Haaaaapy New Year!

We wish you a year full of blessings for 2011!

Got any New Year's resolutions?

After Christmas Sale!

Almost all of our vendors will have their remaining Christmas inventory 50% off beginning the day after Christmas. The shop will be open on Sunday, Dec. 26th from 10:30am to 4pm..come see if you can find some treasures for next year!

Beautiful Advent Calendar

Our friend Denise, owner of a great shop called Arts & Scraps, made this beautiful advent calendar for Sally.

What an incredibly fun project this would be! Denise put a lot of time and effort into this special project, and it definitely shows...

...and a Merry Christmas to all!

Winnah, winnah, chicken dinnah!

I very rarely win things, so I was pretty excited when Jennifer and Blaine of Elements of Time told me I won Blaine's burlap stocking!
Won't this be cute with some greenery poking out the top hung by our mantle?
Merry Christmas! Lisa ;-)

Magic Wands and Steps

What's a catchy title worth? Well you're here aren't you? And I am ever so glad!

I know it's only in fairy tales that magic wands work, but wouldn't it be nice to have one that you could wave over your home and it would be instantly decorated for Christmas, or the dishes would be done, or the floor vacuumed, or the bathrooms cleaned..ok, you get my point. 

Likewise, if I didn't know all the tireless hours Sally invests in creating a beautiful home and beautiful shop, I'd think her magic wand was real (and I'd bet you anything, she wishes it were!). She looks rather natural with her wand though, doesn't she?

Sally opened her home and heart to all the gals involved in the shop for a wonderful Christmas party.





















No shortage of delicious food...
















....no shortage of smiles..
from Sharon...

...and Linda, Heidi and Karen.
















For an evening, it almost felt like peace on earth,
















..until we got to the gift exchange! Nah, just kidding, everyone was entirely too nice about stealing gifts from each other (except for me,  sorry Denise).

Eagerly waiting their turn...

Heidi opening her gift while Becky waits to see if she should steal it or not.

Michelle and Cher waiting,
waiting,
waiting...

...woohoo!

Mary Jo and Annette barely containing their excitement...
















..and yes, Annette did steal that reindeer, but it looks pretty good with her don't you think?

This is the one picture I got of Lori without her glaring at me (she doesn't like the camera).
So this was supposed to be a vintage white elephant gift exchange, and I guess I'm the only one that got the memo that I sent out, because everybody else brought adorable, usable Christmas-y gifts, while Lori unfortunately was the receiver of my ornery pink pig bank complete with glittered poker chips.
Rules people, follow the rules!!!
Oh, and Denise and Sally heave a sigh of relief that they didn't get stuck gifted with my adorable pink pig.















So, here's where I want to express my deep analytical thoughts.
See this staircase?
It's empty.

Same staircase, filled with lovely hearts.
One of the things we shared tonight was what the shop means to each of us. The resonating sentiment was the cherished friendships that have developed over time.  At different moments, we've all been there to lift each other up, to support each other, and to share the joyful journey of one more step up.

Yes, it was a peaceful, blessed evening.

Merry Christmas to you and yours...
love Lisa and Sally

Carmel Pecan Bars

We had a Christmas party with all the gals involved with the shop and my mom-in-law made these Fan.tab.u.lous pecan bars. I was told to make sure the recipe got on here, so here goes (oh, by the way, by the time I went to take a pic of them, they were gone!):

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Crust
1 pkg. white cake mix
3/4 c. melted butter (no substitutes)

Topping
3 1/2 c. pecan halves
3/4 c. butter
1/2 c. honey
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. whipping cream

1. Crust~ Combine cake mix and melted butter, mixing until well blended. Press firmly into greased jelly roll pan. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes on a wire rack.

2. Topping~ Scatter pecans evenly over crust. In a large, heavy saucepan, melt butter and honey. Add brown sugar. Boil 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and a rich caramel color. Remove from heat. Carefully stir in cream. Mix well and pour evenly over pecans. Bake 15 minutes longer or just until topping is bubbling around sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into ooey, gooey, yummy bars.

For more great Christmas time recipes for cookies and bars, Karen at Brayton Homestead Interiors is hosting a Christmas recipe exchange..go check out some of her great treats and links!
Enjoy...Lisa ;-)

No Words Needed

Our GiRls' NiGht OuT was...

SwEet...

...oh so sweeeet.

Christmas Time is Here

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all, that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year...

~A Charlie Brown Christmas