Happy February, also known as the “Month of Love”. This month is a great opportunity for us all to take a closer look at what LOVE really means. There are different types of Love, Love between family and friends called “Philos” Love, then Love that is romantic is “Eros” Love, and we have unconditional Love from God above called “Agape” Love.

Now, you may wonder why we are having this discussion with the weekend events news, but LOVE transcends throughout every part of our day, weekday and weekend. We all have Love to give, even if we don’t feel like we are receiving it. And, just like that old saying,…“It is better to give than to receive” is so true.

If there is a feeling of a lack of love in our lives, let’s turn that around by stepping out and focusing on how we can be more loving and giving to others less fortunate. It will make a world of difference, and guess what? All of a sudden, there will be a feeling that comes over, and you will begin to feel so much warmth inside, you will definitely know you are being loved! 

So take the time and show some LOVE this weekend with family and friends, and receive LOVE from above as well!

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This Weekend at Regal Cinema…

Now Showing:

• Beauty and the Beast 3D NEW! G

Visit www.regmovies.com for more info or call 828-262-3330.

Read Sarah’s Beauty and the Beast 3D review here.

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On Friday…

Ongoing each Friday, now through May, there’s a new Kids program called “Blazing Easels” at the Turchin Center giving parents and children fun things to do during Downtown Boone’s First Friday Art Crawls. This free program is for kids 7-12 yrs. of age, operates the 1st Friday of every month from 3:30-5pm. With only room for 20 kids, make sure to call ahead and have your child put on the list. Although the program is free, donations always help to offset any costs for these Outreach Programs for the community. For more info visit the website at http://tcva.org/calendar/events/668. 

On Saturday…

Ongoing each Saturday, now through March 1st, bring out your child’s artistic abilities at the BRAHM Saturday Art Club for kids ages 8-14. Held at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum from 10am – 12noon, taking inspiration from the Scottish art program Room 13, kids will use a variety of mediums from acrylics, oils, charcoal, pastels, and more to create special art that has significance to them with the help of ASU faculty and students. Held each Saturday in February, the cost is $20 and requires pre-registration. For more info contact Virginia Falck at 828-295-9099 ext. 3006 or email her at virginia@blowingrockmuseum.org. You can also download the forms needed at their website at (www.blowingrockmusem.org).

Have a Fun and Safe Weekend!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

***Make sure to visit our Online Stores at www.timespasttoys.etsy.com , our NEWEST website www.timespastwoodentoys.com, and www.dailycrossdesigns.etsy.com for our Wooden Toys and Home, Business, and Garden Decor.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter under http://www.facebook.com/TimesPastToys; and as a follower @TimesPastToys; and at http://www.facebook.com/dailycrossdesigns and as a follower @dlycrossdesigns.

Hope to see you soon!

Here is a current item being offered: From our Times Past Toys Online Store, here is our Airplane with turning Propeller. Airplane with Propeller that turns will inspire your child to fly right into their dreams. Your child will love pretending to be the Red Baron or another great Pilot as they soar to new heights in their imagination. Measures: 12 3/4″ Length X 12″ Width X 5″ Height. $24.50

We are now offering our Toys and products packaged for your convenience.

Blowing Rock’s Winterfest is Here! In it’s 14th year, Winterfest was started to show off Blowing Rock and the High Country in the off season. Recently, Blowing Rock was named by professional jouranalists as “North Carolina’s prettiest town”! It is no wonder that we would want to show off the beauty of this area.

Winterfest begins on Thursday and culminates the end of an amazing weekend on Sunday, Jan. 26th-29th. This isn’t just an event, the whole town gets involved. From the local elementary school, to the shops, quaint stores, outlet malls, restaurants and resorts, it is a one-of-a-kind weekend you won’t soon forget and one that keeps you wanting to come back every year.

From Concerts to Game Shows, to fine dining Food Feasts to Scavenger Hunts, and so many more activities, of course topping it off with the annual Polar Plunge, there is fun for everyone! Use this guide to help find out all of this weekend’s events, dedicated to Winterfest 2012, with the exception of a few other awesome happenings going on around the High Country. Get ready for a crazy, fun weekend!

