tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17024466051633093792012-01-30T23:44:22.551-05:00This blog is dedicated to bringing order, laughter, and refinement to those everyday moments of your life.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.comBlogger1281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-87818833365160555242012-01-30T15:25:00.000-05:002012-01-30T15:25:13.854-05:00

My book for January was North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill. My plan is to document my thoughts on each of the books on my book list mostly to help me but hopefully to benefit those out there who are interested. It is extremely rare to discover a movie that is better than the book it is based on.  I am still unsure whether this is the case with North and South. It probably doesn't help that

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-66479276427311686952012-01-27T16:09:00.000-05:002012-01-27T16:09:45.458-05:00

I'm not sure what is worse-getting a root canal (I've never had one so it's hard to know) or trying to rebuild lego sets that have been absorbed into a huge container of lego pieces. Last Saturday we decided to humor the boys and torture ourselves by trying to reconstruct some of the sets that they have been given over the past few years. Needless to say after an entire afternoon of digging,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-89692321536845207712012-01-04T15:36:00.001-05:002012-01-13T19:00:00.677-05:00

I don't know why it is but ever since vacation ended (I guess technically that would have been this morning) I have found myself walking around in a fog. I have no motivation to get back into the routine of every day life and find myself grasping for the last few shreds of holiday relaxation. This is unusual because usually I am dying to get back into my normal routine. One thing I have managed

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-53512643755842610042011-12-31T23:12:00.000-05:002011-12-31T23:12:56.617-05:00

Because of our travels down to Florida to celebrate Christmas with my family, we decided to wait and celebrate our Christmas this morning. Thankfully as excited as my children were to dive into the presents none of us are morning people so they didn't even appear until after 8:30 this morning. We were able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before the mayhem began. And thus it begins....

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-48715891312260054472011-12-30T15:01:00.004-05:002011-12-30T15:27:32.099-05:00

I recently found out that after over 6 years of being part of a regular book club I will no longer enjoy that privilege. I wish I could say that I'm normally disciplined enough to read at least a book a month and finish it (if not more) but unfortunately my normal pattern is to pick up at least 5 or more books, get far enough in them to justify using a bookmark and then never finish them.  

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-58228003149566345402011-12-29T11:30:00.000-05:002011-12-29T12:16:30.137-05:00

In the mayhem of holiday baking Warren wanted to try out a recipe that was on his math worksheet. So in an effort to get him to learn fractions I gave in and embraced the opportunity to actually apply the knowledge that he is learning so abstractly on paper. The final results, a seemingly endless batch of peanut butter-chocolaty goodness with a dash of oatmeal to make us feel a bit better about

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-10986685240397222682011-12-22T17:17:00.001-05:002011-12-22T17:17:29.522-05:00

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas holiday full of Peppermint Mochas, lingering meals, Christmas specials, Jingling bells and family time. This year my Christmas song is this one: Have a wonderful Christmas!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-68125081221089371072011-12-17T17:26:00.000-05:002011-12-17T17:26:10.103-05:00

I made the mistake today of trying to buy a few things for myself that I have just recently realized I can't live without, completely forgetting the fact that it is a week before Christmas. I'm still not sure how I made it home alive with my fist tightly clutched around one single scarf. Really, I did all that for a scarf?? It's amazing what becomes important these days. That's where you come

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-16931769149619894422011-12-07T22:05:00.001-05:002011-12-07T22:33:58.851-05:00

I'm not sure if I can recall a time in my life when I actually appreciated the ability to wash clothes. Most of the time it is only considered to be a drudgery as I drag what seems to be months of dirty clothes (really only a few days worth) down to the basement and start "laundry day" again and again (isn't every day laundry day?). As a side note, it is amazing to me how it seems like my

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-29086401198571725412011-11-19T20:59:00.001-05:002011-11-19T22:25:20.830-05:00

Last Sunday was eventful for two reasons. First of all, it was Eliza's first Sunday at church (post birth that is) and my first time back to church after having Eliza. The second reason it was so important is because Eliza was baptized. Every time we have a baby I am reminded of the amazing and overwhelming privilege it is to raise this child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is a

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-5227817572147714062011-11-08T22:09:00.000-05:002011-11-08T22:09:32.613-05:00

Recently my husband discovered something on Craigslist that was more than just another deal of the century or an item that we were convinced we could not live without.  As he was responding to a post with the hopes of adding a few more puzzles to our growing collection, Ben met Marilyn.  Marilyn lives in a beautiful house surrounded by 5 acres of sprawling forest and serene landscapes.  

