Merry's Musings

The latest bee in my bonnet...

2011-05-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to make a crazy quilt!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64641179/what-does-she-do-with-her-time

http://www.crazyquilts.ca/CQGallery.html

'Crazy Quilts' were a fad that started in the Victorian Days. The 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition was a big event in Victorian society. One of the most popular exhibits was the Japanese pavilion with its fascinating crazed ceramics and asymmetrical art. That was the origin of crazy quilting, wealthy Victorian women started the fad with expensive silk thread and fabric making art pieces for the home based on oriental motifs using the variety of stitching patterns thus showing off their needle work skills. After getting great exposure in magazines of the day, everybody started to do it.
http://www.womenfolk.com/quilting_history/crazy.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixie_dust/294878386/

http://cqmagonline.com/vol07iss01/articles/760/index.shtml

http://sabiiwabii.blogspot.com/2009/07/crazy-quilting.html

http://beadlust.blogspot.com/2009/06/attitude-of-gratitude-and-crazy-quilt.html

http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/photo/crazy-quilt-block-6

http://www.loopylace.com/crazyquiltstudio/lessons/embellish.htm

The thought of working some of this stuff just makes me want to hyperventilate...slightly overwhelming! But I think I have a great assortment of styles above, to incorporate into my own heirloom. I'll post in a separate page above about my progress.

Ah Spring...

2011-05-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Yay. We are finally into warm weather!

I signed up for Jane Des Rosiers 'Papers and Portraits' class and am enjoying it so much!

http://janedesrosier.blogspot.com/2011/04/portraits-and-papers-2011-artist.html

This was from the lesson, painting with paper

and the rule of thirds. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

This totally fits our weather lately!

You should see my green house....

Easter candy

2011-04-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I tried this year, I really did. But it seems I'm not the only one who has a fondness for Easter candy. My sweet grand baby walked in with a bag full of jelly beans, gummy fruit bunnies and malted milk ball eggs. He dolled them out to grandpa and me, one by one.

But this holiday is nothing more than a Pagan celebration or economic stimulus with purchases of peeps and cadburry, unless I remember the real reason that I celebrate.

This is a beautiful rendition of this hymn:

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!

Written by Samuel Medley in 1775. The possibility of leg amputation from a war wound led Samuel to pray, asking that he might keep his leg. The prayer was answered. Samuel dedicated his time to God and wrote a lot of hymns.

But the original author of the phrase was Job. The book of Job in the Bible is an interesting study of human nature all right. Job being 'righteous' meaning he really lived purposefully to do good, was the object of a discussion between God and Satan.

Essentially Satan trying to tell God His business, told God, 'sure Job is righteous you have blessed him beyond measure, why shouldn't he act holy?'. Satan said, 'let me mess him up a bit and then we'll see how he acts'.

Well, Satan squashed Job like a bug. Job was ruined to his inner man after a series of events leaving him face down in the dirt. But still Job endures and then his wife says, "curse God, and die".

Job answers, shakes the dust off so to speak, "You speak as one of the foolish speaks. Moreover, shall we receive good from God and shall not receive evil?"

Then Job's friends and not so much friends chime in and give their opinion.

Human nature revealed. It is more than a Bible story, 'the book comprises a didactic poem set in a prose frame and has been called "the most profound literary work of the entire Old Testament".The book and its numerous exegeses are attempts to address the problem of evil. The over-riding and oft-asked question manifestly revealed in the book of Job is, "Why do the righteous suffer?" ' just buzz on over to wiki for a quick dip: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
Job 19:25-27

Lental thoughts

2011-04-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

We're in the season of Lent. A religious tradition which incorporates fasting, abstaining from certain foods in most cases, not always complete abstinence from food. I'm not very religious so I usually find myself in the middle of it and then the light bulb comes on.

But I came across this today, FAST, pray love and it really struck a chord with me.

It plays upon a well known book title Eat, Pray, Love which was made into a movie. (Yes I saw parts of it, on TV, it was comfortable filler on a busy afternoon when I needed a break, it was cute enough)

...not quite as profound as promoted by Oprah back in the day. This article 'Fast, Pray, Love' approaches profound closer than the book 'Eat, Pray, Love' in my mind.

The author says, "Those people who say fasting is just an ego-based endurance test are right. I'm going to do something different this year. I am going to fast from badmouthing people. I am going to fast from something that can effect some actual good"

ha ha, I think that comes closer to the matter for me, and it's always a temptation for all of humanity to seek their own glory even in spiritual matters of fasting. The Bible has much to say for the benefit of our human nature,

'When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.' Matthew 6:16

Matthew 6:17-18 - "But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Isaiah 58:6-9 - ""Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[a] will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."

Very interesting article, what happens to your body when you fast:
http://www.nakedfoodcooking.com/part-1-what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-fast-energy-production/

Lots of health nuts, cultures and religions partake in this practice. Why do Christians do it?
http://www.allaboutprayer.org/prayer-and-fasting.htm

So much written about fasting on the internet! (I could go on but I'll spare you)

I'm chosing this poetic instruction to the soul as my meditation during this season of Lent.
Hoping that you will be blessed by it as well!

Happy preperation for Easter.

Isaiah 58
True Fasting

1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.

2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions and
seem eager for God to come near them.

3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Sublime

2011-03-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sublime.

http://www.kristinvestgard.co.uk/

Funny word but great meaning.

From wiki: In aesthetics, the sublime (from the Latin sublīmis) is the quality of greatness or vast magnitude, whether physical, moral, intellectual, metaphysical, aesthetic, spiritual or artistic. The term especially refers to a greatness with which nothing else can be compared and which is beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement or imitation.

Wiki's article is the philosophy of sublime. Lots to ponder there. I'm just talking adjective here...

http://www.anitakaushal.com/index.php/product?pid=19&ref=1&cat=1

sublime [səˈblaɪm]

adj
1. of high moral, aesthetic, intellectual, or spiritual value; noble; exalted
2. inspiring deep veneration, awe, or uplifting emotion because of its beauty, nobility, grandeur, or immensity
3. unparalleled; supreme a sublime compliment
4. Poetic of proud bearing or aspect
5. Archaic raised up

http://www.anitakaushal.com/index.php/product?pid=18&ref=1&cat=1

She suggests to place lights in a huge glass vase. Sublime.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62189111/6-big-fluffy-soft-pink-ephemeral-roses?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_search_query=coffee+filter&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Best Regards!

Home at last...

2011-03-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

Well to my utter delight and astonishment, my desk is done and in her new home. Time for the unveiling...cue the trumpets...

May I present to you...

the grand duchess of the desk world,

ta da! My refinished roll top desk rescued from the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

(link to the before pics: http://merrysmix.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-find.html)

I used a product similar to Hormer Formbys furniture refinisher, sandpaper, lemon oil refinisher, stain and varnish.

I am really happy with the way it turned out.

It was rather a mess when we brought it home.

but she's a mess no more little lassy!

She's a grand lady now.

Mistress of her domain!

These roll top desks were very popular at the turn of the Victorian century. They held ledgers and receipts and many other various and sundry items for businessmen.

Mine is housing jewelry and craft items, the little drawers and cubby holes are just perfect to create some order out of the chaos of jewelry making.

Deep in the Heart of Winter

2011-02-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

Deep in the Heart of Winter...

I don't know but it seems this year has been an unusually cold bitter year for weather.

Here in the southern part of the great Northwest, mother nature gave us week of balmy 50's then turned on her heel and flounced some 20 degree nights our way.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63025246/snuggle-solid-perfume-lotion-bar

One thing I do know, it is perfect 'Snuggle' weather.

Here we sit deep in the heart of winter.The world will not remain a cold, dark wasteland forever.

We will see blue skies and tufts of green will spring back to life again. We will welcome spring from her long winter sleep.Till then, Snuggle, a celebration of warm and cozy moments.
A lotion bar is the perfect medium to showcase the rich, pleasing scent 'Snuggle'. A combo of three amazing scents a delicious house blend of three exotic perfume oils; Absynthe, Arabian Spice and Dragons Blood.
Absynthe: not the woodsy herbacious one, this blend is heavy on the spice
Arabian Spice: the stuff that dreams are made of. Myrrh and Orange, with middle notes of Ginger.
Dragons Blood: deeply scented oil, that holds notes of rich vanilla and patchouli, which is then rounded off with extremely light hints of sweet floral notes.
Snuggle has a scent life of over 8 hours and can be layered with other scents. This is over 1oz of lotion bar/solid perfume weighed separately from the container. Solid lotion/perfume bar, a brilliant idea made better by the wonderful natural ingredients in the bar. Almond Oil, Grapeseed oil, Olive oil, Beeswax and coconut oil. My gypsy grandmother's recipe. Or it would be if I had a gypsy grandmother. Anyway, my own formula not a commercial base.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63025246/snuggle-solid-perfume-lotion-bar

It is nice weather to snuggle in all right. A deep burrow in the evening under blankets that envelop you in a hug... hot steamy beverages are pure comfort and become more than just a caffeine kick in the morning. Peaceful moments with a good book are tailor made for a snowy afternoon. In fact if you don't have any deadlines snowy days can be really peaceful. If you are warm and snug it is a perfect time to be thankful and practice a day of gratitude.

This seems like a peaceful lovely thing to do on a cold and snowy day, I found it on the Internet in a random hop around, just thought I'd share. (..sorry I lost the link to it.)

