Horatio, the elegant bear

It' Thursday again

2011-11-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

It's Thursday and we're open late tonight. Christmas bits and pieces are popping up everywhere. I do have a fondness for bottle brush trees it seems. Join us tonight, and enjoy our evening shopping. Also if you are planning on taking the ribbon flower class you must be registered by Tuesday the 15th.

business first

2011-10-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hello to all, by request we are having two ribbon flower classes in November. The first is Thursday, November 17th at 6:00 pm and the second will be Saturday afternoon on November 19th. The cost for class is $25.00 plus the cost of ribbon for your flower and leaves. The business part first. You must register and pay the class fee ahead of time and it must be paid by Tuesday, November 15th. If no one signs up by that date there will be no class. Also on Thursday evening Basket and Things, who are right next door, will be having their third sippin' Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 so you'll have plenty of time to make your flower and have a sip of wine next door.It promises to be a fun evening. To sign up you can do so by stopping by the store,by email at horatios@peoplepc.com or by ringing the store at 253.389.8002.

beginnings and waiting

2011-09-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

I still think each new year should start in September, rather than January 1st. September is an ending and a whole new exciting beginning especially if you have children.
On the whole other hand I am grateful that the weather has changed again and this week we will be back in the mid seventies again. I am not ready to be cold yet. That shouldn't happen until December. Gotta love my dream world.
On the shop front I've got four little bears ready to be jointed and stuffed and ready for their Christmas mittens. They are turning out to be fun. Just two more to finish, then it's on to the bear turkey. They will make their debut at the Crossroads Doll and Bear Show October 15th and 16th at the Puyallup Fair grounds.Went shopping this weekend and found a few fun things for the shop so stop in and say hello. Even though it's fair time traffic -isn't bad and there is lots of parking. On that note we will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday again this week.It worked out so well last week and I got so much done in the studio.
For those who have asked the number 3 child, who was attacked and had part of his nose bitten off. He is doing really well physically, emotionally still a work in progress but better. The idiot's trial starts the first of next month and once that is over he will be able to heal even more.Pray for my patience in the courtroom, cause I'd really like to give this idiot a few words but I can't so I'll be biting my tongue throughout.

this and that

2011-09-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

when our youngest was transferred down to Vegas I knew I was going to have the empty nest bit...again so I made my summer list
   sand and stain the old dining room floor...... check
   paint the old dining room walls, ceiling and woodwork.......check
   paint the old living room walls, ceiling and woodwork, which also included the walls goin upstairs and the upstairs hall.............................check
   oil and paste wax old living room floor...........check
   switch rooms and redecorate, that was the fun part...............check
paint the bathroom .............oops not yet
   stain the kitchen floor.............check
paint the floor in the upstairs hall...........check
   re-stain the stairs.....................check
it helps fill the time and now the house is looking fit for another 100 years. Still missing the girl bunches, however, she is having a great time being back in Vegas. She graduated from UNLV and worked down there for 3 years after, till the economy forced her home. So most of her college friends are still there.
I'm just excited that we have slowly but surely pared down our long honey do list. There were lots of other bits that also got done. You know how one thing leads to another, This needs doing but that has to be done first. Especially in a 90 year old house.So to celebrate a day of just enjoying the new look.

Oh I miss being warm in summer

2011-07-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Brrrrr, not to be a pain but I really need about two weeks of warm weather. It doesn't have to be hot hot just warm with a low humidity please. You see we've finally got the old living room/ new dining room painted, and it is time to oil the old hardwood floors. It's a mixture of varnish, linseed oil and paint thinner. You apply with a rag and let it soak in and dry. When it dries then it's paste wax and industrial buffer time and then these old floors will look beautiful once again. But cold air or lots of humidity means that they will take forever to dry. I want to play and put things in their new spots, but can't till the floor dries. Did I mention I really have no patience..... Well after all we have been painting for a month now. The old dining room/new living room is done except for pictures and some final fluffing which I can't do until I set up the dining room soooo. Since I can't finish I guess that means it's play time.

