the shoppe: whats new + some updates

love is sweet - heart confetti - merci beaucoup - thank you

the past couple of days i've been busy making a few things to add to the ETSY shoppe - even have a couple of things for valentine's day.. 

have a couple of more items as well, but just need to get them printed, cut and photographed.  its all about the twitter a few weeks ago that talked about french & kitchen. i can't wait to share them with you.

i'm not sure how i feel about my valentine's day card.  thinking of replacing it with something else.

to look at these and other items i offer, be sure to check out the shoppe!


current events:
i'm currently being featured over at kassi's blog. a giveaway could possibly be involved, so be sure to check that out.

this wednesday is the first feature post of the blog - so stay tuned to meet kristine of jandmseyecandy

drum roll please: winner of the free ad space in January

happy 2012 friends!  i hope everyone had a terrific last couple of days in 2011 and got their healthy dose of blackeyed peas today.

and now for the winner of the large ad space in january..

congrats Kristine!!!  

please email me for your winnings.

a little other news:  

-i will be updating my sponsor page.  i've changed my widths on the blog, so now the ad spaces are alittle larger, but still the same price.

-cheers, bethani is back open.. just a few items right now, but i will be adding more over the next couple of days... maybe another giveaway will be taking place too :) just saying

a note from the editor..

♥

last week was a crazy, crazy whirlwind of rollercoaster moments.  from emotions like those of a tilt-a-whirl to the mental anquish of the wild mouse, i needed a time out from the social world, including the blog & twitter.

for those that don't know, the misters step dad, was diagnosed with cancer the week we got married. and its gradually taken its toll on his health.  right now we are all dealing with many, many things and decisions, all of which no person ever wants to be in a situation to make.  we are literally taking it day by day, hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

and this post isnt meant to put people in a damper mood. its just to update. to inform.  to let you all know where i am & a little of what is going on with me so if i'm not here for a few days or fall off the map for a week, thats where i probably am.

in more exciting news:

- peppermint mochas are the shiznit! and did i just say shiznit? um yea, i did.  i think over the last week, i've consumed more peppermint mochas than a person should probably consume in the christmas season. but hey, we all have flaws.  and if you haven't had the amazing pleasure of indulging in this little treat, do so and fast! you're missing out!

- i'm at something like 96 followers.  and i've mentioned several times before, that when i reach 100, this blog is having some pretty awesome giveaways.  actually at this point there are 4 chances to win.  so lets get to 100 friends, so we can all enjoy the fun giveaways. 

- christmas is in 40 days! and i can't wait.  i'm ready to put up the tree, hang my decor and start wrapping presents.   and baking! over the next couple of weeks i will be sharing a few of my favorite holiday treat recipes for you all to enjoy.


thats all i've got for now. 
i hope everyone is doing amazing
& can't wait to get updated on all your posts!

make life hearty and plentiful

love


so far 2011 has been a roller coaster of emotions and we are only five days in. 

1.the mister and i have managed to get all the attire figured out & reserved/bought for the bridal party, minus shoes and jewelry for the girls, but i have a feeling that will be super easy. this has me super excited that i will have everything done and complete in PLENTY of time before the big day!

2. i learned that a dear co-worker of mine (now retired) has only 3-6 months left to live. he was diagnosed with cancer last year, and has been a determined fighter through it all. only thing, i  really hate when doctors play God & give death sentences.  the only person who REALLY knows is God. people should be able to live life without the worry of that sentence & how much time is "left." sorry little personal opinion rant just happened there. 

3. i found out my mother has a torn rotator cuff - thus requiring surgery.  All will be okay though - I'm just ready for her to have her arm feeling good again. 

4. the mister and i have a date to go cake tasting, flower picking and decor deciding for the wedding in february - i can't wait for all that yummy baked goodness to hit my tastebuds. hopefully my our decision on cake flavors aren't too hard, because i really love cake!

5. i watched a school friend bury her little sister. 
6. i've completed an item of my list of 2011 To-Dos - sent out my first round of pen pal mailings and received one back; Courtney - you are too cute and such a doll!

it sometimes feels as though we can't wait for things/events to happen.  we plan and plan. we hope and hope. just for that one day to get here.  and when its finally here, we look back, going where has all that time gone. what did i do during that time?  i thought that exact thing this morning when i typed out today's date - January 5, 2011.  i still have trouble believing its already 2011 and everything that has already occured in the short five days. 

i need to learn to savor the day more.  make more of each and every day that we have. it would make life more precious to me, if i feel content with each day knowing i lived it fully. i also need to capture more of my days with photographs & blogging them - so many times i look back thinking "shoot, that would have been a good photo op!"

and to help with that i'm also going to begin looking for volunteer work here in the next couple of days or so, once i decide what it is i want to do.. and if the mister wants to get involved - what he would prefer to do as well.  i really would like the whole soup kitchen type work again - it really allows for one on one contact with those you are helping, plus allows me to get my hands into one of the fields i love, cooking and feeding yumminess to the world.  (i will keep an update going on the volunteer work search and completion)

i want to make my life more plentiful and hearty like a chicken pot pie.  yummy, lots of components/ingredients & layers, nourishing, a semi-tough exterior but soft and surprising inside, and warm to the soul! 

if your life was a food, what food would it be a why?