Wood-crafted Toys

Day 178.

Wood-crafted Toys

I've always adored things that are made by hand. There's such a special touch when someone takes the time to individually create a gift item. That's what I liked most about these clever wood-crafted toys made by an area crafter, Eli Keim. When I visited Amish Country Commons, a local store operated by Pam and Dave, they showed me some of his wonderful items that are offered for sale in their shop. There's a sweet simplicity, but also a beautiful art to these creations...

A toy train...

 

A tic-tac-toe set...

 

And my favorite, this bound-to-be-buoyant boat...

 

I love visiting local gift shops where unique, handmade crafts are featured because you get a completely different type of merchandise. These were all crafted locally and I loved seeing the artistry of this gentleman's creations!

Another Interesting Article

Day 177.

Another Interesting Article

Sometimes I stumble across interesting things by chance and I like to share them. I imagine some of you reading this now may have happened upon my blog in this same way...welcome and thank you for reading this, by the way. It is cool to find things out there that reinforce that shopping for American made goods and supporting industry in the United States is of interest to more than just a few of us. That's what I found cool about this article here...

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100519468

Hope you enjoy seeing this also. There are a lot of people out there who really do care about showing support for American manufacturing and this is just one more great example.

A Mini-Vacation

Day 176.

A Mini-Vacation

I have no time in the near future for a vacation, so instead I'm going to take a little mini-vacation every now and then. I'll start by sending my mind to some tropical location while I enjoy some dark chocolate coconut almonds from Sweet Retreat Naturals...made in the USA!

 

These are tasty little bites that give a taste of the coconut flavor that I can pretend I have the time for a getaway.

 

 

 

Well, now I just need to find a bite of some pineapple and I'll be all set!

Treating Our Pets Right

Day 175.

Treating Our Pets Right

While chatting with a local shop owner, Tanya, about this blog she was enthusiastic about showing me all the products she carries in her store that are made in the USA...there were a lot! So I told her I was going to theme this post around the items she carries to treat our pets right. The first thing she showed me was an end-cap display of several brands of pet food. She told me all of these lines that she carries are made in the United States.

 
She also had some treats for the animals including these Jones Natural Chews from Rockford, Illinois...
 

 
And Kelly's K-9 Cookies that are made in Vermont...

 

So kudos for caring about our animals too!

Faith and Representation

Day 174.

Faith and Representation

I respect the faith and beliefs of others and hope that they will afford me the same respect. I am a Christian and believe in the love of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. During stressful times in my life I've taken great comfort in my faith and have found myself clinging tightly to the cross I wear every day as a symbol and constant reminder and representation of that faith. In all honesty I can't say where my cross was made, although I can tell you how I received it. My cross was a gift from my godfather, Papa John, when I was young (I believe I was probably around ten years old when I received it). For many years it went unworn, not from lack of faith, but perhaps from lack of clarity. Somewhere around two years ago I made a personal decision that it was important for me to wear the cross every day and since then I have. Again, I have found it to be a source of comfort and a reminder of my faith, so for others who might be seeking a similar symbol I wanted to pass along this site where I have found a wide selection of cross jewelry made in the USA.

http://www.usa-made-jewelry.com/Store/Products/Cat/162/Cross-Pendants.html

If you are looking for other types of jewelry they have them available also...all made in the USA.

Green Thumb?

Day 173.

Green Thumb?

Every year when the weather starts to break and spring is in sight I get this crazy notion that I might be capable of growing something. From flowers to strawberries and on more than one occasion tomatoes, I've tried it all. I get it into my head that I have a green thumb, but every year my results confirm the opposite. However, with the arrival of spring I am once again finding myself full of optimism and searching out ways that I might make my growing efforts more successful. That notion has lead me to this cool creation, the EZ Tomato Cage made in the USA in Owatonna, MN, for growing tomatoes...

http://www.eztomatocage.com/

This looks easy enough to use that perhaps it would even improve my results! 

Beautiful Bars of Soap

Day 172.

Beautiful Bars of Soap

I found some beautiful bars of soap recently. They are triple French milled bars made by Alda's Forever in Little Rock, Arkansas. The packaging promotes "the return of elegance" with the lovely designs and I would have to agree. Each of the bars I selected had an attractive design that appeared to be sealed in by a protective soap layer so it wouldn't disappear when you used the soap...

 

These bars have a light almond fragrance, but it is not so much that it is overwhelming. In fact, they are rather delicate in all respects, but very pretty and would make a beautiful addition to a guest bathroom.

 

Such a nice find!