Shall I Pass the Torch?

                                                      

Swedish Coffee Bread

   Each year for the past 40+ years, at Christmas, I have made Swedish Coffee Bread.  It is a delicious sweet bread that we have on Christmas morning (and for the next few days, if there is any left).

cardamom seed pods

    Swedish Coffee Bread has the most wonderful aroma when baking.  You know how bacon wakes you up when someone is cooking it?  Well, imagine the sweet smell of freshly baking bread filled with freshly crushed cardamom seeds waking you up on Christmas morning? 

  Our household is just Ed and I now, but most often, so far, Brian comes to NY and is here on Christmas morning.  Our daughter, Kristen, and her family, who live nearby, always come on Christmas eve to pick up their uncooked, yet ready to bake, braid of Swedish Coffee Bread so that they have it on Christmas morning, too.  ( I am sure that they know it's how I lure them over, if only for a quick visit on the alternate years when we don't see them for Christmas Eve celebration.)

    I learned that I have been under the false impression (according to my mother) that this recipe was Grandma Sylvia Johannsen Peterson's recipe.  Sylvia was my father's mother.  She was born in Oland, Sweden.  She and my grandfather, Erik came from Sweden to NY through Ellis Island around 1920.  My Dad and his sister were born here in NY. 

So, back to the recipe...

  Yes, I thought the recipe was my grandmother's.  I have been baking it since I was in high school.  That's around the time I became interested in baking--Kudos to Mom and good job, home economics teacher!!

   I remember I copied it from my mother's recipe card.  I don't remember any conversation revealing that it was NOT Grandma's recipe. 

did I say how very disgusting the recipe cards have become?

          

    Mom told me last year that she thought the recipe was from one of the other Swedish ladies that come to the U.S., way back when.   These ladies were always referred to as "the Girls".  I always thought that that was so funny because these "girls"  were old ladies in my young mind.   Nanny,  Lilly, and Alma.  There may have been a Ruth - Mom says she thinks that the recipe is from Alma.
   See the recipe card?  It says "flour".  I thought Grandma told me "use enough but not too much"  Mom thinks it was Alma that said that.  

    Anyway, the recipe was truly a Swedish one and my grandmother enjoyed it the one or two times that she had some of mine.  

                                        AND, now it is my 3 
                        granddaughters' Grandmother's recipe!

My Wraylie

My Kate and Madison 

             

this is a scene from Lord & Taylors Christmas window this year

                   

                                         

Maybe next year I will make it  with Kristen, so it can become a new tradition for her to make it every year!

    This year, Brian, told his girlfriend's Mom about the coffee bread.  He talked it up and sent her photos of when I was making it and then again after it was done.  JoAnn recently asked me for the recipe.  She said Brian told her it was a "secret" recipe.  I think maybe he thought it was.  It's just that no one ever asked for it.  So I guess, if I am the only one with it, it's a secret!

   So, I am passing the torch...  well, maybe I'll just pass this recipe for now.  I will be happy if someone else makes it!  Who  knows, maybe Brian will be having Swedish Coffee Bread in his home on Christmas morning some day! 

               It can be a tradition for a new family with a new story.
                          Maybe it will part of your tradition!

                                                 

Swedish Coffee Bread

Flour – I measure out 5-6 cup but I might use a little more when kneading it

2 Packages of yeast- I use rapid rise

1 egg yolk – save the egg white to brush on the bread before baking

8 Cardamom Seeds- this is what my recipe says, but I use 8 pods and all the seeds that are in them.  Crush them in a mortar and pestle.  They are VERY HARD!

1 Pint of milk- I use whatever milk I have on hand: skim, low fat or whole is fi

½ lb of butter (2 sticks)

½ cup of sugar

1 tsp of salt 

(raisins-optional- I don’t usually use them because everyone doesn’t like them)

1.                  Combine yeast with 1/3 of the flour, the sugar and salt in a large bowl or in a stand mixer bowl

2.                       Heat milk with butter until 120-130 degrees- butter need not be melted (but I like it all melted)

3.                       Combine liquids with dry ingredients and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes (stand mixer- use the                                                                                                                                                        paddle)

4.                      Continue adding small amounts of flour (about a ½ cup at a time and keep beating) 

•                                 Add Egg yolk and crushed cardamom early in this process

