Saturday, November 8, 2008

IT'S CHURCH BAZAAR SEASON

I love attending bazaars. This must have been church bazaar weekend in my town because every other church in the burg held one today. There were years I missed all of them because I didn't pay attention to the newspaper listing of Fall bazaars and crafts shows - or I had been participating in craft shows myself and had been too tired to visit the local ones.
Today's treasures - old quilt, vintage tablecloth, crocheted doilies, and stemmed glass dish (total = $14.00) ------->
This year I had a personal Fall "to do" list which included 1) Getting out Fall decorations, 2) Frequenting the local Farmer's Market on October Wednesdays, 3) Driving through the Hocking Hills to view the pretty leaves, 4) Walking through fallen leaves and hearing them crunch under my feet, 5) Cooking soups, stews, and other cool weather comfort foods, and 6) Attending some Fall bazaars and craft shows. I accomplished all the things on my list and for once, I won't be moaning and complaining about not enjoying Fall to the fullest.
Instead of staying home this morning and working on household chores, I chose to make the rounds of bazaars in my town and the surrounding area. The weather was cool and the air crisp. Every stop I made caused me to feel thankful for this season and excited about the coming holidays. Each church had a different presentation, but all were festive and inviting.
The St. James women had set up tables in their fellowship hall and each table was full of please-the-eye displays. Christmas music was playing and decorated trees were in every corner of the room. I especially liked the vintage items (known in my church as Granny's Attic items) displayed among the handmades and home-baked goods. One idea I'll suggest to my church's bazaar committee is to offer mouth watering samples of the baked goods, as the women at St. James did.
Friendly women wearing brightly colored red and green aprons greeted visitors at David's Methodist Church. They were buzzing about how many people had stopped to shop at their Holiday Bazaar as they happily handed out shopping bags at the door. As I received my bag, I was admonished to "fill it up!" - which I did. The aroma of barbecue sandwiches and homemade soups tempted visitors, as did tables full of home-baked cinnamon bread, pecan pies, cookies, and the famous Buckeye candy. Round tables for lunch dining had been arranged in one corner of the room and people had begun to stake their claims even before the "lunch ready" call was given.
One of my stops included St. George's Episcopal Church where the legendary "Mistletoe Mart" has been held for 25 years. I used to participate in that show and sometimes I really miss it. It was good to see some familiar faces there and to be remembered by some fellow crafters. The handmade items were of excellent quality, as usual, and everybody seemed to be in a festive mood. It almost made me want to sign up for next year's show, but I resisted that urge.
A visit to the Presbyterian Church ended my bazaar tour today and I was impressed by how much effort had been put into its presentation. They had even prepared a Secret Santa room where children could purchase modestly priced ornaments and other items, all hidden from their parents' view. Santa's helpers were making suggestions and guiding the little ones as they carefully chose gifts for loved ones. The display tables were covered with Christmas tablecloths and patchwork quilts and items for sale were arranged in eye catching groupings.
I had such a good time today that I didn't even worry about the sink full of dishes, the laundry left undone, or the unmopped kitchen floor. I was too busy enjoying Fall. I came home and cooked a big pot of spicy chili - yum, comfort food.

4 comments:

Laura said...

Hi Kady,
you are very lucky to enjoyt all these crafts bazar! Wish to live in your country!
I love John Denver , when I was younger I always listen to hs songs.
ciao
Laura kitten

Kady said...

Hi Laura! You don't have craft bazaars in Italy? Oh, they can be fun. Our church women make things all year then in October they set up tables in the fellowship hall at the church and display things for sale. The money from the sale helps people in need. We have a community program called "Helping Hands", and that program gives food and clothes to people who can't afford to buy those things. Our church also families in our town and buys food for them and gifts for the children at holiday time. Bazaars are very good things.

Kady

Laura said...

Hi Kady, yes we also have some bazar, but not pretty and many as in your country!
I also think it's a good thng to help people who needs.
ciao
Laura kitten

Kady said...

Hi Laura, Bazaars are ways for churches to make money so they can give to their neighborhoods and people in need. Our church has been doing this for about 8 years. The women bake many good things to sell too, and those are very popular....Kady