News from good goods & co

Our first real snow, the store is stocked etc....

2012-01-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

Finally!!

I didn't get out early enough to take the pretty, still snowing, serene shot of the neighborhood. I think most of us (and especially the ski areas) were pretty glad to see this heavy, wet gift from Mother Nature this morning. It is January after all.

I have to tell you, it was warm and dry at 5:30am when I managed to finish fluffing at the shop and unpack all of these:

Now before you go ape s*#t over how long I can spend tending to my baby...I do go home at the close of business hours, watch my favorite PBS show, take an ibuprofen and have a latte before I head back in to tend to the dirty work!! And it was well worth the time--everything looks great and the store is full again after the busy holiday season. (thank you all very much, by the way!!)

We've re-stocked, added new vendors and some exciting new merchandise. And for those of you that have been asking: yes, we've started getting out product for that biggest "Hallmark" holiday of the year!!!

I really like these "surprise boxes". Like a greeting card-only better!

And then we have some random images as I wandered around in a stupor!

I was happy about how my "necessity is the mother of invention" wall art turned out. Fun and unexpected!

Pretty, pretty embroidered pillows.

Our votives are restocked with some nice new scents.

I missed photographing several areas I wanted to show you. So I guess you'll just have to stop in and see for yourself. It is January....the retailers loneliest month!!

Take care,

Cheri

Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year.................

2012-01-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

Tangerine Tango

What can we do with this???! At first I was a bit taken aback by how vivid (read: in your face) this color is. Sure it would be fun as a jacket (I have one this color! yippee-I'm in style!!) but do we actually decorate with it?? In 2012???

If it's toned down by neutrals I think it's very livable....

...or maybe not. Does this poof remind you of a pumpkin??? I'd toss that part out.

oh my. I was liking this until I really looked at the half wall for a while....but I like the floor cushion!!

I'm a sucker for a barn door. I wish I had somewhere to put them in my house. So does my husband.....no, really. Maybe.

I really do like it with gray.

I'm thinking this is fun. And we all know a bedroom should be fun!

Why do I think that "if I was single, I would so do this"....

Wild thang.

I do love the art with the tangerine lipstick--the right side of this picture just was attached and I didn't know how to get rid of it. That side is a bit dorm room for me. But I do love the huge art. And the fact that there are no "token" tangerine knick knacks to try to make things look pulled together....

.

OK, now the stools are fun.

Is it the orange or the gray??

..Maybe I could take this much.

Or this much

Honestly, this is probably about as far as Tangerine Tango will make it in my house.
And my jacket. Slung on a chair. How 'bout you???

Take care,

Cheri

Hello 2012!!!

2011-12-31T17:31:00.000-08:00

Resolve to make at least one person happy every day. And in ten years you may have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment.
S. Smith

Last Sale of the Year, Etc.....

2011-12-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

Our last sale of 2011 starts Monday, December 26!! This is our biggest!!! Everything in the shop is at least 20% off with remaining seasonal slashed to 50%!! Look for the colored tags for discounts up to 75% off!

New Year Hours

Saturday, December 31 ~ 11am to 3pm

Sunday, January 1, 2012 ~ CLOSED

Monday, January 2, 2012 ~ CLOSED

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 ~ CLOSED

Have a happy and safe New Year. We'll see you in 2012!!

xxoo,

Cheri

December 25,2011

2011-12-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!!

Christmas countdown...........

2011-12-11T23:04:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure that my back room is supposed to look like this with Christmas so close but...well, it did!! I wanted some really great things for you to choose from, doncha know?

After several long days (and one late night!) all the boxes were emptied and new product is dotting the store.

Faceplant pillowcases-the softest way to sleep.

Love these dish towels from Teresa up in Washington. Old fashioned fabric--new fangled designs.

Couldn't resist buying a "portion" of Margaret's Victorian silverplate collection.

Some of it has already found new homes.

Our sweet French Lilac soaps-the perfect stocking stuffer.

A unique, angled frame.

Hurray!! Tokyo Milk perfumes and lotions return to good goods!!

A fantastic calendar you will have to have..or give!

We're totally restocked on photos and frames. These have been a favorite gift to give for

several years running.

Naturally Idaho joined us for Small Business Saturday a few weeks ago. Kevin's jams were such a hit we've brought them in for the holidays. Local fruit, local honey, local business!!

Monday, December 12, starts our "Twelve Days of Christmas" countdown. On the 12th, Christmas merchandise will be 12% off. On the 13th, we go to a 13% discount and so on

until Christmas is finally here!!

We will close early here at good goods on Christmas Eve-probably around 3:00 (unless folks are rushing in for last minute purchases.....unlike some people you've heard about...we won't turn you away!)

Normal hours will resume on December 26 with our Year End Sale!!!

Sure hope we get a little snow before then...........

You all have yourselves the merriest little Christmas ever, ok?

XXOO,

Cheri

A date which will live in infamy...

2011-12-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

I don't remember Pearl Harbor. I wasn't born yet. I did hear stories about that day though and I will remember those.

Enjoy today..........

2011-11-24T10:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

What's in Store for Christmas....

2011-11-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

Two days after our Holiday Open House and I'm still recovering!! We had a fantastic turnout and I need to thank you all for shopping at good goods and keeping it in the community we live in!!

You're going to see lots of pictures from around the shop and for once, I won't do much "talking". I'm talked out. Hey, it's the season of miracles.....

Oh what?! You're down here, now?? Sorry, I was napping.

Did you like the slide show and my rendition of Silent Night?

This gives you a pretty good idea of what's in the store although not the entire picture. For that...well, you'll just have to come visit!!!

xxoo,

Cheri

A Teaser of Things to Come!

2011-11-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

Our biggest and bestest event of the year is coming up this weekend.

We'll be closed Thursday, November 10 to get all ready. The party will start Friday evening at 5:00pm and end Saturday at 5pm!!

Preparing for an open house can be likened to organizing a closet (a big one), rearranging all your furnishings and hoping seven gifts you need by this weekend arrive from UPS.

Everything has been torn apart here. Cupboards, that held inventory, had to be emptied to be light enough to move to a new location.

New deliveries waiting in the back room to be unpacked, had to wait even longer. The furniture had to be in it's permanent place so there would be a place to hide everything until the proper moment!! And that had to happen to create room for delivery of two more pallets of product from Express Trucking. Weeee! Logistics!

Needless to say, there were piles everywhere...

But the hand truck and furniture "sliders" have been put away and the piles are getting smaller. Boxes are making it into recycling and goodies are being tucked away in secret places.

A little of this...

