Rain, Rain, Go A W A Y!!!!

I am not one to complain about the seasons, I love the changes and for the most part enjoy the weather that comes with each season. BUT...last year I do remember complaining that it seemed like we went straight from winter to summer with no spring....famous last words as Mother Nature is most definitely making up for that lack with a vengence this year.

I will admit that although I love the seasons, I could never live in Texas and endure that heat all year long, nor could I live in Alaska, and have the cold for that long. So for me, Ohio is almost perfect...at least it was until now.

Normally, I love rainy days, they are great for getting things done in the house and knitting/crocheting, but Enough Already. I am really starting to feel dreary and gloomy, just like the sky outside all my windows.

It did not actually rain yesterday here, so I had to ride the horses (poor things are really behind in the "getting in shape for competition department"), and since every single field, the arena, and round pen are soaked, yes completely soaked, we had to work the trails. Walking around the hay field (which normally is never muddy), each step was "squish, squish, squish". So they scrambled up and slid down every muddy hill, but luckily through the woods wasn't terrible, we were able to trot and lope in a few places.

The only good things about all the rain so far, is that I am getting the Beach Cottage Blanket just about finished, and starting work on a custom order "Wubby" blankie using white, coral and pale mint green, I'll show pics of that when it's finished, it should be beautiful.

I'm starting to fret a bit about all that needs done for the baby shower that's coming up fast...I'm making a couple of items for the soon-to-be grandbaby that I really want to have ready for the shower, all the diy decorations that I want to make...AND still work on items for my etsy shop. I'll be sure to take lots of pics of each project and include links and instructions to post, but I doubt I'll get them posted until after the shower, which is set for the first weekend in June, so stay tuned for all that's coming, and let me just apologize now if I'm a little scarce on here for the next couple of weeks.

In case you missed my post of Rainy Day Horse Play, check it out, you'll see how the horses are coved in mud, then you see what I'm talkin' about. (maybe all that playing will get them in shape...).

I just have to include this treasury that includes my Nature Cotton Lap Blanket, it soooo fit my mood this morning. The whole treasury is just so cozy!

U N F O R G E T T A B L E -- Honorable Mention

Wake Up Paris -- 8x10 Fine Art Photography
by
trekkerjen
This photo was the inspiration item for this week's treasury challenge put on by the members of Treasury Challenge NonTeam etsy team. It is of course, a total joy to see the inspiration item of the week and go through the process of interpretation, coming up with a vision for a treasury and browsing etsy for items to fit that vision. Then looking at all the other treasuries made with that item and seeing all the different and truly spectacular interpretations.

I joined this team several weeks ago and am really enjoying the creative aspect of the treasury making process. I'm sure I'll be participating in many, many more.

This week's challenge is my very first to have received an Honorable Mention!!! I-AM-THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you'd like to give these challenges a try...check out the team's Blog, anyone can join and participate.

Here is my Honorable Mention Treasury, let me know what you think...

Rainy Day Horse Play

In February of 2010, I posted pics of a couple of our horses playing in a winter storm, you can see that post and those photos HERE.

Yesterday morning, I was lucky and caught these two playing during the rain (enough with the rain already!)...so of course they are both very muddy from rolling around in all the lovely mud we have here at the farm.

The palomino is our 3-year old, Cooper (not his registered name), he still has most of his winter hair, and will be much darker when he shed off. His daddy is absolutely GORGE-OUS as a "chocolate palomino", I don't think Cooper will get that dark, but he'll still be beautiful when he sheds off.

If you want to see his daddy, here is the link... Fire on Bug pics

Cooper is always the play-instigator as you'll see him in both "play pics" postings...in this posting, he has bugged Dooger (pronounced Dew-jur) into messing around.

Dooger is our daughter's barrel horse, he is 16, she's been riding him since we purchased him as an 8 year old. As our daughter is pregnant this year, Dooger gets the year off to just be a horse, which I think he really needed.

Here's a little background info on Dooger:

Dooger was literally raised in a barn, meaning he was always kept in a stall except for training, excersizing and showing...he never had the opportunity to be in a field by himself or learned how to socialize with other horses. This created some challenges for us when we first brought him home, as our horses are turned out in the pastures every evening at dark in the summer, and they are turned out all winter, they only come into the barn to eat their grain rations, then back out they go. Although we will bring them in if sub-zero temps are predicted, which luckily we don't get a lot of in Ohio.

