MEET BEAR!

... isn't he cute!

His face is just so sweet!

Some good friends of mine stopped by 

the other day bearing Christmas gifts! 

(no pun intended!)

  This little guy is jointed & made from 

red & blue mohair which was trimmed to 

give him a "well loved" look. I also received

a gift card to Starbucks! 

(I admit it... I am an iced tea addict! 

& spoiled by my friends!) 

I think Bear and I will share a Starbucks this 

weekend, cuddled up with a blankie & a stack 

of magazines It should make our

 "unbearable" winter temperatures

"BEARABLE"!

   

WE COULD OF USED THESE...

...last Saturday!

We through up the signs and opened the shop

so that customers could have one more chance

at some Holiday bargains before 

The Whistle Stop's long winter nap! 

We turn off the water when we're not there

and when we turned it on...

You guessed it...

It was raining out the light fixture 

and the door jam in our little kitchen.

Frozen pipes... Ughhh!

So good thing the hubby is handy! 

He's been playing "plumber" & "drywaller"

all week and next he'll be playing "painter"! 

You've got to love below zero winter temperatures...

... NOT! 

AND THE WINNER IS...

Today's the day!

Thank you to all who entered & linked

my give away to your sites!  I appreciate

you taking the time to stop by 

and visit The Whistle Stop's blog spot.

... and now for the lucky winner!

... Congratulations

Riverwood Primitives!

... please, go to my website

www.thewhistlestopcountrystore.com

and email me your address

and Shaker the Snowman

will be on it's way to you!

Thanks for entering!

The White Stuff Just Keeps Coming...

MORE SNOW... 

THE SNOWMEN HAVE TO BE LOVIN' IT...

... me not so much! 

Stay warm!

I Need Some Input...

What Path to Take? 

If you've ever been to my shop

The Whistle Stop 

or if you run a little shop,

 open everyday or event only,

I would love for you to share your

suggestions... let me know what

works for you.

If you hop on over to my message page on

my website it will give you some insight to what

I'm trying to figure out. My shop started out 16 1/2 years ago, 

open 6 days a week and over the years I have changed things a 

few times. The last several years I have been an event only

 store... & open Saturdays during November and December 

for the Holidays. It has worked well... until this past year I feel like

I need to "tweak" a few things. I guess as I get older & depend 

more on the income from the shop, I'm trying to figure out what 

would be best. I did admit to a few, and now to the world

that I did have a few "mini" meltdowns this season... 

Small shop owners out there...  you know all the hat's we wear.

purchasing agent, decorator, customer relations,

book keeper, PR & advertising agent, event coordinator,

creator of product, janitor... you could probably think of more I'm sure! 

Thanks for your help!

I appreciate all my friends in "blogland"!