New Years Resolutions

Where does the time go? I feel like a drifter popping in and out of this blog, but 2009 is my year to catch up and get back on course.

I have never made New Year's resolutions. Probably for the reason that each day I am aware that I have not even charted the necessary course to complete any of them. I feel that 2009 is a good year to step up to the plate and put my life on a course to succeed. I'm sure there are many of you who have a personal things to do list, prioritizing what things you would like to accomplish each year, but not actually going so far as calling them New Years resolutions. I am putting mine in bold letters, throwing them out in the universe so I cannot take them back.

So here goes,

• Get super healthy
• Give my wesite a face lift and make it fun to visit.
• Loose weight (give up brownies).
• Make money and help others to make money.
• Make each day count.

There that felt good. Now it is out there, the list has gone public so I must step up to the plate and make this year count. I would love to know if any of you have made New Year's resolutions. Join me by going public and next January let's see if we have accomplished these goals.

I wish the very best in 2009 to each of you. May your blessings be abundant.

Oops! Forgot to mention that Ele at http://abitofpinkheaven.blogspot.com/ has won the French tote from Novembers give away. Please visit her blog, she always has great things going on. Also for any of you looking to buy an e-commerce website that is all set up and ready to go, please visit http://www.timelesslychic.com If you are interested, please send me an email.

Sabbatical Is Over

Like many of you, there has been so much going on that it has left me little time to blog. It feels good getting back to the things I enjoy most. I have missed many of my fellow bloggers and have just recently spent a lazy Sunday in my p.j.'s doing nothing but reading blogs and catching up.

The holidays are fast approaching, like many we have decided to trim the spending by coming up with more meaningful and personal gifts. I for one have always loved handmade gifts, I call them gifts from the heart. There is such a personal approach to these gifts, finding just the right sentiment that will touch the heart of the receiver. I have 5 children, all grown and most have their own families now. So finding gifts for 7 grandchildren, 5 grown children and 3 spouses and my husband can be a challenge.

As a retailer I think we all hold our breath and hope for good holiday sales. Many of the major retail chains across the country are holding their breath as well. We all read the newspapers and hear the nightly news, so all of us are aware of this tough economic time. But in the back of our mind we are still trying to process how to have a memorable holiday without breaking the bank.

I think there are so many ways to make this holiday all about family, establish a new tradition that brings back the true spirit of Christmas. I have decided that I will share some wonderful gift ideas that are easy to make even if you feel you have no creativity. I will also add links to stores where you can purchase the necessary items to create these gifts. Food gifts are always great and I'm sure there are many great cooks that can share some of their favorite holiday recipes. Also tips on making your own holiday gift wrap and tags. I will be adding these ideas to the article section of my website, any ideas that you have for a joyous holiday send them along. Let's make this a fun, creative and stress free holiday. No need to break the bank this holiday, there are so many creative readers who can offer their tips and family traditions to make this memorable.

So let's join forces by putting our heads together. You never know, there maybe someone who loves to bake adorable decorated cutout cookies but has no talent for crafting, make a trade. This could be such a fun way to meet new people while expanding your talents. Isn't this what the holidays are really all about? Joyous sharing, so please leave a comment, share your talent or expertise.

Just as a little enticement, I thought it would be fun for everyone to come up with a creative idea on how to use this tote as a gift. What would you add? Whoever has the most creative idea will win this tote.

Tea Posies

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to offer these beautiful Teaposies. I have never seen anything like these. Teaposy is dedicated to the art and craft of tea, with an ever-expanding selection that any tea-lover can appreciate. Their wide variety of blooming, loose-leaf, sachet, and bagged teas are made from only the finest tea leaves and most fragrant flowers for a unique tea experience. No matter what the occasion, there is a Teaposy tea to meet your needs. Spend a relaxing afternoon with a bloomed teaposy.

