Sunday, December 20, 2009

Tis The Season to be...??

Things have been a whirl wind for the past three weeks, my mother is not doing well and it's with a very heavy heart I tell you, she will be going into assisted living on Tuesday. I have been traveling back and forth to Virginia, with my last stay being over a week. It's so hard to have to make arrangements for something you just don't believe is happening to you or your mom and truly never thought would.

My family and friends will be spending Christmas Day with my mom in her "new home", hoping she will settle in and feel it's a bit like home. We are moving her things tomorrow and she will come on Tuesday, I would like to have everything in place and ready for her. She will be able to have her wonderful companion, Gus, her cat, who has been a true friend for the past 9-1/2 years, so I am hoping he will help her be more comfortable in her new surroundings. He will be there waiting for her at the door! This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life, but am thankful she is still here and can enjoy Christmas with us, once again and hope she will have many more holidays with us.

Remember what Christmas is all about. It's about family, friends, sharing, caring and loving each other every day, not just at Christmas time, but all year long!

May each of you have a wonderful Christmas!

Mimi

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Let's not forget our Troops this Holiday Season!


I received this poem in an email today and wanted to share it with everyone! Please feel free to copy and paste this into an email and forward it onto all of your family and friends and thank our troops for giving up every holiday, to keep us safe!

New Christmas Poem

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

This poem was written by a Marine.

The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending
this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming
soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men,
women, and Canadian Forces for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we
owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and
dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your
small part to plant this small seed!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wishing you a "Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas"! It's Pinkalicious Christmas Party Time at Shabby Cottage Shops!


You're invited to celebrate with us tomorrow, Thursday, December 3rd. This week's theme is "A Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas" for our "Pinkalicious Christmas Party". You'll find some wonderful new items this week, just in time for your holiday shopping! There's stunning new "wish boxes" at Debi Coules, twirl skirt sets and teacup lights at Nana Puddn' Designs and gorgeous handpainted kitchen accessories at Ribbons Roses and More!

Our shop owners are very busy adding new items to their boutiques on a daily basis, so make sure to stop by Shabby Cottage Shops tomorrow and enjoy our "Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas" party at Shabby Cottage Shops! If you are looking for shabby chic, one of a kind, children's boutique clothing, Paris Apartment Style, French Chic or romantic home decor? You'll find it all at Shabby Cottage Shops and our beautiful boutiques. Every shop has added some new items and has a wonderful selection of gifts for your holiday shopping, along with some great sales from our talented members. Be sure to stop by on Thursday, all day, you're sure to find "The Perfect Gift" at Shabby Cottage Shops.

Have a Very Merry Shabby Chic Christmas!
Debie
Shabby Cottage Shops

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Who's the Lucky Winner of the "Pink Present" Holiday Blog Giveaway at Shabby Cottage Shops??



We have a winner.....Congratulations to Chelsea S of New York! You have won our first "Pink Present" blog holiday giveaway valued at $400.00!! We hope you enjoy your beautiful products from all the participating boutiques at Shabby Cottage Shops!

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the "Pink Present" holiday blog giveaway and stay tuned for more details on our next fabulous blog giveaway coming very soon! Make sure to stop by Shabby Cottage Shops blog and see when the next giveaway starts! There'll be some "Sweet Treats" for you to enjoy from our wonderful boutiques! We'll be adding information on our "Sweet Treats" blog giveaway very soon!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique!

Mimi

Monday, November 23, 2009

Off to The Show! Early Bird Sales and Specials ~ Shop Early at Shabby Cottage Shops!


I hope to see everyone at Virginia Beach Christmas Market, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center! The show starts at 10:00 AM on Friday, November and will end on Sunday, November 29th at 5:00! Please stop by and see me in booth numbers 451 and 452.5, right at the front door.

If you haven't signed up for my newsletter, there's still time, I have a great discount for every day of the show, but you can only get this coupon if you sign up for my newsletter. You can sign up here, and enjoy the largest savings I have offered yet, just in time for the holidays! If you planning on attending the show, sign up for the newsletter and remember to bring the coupon at the bottom of the newsletter, the savings are huge!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, see you on Friday!! I won't be attending our "Pink Holiday Magic Sale"or Pinkalicious Christmas Party this week, but you can attend, just read about it below!

You're invited to join us for a very special Sale!! We're having our first "Pink Holiday Magic Sale" and celebrating in a big way! Shop our participating boutiques during our "Pink Holiday Magic Sale" and Pinkalicious Christmas Party on Wednesday, November 25th, starting at midnight, EST!! This week's theme is, of course ~ "Pink Holiday Magic"! There's going to be fabulous sales, huge discounts and free gift wrapping!

Visit all of our wonderful shops to see what they've added this week! You'll find fabulous new items, just in time for the biggest sale of the year, our "Pink Holiday Magic Sale" at Shabby Cottage Shops! Enjoy unbelievable sales and great bargains this year at Shabby Cottage Shops, where you;ll find boutique shopping at it's best...

Don't forget to enter our "Pink Holiday Magic $100 Shopping Spree" and our Pink Present Holiday Giveaway! The "Pink Present" holiday giveaway is valued at $400 and ends on November 30th at midnight, EST! The "Pink Holiday Magic $100 Shopping Spree" ends on Wednesday, November 25th, at midnight, EST just in time to help you kick start your holiday shopping at Shabby Cottage Shops with our compliments! You can enter right here both wonderful free events right on the blog! Hurry and enter, there's no purchase necessary!

