Friday, January 13, 2012

Good Morning Friends.....

If I were Winnie the Pooh
I would tell you that it is a blustery day
here in the wood.

A steely gray sky
is actually very pretty against the green 
of the field across the street 
as the sun rises higher and 
brings light to the water tower
and hay rolls
visible from the picture window.

Today our Chelsea will find out 
if she can drive unsupervised.
Since we didn't get over to the test
area to practice parallel parking 
on the course we are unsure.
That gets most people the first time.

I have to say that Chelsea is a very 
good driver but I am still hesitant 
to want to send my youngest out 
there by herself.

So, I have placed the results
repeatedly in the Lord's hands.
Not that it really wasn't there in the 
first place...but for my sake
I just keep offering her up to Him.

He knows if she is ready yet.

Now I had better get ready.
We have to get some gas on our
way so that she doesn't run out
halfway through the test.
That would be embarrassing.

She would have to call out
for 
"Christopher Robin"
to get her out of a 
mess such as that.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

These Turned out So Well


Every day the number one search on 
my Etsy site is Baby Shower Favors.


I'm not stupid...
slow maybe, 
but not stupid
so I've been keeping my eye
out for ways to vary my baby shower
favor options....


Yesterday Mrs. Rabe and I were out 
shopping through some wholesale
shops...
We found these pottery pieces with bears!!
Cute.Teddy.Bears!!

I was smitten and so we piled them
into pie plates that happened to be 
sitting nearby to get them to the register.

I couldn't wait to get to making them 
up this morning.
These are baby powder scented
on a tea light pedestal.

Now available in my 
and soon to be in the 
brick and mortar store,
Cape Cod Crafters at 
Rockvale Square.

If you are on Pinterest
please feel free to 
"pin them".

Smile....................

Monday, January 9, 2012

Fab Fashions - And Really Good Friends

If you know me you'll
know that I am not a fashion queen.
Not even close.
Clothes and accessories are a blur
on the periphery of my existence.
I wear them so that I don't get 
arrested and or make others ill.

However, 
I have some dear friends with a 
great eye for fashion.
If you read the blog Creekside Cottage
you know them too.

The Rabes recently shocked everyone who knows
them by purchasing a store owned by another
gentleman  in our church.
This store is called Fab Fashion.

So, by that very name you know they 
must know something about fashion 
or this was a very, very bad idea.
(grinning)

Of course they know fashion.
Mrs. Rabe and Emma 
are quite into it, in fact.  

This is the store as it looked on Friday evening
when we visited.
It is pretty much as our friend Denny left it.
Wise on their part since he is 
very good at business and had quite 
a following.







I had fun with my camera....

Very artsy shots, don't you think?
LOL




Lindsay was behind the register...
rocking this adorable hat!
It is not for sale.
And I did promise you laughter in this new year.
We ran into some new friends at the shop
and had just a bit of fun.

These young men were great sports to model
what we dubbed "Murses" for us.
Aren't they precious?

 You will not see these guys 
carrying purses
again...it was purely for fun.
But these bags are adorable and comfy soft.

Thanks Bradley and Drew.
We had a great time hanging out with you!

I urge you to visit Fab Fashion if you are
in, or visit, the Lancaster area.
It is near Central Market in 
downtown Lancaster.  
Very soon you will be able to 
shop for all of these well priced items
online.  The web site is just about ready to 
be launched due to Lindsay's special 
abilities with a camera and the computer.
That girl rocks both!!

Rabe family....
we wish you success and joy
in your new venture.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

We Always Have Fun with Christmas Stockings.....

I know it is January 
but I have to share just a bit 
about our fun with Christmas Stockings 
this year.  

We didn't get to open them 
until New Year's Eve when Allan, 
Bev and Betsy were here.  
We wouldn't have wanted to 
open them any sooner because 
it just would not have been the same.

The hit "this year" were 
these silly glasses that Warren's mom 
got for Mikey.  

 

 
First he accidentally broke
them as he was trying to get them 
out of the package...but they were 
mended fairly easily.  



 Then they were handed around the 
room so that everyone take 
a turn at looking silly.

 Allan....Mug Shot?

Bev...I don't think these are quite right.
 Grandma Georgia...who bought the glasses in the first place.

Grandma Ruth...You are a hoot!

Oh my word, You'll never believe this but
Blogger won't let me upload the rest.
Must be that Warren and I were 
just that ugly in
them......

Well, you get the idea.
Other fun items in our stockings were
scented pencils.  
Everyone got them but not everyone 
had the same scents...
causing some
"angst".

Itty bitty cameras that showed
vintage Christmas Pictures when you 
click the shutter.