Road Trip...for the bears

2011-06-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

The bears at Horatio's are all in a twitter, except for Horatio. It is road trip time, they have a show this weekend you see. Now granted it is a really short road trip, maybe six blocks, but a trip is a trip. This week end is the Crossroads Doll and Bears Show at the Puyallup Fair grounds. Enter through the Gold gate please.
The problem with the bears is they can't all go, there just isn't room on the table for everyone plus the stacks of ribbons, laces, trims and vintage French hat veiling. And they all want to go, so the discussion will be loud and long and sadly the losers will pout making life miserable for a while. This time I'm thinking of trying to solve the problem with logic. Those that stay home this time go to Portland in September. Now you ask about Horatio, he doesn't do shows or travel any more. He much prefers a full picnic basket and a comfy chair in the back yard. So do I actually, but shows are a fun time. It is great to see friends and fellow vendors. I look forward to seeing you all this weekend. Show opens at 8:30 Saturday and 10:00 on Sunday. See you then.

Road Trip

2011-06-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

It has been years since, better make it decades, since I have driven to California and Nevada. When the Queen started freshman year at UNLV she and her dad made the road trip and I, sensible soul that I am, hopped on the airplane a couple of days later. Dad drove her home that spring and drove her back in the fall. Thank God for airplanes. After her freshman year she moved into an apartment and there weren't any more road trips until she lost her job and moved home. Fast forward two years. She's had this job a year and a half and they offer her a transfer, and she's off. She loves living in Las Vegas, and the heat and sunshine. So this time dad and mom are road tripping It was so fun. It would have been a lot more fun without the sixteen foot truck and the car dolly, and a whole lot faster too. We've decided to take another road trip in September. At least as far as Medford then over to the coast and back home that way. Then we can explore all the things we only dreamed over because we were driving the Big Boy and towing Baby Blue. As for driving to Vegas to visit, Nope that trip is an airplane's job. The country was beautiful and the scenery breath taking, but no the only way to Vegas is to fly.
I had every intention of opening the shop today, but after being pet free for five days, I forgot to put my contact case in the drawer last night. It is just the right size for a kitten toy you see. Without my contacts I am blind as a bat. It took me three hours crawling all over the upstairs, but I finally found them. So Wednesday we will be open with bells on. Used the quiet time on the road trip to come up with some fun new things to create for the shop. My note book is full. Stop in and say hi.

I'm sorry, but you don't suit

2011-05-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

Three years ago when I applied for farm chicks that was my reply. So last year I wanted to go to see why I didn't suit, but the fates intervened and I didn't get there. I rationalized that by remembering just how much I hated that drive when son #2 went to Eastern. So this year we were really going, until two weeks ago. Now we are still doing a road trip, just longer and in another direction. Our baby girl has wanted to move back to Las Vegas for the last year so she kept track of transfers and snagged the first one available. She starts work Wednesday. So tomorrow morning she flies out at dawn to start work in the afternoon. It gives her just enough time to get her new apartment keys, rent a car and stop at the store. Honey and I get to load her stuff in her truck and hopefully hit the road tomorrow after dinner. I've been lifting weights. She has so much stuff. It is hard to see her go on one hand, because it has been so nice having her home the last couple of years, but letting go is what it's all about. She spent six of the last eight years in Vegas. She graduated from UNLV and stayed to work after until the economy bottomed and she lost her job. So for her it is like going home. Most of her college friends are still there and several are moving back in the next few weeks. After all it's only a couple of hours away by plane. Not to far, but I will miss her company. So honey and I are road tripping. We are antique shopping our way to Vegas. While we are road tripping the shop will be closed. We'll reopen Tuesday, June 6th..

