Peppermint Trees for under $5 each!

I came across this idea on HGTV the other day and thought I would give it a try. I think they look so festive - a great centerpiece during the holidays! I finally "hunkered" down last night and made a few trees and they were so easy! I couldn't get my camera to download so I found some photos online to share.

~Supplies~

*6-x-3 white Styrofoam cone
*9-x-3 white Styrofoam cone
*12-x-3 white Styrofoam cone
*3 candleholders made to hold 3-inch pillar candles
*Red and white candies: round peppermints, red hots, candy canes
*Hot-glue gun and glue sticks

I picked up my Styrofoam cones and my bags of candy from the Dollar Tree for $1 each!

First, take all of your peppermints out of their wrappings. Lay aside. Plug in your hot glue gun so it can be warming up.

Take each peppermint, dab a bit of glue on the flat side and press it onto the bottom of the Strofoam. You will want to start at the base and go all the way around with peppermints. Once you get all the way around, if a full peppermint will not fit, don't worry, just break one in half. Start on the next row. Be sure to fill in the peppermint in the grooves of the previous row. Do not put them directly on top of each other. Continue going row to row until you get to the top. You can top your tree off any way you like. I stood a peppermint on it's end and glued it to the very top of the cone (almost like a tree topper).

You can do all three cones the same way or you can use different types of candies. The picture shows one tree with peppermints, one with red hots, and one with miniature candy canes.

Tip #1: When making the "Red Hot" tree, you may want to paint the foam cone red before you start gluing the candy to the tree. This way you do not have as much white showing behind the candies.

Tip #2: The miniature candy cane tree takes a little more time because you have to line up the canes and be sure to allow room for the next rows canes to be glued.

The candy cane tree was topped with ribbon just tied in a bow. Any way you want to top them will be perfect!Now, you can put your trees onto your candle holders and enjoy a beautiful centerpiece! If you don't have candle holders, just put them on a plate and sprinkle the base with candies or ornaments! These make great gifts too! Just wrap them in cellophane and top with a festive bow! VIOLA! I think they are perfect for teacher gifts or even a small thank you to the party host!Hope you enjoy!

Lookie Lookie what I got and a Parade!

I am glad to report that the whole family is feeling a lot better this week! The husband's finger is taking a little time healing. He is a diabetic so any cut or wound takes forever to heal. This one was a doozy . . . I do not normally have a weak stomach. I grew up with two older brothers and let me tell you, there wasn't anything "Girlie" about my childhood! I have seen broken bones, smashed fingers, you name it. But this one grossed me out! He smashed it somehow and split the whole thing open. I will spare you the details but the doctor at the hospital said there was no way to put stitches in it - there was nothing to stitch to. So, he brings this busted finger home and needs the bandages changed out each day. YUCK! I try to do what I can without looking at it but it doesn't work. Luckily, things are a little healed so it isn't as bad.

Anyway, both kids are feeling much better. The bug only stuck with them for a day or two and then it was gone. Thank goodness! As for me, I feel a little better too. I could not hardly move over the weekend thanks to 3 injections the doctor gave me last week. I go tomorrow for the results from my MRI so we will see how that goes. In my wildest dreams, I would have never imagined that a little wreck would have caused so much damage to my neck and back. I feel like I was ran over with the car instead of driving it! I don't think the folks that pulled out in front of me were even injured! That is what gets me!

On to more pleasant things! With the usual hussle and bussle of this time of year, we all tend to forget things! Heck, I tend to forget things even when it isn't Christmastime! I came home from work today to find a package waiting for me. It was the giveaway that I won from Tammy at The Olde Hollow Crow! Of course, being so impatient, I tore right into the box without snapping a shot of how cute everything was wrapped! Boy did I hit the jackpot!

I got a wonderful handmade stitching that reads "He is the Light", 2 star shaped Sleighbell scented tarts, a bundle of prim chenille candy canes, a bundle of pip garland, a bottle of the most delicious smelling Room Spray EVER . . . Spiced Cranberry, and 3 handmade candlesticks glued onto an old clothespin. TOO CUTE! I immediately started setting things around the house and realized, "I haven't took a picture yet!"

