Trading Post Chat

By SAVANNAH CUNNICK

THE BUTLER HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS.......OOPS.....down he goes. A very little customer visiting The Trading Post picked up our ceramic butler cardholder and decided to drop it......little Sawyer, all of 2 years old, failed at shopping and broke his purchase before he got it home. Mom was no where around....and as folks bent down to gather up the pieces, I said: Oh, no....wait for Mom. Well, no need to go further....Mom gave Sawyer what for and inherited a busted up butler....whether she wanted it or not !! Never have I had to enforce: break it, you buy it....but in this case....it was not MY merchandise, so had to protect my vendors. Otherwise, we had a most successful day at our Country Christmas Bazaar
this past Saturday.

The count was over 500 people in attendance. Purchasing was moderate, but the fellowship and laughter out rode the rest !!
There was quilted items to woodworking....candy and cookies in holiday wrappings to crocheted tree ornaments....vintage holiday decorations and fall trees with gorgeous multi-colored leaves. Savannah's Loft had a huge sale and lots of winded customers as they made the climb up
to the top of the Barn. But, if you are a REAL shopper....put all aside and make that climb. It's worth it !!

There were fantastic vendors in the front yard area: Patricia Dismore and Terry Murphy with their fancy candies and cookies, wood yard pumpkins and more; Sharon George and friend Amy who had gorgeous wrapped wreaths in multiple designs; Frank and Pat Matthews with their woodworking, santas and wood signs; Jim Everett with his unique and detailed wood art pieces and door/fireplace designs; Tracy and Vanesha did their thing with fall trees and tree trunks covered in multi-colored leaves; April and Sarah sold walking canes, carved black bears and copper roses; and Bernice Hendrixson with her handcrafted hair décor items, jewelry and dresses.

Inside the Barn....we had Cheryl Dewitt with her crocheted ornaments and knitted coverlets; Lisa Wisdom with her gorgeous handcrafted jewelry for all seasons and her hanging stained glass artwork; Tina, Donna and Jerry have the Krafty Kitten and sell handcrafted dolls, hair art, collectible steins, plates and comic books; Steve and Barbara Curry featured their handmade baby quilts and handbags; Lillian Bynum with her ever amazing collection of holiday items; Regina Harvey and Betty featured antique toys and glassware; Ruby and Annie Artworks featured various collectibles and sold a gigantic white owl to folks who were celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary. What a delightful couple they were !!

The mistletoe lantern conked a few folks on their heads and a very stout motorcyclist bumped his head on the Basket Case room's door frame....other
than that...all went well...including the nice lunch served by Chef JD to all those who attended.

It took a lot of work to decorate especially the inside of the Barn for Christmas....but oh by gosh, by golly....we did it !!
Uncle Festus wanted to be Santa Claus, but his beard is not white nor long enough. Then he wanted to be an elf....but he's not short enough. So, Aunt Martha told him to go as a reindeer...because he certainly smells like one !! I thanked him for the offer, but he ended up helping JD at the Grill. Martha always says ya' gotta crack a few eggs before ya' have breakfast. That statement must have been directed to Festus and Clarence...(and they still need work....).

The other day when JD came home he told me that he just saw some youngsters selling donated beer to raise money for their youth group. Say: WHAT?
Now, that's a first for me...how about you guys? Does that beat all or what !! I must say, there have been some strange goings on around here, but never
came upon that one before !! It's too twisted for me to further comment....

The Feed America First Clothing Drive is still in full force. We are beginning to hand out the clothes now instead of waiting for December....chilly nights already and we don't want anybody cold or sick. We love to see folks happy and the best way to do it is to gather up what we can and take care of those who are in need.

I want to thank all the folks who came to our Holiday event. It was a wonderful time for all and a great send off for winter time ahead. Keep in mind that the Short Mountain Distillery is hosting a Haunted Woods Walk put on by the local fire departments. Tickets are $7 each and Screams start at 7:00 each night.
The Stillhouse Restaurant will be serving their delicious buffet during this event...so, make sure you attend. For further information go to the Short Mountain Distillery Facebook page or call the Distillery at : #615-216-0830.

The last time I went on a Haunted Walk, I took my two little boys with me. I had ahold of one of their hands and we headed into a scary surprise. Everyone
was screaming and carrying on. It went for quite awhile. I kept yelling over the screams: Are you guys holding on to me....are you behind me.....And, I kept hearing: Yes, Mom we're ok. Toward the end when there was more light, I turned around and here was a huge ugly massive monster holding my hand with my sons laughing behind him. I about had a heart attack. My scream was enough to shake the timbers.....EEEEKKKK. Of course, that wasn't the last haunted anything I went to...but guess what...I stayed in the back this time, and let THEM go first. Like they say, you can fool other folks, but you can't fool MOM....not twice anyway....!!

Well, everybody....I am signing off for now until next week's CHAT. Be careful out there....help each other..love your family...smile...laugh...and remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel and you will WIN the day.

Hugs, Savannah