Baked Potato Bar...and a Puking Cat!

Baked Potato Bars are wonderful things.

It has been a long standing tradition to
have an "Open House" on Sunday evenings
at our place.

There were some people from the church
who came nearly every week.

Then the church started to grow and that
number of people coming out grew too.
It seemed a good idea to move it
around to different houses.
Keeps the kids interested, different
scenery and a blessing to me...for example,
yesterday I did not have to hurry to put away the
candles from Saturday's final Christmas
Show. I laid down for a quick nap instead.
I can get to it today...

I also didn't have to deal with this...

...there was a comforter on the kitchen floor.
I have to tell you about that...
There we were, sound asleep early Sunday Morning.
When I say early...1:15 AM.
All of a sudden between Warren and I came this
terrible sound. The sound of...there's no nice
way to say this...throwing up.

Ollie, our white cat, had become sick.

This is an old picture...but this is likely what he looked like just
before he became ill...

All over our comforter...while we were under it.
I chased him off the bed and he continued to be
sick in the hall. Not what I wanted to be
experiencing at that hour...

I quickly got him outside, cleaned up the hallway
and simply gathered up the comforter and threw it
in the kitchen. I don't know why the kitchen
except that I guess I figured I would take it outside
in the morning to "deliver it" from its contents.

Well, Sunday Mornings are always a bit of a rush
at our house and this one was no different. The
comforter remained balled up on the kitchen floor.

So....I was very relieved when Mrs. Rabe offered to
host us.

Her tree is so gorgeous. I am beginning
to think that we will have to go back to a real tree.
My little fake one is looking pretty sad these days,
in comparison.

Warren is not convinced!
He likes the ease of it and the lack of
needles.

Anyway...back to the story...
We all piled in to their home and enjoyed a
Baked Potato Bar. Scrumptious!
This was actually Kelly's idea, but they have been "under the weather"
this week so they headed home right after
church...she posted about her day...her
post made me cry.

Mrs. Rabe baked massive potatoes, the toppings
were bacon, broccoli, cheese, chili, butter and
sour cream. Yum!

I made a crockpot full of chili.

I highly recommend this as a fun and tasty
get together menu.

And, from personal experience I can tell you
that the perfect combination is:

1 medium to large baked "tater", butter, bacon,
sour cream, and a large scoop of chili.
10 pounds of weight gain, me thinks!

To die for!

But first you have to add in gobs of great
conversation...lots of laughter...and loud,
loud children to totally get the experience.

Oh, and Mr. Rabe's freshly popped popcorn was the
great topper to the evening. Two huge serving
bowls...gone...poof....as if by magic!

Thanks guys!

You are very, very appreciated!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

A Lucy and Ethel Moment

It was nearly the stuff television is made of.

On Saturday I was scheduled to meet a woman at
her church to set up a Fundraiser Display for
a mission trip to the Native Americans on a
Reservation out West. This group goes out
and does vision checks and then gives out glasses
donated from the Lion's Club to those who need
them. A very neat mission.

Anyway, we were supposed to meet at 9:00am.
My Mother-in-law is hoping to go on this trip
and introduced the group to the candle fund raiser
so she came along to help set up.

As I pulled into the parking lot of this large
church facility, I was recalling the words of
Jean, "Just pull right up to the front door and
come in. You can unload from there."

Here is the problem. In front of the front
doors... was a hearse.

There were men in dark suits.

This was obviously a somber event... and there
I was in jeans and a trunk full of candles.

Georgia and I parked a short distance away in
the parking lot and then walked hesitantly to
the door. The closer we got, the more obvious
it became that there was no way we were going
to be sneaking in with our merchandise.

The family was just inside the door.

One older gentleman pointed us to some church
attendees out raking leaves and thought perhaps
they could help us.

So...off we went to question them.

One man was very helpful and called his wife
to get the phone number of Jean, the lady we
were to be meeting.

Georgia called, she got voicemail.

I returned to the van to wait.

Georgia assumed a post on the sidewalk
directly across from the front doors.
She just stood there watching everyone
come and go. I don't believe I mentioned
that Georgia was wearing bright red pants
and shoes. Not exactly funeral attire, if
you know what I mean!

I noticed that the family and friends of
the deceased truly knew how to dress.

You notice these things when you are terribly
under dressed for an occasion.

Finally, many minutes later, Jean appeared and
was quite apologetic as she had no idea there
was to be a funeral at the church today.

She directed us to a back door and I assumed
our drama was over.

Unfortunately...NO!

