Happy New Year's my friends! As the year comes to an end, I am trying to keep on a positive note. As difficult as it has been to see my dear, sweet Dad fail so much, there has also been many blessings - like our 7 grandchildren! In 2011 another sweet little baby boy will be arriving too - that makes 8!
This has been a CRAZY week! All of the kids have been on Christmas vacation, so all of the older ones wanted a turn at our house. I think I've had 6 sleepovers since last week. What the heck? They only have Christmas once a year.
The other day I had three (Abbey, Jack and Ellie) and they had a ball! They went sledding in the back yard,

came in to some warm cocoa and cookies,

did a little kareoke and played and played. They all wanted to stay all night, but this grandma needed a little rest at the end of the day!

Our Gannon has been with us a few nights and has helped me out at the shop some too. He loves to help my customers carry out their purchases, talk to people when they come in and spend a little time over at Zanie Janie's.

On Christmas evening we were blessed with 5 out of 7, then we had our celebration all over again on Monday. It was so much fun and there were so many twinkling eyes!

We were going to keep Abbey and Lucy tonight while Ashley and Tony helped do a wedding (she did the cakes and is officiating), but our girls got together and Amanda is keeping the girls. Dick and I are heading up to our cottage for a much needed rest. Can't wait to get there!

For you gals that are nearby, I just wanted to let you know that everything in the shop is 20% off and Christmas is 50% off through a week from Saturday. Then the rest of the Christmas will go bye-bye and new things will start pouring in. There will be new handmades, lots more furniture and then the markets are a little later in the month. Holly Hills Primitives and friends are all brainstorming for some fun changes this year. I'll let you know what they might be soon, so keep watching.

Well, time to go to the shop and sell, sell, sell!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Until next time...

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS...

MERRY CHRISTMAS BLOG FRIENDS! This has been another HECTIC week, but it's finally time to set back and enjoy the day. We are getting ready for two of our kid's families to get here and have some great fun. Then we get to do it all over again on Monday with two of the other kids. WOO HOO!!! I never got a chance to share any decorating pictures with you, so I thought I'd hop on and try to do that while I'm waiting. Above are two Santas that friend Connie made for me different years.
Little skinny tree, Santa hat and cabin.
The top of the old pie safe is filled with an old sled, snowman from friend Debbie, trees and a collection of old graters.
Another funny little tree.
Cute snowman that Connie made for me this year - sorry it's so dark!
Another Connie creation from a few years back.
A snowman I cherish from when Connie moved to TN.
Last year's Christmas gift from Connie that is awesome! An old snowman head on a rusty tin.
I've had this little girl for a long time, but I love to get her out every year.
Some of my ornies on my snowman tree.
Fun to collect when we're on a "field trip".
Old painted tin.

Grapevine tree and long johns in our bedroom. So peaceful.
A little green on the front of the pie safe.
Oh yeah, we're ready for five of those grands! Can't wait until they get here! (We have another pile of gifts just like this in the store room for Monday!)
This morning we went to the nursing home and had time with Dad. He seemed to know it was Christmas and he opened his gifts. Mom and Dad have known each other 70 years!
We took Rosie up to visit too, it always puts a smile on Dad's face.
It broke my heart to leave him there, the first time ever. Last year we took him to daughter Ashley's for Christmas and this year is no way to do that. He got tears in his eyes when we left and I can't tell you how it made me feel. I have a feeling that I'll be making another trip up there tonight or first thing in the morning.
Well friends, hope you are have a magical time with family and friends. Looking forward to reading about your day. It is snowing a beautiful light snow, Dick blew off the ice rink, and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Until next time...

CHRISTMAS GOODIES STILL IN STOCK - 25% OFF

Good evening prim pals! I've had a few e-mails wondering what we have left in the shop for Christmas, so I thought I would give you a little tour. (Don't forget, you can click on the pictures to enlarge.) Our fireplace is filled with Santa goodies and surrounded by old rockers - one a make-do rocker.
More Santa goodies and gift items, including this chippy old green tavern table and chairs.
Snowmen, snowmen everywhere!
More items as you go through the French doors into Zanie Janie's coffee shop.
Wreaths, old windows, stockings, suitcases...
This guy would love to stand on your porch to greet your winter visitors.
Boxes, stitcheries, and more gift items - or maybe you'd rather have an old chair for your porch!
Hurricane candles, old "houses", lit chick feeders and more furniture.
Some kitchen items - including mama and daughter Santa aprons.
Little black table and chairs, enamelware, potpourri and cute prim towels.
Stuff is everywhere! Old make-do pie safe, hand-painted childrens table and chairs, sleds, gingerbread and more snowmen.
Cute little burgandy bookshelf, light bulbs, rice lights, crocks, lamps and candle mats.
Beautiful old walnut cupboard, crocks, more prim towels and prims.
Whoopee pie mix, towels, lights, pillows...
Love this old wood tote with the 3 choir boys and batter candle.
Handpainted minnow bucket with lights inside.
OLD youth bed - one of my favorites!
Aprons, signs, lights and more.
Cute little mailboxes to wrap your goodies in.
Black crow candles and room sprays.
Cutest tart warmers ever!
Lots of handmades.
Battery candles.
Linen sprays, hand soaps and other surprises.
So you see, we have LOTS of items left for your Christmas gift-giving. Come on in - all Christmas is 25% off! Remember, this is the last Saturday for our Dickens Festival and the light parade starts at 5 (or maybe 6). I'm in a dealin' mood!!!
Hope to see you soon!
Until next time...

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE...

To the tune of about 7 degrees (actual)! We got hit last night with our first big storm and it was a doozy. When we came out of the hospital, I could hardly keep my footing- the wind was blowing so hard. The roads are just TERRIBLE! But, when we got up this morning it was just magical. The snow had stuck to the trees and the canal was frozen.
Just wish the roads were better and it would warm up at least a little!
Last Thursday evening was a very special event for our little village. Marta's Lost hosted "Fashion Forward", a fashion show from the Victorian times to the present. It was held at the Historic Holly Hotel and was just beautiful.
There were maniquins dressed with clothing from all eras. The proceeds went to help out with our annual Dicken's Festival - such a great cause.
Saturday was our third week of Dickens. Grandson Gannon was our Jr. Santa and granddaughter Abbey was our Mrs. Santa.
Little granddaughter Sydney danced this week (polk a dot coat) - which was adorable!
There was mistletoe throughout the town and we caught this couple kissing!
Sydney sat on cousin Santa's lap (after she saw who he was).
Ken McKaye is the driver of this spectacular carriage.
And Gannon and Abbey were lucky enough to get their yearly ride.
Blackberry Bakery had an author signing (cookbook) by the fun gal. Her name is Kathryn and she stopped into the shop to say "hello".
Towards the end of the evening, Jack and Ellie came to see some of the shows. I think Jack was amazed by the fire eater! Don't forget, next Saturday from 1-6 is the last Dickens day of 2010. Hope we get to see you!
My Dad is back in the hospital and it has been a very stressful weekend, but he is moving back to the nursing home tomorrow. I feel so sorry for him, he has been in extreme pain and so very confused. Just doesn't seem fair for such a wonderful man to have to go through all of this. God must have a plan.
Well friends, stay warm and safe and we'll talk again soon.
Until next time...