and it was all yellow....

O' Natural Christmas

I must say I do enjoy decorating for the Christmas Holidays.
The past years I have had a plethora of schemes from...pinks to lavender....aqua...silver and white.
Everything but the traditional Christmas colors of red and green.
This year I will opt for the traditional colors, highlighting items from nature.....pine cones, berries, and boughs......and I must display all my vintage Christmas items. (I know some of you are rolling your eyes right about now). hee hee. I just read the holiday Martha Stewart magazine....worry not, it will wear off.  Here are a few of my favorite "nature" things.....
I really like the idea of living trees...however I did just read that if you bring them indoors, and then try to plant them outdoors only 10% will live....

okey  dokey... artichoke

these are so cute....but who could burn them? only a twisted soul could watch the poor animals melt.

food is scarce in the woods.

I will post my decor attempts soon!

Maine Etsy Love

There are loads of wonderful Maine Etsy Shoppes...

While shopping for holiday presents....check out the local shops!!!!

Here are a few of my favorite Maine ETSY things!

jesse janes

indigo twins

sock monkey cards

                                                                                  rocky top studios

winchell clay works

 
dimalimmhome

Holy Yum!

The Meat House
Have you been to the meet house yet?
I have driven by many times, thinking that it was a smelly butcher shop,
(meat smell makes me a bit ill).
But, this was so far from the case,
it was a wonderland of yummy stuff.
(That is what they should have named it.)

This is why I LOVE THIS PLACE!
It was started in New Hampshire by these two guys...
they we successful in starting a small business! Yay for them!

The South Portland store is great!
Very clean.....Great customer service
Especially the guy behind the meat counter, he was so nice.....
He introduced himself, asked my name,
and remembered it on my departure.
He gave me loads of samples to try....
In fact the store was loaded with samples...
which is brilliant, because I bought items I never would have...
like their mashed potatoes.
Generally pre-made potatoes stink.....not these, they were delicious!!!!!
They also had samples of their chicken pie and shepards pie,
both were very good!
I left with the chicken pie, and will be going back for the shepards pie.
They had loads of local produce and products.
I bought cheese from Pineland, and Olivia's mixed greens, both Maine businesses.
There were loaves of bread by a local baker....
and different oils to dip and try.
They had a great selection of alcholic beverages, along with a nice selection of wines.
The best part may have been the sandwich samples,
which included my favorite... The Gobbler,
(which was a Thanksgiving themed sandwich which had fresh apples)......outstanding!
However, it was a close second to the dessert sample area!
Which includes chocolate covered macaroons!!!! yum!
Unlike so many specialty, I felt that it was very much worth the money.
I purchased...
chicken pie
mashed potatoes
garden greens
blue chees
red onion
apple crisp
gourmet vanilla ice cream
a big container of spice....
and an extra little package of marinated tips...courtesy of the butcher
Total bill was $35.00.
This fed 4 people, with left over greens, cheese, and dessert.
The best part is I didn't have to cook!!!!! This made me very excited!
There is loads more that I haven't mention..... including meat.
Yay, for the "MEAT HOUSE"

handmade goodness

As I stated in my last post....Christmas is fast approaching....I went to wal-fart the other day, and within a minute or two.... I had a headache, and was wanting to abort the whole trip. I generally do not go there, but there was a specific mission that needed to get done. I would much rather buy local, and handmade goods, but often wonder if those on the receiving end are as "into it" as I am. I would say NO...... with a few exceptions.  It seems people who enjoy making things, enjoy getting thing handmade.  Lets face it, if I get my son a wooden airplane, he would ask why there was no sound, and how come the propeller doesn't spin on its own.....
However, I have still decided not to buy (a lot) plastic toys, and crap.
I went to a lovely artisan show the other day, it was put on by this
LOVELY PLACE, that also teaches classes that I have attended and loved.
They were all fiber artist.
All the materials are hand dyed, spun, and harvested in Maine.

A lot of the items at the show were really expensive, but then I got to this one woman's table, and couldn't resist these items.
The brown scarf is 100% wool - it won a blue ribbon at the Ossippee Valley Fair this year,  how cool is that! I love the pattern!
The hat is Fabulous!!! Angora and Silk; it is just amazing. It feels wonderful, and the craftsman ship is superb!  It also won a blue ribbon at the Fair!
The teal scarf is 100% angora, hand dyed, and harvested in Standish, Maine. and guess what??? it also won a blue ribbon at the fair!!!!! Unbelievable.
(I think they have different categories at the country fairs, based on fiber.)
The socks are dreamy, and I think I may keep them for myself. I do love a good pair of socks.
The little stocking was by a 12 year old girl...who was just dying to sell something.
I think its pretty darn cute!
I was a little disappointed in the turnout at the show, I think the artist were as well. The woman I bought these from was quite excited about the purchase, and so was I!!!!

I have been making these felt pouches recently, they are fabric samples from a fabulous company called Maharam. (Sorry, but you have to be a designer with an account to get some:( )

they will be in my ETSY SHOP soon, along with these necklaces...








I made these using vintage buttons that my Mom gave me from her collection.
 I really love them, and may keep one:)

.... as you are out there in the hustle, and bustle of Christmas shopping remember the small local shops, and you local craftspeople!!!!!  Also, remember that spending just $10.00 per person a week on local goods would do amazing thing for the economy.....and if you can, buy more to make up for those who don't!!!!!

ahhh....Christmas is fast approaching.

Here is my wish list from Anthropologie.....start securing your second mortgages now.

Love this little clutch
only...$298.00
I would put a chain on it,
and wear it around my neck...
maybe then I could justify the cost.

gorgeous cashmere scarf
$98.00
love, love!

leather bag with a bow
$258.00

Gulp! $338.00
maybe if they had taps on them....
then I could justify them as an entertainment expense.

Hanging Bell Flower Bib
$138.00

Grand Exit Boots
$468.00

 Men's Club Heels
only 98.00

ahh at last....something affordable!!
Pearl Bush Earrings $38.00

I sooo Love this hat.
not sure it would fit my man size head.
Snow Fort Hat
$48.00

Sally Gloves
$68.00
I like these...
but I don't think they are worth the dough!
However, I would love to say "where are my SALLY gloves?"
"has any one seen my SALLY gloves?"

Old and New Necklace
$38.00

Corvus Earrings
oooohhh...ahhhhh!
$38.00

$178.00
lovely bracelet!

$18.00 hair clip

Head band. so cute!
wonder if it hurts?
$32.00

good smeeellllly
$9.00

I am into socks lately. love these thigh highs $16.00

This is my selection from accessories, I haven't even hit the clothes or home pages yet!!!!!!