Guess who?

Where have I been since April 3, 2012?  That’s a very long story; one that I will try to tell while keeping it as short as possible.

Last February, I was offered a contract job by a friend I had worked with previously.  He needed someone to help them get ready for a Quality System Certification audit, “probably in May 2012”.  Since that is one of the jobs I did in my former position, and since my dear husband said I NEEDED to do it, I took the job.  Writing procedures auditing processes to identify area where the company did not meet the requirements for certification.  Not complicated, but laborious, and dare I say BORING!

It is now December 4^th 2012, and I am still working!  Let me say, I am thankful for the income this job has created.  But, my Tupperware and Biltmore Inspirations businesses have suffered badly.  Direct Sales is my true love!  I miss having parties, meeting new hosts and their friends.  I am truly a social person. J

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The final audit is going to happen in the January – February 2013 timeframe.  I’ll be able to go back to my life, and I can hardly wait!

My Tupperware business will be there, ready for me to build again.  Unfortunately, Biltmore Inspirations is closing business on Dec. 15^th.  So sad…  I loved the product and their party format.

I have actually started a couple of other businesses, and I’ll place links in my sidebar, if anyone is curious.  It’s a “multiple streams of income” sort of thing.

But, here’s the biggest news.  We have decided to sell our home & 10-acre property.  It is heart wrenching to think of doing this, but it is the right thing to do.  We waited for years to build our home here, and we love it.  But, the fact is that my husband is just not able to take care of 10 acres.  And, I’m no good on a tractor!  At 75, he’s still pretty spry.  Not so spry that he can work all day in heat or cold to maintain the weeds, the buildings, etc.

I hate to leave, but our 8 years here have been glorious, and some folks never get the chance to live in the country.  I am thankful for mine.

Now, I’ll have a new house to search for, decorate & love.  The adventure continues…

I’ll be back soon with some other updates.  I hope some of you will still visit occasionally!

12 Foods With Super-Healing Powers - Photos - KCRA Sacramento

Thought you might enjoy this! :)


12 Foods With Super-Healing Powers - Photos - KCRA Sacramento

Playing with Accessories

Oh my gosh!  This new "venture" is so much fun!  I held my business launch party on Wednesday, and we had a great time.

I'm planning on holding some "Wine & Design" parties for a couple of friends who booked a party.  The concept is to gather for a sampling of the Biltmore food products, then taste and learn about 3 wines & show 3 design ideas.   So, I've been working on design ideas with some of the products.

Our Vintage Wine Basket, shown below, is one of my favorites, and it comes in the business starter kit.  I displayed at my launch party hanging on the front door, using flowers & curly willow.  (I forgot to take any photos.  Duh...)  Today, I designed it for the powder room.  

Biltmore Inspirations

Biltmore Inspirations - My Version

I also received the Courtyard Large Lantern in my kit.  This is one of the first things I would have purchased.  Perfect for indoor or covered outdoor areas.  The catalog shows it with flowers in the glass hurricane that comes with the lantern.  I used an idea I saw on Pinterest, and decorated it up with Easter candy corn, peeps and a tealight.

Biltmore Inspirations

Biltmore Inspirations - My Version

My next party is Monday.  I'll be trying some more ideas out over the next couple of days.  How would YOU use these items?

Yes, I did!

I love direct selling as a career!  So much so, I have added another one to my repertoire!

I encountered "Biltmore Inspirations" through a wonderful "pinner" (Holly Ledingham) on Pinterest.  I have been following her for a while, because she has such great taste & style.  I checked on her business, and well...I fell in love!

I have always wanted to visit Biltmore!  Now I am a part of a new business opportunity founded by the family.  How cool is that?  AND, national convention will be there this summer!

The business has such wonderful products and values.

Mission.

We want to inspire families to celebrate every day with style by embracing the Biltmore legacy of gracious hospitality, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship.

Vision.

We believe every home should be a welcoming retreat for family and friends. We achieve this by cultivating the passion and talents of sales consultants to build successful businesses by sharing products for today’s lifestyles, a collection inspired by Biltmore’s heritage of family, craftsmanship, and design.

