The Show Must (DID) Go On

As some of you, and my customers sure know, as they wait for me to return, we went to the Pennsylvania area for some great Prim shopping. There were loads of shows, handcrafters, Amish, and artists from all over to show their wares.

Unfortunately, there was a HUGE blizzard, but hey…it takes more than a little snow (grin/wink) to keep a country girl from “gettin’ er done” and getting NEW ITEMS!

What I couldn’t get over, being from a small town, in New Hampshire, is…. here is this big city, loaded with people, freeways, to the point where you think, “Where are they all coming from? and where are they going?”

Then the news says a blizzard is imminent, and for them to stay home…
AND THEY DID!
It’s snow….?
I can’t get over it.
They listened.

Where did they go? How do you go from being that busy and congested to a ghost town?
No Gas, no food, no groceries, and all restaurants were closed!
The main thing that I was happy about tho, was everyone was safe.

The show was wonderful!
We found so many cute new textiles, fabrics, and neat prims.
Adorable Homespun Primitive Ornies….all picked out for Xmas.
I can’t keep the battery tapers in the store….no matter how many I buy, ….and now I have found some that are really unique!!!!! Oh I can’t wait to show you….stars, hearts, some for Christmas…they are so nice looking!

I found a nice line of furniture…..very classy, and different.

Some items are so new, that we were shown the designs, and now are awaiting them to be handcrafted.
As soon as I get some things caught up and back to the shop I will post some pics.
Thanks for coming by!

Blessings, Dale Elizabeth

New Chapter & Shopping for New Prims!

Well, my son has left the coop. My first born,...... my son, my son. He is the best girlfriend I never had! LOL!!!
We have a wonderful relationship. We talk, we laugh, we enjoy each others company, have coffee together.....Yet...he is 100% MAN.

My husband has always worked long hours, and sometimes 2 or 3 jobs when the kids were young, and that often meant it was just me and my son. Then the twins were born. More time with the kids, my son became my helpmate. We are so close and can discuss anything....And enjoy laughs together. We really "get" each other.

I always knew this day was coming. I feel lucky tho. I didn't lose him at 18, or 19, or even 20 to moving out. He is 23. Has a good job. A new car. It is his time to soar. At least I don't have any competition right now....He doesn't have a wife!!

The only thing that gets me thru it is that it is the best thing that can happen for him. He loves the area he is in, (Portsmouth NH,). He knew that is where he wanted to live when he left home.
For those of you who know Portsmouth, or perhaps want to ...it is a beaautiful historic area. Lovely homes, and rich in history. If you appreciate the warmth of the past, and Colonial times...this city is for you.

This Church steeple is right out his window!
The other olde homes look like Charles Dickens Christmas Carol with their windows and brick.

Nice place to jog, walk, picnic...walkable from his apartment!
Restaurants, Historic Homes..Strawberry Banke....Hmmm, I think I will move!

How cool that my son is into "Colonial", like his Mom. He actually wanted me to decorate his apartment. Gee...sometimes it comes in handy to own a Country/Primitive Colonial Shoppe!

He has a huge olde window, with an arched frame particular to buildings in the 1800's, so I thought one of the Colonial Gathered Swag curtains would look classic in it. And he agreed!

I will have to get pictures of the interior to share with you all.

He has a great apartment, and it is close to his job. He is a beautiful person inside and out, and I am very proud of him. He deserves the best, and believe me, if you could see the location of his apartment and how beautiful it is...he HAS the best. Therefore, my love for him makes me want this for him. Now, a new chapter, that a little distance can only make our relationship deeper.

Enjoy it all my son!

Meanwhile...back at the farm......er, Shoppe?, Well, I have been very busy with my son's move, so I haven't been blogging, and its time to restock the store.
We had a wonderful Xmas season thanks to the support of our WONDERFUL CUSTOMERS!

Today, as a matter of fact, I am in Philadelphia....at one of the biggest trade shows.
I noticed Karen, from My Colonial Home http://mycolonialhome.blogspot.com/ was going to go, and then it didn't work out for her. Everyone was warning her about the weather. Well, I thought how bad could it be???? It's only snow......right??? HA! The local stations are repeatedly warning us of the largest amount of snow in one time in years....power outages, roads that will be closed and impassable.....GREAT!

I will be okay if I can shop, but if I am trapped in this hotel, and can not get out, or SHOP, which is what I drove 8 hours for....I will not be happy!. Please power, do not go out!