We would like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Magical Merry Christmas from all of us at Shabby Cottage Shops!

Debra

Sunday, November 22, 2009

A $100 Shopping Spree Giveaway & Early Sales at Shabby Cottage Shops on Wednesday!


Shop early at Shabby Cottage Shops, we'll have huge sales on Thanksgiving Day! We're having our "Pink Holiday Magic" Sale to help you get started on all of your holiday shopping Early! Join us all day, Thanksgiving and take advantage of the fabulous savings at our boutiques! You can start shopping at our Pinkalicious Christmas Party Wednesday night at 12:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time! Visit our boutiques, make your list and then check back at midnight to see if you have won the $100.00 Pink Holiday Magic Shopping Spree at Shabby Cottage Shops!

Enter to win the "Pink Holiday Magic Shopping Spree" for $100.00 at Shabby Cottage Shops, just in time for our "Pink Holiday Magic" Sale!! The winner will be announced on Wednesday evening at midnight, so you can shop to your heart's content at one of participating shops! Have fun filling your stocking with the ultimate gifts from our fabulous boutiques! This contest will end Wednesay, November 25th at Midnight, EST, no entries past midnight will be honored!

Here's the requirements to have a chance to win the "Pink Holiday Magic Shopping Spree" at Shabby Cottage Shops:
  1. Leave a comment on the blog, along with first name and email address
  2. Follow our blog
  3. Sign up for our newsletter
  4. Visit each of the participating shops before our "Pink Holiday Magic Sale"

Shopping Spree Rules:

  1. No purchase is necessary to enter
  2. Valid for participants in USA Only
  3. Shipping fees will be included in the $100.00 Shopping Spree total
  4. Must purchase from one of the participating boutiques
  5. Must be 18 or older
  6. You will have until December 1st to respond to email notifying you as the winner, if no response, we will draw another name.

Oh, don't forget about the "Pink Present" giveaway, it's valued at $400 and ends on November 30th at 12 Midnight, it's valued at $400 and there are gift certificates with a value of $175.00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mimi

Friday, November 20, 2009

It's Almost Show Time!

I can't believe it's show time again, where has the year gone! It seems each year flies by faster than the last one! I will be at the Virginia Beach Christmas Market November 27, 28 and 29 and right at the front door, booths 451/452.5! The elves have been very busy creating beautiful new boutique Holiday outfits for your precious little girls for this holiday season. New twirl skirt sets with a wonderful fun whimsical look this year, along with the cutest "Hello Kitty" vintage chenille Christmas overalls, new gorgeous vintage chenille jackets, which you all know are my signature line, plus this year I'll there's a new line of boutique clothing for infants which you all have requested and Santa has filled your wishes!

I will also have some new shabby chic chandeliers, my yummy confections vintage chenille bakery goodies and lots more new items! I will have new items on the website after the show, so check back after December 1st for your online shopping pleasure. I will have a special sale for those who can't attend the Virginia Beach Christmas Market show!

Hope to see you, if you haven't signed up for my newsletter, do it before the show, I will be sending out a very special discount coupon with $25.00 off a $100.00 purchase, this coupon is good for Friday only. Saturday it's $20.00 off a $100.00 purchase and then on Sunday, it will be $15.00 off your $100.00 purchase! So shop early, save and get the best selection for this year's Christmas Market in Virginia Beach! If you plan to attend this fabulous show, here's a coupon for $1.00 off your admission, strollers with your wee little can attend the entire weekend, your admission cover the entire weekend. Don't forget to bring a canned good to help support the Southeastern Food bank of Virginia too!

I will post pictures of the booth when I return. Setting up the booth is my favorite part, other than, of course seeing each of "my little girls" and their wonderful moms!

Please make sure to stop by Shabby Cottage Shops the entire weekend, our shops will be having some fabulous sales for the entire weekend and also on Cyber Monday, shop early, use the discounts in the newsletter and enjoy browsing Shabby Cottage Shops to find "The Perfect Gift"!If you are not a member of our mailing list, sign up now, only members get the special discounts and hear all the latest "Cottage Chatter"! Want to catch up on the latest "Cottage Chatter", you can read our most current and recent newsletters here!

We're also having a fabulous blog giveaway, "The Pink Present" valued at $400! Stop by and enter "The Pink Present" giveaway, it ends on November 30, there's still time to enter and no purchase is necessary! It'll be "The Perfect Gift" for one very lucky person!!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, see you on Friday!

Mimi
Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

It's Pinkalicious Christmas Party Time at Shabby Cottage Shops!



This Week's Theme is "The Perfect Gift" for our Pinkalicious Christmas Party!

You're invited to join us tomorrow, Thursday, November 19th. This week's theme is "The Perfect Gift" for our "Pinkalicious Christmas Party". We have "The Perfect Gift" for all of your holiday shopping at Shabby Cottage Shops! Many new items at our fabulous boutiques this week include "Wish Boxes" from Debi Coules Romantic Art; new hand painted signs at Rose Cottage Chic; and gingerbread mixing bowls with matching kitchen accessories at Sweetheart's Nest. You'll find many more fabulous new items are available from our boutiques at Shabby Cottage Shops!

