Giving Thanks

The past year has been a difficult trying time for us.  In November, 2010, we had a heater fire in our brick and mortar store.  Thankfully, nobody was injured.  We did  have soot and smoke damage.  We were fortunate to have excellent insurance coverage.  However, the logistics at times were overwhelming.  Both Mike's Sporting Goods and Embroidery Fashions Boutique eCrater stores had to be put on hold.   All the inventory in our brick and mortar store  had to be counted and removed from the premises and placed in storage pods.  The inside of the store had to be gutted and renovated.  During the renovations, our brick and mortar store was open and we were trying to keep our business a float during an economic down turn.
Many times, friends, family and even customers would try to console us by saying you have insurance.  Yes, we have insurance; but, it is not as simple as it sounds.  It was a fiasco from the beginning. We ended up hiring a public adjuster to represent us in the negotiations with the insurance company.  A little over a year later the claim is still not completely settled.
We are very thankful for the encouragement, support and friendship of the eCrater Stores Network community.  We are thankful for the help of our family who have volunteered hours of their time to help us.  We are thankful for our customers who have supported us. We are not completely restocked and restored; but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  And for that we are very Thankful.

Surviving- ESN Scavenger Hunt

Hurricane Irene paid us a visit this weekend.  We experienced high winds, torrential downpours and even a tornado warning.  The tornado was the scariest of all because it touched down about 3 miles from our house.  Our power went out and is not supposed to be fixed before Sunday.  We were fortunate though, our neighbor was so kind and shared his generator with us.  On Monday, after going to at least 7 stores, we were able to purchase a generator.  We consider ourselves one of the lucky ones because we didn't have extensive damage to our house or property. 
Today, the sun is shining, life continues and the clean up begins.

On to the eCrater Stores Scavenger Hunt and my picks for this week.

Checking in with Bargain Express I found a craft book that I could have used during the blackout.  The Simply Handmade book has 365 easy craft projects. Since I am not much of a crafter, easy is good - very good.

Visiting Eccentric Thrifter I chose The PREDATORS Wolf puzzle.  I thought 1000 pieces that should keep the hubby busy for awhile.

Stopping by Barb's Bargain Reading Corner is always a treat.  I found Angel Falls, a romantic thriller, by Nora Roberts. A Nora Robert's book is just right for a Sunday afternoon reading session.

There are so many unique items listed on the eCrater Stores Network. Membership is open to shoppers and eCrater store owners.

I Can Sing A Rainbow - Pink and Green

This week's ESN scavenger' hunt blog is pink and green.  I couldn't get the words red and yellow, pink and green out of my head.  I kept humming a tune.red, and yellow, pink and green.  Then, it hit me. It is a song ( I Can Sing a Rainbow) which my preschool class liked to sing.
I can certainly sing a rainbow about the many items available on  ESN.  However, since the theme is pink and green I'll stay on topic.

. One of my favorites is the wall quote Girl (n) a princess dressed in pink from Walls That Talk.  Wouldn't it look adorable on a baby girl's  nursery wall?

It was interesting to notice that many of the dress pattern envelopes depict the patterns sewn in pink.  Check Bargain Express for the Lizzie McGuire simplicity sewing patten.

I couldn't resit the porcelain ballerina doll  - dressed in pink of course.  The ballerina doll is 16.5" and available at Barb's Bargains eCrater store

I know I got a little carried away with my pink selections.  Time to move on to the green.  The Jad-ite fire king chili bowl  is from Hazel's Hodgepodge.

  Here is a green vintage glass eagle decanter from Comycgyrl Collectibles.  It would look nice in any glass collection.









There are so many unique pink and green items listed on the eCrater Stores Network.  Membership is open to shoppers and eCrater store owners.   

ESN- Christmas in August

I was visiting with my daughter the other day and she told me she had started her Christmas shopping already. I remember doing that when my kids were young.  So, I thought it was pretty cool when the  theme for this week's ESN scavenger hunt blog was Christmas in August. 