5.                    Continue to add the flour until it’s really hard to thick to beat.

6.                    Change to dough hook if using the stand mixer.

•                                      If using a hand mixer, change to a wooden spoon

7.                Stir in remaining flour with either dough hook or wooden spoon  (I have usually used about 5 cups of    flour at this point)

8.                     Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead adding enough flour to get it “unsticky”, for      about 10 min by hand, or until it bounces back.  I prefer to do all the kneading by hand, so I only use the dough hook long enough to get the dough to where I can dump it out in a ball on the floured ball

9.                      Divide into 3 equal balls.

10.                   Put each in an oiled bowl and cover with dish towel for about 30 min.- it should double

11.                   Punch down- shape into 3 separate braids or loaves.

12.               Put braids on oiled cookie sheet. 

    If baking now, let it rise until doubled usually 30 minutes.

            OR-

    Make ahead and place formed bread well covered in fridge for 2-48 hours (or in freezer for the        future- when ready to bake, thaw overnight, if frozen).  Then,

            Remove refrigerated dough 30-45 min before baking

            PreHeat oven to 350 degrees

     When ready to bake, brush with beaten egg white and put in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes*

                * Last 5 minutes – brush on this topping: (because it is delicious!)

      Topping :  mix all of these in a small saucepan and cook until sugar is melted.  Take off heat for use    later (makes enough for all 3 braids)

            ½ cup sugar

¼ cup milk

¼ cup butter

¼ cup honey

½ cup crushed nuts- pecans or walnuts

So, I             I also usually add a filling when I am making the braid.  You don’t need to, but if you so desire, mix melted butter, cinnamon and brown or white sugar. It should be thick enough to crumble and scatter along the center of the braid, before making the braid as so,

                                                  

looks like a mummy!

                                            

                                     

                pardon my diagrams!      

this is how it looks when it's ready to bake

And this is how it looks when it is done!!

         It’s best right out of the oven.  But it’s delicious toasted!

         This is my crew!  Love them all!  Happy New Year!
                              (Taken with their new Selfie Stick)

Pinterest worthy? Repurposing an Old Dresser

As you can see, I am not an dedicated blogger. Started blogging a few years ago as an adjunct to my selling on Etsy. I am a sewist! Yes, I only just learned of that term this past year. I never did know what I should label myself. I sew. But "sewer" doesn't look right in print (don't you agree? I wouldn't want myself to regarded as someone resembling a waste container!) and I never could think of another term. I like sewist! So that's what I am in my Etsy life at www.sweetpeafabrications.etsy.com I am a SEWIST!

Unfortunately, for my little business, I love to try other creative things, which leads me away from establishing a niche for myself! and away from blogging! (and, let's not forget that I am still working as a pediatric nurse 3 days/week AND I love to spend time with my family- especially my adorable granddaughters!)

and these are pictures that they took of each other!!

AND now, there is PINTEREST-a wonderful website that causes one to spend far more time than before looking at all sorts of stuff- from recipes, design ideas, and DIY projects. It is the latest in addictions for me and my friends! I am sure,if you have not already heard of it, you will see it soon. It is mentioned in magazines and on TV more and more. And now that I have told you what it is, you might be lured into the deep abyss of Pinterest!

I love DIY projects! and people who go to Pinterest seem to like DIY projects! Recently,(last week), my daughter suggested I consider REPURPOSING an OLD DRESSER that I was considering painting and moving into another room for storage.

Here is the project from start to finish. It was so EASY! You could do it, too!

DRESSER REPURPOSING

This is how it looked before I started. (I had already pitched some of the drawers. But you get the point- it was my old dresser from our first bedroom set-38 years old!)

I took all of the drawers and removed the wood that separated the top drawers from the drawers below them (I did the same thing on both sides) This created the "cubbies" that I intend to use for storing my printer (it will fit perfectly!)

I only kept 2 of the drawers on the bottom. The rest of the spaces would be additional cubbies that I would put baskets or boxes to store stuff.

You will find that your cubby floors will need reinforcement. I measured the spaces and Ed cut 1/4 inch plywood for me to fit in nicely. I glued them in place with liquid nails. I LOVE LIQUID NAILS!!