At this week's Pinkalicious Christmas Party, you're sure to find "The Perfect Gift"! Looking for shabby chic, Paris Apartment Style, French Chic or romantic gifts? You'll find it all at Shabby Cottage Shops and our beautiful boutiques. Each shop has the ultimate selection of gifts for your holiday shopping list, along with some great sales, Free shipping, Free gift wrap and Free gifts with purchase! Be sure to stop by on Thursday, all day, you're sure to find "The Perfect Gift" at Shabby Cottage Shops.

Visit all of our wonderful shops and see what our busy shop owners added to their shops this week and find "The Perfect Gift" at Shabby Cottage Shops!

Don't forget to stop by and enter for a chance to win "The Pink Present" giveaway at Shabby Cottage Shops blog! There's no purchase necessary and the contest ends November 30! It's valued over $400.00!

We're also participating in Make Mine Pink's "12 Days of Christmas" Shop Hop! This starts on November 27th and ends December 8th. There is a huge grand prize valued at $1000.00 You can join in the fun and Shop Hop with us here!

If you are interested in joining Shabby Cottage Shops mailing list so you can found out the "latest scoop", sign up here! You'll find out all the latest news about specials, sales and giveaways, plus all the latest cottage chatter, available to members of our mailing list only.

If you want to see what you have missed by not being a member of our mailing list, you can read the current and most recent newsletter here!

Happy Holidays!
Mimi

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Blog Giveaway at Shabby Cottage Shops!


This is it! "The Pink Present" Blog Holiday giveaway at Shabby Cottage Shops starts today! Our members have created some of the most fabulous gifts for one very lucky winner! These beautiful eye candy creations are simply stunning and will make the "Perfect Gift" for one of you! You can enter here!


Shabby Cottage Shops and the following members invite you to join us for our first Blog Holiday Giveaway. Our giveaway is valued at $350.00 and will end on November 30th at 12:00 PM EST! This includes a $75.00 gift certificate from Shabby Cottage Shops to use at any one of the participating shops below. To be eligible to win these gorgeous items and participate in our Blog Holiday Giveaway at Shabby Cottage Shops, the guidelines are outlined below:




  1. Visit the participating shops below and look for this Pink ornament in their shop, came back and tell us where you found it, in your comments, along with your first name and last initial, email address and state of residence.
  2. Tell us what what your favorite item in their shop.
  3. Tell us which was your favorite shop of them all and why.
  4. FOLLOW our blog
  5. SIGN UP for our newsletter

******To ENTER our giveaway and "post" a comment, please scroll down to the end of this post, it will say "Leave a Pinkalicious Comment" enter your all the information there.

Here's the Rules of "The Pink Present" Blog Holiday Giveaway at Shabby Cottage Shops:

  • You must reside in the Continental USA or Canada
  • You must leave a comment where you found the Pink ornament on each participating site, your favorite item in their shop and which shop you adored the most and of course, why!
  • "The Pink Present" Holiday blog giveaway is free of charge and there is no purchase necessary to participate.
  • We cannot be held responsible for damages once the "The Pink Present" has left our hands for shipping. Any damaged items will not be replaced or reimbursed to the winner. You will receive notification when "The Pink Present" once it's shipped, along with a tracking number and delivery confirmation. Delivery time will vary to due holiday shipping times. "The Pink Present" will ship the most economical way via USPS or UPS.
  • Once item is received, please come back and let us know you received it by leaving a comment on the blog.
  • You will have 72 hours to respond to our email, if we don't hear back from you, we will choose another winner by a draw.

Below are the participating shops who so graciously donated these prizes for "The Pink Present" Blog Holiday Giveaway:

  1. Chloe's Chic Boutique ~ A Pink Covered Bird Candy Dish
  2. Debi Coules Romantic Art ~ Boudoir Sign ~ Signed by Debi
  3. Dusty Oak Ornaments ~ La Belle 100% Soy Candle and Abigail Ornament signed by the artist, Sandy
  4. French Charmed ~ Embellished journal, Christmas tag,embellished match box and embellished gift box
  5. Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique ~ Rose Print/Chenille Tote, Vintage Chenille Yummy Confections "Black Forest, Red Rose Holiday Cake"
  6. Nana Puddn Designs ~ Embroidered Christmas Guest Towel
  7. Ribbons Roses and More ~ Hand painted petite Teapot and Vintage Flour Sifter
  8. Rose Cottage Chic ~ Romantic & Stunning Sun catcher with Crystal Prisms and Porcelain Roses
  9. Sweetheart's Nest ~ Santa's Magical Key
  10. Vintage to Vogue Shop ~ $50.00 Gift Certificate
  11. Shabby Cottage Shops ~ $75.00 Gift certificate to be used at any one of the participating shops
  12. A Rita Marie Shabby Cottage ~ Shabby Chic Embellished Pink Window Shutter

There are many wonderful products valued at $350.00 in "The Pink Present" giveaway, great to keep for yourself or share with some very special friends this holiday season!

We would like to wish each of you Happy Holidays from all of us at Shabby Cottage Shops!
Debie

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Celebrate with Us ~ Join Now ~ Get Two Months FREE

I want to share this information with everyone! So read on... if you are looking for a wonderful online shopping community with the lowest membership dues and fantastic benefits, look no further, but please do compare everything..we think you will find Shabby Cottage Shops is the best new online shopping mall!

