What's A Blog?

I’ve spent a lot of time reading blogs today. Some are crafty blogs. Some are mommy blogs. Some are daddy blogs. Some are dysfunctional unit blogs. Some people believe blogs are evil. Others don’t understand the purpose of them. Husbie’s parents would look at you like you had leeches wiggling out your nose if you merely said the word “blog” in their presence, as they have no idea a blog is a thing and not some noise you make when you cough, sneeze, and vomit at the same time.

There is a lot of talk in the crafty business network about blogs. Should I have one? What do I talk about? I can’t write well. I won’t belong if I don’t have one. Etc. I usually advise that reading blogs is much easier than writing them. I also usually advise that if you are in a quandary about what to put on your blog (or is that “in” your blog?) you probably ought not bother. In my opinion, a blog is a free-spirited kind of thing, if it isn’t a completely structured and uniformily-themed thing. Clears it all up, doesn’t it?

I guess I’m just trying to justify my own little nook in cyberspace. I don’t use my blog to strictly promote my business. I don’t use my blog to strictly promote others’ businesses. I don’t use my blog to strictly discuss the arts and crafts world. There is no “strictly” about my blog at all. It’s a place where I can go and talk about nearly everything. It’s a place other people might go to pass the time. It’s a place to record my journey through the business world, to explore my creative side, and learn about things like html and pixels.

So there you have it. My entry today was much less inspired than the ones I’ve been reading today, but then again, I’m not getting paid to write this like most of them are. Who knows? Maybe with a little practice…

Sweet Treats

I escaped from my day job today and took a little drive to Barnes and Noble to pick up a book I had ordered. The day is brisk and cool, but I still had the sense of adventure I feel in the middle of a hot August day. Running away from responsibilities (if only for an hour) and riding freely on the highway. Of course everyone knows when you go on a road trip (if only for an hour) you must, absolutely must, have a road snack. Today I induged and got a Hostess Ho Ho.

Artist's rendering: Hostess Ho Ho

Isn't that what makes for a good and satisfying life? Perceiving a trip to the bookstore as an adventure and a Ho Ho as a feast?

And speaking of child-like wonder and awe (which is how I totally felt on my roadtrip), I'm currently reading The Wind In The Willows. For weeks I experienced synchronicity in seeing quotes from the book on a recurring basis. Reading the quotes always left me feeling happy, so I decided to get the book. While it is classified as a children's book, I'm finding it most enjoyable myself. Perhaps this makes me child-like, or perhaps children in 1908 were extremely literate. Whatever, I'm enjoying reading about the adventures of Rat and Mole and meeting all of their friends in the woods and by the river.

I just discovered you can download the entire book here.

My life in a nutshell...Ho Hos and children's books. It's nice to give your taste buds a treat and your mind a wander.

It's Summertime

In Minnesota we have four distinct seasons. Some last longer than others, but they are indeed distinct. I favor fall and winter because I tend to be a little morose and drawn to the darkness and doramancy of it all. It's stark and cold outside, which makes it all the more cozy and warm indoors where there's a fire in the fireplace, candles in the nooks and crannies of the house, and a batch of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. Divine.

Now that spring has officially arrived I have to admit it feels good to walk outdoors without clunking around in snow boots and maneuvering a body that looks like that of the Michelin Man for the heavy coat covering four layers of clothing. Springtime is freeing and smells pretty good too.

Here are some of my favorite things about spring and summer, not in any particular order:

1. Hanging clothes outdoors on the clothesline. I especially love the crispness of sheets hung out to dry in the sun. They seem much cooler during the summer months than tumble dried.

2. Colorful birds flitting around in my backyard. We have yellow and red finches, chickadees, cardinals, blue jays, robins, red-winged blackbirds, bluebirds, and hummingbirds.

3. My rumpus room, as the sun starts to creep lower in the west. Leaves of the backyard trees flutter in the summer breeze, making dancing shadows against the window blinds and throughout the entire room.

4. Fresh air coming into the house from open windows and doors. Much better than recycled, conditioned air.

5. Green.

6. The smell of freshly mown grass.

7. Dairy Queen Blizzards.

8. Warm feet without the aid of wool socks.

Here's to summertime fun!

My First Winery Show!

Oh my, the neglect I've given this blog is inexcusable.

I've been so busy preparing for the possibility of getting into a show, waiting patiently for the decision of the jury, and wondering what I'll do with all of those products if I don't get into the show that I forgot I've got a blog to keep.

Joy of joys, I got a letter in the mail, welcoming me to the Fete des Fleurs Festival at the Chateau St. Croix Winery, June 21-22. I'm thrilled. This is my first winery show, and am looking forward to the festivities. Husbie will be along for the ride, helping me set up and making sales while I'm not looking. We're a little concerned of the dangers involved being in such close proximity of so many gallons and gallons of wine, however. There will be a temptation to stash a bottle under the craft table.

Come and see me, rain or shine. We'll be there celebrating the blooming of the grape vines, and selling lots and lots of really fun bottle cap drink charms.

In the meantime, check out the latest listing in my store. It's naughty. It's funny. It's Demurely Subversive! Check it out!

Save The Bees!

Many apologies for not paying attention to you for a while. You see, I've been grieving. The situation is very sad and dire. I've been mourning the deaths of the bees.

You can read about it here. It's the mystery of the bees. Strange how one little insect can have such an impact on things. And you thought swatting them was the right thing to do!

The dying bees are affecting Auntie B's Wax in that beeswax is getting more and more expensive. I take a special pride in my beeswax candles in that I leave them pure, adding no fragrance oils or dyes. The flame of a beeswax candle is brighter than that made from other waxes. I've even heard burning a beeswax candle can actually clean the air.

I haven't raised the prices of my beeswax candles yet, and hopefully I won't have to. For now I think I'll light one as a tribute to all those brave little bees who lost their lives working so hard for us.