Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

Well, it's Christmas Eve Eve, and there's a snow storm moving in, and I'm ready to go home and start getting ready for my Christmas festivities! Lots of baking yet to do, and cleaning, and ok....just a lot to do!

I want to take this time to pause and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! With all the busyness and sparkle of the holiday, let's remember to keep our focus on the reason for the season...the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

Beautiful Open House!

Words cannot express what a wonderful day last Saturday was! It was such a festive day and FUN! My mom and dad came down from Plainville to help us during the Open House. All three of my daughters - Chelsey, Erica and Kailey - were here to help and we had a ball! My husband, Darrin, my dad and my son-in-law worked on our lighted float for the parade all day Saturday and it was FANTASTIC!!!

I enjoyed visiting with friends and family and was thrilled to see all of you! A big thanks to Paula, Connie and Marcy from WRHS in Topeka, who came and had lunch and spent a lot of time with us! We were so happy to see my cousin, Matt and his wife, Misty, along with their beautiful children! And, it was "joy" to see my friend, Joyce, walk through the door!

We had a great time with Santa (my oldest wants some ocean-front property, my middle one wants a Hummer, and the youngest wants a puppy, for the fourth year in a row). They had no problem telling Santa their wishes, even at ages 21, 19 and 13! Got a picture too!

And the lighted parade.....Fabulous! I can't tell you how proud I was of my float that the boys put together! Thank you to them for all their hard work! It was the best!

The greatest gift of the day was the sense of community and family in our little town. It is truly a fun place to visit and to spend some time. And YOU are welcome anytime!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Musings

Saturday is our Paxico Christmas Open House! Every store is having specials, and goodies and Christmas treats....and if you received a postcard from me, or see the ad in the Alma paper and bring it in, YOU will receive a special Christmas gift from me! (If you would like to be on my mailing list, just send your info to my email address on the "Contact" page). I am making cookies and for lunch, I am planning to serve huge baked potatoes with either broccoli cheese topping or homemade chili topping! Yummy! We will have Christmas cookies and desserts too! Santa comes at 4:00 and the lighted Christmas parade is at 6:00! Come join us! We would love to see you!

I had the best time over Thanksgiving with my family! I missed Chelsey and Bryan, but other than that - it was wonderful! My sister, Jill, took her candles to a craft show in Oberlin on Saturday. My mom, Nancy, also had the CUTEST wall hangings for sale, as well as my bro-in-law's awesome shelves! The whole family hung out and browsed the other booths and I personally bought a lot of stuff! It was a nice little craft show, and almost everything was HANDMADE! I met Bob and Jeannette McConnell, from Starsburg, Colorado and bought some unbelievably wonderful hand-carved and painted wood Santas that Bob made...they are in my store for sale! I also met Georgia Chisholm and her sister, Theresa Eschliman, both of whom are extremely talented and so much fun to talk to! They obviously love what they do and it's contagious! I bought the cutest aprons from Georgia; she sews them with mostly VINTAGE FABRIC (love it) and notions, buttons...they are adorable! Again, in the store for sale! And I just went crazy in Theresa's booth - she makes the old-fashioned ornaments that your Grandma made! My whole family had a ball in her booth, picking out those nostalgic items that make you think of all the Christmases when you were a small child! I have them on my tree at home and I love them!

The Gathering Place is one of the stores featured in a two-page spread in the new edition of "The Country Register"! You can see it by clicking on my "Friends" page, and going to their website and downloading the Dec/Jan issue. It was a wonderful experience and I'm really proud of the article!

Back to work...going to bake some cookies for Saturday! I hope to see you all during this festive time!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

Thanksgiving Blessings!

I had so much fun last Saturday! A group of ladies from my daughter's (Chelsey) church came and lunch at the store - about eleven of them! Before that, I had just had a group from Tonganoxie. I served Taco Soup with Tortillas and Creamy Potato Soup in homemade bread bowls, with pecan pie and chunky chocolate brownies for dessert. New friends and old friends...what a great combination! It was just an overall wonderful day! Thank you ladies, for coming in and I hope you come back and visit real soon!

My daughter, Chelsey, and her husband Bryan, are flying off to Florida this evening for the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a wonderful opportunity and they are so excited! I am happy for them, but will miss them on Thanksgiving - my first time without Chelsey on a holiday. Sniff, sniff...Oh well, they will have a ball!

Darrin and I, and Erica and Kailey will be heading out to Plainville for the holiday Wednesday night. I cannot wait to go spend time with my mom and dad, Lyle and Nancy Dunning, and my sister, Jill and her husband Scotty, and my nieces, Emma, Ellie and Claire. Last but absolutely NOT least....my nephew, Ean. The only boy in my family. He's not spoiled at ALL! :) I am also happy that my Aunt Martha will be there; like old times!