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-58212796155456755882011-10-20T21:15:00.000-04:002011-10-20T21:15:29.398-04:00

As many of you  know by now we were overwhelmingly surprised early this morning by the birth of our little girl! We were completely expecting to add another young man to our ranks only to be shocked to find that instead we were blessed with a tiny little girl. Warren is already showering her with love and affection and LOVES having a sister.  It's still sinking in for Ben and me that we are

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-51024493573922964282011-10-07T16:39:00.000-04:002011-10-07T16:39:04.768-04:00

Tonight I will be enjoying one final date with my husband before baby #4 arrives.  It has been touch and go whether we would make it to this night or not.  As always things are never simple when it comes to me and babies.  I started having some more intense contractions Wednesday night and labored through the night only to have things fade out by morning. The result was mostly just achiness

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-10656689563732658842011-09-10T22:32:00.003-04:002011-09-10T22:32:36.547-04:00

I think one of the hardest things to do while one is pregnant is NOT to think about how long you have until the baby arrives and to realize that everyone around you has so many other things they are concerned about and your baby isn't one of them. Not that people around don't care and aren't excited at our growing family but I have just been reminding myself over and over that although the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-21057986937882553142011-08-18T14:41:00.000-04:002011-08-18T14:41:05.770-04:00

Today Warren woke up to birthday cheers! He is officially 7 years old even though I have been referring to him as 7 for a few months now. There seems to be no end to the celebrations. I let him off school today, allowed him to pick out his own special breakfast (fruity pebbles-he insisted on cereal despite my willingness to make chocolate chip pancakes, waffles or whatever he wanted). He got a

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-35374065210205375862011-08-08T21:49:00.000-04:002011-08-08T21:49:05.253-04:00

Shortly after our experience with Warren's birth my sister-in-law and her husband announced that they were expecting and that they were planning on having a homebirth. My mind was reeling with questions. First of all, why would they attempt a homebirth with their first child? She didn't even know how she was going to labor or what might happen. How could that be at all safe?  I could only

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-26479261582665347442011-08-05T17:13:00.001-04:002011-08-08T20:55:42.510-04:00

My husband and I are one of the few couples in the U.S. that have chosen to have their babies at home with a midwife.  We were not always this way. In fact when we first got married I would have never believed we would be where we are today. It wasn't until 6 months after our marriage when I found out I was pregnant that things started to change for us. Of course at that point we were

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-40420669572179594252011-07-27T14:34:00.000-04:002011-07-27T14:34:55.721-04:00

Sniffling, sneezing and the hot summer heat.  I have yet to understand how one can get a cold when it is so intensely hot outside. I blow my nose and step outside half expecting to be greeted by a blustery wind but instead I'm greeted by the blistering sun. I am thankful for air, fans, and all things cooling during these times. Vacations are behind us now. Memories of swimming pools, hotels,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-4954215452359453332011-06-25T22:55:00.000-04:002011-06-25T22:55:25.898-04:00

Leaving all the festivities behind (and a few unopened and amazing looking lego sets) me and the boys packed up some of our belongings including floaties, sunscreen, swimming suits, goggles...and packed ourselves in with my parents for a much needed vacation to Florida. The only down side to this trip was having to leave daddy behind but so far I've managed to keep them pretty distracted. Since

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-15941393098624904232011-06-17T10:18:00.000-04:002011-06-17T10:18:36.869-04:00

Today is Peter's Birthday.  Of my 3 boys he seems to take the  most after me in mood and disposition which is not necessarily good but something I can relate to.  He is definitely our moody artist at times, sensitive, independent, and now 5 years old.  The biggest milestone we have faced in turning 5 is giving up his tiny blue blanket and his thumb.  We tried to make a production of this

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-78889580781231985462011-06-17T09:55:00.001-04:002011-06-17T09:55:22.670-04:00

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-49149026383469731272011-06-09T11:16:00.000-04:002011-06-09T11:16:58.128-04:00

     We moved into our 1940s house last November and since them I have done very little decorating. Part of the problem is that up until now I have never lived in a place that I have felt like decorating. Most of our homes have been rentals and although I know several people that dive head first into decorating their rental I am not one of them.  The one house we did own we only ended up staying

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-23840771133680820602011-05-17T15:17:00.000-04:002011-05-17T15:17:25.770-04:00

Before my husband and I started even coming close to having children we made a list of names, both for boys and girls, that we both liked.  Interestingly enough we had at least 10 boy names at the time and barely any girl names.  So when we had our first boy there was no question. We knew exactly what we wanted to name him. This was the case for all three of the boys. Every time I would get

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-58042926388920386142011-05-10T19:47:00.000-04:002011-05-10T19:47:50.251-04:00

For some reason when I'm pregnant I get an overwhelming desire to read about pregnancy, birth stories and any other experience that women have gone through during and after this ordeal of growing and delivering a life.  You would think by my fourth it would be old news but it somehow seems new every time. This time I collected all the books my library had about midwives (which wasn't much).

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-76343075547271184022011-05-03T11:11:00.000-04:002011-05-03T11:11:38.266-04:00

Our big picture window has provided hours of entertainment for my 3 boys. Especially because a lot of things that happen around here involve trucks, scoops, trash trucks, backhoes, ladders and everything else that boys get very excited about.  A few weeks ago our neighbors even entertained us with a small kitchen fire that called out a fire truck and several police cars (heaven for my youngest

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-11717415477022849062011-04-27T13:02:00.001-04:002011-04-27T13:03:29.061-04:00

This year I decided to take the time to help the boys dye some eggs for Easter. I grew up doing this every year but this is the first time I have done it with the boys. Much fun was had as we walked away with mutli-colored fingers and many hard boiled eggs to eat. Unfortunately I missed capturing shots of the easter egg hunt but hopefully soon I will have my new camera and there will be no