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This Weekend at Regal Cinema…

Now Showing:

• Beauty and the Beast 3D NEW! G

Visit www.regmovies.com for more info or call 828-262-3330. Read Sarah’s Beauty and the Beast 3D review here.

________________________________________________________________________________

On Thursday…

Thursday starts Winterfest off with an All Day Shop Til You Drop day where you can shop to your heart’s content in the quaint Boutiques and Specialty Gift Shops along with the stores at the Tanger Outlet Center.

Then from 5:30-7:30 pm,  it’s Winterfeast where you can tickle your palate with a variety of the best foods from the Blowing Rock area. Held at the Chetola Resort in the Evergreen Room, you’ll find sumptuous foods from restaurants such as Timberlake’s, Rowlands, The Gamekeeper, Canyons, The Meadowbrook, The Table at Crestwood and so much more, there’s too many to list. To attend, advance tickets can be purchased at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851 and at Chetola Resort. Tickets may also be purchased at the door upon availability for $30 with seatings at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30pm.

Following the Winterfeast, head on over to Foggy Rock restaurant for Winter Ales Craft Beer Tastings. For more info on all of these activities, visit the website at http://www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.

On Friday…

Do you love to play search and find games? Here’s your invitation to get in on the hunt and participate in the Inaugural Winterfest Scavenger Hunt taking place on Friday and Saturday during the Winterfest weekend. Start the hunt by picking up your forms at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce office, then answer the questions about Winter and Winterfest, visit the Blowing Rock stores that are participating to find the items you need and drop everything back off at the office again. Lots of great fun to be had on this adventure and winners will be drawn from the forms and awarded awesome prizes! For more info call the Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851. Happy Hunting!

It’s another All Day Shop Til You Drop at the quaint Boutiques and Specialty Gift Shops along with the stores at the Tanger Outlet Center.

Then head on over to the downtown area of Blowing Rock at 3pm for some free Hot Chocolate. Take a break and get warm!

After taking a break, hunger is probably setting in, so make sure to take in the Blowing Rock School PTO Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Games from 5-7:30 pm . Held at the Blowing Rock Elementary School you can get a Spaghetti Dinner for $5 and Bingo Cards for just $1. So join them for some great food, fun, and fundraising.

For dessert, weather permitting, at Blowing Rock’s Memorial Park, there will be a blazing Dusk Bonfire. Everything you need to make S’mores and Toasted Marshmallows will be provided and is hosted by the Blowing Rock Boy Scouts. Help support these awesome young men!

For some special snow sports, it’s the Appalachian Ski Mountain Winterfest Special Event for Night Skiing from 5-12 midnight. Offering special pricing on Ski and Snowboarding lessons, make the most of the snow that is there and have a blast! Reservations are required, so call and make it a date.

If music is more to your liking, take in a concert with the Winter Blues Concert featuring Beverly “Guitar” Watkins and The King Bees starting at 7:30pm. Held at the Hayes Performing Arts Center, tickets are $20 and are available online, and at the Hayes Center by calling 828-295-9627, or also available at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce by calling 828-295-7851.

On Saturday…

Starting off Saturday with the All Day Shop Til You Drop, find lots of great bargains at the Boutique and Specialty Shops, plus the Tanger Outlet Center.

Don’t forget free Hot Chocolate available at 10 am in downtown Blowing Rock.

Throughout the day, from 10am – 4pm, put in your bid for the Raffle and Silent Auctions held in the Blowing Rock School Cafeteria. Prizes will include awesome gifts including Trips, Hotel Packages, Ski Packages along with Ski Equipment, Restaurants and much more, with the proceeds going to the Mountain Alliance, promoting leadership and outdoor opportunties for youth.

Winterfest wouldn’t be the same without the annual Polar Plunge and this year the #1 spectator sport in Blowing Rock is benefiting the Wine To Water project. Starting at 10am, come watch brave or maybe crazy jumpers take the plunge for a good cause bringing awareness to the Boone based organization helping to provide clean water for villages in Ethiopia. Everyone is invited to be a part and take the plunge as well costing only $25 to jump. Local celebrities will take part including Doc Hendley, the founder of Wine To Water.

