Back to the shop.......

Good morning, girlies! I have missed you both so very much! Gypsy!!!!! Maine????!!!!
I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear all of the details!!! come for coffee!!! That has always been my dream place to visit! Now, I will have the perfect excuse! And, it's so near my "Friend" Contessa...LOL...I told Jess that I WILL cook with her one day and she just tells me that I am being stalkerish....LOL
Blondie, so wish we could experience some of your cold rainy weather here! It would be wonderful to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea and listen to the rain... It has been so hot, although Nashville was chilly compared to here.
Just got back home yesterday and enjoyed seeing my baby so much. Beth and Marlee went with me and we had a blast. Jess took us to Lebanon and there was the neatest square with a fountain in the middle and very old buildings surrounding it - all antique shops! Loved it!
We walked down the streets of downtown Nashville and it is about 3/4 bars and 1/4 boot shops..LOL...Not exactly my kind of place, but it is neat. And the funny things is that with all of the places to go, we wound up in TJ Maxx...LOL.
It was hard leaving MB, but I know they will have so much fun. Jess has so much planned for her...I know the time will fly....I miss my baby and her little cat Cleo is missing her, too. Poor Cleo can't stop crying at the back door and sitting in the window sill looking in and waiting for her " Mawee"...I let her come in last night and sleep in MB's room...She was so loud this morning...it's like she is asking where her girl is.
On the way back home, we stopped in a little town called Hartselle and stumbled upon a whole street lined with old buildings that were antique shops and the coolest restaurant ever called Cahoots...it had all of these little cubbies in it and was filled with antiques that were all placed with no rhyme or reason...we then stopped for peaches and peach ice cream in Chilton County.don't you love summer peaches? Can't wait to bake a pie tonight for my honey....it amazed me that the drive home took 10 hours...LOL.
It was nice getting away for a couple of days, but back to reality...LOL...I have an order board waiting on me and so I guess I need to scoot! Cupcakes, here I come...LOL
I love you both and hope you have a wonderful day!
Candygirl

Southern babes in a Yankee World

So my Fabulous Southern Divas how goes it? Not a whole lot here just up early to crank out a productive Monday. Hope all is well with you guys. I am flying to MAINE in 6 weeks to be with Kirby and the girls. It's not easy, not going to be easy, but well worth it. Kirby is perfect for me. And although I ALREADY shakin up that little ole town in Maine, this Gypsy girl finally feels at peace :)
Candygirl I have already emailed Blondie a link to the awesome CHEAP real estate for sale in this quaint Maine hamlet. I want to get Blondie and CC there and you and RINGO.

THAT would be incredible and only 6 hours from Prince Edward Island. I will keep you guys posted. I am missing my boy SOOO much. Candygirl I might follow your route and head thataway. Hope to hear from you guys soon.

Love you so much!

Gypsy

Wild Cherry Trees all Silvery in the moonshine and backyard swings

Hey my girlys,

Well.. Life huh? Candygirl I am glad your Daddy's
test went well. Talked to your momma earlier. It is so hard seeing parents age. Watching mom and dad sometimes my heart hurts. Time is passing so quickly that when I really stop to think about it, it makes me want to cry. That's why it's so important to revel in the magic of these ordinary days.

Blondie, I feel like you will get back home. I think the picture of the backyard swing should become our collective touchstone. Blondie, for you so you can get back to Alabama Air. Candygirl, so that you can find more time for you... and this Gypsy girl? So she can find her home and the one to share it with.

Do you remember when we all turned over in D's swing? It's all on home movies. One minute we were laughing and playing the next we had been kicked on our butts and were crying... little did we know it's a metaphor for life.

Candygirl, I would love to shop with you soon. And Blondie.... there has got to be something....

