Good Friday 2017. It is finished.

 

 It's Easter Week once again. The older I get, the faster the days, months and years go. Seems like it was just this time last year. We're already busy filling Mother's Day orders in the studio.  It's still Rosie's favorite place to be. She sits in front of the door, waiting for me to open it, and literally RUNS in....jumping onto my workbench and into one of her two doggy beds. She knows that once I arrive...she gets a treat from the Treat Jar! Such a life!!

I awoke early this morning with a killer-migraine. Appropriate penance for this Holy Day. I will offer it up to the Lord.....along with 2 Excedrin Migraine and a strong cup of cappuccino!

Later I'll spend time in the kitchen making the Italian Easter Braids that my grandmother (Nonna), and then my mother, baked at Eastertime. Migraine or not,  I'm determined to keep this tradition alive this year!

Here is the recipe I use.....but please note, you can also use Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough...or their Sweet Bread Dough and get similar results~



Nonna's Italian Easter Braids

1 package Rapid Rise (instant) yeast (about 2-1/4 teaspoons)

1.25 cups milk
pinch of salt
1/3 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sugar

3.5 cups flour (approximate)
1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon of water
6 dyed Easter eggs
sprinkles or pearlized sugar

tip: the Easter eggs do not need to be hard boiled. They cook when the bread bakes. I usually just dye the eggs raw without hardboiling them. Saves time. Just be careful they don't crack!

In a small saucepan, warm the milk and butter together, just till butter melts. In a large mixer bowl, combine yeast, salt, eggs and sugar. Add the warm (not hot - it will kill the yeast) milk and butter. Add about half the flour and beat until smooth with dough hook. Slowly add the remaining flour to form a stiff dough. Don't worry about how much flour it ends up being, just keep adding until the dough is not sticky anymore. Knead until smooth with either dough hook attachment or turn out on floured board and knead. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.

Punch dough down, divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece to form a 1 inch thick rope about 14 inches long and, taking two pieces, twist to form a "braid", pinching the ends, and loop into a circle.

Place on two baking sheets sprayed with Pam. Cover and let rise until double, about an hour again. Brush each bread with beaten egg wash. Put on the sprinkles. In the middle of each bread ring, gently place an Easter egg, making an indentation with the egg.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden - about 20 minutes. Cool on rack.
You can eat the eggs, but remember to refrigerate the breads to keep the eggs safe to eat~

Enjoy~

~Boulders and Blessings~

Life Lessons are sometimes hard. And painful. But life wasn't meant to be easy.  I try to be very aware of God's messages to me......but I can be dense when I don't want to hear what He has to say.

In an earlier post, I wrote about God's gentle whispers to me. When those don't work, He nudges me to get my attention. Then come the rocks. "Yeah yeah God. I hear you...but I'm busy with life right now".  Then come the boulders! He's done it again: big huge boulders. They tend to be shocking, painful...and always come with a lesson. It's not always easy to see what that is....but it's always there.

This time, His boulder brought me to a total standstill. The lesson wasn't difficult to figure out. He taught me that relationships are hard. They take work, compromise, and forgiveness. He taught me to always forgive, and to step back and view the situation from His perspective. That's difficult. 

I've never encountered any situation in life where I didn't forgive. Ever. BUT: you can't always get the other person to accept that forgiveness and take it for what it is, from one heart to the other.

I had decided that after this 'boulder', I would stop helping others. Stop giving back. How foolish I was. I will always be who I am and not change my heart because of a boulder. I will move forward cautiously.  Prayer...and the wisdom of friends (some have been in my life since I was little....some a shorter time) have helped be see the lesson to be learned from this "boulder".

I've been close to God since I was a little girl, with a great devotion to The Blessed Virgin. As a 2nd grader I came home from school, announcing to my mother that when I grew up, I was going to become a nun. I LOVED Sister Mary Joselia even more than my dolls....and I REALLY loved my dolls. Well....my mother didn't feel the same way about my decision....and marched me into the principal's office (Sr. Mary Verone) asking where my classroom/desk was, and  brown paper grocery sack in hand, she cleaned out my desk. I was enrolled the next day, much to my dismay, in the public school. My mother was right. I would have become a nun and missed the love of the man I adore, 2 wonderful sons, 2 sweet DIL's and 4 precious grandbabies!

