How did your week go?

So, how did the week go for everyone? I hope that you all had a great week, and got everything done that you wanted to!

This was a busy week for me....I finally got my soap made...still some to go, that will happen today, but thought I would show you some of the last batch I made...Blackberry Pie with Oatmeal...each weighs between 4.5oz and 5oz...I was really pleased at the color when I was done....wasn't sure how it would go! And they smell so good!!! Of course, these batches won't be ready until the middle of November or so...but, I will have some up today that will be good to go today!

Here is the soap in my small mold....

And these are a few of the bars...

Today I will be making some Mocha Latte Soap, Brown Sugar and Molasses (those are good for today....) Honey Oatmeal, Vanilla Oatmeal......whatever I can get to! I LOVE making soap...almost as much as my candles...which I will be doing soon....look for some Gift Baskets with Soaps, Matching Candles, and Powders.....hopefully they will get up in November in time for Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas....it is almost Halloween!! I simply cannot believe that! I am still in the Fall mode...but I had better get it together and head for the Winter mode!! Is everyone still in Fall? Or have you moved on?

I spent an awesome morning yesterday! So did Max....Brandi called and we spent quite a bit of the morning (afternoon for her!), on the webcam, and got to catch up on things...and to make it all the better? Our Alex was there too...and we got to see her and visit with her! I even got to see her take a nap.....she fell alseep on Mama's lap, and slept through part of it...hmmm....I am wondering....do you think that is a comment on her Grandma Jan's and PawPaws conversation? Surely not!!!! ;) Her Daddy was gone for the weekend on a fishing trip, so we missed him...but what a wonderful way to spend time! We are so far away from them...and I went to sleep last night, smiling about our visit and getting to see Alex!

Well, I see that Brenda survived the Craft Sale! I am going to get on the phone in a bit and see how she did...drove me nuts not being able to go see what she had done!

I suppose that I need to get up and get some soap started! I am not going to bed until I have a batch or two made......and I am ready for bed now by 10:00....so I need to get it together! Hope that everyone had a great week, and an even better weekend!

We were gifted with an Award!

Life has been busy here, and I was off the blog for a few days...and guess what I found when I popped on last night!! An Award!!

Sue, at Oodlekadoodle has gifted us with the Fabulous Fall Decor Award! We are so happy!! Thanks, Sue! You always brighten our day!

Now, one of the rules is that we need to pass this great award to six of our favorites.....which is hard, as there are so many! But, as Brenda is busy, it fell to me...and this is who I nominate!

Karen of My Colonial Home

Lisa of Skunk Hollow Country Store

Tanya of Tanya's Prim Thyme Desgns

Mary of Gettysburg Homestead

Tonya of Back Porch Pickins'

Karin of CountryFolk Keepsakes

So, what has been going on with us? Not much in the Oregon place....I have made some more soap, and candles and have some about ready to list...I have been staring at that YoYo table mat I started.......and staring, and staring....and I guess I will just put it away for a bit....it is not suiting me....and for the life of me, I don't know why!

Brenda is busy, busy, busy...getting ready for the craft show this weekend. She has an amazing bunch of items to sell....she just amazes me at how fast she can put things together! I keep telling her..."take pictures", and she assures me that she will, so maybe we will have some to post the first of the week!

Mom and Dad Pike showed up today....what a great surprise! And Mom made the distance from the car, up the stairs, and into the house with no walker, nor a cane. Just Dad's arm! She is doing so good! We got all caught up on the family.....brother Craig is home from SD and in CA. Lance is home for a bit, though I think he is going to Klamath Falls for a few days of work. My family doesn't seem to spend much time at home...!!

Mom F. is busy whipping out the quilt....she is over half-done, and I do believe she is making plans to start another one....!!