As many of you know, Shabby Cottage Shops is a new online shopping mall and we have some very exciting news to share with you! Our first ad debuted in Romantic Homes today to announce the grand opening of Shabby Cottage Shops and we are celebrating!

We are celebrating by having a fabulous "come join us" special and invite you to become a member of our gorgeous Victorian Cottage community at a fantastic price! If you join now, your six month membership will include two months absolutely FREE!

I have to tell you one of the best benefits are our "co~op" ads, at unbelievably affordable low cost, which you allow you additional exposure at a price will honestly astound you! Do you like to pay more than you should, or can't participate because of your current cost for co~op ads?? Another reason we invite you to come join us at Shabby Cottage Shops! We have a full page ad coming out in October and more ads throughout the upcoming Holiday Season. Now is the most opportune time to join and get the fullest impact from these ad during the busiest time of the year!

Plus when you join us, you will receive two months FREE membership, plus if you "refer a friend" and two of your friends become members, and they join, you will receive an additional month FREE, you will get Three Months FREE! Tell your friends about Shabby Cottage Shops, and make sure they tell us you referred them, so you will get an additional month FREE!

Come Join us, get your choice of the wonderful Victorian cottages available at Shabby Cottage Shops today. Enjoy your FREE membership! Come, celebrate with us, and get noticed for less, at Shabby Cottage Shops!

Debra
Shabby Cottage Shops

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Something to Make You Laugh on Pink Saturday!

I just found the cutest "bird", and wanted to share him with you! I was visiting one of our members blog, Christine, from my ning network, and when I saw this I almost fell off my chair laughing! My wonderful cocker spaniel, Cody, who is almost a year old now, watched this with me and he was trying to "get him"! It's hiliarious!

Please take a moment on this wonderful Pink Saturday and watch this, it will certainly make you laugh out loud, I promise! Here's the link, pass it on to your friends, if they are feeling blue today, this will certainly cheer them up! http://www.wimp.com/dancingbird/

On another note, I am having a great sale ~ 40% off, visit Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique and find some great Pink Saturday deals!

I also would like to invite to join my ning network, so stop by and please join us!

Have a Pinkalicious Saturday!
Mimi

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Summer Sizzler Sale at Mimi's Rose


I am having a "Summer Sizzler Sale", all instock summer clothing is now 40% off! It's time to make way for the new fall and Holiday boutique clothing. There are some really cute items, if I do say so myself, so stop by and grab them while you can, once they're gone, they won't be recreated!

There are some new Kelly Rightsell
fabrics which are also on sale, they are 58" wide and are on sale at an unbelievably low price. I will be adding the new holiday fabrics soon. I have a wonderful line this season from Studio E, watch for them within the next two weeks. Plus many other fabrics will be added too. Also look for the cutest holiday twirl skirts and dresses soon.

This sale will run thru the month of August or until the instock items are gone, so grab any of the sale items while they are available now.

It's been really hot and I am hoping everyone is staying inside and cool. I am looking forward to fall and cool weather!

Mimi

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Shabby Cottage Shops ~ Cottage Chatter


I would like to invite all of my wonderful followers to follow me at Shabby Cottage Shops Blog! This is where you will find all the latest "Cottage Chatter" and what's happening at the newest online shopping mall! We have some more new members and others who are having their website redesigned by Susan of One Spring Street and will be added as she completes their websites.
Please visit us at Shabby Cottage Shops Blog and read the most up todate "Cottage Chatter"! We would love to have you follow us!
Debra

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Shabby Cottage Shops ~ A New Online Boutique Shopping Website


I have been away again, many things happening. I took my husband to the doctor today, (after much ruckuss) only to find out he has "Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever"! Ugh, but, we caught it in time, so he will recover and for that I am very thankful!

Now on a much prettier note, here's a new online boutique shopping community called "Shabby Cottage Shops"! You have to see how gorgeous, shabby chic and pretty it is. Go over and take a stroll, tour the cottages. This is really a pretty website! Looks like it's going to be a great place to have your online business!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Memorial Day Sale at Mimi's Rose 35% OFF EVERYTHING


Hi to everyone ~ I have been away for quite sometime and have come back with a BANG! I am having a sale on my website for Memorial Day! EVERYTHING IS 35% OFF and I MEAN EVERTHING! Visit my website for terrific buys for the weekend. There's fabrics, boutique clothing and more!

The shows went well and I want to tell everyone hello and will get back in the "groove" with more postings about your garden and lawn care.

Have a wonderful and most of all, safe weekend. OOPS, almost forgot the sale ends on Tuesday, May 26th and if you haven't signed up for my newsletter, there is a place on the right sidebar to do so. You will receive advance notices of any more great sales I will be having!