Horatio's, we are still here

2011-05-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, 2 months since a post. I am a bad blogger. Forgive me world, but when I got older, I thought I'd have all this time. Wrong you just get busier with other stuff. In spite of spending most of January, February and March sick with such fun respiratory things life is good. I am healthy and the shop is full of fun stuff.
   We've done two shows so far, The Crossroads Doll and Bear Show at the Puyallup fairgrounds in March, and Junk Salvation last weekend also here in Puyallup. Got to love those shows that are just a few minutes away. We have another doll and bear show at the end of June, here at the fairgrounds, so that will help keep me out of trouble for a bit. The down side to doing shows, while packing I make such a mess in the shop so then I not only have to put stuff away at the end, and that always leads to changing the floor. Cause you know that piece would look really great over there and maybe if I move this over here, and before you know it every thing has been rearranged. It's really part of the fun of doing shows.And doing shows is fun. It's great people watching time and a chance to spend time with friends from all over.
   Coming in June we have Ezra Meeker Days and The Crossroads Doll and Bear Show. Meeker Days means the scone wagon will be in town. Yes....
   For those who have been checking in on him.... our son is physically doing well with one more surgery on his nose in about 3 months.This one is more about fine tuning and reducing the appearance of what few scars he has. Mentally and emotionally he is a work in progress but doing better. He still hasn't been released to go back to work so he has taken over our veggie garden.The kid I had to pay to weed our flower beds when he was a kid is really getting into gardening. He's even offered to shop sit if I want a day this summer. That I am looking forward to, a free day now and then wow.
   Now go enjoy the sun.

Home

2011-02-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note. Surgery went well and we beat the snow home. So now Mother Nature let it snow!! Get it out of your system we are ready for spring and warmth. On a side note if it does snow the totals they are calling for the shop will be closed Thursday also.

Hello World

2011-02-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Love the new start to the year this month. But my it is cold this morning brrrrrrrrrrrr. My flowers are just not understanding. Just a quick note today. The shop will be closed next Wednesday, February 23rd. We will be in Seattle at the UW for reconstructive surgery number 2. The exciting part is that he will then be done for six months and the last surgery at the end of summer will be a fine tune project to clean up the scars. He is really doing well through all this and we thank you for your prayers. Have a wonderful weekend.

New Beginnings

2011-02-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

The last month just needs to disappear completely, but it is over We need to celebrate new beginnings around here and we are. First off, the child who was attacked, beaten and had part of his nose bitten off has had his first reconstructive surgery. It went so well that they actually did two major surgeries in one. So at the most he has two more to go Happiness is a good thing to feel. He has started seeing a therapist to help him work through the mental and emotional things that are now a part of his life since the attack, which is fantastic. He has his good days and bad days, but now that the process has begun he is more at peace. On a side note the surgery was done at the U of W Medical Center, what an awesome place. The second reason for happiness around here is I am finally well and the shop is open regular hours again. The bug turned into pneumonia and for nearly two weeks the shop was closed and I was home in bed and on the couch. I learned one important thing I don't like being home. The decision was made and the store will remain open.I am so excited about new things to come. So now we are shopping whenever we can to bring in lots of new fun stuff. Hopefully by the end of March we will be full to the rafters again.Now it's off to the shop and tonight to celebrate the 41st birthday of our first borne. I am not old, just a women of experience. Doesn't that sound better than old.....

2010-12-24T23:21:00.000-08:00

I don't really feel very much like Christmas right now.My spirit took a major hit last Monday night when my son and his girlfriend were attacked and beaten in this little bar/restaurant near his home. No one helped his girlfriend or him when they were attacked, no one called the police. It wasn't a few punches it was a beating totally unprovoked and the male person bit part of my son's nose off. Now he faces months of plastic surgery and healing, both physically and mentally. No one helped, they didn't even call 911. It has rather dented my faith in the goodness of people. I know there is always a reason for things that happen so now I will await the outcome. Tomorrow will come and we will celebrate the day without this child and his girlfriend but they will be with us in our hearts. They have chosen to curl up at home and have a very quiet day, something they would not have if they were with us, and something they need. So tomorrow we will celebrate the day and delight in our grand babies and say many thank you prayers that this child and his girlfriend are alive. Merry Christmas to all