This picture shows how I put the candlesticks on my tree. They look great next to the gingerbread man that Suzie sent me in the Honeypot Swap! You can also see the cute Mason Jar light covers that I picked up at the Southern Christmas Show.
This was my first Giveaway win and boy, was it worth the wait! You have to get over to Tammy's website and check out her amazing goodies! You will not be disappointed!
Thanks Tammy for such an incredible giveaway!

I also wanted to share pictures from the Waxhaw Christmas parade on Sunday afternoon.

My husband and I love these guys!

This is our local High School band - GO PARKWOOD!

These guys are with the Shriners - They play the coolest music on these big steel drum barrels! Of course bringing up the rear of the parade - SANTA himself stopped by our little town!

Last but not least, my dear friend, Merrie over at Where the Blackbirds Sing, asked me about our Bulldog, Cane. She has several English Bulldogs and we love to talk about them! I wanted to show everyone that he loves Christmas!

He stands there forever watching the lights. I think he is trying to figure out how to eat those ornaments without getting caught! Sorry for the long post this time but I had so much to share!

I hope everyone has a great week!

My goodies from my Honeypot Swap!

I was planning on participating in Whatcha Working on Wednesday but during work yesterday I received a phone call from school that my son, Colton, was sick and running a fever. A few minutes later, I got a call from my husband, who had busted his finger open at work and was headed to the hospital for stitches! Needless to say, things were a bit crazy!

When I finally got home, there was a package waiting for me . . . from Germany! I don't know anyone from Germany and couldn't for the life of me think who this was from.

As I tore open the package, I found the cutest Christmas card. Inside it read, "Merry Christmas to you and your family - From Suzie - Your Honeypot Swapie!"

She had all of the goodies wrapped up so I couldn't immediately see what she had sent.

I did find a few packets of German Gummybears on top! My kids and I thought these were so neat. I started tearing into the wonderfully wrapped gifts like a mad-woman! She sent so many wonderful treats - lots of Chocolate goodies - I can't read what they are but the pictures look yummy! She also sent me a Gingerbread Man ornie. He has a gingham pocket on his front and it is filled with Christmas sprigs. I also got a Gingerbread man stocking filled with lots of little pieces of German chocolate!

The other ornament I received was a small Christmas Tree carved out of wood. It is very detailed to be so thin! Wonderful craftsmanship on this piece!I haven't gotten into the chocolate yet - my daughter ate a small piece that was in the stocking and said it was good so I am gonna give it a try tonight. I did get the ornaments hung on my tree but that is as far as I got! Now my daughter and son are both sick. The husband is home nursing his badly injured finger and I am planning for my neck and back MRI tomorrow. There are 4 of us and not one feels like moving! It will definately make for an interesting few days!
I hope everyone has a great evening!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I know I have been missing in action lately! There has been A LOT going on around here! We hosted Thanksgiving at our house from my side of the family this year. We had a great day! My nephews came over and they are like little tornado's wherever they go! I realize how my house is not child friendly! I start moving things to higher shelves and hiding the breakables whenever it is time for them to come over. Problem is, I forget where I hid things after they have left! I spend a lot more time looking for things I hid than it took me to stash them in the first place!
I started doing a little Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving. I usually do it the day after but I was feeling pretty good so I thought I better take advantage of the opportunity. Every since the wreck, I have terrible neck and back pain so I am at Physical Therapy a few times a week getting things corrected. We got the tree up and the lights strung and the back pain really set in. It was another couple of days before I could finish the tree like I wanted.
This is the first year that I got the tree just like I wanted! I made all of the ornies on the tree and of course filled it with stars. I am not sure if I like the topper or not though. I had a small grapevine star on top but you couldn't even see it. I had this one at the shop so I stole it to see if it would work.
At the Christmas show this year I bought the cutest Mason jar light covers. They attach over the little light bulbs on the strands. I love them! I will buy more for next year. They are so easy to attach and I haven't had any problems getting them to stay on!
I also wanted to do a little something different for my mantle. I wanted to make some old fashioned stockings - you know the long, skinny, grubby ones. Since the accident, I haven't really been crafting so I never got around to it! I bought four Santa hats from Dollar General. I stained them in coffee and cinnamon and attached a hanger inside and am using them for our stockings. I really like how they turned out too! I haven't completely finished the mantle yet but wanted to show off the hats! We have to work "around" my hubby's prized deer, Bucky. I sure a lot of you know what I am going through on that one!
These are the candy canes that I was working on a few posts back. I grubbied them up and put them in an wicker sleigh that I have had for years. They look great sitting on my grandmothers piano!
Finally, I have a little bit of sad news too. I have decided to close my shop here in town. I can't be there most days because of my back, physical therapy, lawyers appointments, doctors appointments, . . . It really has just gotten to be too much.
I moved my goodies to a booth at a local indoor market - The Curious Cat. This is the same place I started out. What a great bunch of people that are there! They have been so great in finding room for me and helping me get my booth in order!
They are having their Christmas Open House this weekend so I wanted to get what I could to the booth for display. I am glad I did! I went by today and have already sold a lot of things!
I figured this way, I could still make a lot my prim goodies as I am able to and can take them by when I can. I think this is going to be the best situation for me so I am just thankful that I have a place to display my items and I didn't have to put everything in storage! I will try to get some pictures of my booth and share them in a future post!
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Nicole

