Pink Friday is back

This Friday, November 14, we pick up Pink Fridays again. Our themes for the next few weeks are Christmas at Make Mine Pink. We are going to come up with some wonderful gift items for you and your family, scrumptious decorations for home and tree, and we will be sharing some family recipes and traditions with you. Please join us for a Make Mine Pink holiday celebration!

I haven't been very productive this week. A case of the shingles has had me pretty well completely debilitated. I have done a bit of hand sewing but that's it. It was just too painful to do much else. Not a good time of year to have this happen!

My family will be coming up to join us for Thanksgiving and I am really looking forward to that. I even look forward to all the cooking. I love making the pies and all the other family favorites. Cleaning up afterwards isn't my favorite part of the day, but everyone lends a hand and it does go fast. Does my heart good to see all we have to be thankful for. And my precious family tops the list!

We usually do Christmas down at my daughters so that the grandchildren do not have to leave their toys. My husband and I get a kick out of seeing them so excited with all the new things and we are so very grateful that they are close enough we can do this. (Traveling is a problem due to my hubby's health issues). It's fun to see the new traditions evolve as our families grow older. Things keep getting added on, it sure makes the holidays fun.

Pink Friday -10/31/08- In the Basket

A Tisket, A Tasket, we're all making baskets! Make Mine Pink Pink Friday, shopping with a twist and themed event is "In The Basket". Don't miss out on this event. It's just in time to start shopping for those holiday gifts. If you would like shipping to be held off until closet to the holiday, just let me know - no problem. Patricia Rose will also be more than happy to gift wrap, put a signed personal card in and ship to the recipient if you would like. Just let me know by filling in the comment box on the order form.

Then, November 2 begins the Christmas Shop Hop. This is going to be a lot of fun. There will be daily drawing for prizes and, of course, the big prizes that will be drawn at the end of the Hop. The prize you will be eligible for depends on the number of Christmas trees you find in all the participating boutiques. Don't miss out on the fun and the fabulous shopping from the comfort of your own home!

Pink Friday-10/24/08-Coming Up Roses

Tomorrow is the big day, Coming Up Roses. There has been such a buzz about this theme, so I don't think you will want to miss it. It is one of the MMP Boutique's favorites, as well as a favorite amongst our customers. There should be an amazing array to browse through. With the cold weather we've been having in the Northeast, it should warm us up a bit to look at everyone's favorite flower.


The venerable rose is an amazing thing. It speaks of romance and love, ahhh, don't you just feel all warm and fuzzy? But in addition to it's romantic history, the rose is an all around useful flower. What can be created with roses is truly awe inspiring.


The rose is edible and quite good. Rose jelly is a delicacy you have to try (I suggest on homemade scones), rose vinegar is just yummy, it can also be found in teas and sandwiches (now how elegant is that?).


A beautiful touch for your next gathering or shower is to place a rose petal in your ice cubes. Fill ice cube trays halfway with water and freeze. When frozen, place a single perfect rose petal -must be pesticide free-and fill the rest of the way with water. Freeze again. There you have it, the lowly ice cube has just hit new heights!


And who hasn't had perfumes or powders or cold creams or lotions or potions fragranced and enriched with rose oil? Even our grammies knew the value of this amazing rose. Glycerin and rose water was the standard hand treatment to keep hands soft and, supposedly, age spot free.


Where would Valentine Day be without the rose? Very few weddings are held where the venerable rose is not present. Any special occasion, bring roses, you simply can't go wrong!

And then, near and dear to my heart, what would potpourri be without roses? It is one of the mainstays of my craft. In colonial and Victorian times, every housewife worth her salt had a 'rose jar' in the parlor or best room. After the sweeping and cleaning were completed, the jar was opened and stirred to freshen up the air. Remember, this is when fresh air was thought to be harmful, the houses and rooms were not aired out as we do in modern day. This was quite an important item to have in the home. In addition, sachets and pomanders were used to help control odors in the household. I'm thinking I am so glad that deodorant has been invented-just saying. Love my potpourris and sachets, but that must have been some under note to the fragrance.


