Too cute Beehive Candle!

Michelle from Within the Hive blog had an awesome giveaway and I was one of the lucky winners!

Tucked inside a box with "re-purposed" packaging material (love this!) was a handmade beehive molded candle. So sweet and smelled so delicately amazing- AND it's going to be hard to actually light this candle up because it's so darn cute!

For those who don't know Michelle- she's one smart cookie who has an incredible site about the care of honey bees called "Within the Hive".

But Michelle doesn't stop there educating her readers about the life of bees,  but she also has an incredible knowledge of environmental matters that she kindly shares to her audience.

Her blog is a great read!

Thank you Michelle for the adorable candle. Love it!

Cottage & Bungalow Gift Swap

Gift exchange "gift" from Shabbychick
Artist: Julia Tian Mann (juliatianmann.etsy.com)
Lovely cottage illustration of a cottage in Cambridge, UK

For years I have been a member of the Cottage & Bungalow chat board. This is a place where friends meet to "chat" about everything cottage, and a whole lot more!

At the beginning of the year member "Shabbychick" suggested we do a gift swap. Anyone could participate, a limit was set, and names to exchange were pulled out of a hat. There was also a suggestion to support small business, and perhaps order from one of the online shops....Nice.

Lovely touch, the artist wrote along the side of the illustration
what the "inspiration" was about the picture.

The gift I received was very thoughtful, and just about covers everything I LOVE i.e. cottage, flowers, beautiful colors, a "note" about the "why" about the illustration (clever, huh?).

I'm thinking even though it's a very "framable" piece" I may just display it on an easel. Lovely.

Thank you Shabbychick!

Valentine's Day Specials!

Just to make your Valentine's Day gift shopping a little easier, Under the Willow is having a Very nice little sale! Go here! Chesapeake Beer Soaps, Cambridge Rum handmade soaps, Whipped Mango Body Butter, Cottage & Castle Natural Household Cleaner, Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap, Billows...

We've been busy with this...

We've been busy with this little gem of a cottage... For the last several months we've been restoring this home. It was easy to fall in love with it, and it will be hard to part with one day.

The cottage is located in an Eastern Shore town, close to the water, superb restaurants, amazing antique and thrift stores, etc. We purchased it because it was 1. the right price, and 2. we were thinking it would be perfect for guests "over load" we tend to have during the warm summer months.

SO with that said, I'll be blogging about the restoration, etc. My husband and I have had lots of fun, many tired nights, remembering things don't always go as expected, and everything takes more money, AND more time than as planned.

Anyone else take on a restoration? We've actually completed several, but this is the first time my husband and I have done this all by ourselves. Usually we've had extra hands of family members, but with everyone so busy in their own lives- we took the challenge ourselves. AND we're glad we did!

Happy New Year!

One January 1st- I turn 54. OH- you may be thinking- darn that's old. Yep it may be. Birthdays never bothered me- so at this point they never will!

So here's 54 things about "me"

1. Born 1/1/58, Dayton, Ohio on an army base- 2nd baby born the New Year.
2. Middle child- one sister two years older, one brother three years younger
3. Married over 35 years
4. Have three children- One daughter, two sons. AND now one son in-law, two daughter in-laws, two grand girlies
5. Love animals- have 3 rescue dogs
6. Loved to entertain when the children were growing up
7. Cherish my friendships that have lasted from childhood, and my new friends through networking
8. Impatient. Very.
9. Go to sleep way too late. Every night
10. Get up way too early. Every day
11. Started college many times- loved taking classes
12. Finished college at 47, B.A. Communications. My oldest grand daughter (age 4 then) attended my graduation at University at Maryland
13. Worst subjects- math and chemistry- best subjects history, english
14. Worked at Montgomery College for about 10 years in the HR department- loved the retirees
15. "Disliked" my sister growing up- tattle tail!
16. Today my sister is one of my best friends
17. Always adored my baby brother, still do
18. Have lots of grand doggies (about 20 dogs total in the whole family)
19. Worked in theatre for over 10 years
20. Loved to dance, do choreography
21. Don't love to cook, but do. Sometimes.
22. Love to bake
23. Love to decorate
24. Love to "re-decorate" 
25. Love the color sky blue, always have
26. Winter is my fav month
27. Christmas is my fav holiday
28. Never was a big drinker
29. Likes sweets too much
30. Having grand children is the best
31. Favorite food- cake, chocolate
32. Favorite meal- Thanksgiving dinner
33. Don't eat red meat since 2nd grade
34. I had blonde hair, blue eyes- while my sister and brother had dark hair and brown eyes
35. My parents are still living
36. Dad is 81 
37. Mom is 78
38. I cherish each day I have with mom and dad
39. My husband's mom died at 52, and father at 65
40. I miss my husband's mother every day- she was amazing
41. I am short 5'2"- while my sister is tall
42. Did I mention impatient? Very. I like things done yesterday
43. I have great neighbors on the Eastern Shore
44. I miss my old home town
45. One day I'd love a boston terrier and call her "Lucy"
46. I can't sit still long enough to watch a movie- unless I'm doing something crafty at the same time
47. I own my own biz
48. I do like watching reality shows- they're short
49. I'm very proud the way by children have turned out as adults. Very
50. I never loved my "birth date"
51. Always had to go to church on the birthday
52. There were never any stores open on my birthday. Sad
53. I LOVE LOVE to shop- brick and mortar- on-line too
54. I am blessed for each year I'm here- after all there are so many people that have not be so fortunate.

Happy New Year to all- I hope this year is better than the last- and everyone has good healthily and happy times!

Elf on a Shelf....

Our 2011 Elf on a shelf

Elf on a shelf is nothing new in my holiday traditions. I remember growing up and looking for our "Elf" once the holiday season began... My mom would tuck it on top of a curtain, a kitchen cabinet, or a "shelf".

What about you? Do you have an "Elf on a shelf"? Did you have one growing up?

Christmas Decorations Money Can't Buy...

Found Holiday decorations!

This past weekend my kids made a trip up in the attic. They pulled out boxes of Christmas decorations that were no longer in use and they could go through and take.

BUT the best holiday finds were the ones now placed on my refrigerator.

Bottom from daughter Tami age 8

Top Left from Kirk age 6

And from Joey age 5

Today my children are: Tami age 34, Joey age 30, and Kirk age 27.

You can imagine the laughs when they saw my "found" treasures.

Picture of children growing up. Boys on either side of their sister- ready for prom. The boys look terribly thrilled- actually all their faces here are EXACTLY the expression each had when I hung their decorations up.
Kirk, Tami, and Joey.

P.S. Ha! I just noticed the clothesline in the back- Even way, way back then I was hanging clothes out to dry.

And don't forget to enter Raising Our Own giveaway!