I have been making my Christmas list...originally all the kids were getting gift certificates...well the big kids were, the little ones were getting presents...but since we didn't get back to GA and FL....they are getting REAL presents....all handcrafted...well, we do have a little guy...and a big guy...they might get store bought.....little guys are a bit harder to do for than the girls, and big guys....well, we'll see....Shawn, if you read this? Send me a list! Anna, you can send a list, but Grandma Jan already knows what you are getting!! Lauren, Alex and Kaitlyn....Grandma Jan knows what you are getting too....and since you aren't writing yet, (are you writing Lauren?), you have to trust us! Big kids? Already know what you are getting too...but if you have a list...!!

I cannot believe that Christmas is getting so close, so fast! Halloween is just around the corner, then time seems to fly!

Well, it is late, and I am beginning to spend more time correcting my spelling, than the actual typing...so off to bed I go! Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week!

What a Gorgeous Day!!!!

How is everyone today? I thought that I would just get blogging...my goal is EVERY DAY!! We'll just see how that goes! I have been surfing around today, and did some window shopping....wow! There is some awesome stuff out there! I'm really sorry that I decided to behave myself and not do any shopping this month. I actually have been fairly good at that...but, I am starting to itch and twitch.......going to have to shop soon!

We went up the river this afternoon for dinner, and I got some photos of the colors. They are not nearly as beautiful as what all you lucky people back East have....the West Coast just doesn't turn as well as the East....but, it is pretty, and once we have some freezing mornings, they will get brighter. So this is what we saw as we headed out:

And this:

And to top that off...I didn't have to cook dinner!!!!

Brenda sent me a couple photos that she had taken, and I thought I would add them here too...they are good ones!
Isn't Alaska gorgeous? Max and I really wanted to get up there to visit before they left....but it doesn't look like that will happen. Every picture that she has taken is so beautiful!

Well, I had better close this..it is late, and I have to finish making the bed....clean fleece sheets...it is getting cold here at night! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Good Afternoon, All!!

Good afternoon all!!! It has been a while since one of us Blogged...and we are feeling badly about that! But, truly, we have been busy!!

I don't know if you noticed, but there are two banners above now.....Starlight Prims and Olde Harbor Saltbox......Brenda and I opened sister sites....with her in AK, and me in OR, there was always the worry about postage! We wanted to save everyone postage, but it was a worry that we might not be able to. We will still be blogging together though...so you can keep up with us here!

Brenda is getting ready for a Craft Sale at Ft. Wainwright in AK, that will be next weekend. She has been busy! So, if you are close to Ft. Wainwright, pop in and see her goodies!

I have been busy with the new site...mine is the Starlight Prims. It is a bit empty right now, but hopefully, I will be adding things regularly! I have just finished some soap...that will hit the site the first of November...with more to follow. I will also have the powder listed...just have to print off the labels. Ornies are almost done too, for the Christmas Season, so check in regularly and see what we both have!

I have also opened a 100 Top Site list, which will be FUN! I can hardly wait to check out who all will sign up...I love checking out different sites..that might be why I don't always get much done in the day!


If you would like to sign up and advertise your site, here is the link: http://starlightprims.gotop100.com/ . Free advertising can't be beat!!


I have found several awesome sites....one of my favorites is: Skunk Hollow Country Store, which can be found here: http://www.skunkhollowcountrystore.com/ . Lisa also has Wymzee Art, which is here: http://www.wymzeeart.com/main.html . Some awesome goodies there!

Mom F. is still busy quilting.......as you can see from the photo she is just whipping those stitches in!

Mom P. is doing really well, thanks to all those who ask about her! I went with Dad and Mom on Tuesday to take her to her Dr. appt. in Eugene, and she just walked like she had never had a problem! We are so thankful!! Here is a photo from her "surprise" birthday gathering...

Fall is truly in the air here....it is my most favorite season, I think. On the way to Eugene on Tuesday, everything was bright and crisp....just can't help but make me feel good!

OH! Before I forget, we have also added a button for "Featured Artist", which needs to be changed today, now that I think of it! Last month it was Denia of handcrafted with love by Denia....this month....well, you'll just have to check....Brenda and I have both choses who we want....and I need to get busy with that! So, I will close for now, and get those changed over! Take care and have a wonderful day!!