~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~

~Hello Monday and A Give-Away Winner~

Hello Monday~

It's early here in the midwest. Skies are still dark, Rosie's asleep on my lap as I type. There's peace in the stillness. After prayers, coffee and computer work, we're off to the studio to tackle orders~

The winner of our first giveaway is: Re-Fabulous. Congratulations!! Please email me so we can finalize details on your custom piece!!

Watch for future Give-Aways from RoseCreekCottage right here!

Have a beautiful, blessed day~

Carol and Rosie xcxcxcxcxcxcxc (those are coffee kisses)

Rosie Says......

Hi. It's me, Rosie. You still have time to join in the fun Give Away and win one of my momma's hand stamped necklaces. They are really really nice. Really. I know, 'cause I sit in my bed right next to her in the studio while she's stampin'. Really. I have my own special bed in there 'cause momma says I'm REALLY important.

Don't miss out. You'll be sorry. They're nice. I gotta go now and take momma for a walk. It's my job. Really. See you later. This is fun. I bet I can sneak in a blog post every now-and-then when momma's workin. She won't notice. I'm quiet. Really. Bye now.

~I Know It's Been A While...~

It's been way too long since I've posted here, but have been WAY busy with:

~A visit from the grandbabies

~Finally launching my new website: www.rosecreekcottage.com

I'm slowly adding more-and-more product between filling orders! I'm learning more and more about SEO and adding new bells-and-whistles!! It's definitely keeping me out-of-trouble! LOL!!

Drop me a comment and let me know what you think of it!!

(Can you tell who was a 'little' apprehensive about the hammock AND doesn't like to have his picture taken????!!! These were the best of Jackson, in all the pics I snapped! Gotta love little boys~)

~Waitin' Again~

One of my favorite posts, written in 2008. Now, three years later, again I'm 'waitin', but this time, for three precious grandbabies instead of two! They'll arrive tomorrow. I can't wait!!!~ So here it is, as it was written back then.......



They’re comin'! Ella and Jackson are comin' back to RoseCreekCottage this weekend! We can hardly wait. I put on my favorite hat with the big crimson rose. And my red-patent-leather shoes. They don’t call me “Mercedes With the Red Shoes” for nothin’!

Ol’Bear put on his favorite “sweater with the pearl buttons”. That’s what he calls it. He’s quite fond of it. He even wears it in the summertime. Silly bear. It belonged to Ella and Jackson’s daddy when he was just a lil fella. And pearls. I don’t think he knows that boys are not ‘sposed to wear pearls. There’s just no talkin’ to him. Sigh. I do try. Often. I fear his ears don't work no more. He’s old, ya know. He belonged to Grandma when she was little. Can’t imagine her being little. But I hear she was. Just a little girl. Like Ella. Bear collects hats. Always with flowers. Old ones. The hat he's wearin' was Grandma’s. That ol’ bear is just too fond of all Grandma’s stuff. I have to watch him. Sometimes, in the morning when I wake up, he's dressed himself in a whole new outfit. Yup. Stuff of Grandma’s. Sigh. She just laughs at him.

Then there’s Ol’ Hare. He’s itchy. Made of mohair. I don’t think he bathes enuff. And he has what Grandma calls 'an attitude'. Thinks he’s related to the Easter B. Silly ol’ rabbit. He wears hats, too. Just like Ol’ Bear. And me. He’s jealous cause I can wear bigger hats. And shoes. Red ones. Patent leather.

Me? I’m a serious soul. I follow Grandma from room-to-room, overseeing all the scuttlebutt that’s going on at RoseCreekCottage. And ya know….I’m worried 'bout her. She’s gettin’ up earlier-and-earlier these days. Workin' in the studio. ‘Cept she calls it 'playin'. You should see the ‘stuff’ she’s ‘playin’ with: dolls with painted faces, St. Nicks with wool beards 'n knickers, long rabbits with glass eyes. They scare me. Too big. And there’s the jewelry! Some with diamonds. I keep beggin’ her to let me wear some. Just some. I’d be VERY careful and only wear 'em to tea parties. With my red patent-leather shoes. And for special times. Like this weekend. When Ella and Jackson come.

