LIFE ON FISHING CREEK...

Valentine's Day Specials!

2012-02-08T07:40:00.004-05:00

Just to make your Valentine's Day gift shopping a little easier, Under the Willow is having a Very nice little sale!

Go here!
Chesapeake Beer Soaps, Cambridge Rum handmade soaps, Whipped Mango Body Butter, Cottage & Castle Natural Household Cleaner, Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap, Billows...

We've been busy with this...

2012-02-04T00:31:00.000-05:00

We've been busy with this little gem of a cottage... For the last several months we've been restoring this home. It was easy to fall in love with it, and it will be hard to part with one day.

The cottage is located in an Eastern Shore town, close to the water, superb restaurants, amazing antique and thrift stores, etc. We purchased it because it was 1. the right price, and 2. we were thinking it would be perfect for guests "over load" we tend to have during the warm summer months.

SO with that said, I'll be blogging about the restoration, etc. My husband and I have had lots of fun, many tired nights, remembering things don't always go as expected, and everything takes more money, AND more time than as planned.

Anyone else take on a restoration? We've actually completed several, but this is the first time my husband and I have done this all by ourselves. Usually we've had extra hands of family members, but with everyone so busy in their own lives- we took the challenge ourselves. AND we're glad we did!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T22:24:00.000-05:00

One January 1st- I turn 54. OH- you may be thinking- darn that's old. Yep it may be. Birthdays never bothered me- so at this point they never will!

So here's 54 things about "me"

Born 1/1/58, Dayton, Ohio on an army base- 2nd baby born the New Year.
Middle child- one sister two years older, one brother three years younger
Married over 35 years
Have three children- One daughter, two sons. AND now one son in-law, two daughter in-laws, two grand girlies
Love animals- have 3 rescue dogs
Loved to entertain when the children were growing up
Cherish my friendships that have lasted from childhood, and my new friends through networking
Impatient. Very.
Go to sleep way too late. Every night
Get up way too early. Every day
Started college many times- loved taking classes
Finished college at 47, B.A. Communications. My oldest grand daughter (age 4 then) attended my graduation at University at Maryland
Worst subjects- math and chemistry- best subjects history, english
Worked at Montgomery College for about 10 years in the HR department- loved the retirees
"Disliked" my sister growing up- tattle tail!
Today my sister is one of my best friends
Always adored my baby brother, still do
Have lots of grand doggies (about 20 dogs total in the whole family)
Worked in theatre for over 10 years
Loved to dance, do choreography
Don't love to cook, but do. Sometimes.
Love to bake
Love to decorate
Love to "re-decorate"
Love the color sky blue, always have
Winter is my fav month
Christmas is my fav holiday
Never was a big drinker
Likes sweets too much
Having grand children is the best
Favorite food- cake, chocolate
Favorite meal- Thanksgiving dinner
Don't eat red meat since 2nd grade
I had blonde hair, blue eyes- while my sister and brother had dark hair and brown eyes
My parents are still living
Dad is 81
Mom is 78
I cherish each day I have with mom and dad
My husband's mom died at 52, and father at 65
I miss my husband's mother every day- she was amazing
I am short 5'2"- while my sister is tall
Did I mention impatient? Very. I like things done yesterday
I have great neighbors on the Eastern Shore
I miss my old home town
One day I'd love a boston terrier and call her "Lucy"
I can't sit still long enough to watch a movie- unless I'm doing something crafty at the same time
I own my own biz
I do like watching reality shows- they're short
I'm very proud the way by children have turned out as adults. Very
I never loved my "birth date"
Always had to go to church on the birthday
There were never any stores open on my birthday. Sad
I LOVE LOVE to shop- brick and mortar- on-line too
I am blessed for each year I'm here- after all there are so many people that have not be so fortunate.

Happy New Year to all- I hope this year is better than the last- and everyone has good healthily and happy times!

Elf on a Shelf....

2011-12-07T21:31:00.001-05:00

Our 2011 Elf on a shelf

Elf on a shelf is nothing new in my holiday traditions. I remember growing up and looking for our "Elf" once the holiday season began... My mom would tuck it on top of a curtain, a kitchen cabinet, or a "shelf".

What about you? Do you have an "Elf on a shelf"? Did you have one growing up?

Christmas Decorations Money Can't Buy...

2011-11-30T18:54:00.006-05:00

Found Holiday decorations!

This past weekend my kids made a trip up in the attic. They pulled out boxes of Christmas decorations that were no longer in use and they could go through and take.

BUT the best holiday finds were the ones now placed on my refrigerator.

Bottom from daughter Tami age 8

Top Left from Kirk age 6

And from Joey age 5

Today my children are: Tami age 34, Joey age 30, and Kirk age 27.

You can imagine the laughs when they saw my "found" treasures.

Picture of children growing up. Boys on either side of their sister- ready for prom. The boys look terribly thrilled- actually all their faces here are EXACTLY the expression each had when I hung their decorations up.
Kirk, Tami, and Joey.

P.S. Ha! I just noticed the clothesline in the back- Even way, way back then I was hanging clothes out to dry.

And don't forget to enter Raising Our Own giveaway!

Clever trash can idea...

2011-11-29T11:10:00.004-05:00

Not what you'd expect to be in the mailbox!

Clever huh? This LARGE mailbox was almost disregarded!

My daughter-in-law's mother came up with the most clever idea using an old mailbox as her kitchen trash can! I believe she paid next to nothing for this old/ almost disregarded mailbox.

Just think how cute this would be with a fresh coat of paint! How easy and such a great way to re-use a mailbox!

Fits a large size kitchen bag nicely!

Easy holiday gift jar project...

2011-11-27T15:07:00.004-05:00

2011 Holiday gift jar project

Ever since my grand girlies could hold a pen, glue stick, scissors, or measuring cup- we've always looked forward to doing a holiday project today- AND this year was no different.

This years's project was "Gift in a Jar" Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix.

Easy ingredient list:

-Ball jars with lids
-Complete pancake mix (just add water type)
-Chocolate chips
-Tags for directions
-Ribbon to attach tags

Base ingredients

Almost done!

Holiday Gift Jars ready for giving...

Post Script: The grand girlies found that separating the chips from the pancake batter was almost impossible (for layers), but depending on other ingredients layering affect can be achieved easily.

AND HOLIDAY GIVE AWAYS!
(go enter- it's free!)

1. HERE from Teresa at Raising our Own blog. She's doing a give away of your choice of 1. Whispering Willow Natural Laundry soap, or 2. Cottage & Castle Natural Household Cleaner.

2. HERE from Under the Willow. Win a free gift bag of samples (of everything Under the Willow)!

Sending Holiday Cards A Lost Art?

2011-11-17T14:02:00.005-05:00

Lovely huh? Yes in my PJ's while taking the snow
pictures (last winter) of our backyard. Brrrrr

Holiday cards- do you send them- or has this exchange gone way side with all the networking avenues like Facebook, blogging, twitter, etc.?

This year I would love to send out cards to especially those that don't network, i.e. my parents, some cousins, some friends, etc.

I'd like to add some "bling" to one of the pictures below that will be made into a Holiday card. I'll add some glitter on everything snow.

Choice No.1 Backyard, bird feeder, red berry tree

Choice No.2 Dockside

Choice 3: Backyard peace

Choice 4: Birds in the distance

I think I'm leaning toward Choice No. 3 Backyard peace. I can see glitter on this card really make it sparkle in the nicest of ways!

What about you- do you think the wonderful art of sending Holiday cards is something of the past?

P.S. Don't forget to enter our fab Holiday Giveaway

at our Cleaning Room blog. Easy to enter! Go here.

So you want to be a Cottage?

2011-11-16T21:15:00.009-05:00

This 1960's brick rambler would like to grow up to be a cottage....

What really defines a "cottage"? According to Merriam Webster they give four definitions of the term cottage. Our home falls in between #2 and #4., i.e. #2- usually a small frame home, and #4-usually a small house for vacation use. What once was our vacation "weekend" home- is now our permanent residence.

We've been living here (24/7) for just over two years, and have put our "home improvement" skills to hand.

Here are a list of some changes we made to the outside, it's still crying for lots more "curb appeal"- SO there's lots more to do!

1.Changed some dab- outdated brown shutters to more "cottage" flavor (Wedgwood blue) with black iron hardware.
2. Changed the front porch lights.
3. Add some needed landscaping.
4. Added garden lighting.
5. Added a new mailbox.

Our three supervisors of every project: Charlie, Bella & Sam

Light house post came with our home...

Good grief! We had to remove three old mail posts "posts" to install this one!

It's about that time...

2011-11-15T18:29:00.004-05:00

Last year's holiday mantle-Woodland Collection

It's about that time to take my collection of Woodland animals out of hibernation. I purchased these little guys two years ago from Pottery Barn, and I just checked and they're still selling them here.

I like to start (and finish) holiday decorating by Thanksgiving. I'll start this weekend- planning something a little different.

I'll post when I have decorating complete. What about you? Do you use the same decorating theme every year or do you change things around a bit?

Love to hear from you!

And while you're here don't forget to visit our "Cleaning Room".

2011-11-11T11:17:00.004-05:00

Veteran's Day Sale!

Great savings for Holiday Shopping at our

Under the Willow Shop.

For $11.11 you will receive:

2 Chesapeake Beer Soaps

(usually priced at 1 bar 8.00)

3 Cambridge Rum Soaps

(usually priced at 1 bar 5.00)

1 Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap

(usually priced at 1 bag 14.95)

Go here to begin your incredible Veteran's Day savings!

Kitchen is Going Seaside...

2011-11-07T22:44:00.008-05:00

Today's kitchen before "Seaside" re-do begins...

Color of choice: Seaside color selection from Rust-Oleum, but had Sherwin Williams mix their blend...

Our 1960's kitchen is long over do for a re-do! Instead of replacing the cabinets, I thought a nice paint job just may do the trick to giving this outdated a kitchen a nice lift!

I researched about the Rust-Oleum transformation to kitchen cabinets, and countertops- AND saw this product had good reviews.

To paint my cabinets (with the Rust-Oleum product) would cost about 125.00.

So why did I end up with paint from Sherwin Williams?

First, they are local (love supporting local businesses), two- they are experts at mixing colors, and three they were having a 40 percent off sale! AND they had paint that was just for cabinets, etc...

Although I had purchased the paint, we (okay my husband) needs to do this first: We've decided to take the cabinet doors off- and run a router along the front of the cabinets to give it a wainscoting look. We'll spray the doors, and hand paint the cabinets themselves, replace knobs with updated black.

This project I was hoping to start (and finish) by Christmas...we'll see. I'm ready to go!

When we start I'll post our progress, etc... Wish us luck!

Anyone else paint their kitchen cabinets? If so, what product/ paint did you use? AND how do you like your transformation?

Not Just An Old Apron...

2011-11-01T00:38:00.001-05:00

This is my grandmother's apron. My mother's mom. I am lucky enough to have it- considering it must be over 50 years old (or more). With this apron are memories beyond it's worn tie strings, and frayed seams...

For years growing up, twice a year, my family would make the 300 mile trip to Garden City, Long Island to visit my grandparents. I remember my grandmother greeting us at the door, wearing an apron, wiping her hands dry, to hug us all.

I couldn't tell you what style of clothes she wore in the 60's, I simply don't remember- I only remember the apron- the same one shown in the picture above.

Do you have a favorite apron? Memories of something you own from a loved one of the past?

Welcoming Fall with a 1/2 Price Sale!

2011-09-26T22:37:00.002-05:00

Under the Willow Shop

Under the Willow LLC LOVES Fall & we also LOVE Sales...AND we know you will too! Go here!