I headed straight for Walls that Talk and choose the Holy Family Wall Art.  Well, maybe this would be an early Christmas gift. 

My next stop was Comycgyrl  Collectibles. She has so many beautiful items from which to choose. I know the hand painted Vintage Geisha Girl Chocolate  pot would look divine under the Christmas tree.

I always like receiving a picture frame as a Christmas gift.  The  Fishing picture frame from Hazel's Hodgepodge is sure to please the angler on your Christmas list.

These are only a few of the Christmas gift available from the eCrater Sellers Network. 

eCrater Summer Block Party

Summer Block Party is this week's theme on ESN.  Boy does that bring back memories.  Since I am a city girl, I went to many summer block parties in my day. It was such fun.  I remember the kid's activities, music and dancing and of course the food.
My eCrater Stores Network block party would have fun kid's activities, music and dancing and food.

In the kid's activity corner I would have Eccentric Thrifter use her Michaels Book of Arts and Crafts.  No doubt she would find some cool projects for the kids to make.

Next our ESN block party needs music.  I wouldn't mind bringing my CD player as long as Bargain Express will let us dance to her Swing CD. 

The last thing left is the food.  Can you imagine coordinating and planning food for a block party?  I would suggest each family bring a covered dish.  The Corning Ware casserole dish from Comycgyrl will work perfectly.

Block Parties were neighborhoods coming together to share a fun time. eCrater Stores Network is an online neighborhood where eCrater sellers come together to share ideas and offer support.  Come join us.  New members are always welcome.

Eye Candy - In the Eye of the Beholder

This week's theme at the eCrater Stores Network scavenger hunt blog is Candy.  I couldn't help it!  The first thing to come to my mind was Eye candy. Eye candy conjures up a number of different images; however in a marketing sense,  Eye Candy usually means the visual appeal or attractiveness of a product to the consumer.  Since all  ESN scavenger hunt blog member stores are eye candy, it was hard to choose.

 Check out the Hawaiian  shirts available at Eccentric Thrifter.  She has many colors and sizes  and patterns from which to choose.  The Hawaiian Blues Tropical shirt has my vote.

If you are looking for vintage glassware, you must visit Carolinabluelady.

  The 1950's glass daffodil pitcher  is just one of the fabulous vintage glass items she has in her ecrater store.



  The Ancient Dreams Cameo Necklace listed at Twilight's Slumber was my next candidate for eye candy.  She has a few different cameo necklaces listed.  Check them out.

Visit the eCrater Stores Newtwork to see more products available from eCraterSellers.

State of the Art at Ecrater Stores Network

The scavenger hunt's blog theme this week at Ecrater Store Network is State of the Art.  I interpret anything described as state of the art to mean the the newest, coolest technique or machine available in any time period. 

The newest home decorating trend is vinyl lettering. When it comes to vinyl lettering, Walls that Talk is awesome.  To view the Follow your Dreams wall quote visit their eCrater store.

Do you remember when VHS camcorders replaced the 8mm movie camera?  They were defiantly state of the art in their day.  Visit Bargain Express to see the camcorder she has listed.  It is great for parts and repairs.

A discussion of state of the art is not complete without computers.  I found the Comcast high-speed internet install kit at Your Whatnot Shop. 

Visit  the eCrater Stores Network to see a preview of the products available.

Firefighter Gift Ideas

This  ESN scavenger hunt blog theme for this week is fire.  Since my son in law is a firefighter, I thought I would look for items that would cute gift ideas for him.

     I didn't have to hunt to long for find this Dog Fire Hydrant Salt Pepper Shaker Set from Bargain Express I know his firefighter buddies would get a kick out of it.

Next I visited Comycgyrl's store and found a vintage replica horse drawn fire truck.  It is a 1914 Horse Drawn Pumper Fire Truck Red scale model and would be nice addition to his fire truck collection. 