And then, last but not least, the rose is our national flower. So, it would be the patriotic thing to do to come visit us on Pink Friday! Keep smiling, see you tomorrow at Patricia Rose.


http://www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com/

Show and Tell Monday, 10/20/08

Going to work a little in reverse today. Sunday, 10/19/08, was the JDRF Walk for the Cure. It was a record setter, 3500 walkers. It was so inspiring to see so many people out to support these children who have been diagnosed with Type I Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes). Our team, Justin's Jungle Joggers, was 120 strong, all friends and family. How do you thank people enough for supporting Justin like this? It was a crystal clear Autumn morning with the bluest sky. It was a little cool and breezy, but nobody seemed to mind.

My grandchildren, once again, designed our team T-shirt. Black tie dye with neon yellow and pink lettering and a neon yellow Volkswagen type van on the front and on the back the sponsors in neon green. We were quite colorful and stood out in this sea of walkers. Think we may have a shot at the T-shirt award this year!

This walk was held at the Medco Corporations campus in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. This is so lovely, beautiful paths, lightly wooded in spots, a gorgeous pond where we always take a little detour to check on the swans (We're a little sad, there was only one swan this year. They are monogamous and we're afraid the one has lost its mate. It was the only sad note of the day.

There are gates that got locked at 10AM and the entrance was manned so the area is nice and safe. Plus, over the years we have gotten to know a lot of the families that participate and it is so much fun to see how the children grow from year to year. We won't see most of them until July 2009 at the awards dinner. At any rate, everyone is watching all the children.

There was pumpkin painting, face painting, spin painting, sandwiches and soda, those huge blow-up bouncy things for the kids. This is the only day of the year Justin is not unhappy to have diabetes. It was a wonderful day for all. Thank you to all who have supported us and pledged.

During the week, my youngest son (24) decided he needed a Halloween costume and came home Friday night for the weekend. Well, he was bound and determined he was going to be Beaker from the Muppets. This is the result,

We had an awful lot of fun with this. I think it came out pretty well! He's going to wear a white lab coat and he has a pair of Mickey Mouse white hands to wear. Wouldn't seeing this guy respond to your emergency instill a lot of confidence?

This is the NYC firefighter! He's planning on going out with his nieces and nephews for Halloween before the grown up stuff!

Make sure you check back soon. Lots of big news coming up. This week's Pink Friday is Coming Up Roses. I think this is just about everyone's favorite, both sellers and customers. And the next Shop Hop is just around the corner--it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas--is that a good enough hint? Everyone at Make Mine Pink is as busy as an elf. We are gearing up to get all the Christmas goodies ready so our customers can get a head start on things. It's awfully sparkly around here!

Have a wonderful Monday, come on back Wednesday or Thursday for the Pink Friday update. There just might be something about a new give away, as well!

A Stitch In Time

Tomorrow is Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink. This week's theme is "A Stitch In Time". This could mean a stitch that has some history behind it, antique linens and clothing, or something made brand new for tomorrow's shopping extravaganza. This might also me items with a stitching theme. I think it will be a fabulous mix with all the boutiques at Make Mine Pink.



Don't forget, Christmas is coming and most of these boutiques offer special pricing for the One Day Sale. Anyone who enjoys antique or vintage linens, unique craft items, home made journals, jewelry, will thoroughly enjoy a gift made by one of the talented artisans at Make Mine Pink.



Hope to see you there, bring coffee or tea and just relax with a wonderful group of ladies. Just go to Make Mine Pink and click on Pink Friday. The list of participating shops will be right there, just click on a shop name and it will take you directly to the Pink Friday offerings. Easy and enjoyable!

