Happy New Year!

I was joking nearly a month ago when I said orders for sloth planters were going to take up all of my time.  Little did I know Christmas orders including those sloths would keep me busy past Christmas Day.  The later orders were taken with the understanding they would not be ready by Christmas.  I was blessed to be so very busy, but it meant that the holiday season basically passed me by. 

Now that we are in a new month and a new year I am hoping things get back to normal.  It is my intention to get back into the habit of writing my posts a day or two in advance so I can keep up with the blog better.  With that in mind I am off to write a goal post for 2020.  Stop back by tomorrow to see my plans for this year!

Toby

Last month Toby turned two.  It seems like just yesterday he was the tiny (and sick) puppy we rescued.  Now he is healthy and no longer tiny.  Toby loves treats, naps, and being chased.  He does not care who is chasing him.  It can be me or W, my parents' Chihuahuas, or a cat.  He is definitely spoiled as are all of the animals in our yard.

Sloths, Sloths, and More Sloths

A few months ago a friend sent me a picture of a sloth plant holder and asked me to make a couple.  She mentioned they were very popular with people who grow succulents.  I decided to list them on Etsy as well.

I sold a few here and there.  Then this past week I was slammed with orders for them.  For a small business owner that is an amazing thing.  If my posts are a bit short this week, you will know that I am busy making sloths!  

Can I just add that I love when people send me links to cute projects or ask if I can make a particular item?  Often those things turn out to be some of my best sellers.

Hello, Again!

The past few months have been a whirlwind, and I ended up letting some things fall by the wayside - the blog being one.  Most of it has had to do with my crochet business.  I was working on orders and preparing for a festival booth.  Out of the blue I get contacted by a local business owner who is setting up a marketplace on the main street filled with handmade items.  It was a great opportunity but came at a time when I was overwhelmed.  I pushed on and with help from W made it happen.  

This is just the front.  I also have items down both sides.  I have been in there a little over a month now.  I have covered my booth rent with a little extra for the first month.  Hopefully after Christmas when things settle down I can put more focus on filling it up.  For now I am excited (and a bit nervous) about the new opportunity. 

My goal for December is to get back on a regular schedule which includes blogging again. 

Weekend Book Review: Hearing God

Hearing God by Nathan Finochio leads readers to a closer relationship with God by dispelling ten myths.  The author has a very laid back writing style, and I do not mean that as a negative.  Instead the book feels more like chatting with a good friend over a cup of coffee.  Bible verses are intermixed with personal stories to convey the messages.  At the end of each chapter is a short summary which also acts as a bit of a pep talk.  Lessons are brought out without condemning the reader.  This is a wonderful book for those desiring a closer walk with God and is worth reading more than once!

disclosure:  I received this book through the Revell Reads Blogger Program but was not otherwise compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

Murder's No Votive Confidence by Christin Brecher is the first book in the Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery series.  Stella owns a candle store and has done all of the candles for an upcoming wedding.  When the bride's uncle is found murdered with the large unity candle, Stella begins sorting through suspects.  This was a nice opening novel to the series.  Stella and the other characters work well together although I can already see the beginnings of a love triangle.  I thought this was a good first book and look forward to further character development as the series progresses.

The sixth book in the Country Store Mystery series by Maddie Day is Strangled Eggs and Ham.  Robbie, owner of the Pans 'N Pancakes and the newly opened B&B, is happy to have have both of her businesses thriving.  The town is buzzing with news of a proposed resort outside of town.  Some people are in favor while others are completely opposed.  A guest at Robbie's B&B is also a lawyer and offers to help the group trying to stop the resort.  When he is found murdered ahead of a scheduled protest, those involved with the resort at the top suspects.  Several twists and turns kept me guessing until the end.

The Peach Truck Cookbook by Stephen K and Jessica N Rose promises 100 Delicious Recipes for All Things Peach.  It was fun to read about an area of Georgia that I know well with some wonderful recipes as a bonus.  My only regret is that I read this recipe after peak peach season passed so I will have to wait until next summer to try most of the recipes.  Southerners will be familiar with some of the recipes including the peach cobbler which bears a strong resemblance to the recipe most every southern grandmother used.  I am looking forward to peach season so that I can put this cookbook to use!

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Balance

This morning we got an earlier than normal wake-up call with the fire alarm going off at 4:45 am.  That is scary enough for anyone, but let it happen to two former firefighters.  We were out of the bed in seconds with W swapping pajamas for clothes and me rushing animals out into the yard.  Thankfully it was only low batteries in the smoke detector.  (Changing them is scheduled already on my calendar for next year.)  Why, oh why, could it not have given us a little beep rather than going straight into panic mode?

My thoughts on balance have two parts.  First I quickly switched from panicked to annoyed to grateful.  I know that it is easy to let life overwhelm us or problems grow and grow until we reach a breaking point.  Balance the bad with some good.  Even in the worst situations there is a reason to be thankful.  I have no problems with a good pity party, but then I try to dust myself off and go again.

The second part of balance focuses on my scheduling.  A month ago I started getting up at 6am so I had a jump start on my day mainly with chores. I decided this morning that 6am was much better for me productivity wise than getting up at 4:45am.  I did write a few book reviews though.  Balance is finding that point that works well without too much pressure.  I know that I need a certain amount of sleep and without it I can quickly become useless.  Even with a busy work schedule now I make myself (with reminders from Toby) take a break each afternoon to go outside and sit in the garden or yard.  I still cook primarily from scratch, but I  buy some convenience foods too. 

No two people are alike.  What is a good balance for me will not work for someone else.  Find your balance.  Do not let society (or social media) be your gauge.