Oh dear, Mouse was very very bad today. The total time that Microsoft Word was even open on her computer was probably less than an hour, and she didn't type very many words during that time. Instead, she has been running around doing fun holiday errands. 

Today's project was to make inexpensive little treats to give to hostesses and buddies. I made this rosemary cashew thing that always gets scarfed up quickly (and if it doesn't, Boyfriend sends it home with our guests because he is powerless against it). The cashews come out sweet and spicy and rich, perfect for Bad Mouse and friends at the holidays. I forget where I found the recipe, but if you want it, I will share. It has brown sugar, rosemary, cayenne pepper, salt, butter, mmmmm...

For packaging, rather than springing for confection boxes, I found unbleached waxed paper bags at Whole Foods, 60 for $2 something (yay--plus the waxed paper doubles for wrapping up Ads's fleur de sel caramels, which I am taking a crack at tomorrow). I was expecting a brown-paper-packages-tied-up-with-string look, but I actually think they came out better: the waxed paper has a little bit of sheen (exaggerated in these photos) that makes them a little glinty and gilded. Very nice for the holidays. I tied them up with double faced satin ribbon and attached the labels from yesterday. I think they look nice, and will do a fine job of converting Bad Mouse to Good Mouse when I give them away...

Mouse was meant to be doing work this morning, but went and did holiday errands instead. Even though it is Friday, and not the insane zoo it will be tomorrow, I have some reflections on driving around crowded Chicago in the winter:

(1) Driving should not require a sports bra. Please pave one or two of the potholes.

(2) Taxis and cop cars should be clearly distinguishable so that I can correctly interpret the speed limit. Let's paint all the taxis yellow, like sane people.

(3) More stores should have cowgirl outfits. (Mouse's niece wrote her letter to Santa, and all she wants is a palomino and chaps. More to follow on how to make chaps.)

Oooooh. Went in Paper Source last night and found these orange suitcases. Perfect for taking on train trips and decorating with these vintage stickers (via me melodia). They also had a vase shaped like an artichoke, which is Mouse's second-favorite food (after cheese). Had trouble leaving Paper Source. Almost got irretrievably stuck.

This is exactly the kind of thing Mouse needs in order to organize all her ribbon, but the instructions from ReadyMade involved a "rotary tool with a cut-off wheel attachment" and safety goggles. I got scared.

The smarty-pants folks over at Design*Sponge did it again: another way to recycle grocery bags, this time using those cute holiday paper bags from Trader Joe's to make gift tags. More good news for Mouse's kitchen closet and a bunch of trees somewhere. Idea originally from Ink & Post, here.

So exciting! The lightbulb people are finally making a compact fluorescent that looks like an ordinary lightbulb! Mouse's house has ceiling fixtures (which we are stuck with, as lowly renters), and I am sick of looking at the coiled-up flickering bulbs while I lay on my couch reading. This one is ecologically responsible, does not look stupid, and gives me another reason to go to My Favorite Place in the World (Target) on December 28, when these are being released along with Ads's cute bag and umbrella that premiered on First Milk.

Mouse has stored away enough plastic grocery bags to insulate an igloo or follow around new puppies for years. I am thrilled by this method of turning bags into fluffy holiday bows, thus both recycling the bags and economically wrapping presents. The one above, from Design*Sponge, uses a Target bag and comes out nice and Christmasy, but I also like this one, which uses a New York Times delivery bag and makes a puffy blue flower. In either case, hooray for more sustainable wrapping and for cleaning out Mouse's kitchen closet (where bags will no longer fall on her head at random).

ReadyMade magazine commissioned five WPA-style posters about our economic nastiness. They include messages about living simply, buying locally, and supporting art. You can download all five of them for free, here. (Shown: Open Designs)

I want this poster for my orange and maroon office. I can stare at it and learn the names of all the neighborhoods. They probably make them for your city, too...

Since Mouse has big plans for teeny tiny gifts, maybe they can be wrapped with precious craft paper? Prettier, lighter, each little box different...

Letterpress Christmas mouse coasters! Mouse for Mouse.

On that trip to Oregon I keep going on about, one of my favorite stops was Darlingtonia Wayside, where you can see a whole bog of these carnivorous plants. The hapless bug wanders into the plant, gets confused, gets stuck, and gets digested. The plants (also called Cobra Lily) are preternaturally beautiful and finely formed. I have a secret wish to have some in my home, where the can be lovely and also can eat my houseflies. I might order these seeds...but it would mean creating a bog on my sun porch...

Mouse's doormat is no match for the muddy slush that we track in from the streets of Chicago. Lately I have been thinking of boot trays. If I make this one, all the mud will disappear in between the rocks, and our boots will be dry when we put them on again...

(Image from marthastewart.com)

The Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Sale, last Saturday, was chock full of pretty ideas for Christmas and other happy times. The business cards alone are worthy of cooing (I especially like the one for Favorite Design that looks like school notebook paper, which in real life is a nice letterpress on a creamy thick card).

I caved and bought some irreverent birthday cards.

And I made a long wish-list: I love this print, and there were some lovely stuffies which don't resemble animals so much as big furry bits of happiness. According to Boyfriend, they might also make nice slippers if one were so inclined. I have expecting friends who might be getting this in the mail soon...and I need more sweet handprinted things like this and these for my imaginary cottage on the Oregon Coast.

Hooray! Pretty holiday cards on incredible sale at Rock Scissor Paper. I'm ordering the ones above; inside, they say "hope your holidays ring with good cheer." Cute design + pun = mouse heaven.