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I'm going to be taking a little cookie break for a spell.
Not sure how long I'll be gone, maybe a week or two.
School ends next week, and we all begin to move at a slower summer pace.
Bittersweet in full summer production, Memorial weekend already! Have a great weekend!
By the way, that picture of those cookies. A new chocolate chip recipe that I really like.
Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
I had the nicest sweetest group of ladies come to the studio on Saturday. One of the women, Leah had visited Bittersweet when it was downtown. She had purchased the Lavender Liniment, and was just now running out. Golly Gosh, that's been almost 4 years. Maybe I should re-think making concentrated products! Leah, phoned just minutes before I was closing on Saturday, and asked if she and her friends could come by, that she needed to get more liniment.
I gave her directions over the phone, and within about 10 minutes or so I was surrounded by 4 of the, say it again Sam, nicest, sweetest, kindest women!
Then later that day, I received this e-mail...
Thank you, Jill, for making our "girls day out" such a memorable one. Stopping by your Saturday Studio was the high point of our day, and each of us will fondly remember the time we spent chatting with you about your products, your studio, and just life in general. --Cheryl Ann, Leah, Michelle and Donna
Thank you girls for making my day!
Bittersweet production in full summer swing this week. Making Oat's & Goat's soap as well as FRESH SUGAR BABY, DRY OIL, and LAVENDER LINIMENT, cause the girls purchased it all!
I like the simplicity of this soap wrap. It represents the soap well since the soap has no fragrance, and made with ground oat's & goat milk. I put a substantial amount of milk in this soap, and it lathers up with rich creamy froth.
It's heating up here in the Midwest. In fact, it feels like Summer!
Enjoy a caring and sharing day.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
You've heard me talk often about the little boxes Bittersweet makes. Although I don't have an actual count on how many I've made over the past thirteen years, I would guesstimate close to the thousand mark.
The little soap box idee originated from my creative Mom. I guess that's part of the reason while I paint, paste, and put together each little box I often think of her. That makes me feel happy.
The first prototype quite different than todays box. I used to decoupage them with pieces of recycled wallpaper. I became a regular at my local Sherwin Williams. They kept the old wall paper books in the back, and I would sort through the ones I wanted and stack them in my trunk. I can remember feeling excited to look through the different wallpaper books. Isn't that funny?
Then the little box evolved...
I replaced the wallpaper with vintage pictures. I painted them all the same creamy color, and began selling them to boutiques and gift shops along with soap bars. The stores were happy to have unique merchandise, and I was happy to be selling so many boxes!
Then when I had my own store...
Production increased even more, and I began making 50 or 60 boxes at a time. I can still remember the kitchen counter lined with all those little freshly painted, varnished, glittered boxes.
One day HGTV called and asked if they could come to my home and film me making a little box. I said SURE!
After about five hours of filming for that 7 minute segment we had it!
That was so much fun to make that video! The camera, sound crew arrived a little after 8 am. I had invited a few of my close friends to be here. They made the day even more special!
They arrived early with brunch goodies, and the HGTV crew were treated to a delicious brunch served by my dear friends.
Little did I know, the rest of the day my friends would be confined to my basement! They were troopers though, and never once complained, GREAT FRIENDS!
Celia Bonaduce, Danny's sister, was the producer for the show. She was a jewell, and very easy to work with, kind and sweet.
Time goes so by so very quickly. It's been 8 years or so since I did that show. Thank goodness my kitchen has had a makeover since then!
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
I mentioned in my last post I had eliminated red meat from my diet, and how since then I'm experiencing positive very noticeable changes within my body.
This is a lengthy post, cause you know how I am once I get going on something I feel strongly about...
Just to set the record straight before I even begin...
This post was not intended to influence you in any way to not eat red meat, but rather simply share with you my experience since I've went red meatless.
I grew up in a small Midwest town. On the out skirts of town, a big sign greeted you as you came in that read, "The Beef Capital of the World." Back then it was, now I'm not sure who takes credit for that, maybe Texas or California, China, h'm.
Back to the no meat story...a personal one..
It all started quite by accident, and I had not intended to diminish red meat from our diet. I'll admit, I had gradually began replacing red meat meals with farm raised chicken, and when we wanted a good old fashioned hamburger, I purchased buffalo. I've always been health conscious about what I serve my family anyway, but now more than ever I've noticed how food things have changed.
A year or so I started becoming more aware of the packaging and what it read. Does "no added hormones" mean it contains hormones, but extra's have not been added?
Then the health thingy...
Aunt Fern became a noxious once a month intruder, interfering with my active life style, and even though my body structure is lean, my stomach looked as though I was 6 months pregnant! I won't go into all the other stuff, cause I think you get the picture.
By accident, I planned a week of no meat meals. After about 6 days I began to notice changes within my body. The first amazing thing was I had no fat stomach! The second, Aunt Fern came and went, and was not the intrusive pest she had always been! Since Fern has been showing up every month for 40 years now, any change is most noticeable.
Those two wonderful positive changes have allowed me to change my diet. Most importantly, I realize meat isn't made the same as it was when I was a kid. In fact none of our food is.
It's became a full time job for me to pick through, sort, and distinguish the good food from the bad food, stuff.
Did you know that studies have shown Norwegian women do not experience menopausal symptoms?
I wonder why? Their diet of course! They go through months of not having green veggies during their winter months, but in between eat lots of fresh fish. H'm.
Then I watched that movie. Food Inc...
The truth hurts, doesn't it? I was utterly appalled by what I witnessed while watching this film.
All right, I think you are noticing I'm a tad bit cynical when discussing our food situation. After educating myself, and becoming more aware of how our food is prepared I think I have every right!
What do you do about it?
