Bittersweet and the little soap company

take your time

There's a whirlybird of ideas floating around during this prelude to autumn. I have little notes scattered here and there. Ideas pop up, or I'll see something that catches my eye. Catching one's eye, or in this case, my brown eyes, comes in fastidious form. 

Oh how exciting! I just finished creating a mock up for Bittersweet T-shirts. This is the design that will be on our black tee's. Love, love, to incorporate my little town. 

They won't be ready until mid August, and the anticipation will linger and hang around until I receive the bundle of personalized tee's. 

We were suppose to start painting the shop lobby today, but have decided to push it up another week. We're both preoccupied with other tasks, and the idea of patching and painting is not our preferred way to spend this, beautiful weather of a day, Sunday. We're down to the final upgrades, and we can see the end of the tunnel. Always a good thing, and once again, the word anticipation comes to mind. 

Since we're still eating low carb, sugar, I've been wandering around searching recipes. I've found some keepers. You can find all the recipe posts on the group page, No Sugar For Me, Thank you!

It's the end of the quarter, and month. That means, it's time to pay taxes and bills, bills and taxes. The quarters rush by at warp speed. I'm always in awe over how fast the holiday season rolls back around. I've got a good jump on manufacturing, and pondering marshmallow thoughts for the gift giving season. 

We're getting our fall clothing lines in...

Floral Frocks...

Isn't that funny? My holiday inspiration is directed by a marshmallow! It's a marshmallow world in the winter...The color, texture, and even size echoes sweet inspiration. 

Little things...

I'm getting ready to transform a bedroom into a dressing room!

Happy Summer!

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

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summer haze

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Do you really?

I think it's amazingly wonderful when inspiration springs from the simplest of things.
Shop talk again. I hope I'm not boring you.

Owning a  mercantile does have its perks. Probably too many for me to tell you about in one post. As most of you know, I would never hornswoggle you into believing anything but the truth. However knowing each of us is made to like and dislike different things then you may wish to believe a shop owners life is not your cup of tea.   

Personally and speaking frank I believe being a shop proprietor is delightful and energizing to my soul. 

Do you recall the feeling you get when you try something for the first time and realize after doing it you loved it?

That's the feeling I'm talking about. A feeling like no other. One that stands out from all others, if you will.

Retail is also addictive. I believe and with a solid thought that once a person dabbles in retail, they're destined to it forever. I guess working for yourself  for that matter ushers in somewhat similar feelings, however retail life seems to draw you in more. The thrill of meeting new people and sharing and caring are what motivate me in the fast paced ever changing life of shop life. I'm pondering that thought too. I have this thing about waking up and having to do the same thing each and every day. I was never very good at doing that. Some people are, and I admire them for having that talent. I do consider it to be a talent. It's kind of like curly or straight hair. When I was a teenager I had fine straight hair. My dream was to have curly hair some day. Seriously, the things we thought were important back then! Anyway, I used to wash my hair at night and wrap it in pin curls. The next day before going to school, I'd take the bobby pins out and my hair would be super curly, almost fro if you can imagine. I was in curly hair love land. Years past and I continued to set my hair like this so that it would be curly instead of straight. Having curly hair made me into a really cool person, I thought. I'm sure I thought I was already cool without the curls, but anyway...

As I got older less time was spent curling my hair and more time was spent accepting it for what it was. Having the choice to change my hair from straight to curly on occasion felt pretty darn good.

Long story, short. Sometimes what we think we want and what we need are two completely different things.

Isn't that interesting?

I believe it is...

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 

 

 

happy

This post is a serious one. A time to self-reflect. Ponder some thoughts and answer some personal questions...

When you wake in the morning do you have mostly happy thoughts running through your head? Do you enjoy what you do? Does what you do make you happy? Are you content with your life? Do you strongly feel and kind of in a magical way that what you're doing and where you're going is meant to be? 

If you answered yes to these questions then you may pass go and collect $500. However if you answered no to any of those questions then it's time to sit down and figure out why the no answer.  

Okay, I know each and every one of us is going to have unhappy moments in life. Unfortunately that's life. However, and speaking from my personal experiences I believe the unhappy, sad moments in life are what make us better humans. Those life episodes help to make us stronger and wiser. They're suppose to anyway, I believe. That topic fits along with this discussion.

No I do not have a degree in psychology. My degree is more hands on.  

