Planning for "Canning"

Planning ahead is often hard for me to do. I am working on stocking my little shop with canning jar labels and tags so that the "home preserver" can be ready when the harvest comes on. Come by the shop and take a look at the home canning items that are in stock and ready to ship.

Mother's Day Auction

Do you need some great ideas for your special Mom?  Attend the live auction on Tophatter to find handmade, unique, one of a kind art pieces that your Mom will treasure for ever.

Helping others through Micro Loans

I have had the opportunity to help several small businesses through my own business! World Vision has a category called: Micro Loans, which enable entrepreneurs an opportunity to borrow money to help their business grow. The pay back rate on the loans is pretty incredible.
For the last 8 months or so, I've been able to help fund LOTS of small business. As God continues to grow and bless my business, I'm able to share that with others.
This month I chose Maria del Rosario Valdivia Utrera in Mexico to help her grow her small business that she is using to pay for her college.

For more information on this great opportunity check out World Vision.

http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2MicroLoan.jsp?lpos=top_drp_WaysToGive_Micro&go=micro&
Selling handicrafts

True Love

I just have to share with you a touching love story. I was contacted by a customer asking if I could make 365 hearts. It didn't take too much to figure out that the man wanted one heart for each day of the year.

What is he doing with all these hearts? Letting his special lady know how and why he loves her like he does.

It was heart warming to work with this gentleman to help make his wishes come true for the love of his life.

What did I learn? Really it's pretty simple; TELL that special someone you love them in as many unique and creative ways you can think of. We all long to hear and to know that we are loved and valued.

An example of what the gentleman did: He wrote on each heart things that he loves or is thankful that he was able to do with his special lady. The hearts are stored in a keepsake box, for his lady to visit often and be reminded of his love.

Here are a few pictures to show the finished product.

Canning!

This last week has been spent in a hot kitchen, with boiling pots of water, wonderful spicy smells, all surrounded by people I love.

My daughter and I were able to spend the week canning applesauce, peach jam, and apple butter! 36 pints of applesauce, 12 half-pints of peach jam, and 36 half-pints of apple butter! Whew!

It has been such a fun and rewarding week, seeing all our efforts pay off. From picking the apples off our trees, to slicing, cooking, and processing; to the finished product.

Reminds me that my Father's love for me is the same. He never gives up in the process. From "picking" me, to washing, cutting away the bad parts, putting me to the test in "boiling water" , and sealing me with the Holy Spirit. He never tires of the process, and I am forever grateful!

Pear Inspiration

After a week of feeling a little down, I had some great inspiration today!
As I sat in my favorite chair looking out my picture window, what should catch my eye, but a single pear, hanging off the neighbors tree!

From where I sit, this looks to be a "perfect pair". Bright yellow, fully shaped, and hanging strong.

This was a shot in the arm for me to continue on the path that I'm on. Don't we all need encouragement? Today, mine came in the form of a single pear, perfectly placed by God. The message: "Keep on, keeping on". Thank you God.

Natural Suburbia: Creative Friday

Natural Suburbia: Creative Friday
Just wanted to share my inspiration for the day.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80894206/inspire-fabric-mixed-media-pear.
Thankful for God's intimate love in my life!