Fri 23 Jul '10

Friday Free For All

Misc. Tidbits:

*Tomorrow is the last day of Brodie’s puppy class. He doesn’t start again until September. Nice break for us! I am still amazed at how quickly he learns stuff.

*Hot Hot Hot
Going to be at least mid-80′s over the next several days. I hope to have time over the weekend to take Brodie to a local lake. He loves the water and I’m curious to see what he does.

*A couple of weeks ago our 11 year old huge projection tv went kaput. Seems to me something like that should last a bit longer but what do I know! Hubs bought a bigger led/lcd (whatever!) hgtv flat screen….

And I LOVE it!!!!

Since it is a flat screen and I didn’t want to mount it on the wall we had to order a tv stand. I didn’t like any locally so we ordered from Hayneedle. We got the Hampton White Oak one. At this very moment it is still in the box. Hubs will assemble it this weekend! The tv has been on our coffee table for the last two weeks and it will be nice to have that back!

*Remodel
Ugh!
We have lived in this house for over 20-something years and the only thing we have ever done was paint and install carpet. The carpet was ripped up over a month ago (it was old and yucky) and I am sick of the pink and blue country-type theme our house presents.

So we decided to start re-doing the inside of our house. I have been taking pictures so I have before and after comparisons as well as a video here and there.

This will be a time consuming and long process as we both (hubs and I) don’t have a lot of spare time (we are doing this ourselves). Because we have suspected there were ‘issues’ with the smaller bathroom (since day one) hubs decided he best start there.

Good Thing.

Long story short:
Since before we moved in there was water leakage I assume from the bathtub/shower. Hubs said it looked like it was fixed once or twice but never properly. Needless to say there is a lot of rot…so much so that the entire outside wall is….gone (hubs had to remove everything-even the outside siding of the house). We have a sheet of plywood up so we can still use the bathroom without baring ourselves to our neighbors!

Half the floor has been removed so hubs can get under there and repair some of the pipe. Nothing specifically wrong with the pipe but he wants to fix it with plastic NOW while everything is open.

To fix the above mentioned pipe he will need to remove the toilet and sink.

*Panic*

We have recently gone from a two person household to a 5 person household during the week and a 7 person household during the weekends!

I have already warned everyone that we will be down to one bathroom at least for this weekend. I am keeping my fingers crossed that hubs can do the repairs quickly so at least we can get the new toilet back up and working.

Worse case scenario…
There is a park across the street that has bathrooms.
**snicker**

That’s it for now.
I have been busy keeping up with the spring/summer soap making, revamping our Fall Harvest labels, experimenting with a few new scents, getting ready to start making our fall soaps, putting together free samples for Confessions Hair Studio to hand out with every hair cut (our soaps are available at the salon).

I still as of this very moment have NOT had time to weed the flower beds. Total neglect. Looks like crap. But what do you do??
I figure if I wait long enough maybe I will just have to do it once before fall sets in.
:-)

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 16 Jul '10

Friday Free For All: New Soap!

I finally have had time to update the website with our newest soap!

In our Spirits Collection we have our current Cola Float (everyone who smells this LOVES it!)

Now added:
Gin Martini

Shaken or Stirred???

This unique fragrance begins with aldehydic bubbly top notes of club soda with warm citrus enhancements followed by middle notes of fresh rosemary, balsam fir needles, and crushed ginger, all embraced by bottom notes of crisp cedar.

In the testing phase: Southern Comfort!

Gin Martini Soap

Gin Martini Soap

We are in the process of developing a soap line promoting the use of industrial hemp. The current ‘hemp’ soaps available now do not contain hemp oil as we are simply testing out the fragrances first. Once we nail down the fragrance line we will modify the formula to include hemp oil.

Each hemp soap is handstamped with the hemp image and decorated with hemp cord and charm.