Years ago I worked at a job that I hated. Every morning after waking and even before I got out of bed I began to grumble to myself and complain and dread that drive into work.  Needless to say, the job only lasted a few months before I found one that I liked. I was young, probably in my mid twenties at the time.  

During those few months of working a job I hated a valuable life lesson was learned.  The teachings taught me that happiness comes from the inside, not the outside.  Does that make since? Probably not...

It's a perspective thing. I warned you!

What makes one person happy, doesn't make another happy too!

Happiness comes from the inside. 

Sometimes a person needs to train themselves to be happy. Did you know that? 

I call it a "boot camp" for learning how to be, live happy. That's another subject being versus living happiness. 

What's your point Jill ? I'm getting there!

 By the way, some people believe money makes them happy. I strongly believe money has little effect on a persons happiness. 

Here's a question to ask yourself. If I had ten trillion dollars would I be happy? Some of you may answer yes to that question. However, I know without a doubt that money does not build happiness. There's a key word, BUILD...

Happiness comes from the inside, not the outside. 

Okay so far we have, TRAIN and then BUILD... Yeah, that makes since, right. 

We have to start somewhere. 

If you were hired for a job you've never done, then you would need to train and then build. 

Those two simple words create a metaphor and create the path of locating happiness I believe. 

Happiness comes from the inside...

I often reflect and ponder thoughts of the olden days when folks suffered and sacrificed and indured hardships of many. Some of which today most of us would probably not survive mentally or physically.

Long story short....

Each of us is here for a reason. We made it this far. Sometimes you may not feel a purpose for your life. Believe me, there is! Illness and suffering sometimes make it difficult to remain happy.

Always remember that...

Happiness comes from the inside. It's a choice. God gave each of us the wonderful ability and freedom to make our own choices. Sometimes life challenges get in the way of these feeling.  Those hurdles will  help you to be a stronger person. They should not make you bitter or unhappy.

Stepping down....

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Love,

Jill 00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soulful Sprinkles

Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Those sweet Sunday feelings are wrapped with even more tender emotions around the holidays. No matter how busy or hectic the rest of the week has been Sunday is reserved for "nothing." It hasn't always been that way. In days past and especially this time of year a typical Sunday was spent catching up on Bittersweet work.  

This Sunday way of thinking, I discovered helped unleash a more creative me. I imagine this discovery was aided by the fact that I'm getting older. You know that famous phrase, "with age comes wisdom."I'd like to think it's true. As you age you do tend to remove the big weeds only to enjoy the wild violets that take their place. 

I shot those pictures of our home this morning on this day of doing nothing.

It's really hard for a person to do nothing you know. 

As I shot the images I couldn't help but think of how blessed my life has been.

The wonderful family God has given me, and good  health and happiness. My home sweet home that's warm and cozy. Our little dog, Elle. Which by the way the name means, Gods gift. She is indeed that! We've grown even closer since I started taking her on my daily walk. Her short little legs travel full speed ahead. I sing a little song as we trot down the sidewalk. Somthing like this... "Elle likes to walk, and she likes to talk, she's a good little dog."   Folks probably think I'm nuts, singing. I usually stop when I see humans around. However, yesterday a man was standing in his garage and I didn't see him. I was a singing along. Elle was smiling I'm sure. He smiled and said hello. 

As I've gotten older certain things have become more evident and significant. 

It's the simple unplanned moments that really fill my heart with gratitude and content. 

A hug from a customer or a smile from a stranger help to add frosting and sprinkles to my day. 

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

 

 

Is it just me?

I've been pondering some serious thoughts for more than awhile. These thoughts reflect the feelings I'm experiencing during my morning walks through our neighborhood.

Maybe it's because I grew up in a small town and it was common practice to greet everyone you met with a smile and hello. It was kind of opposite of today. If you did not respond then they would think you to be kind of strange or a snob!

Quite possibly my feelings come from my upbringing by wonderful caring and sharing parents. They taught me a valuable lesson. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Maybe the unfriendly folks really don't care either way whether someone says hello to them. I hope that's not the case. If it is then we really have a problem folks!

Could it be that's just who I am?

That's a picture of my friend Julie and I on the front porch of her shop.

As I look at this picture I can't help but ponder these thoughts even more.  

As I walk though my neighborhood each and every morning and meet folks along the way sometime they act as though I'm invisible. Actually it's more than sometime! The past four years or so during the walks I have found that it's a fifty, fifty chance that the person you walk by will acknowledge you with a hello! 

What's up?