Well, I pray that you and yours have a very blessed Thanksgiving! Thank you, God, for every person reading this blog and bless them beyond measure!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

We have been busy decorating and putting out our wonderful Christmas items, including new and vintage treasures! I've attached pictures so you can see how much fun we are having getting ready for my favorite time of year! I also have new goodies arriving soon, so check back!

Darrin and I have also been busy decorating our home for Christmas - we have lots of blowmolds and lights and other delights! I will post pictures soon!

In the meantime, please come and visit me and have some freshly ground coffee and Christmas goodies!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Old" Friends

Today I had the pleasure of seeing two "old" friends, Claudia and Marjorie. They came into the shop, not knowing that I was here; it was so wonderful to see them both! It just brought back tons of memories for me, as Claudia was the FIRST person I met when my little family first moved to Topeka 18 years ago. We cross paths every now and then, and I never tire of hearing from her the story of how we first met; walking into Western Hills Baptist Church for the first time, with Chelsey, who was 4, and Erica, who was 2, in their little dresses I had sewn for them. Claudia says she remembers it so well, and she was the one who welcomed us into Topeka and therein began a wonderful chapter of our lives, surrounded by some beautiful people whom I will never forget! Aaaaaahhh...memories!

Marjorie also reminded me of a time in my life when another friend, Chris, and I would put on these fabulous Christmas parties, and invite all of our women friends for an ornament exchange. We would have it at Chris's house; and I would do the baking and cooking, while she was in charge of the decorating. It gave all of us a chance to get to know each other better, exchange ornaments and build some great friendships! I remember making homemade Double Layer Almond Cake, decorated with buttercream frosting, with edible glitter, and a bow around it like a package. Maybe I'll make that for the cafe this year during the holiday season!

So, thank you to my "old" friends (who really aren't that OLD) for bringing a special smile to my day today! And please come back soon!

Changing Holidays

One of my favorite times of the year has arrived - time to decorate for Christmas! Because vintage Christmas is one of my husband and my favorite antique to collect, this is a very tedious task! Now I have the store, in addition to our home. Double the decorating!

My sister, Jill, of Grace and Glory Candle Co. just brought lots more candles - all Christmas scents! They are disappearing fast! Want to get in the mood for the holidays? Light up one of these fabulous candles, and you'll be singing, "Deck the Halls" in no time! Seriously, I was burning the Hot Fudge Brownie candle today, and somebody came in and said, "Oh my, are you cooking something chocolate?" I could eat it!

It is rumoured that my cousin, Denise, of DS Designs is sending me TEN NEW DESIGNER FABRIC PURSES that she has sewn in the last few weeks! I am excited! I will post pictures as soon as I get them! These are high-quality and fashionable purses, everyone! You have to see them to truly appreciate how beautiful they are!

Halloween is Friday! I will be serving Pumpkin Soup and other Halloween delicacies! Come on in and let's chat!

BOO!

Christmas is Coming!

It's around the corner, and I'm so excited! I LOVE Christmas! My plan is to start decorating the store for Christmas next week. I love vintage Christmas antiques...they just make me feel so nostalgic and happy!

I will have vintage Christmas for sale, and lots of new Christmas garlands and wreaths! They are so pretty; I got them at market in October and they would be perfect for decorating! I also have lots of neat new gift items! Come check it out! I'll put pictures on soon!

My sister, Jill, of Grace and Glory Candle Co. is sending NEW CANDLES on Friday! They are the scents of Christmas and I guarantee you that you WILL want one! The smells are WONDERFUL!

My cousin, Denise, of DS Designs is busy sewing some new FABULOUS purses for the shop and they should be here Friday also!

Dont' forget to look at the super cards my daughter, Chelsey, has made - birthday and Christmas! They are adorable! She is also taking orders for making customized Christmas cards!

Coming soon - a jewelry line from my daughters, Chelsey and Erica! Be watching!

New Friends

One of my favorite things about this shop is meeting new people and visiting! Today, I met a gal from around here, Sondra, and I really enjoyed talking with her! Yesterday, it was Ramona....a gal from Topeka who came over for a Paxico sausage sandwich and stayed for about an hour!

Tomorrow Chelsey will be working at the shop for me, so I can go find some more amazing antiques! I just put out some very cool yellow retro antiques - bright yellow plastic napkin holders, salt and pepper shakers, and a yellow plastic trivit - would be great in a retro kitchen!

I sold several new autumn gift items today! I have a lot of neat Halloween figurines that are very cute and affordable - along with orange bittersweet garland and wreaths! I'm planning to start decorating for Christmas in the next two weeks! New stuff and vintage stuff!

Merry Christmas!

I Want To Go To England!

