Peace & Quiet

I found myself at home, alone, at sunset last night or should I say yesterday afternoon, so I thought I'd take one of my new (to me) lenses out for a test drive.  Nothing fancy, just a pretty winter sunset.

With the lower angle of the sun comes the beautiful contrast of the sunlight to the clouds in the blue sky. 

It was so quiet in my neighborhood.  Not a sound of a car, or children playing, just the faint playing of Christmas carols on one of my neighbor's stereos.  That's how quiet it was yesterday.

I will miss these amazing late fall/winter sunsets but I'm more than happy to trade them in for the longer and warmer days of spring.

Happy New Year to one and all!  May 2011 bring you and yours health and happiness.

See more beautiful sky images at Skywatch Friday

Random Wednesday!

I have no theme today, just a few things to share. 

How 'bout I start with Joy!  Because as you know everyone can use a little Joy in their life...

Also known as a dachshound with a sassy attitude. Is there any other kind?

The Party's Over...

...it's time to wash and put it all away until next year...

It's amazing how fast it comes and then goes even faster.

It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind, right?

Since we were married, Tony and I have only had a tree with clear lights.  I insisted on it. 

When the kids were old enough to talk, they asked begged for mulicolored lights.  "Please, Mom, PLEASE!"

I was unbending.  Strong.  Stubborn in my belief that clear lights looked better, classic, goes with everything like the color black, um, except white.  Spare the clear lights, spoil the child, tough love, er, or something like that...

Tradition

One of my favorite new family traditions is our annual trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania to see the Christmas display and have a fabulous dinner. 

I'm dancing as fast as I can...

...only 3 more days to prepare...

Here's hoping everyone is finding peace in the chaos of it all!

Miss Attitude

Forgive me bloggers for I have sinned.  It's been 6 days since my last posting. 

I have no real excuse other than the last minute candle orders, shopping, reading and cleaning that I've had to do....minus the cleaning. 

Anyway, my husband blessed me with an amazing early Christmas gift!  The nikon D700!  I know, right?!  So the truth is the reading that I've been doing is of the War & Peace sized owner's manual.  Okay, so I'm exaggerating, but it's larger than any of the other 3 Nikon owner's manuals that I've had.

I took some test shots of my beloved dachshound, Joy, who is the most uncooperative subject most of the time. 

I usually get these kind of shots:

Not too bad....

Remembrance

Christmas in New York City

Is there anything else that can compare?

Over the top macro!  Er, well, more like the reverse macro.

Tinnnnnn Roof! Rusted!

Passed this old barn this afternoon in Buena, New Jersey...

See other great shots over at Barn Charm!

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

I may actually be reaching the point before the holidays when I'm catching up!  I have almost all my candle and soap orders completed.  Almost all the Christmas gifts have been purchased.  

That doesn't mean there won't be the last minute request but they're usually small orders or they ask what I already have made. 

Tomorrow I'm not only leaving my house but actually leaving the state for a day out with a friend!  Alert the media!

Looking forward to getting out of the office/house. Yay!

Retail Therapy

I had the most fabulous day yesterday shopping and lunching with BFF Becky.

We started at my friend Brenda's gift shop for her Holiday Open House, it's always great to see Brenda.  She always has a smile and a kind word for anyone who enters her shop.  She has a sign at the door that reads: "Enter as a stranger, leave as a friend" and it couldn't be more true! 

As you enter her shop, Brenda (right) will be there to great you.





She has a great collection of things from primitive decor, antiques, collectibles, clothing and equestrian consignment (we're in horse country here), my candles and some of the most beautiful and creative jewelry made by local craftspeople.

These bracelets caught my eye. Love the colors, so festive!




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From Brenda's open house we headed into downtown West Chester.  It would have been easier to head to the mall (and warmer too!) but in this economy it's so sad to see small businesses closing that have been thriving for years, so we decided to check out the small retail stores and restaurants in town.  Our faces were just about frozen before we stumbled (literally) into Pietro's Prime, a local steak house and martini bar that has operated for four years in WC.  Luckily they were opened for lunch and it was wonderful.  The lobster bisque was to die for and Becky and I split a prime rib sandwich.  Let me tell you that even though we split the meal, our server Matt brought us each a full size plate with a full sized side and half a sandwich.  Our entire bill was $21, no lie, but we were treated as if we were spending hundreds. 

