Primitive Shopping Trip

This past Saturday my mom, grandmother and I took a little trip over to Massachusetts. From being on facebook and from reading blogs I have discovered  that there are many primitive shops in Massachusetts! So i decided it was time to make a special trip out there and hit as many of these shops as we could.

Our first stop was to the Rusty Roosta http://www.therustyroosta.com/ . Located in West Brookfield, MA .

We got there a little early. The shop hadn't yet open but we didn't mind. We sat in the car and admired their beautiful primitive house and shop. What I would have given to take a peek into their house! The outside of the house was right out of a magazine! I can only imagine what it looked like inside. 

After waiting a few minutes in the car the shop owner came and opened up! And off we went. Before we were even all the way in the shop we were stopped by a large display of yummy smelling candles! My mom scooped a bunch up within seconds!

The rest of the store was perfectly prim. There was a wood stove going, period music playing and lots and lots of fantastic prims!!

So needless to say I didn't walk out empty handed. I found this mustard colored pillow, along with a jar of fragrance oil and a bag full or dried orange slices.

I could have bought a lot more but since this was our first stop I didn't dare go overboard!

Our next stop was to the Walker Homestead in Brookfield, MA

http://www.walkerhomestead.com/

I had been to the Walker Homestead about 2 years ago and ever since have been wanting to go back. This visit was even better then the first one. They had new rooms open and they were just filled with wonderful primitive/ colonial pieces.

They also carry beautiful hand dyed wool and primitive fabrics. A little piece of heaven for this crafter!!

I was thrilled when I spotted a quilt crane. I have been wanted one for a while now and was thrilled to finally find the perfect one!

Along with the quilt crane I found this adorable little house. That I just couldn't resist!

I can't say enough about this place it is fantastic!

Here are a few pictures we"quietly" took inside.

My mom pretending this is her bedroom!

My Gram telling me she would like me to make her a cat like this one.

Now I didn't ask to take these pictures so I sure hope the owners didn't mind. They seemed very friendly so I am hoping they wouldn't mind me showing some of these to you all!

In June and September they hold a Primitive Show so I am hoping to get back there for one of these shows. I can only imagine how much fun that would be!

After we left the Walker Homestead we headed to Spencer, MA. There we stopped at Primitive Thymes. http://www.primitivethymes.com/

I had found this shop and the owner on facebook. From the pictures I saw I just knew it was going to be a great place! And I was not disappointed.

The shop was wonderful!

And the owners were even more wonderful. Karen and her husband Rich were the most welcoming shop owners I think I have ever met!

 From  the moment we walked in the door until the minute we left they were nothing but pleasant, friendly and full of great advice.

I think I could have talked to them for hours.

They even gave us a tour of the house, which is attached to the shop.

Their house left me speechless! It was amazing! They truly have a talent for decorating. 

We plan to take a trip back there for they Fall and Christmas open houses!

Once I came down from the excitement of my visit at Primitive Thymes we headed to Strubridge.

Once in Strubridge we hit another one of my favorite shop Village Primitives.

 I love this shop because she carries one of my favorite lines of candles, 1803 Candles.

Bought a few candles and a little dish towel. And I was happy as could be!

After a long day of travel and shopping we made one more stop at the Hand Maiden in Strubridge. We all manage to find a few more goodies there and then we headed home!

It was a great day.

 I got to spend time with my mom and grandma and I got to do one of my favorite things,visiting primitive shops!

The day couldn't have been better!

Hope you all are having a great week!!

Until next time,

Heather

A life without dreams.......

            is like a garden without flowers. How true how true! During these long days of winter, I have had many moments where I start to dream about the things I want to do in my life. 
 
I  dream about a little primitive shop I would like to open which will sit on large piece of property in the woods, where I plan to build my dream two story log cabin . And where I will have a large garden of flowers and vegetables. I'll  be able to take a stroll down a dirt road or go for a hike.
 
I also dream that I can lounge around in the lake that will be just down the road from my cabin. And also where I can get up in the morning sit on my front porch and ponder about  the day ahead. Then once I am done pondering I can go to work on my primitive creations for as long as I want too!
 
Oh how fun it is to dream!!
 
