Notes from the 'burg

Adele

2011-01-31T20:47:00.004-06:00

I spent a fun week in Dallas studying trends, colors, display techniques and products for Christmas 2011 as well as shopping for product.

One highlight of my week was an excellent seminar about Christmas Trees. Instead of telling you about the trees though I would rather tell you about Adele.

Prior to the seminar I met this amazing 90 year old woman from Louisiana named Adele. She proudly shared a wealth of knowledge and her fascinating history with a few of us as we waited for the seminar to begin.

Once our tour began Adele made every step the rest the group made. She was up and down stairs, chatting up the speaker and participants, and generally being a fun person to be around.

Adele inspired me to lighten up and love what I do just a little bit more. Adele has passion that oozes out when she talks about her city, customers, shop, design projects and business associates.

I wish you lots and lots of Adele's in your life. A living example that comes along just at the right moment to help you appreciate all the great things life has to offer.

For Collette and Ginette

2010-11-21T13:18:00.005-06:00

Stockings are currently a hot topic of discussion. Many families are fortunate enough to have heirloom stockings that were lovingly made by their mamas, grandmamas and other talented family members. Time marches on and beloved seamstresses, cross stitchers, quilters and other uniquiely talented women pass from this world but they leave behind a legacy of treasures we cherish. At the same time, as a symbol of hope, new babies are born into our families and we realize this child will never have one of Mimi's beautiful needlepoint stockings. As Christmas
rolls around we think about our family traditions and collections and begin to search for something to remind us and fit with our current collection. There's no way to match the love that was put into every stitch of the homemade stockings, tree skirts, ornaments and other treasures that adorn our homes during the holiday season. The best we can do is keep the spirit of Christmas and the memories of our loved ones alive in our heart. May the joy and love of the season and family memories permeate your heart. Thanks for stopping in : )

Love, love, love these Trees

2010-10-27T21:49:00.011-05:00

Flocked trees are hot
this season. The Christmas
Store has traditional white flocked trees with either clear or multi-colored lights and we have pink and red flocked trees. The red flocked tree even has a matching red flocked wreath. These trees are unique and beautiful and are going fast. Call us at 800-944-1882 or come by soon if a new tree is in your future. We'll see you in the 'burg. : )

25 Years of Christopher Radko

2010-09-26T13:43:00.008-05:00

Woo Hoo! Christopher Radko's senior designer, Mario Tare', will be making his first visit to our store on October 16th. On that day we will host an Artist Signing Event.

First let me tell you about Mario. He is one of the nicest guys in the world. I met him last year at an event in Midland hosted by Miss Casey's Christmas Store and then again in Dallas this past January.

Mario is Christopher Radko's founding designer and now 25 years later is the senior designer for the company. In my opinion, Mario is one of kind. He brings vast talent and dedication to the company and his innovative design techniques ensure that each creation is worthy of the "Radko" name and legacy.

The ornament shown is entitled "Final Touch" and is this years Ambassador Signing Event Ornament. It is a spectacular 6 inch beauty and retails at $59.00. This ornament will only be available at stores hosting Artist Signing Events this fall and winter.

Collectors, here is your chance to add a gorgeous keepsake to your collection. If you are not able to attend our event on October 16th we would be happy to have Mario sign this ornament for you and then we will ship it to you.

Please contact us at 1-800-944-1882 or visit us online at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/ to place an order. As always, thanks for your continued support ;-)

Seasonal Whispers

2010-09-02T23:09:00.007-05:00

Beads, wires, crystals, pearls and charms...they have it all
An amazing array of colors, styles and price points

We love Seasonal Whispers...love it!

A new shipment of our favorite bracelets have arrived from New York. The designers at Seasonal Whispers have outdone themselves with their Fall line. The colors are rich and beautiful and will look stunning with the gorgeous Fall fashions. These bracelets are particularly desireable since they are lightweight AND striking. They have just the right amount of bling to make life interesting.

Some women prefer to wear several bracelets of the same style while others prefer to mix and match. I'm a mix and match kind of woman, and as far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier ;-)

These bracelets are very popular with brides who use them as gifts for their bridesmaids. They make wonderful mementos to mark the special occasion and the ladies standing up for their friends have fun amassing a collection to commemorate special events in their lives. Come by and see us soon and let us show you this truly unique collection.

Spring Street Design Group

2010-08-04T17:44:00.005-05:00

Lots of bling on the Elegance Flower Ring.
What a statement ring!

My friend Lynn, the Christopher Radko Sales Manager for Texas, already bought a ring like this. That woman has great taste in pert near everything.

My fave! Gorgeous white enamel ring with crystals, faux pearl and gold edging.

Look what's new at The Christmas Store. June Market in Dallas proved to be sensational for us. We picked up a new line of jewelery from Spring Street Design Group that is so fun and fresh and priced right, to boot. Gotta love it! We found new and amazing merchandise to compliment our current of array of goodies. Plan a trip to the 'burg soon to see all the fun stuff. Thanks for stopping in to visit. We'll see y'all soon ;-)

Texas Two-Step House

2010-07-27T21:28:00.004-05:00

700 square foot house. Great for relaxing.
Beautiful living area for hanging out.

Queen size bed in a lovely bedroom
A rustic kitchen.

For years now our customers and friends have been asking us to recommend a place to stay in town. Recently we started thinking that it would be nice to have a place of our own to rent so we can recommend suitable accomodations without hesitation. Over the past few months we have been working on fixing up the Texas Two-Step House and it is 99.9% ready for occupancy. The next time your travels bring you to Fredericksburg please consider staying at our quiet and quaint property in the northwest part of town just a few blocks from Main Street. For more information please call 830*992*0925. See y'all in the 'burg and thanks for visiting ;-)

Inge-Glas of Germany

2010-05-25T22:06:00.006-05:00

Silent Night Chapel. Exclusively designed mouth blown and hand painted Heirloom ornament in a wooden gift box.4 1/4", $41.50.

We Love Oktoberfest, 3 3/4", $21.00

Favorite Fellow. 2 1/4", $18.00.

Blessings. 2 1/4", $18.00.

We are pleased to present our new 2010 line of beautiful Inge-Glas Heirloom ornaments. These ornaments are blown in original molds by master glassblowers in Germany and hand painted with nostalgic paint colors reminiscent of the 1900's. These ornaments are produced in traditional workshops in Neustadt by Coburg in Northern Bavaria. I love the porcelain look of these ornaments. They are truly masterpieces!

Are Y'all Ready for Some Peaches?

2010-05-13T16:41:00.004-05:00

Peach picking has begun in earnest for the 2010 season. Roadside stands will begin to spring up all over the countryside selling peaches and other fruits, veggies, preserves and such.

This years peach crop in Gillespie County is shaping up to be the best in at least six years. The peach tree in my yard was so heavy with fruit it fell over a few days ago :-(

The first varieties, which are clingstones, are ripening now and will continue through May. June will bring semi-freestones to the table. It is expected that the harvest will continue into August.

This is Gillespie County at it's finest. God Bless the farmer and the rancher and remember...never cuss a farmer with your mouth full. Come and get it!

This Little Light of Mine

2010-04-26T22:15:00.003-05:00

Candle Stick Twist Lamp $105.00

Wooden Twist Lamp $105.00

Tapered Candle Stick Lamp with Leopard Print Shade $105.00Traditional Candlestick Lamp $92.00

I have always loved useful and beautiful objects for my home. When you come right down to it lamps are one of the most useful items out there. They are not just another interesting chachtcke but instead are a real necessity. If you are wanting to freshen up your home with a new lamp we currently have a great selection at phenomenal prices. Come check it out, we'll leave the light on!

