Bittersweet and the little soap company

Pondering some serious Mellow Thoughts...

 
I can't put my finger on it. It's there, kind of hanging from a string in my Christmas corners, just hanging...

As though a spotlight is shining on just part of the picture and you feel as though something is hiding in the shadows, dark shadows...

That's how I feel...

I'm so very thankful for all that I have, so thankful... 

Christmas is my favorite time of year, usually...

This year my mind travels back and forth...

Thoughts of our countries future, really trying to keep the white light gleaming within my heart and soul...

 Concerns about others...worries...and saddened by others selfish ways... All of those feelings I have...

Dealing with those feelings, sometimes a challenge...Keeping the white light of GODS love glowing brightly within my heart and thinking, Peace on earth, Goodwill towards men... and,  Do Unto Others, yes... I really try to live by the last three words...

Pondering these mellow thoughts...

We all have them... I'm just like you...

Oh Holy Night, The Stars are Brightly Shining...

Enjoy caring and sharing days...

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

little Christmas things...

 
A few presents starting to appear under the tree and little Christmas chores continue. Going light this year on gifts. Planning my favorite thing, a Christmas Eve dinner with my family. Decided to fix standing rib roast since the hens are out! Preparing  more home baked treats for treasured friends.

 Prepping for Bittersweets open house. I am going to try some new cookie recipes.

I picked up one of these, so that I could get the pretty scalloped edges on the cookie.

Cookie number two...

 Cookie number three...

Heading outside to gather some big sticks for the fire pit outside. It's turned to winter overnight! Planning on having an overfill outside the studio door on Saturday and don't want my guests to be cold while they are standing outside.

Going to fill the CD player with a few favorite Christmas tunes for my guests too.

Love all of these...

James Taylor, Blossom Dearie, Moody Blues. Yeah, the Moody Blues did a Christmas CD a few years back!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

Pinnie Love

 
I'ts so much fun to make the pinnies when you have such a beautiful selection of fabric to choose from. I'm particularly fond of this pattern. It reminds me of grandmas house, and Spring afternoons walking in her back yard picking a bouquet of sweet peas that colorfully covered her little garden shed and sticking my nose in the tiger lilies.

 

Lots of other memories too, but that one really stands out when I see this blossom print.

I believe I mentioned earlier about some new fabric sources.

This one is great and I have been ordering from them.

Another one that you might not have heard of, and then again if you're a fabric loving girl like me, maybe you have. This one too. I'm usually drawn to the Japanese manufactured fabrics.

Christmas Pinnie aprons being strung and sewn everyday. 

I love hand-made gifts! Especially practical ones...

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Postal Bound

Just jumping in to say the Calico Cookbooks will be shipping tomorrow! Each one is signed and personalized to each of you. Let me know when you try a recipe and what you make.

You know how it is this time of year, and I know it's busy for you too. Planning on a big crowd this weekend for Bittersweets open house. Taking some of those favorite cookie recipes out of the Calico Cookbook.

I recently saw in the BHG Mag,  brownies cut into long strips and I really liked the way the looked. Going to do that! I've never made sandwich cookies, but thought those looked really good too. So going to make Vanilla Santa's Sandwich cookies, also courtesy of  BHG Mag, December issue.

Really like this as a gift to someone!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Merry Christmas!

 
Did you think I had forgotten about the cookbook giveaway? Certainly not! I've kept the winners names tucked away in a safe spot awaiting this holiday moment.

Black Friday is a perfect day to announce the lucky ladies, I believe.

If your name is listed below, don't forget to keep an eye out next week for the postal carrier.

1. Kelly, Deniably Domestic
2. Tam, Apple Creek Cottage
3. Robin, Linton Cottage
4. Dru
5. Clarice, Story Book Woods
6. Crystal, Fairiebees
7. Twyla, Two Crazy Crafters

I believe I have addresses for most of you, but there are a couple I do not. I will be e-mailing the request so that I box up your Merry Christmas gift. 

On a different note...

Remember those cornish hens I  was planning on  preparing at Christmas Eve for my family?

I mentioned to my Dad  that I was serving the petite birds, and he said he didn't know whether he could eat the tiny sized hen or not!  He also told me my brother and his wife would not like such a tiny little bird sitting on their plate. After he told me this, I couldn't help but giggle and laugh. I envisioned sitting the small birds on a platter and seeing my family's expressions.  Gotta change that menu now! Any suggestions????? Do you have a family food tradition? Just curious...

I hope you have fun with the cookbook. I'm already getting ready to  make cookies and  brownies for Bittersweet's open house next Saturday.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

A Christmas Story...

I thought it to be an appropriate time to share with you a recent Christmas story.