We have several items that will be 1/2 as long as quantities last:

1. Lip Balm - Cotton Candy or Bubble Yum Gum flavors- .15 oz/ 1.50

2. Pumpkin Cake- Hand created soap at it's best in time for the Fall holiday season! 2.75-3.25 oz./ 2.50

3. Linen Spray- Lavender Grace or Whispering Rose 8 oz./ 4.00

(This is a SUPER deal- check out Etsy or Artfire for just a 4 ounce bottle I see 7-10 dollars!!)....

RE-OPENING OUR ARTFIRE SHOP!

2011-09-23T21:02:00.009-05:00

Under the Willow LLC Artfire Shop

Life lately has been a bit wet, washed out, damp, rainy, windy, high waters, dark clouds...BUT there's hope and a bit of sunshine in the future as FALL is peaking around the corner...

With this said we are scheduled to be a vendor at the Dorchester Showcase on Sunday September 25th from 12-5, but rain, and storms are in the forecast... SO with that said - we've decided to "RE-OPEN" our Artfire shop with lots of goodies for now and gifts for the holidays!

Story of the Water Fairies...

2011-07-21T20:22:00.009-05:00

At sunset seashells in hand...

The seashell toss while making a wish...

Each year my grand daughters love hearing the story about the"Water Fairies"- AND each year they look forward to doing something magical (wink) while visiting Fishing Creek.

Short version: "At sunset if you throw a seashell back into the sea- the Water Fairies will be very happy to have a new seashell to play with AND the next morning you could find a penny near where the seashell was tossed..."

The whole story goes like this: Years ago two little girls lived in very poor times. To help their family they would carry their old rusty sea buckets around and look for pennies...

They would take the found pennies home each night and pour them on the kitchen table.

Their mother and father were always happy to see all these pennies because they could buy extra milk and bread.

One night - just as the sun was setting- the girls stopped by a dock to play at the water's edge. Then a storm moved in and knocked the buckets of pennies into the water...

Underneath the water the Water Fairies were very confused as all these pennies floated down their way...They had been wishing for new seashells to play with, not pennies.

That night the Water Fairies made a wish hoping someone would hear them...

The next day the two little girls returned to the dock. Along the way they didn't find any pennies, but they did find two beautiful seashells.

When the sun was setting the girls knew it was time to go home, but first they tossed their found seashells into the sea and made a wish...

On the dock, the next day, a penny was waiting where the girls had tossed a seashell into the sea.

And underneath the water the Water Fairies were dancing and playing with their new seashells.

Free Shipping!

2011-04-29T08:24:00.005-05:00

Our backyard wedding of our son Kirk & Lindsay's September 2009 wedding...

We are honoring the wedding of Prince William and Kate-
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

We are offering FREE SHIPPING on our signature Cambridge Rum items....

* Cambridge Rum - bath soap
* Cambridge Rum Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap
* Cambridge Rum SACHETS

Go here to order: Under the Willow Shop

Website update....

2011-02-24T04:36:00.004-05:00

We have just updated our shop website:

http://underthewillowshop.com/

I said I would never but I did...

2011-02-23T17:25:00.008-05:00

Old wooden Canadian Geese....

Collection of shells....

One of several sea pictures displayed in our home...

Maryland crab ornament- gift from a friend

displayed all year

Thrift store find- a boat of shells (2.00)

When we purchased our weekend home on the water I told myself I would NEVER be one to decorate with "shore" items- have collections of sea shells, etc...

But I soon learned that living on the water easily takes you into it's beautiful nature, wildlife, calming winds and changing shores...

SO the above pictures are a (small) collection in my home that I said I'd NEVER have... (smile)...

Still here...

2011-02-23T00:44:00.007-05:00

Feeding the birds...

Bella and Charlie always go on the dock to

see who is in the neighborhood...

Click on pictures to see larger view

So ready for spring. So ready to step outside without a coat, to see plush green grass, leaves back on the trees, and day light still bright at 7 o'clock. BUT there are a few things that will be missed...

Much of winter the longer days center around the abundant wildlife here on Fishing Creek. We have Canadian geese making their annual visit, also white Snow geese, and even a bald eagle.

Our little ones with four paws also look forward to the "warmer" and drier days...

Hope everyone has stayed warm and healthy all winter...Spring is just around the corner!

Christmas orders...

2010-12-17T12:51:00.006-05:00

SACHETS filled with Whispering Willow

Natural Laundry soap...

Shipping/Ordering Note!

Last date to order Christmas gifts from Under the Willow is Sunday December 19th for holiday delivery!

Also- We will be on holiday from December 22- through January 3rd... All orders taken during this time

will be shipped out January 4th!

Soap Bar Contest Winner!

2010-12-07T09:59:00.006-05:00

Winning from the Soap Bar blog!

Joanna from The Soap Bar blog, and owner of Product Body had a terrific giveaway- and I was the lucky winner! Being a soap maker this was a great win too!

My package included: 2 loaf molds, 3 Brambleberry fragrance oils i.e., Honey Ale, Raspberry Porter, and Pumpkin Lager--

AND two of Joanna's decadent perfumes oils: Sexy Laundry Day & Iniquity. Oh my-- I LOVE both- my fav is the Sexy Laundry Day--it's rich- almost sweet- clean- yet earthy. The Iniquity- dark chocolate, sandalwood and almonds!

Making a Difference...

2010-12-01T14:21:00.008-05:00

Lindsay working in a lab...

Our calendar girl...

My daughter-in-law Lindsay (married to Kirk our youngest son) has been featured in this 2011 Children's National Medical Center Making a world of difference every day calendar book.

Lindsay with a host of others that are featured -- really are "making a world of difference"... in helping Children's needs through their dedication whether it's research in the lab, bed side care, or continuing their education.

Lindsay is currently a graduate student working toward her PhD at George Washington University (GWU).

We are very proud of Lindsay.

Photos credit to: Children's National Medical

Center 2011 Calendar book.

Bringing nature in....

2010-11-24T10:20:00.005-05:00

One thing I LOVE about decorating for Thanksgiving is gathering clippings and such from our yard.

This year I decided to use some of our antique ball jars and fill with clippings from our berry trees.

I placed a berry filled jar in each guest room, and filled a piece of polish pottery on our kitchen table.

Hope everyone has a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Two dollar shelf....

2010-11-16T10:03:00.007-05:00

Old weathered dock board with the rope hook still attached...

Just the right size above several windows...

Last year my husband and I closed in our screened porch to add extra living space next to our kitchen. Our plan was always to add a long shelf above one set of windows...BUT we just couldn't agree on anything...

Little did we know that the shelf board would come right from our own yard. Recently during a storm one of the dock boards had come out and drifted down to a neighbors yard. Our neighbor returned the board and we had it leaning on a tree stump for weeks- ready for the trash...

I must have looked at that board, leaning on a tree stump, for weeks- when it finally hit me that it might just work for our shelf... AND it did- and we really love it.

AND oh- the two dollars comes in when we purchased the shelf brackets on a clearance rack- two for 2.07 (odd amount?) at Lowes. I LOVE clearance racks!

So what's on the shelf? From left to right: Wooden noah's ark, brass seamen- if you have visited our Under the Willow shop- they may look familiar here, large horseshoe shell our grand girlies found along the shore, more seamen, wooden birds, fav sign from a friend, wooden bottle our son made from a lathe, and appropriately an antique ball filled with shells.

Charlie and birds....

2010-11-13T10:59:00.004-05:00

Charlie going out to greet the Canadian geese this morning...

I see him looking back at me...kind of saying- "They're okay".

One of the nicest parts about living on the water--all the fall birds that come in to visit!

This morning was a flock of Canadian geese.

One of our dogs Charlie went to investigate them. I wasn't sure if he'd bark- I mean talk to them- but he minded his manners about sharing his waterway....

Holiday thrift store find...

2010-11-11T12:31:00.004-05:00

Holiday "Cookie Shop" house thrift shop find. Five dollars!

Flexible molds for making holiday soaps will be tucked inside...
I love to thrift shop! I love that you can find things you don't see or "find" anywhere else. I found this darling Holiday "Cookie Shop" house for 5.00. It is sturdy- was in perfect condition- and I plan to give it to my grand daughters during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Instead of cookie mixes and cookies notions- I'm going to pack it will flexible molds, and soapy making things for the girls to make soaps! I'm also going to tuck in some battery twilight lights, so my daughter can light up this little house at night.

Anyone else love to thrift shop?

Because life has been so busy...

2010-11-09T01:42:00.013-05:00

Getting ready for the holidays! It's not too early is it?

Holiday Combo Lotion Set now offered at our Under the Willow Shop- Free Shipping! Apple Balsam, Gingerbread Cottage & Sugar Cookie!

Last post was June? Where has time gone? AND because there simply isn't enough hours of the day- I've decided to combine my post entries for both Life on Fishing Creek & Under the Willow business news into "one"- Right here!

What have we been doing? In short- lots of family & friends time, some grand dog additions to the family, renovations, and keeping busy with our Under the Willow shop.

The garland under the mantle is actually a metal garland- aged brown with clusters of old sleigh bells. We added tiny little cup hooks to keep the garland attached. I purchased the garland at Ben Franklins for about 12.00 per 9 foot strand.

Holiday Lotion Combo: If you're local to Cambridge, Maryland you can find our Holiday Lotions and more Under the Willow products at: A Few of My Favorites Things shop located at 414 Race Street.

Anyone else decorating for the holidays yet? What about nice finds to add to your holiday decor? Love to hear about it!

Beautiful Created Wreath...

2010-06-24T10:04:00.009-05:00

A dear friend was in town- and brought me this beautiful wreath to place above our bed... She created it with creams, white, pale yellows, flowers of all kinds- including white iris, roses, AND little tiny shells....

Donna has been creating wreaths for a long time- and usually just "gifts" them.... She is one talented lady- and I am very lucky to receive such a gift....

Gold Canyon HOMEOLOGY cleaner!

2010-06-23T13:17:00.011-05:00

HOMEOLOGY plant based home cleaner

When our kitchen sink was leaking, and I had to clean out the "under the sink" cleaners- I realized I had too many cleaners for too many cleaning jobs, and so the search began for a "one" product, that was earth friendly to do all the "jobs."

What I found was HOMEOLOGY a plant based home cleaner- an all in one product- goodbye bottles of cleaners for many jobs!

HOMEOLOGY is part of the Gold Canyon collections- and this product is not only earth friendly, plant based, smells wonderful (essential oils), AND works great!

I'm a happy customer- thank you Ginger!

Ginger is host of Enchanting Cottage blog here- and also sells Gold Canyon Products such as candles, home cleaning, and bath & body products... Just divine!

To go to Ginger's link with Gold Canyon- please visit here.

GOLD CANYON PRODUCTS

Doggie in the Window...

2010-06-05T21:53:00.007-05:00

My parents dog "Sam"

We moved a chair next to the window so "Sam" could go up and down the window sill easier- notice the dangling leg?

She's such a cutie.

Several weekends ago my parents and their dog "Sam" came for a visit. Sam LOVES birds, and is really quite the bird watcher. No one is really sure what Sam would do if she ever actually came "face to face" with a bird...

At home Sam sits in my parents kitchen window to watch the birds go by... SO to make sure our "little" visitor felt right at home, we made sure she was comfortable in one of our windows. As you see- Sam felt right at home.

Do you think we spoil dogs? Yep.

Summer is around the corner...Really??

2010-05-26T23:50:00.008-05:00

SEASIDE Sugar Scrubs!

Offered in over 30 fab scents!!

REALLY is summer just around the corner??? AND for some super fun- AND for the love of your skin... Under the Willow is offering SEASIDE Sugar Scrubs in over thirty (30 plus!) fabulous scents...at our Etsy shop...

Go here for summer fun!

J & J's NEW HOME

2010-05-16T19:59:00.005-05:00

J & J's driveway...

Joey and Jodi's new home...

A couple posts back you may recall ~ my son Joey & his wife Jodi ( J & J) bought a new home ~ and were selling their home that they "used" to live in.... here.

