Bittersweet and the little soap company

heart♥

My thoughts and prayers are centered around the horrific and brutal killing of innocent human souls. May God comfort all. Not allowing myself to believe this is a new normal, because it's not! Don't ever be fooled into believing that. I'm sad in ways that can't be explained. Burying myself in work, and trying not to watch the news. No matter what the outcome, the result is horrific!

Prayer is our only defense. Please pray for our country and the rest of the world. Ask for Gods protection. I'm praying he hasn't given up on us. I would have!

Life goes on... Sadness waves... Throwing myself into manufacturing, and apothecary, soap making, and kind thoughts. 

I've been experimenting with my camera. I'm not by far an expert in the field, but out of necessity, have become hands on in exploring and learning more. Photo's of the products I made are appreciated more when they are appealing to the eye. Sometimes capturing the image is challenging when you have no official and professional training on the subject. However, I've never been one to allow things I'm not familiar with to stop me from learning. I got that from my dad! Thanks dad...

I really want a new little point and shoot camera for Christmas. I'm going to start researching to find which one would fit. It's kind of fun researching those things, I believe. For me it allows down time, which is much appreciated given it's not an every day occurrence. 

I saw this posted on Fb, and found it intriguing. 

 

 

My favorite era, the roaring twenties!

It's another manufacturing day. Soap, wax melts, and other Bittersweets are being whipped up and packaged. I'm introducing new holiday scents into some of the sundries. 

I've been thinking a lot about small business, lately. Wondering if other's feel the same as I do. Pondering how, small business is the heart beat of America. But realizing, not all feel the same as I do. Of course, when you own a small business those feelings hold strong and dominate your thoughts. I'm thinking of conducting a poll and researching the topic. In my spare time...

I believe that different regions of the country honor small business more than other's. Grow where your're planted, I've always said, but you can plant your seeds anywhere. Make sure you plant them in healthy soil so that they can grow strong and thrive. 

The reason I'm telling you this is that I believe there's a shift coming. The outcome of not having small businesses would be devastating to our economy.  Sometimes, folks don't realize this until it's too late. 

Moving on...

The busy holiday season is already among st me. Not using the word us, because some people are offended by other's talking about Christmas before Halloween. 

It's been twenty years of talking about Christmas before Halloween for this soap maker. Since it takes a couple of months for Bittersweet Soap to cure, you can understand those thoughts. Just imagine being two months ahead in thoughts. On the real side of things, I consider every day a gift, and only plan one day at a time. 

Feeling blunt...

Keep the faith...

Stay the course...

Jill xo

 

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holiday heart

What a week! Holiday premiere week indeed...
We're cooking our turkey dinner today. Lennis made homemade noodles and the turkey is roasting in the vintage roaster my aunt Vivian gifted me at Christmas a few years back. I love the roaster it offers even cooking and browning of meat to perfection. Thank you Aunt Vivian.
I feel blessed often and everyday simply pondering thoughts of my aunts. They feel my heart with song.
New shop music and I love, love, love her voice! I played the cd all day yesterday at the apothecary shoppe. Never tired of hearing her beautiful voice. That's how I always can tell when I love the music. If I can play it over and over and continue to love listening to it. 

We don't do a real tree and I kind of wish we did, but with our busy schedules this time of year an artificial one makes more sense, it seems. I couldn't resist sticking the owl in the artificial Christmas tree. 

I can smell the aromatic turkey. We rubbed thyme, rosemary and sage, butter on the bird before placing in in the oven.

I've already turned the calender over to December. Can you believe it?

The chutney has been made. I'm getting ready to create brown paper wraps for the lids. Jill's Chutney, November 2014.

Words cannot begin to express my feelings regarding "Small Business" Saturday. If you travel to my facebook page you can get a first hand look at my wonderful, kind, support small business friends, shoppers. Thank you, thank you very much. Bittersweet enjoyed a record day thanks to you! It was non-stop. I didn't even have time to eat lunch. Again, I can't begin to describe my feelings. Other than, you continue to amaze me with your patronage. My little town folks knows how to support their small business. So many happy faces. My highlight was that the little soap boxes (an original idea from my mom) was one of the most popular selling item yesterday during shop small day. Then at the end of the day, I gazed at the holiday soap counter and it was almost empty! Please, hurry if you wish to have some Bittersweet Holiday Soap for Christmas. It's going quickly and will be completely gone soon.