I went to our local paint store for some advice. So, this is what I did:
A light sanding with a fine sanding block. Then I primed it with this terrific primer. (It is a latex primer; so it was easy cleanup- soap and water) 1 COAT OF PRIMER ONLY!
(and, by the way,the top of this dresser is Formica. The paint man said that this primer will adhere to anything, even glass!)

At the paint man's advice, I waited a full 24 hours before I painted the new piece. I used SEMI-GLOSS PAINT, using 2 coats and waiting about 2 hours between.

A couple of new knobs and some baskets to fit in the cubbies and I have a brand new piece of furniture!

VOILA'!!

What do you think? Pinterest worthy?? I think so! I'm gonna post it! Maybe someone else would like to try this, too!

Thanksgiving thru CyberMonday- Free shipping on my Etsy shop

Hi, there- just in case you have landed here, check out my shop this weekend!
There is Free Shipping on all of my items this weekend from Thanksgiving through CyberMonday! (U.S. only)

My monogrammed smocks have been a big hit with the 2-6 yr set (girls and boys).



I have a couple of children's Christmas aprons.



There are new designs for my photo/coupon clutches

Need a baby gift? Wee Wubbys make a great gift for a new or young baby and I have several new cuddly blankets in minky and flannel-oh, so soft!

Visit my shop at www.sweetpeafabrications.etsy.com

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Giveaway by Harvest Moon by Hand

I am using this forum to enter a giveaway- and you should, too! Who doesn't want to win something? We all do!

Ann Rinkenberger has a great shop on Etsy - HarvestMoonbyHand and a really interesting blog with the same name. I met her on FaceBook Friends on EtsyStreet team - http://ffonest.ning.com/

Please check out both of these giveaways! You might win one of them! (well, I hope I win one of them) I would use the 16" x 20" rolled canvas for one of my favorite photos of my 2 granddaughters!

And don't forget to Check out Ann's Etsy shop, too!

http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2009/11/harvest-moon-by-hands-sponsor-uprinting.html

http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaway-50-custom-thank-you-cards.html

http://www.etsy.com/shop/harvestmoonbyhand

Good Luck!

The New Baby is Coming!! (well, she's been here for 2 months...)

This entry was drafted on October 28, 2009, after we heard that little Maddy would be arriving in a couple of days. Yes, it is being published 2 months late! WE'VE BEEN BUSY!!

So, the new baby is almost here. She will be arriving on Friday, October 30- not quite Halloween, but, definitely, she will be our new little pumpkin!

So, I cannot help but remember when our own 2nd baby was almost here 29 years ago:

We were our little family of 3. The mommy, the daddy and our little girl, Kristen who was 3 years old. Life was perfect, as far as I remember. Well, maybe not perfect, but very, very nice.

Why then, I thought, did we decide to have another child, when every thing was going really nicely and things were getting easier as our little girl was getting a bit older?? Well, it was always in our plan to have more than one child. I came from a family of 6 kids and Ed was an only child. I loved having the siblings and Ed wished he had some. So it was natural for us to get pregnant again. And we were very, very excited!

But as time got closer to my expected due date, I began to question my ability to love another child like I loved Kristen. The 3 of us had 3 years together to develop that terrific bond that parents and children should have. And we did. So, would I be able to duplicate that feeling with another child?

I remember feeling like I was going to betray my little girl by bringing a new baby brother or sister home. ( we didn't know, back then, what we would be having)

These were not logical feelings, but my feelings just the same. I remember the tears would flow if I let my emotions go to that line of thinking.

So, what happened?

Kristen's baby brother, Brian, was born and all was ok-

I looked at Brian and fell in love all over again. He was beautiful and he was ours, from the moment I saw him, and I forgot all of those illogical emotions I had felt just days before.

When we brought Brian home, Kristen loved him, too! She never once asked us to take him back to wherever we got him. She was a bit annoyed with me ( because I brought him home, I think) and she did stamp her feet more than she did before (and she could do that very well). It didn't last for long. And Kristen was very loving to Brian. ( she occasionally was a bit TOO loving, if you know what I mean!)

She was the perfect big sister to her baby brother! She was helpful and entertaining with him. Brian loved her, too. There were lots of smiles and laughs to and from all of us!