Every year about this time I'm presented with a brief caring and sharing moment I believe is directed to me for a reason. A moment that could easily fall under the way side if I so chose, but  I've learned not to ignore these moments, but rather cherish them and  honor them and make these moments a part of my Christmas tradition.

I hope you enjoy this story...

The recent Vintage Market show brought more than the anticipated occurrences. Little did I know this Market  would stand out from  others in a most caring and sharing way. What I call a perfect beginning to holiday wishes.

Into my second day of arranging my little boutique at the VINTAGE MARKET and  I'ts mid morning.   I over hear a young man talking in front of the store. He says he's here to wash the  windows. " I usually  have a tall guy that comes, but he isn't here today." he says.

 I walk toward the front of the store and say to the young man, "Well, you are pretty tall, much taller than my son."  "How old is your son"? he asks.  As I  tell him he quickly proceeds to pull out his wallet and show me pictures of his baby boy. "He's eight months old,"  he says. You can see in his face as he continues to share other pictures of the little boy how proud and happy he is. I tell him  that he's  going to have a wonderful Christmas with his family.

The young man replies,"I don't know if it will be that great of a Christmas for my family as I can not afford to buy my wife or my baby a Christmas present!" I looked into his caring eyes and said without hesitation, "you will!"

I walked back into the store and continued to merchandise my space and as I did  pondered the words the young boy had just said. The thoughts of caring and sharing had not quite entered my mind,  and then I realized, this was my "Caring and Sharing" moment! I thought to myself how sad this kid  must feel to not be able to present his wife and baby with just one Christmas gift!

I grabbed a postcard with store hours and information and walked toward the door towards the boy. I knew exactly what I was going to say and do at that moment. I also knew that just as years past, this was my caring and sharing opportunity moment sent to me from GOD. I'm blessed with one every Christmas!

I hand the boy the card and tell him to come back during store hours and pick out items for his wife. Unfortunately I did not have baby gifts, but plenty of  items I think his wife would like. "Does your wife like to cook?" "How about coffee, does she like coffee?" "Oh and hand-made soap, everyone likes those, right?"

The next day around noon or so I notice the boy walks in. I greeted him and directed him towards my boutique. We filled his bag with Christmas goodies "Now you mustn't allow her to see this stuff before Christmas", I say. He says, oh no, I have a great hiding place!  

I quickly became busy and the "caring and sharing" moment faded away. I just recently pondered the account, and thought how wonderful it was.

I hope this story gets you more in the spirit of Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Gifted...

The Market is an ideal spot for finding vintage china. I spotted this platter with little forget me knots and fell in love. I love anything with forget me knots.

 
Then as I was wrapping up and packing my stuff off I noticed someone had left me a beautiful china dish with this note. Funny, I have never told anyone about my passion for vintage china.

I kind of had an inkling on who left the beautiful tray, but wasn't sure. I asked her, and she said yes, she had left it. Doris, thank you. I couldn't have picked it out better! Thanks for caring and sharing my friend!

I have a  great VINTAGE MARKET story to tell you about. It's a soulful holiday story that I think you will find touching, and maybe get you more into the spirit of Christmas.

Also some new textile supplier news I think you'll like and..... that secret idea.....

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Blog Wackiness

My blog went wacky yesterday. It seems a widget that I've had on my blog for a year or so caused complete chaos. So if your blog posts ever go to the bottom of the page all of a sudden for no reason, it's probably from a widget, say like a feedjit link, don't figure, but that's what happened. Things like that drive me nuts. I'm one of those crazy people that have to figure out what's going on! So I spent most of the day messing with it. I believe that old saying, "can't live with them, can't live without," better describes computers nowadays.

Happily moving on...

I ordered some of these pretty note pads to sell at Bittersweet. Aren't they cute? Practical too! I use them for all my design work. The pink bird appears on each page. I offered these at the VINTAGE MARKET and they were flying out the door. They make a really nice Christmas gift for any one that doodles, keeps notes, designs, or writes letters. I will be listing the note pads on Bittersweet  under favorite Christmas gifts. They sell for $4.99.

 Still wrapping holiday soaps. Yesterday I mixed up a fresh batch of patchouli fragrance spray and the house smells like Patchouli! Have I told you how much I love the fragrance patchouli? Oh yeah, I have!

Some secret ideas that I've been floating around for a couple of years keep resurfacing and pointing in the let's do it direction. Although the idea is time consuming and will add extra work load to my already busy life, I believe if I don't do it I will regret it when I get old. So I'm going for it! Have you guessed the secret idea? I'll keep you guessing for awhile!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)   

TESTING 123

Seem to be having some issues today with my blog.

