Warm Heart Wednesday and My BoJon Heritage with Direct Selling Companies/Pink Saturday

 Please visit Jenny and Warm Heart Wednesday. This was an easy one for me. I can tie this into My BoJon Heritage  This old memory from my old neighborhood as a child and our Catholic school always warms my heart.

Seventh Grade, Mrs. Martha Sandstrom. I am in the second row, the third girl on your right with the super short flippy do! I still see and/or talk to many of these kids to this very day. I will put up an old black white photo daily if I can get into my old habit and blog, blog, blog!

I was thinking about Direct selling companies, and those I have been with in the past and I decided for some reason to post each day something with each 26 letter of the Alphabet! I will challenge myself to get this down in the next 26 days! I will start tomorrow.

These lists are a small percentage of the thousands of direct selling companies you can join or simply view and purchase their products. Did you know that Avon is the number one direct selling company with over 11.3 billion dollars in sales in 2011 alone!

Oops, sideways! My friend Cindy Miller-Jones begged me to do House of Lloyd with her and together we did it until I moved to Denver in 1983. I started up with Linda, a mail carrier here but she and her hubby, also a postal employee were going through a horrible divorce and it lost the appeal. Harry Lloyd was an awesome man who  put his faith before his company and when he passed away his children ran the company into the ground, bankrupt and out of business. It was so  sad, they carried a line of very reasonably priced porcelain dolls. But many younger ones want what their parents had but they want it "right now"! I will always smile because Cindy shared this fun company with me.

After House of Lloyd I tried Avon. It was ok but I never made much money because I bought everything I tried to sell including their clothing! I will say this about Avon, I own many pieces of their costume type jewelry and I have pieces dating back to 1972 that are still as beautiful as ever.

Although this is an old kit, Princess House was a good extra money venture for me. I truly fell in love with their product and I had a good upline. Jonel White helped me achieve so much and she was always so helpful. Although she passed away unexpectedly in 2010, I will never forget her and the many friends I made through this company. I also made some decent money too.

I spent about a year with Beauticontrol but will always love the MaryKay products better. Beauticontrol was fun for a handful of people who supported me but I never made any lasting ties with the people in the business or the company.

I never became involved with this company but I do love the Scentsy products. Many years ago a co worker had a cousin in Texas who was selling this produce and I purchased a warmer and some melts. I have always loved their product but in order to get into this company they want you to go through your consultant and often there are too many pushy people doing businesses today and I don't have the time or energy to be hassled by some of the overly eager consultants. I think if you like a product you should be able to do it. I don't think they need to force you to be with people you aren't familiar with but that is just my thoughts. My consultant in Texas left the company so she could not be helpful to me.

Mary C. Crowley was the most amazing lady who founded the Home Interior company. She was also the sister-in-law of MaryKay Ash the founder of Mary Kay Products. I have most of the books Mary wrote and I admired her because she was such a wonderful Christian women. When she passed away her children and grandchildren also ran her company into the ground. So sad, she cared more about empowering women and witnessing to them and counseling them then she did making millions. A nurse who cared for Mary while she was at Baylor Hospital in Texas said Mary witnessed for the Lord until she drew her final breath. Although I was never directly involved with this company I made two wonderful friends from all the shows I hosted and attended.

This company, Younique ( a great marketing gimmick) is relatively new (2012) and was founded by a brother and sister team. They are a make up company and their products seems to be excellent. They list each and every ingredient and what that ingredient does. I would love to know more about this company and find out the demographics, do they serve a wide range of ages or do they cater only to the younger set? The company encouraged me to talk with one of their presenters and collect information. But before I make a purchase I want my questions answers.

I do love direct selling companies. I recently attended a show hosted by my friend Lorna. It was this company:

Premier Jewelry! Oh my goodness, we had so much fun.  I chose to take a surprise gift and won a beautiful necklace that is retired from their line. I am going to be hosting a show in the near future. The consultant, jewelry lady, Kasia was so much fun, I felt like the Princess House days, being around someone who has so much enthusiasm ! The way she presented her product and the games we played were great fun.

A gal I know here is very successful in this company. They seem to have a great product too. My niece Holly is involved in this company and loves it. Essential oils have been around for a long time and they do have many great healing qualities.

When it comes to direct selling companies, there are hundreds to choose from. These are just a few of my favorites and a few of the companies that I spent time with. Do you have any direct selling companies you love? Before you leave please make an effort to visit Pink Saturday because I know you like visiting the pinkies and you can tell Beverly you saw some pink here too.

My BoJon Heritage: Memories

My father as a small child. Today, I miss him so much, even more than when he left this earth 31 years ago today. It was Good Friday, I had just sat down to my desk at work when my sister called me. Even today it is so hard to believe. But I know the person my father was. I know one day I will see him on the other side. What a glorious day that will be to see the faces of loved ones gone before us.

Dad always was a sharp dresser. He always looked pressed and polished and smelled heavenly too. He loved to try new cologne and my sister and I would often spend hours searching for a new favorite. I think I loved when he wore Bay Rum and also Grey Flannel the best.

