Before And Now

Like most of the country, the weather around here is...weird.

I was thrilled when Chirstmas day was 24 degrees...I didn't have to hold my breath

on the way out to the car like past years when it was 0.

I like snow.

I don't like cold.

I don't like freezing rain.

Not. At. All.

But that is what we have here tonight and forecast for tomorrow...

The first two photos are before...

These next two are Now.

That's right,

 RAIN in December in Wisconsin!

 I'm not sure you can tell from the night photo, but the driveway is

GLARE ICE!

So....

We are not sure what tomorrow will bring,

but the shop will be open for business 10-5

with 25% off.

We just may have to have you walk in by a

shoveled path through the yard...

So wear your boots...my boys are home

so they can help you if we need them to...

And if I don't see you because the roads are glare ice too..

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

and I will see you next week for the 30% off Christmas sale!

...and just for kicks...here is my kitchen tree...

Which I leave up well into January

because I love it's glow.

And I am slow to undo Christmas.



What Happens After Christmas?

Greetings from Bittersweet Farm!

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas celebrations

and the lazy (or not so much) after-days...

and that oh-so-special feeling of fullness.

And wanting to eat only lettuce for the next week.

But seriously...

As the new year approaches,

as in former years, our hours will be ruduced,

and I will be having an after-Christmas SALE!

If you want to add to your linen collection for next year,

or change it... now would be a great time!

I also still have the lighted twigs.

White battery-operated ones that would be

great for Easter as well... :) OR

Electric brown ones that work great in a crock

or a basket with greens or berries.

*Ornaments*Garlands*Wreaths*Electric Lights*

Come out this Friday...

New Years Eve day (December 31):

 ****25% off*** 10-4

*excludes furniture

Closed New Year’s Day

Regular winter hours start January 7th:

Friday 10-5…Saturday 10-4

After Christmas Sale:

30% off Christmas items January 7, 8

Be sure to connect with me on facebook...

you can see my little grandson, Bennett!  ;)

One Week Left!

Christmas greetings from

Bittersweet Farm!

Did you know that there is only one

full week of shopping left before Christmas!

As a “thank you” for your business, I will be having

10% off everything in the store

(excludes special orders)

from now until Christmas!

Regular Hours this week:

*Wed *Fri *Sat 10-4/ *Thursday 12-6

Please note our Holiday Hours:

Christmas week: Wednesday and Thursday 10-5

Closed Christmas Eve, and Christmas day…

New Years Eve day (December 31): ****25% off*** 10-4

Closed New Year’s Day

Regular winter hours start January 7th:

Friday 10-5…Saturday 10-4

After Christmas Sale: 30% off Christmas items January 7, 8

Snow*Snow*Snow

We had the most beautiful snowfall overnight!... My guess is that on the farm we had about 4 inches of fluffy, powdery snow!

Snow+Christmas Music+Pine Boughs=Heartwarming memories of past Christmases...

When we five girls (the first of us 12 Leroux kids were girls), and our cousins would bundle up in our croched scarves and mittens that we received from Grandma, and put on our crispy nylon jackets and snowpants, we would pull out our sleds and trudge through deep snow out to the pasture where the cliffs hovered over the creek. We spent hours sliding, jumping over drifts and sailing down those big hills. Up and down, up and down we would go...breathing into our dampened scarves that we kept pulling up over our noses, but to no avail, as they seemed to always slouch down soon after the hoisting up. Then our exposed wet face would  be all the frostier from the frigid air.

By the time we got back to the house we were delightfully frozen from our nose to our soggy-socked toes. How we loved it! How we looked forward to it!

After Christmas, during the long winter months, mom would invite all the neighbor girls (and a few cousins) over for skating parties. The creek just below our house has a wide bend. Here we made snow angels and attempted "figure eights". Feeling like we were mastering the craft if we glided any distance without falling down!

Those are the sweet memories that Christmassy snow brings...

Those sweet memories serve as a catalyst for my Christmas preparation enthusiasm today. I was lacking a bit of that enthusiasm this year since my nest has emptied, and Dale works out of town alot...But as the snow falls...I find a resurgence of child-like zeal for celebrating. Now, where did I leave my sled?...

