Heritage Days Highlights

I had a very relaxing day sitting outside at Baker Heritage Days yesterday. I shared my booth with a good friend from the school that works for Title 1. She makes Christmas ornaments from wood that she cuts and shapes herself. She was on one side of me, and Denise was on the other side selling her delicious jams and cocoa mixes. We were close to the music this year, so we got to listen to bluegrass, southern gospel music all day. In one of the old cabins there was a woodburning stove, so the air smelled like Fall. I love the smell of wood or leaves burning.

It was a beautiful day, and there were lots of people there. I forgot my camera again, so I don't have pictures to share. I knew it would be a fun day when we arrived at 7 a.m. to set up our tent and heard the rooster crowing. Blue, the town dog, wandered around us a few times and visited all the other vendors & children that came by. A Republican party van was parked right behind us on the other side of the fence, giving out signs and buttons. At one point a couple of students came by my booth and asked, "What is this, a McCain party or something?" because she said everyone was wearing pins, which I plan to proudly wear to school on Monday & Tuesday.

I did get a good amount of sales and saw a lot of people I know from the school. Several of my First Start families came by to see me too. I saw a dear couple, Priscilla & Roger Bonjour, that we met last year at a craft show. We've seen them the past month at the other craft shows. Priscilla is an artist and uses pastels. She sells her original works, and her husband takes pictures of her artwork and sells the prints and notecards. We bought 3 of her original works last year of birdhouses. They are hanging in my candle room. They are a very sweet couple who have taken us under their wing, so to speak, and shared info about which craft fairs are the best. I recognized several customers from other craft shows. They bought candles again and said they love them. One couple said they plan to visit me in DeFuniak Springs to buy my candles for Christmas gifts. It was a very relaxing day and because of the time change, I got lots of sleep last night!

I had a lazy week this past week, but I have to make candles this week for the "Gingerbread House Craft Show" in Navarre next weekend.

I'm so excited!!

I had to share my good news. I did a craft show at Niceville's United Methodist Church today and had more sales than I ever have at an event. I topped my sales at DeFuniak Springs last year. I sold 97 candles today.....whoo hooo!
I have two more weekends of shows, and then a 3 week break, then 2 more. The weekend before Thanksgiving, Lee & I are going to Gatlinburg, TN. We haven't been there since our honeymoon 23 yrs ago. We will be spending a nice 3 day weekend in a romantic cabin on the mountain 2 1/2 miles from downtown. I will need the getaway! On the way home, we plan to stop in Dunlap, TN (home of Cagle Mountain & our beautiful piece of land) for a night. It will be nice to be in God's Country :) I absolutely love the mountains! Can you tell???? One day we will be able to settle there.
Next weekend I can relax a little because I will be in Baker for Heritage Days. I'm not expecting to sell near as many candles. I did o.k. there last year because of working at the school & knowing so many people from that community. It will be a fun, relaxing time.
That's about all the news for now.

Holly Fair News

I had to share today's news. I sold candles at the Holly Fair in Shalimar, and since it was my first time I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it would be a good day when the Pastor of the church began with a word of prayer before the doors opened to the public. Lee & I had a personal goal, and we passed that $$$ amount by quite a bit. Some of the other vendors told me that next weekend (Niceville United Methodist Church) is an even bigger event, and I better have lots of stock ready. I have to replace 76 candles that sold today!!! I am so excited and exhausted!

Taking a minute....

I decided to take time to write a really quick note tonight to let everyone know how things are going with me and the candles. I worked two craft shows in the last two weekends. One was at Mary Esther United Methodist Church on Hwy. 98, and the other at the Hobo Festival in Laurel Hill. I did great in Fort Walton Beach, and I really can't complain too much about the Hobo Festival either. I had some sales, listened to music all day, talked to friends that were also selling there, and ate some interesting food. I'll post pictures of my booth later. I have two very busy weekends coming up. This Saturday I will be at Shalimar United Methodist Church (the Holly Fair), and on the 25th I will be at Niceville's United Methodist Church (the Country Bayou Craft Fair). Both of these are big events, and the first year I've worked them. Hopefully I have enough stock for both. I took this week off from doing candles, but I'm off on Monday and can make up the ones I sell this weekend. Anyway, that's about all the news here. I haven't had much time to just hang out with friends, but I have had an easier week this week. I'll post pictures soon.

Some down time

I wanted to write more on my blog tonight while I have some time to relax and reflect. I enjoy reading everyone's blogs and feel a little guilty about not keeping up with my own news. I sold candles last Saturday, but it wasn't a very successful event. This really was a blessing from God though because I was able to fill the order I received a few weeks ago. All 100 candles are packed, wrapped, and ready to go - hooray! Now I am trying to get busy for the upcoming craft fairs. I need all the prayers I can get because after a break tomorrow, I will be somewhere selling my candles for the next 6 Saturdays straight. You can find out where I'll be by going to my website http://www.caglecreations.net/ and clicking on the button that says festival sites. Some of these craft fairs are new to me this year, but I've heard from other vendors that they are very successful. I just hope I can keep up from week to week.

I am back in the swing of things at Baker School, working with some of the sweetest children I've ever known. They are all very special to me, and the families are sort of like extended family. I've had the priviledge to work with some of the families for the last 7 yrs since I started this job. They come in once a week for storytime and an activity to do with Mom. They love the center and usually don't want to leave. I get to work with each child individually at least once a month. It's a wonderful program and sort of like a ministry. I'm so thankful that the program was funded again this school year and not cut like many other programs and positions.

Anyway I was tagged by Jillian a couple of weeks ago or more and never responded, so here goes.....

Two names you go by:
1. Deanna
2. Dee Dee

Two things you are wearing right now:
1. Red shirt
2. Brown shorts

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. For my son's prayers to be answered
2. For my friend's heart to heal from the loss of her husband

Two people that will send this back or respond
1 ???
2. ???

Two things you ate today
1. fried mushrooms
2. New York Strip (went to Coach & Four for my birthday today - yes I'm an old woman!)

Two people you last spoke to:
1. Vanda
2. My Mom

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Going to Christopher & Banks to spend my gift card and birthday money
2. lunch somewhere maybe?

Two longest car rides:
1. From Alexandria, LA to Morrow, OH (16 hr trip)
2. Crestview, FL to Morrow, OH (12 1/2 hrs)

Two favorite beverages:
1. Water
2. Coffee

Ok, so if you have a blog it is your turn to post..... TAG YOUR IT!!!

quick update

Hi!

It's been a week or more since I posted and wanted to give my latest news. I was able to get my candles into another store - this time in Destin. They are in Abram's Antiques on Hwy.98 beside McGuires. I sold 3 candles the day I put them in the store! This is my display.

I am still working on getting candles made for the upcoming craft fairs and filling the 100 candle order. I always manage to work best under pressure, so I know I'll get caught up just in time. I'll blog more in the next week or two when I have more time to write.

Caramel Apple Night

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to post a quick message tonight. I ordered ALOT of jars last week, and they were all delivered today. What a chore unpacking all of those boxes. Anyhow I got a start on my big order and made a bunch of caramel apple candles tonight. Here's a couple of pics.

This is my kitty Sianna. She is treated like a baby literally, and the most spoiled animal we have ever had. While I'm busy working on candles, she is always laying in the room somewhere (supporting me).

Here's the candles I made tonight!