The love of his life. Even when he was ill and could not remember a lot of people and current things he never forgot my mother. She was his world. I think one reason that I have a successful marriage is because I learned from the very best. I always listened when he talked.

My father read his bible everyday. I know this because he quoted the book of James throughout my whole life.  I love that book as well as I think it is because my father lived it. I wish my mother would have given me his bible when he passed away. I would have cherished it and continued to read it as he had.

The Mother Cabrini Shrine, Golden, Colorado 1979. He was always taking care of my mother.

May 1978, Uncle Louie's 70th birthday. My dad was such an intelligent man. He only attended school through the 4th grade and yet he was the smartest man I knew. If he did not understand something, he researched it and his handwriting was beautiful. He worked the same job for 47 years at the C F & I Steel Corporation. He retired as a head roller. He always worked hard. He was very much like his own father but he passed away too young like his own mother had.

In honor of baseball season and opening day all over the country, my favorite all time baseball player: Dad.

Aw....Monday/Blue Monday/Love is.../

My favorite photo of Hannah and Roxanne, That little dog brought so much love into this house for the very short while we had her. When she passed away on November 3, 2013, the vet told us they felt she had been a breeder and when she was no longer useful to them, they tossed her away. Thank goodness the kids took this beautiful little girl in. She and Hannah were joined at the hip. Hannah loved Roxanne and Roxanne loved Hannah. Do you know that her theme song was "Tiny Dancer" (Elton John)? She would dance for us. Oh my goodness, we all  miss her tiny little self so much. I wanted to share her today for Sandee and everyone who participates at Aw....Monday.

This gnarled old tree stands at the open spaces where we walk. It has seen better days and years but it frames that beautiful blue sky we had today. I hope Jeanne and everyone at Blue Monday will enjoy these photos from the two mile walk we took today. It was a glorious Spring day.

I think a woodpecker made this perfect circle in the limb of this old venerable tree. I had to take the shot!

Aside from the cool blue waters, these feathered friends were sitting on a log chilling in the morning sun.

Hello my friend, sitting on this jagged rock enjoying the cool morning air and enjoying watching the other feathered friends play in the water!

Love is...sensational! This reminds me that my hubby should go to a dance studio and take a few lessons before the wedding. We have 27 days before the big day for Jeremy and Brittany. I am not sure I will be able to drag him to a dance studio but I will sure try! Enjoy a wonderful week and please visit all the folks who play today.

Pink Saturday/My BoJon Heritage/Happy Easter/

Happy Pink Saturday to everyone! Please stop by to visit Beverly and all the Pinkies too. Make sure to check out the giveaway at A Simple cottage Life. The button is on my sidebar and the giveway photo belongs to the delightful owner of the blog who is giving away the wonderful items pictured there.

This beautiful photo is a confirmation photo and these two kids were my mom's cousins. Their last name was Krall but I am not sure which two kids they are. I wish they wrote names and dates on more of these old photos. I love their dressy clothes. Being confirmed is still an important part of Catholic  church life.

Look at this array of beautifully painted Easter eggs. You know for Christians  eggs stand for new life and zegec is blessing of the baskets of food.  Velika noc means Great Night. In  sLOVEnia Easter is celebrated with lots of good food including krofi pictured here:

My mom made krofi every holiday and they were so good, I liked to slice one in half and add a piece of ham. Oh my those memories were on my mind.

 I am glad no bunnies were found in our Easter ham!   I am very proud of my BoJon heritage and I am going to find a way so that I can recreate those traditional foods. Living in the high altitude is tricky when baking and especially when baking items that are filled with yeast. My mom baked the lightest loaves of bread but could not create a pie crust for anything! I can not make a pie crust from scratch but if you give me a bread maker I can make a tasty loaf of bread.

Vesele Velokonocne Praznike and in English: Happy Easter! I wish I knew the language my folks were fluent in. But their parents came from Slovenia which formerly were known as Yugoslavia. They were very proud of their heritage.

   Cherry Rose Scones

  Ingredients:

1. 2½ cups all-purpose flour
2. ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
3. 2 teaspoons baking powder
4. ½ teaspoon salt
5. ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
6. 1 (3-ounce) package cold cream cheese, cubed
7. 1 (2-ounce) package dehydrated cherries*, finely chopped
8. ⅓ cup heavy cream
9. 1 teaspoon rose water†
10. ¼ teaspoon cherry extract
11. ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375˚. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and cream cheese until mixture is crumbly. Add dehydrated cherries, and stir to combine. Combine cream, rose water, cherry extract, and vanilla extract. Add cream mixture to flour mixture, and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¾-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round cutter, cut scones. Place scones on prepared baking sheets, and sprinkle evenly with remaining sugar. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until light golden brown.

Notes

1. *For testing purposes our test kitchen used Organic Just Cherries, which can be purchased at specialty-foods stores or at justtomatoes.com.
2. †Rose water can be purchased at Middle Eastern markets, specialty-foods stores, or at americanspice.com.

