Relax and Unwind

I just returned home to the sunshine state of Florida

from a week’s vacation up north in the deep woods of Wisconsin.

I feel so lucky to have traveled up to spend time with my Dad in his cabin.

I had such a wonderful time.

It was so nice to relax, think of nothing, and visit with Daddy.

Dad and I spent a lot of time sitting by his cozy woodstove

in his cabin talking for hours.

These conversations are the ones I treasure the most . . .

discussing life and whatever is on our minds and in our hearts.

There is something magical and peaceful about my Dad’s log cabin home.

The cabin was built in the 1800’s and sits in a valley surrounded by

twenty five acres of a living enchanting forest.

While taking our yard walks {as Dad calls them}, I snapped a few photos.

During the last few days of my visit it started to snow.

I haven’t seen snow in years so I was super excited, 
I even went outside and shoveled off the steps clearing a path

leading up to the front door.

Since I have been back,

I have been a busy bee shopping and preparing for Christmas.

Happy Holidays.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog.

Smiles, Paula

{ yippee...I am featured }

I have super, super, super exciting news today!

I am now featured on Kari’s blog at Alas 3 Lads.

If you are not familiar with Kari’s blog you will soon be hooked.

She is a Kentuckian and everyone loves those colossal friendly people from KY.

I love her blog.

I enjoy stopping in on her blog on Tuesday’s

and checking out “Movie Trailer Tuesday”

which includes great movie trailer to watch each week.

We are all super busy this time of the year during the Holidays.

I enjoyed making cut out sugar cookies with my girls.

Oh, no!

After we completed our Gingerbread House there was a earth quake.

I always fit in a little me time

and my latest obsession is homemade body scrubs.

My skin feels so super soft after I treat my entire body

with a homemade scrub in the shower.

Here is a recipe that I enjoy.

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Chocolate Honey Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:
3 Tbs. cocoa powder
1 cups honey
1 cups sugar 

1/4 cup olive oil
Directions:
Combine honey and oil in bowl. Stir in chocolate and sugar mixing completely. Consistency should be grainy and thick. Apply scrub to skin in a circular motion and gently massage all over the body. Remove with warm water in the shower. Use this treatment once a week.
Benefits:
Increases circulation and aids in ridding body of toxins. Honey provides a moisturizing effect as well as fighting damaging free radicals. Cocoa powder has a super high mineral content. Minerals such as copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc for the promotion of cell growth, the repair of tissue and the absorption of nutrients. 

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I have posted additional skin recipes

made with common household kitchen staples on Kari’s blog.

Find more fun and easy skincare recipes here: Alas 3 Lads.
Happy Holidays!
Smiles, Paula
Ho Ho Ho!

{ advent calendar }

It is hard to believe that it is December 9th today!

I am excited about the upcoming Holiday

and it is starting to look like Christmas around our home.

Yesterday I tossed around the idea of making some handmade Christmas cards.

No go, so I decided to make a Muffin Tin Advent Calendar

for Destiny while she was at school.

Ideas for these fun calendars have been popping up all over

Pinterest in the last few weeks.

Everything is on Pinterest. Don't you agree? I love Pinterest.

I went out and picked up a few yummy trinkets and candies to fill the tin.

I decided to go with a standard cupcake pan with twelve spots

instead of a mini twenty pan so I could fit more goodies in the holes

and she will start opening the gifts next week on the thirteenth.

I can’t wait to see the excitement in her eyes when she opens the first gift.

Here are a few other clever ideas for an Advent Calendars

that I found on some blogs that I follow. 

Be sure to check out their blogs when you link over and hang out for a while.

 Check out Chris’s version of advent calendar at Just A Girl.

She created the calendar using mini matchboxes.

It is super Cute!

Here is a green earth friendly advent calendar

made from old TP tubes.

So clever, check out Maya’s Tutorial on her blog at Maya Made.

If your not up to making a advent calendar?

You can buy one on Etsy at Polka Stripe Studio.

Erin has a awesome store filled with all kinds of handmade goodies.

Do you have a advent calendar?

Happy Holidays!

Smiles, Paula

{ Christmas Gifts with Handmade Style }

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Or are you all done shopping for Christmas?

I am always amazed by people who have all of their shopping done by

October 1st or even November 1st. What’s Up?

I have picked up a few small things, but I'm totally in the mood for Christmas shopping.

Over the past few years I have done more and more shopping online for Christmas.

I have created this blog post filled with fun holiday gift giving ideas.

Take a look because I'm sure you'll find something for you, your family members and friends.

Here is a “Gift Giving Etsy Style” treasure that I created, during the process of creating this treasure I became excited about the upcoming season.
Which is so easy because Etsy has so many wonderful choices of handmade items.

Check out more wonderful gifts in this treasure click here: Gift Giving Etsy Style

A few years back I purchased handmade rustic brown leather journals
for my brothers from Daniel Heywood.

They were so perfect for the manly artists in my family.

The experience was awesome, I simply clicked, then clicked

to make the purchase and anxiously waited for the

package to arrive at my front door.

What could be easier?

Check out Daniel's shop on Etsy at DanielHeywood.

Who would not love any of these handmade treasures as a gift.

My lucky family members and friends have...loved them. 

I love to support a handmade artisan with a gift to a loved one for Christmas. 

Happy Shopping!

Where are you shopping Christmas?

Are you shopping at craft shows, online, local store or large chain stores?

Smiles, Paula
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September’s Blog Giveaway!

Win a Handmade Fall Spa Bundle!

Pamper yourself at home with this handmade Fall Spa Bundle.

These goodies includes yummy fall scents of Pumpkin Pie, Almond and Cinnamon.

You will receive one Crocheted Washcloth,

two bars of Smashed Pumpkin Pie Soap

and one jar of super enriched Shea Butter Body Butter.

I have exciting news to share!!!

I have just picked a WINNER of this month's giveaway.
The Winner is Vicky at Mess for Less!!!
Congratulations Vicky.
I will be contacting you shortly.
If you have not visited her blog check it at Mess for Less.
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