I have the teapot ready. I washed the teacups. Twice. Really. Ella likes sweet tea. With lots of sugar. Silly girl. Anyway….we’re waitin'. It's hard.

Oh….and if you see any elves around….would you please send 'em to RoseCreekCottage ASAP? Grandma’s been mumblin’ about them not showin’ up here again. I fear they’re lost. I promise cross-my-heart I’ll pay their travelin’ ‘spences. Grandma needs help.

In the meantime….we're just waitin’ for Ella and Jackson. Sigh. Hurry, Saturday. Hurry.

Verry Sincerelee,

Mercedes With the Red Shoes

~Lilacs in the Studio~

The lilacs are blooming here in Ohio...and that can only mean that spring has finally arrived. Rosie and I have been working away at revamping out jewelry studio so we can hire more help.

Amish Katie spent the day yesterday helping out. She's SO very good at organizing and re-organizing space. She has a real 'eye' for it. We went over every inch of the studio. She'll be helping me several days a week from here on. I treasure my time with her. She truly invigorates my soul. You can read about how she 'danced' into our lives here. I'm so blessed that she is still here after all these years~~Thank you, Lord~





Looking forward:

~a 91st Birthday Celebration for Mom

~ a new website on the horizon

~a trip with my 'oldest' girlfriends this weekend

~an upcoming trip to Florida to see family

~a Hilton Head vacation with the kids and grandkids

~lots of new designs of sentimental hand stamped jewelry for moms, dads, (think Father's Day) grandmas, sisters, friends, etc, from RoseCreekCottage Studios

~Continued blessings everywhere. God is SO good~

Blessings to you wherever you are in this world~

~Easter Week: 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. Amish Katie came yesterday to clean. Everything looks sparkly again!

Today I spent some time in the kitchen making the Italian Easter Braids that my grandmother(Nonna), and then my mother, baked at Eastertime. My poor mom, who many of you know has alzheimer's and has been in an assisted living facility for the past 4 years, cannot bake any more. So, it's up to me to keep these traditions alive for my family! 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~

~All My Children~

Lots of hustle-and-bustle around RoseCreekCottage Studios these days. New designs are on the workbench. Snow is still on the ground....but Spring is in our hearts~

One of my recent favorites is "All My Children": a hammered 3 disc necklace with room for up to 7 names and birthstones. I remember my mother's sewing machine humming along when I got home from school each day, and in the background on the television was the still popular soap opera, All My Children! I swear there are some of the same actors/actresses on there today!

Our own family is growing by leaps-and-bounds, so I understand why I've had many requests for a design that would hold children as well as grandchildren, so here's one that will hold lots of names and birthstones. Need even MORE room? Watch for new creations coming soon!!

Another favorite is a new rendition of one of our most popular pieces: the Four-Sided Swivel Pendant. On this one, the customer requested initials instead of names, which were too long for this particular design. It can also be customized with dates, words, ie. last name, Blessings, Love, etc. It's a beautiful keepsake~

















And if you want something totally 'funky' and eclectic....try designing your very own version of our Mixed Metals necklace. I've had fun working with my customers creating these. This one was designed by a customer who is a mom and runner. She included the dates of the events she ran, along with a few phrases that meant something special to her: Sole sisters, and Hell on Heels! As with all our designs....the sky's the limit~



We're on our way to escape these snowy days....somewhere warm....a place we love....our home by the sea~

May you each find warmth and sunshine wherever you are in this world~

~February Blessings~

It was such a blessing to be able to take January for some much-needed R&R. Sleeping in.....reading books and magazines I've longingly gazed at over the past few months....weekends in the kitchen cooking and baking with Jim.....cozy nites by the fire......watching movies......time with our children and grandchildren. All blessings I cherish more and more as the years fly by.