Mimi

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Off to the Craftsman's Classic Spring Show ~ Garden Tip #6


This is the last post I will be doing for a few days, I am off to the "Craftsman's Classic Spring Show" in Greensboro, North Carolina. The show dates are April 3rd - 5th and I am hoping it will be a great show! The show in Richmond was somewhat slow, but given the economy it was to be expected. I am just hoping this will be a better one! The promoters of this show are wonderful, do advertising on TV, Radio, in the newspapers and of course, via email. So everyone please wish me luck!
Okay, here is Garden Tip #6 and it's about Lawn Preparation ~ another this includes another item you would never think to use for this particular function, but besides good for aching and soaking, plus a laxative (grandma used to use this), read on to find out what it is.
If you want a happy and healthy lawn, you have to give it some relief from pollution, (this is where the surprise ingredient) comes into play! So do this ~ apply lime, the pelletized type if possible, gypsum and here's the surprise ~ Epsom Salts, just as early the spring as possible. Use a hand-held broadcast type spreader. But remember this please ~ do not, however apply any lawn preparation mixture more than two (2) weeks before fertilizing your lawn!
Here is what you will need and again, remember it will do a 2500 SF lawn
50 lb. bag of lime (again pellitized if available, it's much easier to use than the other)
50 lbs. gypsum
2 lbs. Epsom Salts (you should be able to find this at your local drug store ~ ha, this has many other uses for the garden I will be talking about as the posts continue.
Your lawn will love you and you will love how your lawn looks if you follow the tips I have been posting daily! Put your home's best foot forward with a shiny, squeaky clean, green lawn which is what you will have using these mixtures and tonics I am posting. I am going to take a picture of my lawn, with a before and after shot and will post it in the next couple of weeks, after the effects of using these tonics and mixtures work their magic!
I will post about the Craftsman's Classic Spring Show in Greensboro when I return, in the meantime, hope each of you have a wonderful "green, natural and healthy" week!
Oh, I almost forgot, don't know how I could, visit my website, I am having a 20% off Sale on all the beautiful Vintage Chenille Yummy Confections in my bakeshop! The sale will run thru April, just in time for Easter and Mother's Day! It's the perfect " calorie free" gift for Mom!
Mimi

Monday, March 30, 2009

Mimi's Rose Sale & Garden Tip #5 Pre-Emerge Weed Control for your Lawn


Now is the time to get rid of all those weeds in your yard, like crabgrass and any other unsitely weed, even though it's green, get rid of them using this Tonic! Do this as soon as possible in the spring, and apply any pre-emerge weed control Before 12 Noon and water with your 20 gal. hose-end sprayer. Remember this tonic recipe will cover a 2500 sf lawn. The following tonic will "Shine Up" your Landscape!

Please remember to use the 20 gal. hose-end sprayer you marked with the word "Warning" on it in red with nail polish and use this sprayer for insect or weed control only! If you didn't do this, then read this post and follow the directions please!

Here's the Pre-Emerge Weed Control Tonic ~ again you aren't going to believe how simple it is and what's in it ~ so here's the "recipe". This will really "Zing" the weeds!

Pre-Emerge Weed Control Tonic for Your Lawn:
1 Cup liquid dish soap or children's shampoo (this removes the seed shell protection from the weeds)
1 Cup of Hydrogen Perioxide
2 tbsp. Instant Tea
You can also add your favorite liquid pre-emerge control to this tonic.

If you prefer to use "dry" pre-emerge controls, you can add 1 Cup of "Dry Laundry" detergent to the purchased "dry" pre-emerge controls. This will also remove "seed shell" protection from the unsitely weeds in your lawn!

Again, apply this with the 20 gal. hose-end sprayer, marked with the word "Warning"before 12 Noon.

Also, just an update on a Sale I am having on my website ~ all the Vintage Yummy Confections Bakery Items are on sale now and will run thru the Month of April, 20% OFF. Many are priced under $10.00! These are the prettiest cupcakes, cakes and tea cakes you will find anywhere on the web. Here is a previous post about these yummy bakery items! Go look at the menu when you have a minute. Each item is on sale 20% off the regular price. There are lots of "freshly baked" goodies, they are truly the perfect "Eye Candy" and would make a wonderful gift for Easter or Mother's Day!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Garden Tips and will find them helpful and useful! I love sharing this kind of information with everyone. Watch for another tip on Lawn care tomorrow!

Have a wonderful day!
Mimi

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Anything Pink Sale at Mimi's Rose ~ Insect Prevention for your Lawn

Here's the next in a series of posts on lawn care, gardening and just general things you can do in these areas to ensure everything is pest free and beautiful.

Today's post is about how to control bugs in your lawn. Yes, every lawn has bugs. To debug and disease-proof your lawn there are two tonics to help you control insects. So read on about how to get rid of them, again using things which are readily available in your home, or easily purchased at the grocery store!

You must do this before anything else ~ read and heed this please:
Take a 20 gal. hose-end sprayer and pain the word "Warning" in red on the jar with red nail polish. Then add an orange golf ball (it's like an agitator and use this sprayer only to apply the pest or insect control at their recommended rate, the tonic recipe is below!

To debug and disease- proof your lawn, before you apply any chemical insect control, mix this tonic in your 20 gal. hose-end sprayer. Then followup within one hour, with an application of Dursban or Diazinon at the recommend rate.

1 cup of Fels Naptha Soap Solution*
1 cup chewing tobacco juice**
1 cup antiseptic mouthwash

*How to make the Fels Naptha Soap Solution:
Shave 1" of the Fels Naptha Bar Soap into an old nylon stocking and place into a gallon of boiling hot water, along with 4 oz. of children's shampoo or liquid dish detergent, remember don't use an antibacterial dish detergent, use the inexpensive kind. You can save what you don't use, because there are many more mixtures or tonics you can use this for and will find in other posts later. Here is a link where you can purchase Fels Naptha Soap, if you can't find it at your grocery store: http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/Fels_Naptha_Soap_p/dial1001.htm Here is another link for more great uses for this soap. I remember my grandmother always having and using this soap! http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/category_s/8.htm This soap is great for many things, even Poison Ivy Control. This link tells you about Fels Naptha and the many uses it has!

