I've Been Tagged...

I've been tagged by my blogging friend Michelle over at The Blog of a Soap Pixie . THE RULES ARE:1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.2. Share five random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.3. Share the five top places on your "want to see or want to see again" list.4. Tag a minimum of five random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment in their blog. So here it goes, the five random and/or weird facts about myself:

• I have choregraphed many musicals, & as weird as it is I could "see" the music as I was drafting the show...
• I love salt on pizza (are you saying...ewwww!)
• I also love a cup of milk with cottage cheese, sprinkled with salt & pepper
• Every holiday I change one room around, it won't be the holidays without this tradition
• And last- at 8 I knew I wanted to publish a book....

Places I would love to visit: Canada, Poland, Swiss Alps, Ireland, & England...I better save those flying miles!

Now I'm going to tag anyone who would like to join in... love to hear from someone!

Thanks Michelle-that was fun!

Sharing...

What a nice package came my way from Michelle who hosts Blog of a Soap Pixie & Blissful Creativity . The package contained poppy seeds & crushed walnuts shells-both can be used for soap making. Also, a beautiful handmade card was sent. I had seen this card posted on Michelle's blog & remembered thinking, "That should be framed!" Michelle not only can make soap, but also loves making cards. And as you can she by the card she sent-she is very talented. I just love the card because of the burnt edges, the metal tab, & the color scheme. Now for the other goodies, my mind is a rolling with the possibilities I can use them for...hummmm....

Thanks for sharing Michelle!

Hugs to you!

These are my babies...

The Storybook Cards that come with each Billow

Well not really my babies...but these storybook cards are part of my heart, & created because of one special baby girl. Years ago, my daughter asked me to make a small pillow for her daughter that was still too small for a big girl pillow, & still too small for an adult pillow-so I covered a "just right size" pillow for her to snuggle up with to go to sleep...So along with the little pillow, I took it one step further & created a little storybook card that was "short & sweet" to go to sleep... BUT, I still needed a name-hummm...Under the Willow was already launched, & now I had this dear little pillow...so it came natural to trademark this creation as a Billow~ simply a small pillow of comfort...made Under the Willow. The original story is called My 1st Billow, & along the way many other Billows ~ pillows of comfort~ have been created. Perhaps one of the most popular has been the Breast Cancer Awareness Billow with the storybook titled: Spirit, Hope, Belief & Courage... And to make this gift a heirloom there is an area on the back of each card that may record who the gift was for, who gave the gift, & the date.

Post Script: My 1st Billow an exclusive story about when a child learns the magic when its time to give up taking the Billow everywhere...reminiscent of giving up his/her blankie & enjoyed by all ages...

My Little Buddy...

If you have ever sat down at a holiday table with my family, and you were a 1st time visitor~ half the battle would be to learn every ones names... If you learn one simple name~ half the battle is over. Simply the name is "Buddy". You see, my father is a Buddy, my husband is a Buddy, my nephew is a Buddy, & my little brother is a Buddy. See that was easy...Now you know almost every buddy... Buddy isn't their real names, but a "nickname" that has followed each of them since they were little...Which brings to mind why I posted this post in the first place...

One particular Buddy...has always been my "little Buddy" my brother Buddy. I have always been close to my little brother, even when he was really in a "bug & snake" catching stage. I have heard some people say they didn't like this or a sibling growing up...but me? Nope, I always like him, & remembering worrying about my little Buddy...that he'd climb a tree too high, ride his bike too fast. Silly isn't it? After all that's what makes this by day "chemical engineer" ~ by night & weekend "nature lover" so very special....

Earlier this week an accident happened. Within a split second life changed. A young driver, not yielding through a light making a turn, hit my brother on his motorcycle. Yes, he was wearing a helmet-but the injuries were severe enough to fly him to a trauma center. Within, two hours about a dozen or more family members sat waiting almost long 4 hours to hear anything about him. But that was okay~ the trauma team was saving a life. Today he has a long recovery ahead of him...but I will never say "There are too many Buddies in this family" again. :) After all I still haven't learned to catch a frog, hold a snake (well, maybe :) ), and or fish the way my little Buddy does...

Post Script: Two things... 1. If you have to ride a motorcycle~ wear a helmet, it could save your life, & 2. If you have brother, don't forget to hug him every time you see him.

I feel blessed by all the people who sent prayers & hugs this week...

A Box & A Bow...

Nestled inside this box is almost a pound of delicious Crumb Cupcakes...Life by Chocolate, Sweetest Pea, Velvet Rose, Frosted Ice Sherbet are among some of the new scents soon to be released by Under the Willow...

If they don't look good enough to eat; they won't make it into one of these boxes...with a bow for gift giving for Valentine's Day right into Mother's Day...BUT you won't be eating these decedent Crumb Cupcakes...because they are handmade soaps drizzled with a special blend of sweets & sea salts...