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-2008334824894768102011-03-18T12:35:00.001-04:002011-03-18T12:43:53.297-04:00

I can't say that I am going to be able to be consistent with my Friday Finds again but I have been longing to get back into it and the latest Etsy Finds inspired me. It was dedicated to the Cherry Blossom. I am so longing for Spring and the first glimpses of warm weather have finally started to appear so I couldn't resist finding a few things myself.  Cherry Blossom Earrings by  Hapa Girls ____

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-59625755844364012042011-03-09T13:55:00.003-05:002011-03-09T14:00:40.063-05:00

For the past few weeks I have been sick. I guess you could say it's a good sick.  Every time I run to the bathroom I remind myself of the little life that is growing inside of me. The life that we prayed for.  The one I said I wanted even if it meant being sick, then getting fat, then actually going through labor and delivery all over again. I have to keep reminding myself of that now when my

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-23898064659989599242011-02-08T08:00:00.010-05:002011-02-08T08:00:07.040-05:00

My boys are probably not as old as I like to think that they are but it all started this past summer.  There are so many books that I never read as a child and I'm eager to read them now. Not to read them alone, all tucked up in my bed after a long day, but to enjoy them with others, mainly my children.  So we started by reading the Little House series.  (Yes, this was a series I never read

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-67387666846551867652011-02-05T20:35:00.000-05:002011-02-05T20:35:03.922-05:00

One of the marks of truly settling in seems to be setting in place a bird feeder. I'm not sure we have had this luxury in any of the places we have lived in before.  The boys Grandaddy made us a lovely one and installed it last Saturday and now things seem to be complete. Since the initial installation not a bird has come near it (even with my futile attempts at scattering seed all over the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-2543841205295605312011-01-20T16:19:00.000-05:002011-01-20T16:19:18.595-05:00

I recently read a friend's blog who was inspired to choose a word that would reflect the coming year. Her word was "hope".  That word already sums up so much of what she has had to cling to and I'm sure this is just the beginning.  In October she gave birth to a premature baby with Apple Peel Syndrome (a rare intestinal complication). Every day I eagerly await updates of little Josette's

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-51077134466162491932011-01-05T13:46:00.000-05:002011-01-05T13:46:04.961-05:00

  2011 is in its infant stage and I find myself already trying to take in the whole year. What to expect this year and what the unexpected might be.  I can be close to confident that my boys will continue to grow, that we will continue to press on with school, that we will be right here in this house enjoying the newness and forgetting what it was like not to live here.  Then there are the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-37818392822666920142011-01-04T09:58:00.000-05:002011-01-04T09:58:55.119-05:00

I am still out here pressing on even though my fingers have not seen the keyboard much at all. I have taken many photos and have been hesitating to post anything until I can get those photos on my computer but alas it has not happened and it's so hard to find the time. We have partially settled into our new house. There is always that one project that holds up the final unpacking but other than

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-35492606622012132972010-11-20T19:25:00.000-05:002010-11-20T19:25:25.310-05:00

This thanksgiving I have so very much to be thankful for.  I am writing this a few days early because for the next few weeks my life will be pretty much insane. At this moment I am surrounded on every side by walls of boxes and there is still so much more to pack. On Monday I will not only be packing the final boxes but packing our suitcases as well in preparation for our trip to Florida to

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-49772599929267474072010-11-08T11:29:00.000-05:002010-11-08T11:29:21.978-05:00

Our waiting has seemed to come to an end. At least in this particular area. There are many other things we are waiting, hoping, praying for but not this one. Not any more.  So many answers, so much blessing. It might seem slightly insane, especially for those out there who are in the bomb shelter phase as far as the economy is concerned. While other were preparing for a long cold winter of

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-73693072526679090342010-10-27T11:30:00.001-04:002010-10-27T11:32:10.319-04:00

Fall is full of so  many wonderfully fun things. Unfortunately this year we have not been able to participate in as many as we would have liked to. We missed the local pumpkin farm's corn maze, hay riding, pumpkin picking, animal petting fun but we were able to make it to a smaller event. The spay and neuter clinic that my husband helped remodel (and also the place that found us Lucy) was having

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-35722568872292107702010-10-23T15:43:00.000-04:002010-10-23T15:43:55.191-04:00

I've been working on a blog for Oil and Spice that will be exclusively dedicated to information on our business. This blog will have announcements on new products  (I eagerly anticipate adding many gift options before Christmas) and often these announcements are accompanied with a discount! So check it out. Let me know what you think and visit often! Oil and Spice Blog One of our most recent

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-62520551062780322272010-10-22T15:35:00.000-04:002010-10-22T15:35:47.634-04:00

I am sorry to all of those who have come to enjoy my Friday Finds and were hoping to find one here this week. I have so many wonderful ideas of what I would like to feature next and yet time has been my enemy and I have not been able to begin my quest.  One thing that has been absorbing some of my time (unnecessarily perhaps) has been creating a costume.  We are attending a costume party at the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-76043577696529864592010-10-14T09:09:00.000-04:002010-10-14T09:09:52.407-04:00

