Friends + Holidays = Funtimes

Had a great time with friends today! Started out with the Christmas Open House at the Carmelite Gift Shop. The Shop is located in a historic home on Terry Rd. in Jackson and has been in operation for many years. Last year I bought a creche and Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in the manger. Pictured are the 5" figures made by Fontanini, fourth generation crafters of Italian Nativities. The figures are crafted in Bagni Di Lucca, an Italian village in the hills of Tuscany.

This year I added the two shepherds. A good friend gave me the three sheep last year as a surprise and remembrance of my first purchase of Fontanini. Beautiful items at reasonable prices are the order of the day there. Baked goods, ornaments and handcrafted items abound. (See handcrafted card...love it.)

Moved on to The Outlet on Northside Drive. Super fun shopping at good prices. (This is an outlet of "at West End".) Pictured are bars of the most wonderful smelling soap on the planet! "Sea" by Essence. Great decorative items! From there several other stops and then out with hubby to look for computer desks. I am "redoing" the computer room and am having a hard time finding exactly what I need in the way of a desk.

Pictured also are some leather frames I've dressed up for a Christmas bazaar. Think I will make gingerbread houses and gingerbread boys to sell also. Nothing smells better when cooking!!

I am blessed with funny, smart friends. We didn't have lots of spare time today, but the time we spent was refreshing and fun! Little holiday outings are fun...no heavy shopping...just a little buying, laughing and browsing. Thanks for nice holiday memories, ladies!!