There will also be plenty of Kids Activities, so parents bring the kids for FUN happenings like Face Painting, Dancing, and Snowflake Decorating. From 10am – 4pm, head on over to the American Legion Hall right behind Memorial Park for all of the great things going on, sponsored by the High Country Cloggers.

Another activity for the kids is a special reading and book signing of Isabella Propellor and the Magic Beanie. Join Children’s author and Blowing Rock resident, Jonathan Graves from 11am – 1pm, as he gives a performance of his Children’s Literary Classics Approved book. His story is set in the Village of Blowing Rock and goes on a flying journey with her pal and pet dog Mullaby, and a flying friend named Red Tail. You won’t want to miss it!

At 3pm, bring the kids together for Snowflake decorating held at the Parks and Rec Center. After creating dazzling displays, the kids can dance as they go down Main Street in Blowing Rock for the Snowflake Parade.

For those that want to take in some outdoor fun, participate in the Cross Country Ski & Snow Equipment Exhibition sponsored by Blowing Rock Realty and SweetGrass. Taking place from 10am – 5pm, at the beautiful grounds of SweetGrass off Hwy. 221 about 6 miles outside of Blowing Rock, you will have a great time with Games, Prizes, even Gift Certificates to First Tracks in Boone, a Snowdog Building contest, Hot Chocolate and Cookies, plus more. For more info call 828-255-9861.

Add some spice to your day at the Chili Cook-Off from 11am – 3pm, presented by CASI and taste a variety of great Chilis made by Pros! Area restaurants and locals also are participating and will serve spicy, mild, chunky, or smooth Chili for your pleasure along with Brunswick Stew. Held at the Blowing Rock School Gym, look for tickets at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, online, or at the door, and visit http://www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.

At 12 noon, everyone is in for a treat taking in the Ice Carving Demonstraion. This year, the guests are the US Army Special Forces Ice Carving Team where they will use their talents and turn blocks of ice into enchanting works of art. This free event is held in downtown Blowing Rock at the Memorial Park.
At 2pm make your way over to the Green Park Inn for the Winterfest Wine Tasting where you will be able to taste a well rounded variety of wines, locally, regionally, and internationally. Reps will be there to help with any questions and then the Winterfest Wine Auction will follow right after. For tickets or more info contact the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851 or visit their website at http://www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.

Love Game Shows? Here’s your chance to be a part of the “Minute to Win It” game starting at 3:30pm presented by the Ensemble Stage Company. Have fun playing games by beating the timer and become the winner! Tickets for General Admission are available online or you can reserve your tickets by calling 828-919-6196.

As the sun goes down, enjoy getting warm at the Dusk Bonfire in Memorial Park. There you can make some S’mores or Toasted Marshmallows with all of the supplies provided for you.

Finish the night off with a musical concert of the John Cowan Band at 7:30pm held at the Hayes Performing Arts Center. This Bluegrass band will have you stomping your feet and enjoying the night away! Tickets are $26 and are available online, by calling the Hayes Center at 828-295-9627, or through the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.

Outside of Winterfest activities, there is the Horse Helpers Volunteer Day this Saturday, Jan. 28th from 1-5pm for Horse Helpers of the High Country. Join Horse Helpers for a day of volunteering and reaching out to rescued Horses. Great for kids and adults alike, experience daily farm chores such as cleaning out stalls, feedings, and grooming. For more info and directions contact horsehelpersnc@gmail.com, visit their website at http://www.horsehelpersnc.org/, or talk to Amanda Moore by emailing her at mooreaa@appstate.edu, or calling her at 252-229-2922.

Enjoy a night out with the Soweto Gospel Choir concert this Saturday, Jan. 28th starting at 8pm held at ASU’s Farthing Auditorium. A Gospel Choir unlike most and not classically trained, they have sung with greats like U2, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Josh Groban, also winning 2 Grammy’s. Blending traditional African music with Gospel and current favorites, you won’t want to miss this one! Tickets are available in advance for adults – $20, students 6-18 yrs. – $16, ASU students – $15, and kids 5 yrs. and under – $10, and a special price for ASU faculty and staff members with ID card of $10. For more info call Farthing Box Office at 828-262-4046 or toll free at 800-841-2787 or visit their website at http://www.pas.appstate.edu. You can also visit the choir’s website at http://www.sowetogospelchoir.com .