I realize some folks are experiencing a bad day. Or maybe you just don't feel like talking to anyone. No excuse folks!

Nope, I'm not going to accept that!

At first I thought this pattern was mainly with younger people. A reflection of "Stranger Danger" taught in our schools. Not the case sweets! Young and old alike seem to have this disorder.  Not saying hello or ignoring someone when they're six inches away from you is common practice nowadays amongst all ages.

Something I've concluded...

This is the way it's going to be! Since I have no control over whether you say hello as we meet one another I'm going to stop trying to determine whether if I say it you will return the gesture. Nope, no more!

I'm going to say HELLO to you whether you like it or not! You know something else? I don't care anymore whether you say it back or not! Doesn't matter.

The only thing that matters is that I continue a positive outlook and way of thinking. By saying hello to you when we walk by each other kind of goes hand in hand with those thoughts.

The old man that lives down the street needs assistance with a walker to come outside to tend to his flowers and check his mail. He always says hello. He also makes comments like, "it's a great day!"

I am so moved by his consistent positive attitude that I made him cookies at Christmas!

The disabled folks in wheel chairs that are cared for in the big house right across the street from the old man always say hello.  Some of them can barely talk!

Prospectives sure can come in an array of shapes and sizes can't they?

 

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

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

 

♥ reflections

Although the studio is closed for a long winters nap until February 4, she's preparing for Valentine's day. The love day  falls behind Christmas so quickly and the studio re-opens for only two Saturday's before  ♥ day.

Manufacturing is about to kick into high gear. Pondering thoughts of soap flavors wavoring back and forth in my mind, idees simmering while old man winter settles in for a spell.

I'm excited about the new year. It seems new idees, new faith, new beginnings, new trust and new spirit are reflected in those feelings I carry.

Anticipating the unknown with a postitive perspective. Believing the best is yet to come! Remember, trust and faith? I believe those two beautiful words hold hands!

Thoughts of spring will begin to overcome my spirit in the month of February like they always do.

I'm thankful for the sweet tiny things in life for they can be the biggest and best! Something you learn to appreciate more as you get older I believe.

It is true, your spirit grows as each season passes... That's a beautiful thing.

Enjoy a caring and sharing New Year.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none) 

 

     

Crafty Christmas and Petite Sweet...

The assembly line of handmade gifts continues at Bittersweet. Each time I begin putting together a new made by hand gift a feeling of joyful contentment fills my heart.

These little coin purses are easy to make and require only a few scraps of fabric. I used an old linen tablecloth for the lining that had been tore and tattered beyond repair. I've slowly cut around the worn pieces of the cloth to create other things over the years. I purchased the clasps at our local craft store, but I noticed they are available online  too.  They cost a few dollars less at the craft store. I usually take advantage of coupons that arrive in the mail and then purchase one or two each time I visit.

Here we go....

Since Bittersweet makes so many different handmade items we need to know exactly what our  manufacturing cost for each item that's made. The cost is then calculated and reflected into the finished product.  We  demand quality supplies and make every attempt to by American before choosing any other manufacturer. 

I've written numerous past posts about how much time can be spent trying to find reliable,quality minded made in America wholesalers that provide excellant service and product. I believe the time invested is worth it as the final prototype is proudly not only created in America, but the items used to design it are as well!

From our midwest friends at the sheep farm to our lavender and snowberry harvesters from the south we are appreciative of your service and quality products.   

Going back a bit...I have not been able to find an American company that makes the small coin purse clasps as of yet, but my search continues♥

Lately there seems to be a lot of talk about how we should buy American. I believe we should have been thinking about that years ago. Although not impossible, it will be a challenge to turn things around. Our country would be the wealthiest of nations if most everything was made in our home land.

Five years ago when I managed the retail Bittersweet shop downtown it became clear to me how most items that lined the shelves at specialty boutiques were not made in America. Since I made everything that I sold in my shop I was a minority. Having experienced that helped me to further see the future of what was to come.

I remember customers excitement the first time they entered Bittersweet Boutique. They most always asked me, "where do you get all the items you sell?" I would always reply with the same answer, "I make them." They would say, "All of them!" Then a smile would appear on their face and they quickly began filling their baskets with handmade Bittersweets. I'm proud to say, most of those same patrons remain Bittersweet customers to this day and frequent the Saturday Studio.

Nowadays it has become a sacrifice to purchase items made in America as the other guys have sold us out and our operating a huge monopoly. You remember playing that game when you were a kid, don't you? Using the game Monopoly as a metaphor seems kind of strange, but that is exactly what's happening.