Through it all....I kept my love for Mary, praying to her daily, placing my heart in her hands. She has helped me deal with the boulders in my life...including this one. My apology to my dear sweet "old" friend who came in from out-of-town, and over lunch, tearfully asked when seeing all the religious posts and "likes" on my FB page, if I was battling some fatal healthscare. I'm so sorry, Susie......but SO grateful we had that beautiful visit.

Did I mention that with God's Boulders also come blessings from above?  This time....the blessing is a new grandson...born to our son and DIL, Tom and Amy. He is beyond beautiful. A true gift from the Lord. Along with our other 3 grandchildren...they put everything in life back into perspective. And this time, the boulder isn't so hurtful, the pain not so great.  

~Our New Grandson~

Introducing our new Grandson: Luke Thomas. This new little bundle was God's Special Delivery from Heaven to Tom and Amy Buehner, August 14th, 2015. He weighed 6 lb. 5 oz and measured 18.5".  We are so proud to welcome him into our family~

BLACK FRIDAY 2014

Check out our Black Friday SALE today only! Use Code BF14 on our website: www.rosecreekcottage.com OR on either of our Etsy Shops: RoseCreekCottage or RoseCreekToo. (codes are already inserted there!) HAPPY SHOPPING!

~I Miss You Mom~

My mom passed away 2 years ago today. I knew I loved her. After all...she was my mom. But I never knew how much I loved her until she was gone. Pretty sad.

                  If roses grow in heaven, Lord, pick a bunch for me;
     Place them in my mothers arms & tell her they're from me;
             Tell her that I love her, and when she turns to smile, 
            Place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile.
                 Remembering her is easy.... I do it everyday.              
        There's an ache within my heart that will never go away.
                      To Heaven and Back, Mom. I love you~

                            

                      

~Happy Valentine's Day~

Happy St. Valentine's Day from all of us here at RoseCreekCottage Studios! All Valentine orders are shipped. We're now working on Mother's Day orders. Yup! Already!! I LOVE my customers who don't wait til the last minute!

~February Already???~

December was a blur here at RoseCreekCottage. I swear I didn't sleep at all. I'm beginning to really understand how Santa feels. But then he DOES have elves. I'm still waiting for mine!

I was certain that January would not only bring new creative ideas, organization in the studio and in my life, and revigoration for all the things I love. It didn't. What it did bring was the necessity to catch up on much-needed rest and a bevy of doctor appointments I put off way too long! I did get some new migraine meds that although costing $28 a piece....actually work once I take two.  That being said....Rosie and I are back in the studio, coffee in hand.....filling Valentine's Day orders as quickly as possible without the help of elves. (REALLY now Santa....I know you don't need them quite yet......please please consider sending me even an over-the-hill one. I know he'd love it here. I have cookies. Lots of them!!)

On today's agenda is packing up these delicious Valentine's Day treats and sending them off to the grandbabies. Don't they look scrumptious?? Here's the recipe:

Valentine Delights

Ingredients:

5 ounces white almond bark or white chocolate chocolate chips
5 ounces red candy melts (I found them at Michael’s craft store)
1 teaspoon shortening
5 cups chex cereal
1 cup strawberry cake mix
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 package valentines chocolate M&M’s

1. Start by dividing the chex mix into two bowls.  (2 1/2 cup in each)

2. In microwave safe dish, melt the 5 ounces white almond bark or white chocolate chips. Add 1/2 teaspoon shortening so that the almond bark will spread evenly.  Microwave 30 seconds at a time and be careful not to burn the almond bark.  Dump this in the first bowl of chex and mix evenly to coat all of the chex cereal.

3.  Melt the red candy melts next also checking and stirring the candy melts 30 seconds at a time.  Once this is melted, pour this over the second bowl of divided chex and mix until coated.

4.  In two gallon size ziplock bags, put 1/2 cup strawberry cake mix and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in each bag.  Dump each bowl of chex mix in each bag and shake until coated with the powdered sugar and strawberry powdered cake mix.

5. Add in Valentine M & M's. 

Rosie and I KNOW you'll love them, too.....but be careful: they're addictive~ xoxo

~Cyber Monday Sale Starts NOW~

Don't miss our last sale of 2013! We decided since Santa and his Elves are already packing the sleigh, we would help out by starting Cyber Monday on Sunday!!

LIKE us on FB and use Coupon Code cyber20 at checkout for 20% off everything on our website, rosecreekcottage.com.

Happy Shopping! Rosie and I are in the studio today already sipping coffee (me) and chewing bones (Rosie). Happy December

Almost December......