Yesterdays success was made even more special by my feelings prior to the day. 

I ventured out on Black Friday late in the day to the red store and T.J. Maxx. I was in awe over how busy the two retailers were. I had Bittersweet feelings about the whole retail thing while I was out shopping that day. My shoppe had been dead on Black Friday so  naturally I was wondering if these same folks shopped small as I stood in line to pay for my items. I had my shop small button on that day and it was as though it was beaming. I'm so very proud to be a small shop proprietor. The facts remain, without the support of shop small customers, I would not even have the luxury of having these thoughts. Again, thank you.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

 

   

 

 

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I enjoyed a soft quiet Mother's Day. Patrick grilled and prepared dinner and I made a fresh rhubarb cobbler from the rhubarb that I picked up the farmers market on Saturday. I opened my trunk that's filled with old pictures and pondered tender thoughts about past days before I was a mom. 

The Fed Ex man delivered a package on Saturday and I said to him, "that's funny, I haven't ordered anything to be shipped to the shop." He replied, well this is for you! I opened the package and inside a cd from one of my friends, customers. One she thought I'd enjoy playing at the hand made shop. I had to hold back some tears for her thoughtfulness and kindness. 

Then some more love sprinkles, that's what I'm calling them, came later on Saturday. Another friend, customer dropped in and gave me a beautiful candle. When I stop to think about their kind gestures a smile appears on my face and a joy fills my heart. It's those sprinkles of love that really matter more than anything else. 

A nice little spring rain today, but on Saturday in a small town just northeast of us a small tornado hit. Well, having said the word small and in reference to a twister, there really isn't such a thing as small. A tornado sucks up and spits out no matter what size it is. I'm praying for the community and thankful no one was injured. Thanks to another kind gesture from the towns chief of police whom drove his car through the town playing take cover announcements just minutes before the tornado hit the small town, sprinkles of love in a most protective way.

New Lemon Lavender soap is listed on the web site!  The beginning of a lavender soap line I'll be working on. 

The new "Hosta la Vista" decks are almost finished! The area is behind the coffee shop almost in a natural habitat. where squirrels climb and birds chirp. Lennis built the decks! I'll have some after pics to share. 

The coin purses have always been a favorite. I'm making more from Liberty of London cloth. I'm fond of the sew in clasps simply because it has a more hand made look. 

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

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It is well with my soul.

Nope that's not a Valentine Rose. I'm proud and honored to tell you a customer delivered it to me at the shop. Now I've talked about how I have the best customers in the world. Now you can see what a lucky girl I am. Along with the beautiful perfect rose came these words, "Jill, I have not been in for awhile and I wanted to bring you a flower."

All is well with my soul, indeed. Speaking of the phrase and while it's fresh in my mind. For the first time the other day while listening to the radio I learned the special story behind this phrase. Are you familiar with it? Then today two lovely customers came in and I'm not sure how we began discussing the song and story, but they already knew the story. Once again, the story was shared only this time I had other customers listening.  I was reminded to keep the phrase fresh in my mind and every time things aren't going well or I'm faced with challenges whisper to myself, "it is well with my soul." I feel a since of peace like never before when I utter those words. Pretty amazing! Try it. 

It's been almost a week since my last post. Usually write more than that, usually have more to say, almost always, especially for the past eight years or so since I started blogging.  I'm building a new web site and the work is demanding a lot of my spare time. It's going to be nice when it's finished. Hoping to get an update version of items from the brick and mortar shop listed on the new site. 

We had a quiet little Valentine's day. Julie's mom gave me a Valentine and Julie gave me a Valentine and little Lily. I made a special dinner along with chocolate brownies. I played Barry White at the shop and the Tempations. Turned it way up and we had a grand day. 

The shop is filled with new aprons and totes and soon Rabbit Sacs and New Soaps will take center stage. Do you remember the Rabbit Sacks?

I'm hoping to list the Rabbit Sacs on the new web site. I'l keep you posted. 