Currently available:
Hemp Flower

Shimmering green fern and cannabis notes reveal a rich floral mix of violet and gardenia in this whimsical scent. A warm blend of cashmere wood surrounds the floral notes while sensual undertones of musk and golden amber soften the scent.

Two more hemp soaps will be added to this line.

Hemp Flower Soap

Hemp Flower Soap

And last but not least…

Pear

Why Pear? All I can say is sometimes things get out of hand.
Seriously.
I had no intention of adding a scent collection consisting of one type of scent…let alone a fruit one!

We started out with Melissa Pear and it has been such a good hit I decided to find two other similar pear-type fragrances.

What can I say?

Now available:

Melissa Pear

A sweet fresh blend of fruity pear and a note of melissa enhanced with a splash of verbena.

A sassy strong scent with a touch of sweetness!

Two more pear-type soaps will be added to this collection!

Melissa Pear Soap

Melissa Pear Soap

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 9 Jul '10

Sultan Shindig 2010

Come and join us at the Sultan Shindig!

We have a booth space reserved and will be available during these hours:

July 9, 10 & 11, 2010
Sultan Shindig

Friday, July 9 – 4 pm til dusk
Saturday, July 10 – 9 am til dusk
(fireworks at 10 pm)
Sunday, July 11 – 9 am to 4 pm

Stop by and say hello!

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 2 Jul '10

Happy July 4th!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July!!!

I am taking an extra day off of blogging and will be back on Tuesday, July 5th.

See you then!

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 25 Jun '10

Friday Free For All

Before getting our first English Bull Terrier (10 years ago) I did A LOT of research on the breed so we knew what we were in for.

Before we got Brodie (American Staffordshire) I again did a lot of research and I am still fascinated by the history of the ‘bull’ breeds!

Here is a link that compares each ‘bull’ breed (excluding bull dogs) and I will post here about both the American Staffordshire and the English Bull Terrier since those are the two that we have.

I like this comparison because it has pictures of each breed so you can see the differences in body styles!

Pit Bull (wikipedia)

Pit Bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog in the molosser family. Many breed-specific laws use the term “pit bull” to refer to the modern American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Bull Terrier. However, a few jurisdictions also classify the modern American Bulldog as a “pit bull-type dog”. All three breeds share similar history, with origins rooted from the bulldog and a variety of terriers. The term can also refer to dogs that were known as “bull terriers” prior to the development of the modern Bull Terrier in the early 20th century.

American Staffordshire Terrier
(Brodie)

Although the early ancestors of this breed came from England, the development of the American Staffordshire Terrier is the story of a truly American breed. This type of dog was instrumental in the success of farmers and settlers who developed this country. They were used for general farm work, guarding the homestead, and general companionship.

A number of the early ancestors were also developed for the “sport” of dog fighting. The extraordinary vitality of this breed is a direct result of breeding for successful fighting dogs.

Until the early part of the 19th century the Bulldog was bred with great care in England for the purpose of baiting bulls. Pictures from as late as 1870 represent the Bulldog of that day more like the present-day American Staffordshire Terrier than like the present-day Bulldog. Some writers contend it was the White English Terrier, or the Black and Tan Terrier, that was used as a cross with the Bulldog to perfect the Staffordshire Terrier. It seems easier to believe that any game terrier, such as the Fox Terrier of the early 1800s, was used in this cross, since some of the foremost authorities on dogs of that time state that the Black-and-Tan and the white English Terrier were none too game, but these same authorities go on to stress the gameness of the Fox Terrier. In analyzing the three above-mentioned terriers at that time, we find that there was not a great deal of difference in body conformation, the greatest differences being in color, aggressiveness, and spirit. In any event, it was the cross between the Bulldog and the terrier that resulted in the Staffordshire Terrier, which was originally called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half, and at times Pit Dog or Pit Bullterrier. Later, it assumed the name in England of Staffordshire Bull Terrier. These dogs began to find their way into America as early as 1870 where they became known as Pit Dog, Pit Bull Terrier, later American Bull Terrier, and still later as Yankee Terrier.