I am really wanting the Amelia Earhart Daredevil meets Gibson Girl look...

so my lil something something going on.... well you guys DON'T tell anyone yet, but a certain INCREDIBLE fellah has bought me a ticket to Maine, the first week in August. I am going to meet him and his FOUR GIRLS... ages 12-5. He is a single Dad and has been since the youngest was born. So we will see. He is 6 hours from Prince Edward Island ;) so I will be walking the White Way to Light and skipping stones at the Lake of Shining Water with a 6'4 Yankee boy who thinks I hung the moon.... shhhhhh... Mom knows, but she is the ONLY one. So my darlings... I believe the Summer will bring some beginnings for us all. I miss my bosom friends. And I pray we all find our magic in ordinary days...

Much Love,

Gypsy

Eddie Money & High Fashion

Candy Girl, thanks so much for your sweet words, they mean the world to me! I know something will give, maybe the Jewelry will take off and that can be my full time job! How great would that be??!!!

CC & I are praying and thinking of JC, M & all of you today. Sending our love an a warm hug to each of you. Tell M I'll call this week to check on them. Thanks so much for letting us know how things go, I'll check back later. I was just thinking about JC tonight, remembering when I would come and spend the night with you... Every morning while he was getting ready for work he played his music, I came to appreciate Conway Twitty, "Hello Darlin", that song always reminds me of your Daddy when I hear it. :-)

I miss those days too, we had so much fun and got in such fun trouble ;-) I posted something on FB for you, hope it makes you smile today.

I would love to be there on go get makeovers with you two, we would have such a great time! Keep me posted on the "new yous!"

Gypsy, hope your Monday is going good! Have a mater sammich for me today, ever since I read your post I can't get them out of my mind! Reckon I'll have to try and find me some home grown maters at the store, it's too cold to grow them here right now, but as soon as the warm weather is back I'll have someg growin in the back yard!

Love you both and miss you terribly!

The One Who Followed Love

Happy Monday, girls :)

Wishing I could escape to the beach today....the closest I have been lately is the cookies @ the shop...LOL


Awww, Blondie....I am so sorry about your job. I hope something else comes along soon for you that is a much closer commute and that you will enjoy as much as that one. I will keep you in my prayers because I know how important is is for you to reach your goal of getting back to the "back yard swing." I miss you so much,but especially the old times that we shared as children and young women. I find myself thinking of those days more and more often lately and wishing we could all go back...like that old Eddie Money song.." I wanna go back and do it all over, but I can't go back I know..." Do you girls remember that song?
Gypsy girl, I am so loving your Anne Shirley posts...I adore Anne of Greene Gables and watch it all the time...Those books have to rank in my top five of books. I think we were all born in the wrong time period...I could so see us in long, turn of the century dresses and fabulous hats...do you all agree? I just love hats!
And Gypsy, in shopping recently in Charming Charlies with MB, I found myself looking at jewelry, scarves and hats for your "new look"....have you given the new look any more thought? I can't wait to see what you come up with...I have been thinking the same thing...a new hair do ( especially the hair do afer my last fiasco with hair..LOL ) new clothes, new makeup shades....I need an overhaul...LOL
I so wish we could all get together and go shopping and to the beauty shop and all get new dos and makeovers...wouldn't that be fun?
Well, I better scoot for now...I'm on the way to pick Daddy and Mama up this morning...I will let you both know later on today what the doctor tells him.
Please keep him in your prayers today.
I love you both so much!
Candygirl

Back Yard Swings & Thoughts of Home

Well My Loves,

Another Monday is here, the new week begins and I'm right back where I started. The company I work for is having difficulty, they offered to let me work part-time but, the commute into the City just isn't worth it... I can't say I'm devastated, you both know how I felt about working in the City, but it was part of the plan to help us get home. Now, unless something gives, we're just that much further away from making it back. My heart is heavy and I feel like this journey is never ending. The homesick little girl in me wants to sit in the middle of the floor, curled up in a ball and cry until I can't cry anymore, but the strong Southern Woman wants to formulate some incredible plan that miraculously solves everything! I'm not which one is winning, but I'll keep you posted. Enough of my whining...