 
 
Clint, the chef/owner's dad was incredibly hospitable.  He let us know that everything in the restaurant is fresh, never frozen and that they have another restaurant in West Chester called Nonna's that serves Italian specialty and traditional foods, can't wait to try it!
 
Becky and I already decided we are bringing the husbands back to Pietro's Prime for dinner before Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I know how people feel with my camera in their faces!  Ack!  Becky got hold of mine, but I have to say, she did a pretty good job, it was even on the manual setting!  Thank goodness for the menu.

 

 

 

 
 
 
After I retrieved my camera and my dignity, we stopped at a neighboring shop, Grom's Attic.

The owners were there.  Grom is on the right.  I can't tell you how much fun we had meeting this mother and daughter. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
And the jewelry!  Funness!

































I'm also sharing this at Macro Monday and  Sweet Shot Tuesday
 
 

 
 
 
I may or may not have purchased this blue ring and another as well for a Christmas gift.  It was so hard to decide!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I took this picture of BFF Becky at lunch while she chatted with the host. 

There's something about it that I really like maybe because it captures the moment so well for me, sitting at a table by the window, looking out at all the beautiful decorations and freezing shoppers stroll by, and just how relaxed (and warm) we felt at that moment.  That day wouldn't have been possible at the mall, and the food court just couldn't have measured up.
 
If you have the option this year, and I realize many of us don't, but if you do, stop by the small shops in your local towns and support the small businesses when you can.  Meet the shop owners, you just never know what you might find and what friendships you may make.

Off to their new home

There are small business owners and very small business owners.  I fall into the VERY small business catagory. 

When I first started making goat milk soap it was out of the love of buying it from other small shops that I would visit on various trips.  I just loved it.  I taught myself how, did the research, and made lots and lots of soap.  I didn't intend on it to become a business, but there's just so much soap you can use, and to finance my hobby, my friend Judy suggested that I might try selling some at local craft shows.  Several soap batches and craft fairs later, Coneflower Ranch Bath and Body was (officially) born. 

As a result from requests from customers, I started making soy candles and palm wax votives, which are also items that I love and use in my daily life.

As the business grew into selling to retail shops I had to make a decision on how big I wanted my business to become.  I didn't want something that I loved to do become a burden and I take pride in the quality of my products. 

I pour every candle by hand-myself. 

I soap every batch of goat milk soap-myself. 

I print my own lables and apply them to each soap bar and candle, myself, and I like it that way.

I like knowing where my products are going, and I like to know who is using them.  Many of my customers have become friends and many were already friends before being customers.  This wouldn't be possible if I expanded to a point of having a location outside of my home or growing so large as to hire a staff, and most of all it would become just a business and for me that's just not an option.

These soaps are heading to a new home tomorrow to a customer that orders several bars every year to give as gifts.  I'm proud and honored to be part of her tradition.

These palm wax votives are leaving today to my dear friend Brenda Hillard's shop, Tender Touch Gifts, to be sold at her Holiday Open House this weekend.

I feel so blessed to be able to do something that I love, enjoy, and financially fortunate enough to be able to do something that feeds my soul and not just my bank account. 

Maybe someday that will change, but I'm pretty sure it will be the day that I hang up the "Under New Ownership" sign.

Hoping that many of you out there are able to take the time to feed your soul with something you love this weekend and in the coming years ~ Nancy

Dear Santa,

I really really want this for Christmas.  The Nikon one would be great but the Canon would be good too, or even both!  I'm not picky, I find them both irresistable!



Buy the The Camera Lens Mug at the Photojojo Store!

I discovered this store yesterday and man, they have some cool stuff!

Going to my happy place...

The weather outside is literally frightful, and the memory of being at the beach was so delightful.

So this, I'm sharing for Mid-Week Blues, let it blow, let it blow, let it blow!