Pauper’s Little Work Space

May 26, 20162 Comments

I was needing a little space in my house where I could use my laptop, process orders, do bills and store my “office materials” for Pauper’s Candles. I decided to use the closet space in our guest bedroom. I totally love the way the space came together.

First things first: A fresh coat of paint in the closet before building Pauper’s Little Work Space. Nothing like Bright White paint – I have since finished painting the rest of the guest bedroom

When one does not have a tool belt or tool box, a basket will do.

This is a stand alone shelf that I built with re purposed wood from my local dump. I love this shelf!

I wanted a little desk and had found these old table legs at my local dump and thought they would work great for the legs of my desk and the other wood I used was also courtesy of my local dump.

Here is my finished desk. I just love old wood. I then made some top shelves with some book shelf brackets I bought at my local Home Depot. Again shelf wood is from my local dump. Did I mention I love old used wood?

I added a chalk board that I made from an old window I found at my local dump and I made a magnet board from an old cookie sheet I found at a thrift store. This cookie sheet had a metal loop on the end that was perfect for hanging it up. I just love old stuff!

My Pauper’s Work Space came together great and I wrote this post while sitting at my little desk. I have also added curtains, so when quests come over I can close the curtains and they do not have to see into my work space. This was a fun project. Go Re-Purposing! Go Old Wood! Go Local Dump!

Wow, What a day!

May 11, 2016May 11, 20163 Comments

What a great gift – No chores for Mom today.

I woke up to my husband, Mark, saying, “Do not worry about the morning chores, Kirt and I have this.” When I came out of our bedroom, I was greeted with “Happy Mother’s Day!” and was asked by my husband if I wanted to have a cup of coffee. My son proceeded to tell me that I could do whatever I wanted today, like read my Bible, do crafts, read a book, play games, and my son said that I could even play with his remote control car outside if I would like. I had been hearing my son and husband the past few days talk about “Mission Mom” and now I was beginning to see the mission.

Bringing a cup of coffee to Mom. What a great helper he was with Dad.

I read my Bible while they finished the chores. We all then went outside to sit and have coffee and apple cider together. I thought to myself with a big breath and watery eyes, this is a great moment.

Love this card made by my son.

My son then handed me a card he had made. He read it to me and it began with, Thank you for being an awesome Mom…..now tears slid down my cheeks. I gave my son a hug and kiss and thanked him and looked at my husband and said, “Taking in this great moment” and he nodded.

Oatmeal – Love Oatmeal that is allowed to soak in a Stanley thermos over night. Thanks Babe!

My husband then told me that breakfast was ready. He had made oatmeal the night before in one of our thermoses. My son had set the table and Mark served breakfast. All I had to do was sit down at the table and eat. As we were eating, Mark and Kirt with excitement told me what the rest of the day would entail. Another great moment.

I love these two!

We all got dressed and headed to church. When I sat in the car, I saw a card on the dash that was from my husband. I opened it and read ” How do you spell ‘Love’?” asked Piglet. “You don’t spell it,” said Pooh. “You feel it.” and then read, Moment by happy moment, hope your first Mother’s Day is beautiful. What an awesome husband I have. ” This is another beautifully great moment,” I thought.

Quiche made by my husband, Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

After church Mark and Kirt took me to Home Depot to buy some blueberry bushes for our orchard and then we went home to eat quiche the Mark had made the day before. We ate our meal while watching the classic movie Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. Kirt enjoyed this movie and eating on TV Trays is always a treat.

Once the movie was over and dishes done by Mark, with a another cup of coffee in hand, Mark and I went and sat outside looking out over our property to Schweitzer Ski Resort. With Kirt playing outside, we reminisced about parenthood, God’s grace, and our love for each other. Another great moment.

Thank you Mark and Kirt for all you did to prepare and provide such a wonderful First Mother’s day for me. You accomplished “Mission Mom” fantastically! I love you both.

OSU Mom’s and Family Weekend 2016…

April 27, 2016April 26, 20161 Comment

Pauper’s Candles new candle scents for 2016. You are sure to love them!

Pauper’s Candle Company is going to be at Oregon State University Mom’s and Family Weekend Art Festival. You can see more information about this event on their Facebook page. We will be there on April 3oth and the festival is from 10am – 5pm located near the Memorial Union building on the brick mall. We will be in booth 14. We would love to see you there.

This is our first show of the year and we will be debuting five new candle scents. They are Sweet Orange Chili Pepper, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pomegranate, Salty Sea Air, and Toasted Marshmallow. Come and stop by our booth and smell the new candles. I totally love the Sweet Orange Chili Pepper. I have always loved orange fragrance and this candle scent throws great and yet is not too heavy.

