A shout out to a great pastry chef!

At a recent baby shower I attended I experienced some truly awesome and decadent cupcakes. They disappeared really fast. Not only were they simple and elegant they actually tasted really good. Something I have found disappointing in some cakes. They look really good, but the taste is a disappointment. Not with these. 

At Your Bake And Call!

For my next party I am definitely going to order from her. I can't wait. 

Yuletide Blessing.

Happy Holidays to everyone! May it be a silent night full of peace and love. May our homes be warm and our families safe. May we look forward to the new year ahead with promise and hope that we can do it better than the passing year.

Blessed be.

The Merry Death Rush.....ho ho ho!

Every year at this time there is a phenomenon that seems to occur at most veterinary hospitals. I call it the great christmas death rush. Morbid? Indeed, but still very true. Every single year a couple of days before christmas we get an enormous number of calls from clients to have their pets put to sleep. We don't know why it happens it just does. There are so many reasons. Most of the time people who have been watching there pets suffer slowly decide it's time. We also get the occasional a**hole who wants to put an old dog down because they are getting a new puppy. Of course we turn those people away but they still call. A psychiatric student should do a study about it. 


Today before I left at 1:30, we had 5 euthanasia's scheduled. Tomorrow will be worse. Nothing makes you feel worse then feeling like there is death all around you. I work at a very busy hospital and we do about 2 to 3 a week at most. 5 in one day, depressing. 

Etsy professionals

I found this thought, I should post it. Very interesting. 

Etsy-Quit your day job, literally.

A handmade hippy christmas

So my goal to have a handmade christmas is successfully on it's way. So far, except for the kiddos I have managed to buy handmade gifts for all of the other family members. I am really thankful for etsy and artfire for making it so easy. While shopping I found a few really cool sellers. 


I love the dark and unique. Not real creepy disgusting stuff but I've always been drawn to the mystical side. Check out the products and descriptions of this one: TheBubblingCauldron


Of course I had to buy some zombie scrub for this dull and lifeless skin of mine. I can't wait to try it out. 


I found some really awesome stuff here: foreverandaday Really awesome jewelry and just my type. Of course, I'm also a twilight fan to boot, so it's all good.


And for the pretty, chic cheerleader in all of us: MyBeautyAddiction . This one reminds me of a fancy boutique and lots of pink. My mother will love what I got her but Shhhh...don't tell her. 

I don't get it. I just don't care.

I'm a little shocked to see that at the top of the news is ...... Tiger Woods. My question is why? The man plays golf. Yes, he is damn good at playing golf. Is that not what he's famous for? Being good at playing golf? SO why the hell do I care if he was having affairs on his wife? I suppose one could say that he was a role model or people looked up to him and thought he was a good person and they are now disappointed. However, does it not sound reasonable that if you put someone too high on a pedestal that they will eventually disappoint you? Isn't that how this fame game works? 


The fact is, they are all human. No matter how famous. No matter how funny or seemingly wholesome, they all have human lives with human mistakes and human flaws. They really are no better than you and me. The only thing that makes them different (besides lots of money) is that they have cameras in their faces constantly. All eyes are upon them and those eyes are extra critical. So when they do the same damn thing as Uncle Mike or your Aunt susie, they are the monsters. Do we really believe that money and fame puts them above us?


I don't get it. I don't care how many people he has slept with because, I'm not his wife. Does this change how good he is at playing golf? No. 


People are dying as we speak because they don't have the money to pay for the needed meds or treatments. We have people freezing to death on the streets because they have no homes. Soldiers are dying in other countries. Children are starving and being abused everyday. 


But Tiger Woods had multiple affairs. Stop the presses! How dare he disappoint us. 

Sweet and Sour Lentils

Two weeks as a Vegan and going strong. I am actually enjoying this. Tonight I made Sweet and sour lentils and it was delicious!

Sweet and Sour Lentils

Posted using ShareThis

Oh cheese!

