x 12”, matted with mattboard ready to frame.

Winter Bird Art PrintPear Art PrintFlower Pail Art Print








Coming up next, Gift Idea #10: Colorado Cravings Cookbook

All Us All the Time...making your season bright.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

All Us All the Time Gift Idea #8: Bookmarks

Leaf BookmarkBeen pondering on the perfect gift to give that dear book you reach for on the nightstand each night? Well ponder no further, as here is the perfect gift for all your bounded and worded friends. You can't go wrong with our stylish bookmarks, reproduced from original watercolor artwork. We have several bookmarks to choose from a western cowboy boot, to teacups, to a pear perched on pillows. Bookmarks are 2.25 x 7", and come in a soft vinyl protective sleeve. In fact, these gorgeous bookmarks make perfect gifts for all of your friends' and families' books too!


Boot BookmarkRose BookmarkTeacup BookmarkCone BookmarkPear Bookmark






Coming up next, Gift Idea #9: Art Prints

All Us All the Time...making your season bright.