DOE ON THE GO

Two days of

***FUN*FUN*FUN***

Some hunt for bucks

Some save 2 bucks!

Friday and Saturday at Bittersweet Farm

Bring a girlfriend...get TWO BUCKS OFF

your purchase of $10.00 or more!










Snowman made by local artist
"Primitively"~Great addition to your s
nowman collection!







Lighted twigs come in battery
or electric! Indoor/Outdoor







Tea~dyed quilted placemats

 in a variety of Christmas prints!








 New!! Star electric light...
votive jar w/ potpourri



 Christmas fragrance! 1803 melts for
your tart warmers, potpourri reresher oil...
wonderful greenery!



Primitively gingerbread...

complete with recipe

Ready to sit in a pottery bowl
of greens on your stove!





New!!! Tartwarmers for flameless fragrance!!!





Check out this new lantern lamp!
Also the electric snowman candle...



Remember to keep the main thing
 the main thing this Christmas!
Merry Christmas
and
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Battery tapers...wonderful flickering
glow with two "AA" batteries.
LONG LASTING!

 Another frosty
creation by Primitively!

 Stacking snowman boxes...hogscraper candle
....mini rice lights

On The Other Side

It is a relief to be on the other side of the auction activity as well as have the shop transformation to Christmas complete!

Our house didn't sell, and "the knowing" is a relief as well. We are comfortable waiting for the right offer to come along. Not being desperate to sell is a good thing. And as things go with people who trust God, a snow plow offer "just showed up" on the day the skidsteer was leaving the driveway...AND (can you believe it?) snow happened the very next day!

So I will have a reliable person to take care of the driveway if Dale isn't home when it snows...Woo Hoo!!! My main winter concern~taken care of by a God-sent person in my shop at just the right time!

Now onto the IMPORTANT things...

***Coming Up This Weekend***

6th anual "Doe on the Go"

Man goes hunting for bucks...

Ladies go save some bucks...

Friday and Saturday 10-4...

come out to the farm with a girlfriend or two

and all receive TWO BUCKS off

your purchase of $10.00 or more!!!

You will find:

Garlands, lighted twigs, candles, melters and melts

in some of the

best fragrances for Christmas I have ever had!

Quilted placemats, runners, and Christmas towels!

Boughs and berries fresh for your door or crock!

And a whole lot more!

Status Update

Hello Bittersweet Farm Fans!

Time for a quick update...

In case you haven't noticed by now, we are going through some stuff. Yes. Our stuff, and some stuff.

Our auction is taking place online for another week. Ending on Thursday, November 11th at 7:00pm, or soon thereafter if bidding keeps going...If you want to check it out: hinesauctionservice.com. (There are two categories, personal property and real estate under the title "Bittersweet Farm".)

Christmas on the Farm began this week and will run through Christmas. Specific dates to follow. I will keep you posted on the status of the shop. Keep checking back for new merchandise. I just had another box arrive tonight!
 
As of now, we have no idea what is on the other side of the auction. We do not have to take offers on our real estate if we don't want to. So it is uncertain if we will get a bid that meets our requirements. If we do end up selling, we will be staying in this general area and are unsure of how we will continue to run the gift shop, but will keep you posted via email and the blog.
 
In the meantime, I hope to see you at the shop!!! Coffee is on tomorrow 10-4. Christmas scents, sounds, and scenery abound! (minus the snow!) I even have fresh boughs and rosehips for sale...!

It's Happening at "a little giftshop on a farm"...

Bittersweet Farm News:

Greetings from a little gift shop on a farm…What a wonderful October we have had!!! It’s been so nice; it would be easy for a gift shop proprietor to forget that Christmas is right around the corner! I hope you are excited to start the season of pine, lights, and crackling fires in the fireplace!!!

But first ~ a 2 weekend SALE on all merchandise! ~ It is going to be a BIG sale!!! (Check blog for hours)

SALE: October 22, 23 (that is THIS Friday and Saturday) EVERYTHING IN THE SHOP …25% off!!!*

SALE: October 27-30 (that is the very next week) EVERYTHING IN THE SHOP…33% off!!!*

*Excludes special orders ….and come early for the best selection. Don’t forget I have some fun furniture pieces…benches, end tables, bookshelves, etc!!!
 