I've been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Rondell at Tomatoe Creek Prims. I love this game becuase you get to know different things about people that otherwise you wouldn't know. Kind of what makes them "special!"

Here are the rules:
Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up. So here goes...

1. I coffee stain everything but I do not drink coffee. I never have!
2. We currently live in the house that my grandparents lived in. When my grandmother passed away in 2006, she left it to me because she knew I loved it! 3. My grandmother was the mayor of our town when I was growing up. She was the first female mayor in our county! I always got to attend events with her as a child.

4. I had to have an emergency hysterectomy in 2007. It definately was not planned!
5. My husband has been a diabetic since he was 12 years old. He constantly has to struggle with keeping his blood sugar under control.
6. I have 3 dogs (a Cocker Spaniel named "Winston", an English Bulldog named "Cane" and a Maltese poodle named "Prissy". She runs the show around the house too!

Now I have to pass this tag game on to...

Molly at Molly's Place

Dani at Old Homestead Peddler

Dena at Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Jany at Look in the Nook

Sarah at The Simple Country Girl

Joleen at The Primitive Bucket

Okay, now it is your turn! I want to learn something off the wall about you guys!

Candy Cane Land and a Thank You!

I wanted to say Thank You to everyone that sent messages about our car accident. You all were so helpful in letting me vent. Things are going a little better here - we have been looking for another car. Ours was totalled. I have had to go to the Doctor about my neck and back and they have now sent me to physical therapy. Yesterday was my first appointment with PT and I feel about as bad as I did after the accident!

Each day is looking better so I am very thankful for that. I am also very thankful to all of you for your kind words and generous thoughts! Words can't express how much your words meant!

Okay, Okay, enough of that!

Today, I went to Dollar General here in town and picked up the cutest door mat. I love that the "Primitive" look is becoming more popular. It is getting easier finding some really cute things!

I thought it was adorable! It has a red saltbox house and some cute prim sheep. It reads " Bless this country home!" Best of all, it was only $3! Let me tell you, I almost did the dance . . . you know we all have one. . . the dance that you do when you find a really good deal or something you have been looking for and are so excited. Yeah, that one! Right there in Dollar General! I have been busy working on some candy canes for a few customers. I made some out of muslin and painted them with red stripes. I have several different sizes of those. I also made a few muslin stars. I grungied them up and gave them cute hangers for the tree. I dusted a little bit of mica flakes on the stars.

I picked up a pack of red and white pipe cleaners at Walmart. I twisted them together, grungied them, shaped them into candy canes and dusted them with mica flakes. I think they turned out great. (But what do I know!) I am going to bunch them in groups of 3 or 4, add some Christmas sprigs and a rusty bell and put them in an old grungy jar. I will get more pictures once I get all of that done.

I haven't gotten around to putting my Christmas tree up yet. I wanted to have completely handmade ornaments on the tree this year. I finished my rag garlands a month ago and have been stitching ornies ever since! I plan to try to get our tree up over the Thanksgiving holiday.
I will definately take pictures when I get it finished to share with all of my great blog buddies!

Take care!
Nicole

I want to vent!

