What is your favorite thing about autumn?

I absolutely, positively, without a doubt, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE autumn! Always have, always will! When I was a kid,  fall meant back-to-school. I really loved school. I also had an odd love of school supplies. Paper products in particular, had a peculiar effect on me. Perhaps it was the feeling of unknown potential of that blank paper. Or maybe I was just a bit "off", lol! I was (and truth be told, still am) somewhat of a geek in that regard. I continue to have a fondness for notebooks, journals, sticky notes, grocery list pads! If it's cute, I want it! Later this week I'll share a few Etsy finds I've recently spotted that just may quell my "addiction" to paper.

Since this is my favorite season of the year, I have a plethora of fall things that I adore. Below are 5, in no particular order....

1) Wearing jeans again

2) Cider

3) Pumpkin picking

4) comforting scents like apple, cinnamon, clove, vanilla &  pumpkin
5) Crockpot cooking

I pose this question to you... 

What is your favorite thing about autumn?

First Giveaway

Just a reminder: tomorrow is the last day to be entered in the drawing for the September giveaway featuring lovely handmade creations from LouBird Handmade. If you haven't made a comment please do so for your chance to win! You may also become a fan of My Handmade Addiction on Facebook for an additional entry. If you have a blog, link to this post for a third entry! Best of luck to all!

Hello Readers,

I'm happy to announce my very first giveaway. The giveaway will run from today through Thursday, September 30th at midnight EST. One winner will be chose at random using http://www.random.org/  on Friday, October 1st, 2010.

Karley Ziegler Mott, owner of LouBird Handmade, donated these lovely floral hair bobbies and matching ring!  The gorgeous pink shade is truly seasonless so the lucky winner can wear them year round. Once again, thank you Karley for sharing these hand-crafted pieces with my readers!!!!


You will be entered to win these pretties by doing one or more of the following:

1) Make a comment below.

**Please include your current email address**

Score extra entries by:

2)  Becoming a Facebook fan of My Handmade Addiction 

3)  Linking to this post on your own blog.

♥  Best of luck to all of you  ♥

The Dog Ate My Homework....

I call this "Sophie on Stripes"

Hello all,
I owe you an apology. I hope this doesn't sound like a lame excuse. Let see, since I lasted posted  my electricity went out, I traveled for a weekend-long soccer tournament with my family, celebrated Labor Day at our family's annual party and I survived the chaotic preparation for back-to-school.

So... I have NOT been blogging. Bad job, I know!  I plan to be back on a more regular basis starting the week on September 13th. I will then be announcing my September giveaway! I think you'll like it :)

Stay tuned!

The most wonderful time of the year.....Autumn!

There's a distinct chill in the air here today, not that I'm complaining!  The temperature is barely edging past the mid 70s.  It feels like fall.  I just HAVE to share a few autumnal delights I've recently spotted at Capricorn Soap Company.   As you can see, they sure have a leg up on the season.  Over the weekend these delectable soaps began popping up in their shop.

Petit Noir guest soaps, two 2 ounce bars, $5.75

Limited Edition Cider bath soap  features freshly pressed apples,$ 6.75  for 4.5 oz. bar




Harvest bath soap, also a limited edition scent,
contains ground pumpkin rind for exfoliation, $ 6.75 for 4.5 oz. bar

Stroll on over to Capricorn Soap Company and mention that you heard about the shop from Deanna at My Handmade Addiction!

Sales Alert: Moonlight Madness Sale at Nature's Edge Farm on Etsy

 The shopkeeper may have gone "batty" but the deals are steals, well....practically!

Drop by the  Moonlight Madness Sale  to take advantage of some amazing deals!

Attack of the homegrown tomatoes

Well, it's that time of year again. Whether you planted them or your dear friends and family did, there's bound to be an abundance of homegrown, red-fleshed yumminess in a garden near you. While we are thankful recipients of these prized beauties, there does come a point when the question of  "what the heck are we going to do with all these tomatoes?" does pop into our heads.

My good friend Barb snapped a picture of her beautiful vine-ripening tomato.

One way we like to enjoy them here at our house is paired with a cheese other than usual, boring buffalo mozzarella.  Several years ago while scanning the cheese display at our local fruit market I first caught sight of this lesser known, but infinitely more delicious cheese called, ricotta salata.  It's a bit like feta in texture and taste though not quite as salty. I slice up some big fat, juicy tomatoes, top each slice with a thin cut of ricotta salata and a little drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a light vinaigrette. I do occasionally add the obligatory leaf of basil, but it's not necessary. The tomato, cheese and oil (or vinaigrette) make a nice little trio of taste and texture all by themselves. Try this combination sometime and thank me later!

Blog mention on Coffee With The Mrs.: Eye Spy ~ "Greenspiration"

Sweet blogger Amy, "The Mrs." from  Coffee with the Mrs., mentioned my blog today! How nice is that? Amy would like me to be her personal shopper. Now that's a job I would LOVE!!!!!  Please head over to Amy's blog, Coffee With The Mrs.: Eye Spy ~ "Greenspiration", grab a cup of coffee and peruse her lovely corner of the blogosphere!

Thank you again Amy!!!!