On the Road Again.....

2010-04-21T12:44:00.002-05:00

The first stop was in Bastrop! Not sure if this one is still operating but I love the name: Gin-U-Wine Oyster Bar.

Our second stop was in Columbus. This Texas Historical landmark was built in 1883. The building served as a water tower and fire house until 1912 and is now The Confederate Memorial Museum.

Columbus purports to be Elegant, Energetic and Authentically Texas. The problem was the store we were planning on visiting was closed. Grrrrrr!

Awesome courthouse on the square in Columbus.

I forgot to take photos in Katy. We are now in Houston. I am continuing to do some strategic benchmarking which involves observing how others compete. This is the best part of my job. I love to visit other wonderful stores and see their displays, merchandise and design. It is refreshing to be able to talk to others in the retail industry and find out what's up in their neck of the woods.

Peace Out Y'all, It's Earth Week

2010-04-19T08:54:00.009-05:00

The whole "Peace" kit n kaboodle!

Radko Hippie Chick, a.k.a. Moon Beam (I just made that up)

Groovy Latte travel mug and peaceful absorbent coaster.

...all with abandon

The Love Bug rocks!

So, here's some news Baby Boomers...apparently, Generation Z (those born between 1994 and 2008) are under the impression that their generation invented the peace sign. (Guffaw, sputter, chuckle). Here's the scoop, Gen. Z.

The internationally recognized symbol for peace was originally designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement. It was designed and completed on February 21, 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist in Britain for the April 4 march planned by the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War from Trafalgar Square in London. The symbol was later adopted by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It was adopted by first the 1960's anti-war movement then the counterculture, and finally the popular culture of the time.

So now you know, as Paul Harvey famously stated, the rest of the story.

New Department 56 rocks the House!

2010-04-10T16:06:00.003-05:00

Swan Pond (animated accessory) $45.00

Tom's Foods-Original Snow Village-$85.00

Christmas at Grandma's House-Original Snow Village-$85.00

SVPD Precinct 56-Original Snow Village-$90.00

Rusty's Used Cars-Snow Village Halloween-$125.00

The bulk of our Department 56 order will ship in the summer, but in the mean time, we have received two of every new piece for 2010. One to show and one to go! These cuties must be seen in person to appreciate them to the fullest, so make plans to visit. Spring is so beautiful here. The weather is pleasant and the countryside is covered with beautiful wildflowers. See you soon in the 'burg and, thanks for visiting ;-).

Book it on Down to The Christmas Store

2010-04-01T22:33:00.010-05:00

Fascinating read about our favorite Rock, which is located north of town on Ranch Road 965 (Milam).Texas has an amazing variety of campgrounds. This book will help campers determine the lay of the land. Even seasoned veterans will learn of new areas to check out.

Now is the time this guide comes in handy. The fields and roadsides are teeming with wildflowers.

Yep. This one is about our favorite town.

We are now carrying an excellent variety of books. We have childrens books, cookbooks, Texas books, Westerns and more. Come on in and check out our great selection. New titles are brought in weekly. So come in soon and come in often.

This one's for Peg

2010-03-28T21:16:00.005-05:00

The Purple Wall with hundreds of new Christopher Radko ornaments!

Shiny Brite Signature Flocked Ornaments $16.95 for set of 6

Sleighful Dateful $52.00

Rock 'n Wrapped $49.00

Healthy Holiday $49.00

Get well soon Peg. We have lots of Radko to place in good homes!

The Rat Pack is Back!!!!!

2010-03-12T08:33:00.010-06:00

When it comes to shopping, I'm ready to roll!!! $26.00

You help me thirst for more. $21.00

And God Bless $21.00

You're my Angel in training. $20.00

Large or small, adored by all. $23.00

EEK!!! The store is teeming with vermin, ;-) Thank goodness they are of the charming variety. This is a line of collectibles by artist, Dean Griff. We are happy to have Dean's work back in the store. As a rule, I don't like mice, but these guys are cute! Come see us, the weather is beautiful, wish you were here!

New Radko in the House!!!

2010-03-05T21:25:00.006-06:00

Winter Scene Wanderer. Ltd. Edition of 750 pieces, $65.00

Northern Wishes. Ltd. Edition of 500 pieces, $55.oo.

Hide 'n Peek. Ltd. Edition of 500 pieces. $55.00

Traditional Tannenbaum. Ltd. Edition of 500 pieces, $59.00

Dashing Deco Cracker. Ltd. Edition of 750 pieces, SRP $59.00

Did y'all know Peggy, manager of our Christopher Radko Gallery, had surgery last week? She is now home from the hospital and we are happy to report that she is healing and getting healthier and stronger everyday. Keep it up Peg! We miss you and are doing our best to keep your territory looking good. Get well soon.
Right before Peg went into the hospital we received new limited edition pieces for 2010. It is wonderful to have fresh, new collectible merchandise available this early in the year. If we can help y'all, just give us a call at 800-944-1882.

Winter 2010 Trail of Painted Ponies

2010-03-04T21:02:00.005-06:00

Arabian Nights by artists Karlynn Keyes and Bryan Wilkin Lawson

War Cry by artist Vickie Knepper-Adrian

Bonanza by artists Jenee Hughes and Rod Barker

Best of Show by artist Lori Musil

The Front Runner by artist Kim Ratigan

Anticipation has been high for the Winter 2010 Trail of Painted Ponies release and the first five have recently arrived at The Christmas Store in Fredericksburg. This release is the most diverse, colorful, and artistic line of Painted Ponies ever. The total collection for this release includes two Native Ponies that are simply breathtaking. There is a Western Pony that is destined to become a classic. For breed lovers there is a stunning tribute to the Arabian Horse along with a Pony that honors six different breeds. The winner in the "Art of Horse Racing" international competition is featured in this release, as is a tribute to those gorgeous, hand-carved, antique carousel horses that gave many of us our first ride on horseback. Last but by no means least is a truly magical Pony that has "magic" in its name.

Happy Texas Independence Day

2010-03-02T18:39:00.003-06:00

Texas Pride ornament by Christopher Radko.

Hand painted ornament from Patti Lu Bowsley from Garland, Texas.

Go USA, Go Texas. May your independence make you stronger, tougher and more prosperous.

Christmas Store exclusive, Texas Two Step, by Christopher Radko.

Texas independence was declared from Mexico on March 2nd 1836. We have a lot to be proud of y'all. Thanks to everyone who makes this great state so wonderful to live in.

Mahalo to The Christmas Store Gang

2010-02-28T21:21:00.006-06:00

I'm back from Hawaii. My new stage name is Sandy Toes!

Everywhere I turned there were gorgeous beaches. To find this one Pam and I road old beater bikes for eight miles along a beach path and then stumbled upon this uninhabited stretch of paradise.

Kauai is the "Garden Island" and presents Mother Nature at her most beautiful. We visited many stunning waterfalls.

An artsy phartsy shot of an interesting flower.

Blue skies, nothing but blue skies from now on....

I had a wonderful time in Hawaii and I appreciate the fact that The Christmas Store continued to run like clock work while I was on the vacation of a life time. Mahalo y'all!

