Twilight in Little Washington

I was standing outside in front of our shop & gallery recently and snapped this picture.  I love twilight in December, especially here. With unseasonably warm weather throughout the month we often had our door open during the day. As I write this, the temperature is now in the 20's and it now feels like winter in Virginia.

As 2011 comes to a close and a New Year begins, good feelings and memories come forward. As any small business owner will tell you it has been a rough road these past two years, but things are looking up.  This year we added several new artists to our gallery representation and more European products to the shop mix.  We organized benefits, several shop events and an Art Tour, and basically worked our little tails off to make the year enjoyable and fun for us and our clientele. It is a labor of love.

To all of our wonderful customers throughout the United States, to our talented artists, fabulous suppliers, loving neighbors, blog-followers, and to all fellow small-business-owners in Rappahannock, we wish each one of you a joyful, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Year-End Sale - 20%-70% Off

Yes, You've All Been Very Good This Year... ...it's time to be rewarded with our Biggest Sale of the Year! 20% - 70% OFF  Dec. 26 - 31 Table Linens, Art, Rugs, Lamps, Purses, Jewelry, Scarves, Soaps, Lotions, Books, Holiday Decor, and more! in-store only phone orders accepted 540.675.1411  .......................................

For 14 years we've celebrated the coming of new and delicious merchandise with an unbelievable After-Christmas Sale. It's long been our customers favorite time to get fabulous & final deals in our shop and gallery on Main Street. 

Come out to Little Washington, VA, between Dec. 26 - 31, 10am - 6pm, and see what all the fuss is about....we think you'll love it! Mention this blog post and receive an extra 10% off already discounted merchandise.  Phone orders also accepted. See you there!

r. h.  b a l l a r d     307 main street    washington, va  22747    540-675-1411     shop & gallery hours: daily, 10am - 6pm

www.rhballard.com

The Eiffel Tower Lights Up

 It's Christmas and like millions of people I too have a sweet place in my heart for Paris, the Eiffel Tower and anything French.

Paris always looks romantic this time of year, and I clearly remember the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower light up in all it's glory. I was eating dinner with friends near the Tower and had to excuse myself from the table. Outside a dramatic display of light and color was exploding and it had been sparkling through the restaurant window onto my plate of foie gras. The meal was delicious but the lights were beckoning. I stood in the freezing cold for several minutes until the sparkling stopped.

I am not sure why the Eiffel Tower has this effect on me and so many people around the world, I only know that it does.

Anyway, the cool and industrial Parisienne pieces in the photo above arrived on Friday and I could not wait to get the display up and running. After previously mapping out several ideas on paper I had decided that the front of the shop would work best for what I envisioned.

The single, rustic P-A-R-I-S letters add charm and fun, and the delightfully glistening Eiffel Tower makes a romantic statement.  I surrounded the Tower with red pomegranate branches, dwarf lemon cypresses (which smell divine), and small vintage prints of the Tower.  Red, green, lights, and art....the iconic monument and all decoration poise beautifully in front of an architectural window and next to our silver and white decorated Christmas tree. I loved creating this display. It's the first thing you see now as you now step into our shop at Christmas time.

I invite all of you to come and visit Little Washington, VA.  It's truly the best time to visit our historic town and our shop.  Hope to see you soon!

Free Shipping Until Dec. 19th!

Free Shipping on All Website Orders Through Dec. 19th ONLY ___________________________________________________________________________ 20% Off   All In-Store Holiday Decor, Ornaments, Cards __________________________________________________________________________________ Open Every Day 10am - 6pm Phone Orders Accepted  ________________________________________________________________

r. h.  b a l l a r d     307 main street    washington, va  22747    540-675-1411 shop & gallery hours: daily, 10am - 6pm www.rhballard.com

Big Parade in Little Washington

Chef Patrick O'Connell from the Inn at Little Washington rides in the Town Council car during the "Christmas in Little Washington" Parade.

 It was an amazing, warm, clear-skies day in Little Washington, VA.  Shop doors were wide open, tons of kiddies were treated to holiday sweets and goodies, and each child received a toy from Santa. The two Artisan Markets were jammed with holiday shoppers and Ben "Cooter" Jones' Garage Band rocked out in Stoneyman Square.

If you've never been to our small town parade you don't know what you are missing. It was the biggest yet for a 2-street town, with over 40 parade participant organizations. The small-town feel is wonderful, personal and warm. It's been likened to a Currier and Ives portrait, and that is pretty accurate. I look forward to it every year.

For our shop and gallery this is one of the busiest shopping days of the year so we were ready. We were also hosting a fabulous benefit for the Rappahannock High School Band, which was very well attended and which raised much need funds for the band.  We are in a "tiny" town (pop. 175), so when a few hundred people descend upon us we really notice.

Here are some images I took of this festive day.  

Camels were actually on parade for the first time. A camel on Main street was a sight to see.

Dr. Seuss' character Cindy Lou Who from Whoville

The Soap Box Derby Float with Rudolf was the biggest one yet.

Santa and Mrs. Claus rode in a Horse Drawn Carriage

Beautifully decorated Horses and Riders

US Army Fife and Drum Corp.

Rappahannock High School Panther Band

Bagpipers

Mysterious Horse Rider on Main Street

Brian Noyes from Red Truck Bakery

Dwight MacNeil from Red Truck Bakery handed out some delicious brownies to the crowd.

Grand Marshall COL. John R. Bourgeois

A Pink Smiling Piggy

Rappahannock High School Student Conductor keeping the band on time in front of our shop.

Big Smokey the Bear rode on top of the Washington Fire Dept. truck.

Anne Robertson played one of Santa's helpers during the day's festivities.

ABC Newsman Gordon Peterson rode in Ben "Cooter" Jones famous GENERAL LEE.