Carole’s Country Store Blog

I know how busy we all are this time of the year, sick and I am feeling so overwhelmed, ailment but I do like to write in my blog as often as I can, health so today I am showing you a little bit of what I saw yesterday, on my travels through Chester County, PA. This lovely property is called Poole Forge, located in Narvon, PA. I have passed it before, but I always thought it was a private property. This time I noticed lots of activity going on, so I decided to stop and take a look. I drove down the driveway, and was thrilled to find a lovely old covered bridge. Of course I drove over it, just for the fun of it. The book, Bridges of Madison County came to mind. I loved that book, and the movie too. If you have not read the book, or seen the movie, please do yourself a favor. If you like a good old fashioned love story, this is it! Ok, back to Poole Forge. Apparently, this has recently been a restored property. I found out that it was built in 1775, and was used as an iron forge for over 70 years. After that, the property had several owners. Not much else is known about it, but right now there is ongoing research. Saturday there will be a tour of the house. I wish I could go, but I have other plans. I also found out that the bridge was built in 1858.

There are not many covered bridges left today, so I am fortunate to be able to see a few. I am happy to be able to share this one with you today.
Gotta go. So much to do, so little time!

It’s my birthday today. I am 64! What’s that about!! How did I get that old, discount so fast!! I still feel the same, well, ok, I can’t run very fast anymore, but I still feel like I can. You know your old, when your 89 year old mother asks how old you are, and when you tell her, she has a shocked look on her face and says, “you are old”! She made up for saying that, following her comment by saying, “well, Carole, you certainly don’t look old. You never change.” Ok, mother, I forgive you. LOL- My best friend, Carole, surprised me with something very special. She painted this little portrait for me. Some of you, that bought my DVD, will recognize her. She is in my DVD, and I just love her. Carole did something special, she personalized it for me by painting her holding my DVD in her hand. Can you see it? I know it’s kind of small. Wait, I’ll take a picture, and show you. Be right back. Ok, here it is.

Thanks Carole. You know how much I love it. I got a DVD from Bill, one that I have wanted ever since I saw this very talented singer on utube. Paul Potts is his name. I wrote about him a while back, and was surprised that no one commented. Please check it out, he is wonderful!! I am listening to him sing right now, and he sends chills every time I listen to him. Time to run. Happy day!

Bill and I went with our friends, health Ted and Carole, cialis to Philadelphia’s Italian Market today. This market is the oldest and largest working market in the United States, unhealthy and it hasn’t changed in over 100 years, and is located in South Philadelphia. Today it is still predominently Italian, but there other cultures represented as well.

As we walked down the street, there was so much to look at.

I couldn’t help thinking how blessed we are in this country, to have such abundance, and so many varieties of beautiful foods to choose from. All the gorgeous fresh vegtables, meats, and cheeses. There are two different pasta manufacturers, selling fresh and frozen pasta. Bakeries, poultry shops, and fish stores.

There is everything from Jersey tomatoes, charcots verts from France, and even Italian truffles. There are coffee and tea shops too. There are 3 spice houses, and hundreds of spices from around the world to choose from, and there is much more to the market too. Not just food. You can find cooking supply stores, jewelry shops, pharmacies, etc. Too many to mention.

Here my cutie hubby, Bill, and my best friend, Carole.

After looking at all the foods, we started to get hungry, and it was getting cold!

We found a little neighborhood Italian restaurant, and thought we would give it a try. It felt so toasty, and warm when we walked inside, and we couldn’t wait to eat. I have to say the food was good, but not great, but our tummies were full, and we were ready to go. Carole suggested we walk around Society Hill. Great idea, I love it there! Society Hill. To me it’s every bit as beautiful as Williamsburg, VA., and this time of the year, it is gorgeous, all decked out for Christmas.

We walked for blocks, where one house after another, was just so beautiful. Every once in a while, we could see in the windows, being careful not to be seen peeking. By now, we were getting cold again, and found a lovely coffee shop, it too felt toasty and warm. After enjoying a HUGE cup of cappachino, and good conversation, it was the end of a wonderful day, and we were all ready to go home. If you ever have the chance to go to Philadelphia, go, you will be so glad you did, and if you have already been there, go back, there is so much to see! I cannot wait to return, and when I do, I’ll tell you all about what I see, and you know I’ll have my camera!!

This morning I saw an extraordinary young woman on a morning talk show, pharmacy her name is Carissa. At the age of 12, pharmacy she ran away from home, lived on the streets and was forced into prostitution. Today she has a law degree, and MBA. She left a high paying presticious law firm, to fight for the rights of children, who can not speak out for themselves. To find out how you can be involved, please visit

Do you like brussel sprouts? I love them, treat but they have to be fresh, not frozen. Yesterday I was watching Paula Deene and she was roasting some. She poured a little olive oil all over them, and sprinkled them with some fresh ground pepper and salt, and roasted them on a cookie tray on a high heat, around 400 degrees, as I remember. Oh, they looked so yummy. I was planning on having some for my Thanksgiving Day dinner, and today, when I was in the supermarket, I found these. Have you ever seen how brussel sprouts grow? Look at these! Arent’ they incredible?! When I took them out of the frig tonight, to prepare some for dinner, I thought how wonderful they are, so I grabbed my camera, and took this picture for you. Ok, call me crazy for taking a picture of brussel sprouts. Time to get the pj’s on and get ready to watch Dancing With the Stars. Love that show.