Core Values.

Biltmore Inspirations core values are quality, integrity, authenticity, hospitality, teamwork, community service, profitability and leadership.

I've added a tab up top with more info.  You can also learn more and view the catalog at www.biltmoreinspirations.com/chrisf

From My Heart

Cheater Cinnamon Rolls

I found this recipe on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago.  I pinned it for future use. 

Source: wee-eats.com via Christine on Pinterest

The future is here.  I made these for a girlfriend's breakfast potluck.  It did feel like cheating, because they are so easy; and they are delicious!  Truthfully, ANYTHING with puff pastry is delicious in my book.  :) 

Here's my version below.  No, I did not eat all three of them, yet.  I just thought the plate needed to look full.  That's my story & I'm stickin' to it!  No, really...

Valentine's Day Tree

I had a very hard time "undecorating" my Christmas tree this year.  In fact, I still have my Santa collection on display.  I never enjoy putting the Christmas thing away.  I think, because we went to my sister's home, in another part of the state, I didn't get enough TIME to spend with all the fun things that are part of my Christmas traditions. Does that make sense?

I unashamedly admit that my tree, it's artificial, is still in it's place with no decorations, but the lights.  I've still been plugging them in on evenings when we're in that room.  On Friday, I was in the Dollar Store and I grabbed a bunch of cheap inexpensive ($8) Valentine decorations and decided to put them on the tree!

The results are pictured below.  I may keep it up through St Patrick's Day & Easter.  There is a ton of cute stuff in that store!  I might even make a few ornaments myself. 

Once we get past Easter, it won't be getting dark so early.  Maybe I can put the tree away then?  But what about all the celebrations between Easter & next Christmas?  Can't you just see a 4th of July tree?  A pilgrim, pumpkin & turkey tree...

Oh dear.  Have I started down a dangerous path? 




Gotta find something for a skirt!

A closeup

Place Setting

I ventured into Pottery Barn the other day.  Dangerous...

Anyhoo, I saw an  Easter Table set-up & was really taken by the place settings.  Mind you, I don't know what you do with all the accoutrements when you actually sit down to eat.  But I do love the way it looks! 

What do you think?

They also had cute egg-shaped Bunny Plates.  My daughter loves to paint pottery.  Maybe we could design something similar?

Potpourri

Whew!  I have been meeting myself going & coming!  Don't know how I get myself booked up like this sometimes.  I really am trying to do better, but...

This post is going to be a potpourri.

My Business
I had a great Tupperware party last night.  The host and most of the guests were young moms.  Out of 10 girls, 6 had never attended a Tupperware party!  Most said they didn't really cook.  Hard for me to imagine!  How do you raise a family without cooking?  Fast food?  I am determined to change that.

My "Busy Mom's Cooking Class" taught them how to cook a whole Rotisserie-Style chicken in the microwave, in 30 minutes or less.  The result, tasty & moist chicken, ready for tacos, chicken Caesar salad, fajitas, you name it!  My very favorite part of my business is the teaching aspect. 

Fun
My sister and her son and another nephew (+ two rambunctious dogs) will be here this weekend.  It will be a houseful, but I am going to love it.  My sister & I both belong to the wine club at a local winery very near us.  We will need to go tasting, for sure!  I am thinking about making Cincinnati Chili for the crowd.  We'll see.  BBQ'd tri-tip is so much easier! :)

Just Stuff
I have a board on Pinterest (Christine Fetter if you care to follow) that I named Potpourri.  Sometimes, things just catch my interest and they don't fit into any other board. 

I was looking at it this morning.  I have to limit myself to 30 minutes in the early morning and late evening.  It is very easy to waste HOURS there!  Anyway, what I post there is really an odd collection of things.

Such as:

This is Joe Salatin.  A farmer, a hero!  He's challenging the way our food is produced.

Source: theresilientfamily.com via Christine on Pinterest

Amazing tips.

Source: thedailybuzz.com.au via Christine on Pinterest

Cool DIY ideas.

Source: maybematilda.com via Christine on Pinterest

A new hairstyle.

Source: onhairstyles.com via Christine on Pinterest

Ideas for unleashing compassion.