But I must tell you...I did a little early bird shopping and I have scoffed some of the cutest, coziest, neatest things! I can's wait to get them on the website and in the shop.

Well...that's it for now folks! Wish all us shop owners good luck with this Blizzard!

Blessings!
Dale Elizabeth

Bomb Threats & Power Outages… A day in the life of a Shopkeeper!

Thanksgiving, Black Friday…this is the time we Shopkeepers are busy, busy, busy! Checking our inventory, scrambling to get more in. Seeing how our predictions have panned out compared to our ordering. Too much? Too little?

As if we are not challenged enough….After screeching on the “brakes” to attend to the home fires and family on Thanksgiving, we were up and in the shop at 8 am, till 10 pm!, on Black Friday.

The following day, expecting even more crowds of those who didn’t want to brave Friday, we arrived at the shop. The wind was howling. Loud hums and gunshot-type sounds were everywhere. Is it thunder?
We found out soon enough when we tried to flip the switch to turn on the shop lights.
NO POWER.
New Hampshire sure has “weather”. An unbelievable “Northeaster” pummeled the top half of the state with 15” of heavy snow, and we at the bottom half got 60 mph winds with even greater gusts!  Talk about horrible timing.
The wind was creating havoc all over the state. There we sat on one of the biggest shopping days of the year in the dark. 3 hours! Finally the power came on, only to flicker and go out almost every 5 minutes for the next hour. We had flashlights, emergency lights, and the good spirits of our customers who found the whole thing rather funny.
Now, next day…SUNDAY!, hoping to make up for that fiasco, in we go again. We were hopping! Music, sales ringing, fun, until over the loudspeaker: 
”ATTENTION SHOPPERS, PLEASE EVACUATE THE BUILDING……..NOW!"
Whaaattt???????? 
Turns out some fool called in a bomb threat to spoil a perfectly good day. We had to close up shop, and move our cars and ourselves out of the immediate area while we waited for the bomb sniffing dogs, and bomb squad to arrive and inspect the property.
This is the most exciting time to be a Shopkeeper, because each day goes by so fast, yet it is so challenging! But no one expected this! Oh well….
Just another day in the life of a shopkeeper!

If there is something special you would like to get or give, may I say Shop Early, and Shop Often!, because truly things are going fast! I hate to see a wife come in with a daughter to pick out things, then in comes the husband, and I have to disappoint them as they waited and the items are sold. 

Thanks for stopping by….”Till next time…

Thanksgiving Past….

For one quick moment, I was
transported in time to my parents’
living room. I could feel the warmth,
which I know was love, from that day,
contrasted with the icy dangerous drive,
howling winds, and snow. I felt so sheltered
then, as if nothing could
truly hurt us: our family, bonded
together that day by love, and the
shelter of our home against the outside.

Voices, laughter, sharing stories and food.
Enjoying a window of time where Parents,
Aunts, and Grandparents were still healthy and alive.
Even back then, I closed my eyes and
tried to sear that memory onto my heart. I didn't
know then that time was the biggest thief,
also the cruelest, and you could not keep it
from creeping in under your door. and stealing
what matters most to you...little by little.

I wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know then.

So...the moral of the story is to live each day to
the fullest and be thankful for each phone call,
letter, email and interruptions form loved ones
and friends.

Eat the pie, take pictures, and hug! It's all we can do.

Blessings…….

Country Comforts

Talking to people lately, most everyone can not believe Thanksgiving, and therefore, Christmas is just around the corner. Shocked are they, that the Christmas decor is out.  Pressured, that next week is Thanksgiving. “No, seriously", someone said to me, urgently trying to convey they REALLY thought…
”it feels like it was last month, a week, a couple months,…

Why is that? How can it be that we are all nodding our heads, and saying we can’t believe its so early? From a security guard in a mall, to a bank teller, to a construction worker? Too many different jobs, can’t be the nature of the work.
Here is my 2 cents…In today’s world there are so many distractions. Cell phone, texting, computers, email, jobs, commuting, …we are constantly bombarded, interrupted, and just not allowed to live in the moment. Something is ringing, beeping, talking, forcing us to be taken away from our own thoughts. We don’t see the day. We are too busy. Next thing you know, months have gone by. And that is where Country Comforts come in.

 
The old, the primitive, nostalgia,
the aged, worn patina.
  
