Merry Christmas to you and your family from Prairie Pearl and Jojo. Watch for new items my Etsy PrairiePearlShop in 2018 and new adventures with my sidekick Jojo. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for everything good in life. I am thankful for my family, my friends old and new and thankful for my little sidekick, Jojo. I am Thankful for my health, and a comfortable home in a place I love. Sometimes I drive to the store or work and marvel at the beauty around me and I think to myself. I really do live here. Some days at work is frustrating, but I am thankful for my job as many are not as lucky to have one.

For the first time since moving here, I actually have Thanksgiving off. I have a turkey breast in the fridge waiting to be roasted tomorrow. Jojo and I are going to snuggle in for the day with sappy Hallmark movies and the smell of turkey in the oven. I am going to also spend time sprucing up my Etsy store for the holidays. Jojo would like to extend to you parents of fur babys a special offer. If you "like and follow" my blog, Face Book (Prairie Pearl) and Etsy (PrairiePearlStore) store, send me your fur baby's birthday date and Jojo will send you some of her favorite paw balm.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

October!

Doesn't time fly! Fall has arrived in the Ozarks and Jojo and I have been out and about some more, but mostly on errands as I prepare for the annual gathering of the Ryder Bridge Friends. The weather turned really cold yesterday and Jojo got to try out one of her coats. I think she wasn't really excited about wearing it at first, but once out in the cold, she didn't complain the next time we went out! I had the groomer keep her short so that she doesn't get over heated inside. I always, each year, think I am a bit more organized until the week before and I am still stressing to get things done. I did manage to get a couple more mixes made and listed. I ordered more packaging so will be able to get some soup mixes and hot chocolate mixes listed early November. Look for some Christmas gift options. I will be making samples and giving away mix packets to friends at the Ryder Bridge Group.

What is coming soon? Jojo and I are planning a road trip to Florida in February to meed friends. This will be one of the longest road trips for Jojo and the longest one for me in quite a while. I have 8 days for this trip. Any suggestions for what not to miss?

Prairie Pearl's Etsy store now open

Several years ago, I had several recipes for mixes, salad dressings, dips, soups and so forth. I did pretty well selling at area craft shows around Kansas. But, as time went by, I found it difficult to keep up with the Craft shows. It is really hard work setting up a tent, displays, product.... not having a partner to assist with the booth while you took time to eat or use the restrooms. About the only show I could do on my own was a Holiday Craft show at Ft. Leavenworth. They had cadets who helped unload your car, and reload after. They had volunteers who would come around and relieve you for breaks. AND Army wives really know how to shop! That was a truly great craft show. So, I have improved some of my former recipes and started Prairie Pearl Shop on Etsy. Today was my grand opening. I have 6 mixes, 3 dip and 3 salad dressing mixes. I also have some of Jojo's Paw Balm. A great organic and all natural balm to rub into the pads of your furry friend. Keeps the soft and protects from hot pavement and ice and snow. i have recipes in the works for a couple of soup mixes and even some hot chocolate mixes. Look for those to be added in time for the holidays!

Jojo and I are still hanging at home. I have been busy getting some of these recipes online and still work on a get together of a bunch of bridge friends the first week of November. Once the dust settles, We will be making some new treks around southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.

August in the Ozarks was hot, hot, hot! Jojo and I got out and about very little other than a late afternoon/early evening walk. But we did start planning some fall outings. In October we will venture down to Arkansas again to the War Eagle Crafts weekend. We'll use that time to plot and plan our new venture; but more on that in a bit. I think we will also make a trek to Lake of the Ozarks for a little overnighter and perhaps on a 2 nighter to Hannibal to visit the artist gallery of Ayers Pottery. As some of you know, I have a partial set of his dishes and wouldn't mind adding a couple more pieces.
But for now, until it cools off, we are sitting here at home. Jojo experienced her first carwash. Needless to say, she was not amused. She was fine during the soaping down, but when the pressurized water hit, I think she thought it was a terrible storm!