We carried everything into the room to
be set up on display.
No problem.
Unless you count the very handsome Priest
who got off the elevator
and nearly got run over by ladies carrying
bins of candles. Our hostess apologized
sincerely to him for our presence.
That felt good!

A little while later...
I needed something from the van.

As I headed out through the double doors
on the left, my head turned to peer through
a door on the right. One with a very large
window.

To my dismay, I was looking into the eyes of
the entire congregation at the funeral!

YES, I WAS!

That side door just happens to be the front entrance
for the sanctuary.

I ducked out the door as quickly as I could and
upon my return, I was relieved to see that everyone
was standing and facing the aisle in the church.
In my relief, I sped up and was not as careful
as I should have been and kicked a trash can
that was hiding in the shadows!

Big crash!

I rushed to the room of refuge and told no one...
until now... about kicking the can...(pun intended).

Can you just imagine if I had turned the
wrong way and actually entered the door that
led to the sanctuary?
See, there is always a
silver lining...

So, if you run into Georgia or I in the weeks or months
to come, we will understand if you want to refer to us
as Lucy and Ethel.
We have earned it!

Hope your day has no resemblance to an
"I Love Lucy" episode!

Yikes!

Becky K. (Lucy)

Keeping all of the Balls in the Air...

So far, I have nearly dropped
several of the balls I am attempting
to keep juggling in this thing called
life. If I can just hang in there through
this week, and next, some major things will
be accomplished...

Jonathan and Chelsea will be done working...
this brings much relief. I enjoy the drive
but don't need that added stress of wondering
about their schedule...will it change...must check
the computer...etc.

The Fall Concert will be done as of Next Friday,
the 14th!

Getting these two things done and behind me will
free up several gigabytes in my brain.

Oh, Warren would be proud of that analogy.

But seriously, every waking moment I have thoughts
just swirling and doubts about how it will all be accomplished.
Sigh...it will be accomplished and it will be fine!

I even had a nightmare about the concert that one young boy
stood up to sing and could not do it. Couldn't remember how
the song went so I stumbled to the piano and I fumbled over
the keys in an attempt to help him and just made things worse.
I know this won't happen because there are no young men singing
solos...whew!

Just a stage to set, music levels and sound to work out, teenage
girls who are afraid to sing out during their solo parts...little
stuff like that.

Anxiety...it will pass.

I must get back to my candle factory... in the kitchen. I have
several orders to finish up for delivery today.

I hope you have a great day.

I'll be popping in to read here and there.

Don't forget to join my Followers, if you are so inclined.
It is fun to see those who read here. It gives me another
quick way to get to your blog and for others to discover you.

Blessings,
Becky K.

Craft Shows

They are unique.

It is community.

Every show is different but
with comforting similarities.

Today I am at a Resort's Fall Fest.

This year I have chosen to do just
two craft shows.

It is just too much work.
Almost like setting up a store
each time.

But, I love the atmosphere and cannot
seem to stop going.

The vendors come in with an eye to each
other's booth, checking out the competition
before opening up to complete friendliness.

Of course, we are all intent on getting our
wares shown in their best light in only an
hour's time. So this could be an explanation...

However, without fail, as the day nears noon
the vendors begin to become friendly. There
is chatting...and offers to "cover" for someone
as they take their breaks.

It is community.

We are in it together.

If the day is going well much laughter is
heard.

A hard, low sales day will bring grumbles and
complaints against the organizers. This makes
me shudder because sometimes things just happen.

Sometimes it is no one's fault.

I love the customers. Watching them
come and go. I know who will buy almost
before they reach the table. There is
something about the way their face lights
up when they see the candles.

There is a flicker of interest.
They come and some have to touch.
Others are afraid to.
We encourage touching.
It is like a little dance of
acquaintance.
Sniffing, of the candles, is also highly encouraged.
When one touches and sniffs it is
hard to walk away. One of those
candles will demand to be taken home.
They just do.

Well,
I am almost packed and ready to go.

There is a shelter to build when we get there
to keep the sun off the candles...this has me
nerved up. I am not good with these things and
really hope there is enough time to do this and
get a very nice display in order.

I found some Coke-a-Cola pillows to add to the display
featuring our Cola candles. I have wanted to have
something to attract attention to them, because when
people smell them...they want them.


My business partner, Beverly, will join me for the day.
She is all but done with the business after moving
into a Retirement Community, but I twisted her arm
into coming today...for old time's sake.

We will have a great time.

The weather is perfect and I am excited to
get moving on this day.

Blessings!

Becky K.

Another Day with the Flu...

