I've Been In Northern Wisconsin

Door County, Wisconsin is one of my favorite places to enjoy summer days, with the gentle breeze coming from the waters of the bay, and the gusts of winds that pop up from the lake side, but the fall colors in October are gorgeous and equally enjoyable.

I have just returned from Door County where my sweet sister, my brother-in-law, my dear friends Renee and Louie, and myself spent a week of relaxation, shopping, eating, and fellowship.

The red star on the Wisconsin map indicates where Door County is located.
The map on the left is a close up of Door County, the red star is where my
condo is located, in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.

Inside of Harbor View Park, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin 

Vivid colors surround us on either side of the road, beautiful.

The shore line of Green Bay taken in Peninsula State Park.

Birch trees are among my favorite trees.

The weather was damp, rainy, and often times cold, but the beauty that surround us was breathtaking. I'll share more of my trip up north, tomorrow.

Cheerfully,

Paulette

Vintage Inspired Cards from Laughing Elephant

I like mail, even junk mail. My love for mail started when I was young, every holiday my Godmother would send me a card. How important I felt when my father or mother handed me my envelope.

I have kept several of the cards that my Godmother sent me, I still enjoy looking at the vintage illustrations on the cards.

I send out cards to my grandchildren every holiday, and like every child, they love getting mail. Cards are often times tucked inside their baby books or placed inside scrapbooks. 

This Halloween I ordered vintage inspired cards online from 

Laughing Elephant for my family and friends. 

A few examples of the cards that Laughing Elephant sells.

More vintage inspired cards. 

I also purchased some Halloween stickers.

Twenty six Halloween Labels and stickers for $9.95.

Great graphics on these stickers.

Information about Laughing Elephantt taken from there website.

I have not been given any products nor have I been paid by, Laughing Elephant, to write this blog, I just like their vintage inspired products.

Five Food Allergies and a Birthday Party

Parents of children who have food allergies know that each day their child faces a health risk if foods containing the allergen are ingested or even touched.  From school lunches, treats passed out at school, to attending birthday parties, the parents and the child have to be aware because of health risks.

My grandson has had a dairy allergy from infancy and is abundantly aware of it. He will ask "Does this have any dairy in it?" before he will eat anything. He is a typical kid, but along with his family deals with food issue on a daily basis.

Friday, I helped celebrate my grandson's 7th birthday, and Saturday, classmates dressed in Halloween costumes filled the backyard for a Halloween themed birthday party.

In my grandsons classroom, there are two children who have food allergies that were invited to the birthday party, one is allergic to red dye and mint, one had an egg allergy and a peanut allergy and of course my grandsons dairy allergy.

My grandson has attended many parties where he brought along his own dairy free cookies, cupcakes, and milk because he was unable to eat the food provided, but rest assure he still enjoyed the parties and his friends!

At his birthday party, the food served was free of any of the allergens that the children were allergic too.

All of the children were able to eat the food served.

Rice Krispie treats made with Earth Balance.

Cupcakes made without eggs or oil, with
Duncan Hines Frosting Creations that contained no red dye or dairy.

Ghost Poop = mini marshmallows.

Spider Legs = pretzels.

All the product information was clipped from the packages so the parents of children with the allergies could read them to make sure all ingredients were safe for them to eat.

No child was alienated, and no big deal was made about food allergies, everyone ate the same food, a good time was had by all, the kids even ate the carrots and apple slices!

The cupcakes were made from a box mix using clear soda instead of eggs and oil. The children didn't even know the difference.

Thrift Store Hangs Pants a Unique Way ~ I Like It

Searching for pants at a thrift store can be a challenge. Plastic size circles on the clothing racks helps separate each size, but if you are seeking a petite, short, tall or long length in pants you have to look inside the waistband.

While shopping at a grand opening of a Savers store on Friday, I was impressed at how they hung their pants so that shoppers had easy access to the waistband.

Uniquely hung jeans give shoppers access to the waist band.

All women's and men's pants were hung this way.

Such a ingenious method of hanging pants at Savers.

This is the first time I have every experienced a thrift store that hung their pants this way. Does your thrift store use this hanging technique?

Rosie the Diabetic Service Dog

Service dogs have been admired and praised for assisting individuals who have disabilities, the most recognizable service dogs are for the hearing and visually impaired.

Less recognizable service dogs are trained for medical conditions such as seizures or diabetes. 

I was not aware of nor had I ever saw a medical service dog, until my sister-in-law, who has diabetes received her service dog Rosie an adorable dachshund.

Diabetes service dog, Rosie in her working gear.

Rosie has patches sewn on her harness.

 While showing your registration cards are not required by federal law, she carries them with her.

During her visit several weeks ago, we went shopping and Rosie, of course, accompanied us. People were surprised to see a dog entering a grocery store, discount stores, and the Goodwill, but were respectful and courteous.

Rosie does not bark, whine or jump up unless my sister-in-laws blood sugar levels rise or fall very low. I was impressed at how close Rosie walks next to my sister-in-law. Everyone loves a cute dog and, Rosie is certainly that, many request were made to pet her, but it is my sister-in-laws request that Rosie not be petted when wearing her working harness. People respected that request.

When we were at my house, and Rosie wasn't working, she was well loved.

Felted Halloween Charms from Designs by Jenny

Houses, yards, mantels, and dinning room tables have been beautifully decorated for the Fall season. Costumes for children and adults have been purchased or cleverly made. How do I know this? I read fabulous blogs, found talented artists/crafters on Esty, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Designs by Jenny is a blog I frequent often. Jenny is a talented artist/crafter with unique and often times blinged out items. Jenny transformed a pair of sassy shoes for her bridal shower into a dazzling pair of shoes, you can see the shoes and read that blog by clicking here.

Designs by Jenny added a new item, needle felted charms and key rings. I immediately was drawn to the Halloween charms.

Photo Source: Designs by Jenny

Loved the ghost and the bat from the moment I saw them, and knew I wanted these charms for my granddaughter so she could have a Halloween necklace during this fun fall season.

A few days after my order these cute Halloween charms were delivered to my house. 

This needle felted bat even has fangs!

This cute ghost with the big eyes seems scared instead of being scary.

The needle felted Halloween charms look adorable on chains or ribbon.

My granddaughter will enjoy wearing these unique necklaces to school.

Take a few moments to view the creative ideas on the blog Designs by Jenny, visit her Esty shop,  like her on FaceBook, or see what inspires her on Pinterest, you won't be disappointed.

Cheerfully,

Paulette

Seasonal Charm from a Book

I was thrilled when I found this book laying on a table at an estate sale. Everything was half price on this day, so for one dollar I brought home this fabulously illustrated book.

In 1989, The Nature Notes of An Edwardian Lady by Edith B. Holden was published from Holden's notebook written and drawn during 1905.

Edith B. Holden

1871-1920

The pages inside this book feature seasonal drawings, poems, and her observations, starting with the month of January to December. To enjoy more of these fabulous illustrations from  The Nature Notes of An Edwardian Lady by Edith B. Holden, click here.

Since today is the first day of the month here are two of October's illustrations by Holden.

I have this book sitting on the table in my living room, and I find myself drawn to it each time I sit down because of the charming illustrations. While the book is not vintage, this vintage inspired book was a dollar well spent.