Bittersweet and the little soap company

Saturday Market, a sweet friend, and departing the USA

Every Saturday morning, I rise early and co-pilot the ride over the hill and through some neighborhoods, and arrive downtown so that Patrick can start his job. He seems to be conversing right along with the farmers. I left and came back to sneak a few camera shots this past Saturday.

 

 

I took a few shots of Patrick talking with a new vendor.

The camera guy came from the news channel to finish their story. I didn't hang around after taking the pictures, didn't want to be a wondering pesky Mom. I'm excited to watch the segment. If you live in Kansas City, it airs on either Tuesday or Wednesday, on the 10 o'clock news.

After I drop Patrick off, I usually come home and get the Saturday Studio prepared to open.

This Saturday an old friend stopped by I hadn't seen in a very long time, my friend Doug. He used to be my boss when I worked for the city of Liberty. He was without a doubt the best boss I've ever had! His mellow personality, and kind considerate not boss at all ways, helped me to balance out my high maintenance job as Code Enforcement Officer. We also became friends during that time, and I really think highly of him, as he has a sweet soul.

Doug left the city sometime after I did. He now owns his own business, importing beer. What a great idea! A happy job too!

Doug, if you're reading this, you're a great guy! Lennis said to tell you HI! Oh, and I seriously want to have you over this Summer, OK?

Monday morning, and I'm going to be heading to the airport later to drop off Patrick for his European journey. I requested a post card from every place he stops.

Mom will be home alone for almost two weeks! I've already got an itinerary planned , and I'm hoping to get lot's of work completed. That's the plan anyway..

I'm taking my camera to the airport so that I can take a few shots of the crew leaving. Do you remember when you were fifteen, and being embarrassed by your parents acting goofy? I'll try to not stand out, and blend in while taking the precious shots of memories.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one Patrick, as you are leaving for a long fun exciting journey.

   

Ho Ho Ho!

Last nights open house was delightful! This year's attendees were indeed a joy, as they filled the shop with laughter and Christmas spirit.  I didn't get too many pictures, was so busy talking with everyone.

My good, good friends Debbie, Debbie's son Zach, and Margaret, Debbie's Mom. This is a picture of Margaret and I. Isn't Margaret stunning! She ballroom dances, and was getting ready to dance last night after popping in at the open house.

Lennis lit luminaries in front of the boutique and the shop looked warm and festive.

Simple Saturday today again, although it will be simple, the downtown square will be filled with little children anxiously awaiting the arrival of one big jolly elf, Santa Claus. He arrives this morning, reindeer permitting, at around eleven on his shiny red sleigh. Santa will be escorted by beautiful horses, for the reindeer are resting from their long journey from the North Pole.

The Christmas parade begins at eleven. Even though the parade is small  in scale, it's grand in Jolly Christmas Spirit!

HO, HO, HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Enjoy A Caring And Sharing Day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Sparkly & Bright

I am preparing the invitations for my 10th Bittersweet Open House. I had to drop by the shop early this morning to pick up my guest book so that I can update my mailing list. I am sending out over six-hundred invitations this year for the event.

I shot this picture early this morning  across from Bittersweet. Aren't the lights pretty? Can you see Bittersweet? It's the shop with the two white trees in front.

Monday's.. Always seems to take awhile to get going. Why is that? Even my typing fingers seem to be affected by the Monday Morning Indecisiveness. No time for that either, busy, busy!

Hopefully a productive Monday, although so far I'm a little unsure. More coffee please!

I have ran out of so many things at the shop over the weekend. Lip balm almost gone again, and holiday soap right up there too. Making more soap this morning, but not the holiday soap. Instead it will be Lavender Mint. I won't be making any more holiday soap this season. I hopefully have made enough to get me through until my open house. Then I would imagine it will be gone until next year. WOW!

Internet orders are setting on my front stoop ready to be picked up and mailed. For those of you that check the blog, they're on their way darlings!

Yesterday I made Ina's chocolate cake. It had a cup of coffee in the cake batter which made it sooo rich and yummy, and chocolate too. I took some to Bob and Sandy.

Bob and Sandy are going to be our new neighbors down the street. I met Sandy when I used to sell Bittersweet wholesale. She owned a cute little shop called "Whoa Nellie". It was a western/eclectic tempo type shop, very cute! Anyway, she sold Bittersweet products in her store, and we became good friends. Isn't that funny? Now she is moving two houses down from me. I am excited she will be  my new neighbor.

Sandy is one of the most creative people I have ever known. Both her and her husband have purchased an older 1930's style house, and completely remodeled it themselves. I should take pictures and show you, you won't believe your eyes what they have done! Marble counter tops, copper in the kitchen, custom fireplace mantel, custom cabinets, just unbelievably stunning!