A Spring thing

2010-02-18T21:50:00.002-06:00

We're ready for Springtime!!!!

Canape plate and spreader.

Charming Tails. You are Full of Beauty and Style.

Wood look Mickey and Minnie

Art glass butterfly ornament.

Let's Ride

2010-02-18T09:00:00.003-06:00

Books for the littlest cowboys and cowgirls...

Texas Two Step. Christmas Store Exclusive from Christopher Radko.

Personalizable ornament for cowpokes and their faithful steed.

Adorable western boxes, a.k.a. hidey holes for treasure.

Farmers need love too!

It's Texas, can Spring be that far off?

2010-02-15T15:55:00.004-06:00

Spoon rests, boxes, trivets and message clips...

Ornaments, delicate mugs and bells...

Books, books and more books...

Tea towels, sturdy mugs and more boxes...

Everything's coming up wildflowers!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

2010-02-11T16:42:00.005-06:00

There's no business like Snow Business

Snowman

Snow Pony

Snow Globe

Snow Bird (just kidding) ;-)
The weekend is going to be great. Y'all come on to the 'burg and see us!

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

2010-02-09T20:33:00.007-06:00

Cuddly bear supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Pink Ribbon travel mug.

Survivor bracelet with "I am Strong" message on the inside.

A message for all of us: For with God, all things are possible.

VD is for lovers....

2010-02-08T11:48:00.004-06:00

A smattering of Valentine Day gifts.

Gorgeous 4X6 picture frame from D.L Rhein.

Heart of Gold from Willow Tree Collections.

Yankee Candle's Fresh Cut Roses is awesome!

Something to wine about.....

2010-02-05T20:10:00.007-06:00

Fabu new high heel wine bottle holder.The whole artsy-phartsy wine set up.Some call it happy hour for me it's a support group wine carrier.

Hockey moms, soccer moms, wine moms! cocktail napkins.

Set of 4 coasters!

Kitchy, kitchy cute

2010-02-04T21:35:00.005-06:00

Little Black Apron with Bling.

Christopher Radko ornament for the chefs we love!

New kitchen merchandise is coming in every day.
Come see, come see.
Thanks for visiting ;-)

New stuff...it's how we roll!

2010-02-02T21:14:00.005-06:00

The Trail of Painted Ponies have returned for a reride.Fantastic watering cans styled as houses-in 3 sizes!

New lamps that are just too cute!

Charming Tails are adorning our shelves once again!

On the Seventh Day of Market.............

2010-01-19T22:12:00.001-06:00

What a great week, but I'm so happy to be home. Thanks for visiting ;-)

On the Sixth Day of Market........

2010-01-19T21:47:00.004-06:00

"Bootiful" Halloween Tree

Golden Crown Tree.

On the Fifth Day of Market....

2010-01-19T21:27:00.003-06:00

Boyd's Bear Father Christmas

The name of this line says it all..."Just Too Cute".

Baby product that is "Just Too Cute".

Wonderful display tree by Department 56.

Jewel tones are hot this year!

On the Fourth Day of Market..............

2010-01-16T22:37:00.003-06:00

Life Size Possible Dreams Santa-Collapsible for storage. Great idea! Alpine Village Oktoberfest Series-Wunderbar!

Part of the 25th Anniversary Collection from our friends at Possible Dreams.

On the Third Day of Market....

2010-01-16T19:10:00.004-06:00

Fantastic Western Tree using Kurt Adler ornaments.

Fun, whimsical wreath. Gorg!!!!!

The jolly ol' guy himself.

On the Second Day of Market....

2010-01-14T22:21:00.002-06:00

Another productive day has come and gone in Dallas. I spent my morning buying lines such as Curly Girl Design, Embellish Your Story, Willow Tree and Glass Fusion at the Demdaco showroom. I love Demdaco since they are an artist driven company and provide a new and fresh approach to the gift industry.

My afternoon appointment was with Midwest- CBK. I purchased some wonderful lamps, chandeliers and occasional tables that will be arriving in late February just in time for Spring Break and the Wildflower season, which should be spectacular this year. The Christmas trim offered by Midwest is really over the top and I had a great time picking out the most spectacular items for our customers to ooh and ahh over.

Tomorrow is another day and this blogger is sleepy. Thank you for visiting and we can't wait to show you all the new goodies! ;-)

On the First Day of Market....

2010-01-13T22:45:00.005-06:00

Today was the first day of market. I started off with a reconnaissance mission in mind. I planned to hit all the different showrooms and see who had what. I did okay for the first two hours and then I found myself in Imagine That and placed an order for some fabulous new Texas and Western ornaments from Canterbury Lane. Lots of fun, fun stuff. I then wandered over to the World Trade Center and perused the new line of Mark Roberts Fairies, Kissing Fish by Kathryn's Collections, Raz Imports Florals and then....Patience Brewster. Hubba Hubba! What a great day. At the end of the day I was seeing cross-eyed and it was time to come back to the hotel and decompress. Thanks for visiting ;-)

The Horns

2010-01-08T10:24:00.005-06:00

Well the National Championship has been decided and my team didn't win. So all I will say is congratulations to the Crimson Tide of The University of Alabama for a great season.
I would be remiss if I didn't congratulate the Horns as well. They played a great game and have no reason to hang their heads. We love y'all and are so proud to claim you as our own.
Colt McCoy is a class act and accepts the will of God in his life. Please view the video posted below to see what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qygFhxCkFkg

As always thanks for visiting and we will see you in the 'burg. ;-)

Pack it up and move it out....

2010-01-07T10:04:00.008-06:00

Well it is inventory time at The Christmas Store and we are starting to look like zombies counting and recounting every little widget. The computer is being updated with the latest and greatest information and it is evident to all involved that it is bloody January again!
We still have our sale going and we are wheeling and dealing in order to be out with the old and in with the new.
Speaking of the new....I am off to Dallas Market next week to do the buying for 2010.
I am very excited to be purchasing the new merchandise for the year to come.
We are sensing an optimistic outlook from our wonderful customers and are praying that the worst of the economic downturn is behind us. Nevertheless, caution is not being thrown to the wind and our inventory choices will remain very theme and line specific. As always, thank-you for visiting and we hope to see you in the 'burg. :-)

Where in the world is Carmen SanDiego?

2009-12-30T12:15:00.002-06:00

I have been out of pocket for a few days. Can you guess where I have been?
I am so proud of our staff at The Christmas Store, as far as we know, things went off without a hitch while the bosses were taking some time off. Thank-you Christmas Store girls.
Just so you know, some merchandise at The Christmas Store has been discounted and will remain that way at least through January 3rd. If there is something special you have been pining for call us at 800-944-1882 and see if we can fill the bill or check with us online
There is one more big weekend left in 2009 and we would love to see y'all here in the 'burg.
As always, thanks for dropping in and catching up with us. ;-)

Peace on Earth

2009-12-16T21:51:00.009-06:00

What would our lives be like if we could experience peace on earth and show goodwill towards others? Imagine our soldiers, marines, airmen, guardsmen and sailors home with their families this Christmas. Imagine a world with no car bombs, suicide bombers or terrorists. As long as we are dreaming how about an end t0 hunger, homelessness and discrimination?

