Tis the Season

To run out of soap! There have been some wholesale orders from my Reno stores. Add in a few local shops in Gardnerville and my one craft show this year and the shelves are looking a little empty. Time to get a move on and make more soap. This Sandalwood soap came off the curing rack this week. Smells delicious!

To purchase our soap in Reno, Nevada please visit these stores.

The Flag Store

The Nevada Store

The "Forever Place"

I have been trying to downsize a bit. I have piles of items that can be

1. thrown away
2. donated to one of many local charities
3. put away in their "forever" place

I have bought a few shelves and moved a few dressers in an attempt to make a place for every item when it is not in use.

I started with this.


messy room

After a bit of cleaning, vacuuming, and shampooing it was time to move everything back into the room. This time the goal was to have a place for each item to help reduce clutter.

What do you think?


This is the room all cleaned up.
This is the closet which is now my shipping and packaging station.


I think I did a fabulous job and I intend to keep the room looking neat. It really is a lot easier to work in a room that is not cluttered.

I May Not Have Much Money, Handmade From The Heart

Every year the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) gets together and makes up gift bags for the teachers at Douglas High School. This year with both my husband and I being unemployed I was not able to pick up the usual gift items. Still wanting to do my part I looked around the soap room and found some 2 oz. bottles I don't use any more. So...I spent the day making 150 bottles of lotions for the teachers. I know many of them and I thank the Lord my dear daughter has such dedicated and knowledgeable people to teach her. It was an honor to be able to bring a little of my handmade items to them.

First I sterilized the bottles and caps.


Second, I whipped up some lotion and scented it with a spicy cranberry scent, perfect for men or women.


Third, I poured into the clean bottles, labeled and packed them up.


Thank you Teachers of Douglas High School.

You Are Never Too Old To Learn

I have been a bit remiss in my postings. I let life get in the way. Here is a bit of what was happening in the Carson Valley. My orange painted toe nails did the trick. The Douglas High School Volleyball Team did not lose a league match this season. Yes, they won every match.

Including the Nevada 4A State Championship.



Our girls went out with a bang beating 2 teams from Las Vegas, Nevada, Bishop Gorman and Green Valley High Schools to win the title of Best Volleyball Team of the State of Nevada 2010.



It was very exciting and the result of many long hard hours of practice and conditioning. After all was said and done the league coaches pick "All League Teams". 7 of our girls made 1st team, 2nd team or honorable mention in their league. 1 girl made Player of the Year in our league.

What does that make the coach?

A coach much loved and respected. A coach who asks the girls to push it a little farther, work a little harder, but never asks more than she is willing to give. That makes the coach the COACH OF THE YEAR in our league. And she deserves it! Balancing home life, coach life, teaching life, girls, parents......quite a balancing act.

It was an incredible year. I learned a lot from these girls. Their work ethic will serve them well in their future. They made me realize I need to work a lot harder to reach my goals. That is why I am cleaning the computer room.

"Really?" says Tiger.

"What is all this stuff?"

More to follow later.

Drumroll Please!

I have been waiting patiently and checking my mail box ever since Lynn from Lynn's Lovelies let me know she mailed my package. Lynn makes beautiful hand made crocheted items and I knew as soon as I saw a hat and bootie set that I had to have it for Baby Mia. I meet Lynn through Link Referral. This is a site that lets your blog or web site review and be reviewed. It helps with your rankings and drives traffic to your site. I loved Lynn's shop and told her that. We started talking about how much we liked the other's products and.....a trade was born. Rats, she wrapped them so good I have to wait for Mia to see them! Wow, there is even rose petals in the package, smells so good! That is a very nice touch, I don't have to hunt around for wrapping paper and ribbon, it is already done! She even put in a hand made card for me. Thank you Lynn, I did have a blast! In her Etsy Shop Lynn makes and sells a variety of crocheted lovelies for babies, preemies, dolls, and ladies. She also makes crocheted roses, flower and leaf motifs that can be be used in your crafting, scrap booking or sewing projects. Lavender is one of her favorite flowers and she makes Pretty Lavender filled sachets, pincushions, and small pillows that can be custom made in the colors and size you desire. She also has hats, pins, scarves, neck warmers, ornaments and keepsakes. Oh no Daddy, I am tired! Do these make my feet look big? I need a new photographer, Daddy, help! Can I go back to sleep now? Now Mia is already 2 months old but she was born a premmie so is still a newborn, just larger. Lynn had to adapt her pattern to fit Mia as she is over 10 pounds now! We live in the high desert near Lake Tahoe and the summer times can get a bit hot so I asked Lynn to make the baby set big enough to fit Mia this fall and winter. Thank you so much Lynn, trading with you was a blast! To see the soaps I sent Lynn, check out her blog!