Kirt helping set up our booth at the Sandpoint Farmers Market.

My son is making the trip with me this year. He is looking forward to seeing Grandma and Grandpa, as we will be staying with them. He is also a great helper setting up our booth. It is always fun to see my parents and my mom will be helping me run my booth as she has been for many years now and my Dad always assists with unloading and loading my supplies for this show. I love my folks. They have always been so supportive.

Thank you to OSU for putting on a great show. We are looking forward to another great time at the festival.

A Pauper’s Tea Destined to be A Pauper’s Coffee

February 3, 20162 Comments

Natalie, Brooke, and Jennifer: Awesome friends to take time from their day to smell candles for Pauper’s Candle Company!

As I was testing new scents for 2016, I thought to myself that I would like to have some of my friends smell these new scents and give me their honest opinions. I thought that while they were smelling I could serve tea and treats. Sometimes a thought needs to become a reality. I invited three fiends from various backgrounds and occupations and they all indicated that they would love to come. I began to plan my first Pauper’s Candles Tea.

I have to give a pause and make a few statements. I live in Northern Idaho, on a dirt road, and have a quarter mile easement off my road to my solar powered home. I live in what I call snow country. If the temperatures rise during winter our road turns to slush and then mud. I was taking a chance by having my Pauper’s Tea at this time of year.

As the date for my Tea was approaching the temperatures were rising and we were getting rain and not snow. Our snow plow broke and was put in the shop not to be finished until after My Pauper’s Tea. Three days before my tea my road was a slushy mess and we could no longer drive our vehicles to our house. We had to walk the quarter mile easement and anything we needed to buy or take from our home we had to carry in our backpacks, or put on our sled to be pulled to our house or vehicle. I knew that my tea could not take place at my home. I started thinking what I could do. I could cancel or change the venue. I thought to myself where I could have a small gathering. I thought of a place in town and talked with one of my friends I had invited and she thought that this was a great idea and also suggested another spot she knew. I thought her suggestion was better and so I changed the venue to be at a place downtown that had a small coffee shop that opened early. All of my friends were so flexible and willing to meet downtown.

Smelling, smelling and smelling some more candles!

My first Pauper’s Tea became my first Pauper’s Coffee. The day arrived for my Pauper’s Coffee and it was raining. I had to gather everything I would need for my friends to sample me new candle scents in a backpack because I also had a wholesale order and online order that needed to be sent in the mail and I had to use the sled to pull them to my vehicle. As I was walking to my car with my rain jacket on, backpack on and orders on my sled covered with a tarp to protect them from the rain, I thought to myself, “Only in Northern Idaho” and “Only in North Idaho would people totally understand and not think this strange.

Pauper’s Candles – Some will stay, some will go, and some will be new. Decisions, decisions, decisions…

I arrived downtown at 8:25am and I was the first to arrive. I was excited because I was able to put together the tables and chairs and set everything out for my meeting. I then met my friends and as they arrived they were able to get coffee and treats. I started my Pauper’s Coffee by introducing all my friends to each other and then we began smelling the new scents. It always amazes me how personal scents can be and how each person has reasons why they like certain scents over others. Two hours later, I had gathered some terrific information to help me decide Pauper’s 2016 Candle Scents. I want to give a huge THANK YOU to Natalie, Jennifer, and Brooke for taking the time to smell new scents and give me your opinions. I had a wonderful time and hope you did too!

I have decided on Pauper’s Candles 2016 Candle Scents!

As I looked over the data I gathered from my Pauper’s Coffee with my friends, I decided Pauper’s Candles candle scents for 2016. Some scents remain, others discontinued and new scents added. Pauper’s Candle Company Candle Scents for 2016 are as follows:

Year Round Scents: LILAC, JASMINE, HONEYSUCKLE, VANILLA VELVET, FIG, WHITE GINGER AND AMBER, GRANDPA’S PIPE, RED CURRANT, LAVENDER, PATCHOULI LAVENDER, (NEW SCENTS) SALTY SEA AIR, SWEET ORANGE CHILI PEPPER, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, POMEGRANATE. TOMATO LEAF, BASIL SAGE MINT, CILANTRO N’ HERB, FRESH CUT GRASS, DIRT.

Spring / Summer Scents: HUCKLEBERRY, HAWAIIAN MIST, BLACKBERRY SAGE (NEW) TOASTED MARSHMALLOW.

Fall / Winter Scents: CINNAMON RED HOT, N. WOODS CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS CABIN, THREE TREES CINNAMON/CLOVE, PUMPKIN SPICE

I am excited for Pauper’s Candles 2016 Soy Candle Lines and Air Fresheners. I know that there is a scent for everyone to enjoy!