..and that.

Some glitter and..

..sparkle....

..and cheer...

..and magic.

Ah, there's the light at the end of the tunnel! Can you see it??!

Hope you come help us kick off the 2011 holiday season!

XXXOOO,

Cheri

Scary...........

2011-10-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

Nothing about Halloween scares me as much as having to learn about all the new and soon-to-be-new high tech...everything out there. In fact-- I have vivid, gorey nightmares about having to, gulp, replace my television.

This was modern when I was growing up, people! A TV you could carry!!!

Between HDTV, ED, LCD, DLP, Plasma well, I'm lost. Plasma has something to do with blood, doesn't it????? Now I see why my dreams are gorey. oh my.

Television everywhere.

And sharks everywhere, too, it seems.

A remote that will work on hand gestures. I can only imagine the hand gestures I'd be using with this thing.

And, think about it...our favorite shows are about people digging through filthy barns....looking for old stuff.

I don't have a smartphone or iPhone or whatever they are called. And I would NEVER put anything named "Droid" in my pocket.

But what does the future hold?

Yep. A phone.

Oh. No. Way.

Once they got the cord off, I was good. And safe. Any advances in technology should have had something to do with eating pounds of chocolate with no weight gain.

This intense fear all started when my sister sent me this video from Corning Glass. It did not amaze me. I did not marvel. I went back to bed. I don't want pictures enlarged on my glass kitchen table or all over my glass walls (hmmmm. Will we still have greasy fingers then??) I want all that computer type stuff contained safely in a little box on my desk.

This is how I don't gain weight! I'd never be able to work my stove.

(those sly devils, they have been working on that issue!)

It's a gas cooktop, you ninny. Where have you been??

Don't even ask.........

Oh, please!! This attached computer lets you choose water temperature, pressure, etc. Have mercy.

Possible good idea. A lawn mower curiously like the popular Roomba vacuum. I would only hope it had an automatice cut off if one of the cats decided to sniff it..

And a waterless washing machine. We'll be using UV light to clean the Nano titanium dioxide coated clothes we'll be wearing.....(Really. It's true. I read it online.)

I remember my parents saying "I don't want to know how to use it" about modern inventions. They stopped after they got a remote for the TV. A console TV.

(google it if you're too young to remember those!!)

I truly have become my parents, then. I am officially middle aged. Progress and innovation is great. It's neccessary.

I just don't want pictures floating around the air beside me. I want to read books made of paper. And, although I love email, once in a while I would love to get a hand written letter. Scary, huh??

Signs of Fall, etc

2011-10-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Bittersweet wreaths, from our vendor in Pennsylvania, will be showing up this week at good goods. I've been buying from Ellen for about ten years and am never disappointed by the quality of her work. Nothing is better when decorating for Fall than natural elements and orange bittersweet announces the season's change beautifully. Inside or out, it's a perfect choice even without added decoration.

Then for Christmas, we'll be expecting the wild rosehips. I love these guys. They are great on a door instead of the expected evergreen but I especially adore then inside. Several sizes of these coming in so keep an eye out!!

xxoo
Cheri

We're in the Spirits..............

2011-09-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

Bootique was a smashing success and we want to thank the continuous stream of visitors that joined us last Saturday. Everyone managed to get in the spirit....

....especially after snacking on "season appropriate" appetizers.

Even the guys managed to find something interesting............

The second round of Halloween started arriving on Monday. It's priced & on the floor!

Our Hot Swash velvet pumpkins have been flying out the door. A new order was just placed and will be here in about a week. These are great and you can display them through November!

Marlis brought us this "new" upcycled chair upholstered in a beautiful linen.

You can see even more at my buddies' blog here. Go check it out!

XXOO

Cheri

Halloween Sneak Peek!

2011-09-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

So, we're getting ready for the big "reveal" this Saturday, September 24th at our "Vintage Halloween Bootique".

Great food will be conjured up and some wicked libations, as well. Here are just a few of the folks joining us....

Hope you'll be there too!!

9/11

2011-09-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Three airplanes took my daughter's innocence ten years ago. For many in my generation it was the Kennedy assassination. Pearl Harbor stole it from my parents.

You never forget that.

Bubble, bubble, toil & trouble....

2011-09-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

Such a fun season coming up!! We're getting ready. Are you??!

Restoration Hardware...............

2011-08-31T20:42:00.000-07:00

Ok. So Judy, my very good friend from Denver, asks me if I'd gotten the new Restoration Hardware catalog. (Obviously, Judy is in a different tax bracket than I am....) Whenever she tells me something has made her hyper-ventilate, I just have to check it out.

So check this out:

(click on any picture to enlarge it)

Lord have mercy. I must have stared at this image for a full hour, devouring every detail. And asking questions like...can I really put four identical lamps in a room? Who came up with that chandy? What is this?? Glamour? Dreary-ness? Is this appropriate for my house or do I have to move to some old castle to possess this room?

Calm it down a few notches. This could be in a real home. Like someone I'm friends with. Alright, maybe someone I passed in my car that time. Not quite so mind blowing. (unless you stood up too fast and drove the point of that chandelier into the top of your head...) This I could live in more easily. (I mean, if I had to..) Again, symmetrical all over the place. Loving all the framed "whatever they are".

"Caged" chandeliers. And my beloved neutrals. Again, that wall crammed full of framed

sepia toned art.

Yes, yes, yes!! MY lamp. Give me industrial and I promise to behave.

Look at what happens when you put one on each side of your chesterfield. Dang, friends!! We've got this British gentleman thing going on here.

This bed. Yipes. This is the first time a bed has brought tears to my eyes. Trunk inspired everything...

Would you take a close look at this desk/ shelving unit. It's a huge steamer trunk. Ok, there has got to be some way I can convince the DuPonts or Rockefellers that I am somehow related... it's only $4500...

...and when you've made a mess paying bills...you fold it up and hide everything. Or attach a rope to the handle so you can pull your office around with you. Genius! Worth every penny.

This sideboard...oh my. It's metal. This industrial revolution we're seeing all over the place has just reached another level. I. Love. This.

Notice the huge canvas map hanging on the back wall? Gaaaa! I am biting my knuckle right now. It's over 100" wide. I have a big wall that has needed this so badly for years.

Will this never stop??? This is in the "Garden" section in case you needed to order a couple. It's the smaller model priced at $1500. sigh

So what did I get?? A pillow.....the St. Honore.

It was on sale....!

Rant over.

XXOO,

Cheri

Moms & Mimosas

2011-08-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

Moms & Mimosas

Wednesday, August 24

All Day

Drop the kids at school and come by for a sale and mimosa.

