Friday, November 19, 2010

a giveaway & a recipe: with the june bride




mmmm...
'tis the season for sharing!
sharing joy.
sharing gifts.
sharing a batch of homemade cookies.
sharing kindness.

and here to help us out with all of those today is the amazing karen of *the june bride*.
the kindest of souls, i'm a longtime fan of *the june bride's* warmth and community-building in the handmade world. karen is a master textile artist and an encouraging advocate for good things in life. add master baker { look at this  cookie recipe she's sharing with us today!} and gosh... isn't she amazing?

so let's make a batch of these delightfully artisan sugar cookies for family or friends this weekend, AND... read on to see how you can WIN some of *the june bride's* beautiful brooches, too!



{ps: karen's so generous... she's doing a November charity event (which will likely continue into December)... $1 USD from every single item sold in her shop this month will be donated to local charities that benefit families in need (full details and updates are in hershop announcement). If any RIKRAK STUDIO readers write "i heart rikrak" at checkout, she'll donate $3 USD for each item you  buy! so wonderful! so let's do it!}







RECIPE for Sugar Cookies
{ by The June Bride }



This is the sugar cookie recipe of my childhood Christmases, and every time I make them, the aroma takes me back to baking with my mom on a day filled with carols and sugary messes. The cookies were ostensibly for parties and neighbors, but we always looked forward to gobbling up the ones that turned out a little less than perfect. It makes me so happy that now my own little ones look forward to the same things!

Traditional Sugar Cookies 
(we usually quadruple this, at least!)

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture. Cover dough and chill for at least one hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets, if necessary. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4” thickness. Cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2” apart onto cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (I like these soft, so I only bake them for 6 minutes). Remove cookies from baking sheets to cool on wire racks. Cool completely before icing.

Sometimes I use a simple mix of milk and powdered sugar for an easy icing to top with sprinkles but, for the cookies shown here, I used Martha Stewart’s recipe for royal icing . Ice and decorate if desired. Place on waxed paper until icing is fully set. Enjoy!

.........................

oh YUM!
and so beautifully decorated, nicey!
thanks so much for sharing!

you'll just love the june bride's beautiful shop of creations, too.  it's an oasis of eco-forward style and creativity. beautiful, luxurious handcrafted brooches; wonderful tutorials and more!

and NOW... 3 pins can be yours!

--> ONE lucky rikrak studio reader will WIN <---
  3 reclaimed cashmere flower pins
           :: Large cashmere crimson camellia, 4.75”
           :: Cashmere vanilla cream dahlia, 3.75”
         :: Cashmere moss green aster, 3.25”
 
Value :: $49.50 USD










1. visit the lovely *the june bride* shop
...  tell us about your favourite goodie & why you love it!
=   1 entry

2. heart/fave the lovely *the june bride* shop. 
...  & tell us
=   1 entry
3. become a fan of *the june bride*  on facebook.
...  & tell us.
=   1 entry
4.  follow/ subscribe to the june bride blog.

...  & tell us.
=   1 entry

5. follow BOTH the June Bride { she's @theJuneBride } AND the rikrak shop (that's me! @therikrakshopon twitter
... & tell us.
= 1 entry

6.  follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
... & tell us.
= 1 entry


7. share  your favourite thing to cook or bake for the Holidays!
= 1 entry

8. tweet on twitter
... about this giveaway and come back here and tell us! be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! 
= 1 entry

9. blog about this giveaway
... come back and tell us.
= 1 entry

10. grab one of my rikrak studio buttons,
like this one from the left hand sidebar, for YOUR BLOG!


the rikrak studio



the rikrak studio

and add it to your blog!
{ ... just copy & paste the text in the box above  onto your blog sidebar! thanks! }


11. :: PLEASE NOTE: 
each entry must be it's own comment.
thanks! ::


..........................................
:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 11 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!

c) using random.org, 1 winner of the ika bags giveaway will be chosen on saturday november 27th @ 11pm EST.
d) open to contestants worldwide.
e) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.

 
................................................
have a great weekend, nicies!
Pin It

166 comments:

  1. wow what a giveaway its amazing the lagoon green aster its just such a pretty colour, its quite hard to pick on though.

    zoe
    blessedbeeapothecary[a]hotmail.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  2. i have also hearted the pretty shop on etsy.