I have been missing in action for a few days due to a car accident. My hubby and I were heading back from the flea market last Sunday (11/2). We were approaching an intersection and everyone was stopped so I thought we were okay. All of a sudden, the car to my right pulls right out in front of me! I had no where to go and slammed on brakes but hit him right in the side!
My hubby helped me drive the car to the shoulder of the road so no one else hit us! My seatbelt locked up (which I guess it was supposed to do), my door was caved in, and the dash and steering wheel were pushed up around my knee and foot. When all was stopped, my husband jumped out of the car to try to get me out. It was not happening!
The other driver got out of the car and came over. It was an elderly couple and they were ok. Luckily for them they were in a bigger car.
I had to go by ambulance to the hospital - have xrays, CAT scans, you name it. I got to come home later that night but with my knee in a brace, a crazy shoe on the other foot, neck brace, the whole works.
I understand accidents happen and that doesn't upset me.
But dealing with these insurance companies make me want to scream! He has Nationwide and so do I. So you would think they would look after me right? NOT AT ALL! My car was totalled and they are offering me some small amount for my car. How am I supposed to buy a reliable car for pennies? Not gonna happen. Then, they wouldn't authorize my followup visit to the doctors until I signed a release! I had no intentions of getting a lawyer even though my mail was flooded with lawyers all week.
But I have had it! All I want is to be in the same condition as I was before the accident and they are not concerned with that in the least! These adjusters have been trying to bully me - threatening to take my rental car back stuff like that! I do not know how they sleep at night! They were constantly calling my phones harrassing me for an answer to their "proposals". When I told them I had an attorney, they didn't have much to say after that!
The attorney is the one who is sending me to the doctor to be checked out. I know people say attorneys are just as bad but it is really nice to have someone on my side through this. My husband and I are like sitting ducks. We don't know what is going to happen with all of this and if it is all going to work out but I guess we will just have to wait and see. We have done a lot of praying about it and will put it in his hands!
I am sorry but I just felt the need to vent. I know everyone just needs to do that from time to time!
Thanks for listening!

Another day at the Festival

As I was looking through the pictures on my memory card, I ran across a few really neat ones that I never knew I had! These were taken by my husband the day of the Festival in town. (You know, while I was working!) They put on a really neat Civil War Reenactment downtown. I heard the "gunshots" going off but I never got a chance to see it first hand. Thanks to my husband, now I can!
Look at the kids at the back. . . Too cute!

Walking through the crowd were the Civil War Widows. They had the Priest following behind them as they walked with their umbrellas.

He was so excited to see the reenactment they had put on! I had no idea he was running around playing photographer for the event!

During the festival, we also had a local artist, Belinda Muth, set up out front. She painted a beautiful Fall scene in pastels. She has several pieces of her art displayed in the shop as well. She painted spring florals onto an old wooden window that I had in storage. It turned out beautiful! You can see it in the background of this picture. She has amazing talent and I am glad that she chose Back in the Day to display her work!

I will take some pictures of her art and post them so you all can see her talent!

Until then, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

My Weekend And The Winner Is . . .

This weekend was so crazy! My husband's business held a Bike Show at a local restaurant in town. I was roped into working the Registration table. The hubby helps me at festivals and I help him at his events. We had a great turnout. The weather was great but it did turn off a little chilly. A friend of mine, Chelle, came up and we got to hang out during the event. She brought her 3 kids and I had mine there. We have been trying to get together for over a year and just haven't been able to do it so it was great to finally get to spend some time with her and her family! Her youngest son, Dylan, was such a hoot! He kept me laughing - he was running around dancing to the music. This is him "playing his guitar" to some music that was playing! How cute!

It was so much fun watching our kids play together and getting to know one another! We need to make more time for our friends instead of staying so busy all of the time!

That evening we came home and started a cozy fire! We were so tired we both fell asleep! We never even got a chance to enjoy it! Maybe next time!

Now on to the fun stuff . . . It is time to pick the winner for my birthday giveaway! I know my birthday was a week ago but I think I am going to celebrate the whole month! What a great idea! (At least I think so!) I recruited my daughter to help me with the drawing. I think she decided to help so that I could take her picture!We have everyone's name in the bowl - ready for the drawing!

Finally, she has closed her eyes and is ready to pick the lucky winner!

And the winner is . . . LINDA FROM BEHIND MY RED DOOR!