Thanks for your well wishes.
I am hoping that by resting I'll
have this thing kicked by the time
Georgia gets out of the hospital.

This would be horrible
for her with a huge incision.
Coughing hurts me and I did
not just have major surgery.

I have not been in to see her
since Monday...
but Warren, Pastor Mike
and a friend from church
have all been there.

There is so much illness
in our homeschool co-op that
we may call a sick day, today.
There are at least four teachers
that are down with illness.

And those are just the ones we
know about.

If we do decide to call it a
sick day, it will be a first.



Last night, I finished
the initial pour on
a candle order that
I have been
trying to get done.

Then I noticed a crack in a huge
glass container that I was filling
for my Amish friend, Lizzie.

Made me sick...oh wait,
I was already sick...
Made me sicker!

I don't know if the crack was
already there and I didn't see it
or if the hot wax caused the crack.

Either way, I'll have to make that
up to Lizzie.


I am looking forward to
summer and going into the
heart of Amish Country to take
pictures of the fields to
show you.

There are some places in our
County that are like
slivers of paradise.
So green and lush.

Well, hope you and yours
are healthy and happy.

Blessings on your day,

Here I am...Miss Paula

Oh, Miss Paula, do I have you spoiled? A post a day...hmmm. Well, thanks for asking!

This was a fun day! I started off going to some yard sales with Beverly,
my candle friend. We have not done anything just for fun in a
while. A lot has changed for both of us this past year. She lost her
husband and I gained a mother-in-law for a neighbor.
C-h-a-n-g-e!

I can't tell you everything I found because a few things are tucked away for Chelsea
for Christmas. But, here is something I bought because I love it!


This was just $3.00! So cool! I cannot wait to get things in it! I tried my smaller pumpkins but they are just too big. I could see them with leaves and little pumpkins piled in the flower pots. In the spring I just must get some viny flowers for it.
We found a sale where it was like shopping retail, deep discount. This woman had tons of clothes in my size that still had tags on. They were verrryyyy well priced, too! So much fun! Did I mention
It was fun?!? Cold! But fun!
I did a few necessary things around the house, ya know dishes, vacuum, etc. The bathrooms are calling out to get my attention. That is the last "chore" I will do today.
Then, in between, I decided to play with an idea for fun. Another blog site that offers my candle creations and other fun home decor. If it is successful, great! If not that will be fine too. I have enough to do...I just cannot stand wasting an opportunity to be creative and see what happens. You'll find that site here. I'll keep adding things as I go. So, a bunch of today went into playing with that...
A few minutes ago I went outside with the dogs. I took the camera to take the picture of my yard sale find and captured the dogs being very bad.


See the road? The puppies are on the WRONG side of it! The cornfield must have something very interesting in it because they are not supposed to go there and they know it! This is guilt....

But did she stop? Oh No! She did this...


Finally, both dogs were back on their side of the road and then my camera clicking finger went crazy and took pictures of all of these...

Pumpkins on the stump of the tree we cut down...



Really tough flowers that have hung in through frost...
and my crazy scarecrow with attitude. I have not shown him to you before because I desperately need to clean the siding there but if not now, it will never happen and I just love his attitude!


And...finally... the pumpkins that I just had to buy after sitting in the rain for an hour and a half the day we were moving Georgia. To read that click here.

So, as you can see, Miss Paula...I have been a very busy lady today and it feels great! What did you do?

How about anyone else who might happen across my little space? What did you do today?

Making Candles

I will be making candles today. Our most recent order is for a local Relay for Life Team fundraiser. It is fun to make the candles since every one is a custom creation. We allow our organizations to take orders where the customer specifies size in ounces, fragrance and color of candle. It is interesting to see what people come up with. I am still waiting for an order for a hunter green chocolate candle.

I am invited to listen to a 13 year old friend who went to Peru after raising her support through selling our candles. She raised more than a $1,000 this way and I was so proud of Bethany and her parents! It is neat to have a part in that ministry opportunity.

It is for that reason that we have decided that all who choose us as a fundraiser will receive 50 percent of the retail price. I have seen way too many fundraisers where the organization ends up with 20 - 30% and those people work just as hard.

The other part of the candle business that keeps us busy is filling containers for folk. The amish in our area love soy candles and we have several families that we "fill" for. We pick up the containers, custom fill and then return the candles to them. It is so much fun to deliver the finished candles as it seems a little bit like Christmas each time with the excitement of the recipients and their joy at checking out the new scents and colors. We charge 50 cents an ounce for this service.

A couple of our small business ideas at work.