On Sunday…

Sunday is the last day of Winterfest, but also brings together all of the good times from the weekend. Starting off the day at 8-11am is the Winterfest Pancake Breakfast held at the Blowing Rock School Cafeteria hosted by Knights On Main. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with the proceeds going to the Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue whose awesome volunteers will be serving all of the trimmings! Tickets are available at the door.

Get in on the last day of the All Day Shop Til You Drop at the lovely Boutiques and Specialty Stores, along with the Tanger Outlet Center.

Grab some free Hot Chocolate at the Memorial Park and keep warm.

See the beautiful art at the Ice Carving Demonstrations in Memorial Park at 1pm, the heart of Blowing Rock.

At 1:30pm, it’s the long awaited and fun 4th annual “Winter Paws” Dog Show, starting with registration at 1pm and held at the Blowing Rock School Gym and co-sponsored by The Pet Place and the Watauga County Humane Society. Benefiting homeless animals around the area, the Dog Show has friendly competitions awarding 10 different categories that include Owner & Dog Look-Alike, Best Handshake, Most Mysterious Heritage, Most EAR-ristible Ears, Best Smile, and so much more. Winners will go on to compete for the title of The People’s Choice Award with the grand prize of a $50 gift certificate to The Pet Place. The Humane Society will showcase several shelter dogs currently available for adoption, and the event will also include a raffle for a one-year supply of dog food. All dogs must be on a leash with up-to-date rabies vaccinations, and $10 buys placing your dog in 2 categories of choice, while $15 gets all categories. And, don’t miss out on the free samples of Dog Food and Doggie Treats with each registration. For more info visit the website at www.BlowingRockWinterfest.com, or call Ellen Jo at 828-264-6468.

Last, have fun with the Snowman Building Contest held at Appalachian Ski Mountain. As stated, for more info visit the website at www.BlowingRockWinterfest.com.

Have a Fun and Safe Weekend!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

***Make sure to visit our Online Stores at www.timespasttoys.etsy.com , our NEWEST website www.timespastwoodentoys.com, and www.dailycrossdesigns.etsy.com for our Wooden Toys and Home, Business, and Garden Decor.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter under http://www.facebook.com/TimesPastToys; and as a follower @TimesPastToys; and at http://www.facebook.com/dailycrossdesigns and as a follower @dlycrossdesigns.

Hope to see you soon!

Here is a current item being offered: From our Times Past Toys Online Store, here is our Airplane with turning Propeller. Airplane with Propeller that turns will inspire your child to fly right into their dreams. Your child will love pretending to be the Red Baron or another great Pilot as they soar to new heights in their imagination. Measures: 12 3/4″ Length X 12″ Width X 5″ Height. $24.50

We are now offering our Toys and products packaged for your convenience.

Hope that you all have been having a great week! Here it is the weekend again,and the days just seem to go by so fast. The last couple of days have gotten very cold and not made me want to stay outside. But we have not had a harsh winter at all. In fact, it has been extremely mild, and with the cold weather coming in, I have to admit that it is like a breath of fresh air! Even if it is for just a moment.

This weekend, there is not a lot going on, but the activities that are available are fun and get your blood pumping! Go celebrate and dance, have a nice dinner, movie, or shopping date, and round out the evening by enjoying the lights and scenery at Chetola! What a wonderful way to spend a weekend!

___________________________________________________________________________________

This Weekend at Regal Cinema…

Now Showing:

• Beauty and the Beast 3D NEW! G (Check out Sarah’s post about this adorable movie!)
  

Visit www.regmovies.com for more info or call 828-262-3330.

_________________________________________________________________________

On Friday…

Kick up your heels and attend the Todd Community Dance this Friday, Jan. 20th starting at 7:30pm. Held at the Todd Mercantile, all ages and experience levels are welcome for this 1st dance of the season’s night of fun and fellowship. Connie Carringer will be the caller with the Laurel Creek String Band, and tickets are $5 with 12 and under free. For more info call Cecil at 828-262-1953.

