Decorating Classes

If you live in the Atlanta area, and love to decorate, then you'll want to stop by our shop for some of our upcoming classes.  The sessions start the end of September, and we have several different classes scheduled through the first week in December.  From decorating your mantel to planning your holiday party, we'll have something for everyone.

Here's our schedule:

"Mantels Smackdown"
Tues Sept 28, 12:30pm and Wed Oct 13, 6:30pm

"The Fall Situation" Decorating Class
Sat Oct 2, 12:30pm and Sat Oct 9, 12:30pm

How to Entertain Like Emily Post w/o a Donald Trump Budget
Thurs Nov 4, 6:30pm and Thurs Dec 2, 6:30pm

"Decorating Boss" Holiday Workshop
Tues Nov 9, 12:30pm and Wed Nov 17, 6:30pm

All classes are FREE!!! Special discounts for attendees on the day of the class!
 
Seating is limited, so please call 678-494-5800 to reserve your seat ASAP.

Our shop is located off Highway 5 (or Main Street) in Woodstock.  Look for the BIG Chair on Main Street! 

Store hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5:30pm, Closed on Sunday. 

Visit our website: http://www.houseandgardenboutique.com/

Blog Anniversary Giveaway Winner!

A big thank-you to everyone who entered our Blog Anniversary Giveaway!

Congratulations to our Giveaway winner........drumroll please................
and the lucky winner is......................

Ms. Sue at the "I Need Mom" Blog.

Sue has won one of our garden thermometers. 

Congratulations Sue! 

Season and Style

A couple of weekends ago, we were out strolling thru an antique mall here in Atlanta and I saw these beautiful hors d'oeuvre forks sitting in a booth.  Wasn't sure why I even needed these little guys, but they were so unique and 24K white gold, they just had to go home with me.  I can't wait to use them during the holidays this year.  What a nice addition they will make to our holiday table.

And one of my favorite things in my home are these cute little spice decanters.  My Mom bought them for me about 12 years ago, when she was in town visiting us.  They are ceramic and just adorable.  I have them sitting in my kitchen on some shelves where I keep all my cookbooks.  What a nice reminder of my Mom.....I think of her every time I look at them......

This week we are participating in My Romantic Home's "Show and Tell Friday"!  Stop on by and see all the fun things!

And we are also joining Lemoncoly's Flight of Fancy's, Flea Market Friday!

"Fireworks over Toccoa" Booksigning

Last night after work I moseyed over to my favorite little bookstore, Foxtale's Book Shoppe in Woodstock and had the most enjoyable evening.  They were having a book signing for Jeffrey Stepakoff, who is the author of "Fireworks Over Toccoa". 

However, it wasn't until I read his bio on their website that I realized why I recognized him.  He is very accomplished and has been writing professionally since receiving his MFA in Playwriting from Carnegie Mellon in 1988. His credits include the Emmy-winning The Wonder Years, Sisters, Major Dad, Disney's Tarzan, and Dawson's Creek (as co-executive producer). And this is his debut fiction novel.

He currently lives with his family north of Atlanta and teaches screenwriting at Kennesaw State University.  Jeffrey and his wife relocated to this area, from Hollywood, after they started their family.   He also mentioned that his wife's grandfather was once Mayor of Toccoa years ago. 

Here I am with some Hollywood royalty!  Can't wait to read the book......Jackie, one of the owners of the book store said she read it in one night.....that's how good it's supposed to be!!!

Blog GIVEAWAY!

Anniversary Celebration!

We are celebrating our 7th year in business this week!  So I thought I would have a blog giveaway for all my readers.  Being we are still in peak gardening season, the giveaway will be one of our garden thermometers. (US only)

Here's how you can have a chance to win our Anniversary Giveaway:

1 Point - Sign up to be a Follower of Blog
2 Points -  Post our Giveaway on Your Blog
5 Points - Put our Blog Button on your Blog

Leave a comment w/ blog address to let me know how you are participating....thx!

Winner will be chosen Saturday, August 14, 2010.
                                              
Good Luck!

Sugar and Spice Treasures

Don't you just love to roam around at the local antique malls?  You never know what kind of treasure you will find hidden in someone's booth.  A couple of weekends ago, I found the cutest little silver plated cream and sugar set on a tray.  It was missing the sugar bowl, but I managed to find it sitting in another booth a couple of aisles away.  What a treasure it is.....so glad I found the missing bowl!

Here's a view of the inside of the creamer and sugar bowls......I really like the white porcelan.

And I just could not resist these 2 tiny birdies either.......they are salt and pepper shakers.....

Aren't they adorable?

I'm participating in My Romantic Home's "Show and Tell Friday".  

Be sure and check out this fun blog party!

Also check out the Dipity Road blog party "Welcome to Friday- Finding Beauty", where we have a link as well.

And we are also joining Lemoncoly's Flight of Fancy's, Flea Market Friday!

There's one more party! Gypsy Fish Journal's Silver Sunday!

Garden Residents and Delights

An evening stroll thru the yard is a relaxing treat at the end of the day!  Peaceful sounds of our pond water trickling, the birds chirping, the sounds of children's laughter in the neighborhood is the best!

And there are even the locals the hang out at night!

And hanging baskets.....

Flowering perennials......

And fruit trees on the deck....

How about these lemons????  Waiting for them to turn yellow so I can put them in my ice tea!

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm participating in the following blog parties....

Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

and

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2010/07/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-july-2010.html

Farmer's Market In Woodstock

Saturday's are a good day to go out roaming about for Flea Markets and Farmer's Markets.  We are fortunate in the Atlanta area that we don't have to venture out too far before we'll find something wonderful to do on a weekend morning.  Right here is our own backyard there is a really good Farmer's Market that started last year in Woodstock, GA.  This year it is located in the Woodstock Community Church parking lot, right at the corner of Towne Lake Parkway and Main Street. 

Here are some photos that I snapped while walking around at the market on Saturday morning.  They had a little bit of everything!

Nothing like fresh baked bread.

This young lady helped her Mom bake all these goodies (the cupcakes and cookies above and below) for the Farmer's Market.

Beautiful flowers brightened things up a bit.

Nothing like fresh basil.

And juicy Georgia peaches.

Some handmade jewelry too.

Delicious jellies and jams....picked up some Apple Carmel Jelly for my hubby.

What a fun morning it was this past weekend.  So don't miss out on some great fresh produce or baked items!

The Main Street Woodstock Farmer's Market, presented by Cherokee Bank, is held in Downtown Woodstock, every Saturday, June 19th-September 18th, 9 am to Noon.

Epergne Heirloom

When my sister came to visit us last week she brought me the most wonderful surprise.  In her car was a box from my Mother's house.  It was just a plain old packing box, but it had the best contents!  It was my Mother's silver epergne.  I can still remember the day my Dad brought it home from the Jewelry Box, which was located in downtown Lexington, Ky.  It was part of an estate that was purchased by the store.  They always had the most interesting pieces of silver and great jewelry too.

So now it sits on my countertop until I can fit the perfect spot for it in my home.  Where do you think I should put this antique in my home?

The hydrangeas are from my courtyard garden at the store. 

I'm participating in My Romantic Home's "Show and Tell Friday".  Be sure and check out this

fun blog party!

  

We are also joining the blog party at Bargain Hunting with Laurie, "A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday"!

And be sure and check out the Dipity Road blog party "Welcome to Friday- Finding Beauty", where we have a link.

We found another fun blog party too......Happy to Design's Sunday Favorites!