Carole’s Country Store Blog

Where did October go!? Where have I been! I can not believe that it is the last day of October. I have not bought any candy yet. I better get moving. Actually, order I do not get very many visitors anymore. All of the children that would trick or treat have grown up. Most of them anyway. I am not big on Halloween, but I know that there are a lot of you out there that love it and I know there are many collectors of Halloween collectables. I saw this early pumpkin in an antique shop a couple of years ago and I thought it was really neat.

You can’t talk about Halloween without a spooky cemetery. This one is in Charleston, S.C. I loved seeing all of the old tombstones. This one has the most interesting name on it. Experience Lore. She died in 1814, at the age of 80.

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If you are interested in learning more about Halloween, here is a link.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Carole

I got up early Sunday morning. Today I planned to go antiquing for Carole’s Country Store. Before I got ready to go, ailment I went outside to get the newspaper. The sun looked so gorgeous, the way it’s light streamed through the trees, and onto the front yard. I went back into the house to get my camera. I wanted to hurry up and read the paper, so I could hurry out to see what I could find. This election is driving me crazy. I can’t wait until it’s over! Ok, paper done, off I went. I headed to some of my favorite places, hoping it would be worth the trip, and the gas, taking pictures along the way.

This barn, with it’s tobacco drying, and the cart of pumpkins and gourds, was such a beautiful sight. Driving the back roads, taking in all that there was to see, it was hard for me not to stop several times along the way, to capture it all with my camera.

I finally managed to get to several antique shops, and I found a few really neat things for Carole’s Country Store. I love this butter crock. It’s a big early one. I think it would look great on a shelf in a country kitchen, for storing onions, potatoes, or just sitting on the counter, filled with red Fall apples.

On my next stop, found a gorgeous yellowware bowl. A nice big one, with that deep yellow color. I love the orange and white stripes. I was really feeling good by now, after finding 2 wonderful pieces. Now I couldn’t wait for my next stop.

After a few hours of hunting, it was time to head home, but I thought I would make one more stop first. I’m glad I did. Found a few more goodies. For my customers that love the cottage look, I found a vintage hat stand. I know many of you collect old textiles, bonnets being one of them. Every time I see a hat stand, it is never for sale, but this one was! Bought it!

I found a few other things too, and had a very successful day. Now I was ready to head home. It was getting much colder and I wanted to get back in time to make some winter minestrone soup for dinner. I love doing this, and I love finding things that bring joy to my customers. I should mention how much I appreciate all of you that send such nice emails, telling me howmuch you love your antique. That makes me very happy. Don’t forget to stop by the store. You might find something that will be just perfect for your home. It’s time to start nesting, and what is more fun than find a new treasure, for just that perfect spot, but if you are like me, you’ll find a spot for anything that you love.
Happy day everyone!
Carole

Good morning everyone. Yesterday while cleaning windows, remedy one of the storm windows slammed down on one of my finders like a gillatine. I know I spelled that wrong but you know what I mean. I’m lucky to still have my finger. Anyway it’s so hard typing on this computer. It still hurts. I’m on my way to Adamstown now, to do some antiquing for my store. It’s another glorious day here in Wilmington DE., but boy do we need the rain! I’m sending my dollies to keep you company this morning. Off I go.
Happy day
Carole

I have a very special doll that I want to tell you about, online but first, look I have to share a very sad story. A few months ago, recipe my friends and I were devastated to find out that our friend, Denis, had lost her 17 year old granddaughter, Abby, in an automobile accident, while trying to avoid hitting a dear. I never mentioned this because it is so very personal. Yesterday, Denis gave me permission to share this story. During the Summer, I told Denis about Christine Crocker, of Deerfield Farm, and her beautiful dolls that were going to be for sale in my Artisan Store. She told me she would like to order one, so she did. After the tragic loss of Abby, Denis asked if the doll could be made in rememberance of her. She wanted her to have auburn hair and green eyes, the same as her beloved, and very special granddaughter. Yesterday, the doll arrived, and I called Denis to tell her.

I didn’t want to open it. I thought Denis should do that, but she told me to open it for her. The doll was so precious. I asked Denis if I could show her on my blog, but I also told her that I wouldn’t mention the significance of this doll. She told me that it would be alright if I did. So here she is, Abby, a very special doll. From all that I have learned about Abby, she was a wonderful, caring young person. She accomplished a lot in her short life. I guess she was just too good for this earth, so God gave her wings.

Christine told me she used early fabrics, from the PA., where Denis is from. Look at those sculpted hands, and the little sewing pocket with the hand embroidered initial, A.

Love the little patch too.

Thank you Christine for making my friend such a special doll. I can’t wait for the dolls and makedos for my Artisan Store!!
HAPPY DAY
Carole

A few weeks ago, ed my friend, ambulance Denise, cialis that’s her on the far left, invited me and all of our girlfriends, to her charming getaway cottage, on the eastern shore, in Maryland. I met her at her house at 10 a.m.. She already had her car packed with food and drinks, and she was all ready to go. We drove to another friend’s house, where we met Carole, Louise, and Diane. There, everyone piled into Denise’s car and off we went. It didn’t take very long to get there, and as always, there was plenty of conversation along the way. After about 40 minutes we were there, and as we drove down the little country road, there it was, her little cottage on the river. It was so charming, and oh, what a view!