Before you apply any chemical insect control, mix the "Insect Control Tonic" recipe below in your 20 gal. hose-end sprayer and apply after 7 PM.

**How to make the Insect Control Tonic:
1 cup liquid dish soap
1/2 chewing tobaco juice
2 tbsp. Witch Hazel
4. tbsp. Instant Tea

IMPORTANT***** In recent years soap manufacturers have added degreasers and antibacterial ingredients to their products. These are VERY harmful to your plants and most likely will burn or kill them. When a home gardening technique calls for liquid dish soap be very careful that you use only Ivory or Fels Naptha Solution. You can also use the original liquid lemon type detergent which has no additives, just be careful that it does not contain a degreaser or is antibacterial.

Tomorrow's post will be about 'Weed Control" for your Lawn, along with another tonic to use! Stay tuned for more!

Don't forget about my "Anything Pink Sale" at my website, which ends tonight at 12 Midnight, EST. Looking for pretty pink things, check out my website for some pretty pink things like gorgeous fabrics with roses, Easter Bunnies, yummy chenille cupcakes and more!

Have a Great Sunday, thanks for stopping by my blog, hope these garden tips will help beautify your yard!

Mimi

Friday, March 27, 2009

Mimi's Rose Garden Tip Junkee Tip #3


Here are some great lawn care tips, things you might never think of:
1. Wear golf shoes when working in your yard or garden
2. Water before 2 PM, between 5 AM and 8 AM is best
3. Pick all the grass clippings and use as mulch for your garden
4. Apply your weed controls between 1 PM and 3 PM on a bright, sunny and non-windy day
5. Apply any disease controls after 7 PM
6. Mow after 7PM for both you and your lawn's comfort and health
7. Make sure you mow only with a very sharp blade (might want to buy a few extra blades)
8. Make sure to hose down your lawnmower after you are done

Okay, now for some great fertilizing, snack and all-season tonic recipes!

In the spring, use this fertilizer recipe remembering this will do a 2500 sf. lawn

Fertilizing:
3 lbs. of Epsom Salts per 2500 square ft bag
50 lbs. of your favorite dry lawn food ( apply this at half of the recommended rate)
use a hand held spreader on the medium setting.

The Snack Tonic:
It's an instant snack which will get your lawn up and growing in the spring and the fall, which is when you need aggressive roost action and thatch breakdown. Mix the following ingredients in a 20 gal. hose end sprayer and apply after your first application of dry lawn food in spring and after your last application in the fall.
1 Can Beer (doesn't matter what kind)
1 cup liquid dish soap or baby shampoo
then fill the balance 20 gal. hose end sprayer with ammonia

The All-Season Tonic:
After applying your "Snack Tonic", every 3 weeks, early in the morning, within two days of mowing your lawn, feed everthing in your garden with this "All Season Tonic", again mixed in your 20 gal hose-end sprayer:
1 Can Beer
1 cup Ammonia
1/2 cup liquid dish soap
1/2 cup Liquid Lawn Food
1/2 cup of molasses or corn syrup (yes, you are reading this correctly)

Make sure to clean your sprayer really well, the molasses or corn syrup may clog up your nozzle on the sprayer, so take extra care to clean properly after each use.

I will continue to post more great Snacks, Tonics and mixtures on a daily basis for your gardening pleasure and health!

Don't forget about my "Anything Pink Sale" at my website, if you love pink, then take a hop over to my website and get your Pink Fix today!

Have a great weekend! Look for another Garden Tip Junkee post tomorrow!
Mimi

Pink Sale ~ Anything Pink Friday Flea Market at Mimi's Rose!


It's Friday Flea Market and I am having an "Anything Pink Sale" on my website! You will find Pink fabrics, Pink bunnies, Pink teacup lights, Boutique Easter Clothing, Pink Yummy Confections Cupcakes, or anything else with Pink. Hop over to my website, find your favorite Pink Thing and enjoy 20% off each and everything Pink!


The sale will end on Sunday, March 29th @ 12 Midnight, EST! Don't miss this great "Anything Pink Sale" at Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique, just in time for Friday Flea Market!

Mimi

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Mimi's Rose Gardening Tip #2 ~ Natural Insect Control


Okay, here's the best recipe for insect control for all of your flowers, including those beautiful roses we talked about yesterday.

I can guarantee you the bugs won't be happy with this mixture! Add it to a quart of water and spray directly onto the foliage:

5 Drops of Liquid Dish Detergent (not dishwashing detergent please)
5 drops of chewing tobacco juice (recipe below) ~ see there are good uses for tobacco!
2 drops of antiseptic mouthwash (Listerine - brown or original )
1/2 tsp of Thuricide Bacillus Thuringiensis, also called "BT" ~ this is a bonide
Organic spore which attacks insect larvae. Great for organic growers. Works for soil grown plants, so it's family and environmentally safe!

Here is the recipe you will need for the "Chewing Tobacco Juice":

To make this "juice" place 3 fingers of chewing tobacco in an old nylon stocking and stock in a gallon of hot water until the mixture is dark brown.

Note: You should use a separate 20 gallon hose-end sprayer and put the word "warning" on the jar with red marker or nail polish, then put an orange golf ball in there, this will work as an agitator and use this sprayer for applying pest controls only, don't use it for any other applications at all, only for "Insect Control" for any applications, i.e., lawn, flowers, gardens, etc.