As I posted a while back, our venture of selling some of Jojo's favorite treats were derailed by the Missouri Cottage business laws and that dog treats do not fall into such laws. SO, we are resurrecting the former "From My House to Yours" but will be resurrected under a new name... or a slightly changed name.  There will be new and improved dips, dressings and soup mixes along with Jojo's Paw Balm and some breed cross stitch items and personalized tribute items. I know this is all somewhat vague, but that is because it is still somewhat vague in my brain yet! I know there will be items from Washington State in the form of my friend Melanie's Stitching 9 to 5 cottage business. Everything will be available online through Etsy. my blog, and well, heck, you can just email me. launch date for now is January 1, but it could happen sooner. Vague, I know. That's me, vague Prairie Pearl! So, just keep checking back on my blog and I may give little teasers along the way!

July, Hot and busy!

Hot days in the Ozarks, to hot for me or Jojo!

July was a busy month for Prairie Pearl. Even though working only part time, most of the month was too hot to get out much on days off. Jojo and I stuck it out in the AC with only some evening rides into Branson for treats. (Jojo does love the pup cups at Culvers!)

Towards the end of the month, friends from Lawrence came to visit, and while Jojo stayed home in the AC, the rest of us did manage to wander out shopping, eating, and enjoying the day at Top of the Rock.

Top of the Rock is a rather fun outing if you are in the Branson area. Top of the Rock is a pro golf course, and what we were there for, a nature trail that you enjoy riding through in a golf cart. Waterfalls, and Caves, there are many stunning sights of nature. While we also like to go to Dogwood Canyon (another nature area built by the Bass Pro company). This year, DWC is closed due to extreme flooding by spring rain. They had to start from the bottom up rebuilding and will hopefully be reopen this fall.

 

 
Cruseing into Branson one evening for a ice cream fix, we stopped by to watch the lights changing on the Branson Ferris Wheel. Such a beautiful sight. Even Jojo was fascinated as we leaned against the car and took in the sights and sounds of the strip at night.

 

So what is in store for Prarie Pearl and Jojo? Well, for those of you following on Facebook, you know now that Jojo's K9 Kitchen has been stalled permanently by the Missouri Department of Agriculture who regulates the production and sale of pet food and treats. While people food can be made and sold under cottage business laws... animal food has more regulation and licenses. Go figure. So, we have been planning some trips and excursions. Hannibal, War Eagle Mill Craft show, Mansfield, and Mountain Home, Arkansas are all on the scope. Stay tuned!

Jojo invades Jayhawk country!

On June 1, Jojo and I headed home to Lawrence, Kansas to celebrate my Great Niece Charlotte's 2nd birthday (and my friend Nancy's birthday too). I had to be back in Branson on Saturday (which was her official birthday party) so my brother and sister-in-law hosted a "pre-party" at their home with a delicious baked potato bar, incredible gooey Pioneer Woman's caramel brownies, croquette and fun. Of course Jojo had to show up in her Jayhawk cheerleader dress!

It was a beautiful day, but on the warm side, so the dress didn't last long. Nancy and I went to dinner at HuHot to celebrate her birthday. Jojo felt right at home at Aunt Nancy's house, after all this is where it all began last Christmas. I was staying at Nancy's house then when we all drove to Mission to meet this adorable girl named Jojo. She had a rough start, not knowing what or who to trust. Boy have a few months changed all that. Here are more pictures of Charlottes' pre-party, with her uncle Jason, Alecia, her mom Jennifer and dad Brandon. I might note, that by now.... Charlee has a little brother Nick, who I havent met yet, but soon, Nick, I will be there soon!

 

Since Summer is upon us now in the Ozarks, Jojo and I wont be em"barking" on many more excursions, So Jojo and I have decided to spend the next couple of months working on a new project. We will be perfecting recipes and ideas for the September launch of Jojos K9 Kitchen. Yes, with my help, Jojo will be taste testing recipes for yummy all natural and organic doggy treats and paw balm. We will sell as a cottage business primarily on-line through this blog and Etsy.  We will have special Holiday selections and maybe even birthday treats. We will be teaming up with my friend Melanie's sewing business "Stitching 9 to 5" as she will be stitching up a storm a line of designer bandannas and collar embellishments. So, check back and check back often!

Happy 4th of July to all my friends and family.