Eating healthy nowadays is not cheap, but if you cipher through the "natural food" chain it is affordable.
I'm still learning, and it's a major change in the way I used to purchase food at the grocery store.
This is what I do...
During the spring and summer months I purchase only organic produce from our local farmers market.
I purchase only organic meats, chicken mostly. Those are becoming easier to find, and I usually wait and check the weekly sale fly er and stock up.
Nuts... lot's of nuts, I like nuts, especially almonds. Soy nuts too, but only organic.
Peanut butter, again, organic, and no added sugar, just nuts and oil, yummy...
Coffee, I love coffee, but I only drink organic. I purchase it here.
I juice almost every day. I prefer 3 apples, and a handful of carrots. I purchase organic ones here.
Milk, I don't drink milk, but Lennis loves milk, organic.. here too.
Eggs, I'm so excited! I recently found a local organic egg farmer! We eat lot's of eggs!
Our yard is shaded by huge trees, and I'm not able to have a garden without cutting down the trees. If the trees were not there, I would definitely have a garden. I do however have fresh herbs, basil, mint, thyme, and I incorporate them into our meals. I make fresh pesto from the basil, and serve it on bruschetta or spinach pizza.
I'm saddened by what our food has become, but realize things usually don't stay the same so I'm the one that has to take action and figure out what's right and what's wrong, and act accordingly.
I predict that all of our foods will eventually become organic. Hopefully the G regulations will not become cloudy and interfere with the true meaning of the word Organic, cause when it says something on a package it should be accurate. That's how it's suppose to work, right?
I'm at war with my food. That's what I feel like.
Having said that, I also feel good about the changes I've made in our diet. I know I'm nourishing my body with good stuff. Like the food I ate when I was a kid. You remember don't you? The days when the farmer grew our food, raised the cattle, milked the cows, and the chickens roamed wild in the fresh green grass, and beautiful eggs. Ah yes, I remember those days...
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
Thank you Anji for identifying the purple flowered plant as Blue Flax. I had no idea! I'm adding this plant to my list of favorites.
More collages to come, but I think I might be boring you so...
I thought you might like to see a few shots of the SPRING yard. I've planted more perennials this year than ever in my rock gardens, and annuals fill the many clay pots I've accumulated over the years. That's lavender in the clay pots above. I planted it early so it's been in the pots for over a month now. It's getting ready to bloom!
I planted the miniature sunflowers in their own pots. Happy little sunflowers, they are!
I have tall bamboo trellis in some of my containers. I've planted morning glory, so to have a pretty back drop amongst the shorter plants. Lemon Verbena in that one. It sits outside the studio door, and when customers leave, I break off a small piece and give to them. Lemon Verbena is a happy herb!
A favorite thing... This tossed aside potting bench I spotted along side the road while on a morning walk.
Lennis built these wonderful wide brick steps on our troublesome hill, and now we can walk down the hill with ease. Do you I spy the little frog? That's my friend Julies favorite yard accessory. He's a happy frog! The twig ladder, another built better by Lennis!
The brick patio Lennis built several years ago. We love this! I haven't opened the umbrella cause it's been raining almost every day and the plants are desperately needing sun.
The little garden shed that Lennis built too. Hey, it's pretty nice to have a handy man around. Look at all the stuff he's built! Lennis, you're the greatest man in the entire universe! Thanks for making our yard pretty.
I can't wait till the sweet peas and hydrangea's begin to bloom. They always bloom later. I noticed the mock orange is blooming early. It smells so goood! Can't wait to show you the summer blooms...
Something I really must tell you about later. I have eliminated red meat from my diet and I'm seeing amazing results in my overall health, body. I'ts all pretty personal stuff, but I feel I must share the information with you.
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)
I wanted to share the daisy bouquet that I got at the market. I love daisy's! I have some planted in my garden, but they are in a shaded area, and always bloom later than most. I'm not sure what the little purple blooms are, but, would like to plant some of those too. If you happen to recognize them, would you please pass on their name. They are so delicate and pretty.
Most of you know what a fanatic I am about changing my banner. I change mine more often than a week of Missouri weather! My love for creating different looks reflects in my banners. My taste and moods are constantly revolving, and when the moment strikes I'm compelled to create new banners.
As I look back on past work, I can't help but notice how it's evolved, and how I've learned new things from old. Isn't that the case, we learn from the old stuff. Which means change is good, cause if we didn't have/make changes we'd never evolve. I like that word!
Finally, a SUNNY DAY!
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)
In the weeks to come I'll be putting together a selection of collages all of which will be made up of Bittersweet products from past & present. It's interesting to see how my taste twists & turns, and develops over the years.
You can join in if you want, and create your own style of collage, but don't forget to post on Bittersweet so everyone can see your beautiful work of art.
The first series appropriately created with my favorite little herb, Lavender.
What can I say about LAVENDER? Well a considerable lengthy conversation would be in order when describing this wonderful plant, but I won't go into all that!
Let's just say it's wonderful, and leave it at that, okay?
Enjoy caring and sharing Spring days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
Maybe it's because of the Seattle type weather we're experiencing or possibly just the simple mellow mood I'm in today...
Neutral nearly never new nor now... Say that three times!
Whether you prefer soft grays or tone on tone ecru, soft colors fit the mood most of the time.
I've been having beige thoughts, and my creations are reflecting those feelings.
Although not that neutral of a plant, and changing the topic, I picked up the sweetest petite sunflower plants at the market yesterday.
They are called miniature sunflower. That's what the farmers market vendor told me, and they are ideal for bedding or small containers. I thought this sunflower web site was informative. I also grabbed a little chamomile plant. I love the petite aromatic blooms chamomile produces.
Hope your day is mellow and soft.
Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.
Happily,
Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than one)
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