My desire with my Friday Finds posts is to find wonderful treasures on Etsy that I have not yet discovered and share them with all of you.  I love the idea of supporting handmade crafts and people who are striving to use their talents in a business venture.  It takes a lot of time and effort to create a product, market it and end the end actually make money on it.  I must say I was delighted

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-5875476504513097392010-10-08T15:37:00.000-04:002010-10-08T15:37:53.687-04:00

One of the reasons for my earnest attempt at getting better was in anticipation of this weekend.  During the summer our church did a men and boys camping trip. I didn't mind that at all as it gave Ben a time with our two older sons and me an excuse to rent a movie he would never watch and try a Bertolli meal for the first time (I was surprised at how good it was!).  So as they were roughing it I

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-81166676862196158702010-10-07T16:20:00.000-04:002010-10-07T16:20:09.321-04:00

I really believe my mom was superwoman.  I don't recall a time when she was sick, or at least sick and I knew about it. One thing she always said, "When you are a mom you don't get to take the day off."  And it was true for her.  She worked and did everything around the house and I don't ever remember hearing her complain about it.  She does tell one story of a time when both of us girls were

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-13005770086756539092010-10-01T15:56:00.000-04:002010-10-01T15:56:19.146-04:00

i can't escape the feeling that comes over me this time of year.  i love sipping hot tea on cool mornings, hearing the leaves rustle endlessly as the breeze blows through the open windows. i love seeing the colors... the bright orange pumpkins surrounded by earthy greens and browns, the bright reds and yellows of the leaves.  it is hard to not become thoughtful, absorbed in the world around me,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-24132162302914315302010-09-25T22:24:00.000-04:002010-09-25T22:24:26.983-04:00

Ever since we moved into our little country retreat I have taken a walk or jog in the early morning before my husband leaves for work. This habit has quickly come to an end as the light refuses to shine before 7 and I have realized that things aren't exactly the same in the country as they are in town. There are bears out here and several other wild animals of which I would like to remain

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-78804079497723773032010-09-21T15:16:00.000-04:002010-09-21T15:16:17.349-04:00

A few weeks ago I ended a joyous post exclaiming that I thought we had finally found a house.  Since then I have been waiting to share the wonderful news and dance all around feeling the glorious excitement of finally having a place to call home, to put down our roots and start marking walls with the height of each of my children.  Unfortunately that news must wait; that dance must be postponed.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-42909028570801576122010-09-17T15:10:00.000-04:002010-09-17T15:10:29.514-04:00

I was at a loss for what to do this Friday. What wonderful things could I find? What treasures lay buried in the world of Etsy?  I finally settled upon something that has been on my mind as fall is approaching. During this time of year I love the cool breeze that blows through the house. It seems to make everything smell and feel fresher.  I also love to burn candles in the evening, when it is

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-72149839597196885342010-09-15T12:02:00.002-04:002010-09-15T12:27:33.067-04:00

Things I say almost 100 times a day: put your crocs in the basket! christopher leave lucy alone just a minute hurry focus on what you are doing look in front of you when you walk Things I do almost 100 times a day: pick up the shoes and put them in the basket wipe the counter take lucy out  Things I should say but don't: it's okay i love you you're doing a great job

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-12003491005593547082010-09-14T20:53:00.001-04:002010-09-15T12:28:02.509-04:00

Lately I have been holding a little tighter to the blessings that surround me. Those little moments that so easily and quickly pass me by without notice.  The brilliant blue eyes of Christopher as he sings his undecipherable words and exclaims over every small detail of his life. The goofy faces and surprise kisses from Peter as he sneaks in tiny moments when the attention is drawn to him. The

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-38998527268681891562010-09-10T09:22:00.005-04:002010-09-10T09:32:38.962-04:00

I don't think I quite fit the normal reputation women have for accruing more bags and shoes than they could possibly use. I probably end up going the other direction which is somewhat unnerving when I find myself tromping into church all dressed up with my messenger bag slung over my freshly ironed Sunday clothes. I love the bag I have. I bought it on etsy a few years ago from August Lately.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-50419673099188622872010-09-04T21:15:00.000-04:002010-09-04T21:15:09.804-04:00

There is so much I want to post but I am finding my time already blurring into the next day and there is still so much left to do in this one.  I do hope to get back into my writing routine. I hope to revisit Friday Finds once again as I have already let things go for another week. I am sorting through what it means to have a blog. What it means to be real. How open are we supposed to be with

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-18623032349066295642010-08-27T15:00:00.001-04:002010-08-27T22:28:20.851-04:00

These days I'm getting used to a new normal. I keep thinking "things are going to slow down" but the pace quickens and I adjust--sometimes well, other-times not as well. Another Friday has come too quickly and I must postpone yet another Friday Finds.  I am musing over what next wonderful treasures from Etsy to focus on but until then I will keep up a running pace with everything else going on

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-86787928122076205122010-08-20T15:22:00.001-04:002010-08-21T16:09:19.804-04:00

I readily admit that my generation is counted among those who have very little recollection of writing with pen and ink. I am much more familiar with a keyboard and Times New Roman than a pen and paper. However, I still love pens. I love writing (even if my handwriting is more like hieroglyphics that need to be deciphered) and there is something so powerful about sending a real note through the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-33659642608540370202010-08-18T13:37:00.002-04:002010-08-18T22:51:10.160-04:00