Just checking to see if this post goes to the top of the page rather than the bottom.

Jill 00

Some Stuff

Christmas is a busy time for Bittersweet. The hustle and bustle of preparing  hand-made soaps and goods is pretty much non-stop. In between the craziness though is some planning for my family's holiday meals. I mentioned I'm using some of Mary Jane's  recipes for Thanksgiving, excited to try those. I'm also composing a menu for Christmas Eve.

I love Christmas Eve! My family comes over, we have a small family, Dad, Step Mom, Brother, and his lovely wife.  The meal I prepare is important to me, as I want it to be special.

This season, Holiday 09 I've decided to prepare this..

 

  Cornish Hens with Barley-Mushroom Stuffing. Yummy! I found the recipe in an old Southern Living cookbook.

At the moment my home looks anything but holiday ready. I've moved my sewing machine upstairs into the dining room and pinnie fabric is strung from corner to corner. Cookbooks line the studio as well as shipping boxes and oodles of unwrapped holiday soaps. It's the not so calm before the storm I call it!

Relax, take a deep breath and don't stress the small stuff. That's what I tell myself this time of year, every year! If I didn't, the joy of the season would be carried off and wasted...

Christmas is a time for caring and sharing, I believe and I try not to loose sight of that.

The days and weeks go so fast anymore that I try to cherish each and every one. Even if they are bad days, don't have those too much, but if I do, then I cherish those too. For without the bad, we would not appreciate the good!

I have a few more things to share from the market. I received a gift from one of the vendors, and my dear bloggy friend Leigh Ann visited me and presented  a gift too. Leigh Ann you are the sweetest!!

Blabbering on again, aren't I?

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

  

Sweet

I have a few more pictures to show you before I wrap up the highlights of the Vintage Market.

One of the magic moments during the three day event was seeing this darling girl purchasing and modeling this favorite pinnie. Isn't she too cute?

 
There were some down times during the event when we mingled and visited and took silly pictures like this one.

Oh, and some of my profits went to the accessories you see above, minus those rhinestone trimmed sunglasses.

I spotted this shirt and fell in love!

Yes, there are chicky new clothes at the market too! Brandy offers the cute line at her shop in Blue Springs.

So now you can see why I had so much fun!

A misting of snow is on the ground this morning. Winter will soon be arriving.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

FUN!

What a lovely group of girls!

Don't you just love those hats? Heather, (second to the left), was offering her hats at the Vintage Market. You wouldn't believe how many hats I saw walk by my boutique. I called them "Happy Hats" because everyone that purchased one put it on and walked around with a big happy face including myself!

What a fun show!!

More pictures to come..

I'll be putting together a slide show over @ the VINTAGE MARKET web site later today.

Such a lovely group of boys and girls to mingle with for three days, and I enjoyed it so.

Holiday Soap wrapping assembly line going on here, last minute pinnies to make, because I sold some at the market. The Bittersweet Blend Coffee was a hot item! If you are interested in ordering the coffee, they sell for $16 a pound. Just drop me a line  with your info and I will forward you an invoice. You will love it!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one) 

Sneak Peek...

 

Vintage Market, Company's Coming!

My little boutique is anxiously awaiting company!

Tomorrow night, 6-9 marks the preview night, and then all day Friday and Saturday, 10 - 9, long day, but looking forward to it. It rolls in a change and helps me get more excited about the holidays.

 
 
 

A sneak peak at Bittersweets little corner.

Hop on a plane and come and see me!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Winding down...

 
Taking some time to reflect on the day and winding down from the market work. 

The VINTAGE MARKET is looking soo vintage holiday-ish! You won't believe your eyes!

My little boutique is decked out in Bittersweet holiday too. Simple back to basic hand-made essentials line the space. Fresh bags of Bittersweet Blend Coffee fill the market with their aromatic fragrance. 

Just a few last minute finishing touches to add and I'll be ready for pictures. 

I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones. 

As I wrap myself inside my little world of markets and holiday events, and anticipation of it all,  I too have reflected upon the recent attacks upon our fellow human beings and so saddened by the unnatural event. I will be praying for the families and loved ones. 

Remember that life is truly a gift and should be treated as such. 

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one) 

 

Winter Bouquet

 
Finally had some extra time to travel to the outskirts of town and pick a winter bouquet. My Mom used to have a large bouquet like this in her bathroom. I really miss her creativity sometime, and her words of advise.

Isn't the bouquet pretty? As I sit next to it at the show, I'll be reminded of my Mom and it will make me feel happy.

Getting show ready, little last minute odds and ends around the studio. The large bouquet is the perfect trimming for Bittersweets show display. Cost  nothing,  Love that!

