My Memories Digital Scrapbooking

I am following a really great blog A Holiday Haven and found a great post about My Memories digital scrapbooking software.  Since I really enjoy creating slideshows of family memories, I think this would be a great tool for my creative projects.  I still need to check out the free pages, but I am really excited about what I have seen so far.   A holiday Haven is having a giveaway for this software and I would love to win it!  I can use it in my crafts business, Puttin' on the Glitz and my tea business, The Rose and The Nightingale. 

I love finding new things to be creative with!  I am also always looking for things to keep my mind healthy and fresh...and my artistic and spiritual health flowing!

Tea Parties are off and Running...
The Rose is smelling sweet and the Nightingale is singing! 

Here are a few photos of our parties....

First Printed Article for the Rose and The Nightingale

This tea party serves up relaxation, not politics

JEAN SAYLOR DOPPENBERG | Posted: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:30 pm | 

TUESDAY AUG. 23, 2011 AM. CANYON, CA - Maggie Ford, left, and Debra Heaphy, right, partners in the business The Rose and the Nightingale, set-up and clean-up tea parties in peoples' homes. Jorgen Gulliksen/Register

 

   The Rose and the Nightingale

 

                Maggie Ford and Debra Heaphy have started a tea party, but it has nothing to do with politics. 

                Their tea party is called the Rose and the Nightingale. Based in American Canyon, the Rose and the Nightingale brings tea, sandwiches and sweets, fine china and table linens into private homes for any occasion.

                Co-owners Ford and Heaphy are longtime friends who dreamed for years of owning a bed-and-breakfast inn or tea room where they could indulge their passion for drinking tea and create a traditional Victorian-style tea room experience for others.                 

                “But those types of businesses require 24/7 dedication,” said Ford — not to mention a significant financial investment. 

                Their traveling tea party venture gives the two women the flexibility to fit the parties into their lives and schedules, they said. 

                For many years, Ford was a sales consultant for Tealightful Treasures, a New York-based direct sales tea party company. 

                “I brought tea parties into the home and did tastings. Now, instead of selling the products, I’m focusing on selling the experience of enjoying tea,” Ford explained. She also retired recently from Napa Valley College, where she worked as the division secretary for the Arts and Humanities Department.

                Heaphy is a self-taught chef with a cookbook collection of several hundred volumes. She holds a degree in home economics and once managed a health foods store. In addition to operating the Rose and the Nightingale, she is office manager and bookkeeper for her family’s business that repairs and refurbishes countertops. 

                 “I am passionate about tea because it imbues a sense of relaxation, as opposed to coffee, which is a get-up-and-go type of beverage,” said Heaphy, owner of approximately 50 teapots. 

                “And there is a whole world of deliciousness out there beyond plain ‘tea bag’ tea.”

                The Rose and the Nightingale supplies everything needed for a two-hour tea party for a minimum of 10 guests in the host’s home. The host selects the occasion for the party, and Ford and Heaphy provide the theme- and color-coordinated centerpiece, linens, china, flatware, teapots and teacups. 

                They arrive at the party-giver’s home two hours ahead of guests to prepare the food, then remain throughout the event to keep the freshly brewed tea flowing. 

                “We pour and serve as needed — the parties are sit-down affairs,” Ford said. “We bring the elegance of a high-end English tea room into the comfort of the hosts’ homes, and they don’t have to lift a finger to prepare anything. They only have to invite the guests and open up their kitchens to us.”

                Included in the $25-per-adult fee are hot and cold teas, lemonade, milk, scones, sweets such as lemon bars and cupcakes, an assortment of English-style sandwiches and savories to choose from, and extras such as jams and clotted cream. (Children’s parties can be arranged for $15 per child.) 

                Available for an additional charge are several varieties of soups and salads, fresh fruit, and even Scottish eggs. 

                Both experienced home cooks, Heaphy typically prepares the savory foods served at the parties, while Ford bakes the cookies and cakes.

                “Most people think that tea parties are just for women, but traditionally, they were social affairs where both men and women attended,” Ford said. “Men also poured the tea at afternoon teas. So our parties are geared to anyone who would love to have the experience.”

                Ford and Heaphy are concentrating on tea parties for bridal and baby showers, birthday celebrations, Red Hat Society events, retirements, and holiday and seasonal themes. Custom parties such as a tea-and-chocolate tasting for Valentine’s Day can also be arranged. 