Ok, so I finished the book "The Kind Diet" by Alicia Silverstone. I have to admit it was really good. Alicia is obviously well informed and has done a lot of research. Her way of approaching the subject of veganism and making changes to better yourself through what you eat is very intriguing. She challenges you without you knowing you're being challenged. It's sort of like the "double dog dare you" that you have to try just to prove you can


So I am intrigued to see if I can do it. To see if I indeed can live my life vegan. I must admit that as a vegetarian I figured it would not be all that different. Boy, was I wrong! I had no idea just how much dairy and egg products were in EVERYTHING. When you actually stop to look in the ingredients it would shock you. No wonder the dairy and egg industry is so huge. Or should I say the Cattle and Chicken industry. Milk and eggs seem to be in everything. 


So today is my third day trying to eat vegan. I feel good. I feel lighter. I have no idea if it's just the thrill of trying a new challenge or if I'm already feeling the effects of no animal products. Time will tell, right?

The shirt off my back..... literally.

 For my daughters last day of break, I took her out to breakfast and went to the stores to do a little shopping. She really enjoys the mommy-daughter time. Now when I say "stores" and "shopping" I mean we went to the Community Aid store and bought mommy some cheap shirts because my dog has eaten all of my other clothes. I am quite literally sick to death of finding all of my clothes and sweaters eaten. And it's not just mine, my kids and husband are fighting the same battle. 


It sounds easy to fix, just don't leave clothes for her to eat. But for some reason, she still gets them. Last night she got up on the table into a gift bag and pulled out my daughters brand new shirt from her birthday and ate 1/4 of the sleeve before I saw her!!!! Brand NEW. My army green cardigan and my sons steelers jersey also got destroyed this week. We've tried medicating her with prozac, training her according to a behaviorist, extra attention, exercise and Nada. My husband wants her gone, but she's been with us for 11 years. She is family and you just can't get rid of family for nasty habits. 

So, I'm at a loss as to what to do. It's obviously dangerous for her because eventually she will bite off more than she can chew and it's literally costing us thousands. What to do?

The Kind Diet

First I would like to say, I am not a vegan. I am not a member of PETA and I never will. However, I am a vegetarian by choice. Meat, disgusts me and my stomach always has a hard time with it. Not to mention everytime I ate chicken, I always got that stringy black vein that would hang out and make me gag.  I've been a vegetarian for awhile and would like to try being vegan. I just don't know if I can give up my dairy or eggs. Cheese is awesome. Goats milk makes great soap. So how do I go about changing my diet to improve my health? Frankly, I'm not sure I can. I give kudos to those who can be vegan but I have no idea how to do it myself. I've started reading "The Kind Diet" by Alicia Silverstone. I like Alicia and I find her attitude about life and her dedication to the environment compelling. So I'm going to read her book and find out more about the vegan lifestyle and I'll let you know if I decide to go vegan. A book review of sorts.


But that would mean giving up Blizzards from DQ and that is a scary prospect. Of course the fact I'm lactose intolerant should be a deterrent, but it's not. They're just that good!

Oh so thankful...

So I've been seeing a lot of the "I am thankful" routines and status's on facebook and as much as some of  it kind of makes me gag, I thought I would compile a list of my own. I have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful...

that I didn't strangle anyone today.

for cheesecake.

for the invention of the DVR. Where would I be without it.

for coffee, the drink of the gods.

that I'm not a sheep. I would look really bad with a wool coat. 

For tylenol for my aches and pains.

for really hot guys. 

for my really comfortable bed. If only I could sleep in again.

for the Harry Potter movies. My favorite rainy weekend getaway.

for lemon bars. How can anyone not like them?

for my kids and hubby whom I love more than life itself.  For my best friend Dana who I swear is actually my sister. For my sisters who make me question everything. For my hair-brained brother who lives life on the edge. 

Happy Thanksgiving! Eat tofurkey!

Candle making 1-2-3

I read an article in a popular magazine about how to make your own candles cheap and easy. You buy some wax, wick material and fragrance from your local craft store, find a container or glass you like, melt the wax, add fragrance and dye, pour and voila, a perfect candle. 


Ummm......not quite. Boy are people going to be in for a big surprise. Anyone can do that for sure. And with some luck, your candle will look really good. And then you light it and find that you have a flame thrower or a wick that stays lit for a short period of time or tunnels down quickly leaving a huge amount of wax on the sides or one that does not smell at all. There is a lot more to making a good candle that smells awesome and lasts a long time than making one that just looks nice. I found that out the hard way when I first started. 