Candy, you poor Baby! Sounds like life is completely wild right now. I'm glad you've stopped and taken some time to enjoy a few simple pleasures and nourish your soul a bit. When life gets so stressed it's really important to hold on to the little things that give us comfort and a bit of a break from the pressures we face. I know you're dreading the trip alone and leaving MB behind, but she'll have an amazing time with JT! Give them both a big hug for me and my love! You know, it's weird, but I love long drives by myself, I pack some great music, a fabulous coffee and talk to myself... Me, myself and I have some great conversations! I know you'd love to have JC & M go with you, but make it fun for you, use it as a little you time. Stop somewhere fabulous and shop, buy a little something just for you that makes you smile :-) I hope you have a safe and good trip.

I'm sorry to hear about JC, give him & M our love and know that we're praying for all of you. Tell them I'll call soon, I really do have to get better at making the call rounds in the family. It's just so hard when I'm feeling homesick to hear those voices I love the most, sometimes it's almost torture!

Gypsy Girl... That "mater sammich" is just what I need right now! I could almost taste it! Hope you have many sweet Summer memories like that one to enjoy! How's the house hunt going? Any good prospects? I know you'll find the perfect place, it just take time. So, I gathered from your last blog that you have things to tell us... I'm waiting, shoot! Sounds very mysterious and covert... Hmmm... What could it be?? Can't wait to hear all about it. I'm really happy that you're enjoying your time back in the Commune, savoir every minute.

Well, My Darlings, I'm going to think about the perfect backyard swing, lightenin' bugs, glasses of cold sweet tea and all of the things I love and miss most about the South, especially my dear Family.

Until next time, love & miss you so very much!

The One Who Followed Love

Catching up.....

Happy Sunday, girls!
Hope this finds you both doing well and enjoying your Sunday. :)
Here has been very lazy...lots of coffee... and low key...going to spend time with Daddy this afternoon....maybe take my honey to see a movie in celebration of Father's Day later on:)
Wow, this has been a couple of very busy weeks...I have so missed being here. Wishing I could see Blondie dancing in the rain with the perfect pink umbrella and wishing I totally could devour your mater sammich Gypsy.. I love those ( no one else here likes tomatoes..I just don't understand how they cannot like tomatoes ) and have so many memories of slipping out into the garden at my old house when I actually had time to plant a garden..lol...and doing the same thing. It's just a summer thing, just like that first slice of watermelon...YUM! I think I will buy one today...I always wait until around July 4th when they are the best. It's hard to believe that it's almost July!
Do you know I have sat down numerous times lately to write here and my mind has just went completely blank? I think I am working too much. I think it's time to slow down and enjoy the summer...soooo....I am actually reading a book...lol....it's amazing how you can get so busy that you neglect the little pleasures like that....The book is called " The Help" and a movie is coming out soon based on it...I can't wait to see the movie...

This week won't be quite as busy, but still alot of Friday and Saturday orders...baby showers and weddings...it seems to be all that's happening right now! LOL..yesterday I made two monkey baby shower cakes and "butt loads" of monkey lollipops to go with them..truly, baby showers are not what they used to be...lol.
...Monday, I am taking Daddy to get a heart cath @ Thomas Hospital and I am a little worried about what they will find...the doctor told him to come prepared to stay in case they had to go ahead and fix something that they may find....please keep him in your prayers...he is determined that he is not going to be here much longer and it's hard to convince him otherwise...I just know he hasn't felt well at all lately...I've been really worried about him and Mama.
This week, MB will start packing for her trip to Nashville to stay with Jess for 3 weeks...I am going to be lost without her here, but I know they will have so much fun together...Jess has so much planned for her. I will be driving her up on Sunday afternoon or Monday...not looking forward to the drive back home alone. Ugh....I am so disappointed...I actually had Mama and Daddy talked into going with me, but now he's afraid to make the trip not knowing how he will feel...I am so hoping that everything will be o.k. on Monday and he will change his mind and go. He has talked for years about wanting to see Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry.
If not now, maybe I can talk him into it soon when the weather gets a little cooler and he is more up to the trip.