On Saturday…

Ongoing Saturday Activity - 

Here’s a way to have a night out and the kids have fun too! You’ll have peace of mind dropping the kids off at the Saturday Night Out at New River Gymnastics Academy and be able to get a Date Night out with the hubby, all in one. Starting this Saturday, Jan. 14th from 6 – 9pm, and every weekend throughout the year, for just $20, kids K-7th grade will have a great time as they learn about the sport of gymnastics all the while growing in strength, flexibility and positive self-esteem. New River also has a half and full Snow Day Program when kids are out of school. For more info contact Anna George at agnrga@aol.com, or call her at 828-264-0641, or visit their website at http://www.newrivergymnasticsacademy.com/.

On Sunday…

Get in on the last two weekends of Chetola Resort’s Festival of Lights happening now through Jan. 29th. Over 50 thousand lights adorn Chetola Lake, Lodge, and some homes through January turning the resort into a virtual winter wonderland. For more info visit www.chetola.com or call 828-295-5500.

Have a Safe and Fun Weekend!

___________________________________________________________________________________

***Make sure to visit our Online Stores at www.timespasttoys.etsy.com , our NEWEST website www.timespastwoodentoys.com, and www.dailycrossdesigns.etsy.com for our Wooden Toys and Home, Business, and Garden Decor.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter under http://www.facebook.com/TimesPastToys; and as a follower @TimesPastToys; and at http://www.facebook.com/dailycrossdesigns and as a follower @dlycrossdesigns.

Hope to see you soon!

Here is a current item being offered: From our Times Past Toys Online Store, here is one of our Gift Certificates for easy gift giving! Are you looking for an easy way to give a gift? Are you wanting to give something to your friend or family member, but aren’t sure what they would like? Are you looking for a quick solution for gift-giving instead of waiting for a finished product to arrive several weeks later? And finally, are you looking for quality, hand-crafted, hand-painted wooden products that are durable and made to last? You’ve come to the right place! Here you can purchase a Times Past Toys Gift Certificate in various denominations of $10, $25, $50, and $100. Quick and easy, our Gift Certificates allow your recipient the option to choose what they want and need within a 90-day period. Great for Christmas, Birthdays, welcoming a New Baby, etc. A gift that will always be remembered!

We are now offering our Toys and products packaged for your convenience.

It was the summer of 1992, I had just graduated High School, and was a counselor at a YMCA Camp.  One of my best friends, Kiki, and I had the most fun that summer! More crazy adventures and laughs of any year, before or after. One night, on a whim, we decided to pop the newest Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, in the old VCR. What? You don’t remember VCR tapes? They’re basically like DVDs, only huge and square. Think “bag phone” as opposed to the iPhone.

Anyway, as 18-year-olds with wacky sense of humor, much hilarity ensued as we accused our image-conscious guy friends of being Gaston, and wrote a parody which is forever lost in a box at the bottom of Kiki’s basement. (Do you still have that Kiki?)

So… I was delighted when my three girls and I had a chance to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D at Regal Cinemas in Boone.  I have actually never seen Beauty and the Beast on the big screen, despite it being one of my favorite animated films.  But I wasn’t sure about presenting a hand-drawn film in 3D. It could either be really cool, or kind of cheesy.

Our girls’ night out began with adorable special edition 3D glasses, branded with “Beauty and the Beast,” for the girls.  I was a little disappointed that I just got the plain black ones, but whatevs. As the opening scene unfolded on the screen, I knew that the 3D version of this classic tale was going to be fantastic.

The Story

What better story to present to my daughters, than a strong young woman who sees past narcissistic men, loves learning, and values true beauty? If they grow up to be like Belle, I will be one blessed mother. The comedy is ingenius, the characters endearing, and the scary parts are not too freaky for the 6-year-old. I always laugh when Gaston says, “Every last inch of me’s covered with HAIR!” I always cry when Gaston stabs the Beast, and Belle think he’s dead.  I also appreciated the fact that there is no political propaganda in this movie.  Too many kids’ movies today make me feel like I’m being indoctrinated into the cause d’jour.  But aside from the emphasis on becoming an educated woman, and holding out for true beauty, it was just a great story.

