The dear woman next to me in the photo at right is my Aunt Mercedes. She is my mother’s sister who lives in Santa Ana.  My aunt Mercedes is the last surviving child of my maternal grandparents (Dr. Frank & Barbara Geraci).  One of the things we share in common is that we each moved across country to California at a relatively young age and made it our permanent home. But no, that’s not the secret…

When I was creating the “Secret Recipe Fairy” which just happens to have been released, I put out a call to many of my family, asking them for special or “secret” family recipes that I could include in this Fairies recipe book. I did have to coax and prod a little bit, but by and large, they came pretty freely, their keepers honored for consideration of inclusion into this recipe book. (I too considered it an honor to include their recipes in this Fairies book as I can greatly appreciate culinary expertise…especially since I am culinary challenged!).

Well, the most exciting thing to come from this was that my Aunt Mercedes dug into some of her oldest recipes for something special…and something special she found! She found on a dated calendar notebook from April 1948, of her mother’s (my own grandmother who had died before I was born!), in her original handwriting of an old “secret” family recipe called “White Fruit Salad.” We tried it out at a family gathering last Spring and it is pretty good. There are other recipes in the booklet in the Fairies hand, and you can download them from the RECIPES tab on this website also. Try some of them out and let me know what you think of them.

While on my Signing Tour this Fall, I had the opportunity to meet many wonderful and interesting people across our country. I had many engaging conversations, some of which inspired me for some new Fairy designs, others which brought back memories of family and friends, and others of inspiration from people who have battled diseases such as cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and others. Whether a short or long conversation, each revealed a profound and inspiring personality with a compelling story. The one I want to share with you was the highlight of my 2008 Signing Tour.

I learned about Dillon from a Fairy collector and frequent blogger on this website. Dillon has a brain cancer and has been a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for about 10 years now. His disease has been a difficult struggle over most of his life. He is 16 today. What I have learned about Dillon is that he has the strength and courage to face his difficulties with a positive attitude and strong faith. He understands that he has the opportunity to overcome his battle over time with a strong and positive attitude, faith in God above, and in the medical doctors & researchers at St. Jude here and now. I met his mother Donna also, and immediately saw my own mother in her. I saw a woman who has what must seem like the weight of the world on her shoulders, and is there by her son’s side with an infinite love that can never be measured but is easily observed. I saw a mom who is just as much a friend to her son as she is his mother. I saw my own mom and said “wow” inside and smiled.

I knew that I would get the opportunity to meet Dillon in person in November at one of my Signing Events. What I did not know was that he would be presenting me with a formal plaque thanking me (and many of you) for our support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (through the Fairy of Miracles). By clicking on the picture to the right, you can see more of the event in Parkville, MO and the plaque itself, which by the way, is hanging prominently in the lobby of my company’s offices in Santa Ana. You can click here, to learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Not only can you support St. Jude with your purchase of the Fairy of Miracles, but also consider supporting St. Jude monthly as I do.

The Christmas season is all about one miracle that happened a little over 2000 years ago. We celebrate and give thanks for that miracle birth of the Christ child and we call it Christmas.

 A very Joyous and Merry Christmas to all of you!

Some of my most magical new Fairies & Elves are out and about now. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I need to remember to count my blessings. About a month ago, I was in Hong Kong and disaster struck me. I had left my briefcase in the trunk of a taxicab and up till now, it has not been recovered. Disaster you may ask? You see, I had in my briefcase my laptop computer, my cell phone, my digital camera, my ipod, all my paperwork, a couple of thousand dollars and my United States Passport.

I was scheduled to leave for home in a few days, and I had Signing Events starting a few days past that. Needless to say, I was sickened at my own foolishness and lack of attention, not to mention my loss. What panicked me the most was the loss of my passport, as replacement can take a long time and I absolutely had to get home.

After only a very few hours of fitful sleep, I woke up the next morning at 4:30am, reminded of what they say at my church each week…”we count 5 blessings…”. I sat up in bed and aloud easily counted 5 blessings, realizing life wasn’t so bad for me after all. (I am thinking a “Blessings Fairy” will be on my drawing board for one of my future Fairies.)

A few nights earlier, while shopping in Hong Kong, I bought on the street a Chinese style shirt just for fun. I decided to wear it after my “5 blessings revelation” and told my associates that I decided to start dressing like the locals because I just might become a Hong Kong native without my U.S. passport.

I often speak of the greatness of our country, and the United States Embassy in Hong Kong was great. They treated me like royalty and got me a new passport in only 2 hours, allowing me to travel back home on time.

While on my 2008 Signing Tour, I found another excellent example of giving thanks and counting our blessings, and I will share that amazing story with you next week. I know you will be moved by the story I will be sharing with you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This truly is “…the most wonderful time of the year!” To get you (or keep you) in the Christmas spirit, try clicking on the VIDEO’S link at the top of this page, where you will see 2 new video’s that were recently added. There is a video from the Houston CBS TV affiliate titled Mark Roberts on “What’s the Buzz?, where they featured yours truly in a special segment titled “What’s the Buzz?”

The other newly added video is from a good customer who decorated her home fabulously for a Christmas openhouse. In the video Tour of Janice Sullivan’s Home, we are treated to a video tour by Janice of her home as she recently decorated it. I think you will enjoy both of the video’s. Let me know what you think of them by posting your own comments in the VIDEOS section of this website.

Mark Roberts on “What’s the Buzz?

Click on the play icon above to start the video. Please leave comments on the main video page by clicking here.

Click on the play icon above to start the video. Please leave comments on the main video page by clicking here.