Upcoming....Don't forget, the 1st Saturday sale for November is just around the corner (November 3rd).  There are still spaces available, if you would like to set up, the cost is only 10.00. OR you could just come out for some great deals inside the store and outside in the parking lot.  Mark it in your calendar, hope to see you soon!

I, Vinnie Mouse, am back!

Hello Everyone, It has been a long time coming, but I am back!  Please forgive my long extended absence, I did some traveling and have a few pictures to share with you : )  

As you can see, I began my travels in Killeen, from Paply's Gift's and Antiques, to be exact. Once I got my suitcase packed,

I went to New York.  I thought it would be fun to visit the Statue of Liberty before going abroad...

My first stop was the Eiffel Tower in Paris, oh what a sight!

So then, i went to England, where I met some of the world's best chef's!

They also have such nice police officers, I was having some trouble crossing the street, when this one held up traffic for me to go...

On my final stop, I was soooo excited!  I got to go horseback riding!

Then, it was time to come home, back to Paply's Gifts and Antiques....I couldn't wait!

Christmas Open House Highlights

Did you make it to the Christmas Open House?  If you didn't, you missed a HUGE party!  I took a bunch of pictures and I'm gonna share them with you, just so you'll know what you missed...in case you're one of the ones who missed out.

These photos aren't in any particular order...totally random.  Sit back and enjoy!

This is the cutest darn idea.  They took a white iron tiered stand and placed the plates and punch cups in it. Functional and pretty, too!

Renate, one of the vendors, made these classy pine cones.  Who knew you could glam up plain old pine cones????

This is a pic of the archway that separates the two levels...actually it's just a pic of the underneath of the arch.  I had to stand on my mouse-head in order to take this pic!

There were tons of these guys around...all dressed in red and white Santa suits.  

This is a pic of the top of the arch---told ya the pics were gonna be random.  :>)  Beautiful Santa on top and he's dressed all in white, rather than the customary red and white.

Here's another pic of the arch...

Bet you can't guess what this is!  It's an old bedspring hanging from the ceiling and filled with Christmas lights.

These slipcovers are so snazzy!  The picture doesn't show it well, but there are glittery thingies on the skirt, which makes it even more snazzy!

The lighting wasn't the best on this next shot...and, yes, I know the poor quality of the pic is due to the mouse behind the lens.  :>) Plates for Santa's cookies in a really vibrant red and white, despite the photographer's inadequacies with dealing with lighting.

This is a pic of the tables...and, yes, that is plural.  There were FOUR tables of goodies and beverages.  Oh, the grazing that took place that night!

This is the most dee-licious punch!  It's made out of ice cream and coffee.  Sounds awful, especially if you don't like coffee, but I can promise you it is scrumptious!!

And to end this little slideshow, here is a pic of Brenda and Mike, the owners of Paply's Gifts & Antiques, toasting each other on the back porch, following a very busy evening.

Brenda and Mike worked for days getting ready for the Open House, and all the vendors fluffed up their booths and filled them with seasonal decorations AND contributed to the food and drinks served that night.  What a great bunch of people that make up Paply's!!

You're invited!

It's true.  YOU are invited to a party at Paply's Gifts & Antiques!  I saw this invitation on Mike's desk, so I'm sending it out to all my blogger friends.  You gotta come!!!  They've been decorating for days and there is going to be some great desserts and beverages.  I saw the list of food and drinks to be served and I've been salivating ever since.  Consider this your personal invitation to join the fun....

You are cordially invited to our Holiday Open House at

PAPLY'S GIFTS & ANTIQUE MALL

Thursday December 2^nd from

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Holiday Desserts and Beverages

will be served.

5505 S. Fort Hood St (HWY 195), Killeen, TX 76542

(On HWY 195, ½ Mile South of Stan Schlueter Loop)

Phone: (254) 634-5679 or (254) 462-7631

·       Most Major Credit / Debit Cards Accepted

·       Lay-away Available

Secret peek at CALENDAR!

Since I consider all of you my best buds, I'm going to share my secret-spy discovery I found while snooping on Mike's desk...his calendar!  

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Black Friday Sale

and the best secret-spy discovery of all...

HOLIDAY PARTY

DECEMBER 2

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Gobble, gobble to all you Thanksgiving

celebrators in blogland!

