Special Award & And I Won, I Won!

This weekend we had some really nice spring-like weather. A sign that things will get warmer soon. Usually just a teaser though...but I look forward to them in February as this is usually when we get one or two of these type of days.

We took Dear Bebe out for a stroll around the neighborhood. I really needed the exercise and fresh air. Made me look forward to having a daily walk with Dear Bebe when the weather finally breaks and we have spring full time.

When I returned home from our stroll and a quick run to the grocery store, I found this is my email inbox:

Michelle from I'm a Little Teapot had sent me a sweet award. It was just what I needed yesterday, too. Despite the warm temperatures I was well, I don't know, just not having a good day. So sometimes as you're sending these awards out from your blog and you wonder if they really are doing any good...I can say they are! It was so nice to hear from Michelle and to read what this award is all about. Special blogger pals. Here's a description of this special friends award:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon's of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with.

So I would like to say THANK YOU! How sweet of you to think of me.

And now I would like to pay it forward by sending the award onto:

Sassafras & LuLu

MJ's Sputterings

The Daisy Chain

OliverRain

Creative Chaos

Jillian, Inc.

The Stone Rabbit

The Pink Boutique

You have all remained special bloggers to me during my time posting on here. If you've already received the award and posted it recently, no worries! And if you haven't received it yet, go ahead and grab it! I would have listed my entire blog list...but the "rules" say to name eight. But I really felt you all were deserving of the honor.

And now I'd also like to mention in this post that I won a giveaway! Yes, yes I did! There was a fun giveaway going on over at OliverRain and I was one of two recipients of a handmade market bag. She is so talented so I can't wait 'til it arrives so I can show you. A big THANK YOU for such a lovely prize.


With all that goes on in our busy lives, the technology that crowds out the solitude in life, it's nice to know it can bring a little sunshine, too. Let's face it, blogging is FUN!

Pink Saturday & 200th Post Giveaway!

Welcome to my Pink Saturday post. It is also my 200th post today! Whooie! That's a lot of stuff I had to share and to say!

First let's see what I am showing for you today in pink. It is very easy to find pink things when you have a baby girl in the house. Here are some sweet things she has received recently in pink:

This sweater set is ADORABLE! It is a gift from a sweet friend of my Mother's. My Mother is known in blogland as Ms. Daisy of The Daisy Chain. I was touched her friend thought of sending a gift to Dear Bebe. And from looking at the tag on the sweater, I think it is vintage so I love it even more.

I love the little rosebuds!And look at the ties on the feet...with a rosebud on each foot! Too cute!

And this little pink velour outfit is from one of Dear Hubby's co-workers. The little blue foot and hair accessories are from Grandma M.
A pretty green and pink bib and towel set (with her name custom done on the front of each) from one of my bestest gal pals, Mrs. W. She and I worked at a TV station together and were roommates. We even toured Europe together. Now we both have families and try to keep in touch whenever we can.

And now, for the giveaway celebration. I'd like to offer this pretty Valentine Heart Candy box full of neat items, plus other pretty things from my collections. I've even dug into the inventory from my Bella Rosa Antiques.com website.

You'll receive some pretty ephemera to use in scrapbooking, crafts or display. A sparkly word garland for Valentine's day, ribbons, vintage keys, a coral pink ornament shoe, the pink 50's car and more!

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post and add me to your blog follow list. Winner will be announced next Pink Saturday, February 14th, on Valentine's Day!

For more pretty pink things, check out Beverly's page at How Sweet the Sound.





Unfortunately due to the upgraded postal rates, I am only able to offer the giveaway to residents in the continental US at this time.

A MeMe for You

Well it is always fun to write when the topic is about yourself. I've been tagged by Ms. Daisy over at the Daisy Chain. I apologize for my lack of linking to other people's blogs today...short on time while watching Dear Bebe. Maybe I can do it later on tonight.

For now, here is what I did to fulfill the MeMe tag:

Answer the following questions.
Tag 5 other bloggers.
Let them know they have been tagged.