So, I suppose the point of all of this is that those feelings of doubt are normal. I have spoken to more than a few mothers over the years who had similar feelings. And it is definitely possible to have enough love in your heart to give to more than one child.

I have 2 wonderful children. They are not kids any longer, but adults who are caring and thoughtful and family minded. One is not the same as the other. Their needs are not always the same. But I love each of them with infinite abundance.

So, Kristen, my daughter, tomorrow you will have your little Madison in your arms. If you had any doubts, they will disappear the moment you see her. And any lingering thoughts about how your little Kate will love her new little sister and accept her into the family- well, these thoughts will also disappear. All will fall into place.


AND IT DID! Here is Kristen with her little Madison Grace! (on Christmas Eve)







And here is big sister, Kate with here little sister, Maddy.








Is this love, or what?













My girls, all 3 of them!

Chicken Tortilla Soup- YUMMY!

So, hey there! Haven't posted since last week- Thought I'd share a great recipe that was so simple to make yet so delicious! Got the basic recipe from a coworker- but added to it to "kick it up a notch"

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 - 16 ounce jar of Medium Heat Salsa

2 cups of Chicken Broth

2 cups of shredded, cooked chicken

1 cup of corn niblets, fresh, frozen or canned

1 can of black beans, rinsed

1 avocado, diced

cilantro, chopped

3 tortillas ( I used corn tortillas)

Heat the salsa and chicken broth in a saucepan until it comes to a boil. Add the shredded chicken, cook until returns to a boil. Turn down to low heat just to keep warm. Add the corn and the beans.

After adding the chicken to the soup and while waiting for the soup to reheat,

Cut the tortillas into thin strips ( I use a pizza cutter) and lightly brown them either in a pan with a tiny bit of oil or spray a baking sheet and bake them until lightly brown.

When serving this great soup, top with the chopped avocado, tortilla strips and cilantro to taste.

As I said, "YUMMY" and it looks pretty, too!

A Day in Cold Spring-me and my girl

Perhaps you got here via Cafe Handmade- if so, welcome to my humble blog. I have not been very creative here as there are just so many hours in the day! I do have good intentions to write regularly, but the time just goes!

(that's me with my mom, Kristen and Kate)

I spent part of today with my daughter, Kristen. Kristen is my very beautiful daughter who is expecting her 2nd baby girl in 4 weeks. It was a lovely fall day in Cold Spring, NY where we spent the day. Kate, my grandaughter, would have loved to have been there as there was a dog parade down the main street. Very cute- some dogs were in costume! (Wish I had taken my camera!)



We had lunch outside at the Depot by the RR tracks. They had an Oktoberfest menu, (which I enjoy) and we were entertained by an "Oompah Band". As it turned out, the "Oompah Band" was the Dixieland band during the non-Oktoberfest days of the year! I think they might be an Irish Band for St Patty's Day, as I thought I heard a bit of Irish influence in "Roll out the Barrel"!

We didn't buy anything, just poked around in the little shops and enjoyed the day.


It was really nice to spend the time just with Kristen. We don't often get together, just the 2 of us, as we all work and life is busy. Kristen, Jay and Kate have only the short weeknights and the weekends together. We do see each other often, as we live relatively close and Kristen's home is on my route home from work. This allows me to be available when I am needed. It was always my hope that I would be able to do this for my kids and my grandchildren.


I am lucky. I get to spend a lot of time with them! I cherish the time that I have with my daughter and her family. I love to be such a big part of their lives...

Oh, yes, I forgot that I did buy 2 wool skirts for $1 each- There was at least a yard of plaid wool on each skirt!

Fall Flowers

Why is it that the flowers look the best just before the end of the season? Just look at these Hydrangeas! Even the Geraniums are looking terrific,even though we almost had a frost last night! It won't be long before winter is here.

Almost a year!

My Etsy shop, will be 1 year old in December! This has been quite an interesting year, as I have been trying to juggle my etsy shop with my "real job" and with my family life.

My current "real job" is that I am a registered nurse in NY. I work in a very busy Pediatric Endocrine Practice 4 days each week. It is a very interesting field of medicine. I have been an RN for 35 years.

I watch my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter, Kate, one day each week. I love watching her.