The thing is we must never give up and think our acts of kindness towards other is too small to make a difference. It was Mother Teresa that said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Our small acts of kindness add to peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Change begins with the one person you can actually change, which is you. Thanks for visiting and have a Merry Christmas. ;-)

The Angel Tree

2009-12-14T20:14:00.004-06:00

I just happened to wander into the bank lobby today instead of doing my usual drive thru. In the lobby of the bank stood a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree with packages beneath. As I approached the tree I noticed there were still Angel ornaments on the tree. These brightly colored ornaments listed four items each "Angel" wanted for Christmas. As I studied the ornaments in order to pick one I noticed the nature of the gifts, they were humbling. Listed were items such as detergent, stamps, stationary and lotion. There weren't any extravagances, just plain needs. This got me to thinking about how little it really takes to make someones day.

In the end I took four ornaments off the Angel Tree. My friend, Lynn, was kind enough to take two of them and I kept two. This is a tough economy and people don't have much to give. The fact of the matter is these "Angels" aren't really asking for much. Just the necessities, that's all they want. Make someones Christmas merry. Sometimes a smile, kind word, or a small donation is all it takes. Thanks for visiting. ;-)

Frohliche Weinhachten

2009-12-13T18:21:00.006-06:00

The fun never ends in Fredericksburg. Tonight is the Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party hosted by our favorite local dentist.

Switching gears, when my youngest son was in second grade his school performed the following well loved hymn in Spanish, German and English. Please enjoy this version of Silent Night, my favorite Christmas carol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUb8ySdERKs

What a blessing it is to be from Fredericksburg and to be exposed to different cultures. We are truly blessed. Thanks for visiting. :-)

The Cardinal

2009-12-11T18:55:00.006-06:00

I remember my favorite Christmas Tree. Several years ago I travelled to South Texas with my family. On a cold December morning I was sitting in a deer blind waiting for the sun to come up. As the day began to come alive I glanced out to a nearby mesquite tree. It was decorated by nature with a family or two of cardinals and some mistletoe . As I let that moment sink in it occured to me that this was the prettiest Christmas tree I had ever seen. A gnarly, leafless mesquite shimmering with frost and covered in red birds chirping and welcoming the early morning. Mother Nature greeted me with a beautiful sight that morning.

Ever since that trip I have been particularly fond of red birds. For me they evoke a beautiful memory of Mother Nature showing me her splendor.

I know the Patience Brewster "Cardinal" pictured here is not exactly realistic but nevertheless, I am continuously amazed by Patience's vivid imagination that continues to delight me and help me see the world differently. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for visiting. See you in the 'burg. ;-)

The Countdown

2009-12-09T18:50:00.008-06:00

Fifteen, count 'em 15, shopping days until Christmas! That means 15 days to finish decorating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, sending cards, partying etc., etc.

Or... you can do what I'm doing and jump on a plane and head to warmer climes to spend the holidays with family and friends. I am stoked to be headed to Disney World to meet up with my oldest son Charlie, my daughter-in-law Carrie and my granddaughter Ada for the holidays.

Fortunately, I have two wonderful partners, Don and John, that will have my back while I'm away. Thanks guys. And....we have a staff that is trustworthy and will work hard to keep everything spinning while the bosses play. Thanks girls y'all are the best.

Kids at Christmas

2009-12-08T10:04:00.005-06:00

I'm really starting to get in the holiday spirit. Yesterday I attended a Toys for Tots toy drive http://www.toysfortots.org/ hosted by Sisters Morales at Casbeers at the Church in San Antonio. What a great place!

Unbelievable musicians including Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Mains, The Krayolas, Mitch West and the Swindlers, Davin James, and Sisters Morales. All these great bands and the price of admission was a toy! What a deal. This was a great event raising money for a great cause.

If you haven't stepped outside your box yet this Christmas Season and stirred up a little love then I urge you to go for it. I can imagine the face of a child on Christmas morning hugging a big stuffed reindeer. I was up late last night, but coffee and the good feelings from giving will get me through this day. Spread it around y'all! See you in the 'burg and thanks for visiting. ;-)

St. Nikolaus Markt

2009-12-02T21:03:00.007-06:00

The best event of the year, the Fredericksburg Christmas Parade is right around the corner. The parade will kick off Friday at 6:30 p.m. with 75 to 80 entries including floats, marching bands, vehicles, fire engines and even St. Nikolaus.

Also this weekend a German style market will be held a Marktplatz. There will be 35 booths for shopping, plenty of German food and drink and of course lots of entertainment.

Visitors will be able to observe the newly installed 26 foot Christmas themed German pyramid. The rotating pyramid, built in Erzgebirge, Germany is decorated with lighted candles. It is really a sight to behold.

Fredericksburg is decorated beautifully. Store fronts, city buildings, parks, homes and streets are decked out in all their holiday finery. We have gone all out to showcase a bit of our German heritage and we would love to share it with you. This is the best weekend of the year to be in the 'burg. See you at The Christmas Store

Jareth

2009-12-01T16:13:00.004-06:00

It is a cold and rainy day in Central Texas. I have spent the day dealing with administrative duties like paying bills.

Between tasks I have been practicing on my new set of bongos I received as a Christmas gift. Yes, I KNOW, it's not Christmas yet, but back to the story....as I tap on my drums I notice a relaxing trance like state overtakes me. I don't know what you want to call it; prayer, meditation, clearing your mind or whatever but, I believe that the repetitive rah pah pum pum is good for the soul. If it is good for the soul then it must be good for the heart and mind too. This day I give you the gift of music to stir your soul, renew your mind and lighten your heart. Enjoy and thanks for visiting. ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XYeWG3bvL0

It's beginning to look alot like panic....

2009-11-30T21:55:00.003-06:00

Panic is setting in. It is the beginning of December and everyone I know has too much to do. There's decorating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, etc., etc. The list of chores seems endless.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holidays remember to breathe in and breathe out. This is the most wonderful time of the year. Spend time with your family, volunteer to help others, sing carols, celebrate advent. Do whatever makes you happy with feeling.

Year after year I watch as people get so wrapped up in getting everything done that they forget to enjoy the Reason for the Season. Just think what a wonderful month it will be if we spend more time celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and less time worrying about details.

Beach, beach, beach

2009-11-24T21:01:00.005-06:00

This is the beautiful face of a child flying a kite for the first time. If only we could maintain this child like wonder throughout our lives! This photo makes a Nana want to bust with pride. Pictured is my oldest son Charlie and my granddaughter Ada on the beach in Destin, Florida this past weekend.

We will miss Charlie, Carrie and Ada this Thanksgiving but thankfully we can Skype them. The technology that we have available to us is wonderful and makes it easy for family members that are separated to keep in touch.

Ada will be two in a week or so and she is changing daily not only physically but verbally so keeping in touch is of prime importance to a Nana in Texas.

God bless y'all, happy Thanksgiving and thanks for visiting~love on your family and friends and give them a hug from Fredericksburg ;-)

American soldiers

2009-11-23T16:24:00.003-06:00

As Americans we have so much to be thankful for. We are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday where we take the time to gather with family and friends to share memories, fun, food and fellowship. This year someone special will be missing from our table. My son Willie (on the far right) at age 21, is serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. I ask you to remember our soldiers this year and pray for their safe return home. Many families around the country will be thinking about their special someone who is missing from the Thanksgiving table. I urge you to take a minute and have a heartfelt moment with those you love while you are together.

A real catch

2009-11-18T21:40:00.004-06:00

2009 is the 10th Anniversary of Kissing Fish by Katherine's Collection and this is the commemorative ornament for the occasion. As always, she is a real beauty. If you have seen kissy fish before you know they are all humorous with personality plus. For kissy fish collectors/lovers the world over this ornament is must.