Too fun!

Just around the corner.............

2011-08-19T23:01:00.000-07:00

It's doesn't seem right talking about Autumn when we are in the high 90's but I spied my pitiful little patch of mums already starting to bloom and realized ..... it will soon be upon us!

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn".

-E. Lawrence

I so hope it will be a long, long, mild Indian summer kind of fall that allows us to be outside to soak up the kaleidoscope of colors nature shows us.

This isn't the greenbelt, but......it sure looks like it!

There are so many wonderful things about the upcoming season...

Scarves! and an orange one at that!

Ah, if I was a few years younger...such great clothes!

Now, these are me!

Let's get down to decorating. Fall decorating is the easiest. It's all about nature.

Just about everything you need is in your yard.

Touches everywhere...even the window boxes.

Mantles are a "must do something with". Gourds, straw, a little color...

It doesn't take much to make a great statement.

Love this pennant. (Hmmm, I better whip some of these up to sell!)

We'll be stocking botanicals and gourds at good goods.

Fall wreaths...

..and luscious velvet pumpkins with real stems!

This is classic.

Bittersweet-always perfect.

How darling is this?

It's all in the details!

If at all possible..avoid these guys. They kind of give me the willies.....

That's it for now-enjoy the summer we have left!

PS---Voting for Best of Boise ends August 28!!!

XXOO,

Cheri

Happenings here!

2011-08-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

First off the good news You still have time to vote in the annual survey the Boise Weekly sponsors.

Just click here to go directly to the survey, register (Easy peasy. Just your email and a username is all that is required. And no. They do not use your info to bombard you with offers...) You'd vote for good goods in the gift shop category...ah, just in case you were wondering.....we'd erect some sort of shrine to you should choose to vote for us, however.....

And now for something completely different:

A new (60 year old!) roll top in excellent shape. Has wonderful cubbies, file drawers and the perfect solution to hiding a mess!

Brought this girl in, finally!

Signs from our Washington source..

Birds on canvas

New secretary and ferris wheel...

Every home needs a ferris wheel!

Turn of the century dough table w/ it's original hutch. Darling "make do" reinforcement of the drawer interiors--old red tin cans!!

The only brown (embossed?) leather camera I've had

Have the sweetest day!

XXOO,

Cheri

LOTS of pictures!

2011-07-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

We've been getting sooooooo much fantastic stuff in so I decided to post lots & lots of photographs to lure you in during these hot and muggy days of summer.

And of course... some will be gone and more will be in by the time you see this post!

(you can always click on any picture to supersize)

I'm loving gray here recently.

(finally, an "industry approved color" I adore!)

Just finished up this fantastic sideboard and will bring it in as soon as I can.

xxoo

Cheri

America-Paint Your Doors!!!

2011-07-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

I love painted front doors. I especially love them when they aren't painted the same color as the house or the trim. When I painted my front door red several years ago..it "made" the curb appeal. That pop of color is like a little surprise and to me says "Here's the way in! Welcome!!"

So unless you have paid way too much for a gorgeous wood door like this one:

Or this one:

Consider being "adventuresome".

(It might make you giddy)

I mean...look at this door:

Yeah, yeah. Nice and safe. And yawn. Boring. Now one option is to spend $500 (and up) to replace it. But for less than $20 you can do even better in my humble opinion.

For the truly bold---yes!!! Lime green!

I would do it. Especially if the house provided a darker background. From what I found on my friendly Google search a green door symbolizes nature, growth, safety and it attracts wealth if you adhere to Feng Shui practices...worth a try, huh? Ok maybe lime is too much. How about...

True blue?

Or a darker green??

Ouch. I love this bright yellow. People seem so afraid of yellow. Is it too bright and sunny and happy for us?? This one is especially wonderful with the red plantings..

Then black, maybe. Shiny black. Very classy!

The ubiquitous red? This is the color in Feng Sui that says "welcome". In early America it represented a place to rest and stay the night. In biblical times, Hebrew slaves used a red door (now, they used lambs blood but I don't think we need to go that far....) to encourage the "Angel of Vengeance" to pass by. Red doors on churches represented the blood sacrifice and that the area beyond was sacred.

In Scotland doors were painted red to signify that the mortgage was paid off!

(those crazy Scots!)

Another pretty blue

Grey. The "In-ist" color going right now.

Have I convinced you yet?? Opps-are you off to the paint store?

What color is your door???

New Merchandise & Some Shots Around the Shop......

2011-07-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

We LOVE new merchandise! Even a little freshens up the whole shop which makes me happy. And it's all about me being happy now isn't it??

Let's take a little look around....

See you soon? Great!!

XXOO,

Cheri

Birthday Fun!!!

2011-07-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

I so hope you'll be joining me this Friday, July 15 for my annual "Cheri's Birthday Fun". (You'd be helping an old woman find joy in the aging process.)

Actually, I've cooked up a fun way for me to get a laugh and for YOU to win a discount on your purchase. (If you are a semi pro dart thrower you will definitely want to be there...) No gifts. No cupcakes. Just you.

If all the expected shipments arrive, there will be plenty of new things to check out. Seriously, what else are you doing that day??!

xxoo,

Cheri

My Secret Garden. Fini!

2011-07-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

I think it was almost a year ago that I told you in this post about my grandiose plans for the ugly corner of my backyard. If you have similar plans for a project somewhere around your house my advice is: Stop!! Plant a bush instead.

Seriously. I knew this would be a fair amount of work. It was only 10 x10 though.

Nothing major.

(and I wanted to do it myself. Bragging rights, you know.)

So I am now able to present you with the finished product!! But first, I am going to ~~make~~ let you look at "in progress" pictures so you can ~~be amazed~~ be forewarned about the work these things take!!

When I started this, I swore it would be finished with recycled, low cost products. Ok, no one was getting rid of extra gravel or sand on Craiglist and I wanted to get cracking on this before we started having 100 degree temperatures and I would have to hide in my house. I'll break down this one time and call International Stone. And maybe have them deliver it too...... wise move.

No big deal. Shovel it into your wheelbarrow, push said wheelbarrow through the garage, out onto the side yard, through the storage shed...yes, don't ask, and dump it into your cleared out plot.

Let me digress a bit here. I dug out all the sod last year and that was as far as I got. (too hot, then dang--winter came)

My "raring to go" sister showed up in April and she, my daughter and her boyfriend finished leveling everything out. (I was there! I was going to help just as soon as I got back from picking up the "let's do yard projects" cocktails. Let me tell you--those folks were fast!!)

