Surviving- ESN Scavenger Hunt

Hurricane Irene paid us a visit this weekend.  We experienced high winds, torrential downpours and even a tornado warning.  The tornado was the scariest of all because it touched down about 3 miles from our house.  Our power went out and is not supposed to be fixed before Sunday.  We were fortunate though, our neighbor was so kind and shared his generator with us.  On Monday, after going to at least 7 stores, we were able to purchase a generator.  We consider ourselves one of the lucky ones because we didn't have extensive damage to our house or property. 
Today, the sun is shining, life continues and the clean up begins.

On to the eCrater Stores Scavenger Hunt and my picks for this week.

Checking in with Bargain Express I found a craft book that I could have used during the blackout.  The Simply Handmade book has 365 easy craft projects. Since I am not much of a crafter, easy is good - very good.

Visiting Eccentric Thrifter I chose The PREDATORS Wolf puzzle.  I thought 1000 pieces that should keep the hubby busy for awhile.

Stopping by Barb's Bargain Reading Corner is always a treat.  I found Angel Falls, a romantic thriller, by Nora Roberts. A Nora Robert's book is just right for a Sunday afternoon reading session.

There are so many unique items listed on the eCrater Stores Network. Membership is open to shoppers and eCrater store owners.

eCrater Summer Block Party

Summer Block Party is this week's theme on ESN.  Boy does that bring back memories.  Since I am a city girl, I went to many summer block parties in my day. It was such fun.  I remember the kid's activities, music and dancing and of course the food.
My eCrater Stores Network block party would have fun kid's activities, music and dancing and food.

In the kid's activity corner I would have Eccentric Thrifter use her Michaels Book of Arts and Crafts.  No doubt she would find some cool projects for the kids to make.

Next our ESN block party needs music.  I wouldn't mind bringing my CD player as long as Bargain Express will let us dance to her Swing CD. 

The last thing left is the food.  Can you imagine coordinating and planning food for a block party?  I would suggest each family bring a covered dish.  The Corning Ware casserole dish from Comycgyrl will work perfectly.

Block Parties were neighborhoods coming together to share a fun time. eCrater Stores Network is an online neighborhood where eCrater sellers come together to share ideas and offer support.  Come join us.  New members are always welcome.

Eye Candy - In the Eye of the Beholder

This week's theme at the eCrater Stores Network scavenger hunt blog is Candy.  I couldn't help it!  The first thing to come to my mind was Eye candy. Eye candy conjures up a number of different images; however in a marketing sense,  Eye Candy usually means the visual appeal or attractiveness of a product to the consumer.  Since all  ESN scavenger hunt blog member stores are eye candy, it was hard to choose.

 Check out the Hawaiian  shirts available at Eccentric Thrifter.  She has many colors and sizes  and patterns from which to choose.  The Hawaiian Blues Tropical shirt has my vote.

If you are looking for vintage glassware, you must visit Carolinabluelady.

  The 1950's glass daffodil pitcher  is just one of the fabulous vintage glass items she has in her ecrater store.



  The Ancient Dreams Cameo Necklace listed at Twilight's Slumber was my next candidate for eye candy.  She has a few different cameo necklaces listed.  Check them out.

Visit the eCrater Stores Newtwork to see more products available from eCraterSellers.

Firefighter Gift Ideas

This  ESN scavenger hunt blog theme for this week is fire.  Since my son in law is a firefighter, I thought I would look for items that would cute gift ideas for him.

     I didn't have to hunt to long for find this Dog Fire Hydrant Salt Pepper Shaker Set from Bargain Express I know his firefighter buddies would get a kick out of it.

Next I visited Comycgyrl's store and found a vintage replica horse drawn fire truck.  It is a 1914 Horse Drawn Pumper Fire Truck Red scale model and would be nice addition to his fire truck collection. 

In my opinion, books are always a great gift.  The illustrated history of fire engines book from Eccentric Thrifter would also be a fantastic gift idea for a firefighter.

Visit the eCrater Stores Network to view some of the products available by eCrater Sellers.

Buttery Delights

The theme for this week ESN scavenger hunt blog is butter.
When I was a child I remember holding  buttercup flowers under my chin to see if I liked butter. It is impossible to do that with the ESN blogggers.  But, it is easy enough to search their eCrater stores for products which are butter related.
 I went hunting at Carolinabluelady and found this Federal Depression Diana Crystal Bowl Bread-Butter Plate.  The bowl and bread-butter plate is a terrific find because it can also be used to serve sauces or salad dressings.