Lost Maples

2009-11-17T21:49:00.004-06:00

On Sunday I took a trip out to Lost Maples State Natural Area which is west of Fredericksurg near Vanderpool on F.M. 187. Rumor had it that the color change would not be very vibrant this year. Wrong! There were pockets of deep reds, oranges, yellows and browns. Autumn colors were there in all their splendor. The sun came out from behind the clouds in the late afternoon and rippled off the water and magnified natures colors. This made for a truly majestic setting for hiking, taking photographs, chatting and taking in the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. I don't know how long the color change and leaves will last but I can assure while it is here it is picture perfect.

God, psychics and tourists

2009-11-16T15:06:00.006-06:00

On November 10th Ernestine went missing. As a side point her name used to be Ernest until we found out itsa girl! Anyway...a miracle has occured.

We were distraught when she went missing. We made posters, knocked on doors, chased down joggers and such looking for our precious kitten. No luck!

On Sunday as I was getting ready for church the Lord spoke to me and told me Ernestine was coming home. I bounded into the kitchen and shared the good news with John. In the meantime, Don had contacted a pet psychic, Suzi Dalling. Suzi informed Don that Ernestine was coming home on Sunday. Don didn't know about my message from the Lord when he contacted the psychic. He said if I had told him he could have saved $125.00!

This gets weirder...at noon on Sunday a tourist saw Ernestine's picture on a missing poster. He calls the number on the poster and says he has the cat at his B&B. John asked him where he was calling from and he was standing in front of The Christmas Store calling from his cell phone.

The Christmas Store is truly the center of all weirdness! We are so happy to have Ernestine home. By the way the psychic said Ernestine wants to be call Freesta. We're sticking with Ernestine.

Texas Pride

2009-11-11T20:42:00.004-06:00

Everyone knows Texans are a proud bunch. From the crown of our hats to the wing tip of our boots we just bust with pride when we talk to you about our beloved state. Did I mention how big it is? How beautiful? How friendly? I could go on and on.

Texans the world over will be tickled pink to hang this ornament on their Christmas Tree and express their Texas Pride! Call Peggy today at 800-944-1882 to order your slice of Texas or visit our website at www.ChristmasStoreFred.com to shop in the comfort of your ten gallon hat and boots! Y'all give us a holler and let us help you with your Chritmas decorating and gift giving.

It's Vegas baby....

2009-11-09T19:12:00.004-06:00

I am just back from the Pro Bull Riding Finals in Las Vegas. Wow! What a trip. I went out with my parents and my best friend and we had a blast.

Congratulations to Kody Lohstroh, the new World Champion Bull rider and to JB Mauney who rode all eight of his bulls at the finals and won the finals. These cowboys are tough athletes. All the finalist were amazing and super nice to their fans and supporters.

There was even a bull rider from Fredericksburg in the finals. We were proud to hoot and holler for Elliot Jacoby, our hometown cowboy. The performances were ultra professional and and we are already making plans to go back next year. If you ever have a chance, go to a PBR event. You will not be disappointed.

It's all good...

2009-11-04T20:54:00.002-06:00

When I saw this photograph that a friend took I knew immediately that I needed to share it with you. One thing that Fredericksburg is famous for is our amazing architecture. When was the last time you just wandered around town and admired the sights? It is easy to take beauty for granted when you drive by it every day. Enough already. Let's take time to admire the beauty around us and appreciate the sights of the Texas Hill Country. We have been blessed with some picture perfect weather. The foliage is turning colors, the creeks are running and the pastures are lush. The Fall is the absolute best time to visit.

Enchanted Rock

2009-11-03T22:49:00.002-06:00

I took a trip out to Enchanted Rock on Sunday. It was amazing. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was gorgeous, the leaves were starting to change colors and the creeks were running. All the elements came together for a picture perfect day.

The Texas Hill Country has been experiencing a string of beautiful days. I urge you to get on over here and enjoy Texas at it's best.

Saturday

2009-11-02T18:16:00.003-06:00

The Christmas Store Gang let down their hair and celebrated Halloween with some great costumes, comraderie and comic relief. We took the prize for the best dressed store staff on Main Street. Of course, we made up the contest and we voted on the winner, but I'm just saying...we rocked. In this picture from left to right is John, Peg, Don, Susie, Tamara and Sarah.

Boo-Who

2009-10-27T20:30:00.003-05:00

I am still trying to decide what my Halloween costume will be. I hope you are having more luck than I am putting your costume together. I am open to ideas. My parameters are as follows: easy, cheap and fast. Wow that makes it sound like I should be fast food!

There are a few other ideas I have been kicking around and the Christopher Radko ornament, All Hallow's Eve, on the right has given me inspiration. Spiders are creepy, spooky, and icky which sounds like the perfect theme for a costume. I think I will go as Spider Woman. I will have absolutely no super human powers nor will I save any cities from destruction but I will bug everyone!

Punkin' Perch

2009-10-22T20:56:00.003-05:00

The countdown is on. There are only 64 shopping days until Christmas. The days start flying by this time of year. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and then we rest.

The challenge is to not get ahead of ourselves. It is so important to enjoy each and every day to the fullest. The "busyness" of this season can leave us stressed and irritable and that's bad!

This is a wonderful season with plenty of opportunities to reconnect with family and friends. I urge each and everyone of you to breathe in and breathe out, relax and enjoy each and every moment of this season as well as each person encountered.

A Dickens of a Deal

2009-10-21T20:13:00.005-05:00

The Dicken's Village Series is celebrating 25 years. The first buildings were made in 1984. I had a one year old in 1984 and was too busy raising him to discover Dicken's Village but, there are collectors that had the good sense to start collecting in 1984 and own the first seven houses that were presented. These original seven buildings have been beautifully reinterpreted and reissued for 2009.

I'm not sure what the secondary market values are of those first seven houses issued but I suspect they are worth quite a bit of money.

The best part of the story is that although the original collection is valuable, the real value has been in the enjoyment, memories and celebrations over the past 25 years. Decorations and collections add to our enjoyment of the Holidays. Beautiful memories are made when family and friends gather for holiday celebrations in a wonderfully decorated environment. May all your gatherings be memorable!

Spirit of Hope

2009-10-15T17:17:00.006-05:00

The Fredericksburg "Power of Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness event is scheduled for October 29. This event is designed to celebrate advances in breast cancer research and generate hope for the future.

Donna McMahon, a breast cancer survivor, will be sharing her story at the dinner Oct. 29 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Ms. McMahon is the keynote speaker for the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center Dinner Seminar and Style Show at the Bethany Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $25 and are available at the Hill Country Memorial Hospital Wellness Center until Oct. 21.

Registration is from 5-5:30 p.m. and a heart healthy dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. with a style show during dinner. The speaker panel will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be by Delicious Details.

Breast cancer survivors will be modeling for the show and include Karen Carr, Catherine Dietz, Kaye Kirkland, Etta Litherland, Donna McMahon, Vicki Mitchell, Kellie Olfers, Cynthia Pedregon, Jacque Redstone, Dolores Roos, Cynthia Kate Sawtelle, Lucas Sawtelle, Vernell Scott, Sherrie Smith and Beth Watson (me!).