Today marks the 6th year in my oldest son's life.  He seems relatively unfazed. Don't get me wrong. He loves the fact that it is his birthday.  He gets to take a day off school, watch movies, play games and even have chocolate chip waffles with chocolate syrup for breakfast. I am guilty of wanting birthdays to be special. I probably make too much of them sometimes. His party was shared with

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-54152481022291781622010-08-13T17:39:00.000-04:002010-08-13T17:39:24.678-04:00

Unfortunately my Friday Finds post will have to wait. Things have been a bit crazy around here with the new addition to our family. When my college graduation was approaching I made a list of the things I wanted to do immediately after the dust settled and I found myself moving on to something else.  The #1 thing on my list: Get a dog. My parents had gotten me a dog when I was in 4th grade and

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-2620311519873336462010-08-06T13:23:00.000-04:002010-08-06T13:23:21.182-04:00

Lately I have been thinking a lot about cowboys. Mostly how to make something cowboyish in the form of a cake.  My oldest son will soon be celebrating his 6th birthday and has requested a cowboy themed birthday party.   I must say that I jumped on the opportunity to have a birthday theme that didn't revolve around commercialism. Up until this point I haven't forbidden it but I do sigh a bit when

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-81432824655387157332010-08-04T10:23:00.000-04:002010-08-04T10:23:48.847-04:00

I am the first to admit that even though I have been out of formal schooling for 8 years, when August arrives I still find myself lingering in the "back to school" aisle feeling an overwhelming need to buy a few new notebooks, pencils, paper and even a new planner. In fact it wasn't until last year that I finally transitioned to using a planner that didn't completely revolve around the school

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-33961185286038626922010-07-30T13:21:00.001-04:002010-07-30T13:43:17.718-04:00

Okay, so I know that most of us would say that we are trying to avoid today's delightful finds. I am the first to admit that when etsy sends the e-mails around featuring some of these decadent treats, I cringe slighty at the temptation but can't force myself to turn away. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to feature some of them here. I have yet to try most of these myself but they certainly

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-36322391990261152010-07-26T10:28:00.001-04:002010-07-26T10:32:20.598-04:00

Every moment we spend here I am learning to be a bit more flexible.  My instinct only a few months ago would have been not to allow this. I would have winced at the thought of trying to get all of the mud out of their clothes and shuttered at the picture of them walking over my nice clean floors with mud covered feet. I stopped myself this time before allowing my instincts to take over. I let

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-37385108193893581832010-07-23T13:31:00.000-04:002010-07-23T13:31:19.276-04:00

A few years ago my husband gave me a wonderful Mother's Day gift--a handmade pottery mug that he picked up while in Annapolis. From that moment on it has been the only mug I have used. Everyone has their own style. This style ranges from mugs that can hold a supersized McDonald's portion to tiny dainty sipping mugs that hold one shot of espresso. I fall somewhere in between those two options.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-48727587806054286582010-07-16T13:10:00.006-04:002010-07-20T21:17:35.297-04:00

Days filled with....learning the shorter catechism in the morning to tunes I am making up or recycling (the boys have memorized it extremely well when put to music)reading Little House on the Prairie to the boys (ashamedly I have never read any of these, we just finished Little House in the Big Woods)going to the library (we are in the midst of their summer reading program although I have been

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-21623619124423430862010-07-16T09:55:00.005-04:002010-07-19T09:45:21.495-04:00

We have this adorable book called Town Mouse, Country Mouse in our Jan Brett collection (I'm sure those of you with any little people in your life have read it 10 times over). There are two different little mice families each longing for a change. So in an effort to taste what they have never experienced they decide to switch places and try out a new way of life, only to find that they really do

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-87468075923876210742010-07-16T08:00:00.002-04:002010-07-16T09:45:44.775-04:00

Traveling has been much on my mind lately. I suppose that seems obvious given the latest trip we just made. However, my sister-in-law and her husband have also brought the excitement of travel to the family as they left the country yesterday on their way to Scotland in celebration of 12 years of marriage. My brother-in-law's father immigrated from Scotland so his roots are still very evident

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-83355950366763962852010-07-14T10:01:00.006-04:002010-07-14T10:24:42.337-04:00

Things are slowly returning back to normal here. Our trip home from Florida was marked with several stops. The first one set the tone for the entire trip. On our way out of town, bleary eyed and frustrated in general at having to drag ourselves out of bed so early (we are definitely NOT morning people!), we decided to stop by Wal-mart and get fruit and bagels instead of the grease filled

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-1231243649043334412010-07-03T11:51:00.002-04:002010-07-03T12:04:12.104-04:00

I am sad again to admit that my Friday Finds this week will have to wait until next week. This past week we journied down to Florida to visit family. Unfortunately our time here doesn't include long strolls on the beach or cool dips in the blue ocean water. We are here in Pensacola, where the beaches have been effected by oil and the chemical they have used to try to disperse it.So thus far my