Although their cottage/bungalow is still for sale ~ they were able to move into their "new" beautiful home, surrounding by over six acres, nestled in a charming court this weekend...

SO, since they would still LOVE to sell their previous home... Check it out if you know anyone who would love to live within walking distance to the historical town of Cambridge...

In the meantime~ we are all really happy for J & J and their three "little black" dogs who have "a lot" of exploring to do!

New Soap Kitchen Studio....

2010-04-24T21:52:00.020-05:00

This is my old soap kitchen that was in a carriage house
my younger son had built on our property. This photo was taken in the middle of preparing for my older son's May 2008 wedding we had hosted
on our property. Visit Joey's 2008 wedding here we hosted.

This weekend, we have begun the process of building out our new two car garage into my studio (Okay the garage is NOT new, but new to us!). When we made a permanent move into our beach home (September of 09)- we "whited-out" the entire interior of the garage to make it "wedding ready" for our younger son's September wedding ~ Visit Kirk's 2009 wedding we hosted . Along with several white tents, we used the inside of the garage to serve the buffet...

BUT FINALLY ~ we have time to start our build out for my Under the Willow soap business. Although I have been using this space for business purposes ~ it just wasn't working out as I had hoped ~ so with some planning (lots!) ~ we have begun. The process should take about 3 weeks to complete...

Backside of the studio area ~ first thing we did was add a window...

This is why we added a window ~ not a bad view while

working creating soap, etc...

First cabinet is being assembled...

One of our dogs "Bella" was very interested in the process...

Here are some of our old cabinets that were removed ~ I have plans to "incorporate" them somewhere in my studio...So for now I'm holding on to them.

I will be posting more "build-out" as we progress our construction...

We have been very blessing to host both our sons wedding. Our older son (who lives near the water) had chosen our "more land" home, while our son who doesn't live near the water ~ had chosen our waterfront home. Either way ~ the wedding are cherished memories on our home fronts...

Happy Earth Day 2010!

2010-04-22T13:35:00.007-05:00

Little visitors that stopped by today!

HAPPY EARTH DAY

FROM "LIFE ON FISHING CREEK"!

Thinking about it there are lots of things we can do to make our Earth a bit happier....AND sometimes it's the little things that can make a BIG difference...

Weather permitting ~ put our clothes on an outdoor line. Don't have one? Any railing will do ~ especially for comforters, towels, blankets...
Think about recycling! In some counties it's mandatory ~ if not you probably have a recycle center in your area to drop off recyclables....
Save all your crumbs (literally) from bread, toast, etc... for the birds ~ what a treat it would be for them!
Donate to charity! You may be surprised at what items in your household are just taking up "real estate" ~ and it's a great feeling knowing someone else may be able to use ~ re-use...
Only run your dishwasher when it's full...
Open up the windows ~ weather permitting
Turn the lights off ~ especially outdoor lighting that we tend to forget!
If you don't garden ( ex. vegetable) ~ then think small/ start small...there are all types of easy ways to grown tomatoes, and other vegetables that don't need a plot of land....

Of course the list is endless...and many of you have your own ideas to share ~ love to hear some that your family does to make our Earth a bit more "happy".....

HAPPY EARTH DAY SPECIAL FROM

UNDER THE WILLOW

FREE- CHERRY LANE SOAP WITH A CAMBRIDGE RUM SOAP PURCHASE

FREE- SACHET WITH A WHISPERING WILLOW NATURAL LAUNDRY SOAP PURCHASE

underthewillowshop.com

Eastern Shore area Cottage/Bungalow for sale...

2010-03-29T21:04:00.014-05:00

Fully restored Bungalow for sale in Cambridge, Maryland

EXTRA large backyard- fully fenced with a custom patio,

off one of two porches that adorn this cottage ~ great for entertaining

http://www.homesdatabase.com/home-listings-CAMBRIDGE-CAMBRIDGE-MD-MRIS-DO7293432

Person to contact about more information:

Barbara Dayton
Lacaze Meredith Real Estate
213 Sunburst Highway
Cambridge, MD 21613
410 463 1731 Cell
410 228 2050 Office
www.BarbaraDayton.lnfre.com

Remember when I started blogging about my oldest son, and soon to be bride and their adventure of owning their 1st home together? That was about two years ago here and here. They had purchased a dear little cottage/ bungalow near the water in Cambridge, Maryland.

Foot steps from the historical hub of quaint little shops, fine seafood dining, water front living, sail boats, and fishing boats on every street....

WELL... now that they have restored this charming piece of property they have decided that it was time to sell ~ and move into another home ~ a bit larger ~ with a bit more land ~ after all they have three little doggies ~ OKAY ~ NOT so little (two rotties, and one large lab)....

All their elbow grease has certainly paid off as they have spent hours, days, weeks, and weekends restoring and preserving a sleepy little bungalow into a fine piece of property anyone would be proud to turn the "key."

Under the Willow an Etsy Favorite of Cheryl's Garden...

2010-03-28T19:12:00.005-05:00

Sweet! Under the Willow's Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap was featured by Cheryl of Cheryl's Garden Blog here as an Etsy favorite.

Cheryl wrote: " I’ve already purchased some of this Cambridge Rum laundry soap that leaves a wonderful scent to your wash without leaving behind junk that irritates my allergies."

It was certainly a very nice surprise. Thank you Cheryl!

You can visit Cheryl's own Etsy Shop here.

Thank you Ginger!

2010-03-24T20:26:00.008-05:00

Gold Canyon Candle

Ginger from Enchanting Cottage

Early this week I was surprised when friend Ginger sent me this wonderful Gold Canyon Candle! Ginger is a demonstrator for Gold Canyon ~ and I am a HUGE fan of these candles, that are second to none! The candles burn perfectly, smell unbelievable, and there are so many other items to choose from ~ making shopping that much more fun!

A little card on top of the candle read: I fill myself with spirited energy & exuberance... I told her timing couldn't be better because we're having family in for several celebrations ~ my daughter had a birthday on St. Patrick's Day, and we will have an early Easter celebration too.... This candle will be perfect to burn for the celebrations! It smells so fruity, so spring like ~ just divine! I just love it!

Thank you Ginger!

Snow White...

2010-03-20T22:22:00.007-05:00

This is one of the reasons I make laundry soap, hand created soap ~ and lots of it! This is my hubby after sanding down the drywall he installed in our new addition. When I emailed my mom this photo she said, "You can't send him to work like that ~ he's applied too much foundation!" I think my mom is hilarious ~ she makes me smile.

Water is rising....

2010-03-14T14:33:00.006-05:00

The older part of our dock is not fairing the water very well ~ as we can see boards lifted up.

Where is the water going to go?

We've had a bit of rain lately- but we didn't expect this.... The large rainfall has taken a toll on our waterways. The water is up over our dock area, about 20 feet into the yard. It still has a long way to go to the main house- but it's about 10 yards from my studio. Yikes!

Room with a View...

2010-03-11T23:55:00.006-05:00

There are two windows being installed at the top...

Windows replacing the screens...

Whew.... everyone glad that spring is around the corner? We certainly are, here on Fishing Creek. Our latest project is closing in a screen porch into an "all" season room. We decided to do this because 1. We LOVE to do home projects, 2. We actually need a bit more room for entertaining, 3. The "shell" was already up and running as a screen porch, 4. It's a room right off the kitchen, AND finally AND most important 5. It's a room with a view... after all LIFE on FISHING CREEK is just like...

This weekend we are finishing the drywall, so I'll have lots more pictures...

Also on our biz end ~ we have just launched a new product: Natural Laundry Soap SACHETS (and they're 50 percent off until March 17th) To visit our Under the Willow shop ~ go here.

underthewillowshop.com

Spring Giveaway!!!

2010-02-28T21:37:00.004-05:00

Spring just has to be around the corner! If you'd like to enter our Spring Giveaway go here. Under the Willow will soon be launching a NEW scent for the Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap.

So what will you receive? Spring Giveaway:

1. Over 30 loads of the NEW Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap

2. Linen spray in the same scent

For details go visit us here. Good luck!

Gold Canyon Candles

2010-02-26T11:17:00.005-05:00

Gold Canyon Candle ~ Spice Apple

I was very excited when my friend Ginger from Enchanting Cottage blog started selling Gold Canyon Candles! My husband and myself are BIG fans of candles. The first candle I purchased was Apple Spice in the large 26 oz. size. Pure yum! This candle is double wicked, which will allow for a more even burn.

Also- the candle came with a special "peel off" label that revealed a 15% discount on my next purchase! AND- (and this is BIG)--- Gold Canyon is running a special contest--they have placed some gold coins in the bottom of certain candles and the winning gold coin is worth 5,000 dollars...

With the spring holidays around the corner---and you are looking for a special gift, from an amazing company, please visit Ginger's Gold Canyon site here. And there is lots to look at on the site other than candles...all beautiful gifts-all for yourself or someone else.

Ginger also has an amazing and beautiful blog...a must "visit" here.

New website up and running...

2010-02-11T20:52:00.006-05:00

Being snowed in for the past several days was the perfect opportunity to work on Under the Willow's new website for 2010... If you have a chance you can visit our new site here.

underthewillowshop.com

Visitors on Fishing Creek...

2010-01-19T11:13:00.004-05:00

click on picture to enlarge

Canadian Geese came by thousands to rest on Fishing Creek... I called my parents because their dog "Sam" LOVES bird watching...So they made the trip to stay with us this past weekend. But what happened was a bit of a surprise. Yes the Canadian Geese were there- and we enjoyed their beauty- even their chatting... AND then the next morning they were gone-poof! Thousands of them had moved on... BUT what moved in was very unexpected... hundreds of beautiful white swans... it was magical and I'm happy my parents were here to share this with us...

Snow, soap, & stamps...

2010-01-08T10:56:00.004-05:00

SNOW, SOAP & STAMPS... BUT NOT IN THAT ORDER...

FIRST if you are in my soap working network---head here for a GREAT find for your soap making biz...

SECOND--- What beautiful morning on Fishing Creek-- with 3 inches of fresh snow before 7 a.m. I found my snow boots and took some pics... It's a bit later in the day ~ and the snow is already melting...

Hope it's going to be a HOWLIN' GOOD year!

2010-01-03T23:20:00.009-05:00

HOWLIN' GOOD Dog's Natural Laundry Soap

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap

2010- Now that's a hard one to write, simplify, etc... I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season (Certainly flew by!).

To start the NEW YEAR our company Under the Willow has launched several new products.

ONE: A new scent for our line of Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap AND

TWO: The launching of HOWLIN' GOOD Dog's Natural Laundry Soap!

ONE: The new scent for our Whispering Willow line: TWILIGHT SKY- This was totally inspired by the night it appeared our distant sunset on Fishing Creek was on fire! It was the most brilliant colorful sunset ~ fiery colors of amber, pink, purple, orange in harmony casting down on the woods in the distance. The scent is enriched with a combination of sandalwood, richly almond and more...

It can be found in our Etsy shop or Artfire shop.

TWO: HOWLIN' GOOD Dog's Natural Laundry Soap was developed because 1. I love my pets, 2. I want to keep their bedding, their toys, their blankets clean, 3. I wanted the product to be Mother Earth friendly, 4. I wanted to have a cause- being a donation will be made to the Humane Society of USA for each HOWLIN' GOOD purchase.

It can be found in our Etsy shop or Artfire shop.

Giving credit where credit is due: The labeling was as much fun to develop and design as the products. AND thank you to Marlene Lee- expert biz person, author of two books (here) , super entrepreneur, AMERICAN RED CROSS volunteer of the year, for helping me guide through the brainstorming process & more... AND it didn't hurt that she's been my best friend since HS.

A little bit of heaven on someone's birthday today...

2009-12-22T09:45:00.009-05:00

Last night my husband & I were putting final touches on our new fireplace wall mantle- although there's was a bit of trim paint to go~ it was time to hang the picture that would be the center focus on our new "mantle wall"... Just as I handed my husband the picture I said, "Isn't it yours mother's birthday today?"