Among those blessings are my appreciation of the strides modern medicine's taken over the past few decades. My doctor sent me for a CAT scan to try and determine why I had such a hard time fighting off the pneumonia and bronchitis that invaded my body from October to the end of December. (couldn't have had anything to do with working 16 hr. days filling orders, now, could it??) Everything was normal there. However....they saw a mass near my pancreas. An MRI and several ultra-sounds later, it was determined I have a splenal aneurysm that my body miraculously calcified. It re-routed the blood to different arteries, in essence, saving my life! You can imagine how many prayers and rosaries I said over the past 6 weeks. I want to thank everyone who was said some 'heavy duty' prayers for a good outcome. As I've said many times before....prayers DO work!

And now it's back to life as I know it. RoseCreekCottage Studio is humming away. I'm busy filling Valentine's Day orders, re-organizing studio space, and creating new designs for 2011. My Heirloom Collection of hand stamped sterling jewelry has grown much faster than I had imagined, and I'm busy trying to figure out how to continue its growth this year, along with freeing some of my personal time so I can spend it by the sea...and with my grandbabies!!

With coffee in hand.....I'm off to the studio...which is one of my favorite places on earth~
Have a beautiful day, wherever you are in the world~

~Monday Blessings~

June is "busting out all over", and so are the blessings here at RoseCreekCottage:

~Amy's bridal shower was a huge success. She and Tom received many beautiful gifts to help them set up housekeeping in this 'almost' new chapter of their lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Amy and her Flower Girl~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Mom turned 90...quietly. She continues to sleep much of the time. During her 2 hour party, she was awake about 4 minutes~


~Amy's sister, Allison, is here to for the month to help Amy and Tom with final wedding preparations. I've threatened to hire her full-time and not let her go back to college in August. She's getting so much done!!

~My new hand stamped jewelry line, The Heirloom Collection, has taken off!! I'm struggling to keep up with the orders in addition to working on product for my upcoming fall shows.



~We're looking forward to all the friends and family who will be flying in to join us in celebrating Tom and Amy's wedding over the Fourth-of-July Weekend.

~I'm on my 3rd cup of coffee and need to head to the studio, and then to visit Mom. Have a glorious week wherever you are in this beautiful world~ Carol

~Monday Blessings~

Our Ella Layne at 20 mos.....she's now 5, and will soon be a Big Sister not only to her 2-year-old brother, Jackson, but to her new sister.


~Spring has finally arrived here in Ohio. Daffodils, tulips and flowering trees are everywhere.

~Our 3rd Grandbaby is scheduled to arrive on April 3oth. We can't wait to welcome this new little girl to our family.

~Putting the final touches on my new line of jewelry.

~Working on lots of TuTu Cute Cheeky Monkeys for my fall shows.

~Just had the outside of the house painted....it looks 'new' again.

~Making final arrangements for Amy's Bridal Shower.

~Listening to all the exciting plans Tom and Amy are making for their upcoming July wedding.

~Adjusting to the new medication (Victoza) for my insulin resistance. My stomach hurts terribly. I can't eat. ugh.

~Can hardly wait to stick my toes into the ocean come Saturday~

~Hoping that each of you are counting the many Monday Blessings in your lives~

~Getting Grounded~

As many of my blog readers know, I was looking forward to 'sleeping' my way through January. After a heavy show schedule and Christmas with our family....I was exhausted. Isn't it funny that sometimes the things you WANT, really aren't the things you need! As soon as January began, it gained a frenzied momentum that my life usually takes on: the pace I've come to realize is my 'normal'. I thrive on it. I may complain about it, but it's my life....and I love it~

I began rereading Julia Cameron's Walking in this World. She's the author of The Artist's Way, The Vein of Gold, and The Right to Write. I highly recommend them all. One of the questions she asks the reader is: What makes you grounded? You're to write down 10 things that do. Hmmmmmmm. I thought this would be difficult. It wasn't!! Right there at the top of my list was: an organized house and studio. I was in trouble. So I set off to organize everything....kitchen cupboards, drawers, closets....and finally: my two studios. Not a job for the faint-hearted. But oh....the results are SO worth the pain!! I am now the proud owner of beautifully organized spaces to live and work.

