Senior Pictures

There was some debate over which one to choose. These were taken way back in July. I'm just getting around to posting them~ but only because we are on a serious deadline to get the digital image submitted for her Yearbook page.

This is the image I selected. It also happens to be the same image that Tony, Ashley's boyfriend, liked the best. So we did the main package with this image, but only because the boyfriend sided with me. :)


This is the image Ashley & my hubby wanted so badly. I love the picture, and would have loved to purchase it in color. BUT, Ashley was in love with the black and white and hubby loved the way she looked in the picture. To me black and white is so old fashioned!


In the end, Ashley ended up with a bunch of wallets because she had obtained names and addresses of fellow classmates for the photographer. As her reward, she was given the wallets in the pose she wanted so badly. So, in the end we both won.

The photographer ~ Janet Osha Miller ~ does outstanding work. Even when we lived in the midwest, she had taken some family photos when we would come out this way for a visit. The photo shoots included both indoor and outdoor photos. The images are presented on CD that she sets to music...brings a tear to any mother's eye when you finally get to preview the images. She includes that CD with the proof booklet that you get to keep...forever! With over 100 photos to choose from, it's a miracle we could narrow our selection down to just two!

October Etsyblogger of the Month

This month's Featured Etsyblogger is Jen from Mama's Magic Studio and Baby Friendly Beads." . I love this set of Fraternal Earrings that she has listed on Mama's Magic Studio.

Jen's description ~ like fraternal twins… not identical, but definitely a pair! She has named this pair after the famous feminist quote: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” How fun!

How cool is this newest addition to Baby Friendly Beads." .

The colors are soothing and reminds me of a lifesaver candy. What a great idea to keep baby from pinching during breastfeeding!

Jen says, "I am the Mama in Mama's Magic Studio. I'm also a published poet, an aspiring children's book author, a proud SAHM, and a maker of beautiful things, including Baby Friendly Beads." She has a great blog to read so stop on over and say Hi ~ Mama's Magic.

Sneak Attack Successful!

What an awesome experience to sponsor such a successful event. I could not have done it without the help of my Etsyblogger and Vermont Made friends.

Last night, just before 7 PM, I had the pleasure of sending a quick convo message to Joooles Design, indicating "THIS IS YOUR LUCKY DAY!" along with details about the sneak attack. She had 36 items in her shop with no sales. In less than 20 minutes 13 of those items had sold and by this morning she is up to 33 sales. AWESOME!!!

This is what I bought in the Sneak Attack. I am absolutely in love with her Orange Boy.



Sneak Attacks are ongoing. If you would like to see what it is all about, participate in one, or perhaps even sponsor an Attack, visit Handmade Movement. Ooooo...and did I mention that they have ongoing contests on that site? What are you still reading my blog for? Get over there and enter already!!!

Sneak Attack on Etsy

When I opened my shop on Etsy I knew sales were not going to come pouring in right off the bat. It was going to take hard work and dedication to make that first sale and every sale thereafter. That is the realistic dreams about owning an online shop.

Secretly, however, most shop owners (myself included) dream of waking up or coming home to a staggering number of multiple sales, or a near empty shop.

Different sponsors scour Etsy to locate a shop that has little to no sales in their shop. Then, at the appointed date and time, after hours of promotion about the attack, the unsuspecting shop owner is notified of the Sneak Attack mere minutes before fellow Etsians pounce and shop in the Attackee's shop.

Tonight at 7 PM EST I am sponsoring a Sneak Attack on a wonderful fellow Etsian who could definitely use a boost in their shop sales. To read more about Sneak Attacks, and to see shops that have previously been the victims of an attack, please visit The Handmade Movement. A link to my discussion thread about the attack will be posted on The Handmade Movement site as soon as it is started in the Etsy forum. Come join me for the discussion and help to promote this wonderful cause by clicking here.

And the Winner Is.....

CONGRATULATIONS TO....
Lucky Commenter #38 - Marigold!
She happened upon my blog via one of her favorite portals to the crafting world, Everything Up Close. I'm always interested to learn how readers find my blog because Google alerts isn't necessarily very reliable in notifying me when someone links to my blog. Marigold will be receiving this basket of bath fizzies:


Marigold found the Chocoholics Unite Whipped Sugar Scrub to be her favorite item from my shop. As a special Thank You for taking the time to visit my shop, I'll be including a jar of this delightful pampering treat as well!


I wish I could have sent a basket of goodies to everyone that took the time to stop by my shop for a visit. Rest assured, with the Holiday's coming upon us, I'll be finding more reasons to celebrate, I'm sure! Keep checking back for more opportunities.

Blog Giveaway Winner Chosen

Details coming shortly.......

