Ahh, November!  A time to be Thankful and to take time to count our Blessings.  

Building this website has been a blessing in so many unexpected ways. 

It has made me… 

~ get out of my retirement recliner,

~ use my aging computer brain cells (Who would have thought that computers and building web  sites would change so much in 20 years?  Really!!) , 

~ meet new talented friends, and 

~ realize just how much passion exists with people creating their own products!

PJ and I had a booth at The Winnsboro Autumn Trails Arts and Crafts and had a good day meeting new suppliers.  The Antique Car Parade (oh my, the Model A’s were awesome, but when the ’57 Chevys drove by—what memories ♥) brought out lots of folks wanting to be 

outside and enjoy the fall in East Texas.  Yes, social distancing and masks were in place, but it still had a festive feeling of friends enjoying and admiring and buying unique items–Chocolate bombs (do you have any idea what that is?  Round chocolate shell filled with cocoa and marshmallows and flavorings that you put in a cup and pour hot milk over it!  Yum)  yes, handmade right here in Quitman!  Check out Toot Sweets Creations in EDIBLES!

The Dogwood Festival at the park  Quitman also had a beautiful day to shop and see just how many talented people want to share their local wares –ranging from goat soaps to T- shirts to unique gnomes
to personalized items (find in Crafts under CRAFTSMAN).  And Christian music filled the air when the Kelly Moore Music Ministry group (find in Music under ARTISTS) in as well as the laughter of children dressed in their Halloween best!

Meeting these suppliers and hearing their stories of creating their items reinforced why we have worked so hard in creating this Website.  They have great homemade items to sell and need a place to advertise so that YOU can find themeasier.  Be sure to check them out to see what I’m talking about!

And a special shoutout to Blushing B’s (Buffy, one of the B’s, is    pictured above with some of the items from her vendors ) and Minuteman Ordnance Company,
(look under HUNTING and FISHING)  new storefronts in Quitman.   Great people with stories to share and items to sell!

Thanks to everyone who has been so positive and encouraging about our Website adventure.  And, for your patience as we work to gather suppliers, tweak the site to make it easier to navigate (see, I’m learning big words), and get the word out that we are all about BUYING LOCAL.  It is so easy to just go to Amazon to order, but how does that help our community and the people who live in this area?  Just a small challenge to each of you–as you shop for your Christmas presents, take time to buy at least two presents locally. Can you do that?

Also, we are here for you!

• If there is an area you would like to see listed, please let us know.
• If there is a local supplier you know who should be listed, please let us know.
• If you use the website to purchase something, please let the supplier know where you found them.
• If you have other suggestions, please let us know.

And one more blessing to share living out here on Lake Quitman….our returning Eagles.  A special shoutout to Bob and Becky Hibbard for allowing me to share their remarkable photos.  How do they get such incredible photos?  Rumor has it that Becky can make the sounds of a dying mouse really well!   What a special sight to enjoy–thanks for sharing guys!

See ya’ll again next week,  IlaVu