Check Us Out and Keep Track of The Holidays, FREE printable

Well, Look-ee Here

We're very excited to be part of the latest gallery exhibition on papernstitch.  In case you don't know, papernstitch is an online gallery and exhibition site,that promotes it's exhibitors with the press, via twitter, its blog, and facebook mong other places. It's perfect for etsy shop owners like us.  We'd love it if you stopped by and checked out Bates Mercantile Co.'s page and let us know what you think. We're always trying to reach new people out there and introduce them to Bates Mercantile Co., and this is just one way we're doing it right now.  There's lots of other wonderful shops exhibiting too, so take a look while you're there.  Papernstitch has a great following, a super blog and a fantastic newsletter that offers small online business owners super advice. Check it out!

The Most Wonderfully  Hectic Time of the Year

We all know it. Most of us love it (well, I do anyway). The holiday season may be hectic, but in the end all the things we pile into several weeks is worth it. Isn't it? When you think about why we're doing it- to spend time with friends and family, enjoy holiday cheer, to give to those we love and care about, to focus our attention on the meaning of the season regardless of religion- it's stuff worth going the extra mile for, right?

To help you keep it all in check, so that your head isn't spinning and you have time to enjoy all that the season brings, I've designed a FREE printable weekly holiday to-do-list.

It will help you track the stuff you should take care of each week, like gifts to make and gifts to buy, cards to send, parties to attend and errands.  There's also a spot to make time to enjoy the holidays, in case you need to be reminded.

You can either right click on the image below and save to your computer, or you can download the pdf here.

I hope it helps you keep things running smoothly so that you remember to breathe and enjoy this time of year.

Sunset Meadows

The hound and I headed out at the end of the day for a walk in the field. Only problem is, it means I leave my desk a little early in order to have some light.  Not a huge problem, and oh-so-worth the fresh air and nature.  We got to the top of the hill and again, there were deer in the lower field. Lucan tried to make my arm longer by pulling the heck out of me on his leash, trying to get at 'em ..........'Let me at 'em, let me at 'em, let me at 'em'.

"No Lucan, that's why you're on the leash. No deer taunting tonight pal."

So, we waited for the deer to leap away with their white tails bobbing, and then we walked (perhaps I should say I was dragged) across the field.  Wish I had pictures to share, but the light was pretty low. I did catch a few of the sunset. 

I like the way.............

sunsets change their mood, minute to minute.............

and day by day.

Grateful

Adding to the list started yesterday:

*I am very grateful for our sunset view. It really is something.

*It makes me happy to have that biggo field across the street and it makes my pal Lucan happy too.

*I am thankful for my hounddog, who keeps me company everyday in my home office.  He naps really good too.

What about you? Anything you're grateful for today?

Wow, it's Wednesday? Midweek already. Hope yours is great, wherever you are.

ta ta for now,

Small Celebrations Before Getting Organized

Landing in NYC

Yesterday was 27 years (I was off by a year) since Gar took a plane from Dublin with nothing but a suitcase, and landed at JFK.  After 27 years he's gotten used to America and New Hampshire. He's even gotten used to the snow (...just some coming attractions).

Like with any special occasion in our lives, regardless of whether they're little or big, we do our best to mark it with whatever kind of celebration we can muster.
I've thrown him 'Coming to America' parties, we've enjoyed theme dinners cooked by me, and we've gone out to celebrate. Yesterday, we stayed in. I secretely invited the neighbors over for cocktails and appetizers at the end of the day. G-man was surprised, as I think that he thought I'd forgotten. It was all just a ruse.  Wink, wink. 

I should have warned the men I was taking the picture. We were watching the Patriots game, and well, the Pats didn't have their best game face on and neither did the guys. But you get the picture. Well, sort of.

It wasn't a big shin-dig, but tons of fun regardless....thanks to Joan and Tom,
and Sandee and Gerry.  It was also Joan's birthday on Saturday (which we had semi-celebrated Friday night) and we do all love an excuse, any excuse, to get together and have a few laughs.

A good time was had by one and all.  The bonus: the Patriots pulled it out of their hats against Dallas and they were lucky too. They just haven't been looking like themselves.

A Good Day to Organize Your Week

Being Monday, and being that more than one of us here (ahem........Kristen, your list was way too long!) were into the 'to-do' list mode this weekend, here's a new FREE printable planner/to-do list from Bates Mercantile Co. I hope it helps you keep track of things and keeps your head from being all over the place...something I struggle with on a daily basis.

Weekly Planner/To Do List

Perfect for a three ring binder. Personally, I'd be lost without three ring binders.

I'd also be lost without lists to check off.

Click on image below, then right click and save to your computer.

Or, if you'd prefer to download the pdf (thanks Kristen for into on google documents!), click on the image below and then choose

download original' and save to your computer.

Now, you have no excuse not to organized your week.

Sunset Meadows

As the neighborhoodlums left during half time last night, the sun was starting to set. I can't say I'm too happy about how early this is happening of late. It's a bummer. The sunset, however, was not a bummer.



I hope you have a great Monday in your part of the world. I'm going to  complete the actual writing of my to-do list, and then check a few things off.

On a side note, thanks to everyone who participated in our first Gotta Have It shop link up party. Response was better than I expected, so keep your eye out for the next which I am thinking will take place next week and on an every other week basis in the future. If you'd like to see the link up 'every week', let me know. What a great bunch of items. If you haven't had a chance to look around other participant's stores I'm here to tell you that if you take a moment to do so, you won't be disappointed.

ttfn