                In addition to Napa County, the pair will leave Napa County to cater a party.

                The two owners are marketing the Rose and the Nightingale through a website (Debra Heaphy’s son, James Heaphy, designed the company logo), as well as using social networking to spread the word. 

                “Debra and I are also distributing our business cards at antiques shops, and contacting wedding planners and photographers for reaching the bridal market,” Ford said. “I believe it’s important to have face-to-face contact with people who can help promote our business.”

                Ford added that her mission for the Rose and the Nightingale is to get people to “take the time to care,” because too much “stuff” in our lives inhibits people — especially women — from making time for themselves, she said. 

                “Life is too short not to take time to enjoy your friends, family, and your home,” she said. 

Copyright 2011 Napa Valley Register. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted in Business on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:30 pm Updated: 8:32 pm. | Tags: Maggie Ford, Debra Heaphy, 

My Cup Has Overflowed!

DRINKIN' FROM MY SAUCER
I've never made a fortune
And it's prob'ly too late now;
But I don't worry 'bout that much,
I'm happy anyhow!
And as I go along life's way
Reapin' better than I sowed.
I'm drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Haven't got a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough;
But I've got loving ones around me,
And that makes me rich enough!
I thank God for His blessings
And the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

I 'member times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin;
But all at once the dark clouds broke
And light peeped through again.
So, Lord, help me not to gripe
About tough rows I've hoed.
I'm drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

If God gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings;
I'm already blessed enough!
May I never be too busy
To help others bear their loads.
I'll keep drinkin' from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed!

Author: © Jimmy Dean

Happy First Year Wedding Anniversary

Warren Woods, Sebastopol, California

The wedding of

Jesse Ford & Trevor Jenny

August 21, 2010

Jesse & her father, Gene, walking down the aisle

On the way to greet the most important person in her life.

This picture shows how truly happy Trevor was that day.

I will never forget my conversations with both Jesse & Trevor about getting married.

They both just wanted so much to be married and together forever!

J & T saying their vows with Uncle Randy Vice presiding.

Candy Bags, soon to be filled with scrumptious treats!

This is the candy bar that Jesse wanted, knowing that Trevor is the biggest candy freak ever. 

We hunted and searched for the containers, I ordered all the candy and my sisters put this display together.  It turned out so colorful and fun and I have to say there wasn't very much left at the end of the day!

A nice romantic moment!

A nice, creative photo

Beautiful Girl, Beautiful Bride

Isn't nice to see true love just flow?!

Getting ready to toss the bouquet.

A treasured moment between mother & son.

So Sweet!

Dad & Daughter before the wedding.

Maid of Honor, Sarah, with her bestie, Miss Jesse.

The rings and bouquet...a very artistic photo.

Table decor.  Flowers were graciously provided by Walt & Kathy Jenny.

Walt arranged everything, I made the table signs and this was all Jesse's ideas.

"Just Married" signs

We had these made special for the wedding.

The carriage was provided by Warren Woods and that is where all the gifts were placed.

Really, it was all about the Shoes!!!!

Kathy Jenny made this absolutely amazing wedding cake!

I wanted to write a bit about this day of one year ago.

Planning this wedding was definitely a time where the work was fun and just got all the creative ideas flowing.  It was not easy, as we did this seperated by distance.  Many hours were spent on the phone and on the internet  passing ideas back and forth and discussing all the details.  A couple of trips to Utah to plan and visit and then in no time at all the time just flew by and the day was fast approaching!

We rented a house in Bodega Bay for our family to spend the weekend.  We started by loaded the cars full of everything and then making the trek to the coast.  I think we spent a lot of time loading and unloading things!  Friday was spent putting up location signs and then the rehearsal dinner.  Kathy & Walt did an amazing job on providing a wonderful meal and fellowship for that evening.  They made croissant sandwiches, salads and even homemade pies!

To wind down the night, I had prepared a slideshow of photos of Jesse & Trevor over the years...lots of memories and lots of happy tears.  After the dinner, we all went back to the house and got clothes ready for the wedding and all the girls spent the night talking away. 

Wedding morning came and Michelle, my hairdresser arrived to get all the girls ready and beautiful.

