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"! 

Whistle Stop... a year in reverse... 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Here is a look in reverse 

at The Whistle Stop in 

2009 

December 

My first give away in Blog Land

for my 50th post! Shaker the Snowman

in honor of our Christmas blizzard 

here in Nebraska. Still time to sign

up for a chance to win! 

See prior post for details.

December

Twinkle Night... a customer appreciation

& charity event celebrating everything

Merry & Bright for the holiday season.

November

Our Christmas open house. 

The "SToP's" season for holidays

consists of only 12 days.

September

Road Trip... to the Junk Bonanza! 

September

Our Fall open house... two shows back to back.

I think we were nuts!

August

A weekend of rescuing barn wood

from this grand 'ol 100 year old barn.

July

The Whistle Stop's Home show...

& my 50th Birthday. Some days I feel

way older than 50! lol 

June

Americana open house!

March

An early spring show... just a little

W.S. fix before Spring arrives. 

And that's it!

 We were so busy this whole year 

just flew by. Eight shows along with

a full time job. I think that confirms that I am 

NUTS!

And now it's time to start planning for 2010! 

I hope all of you find the new year

full of fun, happiness & peace!

Stay safe :)

My 50th Post... enter to win!

Last Day for a Chance to Enter!

To celebrate my 50th post

I decided to offer a give away!

We have had more snow

than I've ever seen in the 17 years I've 

lived in Nebraska so I figured a 

snowman was fitting!

Meet Shaker the Snowman!

He is made by me from a vintage salt shaker.

He is filled with snowballs & snow so he'll 

never melt! His teal green scarf will keep him warm

and the glitter will keep him glistening!

Leave me a comment and if you would like

link this give away on your blog and you will

be entered twice!!

The name will be drawn the old fashioned way...

...out of a bucket! 

The drawing will be held on

Sunday, January 10th!

Thanks for stopping by my blog 

now and then! 

Keep Warm & Happy New Year!

OLD MAN WINTER HAS BLOWN IN...

GOT SNOW?

WE DO! 

A Merry Christmas to You!

"Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the "SToP" 

the only creature that's stirring 

was the resident mouse.

The lights are not twinkling

the displays are a mess

for the Whistle Stop elf has

run to finish Christmas for the rest.

When the only thing on her brain Christmas Eve; 

"Did I remember all on my list?"

the kids, DH, friends & even the dog

oh, Santa help, this "old" elf is loosing it quick!

Away to Target for a few last minute gifts

wrap and pack it all into our sleigh

just like Santa we're on our way

to deliver presents to the ones we love most

So for now all Dear Customers

we wish you a Merry & Bright Holiday

 with family & friends

and a delivery from Santa and his sleigh

We will be back at the "SToP" 

after after our long winter nap

with lots more  "wonderfuls"

filling the shop

For now all my friends

I wish to you

a Merry Christmas to all

and to all a Good Night! 

It's Almost Time for Our Long Winter's Nap...

 

 but, before we settle in for our much 

needed rest we bring to you

A Before Christmas

SALE!  

at The Whistle Stop 

Monday, Dec. 21st 

Tuesday,  Dec. 22nd 

Wednesday,  Dec. 23rd 

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

We will mark down Holiday & select merchandise 

a little more each day as supplies last...

10% to 50% off as 

the days progress! 

Come early for best selection...

 come late for the best bargains! 

Have a wonderful Holiday!

Oh, Christmas Tree

 

Oh, Christmas Tree

How lovely are your branches!

The smell of Christmas fills the air!

My favorite tree is a Western Douglas Fir 

"Charlie Brown" tree but, I waited too long 

 to go tree shopping so we got

our second choice... a Noble Fir. 

This little guy is my one of my

 fav's of favorites!

My husband gave him to me one 

Christmas along with several antique 

glass ornaments. That was the beginning of 

collecting vintage & antique ornaments. 

A sweet little train ornament given to 

me by a friend. 

Now it's time to finish the shopping and

put some presents under the tree! 

The Whistle Stop...

... in all it's glory on Twinkle Night!

 Pictures of the shop on Twinkle Night are now on 

our website. Go have a peek at our winter wonderland. 

It's sure to put you in the spirit!

A BLANK SLATE... ?

Sometimes the creative mind is just a 

BLANK SLATE!

BUT...

... why at 2:00 in the morning is it buzzing with ideas!?

It must of been the "Percocet"! 

I had a little abdominal surgery yesterday and thought 

that with a pain pill I would sleep the night away! 

No, such luck. Not much pain but could not shut down 

the brain. All kinds of ideas floated through my mind

for our upcoming "Twinkle Night" event on December 7th!

I finally gave in, got up to jot some of them down 

and searched all the wonderful blogs in Blogland 

for more great ideas! 

Today... I'm not worth a darn! 

No energy or creative bone in this body. 

I think a little nap is on the agenda today!

Open House only Four Days Away!

 'Tis the Season!

 at 

The Whistle Stop Country Store

Our Holiday Season begins on 

Thursday, November 5th!

Only four more days to transform the shop

into a Winter Wonderland!

If you are in the neighborhood come check

out our little bit of a country store all decked out 

for the Holidays! See our website for 

The Whistle Stop's plans for the Season!

P.S. 

I'm still looking for Frosty's Old Silk Hat...

... magic still needed here to get it all done!