THE BEGINNING OF ADVENT

One more day and we will be opening the doors on our advent calenders. If your children are like mine they will want a pretty picture and chocolate, and no they don't want the same one as last year! Which means in 27 days it will all be over!

The Container arrived on Thursday and was unloaded in a record time of 34mins 29seconds. The guys thought they would have the rest of the day to put it all away, but no,they had a wagon load of spares to sort!!! No time to waste, it must have been the promise of the Christmas Party that spurred them on!

Before the end of this week we have a load of tractors from Falk coming in. These will make ideal Christmas presents and as an added bonus they are reduced, which will make them doubly attractive. They will be in all sizes and a selection of colours. Just give an eye to our website for more details, or our facebook page.

This weekend we are embarking on a new venture, entering uncharted waters so to speak. Our nearest town is Northallerton, and it holds a market in the High Street twice a week on a Wednesday and a Saturday. This Saturday we are looking to take a stall, and exhibit a selection of our toys. That's as long as it doesn't snow, otherwise we may have a change of heart, we can't risk the toys getting wet!!

If you don't hear from me next week I have been seconded to help Santa and his elves. Julie

WE'RE IN THE FARMERS WEEKLY

The weeks seem to be flying by at a frightening rate of knots. We are already having to look at forward orders for next year!! Jess, Lou and I shared the Christmas Fayres among us. It was good to see some familiar faces, as well as new ones. The car on both occasions was well and truly laden. It is amaizing what we can fit on a table!!!

On Thursday we are expecting a container in from Poland containing toys from Little Tikes. Hopefully with Thomas The Tank Engine Beds, Rainbow Chairs, Grand Coupe Cars and Push and Ride Walkers to name but a few. It will be all hands to the pump to unload it. Yes we manually unload all the boxes. The guys will then be kept busy putting it all away, hopefully before it gets dark. Some of the items will not be put away, and will be sent straight out to our customers.

I'm saving the best news till last. On Friday we were so excited, ok yes we are easily pleased, but this was big news for us. The Farmers Weekly magazine at the beginning of October decided to compile a Christmas shopping special that would showcase some of the finest products produced on British Farms by British farmers. We submitted a couple of things we thought its readers might be interested in, that we thought could be appropriate, along with no doubt countless other businesses. Low and behold, there we were on page 77, we had been selected along with I think 9 others. The sucessful item was the Big Fork lift Truck. I'm not in on a Friday, and they did not let on if they celebrated, but it was certainly worth celebrating.

Till next week, when we may have news of another container!!! Julie

CHRISTMAS, IS IT REALLY COMING???

We can't ignore it any longer!!! Christmas is coming whether we like it or not. The lights have been switched on in the cities and Friday 2nd Dec, Santa Claus will arrive in Northallerton complete with horse drawn carriage. Hopefully without the snow!! Saying that the weather is usually unpredictable.

On Wednesday 16th of November we are exhibiting at Solberge Hall for their Christmas Craft and Fashion Fayre on behalf of the Conservative Association. So if you are not busy, why not pop down and see us between 1.00pm and 8.00pm. We would love to see you. At the moment we are deciding what to take, baring in mind we cannot fit the whole shop on a display table!! We will no doubt try. Thursday evening we are going to another Christmas Fair, this one is for Scruton Playgroup at Ainderby School from 7pm - 9pm.

We have just got in some ideal stocking fillers, or presents for friends. Safsof, make a selection of soft play sports items. Their rugby ball is dense enough to practise your passes and is good for little hands to catch. There is also a badminton set, bowling set and two balls, one blue and the other green. The added bonus is that these are reduced, so you can't go wrong!!

I will let you know if we manage to fit all the toys in the car, and how the day goes. Till next week, happy shopping. Julie

THERE IS ALWAYS HAPE!!!

The adrenaline has subsided and the shed has been restored to its former glory. We are no longer finding things in strange places so you could say everything is back to normal. Or as normal as it gets. Halloween and Bonfire night have been and gone and we seem to be continually reminded that Christmas is just round the corner. Looking out at the frosty morning I am more likely to believe it is on its way. Nothing like a blast of cold air to focus the grey matter.

Since I have mentioned the dreaded word I may as well continue. Dolls houses make fantastic Christmas Presents. One of my favourites is made by a company called Hape, made out of bamboo and birch plywood.

This one comes with solar panels and a moveable staircase. You buy the frame and then choose the furniture, just like a real home, but a fraction of the price!!

We do have a selection of other houses to suit taste and pocket, some are made by a company called Plan. One that we particularly like is the Victorian dolls house

Here is a bit of information about Plan. Plan create toys that inspire children's imagination as well as promote their physical and intellectual development. Proving that it is possible to maintain superior quality standards while steadfastly following a path of environmental and social responsibility. All Plan Toys are made with clean, natural rubberwood from rubber trees which no longer produce latex. To keep the rubberwood pure, no fertilizer is added to the soil for three years before the trees are cut. To strengthen the wood, Plan Toys use a special chemical-free kiln drying process. They are assembled using a certified E-Zero glue in place of traditional toxic wood glue. Plan use only safe, non-toxic water-based dyes on all of their toys. Soy and water-based inks are used on their printed materials. These inks are more readily biodegradable and can be recycled more efficiently than standard chemical ink.

Have a look and see what you think. Rumour has it they are threatening snow for the end of the month. If you don't hear from me next week I have either hibernated or got a cheap flight some where warm!! Julie