A Crafty Holiday Blog

  Frankie ate the cord for my tablet, so my activity is limited. Last night was Christmas at Joanna Furnace, and I had a blast as usual. Funny but while I was using the restroom there were several old women in line complaining. I'll get to that. First, we started off at Stampede BBQ. That's a favorite place that we only frequent once a year. They have homemade cider, and I had chili and hushpuppies. It was truly a night of favorite things. It has been very cold, so I bundled up in two of everything, and know how Bigfoot must feel. I was toasty warm in Mummy's old teddy bear coats. The ladies in the bathroom might've known to dress warmer. I can remember seeing girls shivering in mini skirts back in Pittsburgh; I'm no fool and have no shame. Joanna's never is crowded when it is very cold. The Belsnickel who I once knew and loved must've passed away because he's been replaced by a fellow who is not nearly as scary. The original used to threaten the children and was laden with dead animals like raccoons and minks. Mummy would've loved him; she always got a sadistic thrill threatening us for the holidays. There were several bands of bells who were wonderful, youngsters. The entertainment is different each year. Last year there was a brass band of older gentleman in Edwardian garb. I told them that they were the greatest, but these kids with their bells were delightful. They built a low fence around the yule fire this year which burned. The new dollhouse of the old owner's mansion must've been on loan last year because it was missing. I think the cookies were homemade for once, they are usually Pepperidge Farm. Even though a favorite seller, Mr. Glass, wasn't there, I still came home with some fabulous souvenirs. I got a new favorite crystal, tabular, devic, with phantoms. I think the inner landscape is still growing. There is a woodcarver who I had gotten a gnome in a yellow slicker and a rooster for Ron's stocking from last year whose daughter has been selling for. She was ecstatic that I bought her darling Māori Easter Islander because she had carved it, and it was her first sale. I love being the first patron. It happens more than you'd guess. I have a great eye and fabulous taste. Mummy always said that I had champagne taste and a beer pocketbook. Countess Po' Ass to the rescue! I have several hand knit alpaca finger puppets: a bird, snail, and vulture, and have gifted lots more. I got a crafty looking gray owl who now hides in my Frankie proofed Christmas tree. The dining room table, where I work, is a hot mess. I've been using my vintage Victorian Ornaments book that I got at The Mad Hatter for three dollars. I made a little angel for the top of Norfolk Troll Tree and a caroler to top one of Ron's gifts. I love this book with the original Victorian prints, because it allows you to let loose your inner crafter and use your scraps. I can't find the wreath that Mummy got me for the front door and have leftover wrapping paper, so I'm going to decorate the front door with a big doll, probably a caroler, because I do not think the angel will match as well with the plaid wrapping paper. Next week is the Letitia Penn's Doll Club's Christmas at The William Penn Inn. Thanks for shopping my Ebay sales: Shop Sales. I'm having lots of fun. Happy Holidays! I'll TTYL... 🕯

 

Apple Fest

   The Hay Creek Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace is October, 11th and 12th. I love Joanna Furnace, Apple Fest is my fav. I haven't had a drink since April, but I've already told Ron I'm having some of Stampede Barbeque's cider at Apple Fest. I'm obvi not an alchie, so he can spare me. 

Apple Fest 🍎

Christmas at Joanna Furnace 2024

  Joanna Furnace is a charming way to kick start the holidays. We've been coming for seventeen years, but this was the best yet. We began the evening with supper at Stampede Barbeque. They have the best cider on tap. It's my brother's and my place, but Ron enjoyed it tonight too, and said that we can come more often. I think he was impressed as he thought he knew our cashier from wrestling and Amish Mafia. It's the same wonderful staff. I actually discovered this place last year at Apple Fest, they were selling cider. I love the hushpuppies and coleslaw, but Ron was impressed with his brisket salad and peanutbutter pie. Joanna's is usually packed, but not tonight. The dollhouse is new. I think somebody created it to look like the original furnace owner's mansion that was sadly demolished long ago. Best band ever! They usually feature a school choir, but this year was a gentlemens' brass band. I haven't been in the mood for Christmas music this year. Frankie and I have been listening to Shiner's favorite party songs because it's all new to Frankie. This band played all my favorites. They were great. I had gotten some Starry Slumber wine from the Sleepy Cat Urban Winery in Allentown, better than the sweet stuff I got last year. There were no letters in Kris Kringle's box at the general store where I get the little Civil War soldiers like I left in Jeremy's Room at The Farnsworth House in Gettysburg, so I left him a letter thanking him for Frankie. Actually we all had major Christmas scores as I got a dollhouse sized Heidi Lotte doll from the forties from Mr. Glass, the third doll I've gotten from him. He was also selling for the German woodcarver that I'd gotten a gnome from who could not make it tonight, so Ron got something handmade for his stocking that is still very light. It's not even his real stocking, the blue velvet topped with berries that I made him seventeen years ago, as the house is cat proof this Christmas. I didn't get everything out of the attic this year, certainly nothing breakable. Frankie was a very good boy, the tree was still up when we got home. He made out like a fat cat, his stocking is full. His stocking is from my childhood, and Shiner's first stocking. Shiner nibbled it's hand when he was a puppy. It's a cat in a Santa hat popping out of the stocking. Tonight a Packers catnip mouse and an alpaca caterpillar finger puppet were added, plus he got a hand knitted hooded cat bed. He's going to love it. Frankie loves boxes and bags. Shiner graduated to the big Tinkerbelle stocking that Mummy got me that Ron is settling for this year. Actually it's bigger, so I have some work to do. I also got a darling little knit bee and a new hat for Cornwall Furnace tomorrow. 

The Train

Light Maze