Hubby's Moose

I realize that everyone does not embrace hunting. My husband is an avid hunter and was thrilled to have had his name drawn in the Moose Lottery this year. It has been a life dream of his to go on a Moose hunt. Second day of the first season his hunting adventure was a success. Just before 6 PM my technology disadvantaged husband in an attempt to save the image of his moose to his cell phone accidentally sent a text and image to me. Now I, this technology disadvantaged cell phone user, can't figure out how to get the image off the phone and on the computer so we took photos at home when he finally made it home this evening. I'm great on the computer, these cell phones and text messaging capabilities is something new to be discovered.

What are the chances that our son would also draw a tag for second season. This will not be Josh's first Moose hunt, he took a cow moose 4 years ago with his first Moose Tag. If their hunt is a success, we will not keep this second moose as Josh has invited one of his closest friends and his father to go with him on his hunt with the goal of them keeping the moose. Due to sticky state hunting regulations, hubby cannot hunt with Josh.

Oooo La La......

Vanilla Whipped Sugar Scrub

Chocoholics Unite Whipped Sugar Scrub

It's Time to Celebrate!

I'm celebrating for two reasons this week...I hit 175 sales in my shop, and my graduation today. I've got a basket of bath fizzies in assorted scents just screaming for a new home. Here's the deal...visit my Etsy shop and post the link to your favorite item in my shop right here in the comments on this post. On Monday, October 20 I will draw one lucky winner from all qualifying comments.

Thank you for looking at my shop...I look forward to your responses.

I Did It!

Whipped Sugar Scrub

Rich, Creamy, Dreamy Gingerbread Whipped Sugar Scrub. We've taken our Whipped Soap and added sugar, making this skin delicacy a real royal pampering treat! It is divine and leaves the skin silky soft and smooth afterwards. You aren't going to want to let this Limited Edition slip through your fingers. Check it out!

Yummy Gingerbread

Whipped Soap, that is. Please don't mistake this for eating as I'm pretty sure it won't taste as good as it smells or looks. Now available here.

R E L A X

After a long day at work I often drive home without the radio on. Drives my family crazy when they use the car after me because (gasp) they have to turn the radio on! There's just something to be said about quiet. It's the perfect opportunity to clear one's mind without outside influences. On really stressful days I take the relaxing a bit further and indulge in a long hot bath.

This topic was inspired by the Etsybloggers Blog Carnival for October 13. A very Special Shout Out to our Gracious Host (and Fearless Leader) ~ Joey who asked us to Choose one of these two topics to write about:

1). Work: Blog about anything to do with your work (past, present or future) which is outside of Etsy.

OR

2). Relax: Blog about what you do to relax.

Public Humiliation 101

I have been tagged by sooooo many people, I've lost count and forgotten everyone that has tagged me. To appease my bloggy friends that are BEGGING me to reveal six of my deep dark secrets, I will cave and share...but only because I've been guilted into complying by THE two partners in crime who will remain nameless, but their initials are ~ Lily AND Witch ~ !!! They were the first to start this madness by revealing six of their most intimate secrets. The suspense has been building, the anticipation of "when is Ms. Moo FINALLY going to cave and do this public humiliation 101"...so without further addo...

1. I learned to play guitar with charts and books (self-taught) when I was a teenager but had to give it up at 20 when I sustained nerve damage to one of my fingers. So...after 15 years of not being able to play an instrument...I took up piano lessons at 35 years of age...

2. I don't read sheet music ~ never have ~ but I can sing well and play the piano chords sufficiently to match the melody after hearing something one time. It also helps that the keyboard I have makes my playing sound as though I have an entire band playing with me.

3. I was very shy and introverted in High School. Today I can speak and sing in front of large crowds...the larger the better. Microphones don't scare me and neither do the crowds. I am best with impromtu public speaking.

4. I am a first generation US citizen on my father's side of the family.

5. I hate mice and snakes...spiders and bugs don't bother me.

6. I totally freaked out standing on the Sears Tower Lookout Deck, have an insane fear of being on a ladder (even before I took my flying leap) but flying in an airplane doesn't bother me.

OK, Lily and Witch...are you happy now?!?!?!???? XO XO

I'm not tagging anyone else because...well...I think everyone else has been tagged at least a half dozen times or more...

A Scenic View of Fall Foliage in Vermont

Friday afternoon I left work early with the mission of picking up my oldest daughter for the weekend. My son certainly didn't mind having to leave work early to help with the driving. I'm still not 100% to be driving long distances by myself and find myself zoning out when my brain has absorbed all it can take for the day. While my son drove, I took aim with my camera and attempted to capture the breathtaking beauty of the Autumn Foliage. I apologize for smudges on the windows of the car, and in some instances not being able to fully capture the awesome beauty.

It's Organic!

New Organic Spa Washcloth Gift Set perfect for Holiday gift giving. You may purchase your set here.