Rosebud Cottage, featuring ROOT Candles, one of our original product lines!

Root Candles - The Best Candle in America - PURE AND SIMPLE 

Votive candles made using only the finest blend of waxes for a cleaner, purer burn that lasts up to 20 hours.
Pure essential oils in each of the fragrances produce a rich, lasting sensory experience. Choose from a variety of colors and fragrances, some of our favorites are French Vanilla, Victorian Fantasy, Pumpkin Spice, Tangerine Lemongrass, Chocolateness, & English Lavender. 
Since 1869, Root Candles of Medina, Ohio, has been an industry-leading, family-owned company renowned for innovative ideas, aesthetic enhancements and the highest standards of quality. Now in its fifth generation, the Root family continues to extol the virtues of honesty, integrity, and diligent craftsmanship. These qualities were exemplified by Root Candles founding father and American original, Amos Ives Root. His tradition of excellence, along with a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction and service, defines and fuels Root’s strong brand loyalty today.

Root Candles devotion to purity, honesty and quality is renowned. Each Root candle is carefully handcrafted using processes mastered through five generations of craftsmanship combined with the latest in manufacturing technologies. The results are pure and simple: Root Candles are highly regarded for complex bouquets of subtle fragrances and sophisticated color palettes, important factors for discerning candle lovers. Today, Root Candles can confidently lay claim to making "the best candles in America."

Amos Ives Root became involved in candle-making through his interest in bee keeping. He was behind many advances in beekeeping, leading the movement to standardizing beekeeping equipment. His Aline Honey was known nationally as the finest honey on the market. He wrote a popular book on bees – The ABCs of Bee Culture – and he founded a magazine for beekeepers named Gleanings In Bee Culture. Little wonder A.I. Root was known as “the bee man” in fifteen languages the world over. Today, Root is still actively involved in advancing the knowledge and science of beekeeping.

Amos Ives Root was closely connected with the birth of aviation. In 1903, he personally visited and followed the work of Orville & Wilbur Wright. In fact, he was with the Wright brothers the first time they flew in Dayton, Ohio. When he submitted an account of that flight to a leading scientific magazine, he received no acknowledgement. So, in typical “can-do” fashion, A.I. published the article himself in his magazine, Gleanings In Bee Culture. This turned out to be the first published account of the Wright Brothers historic accomplishment.

Candle Burning Tips:

For added peace of mind, every Root candle wick is carefully designed to self-extinguish. However, it's important that you trim your wick to 1/4 inch from the top of the candle before each use. And remember:

•Never leave a burning candle unattended
•Never burn a candle near anything flammable
•Keep burning candles out of reach of children and pets
•Store candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
•Avoid burning your candle in a draft to minimize smoke
•If your candle is burning unevenly, simply move the extinguished wick to the center with spoon handle while the wax is still soft.

•Although candles may smell like food, they are not edible

Root Candle Company

Caring for Vintage Linen

I have been looking for all the best advice for taking care of some vintage linen. Vintage towels, napkins, & linen can usually be laundered in the washing machine using the gentle cycle, in mesh bags to keep linen from getting tangled or if they are fragile. Water temperature warm to hot. Test for colorfastness before washing any piece with color. Presoak for up to 8 hours before washing in a mild detergent-water solution can help remove stains. Be sure the detergent is dissolved before adding linen and stir several times during the presoak. Avoid detergents containing bleach or fabric softeners, any mild detergent will do. For crisp texture: (I remember my Mother doing this), remove linens from washing machine, lightly roll each one into a cylindrical shape, & insert the rolls into plastic bags. Then, place bags in the refrigerator until the fabrics are cold. Using a steam iron, no starch, press the chilled pieces on the back side of the fabric until dry.
Don’t store items that have been starched as it may cause yellowing, attract bugs and even cause fiber breakage. Don’t iron creases into linens, and fold them only after the fabric has cooled.
Never store linens in plastic bags or plastic bins as this may cause gases to be released onto your linens causing yellowing. (Citric acid – Lemon Juice – will usually will help take out the yellowing). Also, plastic traps moisture which can lead to mold and mildew. Try to fold linens a different way each time. The best way to store linens for long periods of time is to roll them around acid free paper and wrap in acid free paper.

Brenda advises:  I have had good luck soaking antique quilts in polident tablets. I put several tablets in my laundry sink and soak the quilt over night and then wash it in the machine on the gentle cycle. It removes that old yellow coloring.  I loooove old hand embroidered linens. I don't have any from family but it is one of my favorite things to shop for when I am out and about in the antique stores.

Ann advises:  Another technique is to use Casade Dishwashing Soap.  Soak overnight and wash on gentle cycle ..Lay on towels or sheets out in the sun...Voila!

