Today is:

July 28th

Mowed the lawn...did  not finish, ran out of "gas".   Worked on website some more... Adding items to the shop... time to sew!!!

Working on getting ready for my "Simple Summer Fest"... Aug. 14th - 17th

Dip tasting ~ Haymakers Boots ~ Summer Scents....And more!

July 12th

What can I say today?  Hmm, shop is slow - weather is HOT... or raining all the time.  Don't want to be a bummer so let me think!  Gardens and lawns are getting plenty of rain and that is a "very good thing".  Shop is cool with the AC on high.  We are getting in more goodies, more handcrafts, candles and soaps.  I am thinking about fall already...I guess I have to be.  Time just flys by...and then it will be Christmas...wow.  As a shop owner...you have to dabble in the seasonal early or you will blink and miss it!  The customers will be looking for the NEW seasonal items!!!  I guess I will have to start putting it out on display in August...  If anyone is reading this...give me a holler!

You can email me (karen@lilcountryfolks.com) or call me (508-867-4401) or Instant Message me on Aim, my screen name is haymakers store!

Have a great day!

July 4th

Today is the 4th!  Fireworks, bonfires, cookouts, friends, family, the country celebrates together!

The shop is quiet today.  I priced a lot of items today.  Tied some sweet annie in bundles.  Finished my prim hearts with tags.

I hung the american flag today!  Funny, I had been wanting to put one on the front of the shop but had not got around to it.  Today I looked in the corner and there it was already on the pole...so being what the day was all about I quickly ran it out to my sign post.  The american flag always looks good!!!  Freedom.  Brotherhood.

Amen

June 1st 2008

Well, my sewing room is done!  It has already gotten some use and is a bit messy again.  I can look out upon the daisies and the bunnies while creating florals. I let the whole side of the house become a daisy patch and the bunnies have their babies there.  When the daisys die...I mow!

I have a nice view when sewing too.  I have a nice chair for my hand sewing or reading.  I have been busy creating and designing both florals and dolls.  The room can be brightly lit for working or quite cozy!

Surrounded by flowers and gifts from the kids...

My son gave me the stained glass in the window for Mother's Day

You can see a rose hanging upside down in the window and a balloon that reads:

"Mothers make the best friends" from my 20 year old...who also made me breakfast!

And on the wall is a handmade multi page card from my 22 year old...and what is not in this picture is a wonderful handmade pic of flowers from her also...so talented!

My work space...

     The shop has been very quiet lately and I am not sure why.  I think it is the economy...or at least that is what my husband keeps telling me.  I know my prices are good and the shop is full.  Our parking is good and the place looks inviting...so I don't know where all the people are.  Oh well...I am here for them when they decide to stop in.  I have been working on my gardens as well and will create a link to them for all to see and enjoy.

Angel baby from my 80 year old mom.

My humming bird lure.

Big Daddy's work gloves.

May 17th 2008

Wow, it has been a month.  I would make a horrible full time blogger!  Anyway, it is Saturday and a beautiful day outside.  The shop is looking good, very full.  I have been working on my Sewing Room/Craft Room/Office/Backroom.... It is coming out so nice.  I had my coffee in there this morning.  I hung solar shades on the wall with 3 windows.  It allows so much natural light into the room without the heat.  I am absolutely tickled.  A friend gave me a desk, I did not know I needed one.  It is perfect for my sewing machine.  I have stations now in the room for sewing, my florals, shipping and painting.

I was thinking this morning how truly blessed I am and how ungrateful I can be.  When you stop and look at what you have and where you could be it is enlightening.  I hope I will always be humble and giving because I know where it all came from.  I asked God to bless those folks that have been there for me as angels on earth. 

And as for Claudia, thank you for giving me the kick in the butt I needed to create a catalog that can go out in the mail!  Still working on that one.

Thank you for your interest...hope to see you at the shop.

April 14th 2008    

Today is a Monday...and we are Open for business.  It has been slow today.  Mondays I expect it to be slow...it is a good day for computer work and paperwork.  I like to clean on this day for the week ahead.   I tackle the dust bunnies and lil webs to keep the shop looking tidy.  The shop is looking fresh for spring.  We have some beautiful floral pieces finished and on display.  The shop is looking very full now...however, it always seems as though we still don't have enough stuff!!! There is so much more I would love to carry, in and outside the shop.  All in good time.  Our parking has been enlarged making it easier for folks to get back on Rte. 9 safely.  We have advertised in "On the Common" and in the Telegram and Gazette. We have been advertising online at some wonderful marketplace and craft malls.  I am looking forward to the busy season and all the tourists.