You see the timing of this happening is very significant to this story... Years ago when my husband & I were married~ His mother wanted to paint us a wedding gift~ She asked what the painting should be? We decided that she should paint a picture of what she believed "heaven" would look like... So now it's finally hung in a "forever" area that looks over all the family treasures she once knew and those she never had time to meet.

You see she passed several years after painting this picture~ At that time she had only meet our oldest child Tami. Our hearts ache that she didn't meet our sons, their wife's, & our grandgirlies~ she would have loved each of them so warmly~ But perhaps she already does know them~ After all the picture is her vision of heaven~ & I know that's exactly where she is~ Perhaps she's one of the birds flying over the water, or perhaps one of the night stars above. So she really is still here today, at times I can still feel her loving warmth.

Happy birthday Carol~ you are missed dearly...

Today my mother-in-law would have been 80 years old~

She passed away at the young age of 52.

A picture of a Christmas ornament my mother in-law had

made displayed next to one her great granddaughter made last year....

Snow and Boots...

2009-12-19T13:55:00.012-05:00

Snow

It's not suppose to snow in this little town nestled near the Eastern Shore... Last night soon one inch turned to two, two into four~ and more! When we moved I tossed my snow boots away~ but today I hijacked my hubby's~ thought I'd take a pic of them (boots!) just in case you needed a last minute Christmas idea (smile)....

Boots

P.S. Stand out "Product Body" owner Joanna ~ just posted a review of Under the Willow's ~ Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap. Go here.
Thanks Joanna for the review!

Feeding the neighbors....

2009-12-18T14:19:00.011-05:00

This was life on Fishing Creek today~ when a few of the neighbors decided to stop/fly by....

I can see them from my kitchen window....

I move in closer~ starting to "click" away...

Finally on our pier~ and surprisingly I didn't scare them off!

A seagull lands on our post...so I go back inside to grab some bread

And soon there's a party! Candian geese & Maryland seagulls...

More & more came to eat... It really was fun watching them! And finally a pic of my "Christmas Rose" in a little garden next to my studio...

Fun Holiday Shopping on Artfire!

2009-12-07T21:42:00.006-05:00

This adorable tea light holder is all mine! A very talented tadpole created this, and it's going right on my fireplace mantel (work in progress)

when it's finished...

Sometimes you just HAVE to have something you see...and I really found some wonderful handmade gifts from the Two Tadpoles shop on Artfire!

UNFORTUNATELY I can't show the pictures of everything because I don't want to spoil some Christmas surprises... BUT I can show some items in my package of goodies that I am just tickled about & have to share with you...

Look at the little clay thank you on a ribbon! This is a wonderful idea, and I hope they make them a part of their shop... AND this beautiful crafted blue leaf plate was a special gift for me or to give to some one...NOPE it's staying with me! The workmanship is just amazing~ I love it!

Now that's only part of my order that was shipped...you see I can't show anything else because they are gifts....If you see need to do some shopping, and would LOVE something unique, handmade, great customer service, and standout pricing... visit the Two Tadpoles shop here.

Gobble gobble gobble...

2009-11-29T23:08:00.013-05:00

Kirk & Lindsay the Turkey Day hosts!

This is the 1st year in 25 years I have NOT hosted Thanksgiving dinner ~ BUT I wouldn't have changed one thing this year... The newlyweds Lindsay & Kirk were the hosts for about 20 family & friend members!

Lindsay's Grammie was there! Hey she's really cool, does FB and

she's 93 years young too!How about that?

Dear family friend Judy, Cheryl (Lindsay's mom) & Lindsay

The week started like this~ I traveled in to wait for their Corina tops to be installed on Monday~ The window was 11-1 and unbelievably they arrived at 11:30- everything fit perfectly & I couldn't wait for the kids to get home to see their "finishing touches" to their new kitchen re-do.

contractor from Home Depot installing the kitchen tops...

This Thanksgiving was perhaps one of the most memorable because there was so much love & laughter in this home that it didn't matter if the weather was misty & miserable outside. My family and Lindsay's family with a host of dear dear friends enjoyed every minute...From talking about the wedding to watching 5 people try to open up ONE can of cranberry....

How many people can fit into a kitchen? Here and...

and here too...

Part of my silly family...My sister, dad, mom, little nephew Jamie (lol),
brother Buddy, and dear nieces Danielle & Vanessa...

Lindsay's Dad~ brother & fiance~ who will be married next year!

I hope everyone had a moment to count their blessings,

take time for family & friends & just enjoy life this Thanksgiving holiday...

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap Giveaway!

2009-11-22T10:54:00.004-05:00

If you are interested in sampling Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap jump over to our Under the Willow Gift Shoppe blog here. I am sending out samples to all USA STATES & CANADA... If you're state is NOT listed yet....EMAIL ME and I will send out samples to you right after the Thanksgiving holiday!

My email: underthewillow (at) hotmail (dot) com

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap Reviews...

2009-11-18T11:11:00.009-05:00

Visit us

here to see more Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap

& for ordering information

I would like to thank everyone who has taking the time to let me know "what they think" about our newest branch~ Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap ~ I appreciate the time each of you took out of your day to contact/review us. Each & everyone has helped our branches grow.... Again many thanks!

Just some of the wonderful Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap Reviews:

I was so excited to receive some laundry soap in the mail that I ordered from Carrie at Under The Willow It is such a beautiful fragrance I love it. You don't even need a fabric soften with her laundry soap that's how wonderful it is, it even made the laundry room smell wonderful. I also bought some home made hand soap, that's just as beautiful as it is wonderful. I just love having hand made soaps in a pretty little bowl in our restroom. G., AZ

My box arrived this afternoon. Thank you for shipping everything so fast!…. Laundry just became a little more exciting (I LOVE THIS, Carrie)! H., MD
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Now you did it, lol. I love the new scent- Home for the Holidays. I just used it, and it's heavenly. H., MD
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I tried the sample of Cambridge Rum & have now ordered the “largest” size that can be sent to me. I love the way the towels are soft…everything! M, GA

I just went outside to check the mail and noticed that I can smell the laundry soap outside and it smells soooo good! My bushes out front now smell good, ha! H., MD

Carrie has managed to find a way to get the scent to stick around through the dryer cycle, so it comes out smelling just like the soap. T, OR
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Awesome! J., GA
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I used the Cambridge Rum soap for my work clothes (construction foreman) and it cleaned my clothes really good and I could even smell the fragrance a week later... as told by my son Kirk....Now I'm thinking to myself- Kirk sweetie does that mean you waited a week to wear your washed clothes or are you wearing the same work clothes for a week (smile)...

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I used this one within an hour of opening the package and I am so, so excited about this product! My clothing came out of the washer smelling fresh and lovely, but not too heavily scented. The best part was that everything looked and felt so light and CLEAN! I mean, no big surprise when you stop to think that these clothes had just been washed in actual soap for the first time in their lives; as opposed to the usual "detergent" (most definitely nothing like soap). Having been freed of all that unnecessary gunk, they felt lighter and softer and smelled so clean!!! I don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets for our clothes (dryer balls ♥ ♥ ♥), so when I pulled them out of the dryer, they smelled just like Carrie's laundry soap. Yum! A., PA

Just tried this WONDERFUL laundry soap (Lavender Grace). Smells and cleans terrifically, and its all natural. Even works for HE washers! You've gotta get some!!!!!! C., MD

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Product review here from Family Forever blog:
I have found my new favorite products! Laundry soap that is amazing and free of chemicals AND hand soap that is to die for! I have to give credit where credit is due. TeresaR from Life, Homesteading and Everything is the one who turned me on to these products. She posted about them a few days ago and said how much she really liked them so I checked out the sellers blog and thought I would like to try them myself! So I contacted her and asked about her laundry soap. She was very pleasant and I enjoyed emailing with her. I decided on my items, paid, and she shipped them the very next day!I ordered the Lavender Grace Laundry Soap in a collectible jar and also in a medium size to refill my jar with. I was so excited to receive my package. When I opened it she also gave me a sample of her other laundry soap in Cambridge Rum scent and a little sample of her honey oats & goat milk hand soap bar, as well as some other surprises but I'm going to keep them to myself… to see whole review go to Family Forever blog!
http://mrstuxtattoo.blogspot.com/2009/11/product-review-monday.html

… what I want to rave the most about is her laundry detergent! OMG...it is a wonderful laundry detergent! Now, some of you may remember I made my own laundry detergent not too long ago. It works quite well, but the fragrance just doesn't seem to carry over. Carrie's detergent not only cleans beautifully, but the Lavender Grace scent actually lingers much better than mine. And, oh, what a scent it is! If you dry in a dryer, the fragrance does seem to dissipate, but if you line dry, the scent stays (a bit better on the synthetic fabrics than on the cottons). Carrie includes a cute little scoop and has instructions on the tag for both HE and top-loading machines. I highly recommend buying some of this laundry powder to try it for yourself! You will thank me for recommending it to you! =) see more of this review http://homesteadnotes.blogspot.com/2009/10/under-willow-wonders.html
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Review from Life, Homestead & Everything: Carrie from Under the Willow Gifts sent me some samples of her natural laundry detergent recently and the only reason I dragged my feet on blogging about it is because I can't take good pictures. Seriously! I always manage to buy the wrong camera... either that or I just have absolutely no talent for taking pictures.I'll be honest, when I received Carrie's natural laundry soap it looked and smelled fantastic but I doubted its ability to maintain that great scent throughout the washing cycle. I've used natural laundry soaps for years and I've never had any luck getting the scent to stick when I put my clothing in the dryer. When my clothes are hung on the line, they smell wonderful but the dryer sucks every little bit of fragrance right out of the clothes before they finish drying. When Carrie's package arrived I was eager to use it right away. Sadly, all I had to wash were towels and I always dry towels in the dryer since I haven't found the cure for line drying towels and having them NOT dry crunchy and scratchy (any tips???) I felt like I was wasting this great product on my towels cause I really wanted the scent to linger after I washed but... I REALLY WANTED to try the laundry soap. Ah well, life is about sacrifices right?!?I chose the cambridge rum scent. They all smelled beautiful but cambridge rum is my favorite. My 9 year old was equally as excited as I was, she loves when packages arrive, so she took the first picture of the laundry soap in hand.Shock #1, when I pulled the towels from the washer they had a beautiful light scent of cambridge rum. I held on to one of the towels for a minute or two because I knew once I tossed them into the dryer that the scent would be gone :( I even hemmed and hawed about possibly just putting them on the line so they'd still smell pretty when they dried but I couldn't stand the idea of drying myself with a hard towel later.Shock #2, I'd gone out back for something and I could smell the light fragrance of cambridge rum coming from the dryer vent. Wow! I was impressed. It was about 20 minutes into drying time and I could still smell it. Shock #3, after 40 minutes of drying on low heat I pulled my towels from the dryer. To my surprise they smelled beautiful. The cambridge rum scent hung in there for the long haul. I love that the scent isn't perfumy or overbearing, it was just perfect. I think I talked about it all day long to whomever would listen about how great this natural laundry soap is. Shock #4, The ultimate shock was how soft the towels felt. Now, I said that my towels are softer when dried in the dryer as oppose to the line but they aren't VERY soft. I don't use fabric softeners so I don't get that fluffy soft that one would get with something like downy. I've tried natural fabric softeners but they don't seem to do much except add a fragrance. My towels felt soft, much softer than they ever were before, which makes for a very happy household because we all love soft things over here. Of course, I used up all 3 packages of laundry soap samples that day. I decided I needed to wash bed sheets and a few other things. Never have I been so eager to wash. Now at least I know where to buy a laundry soap I can be happy with. Thank you Carrie for sending me the samples and the beautiful wash cloth. I have the bar of soap sitting on my kitchen sink, we all love washing our hands with it. It has a wonderful fragrance and feels really nice.
To see the whole review go here:
http://www.soappixie.com/2009/11/under-willow-sent-one-of-her-gifts.html
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Kitchen Re-do for the New Bride...

