Web Marketing

So lately I have been really trying to learn  how to better my etsy business.  I ran across this video and have been slowly making my way through it. Slowly- because I stop and try to do all the things she is telling me as I go along. There is some really great stuff in this video- let me know what you think of it. What do you do to market your business?

Coming Soon

I have a whole slew of new items I am working on. I find myself very slow in summer in regards to painting. But I guess it is no wonder with all the summer jobs that need to be done. Our garden is getting into full swing now and very soon I am going to be stuck making pickles daily. I can't wait ! :)

We have also been to the forest to pick wild blueberries several times. I froze a lot and also made some blueberry jam. YUM!

Stay tuned for new items in the next week!

Good Wives

I have always loved the story of "Little Women" I have seen countless versions of the movie. I have listened to the book on tape and am presently reading the book. Here is is available in two parts, "Little Women" and "Good Wives."

Right now now I am reading the second part, "Good Wives." There is so much wisdom in it, so many godly principles. How I wish I could be a wise mother like Marmee.

I wanted to share a section of the book that I really loved today. Meg is caught up in her babies, worn out, stressed and neglecting her husband so much so that he is lonely. Here is the part I liked from the book:

Meg complaining to Marmee:

He's away all day, and at night, when I want to see him, he is continually going over the the Scott's. It isn't fair that I should have the hardest work, and never any amusements. Men are very selfish, even the best of them.

So are women; don't blame John till you see where you are wrong yourself.

But it can't be right for him to neglect me.

Don't you neglect him?

Why, mother, I thought you'd take my part!

So I do, as far as sympathizing goes; but I think the fault is yours, Meg.

I don't see how.

Let me show you. Did John ever neglect you, as you call it, while you made it a point to give him    your society of an evening, his only leisure time?

No; but I can't do it now, with two babies to tend.

I think you could, dear; and I think you ought. . . .You have made the mistake that most young wives make- forgotten your duty to your husband in  your love for your children. A very natural and forgivable mistake, Meg, but one that had better be remedied before you take to different ways; for children should draw you nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours, and John had nothing to do but support them. I have seen it for some weeks, but have not spoken, feeling sure it would come right in time.

I'm afraid it won't. If I ask him to stay, he'll think I'm jealous; and I wouldn't insult him by such an idea. He doesn't see that I want him, and I don't know how to tell him without words.

Make it so pleasant he won't want to go away. My dear, he's longing for his little home but it isn't home without you, and you are always in the nursery.

Oughtn't I be there?

Not all the time; too much confinement makes you nervous, and then you are unfitted for everything. Besides, you owe something to John as well as to the babies; don't neglect your husband for children, don't shut him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it. His place is there as well as yours, and the children need him; let him feel that he has his part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it will be better for you all.. . Go out more; keep cheerful as well as busy, for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, and if you get dismal there is no fair weather. . . . Don't let John be a stranger to the babies, for they will do more to keep him safe and happy in this world of trial and temptation than anything else, and through them you will learn to know and love one another as you should.

I think it is easier with the second child to trust responsibilities to ones husband, but this is a wonderful reminder to keep ones priorities in a marriage, and to get out and keep cheerful so that I can be the "sunshine-maker" in my family.

I just love this book! Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott

Painter's Block

We recently watched the movie "Stranger than Fiction." I really enjoyed it, I have always secretly wanted to have my own bakery because I love creating scrumptious delicacies and so I really liked the girl.

Anyhow lately I feel I have no inspiration and an all together serious case of painter's block- if there is such a thing. . . It could be because of my overwhelming tiredness of late, or the busyness of summer; gathering our continual produce and putting it up for winter. I feel so preoccupied and as if my painting has been entirely pushed aside. I don't like that. But also when nothing is selling in my shop I am also quite uninspired to paint anything new.

What do you do when you are feeling you have painter's block, or sewer's block or whatever kind of "block" you face?

Ivy and Roses

Our life is surrounded by growing things. We have one area we are trying to slowly transform into a flower garden, but the weeds there are in over abundance.

Last year we bought a new rose, it will be a climbing rose in a lovely pink. I dream of having a lattice arch with roses growing over it in my future garden. . . with a bench for quiet times.

The ivy, though lovely in some places is a mighty weed. It grows over and about anything in its path. Today I rescued my rose from the clutches of this ivy. The ivy had so encircled itself around my rose, time and again that I had to literally unwind the  ivy from the rose. This rose is very small, and yet the ivy was taking advantage of it and using it and overwhelming it.

This reminded me of sin. We are like my puny little rose, we hold great potential for loveliness. But the sins and temptations of life are like the ivy. They ivy is lovely in its own domain and sin appears so as well. But sin also seeks to encircle us and take the life from us, covering us and devouring us.

James 1:12-15

12How blessed is the man who endures temptation! When he has passed the test, he will receive the victor's crown of life that God has promised to those who keep on loving him. 13When someone is tempted, he should not say, “I am being tempted by God,” because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14Instead, each person is tempted by his own desire, being lured and trapped by it. 15When that desire becomes pregnant, it gives birth to sin; and when that sin grows up, it gives birth to death.

Made In Latvia Treasury

My tie was featured in this lovely collection of items made in Latvia.