When the Butterfly teaposy is placed in boiling water, the Silver Needle White Tea leaves open to reveal a jasmine and amaranth flower. They are delicately sewn so that the white jasmine flower appears to rest on the purple amaranth, like a butterfly feeding on a flower’s nectar. The Butterfly teaposy can brew up to 50oz of tea and can be displayed in cold water for up to a week, adding beauty to your home. I hope you will stop by and view all the lovely tea flowers.

I have also added some beautiful new tags to our paper section. These are perfect for bookmarks or for your special gift packages.

I do hope that all of you are enjoying this beautiful Spring weather.

One Lone Flower

Imagine my surprise when I looked out my window to see this one lone Snapdragon blooming in my unkept planter box. Spring has not yet arrived, apparently this lone flower didn't realize that and pushed itself to sprout and bloom. The seedling must have been dropped in the planter box by a bird, as I had not yet put any seeds out.
As I sat, having my morning coffee I realized that this little flower was much like all the women who work each day to nurture their business, family and friends. One lone web site in a vast arena of many many beautiful sites. The tenacity that each one of these shopkeepers has is utterly amazing. Not only are they caring for their family and dear friends they continue to work diligently on building a home business.
As many in this enormous cyber space venue, it takes many hours of learning and often by trial and error to get a web site known. So many times you feel like the lone Snapdragon, pushing forward against many tuff obstacles, but with determination your web site starts to bloom and you receive encouraging emails from customers and other web site owners.
Just like the lone Snapdragon, that doesn't realize it isn't Spring yet, you forge ahead with great expectations and a positive I can do this attitude. So today, I take my hat off to all the hard working women who are relentless in their pursuit of blooming. I hope they can remember the lone pink Snapdragon that inspite of bad weather, no nurturing it succeeded. I wish all of you much success.

Collections

Isn't it funny how just one little purchase can turn into a huge collection? That is how it all started with my jadite collection. I think it was the salt & pepper shakers that started this whole collection, and before I knew it I was hooked. I made the decision early on that I would try to find the rare pieces, such as the Fire-King ball jug. So many of the ones you see advertised have been through years of wear. Fortunately, I was able to find one that was in pristine condition. Most of these beautiful jugs have stress cracks by the handle or some chips on the rim. But mine was perfect. That was my first prized piece, then the hunt began for the next treasure which is my Philbe pie plate. What a gorgeous treasure this one is, the design on the bottom of the plate is so detailed with scrolls and flowers. I think part of the fun of collecting is seeking out these hard to find pieces and it is so rewarding when you can finally step back and enjoy the beauty of your collection.

I think we all reach a stage when we feel our collection is complete and now I have reached that point. I started my collection back in 2002 and now I have reached that stage in my life, where I feel it is time to down size. I think that stage comes when you become an empty nester, you finally decide it is time to scale down or maybe it's time for a new collection. I also think, once the collection becomes somewhat complete you loose the yest for the hunt.

So now I am excited to share this beautiful collection with all of you. Maybe you'll start out the same way in just wanting some vintage 30's or 40's kitchenware, like the salt & pepper shakers or you may want to take the leap and go for the prized Philbe pie plate or the ball jug. All I know, is the color alone of the jadite adds such a warm inviting feel to any kitchen.

So do stop by Sweet Yesterdays and have a look at some of these sweet treasures, you just never know when you may start a new collection.

Can't Wait For Spring

I am getting so excited for Spring to arrive, so I thought I would get all of you in the mood by offering some of our beautiful vintage tags and also some of the most gorgeous vintage seam binding. We have some yummy colors for all your art projects, so do stop by and take a look. http://www.sweetyesterdays.com/

Many of you love the Beachy look and I have just added the most adorable robin egg blue vintage fan. Vintage fans seem to be a popular accent as there was an adorable one in the latest issue of Romantic Homes magazine. So don't miss out on this, as I only have one.

I feel so bad that it has taken me so long to announce the winner of the Mardi Gras beads. But I have been under the weather for a bit. I do apologize and the beads go to Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms. Thank you to all of you who were nice enough to enter. Please be sure to check back often as I love to have sweet little contests. Congrats Cathy!