English Bull Terrier
(Maggie)

About 1850, James Hinks started breeding “Bull and Terriers” with “English White Terriers” (now extinct), looking for a cleaner appearance with better legs and nicer head. In 1862, Hinks entered a bitch called “Puss” sired by his white Bulldog called “Madman” into the Bull Terrier Class at the dog show held at the Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea. Originally known as the “Hinks Breed” and “The White Cavalier”, these dogs did not yet have the now-familiar “egg face”, but kept the stop in the skull profile.

The dog was immediately popular and breeding continued, using Dalmatian, Greyhound, Spanish Pointer, Foxhound and Whippet to increase elegance and agility; and Borzoi and Collie to reduce the stop. Hinks wanted his dogs white, and bred specifically for this. Generally, however, breeding was aimed at increasing sturdiness: three “subtypes” were recognised by judges, Bulldog, Terrier and Dalmatian, each with its specific conformation, and a balance is now sought between the three. The first modern Bull Terrier is now recognised as “Lord Gladiator”, from 1917, being the first dog with no stop at all.

Due to medical problems associated with all-white breeding, Ted Lyon among others began introducing colour, using Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the early 20th century. Coloured Bull Terriers were recognised as a separate variety (at least by the AKC) in 1936. Brindle is the preferred colour, but other colours are welcome.

Along with conformation, specific behaviour traits were sought. The epithet “White Cavalier”, harking back to an age of chivalry, was bestowed on a breed which while never seeking to start a fight was well able to finish one, while socialising well with its “pack”, including children and pups. Hinks himself had always aimed at a “gentleman’s companion” dog rather than a pit-fighter—though Bullies were often entered in the pits, with some success. Today the Bullie is valued as a comical, mischievous, imaginative and intelligent (problem-solving) but stubborn house pet suitable for experienced owners.

Here is Brodies dad!
He was in the United States for most of the last year so he could further his amazing career. Just look at all his awards!
We were lucky enough to come across the local breeder who just happened to be hosting Dragon (and subsequent puppies!) during his stay.
(Dragon is back home now in Croatia)

Playmakers ‘Cotton Dragon’

We are curious on just how big Brodie will be once he is full grown!
He seems to think he needs to sit in hub’s chair while I’m working on the computer!

Brodie in hubs' chair

Brodie in hubs' chair

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 11 Jun '10

Friday Free For All

Speaking of Bulls….

As with most families we love dogs and have had several over the years.

My favorites have always been the ‘bully’ breeds which include:
English Bull Terriers
Bull Dogs (any and all)
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
(just to name a few)

For the last ten years we had two English Bull Terriers and I can honestly tell you it was like living with a ten year tornado (everything you read about the English Bull Terrier is true!). Sadly we lost our male a few months ago to chronic kidney disease.

We now have a new member of the family and he is an American Staffordshire Terrier. He is absolutely adorable ( and VERY smart!).

I know there are some (ok, maybe ALOT!) of you out there who the minute you hear the word ‘pit bull’ a negative wall goes up with visions of vicious dogs attacking small children or maiming and killing livestock.

A dog is NOT born to attack or kill.
There is no inherent gene they posses which magically turns on making these dogs vicious.

Vicious ‘pit bulls’ are a people problem.
More to the point….
Uneducated people and gang-bang wanna-be’s have taken a perfectly good, loyal breed and ruined their reputation. (Years ago it was the German Shephard getting a bad rap…now it’s the ‘pit’).

Nothing pisses me off more than seeing a young (mid-teens – 20′s) male walking down the street with his pants down past his ass and a ‘pit’ (with a huge chain collar) straining at the end of the leash. It is obvious that this poor dog has had no socialization or training and is merely being used as a scare tactic with his ‘homies’.

Ugh!

Thanks to the home-boys above many cities are implementing BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) banning specific dogs….pit-type breeds being one of them.