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-68457341608714049552010-06-25T08:25:00.015-04:002010-06-25T12:12:25.673-04:00

Adventure has reigned at our rustic abode this week. We acquired new neighbors who brought with them 2 sons very close in age to my own sons and since their arrival the boys have played non-stop. Climbing trees, defending the fort (a tree house with a porch on it), marching down our long gravel drive in french colonial costumes and helmets, brandishing weapons of every sort. It is exactly what

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-38575295710594026852010-06-24T14:59:00.004-04:002010-06-24T15:51:51.286-04:00

One thing I love about being a seller on Etsy is the personal interaction I am able to have with my customers. It is the next best thing to owning a store and seeing the familiar faces coming through my door. I find myself always up for a challenge. Always trying to think of how I can fine tune my product to fit exactly what each customer likes, appreciates, or delights in. I was recently asked

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-18694295749871717892010-06-16T20:51:00.021-04:002010-06-19T09:59:47.143-04:00

So I'm a day behind once more. I had this all ready to go but the last day of Cousins camp was yesterday and on top of that we decided to combine Peter and Christopher's birthday parties and have all the cousins over to celebrate. With 21 children and 10 adults at the party I was very much overwhelmed with preparation and clean up. Needless to say, the blog got pushed aside. Well, obviously

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-39437752825290912222010-06-16T08:28:00.014-04:002010-06-16T10:31:50.832-04:00

I don't know about you but I grew up going to camp every summer. I must admit, the camp experience was not one of the highlights of my childhood.To sum up my camping experience I would use the word "pressure". The camps I went to were mostly church camps. They started out with the pressure of sports. Of course you had to keep the children busy and what better way than organized sports? These

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-35764842366289609422010-06-11T10:39:00.015-04:002010-06-11T17:08:48.828-04:00

Reading is very much on my mind this morning. We had our monthly book club meeting last night and it inspired me for today's post.I wasn't always considered to be a reader. In fact during much of my high school years I was branded as a non-reader. Most of this was due to the fact that I turned away from fiction, not having found any that truly inspired and challenged me. I mostly found myself

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-41832524686399196212010-06-07T15:20:00.021-04:002010-06-07T18:09:31.487-04:00

I am finding myself in the midst of an internal struggle. Up until this point my vision for settling down has been of a home with character and history located very centrally in the downtown area where I can walk pretty much anywhere I could possibly desire to go. This vision is shared by my husband who longs to be in a location where students can walk to our home for Bible studies or just some

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-91918791873412168592010-06-04T10:31:00.014-04:002010-06-04T13:00:20.500-04:00

My sister-in-law and her family are currently experiencing the excitement and exhaustion of owning their first home. Captivated with vision they are quickly transforming it from the 1980s to the present. This transformation has demanded a lot of toil and sweat and thinking outside the box. After pouring over paint colors, swatchs, and samples she was finally able to select the colors that

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-27802497801040273252010-05-24T08:42:00.003-04:002010-05-24T08:54:30.522-04:00

I'm sorry to say that I missed yet another Friday finds. So maybe I should change it to every other Friday.My days have been surrounded by boxes and all my worldly possessions are scattered around in chaos. We are somewhat frantically trying to move out of our current situation into a more flexible one so that one of these days or months we can actually become homeowners again. So yes, we are

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-80170204706620039702010-05-18T16:18:00.008-04:002010-05-18T16:45:52.491-04:00

It is easy to confuse the images that fill my mind with reality. I have learned that on many levels. I have and am learning that when it comes to the dream of a house that was really not meant to be and the reality of staying 12 more months in an apartment with a not so lovely landlord. I absorb this reality on a much smaller scale as well. Last week when I was feeling particularly motivated

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-12577258055625591802010-05-14T15:15:00.016-04:002010-05-15T14:52:05.211-04:00

Much more time has passed than I intended and so soon into my project I have already missed one "Friday Finds" post. I will try desperately not to let that happen again. I have many excuses for the missed post. First and foremost though we found a house that I am absolutely in love with.My husband and I and 3 boys have been jammed into a comfy apartment going on 2 1/2 years now. I have been so

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-16663444543239290382010-04-30T13:05:00.013-04:002010-04-30T14:38:43.164-04:00

Ashamedly I admit that my free time in college was spent mostly by sipping coffee and pouring over magazines at B&N or adding to my wardrobe. Needless to say once I joined the married world I brought with me a love for lattes and a lot of clothes (unfortunately not a lot of savings to my frugal husband's chagrin). Since those glorious days I have not had much of a chance to go shopping.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-58964640832650617082010-04-27T14:26:00.003-04:002010-04-27T14:36:11.430-04:00

Up until this moment I have never heard of an online scavenger hunt. The ones I have been familiar with in the past require a van (usually a vanload of over hyper teenagers), a list of things to find, and laws being broken as vehicles race to each location infiltrating the scenery with their furious scavenging.I can guarentee you it is much less stressful and a lot more peaceful to conduct one

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-56170654745304855732010-04-23T13:57:00.010-04:002010-04-23T15:16:11.359-04:00