Then my husband explained that I would have to create a border-and that it would be best if it was "square". If at all possible avoid anything that must be "square"......

So all the gravel and sand is down (only about 24 trips through the...you know) and the fun begins!! Woot!!

Laying bricks. They too had to be hauled from the garage, through the side yard etc, etc, etc and then dumped but finally I was getting to what I had looked forward too!! The fun part!!

Hmmm. Something isn't quite right. Plus, my dear husband now says I must not only make things "square" but "level". And "level" in one direction and slightly sloped in the other direction. HA!

After a few false starts, I think I am getting the hang of this!! Look at that. Even the cats are loving it! (well, I think they loved all the sand in their new giant litter box more but they were sports about it) And then:

               You have got to be kidding me....ok, alright. I admit it. I bought these
        bricks off Craigslist and just had my fingers crossed that there would be enough.

And I have this guy ~~screaming~~ chirping at me constantly to stay away from his nest.

In my neighbors yard! But I love nature, so I pause to photograph him....

He looked like his life had been kind of rough....

Let me take a break and work on a project that I can actually finish, here. Flowerpots. I'm good (and fast) at flower pots.

So, although I've said this would be cheap and recycled, I broke down and headed to Home Depot for 90 more bricks. And if that wasn't enough, well then I'd steal them from our friend Rob's yard....ok, forget that plan. Had to go again and get 30 more the next day. I kept thinking that this would be like when you are doing that puzzle and you think "My gosh! There are not enough pieces to finish this thing" and then, what do you know!! All the pieces were there after all. Well, not with this puzzle........

I should also admit that my "trellis" project was a bust...literally. The frame I had, collapsed under the weight of the branches I'd attached!! And the wind and weather didn't help as it was waiting to be finished...

So here you have it:

And I didn't break a single nail.

2011-07-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” --M. Twain

We'll be closed for the holiday on Monday. Have a happy July 4th!!

We had a great time!

2011-06-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

We had food............

..we had the store fully stocked.....

...we had flowers!! (thanks Maria!!)

..and we had the most important thing....

All of you!!

Thanks so much for an incredible celebration!!

XXOO

Cheri

The Open House Process......

2011-06-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

When I get ready for any Open House at the shop, I imagine the end result to inspire a feeling like this in our guests:

To get here, however, I have to deal with the pile in the garage with projects to be wound up,

...and on the dining table,

.....and those last details that must be ready:

Opps, gotta run pick up a new 7' cabinet......

Stop in this weekend to see the results and help us celebrate!!!!!

2011-06-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

Fifth Anniversary

Sale & Celebration!

Friday, June 24 ~~ 5 to 8pm

Saturday, June 25 ~~ 11am to 5pm

Yes. That's right. Five years. We believe in miracles.

And that is exactly what each one of you are!

We won't open until 5:00 on Friday so we can make sure everything is just perfect.

We'll be serving the cocktail du jour and lovely edibles that evening.

Shopping all our new inventory while sipping an adult beverage sounds fine to me....

Saturday, we'll have out a huge gift basket packed with things you want to win!

AND

Both days, everything in the store will be on sale!

(with discounts up to 75%!!)

Please, come help us celebrate because... it wouldn't be a party

(or a business, for that matter) without you!

XXOO,

Cheri & Elaine

Still bragging.....

2011-06-17T23:51:00.001-07:00

I am just thrilled!!! This guy came back on his own and there are three more coming up nearby. He's about four feet tall and gorgeous!!! (And highly poisonous!)

Foxglove are biennials--the seed you put out this year won't bloom until next year. Well, I put out these seeds many years ago....and voila!

I'm just amazed by how beautiful and odd he is! All that in a tiny seed. Unfortunately, he's on the side of our house that no one sees. (thus, the post!)

I feel an obsession coming on. I've already found seed that bloom the first year and are sown in the winter....

Anyone else growing magic??

I don't mean to brag but...

2011-06-16T09:24:00.001-07:00

Dang, my peonies looked good this year!

Oh, and I had time to try my hand at making some lovely bookmarks. $14.

For book lovers only!

Have a great day-
Cheri

June at good goods

2011-06-02T13:21:00.001-07:00

It all started innocently enough. A few boxes from our Brown Santa. Then 18--in one day!! Two days later 12 more! After unloading small boxes that were packed inside bigger boxes and a trip to Boise Recycling because the store recycling bin was full we managed to get things arranged on the floor and it's looking pretty good around here. See for yourself!

Remember that you deserve a break today (or tomorrow...!) so stop in and see what's new!

Best,

Cheri

Memorial Day

2011-05-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun.
And in the morning
We shall remember them.

Laurence Binyon

Could it be???

2011-05-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

There they are, the little dears,

The mower and the pruning shears.

Rusty where they hid their heads

All winter long inside our sheds.

--D.A.W.

"Not Your Mothers" Tea Party

2011-05-04T08:07:00.001-07:00

In honor of Mothers everywhere we are throwing a special little soiree this Saturday, May 7th!! (yea, well you know us..it's always time for a part-ee!)

So bring along your friends, your daughters or, hey! your Mom and enjoy a spot of girl time. We'll serve up some tasty foods, give away a few things and of course, TEA. (some of it will be "harder" than you'll find at most tea times....)

If you are participating in the Race for the Cure that day, stop in afterwards. We'll have a special something for you--angel that you are.

It's always good to see you all and we hope you'll join us for a bit of fun!

XXOO

Cheri

Spring! Yes!!

2011-04-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

It's true. We do get a lot of this:

....but because of it we get this:

Gotta love it!!

Thank you for letting us thank you!

2011-04-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

Really, it was a fabulous day. We were steady all day long and pooped at the end of it. And happy to have seen all the familiar faces and smiles and silliness!

You all are awesome! I'm still recovering on Sunday but wanted to show why I get to do what I love:

Keegan, our youngest shopper...he was one of the few that left empty handed!

Sisters....of course!

The truth!! Again, thank you everyone.

XXOO

Cheri

New Stuff

2011-04-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

Fun new merchandise, just in time for our Customer Appreciation Party this Saturday!! Check out the pictures below to see if there is anything you might be interested in. (New jewelry and topiaries showed up today...too late for my "photo shoot"....)

Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend!

Best, Cheri

Customer Appreciation Party!!

2011-04-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

(Warning....blogger wasn't cooperating w/ me on my spacing........)

This One's for You!

Customer Appreciation Party !

Saturday, April 16

11am to 5pm

Yes, this on is for you. The reason good goods is still open today. You've shared your support, your stories, your smiles (and even some tears) with us. You inspire us to work harder and be better.