Pink friday - 8/1/08- Nifty Nurseries

time is running out, Pink Friday is going strong and items are flying off the shelves. Nifty Nurseries has turned out to be a great theme. The baby blankets, the bibs, the wall decor, the clothing (there is a baby bunny jacket that is sooooo adorable), bumper sets, diaper bags diaper cakes and you know I came up with a baby sachet -Lullababy Pillowettes...I'm guessing that if you can't find it here, you probaby won't be needing it! Go take a look at www.patriciarose-apotpourri.com and then head on over to Make Mine Pink and check out all the participating boutiques. This is all just so cute, don't miss it.

BEACH COTTAGE PINK FRIDAY!!

Pink Friday is here again!! This week our theme is Beach Cottage. Well, I don't know about you, but I am so ready for the beach. It is my favorite spot on earth. Who could not be ready for some beach fun, we're almost to July here?

So be sure to visit Make Mine Pink in the morning--all the Little Pink Boutiques are getting the sand raked, the water warmed and the temperatures just right! Go to www.makeminepink.com and click on the Pink Friday icon. All participating boutiques have their beach badges on, just click on the boutiques one by one and see what everyone has got to offer--don't forget the sunscreen.

Themed shopping from the comfort of your own home, the beverage of your choice at your side, feet up---ahhhhhhhh---don't you feel more relaxed already??

DON'T FORGET ABOUT PINK FRIDAY!!

Just a quick reminder about Pink Friday, Shopping with a Twist sponsored by Make Mine Pink.
This is a themed shopping experience as only the Little Pink Boutiques at Make Mine Pink can do it! This weeks theme is "An English Tea". This may prove to be one of the more spectacular Friday's, in my humble opinion. There has been a lot of buzz about this and I, for one, cannot wait to see what all the Boutiques have in store for us. Anyone interested in collecting or using teapots, gorgeous teacups, teapot cozies and teacup totes better mark your calendars. I've heard that Sweet Neccesi-teas has something really special going on. We have ladies that specialize in vintage linens--I'm sure there's going to be some real treasures in that group, too.

It's not too early to think about Christmas! The specials on Friday are one day specials don't forget. Click on the link to the right to go visit the participating boutiques.

Hope to see you there, bright and early Friday morning!

Something's Coming

Happy Tuesday everyone! So sorry to have missed Show and Tell Monday with Make Mine Pink. Ended up spending the day in the ER with my hubby. Things are calmer today. But, no photos today.

Have started the crazy process of drying flower petals! I have stacks and stacks of racks already. Let the wild rumpus begin. It is so exciting to think of all the beautiful potpourris that I will be making out of this bounty. Have jars lined up on the kitchen counter to store my dried treasures--will be gorgeous here by the end of the week.

I read the cutest book last night, "Mrs. Thrift's Cupboard" by Betsy Williams. Here is a great idea she has for the partial jars of olives that end up in the fridge (or at least in mine!).
Pour all the olives and juice into a kitchen bowl (a mixture is best-green, black, Greek olives, oil cured olives). Remove the olives from the juice with a slotted spoon and pack into pint canning jars. Try to get a mixture of olives in each jar. Tuck a piece of fresh thyme and a peeled garlic clove or a small hot pepper into each jar of olives. Strain the olive juice through a coffee filter paper and pour the strained juice over each jar of olives. Fill the jars to the top. Screw on a new two-piece lid tightly. Label the bottles with the content and date. Store in the refrigerator until needed.

Now doesn't that sound like the gourmet olive salad you can get at the fancy markets? I'm on it. Will definitely have some gourmet olive salad in the fridge by tonight.

One more little tidbit for this week! Recent research has shown that oil of catnip may be effective against termites--think I'll be planting some catnip all around my 200 year old house. This is a win-win project. Protect the house from termites and have a nice crop of catnip for tea and pillows, and the cat will be in heaven all summer!

Well, off to battle this terrible heat--yuck! Can you believe it's the beginning of June and here in the Northeast we've broken 100 degrees twice this week????

Don't forget to check back on Thursday night--the Make Mine Pink, Shopping with a Twist event, "Pink Friday" is on again for this week. This weeks theme is Kitchy Kitchens, there should be loads of wonderful goodies from all the participating boutiques. You don't want to miss this one!