~Monday Blessings and Prayers~

Those of you who regularly read my blog, know how important I feel prayer is. I know I couldn't get through life without it. I don't know how anyone can. If I can get even one person to realize the power of prayer....this blog has been a success.

That being said, since the pieces in my jewelry designs are so very sentimental, it comes with many happy stories shared by my customers....and many sad ones. Although the happy seem to outweigh the sad, life is such a mixture of both. I believe God meant us to have the sad times so that we would have a greater appreciation of the happy ones.

Last week was a real rollercoaster of those times. One of the happy ones was from a customer who had lost her cat, Margotte. She had a special Pet Remembrance necklace made. She emailed me that she loved the necklace....but will put it aside, as Margotte miraculously showed up at her door. She had been gone for so long, that she had given her up as being dead...or frozen in the winter tundra around her home!

The sad ones included people losing one or both of their parents, a sweet mother who lost newborn twins a day apart in mid-February, and ended with a mother who lost a 4-year-old to brain cancer. These are the ones that stay in my mind and heart for a very long time. I always add them to my prayer list.


Visiting mom in the alzeimer's unit is what keeps the things in my everyday life in perspective. The people there are all like you and me. They're all different ages....sexes, nationalities. All living in their own state of heaven or hell...depending on the severity of the disease. It's impossible to leave there knowing that for today, I am very blessed. I can walk on my own, take care of my own necessities, chew and swallow food...and I can remember to thank the Lord each and every day for the trials and tribulations He has put in my life. I hope each of you do, too~



Rosie and I are off to the studio. We have a whole new stack of orders, many that need to hit the PO early tomorrow morning to make it to their destinations on time. Have a Blessed Day, wherever you are in the world~

~Monday Blessings & A Recipe~

It looks like Cupid has been busy here at RoseCreekCottage Studios! The studio is overflowing with Valentine's Day orders. It's not too late to get your order in, and use code FS1210 at Checkout for 10% off. This coupon is not good for Etsy orders....only on our website!

Lots of blessings are exploding here:

~the grandbabies are coming this weekend!! I CANNOT wait!!

~granite countertops are being installed in the kitchen today. Tomorrow: new fixtures and my beloved beadboard!! God is good!

~baking Valentine Cookies for Ella, Jackson and Emilia. The 'easy-peasy' recipe is below!! Happy Monday~

~Rosie and Carol~

Valentine's Day Cake Mix Cookies

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix
  
• 1 stick butter
  
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp. flour
• 2 tsp. vanilla
  
• heart sprinkles (by Wilton....from Michael's or wherever they sell Wilton products!)
  

Mix ingredients. Scoop tablespoons of dough into heart sprinkles, then place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 min. Cool a bit before removing. Yield: 2-3 dozen depending on size

~Gratitude~

On Christmas Day I found myself sitting on the floor with my 7-year-old grand-daughter, Ella, coloring huge pictures of Disney princesses. Tears came to my eyes when I realized that 40-some years ago, I couldn’t have imagined doing something so beautifully simple on a Christmas Day, that brought me SO much joy. It made me remember that in the coming years, I want to take time to savor the moments. The blessings. The good times.

We live in such a ‘hurried’ world, that it’s easy to be swept-away into the mad frenzy of everyday life. Everyone’s so busy….caught up in their own world. We often overlook the treasured ‘kodak’ moments in our lives... concentrating instead on just getting through to the next day.

So for this coming year, I promise myself I’ll savor the blessings. I’ll take the time to spend ‘in the moment’ when I talk with my children, visit with friends, chat with my husband. It’s these moments today that will become those times in the future that we will look back on, and cherish.

For today:

~I’ll be grateful for the stack of orders on my studio workbench…instead of feeling overwhelmed and over-worked.

~I’ll be grateful that as difficult as it is to visit Mom in the nursing home, at least I still have her here on earth.

