New Lotion Size

I just added a 4 oz lotion jar to my goats milk lotion collection. For those of you that want to try this lotion for the first time, but don't want the spend as much for the 8 oz size, this is perfect. Maybe you just would like to sample a new scent, but are unsure if you'll love it enough to finish a larger size. Either way, there are now two size choices for your convenience.

New Year - New Scents - New Products

Once most of the holiday items have been cleared out I will be bringing in some more new scents and products.

• Mango Butter & Goats Milk Shave Bar - unscented and possibly in Bay Rum
• Beneath The Stars Goats Milk Soap ( a blend of Grape, Peach, Citrus, Plum, Rose and Musk) - and available in all my other scented products
• French Vanilla - I will put up a vote again just for this one to see if there is still interest in this as a soap

Happy New Year - About "The Ball"

Click the Photo for History of Times Square New Years Eve Ball

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and blessed New Year!

Christmas Cookies

I remember how fun it was to bake Christmas Cookies with my sisters during the month of December. Some of the types we would make year after year would be:

• Sand Tarts - we used our holiday cookie cut outs and brushed with egg whites and then sprinkles. Boy would I indulge in those!

• Springerle - the traditional German cookie that tasted like licorice and was a bit hard on the teeth!

  

  Linzer Tarts - the jam/preserve filled tart. Not one of my favorites from the past, but still tasty.
  

Great site for all your holiday cookie recipes! Here

History of The Advent Calender

I always had an advent calendar as a child and still love them today.

Here is some interesting information about the origins of the Advent Calendar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------The origin of the calendar, like so many of our Christmas traditions, started in Germany back in the 19th century. Different methods of counting down the days to the celebration of Christmas were used.

Drawing a chalk line to mark off the days, later lighting a candle every night or putting up small religious pictures marked each day until Christmas. The first printed calendar was produced by Gerhard Lang in Germany. When he was a child, his mother attached little candies to a piece of cardboard and each day Gerhard would take one off. His first (printed) calendar consisted of miniature colored pictures that would be attached to a piece of cardboard each day in December. Later Advent calendars were made with little doors to open on each day.

The child might find a small piece of candy, a Christmas picture, a religious picture or a bible verse.

The German calendars were sold until World War II, at which time production was stopped due to the war shortages. After the war, the production of calendars resumed in 1946 by Richard Selmer. Selmer credits President Eisenhower with helping the tradition grow in the United States during his term of office. A newspaper article at the time showed the Eisenhower grandchildren with The Little Town Advent calendar. His company still produces calendars today and can be ordered online.

Holiday Shipping Schedule

You may want to keep in mind the shipping schedule for packages this holiday season, especially if you plan on buying many gifts online. These dates are guidelines and are NOT guaranteed by the USPS.

Holiday Shipping Schedule:

Anywhere in the US:

	Letters and Cards		Priority Mail®		Express Mail®		Parcel Post®
	Dec 20		Dec 20		Dec 22		Dec 15

Outside the US:

First Class International : December 4th
Priority Mail International: December 11th


I ship by both First Class and Priority and it's based on the weight of your order.

• For example: up to 2 soaps or 2 linen sprays or 2 milk baths will go First Class
  

anything more will ship Priority Mail. So, something to keep in mind when you are shopping. First Class could take a week or longer as we get closer to Christmas. If you need me to ship Priority, just drop me an email prior to paying for your order.

Shhhh!!!.....New Scents

For those of you that choose to check my blog, you will be fortunate enough to know ahead of time which scents I will be adding in the future or near future :-) Shhh...it's a secret.

Future Soap Scents and of course available in a lotion, linen spray, jelly jar.

• Voodoo Berry
  
• French Vanilla
  
• Florallissima - this will be brand spanking new and it may or may not have a new name