It's Mardi Gras Time In The South

We are in the throws of Mardi Gras with parades and balls. It is always a very exciting time in the South, the schools close for this event so all the kids can enjoy all the festivities, homes and communities are decorated with purple, gold and green. Everyone has enjoyed their King Cakes, with the baby inside. As tradition has it, who ever gets the baby in their slice of King Cake, they are the one who buys the next cake. There are so many wonderful traditions associated with Mardi Gras, as this is the prelude to Advent.

Tomorrow we are attending another Mardi Gras ball and as always it's quite a site to behold. The full King and Queen procession of the court with lavish gowns and costumes. My favorite is the little boys who are the pages, they are in full costume with the long velvet capes and beaded outfits. If you have never been to Mardi Gras it is an event that should be on your things to do list.

The parades are so much fun as everyone yells, "throw me something Mister". The kids come home with tons of beads and other throws and I must say some of these are very elaborate with charms hanging from the necklace.

In honor of Mardi Gras I would like to send one of you, authentic Mardi Gras beads. Just put a comment on my blog and come Fat Tuesday, I will have a drawing. I will pick out some wonderful beads for you, so if you can't be here to join in on all the festivities at least enjoy the throws.

Dear Friends

First let me say, I can't believe how fast time has been flying by. I have just been so busy adding new things to Sweet Yesterdays wonderful home accents that are great conversation getters. I love to use the unexpected like the beautiful vintage dominos, how beautiful they are in a vintage compote or on a silver tray. They are sure to get noticed.

I do hope that all of you are off to a wonderful start in 2008. Now if this crazy weather would just calm down we could enjoy the winter. I know many of you are still dealing with low temperatures and snow. Great time to just stay indoors and shop on line or read.

My dear friend Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms was just so sweet to give me this. I actually think we both make each other laugh and smile. So thank you dear Cathy!

So now I am going to pass the Smile Award onto one of my dear friends Janet, at Janet's Creative Pillows She is always so sweet and funny and she extents her kindness and joy to everyone.

Moving Ahead To 2008

Things sure seemed simpler back then. Who even thought about the New Year? I remember watching the ball drop in New York, if I could manage to stay awake. But what did it really mean? Hats and horns brought home from my parents New Years Eve party that's all the New Year meant to me. No decisions to make on what our goals and objectives were going to be for the New Year. Now there's that internal restlessness each year, similar to when I was in my 20's and trying to figure out what I was going to be. I for one hate that feeling, it's the same feeling like going to the dentist and having to sit there in the outer office all full of anticipation and disturbing images of contraptions in your mouth.
I always have the notion that it will all come to me in my sleep. You know the old saying, "just sleep on it and you'll find the answer." Wow, I have been doing a lot of sleeping lately and so far I'm still pacing. The anxiety of it all, I wonder if the people who were putting together the first Sears and Roebuck Catalog experienced this same quizzy feeling.
Each year there is a need to improve, expand and deliver. To re-invent ourselves, to step up to the challenge so that when we are ready to face 2009 it will be smooth sailing.
I have tons of ideas, tons of mental images and tons of gumption. So maybe that's all it ever takes when you are on your own. Decisions, decisions, I think I'm just going to have to sleep on it for awhile. In the meantime, I wish each of you a very Happy and Clear Headed New Year!

Happy Holidays, I Wish You More

What a great year this has been! There is something about Christmas Eve day that makes me start to get energized and become optimistic about the New Year. But it is also a day that makes me reflect on all that has taken place this year and all the blessings that I have had.

We all would like "more", more money, more time, more success, more happiness, more of everything. The truth of the matter is, we already have "more". We are here each day to give more and to receive more. We chart our own course with the belief in ourselves, some days I have very little and other days it is overflowing. I know that whatever I put into my life is what I will get back and even though I always want more I need to remember to give more. With the passing of 2007, I wish each one of you more. More Love, More Joy, More Blessings, More Peace of Mind but most of all I wish you More Belief to believe in yourself and all your gifts.