Pauper’s Candles is Charging into the New Year

January 6, 2016January 6, 20161 Comment

Our Beautiful New Years Day – 2016

As the snow fell many days before and on Christmas Day, Pauper’s Candles finished up its last orders. When New Years Day arrived the clouds left, the sky was radiant blue, and the sun shone on the snow that had fallen. It was a beautiful New Years Day.

As the sun was shining, our solar panels were working to capacity and our batteries were humming. We were charging up and starting off the new year with fully charged batteries. I love those sunny winter days!

Pauper’s Candles is getting ready for the 2016 Year. New scents are being tested, website and store being updated, and new business strategies will begin to be implemented. We will keep you posted for the exciting upcoming changes.

The Sun Charging up the Solar Panels and Batteries on New Year Day!

Happy New Year from Pauper’s Candle Company!

What a Great Way to End 2015!

December 19, 2015January 2, 20162 Comments

Krista at the Salem Farmer’s Market Holiday Craft Show

Pauper’s Candle Company had a terrific show at the Salem Farmer’s Market Holiday Craft Show in Salem, Oregon. While my husband, son and I were driving to Oregon from Idaho, my husband and I were trying to think how many years Pauper’s Candles had been attending this show. We concluded that it had to be at least 10 years. Hard to believe that much time has passed. I always enjoy seeing those who come each year to purchase their Pauper’s Candle.

My husband and son at Tuba Christmas. Practicing before the performance

This year was especially special because my husband and I had our son with us. And on top of that, my husband and son played in Tuba Christmas in Portland, Oregon on Saturday. My parents offered to run my booth while I buzzed to the show to watch them play, and of course it was raining. Just an aside: My son is just learning to blow the horn, so he watched Dad for fingering and did not blow much. He did get a little prize for being the youngest player there. He thought that was pretty cool. Good memories and thank you Mom and Dad for running Pauper’s booth.

My wonderful husband, Mark

Grandma and Grandpa wanted to spend some time with their grandson on Sunday, so my husband and I ran our booth together. This was fun. We have not run our booth together in a long time. Again, good memories.

After the show we were able to spend some time with my parents and take our son to see the Christmas lights in Corvallis that are now at the local Fairgrounds. While I was growing up the Christmas lights were around the local Pepsi building. Our son enjoyed seeing all the lights and live Nativity. Once again, good memories

Our Christmas Cabin Soy Candle is a spectacular scent!

The Salem Holiday Show is always Pauper’s last for the year and this year it was a great way to end our show season for 2015. This year has been a great year for shows and making memories.

Thank you to all our customers for a great year! Merry Christmas and we wish you a Blessed New Year.

At the Moscow Food Co-Op you will find Pauper’s Candles!

July 4, 2015July 3, 2015Leave a comment

Pauper’s Candles can be found at the Moscow Food Co Op in Moscow, Idaho. We are excited to be there!

While Pauper’s Candles was at the Sandpoint Farmer’s Market in 2014, I, Krista and Owner of Pauper’s Candles, met Ashley Douglas. She and her family were visiting Sandpoint and visited the Farmer’s Market. Ashley, her sister and mother were enjoying the many scents of our candles and Ashley asked if we sold our candles wholesale because she was the Mercantile Buyer for the Moscow Food Co-Op and was interested in bringing in our soy wax candles.

In the Fall of 2014, Ashley brought in Pauper’s Candles to the Moscow Food Co-op and our soy wax container candles were a success. During the Christmas Season, the Co-Op carried many of Pauper’s Seasonal Scents such as Christmas Cabin, Northwoods Christmas, Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon/Clove, and Harvest Moon, as well as what has become their staple scents, Lavender, Huckleberry, Tomato Leaf, Vanilla Velvet, and White Ginger & Amber.

Our Tomato Leaf soy candle is a wonderful reminder of Summer

For the 2015 Spring/Summer Season the Co-Op is additionally caring our candle scents of Cucumber, Eucalyptus, and Fig. Each Season Ashley brings in a few seasonal scents to keep a rotating variety of scents as well as staple scents you can always find.

All of Pauper’s Candles are made with 100% soy wax ,cotton wicks and scented with either premium grade fragrance oils or 100% essential oil. Pauper‘s soy wax is also non-GMO. All of Pauper’s Candles are made using solar energy generated on our property for our home and home business.

White Ginger & Amber is Pauper’s #1 Seller

Whenever you are in Moscow, Idaho you should visit the Food Co Op. They are located at 121 E. 5th St. in downtown Moscow, Idaho. You can also get to know the Co Op by going to their website or face book page.

Enjoy the many natural products including Pauper’s Candles at the Moscow Food Co Op!

