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!