The Look

There’s something about a hand-drawn Disney movie. In this age of Blu-Ray, and animatronics, it’s quaint to know that there is a real live artist putting his vision on paper. Combining the nostalgia of the old-style film with the cutting edge 3D technology was brilliant. It worked beautifully.  When Belle first appeared in her yellow gown to dance with the Beast, we let out a gasp.  But by far, my favorite 3D scene was “Be Our Guest.” The dishes, napkins and food dancing in the air was novel when the movie first came out, but it was spectacular in 3D.

Our Conclusion

The only thing we didn’t like about this movie was when it was over. Seriously, if you’re looking for an excellent night out with your kids (or by yourself for that matter), this movie  is a sure bet. We ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant after the movie, and Ava couldn’t help but use the chips for fangs and pretend she was the Beast.

She asked me to put this picture on my blog, with a talk bubble

Did you see the movie? What did you think?

————————————————————————

Beauty  & the BeastB 3D is playing at the Regal Cinemas at New Market Center. Check the show times here.

What a mild winter we have had here in the High Country, and for that matter, all across the country! I think that this is one of those things that is meant to “confound the wise”. I have actually enjoyed not having to keep up with a heavy coat, gloves, hat, etc., but the fact remains that while many people do not like the snow and winter weather, it has hurt the economy with the lack of winter snow sports, skiing, snow boarding, and more. That eventually trickles down into our pockets here in the Boone area. I know it does for my business!

There is still time for some good snow events though, and like I’ve said before, my husband continues to pray. I have many people asking if he is praying for this weekend, and he loves it responding, “Everyday”!

Regardless of what kind of weather we are having, we can determine to be joyful and have fun! There are no winter time blues here! Take a look at what is happening around the county and bring family and friends along. Your enthusiasm will spread!

Also, take time to remember the great Martin Luther King Jr. and the special man that he was! Who can forget his famous words, “Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last”!

_____________________________________________________________________________

This Weekend at Regal Cinema…

Now Showing:

• Beauty and the Beast 3D NEW! G

• We Bought a Zoo PG

Visit www.regmovies.com for more info or call 828-262-3330.

_________________________________________________________________________

On Friday…

Take the kids and head on over to the Boone Chick-Fil-A for Crafts with Crystal the Snowman this Friday, Jan. 13th from 5:30 – 7:30pm. The youngsters will have lots of FUN as they join the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and make a winter craft with Moo Cow and Crystal. You’ll have a treasure to take home that your little one will be proud of! For more info call 828-264-4660 or visit their website at www.chick-fil-a.com/boone.

On Saturday…

Here’s a way to have a night out and the kids have fun too! You’ll have peace of mind dropping the kids off at the Saturday Night Out at New River Gymnastics Academy and be able to get a Date Night out with the hubby, all in one. Starting this Saturday, Jan. 14th from 6 – 9pm, and every weekend throughout the year, for just $20, kids K-7th grade will have a great time as they learn about the sport of gymnastics all the while growing in strength, flexibility and positive self-esteem. New River also has a half and full Snow Day Program when kids are out of school. For more info contact Anna George at agnrga@aol.com, or call her at 828-264-0641, or visit their website at http://www.newrivergymnasticsacademy.com/.

On Sunday….

Come on out and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. with a Gospel Concert commemorating MLK day this Sunday, Jan. 15th from 4 – 5:30pm at the Boone MB Church. The Boone church welcomes everyone to come for some great “rock out of your seat” Black Gospel music. With a rich African American and Multiracial history, there is sure to be a variety of songs for everyone during this celebration!  For more info contact Pastor Chris Eidse at chris@boonechurch.com, or call him at 828-263-0502. or visit their website at www.boonechurch.com.

Have a Fun and Safe Weekend!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

***Make sure to visit our Online Stores at www.timespasttoys.etsy.com , our NEWEST website www.timespastwoodentoys.com, and www.dailycrossdesigns.etsy.com for our Wooden Toys and Home, Business, and Garden Decor.

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter under http://www.facebook.com/TimesPastToys; and as a follower @TimesPastToys; and at http://www.facebook.com/dailycrossdesigns and as a follower @dlycrossdesigns.

Hope to see you soon!