Michelle is a wonderful person and so good at her work...she has also become a wonderful friend.  She also was our hairdresser for Corey's wedding and she gets tears in her eyes when she places the veil on the bride!  So, of course, when that happened...we all got tears in our eyes too.  I guess that is truly the moment, at least for me, when it hit me, this was all for real and my baby was getting married!  I was also going to add a son to my family!  I now have three sons and can say, "My Three Sons!".

This was also a great time for just hanging out, bonding and just enjoying each other's company.  After everyone was done, we made the trip to the wedding site...to start the celebration!  There are so many wonderful moments that occurred during that day...too many to write about, but they are all treasured and when I think of them...I still get teary-eyed. 

The one I will tell you about is a moment I had with Jesse in the car a few days before her wedding...we were just talking about things and she turned to me and said, "Mom, I am getting married on Saturday" and then she started to cry....happily...but so many tears...and then of course we were both doing it and then started laughing!

I guess if you ask me what I thought most about during this time, I would tell you, that this is all about making my daughter's dreams come true.  I think I/we (her father, family & friends) accomplished that and I am very proud of being able to give her that...a dream, it was a wish her heart made. 

I love you Jesse and Trevor!

You fill my heart!



A New Horizon

The Rose and The Nightingale

I recently made the decision to retire from my full-time employment at Napa Valley College.  My official retirement date is May 1 - May Day... how appropriate is that saying??? I guess I am jumping ship and giving the world warning, that it needs to pay attention - Ha - Ha! - to ME!!! 

When you think of the month of May, it just has "Spring" written all over it!  A time for new beginnings and this is it - a new chapter is being written and I have the major role.  I decided that I need to pursue things that I have been neglecting and use my God given talents.  I mean He holds the plan and is now giving me the instructions to follow. I just need to have faith, believe and follow. 

So the creative juices are flowing and I am crafting up a storm.  I am also creating a new tea business with my partner and long-time friend, Deb Heaphy.  We both love, love, love tea!  did I say love?  Well, I did and we do!  The best thing about enjoying tea is that you have a period in time where nothing else matters.  Enjoying a conversation and a peaceful, relaxing time with another person is serenity at its best.  We need to go back to that bygone era where you stop in the afternoon and have tea, gorgeous and scrumptious sweets and pastries and enjoy a few treasured moments! 

A Magic Wand Goes to Walt Disney World!

I made this wand for a woman who belongs to a sorority and lives, I believe, in Philadelphia.  She ordered the wand to give as a gift to the president of her sorority and the wand was to be presented at an event in Walt Disney World!  I have never been there, but I can now say my work has been to WDW! 

Fairy godmother and her student

The wand recipient

The Rose and the Nightingale Website is Set to Launch

I just finished the website for my newest adventure with my partner, Deb Heaphy. 
We both have a passion and love for tea and are so excited to get this new business off the ground.

We have a few more details to get done, but we have all our equipment (china, linens, teapots, tea cups, serving pieces, accessories and more).  We did a photo shoot about a month ago and some of those photos will be featured on our website.  I am really hoping this will all go public by mid-June.

 

Newest items on My Etsy Site

I just listed another vintage wedding bouquet on my Etsy site.  This one is made of vintage doilies with centers of vintage buttons and paper roses.  I also embellished it with some crystal accessories and tiny dried baby's breath.  I love these bouquets and think they would be great for any bride who wants something unique, different and a keepsake.

I decided that I would list two items together on my Etsy site as a package.  This is a dance dress for a little girl and a hair wreath.  This would be a great birthday gift or could be a Halloween costume or just a fun thing to play dress up!  

Easter Sunday, 2011

Today is Easter Sunday.  He is Risen!  He is risen Indeed!!!  Hallelujah!
Arise, let your spirit Arise! 

It is a cold, rainy day, but the backyard is lit up in greens and spots of color here and there. 
I have my coffee in hand and I have checked my email and Facebook...to find greetings from The Vice family with a message in the sand, the word...Kathy.....it was a great tribute and as my sister, LeeAnne put it, "We will not forget".  Corey posted a e-card she had made remembering my grandparents, my uncle Bill, my cousin Bobby and my sister Kathy.  I had to get the kleenex out for that one! Thank you Corey!  It was a very thoughtful rememberance.

