All I Want For Christmas...is something from the World Vision Catalogue

I have noticed the past few Christmas's I have just not felt the "Christmas Spirit". Maybe because the kids have grown up WAAY too fast and they have learned the value of a buck and would rather go boxing day shopping then "open stuff they don't want, like or need" :( which makes me feel like all the effort and time I spent looking for that perfect gift was pointless.
Or perhaps it is  because I am in retail all year round so the materialism of it all really wears me down by December 24th and  I am just exhausted and want the day off more than anything else. I look forward to spending the morning in my pj's and laughing with the kids,having breakfast together,then visiting relatives and just being together!
This year especially I have been feeling down and out about the whole thing and remembering Christmases past when the kids were little and the excitement leading up to that day! The joy in their eyes when they opened that special gift! I just haven't felt motivated to even start shopping. With the cold fall we've had customers have been shopping since early September,with so many telling me they are finished..bah humbug is how I felt...that is until the other night when I finally found time to open my November issue of  House and Home magazine and found  a World Vision Catalogue

As I flipped through the pages I realized that this is what Christmas is all about...giving to those who are less fortunate than us, and at that moment I felt the pang of excitement that I have really been missing in recent years!
I decided that this year all I would ask for is something from this catalogue,and also I plan to give gifts from here as well..so... if you are reading this and you know that you are on my list..better let me know what you would like because you won't be getting a sparkly wrapped gift from me this year..nope you will be getting a chicken or a piglet,maybe some warm blankets or school books for kids who really need them!
I hope you are not disappointed because I am truly giving this from my heart!
They say it's not the gift it is the thought that counts...and I think this is the PERFECT gift!! It is the gift that keeps on giving long after the other unimportant gifts have been forgotten,someone somewhere will be benefiting their daily lives!!!
Here is a link to my personal WISHLIST
Merry Christmas
Natalie

Santa Claus Parade~ A Tribute To Our Fallen Soldiers~

Last Saturday we participated in the Bowmanville Santa Claus parade. We chose to do a theme that would support our  troops. These guys are our heroes!! They risk their lives everyday to bring peace to a war torn place,that we can not even begin to imagine!
We get so caught up in our everyday lives and busy with our gift buying and festivities meanwhile these brave soldiers,these young men and women are making the world a better place,they have committed to bring peace and to train the people thousands of miles away how to live in peace! They are doing a good thing,they don't deserve to be killed by roadside bombs,they are NOT there to fight! We wanted to show our town just how many Canadians,including one of our own,Darryl Caswell, we have lost,to try to put it in some sort of perspective for the kids to see the real reason why we are so lucky to live in this free country..because of men and women like these portrayed here that gave the ultimate gift!

Greater love hath no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.(John 15:13)

 

we didn't expect how emotional this drive down our main streets would be,crowds cheered,clapped,saluted,and shouted out their thanks,we were honoured to present our Fallen Soldiers..they may be gone but they will NEVER be forgotton!

Santa Claus Parade Tomorrow and The Markham Craft Show

Busy weekend ahead,our town is celebrating our 49th annual Santa Claus Parade,which always kicks off the "holiday vibe" around town. We are participating this year,baby blue will be #14 in the line up! It looks like the weather will co operate,which is good because she doesn't like the cold!

Also this weekend the Markham Fairgrounds host Home for The Holidays it is a great show,4 buildings to explore! I went yesterday to help my friend Jen set up her booth,and got a sneak peek at this years amazing show! Cindy is also there with her candles,signs and hand painted original folk art pieces...

I will update tomorrow with parade photo's...
Have a great Weekend!!
Natalie
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U

Amazing Auction Museum Quality

Sunday was an education in early Canadiana antiques and home decor. It was 8 hours of pure fun! Won some lost some..got to bid on lots,prices were really good! best of all had the day off, unless I can convince Paul that I was working,buying for the shop is work right? Only this particular auction had everything we love and collect :s

The home had been featured in Century Home magazine's April/May 1991 and the auctioneer told us when we were picking our won items up later that night that it looked exactly as it had in the photos. Just like stepping back in time. I'm sure I have the copy of that magazine as I have every copy hoarded away sine the 1980's. If I can find it I will share it with you another day...
I got to hang out with my blogger friend Trish for the day which was fun,except we have the same taste...we are still friends LOL check out her blog here
I will be sure to add pics of our scores soon..so check back,but for now I must get back to decorating the trees in the shop,I am such a procrastinator..I just can't seem to get it done but this Saturday is our Santa Claus Parade so I better in gear..and it is only 39 days away now till he comes!!!Yikes!!

8ft amazing early bench

antique pump

Just sold a washstand,it's been a busy week two big cupboards gone,one being delivered to Peterborough Dec.1st the other is going to a better place as well, it's off to the Beaches this weekend!!! that means more space to fill :)))

going to Peterborough

this pretty girl is going to the Beaches

If you live in the area be sure to attend the Markham  Home for The Holidays Craft Show,two of my vendors are there,Primitives by Jen and Cindy from Christmas Country!
talk soon blog friends,here's a link to the pics from the auction not sure how long it will work,but it's up for now...click here
Natalie
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U

Wish I had time to blog...

I really miss being able to spend time here lately..I have too many irons in the fire right now,something had to give..the store is a constant make over with lots of Christmas items and antiques arriving daily,renos on the ceiling have slowed down slightly (we are only working on it during regular business hours) in order to get back into the house stuff. We are finally finishing lots of started projects and just running ragged these days! Still gotta take time to play in the leaves..

Buster had his first bithday and hopefully is full grown now

Added a tag line to our window a couple weeks ago

... this is the quickest way I know how to share the changes going on around the store here is a link to my facebook album..
Gotta go back to Home Depot..then do laundry (stupid smart meters) shower and hit the hay!!Worked way too hard today!!
Natalie
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U