I meant to start this last week but alas, time ran out on me and I was stranded without a hope of completing my desire in time. So here I am trying again with the hope that I will be able to remain consistent.April is a time of birthdays for my family. My birthday, my dad's, my father-in-law, my niece and my sister-in-law all enjoy and share the sunny/rainy month of April. When I was growing up

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-21927198036302096582010-04-15T08:25:00.003-04:002010-04-15T08:37:29.249-04:00

In the past I have had several orders for my soap that were intended for gifts. Some send soap to their sister, just to say I love you. Some to an Aunt for a special birthday surprise. Handmade Soap and lotion makes the perfect gift for pretty much anybody. We all have to wash at some point and why not use something that is chemical free and wonderful for your skin? However, up until now,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-31459781674866445522010-04-13T16:29:00.006-04:002010-04-13T16:44:33.569-04:00

I know this is a few weeks late but I am finally getting a chance to reflect on the various Easter events we participated in. On my visit to PA, the small town my friend lives in was having their annual Easter Egg Hunt. This experience was my and my children's first. In this town they literally hard-boiled and colored what seemed like an endless supply of eggs. They then scattered these eggs in

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-53393211074092305592010-04-07T14:33:00.011-04:002010-04-07T15:03:24.155-04:00

A week ago today we returned from our trip to PA and my Melinda's farm. Her husband inherited the farm from generations before him and works extremely hard to maintain all that has been given to him. It was a wonderful time to catch up. We picked up right where we left off 5 years ago as if I had just gone away for the day and was now back in her kitchen sipping coffee. It was a bit noisier

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-66285044377044699932010-03-25T19:34:00.005-04:002010-03-25T19:42:35.261-04:00

I'm leaving tomorrow to visit my Melinda. She lives in PA and I have not seen her since my oldest was a baby (he is now 5 1/2 now). Since then she has had 3 children whom I have never met. I am so very excited. As are the boys who are very excited even about the trip itself (thanks again mom and dad for the DVD players!). She has no internet so I will be completely disconnected for a week but it

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-89148417796126490852010-03-23T13:00:00.005-04:002010-03-23T13:00:02.401-04:00

I have always loved pens and paper. My heart quickens when I near an office store and as soon as I walk through the automatic doors I race over to the pen aisle. I might need a new pen to add to my collection of pens scattered throughout the house. My love affair with the pen is growing somewhat distant however as the click of keys and the computer font replaces my less than lovely penmanship.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-59419377225191942352010-03-22T21:23:00.005-04:002010-03-22T22:10:00.425-04:00

I am part of the SAFE Team on Etsy and in our forum today Aunt Nancy Soap mentioned this link. You can watch Molly the owl live as she cares for her little owlette. It started out with just a bit of curiousity and now I find myself checking on her every time I get on the computer. It is so amazing to be this close.So if you would like to be addicted as well go here Live Owl Nest Box Cam

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-61137208004567940212010-03-17T13:34:00.004-04:002010-03-17T14:06:42.180-04:00

As I just begin this journey of discovering and deciding which course I am going to take in homeschooling I have found myself conflicted. There's the side that holds onto this image of the psychotic mom who has her 5 year old speaking 3 different languages fluently and boasts of how her precious one is so advanced and beyond his years. Then there's the other side that is so laid back the child

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-61412961522866205592010-03-02T14:10:00.003-05:002010-03-02T14:13:24.375-05:00

I recently joined the SAFE team on Etsy (Soap Artisans Friends of Etsy) and each month we are presented with a challenge. We have to make a soap or bath product on a specific theme and then it is voted on by you....the masses of people who love all natural bath products! So, it is time for the unveiling of the St. Patricks Day competition! If you go to the SAFE blog you can leave a comment and

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-66014629956411484122010-03-01T14:25:00.007-05:002010-03-01T14:35:07.083-05:00

I have a new soap of the month for March. I have done it in honor of St Patrick's Day. I'm still debating whether this soap will be a limited edition or not. Beer is very tricky to work with and initially I almost had a volcano on my hands. It all worked out in the end and this soap is lovely but it still leaves me wondering if I should relegate it exclusively to St. Patrick's Day. Four Green

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-61340693234047345692010-02-25T09:00:00.001-05:002010-02-25T09:00:01.323-05:00

Things my sons loveThe afternoon after a trip to the library where long reading sessions abound with delightful new booksGames--Sequence for kids, go fish, I spy, memory...need I go onLegos--their new police headquarters, miscellaneous space men from Goodwill, the pizza parlor and pretty much any possible creation that can be madeLittle cars (also known as micro machines for those of us old

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-909621350503646422010-02-24T16:10:00.004-05:002010-02-24T16:56:43.398-05:00

I've been wondering why the "fade out" in 80's music was so popular. I suppose the singer/songwriter was just stumped when it came to actually ending the song. Maybe they assumed that no one would notice if the song just started sneaking away until finally it had disappeared altogether. I for one, had completely forgotten about this trend until I was haunted by an old tape my son pulled out of

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-18879668351140906592010-02-19T20:47:00.008-05:002010-02-20T10:20:50.980-05:00

My husband and I have been enjoying a "date night" since the first week of our marriage (well, maybe the 2nd week since our honeymoon doesn't really count). During the first carefree year we spent some of our date nights putting together puzzles (something that might seem a bit like an activity at sunshine manor but hey, we like puzzles), playing games, reading books out loud (mostly Ben reading