The special scents of  a
Country Candle

  Teeny Lights
 
peeking out from and around your special country treasures.
The comfort of surrounding yourself with the things you love. Stop time and live in the moment. Look around you. Read a book, stare at a fire, a candle. Nap!

Create your own reality, and enjoy each day.
Thanks for stopping by….
Dale Elizabeth

I am a convert….

to Pandora charms that is.  My sister got a bracelet and showed me. I was happy for her, but when she first told me,  I very ungraciously said…Um, I heard some  look like Chinese gnomes…. Had the wrong bracelet in mind…
(She forgave me) LOL!
THEN I saw them!….
They are shiny, and cute, and you DO get to “tell your story”.  I am addicted.

In my own defense,  I am not one to even look for something like that. I am great at shopping for others! My sister thoughtfully tipped off my husband about perhaps getting one started for me. You could hear the sigh of relief….finally, he could come up with something to surprise me with.

Well…with an anniversary and birthday in one week, last month…it became a perfect opportunity for my family to “shower” me with gifts, and I now have quite a few beads. It’s great for kids and husbands, who have a hard time figuring what to get….you can even fill out an online wish list. Men love not having to guess.
Here is just a couple of them..
My Dear Dad gave me this one, he knows I love handbags.
 
Pink is my birthstone, and I am
so for “Peace”

And Hubby gave me this…

How sweet! We really do enjoy so much together.

I have others…but you get the idea. 
It’s kinda fun to see what people pick for you
and to add your own pieces.
Then I got some beautiful cards, went and had a nice dinner at my favorite restaurant, and then topped it off with “dessert”…also known as….
Barnes and Noble for some book shopping!
My favorite pastime.
So I had a nice enjoyable and busy week.
We had to celebrate a little late because of the
Open House. Better late than never!…that’s the life of
a shopkeeper.
Plus, before we married, I wasn’t thinking of children. We got married on October 30.
So……for years….we spent our anniversary taking our kids “Trick or Treating”. The trick was on me!
Now..I am usually getting the store ready for our Open House which is always the first weekend in November.
Well, I hope things are going well for you! Thanks for stopping by!
Country Blessings….Dale Elizabeth

Primitive Shopkeeper Happenings

Whew! "Tis the OPEN HOUSE season, and we have been so busy! First all the product comes in. All the great things you picked out in January are now coming in daily! The UPS man and I are becoming very friendly!....Love what "Brown" can do...., and Fed Ex, and boxes and boxes of goodies. All waiting to be torn open like Christmas Morn, and we all Ooohh and Ahhh over everything....laughingly joke over who gets what, (especially when there are only a few), then begin to put it out on the floor.

Oh, if you love Primitives, and Shopping, and Country Home Accents, just imagine the joy of all these new arrivals

I always lose a few LB's this time of year....Yippee! If only I could keep it off! From all the stock, and running around and how busy it is. But!...This time of year is what it is all about.

I think the candles smell the best, the scents just warm up your home, and Country Candles are the BEST right? They are so unique! We carry Jar Candles, Primitive Cake Candles, and the Primitive Textured Jar Candles. In fact, I just took a look at a Yankee Candle.

$20, and it says it burns 50 hours.
How do they get away with that?
Who buys them?

My jar candles are $1 LESS, and burn for 150-170!!!! And they burn clean! No tunneling.
These are our Primitive Textured Jar Candles.

They smell wonderful, and have such a unique look! Hand textured, in Shaker Spice scent. $11.99, $19.00, & $42.

Our Open House has come and gone. I always try to have it the first week in November to help our friends remember, but this year I was torn. Nov. 1st was a Sunday! What to do. So....I stayed with the First Weekend thing, and went ahead and did it on Saturday, but it was Oct. 31st. Seemed a wee bit early for me, but they were out in droves! Everyone was laughing and shopping, and being so kind complimenting the changes we did to the store, and how it was decorated.

This was a big weekend here in these parts for Old Fashioned Craft Fairs, and other shops in the area had their open houses, so we were very busy again this weekend as well, which means people are still enjoying their Country Prim Shopping, and filling their homes with Country Treasures.

This is the time of year it is so rewarding to be a shopkeeper, and to decorate in the primitive way. The early darkness of the late fall beckons you to decorate: put a candle in the window, light a candle in your home, bring out a beautiful quilt to display, fill your bowls with prim goodies, and enjoy your home.

Country Blessings, Dale