Take time this week to have a daily check-in with yourself:

1. STOP – take 10-15 minutes and find a quiet place to sit – no radio, music, television, kids, phone, etc.
2. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Focus on your breathe and imagine it flowing through you as you breath in and out.
3. Imagine a small flame in the center of your chest. As you breathe in, the flame expands. As you breathe out, the flame flushes out anything negative in your thoughts or feelings.
4. Sit in silence for a few more minutes. Remind yourself that there is NOTHING for you to do right NOW.
5. When you feel complete, slowly open your eyes. Continue with your day remembering the calm darkness that envelopes you and the warmth of your light within that fuels you.
It is so important that we take the time to recharge, hibernate or go within and stay in that calm darkness, knowing that our light is always there – we only need to allow its gentle flame to regenerate and recharge in the silence of our own winter. And when we honor that cycle of death and rebirth, we will be even more prepared to perform our mission in the world – whatever it might be.
Blessings,
Rev. Tricia

Well on to my own day, I send my blessings as well, taking time for grateful moments!

Like Honey

2011-02-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

Some days are just golden...pure honey...

You wake up normal enough, but as the day wears on,

lovely gifts appear and are delightful to the eye and to the heart.

These I Can Promise Author Unknown

I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;

I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold;'

I cannot promise you an easy pathway

That leads away from change or growing old.

But I can promise all my heart's devotion;

A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow;

A love that's ever true and ever growing;

A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.

Marriage Advice

Jane Wells (1886)

Let your love be stronger than your hate and anger.

Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break.

Believe the best rather than the worst.

People have a way of living up or down to your opinion of them.

Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.

The person you choose to marry is deserving of the courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.

Please hand this down to your children and your children's children.

A Good Wedding Cake Author Unknown

4 lb. of love.

1 lb. butter of youth.

1/2 lb. of good looks.

l lb. sweet temper.

1 lb. of blindness for faults.

1 lb. of self forgetfulness.

l lb. of pounded wit.

l lb. of good humour.

2 tablespoons of sweet argument.

1 pint of rippling laughter.

1 wine glass of common sense.

1 oz. modesty.

Put the love, good looks and sweet temper into a well furnished house. Beat the butter of youth to a cream, and mix well together with the blindness of faults. Stir the pounded wit and good humour into the sweet argument, then add the rippling laughter and common sense. Work the whole together until everything is well mixed, and bake gently for ever.

Yes, it was a warm sunny honey dripped kind of day. Full of love and happiness.

And I even got the books that I won on ebay, print date 1904 volumes of poetry, I got them for arting around in my spare time (laugh, hearty laugh). But you should see the covers of these books... the picture just doesn't really do them justice. The bindings are rotted away, and the front and back covers are disconnected , but the pages are almost pure white still and printed on the nicest heavy weight paper. I'm very pleased, they will make something wonderful if I get that creative bug nibbling at my behind any time soon.

Well I hope your Valentines day was a honey as well, here's to love!

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-13T07:12:00.000-08:00

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

--William Butler Yeats

I saw this poem and it rang clear today. ...Well, almost resonated that is, I think I wanted to resonate with it. You see I am old and gray but life is so packed with moments that I am not exactly sleeping by the fire. I guess that's a good thing,

good news! I'm awake!! whoopee. and someday hope to nap by the fire.

I love this part,

"But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;"

wouldn't that be awesome...to be loved for your soul and to have somebody love you through your 'sorrows of changing face'.

Dear Willie Yeats, you really captured the heart of the matter for that dear person sleeping by the fire. I hope she had many happy moments together with the man who saw the pilgrim soul in her before
"Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars."

What a find

2011-02-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

Really, it's not my fault...

It just reached out and grabbed me...with it's carved handsomness and solid oakness...

It had straw and foxtales hiding in nooks and crannies...

And secret hiding places...

And splinters and shreds and peels...

But I lost my heart the moment I saw it...the vintage roll top desk.

It took me quite a little while to convince my dear spouse, I heard at least 10 times...'where are we going to put it?' It is a little massive....

But in the end it was mine all mine. Tis the season of love after all... and uh, I still don't know where I am going to put it.

Desk update: Well our dear old Gertie is looking very good after a day at the spa. After a friend got all over me for not getting that desk done, ( It's been too darn cold... fer crying out loud) I got a great balmy day today in the 50's and stained and sealed her up!!!

she is so large, that my husband had to take the top off of it to get it into the room. Which was very lucky for me because it made it very very easy to stain and seal it up.

I did get some lemon oil soaking into this splintery mess of neglect, and the stain really took well.

I need to oil down the insides of the cubby and get the insides between the drawers. It was all clamped together today, dearest hubster has removed the clamps for me, so I'll get it tomorrow.

She is looking so good that I'm afraid I need new carpet in the bedroom where she is going to live. hehe. good excuse. I told my hubsterliscious that this was my birthday present, but that was a month ago, maybe he will be convinced that new carpeting would make an excellent present!... I'll fill you in on the details when she is installed in her room.

Do you like my new little avie lady? I LOVE her.

She's bubbly!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParadiseEssentials?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62254456/goatsmilk-lotion

New in the shop, Perfumed Lotion. Sweet Indulgence.

Super thick and creamy with no greasy feeling. Just a tiny dollop melts instantly and makes your skin feel like silk.I have found the most wonderful lotion, made of goats milk and other wonderful ingredients. It took me quite a while but I'm very pleased.

For its debut, I've chosen two amazing scents. Choose from:
Dutch Tulip
Almost every one who has tried the Dutch tulip soap has asked me if I carry it in a perfume. The scent is not quite 'present' enough for a perfume, but it is outstanding in this lotion. And yes, it smells like a tulip shop.

Juniper Breeze:
An ozony balance of floral, green and fruity notes with a slight musk undertone. Honestly? This screams day at the spa. Inhale, and relax. Feeling a bit stressed by the weather? This scent is soft music, lit candles and massage table good. The scent lingers for hours.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48469417/solid-lotion-stick-w-esssential-oil

Also new is a new scent for the lotion stick, lightly delightfully naturally scented with Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil. Perfect for daytime all day use.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63954425/massagebody-oil

Also new, a therapeutic application of the Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil.

This is a grand mix of exotic carrier oils and therapeutic essential oil. This body oil is multi funtional because of the many attributes of the essential oil used. (Click the listing under the pic)

Excellent as massage oil, light and quickly absorbed.

For the bath, only a couple of drops are needed, this scent blooms in hot water. Enjoy the properties of this essential oil working on your aching joints. Enjoy very little oily residue on the tub especially combined with magnesium sulfate for a therapeutic soak.

Great amazing wonderful summertime body oil, moisturize and repel mosquitos.
Featuring Eucalyptus Citriodora, (also called Lemon Eucalyptus)in a base of pistachio nut oil, fractionated coconut oil and aloe vera oil.

This oil is stored in a glass storage vessel, then upon purchase, dispensed into unbreakable recycleable plastic bottles with a convenient flip tab top.

2011-02-01T08:24:00.000-08:00

What was I thinking...

what could be easier than making a butterfly?

I was immediately drawn to "the Butterfly Project" for so many reasons, the first being the mention of losing a million and a half kids... to what (?!) my mind flew... and as I clicked further and further into the subject, the deeper and deeper I was drawn.

What should have been a brief arts and crafts project done in justified haste to show my support for a worthy cause, has turned into hours spent on survivor websites, history websites, newspapers surrounded by death, horror, and shock.

I too am captured just as the Jews, caught in the horror. There are thousands of websites now that have tons of information, stories and poems written by those who died, and by survivors. It is heart wrenching to read especially from the children.

I probably could spend an enormous amount of time pursuing this but as I got into the stories, I found I was feeling very very sad for this event that happened so long ago, and had it on my mind a lot.

So I am calling an end to my project with my 4 butterfly boys. I am not happy with the way they turned out. I am not happy with the holocaust, and I think it shows in the work. It's impossible to try to bring any happiness to this subject, and if I had the resources and the time I would probably depict on a huge canvas a million and a half children with angelic wings glowing in their freedom in the afterlife soaring heavenward.

I chose children who were liberated by the allies caught in the happy moment of being set free to be the center of the collage, hoping to focus on some good, but honestly there was no good to be had even for most of these children. They were orphaned one and all as their parents and weaker brothers and sisters were starved, gassed en mass, mutilated and tortured. The only reason the children were allowed to live was because they were strong enough to be used as manual labor the bury the bodies.

Those who were liberated oftentimes met untimely deaths or became beggars or met some other unhappy fate, and those with seemingly happy endings were haunted their whole lives..."I feel a tremendous guilt … why did I survive?"

We're so lucky, my generation, the baby boomers and younger in this country. And the butterfly project really drives it home. By an accident of birth, through nothing they did, those people were robbed stripped tortured annihilated, and we have drive thrus.

It is a project for the strong of heart, but what an impact it will make at it's completion. Cruise on over, check it out and make a butterfly because no matter who you are, in what ever circumstance you are in you are so fortunate so lucky to not have been there.

Three Sisters, three layers of unfathomably rich sweet orange fragrance oils.

2011-01-14T17:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just have to GO for it, and my own personal opinion is that a really nice strong fragrant soap is just a joy. I enjoy mine for millions of sniffs before I even let them hit the water. I knew I would be safe with an orange or two...

Well, three separate scents in three separate layers to be precise.
1.)The fresh aroma blend of Sicilian orange, lemongrass, lemon slices, jasmine, green tea, and Tahitian vanilla.
2.)An incorporation of sweet, juicy mandarin oranges, muguet lily, fresh greenery notes, and a touch of amber to orange blossom petals to create this beautiful fragrance arrangement, well rounded.
3.)Top notes of white lily, jasmine, and rose; followed by middle notes of citrus, violet, and pepper; sitting on base notes of patchouli, sandalwood, and white musk.

