Grand Christmas Open House Celebrations

Sock Monkey and GOT spent some time yesterday planning our door prize basket. Yes, I know we should have had that all taken care of by now, but I'm blond and Brandi is an artist. This is how we roll. We're even putting some Echo treasures in it! (Thank you Diane Berry.) Drawing will be Saturday.
Brandi has the coffee pot going at Sock Monkey and I'm putting out fresh red velvet cupcakes at Gathered Over Time. Echo Bike and Board has the cool factor going on and great discounts and adorable James.
And if you've seen this post and tell me that you've seen it I'll discount your whole purchase today (Dec 2) and tomorrow (Dec 3) 15%. What a deal, right?
AND have you SEEN the great Christmas light displays in Echo? WOW!!! We have ballots in our shops so you can vote for your fav. I love Echo.

The Wreaths Are Here

All spring and summer I’ve been seeking out vintage Christmas ornaments just for this batch of beautiful wreaths. They’ll be making their appearance at the shop for our December 2nd Open House, but here’s a sneak peek and even the opportunity to purchase them early.  For close-up pics and purchase info visit my etsy shop, Gathered Over Time.

The Veteran in My Life

There is no way to describe fully the moment that I got it. It was electric. It shook me to my inner core.  It changed my outlook on life.

Sumpter, Oregon’s Labor Day flea market a few years ago. The vegetation was worn out after a summer of heat and little rain. Vendors of everything from antiques to socks were spread over and through the town. I was not expecting an electric moment. I was expecting cool junk. I found cool junk.  Then we sat down to eat a breakfast burrito.

Across the vinyl covered picnic table sat another couple and of course Jim and Dottie being Jim and Dottie, we struck up a conversation. I wish I remembered more about them. What I remember is that he was a Vietnam vet. I remember his hand reaching across that table and my husband’s reaching back. I remember that clasp. I remember their expressions. Recollection. Connection. Relief. Sadness. Hello and goodbye, my brother. More that I could not read, nor did I want to. Their heads, nodded toward one another. Their smiles, those tight together lips that try to lift at the corners but cannot quite…   And I, finally got it.

I did not know my husband before he went to war. I suspect the man he was then was very similar to the man he is today. I know that he is in some ways not the man he was before.  He was a Navy medic. There were treks with marines through jungles and swamps. There were physically and mentally broken men, boys actually that he tended to, that he carried to the helicopters. There was an orphanage where he spent time, visiting children.  People wanted to kill him every hour of every day. He came back to taunts of baby killer. Murderer. I did not know him then. I know him now.

War IS hell. He walked through it. He lived it. He lived through hell.

This man reminds me with his life that the things important to we who have not experienced war often seem shallow to those who have.   The things that often rob our attention and muddy our thoughts are the things that swim around the important things. My husband seldom reminds me verbally, but often, daily even  reminds me in the way he approaches life just what the important things are. All I have to do is pay attention.

My husband is a blessing to me. His presence on this earth is a blessing to it. He is a quiet and extraordinary hero. He is a veteran.

The Junk Barn Girls Vintage Barn Sale, Savoring the Last Days of Summer

I remember the last days of summer as a child. There was a giddiness in my enjoyment, fueled I think by knowing change was coming. Soaking up the sun was more delicious. Unfettered play with my friends, usually my cousins, was even more fun. Wearing shorts when within days the weather would change and Mom would make sure I had my jacket; studying the calloused undersides of my feet earned by running barefoot daily in the dirt and gravel driveway; trying to come up with a plan to keep them 'hard' so I wouldn't have to go through the tender foot stage in the spring; there are no words. Going through my pile of school clothes and searching for just the right pair of socks to make each outfit perfect.

That's what the barn sale felt like yesterday. The friends wandering & chatting & shopping. Treasures going to new homes. Vendors rearranging displays to keep everything lovely. If you were there I know that you have your very own correlation to that happy childhood last summer weekend. If you weren't, well we'll be there today, Saturday September 24th, 2011. You won't find that perfect pair of socks, but I'll bet you will find that perfect accessory for your home, yard, or neck.

Grab a friend. Come out and play!

Cottontail Candies Caramel IN THE HOUSE!

Nancy just stopped by the house with these! AND she brought samples. So, beginning this week we'll be featuring FOUR kinds of caramels. Regular, Sea Salt, Espresso and Licorice. We'll get them in pretty dishes for you. You're gonna love 'em. I know I do.

I'm expecting something else to come in today that's almost as much fun as candy. If it shows up I'll post again. Maybe.

See you later this week!

Brandi Dayton: Mural for Echo

Brandi Dayton: Mural for Echo

Up and Running and Loving My Shop

Main Street Echo, Oregon is such a perfect place for my little shop. I'm open every Friday from noon to 8. And of course the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday of every month. 

My bestie, Lina found this Kelvinator door! The ultimate magnet board, right?

I've been creating some hair pin pretties and bottle / decanter jewelry using vintage keys, jewelry parts and other found objects. What do you think?

Our most recent furniture addition. Such a pretty vanity!

And finally, a view from the inside looking out.  Well, that's what it looked like last week. It changes pretty much every Friday.

Come visit!