Fudge Brownies – Think Outside the Box

July 1, 2015June 30, 2015Leave a comment

Fudge Brownies

This last year I was on the hunt for a good, moist, chocolaty, brownie recipe. I tried many different recipes and finally found this Fudge Brownie Recipe. I have made it for many of our friends as a dessert and served it with our home made ice cream, which my husband makes and is absolutely fabulous! Each time I have served the brownies I have had rave reviews. If you want a nice chocolate dessert or are craving something chocolaty, these brownies will not disappoint. They are fudge-like versus cake-like. My husband and I love these Fudge Brownies.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and Butter Melted on Stove Top. I Melt the chocolate chips and butter first and allow to cool while putting together the other ingredients.

Since I baked these brownies I have not wanted to use a box mix again. I always enjoy knowing what ingredients are in my food and baking from scratch allows me to do this. This recipe is simple and it is relatively quick to whip up a pan of brownies. This recipe calls for vanilla extract and I bought, for the first time, Organic Vanilla Extract. I found the best price for Organic Vanilla Extract at Vitacost online.

Brownies ready to go into the oven.

I also used my own eggs from my chickens, Real Butter, Organic White Wheat Flour, Organic Cane Sugar, and Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. My next step is to purchase organic semi sweet chocolate chips. Baking with organic ingredients warms my heart in that if I am going to go through the effort to bake something to serve, I want it to be as healthy as possible, while tasting great.

Hand Held Sifter

The recipe calls for powdered sugar to be sprinkled on top of the brownies when they are done. It has been my experience that you want to do this right after pulling the brownies out of the oven, otherwise the powdered sugar does not stick to the brownies. A little kitchen tool that I totally love using to sprinkle the powdered sugar is a mini hand held sifter. The powdered sugar spreads onto the brownies nice, fine and even.

Using my Vintage Hand Mixer to Mix Ingredients

My vintage hand mixer is perfect for the mixing in this recipe. Sometimes it is the little simple kitchen tools that makes a recipe come together easily or assist in the finishing touches.

Snapware 2-Layer Cupcake and Cake Carrier

Snapware Carrier- All loaded and ready for Market!

A Little Extra Tidbit: I have baked these brownies for my Farmers’ Market and I transported them in my Snapware 2-Layer Cupcake and Cookie Carrier that I found on Amazon. I totally love it.

I bake my brownies the night before my market and once they are cool I put them in my Snapware Carrier on the cake side of the tray and they stay fresh until I am ready to sell then at my market the next day.

May you enjoy this recipe and feel free to copy the recipe below. Happy Baking!

Pauper’s Candles are at Azalea, Handpicked Style in Sandpoint, Idaho

June 22, 2015April 13, 20161 Comment

Brooke Deccio owner of Azalea with Pauper’s Candles

Pauper’s Candle Company is excited to announce that Azalea Handpicked Style in Sandpoint, Idaho is caring our candles. Azalea is a cute, eclectic boutique owned by Brooke Deccio that is located at 322 N. 1st Ave in downtown Sandpoint, Idaho Azalea Handpicked Style is a woman’s thrift and consignment clothing store and is open Tuesday – Saturday 11am-6pm.

Pauper's Candles features at Azalea in Sandpoint, Idaho

Pauper’s Candles featured at Azalea Handpicked Style in Sandpoint, Idaho

Azalea is caring a variety of Pauper’s Candles. The candle scents that you will find at Azalea are:
Grandpa’s Pipe     Mango Papaya      Che Bella                   Coconut
Ocean Breeze       Basil Sage Mint     Tomato Leaf               Blackberry Sage
Dirt                       Lettuce    Leather                       Fresh Cut Grass

If you ever want to know what is new at Azalea Handpicked Style, take a look at its Facebook page. Brooke posts new items several times a week.

We love having our candles at Azalea and know that you will too.

Sold Out :)

June 10, 2015Leave a comment

We SOLD OUT of our Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake!

Thank you to all my customers!

Last weekend at my Farmers’ Market in Sandpoint, Idaho, I sold out of my Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake. I was so excited. It has taken a little bit for people to know that I am selling some “Homestead” fresh baked goods along with my candles.

Krista at Sandpoint Farmer’s Market

I even had people ask if I had more or if I was out before I could write on my chalk board that I sold out. I think that I am going to make a sold out sign to put on the board whenever this happens. How cute will that be!

Next week I am going to bring some more Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake along with my Fudge Brownies. I will blog about these in a future post.

Also, I have enjoyed seeing people who have purchased our candles last year and are buying more and also giving them as gifts to their friends. We are encouraged and are thrilled that you are enjoying our candles!

Again, thank you 🙂

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