You should be able to find Thuricide Bacillus Thuringiensis, also called "BT" at your local Home Garden Center, if not you can order it as I did from this website, Master Gardening, it comes in a concentrate form. As with any and all herbicides, the smaller the size the better, and store in a safe location away from your kids and any other inquisitive members of your family.

What's the tip for the day on Saturday?? Weed Control for your lawn! The ingredients will surprise you and cost a fraction of what the "weed & feed" bagged items from your local Home and Garden Center do! You will be amazed what the ingredients are to control weeds in your lawn!

Again, please share your comments, recipes you may have for "Natural or Organic Gardening" with us here!

Have a wonderful weekend. The next post will be on Saturday, just in time for the warm weather and help to get you started with beautifying your garden and lawn!
Don't forget about Friday Flea Market ~ Anything with pink on my website is 20% off and will end on Sunday, March 29th at 12 Midnight EST!
Mimi


Gardening Tips for Beautiful Roses!


I have this wonderful book, which I have been looking for for months and finally found it! It has great gardening tips, which I am going to start sharing with you, especially since many of us will be planting gardens this year!

This post will be about Roses, all colors and kinds! So here is some great information on how to have the most beautiful and healthy roses without tons of work! I love them, but don't want to be a slave to them!

The secret to beautiful roses during the growing season ~ keep your roses clean, well trimmed and fed regularly. When purchasing roses look for healthy rose bushes, if they are packaged, make sure the buds are not dried out, the sprouts aren't long and yellow, and lastly the top wood isn't black or brown!

When you select a location for your roses, it should be a sunny location. The soil should be light, crumbly and rich with leaves, peat moss, cow manure and other organic matter.

If your soil is clay or hard, add 3-4 handful of gypsum to the sides and bottom of the hole. Also add 2 Cups of Epsom Salts sprinkled dry on the soil each spring. In the bottom of each hole, add a handful of Epsom Salts and bone meal whenever you plant a rose!

Plant your roses per the instructions which come with them, water them well! Then use this "Special Start Up Meal". You will be surprised what the ingredients are and many of them are already in your home. I try to use natural items when gardening, and resort only to chemicals when I have to!

1 tsp. Whiskey
1 tbsp. Liquid Dish Soap
1 tbsp. Hydrogen Peroxide
1 tsp Vitamin B-1
add this to 1/2 gallon of warm tea water

Feeding is very important and should be fed every 3 weeks because they work so hard to continuously bloom and produce large thick stems to produce the large abundant blooms you will have, if you follow these procedures! After you have fed the "Start Up Meal", three weeks later, feed this "meal"
15-30-15 Liquid Fertilizer mixed in a solution of weak instant tea
1 ounce of Liquid Dish Soap to each gallon of water

The third "meal" consists of these ingredients and are added to a gallon of Warm Water:

1\2 ounce of Liquid Fish Fertilizer
2 tbsp. instant tea
1 tsp. saltpeper
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. iron
1 oz. dry red wine

Each rose gets a Quart.

If you follow these instructions, you are sure to have the most beautiful roses on the block!

Check back tomorrow for Gardening Tips for Insect Control for Roses! I will be posting on a daily basis, since many of us will be planting our own vegetable gardens this year and will share some great information on how to do it "naturally"!

Let me know how your roses are coming along! If you have any ideas for natural gardening you want to share, please post them here!
Watch for more "Gardening Tip Junquee" posts from Mimi!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Today is the Day to Support Our Troops!



Thank you for stopping by today in honor of our troops, please be so kind as to leave a comment, so our troops will be able to read the lovely comments and thank you from each of you! This is what this post is all about, "Thanking Our Troops"!
It's finally here ~ I have been doing a lot of research on organizations, websites and government websites where you can find out all kinds of information on ways to "Support Our Troops"!

I found this wonderful poem which was written by Ms. Francine Pucillo and wanted to share it with you! Please visit her website, she has written some beautiful poems!!

Prayers now rise to heaven
For all in life who serve
Battles for their country
As freedom is preserved

Each one of you our heroes
Who sacrifice each day
Life and soul with dignity
Such courage you display

Hearts are always with you
In any place you dwell
Saluting you with honor
With love unparalleled

Each day a special blessing
Upon those we call "our brave"
Our countries greatest freedom
With memories engraved

Thank you for this honor
You give with pride each day
Those of all our "seasons"
Will never fade away

For each of you our promise
Of all our freedom saved
Each battleground now sacred
By footsteps that were paved.

Ms. Francine Pucillo©2003 Please visit her website for more beautiful poems

I have been in contact with my niece Megan, and was hoping to have a picture to post for this event, but unfortunately they are not allowed to take pictures ~ so I will try to describe this very special young lady to everyone ~ she is about 5"3", dark brown hair and big beautiful brown eyes with a slender build and a big heart! I remember when she was little, she would look at you with those "big brown eyes" and my heart would melt. Then other times when she may have done something she was not supposed to and knew it, she would "cut" those big brown eyes at you, knowing she was in "trouble", but she was and will always be my "other daughter" and I am hoping each of you will find it in your heart to let her know how much we all appreciate what she and her fellow troops are sacrificing for us.