1. Name 5 things in your purse:
- Sunglasses
- Cell Phone
- Business cards for my website
- Change jangling around at the bottom
- Keys when I can find them

2. Name 5 things in your work room:
- Antiques to sell on my website
- A proudly framed college degree (Bachelor of Arts)
- 3 Ring binders full of ideas, Inventory lists, Geneology Records
- Stacks of paper I can never seem to throw out or organized
- Dear Hubby and his half of the office (always a mess!)

3. Name 5 things you are into:
- Antiques
- Cooking (really!)
- Dancing
- Learning more about my baby daughter
- Doing things with Dear Hubs

4. Name 5 things you always wanted to do:

- Have a family of my own (check)
- Go to Europe (check)
- Have a career (check)
- Open an antique shop on a trendy/artsy street
- Travel again to Europe but this time with Dear Hubby and Bebe. Show them my
favorite spots in Italy...then go over to Ireland, Scotland.

Pick 5 bloggers

MJ of MJ's Sputterings
Country Charm By Betty
Mary at Crash n Smash
Jen at Sanctuary Arts
Jennifer at Dust Bunny Hostage

I will let you gals know asap...if you happen to read my blog today....wonderful! And if you've already been tagged for this...my apologies for not checking first!

Be back soon for my 200th giveaway post tomorrow!

Raggedy Ann & Andy

Dear Bebe receives gifts from all over ...to my amazement. Dear Hubby's co-workers, relatives, friends of Ms. Daisy's, and even some sweet blogger pals! I am always touched when someone sends a gift to her. Somehow with all of the baby commotion early on, I forgot to show you a very special gift from Bebe's Aunt Kathy:

And I do apologize to Aunt Kathy for taking so long in posting about this sweet gift. Aunt Kathy collects R. Ann's and R. Andy's so this is really neat that she is passing some along to Dear Bebe. She is going to love them and they will remind us of Auntie K when we play with them. If we play with them. I played with my Raggedy Ann but she ended up losing her little pantaloons and apron because of it.

I could look at it two different ways. She'll get lots of enjoyment from playing with them...but they may get "ruined" in the process. What do you think? To use or to keep stored on a shelf?

Bebe Milestones

I know. I'm one of those "Look at the baby!" kind of Mom's. Well, I can't help it...she's growing so fast!


We play in her "Fairyland Gym" everyday...trying to build up those little muscles.
Look how well I'm holding up my head and shoulders!

She is going to have us wrapped around her little fingers. If not already! Sigh.

By the way, I'm having my 200th post giveaway this Saturday for "Pink Saturday." So in order to have it work out, I have to have a double post either today or tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Vintage Rose Postcards, Valentine Candy Boxes n More!

Whew! I just finished listing some "new" items to my website, BellaRosaAntiques.
And I say "whew!" because I am doing this inbetween Dear Bebe's naps, etc. I also want to apologize to the gals on my email list. I accidently sent it out twice! I will make sure next time that doesn't happen. The saying "haste makes waste" couldn't be more true.



But anyway, here is what I have to offer this week plus more not seen here. With Valentine's Day around the corner, this is always so much fun.



This is a "double layer" sized candy box. Marked Martens' Chocolates from Summit, NJ. I'll have to do more research on this little beauty. I love the vintage decor on top.
Another Valentine Candy Heart Box. This one is covered in a hot pink satin with a pretty rose and netting decoration. Also marked Martens' Chocolates.

A very unique rose pocket vintage apron. It is so sweet!

I love these. My maternal Grandmother had one in her dressing area. I always thought it made her seem so exotic and fashionable. I love the "French Ormolu" detail.

Always adorable, kittens! This aqua and gingham apron is a unique longer length. Possibly came from a Mennonite home to cover a longer dress or skirt? Just a thought on that one.

And classic vintage shakers for your collection or as some of the gals have requested for glitter and crafting.

Don't forget we have the glitter word garlands...they're not just for Christmas. Choose from LOVE, XOXO, KISS and more!

Also just listed: A Christmas apron, another vintage jewelry box, vintage ROSE postcards...two are signed C Klein. Some are printed in Germany. They have the most gorgeous graphics!

Hope you're having a great day. I'm trying to keep warm and stay one step ahead of my little Bebe. Hoping to post a new picture of her soon.

Groundhog Day ~ Haven't We Done this Before?