So, please let us show our appreciation with a party that is all about you.

We aren't messing around either. Brand new merchandise has been ordered in especially for this day. We'll have snazzy canapes, adult beverages (if you choose), door prizes and everyone making a purchase that day will receive a

$5 token for future use!

We will also be rolling our our new "loyalty" program.

(We promise it's not a lame one..!)

It would mean the world to us if you came by to enjoy some fun

and a pat on the back.

You are the absolute best.

XXXOOO Cheri

This & that...........

2011-04-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

A few shots of this & that!

Goodness knows, I sure do.....................

Very cool new signs

Thanks for looking!

XXOO

Cheri

Bungalows.........

2011-04-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'm daydreaming about bungalows recently. My circa 1993 home just seems too big, too uncharming (yes, it's a word), too--well, not something I daydream about!!

Now this, this is cute. Character. Yellow!

You could buy the plans and all the materials you needed from the Sears Roebuck catalog. (wow! Sears was stealing local buyers at the turn of the century like online sales is doing today! The more things change the more....etc!)

Add labor and live in a row of darling, I want one, bungalows!!

It could be pretty....yellow!

Or sorta plain. It didn't matter. You'd get a steep pitched roof, one (maybe one and one half) floors, a veranda, two bedrooms, bath and a living room.

Unless you opted to buy the bigger model.........which defeats part of my purpose!

I mean, how could anyone not love these???

Here's mine. Should I repaint it? Yellow??

The really original bungalows were found in India and tropical regions. They had thatched roofs and were for poorer folks to keep out of the elements. I could be talked in to staying in one here:

Or maybe the over water ones in Bali.......

Hmmmmm. What do you think??!

XXOO

Cheri

2011-03-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

Yep, in Idaho, we call this:

Rain, sunshine, opps! sleet, wind, wait, there's the sun again!!! Some of the old season and some of the new one. Whatever the weather has been like outside, it's been comfy, cozy in the shop. And fun because we've had lots of new people finding us. And lots of new stuff!!

New, old things!

Cork necklaces from an almost neighbor of mine...

One of our new lamps....

..and another.

Don't forget that good goods is still here with some of the

most unique products around!!

XXOO

Cheri

Eire go brach!!

2011-03-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, today everyone is Irish!!!

May you always have work for your hands to do.

May your pockets hold always a coin or two.

May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.

May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

XXOO

Cheri

You Pig...........

2011-03-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

...you sweet, little pig!!!!

Early Spring..............

2011-03-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

With lots of new merchandise showing up at good goods everyday, I figured it was time to post some recent pictures...of course, this doesn't include what arrived this morning!

Cutest little velveteen chick!

Easter decor....

...and more!!!

Paper cut cards-local artist!

Who left their head gear??

Great, old, homemade sideboard.

Our repurposed funnel pendant light!

Hope to see you soon!

Cheri

I love weddings!!

2011-02-17T20:34:00.000-08:00

Post Valentines and I think of marriage. I love me a beautiful wedding!! Years ago, it was simple enough. Dress, tux, some flowers, jordan mints and a cake. I think it's so fabulous that women get to be a little more creative these days. However, because of the amount of choices and freedom we now have....it's perhaps more stressful!! Weddings have become so over the top and expensive they appear at times to be a big show instead of the witnessing of two people pledging to spend their entire lives together. This is a big, frikking deal!!!

One of the most beautiful ceremonies I've seen (at an online wedding site) was at the Oregon coast. The couple walked up a sandy path together--but not touching, not holding hands. They met the officiant and a few witnesses at a spot overlooking the ocean. That was where they took their vows. It really struck me as sweet and precious and meaningful.

So, in honor of all those brides to be or those involved with the bride to be, I'm posting some things I find delightful and unique!

This item started my quest for new, not quite traditional wedding details. I love this porcelain ring dish. Banish satin pillows from the 70's! (found on Etsy)

Hmmm....table decor?

My love of the natural is showing. A nest boutenierre.

I'm not a princess ballgown kind of person. I'd want to get close, close to my groom!

Flowing, free and a little wild..

Something blue?

Shoes are where you can really have fun!

Something old...

Feathers vs flowers

..or a beaded..? Spiral bouquet?!

Old buttons...

..and vintage enamel pins from grandma's, mom's and auntie's jewelry boxes!

An alternative to rice

A magical reception

Or maybe I just love the lighting!!

A cake is a must...maybe simple or with....

..a to die for topper!

Or something more whimsical....

the birds & the bees!

No topper needed!

..all out joy!

Thanks for indulging me! Hope you enjoyed my little show!

Cheri

Dang!.....and recipes

2011-02-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

This is about how I feel!! Why do I forget to bring my camera to our parties at the shop???? It was such a great day. All. Day. Long. Fun, fun people!! We had a great time. Thanks for making our Girl's Day Out such a success!!

For all of you that asked--here are the recipes:

Cheese Wrapped in Fresh Basil

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese (4 oz)

1/2 cup crumbles Gorgonzola cheese (2 oz)

2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan

1/8 teaspoon pepper

salt to taste

24 fresh basil leaves (about 2" long)

Mix all cheeses, salt & pepper. For each appetizer, shape about a teaspoon of the cheese mixture into a ball. Place on wide end of basil leaf and roll up. Refrigerate no longer than 24 hours. Yum!

Fruit Salsa w/ Cinnamon Chips

1 lb strawberries

2 kiwi

2 apples

1/4 cup orange juice

10 flour tortillas

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

spray butter

Dice fruit, add OJ and refrigerate.

Mix sugar and cinnamon. Set aside. Cut tortillas into desired shape/size. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Spray w/ butter spray and sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Serve w/ fruit salsa. Really Yum!!

Best,

Cheri

Girl's Day Out!

2011-01-30T11:05:00.000-08:00

Grab Some Friends & Join Us!

Saturday, February 5

11 am to 5 pm

We'll be serving up our almost world renowned libations and treating you to a Zealandia jewelry trunk show.

(plus you can enter to win a piece of this gorgeous line while you are here!)

Our "Flying Wish Papers" will be premiered on that day, also. With a minimum one dollar donation, you will have the chance to have your wishes sent to the heavens! And all these donations go to The Women and Children's Alliance.

Fun and a great cause-does it get any better than that????

Remember, it's always more fun if you are here!

Best,

Cheri

Ah, love..............

2011-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

Finally! For all of you that have been in and seen the mess I've been making...here's the "somewhat" finished product! Get your love on!!

Our delivery guys have been stopping pretty much every day--come in and and enjoy a break!