    Zoe
    blessedbeeapothecary[a]hotmail.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  3. i adore baking spicy fruit loaf over christams and we have if for breakfast with hot chocolate, so yummy

    Zoe
    blessedbeeapothecary[a]hotmail.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the Lambswool Aubergine Anemone partly because it is so pretty and partly just because it is REALLY fun to say! No...really....try it....

    jinglesells at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love making creative flavor cupcakes for the holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have one of your buttons on my blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. My favorite thing to cook for the holidays is green bean casserole ... it something we usually only make around Thanksgiving and Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, K!!! What a lovely post :) Keep those entries coming!! I can't wait to find out who will win my cashmere flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  9. am loving the upcycled pins! wow! love the lambswool apple green thistle! kristinmik at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. i love:

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/62122293/cashmere-mint-green-camellia-reclaimed

    allister bee fashion blog

    allisterbee@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. i'm a follower of your blog!!

    allister bee fashion blog

    allisterbee@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. my favorite thing to cook is pumpkin bread! it's my favvvvvorite! i love pumpkin!!

    allister bee fashion blog

    allisterbee@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. i have your button on my blog!!!.

    allister bee fashion blog

    allisterbee@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love Cashmere Mistletoe Green Chrysanthemum - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin because it is GORGEOUS and green!
    Cashmere Mistletoe Green

    thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  15. i follow rikrak studio

    thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  16. thanks so much for the opportunity - what a sweet brooch.

    My fave is the Cashmere Winter Sky Azalea Pin. I love the 3-D aspect. very cool

    kifness at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love making my grandmother's Wheat Sweets recipe - great cookie and so much fun to decorate!

    kifness at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Those cookies are too pretty to eat! :)

    I hearted The june Bride's shop quite some time ago. Karen made a custom pin for me a while back and I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like this one: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61445332/lambswool-estuary-green-anemone

    gorgeous color! but they are all pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  20. If properly structured information, it would be clearer to readers.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the Merino Coral Pink Thistle! It is beautiful.

    tavi[dot]scarlett[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the Lambswool Lagoon Green Aster.

    Taronger

    flordtaronger at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow your blog!

    Taronger

    flordtaronger at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the Cashmere True Red Poinsettia brooch, it would be a lovely Christmas gift.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I subscribe to rikrak studio emails.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the Cashmere Cloudy Sky Camellia! the colors are my favorites

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow you and thejunebride on twitter noweesmom

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love this -- it's like the first whisper of spring!
    Cashmere Rose Blush Camellia - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin

    ReplyDelete
  29. I hearted the pretty shop on etsy.com!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am a rikrak studio blog subscriber!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is my favourite from her shop, I just love the blue.......
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/62231324/cashmere-winter-sky-azalea-reclaimed

    ReplyDelete
  32. I make a version of crackerjack using cashews and pecans. I pack it in cello bags and give it to my friends and family.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have your button on my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow you, of course I do. x

    ReplyDelete
  35. My favourite of my favourites (because I love her work so much!) is the lambswool rusty red daisy. YuM!!!

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/62125638/lambswool-rust-red-daisy-reclaimed-wool

    x

    ReplyDelete
  36. For the hols I just can't go past a marscapone and boysenberry semi-freddo concoction (it's summer here!) It delicious and very festive. x

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love the Cashmere Warm Lilac Camellia because it's my best friend's favorite color! :)

    oohmybento[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I hearted the June Bride's shop on etsy :)
    username: genkipanda
    oohmybento[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love making garlic mashed potatoes during the holidays! :)
    oohmybento[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  40. So hard to choose a favourite, but I love the green aster! http://www.etsy.com/listing/62067016/lambswool-lagoon-green-aster-reclaimed

    anneriitta[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I hearted the june bride shop!

    anneriitta[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow you and the june bride on twitter (@anneriitta)

    anneriitta{at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  43. my favorite thing to bake for the holidays are jam-filled shortbread cookies! yum!

    anneriitta[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  44. My favorite item is the red cashmere poinsettia. Absolutely gorgeous.

    kaitboal@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I added the june bride to my etsy favorites :)

    kaitboal@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I subscribed to the rikrak studio blog

    kaitboal@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. my favorite thing to eat during the holidays is sweet potatoes! I can't get enough...

    kaitboal@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. oh my...how can I pick just one favorite. If I have to it's the Cashmere Sweet Cerise Dahlia

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/61684040/cashmere-sweet-cerise-dahlia-reclaimed

    dillpicklepicnic - gmail

    ReplyDelete
  49. I added the June Bride shop to my favorites! Love these flowers!

    dillpicklepicnic - gmail

    ReplyDelete
  50. Following both you guys on twitter as @picklepicnic

    dillpicklepicnic - gmail

    ReplyDelete
  51. I follow the RikRak blog via google reader.

    picklepicnic - gmail

    ReplyDelete
  52. My favorite thing to bake over the holiday is fried apple pies...just like grandma's.

    dillpicklepicnic - gmail

    ReplyDelete
  53. If I were a girl, I would have given to the author for such a post.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Love love love!
    Cashmere Cloudy Sky Camellia - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin

    I might just have to go buy it now!