Photo courtesy of Associated Press

Groundhog day. I wish I could find more joy in it. The only joy being of course, that this not so attractive critter would predict a spring that is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! But he predicted six more weeks of winter. What? Surprise surprise. Yawn. I'm not enthused. It is a good thing I am not there when they set the little guy down for his shadow demonstration. There I would be asking...are you sure? ARE YOU SURE? I think I saw something that looked like I shadow. Take another look! Can we try that again?

I did read in the news this morning about Punxsutawney Phil:

Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil didn't see his shadow was in 1999.

The only thing I have to say about that is...1999 was a good year. And what happened during those other nine years?

Here at Jillian's Pages we actually have our own groundhog. I've named him Gordy. Gordy the Groundhog. Dear Hubs threatens to shoot him every year but because I have named him (Ha!) he's not allowed to touch him. I haven't seen Gordy come out of his hole in a long time. I wouldn't come out either if I were him.

So, another boring Groundhog Day. To lift your spirits, rent Groundhog Day, the movie. It will be sure to bring a smile to your face if you're like me and find today's news on the depressing side. We can do it...what's six more weeks?

Pink Saturday ~ Mini Shoe Collection & An Award!

Hello and welcome to my Pink Saturday post, hosted originally for us Pink Ladies over at Beverly's How Sweet the Sound. I look forward to these posts because well, obviously I love the color pink! It is such a soothing color to me. I have the usual items in pink: handbags, some clothing, some high heels, jewelry, baseball caps, etc. But when I discovered I could collect mini pink high heeled shoes....oh boy! Watch out!

Here is what I have so far. Not a very large collection but enough to fill this small curio:

Also today I'd like to present an award, given to me by sweet Mary over at Crash n Smash.

This is the Pink Lemonade Award. How appropriate on Pink Saturday! Thank you, Mary! How sweet! Now I of course, I want some Pink lemonade!



Here is the official info on the award:

What this award is about...

Bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude.


What you have to do...

Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you also pass it on to other bloggers who you think show great attitude and gratitude.

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Link to your nominees within your post.


4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.



5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I, Jillian, being of sound mind and body (ahem!) and love the color pink pass the award to:



Dana of The Stone Rabbit

Ms. Daisy of The Daisy Chain

Polly of Counting Your Blessings

Ms. Lucy Bloom of Lucy Bloom

And just for fun, here is a recipe for PINK Lemonade:





Old Fashioned Pink Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
1 1/4 cup sugar (if using unsweetened cranberry juice, 1 cup if using sweetened)

4 cups water (divided)

1 cup cranberry juice

1 cup lemon juice

Method

1 Make a "simple syrup" by heating sugar and 1 cup of the water in a small saucepan until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.

2 Stir together the remaining water, cranberry juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. Make adjustments to taste. Chill for an hour, or add ice to cool.

Serves 6.

Signing Up

Last Sunday, after church,, I was in the nursery area with Dear Bebe, getting ready to go. Another Mother was gathering up her children and we were making conversation. Her mother was with her. Her youngest is about a year old. He's so cute I enjoy seeing him interact with his mommy. She fed him a few animal crackers. Then my eyes and ears took notice of something else. She said "more?" And he banged his little hands together. Before she would give him the cookie she made him do something else....give her a please. But because he can't fullly talk yet he swiped his little hand near his shoulder. This was good enough for her even though it wasn't the actual sign. So he received the cookie.

Well, being the concerned (new) mom that I am my mind started to race. Sign language? I have to learn sign language! OH NO. The only time I've ever come across sign language was in the fifth grade when I read Helen Keller and thought it might be neat to learn another language. I quickly forgot because I'm sure at that age something else seemed even more exciting and never thought about it again. Until now.

So I pipe up: Sign language? Do I have to know sign language now, too? Like this was going to be the straw that broke the camel's back.

She laughed and said it made it easier to communicate with her baby since he can't talk yet.

I then wondered how we ever communicated to our parents because I don't think my Mother (Or anyone else's mother) ever taught sign language back in the 60's. Ewww. That makes me sound old!

