Bittersweet and the little soap company

simple happy

Happy hydrangea picking start to a long peaceful weekend. You wouldn't believe how many blooms that are on the hydrangea bushes so I took a quick picture to show you!

Awesome!
They grow all along the north side of our home. Aren't they stunning? Never have they bloomed so early! I'm guessing since we had a unusual mild winter they've gotten a BIG head start, no pun intended.

Several of my neighbors have stuck American flags in their yards in honor of Memorial day. I like that.

I'm hoping for a played back simple weekend. Lennis is working pretty much the whole weekend so we didn't have big plans. Studio open tomorrow and then I am traveling north to a high-school reunion Saturday night. It's held in my old high-school. Kind of cool. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.

I'm hoping to work maybe finish the prairie quilt. I've been watching you-tube videos on how to machine quilt as I've never done it. I have a quilting sewing machine with the necessary attachments so I figure what the heck. It doesn't seem to be that difficult to me. I'm up for the challenge. My only concern is that I made an extra large top and it will probably be cumbersome to work with. I'm almost certain of that. Planning on taking my time. I also studied the process of choosing batting material. I found that interesting too. I prefer cotton or wool it seems.

It's going to be a crafty summer in Bittersweet land!

  
I bet some of  you have big plans for the long weekend.

Stay safe and enjoy.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

Summer Strawberry Jam

I'm trying to begin summer bucket list projects early so that I can fit them in at a more leisurely pace. After all it's summer!

Atop the list, making homemade strawberry jam. I prefer jam recipes that don't contain pectin or citric acid.  

I created the small jar labels in a round format if you want to make summer jam and label your jars.

Download Strawberryjamlabelround

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled
• 4 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions

1. In a wide bowl, crush strawberries in batches until you have 4 cups of mashed berry. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix together the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F (105 degrees C). Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch head-space, and seal. Process in a water bath. If the jam is going to be eaten right away, don't bother with processing, and just refrigerate.

Footnotes

• To test for jelling
• Place three plates in a freezer... after about 10 minutes of boiling place a tsp of the liquid of the jam onto the cold plate. Return to freezer for a minute. Run your finger through the jam on the plate... if it doesn't try to run back together (if you can make a line through it with your finger) it's ready to be canned

Books I ♥

My book collection consist mostly of  reference reading, cookbooks, herbs and flowers, essential oils and soap making.

When I start something new it's common practice to go crazy with the books!

The book pictured above  is my favorite go-to book I continue to reference time and time again even though the book is quite old. It's illustrations and pictures are stunning and timeless. As I browse through the pages I  want to climb right into the picture!  

Very seldom does a book evoke  passionate admiration and inspiration and talk to me with its pages.  

At Home with Herbs is one of the first books I purchased when I began making soap. I guess you would consider it a vintage book since that was some 15 years ago.

I probably posses fewer than 3 or 4 books that continue to fill my cup with creative inspiration.

If I were to publish my own book my wish would be that it would be filled with timeless information and how-to projects like this one. A book that becomes old and tattered before all other's.

The book is still available and you can purchase it here.

At home with herbs is filled with stunning summer time projects and handmade gift idees that are soulful and sweet.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 

 

Prairie Quilt

If you've traveled over to Calico Petals then you already know I started putting together a new coverlet for the old iron bed.

The rows aren't lined up perfect and it's not exactly a quilters dream.

That's okay.

I hand picked some of my favorite fabrics including linen and only have three more rows to add to make it the size I want. It's pretty big. I never measure until I get started. Then I place the piece on the bed and decide the length and width. I wanted it to be long. It is long and it will hang over the top of the bed too.

I named it "Prairie Quilt" because the squares of calico remind me of the dresses worn on Little House on the Prairie!

I'm going to make and sew together coordinating binding for the edges and line it with wool batting. The back will be made from muslin since I have an extra bolt and I'm quite fond of the cotton fabric. I might tie it in silk embroidery thread after quilting it, not sure yet.

Then I'm going to sew some new pillow cases to go with the new coverlet.

I'm going to make some handmade linen sheets one of these days and now that I'm in the mood for some summer sewing I really want to make some little shift dresses in linen. I have a simple pattern. The choice of fabric will take the dress to many different places.

Packing orders this morning and anxious to finish the 36 squares on the prairie quilt.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 

 

sunny days

It's been warm and sunny with little rain this spring. I've been watering the gardens every day! Quite the chore and the garden sucks up lots of water. We really could use a couple of rain barrels. I'm going to ask Lennis to ponder some rain barrel idees.  I have this feeling we may be in for a hot dry summer. Just a feeling.

