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!