2009-11-12T10:09:00.011-05:00

Lindsay & Kirk the day after their September wedding...

A week after our son Kirk & Lindsay were married (here)~ Lindsay began (actually started the week of the wedding!) her PhD at George Washington University & Kirk started to demo their kitchen. After all~ it was a project they wanted to get started with ~ & with all the beautiful new wedding gifts it seemed a perfect plan! And best of all Ms. Lindsay is a wonderful cook & Kirk LOVES to eat! So in between studying, working, etc... all their work is certainly paying off!

First they had to demo the WHOLE kitchen~ drywall came down, older cabinets removed, high hat lights placed, floor removed, new windows installed, etc...AND plan the placement of new cabinet, flooring, coloring, etc...

A small side cabinet with a wine holder on top...

What's really nice is that Lindsay is not one to just sit back and "watch"~ she rolled up her sleeves and worked along Kirk most of the time~ AND she did this while successfully completing her 1st class for her PhD... she is truly amazing!

New wood floors installed, new kitchen entry door, new windows...fresh paint over the newly installed drywall...

So finally a couple months~ after they starting the kitchen~it's almost ready to host Thanksgiving dinner to family & friends... Their Corina tops will be delivered & installed the Monday before the holiday.... I can smell the turkey cooking now.

White cabinets installed, new microwave...

We are very very proud of them! Can't wait to see it completed on Thanksgiving!

It's a dog's life...

2009-11-10T13:29:00.013-05:00

Just for fun!

Bella checking out the newly laundered toys... Yep clean!

Our family has three rescue dogs with LOTS of toys. Most are house toys~ but it's not unusual for the toys to end up outside~ end up at neighbors yards~ nice neighbors bring them back~ BUT they end up really really dirty~ SO I wash them using a netted laundry bags & hang dry. ONE of our dogs is particularly in LOVE with toys~ this is Bella, our yellow lab~ also Charlie LOVES toys too, but mostly when Bella has one. Our other little rescue is SAM~ who is over ten- and doesn't play with toys~ in fact~ SAM doesn't play with the other dogs~ SAM just enjoys watching the others, and enjoys just being a dog....

Bella helping hang the wash...See Charlie in the back?

He's always a step behind her.... best friends!

Bella seems please with the way the laundry smells!

Charlie is really not sure about toys hanging on a line...

Bella watching her toys dry....She is very patient...

Yep~ toys do include some old slippers. Luckily our dogs don't chew toys so it's okay to give them old this or old that. Right?

All the dog toys & dog bed linens were washed with Under the Willow's

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap. It's a wonderful way to wash not only your own laundry naturally, but a safe~ earth friendly~ way to wash your precious pets belongings...NO harsh chemicals, NO detergent, just a fresh natural clean laundry!

Whispering Willow Laundry Soap here.

Wonderful sample packs available!

River runneth over....

2009-11-05T11:48:00.006-05:00

It wasn't raining, it wasn't windy~ so I really can't explain why the water on our river front(okay creek) was so darn high! Couple more inches & it would have been half way up the yard & maybe into my studio-YIKES!

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap...

2009-11-01T20:02:00.008-05:00

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap

offered in Lavender Grace or Cambridge Rum

1st review-read here!

Another review here!

We have expanded our branches to offer Natural Laundry Soap & AND we are loving it, & we are receiving great reviews too! Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap offered here
& also a GIVEAWAY! Check it out!

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap is ALL natural with NO chemicals, cleans clothes wonderfully, & AND OH- did I mention you will NOT need to use any fabric softener~Your clothes will not only dry with freshly delicate scent, but will dry soft~ very soft...

With Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap~ you use only 2 T per large top load or only 1 T per HE/front load. Soap containers range from a variety of exquisite glass Vintage jars to recyclable plastic to new glass jars... Because most of the Vintage jars are unique there will only be one of that particular container...so think about which container you would be able to use again & again & again... AND all the containers are only a FRACTION of the size of one of the thick colored plastic~ dump hogging~ large detergent bottles, etc..

Some interesting facts about Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap

Only a few tablespoons will do a top large load
NO chemicals, NO detergents, NO or very very little suds
NO fabric softener needed~ your clothes will be very soft without
Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap is receiving great reviews!
Once you purchase a Whispering Willow Natural Soap container~ you may purchase refills at any time
Use in ALL temperatures
Clothes will dry with a fresh clean smell~ not an overpowering cover up commercial detergent fragrance
Beautiful Vintage jars offered not only to display, but make a wonderful gift, saves on storage, etc...
Many sizes of Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap offered
Once you order one scent you will ALWAYS receive a sample of the other scents offered

Whispering Willow Natural Laundry Soap offered at

Under the Willow Gift Shoppe

Beautiful Table Runner...

2009-10-21T22:37:00.006-05:00

Table runner from Susan Lizotte, ME
I wanted to share something I was "gifted". This exquisite table runner shown in the picture is from Susan Lizotte in Maine.

I really was taken back because Susan contacted me about purchasing some soaps & other gifts from Under the Willow~ so I sent Ms. Susan about 20 soaps, a Billow, an Unconditional Lovie, and other goodies. Susan has a display in Maine called "The Sisters" (cute!) at Barthash's in Stella's... SO if you are in that area- you have to see all the gifts that Susan has ready for the holidays & more!

And by the way this is the 2ND time blogging about Ms. Susan- the first time was here when I purchased some great handmade cards from her...
She is ONE talented lady!

I LOVE the table runner, I LOVE the thoughtfulness that was behind it, AND I LOVE everything about it! Thank you Ms. Susan

& best of luck with your shop!

Thank you Susan you are too thoughtful!

Fun Weekend!

2009-10-19T20:19:00.010-05:00

My dad, my brother (also called Mountain Man), & my mom...

This past weekend we came over the bridge to visit family~
there was lots to do~ & lots to see...first my brother's new cabin..

Front side of my brother's cabin in the woods...

My brother is almost done building his dream cabin in the woods on 21 acres along side a beautiful mountain in Maryland. It is beyond beautiful as every step, every process, every log was very well thought out...I'm very proud of my little brother!

A glimpse of one of the side decks~

I'd say lots of room for family & friends to party!Interior door details

Then there was a visit with my grandgirlies~ snuggling with one of their dogs. This one's name is Pistol- and for good reason. He may be peanut size, but he rules their 17 acres!

Then there was a visit with the "newlyweds". As new bride Lindsay was finishing her first class final exam for her PhD at GW~ Kirk was working on finishing the kitchen. He had gutted it, installed new windows, new kitchen door, drywall...and as soon as the drywall is completed---painting begins--then the newlyweds can put all their lovely wedding kitchen gifts in a "new" kitchen!!! We are very excited for them!
It really was a wonderful weekend. So many projects~ so many plans. We are blessed.

Artfire Spider Beads!

2009-10-14T10:00:00.009-05:00

Spider beads purchased on Artfire I was soooo happy when I found out that Teresa from

Life, Homesteading, and Everything & her two sons opened a shop on Artifire called Two Tadpoles (named after her standout creative talented sons!) ~ And it was there I saw a perfect little spider bead~ I knew I just had to have it for my oldest granddaughter who LOVES spiders. And Teresa was so sweet to add another little spider bead for my youngest granddaughter. When I saw the bead I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the bead---Halloween necklace!

I'm not a jewelry maker by any means & I'm sure some with this crafty talent would be a bit more creative than me~ but I found the Spider beads easy to attach to
hemp cord with some added bling.

And thanks Teresa for shipping me the little rings for the necklaces too!

Hugs to Teresa & her Two Tadpoles~ I know my granddaughters are going to be thrilled to receive these Spider bead necklaces in the mail soon!

Check out more items from the Two Tadpoles Artfire shop here.

Just a quick note!

2009-10-09T20:50:00.008-05:00

One of my favorite pictures of Lindsay & Kirk before they were

married here on Fishing Creek...

Under the Willow is still here~ I've just changed the name of this blog to reflect our recent move to the Eastern Shore. So if you are wondering the "why" I haven't blogged lately it's because a whole lot of "everything" has happened in the recent weeks--- including a heart filled waterfront wedding (youngest son Kirk & Lindsay), a final move of everything on one side of the Bay Bridge to our property here, supporting a dear family member that had an unfortunate accident, visiting grandgirlies, & in general- just life itself.

And did I mention~ unpacking & setting up my new creative studio??? So- I've been busy, so if you're here to visit- please check back often... Life on Fishing Creek (so far) seems to be very inspiring & very beautiful...
I feel blessed each day.

My daughter in law Jodi gave me a little sign that reads:

Heaven is a little closer on the Eastern Shore

Since I know Heaven is not a bad place to be...I'm fortunate to be just a little closer (smile) here on Fishing Creek.

Thank you for visiting...And I love reading each & every comment!

A Wedding to Share...

2009-09-12T22:16:00.018-05:00

The bride- Mrs. Lindsay Garvin

Chairs waiting for guests to arrive...Kirk built the white arbor for his bride

It has been one week since Kirk & Lindsay's wedding &

the weather has not be as lovely as last Saturday- the day of the wedding.

It was an outdoor weather on the water so the weather was very important-

it's ended up being picture perfect.

( trying to make the pics larger!)

There are so many blessings in life- being in love is certainly one of them- and certainly just life itself. And if you can find someone to love for the rest of your life- what more could you ever want?

Matron of honor- Tami Carrico fixing Lindsay's beautiful gown. One of the

flowers girls is in white in the background...

Rehearsal dinner and wedding cocktail/appetizer area....

Live entertainment provided by Galen Omerson & Ben Hirsh...

Another small picture I just can't seem to make larger...

A highlite of the night was when Lindsay & Kirk surprised everyone with a rehearsed dance- it knocked everyone off their feet- I will try to get the video to share!

Christo- best man, Kirk, Lindsay- Tami-matron of honor

Lindsay's family- Dad, Mom, Lindsay, Kirk, brother Lee & finance Michelle

The wedding cake was a beautiful creation of Lindsay's mom!

I have lots more pictures to share- once I download them correctly. My son & his new bride beamed with happiness through out the entire night. It was wonderful to share each and every moment with them.

Wedding Countdown...last week!

2009-08-30T21:04:00.003-05:00

The wedding is almost here! My husband & I have settled down at our Eastern shore home~ with lots to do before some wedding guests start to arrive as early as Wednesday... AND if I figure out how to load my pictures from my camera into my "shore" computer-- I will share some pictures.

Here's this week's list:

Landscaped front, side, back--- check
Bought hubby's wedding "attire"---check
Finializing on appetizers---check
Watering landscaping every day---check
Draft a letter to neighbors letting them know about the event---almost check
Starting to clear out garage where food will be served---check
Gather wedding lighting, flowers, etc...---check
Clean, clean, clean house for guest---on going check
Confirm with Pet resort---almost check
Remember how blessed our family is---check!
Lots more going on---check, check, check....

Let the parties begin! Two weekends left....

2009-08-23T10:37:00.010-05:00

Lindsay & her "Grammie" who is almost 93 years old...

It now is two weeks left before the wedding~

This weekend was the wedding shower,

bachelorette party, & the bachelor party...

The girls spent the weekend at the matron of honor's home~ Tami~ while the boys (I mean men) sported a cabin setting at Lake Anna. Kirk & Lindsay were not to talk to each other~ and the boys (I mean men)- confiscated Kirk's cell phone early in the weekend...

Two of the three flowers girlies in this pic--Lindsay, Ashley, & Gracie

A perfect "tee" for the girl's nite out with the soon to be bride!

Here are most of the girl's who will be boarding the shiny black party bus to go wine testing....

Party! The party bus was huge- well accommodating~ and I hear was loads of fun!

Wedding three week countdown...fun!