We've had several different veterinarians tell us that horses are much, much healthier if they can live outside as opposed to living in a barn. I personally think it's just downright cruel and inhumane to keep a horse locked in a stall 23 hours every-single-day!!! I've seen horses living in stalls in severe emotional distress, chewing their stalls down from boredom, not to mention the health issues that arise from it. Just think about them having to inhale all that stale dust all the time...and what problems that causes.

The first time we turned Dooger out into our small paddock, he had no idea what to do, he didn't explore, he couldn't find the creek...we had to lead him around and show him everything, it was really sad. But this guy has really opened up and relaxed in the past 8 years

And Dooger is a horse that truly LOVES his job, racing around the barrels...we've often joked that he would load himself in the trailer on show days....and guess what, HE DID! When loading up to head to a show, we always load Dooger last as he takes his own sweet time backing out of the trailer, so if he's the last one on the trailer, then he gets to be the first one off, lots quicker than if he was at the front of the trailer.

A couple of years ago, hubby went out to load everyone while I was packing up to go, he loaded Finnegan first, then went to get Red who is always second, but when he went in Red's stall with the halter, he realized he was in Dooger's so he backed out and forgot to latch the stall door, so he went to put the halter on Red, led him to the trailer, and lo and behold, there was Dooger! Already loaded in Red's spot, without a halter on!!!

Dooger had pushed the stall door open with his nose, walked out of the barn, turned right and walked down the driveway 20 feet to the back of the horse trailer, then had to make a left U-turn to hop in the back. When my hubby got to the back of the trailer and looked inside, Dooger just looked at him as if to say, "Tie me up, I'm ready". Sooooo, hubby tied Red to the side of the trailer, went back to the barn for Dooger's halter and just left Doog in Red's spot for that trip. So, YES, this horse actually loaded himself for that day's competition. Totally true story, no exaggeration!!!!

Here is another Doog (we tend to shorten his name most of the time) story...

You'll notice a lot of horses that you see standing in a field look like they are asleep on their feet, but they are actually just dozing....to really go to sleep they have to lay down, and a horse won't lay down to go to sleep unless he feels safe. Horses in the wild will lay down to sleep as long as there is another one standing guard, so if you see a field of horses, you'll never see all of them laying down at the same time...(just a little fact I thought you might find interesting)...but I needed to include it so you'll understand the rest of this story.

Dooger never, ever layed down to sleep, so what started happening was that he would doze off standing up then fall completely asleep, and if a horse falls completely asleep on his feet, his knees give out, so Dooger would then fall down nose first into the dirt. Yep, we watched it happen a few times before calling the vet and having him explain that this was exactly what was happening. So over the years we've watched it happen over, and over, and over again...and as soon as he falls, he either jumps right back up and proceeds to do it again, or he rolls over and acts like he's scratching his back before jumping back up.

I know, strange...but Doog is the absolutely best horse to have around, he has the best ground manners...stands for grooming and saddling, he stands without complaint all day at a competition, he's a dream to doctor (when he gets a cut), doesn't even flinch when receiving his vaccinations. The only thing he really hates is getting his teeth cleaned, narcotics are definitely called for to get that job done.


This past winter we pastured him with Cooper for the first time and Dooger LOVES Cooper....for the first time in 8 years, Dooger is finally laying down to sleep. I guess he just never felt safe enough with the other horses to let his guard down to lay down. But for some reason with Cooper, he does. It might sound silly but I was so very happy the first time I looked out and saw Dooger asleep, laying flat out in the sun. He's much more relaxed this year, his eyes just have a more joyful look to them (he always had a serious look in them before).

Cooper has even helped Dooger learn to play, have fun and act young again.




I hope you'll enjoy these stories and pics as much as I've enjoyed sharing them. In the following pic...Dooger is telling Cooper, "Enough, I'm done playing..."

I'd love to hear your pet stories, please feel to share them in the comments section...

Can you feel the love in this pic???

Face & Body Product Review -- SageandMage Etsy Seller

Time for another product review...I've reviewed a few products from Etsy Seller SageandMage in this previous Review Post, and have since had the opportunity to try a few more.

