~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

~Sea, Sand and Memories~

We're back from the ocean. Many precious memories etched in our minds and hearts:

~ early mornings

~sweet hugs and kisses

~juice boxes.......

~little outstretched arms......

~sandy toes......

~ wet towels.....

~ocean breezes.....

~baby sunscreen......

~margaritas.....

~sand pails......

~floats......

~sandcastles.....

~bike rides.....

~buckets of cold Coronas and limes.....

~crabcakes......

~riding the waves....

~pretty shells......

~beautiful grandbabies....

~Priceless Family.......

~BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE~

Thank you, Lord~xoxoxoxoxox

~Wednesday Blessings~

~My sister, Kathy, and Mom~

It's been an unreal state of pandemonium here at RoseCreekCottage lately!! Summer is trying desperately to surface amid the winds and rains. Many many blessings here:

~Mom turned 91. quietly. sleepingly. lovingly.

~a whirlwind 'Girls' Weekend' to Washington DC with much laughter, a few drinks, good food and much comraderie~

~lots of new books that finally made it from my Wish List to an actual 'stack' that are ready for Summer Reading~

~looking forward to seeing family in FL for some over-due visiting~

~Hilton Head Island with our grandbabies for some R&R and many hugs and kisses in between Banana Pancakes and oodles of cupcake baking~

~Amish Katie and 6 of her friends are at our villa in Hilton Head. She called to say they're having a ball!

~Happy Wednesday Blessings to you wherever you are in this world~

~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~

~Wednesday Blessings~

There are so so many blessings this morning here at RoseCreekCottage:

~Our littlest grandbaby, Emilia, turned one. She's the happiest baby. You can't help but smile when you look at her. Truly God's miracle!!

~My little Amish friend, Katie, is here. I always enjoy my time with her. Her sense of humor and positive outlook on everything is so contagious. She and Jim kid each other endlessly. It is something to watch. And Rosie has declared Katie as one of her very favorite people!! Too cute!

~RoseCreekCottage will soon have a website! I never appreciated all that goes into setting one up!!

~The birds are chirping early in the morning once again!

~My lilacs are blooming and the air just 'smells' like spring!

~Rosie was spayed and gets her staples out tomorrow!!

~Life is so sweet!

May you have a 'sweet' spring day wherever you are in the world~

~Mother's Day 2011~

Dear God,

I thank you for giving me my dear mother (she turns 91 this month) and for my Mother-in-Law....who I learned to love and cherish deeply. We had our ups-and-downs.....but we loved each other very much before she entered Your Kindgdom 9 years ago.

My Mother taught me so many things: how to sew, to clean, to cook....heck, I can even defrost a refrigerator with pans of boiling water and use liquid starch on dampened, rolled white shirts you store in the frig til their ready!! (thank you God for frost-free refrigerators and permanent press shirts!!) She taught me the value of an education, the importance of family, and how to love unconditionally.

She taught me to never give up...no matter how hard the task-at-hand. She taught me to work hard.....that nothing worth anything comes easily. I have the work-ethic I do because of my Mother.

Although she has suffered these past years with alzheimer's, Lord, I know You are on that tough path with her. As much as I pray that You take her home so she doesn't suffer any more, I know that that is not Your plan....but mine.

Thank you for blessing me with the great honor of being the mother of the two most amazing sons ever. I know you just lent them to me for a short while....let me hold their hands for a bit ....but oh the wonderful joy they bring. I am SO very proud of both of them, for the great young men they've become, and the life-partners they were so wise to choose.














You made me wait a very long time for 'daughters'....but oh were they worth the wait!! Jackie is not only one of my sweetest gifts....but she is a beautiful mother to our three precious grandbabies!!

And Amy. Sigh. Amy makes me realize....without even knowing it....that you can never be close enough to Our Lord. She is the perfect addition to our ever-growing family~

Thank you, God, for all the blessings You continually bestow on me. I am ever-grateful~

Your Loving Daughter,

Carol

p.s. Please let all the Mothers in the world have a beautiful Mother's Day