Next on the list: redecorating and updating parts of the home we built 25 years ago! Pictures to follow~

Have a glorious week....even if it's as cold and snowy as it is here in Ohio~

~New Year 2010~

~Happy New Year to all my Blogger Friends~

~Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours~

~Balancing Act, Part II~

There's no simple formula for balancing work-life. It's a matter of trial-and-error. I've found that the following works for me:

Pray - Really. Very important. I begin and end my day with it. It's the single-most-important thing to keeping balance. Always make time for it.

Get Organized - I can't function in chaos. If my studio/workspace is in order, I accomplish more in a shorter span of time. Though I hate spending time doing it....it's worth it!

Focus - When I'm in my studio, I focus on work. When I step back into my home, I focus on home and family. This part is a curse for those who work at home. You have to know when it's time to step back into that work-world, without procrastinating! After all....there's no 'boss' standing there next to a time clock!
And there's no paycheck at the end of the month, either, unless you produce!!

Make Lists - I make a list each nite for the next day. I cross things off as I finish each task. This not only makes me see that I am indeed accomplishing things, but keeps me organized as well. Things that do not get finished go on the next day's list.

Prioritize - The most important things to be done for the day are listed first, etc.

Set Boundaries and Learn to Say 'No' - This is a hard one. People think that since you're 'at home', you can do their 'favors' and meet their demands. You cannot. (unless you have found those elves I've been waiting for!) There is no paycheck unless you produce. This includes learning not to be a slave to emails and phone calls. (and blogs!) Work comes first.

Take Time For Yourself - This is a hard one for many people....including yours truly. I have a tendency to be a workaholic. It's good for my business, but not for me. I fit in exercise when I can, and try to remember to take mini-breaks. These can simply be walking out into the woods with my puppies and an iced coffee...or returning a phone call to a friend. The secret is to keep the breaks short. I also try to fit in lunch with friends....which doesn't happen very often during show season!!

Ditch the Guilt - It's a useless emotion. You just can't do it all. Really. I have a hard time convincing myself of this one.

Be flexible - Change is imminent. And good. Those who accept and embrace change and work willingly within the new parameters are more productive and better-adjusted. And less frustrated!!

All that said....I struggle with some of these. Balancing it all just isn't easy. Seeing my Mom is a priority. I fit it into my week with the help of my Uncle Joe....who goes to see Mom when I can't. We touch base each morning and discuss who will visit that day.

I also struggle with not working too many hours. I start my days early, and finish late. Sometimes way too late. It's just the way it is right now, and although I was used to working this way when my business started 20 years ago, I struggle with my lack of physical stamina now. If I could just 'clone' myself. Or find those elves!! Fortunately, Jim will often drag me out of the studio. I don't go willingly. There's usually kicking and screaming involved. But he's always right!

I'm off to the studio with lists, puppies and coffee. Have a glorious Wednesday wherever you are in the world~

~Balancing Act, Part I~

Anyone who has their own business knows how difficult it is to balance work and home life. Add that to having your office/studio at home....and the balancing act becomes even more challenging. The 'drive' and discipline needed for the business to become successful is daunting. THEN add in an 89-year-old mother with alzheimer's and you have a balancing act that just simply doesn't 'balance' at all. In fact....it falls with loud thuds on a daily basis, although I continously struggle to keep everything in its place. It has me in tears and/or laughter most everyday. It's the only way I can keep any sort of sanity.

Mom's declining in the WORST possible way: she's rapidly losing her mind. There. I've said it. It's horrific to watch. I cannot imagine the terror of what it must be to like living in her body right now, and no matter how I try to understand what it is like there in her brain....looking out on a world that no longer makes any sense to her....I cannot imagine it.