CONGRATULATIONS LINDA! I hope you enjoy your Fall goodies! I had so much fun with this giveaway, I will try to do them more often! I enjoyed meeting all of the newbies to my blog too! There are so many great people out there and such interesting blogs! So much to read and so little time!

Have a great evening!
Nicole

Quilt Giveaway

Elizabeth over at Pigtails and Snails is having a Quilt giveaway! Can you belive it? A QUILT! May I say, it is absolutely gorgeous! This is her own design and it turned out beautifully!


Be sure to hop on over to her blog and enter for this amazing giveaway!

Just a Swingin!

I didn't get to participate in Leslie's Whatcha Workin on Wednesday due to a terrible migraine yesterday! My poor kids were so sweet and took care of me all evening. We had hot dogs for dinner just because it was the easiest thing we had in the cabinet! I took some medicine and seemed to have slept it off because I woke up today feeling much better! Thank goodness!

I don't know if I ever told you all but the house that we are living in is the house that my mother grew up in. It belonged to my grandparents. I always got to stay here as I got to spend time with them when I was little. In the eighth grade I moved in with my grandmother because my mother was moving to another town and I was going to have to change schools. My grandfather had recently passed away and I hated for her to live alone. Also, I really wanted to graduate from the same school my mother did. That is funny because now my kids are going to that same school!

I always loved living here. My grandmother and I would sit out on the front porch for hours watching the people go by and listening to the birds and kids playing around town. I grew up, went to college, and eventually got married. I never really felt as "at home" as I did living here. My grandmother passed away in January, 2006 and left this home to me. She knew I always loved living in this little town. It was always a little too small for my mom and brothers. They liked living in the bigger city where there was more going on. Not me, this was my home.

I have been wanting a swing for the front porch. I wanted a way for my whole family to sit out there and talk and listen like I used to do. I had mentioned this to my brother who is a carpenter. I begged and pleaded for him to build me one. I know I could just buy one at the store but I really wanted something handmade, especially from him. Well, I finally got it . . .

My very own custom built porch swing! I was so excited! He even came out and hung it for me! My sister in law said he worked so hard on that swing! Man, is this thing sturdy too! Me and the kids sit out there all of the time now. We also have a rocking chair out there which is usually where the hubby sits. Finally, we can all enjoy the sights and sounds together! Let me tell you too, we have seen some crazy things while on that front porch.

We came out one morning in our PJs - sipping coffee and talking. All of a sudden, parade floats started coming by! We only live one block from Main street so after the parade the floats came down our road to finish off the parade. We had no idea! Next thing we knew, people came by waving and smiling - we were still in our PJs! I hadn't even brushed my hair! I ran back into the house and my husband couldn't move for laughing! Another time, same situation, sipping drink, PJs (you would think we would learn our lesson!) here comes a Marathon! Hundreds of people running by, police escorted, the works! Again, I run back into the house to get dressed. It seems now if I come out dressed, nothing exciting happens! I'm gonna have to slip back into my PJs and see what else comes down the street!

I am gonna get to work on some pillows for my swing! I will post pictures when I get them finished!

Talk to you all later!
Nicole

Amazing giveaways!

I wanted to share a couple of giveaways that are going on in blogland! First is Dani at Olde Homestead Peddler. This is her first giveaway. She is new to blogging and wanted to welcome everyone over to her blog! What wonderful items she is giving away!

The winner will be announced Monday, 10/20 so you still have plenty to time to get entered!

Look at these great grubby apple candles! I bet they yummy! I have my name in the hat so you should too! Just pop over to her blog and give her a big hearty welcome to blogging!

The next great giveaway is from Tania at Fresh From the Farm. She is celebrating her 100th post and how sweet of her to celebrate it by showering us with gifts? Her candles are amazing - 100% soy and oh so yummy! She also is giving away some handmade tarts and a wooden sunflower candle mat. Too cute!

She will be picking the winner Friday, Oct 17th so you better hurry!

I am off to work on some new projects for the Wednesday project blog. I have to have something to show you guys or else you'll think I have been slacking!

I also wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for my birthday greetings! Everyone has had such kind words and great wishes for my birthday! You really know how to make a girl feel special! I never knew I would find such great friends when I started blogging! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

What a great day for a Birthday party and my FIRST Giveaway!

