WHAT A WEEK...

Before I get into what's been going on, I wanted to tell you what a great morning I had today. The shop was torn up and in walked Janet from Olde Crow Primitives. She was on her way to judging a horse show in Michigan and had come from Ontario, Canada. We met about a year ago and it was so great to be able to have a few minutes to set and visit. We had some of Zanie Janie's great coffee and we were able to catch up a bit. She is coming back next month and I hope we get a little more time. We did a little brainstorming and wondered if anyone would be interested in coming to Michigan for some kind of blog gathering??? We could either do something for fall or the beginning of November when all the Christmas goodies are out in the shops. Please let me know if you might have an interest.
Yup, this has been one heck of a week. THANK GOODNESS FOR CAROL!!! I don't know what I'd do without her. She has been at the shop for the last two days and we have moved furniture from one end of the shop to the other, along with adding in some great new (antique) pieces. We have packed up lots of things that are going bye-bye and unpacked lots of the new merchandise that finally arrived, including our new line of 1803 candles (and they are yummy). Today we put out lots of fall and got the shop back in some kind of order!
I think I've mentioned that Holly Hills Primitives is changing back to it's original roots. Primitives, primitives, primitives! There's still so much to do (and so little time). So many pieces of primitive antiques are arriving weekly right now that rearranging is just crazy! We are going to Columbus to the markets in a couple weeks and hope to have the van loaded to the brim.
Mark you calendars for August 27th and come on in for our Fall Open House. You won't believe the changes we are going to finish making! If you like primitives - we'll have them here for you!
Well girls, time to hit the hay and rest these weary bones, but we'll talk again soon.
Until next time...

THE BOXES ARE STARTING TO ARRIVE...

Whew! Seems like this week has just flown by! Trying to get lots done and doing a lot of ordering for the shop - and the boxes are starting to arrive!!! Hooray, it's just like Christmas in July. Yesterday my hubby surprised me with this great old wooden cart. Woo Hoo!! It would make the cutest darn island! Love how you can hang towels on the handle and it has a big shelp underneath. Good job!

How about this darling canister set? Each canister comes with a piece of chalk to write whatever you want on the front. I only have one set, but I just know this will go fast!

Got two of these battery candle lanterns in too. They have a big pillar candle inside and you can change the batteries on the bottom. What a cute lantern for your decks or to hang from a peg rack.

Isn't this little sewing table adorable. It has a top drawer and the bottom swings out to hold all of your supplies. When it's closed, it looks like another drawer.

This is the stitchery attached to the top of the sewing cabinet.

The new lamps are starting to arrive too. Here's two sweeties that came yesterday.

I always love the reflector lamps - one larger and one smaller.

BUT, this is my favorite! It has tin hanging shades over each "candle" and is dark red!

Yesterday I cheated a little. The temps were over 100 and my friend Debbie came to visit and spend the night from up north. We closed the shop at 3 and went to have a little fun while she was here. We went to visit my friend's shop in Howell - Simply Charming. The name just says is all, it is adorable! Then we went to TGI Fridays and stuffed ourself. On the way home, the sun was finally down far enough that we could put the top down on the "bug". Debbie had never ridden in a convertable and we had a ball. I sure miss her living so far away, but at least we can spend time together when we go to the Little House - which we are going to do tomorrow night!

Well friends, hope your weather has cooled down a little. Got to go pickup a load of furniture, we'll talk again soon.

Until next time...

MILL RACE VILLAGE...

What an interesting (and HOT) day we had yesterday! We left early to go visit our Gannon in the hospital and meandered our way there. We drove into Northville, Michigan and found Mill Race Village (the home of the Ghoultide Gathering in October). What a beautiful place! We only had 10 minutes until they were closing the buildings, so we had to hurry to get in to see two of them - but you can bet we will go back. The Barr Sculpture at the entrance was designed by renowned local sculptor, David Barr, in 1992. It represents a Victorian-era boy at play with a stick and hoop.

The Cady Inn, a saltbox style structure is believed to have been a tavern and early stage coach stop. According to local legend, the building served as a stopping point for the Underground Railroad prior to the Civil War.