Some, but not all, received
kumquats.
Because some, but not all, 
really enjoy them.
Chelsea accidentally received a shriveled
kumquat remaining from last year.

There was chocolate and nuts,
lots of little surprises to be found.
Every year that ends up being the 
most fun of the gift exchange.

Although, I am not sad at all
at the gift of shelving Allan and Bev
gave me for my new workspace when 
I find it.

Warren is not crying about his new 
recliner from the Moms
and I love the new microwave 
from them, as well.

Hope your Christmas was 
Merry.  Filled with Joy.

I'm finally letting it go....
Now on to 2012!!

Friday, January 6, 2012

What A Week!

Is it really Friday?

Oh.my.goodness.
This week has been a blur.

Chelsea is driving me all over the 
place since her driver's test is coming
up in just over a week.
Not really ready for that....
she is...I'm not.

I've been making headway 
in the candle business.
I more than doubled my space 
at Cape Cod Crafters 
so spent hours yesterday setting up 
the new space.
Whew!
It made me realize how much work
an entire store would be.
That, and how much inventory
it would take to fill it.

A local Spa owner has decided to 
carry my candles.
She is a wonderfully kind lady with 
a very big heart.
We've met twice and I am just naturally 
drawn to her.
I think it might be Jesus shining through
her life.  :-)

A Christian Bookstore is considering 
carrying the candles.
We shall see. 
One of their employees said if they 
don't do it soon he is going to 
order a cappuccino candle on his own.
(This is me...
grinning from ear to ear!!)
They only got their sample candles 
on Wednesday or Thursday so 
I think he will just have to be patient.

Chelsea is doing very well in her 
fight against the Anorexia.
We stopped medical treatment
some months ago....
It was no longer making a difference.
She has continued to improve. 
I am thrilled with her progress.
She is spending much time in the 
Word and focusing on things that are
worthwhile and worthy of her time.
So much better than cycles of negative
thoughts and self recriminations 
that come with these types of 
diseases.
Working with a wonderful group of 
people at Sight and Sound has been very 
good for her as well.

Jonathan is still working at Kirklands.
He has formed some good friendships 
among his coworkers and I think he is 
growing on them.
They weren't quite sure about his 
quirky personality at first but 
he got a very nice card from his manager
at Christmas.
So that is very good.

Mikey is seeking full time work.
While he loves his boss and coworkers
at Agway he really does need to pursue
something that will lend itself to a career.
Praying that God opens doors.
He has applied for a position that would
be "perfect" for him....
in our estimation.
I would really covet your prayers in 
this matter.  
The other development with Mikey
is that he got two chichillas right 
after Christmas.
They are all his.
They live in his room.
He does all of the 
care and cleaning for them.
Cute as they are...
that is the perfect place for them.

Warren is entering a very stressful and 
busy time as Sight and Sound 
prepares to open their newest show,
Jonah!
Every time a new show is launched there
are definite birthing pains.
Jonah is no exception.
Anything worth doing takes large 
amounts of energy and dedication.
This is going to be a very special show.
I can't wait!!
Chelsea and I are counting down to the Premiere!!
Warren is too but in a different way...lol.

This is the family roundup.
After spending time with family over
New Years and then hitting this 
week with both legs in run mode
I am amazed to find us at Friday already.
What a week!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

See You Later, Santa....Hello, Owl

Well, Santa melter....


You may have taught me many
wonderful things about tarts
and melters. 
But the fact is
that you will have to go away for
several months. 

Your style is
just a bit too festive for 
every day 
here at Hospitality Lane.

I'll look forward to 
putting something spicy
in you come November!

********


Welcome to a sweet owl.
Come to bring
style and scent.


With his belly warmed by the
flame of a tea light....
and a smaller tart on his head.

Full sized tarts are just a bit large....
LOL

Isn't he just tooooooo cute???

I got him at Kirkland's yesterday 
when I picked Jonathan up from work.

Dangerous that my son works
at one of my favorite stores.
Truly!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

It Has Been Years....But I'm Updating the Kitchen.....

Redding up.
Cleaning out.
Simplifying.
Sprucing up.

Whatever you want to call it,
I am on it.

Time for some changes around here.

If I can't have a new kitchen this year
I'll at least have some different things
hanging out in it.

For several years I have enjoyed 
these pretty wall pieces.


But they just have to go....along with 
most everything else that is out there.





I blame it on Etsy.
And maybe a bit on Pinterest.

So many things to love.
So many artists to support.
And the prices are amazing!!

One new gallery 
coming right up!

So....
if you are interested in these for 
your home you'll find the listing
as a link right here.