Happy New Year!

I am excited about starting a New Year!  Wednesday I'm going to  tear my shop space apart, remove leftover Christmas items and add some new things.  I'll be showing you some of the projects I'm working on for the shop later in the week. 

 

Also, it was hard to find a parking space at several local Goodwill stores today.  I heard on TV that this is their busiest time of year because everyone wants that last minute tax deduction.  I think I'll wait about a week and check out a few stores.  I'm always looking for small pieces of furniture that I can redo for the shop.  Today I found a Susan Paley canister to add to my collection. 

 

I saw the movie, Parental Guidance, yesterday and it is so funny! I think anyone would enjoy it, but especially grandparents.  Let me know what you think if you see it.

 

 

 

Catching Up on My Reading

 

 

I'm sure it was over ten years ago that I read the first five books in the Mitford series which are written by Jan Karon.  These books are easy reading with sweet small town characters and mindless tales of their lives.

 

Last week I came across a copy of the first of the Father Tim novels in a new series that she has written.  (Father Tim was the main character in the Mitford series).  The book is titled Home to Holly Springs and is about his return to his childhood hometown in Mississippi after his retirement.  I read the entire book in 24 hours.  It was refreshing and heartwarming!  Actually, it was "just what the doctor ordered" with all the evil things going on around us these days. 

 

Hope you're having a relaxing holiday season and will have some time to read.

Merry Christmas to All!

My handsome grandcat, Owen!

Acts of Kindness

Several times this week I have started to write a new post.  Each time the subject seemed so insignificant when I think of the events of the past week.

 

There's one thing that I wanted to share with you today.  I was reading about Anne Curry's (NBC) suggestion that we all perform 26 acts of kindness to honor the victims in last week's tragic shootings.  I love this idea! 

 

Yesterday I was in a Goodwill store and struck up a conversation with a lady who was buying two Nordic Ware cake pans.  I was telling her how I use them for my pound cakes.  She mentioned that she didn't think she had enough money to get both of them.   Without giving it a second thought, I offered to help her out if she didn't.  It turned out that she had enough to cover it but the feeling I had when I left that store was wonderful.  As my dear mom used to say, "I was proud as a peacock".  I'm thinking I'll take Anne's challenge a little further and perform at least one random act of kindness for every day in 2013.  What do you think?

 

 

This is Melinda.  I meet her last week when I was in Williamsburg with my sister and a friend.  She was napping in the gift shop of one of my favorite restaurants.  You can see that she takes her job as mascot very seriously.

 

I hope you all have a peaceful and joyous holiday season with your loved ones.

 

Two Sweet Girls!

 

Hanna visited a local assisted living center last week with her "Paws for Health Group".  She loves these beautiful ladies.

 

 

This past weekend we had a special visitor.  My friend is out of town and her little "Josie" stayed with us.  She is a mixed breed who was found wondering the streets in the city and ended up in the pound.   When her new mom rescued her, she was very ill and almost didn't make it.  After a couple of weeks of loving care and antibiotics, she started to thrive.  Isn't she just the cutest little girl ever?  I made her a personalized bandanna for the holidays.

 

Fun Friday!

 

My high school friend, Diane, and I spent this past Friday in historic downtown Fredericksburg, VA.  The first thing we saw when we parked our car on the street was this lovely face in one of the shop windows.



 

Every shop window was decorated beautifully for the holidays.  This ladybug bathtub was one of my favorites.

 

 

 

This was a sidewalk art display.

 

 

Fredericksburg has lots of historical sites and old buildings.  The brick building is a bed and breakfast.

 

 

This animated scene of a candy factory was in the window of a kitchen shop.

 

 

Our last stop was this beautiful tea room for tea and chocolate pie before we started the 45 minute trip back to my house.  It was a perfect day with a treasured friend!

My Favorite Christmas Decorations

Fourteen years ago my friend and I found these adorable carolers in a gift shop in Elkins, WV.  The original set of three consisted of  flat boards with heads with painted faces on the top end.

Using one of the original carolers as a pattern over the years, I have added to the collection.  I'm always on the lookout for cute clothes for them.  The little girl on the front row is one of my latest additions.  Her dress and accessories all came from the Goodwill.  She's my favorite and I think her name is "Lucy".   I guess I should get busy and give the others names.  The little guy with the mustache on the left looks just like a guidance counselor I worked with several years ago.  HeHe!

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of my recent giveaway is my friend and former co-worker, Melody.  It was fun putting together this box of goodies for her.
 

I personalized this holiday towel for her kitchen.

 

She loves pretty teacups.
 

I added some pumpkin butter and hot cider packs.
 



I put everything in this pretty box that she can use later.

I hope you enjoy your gifts, Melody! I'll be having another giveaway soon for my 500th post.