2009-08-16T20:49:00.018-05:00

Lindsay & Kirk this weekend

The wedding between my youngest son Kirk & Lindsay will be in three weeks~~ and at this point we ALL needed just family time~ fun and laughs~ just being together.

With the wedding plans in full gear, Lindsay getting ready to begin her Ph D program at George Washington University, and a whole lot of other things going on...

It was a blessing to have all the kids come for the weekend...

So with this in mind ALL the kiddos came either into town, or took the short drive over~

AND everyone slept over~~~ and we had some fun! Here's how the weekend went~

and we certainly had alot of laughs!!!

First: This is my daughter Tami. Tami is Lindsay's matron of honor. My daughter Tami is very talented and can touch her nose with her tongue.
But wait...

We learned Ms. Lindsay can touch her nose with her tongue too!
Such talented ladies.

Next Lindsay sported a perfectly formed handstand at the edge of the pool.... BUT Kirk thought he would try to "out shine" his finance with his version.

It was sad--very sad...Kirk actually asked us if his legs were straight and together? Is he kidding?

It was just over a year ago that our oldest son Joey & Jodi were married...

Just a picture of Lindsay and my daughter Tami

when they are not entertaining the family with their talents..

And one final picture of our son-in-law (Tami's husband Mike) with his version of

a flip into the pool...

Go Mike!

Welcome to the family Ms. Lindsay! We love you!

Four Week Wedding Countdown Begins...

2009-08-09T18:40:00.017-05:00

Lindsay & Kirk sitting on the dock finalizing wedding preparations... The next time they come down to the Eastern shore~ they will be married here.

We had a terrific weekend down on the Eastern Shore! Kirk & Lindsay~ will be married in just 4 weeks on our Eastern Shore property. We all went down to finalize wedding preparations.

Kirk & Lindsay enjoying some sun...

Lindsay created the wedding "blue prints.

Lindsay decided that following the wedding ceremony appetizers & drinks will be served here~ along side the water~ graced with little tables, candle lighting, etc...before dinner is served under the tent...

Lindsay takes a phone call, but cautiously watches Kirk as he cuts the Cambridge Rum soap that will be gifted to family & friends at the wedding...

Wedding favors filled with Cambridge Rum handmade soap...Lindsay & Kirk also have another wedding favor for their guests~ but that will be a surprise!

They made time for some Maryland crabs~ just caught off our dock.

In our yard are Maryland's state flower: Black Eye Susans in full bloom...

Soon to be house guests will reap the benefits of fresh linens washed & lined dried under the delicate warm breeze from the water...

All in all there is still LOTS to do in the next 4 weeks...

And we look forward to sharing this everybody

Waterfront wedding soon...

2009-08-01T19:39:00.006-05:00

Our youngest son Kirk & his fiance Lindsay

Last year I blogged a wedding countdown for my oldest son~ who married an Eastern shore gal on our "land" property. I blogged the final four weeks getting ready, etc... If you go to my blog labels on the left side and click on wedding soon or wedding~ you will see what it took us to host 240 people on our property... For a peek at last year's May wedding go here: http://underthewillowgifts.blogspot....esfinally.html/

THIS YEAR we are hosting my youngest son's wedding on our Eastern Shore waterfront property in 5 weeks. Next week I will start a blog countdown of the last four weeks of getting "wedding ready." Here's a pic of our youngest son Kirk and his fiance Lindsay "walking" the area were the ceremony will take place (since this pic was taken the dock has been extended, etc..)

They have done alot of work to get "wedding ready" and I look forward to sharing this blessed event with everyone.... AND BOY HAS EVERYONE BEEN BUSY!

Beautiful Painting...

2009-05-05T19:18:00.008-05:00

My swap items from Tammy at Yarbrough House
I'm part of the Cottage forum and recently participated in a spring swap. My swap partner was Tammy from NC--- I received some beautiful items including a cottage dish bird feeder, adorable apron and a lovely painting- that her sister had painted...

Also- her sister is having a giveaway; in which, she is giving away one of her beautiful creations. To enter the giveaway go http://whimsyartstudio.blogspot.com/. I entered because I am hoping that my random number is picked to receive another one of her beautiful paintings...

To visit Tammy's blog visit here ~ it's pure cottage charm

and all about "Living in an older home and all that it entails."

When a bird is not just a bird...

2009-04-23T19:24:00.009-05:00

One of the photo on cards created by Teresa ~ a dear blogging friend of mine

A bird is not just a bird when the photo is made into a beautiful card...

and this was just one of many cards she sent.

Here is a flock of birds in the sky making a beautiful V formation...

Earlier this week I was gifted some exquiste cards from sweet Teresa at Life, Homesteading , and Everything. This was totally a surprise and certainly warmed my heart.

A captured rainbow...I love this!

Believe me my "photos" of these cards don't do them justice...the trouble I am having is do I frame them or share them with someone...ummmm...

For a real treat you need to visit Teresa & her tadpoles . Teresa and her family are super super smart cookies! You will love their blog about home life, natural living, creating everything from home cooked meals, gardening, handmade paper, and even lovely handcrafted pottery!

Thank you so much~ I love each and every one of them!

Granddog to the doctor

2009-03-27T21:19:00.008-05:00

Caesar with the Vet and assistant....Awww....

Last weekend when my oldest son asked my husband and me to take his "little baby" for a re-check on a foot injury.... of course we said "SURE". He had to work, and his new bride would be out of town.

BUT I'll be honest we both wondered and worried about the trip to the VET the night before...After all Caesar is a rottie---a very very LARGE rottie--but as sweet as they come...So we had a plan-as long as Caesar cooperated from the house to the car to the VET office and back... and he did with flying colors... All that worrying....nawww not us (smile)...not for a minute!

You want me up where????

For a walk before going into the VET....Is that a horse harness?---YEP

Although Caesar's foot was healing fine (nail went through the foot)...acouple days later it blew up- and he had to have surgery (awwwwwwwwwww)-- but he's home now with his family Dad Joey, Mommie Jodi--sister Cleo and brother Snoop...

Here's Snoop~ a black lab who is the brother of our yellow lab Bella.

September Wedding Plans...

2009-02-23T18:22:00.010-05:00

Lindsay & Kirk planning where the vows will be said... 2/09

The September wedding plans are well on their way. As most of you know-we had a wedding last May at our home on the West side of the Eastern Shore Bay Bridge. There our oldest son Joey & Jodi married on a beautiful May day.

This September wedding will be our youngest son Kirk & fiance Lindsay. This time the wedding will be on the East side of the Bay Bridge at our home on the water. Lots to do! Since the kids have most of the wedding plans under their belt-my husband and I have our hands full restoring the two car garage into a "cottage/studio"---and a bit more! Lindsay & Kirk deciding where the tent will go... here? Or... 2/09

Could be here....room for a tent to hold about 100... 2/09

But what ever they decide I'm sure will be perfect... and it's wonderful to see them planning & dreaming. Our family is blessed. 2/09

The Winner!

2009-02-05T20:12:00.004-05:00

After a late cozy dinner with our youngest son and his fiance~ I wrote seven names of the people who had left comments during the last week, on little scraps of paper~ folded the little papers--tucked them in a little basket--and drew a name...GINGER is the winner!

Ginger I will be sending your way the two gifts bags (and something else tucked in too!)---and your package should arrive before Valentine's Day. I hope you enjoy!

Thank you everyone who left a comment! I love to hear from everyone!

Love of Fabric and Giveaway!

2009-01-28T16:22:00.014-05:00

Two soft flannel "loveable" 9" by 11" fabric giftbags for any commentor

~ randomly chosen on February 5th---so lots of time to receive before Valentine's Day!

I love girlie fabrics...

If you LOVE fabric like I do~ you will be able to relate to this post. A fabric store or good online fabric shop is like a candy store to me...I simply can't resist it! It's snowy outside so it was a good day to go through the mountains of fabric (some I forgot about) and make some what order to my sewing room... still LOTS to do!

I love holiday plaids and soft fleeces...

I love toiles of many sorts...

I love sweet ribbons...

I love lots of fabric storage containers...

I love my favorite fabric storage~an old oak glass bookcase

I love my sewing machine cover a friend made for me..I love that my sewing cutting table is hiding under this mess!

And I really LOVE this little sign a dear friend gave me...

What do I do with all this fabric? I sew LOTS of Billows (small pillows of comfort) gift bags, and totes....and an array of many other things...

Two Awards!

2009-01-22T17:16:00.013-05:00

Now that I have my laptop back it's time to catch up on some very nice things that have happened from special ladies I have met through the blogging world... Jackie sent my way the Bloggy Goodness Award ~ while Ginger sent my way the Heart Award for friends... If you need a moment to warm your heart~ you must visit both Ginger and Jackie. And boy am I jealous~ even though this two do not live close they will be able to visit one day soon!

There are so many wonderful dear friends that I have met and would like to share both awards with a good handful of them including: Teresa & her creative tadpoles-Life Homesteading and Everything, Susie Q-The Charming Garden in My Head, Michelle,- Soap Pixie Heather-, One Bubble at a Time, Trisha, - Suds to Love, Elizabeth, - Gassner Custom Soaps, Heidi,- Soap Acholics Anonymous (and she's having an awesome give-away), and dear Joanna owner of Product Body---and who just opened a store in Florida----check it out at located in Jupiter, Florida (that's in northern Palm Beach County) at 633 North Alternate A1A (north of Indiantown Road and south of Center Street). If you're in the area, please stop in, see the formulary, meet Joanna, and get the freshest handmade body products possible! And tell her I sent you!

Now I know I could have listed more bloggy buddies--but you're next! Also, to the gals listed above- pick one or both- and pass along when you get a chance in this hectic world....

And I must say to everyone-take the time to visit one or all of the above---it will be like taking a trip around the world- and who knows- you may just meet someone with the same interests as yourself, someone to warm your heart, and learn alot about life itself....enjoy!

And BIG HUGS to Jackie and Ginger

for passing along these wonderful Awards my way!!!

CAMBRIDGE RUM!

2009-01-14T20:04:00.005-05:00

Cambridge Rum Handmade Soap now tucked inside a muslin bag...
It may be cold outside but you can be toasty inside ~ and smelling wonderful when using our best selling handmade soap CAMBRIDGE RUM!

Hands down this is our best seller~ loved by both men & women. It a blend of rich bay rum with warm spices that are long lasting even after you shower...

And as requested I have now added a muslin bag to tuck all the CAMBRIDGE RUM soap bars in...this way they can be placed in a drawer, hung in a closet (even a car), tucked in a suitcase or consider them packaged enough to give as a gift!

This soap is made the cold process method and cured for weeks before it is sold...rich, but delicate and loaded with skin loving ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil and there are NO artificial coloring added...

I hope you enjoy! If you would like to purchase some CAMBRIDGE RUM handmade soap you can pop over to the Under the Willow Gift Shoppe blog here or go to my Etsy shop here.

Catching Up!

2009-01-13T20:40:00.015-05:00

My kiddos ~ Tami, Kirk (will be married September 5th), and Joey who was married this past May...

Just got my laptop back from the "shop"~ so much to catch up on! The holidays were wonderful~ super family time~ feeling blessed by each day with each one of them! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Jodi & Joey (the newlyweds!) also called J & J

Kirk & Lindsay (engaged to be married September 5th!)

Tami & her daughters~ my granddaughters

Two of our dogs (Charlie & Bella) on Christmas~ loving the attention!

More love to our newest little rescue!

Holiday Project: Taking a wall down at our beach house- Yikes!

Home improvement is always a family affair as our oldest son adds some wainscotting on the walls..

In our family everyone gets to help! Our granddaughters are learning

very young the art of home improvement...

My granddaugher playing with drywall mud~ making a masterpiece....