Pure Shea Creme - 100% Natural - Tenderness Blend

I did not order the Pure Shea Creme, Genn sent it as a sample for me to try with my order, and ladies, can I just say..."Oh My!". This body Creme is so rich and lovely, a very little bit goes a long way and I will def be ordering some with my next order.

Truth Serum - Nourish Your True Skin

Here is what the listing for the Truth Serum says...

"Oh I love love love this serum! A lightweight, deeply nourishing and hydrating non-greasy serum for all skin types, especially problem and mature. I have very dry skin and this has helped me lots - equally great under make-up, as a night treatment or under/instead of your regular moisturizer"

I have not personally tried the Truth serum but according to my sis-in-law, Kelly, it delivers as advertised, so you can bet I'll be ordering it to try myself.

Moroccan Rose & Sandalwood Facial Mist & Toner

I've said before that I have severely dry skin in the winter,... in the summer, not so much. As soon as the humidity starts to climb, my skin becomes more normal, and a bit oily in the T-Zone. So I decided to give the facial mist a try...anddddd...you guessed it...another Heavenly product! It's cool and refreshing, smells Divine, and after a light spritz, I need very little moisturizer.

Duchess, Gus & I have started walking about a mile every morning, and coming home all sweaty, I can hardly wait to hop in a cold shower, wash my face then spritz this lovely new facial mist all over my face, neck and decolletage. Perks me right up. Here's what her listing says about the facial mist & toner...

"Moroccan Rose & Sandalwood is a marriage made in heaven and I decided to use the blend as the basis for a new range of Sage and Mage goodies. Rose absolute has the highest vibration of all the precious oils. It is a wonderful mood lifter and is incredibly soothing and healing on many plains. Sandalwood is a sacred scent and gives masculine balance to the feminine rose. Truly, a Divine combination.

To use, mist lightly over your face after cleansing to tone, lightly hydrate and refresh. Also really lovely as a cooling spray in summer, or as light hydrationto apply throughout the day. Especially nice if you're in an office - those artificial lights and recycled air can really dry your skin. Ditto great for air travel.
Rose water, rosehip oil and vegetable (kosher) glycerine soften and nourish, while witch hazel infused water closes the pores and smooths the skin. This blend has the added heavenly fragrance of benzoin, used here as a natural and - naturally gorgeous smelling - preservative. And of course, moroccan ose absolute and sandalwood essential oils nourish, calm and soothe...on many levels..."

Rose Geranium and Lemon Deluxe Body Creme

You can check back to my previous review post to see more info on this body creme,
I had not ordered it at that time, Genn sent it with my order as a sample and I simply fell in loveeeeeee with it, so of course had to order it this time. And I have to admit that every time I use, I just become more addicted to it.

Genn does have lots of giveaways on her Facebook Fan Page, you might want to become one of her followers for a chance to win something. Be sure to let her know I sent you.

I also have a Facebook Fan Page and although I haven't offered any giveaways of my own, I do have some things I'm planning to giveaway in the future, so become a follower to keep up to date.

Just so you know, this post is NOT a paid advertisement, just my personal opinions. If you've personally had the opportunity to use any of SageandMage's products, please let me know in the comments section at the end of this post, I'd love to hear what you think.

On a different subject, I was lucky enough to catch a few pics of a couple of our horses playing this morning and am planning to post them this week, soooooo....Stay Tuned!!!!

A Mother's Day Gift and Etsy Seller Review...

I found etsy seller Melisa of MimiandMoi4519 and simply fell in love with her re-purposed stained glass jewelry. She makes necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, and pendants. As soon as I saw her Keepsake Photo Bracelets, I contacted my siblings to see if they'd like to order one for our Mom for Mother's Day. We don't always buy gifts for Mother's Day so we were very excited to order this for her. All these pics are of the actual bracelet that we ordered, you can see other styles in Melisa's etsy shop.

Melisa had me email her the pics we wanted to use and she cropped them to the size needed, so we sent an adult and baby pic of each of us. She used the adult pic on one side of the charm with our baby pic on the backside of the same charm, then we chose to add our birthstones to the pic charms. We also added our parents birthstones as well.