    ReplyDelete
  55. The shop has been added to my favourites in etsy!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Subscribing to the june bride blog!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Subscribing to your blog too!

    lkketo{a}yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. i love the cashmere charcoal dahlia. so cute :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. i'm a follower of the june bride.

    ReplyDelete
  60. i like the june bride on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  61. i also have hearted the shop on etsy. love it

    ReplyDelete
  62. I just love the merino red marsh daisy it's such a gorgeous shade of red.Thanks fingers crossed. Helen

    malfie@care2.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. My favorite goodie is the Cashmere Warm Lilac Camellia - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin because I love the color purple!

    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I heart the june bride shop - my Etsy name is Hurdler4eva
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I'm a fan of the june bride on Facebook - my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I follow THe June Bride blog with google friend connect
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I follow both of you on Twitter - I'm @AmberGoo
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I follow your rik rak blog with google friend connect
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love baking gingerbread cookies for the holidays with my mom!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love the apple green thistle brooch!

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I really like the Merino Merlot Azalea.

    lannywhAThotmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  72. I like Cashmere Rose Blush Camellia

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I hearted the shop

    princessophie

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I am a fan of June Bride on facebook

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I follow Junes Bride blog

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I follow both of you on twitter

    @sofiathereader

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I have subscribed to the rikrak studio blog

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. The favorite cook to make at holidays is mulled wine!

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. The animal ears hat is to die for!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  80. I love her cashmere Dijon Azalea! I would love to pin it to my coat !!!!

    rennieangie at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. What a great giveaway : ) I LOVE the Merino Coral Pink Thistle - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin because coral pink is one of my favorite colors and it is just a pretty pin!email:manarose222@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I heart/faved the lovely *the june bride* shop. email:manarose222@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I become a fan of *the june bride* on facebook.email:manarose222@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I follow/subscribed to the june bride blog. email:manarose222@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I follow or subscribed to the rikrak studio blog :) email:manarose222@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. My favorite thing to cook for the holiday's is apple pie : ) email:manarose222@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I blogged about the giveaway : ) email:manarose222@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I love the Cashmere Mistletoe Green Chrysanthemum, it reminds me of the hens and chicks in my mom's rock garden that fascinated me as a child.

    sugareaterATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  89. I added the June Bride to my etsy favourites, username sugareater.

    sugareaterATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  90. I subscribe to rikrak in google reader.

    sugareaterATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  91. I love homemade rumballs, and this is the only time of year that we ever make them. I really should change that!

    sugareaterATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  92. I really love the blood red pointsetta and the grey camillia. I think they're just beautiful and so great to put on my pea coat! Its gorgeous and eye catching! keeping my fingers crossed!!

    CerenaLeigh
    Luckycldh(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  93. Amazing flowers!

    my absolute favorite Lilac Anemone. The attention to detail is stunning. the lagoon green aster and apple green thistle are also close favorites, though they are all lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  94. I've hearted your adorable shop on etsy via jenisaurus

    jentabulous at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I like the june bride on facebook!
    (fb: Jen j. Il)

    jentabulous at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  96. Following you via google friend connect under Jen Lo

    Jentabulous at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  97. following you both on twitter via @butiadoreyouu, yay!

    jentabulous at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  98. following rikrak via blogger(gfc)

    ReplyDelete
  99. Bread Pudding and Oreo balls are awesome around the holidays, particularly with a fresh chai latte.. All made in my shamefully small kitchen. :)

    jentabulous at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  100. Tweeted about you @butiadoreyouu !

    jentabulous at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  101. lastly, your button can be seen on my blog at Http://www.butiadoreyou.wordpress.com

    thanks for a snazzy giveaway & button, will keep my fingers crossed!

    jentabulous at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  102. Cashmere Slate Gray Camellia - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin

    is my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  103. Follow both rikrak and junebride on twitter!~

    ReplyDelete
  104. I love the PATTERN Bundle - eskababy boots and animal ears hat- sounds like fun to make ;)

    ReplyDelete
  105. i am a follower as bridgestranslation

    ReplyDelete
  106. i like the custom fleece animla ears hat cause it looks cozy and cute yet she says highly washable
    nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  107. My favorite item is the gorgeous Cashmere Dijon Azalea - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin.

    urchiken at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  108. My favorite holiday food to make is definitely pumpkin pie!

    urchiken at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  110. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  111. I love everything about The June Bride shop from the concept to the fabulous creations. ONE of my most favorites is the lovely "Cashmere Sunny Yellow Waterlily - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin".

