Sunday Silence

Sunday Silence

Going Back to School

What does that mean to me? It means the lazy days of summer are over and back to full-time work as a School Food Service Manager in a K-12 school. That's me holding the largest bowl in my hands. My staff and sub were all present when this photo was taken this past spring.

I'm particularly excited about this school year because it will be the first year we will not have to share our cafeteria space with grade school PE classes. No longer will we have to haul in tables and all pertinent cafeteria equipment in a "10 Minute Sprint", as it had not so affectionately become known as. And we will no longer need to clear the room in a repeat demonstration at the conclusion of lunch.

Over the past year the school has been in the middle of construction of a new gymnasium and school beautification project. An Open House/Picnic and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new gymnasium will take place this week. My staff and I are asked to cater the annual Open House which typically is held 2 weeks after the school year begins. It is particularly exciting this year that the Open House is taking place before the first day of school so we aren't rushed to prepare the food. Held two weeks into the school year means we have to prepare school meals and Open House food at the same time, resulting in several hectic days.

In early July I was excited to learn the application submitted in early June for Federal Stimulus money to purchase kitchen equipment had been granted. At the time the application had been submitted I didn't think we stood a chance of becoming a recipient as this was a highly competitive grant and I was asking for almost 1/5 of the monies that came to Vermont to install a new walk-in refrigerator/freezer unit. The school was not required to come up with matching funds for this grant, which was a great plus. With this grant money we were able to solve many of the underlying issues with water leaking into the lower level of the school, repair some structural damage, address some mold issues, and at the same time install an energy efficient unit that is state of the art with sprinklers and safety features that prevent anyone from being locked inside.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho it's back to work I go....

Ship More for Less

Stocking up for the Holiday's just got cheaper at Spotted Cow Soaps. We are pleased to announce that with our new packaging design we can fit up to 12 (TWELVE) bars of soap in a flat rate envelope. Stocking up will cost you less now that we can fit more bars of soap in the flat rate envelopes.

Sunday Silence

Inspired by Summer Beaches

Summer is winding down and we're finally feeling some summer heat up here in Vermont. A trip to the ocean this time of year is always a lot of fun. That is out of the question for me this year as I am deep in back to school preparations, and up to my eyeballs in the installation of a new walk-in refrigerator and deep freeze unit with funds I was lucky enough to snag from a federal stimulus grant. I can't help but dream of lazy days lounging around the beach, and thus the inspiration for today.


Stroll on the Beach is a unique blend of ocean breezes, coconut, and sandy beaches. This lotion does not leave you feeling greasy or slimey after applying to your skin. This is the perfect formula that quenches thirsty skin but also leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Best of all, it can be used from head to toe!


This Spa Bath Accessories Set in Sea Glass is made with 100% cotton yarn, a renewable resource, making this an Eco Friendly option. These can be safely machine washed and dried. Colors may fade and shrink slightly on the first wash, but gets softer and more absorbent the longer you use it. This set includes 1 (one) bath puff, 1 (one) spa washcloth (approximately 8 inches square), and 2 (two) face washers (approximately 2 inches square). The washcloth and face washers come with hanging loops making it easier for drying out between use.

Monday Mystery Mission (on Tuesday)

Before I get on with this week's fun & winner for July, I have a bit of business to take care of. Back in May (before fire consumed the shed attached to our house & life got hectic) I announced a contest on my blog regarding a Top Secret Mission I was working on. In July I did share about The Power Of Pink Trunk Show that I participated in but never did announce who, if anyone, participating in the contest had won. I am please to say that my dear Etsyblogger friend, and faithful customer, TiLT, guessed Breast Cancer Awareness. She has won a shopping trip in my store. TiLT, convo me and I'll get you all set up. Congratulations!

And now on to the Monday Mystery Mission 2 weeks ago. The correct answer is: SHEER CURTAIN. Several guessed close enough with fabric or tulle and I let it go...except for my mother on Facebook. She doesn't count in my giveaways, sorry Mom.

And, we have a winner for the month of July ~ drum roll please ~~~~~ Beaded Tail ~~~~~ Please contact me ASAP via convo and we'll get you set up with some skin loving goodies!

And now ~ our August fun begins. This week we have an entirely new Monday Mystery Mission, if you choose to accept it...WHAT AM I?
Post your answers as a comment to this post and you will be entered into a monthly drawing for some yummy skin loving goodies. If your guess is correct, you will gain 5 extra entries into the monthly drawing. Let's have some more fun!

Sunday Silence

More Autumn Goodness for Your Skin

We've captured a breath of Autumn in Vermont and put it in this delightful Whipped Sugar Scrub! It's a crisp autumn morning in Vermont. Take a deep breath as you stroll along the mountain road and take in the picturesque views of the foliage. This soap fragrance captures a hint of apples sprinkled with cinnamon and cloves, add in a dash of balsam fir and cedar and then mellow it out with a touch of vanilla. Smells so yummy!


The foliage is already starting to change over on some trees. Very early this year, partly because of the vast number of rainy days and lack of sun this summer. When we woke up this morning it was feeling like Vermont Foliage in the air. This soap fragrance is the next best thing to curling up by a warm cozy fire after a walk through the woods on a crisp autumn day. This blend is all about the country woods of Vermont with a splash of spices, and a dash of patchouli and vanilla to round it out.


We've suspended a silk autumn leaf inside of an awesome bar of glycerin soap. This is also infused with the same essence ~ Vermont Foliage ~ as the soap bar above.

We've taken another generous slice of loofah and submerged it in a luxurious helping of 100% Vegan Friendly Glycerin Soap infused with Autumn in Vermont. Oh, and just so you know...these work great not just on feet, but elbows and problematic areas that need exfoliation. Your skin feels so polished and smooth aftewards.


After all of that bathing, treat your skin to a special dose of Autumn in Vermont Body Lotion. It will leave your skin feeling soft without that greasy slimey after touch. Best of all, it can be used from head to toe!

Meet Edi from Memories for Life Scrapbooks

Edi got her start and gained her love for paper crafting from being involved in a 4-H program. Today she gives demonstrations and teaches her craft to girls in 4-H and she's recently been invited to judge the historian book category at a local county fair.


At Memories for Life Scrapbooks you will find an assortment of Scrapbooks in pre-designed words.






Or how about a unique shape Scrapbook like this Star?






Don't you just love these Flip Flop Albums? So unique, so original, so cool!








Be sure to drop on by the Memories for Life Scrapbooks Blog where you will find some of her work in progress, where she finds inspiration, and more.

Sunday Silence

Special Thanks to Winklepots

We're sending out a Special Thanks to Winklepots(where cute is an understatement)
Winklepots is the mother to two and lives in the Pacific NW. On her shop profile she states, "I started painting children's clothing in March of 2006 when I came to the realization that the world of accounting just wasn't for me. Inspired by my eldest child, I began painting clothing for her. I designed pieces that I couldn't find in stores and were unique to her wardrobe.
After creating a few custom pieces for friends, I decided to open my own store. In an effort to keep the right side of my brain alive and thriving, I give you Winklepots."

She also maintains a super cool blog that I am now happily following.

Winklepots ~~~ We appreciate you featuring our Organic Cotton Spa Waschcloths in your most recent Treasury. This awesome treasury expires on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 12:35 AM (Eastern Time).