XXOO,

Cheri

At least the sun has been out.........

2011-01-19T20:05:00.000-08:00

If this dreary weather has been getting to you like it has me-remember the truth in the above quote. What is that about shopping?!? A customer came in the shop just the other day and let out the biggest sigh as soon as she got in the door. I took it as a giant compliment-she had finally made it to somewhere she could relax--it was the cutest dang thing!

So, do you feel like looking around a little?

Have you been seeing these "bus destination rolls" in all the magazines lately? Love. Them. I first started seeing them over a year ago and I finally figured it out/had the time and made one--just for Boise! $99.

Not your run of the mill jewelry ...

The bamboo rugs in 2 X 3....finally.

Yep--starting on the love theme here.

Due in next week!! These are soooo much fun.

OH! And mark your calenders for Saturday, February 5th.
- GIRLS DAY OUT -

(note our timing on this one...close, but not too close, to Valentine's!)

More info to follow....

Take care!

Cheri

"The Color" for 2011

2011-01-18T17:22:00.000-08:00

Here's what you all have been waiting for, I'm sure. The 2011 "Color".

Last year turquoise was chosen for us and this year....well, it's about as bubble gum as it can get. The clothes I've seen and accessories-cute!! And I can completely see a touch of this in home decor. (Preferably in the form of fresh flowers!!)

This, of course, would be a woman's sitting room. I can't even picture a man in here!

On the other hand, the pink chair just makes this room.

What do you think?

Will you be seeing this color at good goods? Never say never!

Best,

Cheri

The Creative Genius........

2011-01-13T17:13:00.001-08:00

Today was dreary. Very. Dreary. Which is always a great day to make something new and generally spew creativeness. Hanging from a tree branch outside my studio window is our fancy, shmancy, copper, solar powered (why?) bird feeder. There was a lot of activity out there today and I decided to get some pictures of the guys that came to visit.

See? They are waiting in line!

Well.......actually I saw a little pecking....

So many would fly up, then away faster than I could shoot..

Hmmmm. Bottom feeders.......

So I decided to post some pictures of my dining-room-turned-studio. Usually when I make something this is where the majority of the work is done. Plus, it wasn't a total mess that would humiliate me if someone came over!

This is my vintage drafting table that I took in trade years and years ago for my husband. Well, that came out wrong, didn't it? I got it for my husband. Wait. It was to belong to my husband...but then somehow, I confiscated it. I'm a cagey one alright.

Alright, might as well show you the rest even though this was before I vacuumed and there are scraps of paper on the floor . It's a great room to work in because it gets the best light in the house. Unfortunately, there are no doors on this room to hide a mess should someone make one.....

But this! Now this is my lifesaver. I bought this from a friend of mine, Sally, several years ago and it was the best $$ ever spent. I can cram sooo many supplies into this cabinet...

Messy!! and then voila:

Except for all the boxes, dog hair on the rug and paper clippings on the floor, I'm very much the perfect homemaker!

Take care!

Cheri

A New Start....2011

2010-12-31T10:38:00.000-08:00

We will open the book.
Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called Opportunity
And its first chapter is New Year's Day.

~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

This has long been a favorite of mine as I realize that, yes, I write each chapter of my life. Here's to writing a best seller!!!

2010 Year End Sale

2010-12-23T10:52:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

good goods will be closed at 4pm on December 24

All day Christmas Day,

and

All day December 26

We will reopen on Monday, December 27, 10am-6pm

for our

incredible:

Everything in the shop will be on sale for at least 20% off. Seasonal will be 50% off. Look for sale tags for even bigger discounts. (up to 75%!!) This sale runs until Friday, December 31!! One week only!

We run store wide sales just twice per year. This is one you don't want to miss!!!!

Ho, ho, ho!

Cheri

Have a Pheasant Season!

2010-12-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

Greta came in the shop one day and we were having our nice little conversation when all of a sudden she spots the vintage pheasant taxidermy on top of one of our cupboards. After cursing me soundly, she explains that now she will have to redo her entire Christmas tree and feature this fellow (instead of her owl). She pays and trots off, pheasant tucked under arm.

Several weeks later, she emails these pictures and I just had to share.

Holy Moses, can you believe this??

Time and time again, I'm told that I "just have so much talent" in the decorating realm. Well I'm here to say that I have nothing on my customers !!

My own scrawny, little Charlie Brown tree is currently only dressed in lights.

( I'm just positive I'll get around to adding those bells & whistles here in the next two days! Uh-huh)

Thanks for sending the pictures, Greta! I love seeing what magic people weave with purchases from good goods.

Oh and......3 shopping days 'til Christmas...

Enjoy,

Cheri

...and more delightful objects...

2010-12-13T20:03:00.001-08:00

.....to give!

Fun (yummy smelling) soaps

All kinds of jewelry

Wintery tallow berries, a pretty dish for your rings
& a smaller cloche to highlight a special something

Brass key chains

French inspired totes

..perfect for Saturday market!

Wine glass charms, "wine" notepads
(not that we like wine or anything..oh, and Table Topics "Wine to Go games!!)

One of our staples....inspiring books

Not your ordinary frame (fits 4x6 photos)

Wire baskets for the wall......

and for the....?!

And more is still scheduled to arrive daily!!!

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Starting December 14 we begin our "Twelve Days of Christmas" markdowns.

We start with all seasonal merchandise marked:

12% off on Dec 14

13% of on Dec 15

14% off on Dec 16

see where this is going??!!!

There is still plenty left to add that Christmas magic to your home!!

We have been having so, so much fun with everyone that has stopped in and shared some cheer with us. Thanks to all of you!!

Cheri

Delightful objects to give.........

2010-12-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

OK. More boxes have been arriving and although they are not all unpacked as yet....thought I should show you something new!

Lots of scarves

Darling wee cages, books and our favorite clips were in stock finally!

Fun stone coasters showing the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

Our ridiculously popular candles are restocked. They are selling fast, again!

There are new wire baskets, number key chains, signs, notepads, wire frames, our beloved dragonflies, cloches, simple iron candlesticks--that's just off the top of my head. I promise to post more as we get it out.

Take care-

Cheri

2010-12-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post some pictures from the shop and one of our recent open houses. The quality isn't the best as they were all taken with my phone. Hmmmmm- I guess you'll have to come in for a better look..............!

Enjoy the weather and its ability to force us to slow down!!

Best,

Cheri

Some of our Open House recipes...

2010-11-29T20:41:00.000-08:00

I got so many requests for recipes for food we served during our Shop Hop. I promised to post some of them so: here you are!