Over the weekend I shared some personal thoughts about my feelings towards summer on my French sister blog, Fussy French.

Honestly that's how I feel about summers nowadays.

Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting with some beautiful people.

A gal I'd met while shopping for fleurs at the home improvement store and an old classmate that came to pick up a jar of face creme for his friend. He had this funny look on his face when he entered the studio. I just imagined he was nervous. He asked my what my maiden name was and I replied, yes it was! Long story short... We talked for two hours! Then Deb, the gal I chatted with while shopping for fleurs. Another jewell!

Another thing that I've realized as I get older....

Everyone that comes into your life, happens for a reason. No doubt.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring, summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

 

Chunky Herbal Soap!

I could not wait to get up this morning and cut this soap!

They were cut into big chunky bars and stamped with a B. I wish you could get a whiff of em, because they smell out of this world!

Notice the little moisture rich bubbles on top of that soap!

The jardin savon will be available mid June on our web site. I think I'm going to include with the chunky bars, a natural bristle nail brush. You can rub the brush onto the chunk of soap and then clean hands and nails.

No frills packaging planned for this minty blend. Maybe some brown paper wrappings and a sprig or two of dried mint from the garden.

Packaging idees floating as they usually do and you know that's my favorite thing! I also have little boxes that would fit the soap chunks! H'm....

There's something really cool about having dried botanical and herbal powders in soap. Not only do they infuse their unique aromatherapy benefits into each bar they scent the bars soft and sweet.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 

 

 

soap making roots...

Sometimes it's nice to go back...

Case in point.

The past few days I've been making soap with my original castile recipe. That receipt was used to make some of the very first bars of Bittersweet some 15 years ago. It feels good to touch on and go back to my soap making roots. I'm even pouring the rich aromatic soap into shoe boxes! That's the way we used to do it. Cover the boxes with blankets so that it will stay warm and then cut the large rectangles into chunky bars.

This morning I made a garden savon. I scented the jardin savon with peppermint and cinnamon and then added a few ounces of peppermint leaf powder. I wish you could smell my studio!

The gentle moisture rich garden soap will be available mid June.

There will be more to follow as the spring weeks turn into summer and the garden herbs become more abundant from my garden.

I'm also trending back towards some original soap packaging.

Those simple no frill ideas seem to fit my mood lately.

Bringing back the "Kissed with summer" wraps for summer and working on some special gift idees.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

bittersweets...

French clay is ideal for all skin types. It draws out impurities in the skin, leaving  it soft and clean.

Having fun with the beautiful pink peonies. Next to bloom, hydrangeas. I can't wait to take product shots with the blooms!

I started pressing some of the flowers for the fleur journal. Mock orange, red clover and violets were the first early spring blooms this season.   

I did not use a large book or weight to press the blooms. The blooms were placed in a small notebook. The main objective is to dehydrate the bloom so you really don't need a big heavy book to do the job.

I thought I'd press the flowers and reserve their blooms and then this fall and winter work on the illustrations and the descriptions. I'll be keeping a journal on their unique plant progress. Some secrets and planting tips. Some of which  I've recently discovered..

This spring, summer I have planted more than ever before! It will almost be a full time job to keep up with their progress, but a job I'm looking forward to!

Bee balm, moon flowers, baby's breath, cone flowers, roses, larkspur, straw flowers, corn flowers, aster, zinnia, fever few, spearmint, lemon balm, and the list goes on.

I am on the hunt for a small lemon verbena plant and want to pick up a lemon grass starter at our local farmers market. The Amish family always have healthy little lemon grass plants. Whenyou plant it, watch out! Start with an over-sized pot as it grows by lengths and bounds! I had to transplant last years lemon grass several times and even that wasn't enough! The roots grow rapidly.  I'm highly allergic to the herb! That doesn't mean I don't like it! I cut and dry the stems at the end of the season and the fragrant stalks are used for filler in baskets and such. You could easily dry the foliage to use for cooking the same way. By the way, citronella is the same family. It's not uncommon to be allergic to this herb. Use caution with any herb. There are more than several that can cause allergic reactions.

I hope you're enjoying spring!

Jill 00

 

 

packaging and marketing

Ah yes indeed! Two peas in a pod! What you ask? Packaging and marketing. They play well with one another. First comes the packaging, then the marketing. After all you really can't market something if you don't know what it is or looks like, right?