Source: kwavs.blogspot.com via Christine on Pinterest

Tiny house ideas. (Why am I so drawn to these?) 

Source: culshawbell.co.uk via Christine on Pinterest

Daily inspiration.

Source: moneysavingmom.com via Christine on Pinterest

I Forgot....

Yesterday morning, our Friday Friends Bible Study resumed after the Holiday break.  I can't tell you how happy I was that we were meeting again!  Missed this time with my dear friends.

As the co-leader of the study, about a week ago I sent out an email reminder for the study.  I suggested that we start off with a time of fellowship and a breakfast potluck.  Remember that fact.  Everyone like that idea, so fun and food was the plan.

Fast forward to Friday morning.  I get up and begin preparing for the day, when I suddenly remember, POTLUCK!  Great.  It is 6:30 am & I need to be on the road by 8:45 am.  No time to go to the grocery.  (I live way out of town.) What do I have in the house?  Can I prepare something edible?  I need to make something that has protein, so that I'm sure we don't have only fruit & muffins.

To the pantry & fridge I go....

8 eggs, 4 slices of bacon, half a package of cheese, is not enough for a regular size frittatas.

Ah, but I do have my silicone baking form that will create individual, smaller frittatas.

Whip up those eggs with some Italian seasoning.  Since I was out of milk, I also added some sour cream.

Layer the cooked bacon in the mold.

Top with a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.

Ladle in the egg mixture. (Barely had enough.)

Bake for 25 minutes at 375 deg.

Ta Dah!  "Breakfast Bites" are born!

Can you believe I forgot my own potluck?  Ugh.  Here's the real kicker, when I arrived at Bible study, there were 3 other egg dishes. LOL!  DO you ever do that kind of stuff?

The Ultimate Tea Sandwich!

Ya'all know how much I love tea?  Drinking it, hosting a tea party, preparing the tea party food, it's all a joy! 

This morning I came across my next tea project!  Won't my girlfriends LOVE this?

Source: paninihappy.com via Christine on Pinterest

I can actually see something like this made with less "delicate" ingredients for a Tailgate or Super Bowl Party!  Too bad I NEVER attend a Super Bowl Party...I go shopping and avoid the TV as much as I can...Sorry sports fans! :)

While I'm at it, this tea cup would be a lovely addition to my collection!

Source: devinecorp.net via Christine on Pinterest

Valentine's Day Graphics

I was looking through a clip art CD this morning and found 3 4 "vintage" images that are just right for Valentines day.  (I need to start on my cards now, if I want them done by Feb. 14th!)  Updated with a 4th that is very appropriate THIS year. :)

Feel free to snag 'em.  If you do something with them, I'd love to see your handiwork!

Enjoy!

 

One More Holiday Photo

I wanted to post one last Holiday photo.  This is me, second from the left, and 3 of my TW friends, all "blinged out" at our TW Holiday party.  The reason for this photo is two-fold.

First, I want a record of what I look like now.  I am seriously going to get some weight off this year!  There will be more posts about THAT subject as the year progresses, I'm sure!

Second, and most importantly, I want a visible reminder of what a really awesome day that was.  I earned it as a reward for my efforts in my business.  I loved it!  I want that again!

You see, I have failed myself, my family, my team and my company.  I have gone from my highest high, to a new low.  I start this month with only one active consultant on my team.  I am no longer in leadership in our organization.  My self-esteem and my income are in the tank, folks!  Worst part, I let it happen.  Darn!

I will be using this photo to help me stay on track to rebuild.  Kind of like "muscle memory", the feelings of that day, the recognition, the fun, the feeling of accomplishment, I hope will carry me through some challenging days ahead!

I'll probably be talking Tupperware a little more than I have previously.  Not as a sales pitch, but as an integral part of my life.  This is my livelihood, and I need to get it right, again!  If you are offended or turned off by such talk, I apologize, and ask you to bear with me.  Being able to write my thoughts here, is going to be a help to me.   I hope you'll chime in when you have something to say.  That will help me too!

Okay, enough of that!  Let's all get on with the challenges and fun that life has for us in 2012!