We couldn’t wait to go inside to see more. Not to anyone’s surprise, it was just lovely. All done in cream and white, with accents of blues and reds. The table was already set, and it looks like something out of Martha Stuart.

The main thing all of us have in common is decorating. We love it and never get tired of talking about ideas, and paint colors. Right Louise? It was so much fun seeing what she had done.

There were four bedrooms in this cottage, and each one was charming.

After the tour, it was time for some wine and cheese, and girl talk. Then lunch. Baked ham, and fried chicken, macaroni salad, rolls, sliced tomato and lettuce, and for dessert, pumpkin pie, and a beautiful coconut cake. Louise brought her yummy bread pudding. When we finished eating and cleaned everything up, we I couldn’t wait to sit outside, and take in the view.

There are two rivers that come together in this photo. I hope I got this right. The Wicomico and the Elk rivers. In the distance you can see where they join together, and flow into the Chesapeake River.

As I sat enjoying good conversation, and surrounded by such beauty, I couldn’t help thinking how lucky I am to have these woman in my life. We are all so different, but so much the same. It reminded me that we all need to take time out of your busy schedules, to spend more time with friends. These are the days, life IS short, and these are some of the memories that we will hold on to forever. So enjoy, and don’t forget to hug a friend.

HAPPY DAY

Hi everyone. I know it’s been a while since I have posted. I don’t like letting it go this long, stuff but I just have not been up to it these days. I felt kind of down last week. I don’t know why. I had a really bad headache last week, discount that lasted a couple of days. I think it was a migraine. I haven’t had a bad headache in years. Yesterday, I spent some time outside. It was a gorgeous day and the changes in the seasons are starting to show.

I was sitting in my garden, watching the butterflies on my butterfly bush. It looked as though they were going to hang around for a while, so I hurried into the house and got my camera.

Look at this amazing little guy. Doesn’t he look like a stained glass window? Butterflies are such beautiful little creatures. How can you not feel happy and blessed when you watch them fluttering about?

Getting out in nature, sure helps you put things into perspective. I know the news has been glum lately. Maybe that’s what brought on my headache. Getting outside and walking, sure does make you feel better. If you’re having one of those days, force yourself to get outside. It’s amazing how breathing in the fresh air and sunshine, can make such a difference in how you feel.
Now, I want to show you something that I saw in an antique shop on my recent trip to Cape Cod. I wish I bought it. You know that feeling when something just speaks to you. This basket just did.

There wasn’t anyone in the shop that could tell me anything about it. The tag just called it “Folk Art Basket”. If anyone knows anything about this kind of basket, I would love to hear from you. Would this be a basket purse? I don’t know.
Happy day
Carole

Good morning. It’s 6 a.m. and I wanted to write in my blog first thing today. I have been putting if off, seek thinking I will get to it later. Turns out, I never do. Bill and I did go look at those condos on Sunday. I didn’t take my camera after all. They were fabulous, but guess what, I’m not going anywhere just yet. I guess we just like looking, but moving, no, not yet. My friend, Rachel, who lives in Australia, send me more photos yesterday. They were so beautiful, I thought I would share a couple with you. Rachel and her husband, Adam, went to the Southern Highlands for a weekend, celebrating their 19 wedding anniversary.

I am hoping to get some housework done today. Finish cleaning the kitchen and run some errands. Maybe look for more antiques for my store, but that’s a lot for one day. We’ll see. I’ll be back again soon, and I hope you will come back and visit with me too.
Happy day!
Carole

I Yesterday, hospital I pulled myself away from this computer and did some cleaning up of my gardens. Finally pulled the tomato plants out, here raked everything out. If I have the time today, cialis I am going to plant some of the garlic that Christine Crocker sent me from her Deerfield Farm. I especially want to plant her Deerfield Opal. She sent me the planting instructions. If you enjoy garlic, it’s healthy you know, give it a try. Easy, easy.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. The nesting instinct sets in, and I want to make everything just right, and start cozying up for the cool weather, and the onset of Winter. Oh, I know it’s too early to mention Winter, but it will be here before we know it. So right now, I am going to enjoy this gorgeous weather and make the most of it.

I need another cup of coffee, a little breakfast, and then I have to get dressed. Bill and I have a full day planned. Missy bowls at 1 o’clock, and we want to be there for her. Before we go though, we are going to go to an open house in Newark, DE. We’ll be looking at some condos. Just curious. We talk a lot about downsizing but I really don’t think we’re ready just yet. We want to check these out anyway. I’ll bring my camera, and if I think it’s worth talking about, I’ll write about them tomorrow. In the meantime, have a great day, and get out there in this gorgeous weather, and always have a -
Happy day
Carole

I am very pleased to welcome a new artist to my American Artisan Store. Her name is Kathy Patterson. Some of you probably have heard of Kathy before. She is well known for her fabulous “Toys In The Atic” reproduction German Santas, viagra and candy containers. Kathy also has a passion for antique English Queen Anne dolls, levitra and it is this passion that has inspired her “Babes In The Woods” series sold exclusively on my website.

There are 5 of these amazing hand carved wooden reproduction early 17th century, late 18th century dolls, including the very first one she created, and they are all for sale right now in my American Artisan Store. The entire doll, face and body, is hand carved, real antique glass eyes, exquisite fabrics and lace, some antique, are used in the making of these incredible dolls.
You can read more about Kathy Patterson in my American Artisan Store

Happy Day
Carole