It is ambrosia in a bar, and it is a stunner with layers of brown, pure creamy white and blush (yes blush) pink.
Perfect for the person who loves food scents and especially nice this time of year, unbelievably spunky and fresh.

Coconut oil, olive oil, soy oil, canola oil combined with lye and water. All natural and organic, totally handmade from raw ingredients, not a melt and pour bar.

Keep your soap out of standing water. Handmade cold process soap lasts longer, is environmentally friendly, and skin loving. In the cold process soap bar, the naturally occurring glycerin is left intact. It is a natural moisturizer. Never tried? You will love.

These bars are cut at over 5-6 ounces and are uniquely rustic cut, artisan crafted with time in a very small batch. This is a limited edition.

All my soaps are plant based, never lard and I only use high quality scenting oils. I use a bar from each batch for my quality control. Please try to keep your soap completely dry between uses to keep it hard and long-lasting.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParadiseEssentials

Turmerec

2011-01-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

http://pickmeyard.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/a-turmeric-surprise/

Some info I just came accross, http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:
1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Wow. I'm shocked. That's a lot of health benifits for a herb..or is it a spice? I never use it. How do you use it?

Quotes,

I add a pinch to my chicken soup to make it more yellow.

Infuse 1 cup of light olive oil or canola oil with 1 teaspn of turmeric for 1-2 hrs . Brush on corn- on- the- cob instead of butter. My personal favorite is to brush it on paninis and veggies before grilling (or oven roasting), instead of bland oil. The color and curry-like aroma of this infusion gives a unique dimension to food without the curry taste.

When sauteeing onions sprinkle with Turmeric. It adds a nice color, unique flavor and health benefits, too.

Tumeric Dusted Pan Fried Okra; Slice the okra lengthwise, dust with tumeric,pan fry till crisp sprinkle with seasalt ,eat hot if possible; so good!

Moroccan Chickpea Stew

(This turmeric inspiration was found here )

Happy Hour

2011-01-07T08:12:00.000-08:00

Have I ever mentioned that I love velvet

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/44839/50921/sweeping-velvet-shirt.aspx?colorid=051&refLink=search.aspx&Skn=outlet

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,1837P_Kial-Burn-Out-Velvet-Skirt-For-Women.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHERRY-VICTORIAN-ROSE-SILK-WRAP-SCARF-SHAWL-BEADED-FRGS-/150541819218?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230cfddd52

http://beachhouselinens.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/9_559_504

http://deborahmaindesigns.com/shop/product.php?productid=33

Little frozen ice crystal mini chunks on my nose and eyelashes

2011-01-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

Snow in my backyard today...

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand ...
and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.

- Marie Beynon Ray

http://www.davrodigital.co.uk/tutorials/snow-thumbnails/its-snowing.htm

haha you're right... this is not my backyard... but it is the finished result of this photoshop tutorial and the difference in the picture is just amazing.

I use picnik all the time, it is FUN. Photoshop is still a little tedious for me, but with a few tutorials like this, it might become fun too.

Well, regarding the snow in my backyard, it was more like frozen fog. We have had some fog plus some freezing temps, so it's surprising to go out into the little ice crystals floating gently around.

whoo

Look at this...brrr. Glad this is not my house!

Makes me totally want to snuggle down in this:

This appropriately found at the website "Warm Things"

Ah the utter simplicity of it all...

I'll need some linens,

Ralph, my man.

And one of these in the room...

With a cup of this...

and a handfull of my faves...

yup, love em.

Although I don't think they promote much alkalinity now, do you?

http://www.methodsofhealing.com/is-alkaline-diet-the-key-to-great-health-more-energy-healthy-living/

Oh well baby steps I guess.

The thought makes my little imagination happy for the moment!

Hope you are snuggled in somewhere, keeping out of the drafts and the chills that come on suddenly when the sun goes down!

Elegant Life

2010-12-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Pizza Dreams: Dreams you remember upon waking after one has had pizza for dinner the night before. This may be peculiar to my husband only. He has the most fanciful apparitions visit when he eats pizza the night before. He only remembered a bit today, "the doctor said maybe a hypnotist can make him smile again".

I am taken with the phrase "Elegant Life". I don't need pizza dreams, some things just resonate with me.

Resonate:World English Dictionary

resonate (ˈrɛzəˌneɪt)
— vb (often foll by with ) (foll by with )
1. to resound or cause to resound; reverberate
2. (of a mechanical system, electrical circuit, chemical compound, etc) to exhibit or cause to exhibit resonance
3. to be understood or receive a sympathetic response: themes which will resonate with voters
4. to be filled with: simple words that seem to resonate with mystery and beauty
[C19: from Latin resonāre ]

That seems like a great theme for the new year, elegant life.

Something to strive for. Not in furnishings and possessions, but in the quality of the whole scheme of things.

elegant: tasteful, graceful, superior, concise simple succinct, carefully chosen.

Here is something worth pondering from: Computing Dictionary

elegant definition (From Mathematics) Combining simplicity, power, and a certain ineffable grace of design. Higher praise than "clever", "winning" or even cuspy.

The French aviator, adventurer, and author Antoine de Saint-Exup'ery, probably best known for his classic children's book "The Little Prince", was also an aircraft designer. He gave us perhaps the best definition of engineering elegance when he said "A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

That makes perfect sense. Time to start afresh.

I hate to clean, there is so much else to do.

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Shelter/Organizing-Cleaning/The-I-Hate-to-Clean-Solution.html

Suggests using a timer for 15 minutes in each room;
http://hubpages.com/hub/Love-a-Clean-House-but-HATE-to-Clean-FlyLady-Can-Help

I love this guy; "[Stuff] robs people of so much," he says. "If your house is full of stuff, all the blessings that could fill your house can't get in. The stuff takes over. It robs you psychologically. You can't be at peace." Peter Walsh: http://www.oprah.com/home/Conquering-Clutter

Peter tells people if they haven't used it in 12 months, it needs to go. That includes the dingy sweatpants Janet's been hanging onto since high school. "If it doesn't fit the vision you have for your space, it's got to go," Peter says.

If it doesn't fit the vision, it's got to go.

I can envision a much better work space and living space, but can I get tough enough on myself to let go of stuff?

Interesting rabbit trail: http://hubpages.com/hub/Wormwood_What_the_Bible_says_about_it_is_amazing

Besties sent to you elegantly of course, xoxo

The Day After..

2010-12-26T08:40:00.000-08:00

I love the day after Christmas. Not as much as the day of, it's true, but the day after is very special too. It is the day of new beginnings in my mind. I have learned over the years to find meaning in the holiday by keeping the birth of the Savior as the main focus of the day in my mind and heart. It is a meaningless disappointing holiday other wise. I love giving gifts, it's true, but I could transfer that need to the birthday arena, easily. I know the kids love the legend of Santa Clause and all the fun stories that go along, and I can play along to a certain degree. But the magic of a fat jolly man dropping down my chimney pales to the magic of the nativity story.

Angels, bright shiny stars, prophecy, babies, stables, straw, shepherds in fields, realms of angels, glorious singing, wise men, camels, gifts to the Christ child of wonderfully smelly valuable items, that is where I find the meaning especially the birth of the Baby.

The birth is the beginning of a new era for mankind. Jesus introduced new thought new methods for living life differently that all people have embraced. A break from the ritual of the day, to embrace a relationship with God the Father. Treating people women and children included with equality and respect. A shift from the body to the mind and the spirit.

I can only imagine the day after for Mary the mother. Holding her son, finally all the anticipation and anxiety of the journey to travel to Bethlehem for the census is over, and she is gazing with wonder into her newborn babies eyes.

New life, I remember so well, that moment, with my own children and the birth of my grand babies. Looking back now, I would have done anything to savor those moments again. Time is a cheat...how fast we travel through but we think it will last forever. And so I begin again, the new life, the day after. The celebration is over and it is time to pack it all away and start the new year asking God to guide and direct us as He guided and directed the 3 wise men with the star above the manger.

May my road lead to the baby in the manger, show me the right road Lord, let me see the light of the star.

Wishing you God's richest blessings...

Dear Santa...WHAT HAPPENED!!

2010-12-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

I just happened upon this blog post and wanted to share;

"My open letter to Santa Claus

Dear Santa,
First, may I call you St. Nicholas? I'm much more comfortable with that name.
So St. Nicholas, now that the holidays are over I'm writing to tell you that I'm very concerned. I mean, what happened? For hundreds of years you were this beloved saint, a bishop who loved children and saved three sisters from a life of prostitution. You supposedly punched out a heretic at the Council of Nicea and then proclaimed the Truth. You were cool before cool was a word.

But now you're seen as just being a fat guy in some silly red suit. Sure, people think of you as jolly and an all around good guy, but you've been stripped of all your coolness and left as little more than a large elf who gives overindulged kids whatever they want for Christmas...

.....PLEASE go finish, this is a great post.
http://learningtobeanewlywed.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-open-letter-to-santa-claus.html

It has been an incredibly busy holiday season and I still have much to do. We are celebrating "on the cheap" this year, first there is no extra money to spend and second, my kids are grown and buy stuff as they need it. We did get the grandkids bright and shiny new toys because they are God's gift to us and we like to spoil them. But everybody else is getting handmade.

The gandkids are at the Santa age and I have mixed feelings about the whole Santa legend. It is a lot of fun, so true, fun little songs, concerns from them that Santa will burn his behind so we can't have a fire on Christmas eve...etc etc. My husband and daughter morph into stone faced liars as they perpetuate the myth, I squeem as I look at the impersonators dressed in red, waiting to take the kids adorable handwritten lists...as one lonely reindeer looks on. You know, I'm just not sold on this whole thing.