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

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How does one explain the feelings of love and gratitude I have during this time of year? All year for that matter, but those feelings much stronger and surface more during Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

I'm blessed with good health and a wonderful family, friends. A hand-made shop where I am allowed to make most everything I sell. A cozy warm home, that's by no means perfect to most, but indeed to me it is home sweet home. I have a strong mind that although sometimes gets preoccupied with day to day goings it still works. These feelings never go unnoticed, but I feel there is little time to proclaim my blessings. 

Today I'm taking time to do just that...

Please remember, a gentle smile, a pat on the back, or a simple hug may just offer a life changing difference in someone's day. 

My wish this holiday season is that we spend more time being thankful for everything. Even the bad times, because without those, we would never appreciate or maybe even recognize the good. Also remember this, please. Where one door closes, another always opens. That's how life works, courtesy of God, I believe.

 Never say never, and stay in the white rather than the black. Positive thoughts and good things always come from the white. Negative, unhappy thoughts always are directed by the latter. When you believe in the good, your bounty far exceeds material riches. 

My words for this holiday season come from the heart...

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

Kindness and gratitude

Bittersweet had a joyful fast paced week. Julie and I enjoyed Thursday nights Girls Nite Out. I captured a few happy faces in between shop talk. Aren't the girls sweet looking? Love the warm smiles and hugs! That's what it's all about folks. 

My friend Pandy dropped by the soap shop on water street Thurs-day and presented me with that adorable tea towel. I was flabbergasted and surprised and oh how I love that little towel! I have in hanging on a hook in our kitchen. Each time I gaze upon its handmade goodness I smile. Thank you Pandy. We met through Bittersweet blog. Pandy lives in a surrounding historic town. It was such a beautiful summer day on Thursday, not hot and low humidity. The shop wasn't that busy during the day and we were able to sit outside on the swing and chat. Lovely chatting by the way. The conversation rested on the topic of God. My favorite topic of all in case you don't know.

My feelings of gratitude and thankfulness fill by soul to the brim. I love it when these happy feelings run over and spread  from soul to soul.

  Busy day at the shop!

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

already

I knew the exact spot where the Valentines were stashed! The planning began more than a week ago. I even had a hand written list of Valentine card recipients. Then it happened... 

The time slipped away and before I knew it was Valentines Day! 

Before I left the house yesterday for a hair cut appointment I grabbed ONE of the Valentine cards and a few bars of soap to take to my hair dresser. 

Happy V♥lentine's Day Sweets!

Sweet wishes and hugs and kisses to my favorite Valentine's...

 Aunt Glenna, Aunt Vivian, M.J., Julie and Jules, Clarice, Dawn, Laurie and Lori, Evalyn, Rita, Crystal, Twyla and Lindsey, Susan, Chloe, Aubern, Sue, Mandy, Linda, Cindy, Bob, Lennis, Tom & Richard, Patty, Nancy, Tara, Dana, and all my dear to my ♥ friends and family. 

Love you all...

Enjoy a caring and sharing love day. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

Two hugs are better than one...xo

blessings

May your heart be wrapped in love & peace this Christmas.

From our house to yours. Merry Christmas!

Love, 

Lennis, Jill, Patrick and Elle♥

Oh how pretty!

My sweet friend Tina sent me these photos after she shot them. She appropriately named the picture Apple picking day. Isn't it eye catching? If you look closely you'll see Bittersweet soap in the vignette. I'm honored Tina included my soap in her lovely picture. After a long day of apple picking a person does need to clean up you know!

Thank you Tina for sharing your beautiful photo's and talent with Bittersweet.

Tina's talents far exceed photography. Her unique artisan creations may be found on her lovely web site, Sweet Biscuit. Don't take my word though, check it out for yourself. Her work will take your breath away! Click here to see for yourself. Aah...

Lots more to share with bittersweet readers but you'll have to wait until next time.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

It's a pleasure

The past few days I've been reflecting. The toasty feelings stem from how I feel while putting together and assembling your gift orders. My soul sings as I read your  kind affectionate warm birthday wishes you instruct me to send along with your special orders to family and friends.

In this day of very few thank yous and rare moments of do unto others your gift enclosure messagges refresh my soul and put a huge smile on my face!

It's truly an honor you've chosen to employ Bittersweet for such an important job. I love wrapping your Bittersweets in pretty tissue and silk ribbons. Absolutely love it! Thank you for presenting the opportunity. Merci.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none)