Networking with the bloggers at Blissdom

Some of you are probably asking, what exactly is Blissdom?  It is a conference just for bloggers!  And it happens to take place at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, which is just a 30 minute drive from my house.  I knew I would not be able to actually attend the conference this year, but I thought that if I could just go down there during the lunch break, I would have an opportunity to meet and network with some of the ladies whose blogs I follow.  So my sweet friend Melissa offered to come with me to help with the kids so I could go.  Thank you again Melissa, it meant a lot to me! :)

I was able to see all the women who I knew would be there, and then I met some new bloggers too!  It was so much fun, I wish I could've hung out all afternoon and met more!

Lisa Leonard is on the left.  I have been following her blog for a long time.  She makes beautiful, one of a kind, hand stamped jewelry.  She has a very successful business and blog, I always look forward to reading her new posts and seeing photos of her new jewelry pieces.  I was super excited to meet her in person!

Maggie Whitley (aka Gussy) is on the right.  This super sweet gal sews the most beautiful bags, totes, clutches, purses, etc.  The ruffle is her trademark and it makes her stuff just super cute and so trendy!  Her business grew so well, and so quickly, that she quit her full time job last year in order to do her online sewing business full time!  That is awesome!  She is such an inspiration, I always learn so much from her.  I have emailed back and forth with her over the last year, so I was really excited to actually meet her in person.  Not to mention the fact that we are both originally from West Michigan, so we have that in common as well. :)

Running into Donielle from Naturally Knocked Up was just a bonus!  I didn't even know she was going to be there, I just recognized her face and stopped her immediately!  What a treat to meet her in person.  She is a Master Herbalist student and a natural mama, which is right up my alley.  So I have enjoyed following her blog and learning a lot of great info.  And while talking to her, I learned that she is also from West Michigan.  Yeah for more Michiganders! :)

As we were on our way out of the hotel, we just happened to walk past Laurie from Tip Junkie.  I was like "hey, I follow your blog!"  LOL!  I knew she was going to be there, I just wasn't sure if I would run into her.  But sure enough, I did.  What a blast!  Her blog shares ALL kinds of tips.  Everything from party ideas, craft ideas, holiday tips, DIY, decorating, etc.

A couple other gals I met that I do not have photos of but I need to mention are Allison from No Time For Flash Cards.  She has great resources for teaching your preschool aged children, which I have, so I was excited to meet her!

I also met Ruth from Living Well Spending Less.  I had to talk to her because she is as tall as me, and I just don't see many women who are that tall! :)  So we chatted for a few minutes and exchanged business cards.  A very sweet gal with a great blog about how to find style and luxury on a budget.

Please click on the links I've shared with you and come learn more about these neat ladies and their wonderful blogs and businesses!  You will be glad you did!  And maybe if everything works out I can attend Blissdom next January.  I will see where the Lord leads me and my business in this next year.

Christmas in January

When I went up to Michigan a few weeks ago for my grandma's funeral, my mom still had her Christmas decorations out.  She goes all out when it comes to decorating the house for Christmas!  It dawned on me that the last time we had been up there during the winter was 2002, so it was fun to see her Christmas decorations, and all the snow again!  I took some photos of both her decorations and the snow, so I wanted to share them with you.  I realize we are almost to Valentine's Day now, but its always fun to see how others decorate, it can give you some new ideas and inspiration.  I hope you enjoy it!

The main Christmas tree in the living room.

I made the bell ornament when I was a kid.  I loved looking at all her old ornaments!  Some were vintage ones my grandma Ida had.

On top of the hutch in the dining room.  She likes snowmen.  So do I. :)

The front of the vintage photo holder from the photo of my mom with Santa when she was little.

Her snowman tree in the dining room.

A craft she made way back in the 1980's, I remember it!

Cute idea for the centerpiece on the table.

Cute jars of goodies on the kitchen island.

One of the little vintage elves who hangs out in a room of the house.  My brother and I used to fight over who got to put which elf where. LOL!

Lake effect snow in Michigan!  Just beautiful to watch it fall.

The window box on the garage.

Wreath on the window.  It looks so pretty with the icicles and falling snow!

Frozen on the rose bush.

So pretty!!

Just to show how deep it got even on the tree branches.

Also on the dining room hutch.

Her kitchen sink.

The downstairs half bath.

The rustic, outdoor sportsman tree in the family room.

Handmade stockings my mom's friend Linda made.

And of course more snowmen!