I have been invited by my bank to attend their customer appreciation day on Friday. Thinking it would be nice to mingle and hand out soap samples to both their customers, some of mine and hopefully some potential new patrons from my home town.

The banks  theme during the event is outdoor fun. I'm hoping I've captured a bit of that in the complimentary soap samples. I'm also marketing the "Country Fair" line of Bittersweet soap. Again, thinking it will fit in with the scheme of things.

I spotted the tiny paper cups while browsing at craft store the other day. Aren't they cute? Martha of course!

The little tags are simply done. I used water proof paper. Great to have around. Folks that make maps use it. Great for taking the maps in the field if it's raining. Waterproof maps, I like that! Waterproof labels and tags, even better!

Lot's of projects swirling around. I'm determined to begin sewing some new summer skirts and blouses. I have the patterns and fabric, just need to find the time!

Oh and these... I really want to make some of these. Another smart tool, elastic thread. I don't even need to attach my ruffler. Easy breezy. Like that! How cute little ruffle scarves. I want to make tons of them!

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

Happy Mother's Day

digging in the dirt

Lennis took the day off yesterday and we spent the entire morning and late afternoon tidying up outside and cutting the grass.  I managed to get some of my seeds planted. We had a recent rain so some areas were still wet. No fun digging in wet soil. Takes all the fun out of gardening I believe. Hence the phrase, "mudding it in!" You'll be hard pressed to be successful with your planting, especially if you're sowing seeds. Wait until the soil gets warm and dry and fine. That's the ideal time to plant!

Isn't she a pretty shade of pink? An early Mother's day gift from Lennis!

We visited the garden department of our local home improvement store yesterday and it was love at first sight!

While walking around admiring the many plants a man walked by. I could not help myself by asking him, "is that jasmine you have in your cart?" Yes, it is, he replied. I hope you don't mind, as I leaned over to sniff the aromatic white blossom's. He had honeysuckle too. Our conversation quickly turned to garden topics.

As Lennis and I were standing by the oak leaf hydrangeas two women walked up and began admiring the colorful blooms of an endless summer hydrangea. One of the ladies asked me if I had a lot of flowers and if I liked gardening. I replied, yes I did to both. We struck up a lovely conversation. I mentioned how I wish I'd had some of my Bittersweet business cards to give them, but had left them at home. They both handed my their cards. One of the ladies asked me if I owned Bittersweet Soap. Why yes, I do! She used to come in the shop on her visits back from CA. She said she always brought her mom and sister. Joy, joy to my ears!

Note to self.... Always have a few business cards on hand even if you have to stick them in your pocket!

I planted some Calendula seeds yesterday. If ever there were a fast easy to sow seed, it would be the Calendula. Really an herb in the plant world and related to the marigold. I dry the petals and put them in French clay mask as they are a wonderful healing herb to add to skin care or baby products.

I also planted fever-few seeds, another herb. I have a mature plant in the rock garden, but liked it so much I wanted to have more! The blooms resemble a brown eye susan, kind of. They last a long time.

Then pushed down the dirt with my thumb and stuck in nasturtium seeds. I planted the seeds close to the end of our brick steps so they should cascade down the sides.

Tossed out a few butterfly and hummingbird seeds. If you purchase those big bags of seeds it's quite economical. If you were to sow the entire bag you'd have tons of wildflowers. I like watching the seeds transform into flowers because you get a variety of blooms.

The trick to successful seed planting is the preparation of the soil. Sometime you need to add a few bags of top soil to the existing landscape.

Then the second trick is to keep them moist. A tiny little seed needs moisture to sprout!

Planting larkspur and straw-flowers today. Then I'm going to see if the garden is dry enough for planting. It was too wet yesterday. Where did I stash those garden boots!

Spring time in Bittersweet land is oh so grand!

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Windfresh bedroom

The clean un-cluttered wind fresh bedroom. I've mentioned many times how I prefer minimal things just sitting. Even items I use every day seem better served if reserved to a certain spot behind closed doors.

Now the process of going through, sorting and arranging perfume bottles, makeup, scarves, jewelry and clothes.

The content feng shui feelings I get from the clean-up,  priceless! Honestly after a big job like this the mood is always contentment and happiness and a feeling of well being. You know the feeling. 

I have two drawers reserved for scarves! I love wearing scarves. It will be a simple joyful pleasure to have a designated spot for them. So that when I get dressed I can easily pick and choose from one spot rather than, well at the moment I can't tell you how many scarves spots I have!