Melisa has lots and lots of charms to choose from to really personalize your bracelet and we also chose charms that said "Family", "Wisdom" and "Mom".

Melisa has agreed to do a guest interview AND offer a giveaway, YAY!!! So keep watch for that in the next couple of weeks. (Let's hope Blogger has fixed all their problems! The problems have really messed with my blogging schedule.)

I was thrilled when the bracelet arrived, it was even more beautiful in person and our Mom loved it as well. Here is a quick pic my dad took of her wearing it.

This is another etsy seller that I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend... she is a JOY to work with, keeps in contact and offers outstanding customer service!!!

Girl and Guy Grad Gift Guides -- And a Front Page Honor

Graduations are coming up fast....here you will find some truly awesome gift ideas for the girl and guy grads you need to buy for, items made by some outstanding Etsy Artisans.

This first treasury is for Guy Grads and it made it to Etsy's Front Page last evening, my first curated treasury to do so, so I'm extremely excited...HUGE Honor!!! I'm attaching the widget for the front page AND the actual treasury...Go check out the sellers etsy shops and see what else they have.

This one is all about the Girls...

Comments on the treasury pages and here are of course always welcome, and please feel free to share this post and the treasuries on twitert, facebook, blog...whatever you social networks are. I've always had a hard time coming up with ideas for gifts for grads, but these etsy shops take all the guess work out of it, so Enjoy!!!

Talking Dog -- Ultimate Dog Tease on YouTube

This has got to be the absolute, funniest video I have ever ever seen!!! Without question, I laughed just as hard the 10th time I watched it as I did the 1st. You don't have to be an animal lover to love it either (but seriously, who isn't?)...

Be sure to turn your volume up and any other noise down...

http://youtu.be/nGeKSiCQkPw

Here's the direct link to youtube if you have trouble watching it on my blog.

I'll be very interested to hear what you think of it....

Happy Mother's Day

"Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women I've met through Etsy and Blogging, may your day be filled with loving and appreciative children and hubbies!!!"

Love--Melissa

Anger is...

"Anger is like YOU drinking poisin and expecting the other person to die..."

--author unknown

Discount and FREE Shipping offer from SaffronFields

Wanda of SaffronFields etsy shop is offering all my followers 10% off all purchases in ADDITION to the Free Shipping she is already offering!!!!!!!!!! YAY Wanda, thank you so much...

Just use code MYBLUEPEACOCK when checking out!!!

Guest Interview -- Wanda of SaffronFields

Sweeheart Mother's Day Wreath

My interview today is with Wanda of SaffronFields etsy shop!

Wanda makes these A-maz-ing yarn wrapped wreaths, I am drooling over the 3 you see here today...she has many more, takes custom requests and makes brooches, hair accessories and upcycled clothing. She is also offering free shipping to all my followers (so very sweet of her)!!! So after reading the interview, hop over to her shop and let her know I sent you.

A picture of Wanda's grandchildren (aren't they adorable!)

1. What is your morning routine?

My Etsy shop is one of the most exciting endeavors I've taken on in recent years. I have to confess, I've become an obsessed Etsy shop owner. My morning routine is to take one of the million ideas brewing in my head from the night before and apply it to a project in question. It can be repositioning some of the elements on a wreath or picking up some materials, ribbon, felt flowers, whatever and forming an idea for a new piece. I just have to get those spiderwebs out of my head before going to my day job. This routine, solving design dilemmas, prevents me from thinking about my shop while I'm at work.