All of these are easy, easy recipes that I have been using for years..decades some of them!
(oh wait, I haven't been alive that long.........ah, my parents enjoyed them. yea, the folks....)

WHITE WINE PUNCH

2 1/2 cups OJ

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 qt white wine ( I used a pinot grigio this time, have also used chardonnay-NOT an expensive one!!!)

1 Tbs honey

2tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 qt ginger ale

2 cups water

Ice

Mix everything and add ice and ginger ale right before serving. Soooo refreshing and almost too easy to drink! Makes..what? about 3 quarts.

MARGARET DYER'S RUM BALLS

1 lb box vanilla wafers, crushed

1 cup finely chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

4 Tbs cocoa

6 Tbs light corn syrup

6 jiggers rum (or whiskey or ?)

Mix all ingredients and let sit for 15 minutes. Roll into one inch balls (you'll have to wash your hands frequently and I find it easiest to use slightly damp hands) Roll in colored sugar, powdered sugar or sprinkles or??? Store in an airtight container. Best if allowed to mellow a day or two. Makes about 60.

CREAM CHEESE/BACON SPREAD

I used:

3-8oz blocks cream cheese, softened

1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled

bunch of green onions, finely sliced

couple dashes of Worchertershire sauce

Mix everything together, cover and let flavors blend overnight. Serve w/ sturdy crackers. Yum!

(this was enough to feed a good size group of people)

Enjoy!

Cheri

Holiday Hours

2010-11-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

On Sundays!!

12-4pm

Through Christmas

Hope these hours will make it even more convenient for you!

Best,

Cheri

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

2010-11-25T19:06:00.000-08:00

Best,
Cheri

Photo Shoot

2010-11-16T17:54:00.000-08:00

I had some company on Saturday after the store closed. Renae (who paints our Christmas windows & shops w/ us...frequently!), her husband, Marc, their daughter, two other photographers (?) and two models came in with lights, equipment, props, clothes, etc and did a photo shoot using good goods as the back drop. How fun! And then bing, bang two hours later...they packed it all up and it was like they were never there!! I got some wide angle shots of the store from Marc (as a thank you!) so decided to share with you!

Model Sydney...gorgeous and sweet gal.

Wide angle can make things look a bit far away...

Interesting that these were taken three days ago and some areas already look different on Tuesday!

Take Care,

Cheri

Yumm........!

2010-11-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

Picture and recipe found here

I promised several of the guests that attended our Friday evening "Jingle & Shine" Holiday event (which was a fabulous blow out!!) that I would post one of the recipes we served. It's very simple to throw together, doesn't have to be baked, and presents like a dream. The one thing everyone seemed to like about this dish is that there are so many different flavors going on in one bite and they all go so well together.

Stuffed Endive with Honey Balsamic Reduction

Ingredients:

2 fresh heads of endive

1 small can of mandarin oranges, drained well

1/4 c. candied walnuts*, coarsely chopped

2 oz. chevre

12 fresh chives, minced

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

3 Tbsp orange juice

2 Tbsp honey

freshly ground black pepper

Directions: -In small saucepan over medium heat, combine balsamic vinegar, orange juice, and honey and cook down until well thickened, about 10-15 minutes (should cool to a molasses like consistency).-Meanwhile, carefully remove endive leaves from heads and plate (should yield about 24-30 good leaves.-Place a mandarin orange into each endive leaf.-Place some chopped candied walnuts and some crumbled goat cheese over the orange pieces in the leaves.-Once balsamic mixture is thickened well, using a spoon, slowly drizzle over each leaf-Sprinkle each with minced chives and top with freshly ground black pepper and serve.

*If you do not want to spend the money on a large container of candied walnuts, you can easily make your own by mixing 1/4 walnuts with a few Tbsp of honey, sprinkle with some brown sugar and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Let cool completely before using.

So there you have it--enjoy!!!

Best,

Cheri

A Busy November!

2010-11-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure exactly how it happened but we've scheduled three events in November at good goods!! Hope this isn't over kill and..hey, if you can't attend one of our parties..maybe you can make it to another one!! We leave no one behind!!

First up is our "Jingle & Shine" Holiday Open House which really kicks the season off for us. Good goods will actually close for two days (November 4 and part of the day on the 5th) just to get everything in it's perfect place, food and cocktails out and then open at 5pm this Friday the 5th. This has traditionally been a wildly popular event and we plan to do it up right that night. Saturday will continue with a chance to win a huge gift basket. With the good stuff....not the leftovers!!! Join us, ok??

Then, November 19, (4:00-8:00) 20, (10:00-5:00) and 21, (12:00-4:00) good goods will team up with The Shabby House, Ooh La La and Mr. J's Antiques for our annual Shop Hop. Pick up your "passport" at any of these stores, visit all four of us and be entered to win one of eight shopping sprees. This was a hoot last year and we'll do our best to entertain you!!

And, of course, our "laid back excuse to get out of the house but not go near the mall" Black Friday celebration the day after Thanksgiving. Relaxed browsing, soothing tunes, some snacks and ahhhhhhhh. Cruise into Christmas.

Enjoy the season and take it easy,

Cheri

Trick or Treat.........

2010-10-29T23:16:00.000-07:00

Have a fun Halloween!

Announcing.....

2010-10-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

"Jingle & Shine"

Holiday Open House!

Friday, November 5~~5pm to 8pm

Saturday, November 6~~10am to 6pm

We're already getting ready for our biggest event of the year!

(actually, we've been getting ready since last January!)

The shop will be closed on Thursday, November 4 to redo every inch until it is magical, magical.

(think lots of lights, plenty of sparkle, touches of nature...)

At 5pm on the 5th, we'll finally let you in to see our holiday choices for 2010 and inspire you to spin some magic for yourself. We'll be serving up "che che" finger foods and adult cocktails to create a perfect event!

Saturday, we will continue with the celebration and give you a chance to win a massive basket full of the kinds of things you actually want!!

If you've been to our parties before, you know they are fun. If you've never attended, now is your chance. We hope to see you all!

XXOO,

Cheri

Overachievers..................

2010-10-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

I'm sure a lot of us have started putting out Halloween decorations. (I know plenty of you have been by to add to your collections.) So, we're getting all our favorite things arranged and feeling pretty smug about how good it all looks -even better than last year! Alrighty, then.

Lest we all get big heads, let's take a look at some work by folks that treat this holiday like it's their job or something. I'd bet money, most of these people have at least one relative that was burned at the stake back in the 1600s.............