It took months and lots of money for me to make one really awesome candle and then many more months and money to perfect it. Even then, things are always changing and you have to continue testing your products to make sure that they safe and still the quality you pride yourself in making.  Just like anything, you can do it the easy way or do it the right way.

Of Grammar and Vampire Candles, Oh My!

In order to bring more traffic to my site I have been using Link Referral. It's a site that requires actual participation in order to get more traffic to your own site. You review a number of sites a day. I actually enjoy it.  One thing I have noticed is how important the name of your website is when it comes to attracting people to your site.
I can't even begin to tell you how many sites I pass by without checking them out because of the name of their site. The name has to stand out and pull people in. It has to make them want to check you out.

A good example I found today is http://www.chickscratch.etsy.com/  This sites name made me want to see more. I'm glad I did too because they have the coolest massage candle. I love the unusual and dark and this candle is simply too cool looking for words. 
Check out this candle: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29064344

Another thing, spelling and grammar. It really is important when trying to attract buyers and looking professional. I know it is a PITA but it is worth it to check your spelling and grammar. An occasional error is fine but when your spelling and grammar is so bad that an English teacher would have a hay day with the red marker, it's a turn off.

Oatmeal Spice soap- Natural

Here is my receipe for my basic Oatmeal Spice soap. I make it for me and my kids because we all have sensitive skin. It's also a favorite of some of my friends.

1 lb of either Natural Oatmeal glycerin (or you can use Natural White base and add Collidal Oatmeal)
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp powdered clove
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp vegetable glycerin
1 tbsp toasted oatmeal, ground

Melt your base, glycerin and olive oil in a double boiler until fully melted. DO NOT BOIL. Stir frequently. Remove from heat and add cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Pour into molds. Let cool for about 2-3 minutes and then sprinkle toasted oatmeal over soap.

It has a great bubbly lather and is very gentle to the skin.

To vice, or not to vice....

I always thought it was funny when hubby would say "we all need a vice, it's a gauge of how we are coping" . Suddenly I realize how very true that is. I don't believe we NEED a vice but most of do have them. Some obviously worse than others. My hubby unfortunately has a few but the biggest is his drinking. Coming from a long history of alcoholics but not having been raised by one, anyone can see that there is something to the genetic factor when it comes to addiction and alcoholism. That's another blog.

So what are my vices? I eat. That of course is the American way. I drink Diet coke. You should see how antsy I get when we are out. I watch Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean a lot. Probably more than what is healthy but I really like watching them when I am down. Hey, Johnny Depp is hilarious and Orlando Bloom is incredibly hot.

So because they are vices, should I be trying to stop them? I can see if I was a drinker or smoker and it was hurting me physically or my family but if my vices are simply self gratifying is there a need to overcome them just for the sake of not having a vice. Is it a sign of moral weakness to not want to conquer them?

Hmmm...food for thought. So I'm going to go have a diet coke and a candy bar and think this over.

You know you're a mom when....

(I found this in an email and had to share. It's funny but it's true)

You automatically double-knot everything you tie.

You find yourself humming the Barney song as you do the dishes.
(I always find myself singing elmos world.)

You hear a baby cry in the grocery store, and you start to gently sway back and forth, back and forth. However, your children are at school!
(I've also found myself swaying back and forth when I'm stressed.)

You actually start to like the smell of strained carrots mixed with applesauce.

You weep through the scene in Dumbo when his mom is taken away, not to mention what Bambi does to you.
(Bawl my eyes out!)

You get soooo into crafts you contemplate writing a book called 101 Fun Crafts to do with Dryer Lint and Eggshells.
(That's how I got into candles and soap:-)

You spend a half hour searching for your sunglasses only to have your teenager say, "Mom, why don't you wear the ones you pushed up on your head?"

You are out for a nice romantic meal with your husband, enjoying some real adult conversation, when suddenly you realize that you've reached over and started to cut up his steak!

Well, La-ti-da!

My office recently switched to a new phone system with new phones included. We are moving up in the world. Unfortunately it has not gone too smoothly with some of my older coworkers. One in particular who wears hearing aides. She is great person but she has always been a little lacking on the good communication side of the receptionist job. She can't hear well and at times when she doesn't understand something she can get very frustrated. You can't help her either! She gets very defensive if you try to help her. So I've taken to listening and trying not to let my embarrassment show.