It was nice to see all the other posts on Happy Easter greetings and to see what everyone is up to.  I love my nephew-in-law, Jason's comment..."Happy Easter now where are the donuts!" 

I see all the little ones in our family...Cody all dressed up in his easter parade finery! Gracie at the beach. 

Gene is in the kitchen making cornbread for today's dinner.  I was going to BBQ, but it is cold and rainy, so I will change that to oven BBQ chicken. 

I am waiting for the birds to come out an play on the bird feeder and I can't wait to give Gene his Easter gift...not one, but two new bird feeders.  We fixed the old one...but it is being held together with wire and a prayer!

God has blessed me and my family with a love that will last forever!

Oh...HERE COMES THE SUN!!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!

The Rose and the Nightingale

New beginnings, new horizons and dreams coming true!

Tea Parties

I would love to host more tea parties!
I enjoy the experience of being able to just relax with friends and/or family, enjoying conversation and their company. Tea parties bring me peace and I think every day should be spent that way!

Having tea with a friend is enjoyable, fun and great time to exchange ideas of each others interests, dreams and desires. It is a time to share and just "be".

THANK YOU!

There will never be enough thank yous to be said to the family that gave of their little son's organs to save so many lives. On December 12 his little kidneys were given to Gene. God bless them and him and I celebrate them...what an truly amazing gift!

A New Beginning

When I was young I think all I wanted was to be loved...in high school, when I was 15, I met the person that was to be the one to "complete me" (cheesy phrase, but it works). Gene & I married on April 9, 1977 and from that day to this one... it has been good times, some bumpy ones, some glorious ones...some devastating ones...we lived them all - together.
When we married, we knew there was a possibility that Gene may have the disease his father had called ARPKD or polycystic kidney disease. His father died of complications of a kidney transplant and the kidney he received, his body rejected. That was in 1974.
In 1996 Gene was diagnosed with PKD. The diagnosis came & went...we worried, we cried, but we carried on. Gene eventually went on to dialysis and chose the peritoneal method, as this enabled him to continue to work and have the mobility to enjoy all sorts of things...however, there were lifestyle changes, lots of favorite foods had to be limited and he could not go swimming. He had a few surgeries for things and some emergency room visits, but for the most part during those years we just went through each day, doing very ordinary things....until 2009...
In 2009 Corey was getting married in November and we spent 8 months planning, shopping and getting ready for her wedding. Her wonderful and special day came and she married the man of her dreams, Ron...our 1st son-in-law...and that day so filled our hearts with the biggest smiles and so much joy...how could anything top it? Well... in May of 2010, Brian graduated from Tulane University...and so we planned and traveled to New Orleans to spend a wonderful week of celebration with Brian...again a time of lots of smiles and good times, meeting his wonderful friends and their families and eating amazing food...so, could we top this? Just around that same time...Jesse called to let us know that the love of her life, Trevor, had proposed and they wanted to get married in August! Yikes! (Well, I sort of already knew...) but with this wedding we had only three months to pull off a great event - an absolutely fun party...and we did! and so...do you think we were ready to top this? I think we did!
On Saturday, December 11 at around 5pm, we received a phone call from UCSF...with an offer of a kidney for Gene. We had just been to UCSF a month prior for Gene to renew all his tests and again be "ready". He apparently had moved up further on "the list" ...feeling a bit unsettled and not sure what to think (as we had gone through this twice before) we just put things in the back of our minds...not thinking we would ever receive "the call"...well, indeed, we did! In a very stunned state, Gene said, "Yes!" to the offer.
The kidney was actually two kidneys, as the donor was a young child and they transplant both the child's kidneys to work as one adult kidney. The procedure is a little riskier, as the kidneys and all the connections (veins, ureter, etc) are so small. Surgery was set for 4:15am on Sunday, December 12 and thus a new life began!
I am writing this in the third week after transplant and I have to say the first few days were all about the hospital, scared silly and at the same time joyful, worried, hesitant to actually have feelings and thoughts that were all over the map! But Gene got to be released from the hospital only 3 days after the surgery...and is slowly and steadily recovering. We got to have all of our kids and our two wonderful son-in-laws here for Christmas. The new year came and went but we have the blessings of a new life, a new beginning and a new journey.... and off we go!