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-50202188263194142382010-02-19T11:17:00.004-05:002010-02-19T11:19:08.017-05:00

My soap made it to the front page of Etsy. I'm still working through how all of this works since it is not currently on the front page and so far I have not seen it in an e-mail..but still....very excited... document.write (window.ccvault_widg.framehtml(9119,3,2,4,1,0,0));

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-78175428562636943292010-02-17T15:22:00.005-05:002010-02-17T15:50:09.508-05:00

February I love....that my husband carries around his grandfather's briefcasethursday nights...date night/movie night/pizza, wings/kids in bedmusic...in the van, in the house, on the radio, on the computerthe mopey look on Peter's faceValentine's Day candy the day afterpackages out of my hands, traveling all over the countrya freshly vacuumed floora Cinnamon Dolce Latte in my hand while I'm

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-25938576492394696652010-02-09T13:54:00.003-05:002010-02-09T14:06:13.983-05:00

Our lives are filled, covered, surrounded by snow. I find myself longing to make hot drinks just so I can carry them around in my hands and feel warm. We have dwelt somewhat snuggly in a rental for almost 2 years now and we are starting a slow quest towards finding a more permanent dwelling. We have recently found a place that we find ourselves getting way too excited about, especially since our

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-56338467871002612842010-02-06T16:24:00.005-05:002010-02-06T16:38:33.484-05:00

If I were a journalist or even just a more ambitious writer I would use one of these. I imagine myself tucked away in some attic studio office with the gentle whirring of the typewriter as I muse about my next riveting sentence. My husband has dreams of one day writing books. Maybe one day it will be him sequestered in his work space, clicking away on the typewriter. I have vague ambitions of

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-15284908042428391132010-01-27T22:30:00.004-05:002010-01-29T15:10:06.476-05:00

During the past few days I have been obsessively working on a website for my soap business. I started out on Etsy. I love Etsy and the community of artists and crafters it connects me with but I began to feel that I needed wings. It was time for me to leave the nest and break out on my own. I will keep my Etsy shop but I am hoping that my main business will come through my website.Interestingly

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-26007265235496462222010-01-22T14:03:00.005-05:002010-01-22T14:46:38.236-05:00

Since I have gotten so many varied responses to my photos I thought I would take a poll. Please help me by voting!!----------------->I need to know what I should do about my photos on my etsy shop Oil and Spice. I have made some changes already to the shop so there are only 1 or 2 more soaps left with kid pictures but here is a link to some of the shots I had: flikr Originally all my soap shots

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-62334950005171373682010-01-21T13:59:00.006-05:002010-01-21T14:24:16.638-05:00

When I opened up my soap shop on Etsy last June I was struggling between artist and crafter. I found myself desiring greatly to have an artistic venue and yet realizing that at this point I needed to focus on trying to sell my craft. So I took some shots of my soap using the tips that Etsy so freely gives to us newbies and started my venture. It did not take me long to realize that there were

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-40361709940149974112010-01-12T14:15:00.004-05:002010-01-12T14:32:34.478-05:00

Things that surround me:Bars of freshly made lavender soap boys playing with their daddy's lego carsblack beans simmering stainless steal water bottle I got from christmas (thanks sis!)mug of hot teaMy voice got lost somewhere in the van yesterday, at least that is what Warren said. I must have found it sometime last night because I'm back to my same decible level today. Warren exclaimed, "You

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-35822507481760120292010-01-11T15:19:00.004-05:002010-01-11T15:54:03.825-05:00

I have created a new soap just in time for Valentine's day. A few months ago one of my friends requested a floral soap. Well, I set out on a quest to find essential oils that would combine in such a way to create a feminine floral scent that would still reflect my own personality but wouldn't be too earthy (yes, I know it is a bit shocking but I do tend to be a bit earthy in my scents). Through

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-29945479267358182602010-01-08T13:55:00.003-05:002010-01-08T14:10:49.100-05:00

I have never colored my hair. Okay, so there was that one time in college when my friend and I experimented with whatever we found at the drug store. I think I chose some sort of reddish tint although had I been bold enough I would have selected black or something very dark. I always envied my best friend in high school because she had black hair and could die her hair blue and no one would be

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-31416702232305197842010-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:002010-01-01T00:00:01.137-05:00

This year resolve:To take better care of your skin by using all natural bath products that are made with only all natural ingredients. Your skin is a thirsty organ. Let it drink deeply in things that are healthy and nourishing: Oil and SpiceTo buy Handmade products from people like you instead of mass produced products that lack personality and character: Etsy, Buy HandmadeTry to buy produce and

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702446605163309379.post-31034155640217399272009-12-24T08:30:00.003-05:002009-12-24T08:35:07.779-05:00

Leaving today for Sunny Florida. Our own Christmas tree has already been sitting lonely on our front porch, a bit confused as to why it didn't get to stand around until Christmas. Goodbye snow, Goodbye Virginia. We will meet again soon, but for now we must away....Merry Christmas!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258169902369059630noreply@blogger.com0