Again, this is no fault of the dog and BSL WON’T work!

I could go on and on and on about this subject but I won’t.
Instead I have joined a few Meetup groups and will work with them to educate the public regarding the ‘pit’ breeds.

I could also say angry things about Michael Vick/Bad Newz Kennel but I won’t. I think you all feel the same way I do. I will say this….most of his ‘killer’ dogs have been rehabilitated to the point where they can live out the rest of their lives with loving familes in peace.

We are also in an ongoing process of professional obedience training and socialization which ALL dog owner should go through regardless of breed!

Here is just one of many wonderful websites I found with ‘pit bull’ information.

I will warn you now…
There are links at the bottom of the website, one of them being Sad Reality. Do NOT click on that link unless you are prepared to see abused ‘pits’. I did and had to quickly click off as I sit here crying.

Pet Pitbull

Excerpts from the above site:

Old Time Pit Gallery
THE PITBULL TERRIER, poor fellow, is now almost obsolete, and what a shame! Will no one endeavour bring him back to his rightful own? Not to his former, much abused–pitifully abused–state, which was actually the cause of his downfall, but to the position of a true dog among dogs. Never was there a more noble, well -meaning, loyal, or courageous dog on the face of the earth. While perhaps some of the inferior types of this class were nothing much to look upon, yet those of the better specimens were really splendid-appearing animals and worthy of a place in any home or show ring. This terrier did not lose his reputation, and with it his popularity, because of any fault of his own.

Those who handled him, those who made him fight to maim and even kill other dogs, always at the grave risk of his own life, ultimately caused his decent down the grade rapidly toward oblivion. Left to himself, he was no more of a fighter than many of our other dogs which are held in the highest respect, and under the right supervision he was one of the most peaceful creatures living. Of course, it must be admitted that he could not really boast of blue blood, nor could he exactly claim a true-to-type strain, but, nevertheless, if other breeds could be carefully developed and raised to a standard recognized by the American Kennel Club, why could he not have enjoyed this honour? Surely, he well deserved it. So let us sincerely hope that some sympathetic person, or group of persons, may sooner or later take up his cause and carry it through until he has a fitting place in canine history.

John Lynn Leonard, DVM 1928

BSL (Breed Specific Legislation)
Banning Pit Bulls would be like banning cars because people get killed in car accidents! Who’s responsible, the car or the driver/manufacturer? Any car can be deadly in the wrong hands or if built with defective parts. Same thing with dogs… Any dog. Pit Bulls are no more responsible for the way they are bred, raised and trained, than cars are responsible for the way they are designed, built and driven.

Simply put, the best argument against breed bans is that they are costly and ineffective. Breed bans are often a knee-jerk reaction from politicians who want to say they are “doing something”, after a highly publicized dog attack (of any breed). This is a useless exercise.

Criminals habitually break laws, so having an “illegal breed” may indeed be attractive to them and might make them want to breed and sell more “illegal dogs”. If their dog is confiscated and killed, they really don’t care. They will just get another one because breed bans punish the dog, not the owner.

On the other hand, law abiding responsible owners, whose dogs love people and have never done anything wrong, can see their homes invaded, often without a search warrant, and their beloved family members dragged away (in front of their children) to be killed. Not because the dogs are unstable or mean, but simply because of their breed. Meanwhile, the owners of truly dangerous dogs (of any breed) escape punishment because their breed is not targeted by legislation and therefor is believed “safe”.

A 10 Lbs Pomeranian killed a baby a few years ago… Obviously a problem with that particular dog, not the breed. “The baby’s uncle left the infant and the dog on a bed while the uncle prepared her bottle in the kitchen. Upon his return, the dog was mauling the baby, who died shortly afterwards. (“Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog,” Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 9, 2000, Home Edition, Metro Section, Page B-5.)”