How can we BEGIN to change how things run? I stress the word BEGIN because to make this change will be long and drawn out and will take a number of years possibly I won't even see it in my lifetime. That's if we start NOW!

It's not like you need to run out and purchase everything made in America! In fact, if you're looking for say a new big screen television you're out of luck anyway!

No, the process of purchasing American made begins small, but finishes BIG!

Something to ponder, h'm....

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Pondering again...

The home sweet home is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I mentioned in an earlier post about how I wanted to enjoy and cherish my favorite time of year longer this season. With the hustle and bustle of Bittersweets busy time and the making of chutney's and vinegar's and the other handmade gifts to make list the urge just wouldn't go away.

Lennis was off yesterday and got the Christmas tree down from the attic. Although I'm really fond of a real tree, I'm equally fond of the convenience of an artificial one. Not to mention a real tree would dry out long before Christmas if we were to cut it now.

I remember years ago traveling to a friends tree farm to hunt for the perfect tree. A past president and first lady, Bill and Hillary Clinton chose their tree from my friends tree farm years ago. Hillary chose a blue spruce and the theme that Christmas, The twelve days of Christmas. You may remember the tree was decorated with ornaments made by American art students. Great idee Hillary! 

Not to discuss politics but considering an upcoming election year is right around the corner you can bet this years Christmas tree theme will be intended to touch the hearts of many. Just say- in! No debate please. So very sick of hearing about all that stuff! Quite possibly that's why I was urged to begin celebrating the season early! To take my mind off of the hum-drum intense goings on around the world.

Oh my, I'm getting way off my orginal topic now!

I also mentioned how my Christmas theme this year is centered around the celebration and the birth of Jesus. The north star, the little lambs and the real reason I celebrate this time of year seemed to surround my heart with the most soulful thoughts. Not to mention putting a smile on my face as I gaze upon the star and woolly lamb.

I made some new stockings out of heavy cotton and burlap then I trimmed them with calico. I love CALICO! Even the name evokes a happy face!

 
This seasons Christmas will be filled with soulful handmades and thoughts. I'm wrapping our tree with burlap garland and making little paper rosettes out of coffee filters. Hanging pine cones plucked from under neath the white pines in our back yard and white lights. Wicker baskets filled with all the homemade chutney and all the handmade treats will sit under the tree and packages wrapped in brown paper tied with red and twine will accompany them.

My aunt sent this email yesterday. I was moved by it!

    SENT TO ME BY A FRIEND Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes, there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

 “It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.” – Henry Ford

Something else to ponder...

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill (two hugs are better than none)    

My civic duty, ba humbug!

duty, obligation, responsibility - the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force; "we must instill a sense of duty in our children"; "every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"- John D.Rockefeller Jr jury duty - the civic duty to serve on a jury

I was called for jury duty once again! I was trying to remember how many times I've been summoned to serve in the past ten years. I believe 7 times to date! All of those times so called randomly selected through one court to the next up to Federal. I think I should begin playing the lottery. I was thinking the odds are on my side if similar to the randomness of choosing my name for jury duty! If my calculations are correct my chances of being called for jury duty are 70% at this rate. H'm...

Please don't misconstrue my feelings as being un-American or non compliant. I am a true patriot and very much a proud American in every since of the word.

Let me explain further if I may....

The state of Missouri pays a prospective jurror $6 a day plus .07 cents for mileage.

When I had the shop downtown and was called for jury duty I had to close the shop and take a hit. The $6 a day paycheck offered little assistance in paying my bills. 

Let's set those personal reasons aside for a moment because that is not why I dislike or oppose jury duty.

Going back to my civic duty...

I am going to be blunt and honest. I no longer believe our legal system is fair or just. There, I said it! Now you know the real reason I despise jury duty. Yes, I even used the D word. 

How can you become involved in something if you don't believe in it? I don't think you can.

Once again I will plan to break away from my work day to travel to the courthouse sit for hours awaiting the selection of the jury panel.

I believe the jury selection process is in need of a huge modification.

Being a juror is a large responsibility for a human. Your decision at a trial can make or break a persons life. Sometimes incrimitating evidence is left out until after the trial and the information would have convinced you to select a different vote.

Corruption runs rapid in our legal system. You can stick your head in the sand for only so long, eventually the truth will prevail. Question is, what do you do with the truth?

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Jill 00