Lennis helped me clean the windows and I paste waxed the wood floors. Quite a job, but the results are worth it. As a kid I remember my mom pasting waxing our wooden floors. Then she buffed them to a high sheen with the electric buffer she had. I wish I had one of those today! Would make the job much easier.

So funny how over time the methods and contraptions for aiding clean-up have progressed. Sometime I prefer the old over the new.

I remember purchasing one of those new micro-fiber dust pickup brooms when they first came out. It seems every time you turned around you were having to purchase more of the cloths. I also remember my mom seeing me use it and saying, "you fell for that?" I did in fact, but in no time at all went back using my old trust worthy washable yellow dust mop! It felt good to clean my home in the same method that my mom did. Is there such thing as soulful cleaning? I think so. 

Anyway I don't know if she reads every day but I have a certain bloggy great friend that's planning to visit and stay a few days this fall. We've been corresponding back and forth for 5 years or so. We both started blogging about the same time and I felt a kindred spirit connection almost immediately. I'm already envisioning that moment when she gets off the plane and we meet. Smiles and tender feelings and maybe even a few tears will surely surround my sweet friends arrival! 

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

I'm headed to the garden. What we need is lots of plants!

Jill 00

Windfresh and new

Yesterday I wiped out the painting in the bedroom! An all day job and two coats later, happy. I painted the walls and ceiling the same color that I recently chose for our bathroom. Kind of an ecru I'd call it. The paint color is called windfresh by Sh. Williams.  Love the color and the way the room opens up with the light and airy walls. 

I'm kind of old-fashioned with my method of painting. I use a brush rather than a roller. It requires a bit more time to paint with a brush, but a roller seems to be messy and spotty and just a pain. So much easier to have two painting tools, a brush and paint. I also believe a brush offers better coverage. I actually like to paint and the reason for that is simple. I love seeing the transformation and change a color brings to a room.

I really like the new paints with primer built in. The paint seems to cover better as it should I guess, but it also seems to be a higher quality over the others. I guess they don't call it "super paint" for nothing!

I'll be trimming today and adding a fresh coat of creamy to the furniture in the room. Then comes the process of de-cluttering my drawers and sorting and discarding old makeup and cleaning out the dressing table. I need to sort through my jewelry too.  I'm going to paste wax the wood floors and tidy up the closet. Have a designated spot for scarfs. I really need that! I love wearing scarfs.

My favorite possession, an old iron and brass bed that I've had for many years. I love old beds!

Then the fun part... Placing the furniture and adding accessories. Not too many accessories, I like it simple.  Ever since I had the shop downtown I began yearning for less than more in my decorating. I like clean lines and un-cluttered corners. Kind of a staging act look but for the benefit of my family over prospective home buyers.

It's also safe zone time for planting. Even though I've planted quite a few plants I have yet to sow most of my seed collection. The larkspur and baby's breath for drying.

 My aunt sent me a packet of straw flowers. She is so sweet. She read on one of my posts that I was having a difficult time finding the seeds and ordered them from here.    You may remember me discussing Monticello on past posts. If you're ever on the hunt for a certain variety of seed, you shall most certainly find it here! I would love to visit sometime and tour their lovely gardens. How exciting to know too, the flowers and plants are ones that Lewis and Clark discovered upon their travels and returned to Mr. Jefferson.

   Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

fluffy & fragrant

The peonies are blooming! It's such a thrill to walk down to the rock garden and pick an early morning dewy bouquet. My peonies are shaded so they always bloom after the ones in sunny spots throughout my little town.  It does kind of make me feel peony happy when my blooms are just opening up when others have faded and began to turn brown and dormant. Good things happen to those who wait! Sometimes that phrase applies to blooms.

I did a little write up on Calico Petals blog about seeds. You can click here to read the post.  Since I'm so passionate about the subject I felt a need to write it down.

I love taking product shots with flowers! Can't wait for the hydrangea's to bloom!

Attempting to capture a soft shot.

I'm proud to say the Peppermint foot creme is back! Several customers had asked when it would be available again. You can order a jar here.  The creme has healing properties with the combination of lanolin and vitamin e. Lots of other good pure|clean|simple ingredients added to make this rich concentrated creme.

As usual around here, more than several spring projects in the works. I picked up the paint for the bedroom yesterday and some sewing projects planned in between filling orders and manufacturing.