When I was a young mother we went to church. Now there is a reason for the season.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Here is a very nice compilation http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2010/12/6-part-harmony.html pretty easy to understand, useful for a family sharing time. And some substance for the holidays.

Turning holiday into Holy Day...

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But Mary was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

Well, my best to you, I hope you are in the middle of a very meaningful merry holy holiday!

The best gifts of all around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family wrapped up around each other.

Bright Christmas Greetings!

2010-12-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens;

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;

Brown paper packages tied up with strings;

These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels;

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles;

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings;

These are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes;

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes;

Silver-white winters that melt into springs;

These are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites,

When the bee stings,

When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things,

And then I don't feel so bad.

Confession: I have a lot of Christmas stuff. Ok, I should say I have a LOT of Christmas stuff. Some of it is old, some of it is toddler shiny plastic, some of it has precious memories, some of it is for making precious memories. There is nothing like those last moments before going to bed at night with the fire glowing warmly and the house dark except for the Christmas lights. It is the time for peace, and it's so easy to settle my busy brain down and just wrap that Christmas joy around me like a blanket.

Wishing you warm Christmas joy and the peace that comes from the light of the world!

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God. Luke 1:35

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:9-12

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. ” Micah 5:2

(6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. Isaiah 9:6-7

And if you were around back then, here's a little treat!

haha, can you believe we were ever that young?

Advent

2010-12-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Starting the Christmas countdown...What a cute idea to recycle some stuff into an advent tree!

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/crafts/make-matchbox-advent-box/

By the looks of how they ordered the numbers on the drawers, the creator had already had one too many cups of Christmas cheer...

but still cute. The matchboxes are big enough that you could hide a real little treat in there. I especially like the idea of the hershey kisses...wink.

and this one...

http://store.metmuseum.org/advent-calendars/wiener-werkstatte-advent-calendar/invt/80007341/

I love this pop out tree advent calendar, it is a reproduction from the early 1900's.

http://store.metmuseum.org/advent-calendars/choirs-of-angels-advent-calendar/invt/14016869/

This one looks really nice too, a little more grown up.

http://store.metmuseum.org/holiday-cards/pop-up-metropolitan-museum-of-art-christmas-tree-angel-holiday-cards/invt/80006805/

So what is Advent?

Ad·vent noun \ˈad-ˌvent,

Definition of ADVENT
1: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting
2a : the coming of Christ at the Incarnation b : second coming
3not capitalized : a coming into being or use
Origin of ADVENT
Middle English, from Medieval Latin adventus, from Latin, arrival, from advenire
First Known Use: 12th century

http://store.metmuseum.org/watches/french-evening-watch/invt/09028127/

Advent is the 4 week period before Christmas when the Church celebrates the first coming of Christ and anticipates his second coming. An advent calendar is more than a way of marking the days until Christmas,

take a look at this one!

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/FRIDGE1.HTM

This one is a 'Jesse tree'.

"The Jesse tree is a symbol of Jesus' family tree.It also takes us through that first long Advent which lasted from the Fall to the Incarnation." She has included printables for all 4 weeks so you can make your own tree. The one below is the first week.

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/JESSE1.HTM

What an awesome tradition to bring life and deeper meaning into this holiday season.

There is so much fluff and falderah that comes eagerly and willingly in my Christmas plans, decorating, cookie making, gift buying, Christmas books and tv, toys and games...I just love this season. I was really happy to find this page with crafts and activities for the kids that give a spiritual reason why we celebrate so here's the link..

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/pages.dir/fridge.htm#FRIDGE1.HTM

Lots of fun stuff to pick and choose from. There's even candy recipes. hehe.

Of course I notice the candy recipes...

http://thechest.co.uk/products-page/christmas-decorations-baubles/page/1/

and...yes... in case you're wondering, these fat rolly polly guys are the spitting image of my fine self!

So as we begin this advent season this is what I want to share with you.

(meditation:)

First Week of Advent

"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake!...You do not know when the Master of the house is coming.'" Mark. 13:33 First Sunday of Advent

O Jesus, your voice sounds through the house of my world: Be on your guard! Stay awake!

Yet I hardly hear you. Busy with so much, I go about the things I do like a servant trapped in household routine, hardly giving a thought to what my life is about. My spirit within has grown tired and you, my God, seem far away. How can I hear your voice today?

Speak to my heart during this season of grace, as you spoke to your prophets and saints. Remind me again of the journey you call me to make and the work you would have me do. I am your servant, O Lord. Speak to me in this holy season and turn my eyes to watch for your coming.

O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ,
desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell among us.

find the other 3 weeks here: http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/admedit.html

And I know if you merely read this recipe, you can just about smell it coming out of the oven.

Buttermilk Gingerbread
•1 cup all-purpose flour, sift before measuring

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 egg, lightly beaten
5 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 cup dark molasses
1/2 cup buttermilk (or use 1/2 cup regular milk soured with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice)
1/4 cup melted butter or shortening
Sift together the flour, salt, soda, and spices. In a mixing bowl, combine beaten egg, sugar, molasses, buttermilk, and melted butter. Add sifted dry ingredients gradually; stirring to blend. Beat until smooth. Turn batter into a greased and floured 8-inch or 9-inch square pan and bake at 350° for about 30 minutes.

http://www.kitchenlink.com/cookbooks/1999/0609602837_2.html

So here's wishing you seasons greetings, happiness and true joy beyond what you can even imagine, God's gift to His people!

PS please leave a comment and a link with your favorite advent activities!

Happy Cyber Monday

2010-11-29T06:24:00.000-08:00

Perfect for baskets or stockings plus+++Save an extra 10% with the coupon code listed in my shop anouncement!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63168470/issey-miyake-paris

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63058053/cookie-dough-scented-handmade-soap-hot

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57757587/victorian-christmas

Black Friday

2010-11-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Day After! and for your consideration, a handy little prewrapped gift for a special man in your life.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63001017/roanoke-rapids-with-giftwrap

Presenting beautiful white bars of soap flecked with blue and bright white. Cut ruggedly square, each weighing 5 to 6 ounces.

"Roanoke Rapids is the perfect men's fragrance. Roanoke Rapids is a crisp, watery fragrance that is surprisingly also adored by women. Brisk and fresh, but casual enough not to overwhelm the senses. An invigorating accord of citrus and herbal notes of bergamot, coriander, rosemary, & sage. A lingering dry down adds woody notes and the crisp ozone of air."

In honor of Black Friday on Etsy...

Black Friday Free Shipping plus save when you Choose 5 Bars for Twenty dollars
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63025246/black-friday-free-shipping-plus-save?ref=v1_other_1

The perfect element to include in a gift basket, or to get for yourself.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57516832/midnight-in-london-perfume

This perfume oil blend is complicated and sophisticated. A night out on the town. Dinner, theater, drinks, clubbing. the city is strung with lights and life.

Top notes of exotic white tea leaves with a sparkling accord of mulberry, fragrant mimosa, and plum wine. Sophisticated notes of Peony and rare white flowers blend into a floral bouquet with violet, lotus, rose, & waterlilly, grounded by a slightly powdery white musk base.

Wishing you a very happy start to your holidays, may they be merry and bright!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-20T19:42:00.000-08:00

The time whisks on by,

http://www.sheknows.com/holidays-and-seasons/articles/1706/5-thanksgiving-time-savers-every-cook-should-know

just w h o o s h e s doesn't it.

I am going to use lots of recipes from Food Network this year, specifically here. I don't think I can copy and paste any better than you just taking a hop over and they're all my favorites! "Clair's Thanksgiving" has some great stuff that I'm going to try.

I will not be posting before turkey day, so I am wishing you lots of gobble gobbles, a huge Thanksgiving hug and blessings from above.

Hohoho

2010-11-14T22:05:00.000-08:00

Weekends are always SUPER busy around here. They are blinks. I go to sleep on Friday night, and Sunday night rolls around in the blink of an eye. Where did the time go? That happens more and more often it seems. Blink (rhymes with jinx) and it will be Friday again and you will find me scratching my head, just-a wonderin...where did the week go.

Well here's something that I can't believe I'm doing... thinking about Christmas, and looking at all the lovelies that are out there. Wouldn't you just love a table or two staged with a few of these items?

Yes, I do find them somewhat inspiring, as in 'I could make that kind' of inspiring. Just look at the precious little deer above, and the wreath accent on the door.

and this little guy looks just like a goat!! Maybe there is such a thing as a Christmas goat, I admit I haven't heard of the like, but I do lead a cloistered life.

And this goofy reindeer really got my attention, I just love this little guy.

all these little pretties are found at World Market.

I just love pepperment bark. It is the perfect finishing touch after a big holiday meal.

This is the recipe I am going to try:

1 pound white chocolate chips

1/2 cup peppermint candy, finely crushed

Preheat oven to 250. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Spray foil. Pour the chocolate chips and crunched pepperment candy 'sugar' in an even layer on the foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until almost melted. Remove from oven, smooth with an offset spatula or knife. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 20 minutes.

SERIOUSLY simple! I love white chocolate and pepperment, no dark chocolate in this one.

Wishing you lots of sweetness this week!

PS, here's a little sweetness you may have over looked on etsy...

Who knew such things even existed?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61952524/juliana-pink-easter-egg-brooch-and

plus,

a listing of my own... http://www.etsy.com/listing/61952976/tombstone

Get Happy!