Event sponsors are Beall’s, Beulah’s, Der Klieder Schrank, Haberdashery, Hill Country Outfitters, In-Step, Jabberwocky, Jacque Rudman Collections, Madlyn’s, Parts Unknown, The Peach Tree, Root, The Secret Garden and Zertz.

The panel discussion on breast cancer treatment will include a team of Hill Country Memorial Hospital Medical Staff breast cancer specialists moderated by radiologist Robert R. Murray, MD.

Come and help us celebrate the Power of Pink!!!

A Sleighful of Radko Arrives

2009-10-14T20:10:00.005-05:00

The big, brown UPS sleigh dropped off a full load of Christopher Radko products yesterday. Peggy and John have been crazy busy unloading, unpacking and displaying the new goodies like the Siberian Sleighful Collector Platter shown here.

It is very seldom that I walk into The Christmas Store Radko Gallery and go absolutely gaga over new product, but that was my reaction to this collector platter. The detailing, quality and price all stunned me, and I mean in a good way. This is one drop dead gorgeous piece of art and will sell out quickly. Come in this weekend and see this new product for yourself. You will not be disappointed. See y'all in the 'burg.

A Grave Situation

2009-10-13T20:14:00.008-05:00

It's scary, but Halloween is lurking right around the corner. The ghouls at The Christmas Store are getting the finger food and boos ready for a big party.

Seriously, who doesn't love Halloween? I'm on board with any opportunity to dress up in a costume, decorate like a fiend, and eat chocolate!

There is still plenty of time to treat your home to Halloween goodies and plan a spooky party. Let us help you pull together the bones of a haunting display. As we all know, this time of year, anything ghost. Witch D56 house would you like?

Boot Scootin'

2009-10-12T20:04:00.003-05:00

The Stars are dancing tonight and their rendition of the Texas Two Step made me think about this Texas Boot ornament hand painted by Patti Lu Bowsley from Garland. Pat is one of our very favorite artists and has been for years. She and her daughter have supplied custom designed ornaments for The Christmas Store since 1994. These ornaments are dated and presented either as "Merry Christmas from Texas" or "Merry Christmas from Fredericksburg". Every Christmas tree needs a "Patti Lu" or two to complete the look and give it a little Texas flair. Visit www.ChristmasStoreFred.com and place your order today.

Home for the Holidays

2009-10-08T10:30:00.003-05:00

Woo Hoo I'm out of town for a bit of fun! I am travelling with the Texas representative for Christopher Radko, Lynn Brammer. Many of you have met Lynn over the years. I have known Lynn as a friend for 35 years and we have worked together in the industry for 15 years.

Today Lynn has a Signing Event at Miss Cayce's Christmas Store and More in Midland. This afternoon I will get to meet Christopher Radko Top Designer Mario Tare' and the owners of Miss Cayce's Becky McCraney and Kathy Harrison. The event today is tied in with a local charity, High Sky Children's Ranch. Hats off to Miss Cayce's. Y'all rock.

Lone Star Santas

2009-10-04T16:09:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we had the pleasure of visiting with lots of great customers and this handsome group of men. Santa was in town doing a bit of scouting around before Christmas. Did you know there are only 82 shopping days until Christmas? Santa's presence in The Christmas Store obviously caused a bit of a stir and drummed up some interest. We learned they have their own website. Santa can be reached at http://www.lonestarsanta.com/ or you can contact us for their sleigh or workshop numbers. For your Santa needs call us at 800-944-1882 and let us hook you up with one of the nicest fellows around.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-01T10:41:00.002-05:00

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. It seems like everywhere I look there is a program happening to raise awareness, fund mammograms, etc. That is fantastic. Get involved. Get a mammogram and encourage all the women in your life to get one too. Tell your moms, sisters, wives, aunts, grandmothers, granddaughters, cousins, friends, all the women in your life, to get their mammogras if it is suggested by their physician.

All I can tell you is that early detection through my annual mammogram caught my breast cancer early and probably saved my life. This disease affects a massive amount of women and education and early detection is the key to the cure.

Please don't ignore me on this one. I know what I'm talking about. Hug all the people in your life and tell you love them. You never know!!!!

Oktoberfest Man

2009-09-30T09:37:00.003-05:00

We are getting ready for a big weekend. It's Oktoberfest! Let the oom pah pah begin and the beer flow. This is the official kick off of our Fall season and we are very excited about all the fun events that are are lined up for the next few months. The annual Oktoberfest celebration will be held at Marktplatz October 2-4. Oktoberfest is an opportunity for Fredericksburg residents and our guests to celebrate their cultural heritage. It's food, fun, drink, music and shopping. What could be better. We'll see you in the 'burg this weekend!

Yuengling-America's Oldest Brewery

2009-09-26T17:09:00.008-05:00

America's Oldest Brewery is celebrating their 180th Anniversary this year. The Yuengling (pronounced Ying-Ling) Brewery in Pottsville Pennsylvania began brewing beer in 1829. Currently the company brews 1.8 million barrels annually and sells their brew in 13 Southern and Eastern states.

The designers at Department 56 have done a wonderful Original Snow Village building to commemorate this historic business. There are also two accessories pieces that go with The Yuengling Brewery. The first is Yuengling Delivery and the other one is entitled The Yuengling Champs.

We are proud of our German friends in Pennsylvania for their longevity and perseverance as a family owned business. If you would like more information about The Yuengling click through to http://www.yuengling.com/ . As always we can be reached at 800-944-1882 or http://www.christmasstorefred.com/

The Yellow Rose of Texas

2009-09-24T22:05:00.005-05:00

This is one of my favorite ornaments for 2009. All Texans love "The Yellow Rose of Texas", and can probably hum the song without much difficulty. The lyrics are a different story though since there are several versions.

"The Yellow Rose of Texas" is a traditional folk song which has long been popular in the United States and is considered an unofficial state song of Texas. The actual author is unknown; the original publisher (Firth, Pond & Co.) only stated that it was composed and arranged expressly for Charles H. Brown by "J.K." The A. Henry Moss Papers in the Center for American History has an unpublished early handwritten version of what may be a similar song, perhaps dating from the time of the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.

All I know for sure is that this is one beautiful ornament and would make a great gift for your favorite Texan.

Not to be Outdone....

2009-09-22T21:55:00.002-05:00

My last post debuted the UT Santa and today, to be fair to all the Aggie fans out there, here is the new A&M Santa from Joy to the World Collectables. This guy is stunningly handsome and would make a great addition to any Aggie's Christmas Tree.

As you know, today is the first day of Fall and it is a fact that Christmas is quickly approaching. These collegiate Santa's have already sold out one time this year and they are quickly flying off the shelves again. Call us at 800-944-1882 to order your ornament or contact us online at www.christmasstorefred.com Gig 'em!

Hook 'em Santa

2009-09-20T14:47:00.006-05:00

We have picked up a new line of glass that includes wonderful collegiate pieces. We now carry University of Texas and Texas A&M University Santas. These are fabulous. There are many other styles available and can be special ordered. We have a catalog at The Christmas Store that customers can peruse for ordering. Joy to the World has a wide variety of unique Texas ornaments as well as the collegiate collection. Come on in and let us help you find a fantastic momento for your favorite sports fan or that special Texan in your life. I will be adding some of these ornaments to the website this next week. Feel free to visit us at www.christmasstorefred.com and check out Joy to the World.

