Happy St. Patty’s Day!

It’s going to be a beautiful day! The sun is shining, I have my day planned and we are going to have a fabulous dinner.

Please excuse my absence… I am back on track… I hope…
I have vowed not to take on anymore long term commitments for quite a while.

With that being said, I finished hosting and coordinating the 2009 Magless Exchange!
I honestly could not have done it without John. He really did most of the work. I just made sure all the ducks were in a row and answered all the correspondence.
I think because the participation number was down this year, the level of difficulty was way up! It was quite an experience. I made a walnut using the freeze and fuse method. I learned quite a lot.

Yesterday I tangoed with my sewing machine and it nearly won but I declared victory in the end. New product shots coming soon! Now onto the camera…

I was up until 1am last night banging my head against a wall over my crappy pictures and finally gave in and read the camera manual. Wow! Go figure! They actually tell you how to operate the thing and give you instruction on improving your pictures. Why I have to be so stubborn about reading directions I’ll never know. So today I’m going to FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS and see if I can’t improve on my product pictures. Any help/suggestions are welcome.

Besides taking pictures, it’s going to be 60 degrees today and the kids need some fresh air! We’ll be heading out on the deck for some sunshine and play before nap time. Now I know I’ll get a good picture out there!

Tonight for dinner we are having corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots. And if I have time I’m going to make John some brownies for dessert. It’s going to be awesome!

A Present of $7300 to Myself and My Family

So it has been a little over 4 years since I quit smoking.
I feel better and I smell better.
I am no longer killing myself and everyone else around me. I’ve apologized to my husband and children for being so selfish.
And the money I have saved… Holy cow!

I no longer have the seasonal cough, I no longer stand out in the cold to get my fix and I no longer search for extra change to cover the cost of my filthy habit.

I quit cold turkey. I just said “No more.” Sure it was hard. Once the suet in my lungs loosened I choked for a week coughing it up. It wasn’t pretty. But is smoking?
I watch people who smoke now and wonder if I had looked that desperate to suck on something so harmful.

I guess the fact that I and the ones around me will lead a longer, healthier life is a bigger present.
Now I just have to quit eating all this chocolate… LOL!

Shop Online

Only three more days until this month’s newsletter drawing! Please sign up for your chance to win the fused green glass pendant with 22k gold leaf, Newton’s Spicy Side soap and a very colorful soap sack.
As most of you know, I do an enormous amount of online shopping. I just like too. It affords you the ability to drink a cup of coffee and contemplate your purchases. It also allows you to let your children run around like banshees without anyone becoming upset. Well anyone but you that is. LOL!
Today I’d like to note some of my favorites. Not only do these companies carry products that I love, want, need or can’t live without, they also provide outstanding customer service.

The Children’s Place - http://www.childrensplace.com Children’s clothing.
Etsy - http://www.etsy.com Vast selection of handmade and vintage items. (And I’m not just saying this because I sell my stuff there!)
Bramble Berry - http://brambleberry.com Huge selection of fragrances, essential oils and soap making supplies.
Ikea - http://www.ikea.com (I always pick up my merchandise.) Everything you could want for the home.
Delphi – http://www.delphiglass.com Glass supplies and other crafts.
Rings & Things – https://shop.rings-things.com Jewelry supply.
L.L. Bean – http://www.llbean.com Quality made clothing for the entire family.
Uline – http://www.uline.com Boxes and gift packaging supplies.

Yep, I shop a lot online. Try some of them out. You won’t be sorry!

Joseph is going to the homecoming dance tonight. I’ll have to remember to post a picture later. He’s going solo. Rebecca is going also and she has a date! She is wearing a beautiful black and white dress. I’ll post a picture of her too. Boy they grow up so fast.
So it will just be me, John and the babies tonight…
Maybe we’ll have a little dance of our own. LOL!
Yummy grilled sausages and chips for dinner.

September is almost OVER!

Hard to believe, eh?
Only 93 days left until Christmas!
I have new beauties in the kiln as we speak.

Our September giveaway (I know, I miss labeled the last giveaway) is a beautiful green fused glass pendant with a 22k gold leaf, an awesome smelling bar of our Newton’s Spicy Side soap (spicy apple) and a colorful Soap Sack to lather up with.
To be eligible to win these prizes just sign up for our newsletter at the right!

We have a new soap called “Red Giant”. It a fabulous cinnamon scented soap. Perfect for Christmas!

I’ll be in Ann Arbor the 5th of October for Etsy @ the Market! I’m so excited to meet some of my Etsy street team! The event is from 11am to 4pm. Please come down and see us!
Mighty Moisturizing sticks are out of stock but supplies are on their way!

Here is a picture of Jake and Johnna after eating chocolate frosted cupcakes the other day. Jake has gotten really good at getting all the chocolate in his mouth. Slow and steady wins the race. LOL!
Dinner tonight is sweet and tangy chicken, mashed potatoes and corn.

September Giveaway!!!

It’s easy to enter! Just sign up for our newsletter at the right.
Once a month you will receive an email about the happenings of Gazed-Upon Glass www.gazeduponglass.etsy.com and Cosmic Clean Body www.cosmiccleanbody.etsy.com highlighting new products, special offers only for newsletter subscribers, contests and giveaways and maybe a Collins family tried and true recipe or two.

This month’s prize is a “Smart Cookie” fused glass necklace, Newton’s Epiphany soap (red apple), and a pink, lime green and yellow crocheted cloth with hanging loop.
Perfect for going back to school!

Drawing will be held on August 31st, 2008.

*Giveaway/Contest is only open to U.S. and Canadian residents.
** Winner will be contacted by email. They will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.
*** Winner’s name and state will be posted in newsletter.
**** You may cancel your subscription to the newsletter at any time.

A Trip to Columbus, Ohio

Johnna checking stuff out at the museum.

A Pitcher plant at the conservatory.

Some Chihuly.

Butterflies that just hatched at the conservatory.

George Miskell Sr.

My grandfather passed away on the 4th of July. I had to sort of chuckle because I could see him saying that he was "claiming his independence" from his wife (not my grandmother).

I was his first grandchild.

MISKELL Sr., George LeroyBorn March 28, 1929, George passed away on July 4, 2008 at 79 years old. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary Lucille; brother William of Michigan; sister Gerri Ann of Florida; sons George Jr., and Thomas; daughters Bethany, Kathleen, and Alice; stepson Gary; and stepdaughter Patricia. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was a resident of Sacramento for 40 years and was a carpenter for 37 years. He served in the US Navy on the USS Frasier. Friends are invited to the visitation at MOUNT VERNON MEMORIAL PARK, 8201 Greenback Ln., Fair Oaks, on Wednesday, July 9th from 4 to 8 PM with the funeral services being held on Thursday, July 10th at 2 PM.

Gone but never forgotten. Behave in heaven Grandpa!