April 6th 2008

Today is Sunday and I am open for business.  I am feeling great, well as good as an old lady can.  I turn 50 this year and I am determined to fight it every step of the way and stay young at heart and do what it takes to become healthier.  So, the shop looks very nice.  I worked hard to find nice things for my customers, display them and to create new handcrafts.  My workroom needs a big over haul since it is also my storage area (backroom), office and place of creativity.  I am still busy with my lil ones and the big kids too.  We have two doggies now...one just arrived, Mr. Chips, he needed us! My mom is doing great with her new hip...you would never ever know she had one.  She turned 81 this year and my dad turned 83.  They are the sharpest minded, healthiest and most active seniors that I am blessed to know.  I am looking forward to spring, the flowers, the birds and even the weeds.  God Bless Everyone!!!

February 9th~~~ Sickness Prevails!!!

It is not easy having a shop in your home and family too.  My apologies to those of you that are getting annoyed that I have not been open.  I am frustrated and feel foolish.  I love my shop and love being there for everyone.  I have had my own issues and now I have family that is sick with the flu and I expect it to go right through the house.  There are still 6 people in the home under the same roof breathing the same air.  Today I have the upstairs windows open and fans moving the air around to hopefully clean the air.  I also have the woodstove running to heat the house.  We have heated all winter with our stove...the thermostat has been set at 60 and reading 78.  I never planned to heat with the wood stove but the oil prices have been ridiculous and the heat does not compare to the heat the stove throws...it has been great!  So, back to the shop...I am making things for spring and will still have Christmas in the shop marked down.  I will honor any coupons out there!  I do apologize and want your company and business at the shop...so please stop in again.  Call us anytime at 508-867-4401.   Thank you folks and stay well!

January 27th ~~~ Shop still closed!!!

We are getting ready to open next week.  Our Christmas items will all be on sale at 25% off.  The shop is in need of some cleaning and dusting...with needles on the floor from our decorations.  Time to bring in the spring...flowers and hearts, bunnys and more!   I am still feeling sluggish but miss having my shop open...looking forward to seeing all my customers again. 

January 15th ~~~  Into 2008 two weeks already!

The shop has been closed...it was not part of my plan.  Any coupons for January will be honored through February.  I have been fighting a cold, and a few other illnesses that I fear will plague me for life!!!  I had a little fight with a deer tick and lost this past summer.  I also have had visitors that carried with them "mono".  So one affected the other and I am without any strength.  I get up and do and lay down again...and repeat!   

I will be back in the saddle again soon... those of you that stopped by and found me closed, my apologies.  Complain to me and I will do what I can to make it up to you.  Thank you for your understanding.  God Bless.

December 31st ~~~  Wow has the time flown by!  

We had a successful Christmas season at the shop...thank you to all my faithful customers near and far!  Our family had a wonderful "family" Christmas this year...it was a lot of fun and a good time together.  My dad is 82, my mom is 79 and they were with us and had a nice time.  We played some games and had some laughs.  We ate very well...my hubby is a great cook!  I took the weekend after Christmas off to re-group.  My house needed to be put back together and I have started my "spring" cleaning early this year!!!  I wish everyone a wonderful New Year, better than this past one I hope.  Remember, family first...always!  God Bless.

December 10th ~~~ Monday ~~~ SHOP CLOSED!!!   ~ TOO ICY

Sorry folks...we ran out of salt and sand.  I don't want to take the chance of someone falling on their bottom.  We plan on being open on Thursday with plenty of salt on hand.   (happy birthday to lil Kerin!!! - love you)

December 9th, 2007     Sunday ~ The shop is open!     12:30 - 4:00

 I have decided to keep a journal of sorts... a shop diary to tell you what is new and what is happening!

NEW ~ We have Cold Dip Sets packaged complete with a lil package of dip to sample!  These are not ceramic but actual thrown pottery.  We have the new sponged colors: red, mustard and black!   These can be put in the oven and the microwave without a problem.  The only thing you can not do with the pottery is go from the fridge to the oven directly.  They need to be brought to room temp. first.

The shop had to postpone our Open House due to a small fire...and the following weekend was cold and windy.  Saturday proved to be a good day with many customers stopping by...in spite of the bitter wind!!!   Thank you to everyone that stopped by and enjoyed our dips and cider. 

Sunday was very quiet... and I was told that folks just were not as happy with "White Christmas" in West Brookfield this year... I tried to find out more but the details were vague.   I am sure the weather played  a huge part in the disappointment. 

I planned to be open more often due to the Christmas season to accommodate shoppers but have been unable to do it.  I was stricken with lyme disease this year and it seems to keep knocking me down.  I am doing my best folks. 

I have had some requests for orders lately...  2 blueberry mugs which have arrived and quickly they did!  They are lovely.  I also had a request for a large snowman star for the top of a tree... got that made quickly and the customer was pleased.

There have been some online orders and custom orders as well.  I don't mind saying that I wish I was busier! 

Also,   I filled an order for Doreen of The Primitive Cellar making her 3 of my pillow ticking with vintage buttons stockings, filled with sweet annie,  rusty stars and berries!  She loved them!!!