Friday night we had the joy of inviting our loyal customers to ring in the Christmas Season with us. Our store was closed all week to set up and the windows papered so no one could peek. At 6:00 pm the Christmas music filled the room as our dear customers and friends flowed in. The evening was truly special. We served wine, sparkling cider and a gourmet assortment of hors d'ouevres on beautifully decorated platters. ( Thank you Sylvia & Chris)
This was such a fun party!!! I think everyone looks forward to an elegant evening of shopping and being the first to see all the new Christmas Decor. Dale & I shop ALL YEAR for this. There are many one of a kind things that go that night. But not to worry, this is just Phase 1. We have a whole storeroom full of new surprises.
One of the best parts of the evening for me is the people. So many people I have met through this store that I have grown to love and care about. On this evening I like to stay by the door, greeting, hugging, taking pics, & giving out presents.
Another thing I LOVE are the wonderful people the Lord has led here to work with us. Each one of them is an answer to prayer. Over the years we have gotten to know & enjoy each other and look forward to this annual Open House tradition.
Now I had to post this last pic as a joke. It's the Christmas Memory of 2009. Mountain Rose is known for our special gift bags. Well I found a tub of radishes left over from the party and one thing led to another...We do have FUN here. Hope to see you at our ever changing Christmas Store this season! Thank you Lord for another wonderful Open House!
What a joy it was to take part in a fun, safe Halloween event the whole family could enjoy. And ENJOY they did! THOUSANDS of folks came to our Annual Montrose Shopping Park Halloween Spooktakular. Just like in the old days, all the merchants gave out candy in front of their stores. Everyone was so HAPPY & POLITE! So many parents made it a point to teach their children to say "Thank You". I think we all had as much fun as the kids! It was absolutely wonderful!
This year there were so many memorable costumes. I wish I could have taken even more photos, but here are a few you may enjoy.
And here are some photos of us, our neighbors, and friends.
Halloween 2009 is over but it's not too late to put The Montrose Shopping Park on your calendar for next year! You don't want to miss this!
I just LOVE eating at THE STAR CAFE in Montrose, especially this time of year. Every October they hang myriads of pumpkins from their ceiling. I'm talking all sizes, including GIANT size. It is just thrilling to be seated under them among the tiny orange lights woven throughout. It reminds me of the table scenes at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies.
And if the atmosphere is not enough, the CURRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI will send you over the moon! It's the perfect thing for a cool, Fall night. The good news is, this is on Star's menu every day. The Star Cafe is also known for it's Butternut Squash Soup. I believe this is served seasonally on Saturdays.
Now here's another "Hot Off The Press" Montrose secret. Actually it's not a secret anymore. I wrote about it in today's local newspaper, THE CRESCENTA VALLEY WEEKLY. I am very fond of this paper because the Publisher, Robin Goldsworthy, has a heart for promoting local businesses. I wrote about these incredible cupcakes, found only in Montrose. They are just a few doors away from Revelation Tops at Jane's Cakes & Chocolates. Jane's has new owners that are extremely gifted in the baking arena. They are doing incredibly gourmet seasonal cakes, candy, and cookies too. Delicious works of art at very affordable prices. You must see & taste them for yourself!
See you in Montrose!
These are some HAPPY dogs! Harry, the black one, and Marie, his sister got to go to the groomers today. I don't know how they do it! These dogs are so FLUFFY it's like holding a cream puff. Their groomer is in Montrose, where we work, so they got to come back to the store afterwards. Harry LOVES people! Whenever a customer comes in he MUST get on the counter so he can say "Hi". He especially loves to put his head in women's purses. We are trying to teach him to go for the "green stuff" but so far it hasn't worked. Once Harry gets on the counter Marie wants to too. Our customers are amazed at how friendly and loving they are.
Pictured with us is our friend Sharelle. Sharelle has an antique jewelry business a few doors down. She knows the value of "dog therapy". These two WILL bring a smile to your face!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: " The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it" John 1:5
When I first picked up a Bible to see what it had to say, I started in the Gospel of John. It's all about Jesus. The only way to get to heaven is through Him. He is the light of the world. It's all in the gospel of John and it is fascinating. Have you ever read it? ( The Gospel Of John is just past the middle of the Bible. Page 2161 if you have a Bible like mine.)
We had an unexpected visitor at church today. New to the area, Pat was out taking her dog BEAR, a Great Pyrennes, for a walk. Bill, our resident evangelist, struck up a conversation and invited them to church. What to do with the dog? Well let's bring him in! Church was pretty full so we opened the back doors and set up "dog church" in the foyer.