Because of a serious lack of regulation in dog breeding, too many dogs inherit defective genes and are sold to irresponsible owners. A breed ban will not resolve the problem. This nonsense will continue with the next macho breed and will become an endless race between breed specific legislators and unscrupulous breeders.

A Pit Bull breeder was shut down last year because Pit Bulls were banned in Topeka, Kansas. All his dogs were seized and destroyed, just for being the wrong breed at the wrong place. The man now breeds and sells African Boerboels, a rare breed from the Mastiff family, completely unknown to legislators. Unlike American Pit Bull Terriers, however, who are known for their love of people, Boerboels are serious guard dogs bred specifically as protectors. An irresponsibly bred and owned Boerboel might actually be more dangerous than an irresponsibly bred and owned Pit Bull. This is what a breed ban has accomplished in Topeka…

So in light of this, what kind of message are we telling abusive and irresponsible individuals when we make the dogs pay the price for their actions?

Here are some things to consider:

“Pit bull” is not a breed, but a “type” that encompasses several registered breeds and crossbreeds. Therefore, statistics that claim “Pit bulls” are responsible for some percentage of attacks are lumping many separate breeds together, then comparing that to other dogs that are counted as individual breeds.

Breed identification is left up to victim and witness testimony, and is often wrong. Due to negative press, biting dogs of almost ANY breed have been called “Pit bulls”. Try this little quiz for fun: Find the Pit Bull See how many people you know can pick out a pit bull from pictures, let alone in the middle of an attack.

Search the Center for Disease Control site. Even the CDC supports the position that irresponsible owners, not breed, are the chief cause of dog bites. They have done studies that indicate that the most “dangerous breed” of dog changes with popularity and reputation.

Search the American Temperament Test Society. Pit bulls have an average score that beats even the “ultimate family dog”, the Golden Retriever.

Positive pit bull press – This site shows not only what the breed is about, but the difference responsible ownership makes. Many of these pages are “Pit bull rescue makes good” stories. This site features, among other great stuff, rescue pits that are saving human lives in Search and Rescue and US Customs Service.

The Diane Whipple case. One of the first times the owner has been held responsible for the actions of their dog. Note that the breed involved was the Perro de Presa Canario (Canary Dog) from Spain, yet the brunt of the negative press again targeted the pit bull, an all but unrelated breed. Clearly the message is lets stop targeting the dogs! Pit Bulls are no more dangerous than any other strong and large dog. They just happen to attract more irresponsible and abusive owners than any other breed… Ironically, by portraying them in a negative way, the media and breed legislators only make them irresistibly attractive to individuals with bad intentions. Do Pit Bull haters really think that after banning the breed all the criminals who use these dogs as weapons will own Basset Hounds? And if they did, how long do you think it would take before Basset Hounds start making the news?

A breed ban will only remove Pit Bulls from the good people’s homes and leave them in the hands of animal abusers who couldn’t care less about the law… Better think twice before supporting such measure…

And lastly I will leave you with this little test.
People tend to mislabel a dog as a ‘pit’ when in fact they are not.
See if you can pick out the ‘pit’ in this test
:

FIND THE PITBULL

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 4 Jun '10

Friday Free For All

Taking the Bull by the Horns…..
so to speak.

Removing the BULL from BULLYing
by Courtney A. Walsh

Let’s face it—most of us at one time or another in our lives have been bullied. I remember vividly being called, “Fat Cheeks”, “Wartney” and other choice names while growing up. Kids and adults alike test out both roles of victim and bully in different scenarios and over time. This is not just a ‘kids will be kids’ thing anymore. Kids are dying and killing. It’s not just about skinned knees or bruised pride anymore. It’s literally life or death. This is a wake-up call to all of us to look at all sides of this issue and give HELPFUL solutions.

I want to demystify this a bit for kids, parents, the media and anyone else who may be listening:

Top Ten Bullying Myths

1) If you ignore a bully they will stop bothering you. (Oh really—tell that to Kristin B___. who only doubled her efforts to ‘get a rise out of me’ when I tried ignoring her as she crumpled a bag of Dorito crumbs into my hair and blew her rancid Dorito breath into my face. Still not a fan of Doritos to this day. Sorry Frito Lay.)