Happy Holidays to each of you!

I Just Wanted To Share

The holiday is just around the corner, there is still so much to do. Wrapping and shipping presents, finding great stocking stuffers, and if your like me, holiday baking. I did want to share with all of you who have seen the wonderful charms from Cathy Penton, featured in December Romantic Home. I have decided to take $10.00 off each charm for this week only. So for all of you who love Cathy's work and would love to give one of these beautiful charms, now is the time.

I am also so excited about our new website called Timelessly Chic . I hope you will all stop by and take a look at our Scandinavian influenced site. I just love the crisp white accents and the beautiful wall art done in Swedish. Stop by the Timelessly Chic blog and leave a note to be entered into our Holiday give away.

I hope your week is productive and you are taking time to enjoy the season.

Holiday Cookie Exchange

Join the Make Mine Pink Bloggers for a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Starting December 3 and throughout the week. Just go to http://makeminepink.blogspot.com/ and you will find all the Make Mine Pink bloggers who are sharing their recipes.

My favorite cookie for the holidays is one that my grand-mother use to make when I was little. We call it the Spritz cookie and it is made using a cookie press. The press has all different types of designs that you can use. There really is no need to decorate these dainty cookies but as a child we always liked to sprinkle colored sugar or the multi-colored sprinkles. I hope you enjoy these and please leave me a note and tell me what your favorite holiday cookie is.

Recipe

Makes 2 dozen to 3 dozen cookies

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks
3 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Colored sanding sugar
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, flour, salt, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly.

Fill a cookie press with the dough, and turn out cookies 1 to 2 inches apart onto an unbuttered baking sheet. Sprinkle cookies with colored sanding sugars.

Bake until the cookies are lightly browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool.

Now just enjoy! These are wonderful given as a sweet gift.

Don't forget about our Christmas Extraganza at

www.sweetyesterdays.com

From December 3rd to December 9th you

can receive 15% off

by just entering the word SPECIAL

at checkout.

I wish all of you a very happy holiday!

What Soothes You?

Color plays such an important role about how we feel. What colors soothe you? For as long as I can remember I have always loved white it has such a crisp fresh look. And I really love love love the look of these chairs with the simple green wreaths. Mix this with wonderful Mercury Glass candleholders and the setting would be perfect.

I always enjoy seeing how others decorate for the holidays. The traditional red and green or red and gold. Years ago while living in Louisiana I did a huge tree in all the Mardi Gras colors, green, purple and gold. The tree was gorgeous, and many people decorate their tree in these colors and leave it up for the Mardi Gras season.

I do hope all of you have a wonderful holiday. And you find the colors that will soothe you and bring much joy to your home.

By the way, please be sure to check out my many wonderful charms from Cathy Penton. She is a wonderful designer and was just featured in the December Romantic Home magazine. These charms are truly a treasure.

The Days Are Flying By

Oh My! The days are just flying by, wasn't it just July yesterday? I am in my usual state of shock like a deer caught in the headlights. In a blink of an eye it will be Christmas, yikes!

I always tell myself that I am going to get a jump start on this holiday thing. Like addressing my Christmas cards in September and having them all ready to mail out. Also, keeping my eye open for fabulous and unusual gifts year round so I could have everything wrapped and ready by October 1st.

How are all of you doing? I hope better than me, but I have been to so many wonderful websites I just know I can get my shopping done without leaving my chair. My friend Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms has the most gorgeous wreaths, they would make a wonderful gift. So if your like me, do stop by and say Hi to Cathy and check out those wreaths.

I will be adding new items to my website this week, just waiting for the sun to come out so I can get some great pictures. So do stop by off and on and check out some of the goodies.

I also would ask for prayers for all the people living in Southern California. How sad for those who have lost their homes. I went through Katrina and I know how sad it is to loose everything you own. So thoughts and prayers to all of you.