Surprise

2010-12-14T23:39:00.000-08:00

In my shop window, for Christmas, we had this wonderful old sideboard that we refinished, and painted white. It even went to Junk Salvation, but came home. So for Christmas it went in the window with the black re purposed dish dresser and a Christmas tree on top. Figured it was a safe bet. It wouldn't sell before the holiday, yup the perfect window for a Horatio's Christmas. Black, white, silver and pinks, just really perfect. Sold that sideboard today. It's going home at the end of the week with yup, a big pink bow. So, tonight we were supposed to get our tree, but instead we're at the shop pulling the side board out of the window and resetting about half the shop floor. Gotta love the new arrangement. It's all in woods now except for the tree. I'm just delighted that moving the tree went so easy. We are talking a fully decorated Christmas tree here with not one broken ornament. Happy dance for a good day. As for the tree at home, well maybe Wednesday. Because of our own version of itty bitty kittens,we now have three Nigel, Fitch and Gilly Hicks, I'm not sure this tree will have many decorations. They certainly are busy. Peace and Joy to all

Time

2010-12-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

The time this year has most certainly gone too fast. It seems the older I get the faster time goes. We just put Christmas away and now we are dragging it all out again. It is so fun to unwrap and find all our decorations. It is like finding old friends. This year I had some expert help from our two youngest grandbabies. They enjoyed the stories about the where and when and why of some of the inherited Santas and Grampy's nutcrackers. We had to get some of the family albums out so they could see pictures of their great grands who had these Santas before. So we decorated and had family history 101 on a very simple level. I do wonder how I used to get everything done when my five were little though. When their parents came to pick them up it was fun to see their faces as they too remembered the decorations and those who came before. Merry Christmas to all

Not one but two

2010-10-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

I did it, really did it and survived the whole thing. We did not one show this weekend,but two. We were tucked into a cozy space at Junk Salvation, and our usual spot at Crossroads Doll and Bear Show. We set up for both on Friday, which was a bit of fun and by Friday night I was wondering why but it was fun. Both shows were full of happy people. That is a contagious feeling and nice to experience. It was also a chance for folks to support their local vendors and economy. Shopping local keeps your favorite little shops in business and your tax dollars at home. If you choose not to shop local, before this nonsense with our economy is over, your favorite little shops will be gone.

Labor Day

2010-09-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, long long ago, Labor Day weekend meant finishing up all the canning and grandma and Ben's birthday picnic at my aunt and uncle's beach house on Fox Island. All to quickly it became just canning as we lost our old ones. Then it was the final prep to get the older kids ready for school. All to soon they were all off to school and I went back to work for the district. Now it is all about cleaning and finishing those summer projects. You know those infamous summer projects that we all schedule because the days seem to last forever. So we spend this weekend scubbing the kitchen, cupboards, pantry, drawers and all and it really does look good and I can find everything. The fall grocery list is made cause I cleaned and reorganized the pantry yet again. Then because I'm cold I sorted out the long pants and put away a few pairs of summer shoes. Just a few pair. I don't like wearing shoes. I will postpone that as long as possible. It wasn't a weekend at the beach, but it was fun in its own way to get the list knocked down. It is still very long and as lists go I have added a few more things. We even marked a 10x10 foot square on the shop floor so I can plan my booth at the Funky Junk Show in October. Here is where my sanity is in question for we are doing 2 shows on the same weekend. The Crossroads Doll and Bear Show and The Junk Salvation. Fortunately they are maybe 5 miles apart and I have a terrific honey who will work one show. I will have the master plan and schedule to end all schedules and we all know what happens to the best laid plans. It is a good thing life is an adventure and not meant to be boring.....