The J.M. Mead General Store was the last standing timber frame-constructed commercial building in downtown Northville.

The Hirsch Blacksmith Shop is a replica of one of Northville's early shops, based on a photograph of the building. It houses a working "smithy."

Wash Oak School is one of the few surviving one-room schoolhouses in Michigan and is still used as a classroom for hundreds of elementary children who visit each year as a part of a special history curriculum sponsored by the Northville Historical Society.

The New School Church was built in 1845 by a splinter group of the Prebyterian Church of Northville. It is currently used for weddings, workshops and meetings.

The Hunter House, a classic Greek Revival home with half-gabled wings, was built by Stephen and Mary Hunter in 1851. This home serves as a museum, furnished with items typical of the period in which it was built.

Beautiful Yarrow growing in The Hunter House gardens.

The Cottage House was built in the 1890's, it's exterior is typical of the era. It is used as a studio by the Mill Race Weavers' Guild.

The Yerkes House was built in 1873 by William Purdy Yerkes, son of one of the earliest settlers of this area, and his wife, Sarah (Cady) Yerkes, daughter of one of Northville's founders. W.P. Yerkes was an attorney, a probate judge, and served as the first Village present of Northville. The nine room house features traditional Carpenter Gothic style and is furnished in the elaborate style of the mid-Victorian era.

The gardens throughout the village were just gorgeous and I'd like to take more pictures when we get a chance to go back - soon I hope!

Just past the houses and buildings there was a reenactment going on and this player was out fiddling for the crowds.

Very interesting to see how these people "live the old life" for all to see.

For the life of me, I just can't imagine how hot these folks were in their period costumes! So back to the car we went for some cool a/c! I really hope to have more pictures to share the next time we visit.

Have a great week and try to keep cool - wherever you are!

Until next time...

NEW TO ME FURNITURE...

WOO HOO!!! I finally got my "new" furniture home! I am so darned excited. I bought this from Earlene (Primitive Passion Decorating blog) and I finally got it home. Like a dummy, I dropped it off at the shop, then needed help getting it home. Oh well, it's finally here! Love the mustard color and the chair is a recliner to boot. Don't you just love Johnston Benchworks?

My Rosie dog loves the couch too, I think she has slept there since I brought it home! It all matches our wall color and the size is perfect. Thank you Earlene!!!

We've had this black mini print wing chair for several years and I think I'm going to tackle a slip-cover made out of old feedsacks for it. The pillow was made for me many years ago from my friend Connie and I still just love it.

I never had a chance to show you the awesome table cover that Robin (Millstone Mercantile blog) sent me a few months ago. I brought in an old table and it works perfect on it.

The printing on the side says "primitive collector". Thanks again Robin, it is perfect!

Now don't forget about "An Evening In The Country" tomorrow night. We are going to have so much darn fun! Tomorrow morning we're going to be putting your sack lunches together to eat on the go or to set out front and relax. Wren In The Willow is ready too - hope we see you then!

By the way, this has been a busy birthday week. Happy Birthday to my friend Connie in Tennessee (I miss you) and today is friend Debbie's birthday in northern Michigan. Can't wait to be able to celebrate with each of you in person!!!

Have a wonderful evening.

Until next time...

4-H FAIR...

Yesterday was so much fun! Dick and I got up early and headed to the Oakland County 4-H Fair to watch our Abbey show her Holland Lop rabbits. Ashley went above and beyond as a parent getting barns ready, supervising and working in this horrible heat. Amanda brought Jack, Ellie and Caroline out to meet us and the fun began! The fairgrounds had a wonderful children's play area set up with "corn" boxes set up for the kids to play in.

Our two little two-year-olds had fun together. Caroline is six months older .

Little Miss Lucy had been at the fairgrounds several days and knew her way around.

What would a fair be without cotton candy??? (Just ask Jack!)

Caroline, Lucy and I had to have a ride on the pretend horse.

Then Ellie, Abbey and one of Abbey's friends had to have a turn!

Ellie loved the slide that went down into the corn.