We Are So Blessed

Thank you for all your prayers. Yesterday our girl came home! She was gaining weight, her temperature was holding steady, her breathing was fine. Why did it take so long for her to come home? A funny little thing most of us do not think of, it just comes naturally. She had to drink, swallow, AND breathe, all at the same time. Sounds easy, but not when you are born pre mature. That is something that comes along in the 34-36th week. Thank you for all your prayers. It is hard to see good friends going through hard times and I think your prayers helped our friends during their trying times.

Moving Can Be Traumatic On Animals

We moved into the new house and I am sorry to report the animals are not taking it well. They are nervous, scared and just can't relax, and I worry about them.

This is nervous.


This is scared.


And this is just can't relax.



I did find time to deliver my Dog Shampoo Bar to Max's Pet Supply. They told me what they Essential Oils they wanted and I created an exclusive soap for their shop. You can find it here.

Max's Pet Supplies
1363 US Hwy 395 #4
Gardnerville, NV 89410
ph: (775) 782-8088
fax: (775) 782-8083

Father's Day 2010

My family is spending this Father's Day working on an old 1983 Ford 3/4 ton pickup truck we are trying to sell. It has been sitting for a year so we are gassing and cleaning and changing whatever needs to be changed. I say we because my husband, daughter and myself are all part of the process. Everyone expects the dude of the family to work on cars but I have worked on cars all my life. I am teaching my 16 year old daughter to do the same. And where did I learn how to work on cars?

Why my dad!

My mom and dad did not believe in gender duties or tasks. For Mother's Day my dad would buy my mom


a new pipe wrench. For Father's Day he got a new vacuum. Before any of us kids (and there were 5) could get our driver's license we had to be able to change a tire. Or better yet, rotate all 4. My daughter can change a tire, because I taught her how. She will never be stuck out in the middle of nowhere, scared and not knowing what to do, because she has changed lots of tires. My daughter also checks her air pressure, changes her oil, checks her coolant, fills her washer fluid, and does not think that is a big deal. She also knows enough about how an engine works that when she has to go to a mechanic she will NOT be clueless.

I owe a lot to my dad. One time I told him that every time we get a little money ahead, something breaks. He said "No, every time something breaks, you have extra money." He always looks at the half full cup, never the half empty. Because of him (and you mom)


I try not to sweat the small stuff. Things will always work out, somehow. My family has gone through a lot of things in the last 40 years or so, both financial and medical. How your parents handle the problems of life teaches the children how to handle the same things that might happen later in their lives. Thanks to my folks, I feel like I can handle just about anything.

Happy Father's Day dad. I love you.

Sapphire Wizard Fired Arts

Sapphire Wizard has moved to town! Their new location is 1459 US Hwy 395, Gardnerville, NV 89410.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Ann, the owner of Sapphire Wizard Fired Arts Store, at a Wine Walk at Three Rooms Gallery. She has been a Ceramic Artist for over 30 years, she grew up helping her mom. She knows the business from the ground up. Mary Ann not only paints ceramics, she creates the figures she fires to bisque. We stopped by her 2000 square foot store in the Gardnerville Ranchos, and just loved it. I can also help her host birthday parties, clean the clay before she fires them, and hang out. Her husband, Ken is an engineer by day and clay artist by night.

Mary Ann and Ken own over 1200 molds


and pour their own "paint your own pottery". They start with a thin clay called slip. This is poured into a clamped mold,


then left to coat the inside for 20-30 minutes. When the slip is poured out it leaves a thin layer of clay called a shell. When this clay shell becomes leather hard, about 1 hour, the mold is taken apart and the figurine is taken out and dried for a couple of days. These are then cleaned and fired. This is called bisque and it is now ready to paint.