The recipe and photo are courtesy of Tea Time the tea loving magazine. I thought that sweet photo would be perfect at Pink Saturday and some of you might like the recipe.  You might like to know that a black tea is best served with these tasty scones.

A little chuckle from Maxine to end today's post. Next week I will share some news about the mother of the groom dress I finally found! Have a terrific weekend.

My BoJon Heritage/Warm Heart Wednesday/

My Tata Rose Steblay at her wedding to Mr. John Levstik. My grandmother Cecilia and her husband Joseph are in the back row and  grandpa Steblay is holding their first born child and son Louis. Uncle Louie was born in May, 1908. I assume this photo was approximately the same year.

My Tata Rose raised her phamily in this little cottage. It still stands today and someone who purchased it was updating the windows and adding more modern conveniences to this little place. They had 7 children, two sons,  John and Henry . Their daughters were Rose, Annie, Edith, Virginia "Bebee", and Evelyn. Mr. Levstik served in World War I between 1914-1918. My Tata lived in that little house until her death and her daughter Annie continued to live there until she too passed away.

This memory warms my heart and Wednesday was a bitter cold day so the thought of having a warm heart yesterday made me smile. Please visit Jenny and those Warm Heart Wednesday participates.

Aw....Monday/Blue Monday/Belated Easter Wishes/My BoJon Heritage/Love is.../

I know I am a day late but the days seem to get away from me. This one would have been perfect for Beverly and Pink Saturday. We have wild bunnies living under our front porch and they drive the dogs mad, except for Bandit. Poor fellow is getting ancient and he loves those bunnies. We once found him under the backyard shed sitting and contemplating life with a bunny! Leo and Stella dream one day they will have a bunny for a hardy meal! Smokey could care less, he just wants to hurry inside and enjoy a nap.

We have to keep those toilet seats closed. One day I was rushing around and our Mr. Kitty was attempting to pull his chubby self to the bathroom sink where he enjoys a long, cool drink. He tried to hop up on one side of the toilet and poof he was getting a bath! His face was priceless. He looked very much like this fellow! Now share a smile with Sandee and everyone who shares their Aw.....'s for Monday.

I found this image at Tumbler and the sky and sun appear to be cotton candy colors. I thought Jeanne and everyone at Blue Monday might like this. Please stop by for a visit as Jeanne is   wonderful as  hostess  our Blue Monday.

Hoping each and everyone of you had a beautiful and very blessed Easter SONday. We had a quiet dinner with Rebekah, Zach, Hannah, Jeremy, Brittany and Addy. Nick is still at college in Kansas and Noelle and Roger opted for their own quiet Easter time.

I miss my mother making these traditional sLOVEnian Krofi a deep fried dough that has a slight sweet flavor. A piece of ham or kolbasi makes for a nice snack. I am fearful of making so many of these dishes due to the mile high altitude I live at. I am tempted to take a bread baking class at the rec center. My friend Dr. T. did and she whips up light tasty bread and elegant French pastries too. I am going to try to recruit my girls to go with me.

Perhaps I will make some tasty Madeleines like these too.

I would truly love to visit this place where my grandparents were all born. My cousin Kay was there this summer and she found out some interesting history about our loved ones.

I love snail mail. Today a sweet card arrived from Jenny Matlock. I belong to the encouragement group with   Pamela and enjoy sending encouragement to folks via the mail. I hope you will encourage someone today and visit some of these wonderful shares here. Thank you and enjoy your week.

Kindness and the Blizzard

Welcome to my Warm Heart Wednesday and please visit Jenny and all those participating. I am way behind on commenting so forgive me. Can't get well, lose a cold, get a new one,can't feel right, 30 today and 60 yesterday! It is an upside down world lately.

The blizzard of 2016 is here! Of course, they said it was a mild storm, sure is funny, all the local, state and federal government offices are closed up tight as a drum while the rest of the working stiffs tried and some failed to get to where they were trying to go! My hubby says downtown, where many of the people he works with live, is not getting hit as hard as we are. Our back door is barricaded with four feet of blowing snow at least! Here is some proof:

Leo has not seen a blizzard with us! Well this is his first! He is quite a large dog, standing on all fours, as you can see, he barely can run through the snow.

Jeremy was able to barrel through a four foot snow drift and charge out of his driveway ! He made it to the RTD bus station and picked up his dad. In the meantime, Markus, who lives a few doors away with Roger and Noelle, was off work early and barreled through the snow in his four runner to clear a long path for the guys to drive through. That is true warm heart kindness. My poor hubby was wading in deep deep snow and had to change his clothes ASAP when he came inside. Now we are enjoying fresh hot buttery popcorn and I am drinking mint and lemon verbena tea with lemon and honey.

We ended our evening with a wonderful potato cheese soup and some nice bread the hubby found.

A blizzard, some good friends and strangers too. A cup of tea and a steaming bowl of soup. Ah....the perfect ending to a Wednesday that warmed my heart.