Coming Soon To A Location Near You

Following a lovely honey harvest this fall, the Bee Master Dean took notice of the leftover beeswax, sweet smelling and golden in color, and he had an epiphany.  It began as a thought...a crazy thought...rolling around in that math brain of his.  Upon consulting his bee friend Mark (aka Papa Smurf) the wheels were set in motion. And since that epiphany there's been no looking back.  When the Bee Master gets something in his head, it's best to either get on board or just "move...get out da way"!

This project would take extreme hours of Internet investigation and then precise computations and formulas.  How do you compute fluid ounces to ounces to grams?  What ingredients will be the smoothest?  What scent will be the most pleasing?  Where can I find Essential Oils?

 

This would require the expertise of Chemistry Girl known these days as Momma Girl.  Don't worry...I'll take care of Olivia while you both postulate formulas and play with pipettes.  We all have our strengths and abilities and I know mine! 

Beeswax...Shae butter...sweet almond oil...oh my!

Chemistry Girl will need a trusty assistant...one she can order around.  Ahem...I mean ask for assistance, and K-Dawg is up for the job.  This is wonderful news considering the pay is lousy!

 

And then we will need to sample the product.  Several packages of the lip balm were numbered and sent to a test data group.  The Bee Master sent along an evaluation form with strict instructions.  

Everyone knows that I am the queen of lip balm...it's in my genes...and also in my jeans.  I once had an awakening while watching Tom Hanks become a "Castaway" on that deserted island.  I could never be without lip balm, ever!  I now carry one in every pocket I have.  I also have several in my purse...car...craft room...office...kitchen...sewing kit...fridge...I think you get the idea.

It was a tough job, but I couldn't wait to try out all the different lip balm formulas. 

Evaluations were made.  A label designer was hired.  Health Department regulations were consulted to verify compliance. Paperwork was filed with the government.  Display boxes were crafted.  And then final choices for formula and scents were chosen.
 

Fast forward a couple of weeks and it's time for the actual production process. This time, careful consideration was given for a "clean" environment including gloved hands.

Do they act and look like they are father and daughter or what? 

And so...without further ado...I am thrilled to introduce...

 

The Jiggy Stick

Brought to you with introductory flavors of Coconut Lime, Vanilla Mint, Lemongrass, and Mountain Snow.

Coming soon to a location near you... try the Jiggy Stick for yourself!  Tell them the Bee Master sent you.

 

Congratulations Bee Master...and Papa Smurf...and Chemistry Girl...and K-Dawg!
 
I think Jiggy would be very proud of the Jiggy Stick!

I wonder when his next epiphany will come?

It's Me Izzy

Dear Mom,

It's me...Izzy.  

I have taken over the writing here for a moment, I have some things I need to say.

Dear Mom...Why do you call me Princess Izzy Pants?

 Dear Mom...Why do you call me Isabella Rosalinni?

 Dear Mom...really...do I need to even say anything about this photo?

Dear Mom...you always take pictures of me...even when I am having a bad hair day.  Just look at my eyes...I begged you not to take it.

Dear Mom...Remember when you and Dad took me to Steamboat Springs and all the other kids had to stay home.  I got to stay in a "dog friendly" hotel and had a queen-sized bed all to myself.  That was awesome!

 Dear Mom...I'm too sexy for my scarf...enough said!

 Dear Mom...Why is the brown one always pulling faces in photos?

Dear Mom...Thanks for taking me on a walk all the time.  Did you know I love it?  Sorry I make you pick up my poop in the pink baggies.  But sometimes, you just have to go!

Dear Mom...everyone thinks it's unfair that my crazy sister Kenya lives outside and I live inside.  We don't care, just make sure that we get to play together every day...a whole bunch....OK?

Dear Mom...I love going to the Teenager's lacrosse games.  I get tons of attention!  Sometimes the humans almost forget to watch the lacrosse games because they are so interested in me!

Dear Mom...Remember when you took me to puppy school and I graduated at the top of my class?  That's because I'm a genius!  Puppy class was so easy I might have gotten a little bored.  Also... remember when my friend Charger the other golden doodle was naughty and peed on the floor when he got nervous? That was really funny!