Well, girlies...I guess I better scoot for now.
I love you both more than I can say...I hope that we can get together this week Gypsy! Come by the shop if you can.
Love and hugs...
Candygirl

Dancin' in the kitchen and 'mater sammiches

Hey girlys,

So bumbling and fumbling, sickness and blahs have given way to a nice little rhythm and some interesting developments. I know you guys are busy but I really hope we can all keep the blog going... even it's just a few lines a week :) Blondie, I hope the jewelry business is proving profitable. Saw some pieces that I loved. Candygirl with JUNE being the wedding month, it's no wonder you're slammed with your delicious confections and all and such.

I have just picked warm

tomatoes from the garden and then had a spiritual 'Mater Sammich Ceremony... choosing the perfect tomato.... still warm from the sun, washing it, carefully removing the skin, slicing big thick slices... mayo and the perfect hearty bread... a little salt and pepper... my Welcome Summer ritual... yummy!!!

Lots going on but I will catch you all up later.

Sending love and hugs,

Rainy Days & Mondays And Fabulous Pink Umbrellas

Hello Ladybugs!

I trust that both of My Girls are doing well? Hope you've had a fab weekend! Candy, bless you heart, you've been super busy lately! I know that's good for business, but I hope you're getting enough rest. I don't know if you're like me, but the old aches & pains are happening much more frequently than they use to. I have the sure fire remedy for fatigue though... A big glass of Merlot, great chocolates, a hot bath, and some amazing music! Pamper yourself a bit, I know you deserve it and watch some great Sex and The City Episodes. I pile up in my cozy bed with my laptop and do the whole marathon thing sometimes, it's really nice when you can watch them online!

Gypsy, way to go with the organic cleaning tinctures! I love cleaning with Lavender, it's such a great disinfectant, plus it leaves everything smelling so good! I can't wait until I'm growing my own! Your idea for reinventing your style is fabulous, as women I think it's important for our female psyches, it's seems to lend itself to fresh starts and new attitudes! So, you Go Girl, can't wait to see the new you!

My past week as been pretty much the same, nothing wildly interesting, or exciting. Well, I did get in a new jewelery order, some amazing pieces, can't wait to get them posted. We've been working to get the house in order, can't seem to ever get that last box unpacked for some strange reason, but at least everything is neat and tidy, it actually looks really cozy, even BJ commented on it when he came to dinner last night so, you know when Boy's notice things it's truly note worthy! We really enjoyed spending some time with him, he's been working on a contract in a little town about 4 hours Northwest and only coming home on weekends so,needless to say, we haven't seen much of him. AB & CE are both doing well, talked to him this weekend to, it was definitely a weekend for time with the Boy's. He's been working really hard, what with all of the thunderstorms. CE is no longer working her second job, thank goodness, since her promotion at the Bank. So very proud of her! We haven't heard much from the Newlyweds, although that's to be expected. We've been invited to dinner at their new place in a couple of weeks.

Well, I'm sitting here having my mid-morning cup of peppermint tea, I have this beautiful little tea-set that reminds me, Candy, of something from House On The Corner. I loved that store! That's the kind of business I want one day, just on a smaller scale, something very manageable. It's a bit of a rainy day today, but I love it! I'm thinking I need a fabulous pink umbrella though. It's hard to find really cool umbrellas here, but I am definitely on a mission. I'll try to get some pics soon of our house and the surrounding area. Would love for you to see where we live. Can't wait to catch up with you both. Love to all the Family!

Love you both muchly and hope you have an awesome week!