My daughter is expecting her 2nd baby girl in November- coming right up!

My desire is to build up my new business (which includes the Etsy shop) enough to cut back a bit on my "out of the home" job. The dilemma is this: in order to build up my inventory and work on marketing, I need more time available. Less time at the "real job" means less money to make ends meet. Less money to make ends meet means I have to work more at the "real job" And so it goes, round and round....I am fairly certain that there are many Etsians that are in the same pickle!

I have 2 grown up children- Kristen (and her husband, Jay) and Brian ( who has a lovely young lady, Lesley) and let's not forget Kate.

I have an awesome husband, Ed, who has been quite supportive of me and I think he really appreciates most of the items I have made. (that's Ed up there in the corner) I don't think I could spend the amount of time I do sewing with any other husband. It was my birthday last week- can you believe that Ed and Kristen gave me a new sewing machine?? And my son sent me a very generous JoAnn's gift card!

Now that is support!!

Move over Annie, it's time for Madagascar!

So, as a follow up to the Mamma Mia post, our Kate has since learned the soundtrack to Annie, and sings "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" at any given time.

But it seems like her interest has about a 10 day cycle, now that we think about it! Kate has moved on to "Madagascar" now and sings and dances along to "I like to Move It, Move It"!

Or maybe it's her Mommy and Daddy's 10 day tolerance! Whatever- we love the entertainment!

Mamma Mia!!!!

I have not been a very good blogger. I know this is true when I read all of the wonderful blogs being written.

So, here I am on a Saturday night, sitting in front of my laptop, searching for fabric to make a handbag for my daughter, Kristen. My search took me all over Etsy, Facebook and the world of blogs. Sometimes the blogs I see are so intimidating, as I always have a hard time thinking about a topic.

And so, I repeat, here I am on a Saturday night with not only the laptop, but our television in front of me. Which brings me to my thoughts: Mamma Mia!!!

The movie, Mamma Mia, is on cable for the first time. Now I have watched this movie countless times! Probably, 3 times in its entirety and about 93 times is fragments. And I know these ABBA songs better now than when I listened to ABBA back in the day!

The reason? The reason is my granddaughter, Kate. And, Kate is 2 years old! Kate is a happy little girl who has an uncanny love for movies with great music (or animals). Kate was first interested in the Buddies movies- you know- Air, Snow and finally Space Buddies. She then discovered Disney and the like: King (as in Lion), Panda (as in KungFu), Bolt, Monsters, Inc. She enjoyed them each immensely. Then she saw Mamma Mia for the first time. Oh, goodness! She must have watched it a hundred times.
She knew the songs, and had all the moves, even using her sunglasses as a handheld microphone. She entertained the family with her little performances. We each had the soundtrack in the car to listen to her sing along!

We flew to Charlotte NC in May to visit her Uncle Brian and her Aunt Sue. Who would expect that a 2 year old would sit quietly in the plane seat the whole way! The only noise I heard from my seat, 2 rows ahead of Kate and her Mommy and Daddy, was Kate laughing and singing Dancing Queen, Super Trouper and Honey, Honey! Just pure enjoyment!

Yes, we were concerned that she might not need to know about the adult content in the movie. But she is 2, for goodness sakes!

Sadly (?), Kate is just not that into Mamma Mia anymore. She had moved on to Keck and Keck 2 (Shrek and Shrek 2). Loved Princess Fiona and was always talking about the dragon (don't know the name). They, too, have been knocked down a peg or two. But now,happily, Kate is into Mary Poppins (she loves when the nannies blow away and sings Let's Go Fly a Kite).

Watching Mary Poppins conjures up my childhood memory of seeing it for the first time on my birthday when it opened 45 years ago at Radio City Music Hall. That was when films were the main attraction there, other than the Rockettes.

We predict that the musical, Annie, will be taking center stage in the near future, as Kate has been introduced to it this past week. Variety is the spice of life, after all. This variety is, of course, for the preservation of Kate's parents, my daughter, Kristen and her husband, Jay.

I don't want you to think that Kate is not exposed to children's music or to children's books. It is surely not the case. I think her all time favorite is still BaaBaa Black Sheep with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. (And did you know that they are really the same tune?? As is the Alphabet song?) And she loves Clifford the big red dog! Below, is Kate!