Yesterday while I was checking a client out this receptionist answered the phone and in a very, VERY loud voice:

HELLO, THIS IS JUDY, HOW CAN I HELP YOU!

HELLO!

PARDON?

I'M SORRY?

WHY ARE YOU CALLING?

DO YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY??? HELLOOOOO?

WHAT THE????

I'M SORRY, I CAN'T HEAR YOU, YOU'LL HAVE TO SPEAK UP!!!!

Apparently at this point the poor caller had enough of the yelling and just hung up. Judy slams down the phone.

WELL, LA-TI-DA, I GUESS WHATEVER THEY WANTED WASN'T IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY HUNG UP ON ME! I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS!

The phone starts ringing again and I pick it up and ask them to hold. A voice on the other line says "Sure but PLEASE don't pass me over to Judy, I think there is something wrong with her!"

I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

The Oregon Trail! Hi Ho?

So, hubby has lost his mind again. Not that it's a huge surprise but all the same, what now! So he's decided he does not like his job anymore and in fact, does not like Pennsylvania. This is his 5th job in the past 5 years. That's one a year. So I'm hoping that we can find him another before he just walks out on this one. Our last plan was for him to get his Oregon Pharmacist license and then plan our move to the west coast. It's what we've always wanted and as the clock ticks by I've started to get the itch.

This is the longest I've been in one place. There is actually very little to keep us here. So perhaps this time we can use his momentum to actually follow through and hit the Oregon trail!

I'm also happy to report feeling a little bit of Halloween spirit tonight as we carved pumpkins. It was that or when I put on a pair of monster fangs and scared the daylights out of my 5 year old. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. I think I've started a tradition.

A blue Halloween

I can't believe that Halloween is next Saturday. Despite it being my favorite holiday and also a sacred one for us heathens, I just can't seem to work up any excitement this year. Between trick or treat night, school parties and then Samhain dinner on Saturday I just feel overwhelmed. In fact I can attest to the fact that I am overwhelmed a lot lately. I think my depression is sneaking up on me in spite of being on meds. At night when the lights go out and everything is quiet I find myself with an overwhelming sense of sadness and worry. Money, time and my childhood memories come floating to the surface. It's like drowning.

My kids are running on high octane as of late and I'm trying to find more interactive things to do with them to keep their interest piqued. Is that even possible with a three year old? I'm unable to work in both of my kids school halloween parties so I have to come up with something special for my 5 year old. Maybe a mommy daughter day is in order?

Run, stop, run again...stop!

Despite the fact I am running in all directions I have taken it upon myself to add in "Best mom" into the mix. For some reason I was under the impression that with my 5 year old being in Kindergarten now that there would be more time for me to concentrate on my biz. So not true. In fact, with school sales, parent teacher conferences, bake sales and holiday parties I feel like I have less time. What the heck?

By the way, DQ has brought back the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard! Yum. I love fall.

The fall scents are selling like crazy at the clinic. I have a small section set up just for my candles and tarts. (It's one of the bonus's of working at an animal hospital) I can't keep them in stock.

Check them out http://www.wickfulthings.com/newholidayscents.htm

Did I mention I love fall?

I forgot, my candles and tarts were featured in the October edition of the Out of the Box sampler. You can find the website here: http://www.outoftheboxsampler.com/

I also decided to buy a box and was pleasantly surprised at all of the wonderful samples from all of the different handmade business's. I will probably list some in the near future. Stay tuned.

Back to the grind.

After taking a much needed break I'm back to rambling. Of course, my last blog was deleted in a fit of rage due to hormones and frustration at the world. I'm known for being snarky and temperamental. Oh well, blogger did warn me not to be rash as I hit that delete button, alas, I defied them.

So I'm still selling on Etsy and through my private website as I am trying to finish up all my legal paperwork and taxes that are required to sell in stores here in Pennsylvania. Oi! Talk about a headache. They seem to get a kick out of confusing people by making it as hard as possible to figure this stuff out. I can't help but wonder if it has anything to do with trying to scare most people off.

So onward and forward I go...