The One Who Followed Love

Amelia Earhart and Lavender Essence ~

Dearest Darlings,

Hope this weekend finds you both fit and fine. Candy Girl... I know how much you had to do and hope you and Ringo are still standing. And Blondie, you have been much on my mind... I miss you SOOOO very much!! I am feeling better all the time. I know I made the right decision moving home. I love being back. NOW it's just finding a place and all those sort of details that make life so tegious (not sure if tegious is a word, but I am deeming it so)

So my Saturday date texted me 3 times this week, but that is all I have heard :( bummer, lol.

I have been thinking a lot about a fashion make-over... something fabulous and romantic - kind of like Amelia Earhart meets Rita Hayworth...
I am wondering if the 2 of you had to reinvent your style what you would do?

I am working on my Lavender Anne website and have sold some more of my fabulous organic cleaner. Blondie , I dont think I have told you about it, but it's great!!
I discovered it after the tornadoes a few weeks ago - play around with a couple of different tinctures I had created (pretty sure I would have been burned at the stake for my tinctures and such)

I feel like we are all headed into a new phase for some reason. We have also learned so much and grown so much over the past few years... and as always never being satisfied in living in the moment too much , I find my thoughts turning to late Summer and Early Fall when the light starts changing and shadows grow long :) cant help it... dreamy sigh... You know after June 20 the days start getting shorter here, not for you Blondie... Can't believe we are such opposites. And guys I REALLY need some courage here to help me self-publish my poetry. I dont know WHY I am having such a problem with this.

I just know that in some ways I have gotten stale, and it time to make some changes... these are the last few years of any vestige of youth. Not that we arent going to be INCREDIBLE TREASURES... but I want to enjoy and revel in the next few years...

Love you both ever so,

Gypsy

Happy Monday, Girlies!

Hope this finds you both doing well and looking forward to a good week..lovin your status, Gyspy! A new Attitude!!! You go girl! ..This will be another super busy one here...geez, I know I sound like Estelle, Blondie...LOL.
Lots of cakes and two caterings and 125 cupcakes in one day on Friday and a wedding and groom's cake on Saturday...Whew! I need to get my creative juices flowing, but today I am just not feeling it. I lay on the couch in my nightgown all day yesterday and watched the weirdest mix of shows and movies...Little Women, Hope Floats, Sex In The City, Animal Hoarding, Cake Challenge, Jerseylicious, Drew Carey, and last but not least, Hannah Montana...LOL....I think you could say I was in somewhat of a stuper yesterday. It seems like Sundays are the day for that. Its like all rational TV choices go out the window...LOL..Well, most...Little Women is one of my very favorites...I still cry during it... Today, my poor old body is feeling the pain of layin around...Isn't that unfair, girls? When you finally get a chance to rest, you are sore from it the next day?

Blondie, I loved your recent post! I got a chuckle from picturing you and yours running around your kitchen swatting blow flies in your skivvies....LOL. It sounds like some of the things that Ringo and I get into...LOL. I would love for you to hear his " little old man holler"...He is going to give them so much grief in a nursing home one day...LOL
I totally did not know that fish had tongues....I am educated now. LOL...I am thawing pork chops for dinner...LOL

Gypsy, You are the epitome of a romantic, and I know that somewhere out there, your perfect man is waiting. One who will put you on a pedestal and treat you like a princess and yes, who reads! LOL You will find him. He is probably right in front of you and you just don't know it yet. :) Don't get discouraged and don't give up. He will come when you least expect it. Sometimes, you have to kiss alot of frogs ( and octopus ) to get to him. Keep that beautiful smile and hold your chin up and enjoy this time to discover who you are and what you want, and never, ever settle for less than you deserve and you deserve no less than a prince :)

Well, girlies, I do believe I am going to go apply some bengay to my back side and get a cup of coffee and catch up on some reading.

I hope you both have a wonderful week. :)

Love and hugs -
Candygirl

Well dammit....