Catchin' up

Have you missed me?  Well, I've missed you, too!!  I know you're wondering about my long hiatus from blog world, and I plan to tell you all about it...just not right now.  It's a surprise.  A big one!  I promise not to keep you in suspense too long.  That would be really mean, and I have to be good...at least until December 25.  :>)  

Until I'm ready to reveal my really, really big, super neat surprise, I thought I'd entertain you with a few pics of the shop that I found on Mike's desk.  I can't verify their age, since I haven't been inside the shop since...oh!  I can't tell you how long it's been 'cause that might ruin my surprise!  

Until the next time, it's Vinnie Mouse saying, "Au Revoire!"

Where ya been Vinnie???

I'll tell you where I've been...trying to stay cool, just like everybody else in Texas!  Can you believe this heat?  I don't know if you realize it or not, but mice sweat, too, and I've been all but swimming in it!

While I've been sweating, Brenda and Mike have been busy.  There's a new section to check out at the store...The Bargain Barn.  It's directly out the back door.  You can't miss it.  Here's the sign that marks the place...

Here's a peek inside the front door...

Okay.  So it's not much of a peek.  But it does give you an idea why I'm not too happy about the new Bargain Barn.  See the mouse perched on top of the blue toile fabric?  That's my bestest friend, Annie...short for Antiquity Mouse.  When things would get too crowded in the store---LIKE ON FIRST SATURDAYS!---I would slip out to the barn and hang out with Annie.  So what do Mike and Brenda do?  They EXPAND the store, taking over Annie's place and ruining my one and only spot to escape the crowds at Paply's, without having to call a taxi and head for the airport!  Sheesh. 

That sign says "Fill Up a Banana Box Only $5.00."  That probably doesn't make any sense, since you can't see what all is inside the Bargain Barn or the banana boxes you can fill.  The banana boxes are BIG and there's some really neat stuff you can fill your box with.  Here's a brief rundown:  all kinds of electrical accessories, like glass shades, fabric shades, glass domes, glass covers, chandeliers, and a whole bunch of other stuff.  Most of this stuff is brand-spanking new, so getting to fill a banana box and only having to pay $5.00 FOR THE ENTIRE CONTENTS, is a super deal!

Here's something else that is in the Bargain Barn...

In case you don't know what it is, it's a Paragon Kiln  You know, the contraption you use to fire ceramics and stuff. These things don't come cheap, but I heard Mike say he was willing to deal, so if you need one, head to Paply's and ask for Mike!

Besides the Bargain Barn, there are some other 'new' attractions at Paply's.  There is a new vendor who has all kinds of jewelry.  I took a quick pic, while noone was looking...

Necklaces, rings, bracelets...you name it, you'll find it in this booth.   Bling, bling, bling!  And there's another new booth that carries this stuff that I can't pronounce.  It's called Capodimonte.  Yeah, I know.  Sounds foreign.  And it is.  It's Italian home decor.  Here's a close-up pic of one of the larger pieces...

The picture looks ho-hum, but this stuff is really gorgeous!!  And there's lot of it, so come and check it out.

And then there is a display case that is full of the most bee-utiful dolls!  There is a newspaper article about the lady who made them.  Cool!  And there are all kind of dolls.  Big dolls like this one...

There are lots more.  Crawling baby dolls, and then there are these 'choir girls'...

These dolls are all captured singing their little hearts out.  Really cute...and highly collectible!

Okay.  So I guess you've figured out that tomorrow is the one day of the month that I really HATE. 

FIRST SATURDAY AT PAPLY'S GIFTS & ANTIQUES!!!!!!

There are going to be lots of people in the parking lot...I saw Mike marking off the spaces.  And a lot of vendors INSIDE the store have got really good sales going on this weekend.  15%, 20%. 25% and even some 50% off.  And there is one vendor, Cowpalace, who is having a CRAZY sale.  There's a calendar with prices on each day for a 3-piece desk set.  The price drops $5.00 every day until the desk set sells.  This started back in July and the price is still dropping.  A desk, hutch and tall bookcase make up this desk set.  College students and anyone is in the market for a place to study or work need to check this out.  It's like new and well made!

Well, I better get out of here.  Gotta get my beauty sleep, you know.  If you make it to Paply's this weekend, check out the Bargain Barn...and look for Annie.  She's the coolest friend ever!