This week, I have been teaching Kate the Spaghetti version of On top of Old Smokey. I never loved the Smokey version. And Kate clearly appreciates the humor in most anything, so a Meatball rolling out the door is right up her alley!

Who knows what next week will bring!

To the right, is Kate, with her Mommy, Kristen at the Outer Banks, last summer

Facebook Fan page URL

Here is my current link to the fan page of my Facebook pages
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SweetPeaFabrications/90548729925

As soon as Facebook allows, I will have a more concise url!

Where does the time go??

I have spent so much time trying to set up a facebook account that I have not blogged in more than a week. My goal was to do an entry at least weekly. Well, for now- I am just adding my facebook link! It is the link to a regular facebook "friends" page, not the business account I had hoped to do in the first place. I do, however, have a business page with a slowly growing # of fans.

Would love to have more fans!

http://www.facebook.com/janisPkipp.

As a post script, I should thank Cheryl'sPurpleCow for giving me the kick in the butt to try to make a blog- so thank you, Cheryl!

Here are the links to her shop and blog: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7093969 www.cherylspurplecow.blogspot.com

It's a New Day...

So, I have a new listing!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26076709 You can see it right here on my blog! What fun to make!
I finished and shipped my largest order this week! Felt great.

Don't forget the EtsyBABY 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Days going on now through June 15. Free Shipping on all my Wee Wubby Sets.

EtsyBABY Customer Appreciation Days!!

Good Morning! It is a beautiful day today- Sunday morning!
Etsy BABY's 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Days are here!
From June 1-June 15, all WeeWubby sets ordered will receive FREE SHIPPING! That is at least a $5 savings for the next 2 weeks!

Have a baby shower to go to? Buy a set or 2!

Treasury accomplished!

So, today, I was able to create a treasury! What a feat! Doing this was quite a challenge. I was actually having palpitations while trying to get in, knowing that there were >250 others worldwide trying to do the same thing. And since I never did it before, I had know clue as to what was to happen next.
Phew!! Did it! Titled it "Views from the Hudson Valley" to honor the talent in my own backyard. Here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=61618
Enjoy it, enjoy your day!

New "kid" on the blog!

So- I finally did it! Put myself on a blog (as if anyone really needed this!) I will be stumbling for some time as I won't know exactly how things will appear until I look for myself and hope that I can figure out how to edit!

So, who am I??

My name is Janis and I am blogging as a business strategy!
I am married for 36 years to my husband, Ed. We have 2 grown children, Kristen and Brian. I have a son-in-law, Jay and a lovely 2 year old granddaughter, Kate, who happens to be taking a nap at the moment. (while under my "every Friday" care). I work 4 days a week (m-f). I have been a Registered Nurse for 35 years. I love being a nurse, always loved the caretaking thing. I love motherhood, and love grandmotherhood.
Kristen and her family lives nearby, so we see her very often. Brian left for North Carolina 5 1/2 years ago and hasn't seemed to look back. We don't see him nearly often enough, but we did see him 2 weeks ago.

So, we have an empty nest and even though we love our children immensely, Ed and have been enjoying each other since our "birds" left the nest almost 6 years ago.

We love gardening, although our garden season in the northeast isn't nearly long enough to enjoy like we wished. We like to travel, although lately we haven't traveled too much. Ed loves to cook, (more than I do), so I am extremely lucky in that regard. He does more cooking than I do! I like to read, but have not had the time recently. (I fall asleep if I try to read in bed!) We love several TV shows: Survivor, Amazing Race, Lost, 24 and the original CSI!

And what brings me to blog is that I have embarked on a "more than casual" endeavor sewing and such. I have always loved sewing and crafting and have recently joined the thousands of Etsians in selling handmade products of all sorts on www.etsy.com. GO HANDMADE!

My site is www.sweetpeafabrications.etsy.com About 1/2 of my products are baby items.

My Wee Wubbys are what got me started. See one here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25395527

I have branched out, making other things as well. My Photo Envelopes have been selling well and make a great gift! (empty or with something inside) See one of them here! ( you can see a couple of family photos here as well!)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25335087

Anyway- that's part of me in nutshell. I am loving all of this... Just wish there was more time in a day!