I can't believe it's almost December! I know I haven't posted in a while....our orders are piled to the ceiling...which is a good thing.   Rosie and I are working in the studio 12-14 hr days.   She loves it. I do, too. 

Today is Small Business Saturday.  We have 20% off on our website:  LIKE us on FB and Use code SBS20 at checkout today through midnite EST.  Don't miss out!  Santa's been shopping at RoseCreekCottage into the wee hours of the mornings. His elves are very impressed with all the goodies I create WITHOUT any 'Elf Help':  Just Me, Rosie and Katie...and and Jim who prints the labels and does the book keeping!  I told those elves I've been waiting for them to show up for years.  I can't wait any longer...so am working solo!  They apologized and said Santa keeps them very busy.....even in the 'off' season.  sigh.  I need to think about recruiting my own core of Elves for next year!

We added Personalized Christmas Ornaments this year. Take a peak. 

And you KNOW we always have beautifully, custom items for Mom, Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy.  Godmothers and Godfathers, too!   And don't forget your kids, daughters, sons, grand daughters, daughter-in-laws, mother-in-wals, your hubby, fiance, significant other, bff, sole sisters you run with, your true sisters, cousins, aunts, teachers, caretakers.....we have something for everyone! Look to see all the new goodies we've added~

And remember to check back on Cyber Monday for another (and our last of the year) Sale.

~Reasons You Gotta Love Fall~

Too many reasons to list of why you just GOTTA love fall...but one of my favorite: going to Patterson's Fruit Farm to purchase apples and cider. Just the smells of apple pies, fritters and hot apple cider make it worth the stop. Rosie and I stopped there yesterday and bought Gala apples....one of our favorite for baking,  making sauce or eating.  We hosted good friends Babs and Bob here last nite for dinner and served homemade Apple Crisp made from some of the apples for dessert....and I must say it was a hit....but we ate it all!

We have a little reprieve from work in the studio today.  It will most likely be the last Saturday we can get away from it like this....so it's a welcome pleasure for sure.   So.... a second Apple Crisp is in the oven. Amy and Tom along with Amy's sister and boyfriend are arriving for a lunch of Brats on the Grill.....and along with vanilla ice cream, this will be the perfect dessert.  Can you just smell it???!

Have a glorious Saturday....wherever you are in the world~ Carol and Rosie~

 

~Hello October~

October already.  What happened to June, July, August and September? I really thought life would slow down as we got older.  It hasn't.  The merry-go-round just seems to have taken on a ridiculous speed.   I haven't posted since May.  I just couldn't.  I found myself missing my Mom more than ever.  It made me step back and reflect..... where am I going?  What do I want to do with the days I have left on this earth?  Am I on the path I want to be on?   I DO know that I love what I do, and that is creating designs for my jewelry business:   RoseCreekCottage.  Turning a passion into a career is truly a blessing.  I thank God for it every day.  This is my latest creation in my Remembrance  jewelry,  in honor of my sweet Mom:

So.... Hello October! My favorite part of the year. It brings sweaters and jeans, cool crisp air, picking apples at Patterson's to bake into homemade sauce, crisps and pies. And there's apple cider with cinnamon sticks in the crockpot, this fall's first pot of chili simmering on the stove .....the fall shows (yes....I miss them...sometimes!).  The cooler temperatures and of course....the brilliance of the fall leaves. I love it all.

Rosie and I are in the studio very early again these days, preparing for the upcoming Holiday Season.  Seems we can never be too prepared for what's ahead.  New designs are flooding every cell of my brain...and my hands just can't seem to work fast enough.  Remembering all the blessings....and all the many Angels I have been blessed with resulted in the following design......a collage necklace simply called, "My Angels". There's lots of room for  spouses, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, pets....and angels:

I'm headed off to bed.  Morning comes way too soon these days....and Rosie sits anxiously in the doorway to the studio watching me pour my first cup of coffee WAY too early.  So...sweet dreams~  Carol and Rosie~

~Forget-Me-Nots To Heaven and Back~

My dear Mom has been in heaven a year now. Part of me feels like it was yesterday...and part of me feels like she's been gone for eeons. I miss her. All the time.

It's funny that I miss her so much because with the severity of her dementia she really was gone for years before she died. But I miss her. Especially when I'm not feeling well. I burst into tears for no apparent reason. I want my Mom. Now. Here.

I know that faith tells me she is in a better place. But I find myself looking heavenward and screaming at the top of my lungs, "MOM...PLEASE tell me you're okay. PLEASE. Send me a sign that you see how much you're missed. PLEASE".