2) If you stand up to a bully they will back down. (This one’s true but it often happens years after the original bullying occurs and is a bit trickier to implement in the moment that some kid three times your size with cohorts in tow screams across the recess field at you—”Hey Walsh—YOU’RE DEAD!!!”—and to C. Harper—nananabooboo on you—I AM STILL NOT DEAD).

3) Telling an adult is the responsible thing to do. (Yup, yup it is—but it only helps sometimes and sometimes makes it worse. You have to pick your battles with bullies. Sometimes the kid is being bullied/abused BY an adult so choosing the RIGHT adult to confide in is KEY).

4) Use the buddy system to avoid becoming a lone wolf target. (Ummm…people who have enough buddies rarely get bullied in the first place—it IS the lone wolves who get picked off by the packs).

5) Teach your kid self defense so they can ward off attacks. (I don’t care how much Jujitsu you know—it may build your confidence but if you are outnumbered for the love of Gawd–RUN).

6) Bullies are just cowards who need to be understood. (OK—in the big picture I absolutely believe this—but if you are using words and they are using fists then there is still a distinct communication gap.).

7) The bully uses power and force because they feel powerless at home. (YES—great awareness—how does me knowing this this stop them from stealing my lunch money, tripping me on the bus or spitting in my hair?).
Victims of bullying need to develop a thicker skin and be tougher. (And you should learn how to fly because that can be useful, too).

9) Surviving being bullied builds character. (Oh—-puleeeeeze.)

10) All the most genuinely powerful people in the world today were bullied once—and nowadays the bullies are all ending up in jail. (That doesn’t help me if I’m 8—cuz I live in the moment and my world is more about fruit roll-ups than Bill Gates or Bernie Madoff.)

OK—so now that we’ve busted the myths here are some truths:

Talk to your kids about how you were bullied—this will help them feel you ‘get it’ and aren’t just brushing them off. OR—if you are a reformed bully—go and apologize to the people you brutalized. If this isn’t possible then meditate on it and ask for their forgiveness. THEN FORGIVE YOURSELF. Then your own kid will stop getting picked on. Don’t believe me—try it. It’s like Karmic homework. Talk to your kids about what the fear feels like in their bodies—bullies can smell fear and if you can help your kid identify and work with the fear then they will become stronger in their energy fields and YES—less vulnerable to attacks. Teach them the power of breathing to calm themselves.

Bullies take energy. Victims give away their power. It’s time we created a NEW awareness & ways of energy exchange to help kids become SUPERAWARE of when they are leaking power or acquiring it in ways that charge them briefly but then deplete them. This requires teaching kids about their own EMPOWERMENT more than about how to avoid pitfalls of perceived weakness. It requires parents, teachers, school administrators and guidance counselors all getting in the same rooms together to discuss these issues, form policies and get on the same page about actions and consequences. It takes a village to raise a village.

The infighting amongst the adults has to cease so the kids will stop mirroring it. Did you read that last sentence? Read it again! And then—AGAIN.

In other words—educating ourselves & our kids about energy—NOT power is the key to balancing the scales. Adults bully and get bullied, too. Maybe bosses, spouses, siblings are your playground nemesis mirrors now. Maybe their ways are more subtle but just as diminishing. It’s always up to you to look at what self-beliefs you are holding or projecting into the world that give others permission to discount you or to harm you physically. No—that’s not “blame the victim” stuff—it’s just good old fashioned common sense.

Because when you get to a place within where you are rock solid in who you are then this BULLying thing becomes less of an issue in your daily life.