I used the old-fashioned pitcher and bowl my Mom made in the seventy's. Love that too!

The merchandising done for this show is not typical Bittersweet. I've taken on some twists and some change in current taste. All the colors I really like to use at Christmas time, silvers, golds, creams, browns, ecru, and that fawn green the Cranberry Spice soap is wrapped in. Love those too! This season Bittersweet is inspired by nature and our favorite holiday phrase, "less is more"!

I noticed on my walk this morning my neighbor down the street has a beautiful hemlock tree. I'm going to ask if I can get a cutting. Hemlocks  produce tiny little pine cones that are so sweet to tuck here and there.  

Bloggy in and bloggy out, updates and pictures as they present themselves.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

 

Show Ready..

 
Do you like the postcard? A Bittersweet Cottage Design. I love the lady! You can get a preview of the "Company's Coming" event at the Vintage Market blog. Isn't that window stunning? It looks like a picture out of a magazine! Window decked out by ReDeux and Pink Chandelier Boutique.

I'm so excited about this Market!!! I love the holidays, my favorite time of year. I plan on spreading tons of good cheer!

Getting prepared for a show takes so much work and time. For those of you that showcase your wares in that manner well know. I believe the connections made and the exposure out way all the mess involved to prepare.

Since the show is next weekend, I'm down to last minute preparations. Bittersweet will offer our holiday collection exclusively. Unique soulful hand-made's that are designed to make your Christmas Merry & Bright, skin too!

This market I'll be offering our famous custom blend of coffee. I'll show you how I set up the coffee display later next week. You should see the little espresso cups I have to serve the samples, they are so cute!

 This is our coffee label. The blend is custom, a bit of this, a touch of that. It is so good! The coffee manufacture mixes it fresh and bags it for us. Bittersweet gets oodles of requests for the special coffee this time of year. Customers enjoy serving the tasty blend to their guests during the holidays. I even barter with my dentist, he loves it too! Isn't that bananas? I love the fact Rachael Zoe has brought back the popular seventies phrase, don't you?

Continuing with "Show Ready.."

Since it's gift giving time, I thought it would be nice to do a few giveaways during the special event. Maybe a pound of  Bittersweet Blend Coffee, or a few bars of Velvet Spice, or a Soothing Heat Pillow, yeah.

I'm working on last minute changes in the Vintage Market Magazine. The holiday edition is going to be golden, if I might say so myself! It's filled with holiday ideas and news about upcoming Vintage Markets. There might even be a few surprise announcement's too. Eventually the Vintage Market magazine will be offered on-line. A project that's waiting until after the New Year, because I'm so busy.

Speaking of busy.. Bittersweet orders have shipped and should be arriving soon!

Cookbooks are going fast, so if you haven't got your hands on one, well, you know. I'll be signing the cookbooks at the Market, and plan to sell out!

Enjoy caring and sharing Holidays.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
 

Simple again..

 
My simple, less is more studio decorating is evolving into soul satisfying feelings. Only a couple of small new purchases this season, and feeling really good about using what I have, as I often do.

 
I've talked about my fondness for recycled merchandising before and how I enjoy working with items I already have. One of my favorite embellishments to add to my holiday decor is natural, like the hydrangeas. I love the look of the simple brown wrappings against the lavender and celery green blooms. The snow-berries are a favorite too. One of the packages is adorned with a vintage millinery blossom and tattered velvet ribbon. I think I purchased the hat for $2 at a flea market, I like that!

 
  Fresh batches of lavender laundry powder , lemon linen water and colorful washing gloves line my little laundry room shelves.

 My favorite pink paisley stocking hangs from the bird cage mixed amongst the silver, creams and faded blue hand-mades.

 
  Colorful pinnies and sassafras half aprons hang here and there, and lavender sachet bundles adorn the collection. It's going to be a hand-made Christmas!

The Calico Cookbook takes center stage.

Vintage Christmas postcards, soft cotton crocheted washing cloths, precious snow-berries and large pine cones happy together.

Once a year holiday soaps wrapped to resemble a pretty Christmas package.

I'm taking a drive in the country this afternoon to pick and gather some dried wildflowers. I've been watching and  waiting for the perfect moment to pick the preserved dried flowers. Although we haven't had a heavy frost yet, the Missouri native dried wildflowers are in their prime for picking, I noticed  yesterday as I drove along the roadside they have preserved to perfection and ready to pick.  My Mom was an expert on this subject, and I admired how she plucked pieces from nature, and incorporated them into her settings.  The natural creamy hues of the fluffy dried wildflowers will fit in beautifully with the look I'm trying to achieve. I'll be sharing that with you. I think you'll be surprised to see the results, and you may like to use the technique in your holiday designing.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)