I went to church and knelt in front of the Blessed Sacrament to pray for her soul. The tears streamed down my face. I couldn't think let alone pray. I know she was right there. Watching me. 

So for now, I will miss her. I will remember how she loved the forget-me-nots. As little girls (and even now as adults) my sister and I love picking little bouquets of them. They always remind me of my Mom. I remember her standing at the kitchen sink in her apron, peeling carrots when we came home from school. I remember the clothes she made me when we didn't have much money. Beautiful clothes. I remember that when she went grocery-shopping there was enough money to buy 1 piece of fruit for each of us three children. I remember the sweet, juicy peaches. And how I just knew when I ate them that heaven must taste like that. Mom....I remember. I remember all the sacrifices you made for us. Sewing and altering clothes for other people so we'd have money for ballet lessons....piano lessons....for college. I remember what a good mother you were. I miss you so much.

I love you, Mom. To heaven and back. Until we meet again~

xoxoxox

Carol

~Easter 2013~

    ~Happy Easter from all of us at RoseCreekCottage Studios~

GOOD FRIDAY 2013

                                        It is over.

~Holy Thursday Italian Easter Braids~

I can't believe it's Easter Week again. Seems like it was just this time last year. We're busy filling Mother's Day orders in the studio, starting very early in the morning, and stamping away til late at nite.  My "amish angels" came  yesterday. Fannie cleaned the house from top-to-bottom...and Katie and I worked in the studio finishing up bins of orders that went to the post office early this morning. I've known Katie now for 18 years. She's one of my dearest friends. I don't know what I would do without her!

Today I spent some time in the kitchen making the Italian Easter Braids that my grandmother (Nonna), and then my mother, baked at Eastertime. Mom passed away this past May. I'm determined to keep this tradition alive.

Here is the recipe I use.....but please note, you can also use Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough...or their Sweet Bread Dough and get similar results~

Nonna's Italian Easter Braids

1 package Rapid Rise (instant) yeast (about 2-1/4 teaspoons)

1.25 cups milk
pinch of salt
1/3 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sugar

3.5 cups flour (approximate)
1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon of water
6 dyed Easter eggs
sprinkles or pearlized sugar

tip: the Easter eggs do not need to be hard boiled. They cook when the bread bakes. I usually just dye the eggs raw without hardboiling them. Saves time. Just be careful they don't crack!

In a small saucepan, warm the milk and butter together, just till butter melts. In a large mixer bowl, combine yeast, salt, eggs and sugar. Add the warm (not hot - it will kill the yeast) milk and butter. Add about half the flour and beat until smooth with dough hook. Slowly add the remaining flour to form a stiff dough. Don't worry about how much flour it ends up being, just keep adding until the dough is not sticky anymore. Knead until smooth with either dough hook attachment or turn out on floured board and knead. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about an hour.

Punch dough down, divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece to form a 1 inch thick rope about 14 inches long and, taking two pieces, twist to form a "braid", pinching the ends, and loop into a circle.

Place on two baking sheets sprayed with Pam. Cover and let rise until double, about an hour again. Brush each bread with beaten egg wash. Put on the sprinkles. In the middle of each bread ring, gently place an Easter egg, making an indentation with the egg.

Bake at 350 degrees until golden - about 20 minutes. Cool on rack.
You can eat the eggs, but remember to refrigerate the breads to keep the eggs safe to eat~

Enjoy~

~Happy St. Valentine's Day~

We've been busy in the studio these past few weeks filling Valentine's Day orders which, by now, have arrived at their new homes. Happy Valentine's Day from all of us  to YOU~


Love, Carol, Rosie and all of us at RoseCreekCottage Studios~

~Just An Ordinary Day - Six Weeks Later.....~

It's so easy to take things in life for granted....complaining about annoyances such as pokey drivers, lines at the bank, busy work schedules. But let me tell you that I will not be complaining about those things anytime soon. I never realized how much I took 'walking' for granted.

The day I fell was just 'an ordinary day.' Six weeks later, I can finally walk in the house without a cane. Taking steps is still painful....but its a small price to pay for being able to get a cup of coffee or a tissue without having to ask. God indeed slowed me down but good on that 'ordinary day'.He allowed me to recognize the people in my life who really love and care for me. The ones who call to check on me. The ones who send cards, food, flowers. He taught me to see the value of good friends: great to have around during the fun times...but so comforting in the hard times. He made me grateful for the blessing of 'an ordinary day'.