It's Officially Official

2009-09-18T13:49:00.002-05:00

We have finally started receiving some of our 2009 Patience Brewster merchandise. We have had a long dry spell with nothing new from Patience and now the warehouse is beginning to see some new product. We have a smattering at this time but in the next few weeks we should be fully stocked. We have moved this product within the store in anticpation of the new merchandise to arrive. Quantities will be very limited this year so be sure and peruse our website at www.ChristmasStoreFred.com and select your favorites. Remember as always, we are happy to put items on lay away.

A Dose of Reality

2009-09-17T17:20:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I worry about Fredericksburg losing it's rural charm. Then I get a dose of reality. Last week I walked out of the back of The Christmas Store and encountered this rooster in our parking lot. At that point, my worry about urban sprawl eating us up was put to rest.

This guy made himself at home around our box trailer. The last I saw of him he was wandering off across the Chase Bank parking lot. Hopefully he was headed back to take care of his hens. Thankfully Fredericksburg still has lots of rural charm and friendly people. Why don't you and your family come on over this weekend and see us? In Fredericksburg you can slow down and enjoy a slower pace of life and friendly faces all around. See you in the 'burg!

Picture Perfect....

2009-09-16T15:57:00.002-05:00

Days like today are the reason I tolerate the dog days of a Texas Summer. The temperature here is picture perfect beautiful and there is a hint of the cooler weather we can look forward to this Fall. Last weeks rains have greened up our pastures and yards and given our drought ridden earth a brief reprieve. We are very thankful for God's provision.

We have so many wonderful things to anticipate in the coming weeks. The Christmas Store's 15th Anniversary Celebration will take place the first weekend of October and coincides with Oktoberfest which is, in my opinion, the best festival weekend in Fredericksburg all year long. Make your plans now. Accomodations will fill up quickly and we want to see you here. Get ready for Fall Y'all.

The Birthday Boys

2009-09-15T15:29:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to Don and John. We had a small dinner party to celebrate September 14th and the fact that the twins came into the world that day. Don was out of town at another birthday party, (he is a social butterfly!) but John took the reins and managed to celebrate their birthdays in style. The best cook in town, Marissa, made us all a wonderful dinner and provided phenomenal wine to accompany our meal. Birthday hats off to everyone who planned and helped celebrate the party. I'm glad September 14th only rolls around once a year as I was a tad bleary eyed this morning.

Cristen and Brock

2009-09-11T15:41:00.005-05:00

If you have been a customer or friend of The Christmas Store for

any length of time you have probably met Adeline. She has been working at The Christmas Store since 1994. That's fifteen years!!! Adeline is a key member of the "make it look good" team and we value her work highly. By the way, she is our only employee that can converse with our German tourists in their own language and we appreciate her for that skill. Adeline has not only worked at The Christmas Store all these years , she has been my friend. We have shared our lives, our joys and our sorrows and now there is more happy news to share. Adeline's granddaughter Cristen is marrying her best friend Brock tomorrow. I want to take this occasion to wish the happy couple my very best and to let Cristen know she has an awesome Mamaw.

Rain, rain, rain, rain

2009-09-11T09:27:00.005-05:00

The big news here is we have been receiving priceless rainfall. The Hill Country will start to spring to life in short order. As most of you know we have been in an extreme drought since late 2007. I know that throughout Central and South Texas rain has been falling over the past week and there is more on the way. God is good and so faithful in providing for our needs. My hope is that you are receiving your portion of God's blessings where you live.

The other big news for The Christmas Store is that we have received our Christmas trees into the warehouse, or as we call it the wherehouse (as in "where is that merchandise hiding?"). We have a small selection of pre-lit trees from 7 to 9.5 feet. We have inverted trees, which are very popular as well as traditional profiles. Our trees are very natural looking. We have flocked and regular evergreen styles. Please call us asap if you need a new Christmas Tree this year as they will sell out very fast. We can be reached at 800-944-1882 or online at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/

Brave Americans

2009-09-07T08:19:00.004-05:00

This little boy, Daylan, has a birthday today. He is two years old. I have a feeling his second birthday will be overshadowed. You see Daylan's daddy was a brave American soldier. On Friday Daylan's daddy, Darryn, was killed in Afghanistan.

Our prayers go out to Daylan and his mommy, Julie and all their family. We are absolutely heart broken and ask for your prayers for this family. They will have much to deal with and we hold them up to God for His loving grace and compassion.

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-04T16:00:00.003-05:00

Woo hoo Labor Day is here. We have almost reached the end of Summer 2009. This weekend is the last hurrah. We are hoping lots of you will come and visit us this weekend. There is alot of excitement around The Christmas Store and around town. We are all refreshed after our summer vacations and ready to hit the ground running during the Fall months. Fredericksburg, as always, has lots of festivals and events planned for the next few months. One of the best events planned for this weekend is the Doss Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry. If you have never been to this event in Doss you are really missing a wonderful slice of life in the Texas Hill Country. I strongly suggest you make plans to go out there Saturday night and let the fine folks in Doss serve you up some good Hill Country hospitality.

Fall is in the air!

2009-09-03T16:26:00.002-05:00

Happy September!!!! It is hard to believe that 2009 has flown by this way and that eight months of the year are gone. I don't know why I am surprised. As I age, every year goes by faster than the previous ones. Life is like that. At The Christmas Store we have been busy merchandising our Autumn produt. We have a great selection of florals, home decor and gifts for the season.

Today I placed an order for our Fall Yankee Candles. They should arrive soon. There is just something special about this time of year. I start to anticipate cooler weather, football, holidays, family time and all the special activities that coincide with this time of year.

I wish you a blessed day and rest assured, we are counting our blessings since Tiffanie Carroll (Tamara's daughter) came through her surgery so well. I would like to thank everyone for their prayers.

New Blankies in the Baby Area

2009-09-01T14:01:00.005-05:00

We have a new vendor in the baby area that is making the most adorable soft, snuggly blankets for little ones. We are happy to carry fabric snugglies designed by Carrie. These blankies are so soft and adorable. Carrie uses uber soft minky dot fabric on one side and vintage look fabrics on the other. All blankies are hand made with love. The blankies come in two sizes. There is a small size perfect for cuddling and a set that includes a large baby blanket and matching snuggly. These will make a perfect gift as they are small, light weight and easily packable. Children love these blankies as the texture of the fabrics are wonderful. Carrie can be reached for custom color combinations and orders at care_e_24@hotmail.com

Tiffanie Carroll

2009-08-30T20:20:00.004-05:00

Most all our friends and customers at The Christmas Store know Tamara. She is our webmaster and IT guru and we couldn't get along without her. You may not know Tiffanie though, she is Tamara's daughter. Tomorrow Tiffanie will have heart surgery at Christa Santa Rosa in San Antonio. Tiffanie has a hole in her heart that must be repaired. Please pray for God's protection over Tiffanie and her family as they go through this difficult day tomorrow.

The World Transplant Games

2009-08-28T16:39:00.005-05:00

Our friend Michael Walter and his family are in Australia right now for the World Transplant Games-Gold Coast 2009. Michael, along with his company MSW Computer Services, is our computer guru at The Christmas Store and we love him and his staff! Michael is a liver transplant recipient and as a matter of fact, he has had to go through that particular surgery twice. Since Michael's transplant he has worked and trained so hard and now he is at the World Games! So far Michael has won two silver medals and a gold in swimming events. We are so proud of Michael we could pop. Visit his website http://www.worldtransplantgames.com/default.htm

for further information about Michael and his story.