These are merely suggestions with no guarantee. Good luck! Enjoy using your vintage linens.

Squeak Me Shoes

New! Squeak Me Shoes just in! Stylish and fun and encourages walking. Comfortable with non-skid soles. Hear where your child is at all times. Squeaker can be easily removed by adults. So cute – hats too! Squeak Me Shoes Company gives a portion of the sale to support the adoption process and the many children still waiting for loving families of their own. Rosebud Cottage will donate a portion of our shoe sales to the local Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center.

to see more photos & size chart click here

Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies & a Frog

To see more bunny photos cleck here

Big Sister/Little Sister & Big Brother/Little Brother Tees

New Aprons

New Aprons

It's time for some new things! Check out the new Jewelry. Belts, charms, bracelets, & earrings!

Need some ideas for Valentine's Day gifts!

Somerset In Love Magazine with great craft ideas

Always Kiss Me Goodnight Ornament

Sweet note cards, Bee Mine Candy Jar, I Love You Book

Chocolateness Candles by Root Candles

Love Postcard Plaque

Valentine Cards, Mugs, Organza Gift Bags

Vintage Valentines

Flour Sack Valentine Towels & Trinkets

Cold Weather Cream Cheese Potato Soup

Rosebud Cottage Facebook Notes - Click to see more notes

Heat about 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add and sauté the following for about 10 minutes:
6 to 8 large baking potatoes, cubed
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped coarsely
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 cloves chopped garlic
Cover the vegetables with 2-3 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat; cover and simmer about twenty minutes until potatoes are fork tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and strain or separate the vegetables from the broth. Return the broth to the pot and add 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, blending until smooth. Add half of the vegetable mixture back into the broth. Mash (with a potato masher) the other half of the vegetables and return them to the pot as well. Return to heat until ready to serve. Top with: grated cheddar cheese, bacon bits, chopped chives, sour cream- yummm-delicious!

A Beautiful Snowy Day in Franklin, NC

It has been very cold this week and started snowing around 2 pm this afternoon. It is 11 pm and we have an inch or so of snow. Very cold – 31 degrees…burrrrrr. Will be cold the rest of the week. Of course the local schools have been cancelled tomorrow. How I would love to stay home. Everybody is just staying home, going to work or the grocery store so downtown is pretty quiet. Chatted with my neighbor Sandy from Main Street Coffee tonight. We laughed that our conversation went straight to talking about twittering and face booking. We are very social women! 

Beatrix Potter/Peter Rabbit

One of our favorites - Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit.  We have collected some of the cutest items.  Each letter has a character from the many stories.  Fun for everyone, one of our customers bought the letters for her name & put them on a shelf in her sewing room.

Letters $8.99 ea

Enchanted Season

Garden Tree

with whimsical "Enchanted Season" ornaments $9.99ea.

Rosebud Snippet - "The Christmas Box" as written by Martha Holbrook

The big front porch filled with laughter, hugs, and handshakes as family and friends gathered. Papa and Mama greeted everyone. The Christmas Eve gathering was Rosebud’s favorite family tradition. Mama and Papa started the Christmas Eve gathering when they were first married. Sitting on the table beside the front door was a wooden Christmas box. Papa had made it for Mama as a Christmas gift. Throughout the years Papa had carved a beautiful nativity and Mama had painted it. The nativity was stored safely all year in the special Christmas box. The clock in the hall chimed six times, everyone quieted down, they knew it was time for Mama to open the Christmas box, she handed a different piece of the nativity to someone from each family. Mama handed Rosebud the nativity angel, Rosebud had always felt that the Christ child shared this special angel with her. Papa and Mama led everyone down the steps and out into the garden, the snow glistened from the light of the full moon. Henry held Rosebud’s hand as they walked through the crisp night air. To light the way, Papa had placed glass jars with candles along the path. They made their way to the clearing and Papa hung the lantern above the crèche he had built. Papa read from Luke, his rich voice told the story of the first Christmas and as he read, each piece of the nativity was set into place. Being out in the night, with the stars and the moon above, the Christmas story became even more real to everyone. They could understand how the shepherds felt, feel the presence of the angels, and imagine the sheer grandeur of the moment.
Little Anna had been appointed to ring the Christmas bell. As the soft chime of the bell faded into the quiet night Mama led everyone in singing Away in a Manger, the caroling continued as they walked back along the path. Laughter and voices filled the night air as they anticipated the warmth of the fire, hot chocolate, and cookies. Henry put his arm around Rosebud and she thought how warm and safe she felt near him. Both walked along without saying a word, each in their own thoughts. Thoughts, that someday, together, they could continue the family tradition and begin some of their own. They simply looked at each other and smiled, for now, keeping their thoughts secret.