This morning a friend commented that she saw Jim in church over the weekend...but that he didn't even see her. I'm not surprised: he's exhausted. He puts in his 10 hrs. at work, then comes home to pick up the slack...doing all the things I can't: the cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands. This is one of those times when the part of the marriage vow, "......or worse" comes into play. It breaks my heart to see his fatigue. And yet, there is nothing I can do about it.

I've had lots of studio time to fill Valentine's Day orders during these January days. Time to create new designs. The studio has always been my 'safe haven'. My happy place. And in these weeks, I'm realizing that it is not only good for my mind....but good for my soul: I can be productive even without the ability to leave the house. For that, I am grateful for these 'ordinary days'.

With every New Year, we wonder what lies ahead, hoping the year will be a good one. Better than the last. Praying loved ones stay healthy. And happy. Remembering that life can change in a second, on any 'ordinary day'.

Rosie and I are in studio already...joined by my sister, Kathy's, puppy Poppy. She and her hubby are soaking up lots of Florida sunshine...hopefully bringing some back here to Ohio when they return.~ xoxoxox

~When God Throws Rocks....er Boulders~

God always knows how to get me attention. He first gives me little nudges that appear as little whispers. "Yeah, yeah, God. I know. You want me to slow down once all my orders are out. I will. Promise". Somehow...He always knows when I have no true intention of listening. When this happens...He throws rocks. When THAT doesn't get my attention.....He throws boulders. Like He has done now. Here's what happened:

I had shipped all my orders by Dec. 20th. Did a Power-Day of Christmas Shopping....came home to finish baking cookies.....and ran to see the decorations Jim was putting outside the front door. I slipped my stocking-feet into rubber clogs because he said it was wet outside. As I hurried towards the front door, the clogs caught on the edge of the backhall rug....and I was thrown up into the air.

Time seemed suspended as I saw my cornflower-blue-clogged feet up in the air in front of me. Knowing I was about to crash to the floor, landing on my left hip...some little angel whispered, "Don't try to buffer the fall with your left arm. It won't work...and you'll break it ALONG with your hip". I listened. Trying not to pass out from the pain, I screamed to Jim, sounding like that commercial on TV for the Life Alert pendant. Thankfully he heard me before I passed out.

The result: No broken bones. A torn adductor muscle, internal damage to the tissues, ligaments, etc. I couldn't put any weight on the left leg. Started out on a walker...and have now graduated to a pink cane.(yup...that's what you get when you send your husband to buy it)  I'm totally housebound as I don't dare to slip on the treacherous ice and snow. As my PT said, "Time is your friend".

So....God got my attention. He knew I had NO intention of slowing down. So He did it for me. You'd think I'd learn and listen to Him from the get-go. I'm trying, God, I'm trying. The stubborn Italian gene just isn't making it easy!!

Now I've slowed down, forced to rest....getting a chance to read the stack of books and magazines I've longingly glanced at the past few months. I thank all my beloved family and friends who have continued to check on me, bring food, flowers, and lots of love: to Jim, who has done everything from cooking, to cleaning, to bringing me Communion, catering to my every whim. sigh. LOVE him to death: to Rosie Girl, who doesn't leave my side, and sweetly, patiently lets me hobble in front of her from place-to-place: and especially to two little Amish girls who have dedicated themselves to helping me get back on my feet...and back to the studio....with love and much laughter~  xoxoxox


PS: Received this email from my cousin, Debbie M, who always knows how to make me laugh: "Hey Carol ahem could you um at least spice up the story a bit? Falling in the kitchen is not glamorous. Try this: I was wrestling bears on the icy slopes of the Himalayan Mountains when an avalanche broke free and knocked us all in a tumbling heap to the raging river below as a sailboat came by and knocked me up onto a boulder ....you get the picture. No more of this "I fell in the kitchen". Weak."

 Thank you, Debbie! I needed that! xo

~Here's To 2013~

New Year's Blessings to all our Family and Friends. Don't be afraid to 'drive' into the future. Go with your whole heart and with your eyes wide open. Don't miss a single second~

 Love, Carol, Rosie and All of Us at RoseCreekCottage Studios

~And the Angel Said Unto Them....~

'And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: 'Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, Unto you is born this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.' Luke 2:11

Christmas Blessings to all our dear family, friends and customers~

Thank you for your support and patronage...and for being such an integral part of our lives...both in and out of the studio~

Carol, Rosie and the Staff at RoseCreekCottage Studios~