Wow! It's been a busy two days, thank You, Lord! I made tacorittas today and some yummy chocolate chip pecan cookies! I've had a pretty steady day today, with many visitors. Two of these are a man and his wife from England that flew to the U.S. and are spending two weeks here, looking at a certain kind of horse. They just came from Oklahoma City and stopped by off of the highway. They ate here and we were talking about the differences between antiques here and in England. They personally live in a 17th century house! They have a horse ranch where you can go and stay and ride horses in the countryside of England. I want to go! It's called "Churchtown Morgans Stud Farm." John and Rosie Daniels, Proprietors. And listen to this address: "The Old Vacarage, Churchtown St. Hilary, Cornwall"! WOW! Doesn't that just SOUND wonderful??? Better than PO Box 111! Well it sounded like a lot of fun, and I've always wanted to go to England. Maybe someday....

Oh, and a pound is equal to $1.75 at the moment. I've been wanting to know that ever since Darrin and I started watching Antique Roadshow on BBC!

Singer Featherweight Machine! It's mine!!!

Good morning! I'm sitting here at home, having my "quiet" time with my coffee. The temperature today is going to be around 58 degrees and it's one of my favorite times of the year! The leaves are turning, the air is crisp and boy, do I feel like crafting!

My husband, Darrin, recently bought me an antique featherweight Singer sewing machine and I am so excited to use it! Four ladies came into The Gathering Place a couple weeks ago, on their way to a quilting weekend in Bennington. I was so envious and wanted to just jump in their van with them and go enjoy an entire weekend of quilting with other women who love to do that too! While talking, I found out that one of them, Gwen, had a featherweight with her that she was going to use during the weekend, but was wanting to sell. She has four of them! She gave me her cell phone number and told me to call her if I decided I wanted it, and they would stop by on their way back through. Darrin has been looking for one for me for months and they are always so expensive or hard to find. We decided to go for it, and I called Gwen on that Sunday morning, and they were just an hour away, so it was great timing! Anyway, I have my featherweight machine and I can take it to the shop and work on whatever little craft project I want to! I am so excited!!

This past weekend all three of my daughters were at the shop, helping. We took the following picture and I thought I'd share it with you! I think they are all beautiful - inside and out!

Enjoy this wonderful autumn day!

Paxico Polkafest

It's a rainy Monday morning, but I've got a pot of potato soup on the stove and some homemade bread bowls ready for lunch today! I'm sitting here thinking about how wonderful this past weekend was! My mom, Nancy, and my sister, Jill, and her 16-month old son, Ean, were here to help me with Saturday's festivites, as well as my daughters, Chelsey, Erica and Kailey. It was fantastically fun and enjoyablel! Jill brought MORE CANDLES and some wonderful shelves and wall hangings made from old tin from a building in Phillipsburg and old wood! Her husband, Scotty, made them and they are fantastic!

Chelsey also made some AWESOME NEW CARDS - Christmas, birthdays and more! She is ready to start taking orders on Christmas cards!

We had a parade Saturday, and my nephew, Ean, was my "float" - he rode in a little wagon, pulled by me, with pumpkins and his little cowboy hat on! It was adorable! Stay tuned for pictures! Fun was had by all! The Paxico Harvest Fest is held the second Saturday of October every year, so come join us next year!

Master Gardener Day at The Gathering Place!

The Golden Spaghetti Bake is officially gone now! I have had a very busy day and had the pleasure of meeting several Master Gardeners who were headed to Manhattan for a conference. I had a couple tablesful of ladies and enjoyed visiting with them! They were also very patient, while I scurried around fixing lunch, so thank you to them! I hope you will come back soon!

I have some new black velvet jewelry displays that I got at market, so I've been putting my vintage costume jewelry out on display, as well as my beautiful new jewelry. I think it makes it much easier to view the brooches and appreciate each one!

I am also putting out some wonderful new berry wreaths, garlands and sprigs from market! I have a new shipment of the cutest fall and Halloween figurines coming on October 14th! It's so exciting to see the Fed Ex person walk in the store with a big box! Woohoo!

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day! Drop me a line!

Golden Spaghetti Bake, anyone?

Hi there! Well, it's been somewhat of a slow day today....I did meet two wonderful women from outside of Ottawa, Kansas and got to visit with them for a while in the store! Another lady from Eskridge joined in and we had a nice time chatting (one of my favorite things to do!)

I spent the morning making this yummy Golden Spaghetti Bake....LOTS of it! So, guess what's for lunch tomorrow at The Gathering Place! I have triple chocolate cake too, so everybody come!

I am going to put up my corn shucks and Indian corn outside of the store, then I have some more "new" antiques and berry wreaths to put out in the store! Wish you could all come join me and have a glass of iced tea!

Welcome!

Good morning! Welcome to The Gathering Place Blog! I thought it would be fun to be able to tell you all about my new items and antiques that I put in the store frequently, and to chat with you about anything from antiques to food to whatever you want! So, grab a cup of coffee, sit down and drop me a line! And have a beautiful day!