2010-11-09T20:09:00.000-08:00

Oh my, this picture just makes me happy from the top of my head down to my toes. (sharing the love)

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHABBY-RAINDROP-GLASS-SATIN-MERCURY-CHIC-CANDLE-HOLDER-/360313872069?pt=Candle_Holders_Accessories&hash=item53e4615ec5

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHABBY-COTTAGE-CHIC-WHITE-VINTAGE-CHARM-RUFFLES-PILLOW-/360317587855?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e49a118f

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHABBY-WHITE-COTTAGE-CHIC-RUFFLED-VINTAGE-CHARM-PILLOW-/360318142346?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e4a2878a

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHABBY-MOTHER-PEARL-BUTTON-CHIC-CHARMS-JEWELRY-BOX-/360318054060?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e4a12eac

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHABBY-FRENCH-COTTAGE-CHIC-BLACK-TOILE-ROSE-QUEEN-QUILT-/360317571532?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e499d1cc

Wow, huh. Here's the front door to her shop: http://stores.ebay.com/Summers-Cottage
Yeah, Ebay.

Gratitude

2010-11-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

From wiki:

"According to Cicero, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.” Multiple studies have shown the correlation between gratitude and increased wellbeing not only for the individual but for all people involved. The positive psychology movement has embraced these studies and in an effort to increase overall wellbeing, has begun to make an effort to incorporate exercises to increase gratitude into the movement. Although in the past gratitude has been neglected by psychology, in recent years much progress has been made in studying gratitude and its positive effects."

I am going to try to be grateful this month. Am I usually? No. Not purposefully mindful of my blessings in idle moments, I am always thinking of what I should be doing... being angry, or some other emotion, or in the middle of a huge project. Seriously, never practicing random moments of Gratitude. If I am praying, I can be thankful to God from whom all blessings flow but then it is gone in the wind.

Now my husband, on the other hand, he tells me at least 10 times a day on the weekends when we are with the grandkids, "we're so lucky". I have to stop and smell the roses then, because we really are just so lucky. I admit it, I am a lucky girl.

So I will share my thoughts this month on gratitude, and I really am going to try to practice that attitude without the gentle prodding from my dear husband, we really do have so much to be thankful for.

November blessings sent your way!

apre Halloween....

2010-11-05T17:15:00.000-07:00

Wow how fast did the month of October just seem to evaporate in the mist... and here we are almost to the end of the first week in November. I have a bad feeling about the holidays this year...it will be February before I know what hit me!

We had plenty of trick-or-treaters this year including those of the over 50 age group! haha. Family was here for the revelry and we really had a lot of laughs and a lot of creativity running amok along with just some general run amokness.

I had way to much candy, the baby only likes the mandm's and skittles.

And there was a lot of candy in that bag that walked back in the door as the grownup chaperones were having way too much fun as they were 'leafing' each house.

It was a great year for kids to knock. Lots of little sweeties!

2010-10-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

Lately, for my craft fix, I've been creating fabric brooches.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58397935/felt-brooch-with-vintage-button

I guess this makes it official,

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58399715/gloriously-fall-vintage-button-felt?ref=v1_other_1

I formally declare it's time to get out the winter coats

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58464632/vintage-button-and-felt-brooch?ref=v1_other_1

Hats

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58760442/vintage-button-and-felt-brooch?ref=v1_other_1

and scarfs.

If you are interested in techniches here's a cornucopic website!

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/08/make-fabric-flower-and-flower-tutorial.html

On the rabbit trail today,

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/crafts/halloween-papier-mache-cat/

the hook of all hooks ...

for halloween decorations for me, is papier mache and as a public service (wink) I am sharing my unbelievable luck at finding this website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f84FvxLHCnk&feature=related

I think Halloween is so popular because it is a way to vent some uncomfortable feelings in a way that is comfortable. It takes scary stuff and makes it a cartoon or a fantasy for an evening.

I have a whole lot more trouble understanding the truth sometimes, for example in my devotions this am:

Acts:5 ⁵Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ^[a]there. ⁶When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. ⁷With shrieks, evil^[b] spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. ⁸So there was great joy in that city.

If I was in that crowd, and heard the many shrieks due to evil spirits leaving bodies and seeing the crippled and the paralyzed walking around dancing and jumping for joy, I think I would be a bit amazed. And I think that should be a costume ...some guy in loose flappy bandages with his crutch lifted high dancing in the street.

And then the tale of Simon the Sorcerer, a guy who just didn't have it quite right...

⁹Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, ¹⁰and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." ¹¹They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.

I tend to be human and do the same thing...follow something because I think it's neat. I probably would have been tricked too by the magic of this sorcerer and his convincing speech on his greatness.

¹²But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Ah, big, obvious difference here I think, of the genuine power of God, and the phony power of the devil... the words are so telling. It says that Simon the sorcerer himself was astonished by the great signs and miracles he witnessed, so much so that he got baptized with the rest of them.

14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now there is something worthy to celebrate the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." ooooo... not good. The Holy Spirit was gifted to mankind at the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a gift that you have to believe and receive. There is no way that a person can purchase this gift. And I find that that is the way with the devil. There is always a price, a very costly price and with Jesus the price has been paid by his death and resurrection.

20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." Again, a very telling clue is here for us as to the attitude of the human heart... The Apostle peter said,"Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord" here is what happens next:

24Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." Oh that poor guy. He was so lost in his own self centeredness and need to perform for people to impress them and be the big Kahuna, he missed it again! How often are we like that, we completely miss the point. Peter says, repent and pray to the Lord, and Simon the Magician says..pray for me, he doesn't say OK I'll pray, he says to them -you do the praying.

Peter says he was full of bitterness and captive to sin. That tends to blind a person to the truth. May we walk with the Lord, freed from our bitterness and set free from the bondage that we enslave our selves in, only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

May all your spiritual pursuits this season be seasoned with the Love of God, no matter if you do eat the candy that you got for the trick or treaters or not! Go with God.

Pumpkin! The Season's Trappings....

2010-10-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins are a very rewarding vegetable for me to grow, as they are almost impervious to any pest in my backyard...once the seed has sprouted, it quickly becomes 30 feet of nonstop vigorous green until one day the glorious blossoms appear. Then the wildlife begins.

All summer the bees are drawn.

They are enamoured with those huge intensely pumpkin yellow blossoms and travel blossom to blossom all over my garden.

Bees of all shapes and sizes.

Huge black ones, tiny little ones and substantial furry honey bees all living together peacefully hovering about 8 inches following the path of the vines.

Watching the pumpkin change from deep blackish green to orange is an appreciable thing as well.

Delicious colors and textures forming to make the beauty of the fruit.

We planted sugar babies this year they are just big enough for about 3 cups of pumpkin puree, and I think they are just about perfect.

But...why all this waxing poetic about the pumpkin?

Yup you guessed it...Muffins!

This recipe is so simple I had to post it,

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.

2.In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves until smooth. Spoon equal amounts of batter into the prepared muffin cups.
3.Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean.

Find it here

But here is the recipe I made last night. It turned out very well and I used fresh pumpkin. Here's how I did it. I microwaved the pumpkin for 3 minutes just as it grew out of the garden stem and all. Then I took the pumpkin and poked a few knife holes in it, I was afraid it would explode, then I microwaved it for three more minutes. Then I cut the stem off. (It is a beauty, and I want to try to use it in a prim stuffed pumpkin project I have in mind). I returned it to the microwave and blasted it for three more minutes.

Then I took it and quartered it and removed the seeds and pulp (I used rubber gloves because it is rather hot by now) and put it in the micro again for the last 5 minutes covered -to steam a little. Then it was ready to peel (so easy to peel now, the peel is a hard shell that flakes off rather than peels off)

Fresh pumpkin is really fibrous so I food processed the pumpkin with the eggs sugar and oil in the recipe and it turned into the most amazing custard like stuff that you can eat with a spoon... the cook has some privileges you know... and then I could mix the batter by hand.

The end result was worth the effort for sure!

Ah, the finer things in life!

From wiki regarding pumpkins and Halloween:

Development of artifacts and symbols associated with Halloween formed over time encompassing customs of medieval holy days as well as contemporary cultures. The souling practice of commemorating the souls in purgatory with candle lanterns carved from turnips, became adapted into the making of jack-o'-lanterns. In traditional Celtic Halloween festivals, large turnips were hollowed out, carved with faces and placed in windows to ward off evil spirits.

The carving of pumpkins is associated with Halloween in North America where pumpkins are both readily available and much larger – making them easier to carve than turnips. (laughing..says who?) Many families that celebrate Halloween carve a pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their doorstep after dark. The American tradition of carving pumpkins preceded the Great Famine period of Irish immigration and was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming specifically associated with Halloween until the mid-to-late 19th century.

So there ya have it! When you see folks with pumpkins on their porches be thankful that we are still not in the times where we compuslively carved our root vegetables so as to ward off evil spirits that wished to inhabit our bodies for the year!

I'd rather be baking pumpkin bread...

Or eating...

pumpkin sloppy joes

(one to try)

Blessings!

Precious Autumn Sunshine

2010-10-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

I am always amazed at the stuff I don't know, like for instance who was Nathaniel Hawthorne? Wow, who knew. Interesting that he changed his name to distance himself from his judge relative John Hathorne (note spelling) connected to the Salem Witch trials.

Here's the year, 1692 1693 and of course I am intrigued. here's a great article. You know who else was accused in the witch trials? Captain John Alden of original Mayflower fame. Wow, again I am amazed at the stuff I don't know.

I always keep away from the demonic if I can possibly help it. I do believe in the world unseen. And there are powers and principalities. Thankfully I know that the Bible is my final word to any moral question I might have.