2. What hobbies do you enjoy?

Cooking is one hobby that I can call a hobby since my children are grown and I don't have to cook for them twenty four hours a day. I am a nutrition freak, off and on, and not overly nutty about it, so I look for and try new ways of cooking, new foods, which are nutritionally sound, or no,t in the case of desserts. Although I've been doing exactly that for many years, I still continue to explore contemporary trends, new cuisines, new utensils, new ingredients. Perfect segway to my other enjoyable past time, eating! My own cooking, my mother's cooking, my daughter's cooking, restaurant fare, Costco samples, you name it, I'm there! I'm not a picky eater in spite of what one might expect of a concerned health advocate. I believe in balance :) Reading is the next enjoyable thing, maybe it should be listed first on the list. I like to re-read the books I read as a child. Walk in Wolf Wood by Mary Stewart is one I'd like to get back into next. The story is similar to that of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (C.S. Lewis), where the kids find themselves in a new place experiencing life-altering adventures. The reader will get from this book an armchair view of daily life in a castle in old, old England. Almost like a history lesson. I like to re-read authors I discovered "back when" my daughters were teens. Madeleine L'Engle stands out in my mind. Her stories deal with science and faith at the same time. Amazing writers with similar views of the world. Agatha Christie and the mystery genre are my passion. I've discovered a new genre of mysteries. Written by (mostly) female authors who center the story or a part of the plot around food or cooking. For example, one of the last mysteries I read portrayed the personal chef in a posh estate as the detective with the gardener as prime suspect. As it turned out, the guilty one was the butcher--or was he? My passion for food takes the form of cooking, baking and eating, but also covers areas such as nutrition, sustainable farming, food chemistry and processing thereof, food traditions, culture, writing about food. I am an armchair activist. I believe my new blog is the best place to publish a poem I wrote, Ode to the Bell Peppers,.now that says a lot about my interests.

3. How did you become a designer?

I was born with a gene that literally compels me to make something I can touch and see from an inspired idea in my head. I remember being aware of color, line, balance, shape from a very young age, although I can only say that in hindsight as an adult. I was recognized for my art work from elementary on up through high school and majored in painting in college. I just never pursued art as a career. I loved being a MOM, thanks to Martha Stewart, the inspiration for homemakers all over the world. Dear Martha gave credibility to home making during the days when childcare centers were few and far between compared to today. What she did was show us women and the world that home making is really about designing a good life for others. (I personally feel women should get paid for all they do to keep a home!) I was also a passionate seamstress. I made up my own patterns and designs and just went with it. Aah, youth! So. It's just natural for me to get onboard with the Etsy concept of handmade.

Gray First Snow Earth Wreath

4. How did you start your etsy business?

I used to work at the University of Hawaii. One of my student workers started her own jewelry business onIine and kept nagging me to do the same. Two, maybe three years later, I decided it was now or never. I had just made a major move from Hawaii to Las Vegas. Everything was new, new job, new home, so why not new business. I wasn't sure what I would sell because I really wasn't a crafter. I browsed etsy and fell in love with the yarn wreaths. The wreaths were so contemporary and colorful! I thought it would be easy for a beginning crafter to get into. Boy was I wrong! It was a struggle figuring out what supplies I needed, where to buy the supplies, and how to wrap a wreath with yarn, not to mention how to make felt flowers that looked halfway decent. And how to come up with a unique design, and how to get everything to stick together. Hard work and determination is all I can say!

5. How does your creative process work…(where do you find inspiration?)

After starting this business, I've become an Etsy addict. I look at all the shops and favorite pieces that inspire me. I am teaching myself to react as I did as a child creating things with no pressure from the outside world. I trusted my instincts and followed through. Just go for it. Everything I did was meant to be. Today, I try to clear my head from those spiderwebs, and keep my eyes open for ideas. I act on it or write it down. Knowing myself, being too logical paralyzes me into inaction.

6. Since starting your etsy store, what one thing are you most proud of?

My proudest moment was making my first Etsy sale four days after opening my shop with only four wreaths on display. That sale was a pleasant shocker and started me thinking about my line: is this wreath thing the right path for me, do others really relate to my design aesthetic? I realized there are real people out there in Etsy land wanting to purchase something special and meaningful. It is important to me as an artist to make a connection with others, and that first sale sealed the deal.

Periwinkle Sparrow in Flower Heaven Wreath

7. What is one thing you would do differently (in your etsy business)
We are so fortunate that Etsy makes it easy to set up shop. All we have to do is take care of our product. I know that mapping out a business plan is required for success, but, when one is just starting out, how does one know what lies ahead? We can guess, but we really don't have a clue. I have a room full of raw materials that I had planned on using then changed my mind. I could have been more careful with my purchases if I had thought things through. Or waited. But, I'm a doer with no patience. Even the shop name was a last minute grab. I can tell you that I should plan more for my next shop, but whether I can follow that advice is a toss-up. (Meditation exercises, maybe?)