I turn to her mother and say... what did our Mother's do? She just shrugged her shoulders and said "oh no, we didn't do that." And from what I gathered, she didn't need to. It didn't seem to make or break anything.

What I've decided is that what I see are just a few small tools for communication used to help mom and baby and I shouldn't panic. I don't think I need to recite the entire pledge of allegiance with it. Although, I guess that wouldn't hurt.

Any thoughts?

Everyone Knows Best

The other day I decided to take Dear Bebe out for a stroll. I needed to get out of the house....I'd had some sort of flu bug, it's been cold, and the house was getting to me. So, on a fairly warm day, I decided to go to the mall. Yes, I know, I recently wrote about why I don't like shopping for new things...but I had received a gift card for Christmas and I decided I'd better use it before the store goes out of business. (You never know these days.)

And I was going prepared. I wasn't going to be one of THOSE mom's. I had the diaper bag out. I look inside:

Diapers. Check.
Wipes. Check.
Changing Mat. Check.
Bottle with milk. Check.
Pacifier with neat attachment thingy so it is easy to find. Check.
Rash Ointment. Check.
Burp cloth. Check.
Extra outfit. Check.

Then I bring:

Blankie for car seat to keep her from getting too cold. Check.
Cute dangly toys for car seat/stroller to keep her happy. Check.

It's all there. I'm super confident, so, out we went. Oh I was feeling great about getting out. But, uneasy because I hadn't taken Dear Bebe out to the mall yet. I'd waited for several reasons.

1) The doctor said to wait at least two months before going to the mall. He must REALLY think this place is a germ pit.

2) By the time she was old enough it was Christmas shopping season and even I don't go to the mall then.

3)By the time Christmas was over, I was sick.

We were doing so well for awhile. I'm looking at clearance racks for clothes to fit a 6-9 month old and Dear Bebe falls asleep. Wonderful! Then a 2 year old in a stroller gets closer and closer to our location and I can hear her because she is shouting every word she speaks. SHOUTING! Finally I had to move away from the rack just as I was hitting the mother lode because she woke up Dear Bebe. Ut oh. First comes the pout...then she starts crying. Sigh. Pacifier to the rescue. We're okay again!

We make it to another store, when my biggest mistake of the day is about to happen. The pacifier falls, face down, onto the dirty department store floor. We just make it to the check out and Dear Bebe starts screaming. Of course! Now the clerk behind the counter starts fidgeting. I'm bailing on cute clothes I've picked out for Dear Bebe right and left because I can't think straight. The woman behind me in designer high heeled boots with designer jeans stuffed into them (who wears high heel boots to the mall?) takes off in a huff, clutching her designer duvet cover to her hip. Obviously she hasn't done this before. Or maybe she has!

I look around. I feel like everyone is staring and thinking: "...they should call child protective services on that woman."

I look back to the clerk and stutter "the pacifier fell on the floor! I....I .... didn't want to put THAT in her mouth!" I get a blank stare in return. Clearly a baby crying is a no no in the peace and quiet of her retail work day.

Another woman comes up with a concerned look on her face, looks down and says "She's probably too hot with all of that stuff in there." I look down at the stroller and start pulling away at the blanket covering Dear Bebe's legs. Well, it was warm in there. Another says "She's probably hungy." I pull out the bottle I had already tried feeding her with a half hour earlier to no avail. Dear Bebe is way too upset to eat.

Again, I open my mouth and try to appease them with "this is my first mall attempt." Like this is going to change the situation.

Meanwhile the clerk is patiently waiting for me to swipe my credit card so she can be rid of me and my screaming baby.

Another woman tries to offer me advice: "It does get better!"

I look back to the clerk and she is handing me my package and says in her most sheepish, sympathetic,sing songy have a good day kind of voice: "You did save 97.00!" Like looking like a psycho mom was worth it.

As I walk away I'm wondering how the heck I saved 97.00 when I only bought a handful of baby clothing from the clearance rack. The markup on these little outfits is incredible.

I turn the stroller around looking for the nearest exit while wondering why I ever thought this was a good idea when I realize only 4 people think I am a pathetic mom. Oh, and the duvet cover woman. That's not too bad.

Could have been worse.

Note to self.... always bring a back up binky.