I Thessalonians 5:21, 22 ²¹Test everything. Hold on to the good. ²²Avoid every kind of evil. Some translations say FLEE from evil. I think that's easy when I consider the occultic practice of casting a spell, I would flee the scene, but what about the occultic practice of reading my daily horoscope? Is it just curiosity or a major belief system? Any thing that takes me away from my relationship from God is 'sin'. That is my main job, to draw closer to God on a daily basis.

"Sin?" you say. Yup, here's an amazing article. I say amazing, it is concise and Bible based, a quick read.

What a rabbit trail today! The quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne is such a wonderful reminder for us to practice being mindful of all the wonderful moments that we have each and every day, it really struck a chord in my soul. I LOVE autumn sunshine, it is full of shadows. It is a transition time between life and death here in my yard. It starts with a sprinkle of a few brown leaves... a quick glance up to the still green trees and clear blue cloud dotted sky. If I'm not careful...time will cheat me and before I know it I will be shuffling through the leaf carpet!

May we take purposeful moments today and let autumn cover us and envelope us.

Perfect treasures for this season:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58399715/gloriously-fall-vintage-button-felt

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58397935/felt-brooch-with-vintage-button

And a shameless plug for my soap shop...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58248166/the-ugs-handmade-soap-seconds

Stop by won't you? Super deal on really lovely items!

Autumn Colors

2010-10-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

I love the fact that I live in a part or Oregon where we have different season changes. I relish the fall and all it's glorious colors.

The grapes are just starting to fully ripen. We have 2 old vines in the back, one is a green table grape that makes these mini little ampules of intensely flavored sweet seedless grape. We don't get a bountiful harvest from these, but it's a treat to taste a natural unimproved USA grape, instead of an import as they all are in the supermarket.

Plus a glorious red that has seeds in it. Jelly-o-rama on a good year, but this year it got dug up and put in a pot because it was planted where the greenhouse is. It will produce for us next year.

October is the month of endings and beginnings here, the nights start to get colder and one by one the veges wilt their way down to become worm food.

There are two major historical events to investigate surrounding the date of October 31st. The Church's holiday, the start of the Reformation Movement, the nailing of the theses

And the pagan's holiday, Samhain, which is the basis for Halloween as we know it.

I always have a great curiosity about these two topics at this time of year, it amazes me at how many of the ritual aspects of Samhain we have adopted in mainstream life as we decorate and flip through magazines and 'craftify' this ancient religious practice of the druids. And conversely, I am amazed at the culture and religious practices of the 16th century, the superstitions and rituals that the nailing of the 95 thesis on the church door exposed.

I love to start the decorating at this time of year.

The gold brown red orange black of October and November.

I love the strength in those colors, to chase away the gloomy onset of gray and cloudy days to come.

Find me, always, wishing you a blessing from above!

Isaiah 26:4Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Delighful Summer's End

2010-10-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

Wow am I excited... I got a rave review on my soap at: http://mommyminded.blogspot.com/2010/10/paradise-essentials-review.html

She says: I was so lucky to be able to try some of the handmade soaps and I have to say that I was SO SURPRISED at how much they lather up. This is a big deal to me. I want to "see" the soap on me while I wash up. If I don't look like I bathed in cool whip, I don't like it.

The Paradise Essentials not only lathers great, but smells great too. The scents are very strong in the shower and make the house smell great :) I like that it doesn't leave an over powering smell on me after I dry off but I can still smell hints of it through out the day!

Again, wow. it is a very nice review and she featured lots of my products. YAY. Take a quick jog over there http://mommyminded.blogspot.com/2010/10/paradise-essentials-review.html she has some great cleaning tips and hints on there as well.

Well what's new in your world? I have been busy and sick. Great, hey!

Summer has ended in Oregon with a long slow exhale.

Still finding gifts in the garden...

And saying goodbye to others...

As a slight degree or two has chosen the first to begin the long winters sleep.

My greenhouse project is progressing nicely...

The sun's rotation out of summer into fall is casting different shadows now

And you might notice a visable peeking of the green!!!

And if you guessed these are my little seedlings, sproutlings, you would be right! Not the ones below...

Plus I got some nursery 6 packs and seperated them into pots, they are coming along nicely

and are big enough to start making a salad with.

Mean while, the most of the garden has plenty of life in it for me the bugs and the chickens,

Except for a few vines who have felt the first of the temperature dips.

And a few old chums are just hanging in there for the grandbabies artistic creations.

the hens keep guard over their domain, and give out hearty cackles when ever a human enters their radar. They have come to expect fresh buggy greens and overripe squash.

The wicked old witch

http://www.etsy.com/shop/essentialthings

and

http://www.etsy.com/shop/essentialthings

her

http://www.etsy.com/shop/essentialthings

minions....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/essentialthings

can be heard cackling with glee as well.

I do have one thought as we part for now...

buahhaha...

I'm first...

2010-09-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Holy Gorgonzola, Mario, do I have monster of a cold.

http://www.parenting-blog.net/health/school-germ-alert/

It all started with my grand baby getting dropped off on a school day because he had a temperature. Kids seem to just breeze through these things, but us old people...my chest feels it like has ground glass in it, I have been using flannel sweat pants (they are so soft) to blow my nose into because it is so red and tender, my head is pounding with or without Advil, and yes, I do look stupid with my mouth hanging open all the time because I can't breath through my nose.

In case you were wondering, yes this IS me... the mustache? It happens!

http://www.jasondunn.com/date/2007/06

You may be saying..."tree hugger, take some medicine". Well, well wisher... I did compromise my earth mother standards and took some pills. NO WORKEE. Poor me, in pain, stuffy, and dosed up.

http://auntpollysporch.blogspot.com/

We have gummy vit C for the grand babies and provides some immediate temporary relief for me too...massive amounts of tea and honey have been wonderful nurses. Instant but temporary.

Here's a really good article to prevent the onslaught...(great, I find it now). But I am sharing it, totally wonderful ideas to help keep the wolves at bay.
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/preventing-cold-and-flu-how-doctors-keep-germs-at-bay
Bottom line:Prevention is the key. Our experts all say a flu shot is essential and they advise staying in the best possible health year-round. “Do the basics -- eat right, sleep right, exercise, and wash your hands,” Richter says. “I work in a pretty high-risk profession, and I rarely get sick because I do those things.”

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Annodomini/THEME_11/EN/theme11-3-zoom.html

There sure are millions of exotic herbs online to experiment with, but I am sick now! I find it hard to focus, I really don't want to drive. I have some lovely plain black tea, and some homegrown honey, it still has the wax particles in the honey, they float on top of the tea....and I have Cinnamon on hand.

Hubby is sick too... I expect grand baby number 2 will walk in today with the same misery. I'll covet your prayers!

Just a quick post,

2010-09-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Stoppin in today just to say hello, and share the latest...

my therapy. I keep a pile of these started in various stages by my computer.

All of these are stamped -cut -stuck on and lined with paper for a deployed soldier to use to write home on.

So nice for those moments ...if I'm overwhelmed, over stimulated, upset, mad... you know those moments when you just have to get your hands busy and your mind off of it.

These are almost ready to go, I need to write a couple of anyhero letters, letters of encouragement to someone I don't know who is in unfortunate circumstances and away from home.

Here's where to go to start your own therapy...

http://operationwritehome.org/

Lovely Fall Interlude

2010-09-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

I really love this little interlude we are having of fall-like weather.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/34470213/vintage-button-necklace

I know it's an interlude, because I still have green leaves swingin in the wind on my trees. Nary a one has turned brown and drifted to the ground to herald the onset of the true fall. But our temperatures have dropped some and you can do yard work with out the desire to melt on the spot.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/34457008/vintage-button-necklace

And not only the trees, the squash is still throwing blossoms out to the bees and we have had fruits of the vine for dinner tonight. Fall, crisply will tell the squash to wilt. And they will, like frozen spinach.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/34458938/vintage-button-necklace

But as in spring a young man's heart turns to love, in the time of Autumn my heart turns to buttons! I really don't need much of an excuse to turn to buttons because for some strange reason buttons give me joy. I can spend far too much time on Ebay and be very content to browse. Yes, now I am in the browsing stage. I have spent lots and lots of money on these architectural, historical wonders of collecting, and I really don't buy for the trill of the kill any more. And the collections that are truly tempting are way out of my price range. The price of our obsessions! Truly great when it comes to buttons.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/34478170/vintage-button-necklace

So I got some listed today, brought the old dames out of hibernation, because I love this stuff in the fall. It's like comfort food... only it's comfort jewelry. Somehow it says I have been here a long long time, I've been useful and now I am useful and beautiful.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57005266/coat-pin-hat-pin

I really LOVE the pins I see on Etsy made from felt and buttons. I am so fascinated with the techniques that they employ to make them. So simple. I made my own techniques for these and incorporated some vintage ribbon and faux petals in the design.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57004135/hat-pin-coat-pin-scarf-pin-felt-pin?ref=v1_other_2

This one is a favorite of mine, I had sewn an acorn by the stem on this one and added all the faldera and fluff, the beads the butterfly and the frog for a nice organic feel but the acorn was not cooperating and was standing on end by the stem. So I busted it off, and was left with a really nice focal piece on this one. It looks really nice on.

Any body selling on 1000 markets? Strange turn for them now, selling out to bonanza. Bonanza is the strangest marketplace unless you are an electronic from China. So strange, 1000 Markets was just so beautifully set up. Bummer!

