Find just the right gifts at Welcome Back to Otterville
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Have you started?
Do you have a list? Is your plan finalized? Decisions made? There is only a month and half left you know?
Christmas! Christmas planning! Christmas baking! Christmas cooking! Christmas shopping! We know it’s coming every year and we even know when, but it always creeps up on us anyway. It’s time to get busy and at least get that plan formulated and the list written down.
Seems I have less and less buying, cooking and baking to do each year. It has become a much quieter, simpler affair, more intimate and personal and that suits me just fine. Much of my shopping is complete, awaiting wrapping or bagging. Still have a few odds and ends to take care of and actually, the most important, Morgan, still has to be researched and sourced, but got a good handle on what I am doing.
Menu is set and most supplies in stock. I don’t do a big sit down Christmas meal but more of a come and go sort of thing with lots of food available for anyone needing sustenance during a break in their busy day. Everyone gets lots of turkey other places so I stay with stuff that can sit warming, like cabbage rolls. I think this year I will also make a big, hardy pot of Kentucky Burgoo which only gets better with time. Throw in a few crusty rolls, some chunky bread, a spectacular salad and you have a meal fit for royalty. There will also be lots of cheeses, cold meats, sweets, nuts and such for those just needing or wanting a snack as they fly by. And, of course, plenty of libations for all ages. It’s a done deal.
For those of you still needing a gift for someone special on your list come out next weekend, November 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the Welcome Back to Otterville Studio Tour, where I am sure you will find just the right gift. As you wander through the artists’ studios/homes, I am sure you will find some wonderful gifts at all price points, for all tastes, to fulfill all your needs.
Sue Goossens, our local, yet world-class, watercolour artist will be featuring some of her latest works. Mae Leonard will be in her barn/studio to showcase her latest acrylic paintings which are always a huge hit with visitors. Shirley Hokke will have on display her fascinating paintings and her newest adventure into sculpture. Lianne Todd, watercolour artist extraordinaire, will present some of her most recent creations including fractals.
Ken and Lorraine Prosser have been working very hard to create a large selection of joyful, rustic woodcrafts to decorate your home, inside and out, all year long. Ernie Gyori will be open for business at his impressive yet quaint antique shop, Saltbox Antiques. A walk through the past will inspire you with ideas for the collector on your list. The shop features everything from large furniture pieces to Christmas ornaments, glassware and china to trinkets, novelties to toys.
Trudy Verberne will exhibit a wide selection of beautiful, handmade, individually-designed cards for all occasions including Christmas. She also has handmade Christmas ornaments and unique stocking stuffers.
Trudy will be set up at my house so when you come to see her stuff you can also have a visit and take a look at a few new paintings I have been working on. Look for the yellow flags outside each studio.