Dear Mom...Why does my nose go pink in the winter and black in the summer?  Huh?

Dear Mom...I hate going to the groomers.  They always put ridiculous bows in my hair.  This time I even had a stupid necklace with a spider glued to it.  Don't worry, I had Kenya help me get rid of it.

Dear Mom...why does Dad always call me Stoop-Stoopie?  And why does he always sing "Will the original Stoop-Stoopie please stand up...please stand up."  I love being his office partner when he isn't on travel though.  But don't tell anyone...he feeds me more human food than anyone else.  He is pretty much a softy!

 Dear Mom...Must everyone in the family always pick me up?  And why do you all speak to me in the Old English Dog voice?  I asked the blond one and she said because "Day wub it days do."

 Dear Mom...I must protest...I am not a reindeer at all!

 Dear Mom...Thanks for letting me sleep in the sun and I wub it!

Dear Mom...I had a great time on the hike to Mt Timpanogos this summer.  Let's do it again next year.  OK?

Dear Mom...DON"T LET DAD HOOK UP A DOGGY CAM TO MY HEAD AGAIN!  I HATE IT!!!  And all you did was laugh yourself silly, you're no help at all.

Dear Mom...more bones please!

Dear Mom...really...is this necessary?

Dear Mom...I miss the red one...I know you do too!

Dear Mom...I love to go outside and roll on the grass.  I also enjoy steeling things from the neighbors, like socks and binkies and gloves and food and...and...and!

Dear Mom...Thanks for taking me skiing every Saturday in the Winter.  I don't even mind waiting in the car while you guys take some runs down the mountain.  It's worth it when you come back at noon and I get to sample your lunch.  But please...don't let that Joe guy feed me any more hot dogs through the car window.  I do have my standards, plus the hot dogs didn't sit so well in my dog tummy, as you well know!

 Dear Mom...Since you love me so much, I could use more treats in my life!

Dear Mom...It's really tough being a pooch these days...cut me a little slack once in a while will you?  And sorry about my muddy paws, I just had to dig that hole in the yard.

Dear Mom...Do I have to go take a bath?

Dear Mom...Don't tell Dad how I sleep on the couch when he's on travel.  And don't tell him how I sleep in his spot on the bed...on his pillow...don't tell him OK?

Dear Mom...I love it here!  Thanks for making me part of the family.  

Love, Izzy   aka Princess Izzy Pants


PS...Did I mention more treats?

Amuck, Amuck, Amuck

Here at the Garlick Press, we are steeped in great traditions... and Halloween is no exception.  

Halloween sugar cookies are first on the agenda for the day.  The teenager likes to have lots of sprinkles with his frosting.  Evenings are spent watching classic films like Hocus Pocus, "I put a spell on you, and now you're mine." We can probably quote half of that movie.

A barfing pumpkin is always a classic jack-o-lantern choice at our house.

Let me hear three cheers for The Saints who are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Halloween night.  

Luscious Halloween stew has been brewing all day filling the house with that rich smell of roasting goodness.  You should taste these freshly baked cheese scones for stew dipping.

Oh no, is that Cat Man Boo and Wanda Witch staring at you.

Wicked Witchie-Poo's best features are her stringy hair and lop-sided sagging chest.  Oh what an absolute riot Jill and I had making her a few years ago.  .

  Every now and then I like to create something new to add to our traditions.  This quilt hangs in the usual quilt spot to hauntingly say Halloween Hellos to all that enter.  

Excuse me...I'm Mr Beer Can Chicken.  I've been smoking on the Cuban (smoker) for dinner tonight on All Hallow's Eve.  Beer can chicken (minus the beer and actually cooked on a Dr. Pepper can with apple juice inside) is so tasty and tender.  Thank you Dean for bringing the Cuban home to expand our Sunday dinner menus so deliciously.  

 Newest tradition this year...our granddaughter Olivia, trick-or-treating as a little green dinosaur.  She is positively the sweetest part of the new Halloween traditions at the Garlick Press.   

HALLOWEEN! At the end of a delightful Halloween weekend a new treat...Creamy Pumpkin Custard Pie.  Will this pie be on the Pie Night Menu this year...stay tuned!