Grandma and the boys

I love this old photo!  I had never seen it before until my dad emailed it to me last Fall.  That is my grandma Evelyn Mae, and the boys from left to right are: my dad, my uncle Wayne, and my uncle Den.  My two aunts weren't even born yet.  No one knew where this was taken, but I think its just the sweetest picture.  I love seeing the shed, fence, and trailer in the background, the patio furniture, and I love the boys shoes!  I wonder who or what they are looking at?  I wonder what they were just doing, or about to do?  It is so fun to look back at the old black and white photos that give us a small glimpse into another era of days gone by.

Quinoa almond cookies

Okay, I know what you are thinking, quinoa in cookies???  YES!!  Not only is quinoa healthy, but it tastes great in these chocolate chip cookies!  And of course so does the almond flour.  The biggest plus is they have been taste tested and approved by my 3 1/2 year old! :)  Enjoy!

Quinoa Almond Cookies:

1 c. almond flour

1/2 c. quinoa flour (grind in coffee bean grinder or food processor)

2 tbls arrowroot powder

1 1/2 tbls baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 c. coconut oil

1/3 c. sugar

1 egg

1 cup choc. chips

Mix together, drop onto baking sheet (you may need to shape them a bit as the dough is crumbly) bake at 350 degrees until they just start to get golden brown.  Next time I think I may just press them onto a pan and cut into bars.

Come on over and "like" my FB fan page! {giveaway to come!}

I just posted on my status today that as soon as my FB fan page reaches 100 fans, I will have a giveaway here on my blog.  So please share my FB page with all your friends!  The quicker we get to 100 fans, the sooner I will do a giveaway.  And we all like the chance to win free stuff right??  Share the love! :)

Fabric covered bangles

I just LOVE these!!!!  So fun!!!  I used some vintage plastic bangles my mom gave me last week and wrapped them in some fun fabric and it gave them a whole new life!

Remembering grandma Evelyn Mae

Last week Wednesday my grandma, who I just introduced you to a few posts ago, passed from this life to eternity with Jesus.  We knew that day was coming, but it never fully prepares you to say goodbye to your loved ones.  I was able to take Elise (my 19 month old) and fly up to Michigan to be with my family and attend her funeral.  It meant a lot to me to be there, the closure was exactly what I needed.  And even though I mourn her passing, and I miss her dearly, I have joy in my heart knowing that she is now with the Lord.  My last conversation with her on the phone confirmed all that for me.  She was at peace with God and was ready to go home to Him.  As a Christian, I rejoice knowing that I will see her again in heaven.

Relaunching my business with the new name, and during this new year, was just the perfect timing.  What a great way to honor my special grandma's, who are now both at home with Jesus.  I wanted to share a sweet photo with you all that was taken in 2008 when my son Ronnie was almost one.  It is four generations; grandma, my dad, me and Ronnie.

New rings for January!

Here are my newest creations!  I am working on my new Etsy shop right now, so they will all be available for purchase soon!

Food for the photo shoot

Today I am going to take photos of the newest rings I've made to start listing on my new Etsy shop.  I figured I could use a yummy snack to munch on while I work.  No bake cookies sounded yummy, so I whipped up a batch.  And yes, I already ate one before they even set up!  Mmmm!!!

Photos to come of my newest creations!

So who is Ida & Mae?

I'm glad you asked!  First let me welcome you to the new blog for my launch of Ida & Mae.  One of the main reasons I decided to relaunch my business with a new name and a new look is that I felt limited by the name Beadworks by Marcy.  I am going to be offering other items besides jewelry, so I needed a name that would not limit to me to......just beads!

And now to give you the meaning behind the name Ida & Mae.  Ida was my maternal grandmother.  She loved the Lord, served others with joy, lived very frugal and had a great sense of humor.  She passed away in 1995 and I miss her dearly, but she is worshipping at the feet of Jesus now.  I take such great comfort in knowing that, and as a Christian,  I know I will see her again one day in heaven.

Mae is the middle name of my paternal grandmother, Evelyn.  Our daughter Elise Mae carries her middle name too.  I just went to visit my family in September and got to spend some time with my grandma, and she was able to meet her great granddaughter for the first time.  She has been in and out of the hospital since Thanksgiving, her heart is failing.  She now has hospice coming in a few times a week.  As hard as it is to lose a loved one, she is ready to go home to Jesus.  And that gives me great comfort as well.

So that is who Ida & Mae are; my two precious grandma's.  I love being able to use their names for my business, it holds special meaning to me and it felt like a great way to honor them and keep my memories of them alive.