I know that someday this will all come true, well most of it at least! The lounging in the lake thing might be too much to ask for! But the rest of it I know that if I work hard at it and am able to stay out of my own way it will happen.
 
I think many times we become our worst enemies. The optimistic side of me sees the possibilities that this could happen,  then pessimistic  side sees all the reason's why it can't happen. Now if I could just get the two to see eye to eye!
 
I realize that at this point in my life that this is just a dream. My priority right now is my family. I am a mother of a 1 year old so he is my number one priority and that means getting up everyday and going to work. As much as I'd like to be a stay at home mom  and live in my cabin it's just no realistic at this time (see the pessimistic side is coming out again!!). As many of us I have a mortgage, car, food and other bills that need to be paid. And sadly today that means that most families need two incomes to get by. So for now I know this is what I need to do and where I need to be.
 
But this doesn't stop me from dreaming and keeping that alive. I see it so vividly that I know that it's bound to come true. In time with a little patience and determination I will have my cabin in the woods, my little prim shop and time to enjoy it all!

      

 

 If you don't know where you are going,

then how will you get there?

VISUALISE!

Make pictures in your mind.

See the destination.

Imagine your arrival.

Dream in perfect detail.

See yourself the way you want to be when you arrive.

See yourself arriving.

Make yourself a road map and study it every day

until you know the way and the destination by heart.

~ Bryce Courtenay ~

                                  


So this is my dream whats are all your dreams? I would love to hear about them!
 
 
Until next time,
Heather
 
 

Here we go again!!

Yup we are getting hit with another  winter storm! It's already coming down pretty good here and it's only expected to get worse. I think we will be having a snow day tomorrow!! The timing couldn't be better. This past weekend I was away and wasn't able to do my normal weekend chores.
So if we have tomorrow off I'll have a chance to get all those little things done!

Speaking of this past weekend, I had a chance to escape with a good friend to New Hampshire. She has a lovely little cottage by the beach. We weren't sure what to expect when we arrived. New Hampshire had been hit by all those winter storms we had. 
We didn't know how much snow would be there.

Well we arrived to be greeting with a mountain of snow right outside of her cottage! Good think we packed shovels because we had to shovel a path to get to the front door! As much work as it was we still managed  to have laugh  our way through it!



Miss Sue with her shovel




This is usually a parking area.







What we were greeted with!


Once we got the shoveling done we could really begin our girls weekend! Saturday morning we headed up to Maine. Took the coast route all the way to Kennebunkport. It was a lovely day for a drive. The sun was out for a bit and  it was bitter cold. I think it even got above freezing!

My favorite stop along the way was Nubble Light House. It was breath taken! It looked just like a postcard. I could have stayed there and looked at it all day long.

After our long day of driving we treated ourselves to dinner at the "Old Salt" http://www.oldsaltnh.com/Freeform.aspx?name=TOSHome . We had a wonderful meal! I think I ate enough to last me a week. It was so good I just couldn't stop eating.  The atmosphere is as good as the food is too! We sat by the window and the snow was gently falling. It was just perfect!  Don't tell my husband he might get jealous that I had a "romantic" dinner without him!!

This weekend was just what I needed. I love winter but I think I was starting to get a little cabin fever. By going away it gave me a chance to miss being home. I think we all need a little break from our day to day routines.
Even though I felt a little guilty leaving my husband and baby behind it did me a world of good! I believe it makes me a better mom and wife when I am able to get away. I come back ready to face the world again! It feels so good to feel refreshed and full of energy again!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time,
Heather

Some of the reason's I love winter

I'll be the first to admit that January is not my favorite month of the year, but I can't help find the beauty in it.

Especially after we have a had a big snow fall or two.
These are some of the pictures I took on my walk the other day.

It was so peaceful and everything was so bright and snowy. It was a perfect day for a winters walk.

Another reason I love winter is that it is a perfect time for crafting! When the snow is falling and the winds are blowing, what better place to be then cozy inside, in front of your sewing machine with a nice hot cup of chocolate!

Theres no doubt about winter puts me in the crafting mood. 


Believe it or not I am still working on Christmas goodies as well. Even tho the holidays are over with, I can't help but long for them to come around again.