Hey Girlys,

WELL... Candy Girl as you know I was house sitting for friends in the Art District downtown in a 1800's renovated firehouse and I was cooking a much anticipated romantic dinner for 2..... OMG... I should have served octopus.... after really connecting with gentleman "A" it turns out that all he wanted was a decadent rump roast for dinner... mine... uh NO... I was exhausted from fighting him off... but dinner was lovely.... enter gentleman "B" - ok so "A" was Friday night... I met "B" online we talked briefly and agreed that he would come over and watch a movie... stupid I know... I had exchanged 3 emails with this guy but there was something about him.... so I decided to throw caution to the wind... and had one of the best nights of my life. Not only was he gorgeous, my kind of gorgeous, BUT SO SWEET, SMART and he totally understood me... we talked for hours and hours... about everything.... we ended up snuggled up falling asleep on the living room floor, he was a perfect gentleman besides making sure I was warm and comfortable.... this man is my match in every way... but he doesnt want a relationship, has a lot to deal with, he lost his 5 year old son a couple of years ago after a long illness. He is trying to find himself and doesnt trust himself with emotional entanglements... UH!!! I want to throw things... I want to scream... it's not fair!!! But all I can do is let him go... ironically enough his name is Kristian :) and my heart already hurts... just had to get it off my chest... such is the life of a Gypsy... when is it gonna be my turn??

Lavender, Fish Tongues, The Art of Chasing Flie's & A World Of Little Diva's

Good Morning My Darlins!

Hope this finds you both, and all of the families, doing well. Candy Girl, I totally loved the Gerber Daisy Cake! How adorable! And the "Blinged Out Baby Cake" was precious... Yes, I do believe that little girls come in to the world now understanding the difference between this season and last seasons Prada Loafers; The reasons why you should never wear bright blue eye shadow; Why skinny jeans don't work for every body type; And my personal favorite... How to have the seductive lip pout on every Facebook pic you own! What happened to simpler times, we never would have dreamed of visiting the Barney Counters and paying a small fortune for the latest Bobbi Brown "gotta haves." We thought it was a treat to ride to Ben Franklin's 5 & 10 on a Saturday afternoon and buy a bottle of Bonnie Bell Watermelon Lip Smackers! Which I still love, by the way. :-) Now Little Girls come into the world as full fledged Diva's. This is where we should step in, I see this as a great business venture... Teaching Little Girl's about how great the simple pleasures of life can be... We could call it "Diva Busters!" Personally I think it would make a fabulous show. :-) Ponder it Girls!

Well, another wonderful date night has come and gone... Tonight consisted of chasing two blow flies, while in our underwear, around the kitchen. Of course we had fabulously colored fly swatters... And underwear... Hmmmm... I'm not sure if this was totally precious, or a bit strange??? :-/ I'm going for precious because we had a blast! You should try it sometime... Really, I'm considering sending a proposal to the International Olympic Committee to request that it be added as a new sport! :-) CC cooked us an amazing whole baked Red Snapper with herb stuffing, it was delicious but, I have to say, I got totally freaked out when I looked at the fish and realized he had a tongue! Did you know that fish have tongues??? I didn't, and trust me, you should never have to see the tongue of something you're about to eat! Needless to say, by the time it was ready my disgust had been quickly forgotten. ;-)

I planted the most beautiful flower bed today. CC and I decided that we would only plant things we could actually eat, or use in some medicinal way so, I planted Nasturtiums & English Lavender. The Lavender grows really well here so, as soon as it blooms I'll get some pics. Wish I could send you both some sachets but, I don't they will allow it through customs. :-(

Well, My Lovely's, hope you both have a marvelous weekend! I look forward to hearing all the news soon! And Gypsy Girl, Welcome Home Sista! I'm sure you're settling in nicely and loving being back in Commune again. Can't wait to hear all of the new adventures! :-)

Love & miss you muchly!

The One Who Followed Love