The puppy on the left just came out of the mold, on the right has been fired once.

At Sapphire Wizard there are thousands of figures to choose from.


They are also licensed to pour and sell Disney Characters.

Mary Ann has over 100 different non-toxic, kid safe paint colors.


You can create a one of a kind masterpiece for yourself or a to give as a gift. Mary Ann also offers gift certificates, a perfect gift for any age!


It might be a little overwhelming when you walk in the door, but go right in! Mary Ann has opened the front of the store to retail. You will find many artists selling their products. At last count I saw handmade beads, painted ceramics, jewelry, and of course soap!


This is also where Birthday and Special Occasion Parties are held. Mary Ann has seating for 45 and has held many community functions in the store from baby showers, church get together, office parties, boy and girl scouts working on badges, girls (and boys) night out, and of course birthdays.

Once inside Mary Ann or Ken will show you the great selection of bisque. Pick a piece and you are off.


The price of the bisque and a small studio fee is all you pay. The studio fee covers any paints you need and the final clear glaze and firing of your piece. Sapphire Wizard Arts differs from most ceramic stores. Here you paint at your pace. If you finish in 10 minutes, 1 hour, 3 days, it does not matter, you pay only one studio fee per piece. The studio is family friendly. Mary Ann also has a room for little ones to play while waiting for mom to finish up. There are toys to play with in a contained, safe area.

There are on going classes being held at the store. Camille Howard, local and famous Ceramic Artist, teaches brush stroke classes. There are also clay hand building, bead, and jewelry making classes. They have a bisque sale during the first week of the month, teachers get 15% off on Fridays, and Tuesdays are 2 for Tuesdays.

You can see more photos and get the latest information for Sapphire Wizard Fired Arts on their website Sapphire Wizard and their FaceBook.
Check out the tiles going up on the wall at CC Meneley Elementary School. The students had the opportunity to do a self portrait tile that will be permanently attached to the wall. Mary Ann supports the local community. When you buy a raffle ticket from a school or club, you can be sure a gift certificate from Sapphire Wizard will be one of the prizes. They donate to the Fishing Derby, Bun co For Breast Cancer, Boys and Girl Club, Relay for Life, 4H Scuba Club, Douglas High School Volleyball, and many more.

The store is located at 811 Short Ct. in the Gardnerville Ranchos, near the Pizza Factory. The phone number is 775-265-6972. The summer hours are Tue. thru Sat. 10am till 6pm. They are also open evenings by appointment only.

Jumbos Sub And Catering Shop

On a brighter note, there is Jaime and John Anzelone. With their daughter Aleassa they opened their deli in June of 2002. Jaime and John both worked in a casino and were looking for a way to become their own bosses. They found something they both loved, eating and eating sandwiches specifically, and with some of John's secret family recipes in hand, they offer much more than just subs. Homemade soups, Italian dinners, homemade pasta and potato salads, chips and sodas are on the menu, along with a huge variety of meat and veggie sandwiches and wraps. They also offer catering. They have a wide selection of veggie, sandwich, and wrap trays to choose from.

Located in the Tillman Center near the bowling alley, 1281 suite #10 Kimmerling Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos, the store is open Mon.-Sat. 10:30am to 4pm. You can call in orders 775-265-4511 or fax in an order 775-265-6553.

John has gone back to a 9-5 job while Jaime runs the shop full time with a little help from family.


They have had offers to move the shop but they had Aleassa in local schools and she started to help at the store when she was 11. No child labor here, she was well paid and always had her spending money.


She has since graduated high school and is finishing up her degree in Fire Science at Truckee Meadows College and is still working part time at the Douglas swimming pool. Jaime says they would not consider moving now to a different location after all the support the community has shown them even when times were tough. They have a good loyal customer base because the food is delicious.


Of course there is always room for more! After 8 years in the same location they are truly part of the neighborhood.

The shop is proof of their love for sports. With a TV tuned to sports channels and with the walls covered with the souvenirs of their sports travels it is fun to browse the shop while your lunch or dinner is being made.







They continue to support youth sports and have sponsored sports teams and donated to raffles. Stop by on your next outing, picnic or lunch and sample good food from your neighborhood sub shop.


Jaime with Aleassa hard at work!