H&M

2010-09-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you who love to shop at H&M a new store is opening at the Tacoma Mall. The magic date is Thursday, September 9th at noon. Though you might want to get there early. They are giving out gift bags while supplies last to those first in the store. They are apparently having some great sale items on things that are to be regular price at their other Washington stores. This store will also have product that the other stores won't.
How do I know you ask. My daughter is helping to open the store. She's been unloading semis full of product and fixtures all week. She's exhausted and dozing on the couch almost as soon as she gets home. She's found muscles she forgotten she had since she stopped dancing. She says the store is beautiful with some marble topped tables and oriental carpets. It doesn't look like any of the other stores, but has all the departments so have fun shopping.

2010-08-30T08:53:00.001-07:00

The grandbabies are waking up. All five of them came to the end of summer sleepover at Grampy and Grammy's yesterday. We had dinner at McDonald's and played in the park. Played games and ate ice cream at 10:00 at night. Then there were the movies to watch. Batman was the first choice and one by one they crashed. Never did get to the rest. They have decided that next summer they want to ride the train to Seattle and spend the day. So we told Noah, who is 2 1/2 that he must be done with diapers by then. No presure there, he has a year cause this Grammy isn't changing diapers in Seattle.
This will be a busy year for the four oldest, their parents are torn between celebrating and crying. The fourth starts school school this week. Just leaves Noah to hang out with his Grammy at the shop. Can't believe they've grown up so fast. Our oldest has been selected to spend a month in Europe next summer with one of the exchange programs. She is already to go. It will be interesting to see if mom and dad can let go.
Time for Grampy's pancakes and sausage then they are going to help scrub the two awesome old wooden bird cages I found this weekend.

Sidewalk Sale

2010-08-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is the day. It's our annual sidewalk sale in historic downtown Puyallup. I'm cleaning out the back room. Nothing is safe from the sale table. I've cleaned out my fabric stash. Yup, that is always fun. Now I will have room for more.You'll find purses, ribbon flowers, Christmas items furniture, and all sorts of fun stuff on the sidewalk this Saturday at Horatio's. The weather is going to be great. Look forward to seeing you.

2010-08-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hopefully now the whole picture will show of my favorite place to spend a warm afternoon, part of my front porch. Have a good weekend.

2010-08-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem like it's been so long since I've been here. I think it's true that time truely flies the older you get. Enjoy the rest of summer. We have one more grammy and grampy's slumber party before school starts in a little over three weeks and some beach time is due and painting the living room and........

I was warm today

2010-04-19T00:29:00.000-07:00

It's a family joke, because I'm always cold until the temperature hits at least 75. Don't know what it ended at today but I was warm, and it felt so good. If only it would last. We found an old sideboard with awful veneer, but otherwise in good shape considering it's 80 plus years old today. So the veneer is gone and tomorrow we'll sand and paint. The goal is to have it in the shop by Wednesday evening. I've been counting my blessings today and have decided that I'm very lucky. No money, but in all the things that are really important. I also have wheels of my own again. Two of them. They are a bubble gum pink Schwinn beach cruiser complete with a basket in the front. I'll be the crazy lady cruising through Puyallup on my wheels. Busy week ahead so blessed be to all.

I am ready to be warm

2010-04-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, bring on the sun, please. Easter Sunday was wonderful with lots of good food, warm fuzzy little kids, more than enough plastic stuffed eggs, and just plain fun. However, it was a good thing all we had to bring was scalloped potatoes, cause I was to busy outside. I just went out to pick up brances from last weeks storm and one thing led to another and three hours later the pick up was full of yard waste. Just a prune here and a snip there, a bit of raking, oh heck might as well mow too. But it looks so much better. Was I done, oh no. Monday it was honey could you help me a sec and another load of yard waste was born. It felt so good, but cold, to be outside. So now I want to do the porch, but I do understand it's way to soon, but.............

