CHRISTMAS PROGRAM...

Is there anything better than children's Christmas programs and a very special granddaughter? Abbey had her program last night and it was so adorable. When her third grade came out, she was so graceful and poised and SOOO serious. It just made my heart swell.
The last song they did was the third, fourth and fifth grades and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.
Proud parents, Ashley, Tony and Abbey.
I had to give my first, best girl a BIG hug. I was so proud of her. Then it was Papa's turn. Abbey is one of those little girls that just lights up a room when she comes in and has never given me a minute's trouble. Don't know what I'd do without her! Tomorrow morning is our Jack's program and that will be a ball too. Don't miss out on one of these programs, it's what the season is all about.

CRAZY, BUSY WEEKEND...

Good evening prim pals! Whew! What a busy weekend just ended. The second weekend of our Dicken's Festival was a huge success. Again, we were blessed with a young girl's choir that came into the shop to sing for us - and to get warm.
Our little granddaughter Sydney (in the brown and pink) was in the "Hello Santa" dance, but she didn't do too much dancin'. When you're almost 3 it's kind of embarrassing to get out there in front of all those people! She still looked like a little dolly!
Oops! Was I supposed to move up???
After Sydney's dance, our son Rich and his wife Val came into the shop and we got a picture of them in the sleigh (after a warm cup of coffee from Zanie Janie).
Sunday morning we got up and went to visit my dad. He sure isn't doing very well, so keep those prayers coming! We did have a nice visit and then Dick and I took off for the north woods to our cottage for a quick overnight. We wanted to check the heat, pipes, etc. and just get a little rest.
I can't even begin to tell you the feeling I always get when we walk into the cottage. That little house just wraps around us and says, "Welcome home." Last night I took down all of the fall stuff and did a little Christmas decorating. Old friends are great, but so are new ones!
Come on in and have a seat by the "fire". I'll show you some of the things I put out.
These old snowman heads were made by me and friend Connie many years ago. It's like getting out old friends when I open the Christmas boxes.
This wool stitchery was done by dear friend Debbie and I smile every time I get it out of the box!
I almost forgot about the little skate light, isn't it the cutest?
These little girl's skates are hung on the fireplace.
Yup, we even put up our tree. Not sure when we'll be back to enjoy it, but I couldn't let a Christmas go by without it.
More snowmen made by Connie and I a few years ago.
Tiny, thin icicles are hung from the garland on the stairway.
I love how the lights glisten through them.
These old buckets set on the shelves in the kitchen.
A little greenery and ribbon around the corner of our window.
Some funky little stockings in our kitchen window.
One old glittery snowman is an up north tradition.
Old socks and Dick's uncle's old hat are drying by the "fire".
And one little lonely snowman pillow on the antique rocker.
We left fairly early today, came back to visit with Dad again and then we took off to do some Christmas shopping. We found quite a few gifts, but LOTS more to go. With seven grandchildren, there's lots of shopping to finish. (I just started!)
I'm trying so hard to keep my chin up this holiday season. It is so very hard to watch my Dad fail so quickly and to watch my Mom hurt so very bad. They will have been married for 65 years in February and dated 5 years before that. If that isn't love, I don't know what love is! Be sure to give your special someone a kiss before they go to sleep tonight.
Until next time...

STILL COMING...

Whewee! The second Saturday of Dickens is upon us tomorrow and we've got so many new wares for the season. Two new wreaths with red flannel stockings attached would be perfect for the front door - or back if backdoor guests are best!
They both have rusty bells and a little sparkle.
I think I'm in love! This OLD youth bed is just adorable! It is really just for looks, unless somebody has a really handy husband that would be able to make it baby safe. Comes with a new "grubby" little mattress pad.
This old, chippy black rocker has been made into a make-do chair with a feedsack. It even has a tin candle holder and battery candle attached to the arm.
Adorable old red child's chair with a back cover and cushion that says "sit upon".
Sorry about these pictures - they turned out so dark. This square, black, prim table is WOW! It has old turned legs and there are also two black chairs.

