Friday, November 26, 2010

Featured Shop ~ Sue Pariseau Pottery

Periodically I contribute an article to the HandmadeMN blog featuring the HandmadeMN members' shops on Etsy. I thought it would be nice to have those articles on my blog too; I really like the artists and shops I feature, and their wares might add a bit of class to my little corner of the blogosphere.

Now is the time we start thinking about holiday gift giving, and what better place to shop than from a Minnesota seller on Etsy.  Sue Pariseau Pottery is a good place to find beautiful things.

I like to give (as well as receive!) gifts that are useful.  Sue has some lovely works of art that are also useable and durable. 

One of the coolest inventions ever created is the butter bell.  Sue Pariseau Pottery offers a butter keeper that will not only keep butter fresh and creamy, but will also look classy on the dinner table.


How about this stunning burt-red serving bowl?  The detail is amazing and any hostess would love to serve her delicious veggies from a vessel like this.


I really like this next piece.  An apple baker!  Place a cored apple in the baker and voila, a delictable treat.  Sue even provides a recipe card!


Think food.  Think gift giving.  Think entertaining.  And when you think of these things think of Sue Pariseau Pottery for handmade pottery that is pretty and useful.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A Day For Thanks

Don't forget to remember, between the bites of turkey and pumpkin pie, for what you are thankful.  I hope your list of gratitudes is as long as mine.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Another First

I've always been very verbal about my aversion to a stranger rubbing my naked body, i.e. massages. Lots of people have told me how much they love getting a massage once in a while. I would always tell them that is totally not for me.

Three months ago for my birthday I opened an envelope from Husby...gift certificates for not one but two massages.  I wanted to sound grateful, but dang it all, he knew I didn't want to ever have a massage.  He looked at me kindly and said, "you really need this."

I had my first massage.  And it was marvelous.  The best thing about it was, not only did it loosen up my tight muscles, it loosened up my tense and chaotic mind.  I'm so glad Husby gave me two gift certificates, because I'm totally going back for another. 

You'll have to excuse me now while I continue to completely relax...for a change.

Monday, November 22, 2010

My First Private Showing





This past weekend marked another first for Auntie B's Wax.  Thanks to the marvelous and generous Ruthie (of the famed Dive Night Ruthie and  Ray) my products were featured at a pre-holiday private shopping party.

Think Tupperware party without the burping. 

A bunch of ladies got together for some savory appetizers, sweet nibbles, and of course libations.  Then they went to town with some early Christmas shopping right in the comfort of Ruthie's house.  I offered a nice variety of winter/holiday-scented candles, bottle cap magnets, pulp fiction magnets, and the ever-popular bottle cap drink charms.

 


We all had a nice time and I can't thank Ruthie enough for giving me the opportunity to show my wares to her most discerning friends, who apparently took a liking to what I had to offer.

I'd like to extend more thanks to Deb, Deb, Sandy, Shannon, Leigh, Cary, Mari, and Ginny for attending the party and making it a lot of fun, and also for believing my handmade goodies to be fine enough to give as gifts this holiday season.  You guys made my weekend!

**Opening photo compliments of  Free Christmas Wallpapers.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Funeral Day

Today is funeral day.

It makes me think how death is so devastating, and yet so life affirming.  Of course no one can sum it up better than Cat Stevens and the movie Harold and Maude.

Even though someone very wonderful is no longer with us, she's inspired me to take a big bite out of life and to be just who I  am.  Because the opportunity's on.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Breathe Deep

Sometimes you can see the life you want to live, but have no idea how to achieve it.  Worse still is knowing how to achieve it but not having the capacity to move toward the dream.

What do you do when you can picture it all but stand stagnant at the thought of making the changes? 

There are people around me who are going through some pretty heavy times lately.  Some brush them aside hoping that they will just go away if ignored.  Others are so burdened with the weight of things thrust upon them their spirits are crushed, their hope is just a sliver of light they can barely see.


Their sense of direction is confused by the darkness that surrounds them ~ a suffocating blindness.  There is so much to tend to, but where does one start if one can't see anything but everything?

The feeling of being overwhelmed by things like grief, responsibility, commitment, or anger is enough to make a person just let the darkness envelope them.  The fight is too much like treading water in a violent storm at sea.  It's easier to just give in and let the cold, black water have its way.

When your head spins and thoughts race through your brain take a moment to sit and breathe deep.  Remember yourself.  If the things that overwhelm you didn't exist, what would you be doing?  Then take some time away from the demands of all that is consuming you and enjoy yourself, even if it's only for ten minutes.  Do something that has nothing to do with what is required of you.  Think of something that has nothing to do with the matters of your emotional turmoils.

They call it clearing your head.  No, a cluttered and confused head can't be cleared instantly.  But bit by bit, minute by minute, the more time you put into clearing your head the more you will be able to overcome the more dreadful aspects of your mind, body, and life in general.  Bit by bit, minute by minute.

Take the time to remove yourself from the chaos.  Before too long that little sliver of light called hope becomes brighter and creates a clearer path for you.  Soon enough you will see the light and the things that overwhelm you will be brought back down to size.  And the life you imagined, the one that used to be so unreachable, will finally be the life you live.

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