Vintage Christmas Ornaments & More Just Listed

Dear Hubby gave me some free time this morning away from my Mommy chores to work on my Bella Rosa Antiques website. He loves his Dear Bebe!

Here are a few of the items I've listed for the Christmas season. They are all 20 % off too!


I really love decorating our tree with vintage glass ornaments. Reminds me of candy when it is all finished and sparkly.





This bottle brush wreath is a wonderful silver tone....in a vintage style. Great for the Shabby Chic decor!

These are so cute...petite little boxes of vintage Shiny Brite ornaments...the glass balls are soooo cute and perfect for that smaller tree...or to arrange in a vintage bowl.


These were handcrafted and signed. I just have two...one in red and the other in the ivory.

I love these sparkly word garlands. There are many to choose from in gold: "Merry", "Christmas", "Noel", "Wish", "Peace", and "Love."

In the silver I have: "Peace", "Dream", "Joy", "Bella", "Wish", "Kiss", "XOXO", and "Love."

Another bottle brush wreath...this one is a little smaller and a fav of mine because it is PINK!

I couldn't resist filling this silver tray with sea shells. You could do a lot with the vintage style silver garland too...looks great on a tree or spread around the mantle.

Having fun here during my "me" time...and I hope you get a minute to check out the rest of the holiday items on sale at Bella Rosa Antiques.

A Big Thank You on Thanksgiving

Today we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house. We've begun a tradition here, I believe. Even though the Jillian's Pages household is very very tired because of a two month old in the house, we are excited to see everyone.

I also know I have a lot to be thankful for this year. A great family, a wonderful husband, and a beautiful baby.



May your day be filled with lots of love and joy as you celebrate what you are thankful for this year. And if you are reading this and you are not living in America and do not celebrate this day, it is a great time to reflect on good things that have happened in your life.


And a big thanks to all of my readers who keep me lifted up with all of your lovely comments. I appreciate you. I'll be back later to show pictures of our day!

What Ails That Cat?

One of the things I love about cats is how quirky they can be. Each cat has it's own personality and no two are the same.




Take our youngest cat, Sissy, for example. Why she needs to rest her head on the rung of the chair, I have no idea. You would think a cat would not want to lean on her neck. Kind of quirky or maybe a human-like thing to do.






Then there is Minnie, the oldest cat. She has ears that can pick up the slightest sound. When I am taking off my eye makeup, I get out a small jar of vaseline. It is cheap and has done the job well ever since I can remember, so I never buy expensive eye makeup remover. Well, this cat will hear me open the jar and come running because ...get this...



she likes to eat it! Ewwwwwww! I have heard it is a remedy for some cats and their digestive tract, but that they may not like to eat it. Minnie does! And before you get all squeamish...she has her own little jar...I don't let her touch mine. But the whole thing is just weird, isn't it? I can't believe I'm writing about it on the blog!



And why is Minnie sneaking up to the window?

Ahhhh yes...because of these:
At least this is a more normal type of kitty behavior. Dear Hubby just put this feeder up and it is driving the cats crazy. They start kitty "barking" which is really funny.



And that my friends is today's episode of "What Ails That Cat?" Gotta love 'em.


Unless, of course, you are a dog person.

A Girl Can Never Have Too Many...

Last week my brother in law was over to visit my Dear Hubby. When he walked in he set down a very large shopping bag and said "Here's a little something for the baby."

I opened the bag and there was an envelope for Dear Bebe. Inside was a note. It read:

"Dear Bebe, a girl can never have too many stuffed animals. Love, Aunt Mary."

I reached into the bag and pulled out a very cute pink dog with a polka dot ribbon....and then
I reached in and pulled out a creamy colored (and very soft) teddy bear...

And before I knew it, I had pulled FIVE stuffed animals out of that bag! And one was more adorable than the next.


I just know Dear Bebe is going to love them...look at her already!

How sweet is Aunt Mary??? Thank you!

Expelled No Intelligence Allowed = Excellent

Last night Dear Hubby and I watched another one of our Netflix movies, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, by Ben Stein.

In a word, excellent! Of course the topic of evolution, which the documentary is about, will bring on a flurry of debate among readers. Since I loved the movie I obviously believe we are all brought here on this earth by a Creator and evolution is not how we came to exist.

If you are not sure, rent or buy the movie for yourself. Ben Stein is an intelligent man of sound mind and he made some very EXCELLENT points that even the scientists themselves were stuttering over. He brought several of them to the point of admitting they did not know for sure if evolution is correct. If no one knows for sure then why discount the Intelligent design theory? And why not allow both theories in our schools?

I could go on and on about this topic of which I still might...given more time...but Dear Bebe (by the way, having a baby really makes you think about how we are designed so perfectly) is waking up and I need to run.

Again, I encourage you Dear Reader to check this movie out even if you are on the opposite side of the fence...because it is a well made documentary.

In fact, I thought it was so good, I'm giving it not five popcorns, but a perfect 10! Thank you, Mr. Stein, for having the hutzpah to produce this film.

What's Up With That, Mr. Hershey?

I love chocolate. Even more specific, I love Hershey's candy. The other day, I was watching TV and a commercial came on that I see every year during the Christmas season. You know the one, where the Hershey's kisses ring like little bells to "We wish you a Merry Christmas?"



It is a cute commercial that reminds us to check how many shopping days we have left and ask ourselves "hmmmm, do I need to buy more kisses for our upcoming get together?" Then at the end it reads "Happy Holidays."