Pondering thoughts of a new lip balm and I'm going to go back to making a soap that contains vegetable oil just so I can re-visit Bittersweets soulful past. Soaps made with vegetable oils are referred to as castile soap. Very gentle and good for your skin. The original castile soaps were made with laurel oil.  

Here's a little soap making secret tip...

You know how Ivory soap floats?

If you whip your soap gently during the soap making process your soap will float! You may need to practice the method awhile before getting it right.

Something I learned a long time ago when researching soap making.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

 

summer home

A few small corners to show you of our home.  My straw hat collection. My favorite is the one with the hydrangea blooms. I wore it when we got married!

I mentioned how my hydrangea plants have more blooms than ever before. I can't wait to see the bounty of blooming clusters. They will definitely be needing to be picked! I want to line this cabinet with old canning jars filled with the blooms.

I love vintage canning jars! My collection contains some very old ones.

My project table. A stack of summer reads, the beginning of a fleur sketchbook and diary. A variety of writing and drawing instruments. My stash of pretty stationary sits below my moms vintage library table for easy access.

One of my favorite corners, above. The natural down to earth corner, I call it. An antique wood bowl filled with last years zinnia blooms, seeds for this year, a large bouquet of naturally dried Missouri field flowers, bouquets of hydrangeas I picked from my garden, great grandmother's pie safe filled with my favorite china and moms sweet little prints she was so fond of.

Summer home sweet home...

Manufacturing in the house!

The return of the long awaited peppermint foot crème will once again fill the apothecary shelves! I will be listing it on the web site too!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer home days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

sweet & bitter

Yesterday late afternoon I received a knock on the door. It was my neighbor and his little boy. They brought a beautiful May day peony basket. Tears almost fell as I was handed the posy. I couldn't help but ponder those sweet May day memories from yesterdays post. I'm quite fond of loving gestures!

After they left I began to ponder a few other thoughts. I tried not to go there, but for some reason traveled to a dark spot for a brief May day moment.

I did not turn on the news yesterday. Not unusual as I usually don't. I'm getting so tired of the  media attempting to dictate and cover the issues and topics they wish to publicize. After all, when was the last time the good stories out weighed the bad? They used to you know!

Not so very long ago when you watched the news you'd witness coverage about kind people doing kind things more than the bad ones. Think about that...

Anyway back to my dark moment. I say moment because really just as Patrick says, "are you going to let that ruin your joy?" Think about that too!

One of my friends phoned yesterday and asked me if I had watched the occupy WS protesters on May day. I replied heck no I have not nor do I wish to!

I'm not the smartest turnip in the garden, but I'd like to think God gave me the sense to know when a scam is running.  

First and I'm going to speak frank so if I offend you I apologize.

Wall street is not responsible for our countries problems. Since I'm speaking my opinion, I'd go on to say. I'm happy and proud to live in this country! Although we have problems so does everyone, that's life. I doubt those problems will ever go away! Think about that too...

If we were all treated the same, which by the way we're not the same so it would be impossible to perform such a magic trick. Think about this...

How would you like it if when you awoke every morning everyone put on the same outfit? Boy retail would take a hit,wouldn't they? Not to mention I would absolutely hate dressing like everyone else!

If you were to have lived through the great depression which by the way I did not, but say if you did. I believe you would look at things from a different perspective. Maybe some of the WS protester  folks should watch the Walton's.  

I could go on and on and even on about this, but I won't!

I'll stick with the reason I was angry...

Why on earth and I mean that literally, would you choose to protest on  May day? 

I also believe nothing good ever comes from something bad. Think about that...Well it does if good people perform good deeds afterwards. What's love got to do with it? Something else to think about...

This is a delicate subject and I hesitated to even discuss it, but at the same time felt an urge to voice my bittersweet view.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

Happy May Day!

This day evokes sweet happy memories!

When I was a young girl May Day was a day that stood out from the rest. I remember  mom picking fresh seasonal blooms from her garden and carefully placing them in tin cans. She embellished the May day bouquets with pretty tissue and ribbons. I have fond memories of helping pick the flowers and arranging them in the pretty little hand made posies. Mom would make holes on the side of the and insert pipe cleaners for handles. She'd usually tuck a piece of chocolate in amongst the blooms.   

Then with May day bouquets in hand we traveled here and there throughout the neighborhood mostly to elderly neighbors homes. May Day tradition of course was to hang the posie on the door and hide, but mom preferred knocking and presenting the May day bouquet to the recipient in person.

I can still to this day remember the smiles and happiness those simple little bouquets brought to the neighbors we delivered them to.