I think the poem states exactly how I feel and I am hoping each of you feel the same! Doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with the war, it's about supporting each and every Soldier, Marine, Navy or Air Force personnel who truly give of their lives on a daily basis, so we can enjoy freedom and safety in the United States of America! My hat is off to the Troops and to each of you, and for that I say "Thank You"!

I have also found out one of the most requested items is a AT&T International Phone Card ~ make sure they are for calls from the Middle East to the United States of America.

Other items which are high on the list are:

Pre sweetened powdered drink mixes ( Crystal Lite, Gatorade, KoolAid…)
Hot Chocolate mix in single serve packets
Coffee ( ground, vacuum pak or small cans
Beef Jerky ( small packages)
Foot Powder (Gold Bond etc)
Eye Drops (for desert environment)
Lip Balm ( Blistex, Carmex, Chapstick etc.)

These items are in addition to the ones I put in the post when I announced this event.

Here is Meggie's address where you can either email or send a "care package" if you like. She is aware of this event and asked me to tell everyone thank you for showing your support and truly appreciates anything you would send, including an email. I know she would love to hear from you!

PFC Megan Donnelly
47th CSH
COB Speicher
TF Tikrit
APO AE 09393

email: redangel539@yahoo.com she loved to hear from you!

You can also email any troop, even if you don't know them at this addy, thanking them ~
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/Message.aspx?SectionID=5

I know at times, I don't hear back from her for days, and it's because of the email system they have! At first, I must tell you, I was worried because I didn't hear from her and of course, thought the worst. But she is doing good, trying to adjust to being in a desert or "Sand Box" as it is referred to by others.
I am sending her a gorgeous chenille quilt, some Puffs Tissues with Lotion, candy, toiletry items and a few other things (which I won't mention, because I am not sure if she will be able to read the post or not), so I want some of the items to be a surprise! My box will be going out on Monday and am hoping it will arrive in time for Easter!

I have found some valuable information on shipping from USPS:

Before you send a letter or package to one of our troops overseas, make sure you’re aware of certain restrictions. Every country has customs regulations regarding incoming mail. Although there are specific restrictions for each five-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code™ (APO/FPO), generally, the following are prohibited in the region of Operation Iraqi Freedom:
Obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc).
Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized political materials.
Bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.
Pork or pork by-products.
For packages, print on one side only with the recipient’s address in the lower right portion.

Use the service member’s full name. The Department of Defense cancelled the Any Service Member program so mail must be addressed to someone specific.
Include the unit and APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office) address with the nine-digit ZIP Code™ (if one is assigned).
Click-N-Ship® customers should be advised that the Postal Service and the Military will continue to add and update valid APO/FPO addresses for your online labels.
Include a return address.
For packages, print on one side only with the recipient’s address in the lower right portion or print a postage-paid label online with
Click-N-Ship®. (Please note that ZIP Codes 093XX and 964XX are currently unavailable for electronic labels. We apologize for the inconvenience.)

Tips on Packaging from USPS Website:
There are certain factors to consider when sending packages to our troops overseas. To make sure package contents arrive in good shape, take these into consideration.

Extreme Temperatures: Desert temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees.

The Box: Select a strong box with room for cushioning. On recycled boxes, cover all previous labels and markings with a heavy black marker or adhesive labels.

Cushioning: Cushion contents with Styrofoam or bubble wrap to keep items from shifting. We recommend fragile items be double boxed, with cushioning inside and between the boxes to absorb shock.

Batteries: Battery powered items will sometimes get turned on during shipment. Remove and wrap the batteries separately.

Sealing: Tape the opening of the box and reinforce all seams with 2 inch wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape. Do not use cord, string or twine.

Include a card describing the contents: Improperly wrapped packages can fall apart during shipment. Including a card inside, listing the sender’s and recipient’s addresses plus a description of the contents, helps in collecting the items. Here is a picture of the box you can get from the Post Office, it will save you on shipping, it's approximately $2.00 less expensive than the regular flat rate large box and also has a Logo on it which says "Support American Troops"! Here's a picture of the box and can be found here: http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10152&productId=36604


Listed below are other wonderful fellow bloggers who are also paying tribute to "Support Our Troops" Day Blog Event ~~ I want to thank each one who took the time out of their busy schedule to participate in the special event "Thank You"!

Mrs. Charlotte's Boutique

RME Bath & Body Shop

Graceful Rose

The French Bear

Etsy Thread Artists

Midlife Poet ~ Deborah

Enchanted Revelry ~ Tristan

Blog Mommas

Ribbons, Roses and More

Marionberry Cottage

Sam Rothrock

CaraM ~ The Household Helper

Scott ~ A Major in the Air Force

Let's not forget the families of the troops, for without their love and support, alot of the men and women who give so unselfishly of themselves, would not survive mentally and have nothing to look forward to when they return home! I salute the families of the troops and send you my sincere gratitude!

Lastly, to my niece, Megan, I am so proud of you, you have grown into a wonderful young woman and I am proud to say you are "My Niece"! I love you with all of my heart, be safe and we anxiously await your return home! Please let me know when you get your "care package" and I hope all of your fellow troops will enjoy the goody boxes and care packages on the way to "Our Troops" and please tell them "Thank You" from all of us! ~ Aunt Debie

Thanks so everyone who so graciously continue to "Support Our Troops" and for participating in the event. Don't forget to email them or drop them a card in the mail, sometimes that is all it takes to let them know we care!


Mimi