And The Winner Is

The winner of this beautiful lovely/vintage charm is Janet from Janets Creative Pillows. So hugs and congratulations!

I big thank you to all who entered my give away. Check back again, as I love having these drawings. You just never know what I am going to give away next.

What Was I Thinking?

In my last post I said I was going to be having a drawing for one of these beautiful charms. But I got so excited that I forgot to post a picture. So here they are, these really are gorgeous. I wish all of you good luck in the drawing.
Hugs for today!

Change of Season

I just love this time of year, where you can feel fall in the air. All the stores are now stocked with Halloween costumes, and tons of Halloween candy. Many of my favorite memorizes focused around this time of year. Getting my kids their Halloween costumes was a huge event and they would start begging for me to buy the Halloween candy NOW! Some how they were convinced that the stores would run out if I didn't buy it by October first. Funny how you only fall for that idea once. Only to end up running through the grocery store at 5:00 on Halloween night because all that is left in the big black kettle is empty wrappers. Of course your kids are in a panic, afraid you will buy the worst candy and no one will come to your house, once the word goes out that you have little boxes of raisins. Why is it that they think you are clueless about Halloween?

Carving the pumpkin, that was always great fun. It seemed that there was always a disagreement whether the pumpkin should have a smile or a frown. Also, the little battle of where we were going to place the pumpkin where all the neighbors could see it, but the big kids wouldn't smash it.

Now all my children are grown and there are no more pumpkins to carve or costumes to buy, so I enjoy all the little neighbor children in their adorable costumes, so excited to receive the candy.

October is also breast cancer awareness month. A time for all women to go for a check-up and for all of us to raise our voices in prayer for all of our sisters and their families who are dealing with this disease. Sweet Yesterdays, has commissioned Cathy Penton, who has been featured in Romantic Home to do a special charm. Sweet Yesterdays will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these charms to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. So, please stop by and see these beautiful charms they are beautiful.

I love giving things away to all my blog friends, so just post your name and you will be entered into my give away. I will draw a name on October 8th. It will be for one of the beautiful charms from Cathy.

Have Wonderful October!

A Time For Reflection

As many of you know from previous posts, I am a collector of little shoes. There is just something so nostalgic and precious about these. This little pair is one of my favorites. Your mind can just imagine the little person who wore them. This pair has the name Tony Woodard 1949 on the bottom. Wouldn't it just be great to know more about little Tony? This little pair with the tiny yellow socks came in the original box. I think it's so much fun to decorate with these. Add them to a nursery shelf along with a vintage silver baby cup and you have instant charm. Mix them in with old chalk ware and vintage photos. It just seems to add a sentimental touch. I know most of you have held onto your childrens little shoes, so have fun decorate with them. They're nostalgic, sweet and sentimental.

I would love to hear what you have done with your childrens little shoes or maybe even your own.

Welcome To My Tea Party

I am so happy that you were able to join me for tea. There are so many tea parties going on today, so I know you can't stay long. But please do leave me a message, so I can thank you for stopping by.

All of my wonderful pink sisters at makeminepink.com are having their parties today so do stop by and say hello.

Please Come For Tea

Fill your week with Tea Parties !!!

Starting Monday September 10, have a fun filled week with the

Make Mine Pink Bloggers as they host a virtual Tea Party.

Visit the Mine Pink Blog for all the information and a list of participating

Make Mine Pink Blogs.

Why Tea Party? Well what can be more fun, tea for two, tea for one, a princess tea, a mother/daughter tea, best friends tea, long lost friends tea, or to just take a moment to slow down and enjoy the tea.

Join in on the fun and host a virtual tea party too. We will be visiting all the Make Mine Pink blogs and yours too if you decide to host your own party.

You will see beautiful and unique tables set for tea; many will have a special theme. Will you join us and post a photo of your Tea Party on your very own blog?

Post a comment on Make Mine Pink’s Blog and we will include you on the list.So expect many visitors~ please have cookies ready.
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