Here is a current item being offered: From our Times Past Toys Online Store, here is one of our Gift Certificates for easy gift giving! Are you looking for an easy way to give a gift? Are you wanting to give something to your friend or family member, but aren’t sure what they would like? Are you looking for a quick solution for gift-giving instead of waiting for a finished product to arrive several weeks later? And finally, are you looking for quality, hand-crafted, hand-painted wooden products that are durable and made to last? You’ve come to the right place! Here you can purchase a Times Past Toys Gift Certificate in various denominations of $10, $25, $50, and $100. Quick and easy, our Gift Certificates allow your recipient the option to choose what they want and need within a 90-day period. Great for Christmas, Birthdays, welcoming a New Baby, etc. A gift that will always be remembered!

We are now offering our Toys and products packaged for your convenience.

Labor Doula Services

• Labor Support
• Help with drafting a birth plan
• Education on birth choices and hospital policies
• Phone and email support
• A postpartum visited and limited assistance with breastfeeding
• Access to my resources and referrals

Serving women in the High Country area!  Offering FREE

services while I gain my DONA certification,

now through May.  Enjoy your birth experience, know your

choices, get support!

To find out more information about a complete list of all that is offered to our clients check out and “like” our facebook fan page here.

Or, contact me Becky Webb at 828-964-2496 or by email beckyjwebb@gmail.com.

Welcome! If you typed “www.highcountrymomsquad.com” into your browser, or traveled here through a link, you may be a little surprised.  

High Country Mom Squad is now “High Country Parent!” Don’t worry, all of the helpful content is still here, and our new format is even easier to navigate. We hope you will be able to better find any information you need about families in the NC High Country!

Well, I’m about 15 weeks pregnant.  I feel blessed and excited that God has is entrusting our family with another little one.   It amazes me just how fast children have grown up already.  My son is 3 years old and my daughter is 19 months and I am absolutely amazed everyday at how quickly the grow, change, learn and soak up the information in the world around them.  My oldest is growing my leaps and bounds and is a directional genius.  I mean really, is it normal for a child to come up and down back roads and still know exactly whose house we are near by?  My daughter can say any word that you want her to how about her practicing the word Chiropractor in the back seat?  Now, that is a mouthful for a 19 month old.   My other favorite thing is to hear her sweet little voice in the back seat saying, “I love Jesus.” Or, even singing the words to Jesus Loves Me.  Precious, just precious.

Now that the third one is on the way, I am a much busier mama than I have ever been.  I have two little ones (that is probably enough to keep me busy isn’t it?), I enjoy writing for the High Country Mom Squad, Pennies and Blessings,  Saving On Travel, my own blog Our Peaceful Home and quarterly at Keeping It Personal.  As if I wasn’t already busy enough, for the longest time I have desired to get into the profession of helping aid women to have a happy, Healthy, educated Childbirth and am in the process of launching my doula business Endless Blessings where I hope to expand to Childbirth Education and hopefully other areas in the profession that will serve women in this community to have an empowering and educated birth experience.

With all this on my plate, you might ask how I do it.  Actually, I ask myself that quite a bit.  I can’t honestly say that I always do it well.  My house kind of looks like a tornado hit it,  we actually don’t have a Christmas tree up at the moment (but we are going out of town so I thought I’d let it slide), the bathrooms need a good disinfecting, and my to do list is long and daunting.  Meals are usually quite a challenge for me.  Although it typically isn’t in our budget, giving in to getting something to go is awfully appealing for our family.  I didn’t learn to cook until six years ago when I married and now I like to cook from scratch for health reasons, which I honestly don’t always feel like doing, nor do I really feel like I’m THAT good of a cook.  And, since I have a hobby of studying health, nutrition and going green even though it is convenient sometimes going out to eat makes me cringe and feel relieved all at the same time.  How does that work?

I don’t know if this is 100% correct, but here is how I attempt to manage all the things that are going on in my life without loosing my mind.  Not that I don’t have occasionally have a difficult season. If you have any tips for me or any other readers I’d love to hear them at the end of this post.

Give My Day To God – I’m not perfect, but I do need a perfect savior.  Daily I go to God and give him my day, even if that is just screaming “Help!” Sometimes to myself and sometimes out loud but always in a prayer.  I enjoy spending time reading God’s word and soaking in the promises of His love.  I often go to Him with my plans for the future like for my business, Endless Blessings, always for the well being and direction in parenting of my children.