It was such a wonderful day, filled with surprises, laughter, the Word, and Spirit filled praise! Dale is teaching from The Revelation. We are up to Chapter 13 now. The sermon title was " And He Spoke Like A Dragon". About the coming False Prophet. He then taught us on how to recognize false prophets in the church today. They come in among you as an "angel of light".They say Jesus is Lord. They cast out demons and do many miracles. On the surface they seem like believers, but give it time. You shall know them by their fruit, their CHARACTER. We are to be on guard.
Well wouldn't you know today was the day we had a "False Baby" come to church. I had never seen one of these. When Marilyn came in with her new baby she sure faked me out. These babies have computers and they cry and have to have their diapers changed. I can't tell you how much fun we had with this baby today! Thank you Lord for what you are doing at Chatsworth Lake Church!
Well wouldn't you know today was the day we had a "False Baby" come to church. I had never seen one of these. When Marilyn came in with her new baby she sure faked me out. These babies have computers and they cry and have to have their diapers changed. I can't tell you how much fun we had with this baby today! Thank you Lord for what you are doing at Chatsworth Lake Church!
These ARE the days of Elijah!
Tonight we attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of our new neighbors, La Perla Design Gallery. La Perla is owned by cousins Jake & George and carries high end table top and giftware. It is located between our two stores, Revelation Tops and Mountain Rose Gifts in quaint Montrose.
The lovely party was catered by Kitchen 12000 and featured delicious and artfully presented appetizers as well as fine wine. It was so nice to see friends and and the people that help make the town of Montrose such a special place. Among them were Montrose Verdugo Chamber President Jane Kane. Jane is a prominent local realtor. Her daughter Mallory is part of our "Mountain Rose Family". Chamber V.P. Laurie Jo Phillips always has a smile. She designs women's clothing and has a store in town. Robin Goldsworthy is the Publisher for The Crescenta Valley Weekly and has a special place in her heart for Montrose. Lilian and Karla own Holiday Hats & Gowns. They are beautiful women inside and out. We have been so blessed to have them as neighbors. And the list goes on.
We are truly glad to share in the joy of a new business. It is a daunting undertaking in this economic climate. Nonetheless we look forward to a prosperous Christmas Season together and wish La Perla much success.
Last Saturday was the 32nd Annual Oktoberfest in Montrose. And what a perfect day it was. The weather cooled down and the air was crisp when Dale and I closed our stores and headed outside. Just like we crave turkey on Thanksgiving, the brats "call out to us" on this day. They were there in abundance. We like ours with lots of grill marks, on a fresh roll, with sauerkraut, and mustard. HEAVEN!
The town was magical that night, with beautiful lighting, wonderful smells, and lots of families and friends. Imagine playing bingo in the setting pictured here. After walking off our dinner we wandered into Montrose Home Bakery. We were met with a full tray of still warm, Apple Strudel being brought out as we arrived. It was absolute perfection!
Montrose is such a special place. It really is the "Mayberry" of Los Angeles.
This is an arrangement I did for our
bedroom. The big iron urn was given to us by Carol Wilson. Carol is one
of the most creative and generous people I have ever met. She travels
the world and is a home accessories designer. Many of her creations can
now be found in a chain called Home Goods. When she gave us this urn it
was filled to overflowing with dozens of extra long stem roses, a
memory I will never forget. This year I have filled it with fall leaves
and twigs. Among these I have woven a strand of little orange lights.
It looks so beautiful at night when all the other lights are out. It
casts this orange glow on the room. So cozy and fall-like.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: " For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Phil. 3:3
Last Wednesday our Bible Study was in Philippians Chapter 3. The lust of the flesh, the pride of life, the desire for positions and possessions, are all part of the "fleshly" nature. Paul doesn't beat around the bush but calls these RUBBISH. Instead we are to move on from these things and move in to the knowledge of Christ and His ways.
I just watched this video. It was in my blog neighborhood in the midst of flowers, recipes, and "happy" things. It confirms what the Lord had put on my heart this morning. I was praying for another Christian whose life is in trouble. The Lord was impressing on me the UTMOST IMPORTANCE of spending REGULAR TIME ALONE with HIM in His WORD.
When you do this He WILL speak to you.
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Recent Comments
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Mary Dawson said:
Ralph's! haha Missed you too! read more
on Mountain Rose Gift's Private Christmas Open House -
Carole Brookshire said:
Great team you have there! read more
on Mountain Rose Gift's Private Christmas Open House -
Jackie Cloward said:
[this is good]Hi Mary!Looks like everyone was having a great time and the pictures are great! Wish I could have been there.... read more
on Mountain Rose Gift's Private Christmas Open House -
Carole Brookshire said:
I really appreciated seeing all the work that went into some of those costumes! read more
on A Most Special Halloween In Montrose
What a wonderful way to ring the season of the birth of our wonderful Lord and Savior! Lovely group to... read more
on Mountain Rose Gift's Private Christmas Open House