Soap Queen

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Watercolor Project of Jamisen

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

I was so amazed, delighted and honored when one of Jamisen’s fans (from Italy, no less!) saw the photo below and was inspired enough to paint a beautiful watercolor of the scene.
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From the artist, Marisa Gabetta: “I loved this image at first sight, being a watercolorist I love dramatic light so I decided to give this wonderful ‘couple’ a try. The goal in this painting was to render the tired face of sleepless Anne-Marie, and the backlit kissing mother and son in a sort of magical aura. I also decided I’d change the background, artistic license, they say!” [Read more…]

Sneak Peek – Newsletter tomorrow

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Jamisen is giving you a sneak peek of the newest SoapyLove mold that will be introduced to Bramble Berry newsletter subscribers. The newsletter, with a coupon for the new mold, goes out tomorrow. If you’re not signed up for the newsletter, you can sign up on the home page (right hand side). PS – No babies were harmed in the taking of this photo because the soap is wrapped. I can’t say the same for the soap. Someone’s got 4.5 little sharp teeth!

Walkin’ on Sunshine, Yeah Ah!

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

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Hello from the end of a wonderful weekend. We had a great two days with family and the sun came out (yeah-ah!). I made the epic “Oh She Glows” Kale Weekend Salad (my go-to salad for everything now – it even has Goji berries. I know! You’re sold, right?!) and Grandma and Grandpa Faiola contributed by making an insanely weird/cool Ricotta Carrot Quiche (trust me, it worked). I also made an (epic?) Browned Butter Butterscotch Pie that will get its own blog post. Grandma and Grandpa Faiola were, as usual, completely over the moon about their only Grandbaby and got up two mornings in a row at 6 a.m. so Chris and I could sleep in (heaven and thank you!). [Read more…]

Happy Birthday Chris

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

We just threw a family surprise (age redacted) birthday party for Chris. He hates surprise parties but since we’re family, we figured he wouldn’t mind us breaking his rule about not surprising him. We were so happy that everyone made it. In the photo below is Kelly ‘Grandma’ Renoud and Aunt Anamarie (no really, her name is Anamarie and was before I showed up in the family) showing Jamisen his new obsession, er, toy. I know right? How in the world does Jamisen rate presents for Chris’s birthday? It’s Grandparent prerogative. And for the record I love it.
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The toy is awesome (!). It is *best* nesting toy and Jamisen is fully entranced with it. He’s using it as a Hide’n’Seek game (and getting pretty good) but he’ll eventually figure out how to do the nesting thing. Jamisen was puzzled by the beard Grandpa Winston was sporting for part of the day but he warmed up and immediately reverted to his normal behavior, playing “Stick Everything In The Mouth” game. [Read more…]

Curling: It’s Harder Than It Looks

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

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I recently went curling. For those of you not in the “know”, it’s an Olympic sport that involves sliding a heavy rock thing to an end zone and scoring points by getting into progressively smaller, more precise areas. It’s sort of like shuffleboard on ice. It involves more abdominal work than you would expect. It also is a strangely cardiovascular activity when you have the “broom” and you’re “sweeping” (pressing down hard and sweeping in front of the rock to help smooth the way for a straight shot). [Read more…]

Baby’s First Christmas

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

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Jamisen’s first Christmas was a memorable occasion for us all. We started our holiday weekend with Christmas Eve service (which was really a morning service coupled with a delicious brunch). Jamisen was happy and had such an easy going attitude the entire time. He was passed around from person to person and he was sure to favor them all with smiles. There were two childrens’ stories and he sat patiently through both of them. [Read more…]

Jamisen Loves the Beach

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

I’ve always had a particular affinity for oceans. In fact, when I was little, I thought I would be a marine biologist (well, that or a pop star but marine biologist seemed slightly more realistic). We’re introducing Jaminsen to the ocean early.

Sept 2011

We drove on the beach, we walked on the beach and then took Jamisen to his first sand castle competition. He adores walking in a stroller and just takes in all the sights, drooling, laughing, smiling and then zonking out. Come to think of it, that sounds like a pretty good time. I’ll take one of those, please.

[Read more…]

Four Months. Already?!

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

It’s hard to believe but Jamisen is four months old already. We are experiencing what every other new parents on the planet have experienced: the time space continuum breaking and time speeding way way up.

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Trapped Bee. Just Look Up.

Filed Under: Business Musings

The other day, I trapped a bee (or is that a wasp?). I was particularly thrilled to catch this stinging creature with a new baby in the house but I don’t kill animals, even bees. So, I carefully transported the bee (in a very nice Glassybaby Votive Holder, natch!) outside, uncovered the top and quickly stepped back.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The bee had no idea that it was free to go. It frantically buzzed and walked around the bottom of the votive holder, never looking up once and never trying to find an alternative way out. I finally got bored of waiting to get my votive holder back and tipped the cup over to put the bee out of its self-imposed cage.

The bee’s behavior got me thinking about me as a businessperson, wife and friend. Where are my blindspots? What are the areas in my life that I am not looking for alternative solution? And, what problems could have difficult solutions if I just tipped them on their sides and looked at them another way?Trapped Bee A

Thought for the week: Where in your life are you not looking up? Where are you not seeing the possibilities?

Have a question about this blog post? Come join us at Bramble Berry’s Facebook page and we can help you out with any of your soapy questions!

Yes, I Have Them. Now, Let’s Do Business.

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Being a female business owner certainly has its own set of challenges and rewards. Over the years, I’ve been insulted (“Of course you need more life insurance for your husband because he undoubtedly makes more than you”), stymied (six banks turned me down for a building loan before I found one that finally looked twice at me) and downright saddened (I’ve been propositioned more times than I can count).

[Read more…]

Jamisen Loves Doggies

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

June 2011

I was remiss in telling you that Cookie was Jamisen’s first dog that he has met. And, I have unfortunately offended my dear niece doggie Samantha who met Jamisen at least 1 week before Cookie did. Whoops! Can I blame my slip on lack of sleep?

[Read more…]

Dad’s Baby CPR Class

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

I took two different baby birthing classes to prepare for Jaminse’s arrival. One of the classes, my ‘Hypnobirthing Natural Childbirth’ class just had a reunion! It was so much fun to see all the babies.

We also decided to make it educational and roped my Dad in to teaching a Baby CPR and Choking class. My Dad delivered babies for 30 years and has been a Family Practice Physician for over 35 years now. He definitely has a bit of experience with babies. =)

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Going Nuts for Fathers Day

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Happy Father’s Day everyone! I hope you’re treating the Fathers and Father figures in your lives very special today. In honor of my insanely amazing Dad (and one of Jamisen’s Grandpas), I wanted to share a recipe for one of his favorite snack foods – flavored nuts! These recipes are SO easy and your Dad will think you spent hours in the kitchen slaving over the stove on his behalf.

Grandpa Faiola with Jamisen

I made my Dad each of these recipes but his favorite, if you want to just make one, is the 5 Spice Pecans followed by the Coconut Curry Cashews.

All of these recipes are from Martha Stewart Magazine (Shocking, I know. I positively adore anything and everything Martha).

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