During holiday break our granddaughters feeding the birds from our dock

And finally my oldest granddaughter at her very 1st sewing lesson on her new sewing machine I gave her for Christmas... She made a dog blanket for her fav stuffed toy...it was fun!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T13:09:00.003-05:00

Happy as it has been~ my laptop screen took a dive...and in the "shop" it will go. Once it returns I will be able to post some grand highlites of the past few weeks~ and visit more.

Stay safe, happy~ and in touch!

Three Little Reindeer...

2008-12-19T22:43:00.013-05:00

Well sort of... it was my plan to photo our three (yes-three-meet Charlie tonite!)- adorned with tiny reindeer antlers...What a nite! I really don't know why I thought 1. They would want to wear these little "antlers", 2. They would cooperate and sit still---ALL TOGETHER, and 3. I now give animal photographers all the kudos in the world!!!!

Charlie...

First meet Charlie- a darling little rescue that came to us last week. Sad story-- a family left him to fend for himself when they were forced out of their home from a foreclosure...neighbors fed him, but he soon got sick and someone called the animal control to pick him up.

Luckily he was placed in an amazing hospital- nursed back to health- AND a LOUD call from an angel named Eileen from the Kingsbrook Animal Hospital went out to "SAVE" this special little dog... I took one look at his picture-and fell in love...we had to act fast before he went back to the animal control because he was looking at certain death....tomorrow we sign the "official" papers- because he is now in his FOREVER home. We love Charlie and so do our granddaughters, & our other rescues Bella~ Cinderella & Sweet Sam. Bella sniffed Charlie's antlers...ummm are these real?

Bella rather liked them....lots of treats involved...

Sam & Charlie (I think Charlie is laughing!)

Anyway it was fun trying to get a group picture-

Maybe next year...I should be wrapping- I haven't wrapped ONE present yet....better get going.... I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and wonderful holiday!!!!!

Fabulous Weekend!

2008-12-02T21:02:00.017-05:00

Handcrafted plate by Tadpole#2

The day after Thanksgiving~ our whole family headed to the Eastern shore for a short holiday~ as if Thanksgiving wasn't a blessing enough (hosted 23 people!) with a mix of dear family & friends at our home...

As soon as we returned I received a package from Teresa & Tadpole #2~ from Life, Homesteading & Everything~I had purchased a handmade pottery dish (Tadpole#2) that craftsmanship is outstanding, adorable lego soaps for my granddaughters made by Tadpole#1, and some beautiful handmade paper (yes handmade paper) adorned with photos. And as a surprise I also received a lovely dove soap (beau-ti-ful), and some handmade tags with photos placed on them also.

Lego soaps, beautiful white dove soap, handmade cards with real handmade paper & beautiful photos from Teresa & her son Tadpole#2

As you can tell by the pictures...this is a "stand-out" family
beaming with talent~all natural inspired.

Thank you Teresa & Tadpole#2!!!!!

The whole weekend we had a fabulous time as we spent the entire time with our children. Our oldest son & new bride hosted a FIVE STAR dinner that was unbelievable~ and all prepared in their newly completed cottage kitchen fit for a KING OR QUEEN. My son & daughter-in-law prepared some wonderful dishes that put everyone in awe...and very very full! There was...

Glazed cranberry sauce that was a super hit...and left with a handful of people to take home...

Peek at the kitchen~ the hallway in the back was painted with a warm pumpkin & detailed craftsmanship mouldings....

Pork loin tenderized with a special marinate with the cranberry sauce over it...

Stuffed chicken breast filled with tomato pesto & cream cheese~yum!

Fresh green beans with garlic, potatoes ready to be mashed & my daughter-in-law grannies family famous deviled eggs! (Oh-- I am trying to copy that deviled egg recipe!!!!!)

And for dessert my daughter-in-law made the most WONDERFUL pumpkin pies, DIRT (yummy mix of Oreo cookies, whipped cream, pudding, etc....), and some peanut butter mini cheesecakes.....AND NO the pictures of these were tooooo dark-darn because she is a fabulous baker that was soooo unbelievable!!!!! We love it all......................... a marriage made in heaven-he cooks, she bakes.............

The newlyweds J & J............. wonderful hosts!

and here's my youngest son with his new beautiful fiance~ enjoying the nite!

And what would a weekend be without a handmade craft project with my granddaughters? To see how they made ALOT of money that night visit my Mud Puddle Girl Blog here.

This little Billow traveled over the pond...

2008-11-19T18:33:00.005-05:00

Lambie Pie Billow & Whispering Willow Storybook card included...

I know most think of Under the Willow as selling soaps, but our original creation are the "Billows"~ they are small pillows of comfort. And one little Billow made it's way across the ocean to France~ I was thrilled to think of a little Billow in the arms of a little someone, somewhere very far. The sweetest person who sent this gift to a niece was nice enough to let me know it had arrived safely--she wrote:

Hi Carrie

I just thought I would let you know that the BIllow arrived safely and my niece has emailed with glorious thanks. She loved it and was bowled away by it.So, once again, thanks for your usual swift and efficient service and wonderful billows.

Kind regards

Visit Under the Willow gifts to see more Billows...

Enchanting Gifts...

2008-11-10T21:09:00.014-05:00

Perennial Grace Datebook
It's Monday nite...cold here on the East coast...and did I mention it's Monday? It's the hardest day of the week for me-but my heart was about to be warmed up. Outside my front door was a package from a friend I've never met in person-but has become a very very dear friend. Ginger from Enchanting Cottage blog sent me a heart warming package filled with gifts that are so uplifting...it doesn't matter it's Monday or cold outside.

Autumn Pumpkin towel with a cookie cutter & recipe

As I opened it my husband sighed, "Well look at that." My dear friend Ginger sent: A Perennial Grace 2009 Date Book- with beautiful saying, graceful birds, and plenty of room to write daily notes. A beautiful Thomas Kinkade (painter of light) coffee mug that I will fill with the Pumpkin spice coffee she sent with the Almond Biscottis, and the cutest pumpkin towel with a recipe for Pumpkin sugar cookies (oh-the granddaughters will be making these with me)...and cookie cutter.

Thomas Kinkade coffee mug sitting on the Pumpkin Spice coffee...

I wanted to post all these wonderful gifts tonite--so I could start using them all! And I am really going to enjoy reading all the saying in the datebook...here is one from Mother Teresa...

Dear Ginger--thank you from the bottom of my heart~ you are truly an angel.

So beautiful!

If you want to read a wonderful blog that is uplifting, fun and wonderfully Christian you need to visit Ginger at Enchanting Cottage~ it will certainly warm your heart too.

Circle of Friends...

2008-11-03T21:46:00.005-05:00

I love this picture of the Circle of Friends...

Michelle from Soap Pixie blog sent this award my way....Michelle is one of the nicest people I have met through blogging...she's creative, SUPER MOM, thoughtful and has some wonderful blogs...Hugs to you Michelle! And since there are SO many friends I have met~ I am including them all~ and will leave it up to them to pass this along to a special friend....

"The rules for acceptance of the award are as follows: Pick 8 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on their creativity, design, interesting material and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language. Congratulations and please pass the award to others who are deserving. Share the friendship........x

Halloween Spirit...BOO!

2008-11-02T20:15:00.009-05:00

When my husband & I visited our youngest son & NEW fiance...we could hardly believe what we saw! They had decked out their front porch...in an unbelievable--scarey--super Halloween magic... They live on a busy road so probably thousands of passerby'ers had a fun view of this "haunting old historical home...."

And to top it off...LOOOOOOKKKKK what my camera captured---a GHOST perhaps???? Yikes!

What fun it was to see this display...fun, ghouly, and very "spirited"! What a fun loving couple!!!!

And on another Halloween note: Teresa & Tadpole#1 from Life, Homesteading & Everything sent some Halloween goodies to my granddaughters... I hijacked the pictures from Teresa- but only until I get the pictures, my daughter promised to take, of the wonderful Halloween package sent their way... so for now take a peek....

Halloween bags handcrafted by Ms. Teresa & Spooky Adorable soaps hand crafted by Tadpole#1 (wow!)--could this be any cutier??????

Billows...

2008-10-20T18:44:00.006-05:00

You know that Under the Willow makes handmade soaps and bath & body products, BUT did you know that we trademarked the Billow as a small pillow of comfort? They are custom 12 by 17 inches of cuddly comfort, all come lined with coordinating fabric~ washable~ and loved by people of all ages. Popular Billows have been the Breast Cancer Awareness Billow~ and our original Billow called, "My 1st Billow." BUT there are many Billows for everyone...after all our motto is:

"When you need to hold a pillow tight~ the size of this Billow may be just right."

All the Billows come with an exclusive Whispering Willow Storybook Cards. Themes included:

My 1st Billow~ reminisce of a child giving up a blanket or favorite toy

Spirit, Hope, Belief & Courage~ breast cancer awareness~ printed on seed paper
Simply Thinking of You~ Why wait? Let someone know you are thinking of them now

All cards are copyrighted by Under the Willow

To see more Billows please visit: Under the Willow Gift Shoppe

Animal Lover's Billow~ Dog Lover's

Good enough for Martha Stewart...

2008-10-14T20:45:00.009-05:00

Well kinda, sort of...but she (ya know Martha) did highlite my soaps on her website. SOOOO if it's good enough for her~ I'm thinking it just may be good enough for you. Am I trying to get you to try some handmade soap made from the goodness of natural ingredients, made in a real dedicated soap kitchen, under a real Willow tree? Yep. You can now find Under the Willow handmade soaps here or here.
AND...This is the soap basket I sent to Martha as a thank you, filled with the best of the best...And well, I thought I would at least received a "generic" thank you or note....BUT I never heard a word~ I wonder what Ms. Manner's would say? But really it didn't matter, it was just a thrill to be noted on Martha's website. I forgive her (smile).

Etsy Shop and New Website!

2008-10-12T11:03:00.005-05:00

I have opened an Etsy shop! There are so many beautiful handmade products, many made in the USA! Take a peek if you get a chance. My Etsy here.

Also, I thought I could I live without a website, but I found one that was less expensive, simple to use. It can be found here. The new website is called:

Under the Willow Gift Shop.

Engaged!

2008-10-07T20:45:00.009-05:00

The special moment!
This Saturday we had a blessed event at our home. The plan was to gather family, and dearest friends...and it went off beautifully~ not a dry eye in our home.
Our youngest son Kirk, asked Lindsay to marry him~ and the answer was YES! Words can not describe how happy we are for Lindsay & Kirk. And we are SOOOOOO happy to welcome Lindsay to our family.
Wedding plans? Ummm.........of course that was the BIG question, but I hear perhaps in the spring or even next fall. For us it doesn't matter, we are just happy that our family (again) is blessed to add such a special member to our family.
For those who remember our oldest son, Joey married beautiful Jodi (here) just this last May. The honeymooners are still happily in a bliss.

Life is good.

My mom & dad with Kirk & Lindsay

Post Script: Go to my Mud Puddle Girl blog to see a magnificent give away gift I received from Trisha/Suds to Love

Fun weekend...NO shoes required!

2008-09-28T22:15:00.027-05:00

Mix water with grandchildren (2), family, friends, add some dogs (4), snails, exploring, puddles, & fishing with rain showers in between...I'd say it was a wonderful weekend! This was the first time our granddaughters came down to visit our new waterfront home... The first thing my oldest granddaughter told me was that she received a book in the mail that she had a drawing in. She was sooooo excited to share the book with her school teacher and classmates. And of course we were so very proud about it all! To read more about it please go to my Mud Puddle Girl blog spot here... You can read more about this wonderful book here. The rest of the weekend was filled with wonderful memories, lots of family & friends... The ducks on our dock were waiting for our visitors to arrive...And when they came they realized they had forgotten their shoes! But we told them that they didn't need shoes to..

Go crab fishing with their Paw Paw...

Climb the BIG tree in our backyard...

And you certainly don't need shoes to splash in muddles here and...

or here too...

And there are NO shoes required to find...

Snails from the water...