Give Priority – I really enjoy having something that I am passionate about.  I love studying health, nutrition, and childbirth.  I love it when I get the chance to serve women who desire to have a supported birth experience.  I get a rush out of talking about it with others and sharing my knowledge to help others.  But, I have to always remember that my priority is my walk with God,  my marriage, my children, and then business ventures.

Be Passionate About What You Do – I am very passionate about blessings coming into the world, helping woman know their choices and options, serving others, and just the world of childbirth in general.  I find it absolutely fascinating.  I feel that is is important to pursue those things.  I believe that it is a calling and not just excitement.

Set Boundaries – Work hard, play hard.  Feel free to give yourself time off if you need it. We all need rest.  It is not necessary to keep going and going if you feel like you have no gas left. It isn’t good for your health or stress either.

May you enjoy the peace of your family, passionate work, and a healthy life!  Blessings!

Take advantage of a rare opportunity to have your child/family professionally photographed by an amazing photographer while benefiting The Children’s Playhouse…just in time for the holidays!

Price: $49

What: A 30-minute unlimited family photo session in a beautiful outdoor location. Receive top 20 images on CD, copyright-free! All proceeds benefit the Children’s Playhouse.

Dates: Saturday, October 22nd & 29th (call for available time slots).

Photographers: Rick Rapfogel, Ashley Fitzgerald, Paul Gantt, and Tara Babb are graciously donating 100% of their time and talents to this cause!

Space is limited! Reserve your space today by calling The Playhouse at 828.263.0011. Advance payment by cash, check, or credit card is required.

Terms & Conditions: Photographers retain right to feature photographs in their portfolio and/or website. Each family will receive the BEST 20 photographs as determined by the photographer. Retouching, editing and professional prints can be purchased for an additional price from the photographer.

When you think of eating healthy, what is the first thing you think of?  You may think of butterless bread, and flavorless meals.  It is sad that many people believe that eating healthy is low carb, low sodium, or low fat.  Those things are much of what has been communicated as bad through the years, and it is unfortunate that many of us cannot get that idea of healthy out of our heads.  In excess, many of those things may be unhealthy, but following one of these diets is a false idea of health.  I would like to suggest that true health really comes from eating foods that nourish our body instead of deplete it of precious nutrient stores that our body needs desperately.  Real food is just as it sounds, it is nothing more than food that was created by God to nourish our body so that we can enjoy true and lasting health.  So, anything you find at the store that is pre-made or man-made with artificial ingredients or preservatives is not privileged to carry the name real food.

I have come to realize that even though the term real food has become more mainstream many are still unaware of how to shop for real food.  And, others who know how to shop for real food are sometimes completely unaware how harmful processed food can be to their body or they find it difficult to forgo the convenience of processed foods.

Here are some important tips to remember when choosing to replace processed food with real, nourishing foods.

Don’t eat out of boxes, cans or bags (unless they were put together by you) – If you need a quick snack for you or your kids try dried fruit instead of fruit snacks, granola bars are easy to make and wrap for a take and go, or nuts are a healthy treat.

If you choose to eat out of a box make sure you can pronounce all the ingredients – Chances are if you can’t understand what you are eating your body doesn’t either.

Shop the Outside Isles of the Grocery Store – If you are wondering where in your grocery store to find real food you best bet is to shop around the outside of the store.  Forget those boxes of processed stuff you will save money and feel better making your recipes from scratch.

Create Colorful Meals – The most nourishing meals have a wide array of color weather it be vegetables or fruit.

Remember, you are what you eat. Cells in your body are constantly multiplying.  The more nutrients your body had the healthier they will be.  If you eat healthy foods you will have healthy cells and thus have a healthy body, if you eat junk food your cells will be missing vital components to help your body run as it should.

And, as Truett Cathy the creator of Chic-fil-a says, “God created food, therefore make it good.”  Healthy food doesn’t have to taste bad.  God created wonderful spices, colors, and flavors to create meals.  Throw your processed foods out the window, everything tastes better when it is all-natural and created with the right combination of spices and flavors.