Today was my birthday - and I turned 34! I came home from work today to find a big party set up in the dining room. My hubby had made my favorite dinner, Spaghetti, and also baked my all time favorite - Strawberry cake! Everything tasted amazing! The kids had decorated with Happy Birthday banners everywhere. I couldn't believe they had went to so much trouble! As soon as dinner was over, I couldn't wait to jump into the Strawberry cake! Literally! It had been sitting on the table in front of me the whole time so it seemed to be "taunting me" as I finished my spaghetti. They all sang Happy Birthday and each of the kids had their own funny card they had picked out for me. Of course, they both had something to do with being old but that was okay!

They bought me a huge bag filled with all of my favorite goodies! I got a huge bottle of bubble bath, lotions, hair accessories, and my favorite candies of all time . . . a box of Whoppers and a bag of Nerds! Do these people know me or what?! They said they bought me a bunch of stuff to pamper me since I won't take the time or money to pamper myself! It seems us moms always spend time taking care of everyone else, we put ourselves last. It was such a thoughtful gift!

After dinner, I quietly tip-toed off to the bathroom and took a very relaxing HOT bubble bath! I don't know how long I was in there but I was definately wrinkled when I got out!

As promised, I am hosting my very first blog giveaway today! I want to celebrate my birthday with all of you! I have some great fall items that I have included!

Included in this giveaway are 2 Candy Corn candles, a Autumn Blessings stitchery, and 3 prim pumpkins! A perfect Fall Gathering!

To enter my giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be entered once. If you would like more chances, you can post this giveaway on your blog and I will enter your name two more times. That's three chances to win!

If you do not have a blog, you can still enter . . . just leave your email address in my comments so that I can notify you if you are the winner!

I am going to keep this giveaway open for one week. I will draw the name of the winner at 8 pm (eastern time) on Monday, October 20th.

Good luck to all of you! Have a great week!

~Nicole~

A Day at the Festival!

Today was the first day of our town's Autumn Treasures Festival. The weather was beautiful - not too hot, no rain, what more could we ask for! The morning started out cloudy and there was a little sprinkle but by noon all had cleared up and the sun was out - finally! Our little town was so crowded! The streets were lined with vendors and you could smell the great foods all the way to the shop!

There were so many wonderful vendors and such amazing talent! We had lots of jewelry makers, candle makes, wood turners, basket weavers . . . you name it!

These are just a few pictures from my end of the street. I never actually got a chance to walk to the other side and see what was down there!

This is one of our great local talents - Tim Emore. He and his wife own the Leather Shop in town. He is an excellent bluegrass singer! I actually play his CD in the shop. I think it is great to represent your home town. There is so much talent out there and I love showcasing local artists!

The shop itself was VERY busy. We have everything in the store on sale so that we could clear the way for more great items. I couldn't believe how busy we were! I was going to make more items tonight but I am way too tired!

I told you all yesterday about the hutch that I had been working on - trying to get it ready for the festival. We finally got it in the shop late last night so I wanted to share the picture with you:

As you can see, it is filled with all of our handmade goodies. The quilt hanging off of the front was made by a local quilter. We have several of her pieces displayed throughout the shop. I think the hutch turned out nicely. It really makes a bold statement in the front of the shop!

Well, I am off to read some of my favorite blogs. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Last minute goodies!

With our towns festival fast approaching, I have been down to the wire getting all of my "ideas" finished. I came across a really nice Maple hutch last weekend and, of course, decided that it should be painted! I thought a great Colonial Burgundy would look nice as a back drop to my new candies and goodies that I am bringing in. So, within the matter of a week, I have sanded and painted the hutch. This wasn't really in my schedule but I wanted to have it finished and in the shop by the festival. My dear hubby helped me and we have it almost finished. I will try to post pics as soon as I have it completed.

As I have mentioned earlier, I have been planning on having some homemade treats in the shop this weekend. Tonight I finished the candy and caramel apples and my hubby helped me finish the popcorn balls. I suddenly came down with a migraine last night and my dear sweet husband helped me with the rice krispy treats! He would probably kill me for telling you that but he did!

