My Size Zucchini

This one makes me laugh. Joe stopped in on his way home from Cassie's. During his visit, they stopped in at her grandma's house. He came away with zucchini. Not just any zucchini mind you. MONSTEROUSLY LARGE zucchini. Ever seen a zucchini the size of an 8-month-old? Well, you're about to...

I started baking the next day. You'd be amazed at how many zucchini bread recipes there are out there. I found more than a few that tempted my taste buds. The first was savory. Asiago Zucchini Bread. Mmmmm...Delicious. Some went to my neighbor, a slice each to my mother-in-law, my father-in-law and dear Joey, two slices were saved for my husband (although, I had to sit on my hands a couple of times to keep from breaking off just a small chunk)and the last two slices were all mine.

If you're going to do savory, you must then balance it with sweet. The next two cups of shredded zucchini went into this loaf of Chocolate Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread. This was equally tasty and for all the reasons the first loaf was not. Where the first loaf was rich with the flavor of onion and salty from the cheese, the second had a sugary sweet crust on top and little morsels of chocolate that melted on your tongue. Heavenly!!

I suppose baking isn't the best way to pass time on a day when it is supposed to be 90 degrees and sunny, but half that bad boy is still in my refrigerator and I'm suddenly craving zucchini bread. Sweet or savory? Pineapple Coconut or Cheddar Herb. What to do...what to do...

A chance to win Betty and a whole lot more!

Lexi over at Love.Obsess.Inspire. is having one massive giveaway during the month of July. She's got a lovely blog in its beginning stages. I've already found some links to add to my favorites and some things to obsess over. : )

MaxineMargaret has donated a Betty wristlet to the event so scoot on over to Lexi's blog and enter to win. If you do, you'll end up with a whole lotta fantastic loot...including one of my favorite Betty's ever.

Cocktails at 8

This little Betty is completely worthy of cocktails at 8. Is anyone having a party tonight?? I'd have to rush out for a suitable little black dress. It would be totally worth it to have this lovely lady on my wrist.

Alas, I must package her up and ship her off. She belongs to Judy. I hope she falls in love with her as quickly and as hard as I did. [sigh...]

Where in the world does time go??

Seriously? Where?? There must be some sort of void that sucks it all up. I cannot believe it has been well over a month since I last posted to the blog. I keep telling myself that I'm going to get out here and talk to everyone on a REGULAR basis but then things happen. What things? Well, since the last post I...



1. Redecorated our bedroom. WM went out of town on business. Kath came over to wrangle WC. I went to town on the bedroom. It went from "Sassy Green" to "Watery" in a matter of days. Out! Out! Out!! went the DKNY pink and green bedding. In drifted a navy quilted coverlet accented by drapes and pillow shams from Anna Maria Horner's "Good Folks" line. Lovely. Lovely indeed. WM was certainly surprised when he arrived home. I didn't tell him of my plans. Too fun!


2. Went to Duluth. A lovely trip. I'll spare you the details (this time) as I neglected to take any photos. However, we're going again this weekend and I will do a much, much better job of documenting our comings and goings.

3. Finally got around to making the thank you gift for MH who so kindly takes all of WC's milestone pictures. I get cutie patootie photos of my son. MH gets a custom travel bag. Hazel. This is only the fifth one made...EVER. She's not quite done as the zipper (a custom order) has yet to arrive. If/when a cost effective way to produce these occurs, these will be introduced to the general public.



That's just a little overview. There have been many early morning walks with our friends and neighbors, bonfires on the driveway, dinners with the high school gals and today a trip to Northfield with Kath.

Speaking of Kath. She's been busy on a new MaxineMargaret creation! The Channing!! This diaper wallet is sized to hold mom's necessities. It has pockets gallore. The larger pockets are designed to hold diapers and a changing pad. A smaller, flapped pocket holds cash or receipts and has slots for an ID, credit cards and a library card. Opposite the pockets, the specially designed pouch, holds a soft, travel pack of wipes. It all zips shut into a neat, little package, perfect for those times when you need the essentials but a full diaper bag would just be too much. Kathy has put in many long and hard hours perfecting this little beauty. She's already sold 10 of them! Way to go!!

Because Everyone Wants A Betty

May in MN means that spring is FINALLY here. With spring comes a multitude of events-Mother's Day, graduations, showers, weddings all immediately come to mind. Sure, there are the 'lesser' events too like backyard BBQs and drinks out with the girls and dinner and a movie with your significant other. Regardless of the importance, it's spring. Get out there and kick up your heels gals-preferably the red, patent leather, stilettos (Lynnea)!!

While you're out and about, don't forget to bring along your new best friend-BETTY!! MM's mighty little wristlet adds that certain something to any outfit while keeping all your necessities close at hand. For those of you who don't currently have a Betty, she's our wristlet. She's got just enough room for your keys, cell phone and favorite lip gloss or lipstick (or in my case Pineapple chapstick from Alba). Her interior features four card pockets for your ID, credit card, etc. Betty's wrist strap is 12 inches long, and with her leash clip and o-rings on both ends, she can convert from wristlet to mini-bag. Either way, she makes a fantastic gift for yourself, your mother, a graduate, a bride, a bridesmaid or even a mother-to-be.

Check out our sale at www.maxinemargaret.etsy.com During the month of May, all Betty's are just $40 which is $10 off the usual selling price. You'd better snap one up quick before the one you covet most is gone!

Et Voila!!

After four weeks of hard work, the purses and handbags from Jenn's party are done. Each seems more beautiful than the next. Channing and I will be driving out to Carver tomorrow to drop them off. Thank you ladies for your patience as we fulfilled your orders. Enjoy your creations!!

A Hint of Spring

Believe it or not, spring is officially here. I'm leaning toward the 'or not' as the temperature hasn't exactly been cooperating. We had the typical March weather tease a couple weeks ago. An entire week of temps in the 60s. One day even reached 70. We're back to cold. With the wind, temps are in the single digits.

The cold weather is probably for the best. It keeps us indoors and on task with regard to purse production. We're nearly done with the bags from Jenn's party. Just a couple to go. Kathy came to our house/studio yesterday and we hit it hard. She did a Kathy. I finished the yet to be named diaper bag, did a Kathleen and started in on a Holly.

The best part was when I opened the door to let her in, instead of being greeted by Kathy's smiling face, I saw these beautiful flowers instead. They've found a home on the end table in the living room. Since the sewing studio has once again migrated from upstairs to the dining room table, it is the perfect place to have a spot of cheer. The flower's bright cheerful colors smile at me and give me hope that spring will one day arrive.

We'll go out into the world and find bare feet with painted toes, kicky capris, lots of happy smiling faces and of course, each woman's arm will be graced with their favorite MM creation. Ahhh....bliss!