I have some big secrets, and surprises I'm keeping from everyone. I have been dying to tell everyone, and it's very hard for me to keep secrets, but I have to wait until after the first of the year to disclose what they are though. You'll understand after I tell you then. I am very excited about my new adventure though. That's all I can tell you at this time. Anticipation for both you and me...

Speaking of anticipation.. Did you know Gilmore Girl song sang at the beginning of the show is both Carol King and her daughter? Isn't that cool! I so admire Carol King she is one of the most talented female artists I know.

All right then..Off to work I go.

Enjoy a caring and sharing day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Everything Cheery And Bright!

Last nights Christmas lighting ceremony was great! I helped Patrick take video for his web site. We had the best view on the square. We stood high on the courthouse steps, Patrick covered the entire event while I assisted him with the video camera. I was not a very good assistant. I am not used to running the video camera, but he managed to edit the bad shots I took so ... 

As you can see from the pictures I took, or maybe I should say, as you can not see, from the pictures I took it was just beautiful! I believe some three or four thousand Christmas lights adorn our old historic buildings, and the old courthouse houses the Mayors Christmas tree this year.  My darn camera didn't come through again. Just when you think you have the perfect shot, and probably did, the camera flunks out!

I promise to take better pictures, cause you just have to see my little downtown all decked out with holiday lights.

Last year was the very first lighting ceremony ,and if I remember correctly we only had around fifteen people attend, mostly friends and other shop owners, and the Mayor. As we counted down, and got to one, some of the lights didn't come on, and.. well hey, it was the first year.. I remember it was bitterly cold too. Patrick brought his keyboard and played Christmas music while we sang as fast as we could so that we could get out of the cold wind and get warm. Although it was small in scale, I will always remember that night!

Last night was fun! Their were Christmas songs sang by some of our school choir kids, and families walking around just like I mentioned before about the good old days.

Saturday shop day, and I anticipate a busy day. Like Mr. Braun would say, "A Four Bell Day"!

I mustn't forget to care and share too!

Have a caring and sharing day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

Girls Night!

   

 

Girls night out out was so much fun! Even though I was behind the cash register most of the evening I still enjoyed everyone's company, and had a great time. It seemed the gals were having a good time too.

Events such as girls night out, allow people to discover the new restaurants and little specialty shops on the Liberty square. I believe this should become a regular once-a-month event. It's a great time to pull  together some friends, window shop, or just enjoy each others company. Like the good old days I mentioned yesterday.

Tonight, another big and colorful  event, and I'm so excited! The annual lighting of the downtown Christmas lights. Starts at six...and I noticed yesterday their putting up the Mayor's Christmas tree next to the old courthouse. I've talked about my little town before.

Last year a tall elf named Neil put most of the Christmas lights up on the old downtown buildings. I've been setting watching out my window as he again happily hangs the lights. He does it  out of the goodness of his heart, and receives no money for his hard work. Thanks Neil, for caring and sharing! Without your efforts the downtown wouldn't be as bright and cheery during this wonderful time of year.

Don't forget to have a caring and sharing day!

Happily,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)

 

Gilmore's Revisited!

Scrumptious, Delicious, Delightful...

These were some of the adjectives I heard last night while  dining at the new little Italian restaurant that opened on the square.The downtown merchants, myself included, have anxiously awaited the opening of Cupini's Italian Restaurant.

Cupini's own two other restaurants in Kansas City, and now a third, north on the Historic Liberty Square. I have a feeling my daily grunge of yogurt and granola may be tossed aside. What a thrill to have such a great restaurant in our little downtown! I've talked about my town before.

What a wonderful evening. I not only indulged in yummy vegetable lasagna and chocolate mousse for desert, but enjoyed the warm company of my family, including my Dad and Brother.

I know I've probably bored you with my talk about my quaint little town before, but I have to tell you this.

Liberty is a suburb of Kansas City about twenty minutes north. It's population is about thirty-thousand, and not considered a large city, but not small either. I've mentioned how when I go to the grocery store, I always run into people I know.  Last night at the restaurant was one of those times Liberty seemed even smaller.

As my family and I enter the restaurant, I immediately notice how many friends I know sitting at the tables. It was a little awkward at first. When was the last time you went to a restaurant where all your friends and neighbors are setting at the tables next to  you? I guess if you live in a really small town, this would be an everyday occurrence, but a town my size?

After I sat, and visited with my family , I began to ponder this thought.  I had one of those "Jill" moments... I started getting this warm comfy feeling, just like I felt while visiting with my family. It was like a episode of "Gilmore Girls." Then it hit me! Liberty is like Stars Hollow! Everyone does know everyone, and did the producers secretly come to our town before creating this show?

Well, it's most definitely things that make my little town fabulous to me!

Have A Stars Hollow Day!

Happily,Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)