Yes, I do believe it's an illness but my husband and I have learned to deal with it! Well actually my husband still thinks I'm crazy but he still loves me anyways!!


So when I start to miss Christmas I start crafting goodies for next Christmas!  Hey whatever works right?!



Here are a few of my non Christmas items I've been working on.

I do believe that one of the reason I enjoy winter so much is that it gives us an excuse to stay home, to be with our family and to just relax.

With such busy lives that we all lead, when we get the chance to reconnect with ourselves and our family it's always a wonderful time of the year, even if it is in the dead of winter!

I know many of you are longing for Spring,  but I do hope you all take the time to see the beauty and comfort in these winter months.

       One of my favorite quotes is by Edith Sitwell


      Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.
 
                                                                               How true that is.

 

 

 
 I hope you all have a warm winters night.
 
Until next time.
Heather

A Winters thought...........

 One of my favorite things to do in the winter is to take a night walk while it is snowing. So the other night when we were having a snow storm, I got my Sadie girl and went out for our nightly walk. Everything was covered in white.

There wasn't a sound to be heard except the sound of my boots crushing in the snow. As I was enjoying the quietness and beauty of it all I began thinking, this is life! This is the way life should be. Simple,peaceful and magical.
On that walk that night I decided that I need to start living more for the present then the past or the future. Quite often I find myself thinking of the past or thinking about what tomorrow or next week or even what next year will bring.

It's easy to relive our memories of the past, or to think of our futures, but why is it so hard to live in the very moment? So I have challenged myself to live in the now, the present and in the moment!!
I am going to try to enjoy each and every minute of my days and find the little wonders hidden in them.

For me I know this won't be an easy thing to do but I feel the need to do this.

My life has changed over the past year, for the better, but it has also become much more busier. I find myself struggling to find the balance that I once had in my life.
I believe by focusing on the now, I will once again find my balance.
Thank you for stopping by and reading about my winters thought. Throughout the winter I plan to have a thought or two to post.
 It will just be things that I have on my mind. Winter seems to be a time where many of us have a chance to slow down and ponder our thoughts.

Here are a few quotes I found  that are helping me on my journey to the present!! Hope you enjoy them.


Children have neither a past nor a future. Thus they enjoy the present -- which seldom happens to us.


-- Jean de la Bruyère


Forever is composed of nows.


-- Emily Dickinson


Life is a great and wondrous mystery, and the only thing we know that we have for sure is what is right here right now. Don't miss it.


-- Leo Buscaglia

 
Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.


-- Leo Buscaglia


Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.


-- Oprah Winfrey


The more I give myself permission to live in the moment and enjoy it without feeling guilty or judgmental about any other time, the better I feel about the quality of my work.


-- Wayne Dyer

To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy... is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them.”

--Ralph Waldo Trine


Until the next time,

Heather

Another year over...............

The older I get the faster the years seem to go by!

When I was a kid I always was told not to wish to grow up so fast because the older you got the quicker the years went by! I didn't believe that back then but I sure do now.

This is always a bittersweet time of year for me. On one hand I am excited about the new year that's ahead, but then on the other hand I always sad to see the old year end. Especially the anticipation of the holiday season. I love the anticipation of getting ready for Christmas.
 It warms my heart to think about it. I feel that I wait all year for fall and then the holidays and in a flash it's over with.

So I try not to dwell on it too much. I know I will get back into the swing of normal everyday life. It might take a few weeks or so but I know I'll get there I always do!

Since I haven't posted in awhile I thought I would show you some pictures of the things I've been up to while I was away from blogging.

We found our perfect Christmas Tree

Christmas Craft's made for the Brickhouse Craft Shop
http://porchsittingtime.blogspot.com/

Christmas Craft Show! We had a fantastic turn out. Can't wait for next years show.

Jackson checking out the tree

Early Christmas gift from my mom!

The best tree we've ever had!! Of course we say this every year!

Sorry I was gone so long! Hope this year to post more often!!
It's was a great 2010! Looking forward to another great year with my family, old friends and my new blogging friends!
Happy New Years!!

Have a wonderful day!
Heather