I had a writing coach once who said this and I never forgot it:

“Some of us were just born without that extra layer of skin, so they call us “sensitive” like it’s a bad thing. But we are the artists, the empaths, the musicians, the spiritseekers and finders. We are the ones that the so-called thicker skinned ones come to when their illusions shatter. The best revenge is compassion. They never see it coming.”

Please feel free to share this post in its entirety. http://www.loonybus.com http://www.courtneyawalsh.com

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 21 May '10

Friday Free For All

Misc. Tidbits of the Week:

**Funny how most of the spammers who sign up on our blog as a member have the email address ending in ru..which is Russia..right?
Needless to say they are immediately deleted without a second thought!

**BP touts containment efforts; heavy oil reaches Louisiana wetlands
This….Will…Never….End

**On the weekend hubs runs around a local lake and since we want to socialize Brodie both with strangers and other dogs I have been taking him along. He has done very well but for some reason he wants to jog along with everyone heh heh!

Last weekend we met a nice man who had two HUGE Spinone Italiano’s! These dogs were gigantic and very well mannered and they both gave Brodie a nice welcome!

**We start puppy preschool this weekend. It runs for 3 weeks and I think is geared towards teaching the puppy how to get along with other puppies (read: socializing). I have already signed him up for puppy obedience class after this one ends.

**I found a local group of very nice people who make and sell handmade products both on their own website and etsy.

I had made a half-hearted attempt at putting products on etsy however it’s all I can do to just keep up with our website and normal networking projects so I didn’t really work it much.

Because I am interested in all aspects of small business (especially local ones!) and would love to network/market with other like-minded people I joined and was accepted into the Seattle ‘Street Team’ EtsyRain! I am looking forward to our Meetups!

**I have 5 weeks to get ready for the Marysville Strawberry Festival Market in the Park (details to come later). I have been in a marathon soap making mode making as much as I can so it has time to cure (4 weeks) before packaging. We will have a few new soaps that will debut that weekend!

**And of course I can’t sign off without adding a few new pictures of Brodie!

What a Handsome Fella!

What a Handsome Fella!

For some reason he loves playing with the flower pots!

For some reason he loves playing with the flower pots!

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 14 May '10

Friday Free For All

This week has been a busy one as we readied ourselves for our first show of the year!

We will be at the following show:

Snohomish Spring Emporium
May 15, 2010
Snohomish Center
506 – 4th Street
Snohomish, WA

Crafts, Bake Sale, Artwork, Jewelry, Collectibles, Household Treasures, Food, Clothing and more.

We will have loads of soap with a special price of buy 4 get 1 free and will also be handing out free soap samples.

And while your there don’t forget to check out the antique and arts fair!

See you Monday!!

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

Fri 7 May '10

Friday Free For All

This week has been exhausting!
It’s been 8-10 years since we have had a puppy and I had forgotten just how much time it takes to potty train! We are getting there though…only one accident yesturday!

We have had Brodie only two weeks but I swear he has doubled in size!!!

I’m going to have a very busy weekend and upcoming week.
We have a wedding to go to and Mother’s Day on Sunday.
I have a show next weekend and TONS of soap to package so I will be concentrating on that.

Iron Man II
Brian – The Movie Guy – gave Iron Man II rave reviews!
Hubs and I liked the first one and will be buying the second one once it’s out on dvd. I’m not one to see movies in the theater…too much to do and so little time. We still have two movies we bought a few weeks ago that we have not had the time to sit down and watch….this weekend doesn’t look good either!

A Few Links:

2 cases of drug-resistant TB in Snohomish County

Starbucks sued over ‘unreasonably hot’ tea
Apparently someone doesn’t realize hot means….well..hot!

Children’s Tylenol recall: FDA slams factory conditions

And lastly….
Happy Mother’s Day!

Brodie May 2010

Brodie May 2010

For some reason Brodie likes it on the OTHER side of the garden fence. Give him another month and he will be too big to squeeze through!

Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
Eco Friendly Shea Butter Spa Products

www.countrymeadowltd.com

« Previous Entries