In my opinion, books are always a great gift.  The illustrated history of fire engines book from Eccentric Thrifter would also be a fantastic gift idea for a firefighter.

Visit the eCrater Stores Network to view some of the products available by eCrater Sellers.

Buttery Delights

The theme for this week ESN scavenger hunt blog is butter.
When I was a child I remember holding  buttercup flowers under my chin to see if I liked butter. It is impossible to do that with the ESN blogggers.  But, it is easy enough to search their eCrater stores for products which are butter related.
 I went hunting at Carolinabluelady and found this Federal Depression Diana Crystal Bowl Bread-Butter Plate.  The bowl and bread-butter plate is a terrific find because it can also be used to serve sauces or salad dressings.

 I need something to go on the bread and butter plate.  What could be better than homemade bread.  Check out this bread machine cookbook from Bargain Express.  I can just picture homemade bread oozing with butter. 

The next item I choose is the cookie press from EccentricThrifter.  I use a cookie press for making only one kind of cookie-. Butter Cookies.  Butter cookies are my hubby's all time favorite and I make them frequently.

 It's been a fun and interesting blogger hunt this week.  Enjoy!

Music! Music! Music!

This week's ESN scavenger hunt blog theme is music.  Even though I cannot play an instrument or carry a tune, music is a big part of my life.  I almost always have one of my favorite Cd's playing while listing on our ecrater store, cooking or driving in the car.  I love to teach my grandkids all the cute preschool songs I have learned over the years.  I have to admit though, one grand-kid is famous for saying No sing Nonna. 
Music to me means dancing.  And dance we do from country to oldies to ballroom.
So with music in my ears, I visited the ESN bloggers ecrater stores to see what music goodies I would find.

I headed straight to Barb's Bargains and found this awesome Xact Sirius satellite radio boombox system.  It is an excellent value with the boombox and receiver included.

Next I found a music box at Hazelshodgepodge.  This sweet Precious Moments music box would be a delightful gift. 

I just knew Walls That Talk would have one or more cool music quotes in her store.  I couldn't help smiling when I discovered the Life is a Song vinyl letter wall quote. 

Since I have a turntable, I wanted to see if any of the bloggers have any vinyl albums.  Sure enough Bargain Express has some.  If you like old time country music as I do, check out the Meryl Haggard album. It is one of my favorites. 

Visit the Ecrater Stores Network to find a sampling of products availabe from the ecrater sellers.

BBQ Time on ESN

This week's ESN scavenger's hunt blog theme is Grill Kings.  Can't you just picture your first BBQ of the season.?  I can. 

Besides preparing new recipes, I enjoy using unique BBQ serving pieces and tableware.
These salt and pepper shakers that resemble canning jars are perfect for outdoor use.  Comycgyrl has some really cool salt and pepper shakers in her store.

Since I like to serve both  hot and cold dishes at a BBQ, the  Tasty Temp 454 Food Server from Eccentric Thrifter  would be a good choice. It is Water temperature controlled. So there are no worries about dangling electrical cords.

I can visualize my friends enjoying a favorite summertime dessert in these vintage Tupperware parfait dishes from Bargain Express.  Check out her ecrater store for more vintage Tupperware.  You won't be disappointed.

Seeing all the cool grilling items from the eCrater Stores Network reminds me I'd better start planning my first BBQ of the season.

Vintage Books

The last part of our ESN scavenger's hunt blog for this week is to post an extraordinary item from another blogger's eCrater store. 

It was so difficult to do because there are so many unique items from which to choose.  Since reading books is one of my passions,  I looked for a book.

 After much hunting, I choose the Stoddards Practical Arithmetic For Men Schools and Business textbook from Comycgyrl    Collectibles.    I know - a vintage arithmetic book. The name alone makes me smile,

Comycgyrl has an eclectic selection of  books.  I'm sure you will find one to suit your fancy.

Visit the eCrater Stores Network where you will find a sampling of  products available from all of our members.