I guess that is why May day is special to me.

Sweet soulful memories wrap themselves around this day.

 
Enjoy a caring and sharing May day.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Interlude

We had a delightful May day celebration @ the studio. The guests all had smiles on their faces and the sky's were sunny and bright! It truly was a perfect day! Thank you to all that came!  

While I'm on the subject of perfect... Sweet Leah came to help with the event. If ever I were to select a perfect helper, her name would be Leah! Leah's sparkling personality shines through and her old soul personality takes her way beyond her years. In other words, in addition to her beauty, she's kind and considerate and a smart young girl! Thank you Leah for being there.

Several old friends dropped by.

My best friend from high-school, Nita. Isn't she pretty? We reconnected on Face-book a little over a year ago. The moment we saw each other again it felt as though we picked up right where we left off some blankety blank years ago. I believe childhood friends become friends for life. They touch a place in your heart that cannot be reproduced.  I'm blessed and my life is much richer now with Nita back in it! I feel the same way about the other friends that through social networking have come back into my life.

My long time friends Debbie, Zach and Margaret, (little Timmy). Doesn't Margaret look pretty in her spring hat?

Margaret is Debbie's mom? You would never guess she's 94! I was noticing how wonderful and radiant her skin looked. Debbie said she had been using the marula smoothie on her face. I noticed recently after giving my dad a jar of the smoothie how great his face looked too! It's comforting to see the positive results of Bittersweet skin care right before my eyes.

How sweet is this picture?

This is Nita's grand daughter. I ask you again, isn't she the cutest little button? Her mommy designed and made her darling outfit! You can check out her companies page here.

Another old friend stopped by and I was able to  have time to snap a shot.

Dana from the Stone Rabbit hopped by! You can visit Dana's blog here.

So as you can see a great day!

I made the fresh lemonade! You may remember the post stating how it was going to take 40 lemons or six cups of lemon juice to make the lemonade! I was up late Friday night squeezing lemons! It really was yummy!

The small red roses are from my garden. The peonies had not opened yet, but the pink and red roses had!

Packing orders this morning and doing last of the month duties, taxes, etc.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

A beautiful day!

Singing Spring forever and ever...

I know every year you hear me say this! "This is going to be my favorite spring!" I guess the reason those feelings and that reoccurring phrase happen is simply because of the excitement and anticipation I feel when spring brings forth the birth of new idees and Bittersweet creations.

Centered around...

 A passion for making pure|clean|simple and those three words also help inspire me to create new things .

I can't imagine doing anything ~ else... 

To sum it up in a glorious metaphor. Just as Goldy Locks finally found the perfect resting place so have I!

This one feels just right!

My grandmother Lola used to tell that bedtime story in her unique extraordinary bedtime story style. I can still remember hearing her say those words. I loved it when we came to that part of the story. She needed no book with pictures to illustrate her story, only her voice.  Although I heard it over and over and knew Goldy Locks would eventually discover her perfect bed hearing my grandma tell that story evoked the same anticipated warm happy feelings each and every time I heard her tell it.  

As a child I thought the loving gesture of telling a bedtime story was the best gift ever! But as I grew to an adult I discovered my grandma blessed me with an even bigger gift. Sweet happy childhood memories that forever  remain a positive impact on how I live my life. Those memories have definetely helped to shape who I am.  

Spring is a time of renewal.

A time to reflect and take note.

To take things in stride.

A time to slow down and enjoy the beauty of Gods creations.

For me remembering those happy days gone by memories help to make spring feel more soulful and real.

Every day I take a break from my work and take Elle outside to run and play outside. Some days are testing as I'm usually so busy with work that  I feel there is no time for an interlude. However having said that I've also come to realize you must take time to stop and smell the flowers.

A most amazing thing happened yesterday!  Elle discovered butterflies! She became engrossed and began chasing them and trying to snatch em up. It was the funniest thing to watch!

I couldn't help but ponder that day last July 2,  as I sat in the car dealership with Patrick to help him purchase a new car.  I was extremely sad about losing Lily and even more sad as she died in my arms.  

That day I sat  patiently, mostly because of my somber mood awaiting the car dealer guy to present his next really good deal a song came on the radio.

It was that song, the seventies song that Heart sang. Dog and Butterfly. I remember how sad I felt hearing that song play  the day after Lily died in my arms.  You may remember me writing about that day.

Then yesterday as I watched Elle attempt to catch butterflies I once again remembered that song only this time a smile appeared on my face.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00