A True Texan Passes

2009-08-27T09:04:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I learned that on Saturday, our friend Elmer Kelton, had passed away. I am deeply saddened by this news. Mr. Kelton was a regular at The Christmas Store. He and his kind wife, would come to the store a few times a year to sign books and chat with readers from all walks of life. This all happened when Mr. Ron Anderson had his bookstore in The Christmas Store.

There was never a nicer or more interesting man. He was old school. Polite and funny and a really interesting man to talk with about Texas and the way things used to be. More and more of Mr. Kelton's generation are passing from this world to be with their Maker. It's a fact of life. I encourage you to take the time to visit with an older person this week. They have so much wisdom to offer us. My sincere condolences to Mrs. Kelton and the family. He will be sorely missed.

The Dog Days of Summer

2009-08-26T15:38:00.005-05:00

It is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot here in Central Texas. School is back in session and the summer crowds are gone. Rather than freaking out about slower sales, we are using this opportunity to take a little down time and recharge our batteries. Don has been vacationing for a few days in California and now John is headed there for a little R&R. I bet I get a few days off next!

In the meantime merchandise continues to flow into the warehouse and we keep on keepin' on. Linda is busy pricing, Tamara is busy doing techie stuff and the girls behind the registers have located their dust rags and are chasing dust bunnies down for extinction.

It is sometimes hard to stay positive and upbeat when things are slow but fortunately we are surrounded by so many friends in the industry and great customers that we see the silver lining on the edge of this cloud. Traffic will pick up soon enough but in the meantime we will continue to breathe in and breathe out and be grateful for our blessings.

By the way, did you know there are 121 shopping days left until Christmas....I'm just saying!

Snowman

2009-08-25T11:32:00.005-05:00

Check out the cute Snowman door banner from new artist Lisa Frost! Lisa's art is licensed and produced by Demdaco, the creator of Willow Tree angels and collectables.

Lisa creates one-of-a-kind pieces in paintery style for holiday, home and kids. Owning a piece from this collection will add a swirl of whimsy to your home. This is a large banner (I forgot to get the dimensions) that retails for $40.25. Call us or come visit soon! As always, we can be reached at 800-944-1882 or online at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/.

Gnome Sweet Gnome!

2009-08-24T21:10:00.005-05:00

Have you visited 'The Outback' lately? Our new and improved garden area, on our air conditioned patio, is chocked full of all sorts of wonderful things for the outdoors. We have fabulous flags, statuary, birdbaths, doormats, windchimes and more. Gardening is therapeutic. Digging in the dirt is good for you and the results are rewarding.

It is time to start planning our Fall gardens and a good way to get excited about your garden, when it is still 100 degrees outdoors, is by investing in a new interesting focal point for your space. Chose something that expresses your personality. I have my eye on this cute little guy pictured here. He will look terrific amongst my mums this Fall!

Cookbooks

2009-08-23T15:41:00.009-05:00

It's no secret that The Christmas Store Crew is a bunch of Foodies. We even publish our own newsletter, The Dining News. This small publication gives our customers hints, tips and insider information on a selection of Fredericksburg restaurants and bars.

In a further attempt to satisy our inner foodie we have brought in a new vendor with the best selection of the greatest cookbooks on the market. I hope the next time you stop in the store you will peruse Mary Ann's Cookbooks and take away a real treasure that will help satisfy your inner foodie.

As always, visit us online at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/ or give us a call at 800-944-1882. See you in Fredericksburg!

Beth

It's Fair Day!

2009-08-21T11:21:00.003-05:00

Yee Haw it's time for the Gillespie County Fair. This is the 121st Anniversary of our Fair and excitement abounds. There is a huge parade, carnival, concert, dance, livestock and projects judgings, a new Fair Queen and all the other stuff one would expect at the Fair. Come to Fredericksburg this weekend and get involved in all the fun.

Don't forget to visit the shops in town while you are here. We are carrying the work of a new artist I want to tell you about. This line is from artist Marjolein Bastin. She is a naturalist and calls on nature to inspire her artwork. There are many gorgeous pieces to admire. Hew work is not on our website but if you would like to see some of the other Christmas Store items, please be sure to visit us at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/ Even though it will be another hot Texas day come on in and see us for a touch of Christmas in August.

Beth

A Spooktacular Event

2009-08-20T16:23:00.004-05:00

D 56er's from all over the U.S. descended on us today. The Region 8 Roundup is taking place August 21-23 in San Antonio at the Omni. A group from the Roundup boarded a bus this morning at 8. They stopped at The Wildseed Farm, Becker Vineyards, The Peach Tree Tea Room and then they came in to shop and visit with us.

This was a great opportunity for us to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and share our mutual love of all things Christmas. I would like to give a big thank-you to Don, the D56 manager for organizing a fantastic event.

The Region 8 Roundup is about fun but it is also about charity. This year the group chose WINGS (Women Involved In Nurturing, Giving, Sharing) as their charitable organization to receive financial support. WINGS is dedicated to providing breast cancer treatment to uninsured and underinsured women in Central and South Texas. They can be reached at http://www.texaswings.org/. Way to go D56er's, y'all rock!

Till we meet again may Christmas always be in your heart. Be sure to visit us online at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/

Beth

Shiny Brite

2009-08-19T12:47:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone,

For all the Christopher Radko fans out there, I wanted to give you a quick update. New merchandise is arriving daily. The last items to come in are the Shiny Brite glass ornaments. For those of you who are not familiar with Shiny Brite, they are Vintage American 1940's Designs in vintage packaging. Absolutely wonderful. Shiny Brites are sold in sets of four to twelve ornaments per package. We have carried Christopher Radko ornaments since 1995. I don't remember when Shiny Brites came on the scene but, I have never seen them look so beautiful. The painting, glittering etc. is all exceptional. For further information please visit our website at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/. Peggy and the rest of us at The Chrismas Store are excited about the new merchandise and we look forward to working with you soon. Til next time may the Spirit of Christmas remain in your heart always.

Beth

Jim Shore has arrived!

2009-08-18T11:40:00.004-05:00

Hello from The Christmas Store in Fredericksburg Texas. We have added a new line to our merchandise. Jim Shore Collectables have arrived! We love this new line and apparently so do you. Over the years so many wonderful customers have requested Jim's work. We have finally acquiesced. We will have a full complement of his collection posted on our web site soon at http://www.christmasstorefred.com/. Our webmaster, Tamara is busy putting new Christopher Radko product on the web today but soon she will start developing a page for Jim Shore. Stay in the Christmas Spirit until next time!

Beth

Sunday

2009-08-16T19:15:00.001-05:00

This has been a lazy Sunday. I love those days. I finished a really good book today. It is called The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. It is a story about perseverance. I would highly recommend this book if you are interested. This book deals with the lives of children growing up in a household where addiction and apathy run rampant. I felt a special kinship with the storyteller and admired her courage to survive.

I also saw a great movie today. Lynn and I went to see Julie and Julia. I really did not know much about Julia Child and nothing about Julie but the story was funny and touching. It is fun to go to the show with your best friend, eat popcorn, drink diet coke and laugh out loud.

Since my basil in the herb garden has been so vivacious this year I have made my umpteenth batch of pesto. No complaints about that. It is delicious with pasta, grilled chicken, pork tenderloin or whatever else your heart desires. I have major garlic breath at the moment. It's a good thing I don't have a date tonight. As If!