Well find me on Etsy. Still. And I hope your fall will be arriving soon, and I hope you have a long and moderate season. A time of accomplishment before you have to hunker down for the winter months! I have a buddy in Arizona who is in the middle of 105 degrees. Good grief mother nature, chill out a bit!

Happy Fall Y'all

2010-09-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

Peek-a-boo

It's time to say

Happy Fall Y'all

Thank You Paula Deen...

My fall garden

Just at the peak of ripening

with hopes of lengthening

Our supply of fresh veggies!

What do you do with old windows?

Turn them into a green house!

I just love greenhouses.

They are just so warm and moist. Atmospheric!

And now I have one in my backyard!!!

I am just so excited. Years ago we replaced the old funky windows in my house for newer energy efficient ones and have enjoyed winter from the inside out. What a difference the windows made.

I am always amazed at my husband. He can just do anything if it involves a power tool, and he took all this old stuff and made a perfect shangrila for little veges.

The old windows and scrap wood have gotten a new life now and I have it loaded with pots to fill as soon as the little seeds are big enough to transplant. I'm pretty sure Swiss chard, beet greens and romaine lettuce will produce into the fall. I plan on buying some commercial nursery planted winter stuff to get a leg up on the process and insure that I get something to harvest. My little seedlings are microscopic now and this is the first year of trying to extend the growing season for me. I am hoping for the best, but who knows.

May all your little seedlings be blessed and grow until they come to fruition!

The Fall Lineup

2010-09-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

How do you describe a smell? Oh sure, there are many superlatives that I could use...'heavenly' 'delicious' 'delightful' and the list goes on...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51747145/sicilian-fig-artisan-crafted-soap

I used Sicilian Fig in this bar. Inspired by rough craggy landscapes, mountainous brush sheltering verdant green life. "The scent in this bar holds wonderful green notes commingled with exotic floral fruits. Intriguing and exotic, not the usual clean and green but much more complex." I always try to include what the supplier says about their scent. This has little green in it, mostly sweet fruit with No hint of banana...that may sound funny but that bannana scent just makes me gag.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49224456/dragons-blood-handmade-organic-soap

This one just needs a drumroll. SERIOUSLY. It is one gorgeous bar. I used Dragons Blood as this scent. Strange as the name sounds, this is one wonderful scent! Its a deeply scented oil that holds notes of rich vanilla and patchouli, which is then rounded off with extremely light hints of sweet floral notes. There are many formulations of "Dragons Blood", this one is amazingly rich and sweet the patchouli is transformed by combining it with the vanilla and the florals. Trying to mellow out? This scent is famously calming and grounding, inspiring feelings of wellbeing. Rich and velvety sweet.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48814739/bonsai-scented-handmade-soap-hot?ref=v1_other_2

Bonsai scented hot processed soap.

Bonsai, "The very essence of sophistication, this complex fragrance is ultimately unisex. It has a decidedly crisp air about it with its notes of Citrus, Woods and a kiss of Floral making it haunting, relaxing and refreshing all at the same time." That description was from the supplier, I honestly don't smell much of what I think is a floral, it must be in there just to round out the mix. This is refreshingly green, not a drop of cedar or pine. Delish.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56160917/solid-lotion-bar

And I am happy to say I'm bringing back the lotion bar. This little *amazement has a long history with me. It is impossible to find pushup containers that I thought were simple enough and ecconomical enough for me. Yes,there are plenty of containers out there, and I have purchased quite a few that were dissapointing. The twist up containers have too much false bottom. I thought they were misleading, you were buying all packaging and very little product. This container is simply, entirely holding solid lotion from top to bottom sans the cap. I do wonder about the cap, so silly to have all that extra plastic. I need to design the perfect lotion container for them. Simple and recycleable.

And this one is refillable and refills are available.

*Why do I call this my little amazement? It is the ultimate. That's why. It lasts forever, goes on exactly where you want it. Smells like beeswax not perfume. It's not greasy or oily. Just pure protection when you are in action, gardening, painting, potting, crafting. Just apply a very slight layer and fogetaboutit.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49246692/sample-set-4-guest-size-bars

New in the shop is the sampler pack. These are over one ounce bars. How big is that? About half of a deck of cards. Enough for 2 weeks of lather per daily use per bar with a sliver left over to 'glue' to your next bar, the scents are compatible. These are so handy to have on hand. They are the perfect size for those non-occasion moments...thank you's to baby sitters, bank tellers, regular nurses, caregivers, the temporarily stressed out who just need a hug ...but a little note and a little bar of soap will definately change that mood for the better. They are wrapped royally in glassine and stamped with a sweet bird. You have to do nothing except spread the love. This listing is for the girly ones. Coming soon is the cleaner outdoorsy scents I have listed.

Wishing you God's richest blessings, the first would be the knowlege and hope of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the rest will follow with abundance! Happy Fall.

Guess what...

2010-09-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

Chicken butt!

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84907&page=27

Remember saying that when you were a kid? Well I think the saying holds true sometimes if you are pondering whether to do, or not to do.

Sometimes it's just not worth the effort.

I think we do too many things in our lives that we think we ought to do, but in reality it just doesn't matter. Or it does matter but it's a manipulation.

1. It's a power trip.

2. It's someone imposing their will in an underhanded fashion for their own selfish reasons.

3. You might be wrong, and the helpful comment is not really appreciated by the intended person.

4. It will NOT matter in 100 years. Its a genuine mole hill, not the mountain that it's made out to be.

So the answer in that situation... say "guess what? Chicken Butt!" and leave it at that.

If it's meant to be, God will bring it around again. Pray for clean vision and insight into the matter. It might not be a guesswhatchickenbutt after all.

So anyways...what have you been up to?
This is so funny. Be warned...turn your sound down some and watch this video. This guy is one tough cookie!

I've been up to much much and more much! Yard work today, and feeling a little bit stiff and every single second of my age. But...

I love fake candles...

http://www.jenniferadamsdesignblog.com/2009/11/design-tips-electric-candles-are-magic.html

I love candle light for the instant calming mood it creates. Shadows dancing in softened light, they are just so relaxing.

http://www.100candles.com/items/item_8709.htm

But Candles are so messy and sooty. The battery candle above is scented with vanilla, so you get a bit of the aroma of a good candle. That is one thing that a good soy candle will provide...sweet scents.

We had some cool weather here and that always brings me right to my feet,

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55188087/wool-shoes-in-oatmeal?ref=sr_gallery_39&ga_search_query=slippers&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

Or, to be precise, the comfort of my feet.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54424442/cabled-ladies-slippersocks-handknitted

I am of the lucky few that own hand knit socks from a friend. Oh my gosh, mine are so wonderful I seldom wear them. Thank you Michelle. They are wool and have to be hand washed. I am going to get a pair like the ones above in a nice acrylic to wear every day and just use them like crazy. Like wearing a sweater on your feet, soft and cushioned. Pure love. In a month that is...we are still squeezing the last little bit of heat out of summer although we did get some firewood delivered today by log truck. Two cords of trees! un cut! in my driveway now!!! And the chain saw is broken...hehe, always happens.

Well the good news is it is the beginning of September not the middle of the first bout of bad weather.

Wishing you jam slammed moments and comfy feet!

Yoyo do you?

2010-08-26T16:37:00.000-07:00

What do you do with your yoyo's?

(Better Homes and Gardens)

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/07/yoyo-craft.html

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Auntwilma

http://rubyred-design.blogspot.com/2010/04/yo-yo-bracelets-and-pincushions.html

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54427475/handmade-miniature-yoyo-quilt-vintage?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=yoyo&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=6&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

And you know what makes great yoyo's?

http://cgi.ebay.com/45-VINTAGE-COTTON-FEEDSACK-FABRIC-1930-50s-FUN-BONUS-/310244096165?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fun-Vintage-Fabric-Scraps-Feedsack-Textured-Cotton-/360294197919?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

2010-08-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well hello! I can't tell you how busy my life has been.

Ups and downs, around and around.

River

River, did you bring me here, Touch me now, wipe away my fear
I will follow you along the river,There many years carved the way
I am reaching for time that's gone astray, Now I cannot sleep some days
Beyond faded tears I hide, I wish the rain would stay away
River, did you bring me here
Touch me now, wipe away my fear
River, miles and miles to flow, Shake this land, reap where sounds will grow
Now his love journeys on the river, Heart of darkness, endless trail
I am feeling the edge, can I be strong, Now I will believe your song
Beneath diamond skies I dream, Two lonely hearts no more belong
River, did you bring me here, Touch me now, wipe away my fear
River, miles and miles to flow,Shake this land, reap where sounds will grow

and I know I am not the only busy one...

as you are I am so thankful for my life, my business.

I pray to be productive and not to waste time. But I do have my eye candy moments, and I just wanted to share with you...

www.vintageweave.com

How much I love mercury glass.

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Mercury-Glass/Grammercy-Mercury-Glass-Table-Lamp/p/6806?path=1%2C2%2C2166%2C0%2C0&iProductID=6806

As soon as the grandkids grow up I am going to invest in a few pieces.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/diy/diy-idea-mercury-glass-lamps-108875

No way! A do it your self project page!

Could I come close to this...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OKWHT6/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0011E8AD8&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0XJ5PYS4JVAHYAWW5XGK

or this...

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/mercury-pumpkin/

With a can of mirror spray paint?

http://www.trendytree.com/blown-glass-christmas-ornaments/cinderella-christmas-ornament.html

Does Cinderella ride off in a pumpkin?

Wishing you bright and shiny moments each and every day.

Dreaming... slipping away for just a minute

2010-08-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

Just me and Desi in the long long trailer...

Heading for...

....destination unknown. Or,

Known!