She started a whole new phase in June: leaving. Yes...complete with her 'necessities' of life all tied up in a pillow case....neatly tied at the top with a sock. I can imagine that to her, this was her only way 'out' of the hell she is in. And so....the staff found her several yards from the assisted living facility, almost to the woods at the edge of the property having fallen on her knees. This poor, frail, pain-ridden woman who can hardly walk. Escaped. Frightening. When asked where she was going, her only reply was, "I don't know".

And so, the assisted living facility required that we provide paid, evening 'sitters'....to keep her safe. Yup....my job to make sure the hours were covered. And when there was no one to 'hire'.....it is me and/or my husband. Another 'job' to add to the already way-too-long list. Another emotionally draining task. Another step with mom as her disease worsens.

This week we will move her to a room in the alzheimer's area of the facility. A 'locked' area for people, like mom, that are 'flight risks'. Relieving....but sad and scary for mom, who I am sure will become panicked and angry at yet another part of her life she will be unable to understand. Another 'terror' for her to endure. Although we will set up her room (an exact replica, space-wise) as her present one, can you imagine the nightmare of wheeling yourself out of your room, as you've always known it, into a totally 'different' hallway? It brings me to tears whenever I think about it.

I thank God every day that we found Mom such a wonderful facility as this one. We tried caring for her here for a long time. It was a nightmare-beyond-belief. And so, for now, this is the only way to try to balance this part of my life.

Part II, Wednesday.

~Back to Business As Usual~

I haven't been around much this month, so thought I'd do a 'catch-up' post. May is flying by, and starting with Tom and Amy's Engagement last month....our family has rolled from one excitement to the next...filled with high school proms, college graduations, their parties, estate sales and antiquing, and of course....lots of time in the studio!

This past weekend, my niece, Katie, (not to be confused with my little Amish friend, Katie) went to the senior prom on Friday nite. Over 30 couples met at one of the girl's houses for pictures. Katie looked just elegant. Her date, though 'just a friend' we were told, was just dear. A perfect gentlemen. He will be off to the U of Toledo to study Pharmacy in the fall. Katie is finishing her sophomore year at of high school in our little town. (She's the one in the pale yellow dress) It was great fun to see all the guys and gals all dressed up. I know quite definitely why God gave me boys: I would NEVER have allowed a daughter of mine to wear some of those way-too-revealing dresses! What were their mothers thinking????



On Saturday, we were invited by Katie's sister, Maggie, to accompany her to the Baccalaureate Mass at John Carroll University. We went back to her Mom's house afterward for a BBQ, where we had the pleasure of being joined by Alison's (Maggie's good friend and fellow-JCU-graduate) family. They flew in from all over the country.

Sunday was a beautiful day for the graduation, which was held on the picturesque grounds of John Carroll. Maggie graduated Magna Cum Laude, and will continue on to law school come September. She's a beautiful, talented young lady that we are all so very proud of. She's worked hard at her accomplishments.




















So....Monday it was "Back to Business As Usual", as Katie (yes, the amish Katie!) came. We talked, laughed, talked, sewed, cooked, talked....til late into the nite. When she left this morning, we both agreed we each had joyful spirits that should last us til our next visit!



This photo shows some of the Halloween Witch Angels we started on. As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. The poor dears need their heads!!

Antique shops and estate sales in the area have been terrific. I've picked up lots of goodies, including lots of old cutter quilts to use for my vintage rabbits and santas. Now if those elves would truly stop by this year.....

I'm off to fill orders and begin packing for our upcoming vacation. So until then, it's 'Business As Usual' here at RoseCreekCottage Studios!

~I hope you each continue journeying through May with joyful spirits and full hearts~

~Daffodils In the Snow~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

God's Fingerprints are found throughout nature. No one else could ever have created the miracles you see out in the world each and every day.

Here in Ohio, spring is finally starting to poke its brave little head through the snow. Daffodils in the snow are one of my favorite signs of Spring. They let you know that hope is truly alive and well, living in all its glory.

Take a peak at Beki's blog to see evidence of more Fingerprints.

Blessings to all of you this beautiful 'almost' spring day. Thank you for all the emails and prayers. They are much appreciated~