8. Is there anything new you have an idea for or are currently working on to add to your etsy store in the future?

Off the top of my head…handmade books, fashion illustration, photography, embroidery, women's clothing, more jewelry. I started on a skirt but don't like how it looks. I'm currently working on creating jewelry with sample decorator fabrics.

9. Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny?

With no hesitation, it's Bugs Bunny. He's open and easy going, a fighter when necessary, and never without a sense of humor and a positive attitude. He's endearingly clever in his speech, a wise guy, and has unstoppable energy. I am just like him except I'm painfully shy and can't run and leap as well.

10. Handmade vs Manufactured:

The topic of handmade versus manufactured brings up many sustainability issues. Both methods are admirable human functions in that they require forethought, experimentation and planning by a human or two. Depending on what our societal needs are, both methods are necessary. Manufacturing is a means to get something done faster, cheaper, and in greater quantities. That manufacturing messes up the environment can possibly be solved through design. Handmade is great on a small scale, but if a product has to fulfill the needs of the masses quickly, for instance, food, clothing and shelter, a compromise can be worked out but products still must be manufactured to meet the needs. Handmade is full of good karma in the right conditions, but is a luxury in many parts of the world. If I invented a wonderful handmade product the world needed to survive, how would I make it in sufficient quantities, and how would I get it to them? I feel there are always two sides to every problem and solution. One method is never going to be perfect.

11. What is one piece of advice you'd give to other women who are fortunate not to have to work outside the home?

Spread your knowledge, connect with others. There was a short period in my life when I was a genuine stay-at-home Mom. I was enjoying my baby and my life. I gave up a budding real estate career and never looked back. Three more babies and a handmade life told me I had achieved all that was worth achieving. There weren't online stores like Etsy or eBay at the time, and childcare wasn't as widely available as it is now, and Martha Stewart was going strong. However, I wanted to achieve, to evolve. I stepped in to become a major player in my husband's business and I learned and I grew a business sense. No matter what your circumstance, give thanks every day for what you have and who you are, but ask yourself what else you can do to make yourself a better person.

As with all my interviews, I hope this one was enjoyable, that you learned something AND that I've helped you to get to know the artist behind the art! I'd love to hear what you think of Wanda's work...

Mother-in-laws are Mother's Too...

A few weeks ago, I posted a Mother's Day Gift Guide in honor of my mother's birthday. And since this coming Sunday is Mother's Day, I wanted to share a few more gift ideas.

Wood Hanging Shelf by OldNewAgain etsy shop
I would love to have a shelf like this to hang our keys on, and they make them in a wide array of colors. They also make them in different sizes.

Italina Herb Garden Marker Set by monpetitchouboutique etsy shop
I am drooling over this garden marker set for my herbs...they also make really beautiful spoon jewelry.

Classic Ticking Seaside Tote by Pesky Cat Designs etsy shop
ANY mother would love this summery tote bag!

French Chair and Words Eco Tote by Take Flight Boutique etsy shop
Here's another gorgeous tote, great to carry around knitting or crocheting projects, or for picking up a few things at the grocery. She makes adorable hats and jewelry as well.

Dahlia Pillow-Decorator Fabric by martha & ash etsy shop
I have several of their pillows marked in my favorites list, some very unique patterns.

And for those of us that love our mother-in-law like a mother, I dedicated this weekends treasury to mine. Meet Joy, (wish I had thought to post a pic of my mother in the posting I dedicated to her, so I'll just have to post about her again in the future and include one).

I have been very blessed to have Joy as my mother-in-law,... she helped out with babysitting when needed, she somehow manages to give the most thoughtful gifts you love receiving (lucky for me,she passed on this characteristic to her son and grandchildren), last year when I broke my foot and ankle, she spent a whole week helping us to clean & declutter (we thought we were putting the house on the market), she brought meals, basically anything we needed. She is also the BEST baker I know...her apple, pumpkin and custard pies, really all her pastry crusts are TO-DIE-FOR!!!
She's always there to listen, but never interferes...she has had much loss with burying her parents, her husband and a son, yet still manages to smile everytime you see her. She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is outside.

How very BLESSED I am to have two absolutely amazing women in my life???!!!

So if you still have Mother's Day shopping to do, don't forget your Mom-In-Law.... Following is the treasury I dedicated to Joy...