Lucy must have filled this bucket a million times.

Ashley and Abbey were busy cleaning bunnies and getting them ready to show.

The little girls had to give each other a couple hugs throughout the day.

Then the showing began with a showmanship class.

Abbey standing in front of her bunny and cavy boards.

She got first place and a beautiful trophy for the best overall livestock notebook.

Then on to some serious showing!

What a fun class! They had costume classes for rabbits and guinea pigs.

Third place in this one - not too bad.

When Abbey was finished showing, we brought Lucy home with us to get cooled off. It was SOOO hot on the fairgrounds and these little cheeks were getting pretty red.

When Ashley and Abbey got here to pick up Lucy, we couldn't believe it. Abbey won the traveling trophy for Grand Championship high point of all rabbits and guinea pigs! She ended up winning four trophies and I forgot to count the pile of ribbons. Way to go Abbey, we're do proud of you (and your mom). Tomorrow she will be competing in the vocal contest singing "Don't Rain On My Parade". Good luck sweetheart!

Now it's on to getting the shop ready for "An Evening In The Country". Hope I'll see some of you there!

Until next time...

AN EVENING IN THE COUNTRY...

Okay all you prim lovers, it's time to mark your calendars for the second annual Evening In The Country shop hop. Grab some girlfriends and come have a fun evening with us! You can either start at Holly Hills Primitives in Holly, Michigan or Wren In The Willow in Goodrich, Michigan. It is July 15th from 4-9 p.m. Grab a ticket at the first shop, have it stamped and bring it to the second shop to be put in the drawing. If you bring a non-perishable food item (to be donated to the Eastern Michigan Food Bank) you will receive a second ticket. Both shops will have lots of specials, door prize drawings, and a free dinner out! This is one summer event you won't want to miss!
Until next time...

THE GOODIES ARE ROLLING IN...

What a great weekend! Lots of great times at the Little House, but more on that later. Hope you all had the best holiday!
Today it was back to work at the shop. It is so much fun to see old customers and put out lots of new goodies. I rearranged a few things to get ready to put more out tomorrow, but thought I'd share what I did today. Have you got a cup of coffee or iced tea? This might take a little while. I love the little doll above with her cat, especially her crazy hair!

This little angel is adorably prim with her dried fruit and wooden wings.

Another cutie is the little weed girl with her bag of Sweet Annie.

I moved the buggy seat onto an old prim table and loaded her up with summer items that are now on sale (20% off girls).

Isn't this new wreath just the best? I might try to "age" it up a little.

Who doesn't always have a place for an old shutter shelf? Perfect for any room.

This old box with the shovel handle would be perfect filled with sunflowers or pumpkins for fall.

This old blanket chest is in beautiful shape and on sale too!

This towel hanger is made from an old high chair tray - just right for "crow lovers".

Strawberries anyone? This pillow is so darned cute!

This blue table and chairs and cupboard would be just right for your breakfast nook.

Another stitchery in an old glass door. Love the pocket with more posies.

I bought a few of these little owls to embellish some fall dolls - can't wait to get started! My creative juices are flowing like crazy right now - there's not another season that is as much fun to work on as fall!

Last Saturday I had a great surprise! Stephanie from Harvest Moon Hollow blog and her mom came in the shop and found quite a few goodies to take with them. Stephanie just moved to our area from Houston and her mom was visiting from Colorado.

Then on to the Little House! We had so much fun! Dick got some fishing in and my friend Debbie and I went to Houghton Lake and did a little shopping. We ate great, spent time with friends and did some relaxing. Of course we had to do a few fireworks.

We went to West Branch to pick up Abbey from her other grandparents on Monday and then Debbie and Kenny came over to shoot off our fireworks.

Abbey couldn't wait to get to the beach on Tuesday!

Abbey would have stayed in the water all day.

This is the little beach at the end of our street. (Connie, it's calling our name!)

Well girls, that's it for today. I'm tired and there's lots more to do tomorrow. Carol is coming and I'm sure we're going to have lots of fun!

Enjoy your evening and we'll chat more tomorrow.

Until next time...