White Wednesday

 

A lot can happen in 24 hours.

This was the mantle in our bedroom two days ago.

The fireplace is brick which had been closed in and covered with plaster many years ago.

Mom and Dad freshened it up and painted it white.

It was my husband's plan was to open it up and install gas logs.  I said, "Please, not before my open house."

So, I thought that was on hold.

I had originally planned to show you closeups of the mantle and my Christmas decorations.

But that was before I woke up Monday morning and discovered my husband had something different in mind.

One thing you can say about living with the dear love of my life, is that you never know what you will be doing next.  I had plans to paint and make some new Christmas wreaths.  (That hasn't happened yet.)

It seems that unbeknownst to me, sometime over the weekend, he decided we needed an electric fireplace in the bedroom.

So, Monday  morning, I suddenly find myself on the way to Lowe's to pick out a new fireplace!

Now, Lowe's is 30 minutes away, down the mountain.  And when you go to town you need to make your trip worth while.  So, late last night the fun begins.

It is beautiful.

I do love it.

But, what a surpise!

It seems that out of nowhere, I now have a new look for my bedroom.

It not only looks like a burning fireplace, but it puts out heat as well.

  

The mantle is still much the same, minus the stockings.  They will have to find another place.

 Here are a few pictures of the rest of the room.

My corsage from my daughter's wedding two years ago.

The Santa she and her husband made, my first wrapped gift of the season, and my son's rocking horse that my dad made.  My son is now 28.  My dad is gone.  We miss him so.  This will be our first Christmas without him.

A white crystal bird in the tree.

 and a silver star to light the way.

Our cat Marilyn  (AKA "the princess") wasn't too excited about all of the midnight renovation.  (It had to be assembled.  You know the routine, boxes, styrofoam, cardboard, plastic and just a mess in general.)

She decided she would much rather take a nap.  Come to think of it, I would love one too!

Happy White Wednesday!

See you soon,

Tommye

 Check back tomorrow for more previews of  art work and what I manage to do with the rest of my day! (LOL)  I will get something done!



Christmas Village

Welcome to my Christmas Village!

I wanted to share a few of my Christmas houses with you.

These start as a brown cardboard paper mache houses.

Each house is given a couple of coats of white on the inside and a couple coats on the outside.

Garlands with ribbons for the doors and windows.

A wreath in each gable.

And textured snow on the roofs and around the base.

Sometimes I finish them off with a coat of glitter for the roof and of course you have to scatter some snow around.  It sounds so simple and I suppose it is, but they are very time consuming.

My husband says I am a very persistent woman.  I guess he would know! 

You can see one of my painted snowman mirrors in the background.  The mirror reads "Let it Snow".  I have several mirrors to paint this week.  I'll try to show them to you.

We have had a wonderful day in the shop.  I have seen so many old friends today.  Lots of my Saturday business comes from across the road at the United Methodist Assembly.  Church groups come for retreats, to be on the mountain and enjoy our little community.  Many I will not see again for another year.  We are already wishing folks a Merry Christmas! 

Hoping you have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

See you soon!

Tommye

The Country House Collection

As promised, I want to show you some of the great items that have arrived in the shop.  Here is the lighted Berry Hill Church sitting on a beautiful vintage tablecloth.

Jefferson Trencher with sweet rag ball nestled in pine make for a sweet country display.

This is the Angel of Light shown with a mixed berry and star garland.

Cute Sleigh ride placemats and towel sets

 Simply adorable sleigh ride apron

Wonderful reproduction lantern

Country Christmas wreath is shown with our Yorktown reproduction lantern and one of our great Keeper's of the Light candles (Red Berries fragrance).

Rag balls in a Jefferson Trencher shown here with pine garland and Burgundy Star Applique placemats, table runner and towels (by Victorian Heart).

Here is our OL' aged swan.  All he needs is a bow around his neck and a place to call home for Christmas.

 Sorry this is such a hasty post.  So much going on today.  Check back tomorrow for a look at my very own hand painted Christmas village.

See you soon,

Tommye

Remember, Christmas Open House is Saturday, November 20 from 10-4.

I have been working soooooo hard.  I can't wait!

Great party foods to give and to enjoy!

I thought I would give you a preview of some of the many wonderful foods we have on display for gift giving. 

First, we have Mama Lee's Gourmet Hot Chocolate

Double Dutch

White Chocolate

and Creme Brulee.

You have been asking for Wind & Willow. 

We now have it.

From Tiramisu,

To White Chocolate Cherry

To Garden Vegetable,

To The BLT.  We also have a new shipment coming in next week in time for the open house.  (Keep your fingers crossed.  Shipping is a real bear this time of year.)  Spinach Artichoke, Strawberries and Cream and White Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake.

We are expecting a shipment today or tomorrow of Raven's Original Chili Grande which makes a huge large, oval crock pot full of chili that is simply the best and has won a first place award in a food show.  You will love it!  It is so quick and easy to make.  People will think you slaved for hours!!

What folks can't seem to get enough of is our Raspberry Jalapeno Jam also from Raven's Nest.

 Spoon a small amount of jam over a little cream cheese and you have an instant appetizer served with Ritz Crackers.

Raven's Garden Party Cheese ball mix is simply wonderful.  You and your guests will love it.  All you do is add 1/4 cup of water to the spices to hydrate them for about five minutes.  Then add two packages of softened cream cheese, scoop it out onto a pretty serving dish, sprinkle with nuts and you have one terrific cheese ball.  Don't forget the Raven's Nest Mulling Spices.  They are great in apple cider, but taste wonderful in cran-apple juice.  This makes a pretty red drink for the holidays.

We have local honey, grown just down the hill in Winchester, Tennessee.

A new addition for all of you nut lovers is Mingo River Pecans.

We have Butter Roasted and Salted Pecans, Praline Pecans and Honey Crisp Pecans.

(My husband is my best customer. LOL!)

Of course we still carry Grandpa Yoder's Jams, Jellies, Chow-Chow and Relishes.

These are made by a wonderful Mennonite family in Sparta Tennessee.

One of the favorites is their Apple Butter.  My personal favorite is their Apple Jam.

And don't forget our Siptures Coffees.  Each package makes a pot of coffee.

A great little gift for a friend.



The majority of our food products retail for under $10.00.  Most of them are under $5.00!

Check in with me tomorrow.  I will share some of the wonderful items we have received from The Country House Collection.

See you soon!

Tommye

 P.S.  We received new candles in today.  Old favorites and two new frangrances.  Snickerdoodle and Caramelized Creme Brulee!!!!

White Wednesday

 I thought you might enjoy seeing some of our sweet Christmas Ornaments.

(All white, of course.)

 We have these lovely white ornaments and more lovely colored ornaments, but after all this is White Wednesday.  So, we'll save the colors for another day.

 Sweet little bird houses.

 Prancing white reindeer.

 Painted and glittered papermache ornaments.

 Stars and glittery word ornaments.

 Hand painted snowflakes and snowmen.

 Another sweet reindeer  with greenery and white berries.

And tiny white ornaments in a lovely crystal glass.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our lovely white ornaments that we have for sale.

I just received a shipment of wonderful things!

Check back on Friday.  I'll post pictures of some of our new items.

Christmas Open House at Mountain Home is Saturday, November 20,  2010.

Check back daily for previews of new items!

See you soon,

Tommye