These hurricanes are just beautiful when the candle is lit inside. The perfect gift to share all year long. There is also a big assortment of battery candles (brown, burgandy, candy canes and snowmen).
This perfect sized bookcase could go anywhere! Wouldn't it be cute with an old curtain on the front - maybe made from a feedsack? It is Savannah red (dark burgandy) and in perfect condition.
More candy cane make-dos also popped up! These also have a little sparkle.
Oh my, I was so excited yesterday when our new wool/felt purses arrived. They are SOOO beautiful in person!
What a great Christmas gift these would be - for yourself or someone else.
These pictures do not do them justice and we have a wonderful variety.
Some little elves are also going to be bringing in more goodies in the night tonight - just in time for tomorrow's festivities. Hope some of you are able to come join in our annual Dicken's Festival tomorrow and the following two Saturdays from 1-6 p.m.
Until next time...

FLASH MOB HOLLY...

Just thought I'd pop in and give you a little Christmas joy to watch from last year's Dickens Festival in downtown Holly. The gal in the hat and apron is our own Zanie Janie, the little girl towards the end next to her in the pink coat is our Abbey, and the blond cute kid towards the end taking a picture is our Gannon. See - you all need to come to Holly to our festival!

Check out youtube.com and search Flash Mob Holly.

Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD...

December 1, 1922 a great man was born, my Dad. Yup, today he is 88 years old. What a lot he has accomplished in his lifetime. But most important, what a wonderful person he is and has been to everyone that has known him. Yesterday he returned to the nursing home and was entered into Hospice. It was a very hard decision, but the time has come. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and friendship, it means the world to me.
So, until next time...

DICKEN'S FESTIVAL KICKOFF...

What a wonderful the world of blogging is! I'd like to send a big thank you to all of you that sent such supportive comments and e-mails about my dad. It just means the world to me. The day after Thanksgiving we spent waiting for Dad to come out of surgery. After putting him through moving him to the hospital and the surgery, we still don't know what is causing the internal bleeding. He is so very confused and it feels like we're still no further ahead.
While he was in surgery, I watched as they were putting up the tree in the lobby of the hospital.
Load after load of poinsettas were brought in.
Finally the first ones were taken to the top. I had to leave before it was completed, but when I got there this morning...
it was standing in all it's glory with explanations on these signs.
Isn't it just magnificent? This picture was taken from the second floor.
Last evening we had the village tree lighting in town and Lucy got her first very own Christmas cookie.
Abbey had a heart to heart with Santa.
But when it was Lucy's turn, she didn't think she liked it very much!
I got lots of new goodies in the shop and thought I'd share with you - hope you have your cup of coffee ready for lots of pictures! These Santa hats are just the best, they can also be flipped up and used for centerpieces.
The top of the hat is filled with greens, pinecones and candy canes.
Sharon painted Santa on this old ironing board - she also did a snowman.
This big old snowman is waiting to go to someone's porch - where it's cold and he won't melt!
More Santa longjohns - still my favorite.
Cute little burlap bags filled with greens and candy canes.
These lamp/tart warmers are the best. If you put the cylinder down in the jar, it turns it into a tart warmer and the light comes through the punch pinwheels.
These jars are awesome too. They have a candle holder in the bottom and are perfect for a battery candle and greens. They can set or hang.
Black Crow candles are here too. They look so prim, smell so good and burn like a dream.
Old white Hoosier top is filled with all kinds of Christmas goodies.
Anyone want to bake gingerbread?
This old walnut cupboard is great! Two drawers on top and two doors with shelves. Prim perfect!
How about Mommy/Daughter aprons, chef's hats and potholders. Couldn't you just see them cooking Christmas dinner? (Or maybe Grandma would like one.)
This sign is on our old back cabin wall.
Cute "scrappy" signs are here, this one...
and this one.
All different kinds of gourds by Bonnie.
I keep thinking of taking this old shutter home to hang by the front door. This is just a sampling of some of the new wares. More and more and more are coming into the shop. There's got to be something just for you!
Today was the kickoff for this year's Dickens Festival. I was so busy that I didn't get many pictures - maybe next Saturday! The temps were only in the 20's and the wind was bitter. Love the carriage rides, we always take the grandchildren on at least one ride.
It is so wonderful when the festival singers come into the shop - it also gives them a chance to warm up! I am so proud to live in our little village and the events that we are blessed with.
Tonight I am beyond tired and it's time to just rest until tomorrow - when we go pick up another load of antiques!
Thank you again for the prayers for Dad, it means the world to me. Can't wait to go see him tomorrow and just hold his hand.
Have a special Sunday and post those decorating pictures - it's so much fun to see what everyone else is doing!
Until next time...