 I need something to go on the bread and butter plate.  What could be better than homemade bread.  Check out this bread machine cookbook from Bargain Express.  I can just picture homemade bread oozing with butter. 

The next item I choose is the cookie press from EccentricThrifter.  I use a cookie press for making only one kind of cookie-. Butter Cookies.  Butter cookies are my hubby's all time favorite and I make them frequently.

 It's been a fun and interesting blogger hunt this week.  Enjoy!

BBQ Time on ESN

This week's ESN scavenger's hunt blog theme is Grill Kings.  Can't you just picture your first BBQ of the season.?  I can. 

Besides preparing new recipes, I enjoy using unique BBQ serving pieces and tableware.
These salt and pepper shakers that resemble canning jars are perfect for outdoor use.  Comycgyrl has some really cool salt and pepper shakers in her store.

Since I like to serve both  hot and cold dishes at a BBQ, the  Tasty Temp 454 Food Server from Eccentric Thrifter  would be a good choice. It is Water temperature controlled. So there are no worries about dangling electrical cords.

I can visualize my friends enjoying a favorite summertime dessert in these vintage Tupperware parfait dishes from Bargain Express.  Check out her ecrater store for more vintage Tupperware.  You won't be disappointed.

Seeing all the cool grilling items from the eCrater Stores Network reminds me I'd better start planning my first BBQ of the season.

ESN - We are Family

This week's eCrater Stores Network's theme is family.  I know one thing. The eCrater Network Stores family's support definitely helped me keep my sanity during our recent store renovations.  In November, 2010, we had a heater fire in our brick and mortar store.  I was devastated.  We had lost our entire inventory to smoke and soot damage. Of course, that meant immediate shut down of our Embroidery Fashions Boutique eCrater store.   There were many times when I just wanted to give up.  However, my ESN family were always there to offer encouragement, and prayers.  I will always be grateful for the family I have on this site.
To members Wolfie, Bargain Express, Comycgyrl, and CarolinaBlueLady you have laughed with me, cried with me, and supported me. Thank you for being family.

The Sky

Sky is the theme for this week's Ecrater Stores Network scavenger hunt blog.  My first stop was Eccentric Thrifter.  I found this adorable Winnie the Pooh diaper bag.  Perfect match - sky blue background with white fluffy clouds.

When I visited  Bargain Express, I choose the girl's light blue t shirt. The glittery butterflies  remind me of twinkling stars in the night sky.

To complete my sky scavenger hunt blog I searched for blue birds.   Take a look at the blue jay ceramic salt and pepper shakers at Comycgyrl.

Please visit the Ecrater Stores Network to see the many products available from the ecrater sellers.

Gardening

The ESN scavenger's hunt theme this week is gardening.  Groan!  I never did have a green thumb; and probably never will. I've tried every gardening gimmick out there  without much success.  I confess I do buy mature flower plants and transplant them in pots.  But, the words gardening and weeding are just not part of my vocabulary.

Looking at all the garden items eCrater bloggers have listed brought back some memories for me. I did try to grow herbs one time.  The key word here is try. lol  Too bad I didn't have the Kitchen Herbs: The Art and Enjoyment of Growing Herbs and Cooking with Them from Comycgyrl.  Perhaps my herb garden would have fared better.

Instead of  gardening, I look for flower or plant related home and garden decor items.

 It was no surprise to find this sunflower table runner at Eccentric Thrifter.  She always has the coolest items in her eCrater store.

 Welcome signs always add a nice touch to an outside area.  The Whimsical Garden Gnome Greeting Sign is a good choice from Barb's Bargains.    .

Even though I am not a gardener.  I enjoyed hunting for garden related products. 

Visit the eCrater Stores Network where I am sure you'll discover many unique items to add to your garden decor.

It's Spring

Ecrater Stores Network  scavenger's hunt theme for this week is Bring out the Spring Things. 

The first thing that came to my mind was a famous quote. "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love."
However, according to my college age nephews the quote should read love, baseball and clothes. 
At  ESN you'll find a multitude of spring things.  Below are a few of my favorites


At Tstormgraphics ecrater store I found this unique love wall quote.

The smurf key chain baseball player from comycgyrl for the baseball fan.  Incidentally, baseball is my favorite spring sport.

Spring  brings thoughts of  new clothes.  There are so many clothes choices at ESN.

Eccentricthrifter's  Hawaiian men's shirts are fabulous.  This Caribbean Joe shirt is a good choice for a spring break vacation.

Of course a new t shirt is a welcomed addition to a spring wardrobe.  Check out the Captain Morgan t shirt from Bargain Express.  It's cool.

Visit Ecrater Stores Network for an array of spring things.