Spring

2010-03-31T18:51:00.001-07:00

We've spent the last couple of weeks enjoying spring and cleaning and rearranging the shop. We've unpacked some new treasures, fluffed and are ready for company. The trees downtown are budding out and the daffodils are blooming in the planters. It is a great time to shop in downtown Puyallup.
My friends, that are still teaching, have been popping in to visit. How I used to love spring break. It is like a new beginning. It stays light so long now and the colors. So many beautiful shades of green and the flowers....... Have a wonderful Easter

Celebration at our house

2010-03-03T23:29:00.000-08:00

We are celebrating tonight. After ten long months of unemployment and having to move home our youngest has a new job. A good job. We are so happy for her.
The undecided bunny is finished and adorable holding its carrot. Still don't know if it's a he or she, but cute is for sure. If I hadn't put the camera away in a safe spot and could remember where that safe spot is, I'd post its picture. In the meantime stop by the shop or see the cutie at the doll and bear show at the Puyallup Fair grounds March 13th and 14th.

Time

2010-02-15T08:49:00.000-08:00

It doesn't seem like so many weeks since I was last here. Time , it just speeds on by. I told myself I couldn't play until taxes were done and I behaved. Scary. But all the taxes are done and on their way to the places they belong so now I can play. This weekend I'm dying lace and ribbon and shipping tags, and I have a half finished bunny. It's just a tiny bunny, about 10 inches or so with a sweet face. Its mohair is very sparse and carmelish in color. It is an it until it comes together and shouts I'm a boy or girl bunny. It feels good to be playing again.
I am patiently waiting for February to end. It is not my best month. The shop was robbed last February, our house 3 February's ago and so it goes. February was when I dealt with my breast tumor all those years ago. On the plus side for the month my oldest was born in February, and this year he turned forty. He's feeling old this year. I had to remind him that our friend and his honor grandmom just turned 80 and celebrated by putting a new roof on her garden shed. As in she did all the work. All of it. The ripping off of the old roof and laying the new. Hanging from the ladder and everything. She's what I aspire to when I grow old. It is all about the time

celebration time

2010-01-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

It is party time, at least until the last load of laundry is done. You see, right now, for the first time in months I think, the ironing basket is empty.......At its peak, on New Years Day, it was at least stacked 3 feet tall. I really hate ironing and it doesn't take much for me to really really need to finish other things much more important. I am smugly sitting here looking at the empty basket, but I know the fool thing will grow again.
Yesterday honey and I took some time to play. We stopped by Today's Country Store to check out Kris and Amy's new look. It is wonderful. The colors so blend with what they do, and it was beautiful. They worked really hard to get all of the redo done so quickly so stop in and enjoy. Their store is soul food. Enjoy your week.

Blessed New Year to all

2009-12-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

My honey would really like all cleaning and purging posts to stop since he says it means more work for him. He is beginning to hate the word simplify. We spent most of last Sunday purging the basement. Now it's only one small room. At one time it was the coal cellar, we had turned it into storage. One load to recycling, one to Goodwill and one to the dump and you can actually walk on the floor. No more climbing up and over piles of stuff and yuck. It is organized and logical and somewhat clean and should stay that way for awhile. Till the next time we don't know what to do with something and into the basement it will go. So another major project is done.It feels so good to get the big ones done. This weekend, after we take down Christmas, he can rest.
Stop by the shop next week the primroses will arrive on Monday. Can spring be far behind. Have a blessed new year everyone......

The day after

2009-12-26T14:37:00.000-08:00

We hope all had a wonderful time with friends and family. We have eaten way to much around here. Horatio is hibernating this weekend and will be awake and ready for business on Tuesday.For the first time in three years all seven of our children, my cousin's two and my five, were home for Christmas. When they were little, it was tradition that they sit on the steps in my cousin's entry way for pictures. The last time they ranged in age from 11 to 27. Now they are 24 to 39 but they literally squeezed onto the steps to pacify their mothers. This year we also got my five grandbabies on the steps. I'm having trouble adjusting to my first born turning 4o in February. Where did the time go???? So on my first day off in weeks, what do I do why go to Christmas sales to replace the 6 dozen Christmas tree balls that the cats and Hannah's tail have broken in the last couple of years. Now, since it's so cold outside I'm also defrosting our big old freezer, so it's back to reboiling my kettles of water. Happy weekend.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T00:11:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all........