OUTSIDE:

Bazillions of carved pumpkins

A lil punkin house

Wouldn't this be a fun place to sip one right at dusk?

Love this! Fog machine over a pond??

Yep. I'm doing this one!!!

INSIDE:

Helps if your walls are orange...

Actually, quite do-able.

Even a flat screen can add to the haunting!

And then, a few fun costumes!

...bizarre, yet somehow....no, it's just bizarre!!

Make it fun!!

Cheri

Thank you soooo much!!

2010-09-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

We are so excited!!! Good goods took second place in the Boise Weekly's Best of Boise "competition" in the"Best Gift Shop" category. Because all of you voted for us!!! We love, love , love you and thank you from the very bottom of our bursting hearts!!! You. Are. The. Best.

Party announcement to follow!!

A History of Halloween

2010-09-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Ghost stories and goblins, costumes and candy, trick or treat. This is what Halloween means to the millions of Americans who celebrate it every October 31.

But this holiday -- and more generally this season -- stretches back thousands of years, and is steeped in ancient traditions and fierce religious battles. Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) over 2,000 years ago.

Celtic farmers, who lived in what is now present-day Ireland, United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated four major holidays a year, based on the seasons.

November 1 was their new year because it marked the dying summer, the preparation for harvest and the beginning of the harsh winter -- all of which were associated with death.
On October 31, the night before the new year, the Celts celebrated Samhain because they believed the ghosts of the dead came back to Earth.

By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire had expanded and conquered much of the Celtic territories. The Romans would continue to rule over the region for the next 400 years. Eventually, Roman colonies brought over their own harvest festival traditions: Feralia, a day in late October to commemorate the passing of the dead, followed by a day of tribute to Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. These traditions were combined with the Celtic celebration, Samhain.

Christianity was building momentum by the 600s, and the church focused much of its efforts on stamping out pagan holidays. In 601 A.D., Pope Gregory I sent missionaries out all over Europe in hopes of gaining converts. With its emphasis on dead spirits and the supernatural, Samhain was declared pagan, and several followers were branded as witches.

By the 8th century, Pope Gregory III declared November 1 as "All Saints Day," a day to honor all saints and martyrs, which had been previously celebrated in the spring. It's believed this was another attempt at a church-sanctioned holiday to overrule pagan festivals.

All Saints Day is also known as "All Hallows Day," because the Middle English phrase for All Saints Day is "Alholowmesse." All Hallows Eve, the night before All Hallows Day, eventually became "Hallow Evening" and later, our present day "Halloween."

By 1000 A.D., the church was still not satisfied that the old beliefs of Samhain had died out. Recognizing that a day to honor the dead resonated with many people and cultures, the church tried again to replace these ancient traditions with a Christian day of feast. This day was declared on November 2, "All Souls Day," a day for the living to pray for the souls of the dead. The English poor would use this occasion to go door-to-door, promising to pray for the deceased loved ones in the household in exchange for cakes, drinks or money.

As the centuries rolled on, people began dressing up as fairies or demons and performing tricks when going from house to house. Although never confirmed, it's possible this is where our modern phrase "Trick or Treat" originates.

In the 1600s, when the Catholic church was more powerful than the kings of Europe, groups of Puritans fled England for America to escape religious persecution. With a firm belief in their Christian faith, most of the Puritans left the All Hallows traditions behind. However, they did continue to hold public harvest celebration events at the end of the growing season and tell ghost stories.

It would take two more centuries and a ferocious crop disease for Halloween to gain a widespread tradition in America. By the mid-19th century, America was flooded with European immigrants. Many were millions of Irish fleeing their homeland after the potato famine of 1846. These immigrants brought the traditions of Halloween with them.

The roaring bonfires of their ancestors became carved-out gourds sporting candles -- our modern day Jack o'Lanterns. And going from house to house in a costume became a popular way to celebrate harvest festival time.

By the late 1800s, Halloween slowly became a community and neighborhood- gathering holiday, rather than one focused on ghost stories and witchcraft. By the 1920s and '30s, Halloween was a widely adopted secular holiday, complete with town parades and neighborhood parties.

The baby boom of the 1950s made the holiday more child-centered, and games like "bobbing for apples" and trick-or-treating were more common. Neighborhood parties were moved from town civic centers to the classrooms and homes so more children could participate.

By 1986, Halloween was the third largest "party day" of the year, just after New Year's Eve and Super Bowl Sunday. While millions of people celebrate Halloween without knowing its origins and myths, the history and facts of Halloween make the holiday more fascinating.

(this information was taken in part from Discovery. com--here)

What a Day!

2010-09-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

What an incredible, busy day we had at our "Vintage Bootique"!

Setting these events up is tons of "work" and included an all nighter for me. I thought I'd be wiped out on Saturday but the energy in the shop was so positive and upbeat it carried me though despite being slightly dazed from lack of sleep. We had the most fun with everyone that came by to play with us--thank you all!

I continue to remind myself to get out the camera during the party but we get so busy, that I just don't get it done. So here are some "before" pictures of different areas~lots was sold but lots is still coming in. (all those shipments we were told would be here on Friday will probably show up on Monday!!)

Everyone wanted to play Halloween!

Take care,

Cheri

Vintage Boo-tique

2010-09-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

The mad rush is on to put everything in perfect place for our Vintage Bootique this Saturday. I was going to preview some of our Halloween merchandise but.....I'm still thinking about it. Especially since product is crammed into cupboards, on shelves, in my garage.....not the best for great photo ops if you know what I mean...

I've got the cider and hard cider and am making the grocery list for pumpkin tarts etc. Still so much to get together. Ahhh, my life!! Plus Art in the Park is this weekend....competition!! Not to worry. We had a good turn out last year despite lots of other distractions!

So instead of giving away secrets....I just took some fun shots and everyone can stop in and see what happening at good goods.

Oh, all right.....just a couple hints................

He caught you looking at him, didn't he???

Hmmmm.........

XXOO,

Cheri

...........summer is coming to a close

2010-09-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

......and you can see the changes showing up all over the shop. I'm loving it. It's been a while since I've taken photos around the store so here's a little taste of what things are looking like nowadays!

Fall colors & foliage

I'm loving some of the new merchandise

Orange!

The infamous putkas-scented this year!! Yummmmmm

And now for a peek at Halloween which won't be out until the 11th of the month at our Vintage BOOtique. Stop in that Saturday and see for yourself . I imagine it will go fast with all the "anticipation" we've been hearing! gulp--I hope I bought enough!!!

Someone's keepin' their eye on you.............

Stop in and say "hi" when you're in the neighborhood. Until then-

Take care,

Cheri