~I’ll be grateful for the fatigue that comes at the end of a work-filled day…. so much better than the end-of-the-day feeling that would come after one of boredom.

~I’ll remember that each second of each day is a gift. I can choose to squander it…or spend it wisely.

Rosie and I are 'gratefully' off to the studio…..along with a delicious cup of Pumpkin Spice coffee. May your day be one of gratitude…..of treasured moments….and may you have the feeling of joyous fatigue as it comes to an end~

~Monday Blessings: It Snowed! Yayyyyy God!~

We finally have snow here in Ohio....just in time for Christmas. If you're a regular reader of my blog...you know I LOVE snow!! It looks like a Christmas card here, and brings back all kinds of wonderful childhood memories of sled riding, caroling, and Christmas lights at Nela Park on Sunday nites after leaving our Nonna's house! We're nestled in five acres of woods here in Geauga County....and if you look out any window, you see white! I'm in heaven~

To all of you in warm parts of the world: I don't envy you one bit. It's Christmastime, and to me...that means snow!!!

Have a Blessed Pre-Christmas Week wherever you are in God's big beautiful world~

~Monday Blessings~

Goooood Morning. Monday again....and BOY do I have lots of Blessings to be thankful for:

~For my husband. I've known him forever....but learn new things about him every day. He's selfless, giving, loving, and just the BEST human being I know!

~For my life. It's very full. Very busy. And very very blessed.

~For my business. What other job could I possibly have where I not only do what I LOVE, but can do it at 5 am, midnite, or 3 am.....all in my cuddly 'jamas?

~For my kids and grandkids. They're all the best....and I get to see them all in 10 days!!

~For Mom's caretakers at GV: They're all angels. Every single one of them.

~For Rosie, who's with me in the studio no matter what time it is. It's her favorite place to be!

~For coffee. And Excedrin Migraine!!

Off to the studio. Don't forget we're still offering FREE SHIPPING on our WEBSITE....NOT on Etsy..... using code FSN at checkout til the end of the month~

Happy Monday, wherever you are in this great big beautiful world~

~Monday Blessings~

It's fall here in Ohio, which brings lots of Autumn Blessings:

~the crunch of the leaves underfoot

~the smell of burning leaves

~caramel apples

~the aroma of 'anything' apple baking in the oven

~getting out the sweaters and afghans

~piling winter quilts on the beds

~hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks

~Starbucks "Pumpkin Spice Latte"(yum.....)

~Candy corn

~Pumpkins on the front steps

~Cornstalks on the mailbox and lamp posts

~Pumpkin Spice candles burning in the studio

~Shorter days

~A bit of a chill in the air that simply smells like "fall"

We watched Ella's soccer game last weekend. It was so nostalgic to see my 7-year-old
granddaughter playing, while her daddy coached her team. sigh. I got tears in my eyes as I looked at him standing there, coffee cup in hand, coaching his daughter: MY long-ago 7-year-old coaching HIS 7-year-old. Life....full circle once again~

Happy Fall~

Carol

~Monday Blessings~

~It's finally Spring here in the midwest! New little shoots of spring flowers are poking their heads through the cold ground.

~The snow has melted.

~Birds are singing...and the robins are back.

~I had the snowtires taken off my car on Saturday!!!

~I'm working on Mother's Day orders in the studio.

~It's 'almost' warm enough for capris and sandals!

~Amish Katie comes tomorrow to help in the studio.

~The Spring air smells so good......like God is right there ready to turn all the gray, empty trees to lush shades of green.

~Life is good!

I'm off to the studio this morning...then Rosie and I are off to visit Mom for lunch.
Have a beautiful April Week wherever you are in this world~

~Monday Blessings~

The weekend-before-last, we went from this.....

To this........

It was wonderful spending my birthday by the sea….but oh so different this time: no kids, grand-kids, puppies. It’s very different without little puppy or baby faces greeting you whenever you come home! Sigh.