We're having a heat wave

2009-12-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

Wow it's almost 35 degrees and it's 10:30 at night. It's almost warm. Today was clean and decorate day at home. It was suppose to snow so we decided to go early to the market and to pick up the tree. Then we could clean house and decorate and enjoy the snow. Well the kitchen is clean, the living room is clean and decorated, the tree is up but still naked.It snowed for a few seconds here and there. Such a disappointment. Maybe tomorrow it will snow for a bit while I finish decorating the dining room. The plan is to put the lights on the tree too, but not the ornaments. They'll have to wait a day or so. We've got our son's kitten and it's his first Christmas. In the kitten world trees are really great jungle gyms, at least for a day or so. Mr Mittens is having great fun tonight.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr

2009-12-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

It is officially 13 degrees in Puyallup. Wow a warming trend. At 7:00 this morning it was 11.3 degrees. I am now officially praying for snow, because then the temp will rise and it will be almost a heatwave. At least we have sun so it is beautiful. The cold is an excellant excuse for hot chocolate with whipping cream.

2009-12-03T09:06:00.000-08:00

Sunday is the last Sandpoint show of the year. I love to go up to Sandpoint. Sometimes the treasures are remarkable and awesome sometimes not. But it is always a fun show and means a day in Seattle. We have this routine Sandpoint, Anthropology,William and Sonoma, Ravena Gardens, estate sales, downtown to see the Christmas windows. Just a fun get a way day. The last show, in October, we had less then an hour, at Sandpoint, then back home for two different birthday celebrations. Once again it will be a quick trip. This time it's the grandbabies, a piano rectital and a fifth birthday. Ezra is so excited to be turning 5. It seems like he was just born last week. So we will do the quick trip through, absorb the energy and creative flow and then hurry back down the highway to home. Seattle will still be there another day, but our grandbabies are in such a hurry to grow up we cherish our time with them.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

In retail we think Christmas for months and set up the day after Halloween, so it is easy to forget the other two holidays that come before. In just a day it will be Thanksgiving. So quickly this year has passed. My thankful list includes that all five of our children, my two daughter in loves and our grandbabies will all be home this year. No fly in for the day for our daughter because she had to be back at work on Friday. She has moved home at least for awhile. She needed home as much as we needed her. My cousins husband is home safe from Pakistan and we will all be together. I am grateful and thankful for my family and friends and for all the good in our lives. Enjoy your families, eat alot, wash tons of dishes, play games and just be......
Happy Thanksgiving from the bear and his human.

Twas the month before Christmas

2009-11-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

and all through the shop all the creatures were stirring. Well accept for the mouse. You see, we don't seem to have one. We humans are moving things about and bringing out Christmas, no time for our long winter's nap. Open house is coming November 20th and 21st and we are almost ready. There are exciting things happening all through the house. The bears are all atwitter, no time for hibernation, they've spoken to Santa and given him their lists. It seems they have all asked for only one thing. They each want a home of their own for Christmas this season. So... for the first time ever my bear babies will be on sale November 20th through December 5th. Stop by and help them find their perfect homes.
Also, during those same two weeks, it's bow tying time. Bring your own ribbon or buy it from us and we'll tie your wreath bow for $5.00.
We've got some new packages of ribbons,vintage lace and other bits and pieces wrpped and ready to give. The perfect gift for your ribbon lover.