    But to get a clearer picture, you'll note that I "hearted" many many others!

    Just one question: I want to know more about that spectacular shades-of-red-orange-Burgundy Flowers Necklace! It's utterly stunning!

    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  112. I "Hearted" The June Bride Etsy Shop - as well as many of her marvelous designs/creations - aka: "items" !

    Etsy name: Salleefur
    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  113. Public Follower of the June Bride Blog
    Salleefur/Jesslyn
    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  114. Public Follower of your RikRak Studio Blog
    Salleefur/Jesslyn
    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  115. My favorite holiday dish to make is Oyster Dressing. But I also MUST make Sage, Sausage, Mushroom, Apple Stuffing (sometimes with cornbread as a variation.)

    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  116. These are so pretty! I love the cashmere vanilla cream dahlia.
    cathyguitarteacher-77 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  117. added june bride to my etsy favorites
    (cathyhorner)
    cathyguitarteacher-77 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  118. i am a follower of rikrak
    cathyguitarteacher-77 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  119. My favorite thing to bake for the holidays is cream cheese cookies, a dough you put through a cookie press
    cathyguitarteacher-77 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  120. I love the Lambswool Aubergine Azalea - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin! Purple is my absolute favorite color.
    Lilyhoot at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  121. I follow TheJuneBride on twitter, username slowclublover.

    ReplyDelete
  122. I love making various pies for the holidays, especially pumpkin and pecan!

    ReplyDelete
  123. My favourite item is the Cashmere Orange Camellia.

    ReplyDelete
  124. Added the shop to my favourites.

    ReplyDelete
  125. My favourite thing to bake at the holidays is this chocolate button cookie that I got from a Kraft magazine.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Tweeted. http://twitter.com/myshewasyare/statuses/8365380800090112

    ReplyDelete
  127. beautiful work! I love the oatmeal rosette.

    ReplyDelete
  128. I love the Lambswool Orange Yellow Sunflower - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin

    ReplyDelete
  129. I hearted her shop on Etsy

    ReplyDelete
  130. I love baking any cookie - love bird nests cookies and my moms choc covered cherry cookies. Fun to make.

    ReplyDelete
  131. i follow the june brides blog also

    ReplyDelete
  132. I love the Sweet Cerise Dahlia pin. I love that color pink! So feminine!
    abigail.lee {at] gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  133. I love Lambswool Ice Blue Daisy - Reclaimed Wool Flower Pin - maybe becasue of nice blue color or that it can be wearable with jeans clothes.:-) thanks
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  134. I hearted this etsy shop (ID Lubaska)
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  135. I am a fan of *the june bride* on facebook. (Lubka Kotmanikova)
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  136. I follow the rikrak studio blog.
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  137. my mother together with me usually prepare at christmas morning so called "bounteous cake" "Štedrák". this cake has couple layers filled with various fillings: poppy stuffing in bottom layer, nutty in next, cottage chees in next and the last will be plum jam - all with dough in between. it symbolizes a
    bounteousness in which we can live whole year.
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  138. tweeted contest: http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/8591229428170752
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  139. I follow both of you on twitter (Lubaska)
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  140. What lovely pins! I would say my favourite item in your shop is this cream dahlia: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62050807/cashmere-vanilla-cream-dahlia-reclaimed - because all of the detail is in the texture, not in the colour.

    ReplyDelete
  141. As always, I follow the rikrak blog

    ReplyDelete
  142. This is going to sound like an odd thing to bake, but I love baking bacon. We put strips on top of our roast beef, and it is so much better than pan fried bacon.

    ReplyDelete
  143. now following you both on twitter! (@somewhathip)

    ReplyDelete
  144. What a great giveaway! I have hearted June Bride on Etsy.

    ReplyDelete
  145. I just became a fan of June Bride on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  146. I've followed June Bride and Rikrak on Twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  147. I've tweeted about the giveaway. Thanks for all the opportunities to enter!

    ReplyDelete
  148. I like the lambswool yellow orange sunflower. Where I live is the sunflower capital of Louisiana, so that is why I like it. nursetoes@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  149. I heart June's bride etsy store. nursetoes@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  150. I subscribe to the rikrak studio. nursetoes@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  151. This is my favorite because I like the flower type and the color blue :) http://www.etsy.com/listing/61445132/lambswool-blue-sky-anemone-reclaimed

    ReplyDelete

thanks so much for your comments, nicies!
it's a joy to read what everyone writes here.
thank you!