.... the beautiful Oregon coast. I miss the ocean and sand and wind and moderate temperatures. Of course I say that because we are in the middle of our summer heat.

But I am talking about a little vacation time, it's nice to get away.

Sometimes it's a brain vacation, you know, you are supposed to be checking your email, but some how you got here...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/

And you find yourself happily distracted with Sesame Street speed to a myriad of topics to take your mind off of...whatever. Click the link above for a mini-minute retreat. So much of interest!

Some times the brain needs a surprise! Click the arrow below...

Suuprise!!!

So cute!! A mini vacation without the passport... found here originally, a wonderful place to check every single day of the week, I love her, she uses every single square inch of her gray matter.

Click here, show some support for those who let us freely take our mini's.

But life beckons, work to do, a day to plan. I hope all your mini vaca's are refreshing and happy!

Jam Packed!

2010-07-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

I wonder, how does life get so packed.

Look at these gift baskets!

http://www.wow-gift-baskets.com/food-gift-baskets-snack-gift-baskets-c-1_19

There's always so much to do...

And when you think you have a handle on it, something else comes up.

I always wonder at how people can be bored. Lately I've been working on my collage,

made 2 batches of soap,

am in the process of cleaning these sweet little ceramic bowls and mermaids

(I dearly love mermaids this summer...am enamored with the vintage bathroom plaster pieces, yes theres some artistic inspiration there...)

and I am happy to say... keeping up on the garden!

Even with our murderous 100 degree days, it is truly gloriously green out there.

The corn is as high as an elephants eye!

We found a monster squash...it was hiding under a leaf.

Only green tomatoes as of the present...anticipation...

Plus I got a call from my old health club who used to carry my soap and jewelry, and they want my stuff back.

Awesome. I love the exposure.

They have done some remodel/rearranging so I need to get my own display unit, she's going to let me put in a bookcase. Yay, that's quite a bit of display area for quite a bit of stuff.

Hope you enjoyed a peek into my world!

May all your busy-ness be of the wonderfully creative kind!

Please watch

2010-07-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Get the bathtowell...this is so awesome.

We're havin a heatwave...

2010-07-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

It is so hot in Oregon, and it is the kind of heat that is 99 degrees at 9 o'clock at night. Plus we are threatened with thunderstorms, and the air is just puffy with stuffy.

What do you do in the heat when your energy is just sapped to the core?

Why .... crave a cupcake of course!

This really wasn't what I had in mind at all, but as I was scoping it out on Google, I came accross this pic. Too cute!

But I think something like this would be a little more tasty!

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2009/01/mixing-bowl-announces-cupcake-recipe.html

Not fancy enough?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52274299/lot-of-12-plastic-kitschy-ballerina?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=cupcake+charms&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

...we can always embelish yours...

On a diet?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/43105081/cupcakes-party-tray-polymer-clay-charms?ref=sr_gallery_17&ga_search_query=cupcake+charms&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=5&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51282573/cupcake-fairy-pendant-altered-art?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=cupcake+charms&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=6&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

There's a few ways to indulge the cupcake cravings...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51901783/pastel-cupcake-soap?ref=sr_gallery_11&ga_search_query=cupcake+soap&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51901811/warm-pumpkin-spice-cupcake-soap?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=cupcake+soap&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51840135/frosted-cupcake-hotpad-e-pattern?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=cupcake+apron&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

And a couple more...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51572636/hostess-apron-strawberries-and-cream?ref=sr_gallery_40&ga_search_query=cupcake+apron&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50240458/flower-cupcake-tags?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=cupcake+hang+tags&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

There now! Don't you feel better... much calmer and cooler.

No? Well then,

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51923343/keep-calm-and-eat-a-cupcake-pink-and?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_search_query=cupcake+charms&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

hugs of butter, and kisses of sugar, Nora ;0)

Beat the heat with dinner out

2010-07-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my patio party!
With the heat, comes thoughts of ways to beat the heat. Dinner out (of the hot house) can be lovely!

My friends at Wilson River Pottery have provided some wonderful pieces of inspiration for a fantastic dinner 'en plein air'. For example, the grand dame above screams crunchie green. The salad bowl to beat all salad bowls. Think... Caesar salad, Chef salad, Cobb salad, Greek salad, any kind of dinner salad,Taco salad, Tuna salad, Waldorf salad,Vegetable salad, I could go on. But you get my drift, anything green and crunchy that goes in a bowl with dressing would be lifted up a notch, showcased in this bowl. (It's definitely on my list.)

How about a recipe fit for a King Louie? or if you are feeling Southwesterny...

Set the table featuring an amazing runner,

http://www.etsy.com/listing/19586566/vintage-1950s-floral-kitchen-tea-towel

... with some perfectly unbreakable Melamine,

sipping this...

The recipe for refreshment

This piece screams versatility.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45803735/rice-bowl-in-textured-autumn

I'm thinking...

or...

But what I was really thinking...

Bobby agrees. One word, yum.

On a table dressed with...

Thank you Jamie Oliver

and

http://www.daphneverley.com/shop/Summer

With a pitcher of

Ice cold Water.

Serve roasted or grilled corn in this amazing creation of theirs or any other grilled vege.

Perfect for anything that come from the grill!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45858386/large-blue-midnight-bowl-2

And here is an amazing array of vegetables and marinade recipe from Giada.

Use this vibrant yellow service

http://www.dinnerwaredepot.com/shop/catalog/handler~event~familySelected~pf_id~4035.htm

and black and white plaid tablecloth to set the scene.

and of course this table would not be complete without...

Pineapple Lemonade Spritzers

...the sound of this just refreshes my socks off.

Mint Lemonade ...using concentrate and fresh mint.

And finally, the perfect pasta bowl. Think chicken, shrimp, beef and pasta salad, or fruit salad or potato salad, this is the perfect pasta bowl.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45862443/blue-midnight-bowl-3

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/02/to-z-pasta-salad.html

or maybe...

or even,

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/10-takes-on-potato-salad

Martha Stewart (the link below the potato salad) has tons and tons of salads using the lowly potato if you need some new ideas, I mean she is Martha Stewart you know.

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=438827&CategoryID=30214

Here's a gorgeous rustic vintage look for our table

And the perfect drink and glass...

http://www.centralchef.com/storefrontprofiles/deluxeSFshop.aspx?sid=1&sfid=123094&c=187921

Filled with my favorite summer beverage, Ice Tea.

Many thanks to Wilson River Pottery for providing the wonderful handcrafted items that were the inspiration and focus of my patio party, and thank you for stopping by!

Leave a link or a comment and let me know what your favorite salad recipe is.

2010-07-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

What ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

It can't be this easy...homade vanilla extract.

10 vanilla beans, split lengthwise

1 liter vodka

Combine, shove split vanilla beans into vodka bottle, seal up again, place in a cool dark place, shake once a week then in 3 weeks you can start using it. I'm amazed. Found here<-- today.

Go here<-- to find links out for mail ordersources and the most beautiful picture of a bottle of vanilla. Worth a quick click over.

2010-07-09T06:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.wga.hu/index.html

"Life is not a path of coincidence, happenstance, and luck, but rather an unexplainable, meticulously charted course for one to touch the lives of others and make a difference in the world."

Barbara Dillingham

Wonderful sentiment.

Have a minute? Feast your eyes on a few really lovely items from Ruche,

http://www.shopruche.com/bracelets-c-5.html

http://www.shopruche.com/victorian-lace-back-cardigan-p-3000.html

http://www.shopruche.com/blowfish-hichi-ankle-boots-in-distressed-black-p-2733.html

The cutest!

And just in case you feel you are too FAT to wear anything in that store, I am linking you over to cake-wrecks for some inspiration... or more probably, a good calorie burn from laughing... a lot... todays wedding cakes are just hilarious!

Christmas in July...

2010-07-07T20:06:00.000-07:00

I often wonder how I come accross these little beauties, but do I have a find to share! This is one of my favorite songs sang around the holidays. It is not traditionally Christmas, Let all mortal flesh keep silence is an ancient chant of Eucharistic devotion based on the verses taken from Habakkuk 2:20

"Let all the earth keep silence before Him".

I love this rendition of it and this video is wonderful as well. Time for a minute of devotion, take your mind off of the heat, I've listed the lyrics below.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. 2. King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood; he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food. 3. Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as the Light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day, that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away. 4. At his feet the six-winged seraph, cherubim, with sleepless eye, veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Why it reminds me of Christmas is because of the CD that John Michael Talbot put out some years ago, The Birth of Jesus.

No Christmas in July celebration would be complete without a Christmas tree shaped slice of watermellon and a stunning recipe to celebrate the day, watermelon salad.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup halved, thinly sliced red onion
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 1/2 quarts seeded, cubed watermelon
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup pitted black olive halves
1 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1.Place the onion slices in a small bowl with the lime juice. The acid of the lime will mellow the flavor of the raw onion. Let stand for 10 minutes.

2.In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, feta cheese, black olives, onions with the lime juice, and basil. Drizzle olive oil over it all, and toss to blend. Dig in and be prepared for a pleasant surprise!

The original recipe using mint is found here, I'm not a mint fan so I sub'd basil. I also marinate all the savory stuff together, not just the lime and onions before I add the watermelon.

one word...superb! Next time I make this, I want to toss a handful of roasted sunflower seeds in, I think that would go really well too.

Watermelon is a natural diuretic, for those of us who anoyingly retain water in this heat. We have permission to have a few pieces of watermelon for medicinal purposes...

Well have a nice Christmas in July, and may it cool this blistering summer weather down a bit even if only in my brain! ;0)