His business is hosting a Bike Show next weekend so after the festival I have to help him get things ready for his big event! I think this is his way of kissing up! lol

I have been thinking about the outside of the shop and really wanted something different for my screen door. This weekend is going to be SO busy that I wanted a little Halloween look outside. I have a Fall wreath out front that was store bought but it just wasn't doing it for me. So, I decided to make a witches stocking and fill it full of Fall florals and hang it on the door. I haven't added the berries and twigs yet but I wanted to go ahead and share what I have so far.

I am also finishing up a few witches brew bags to hang on peg hooks and cabinet knobs. I only have one more day left so Friday I will probably be MIA! Once this festival is over, I will get to work on my Christmas goodies! I know a lot of you are ahead of me so I have some stitchin to do!

My birthday is coming up on Monday, Oct 13th and I think I am going to have my first blog giveaway! I will get together my prizes this weekend and will start the giveaway on Monday. Be sure to stay tuned and get your name in the running!

I will take lots of pictures of the festival this weekend and will be sure to post them for all of you as soon as I can!

Have a great day!

Giveaway!

My friend Tammy over at Country Girl at Home is celebrating her 100th post with a wonderful giveaway! Look at the amazing Fall goodies she is giving away!

Be sure to stop by her blog and enter for your chance to win!

Finally . . . a vacation!

The family and I drove to the mountains for a little get-away. Boy, let me tell you, it was a well needed vacation! My husband owns a Motorcycle shop and I have the little country shop plus work full time. Therefore, vacations seem to be few and far between! We could only go for a few days so we headed to Maggie Valley, NC. I love this area because of the gorgeous mountain views.

We didn't get to head out until we closed so we didn't get there until late. We picked a little motel and settled in for the night. The next morning I came outside of our room to this site . . .Is that amazing or what? This was right across the street from our hotel but because it was dark when we arrived, we never knew it! We headed out to tour the area. I couldn't wait to stop in all of the cute shops! Of course, the kids and hubby weren't looking as forward to shopping as I was!

We found a "Lookout" spot while out riding around and had to get a few pictures. I wasn't exactly dressed for family portraits but, hey, it was vacation. The kids really had a great time. I was surprised that a 3 hour car ride didn't produce more fighting! They had never been to this area before so there was a lot of OOOHS and AAAHS! We couldn't have picked a better time of year to go. The weather was a little chilly at times but not too bad.

We stopped at a neat spot to see live bears. For 50 cent you could buy a tray of lettuce and apples and even feed them! I could not believe how big those guys were! Some were a little more active than others but they all really put on a show! This big guy was actually in a tree just perched on a limb. I thought it was the perfect photo opportunity!

We made our way back home, safe and sound. That is when the REAL fun starts. All the laundry and clean up from the actual vacation! So, I am off to get back to reality and back to the huge amount left to do for the Fall Festival!

Have a great day!

I love Candy Corn!

In my last minute rush to get ready for our Fall Festival, I have been a MAD WOMAN! I have started on a few stitcheries but decided that I could do them from the shop tomorrow. So, I pulled off of that to finish my apples and pears but then I realized that I could put the stems in while at the shop tomorrow. (Are you seeing a pattern here?) I got it! I can finish more candles! I had just finished a pile of grubby candles but I was looking for something with a little more Fall life to it!

Viola! Candy Corn Grubbies! I tried to "pose" them in this basket for you all to see!

Does anyone else start out with something in your mind and you end up with a totally different project or is it just me? I had a bread basket at the shop that I wanted to fill with something Fall-like for the Festival. I think these Candy Corn Candles will be perfect! I am going to add a piece of homespun and maybe even a tag to each one. (Of course, I can do that from the shop . . . tomorrow!)

Procrastination . . . one of my many assets!

I also wanted to share a picture of the Window box my hubby made for me. This old window came out of a house that was being renovated in the area. The wood for the box is from an old house too . . . OURS! We are adding on a room and they had taken some old pieces down to cut the entryway. I couldn't bear it going to waste so we are using it little by little on different projects. I meant to clean the window before I took the picture but forgot! (Again, procrastination!)

I am going to hang this one on the side of our garden shed. He built me another one to put at the shop and I have that one sitting on a table filled with goodies! I will post a picture of the one here at home as soon as the the hubby has a chance to hang it for me!

Talk to you all soon!