What??? Happy Holidays???? I saw it on NOVEMBER 10th. A little too early! Unless of course Veteran's Day is now considered one of the holidays. And maybe it is because we live so close to Hershey that I feel compelled to let them know how I feel. What are they going to do next year? Run these ads in October for Halloween? (Some people actually think this is a holiday by the way.)

I think the consumers should speak out and let them know how we can't be manipulated like this. Is anyone else with me?

What would Milton Hershey think?

Sigh. The truth is, all of this talk about chocolate is making me want to go out and buy some of those darn kisses! Maybe they know what they're doing afterall.

But I'm still bothered by the Happy Holidays tag. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Kisses for Bebe!

Most of you know I have recently become a mother. If you are a follower of my blog (which by the way, you can click on the right side of my blog here and follow my posts if you'd like...hint hint!) you will know that I am an "older" Momma. Besides all of the obvious reasons why this is not an ideal age to have a baby, like looking older or wondering how old you'll be by the time the baby reaches twenty....there's the poor eyesight, weight gain, aching joints, etc. Now on top of this I would think my "wisdom" over the years will help me raise the baby. Or, could it possibly be that all of the things I have seen or heard in life makes me more paranoid? This is something Dear Gramma thought of during her visit and it is probably because she observed her Dear Daughter (me) thinking too much (obsess?)over every little thing.

One of my stresses believe it or not, is making sure Dear Bebe burps enough. I just can't seem to get her to burp a lot, so I worry that my lack of burping talent is going to give her horrible gas pains. Lucky for us while Dear Gramma was here, she showed her master burping skills. But now that we are alone again, I am worrying.

Worrying is not going to help either of us, I know. There is something I do to help us both out, however. I know it is something I do to help ME, but I'm hoping in the long run, it helps her. And it is silly. . . but when she DOES burp I sing out "KISSES FOR BEEEBEEE!" And give her a rewarding kiss to let her know this is a good thing and to keep up the good work. Like the baby knows what I am doing. Sigh.

The funny thing is when I do this I hear something from the other room: "BURRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPP!.....Kisses for Dadddddddddddddddyyyyyy!"

Obviously he is not worrying.

Bye Bye Gramma!

This weekend the Jillian's Pages household had a visitor...Dear Gramma! (Ms. Daisy of the Daisy Chain)She took the train to come see Dear Bebe.

Here she is for a feeding...note all of the pink stuff!

Then the weekend was over....and we're waiting for the departing ride to arrive. This train station is old and has a lot of history. Makes you wonder all of the different visitors it has seen. Especially all of the Grammas going to visit their Dear Bebes!

Just making sure we know where we're going...

Time to go!

Bye Gramma! Thanks for visiting with us...

There goes the train!

Vocabulary Changes

"Is the tape cued?"

"The promo shoot is on for Friday"

"The script is in the teleprompter"

"What time does that air?"

"I need these graphics ready by 5:00"

These were the type of words and phrases I used to utter in my former life.

Now the words I hear myself saying now are:

"How's my sweetpea?"

"Is that a toot?"

"You must have a gas bubble"

"There's my snuggle bunny!"

While the vocabulary has changed drastically, I find the rewards much greater.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

Each morning when I am dozing inbetween Dear Bebe feedings, I am usually in awe by the beautiful sight before me. The picture below is a series of windows in our family room. I watch as the night time slowly disappears into the day. There isn't one exact moment of change... like when you switch a light bulb on and off. It happens before my eyes ever so perfectly. The transformation is amazing and beautiful.



This time of year is particularly awesome because of the maple trees that have turned a rich golden color. The leaves have hung on in our area of Pennsylvania and it is November, which is great because the bare stickly trees can depress me.

There is something about a sunrise that gives us a new outlook on what lies ahead. Another chance at life. What we do with that opportunity makes all the difference. I hope the same can be said for our election results.

I Can See Clearly Now

About a year ago I misplaced my glasses. They were a pretty nice pair, prescribed to me by an eye doctor. Now it seems easy to think I could just call up said doctor, make an appointment and get a new pair, right? Well, I did this and found out upon arrival that the doctor does not take our insurance anymore. Who drops people's insurance? Anyway, I put off finding a new doctor thinking I had plenty of time, meanwhile, squinting my way at the grocery store, reading the backs of food labels, etc. Then I got pregnant and with the funky hormones, etc, figured I should wait until it was over to make sure I got the right prescription glasses. Well, now, I'm too busy and can barely get away for my regular appointments, let alone, trying to find a new eye doctor.

So a few weeks ago, I managed to get out of the house. Where did I go? COSTCO. Yep, my big afternoon out and I went to get food. Oh boy! But, it was great. And while I was shopping I saw this stand of eyeglasses. The makers let you peer into lenses and read words behind each "pair" to help you figure out what strength you need. I selected a pair and now I can finally see all kinds of things. Especially Dear Bebe. Doesn't that sound terrible??? It's not that I am completely blind, because I can see things at a distance, but it sure does help to see your baby up close!

They say when you turn 40 your eyes start to go, but I think this started about 5 years ago. While I can see clearer now... I can also see I am being defined by my latest accessory...reading glasses. Maybe I should get the more popular and fashionable Sarah Palin frames and turn what appears to be a negative into a positive. Either that or a piece of jewelry.