2009-10-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

We just finished our last bear show of the year. The best part of any show is seeing old friends and fellow vendors. I come away feeling truely blessed. The worst part of doing a show is the unpacking and putting things away and cleaning up the mess I always make in the shop when I pack for a show. That, however, is a project for Monday. Blessed be to all

Rainy Days

2009-10-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

As much as I would rather have customers, I will admit I enjoyed today's rain. A few brave souls were out and about and almost giddy in their joy of a rainy stormy day. I spent my day getting things ready for this weekend's doll and bear show at the Puyallup fairgrounds. I organized yards and yards of lace and worked on the Christmas plans. But the most fun of all was having grandbaby number 5 for the afternoon. Noah belongs to child number 2, Matthew, and Mom and Dad had school conferences with the older ones, so grammie got Noah. He is 23 months and so fun. We spent alot of time reading Goodnight Moon. It has always been his favorite, and was his daddy's too. Then he helped me around the shop. He loves to draw and color. An artist in training.

Sandpoint

2009-10-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

We made a very quick run to Sandpoint yesterday. I wanted to shop. It was so wow.....but, as I was constantly reminded, we were there to drop off a pink bear for the Funky Junk pink tree and if I could do that and shop in my time frame have at it. There was so much to see so.... at least the bear was dropped of at the Retreat space. I came away excited about all the fun things that I saw. Normally Sandpoint means a day trip to Seattle. We do all the stuff we enjoy with no schedule, with of course lunch at Dicks's. This time we had two different birthday parties to attend. They were great fun also so it was a great day.

October

2009-10-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

It seems fall is really here. It is such a busy month. The need to nest and get the last minute get ready for winter things done is strong. The shop is done in fall colors and ready to warm your heart. The chocolate candles are burning. Stop by and say hello, we are madly getting ready for the October 17 and 18 bear show at the Puyallup fairgrounds. The fur is flying so to speak. Enjoy this week of sunshine.

2009-09-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

One more day and the Puyallup fair is over. Oh happy day!!!! We who live with the fair grow very weary of the whole mess. Then there is the topic of what the fair does to our businesses. There is a reason many close for vacation or shorten their hours. So next week we will celebrate another fair over and life begins again. The quiet two weeks is nice in some respects. Store rooms get cleaned, walls get painted, floor sets are changed and we actually get to visit with each other. But like any vacation we are looking forward to regular hours and seeing our customers again.
Next weekend is the Art and Wine Walk from 3:00 to 7:00 pm here in downtown Puyallup. The tickets are $20.00 for eight tastes. This fall we will be featuring blended wines to go with our theme "Come Together". Please join us.

2009-09-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've decided I'm way to old to do far away one day shows. We left at 4:00 am this morning to be in Portland in plenty of time to set up for the Crossroads Doll and Bear Show.We were home by 8:00 pm so now I've been up for 18 hours and have gotten by second breath. Soon I will crash, but it was great to see old friends. The three bears, pictured, made the journey and all three came home again, so they are still available. Enjoy the weekend.

2009-08-18T23:45:00.000-07:00

This year for the fall Art and Wine Walk on October 3rd, we will be making an Art and Wine Walk bear. Starting this week we will be checking out the mohair and picking the right piece. Stop by over the next few weeks to watch our bear's creation and enter the drawing for a chance to win him or her. The drawing will be on October 3rd at 6:00 pm during the Art and Wine Walk. We will also be accepting donations of new stuffed animals for Grannies Attic here in Puyallup. Any type of soft loveable stuffed critters are welcome though we have a special fondness for bears.

2009-08-18T23:26:00.000-07:00

Polar, is a bear on all fours. He is made of white sparse mohair and views his world through glass eyes. Please email for more information horatios@peoplepc.com.

2009-08-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

Meet Jasper, a 12 inch mohair gentlebear, made of mohair

with German wool felt paw pads and vintage shoe button eyes.

He is Henry's very best friend. If interested please email

horatios@peoplepc.com for more information.

2009-08-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

This

Meet Henry, a 12 inch mohair young gentleman, with German
wool felt paw pads and vintage shoe button eyes. He is stuffed with poly
fiber and plastic pellets. He is looking for a good home. For more information
please email horatios@peoplepc.com.