Rosebud Snippets - "Papa's 3 Sisters" as written by Martha Holbrook

The new 1931 Ford sitting in the front yard of the house was shiny black and the glass windows sparkled. Aunt Sadie had just purchased her first car. She had driven Aunt Jane and Aunt Lizabeth over to show Mama and Papa the new car. These adventurous women were Papa’s three older sisters. All three had lost their husbands in the war. They decided to move in together and live in the family home place since it was empty and large enough for them to be comfortable. They had no children of their own so Rosebud had been the center of their attention most all of her life.
Aunt Sadie was the daring one, she loved to travel, she taught herself how to drive a car, shoot a rifle, and debated news worthy issues. Aunt Jane loved to cook, she made the most wonderful dishes, and her garden was always brimming with herbs and vegetables. Aunt Lizabeth was the scholar, she loved to read and write, study the Bible, and travel as well. They were certainly aunts’ extraordinaire.
Papa just took it all in stride; after all he had grown up with them and loved each one for exactly who they were. They loved Papa and adored Mama; she was just like another sister. Aunts Sadie, Jane, and Lizabeth had come to ask if Rosebud could go on a trip with them. They wanted to visit some sites, attend a theater production, and stay at a spa and resort. Aunt Lizabeth wanted to try the mineral water pools for her aches and pains. After they explained all the travel plans and route they would take Mama and Papa agreed for Rosebud to go with them. They would surprise her with the news at dinner. Papa knew that all of these women would not take no for an answer, and of course his three feisty sisters would take good care of Rosebud. Chuckling, his only comment was, “You four women will have to pack light…”

Rosebud Snippets-"Papa's Pumpkins", as written by Martha Holbrook

The toes of Rosebud's boots were wet from walking through the grass in the early morning. The fog hung heavy with the sunshine waiting just on the other side. Looking up Rosebud saw Papa pulling the wagon up beside the pumpkin patch. She looked out over the field where the bright orange pumpkins sat scattered among the wilted and browning vines. Rosebud loved to see all the different and odd shapes of the pumpkins. She gathered a basket full of her favorites for Mama to use in their fall decorations and set it on the front seat of the wagon. A smile played around Papa's mouth as he watched Rosebud silently count and calculate the pumpkins. Every year he would take his wagon load of pumpkins to the fair. Mrs. Flannery claimed that Papa's pumpkins made the best pies and she would only buy from him. Of course, Mrs. Flannery's pies always won and she made plenty for everyone. As they headed home all the trees and grasses were showing signs that fall was quickly on its way. The leaves were turning rich golds, reds, and browns, and the air had a new freshness that brushed against Rosebud's face. As they pulled the wagon up Mama came out to admire their fine crop of pumpkins. Rosebud handed down the basket with the pumpkins she had saved for Mama. Now, the fall season had officially begun.

Rosebud Snippets- "The Wren's Song", as written by Martha Holbrook

The little brown wren hopped along the wooded path just ahead of Rosebud. Thick fern fronds brushed against Rosebud's skirt as she walked. She stepped on three flat rocks counting them one-two-three and then stopped to listen. The little wren stopped too as if waiting for Rosebud to continue. Standing quietly, just listening to the stillness she noticed the little wren was sitting beside a lovely, pink lady slipper. Rosebud took out her sketch book from her bag and made a few quick sketches to use later. She jumped when an acorn dropped on her hand. Looking up she saw the flick of a tail of a grey squirrel as it ran across the tree limb above her head. The path turned down as she continued to walk. Looking through the trees she could see the open field. The quiet turned into sweet music as the song of the wren played for her the rest of her walk home.

July 4th!

Rosebud in the July 4th Parade.

Rosebud forever! He has a tattoo with Rosebud.

July 4th!

What a fun day. Our town has a "hometown" style parade with kids, dogs, flags, drillteam, cars, and vintage firetruck ending with a best patriotic pets and free watermelon.

Vote for our"Bras for the Cause"

Check out our "Bra for the Cause". The Foundation for Angel Medical Center is raising funds for the new digital mammography machine in the Breast Cancer Center. Bras are being decorated and will be worn in the walkathon on Saturday, July 11. Registration 10am with walk at 11am. Early registration $15 & day of $20. Checks are to be made out to Angel Medical Center and marked “Bras for the Cause” or “walkathon” and will be tax deductible. Register to walk and wear your decorated bra or Vote for our Bra with a donation, the shop with the most money wins! Drop by and support the cause. Vote for Rosebud Cottage's Bra for the Cause.