So much has happened since the opening of the Etsy Shoppe, that I have not been able to do it justice.

We are currently working on creating a website that will pull together all things Rose Water Cottage…the blog, my books, handmade cottage crafts… and so many new and exciting things.

Since the last post…I have…

…flown with my mother to Orlando, Florida for the Art in the Garden Event…


Brother Brad has his gardening hat, shoes, and fresh bouquet (from his garden) ready and waiting...
 Precious ones greeted Ms. Christie…Mr. Jones' sister…


Impromptu …loved filling in and playing the flute for the garden fairy dance…


Sweet faces…


My little friends accompanied me…


Sweet girl…budding author/illustrator, Autumn…


Me and my mommy…both of us were presenters for this event. So special…


So proud of my brother, Brad Jones.  Grateful to Emeril's foundation for donating.  A Kitchen House will be on this property, alongside the community garden across from Orlando Junior Academy. I will look forward to an event there, next fall…


Cotton blossom…


Cotton boll…


A wonderful teacher... Valmae Lowrey…poses with me and her former student, Autumn. Valmae's class enjoyed being a part of the collaborative effort for my book, Goat's Milk and Gardening…


And it was there that the inspiration came for the new book "Eliza Visits the Ballet"…


I returned home to begin writing and illustrating…





…and created a costume befitting one mousie girl's imagination…




researched the musical score of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" to illustrate the correct musical notes..


propped her upon her favorite quilted pillow..


working tirelessly …from this chippy white chair in the makeshift studio in the dining room…


until it was time to travel to New York City with husband, to attend The Nutcracker ballet at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch theater (the culminating event to be featured in the next Eliza adventure…"Eliza Visits the Ballet"…)

We board the plane for a non-stop flight to New York City, and these lovely flight attendants, Robin and Laura, took such good care of our mousie girl, Eliza. Robin already knew her! Her daughter has some of my books. I was overwhelmed. Daughter loved them after reading them in her school library in Port Orange, Florida, and then asked her mother if they could purchase them when she spied them at their favorite children's bookstore in Daytona.
Did I mention…I was overwhelmed…


Then the ladies asked if Eliza could have her photo taken with the pilots…
Can you tell just how excited and honored she feels?


I put Tim in charge of carrying the portfolio containing the artwork/illustrations/text for the new book "Eliza Visits the Ballet" (along with the book for Summer…"Eliza Meets Ella Grace Louise")


Eliza calls "shotgun"…she doesn't want to miss a single thing…


Approaching Times Square…and the Times Square Crowne Plaza Hotel, where we will stay for the duration of our visit…


On Saturday…Eliza is tucked inside a lovely old beaded purse, perfectly perfect for a visit to the ballet at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch theater…


We find the display of the beautiful costumes of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier…


…and then…she sees this…


No, dearest little Eliza mouse…you are not this… you were created to be gentle and humble and loving..

This is one proud Grammy…holding her sweet mousie girl on the steps leading down to the Orchestra level seating…


and even more proud and excited for this photo op with the lovely ballerina named Eliza! Yes…her name is Eliza! Do you see the way God is working…the way He is affirming every step of our adventure…


 Such a big grin on this Grammy's face…


After the performance, I find that the pointe shoes are available for purchase at the gift shop, there…and Eliza decides, that because these are such darling shoes, size 4 1/2, that belonged to the ballerina who would dance as Sugar Plum Fairy in the following performance…she will trade in her daybed for the coziness of these tiny slippers, once belonging to one tiny ballerina...


Back at the Crowne Plaza.. (for that is where tiny ballerinas with tiny crowns rest their tired tiny heads)..we reflect on the days events..


The slippers bear the autograph of the ballerina...


…and we find a photo of her in the Playbill…


Eliza sees quite a resemblance to her hero, the Sugar Plum Fairy…



(More photos to come…)

I have also…

….decorated for Christmas at Rose Water Cottage with the help of my multi-talented friend Diann Rigsby

There are some other exciting possibilities that are being left in the hands …and perfect timing…of our Maker.

It is in Him,  my faith and trust lies.

Thank you for being here…for continuing to come for a visit, now and then…for having faith in me to keep it real and humble and honest.

All good things come to those who wait upon the Lord…

And so we wait…and we continue to work…and plant seeds…and hope..

Always, there is hope.

Blessings,

Christie