2010 Christmas News:
Christmas Open House!!! …….November 4-6 (first weekend of November)

For the wreath on your door, the ornaments on your tree, the fragrance of pine in your home, and the wool or quilted runner on your table… Wednesday closed this week to get ready…..Hours: Thursday 12-6/ Friday 10-4/ Saturday 10-4

“Doe on the Go”!!! …….November 18-20 (Third weekend in November)

For the boughs and the berries, for the twinkle lights and the snowmen…with cider and treats…and the fun energy of women shopping…
 
Other Noteworthy News:
We do have the farm up for sale again, but this time we are keeping the business separate from the farm. We never had intentions of closing. (Sorry for those who got a false message somehow) We will be staying in the area and let you know where!

AND we will be having an online AUCTION November 1-11

 Woodworking stuff, including piles of barn wood, pine, tools, fasteners, etc.

 Farm stuff, including lawn equipment, field equipment, and barn things.

 Household stuff, including patio furniture, and various indoor pieces.

 Real Estate, including 21 acres, a cozy house, two barns, and three sheds, a coop, a windmill full of bittersweet, wonderful perennial gardens, and the little building that is currently a gift shop!

Auction Website: www.hinesauctionservice.com Open House is October 30th 10am-1pm (Look for "Schwanke" auction/ Nov 11th...photo is of a skidsteer)

Bittersweet Farm website: http://bittersweetfarmgiftshop.blogspot.com/ or email, btrsweetfarm@hotmail.com

 

PS...we will only be putting a certain amount of inventory on the auction. Our plan is to do temporary shows at our new location (undetermined so far, but staying in the area)...

Bittersweet News

No worries, it is all sweet news, not bitter!

The bittersweet is cut! I am currently (but with blogging in between) taking the leaves off and bundling them up for you to take home and add to your fall display. Whether you lay it around pumpkins and gourds on the floor in front of the fireplace, tie it to indian corn and hang it on the door or put it in a milk can, it is sure to add the orange punch to your decorating!

Also, I have a huge order of fall floral just in, with wreaths, candle rings, floral picks and garlands. When I go out to the shop, I am working on what I call "fluffing" them and getting them out on the floor.

Here are a few ideas to try with fall floral:

Candle rings are versitle: Have fun using them as small wreaths attached to a patio door on a suction cup hook, or hooked over your curtains or valances with an "S" hook, as well as under a bowl of fall colored m&m's!!! I would show you a picture, but I ate them...lol. In the above photo, I have a garland under the pumpkin on the table. (Sorry, McCalls candles no longer available, but I have three other wonderful lines!~Cheerful Giver, 1803, and a few Crossroads)

Garlands are wonderful twined around a large bowl to hold candy. Buy assorted bags of miniature candy bars like Snickers, Twix, and Hersheys for a fall color combo to have for guests to grab!

They are also fun to wind along a stairway, on top of your cupboards, around fall pictures, in bay windows, around baskets and along the nails below your shelves!

Upcoming Event:

Bittersweet Farm

Harvest Open House

September 29, 30, October 1,2

(Wednesday 10-4/ Thursday 12-6

/ Friday and Saturday 10-4)

Seasons Change...

It is official.
September... School started... Cooling down...Drying plants... Leaves turning...  What is hardest for me to believe, is that on September 15th ~that is only two weeks away~it will be Bittersweet Farm's 6th anniversary! It has been such a privilege to have my business at home and to have meet so many wonderful people. So THANK YOU to those of you who have visited me and purchased gifts and decor' for your homes.

In the next two weeks I will send out a post card /email to my mailing list with the following special (and annual) events at the shop: (I hope you are as excited as I am...September and October are my favorite months!)

***6th Anniversary Celebration: September 15-19***

This is Fall Festival week in Amery, extend your visit North of town to the farm for in-store specials. Maybe the bittersweet will be ready by then!

***Harvest Open House***

Come out for a cup of hot cider, and browse for your favorite season...pumpkins, bittersweet, table runners, towels, fall fragrance, lighted branches, lighted pumpkins etc.

Now for a little preview of Fall Merchandise!!

These light up!Garlands and floral are wonderful mixed with twigs in a milk can or pail in your entryway! Add some new lighted twigs and make your entryway or porch a glowing welcome!