After all the dogs don't wear shoes...BUT you might want to wear shoes when the crab pot has a little visitor...

What's that?

A Maryland blue crab! The girls were thrilled. It was released back into the water...

Later in the day, after the granddaughters headed home, we met with the honeymooners and their family at a High Street festival... even a little rain didn't spoil some fun!

High Street Festival...crafts, food, music=Fun!

The honeymooners met us there... J & J (Joey & Jodi)

And to make the weekend so perfectly sweet our daughter in law's parents and grandparents came by our new home and gave us...

Jodi's parents gave us this beautiful water picture with some wonderful wine...and Jodi's grandparents Mary Ann & Howard gave us this beautiful flag with a pole we plan to display at our hew home....Such a warm, thoughtful, and wonderful family our son has married into.

We feel blessed....

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Away for a couple days...

2008-09-17T21:14:00.012-05:00

...And when we got back into town I was visiting some of my favorite blogs & found I had won an award from Ginger...she is a very special friend I have met through blogging... (I'm the one with the glasses in red---I wear them to see the computer :) ))) Thank you Ginger!

I would love this cute~ sweet award go to Teresa who always has such a fun & interesting blog to follow~ filled with homesteading tips from garden harvests to even making paper. Her family is truly a hands on family on her beautiful homestead....

During the last several days...my husband & I finalized the purchase of a waterfront home, that one day may be our retirement home...Here are several pics of our first night/day on the water....

Our backyard as we watched our first sunset...

Moving "stuff" in...but we forgot one thing...

Oops...a coffee cup...my husband had to have his coffee in a wine glass from the night before...

The dogs head out to see the morning ducks...

Before we left I placed a fall wreath on the front door... hopefully the granddaughters will be with us next weekend. We can't wait to sit on the dock with them & fish & feed the morning ducks...

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Busy With Summer Days...

2008-09-01T19:01:00.011-05:00

I know I haven't been able to post much because we have been trying to squeeze in all the summer days we can...family, friends, traveling to the eastern shore, and close to settling on a waterfront home...

There have been weekends with the grandchildren & granddoggies...

Lots of apple picking...

Learning the fine art of climbing a tree..

Granddoggie learns to swim & everyone is there to cheer the puppy on!

After months of just sitting in Buddy's new/old boat in our driveway (smile) it goes out in the water this weekend for the 1st time! Vroom......

And finally the backside view of the waterfront home we are about to purchase...I'll post more pics of this home and water when the purchase is final...Buddy always wanted a home on the water...it will be our little piece of heaven...a place where the door will always be open for all family & friends to gather~ and right off the dock are some of the best Maryland Crabs ready to be cooked!

First Spirtual Sunday post...

2008-08-03T15:26:00.008-05:00

A picture from Heaven...

Ginger from Enchanted Cottage & Charlotte from At Home in Scottsdale came up with a such a wonderful idea... They are co-hosting a blog called Spirtual Sundays. I believe it will warm the hearts of many...

My post is about a picture painted for my husband & myself. As a wedding gift we asked my mother-in-law to paint us a picture of what she thought heaven would look like. This was her vision....

Little did we know then that she would leave this world within 5 years of giving us this beautiful wedding gift...Cancer had taken her in a short 4 month period. I love this beautiful painting~ so dear to my heart, and it is displayed in our foyer.... Today I think of her everyday & miss her dearly...

Sweetest Thank You Gift...

2008-07-15T17:56:00.005-05:00

I received this package this weekend, via my new daughter-in-law, from one of her grandmothers...Mary Ann or as everyone knows her as "Grannie". How sweet & thoughtful! A gift bag was filled with wonderful treasures...New Orleans cafe Southern Pecan coffee, a warming pillow that smells like orange/cinnamon cloves (yum!), and an absolutely beautiful handcrafted spoon made by woman crafters from the village of South River, South Africa.

Grannie's note said, "Thanks for making this a special day." She was referring to the wedding of her granddaughter to our oldest son. I say, "Grannie~ thank you for such lovely gifts, your thoughtfulness, & such a beautiful daughter-in-law we are blessed to have in our family.

Okay~ now I'm off to open the Southern Pecan coffee~ I LOVE pecans!!!!

Give Away!

2008-07-09T21:04:00.002-05:00

Whimsical Willow Soap Fairy give away here.

Tonite's Unexpected Visitor....

2008-06-30T19:40:00.009-05:00

"Well look at that" my husband said pointing to the kitchen window...We think it was a white Dove. Was it? As I moved closer to take more pictures, the white bird wasn't scared...

I was able to move right next to the window...
and closer...Only when we went outside it flew up on our garage...
My Buddy tried to have the bird come down on his hand...We think it wanted to, so we think this bird was not wild. Even Bella wanted the bird to come down...

Here's Bella wishing the bird would come down...

Does anyone know if this was a Dove? It did fly away. We really wished we could have caught it ~ thinking it was someone's missing pet...

Post Script: The sighting of a white dove means~ Peace. It was a very warm feeling that a white dove decided to visit us out of the blue tonite. I hope to makes it appearance again...

Backyard flicks from a car phone...

2008-06-28T08:26:00.008-05:00

Isn't technology sweet? My Buddy took these pictures with his little ole' car phone of our backyard...This is his "haven" & he sits out here every night listening to the waterfall...

Buddy also takes a swim every night before turning in...

And only if you DARE go to my Mud Puddle Girl blog here to see what you DON'T want to visit your backyard...

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Real "Suds to Love"...

2008-06-21T18:12:00.009-05:00

Tower of Handmade Soaps from "Suds to Love"

Made with skin loving ingredients like: Cocoa butter,

shea butter,palm kernel oil, & castor oil...oh-la-la!

When Trisha from Suds to Love emailed me to ask if I'd try some of her soaps, I course I was excited to say, "Yes." I had been following her informative trials of soaps making & as a bonus watching her family grow from two adorable pups (Roscoe & Howie) to her newest pup precious little Ellie Mae. What I didn't expect was the GRAND package that arrived in my mail box. Before I even opened the mailbox door~ I knew the package arrived!

Pure fresh soap heaven all wrapped up, & what I thought would be 1 or 2 bars of soaps turned out to be 8 bars! Now I haven't "soaped" yet with the bars, but if they are anything like they look...

Wonderful handmade soaps...all mine!

Trisha-ya nailed several things...the packaging was simple, but ohhhh so adorable with mixed papers matching the scent in hand, the swirls, the fragrances & their names.

Names like: Honeysuckle, Black Pepper Lime, Sweet Mango Sorbet, Niagara Falls, Champagne Energy, White Truffle Raspberry, Washai Green Tea, & Iced Carrot Cake.

It was more than a delight to open this package, especially since a lot of these scents were new to me. A fav? It would be really really hard to say, but here's a glimpse of some of them: Honeysuckle~ right off the bat reminded me of my grandmother's honeysuckle bushes in Leominister, Mass., Niagara Falls~ darn can't nail that fresh scent, but I may use this one first, & Iced Carrot Cake- Trisha-don't change a thing on this one, it's perfect, White Truffle Raspberry- looks like thick fudge, smells like sweet candy! And I will admit I have never seen black soap, which was the Black Pepper Lime one~ and no I didn't sneeze & I can smell the hint of lime.

Well Trisha~ What an amazing package! I really was floored, and sooooo gracious of your generosity. Many many thanks!!!! And a big HUG to you!!!
Suds to Love shop opening???

Sunset under the willow...

2008-06-18T19:49:00.004-05:00

Sunset under our willow...

Our carriage house was built nestled underneath...
This picture was taken tonite. It was twenty-two years ago in that very spot that my husband & I would park our car (okay station wagon with wood paneling) on our empty lot & be in aww... of the view~ dreaming of building our home. That view was perhaps what sold us on this lot. In those years alot has changed, but it's nice knowing somethings will never change...

The sunsets Under the Willow are still magnificant.

Happy Father's Day...Dad

2008-06-15T08:00:00.017-05:00

Coach "Dad" & me...

Father's Day Story to my Dad...

When I was in high school I was part of a pom pon squad. I was captain both my junior & senior year. The first year NO one wanted the position & the second year I was elected.

My junior year we had competed in a pom pon competition and were horrified when we placed 13 out of 14. That night my dad took me aside and asked if I wanted a "winning" team the following year. I thought~ of course I did, but it hardly seemed likely... I wondered what my father had in mind...after all he was a West Point grad....and he said he would be our "coach."

First he set rules of practice: 1. NO practicing in dresses, 2. Sneakers or saddles shoes, 3. There would be warm ups (lots), 4. We would practice (DRILLED) everyday~ and that meant through our summer vacation, 5. We would have committees for everything, and IMPORTANTLY 6. We had to be DIFFERENT...he said this would set us apart from the rest...

Coaching...

We drilled & marched on our high school track what seemed like miles everyday...

So with the embarrassing defeat in mind, and my Dad's West Point determination we practiced, NO let me correct that ~we drilled, we actually started to work as a team, and we found what would make us DIFFERENT.

As you can see, NOT all practices were fun for me....

In the beginning we couldn't get our legs going in the same direction, same height...we looked terrible...

But finally we all started to "get it". Kicks the same height...(me on the front left)

Back in the 70's all pom-pon squads used pom poms to entertain~ marching, swirling the poms during all sport events... Then our "routine committee" came up with the DIFFERENT that is still being used today...We simply dropped our poms during the routine, and went into a high kick routine. This simple change was the DIFFERENT that made a difference...

Off to a competion...we were even drilled to stand, look, wear our hair...we learned to be a team. (Me on the right)

So with lots of hard practice, determination, change in attitude, updated uniforms, and a DAD that knew we could do it...We took the state by storm the following year~ winning every competition we set our foot on, and changing the look of pom-pon performing to this day.
Performing...
Our "story" was noted so much in our state, that we had a book published by Orlino Castro, titled RPH 30 (Robert Peary High School~ 30 girls), about this story of determination and becoming champions.

The book...

A page from the book. Practice does make perfect...

Our "story" was noted so much in our state, that we had a book published by Orlino Castro, titled RPH 30 (Robert Peary High School~ 30 girls), about this story of determination and becoming champions.

Dad proudly holding one of our winning trophies that year...

The last page of the book... It reads, "The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point..."

Looking back how lucky was I to have a DAD so involved, so determined, a person who really believed that the impossible could be possible. I treasure those memories...thank you DAD.

Lazy Weekend...

2008-06-08T12:32:00.010-05:00

Buddy & I needed rest so we headed for the Eastern Shore... As you can see Bella needed some rest too. She had a lazy weekend at our beach house... (Bella get off that couch!)

Buddy sat on the front porch and watched the traffic go by...

J & J

Jodi & Joey were near by so they met us for dinner. We had dinner with the "newlyweds" at our favorite restaurant in Cambridge called "Portside." Behind J & J is the draw-bridge going up...

I love this draw-bridge that is next to our fav restaurant (Portside). The restaurant is only a stone throws away from our beach house, so we can walk... Over the bridge is the historical part of Cambridge with brick roads and quaint shops. It's a sleepy little town near the Eastern Shore, friendly, waterfront, and the best seafood in Maryland!

Oh.... we had to go home. This is the tail end of the 4 mile Bay Bridge crossing the Chesapeake Bay...that leads to the Maryland Eastern Shore. When traveling to the Eastern Shore, timing is everything~ or you will be stuck in traffic for miles. At home I look forward to trying my new Products from Product Body. I ordered some VELVET Product Body sugar scrub, and Joanna (owner of Product Body) was super super sweet & thoughtful to tuck in goodies like: Pink Grapefruit cream, yummy Butter Scrub & a WOW of a Bath Bomb Fizzy.
I love the new bail container shown with the Velvet Product Body sugar scrub. I plan on re-using this earth friendly container to hold notions in my craft area. Great idea~ Joanna! I love all these products! What a way to end the weekend....ahhhhhhhhh