But….on to the Blessings:

~A birthday by the sea

~Sandy toes

~Walks by the ocean

~Winter Martinis at BoneFish in Hilton Head

~Flowering trees

~Daffodils and pansies everywhere

~Lunch at Truffles with John and Joyce. And seeing their place on the ocean at Harbor Town (I’m still dreaming about that décor, Joyce!)

~Being gone…and coming home. I love them both!

~Dinner in Wytheville at The Log House.... One of the most romantic places we’ve ever been to….ghosts and all!

~Reconnecting with a dear friend I’ve known since we each had our first sons ‘way back when'

~Planning some trips before bringing a new puppy into our lives

~~Being back in my studio on this Monday morning…..typing this blogpost and drinking coffee while looking out at this:


May you be blessed with lots of Monday Blessings, wherever you are in the world on this Monday in March~

~Monday Blessings~First Grade....Eegads~

I can't believe Ella started First Grade on Friday. At a Catholic school, no less. Be still my heart!! I'm so happy that Jackie and Jeff made the decision to send her to Immaculate Conception. She joins many of her friends....and one in particular who has been her 'best friend' since she was 3: Taylor! And they're in the same class. My little grand-daughter is in seventh heaven!! She's so beautiful, inside and out. I hope God keeps her this way for a VERY long time~

Happy Monday, wherever you are in the world~

~Monday Blessings.....Too Many To List~

This morning, I find myself full of thanksgiving and praise. My life is so full of the Lord's blessings.

Jim surprised me with an armful of the most beautiful roses I've ever seen. 40 of them!! I have had fun giving them away: some to Mom at the nursing home, some to Aunt Grace, some to Amy for her 2 week anniversary, etc. We agreed that we're happier now than we've ever been!!

We dined outside on the water at Pickle Bill's with Tom and Amy and received a beautiful collage frame that says, "Live, Laugh, Love" with photos of all of us from the wedding. It's beautiful.

Saturday nite, our kids joined forces with the Murphys and combined with their annual Pig Roast, had a surprise 40th Anniversay Party for us. We were shocked, touched, and very grateful that there were so many people there to celebrate with us. God has been SO good to us.

My Heirloom Jewelry Collection is keeping me busier than I could ever have imagined! New designs are posted daily. I'm in the process of working on a website...so stay tuned!!



Monday Blessings to all of you this beautiful July morning~

~Monday Blessings~

Ahhhh....Monday again, and lots to be thankful for again~

Mama and Emilia are doing well. Jackie can 'officially' drive this week, which makes everything easier!

Tom and Amy's wedding plans are going along well. We tasted the wedding cake yesterday and it was delicious. Now the happy couple just needs to make the final design selections.

We went to John Carroll with them yesterday to see the layout of the reception area. It's just beautiful....outdoor balconies, staircases....an absolutely beautiful venue for a wedding reception!

Shower plans are being finalized. It will be held at a beautiful inn.


I've finally launched my new Heirloom Collection of hand stamped sterling silver jewelry. I love it!! Sentimental memory-makers, each piece is personalized and is sure to be treasured forever. All pieces are sterling silver. Birthstones are Swarovski crystal....and each letter or design is hand stamped one-letter-at-a-time. Beautifully unique. Take a peak at my Etsy Shop. I'll be adding new designs daily~

Have a wonderfully Blessed Monday. Remember to count your blessings~

~Monday Blessings~

Mom started eating again after refusing food for 3 days last week.

Aunt Fran came through her 1st week of chemo (lymphoma of the brain) with flying colors.

Jim's LOVING his new job. It's the blessing of his career!!!

Tom and Amy's wedding plans are coming together beautifully. They're happily redecorating their new home.

All the kids will be in town this coming weekend to celebrate my birthday.

Fawnie has adjusted to being the only puppy, and is LOVING all the attention.

36 inches of Snow!!

A brand new month~

I'm well and back in the studio again.

Life is good.

What are YOUR Monday Blessings?