I have always loved Thanksgiving day. I always enjoy cooking for my family, viagra sale but things have changed a lot over the years, as they always do. It’s funny how you always take things for granted. I remember when I would have 15 members of my family around the Thanksgiving Day table, and never realized how quickly those times would disappear. You just think it’s going to stay that way forever, oh not really, but you just never think about things changing, do you? My father, and my father-in-law, passed away about 5 years ago. My son, and his girlfriend, have moved to Virginia, and spend Thanksgiving with her family. My brother is unable to travel any distance, for health reasons. So, this year I will be cooking for my husband, Bill, Melissa, and my mother. My granddaugher, Emily, will be celebrating Thanksgiving with her mother’s family.

We all know that children are usually the closest to their mother’s side of the family, and they have a large family. It’s wonderful for Emily, she has lots of cousins to enjoy. I am so happy that she has them all. My family is small, no cousins here. I miss that. I miss not having what so many of my friends enjoy–lots of children, and grand children. I am not complaining, I have so many blessings in this life, and I am truely thankful for them, but this time of the year seems to stir the emotions in me.

Better go now. Lots to do. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day everyone!! Remember to count your blessings, and pray for our brave soldiers and thier families.

I almost forgot. Last night Bill and I stepped outside for a minute. We heard a rustling in the tree, and branches and leaves came tumbling down. We couldn’t tell what it was, so we got a flashlight. Look who was there. Do you think he’ll be hanging around for some Thanksgiving leftovers?

Yesterday I had my best girlfriends over for lunch. I wish I had gotten better photos of everyone. I should have told them to look at the camera, diagnosis but it’s always nice to get candid shots, but lets face it, we all look so much better when we know we are being photographed. There on the sofa, is Denise, who has a wonderful house full of fabulous collections. If there is anything you need to know about old houses, just ask Denise. Next to her is Carole O’Neill, my partner in the mural business, best friend for over 45 years, and the artist that does the wonderful paintings in my store. Next to her is Diane, also a very talented. Her home has been in several magazines, and both her house, and Denise’s house, has been on the TV show, Homes Across America. Sitting across from her is Arlene, who makes wonderful quilts, and last, but certainly not least, is Louise. Louise makes the most gorgeous hooked rugs. She used to make beautiful Santas to, with hand sculpted faces, she is so talented, she can make just about anything. I am so lucky to have so many talented friends, and when we get together we have the best time. Of course, the favorite topic is antiquing and decorating.

It’s funny, but when I look at this picture, it looks like there isn’t any food on the table! I swear, I did feed them!! Homemade New England clam chowder, with crusty bread. Field greens, tomaotes, slices of apple, candied walnuts and cranberries, with chunks of creamy goat cheese, with olive oil and vineger. Lots of good wine, and for desert, homemade apple pie and a four layer, whipped cream chocolate torte. It was great having all of them in my home, enjoying one another’s company, good conversation and lots of laughter. Life goes by so quickly, don’t forget to l take time out of your busy schedule too. Plan a great day with your girlfriends. It’s fun and I promise you, you will be so glad you did. Happy day!

I have had this pictured in my possession for many years. It was made by my mother’s sister, malady Aunt Virginia, in 1947. It is so pretty, filled with french knots and sequins.

I am emotionally attached to it, but it is not something that I don’t display in my home, only because it doesn’t fit in with my style. I hate to have it in a drawer, which is where is has been, but what good is that. Someone that loves it, should be able to enjoy it, don’t you think? I am wondering if I should put it in my store, but it will be hard for me to do. Have you ever had something that you inherited, and it’s sentimental but not you taste? I have several, beautiful antique plates and bowls, really lovely ones, that I should sell, and I am working up the courage to part with them. It’s not easy. Well, I have some errands to run now, but I am going to write again later to tell you about my day trip antiquing with a friend. Until then, Happy day!

I was moved to tears after listening to the the magnificent voice of Paul Potts. He first appeared on Simon Cowell’s England’s Got Talent show. If you would like to read more about Paul Potts, prostate here is a link. I am going to purchase his CD this weekend, sildenafil so i can play it at my luncheon on Wednesday. I know my friends will love it. Take a look, but get a tissue.

Good morning everyone. It’s just a glorious day today! The air is crisp, viagra and the air smells clean and fresh. Tomorrow I am going antiquing out in New Holland, view PA. I will be gone all day. Hope I have lots to tell you. I’ll be sure to bring my camera.

Today I wanted to show you some of the baby clothes I wrote about a couple of days ago. I hope to have them in my store soon, but there are quite a few, and I don’t want my store to look like a clothing store, so I will be putting a couple at a time. If you are interested in purchasing any, just email me and I can send you some photos, and some prices. This first photo is of something that I think is very special. It’s a very young child’s silk kamono. It even has it little sash, after all these years and is in excellent condition.

This next photo is a little girl’s bonnet. This belonged to Bobby’s sister. She is the 89 year old woman I mentioned, the one brought these little treasures to the antique shop. This bonnet is gorgeous! This picture shows it hanging by the little tie that goes under the chin. I think it’s made of silk, lots of gathering and lace.

The rest our some of the little dresses that will be for sale in my store. There are more, and if you are interested in seeing them, just email me at caroleholt@comcast.net. I can send pictures and prices. I love the simplicity of these clothes and many have tiny mother of pearl buttons. Happy day!